Sport Football League Championship 2010/11 Official Thread

[Sirloin]

Leicester are apparently trying to sign Riquelme. I'm not sure if thats a or a

[SomethingWitty]

Man alive, we never seem to get big money for our players* - every time Bent changes club I weep into my cornflakes (Darren that is, if it was Marcus then I'd be a withered husk).

*£1.25 million for Kiwomya was pretty good though.

TWTD Wickham Story

The suggestion is that the trigger is somewhere between 10 and 15 million, which doesn't sound like an awful lot to me, in the context of silly money Premier League transfers.

I was sad to see Kiwomya go, way back then even for what was big money at the time. That '92 side with him, Dozzell, Warky, Neil Thompson, Milts, Micky Stockwell and Bontcho Guentchev...

[incapable hulk]

TWTD Wickham Story

The suggestion is that the trigger is somewhere between 10 and 15 million, which doesn't sound like an awful lot to me, in the context of silly money Premier League transfers.

I was sad to see Kiwomya go, way back then even for what was big money at the time. That '92 side with him, Dozzell, Warky, Neil Thompson, Milts, Micky Stockwell and Bontcho Guentchev...

He's only scored 9 goals in 51 games according to the wikipedia which could be well wrong, 3 of which were in 1 game (unless his hat trick against donny hasnt been included).

He is only very young, but even £15 million sounds massively overpriced for a footballer with a goalscoring record of less than 1 in 5 in the second division.

I think im missing something with connor wickham, I just cant see why hes linked with moves for massive amounts of money.

Then again, money in football makes no sense in football anymore anyway

[Rex Grossman]

Cardiff City want to extend Aaron Ramsay's stay. If he sticks around and Cardiff City get promoted Dave Jones should sent Ryan Shawcross a thank you card.

[Ork1927]

Cardiff City want to extend Aaron Ramsay's stay. If he sticks around and Cardiff City get promoted Dave Jones should sent Ryan Shawcross a thank you card.

I think he's crucial for top two.

Wenger would be a fool though. - he is clearly fully fit now and they are still in all the cups. Pray Wiltshire doesn't get hurt.

He can have JET back though

[Sirloin]

Last minute hopefully winner from Waghorn!

[sinky72]

Boro take a 2-1 lead so a handful of idiot millwall fans decide to through bottles on pitch (1 towards our keeper). Disgraceful.

[incapable hulk]

Thank you, Scunthorpe!

Thank you, Cardiff!

Hell of a game today, end to end stuff. Fantastic result for forest and a brilliant performance.

Thought wed been robbed when cardiff got the pen, as it looked like a brilliant tackle. But credit to the reds, they picked themselves up and won anyway.

Great advert for the championship, cardiff were the most attacking team ive seen come to the cg this season ,but bothroyds dive was pathetic.

Still buzzing, its going to be a fantastic run in!

[Ork1927]

Thank you, Cardiff!

Hell of a game today, end to end stuff. Fantastic result for forest and a brilliant performance.

Thought wed been robbed when cardiff got the pen, as it looked like a brilliant tackle. But credit to the reds, they picked themselves up and won anyway.

Great advert for the championship, cardiff were the most attacking team ive seen come to the cg this season ,but bothroyds dive was pathetic.

Still buzzing, its going to be a fantastic run in!

We have to win Tuesday now - if Leicester beat us then its crazy tight at the top.

Jay has been playing like a prat for a few games now - not sure if he thought he was on his way to the Prem/going to play for England again???

I can't cope with the thoughts of the play-offs again - I'd rather us collapse totally than go through all that again (although to win at Wembley........)

[incapable hulk]

We have to win Tuesday now - if Leicester beat us then its crazy tight at the top.

Jay has been playing like a prat for a few games now - not sure if he thought he was on his way to the Prem/going to play for England again???

I can't cope with the thoughts of the play-offs again - I'd rather us collapse totally than go through all that again (although to win at Wembley........)

His diving was shocking and its mostly all he did. It was very dissappointing.

It is extremely tight, and looking at all the run ins- it looks like swansea have the easiest on paper. Theres going to be alot of stress for all the teams involved though. Im hoping cardiff and festa draw, to knock the bin robbers momentum abit and keep them out the top 6 and to take points from cardiff.

Also, is kenny jackett a twat all the time? Hes a good manager, but right here- he is behaving like a clown.

Middlesbrough's 3-2 win at Millwall was almost called off when objects were thrown from the home crowd at the Den.

Boro manager Tony Mowbray revealed: "The referee wanted to bring the teams off but both managers didn't think it was the right decision."

Missiles were thrown at the linesman and at visiting keeper Luke Steele when Scott McDonald put his side 2-1 up.

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett said: "I'm not condoning it, but I do like the passion and enthusiasm."

Millwall led through Neil Harris's first-half volley but were pegged back by Tony McMahon's free-kick before McDonald's disputed strike on 62 minutes.

Play was held up for several minutes as referee Chris Sarginson went to the dugouts to speak to both managers.

Jackett added: "I didn't think it would have been the right decision [to stop the game] but I told the ref to ask the Boro' keeper. We felt that things would settle down, which they did.

"From our fans' points of view, perhaps they felt aggrieved at one or two decisions which didn't go their way.

"And some of the decisions we've had lately have been tough."

Mowbray said: "What I'd say as the opposing manager is that what an asset it is to have that intensity and noise from the stands every week, but you overstep the mark when objects start coming on the pitch."

The victory moved Middlesbrough seven points clear of the relegation zone, while it was Millwall's first home defeat since early November as their challenge for a play-off place faltered, leaving them in ninth position.

[elmo]

Also, is kenny jackett a twat all the time? Hes a good manager, but right here- he is behaving like a clown.

hmmm, i think it's clear what he's tried to say there. Millwall is a hostile place to go and he likes that aspect of The Den. I like that aspect of The Den. Just check out the 2nd leg of the league 1 playoff last season against Huddersfield. A large part of our success that night was down to the fans and the atmosphere they created.

However he's aware that there is a line, and that was crossed by literally about 4 fans this weekend. I personally hope they get life bans, i hate seeing that shit at The Den and all it does is harm the club.

Kenny has to stand by the club and it's fans. He's got a good relationship with us here and could ruin that by slagging us off because a few cunts took it too far.

I don't know what you want him to say to be honest. Quotes like "From our fans' points of view, perhaps they felt aggrieved at one or two decisions which didn't go their way." wasn't directed at the bottle throwers, that was actually a quote about the raised atmosphere leading up to our second goal. But stick that quote in an article where the focus is on the missiles thrown and you get people misunderstanding what the blokes about.

[incapable hulk]

If hes been misquoted then fair enough, but instead of saying things like "im not condoning it but.. "...he should be outright condemning it.

It could be a bad article by the bbc and written to misdirect people, but he should be making a point that its not on

[elmo]

If hes been misquoted then fair enough, but instead of saying things like "im not condoning it but.. "...he should be outright condemning it.

It could be a bad article by the bbc and written to misdirect people, but he should be making a point that its not on

Not just the BBC. One newspaper had a picture of stewards with a shit load of bottles in his hands indicating that he was picking them up from the pitch. He was actually handing out drinks to fellow stewards.

My favorite though has to be the time The Sun sent a black reporter went to our match against Brighton. We were branded as Nazis for the following things:

1) No one sat next to him

2) The was a racist banner in the Millwall end

3) Millwall fans stood up shouting "sieg heil" while doing Nazi salutes.

when in fact:

1) No one sat next to anyone that day... the stadium was FAR from full!

2) He never saw the banner, a photographer saw it and told him about it. Yet didn't think to take a picture of it.

3) This is the best thing about the story. The Sieg Heils and salutes were actually Brighton fans singing (while pointing to the pitch) their club's nickname... "SEAGULLS SEAGULLS"

He retracted the article... on the corner of page 23 or some shit: http://www.millwall-history.org.uk/Press_Coverage5.htm

Look, we're not entirely innocent, that's not what i'm saying. I'm not saying no one threw bottles onto the pitch saturday. I just wish some other fans got to see it from the other side. How things get blown out of proportion, and how it's not what we do, but what we're known for that makes headlines.

Seats and Flares were thrown during the Wolves WBA game today, no mention of it here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9398454.stm

EDIT: Oh and as for Kenny, he and the club have worked their arse off to get rid of the unwanted. He most definitely doesn't condone or enjoy this sort of shit.

[incapable hulk]

Hey, i totally understand. I've only seen that article by the bbc, and the footage they showed on the football league show.

Fair do's if the reports are out of context though, it certainly wouldnt be the first time:)

[DeadRussian]

Oh, for fucks sake.

I stuck £5 on Forest to win 2-1 when they were 1-0 down and was seconds away from a £40 profit. And 3 points for Forest as well, of course.

Bugger.

[Herbalizer]

Another win for us and we sit second in the league, I didn't realise until tonight but we have won the most games in the league, I'm amazed at how good our season is going. if David Cotterill could take pens we would be top.

Not bad going for a club who haven't loaned any premiership players on massive wages or spent millions in the transfer Market. I'm enjoying it while it lasts because we will lose a load of players in the summer if we don't go up.

[Ork1927]

Good win for us tonight - first goal against the run of play and after the second we packed the midfield. Ramsey was awesome again. If he stays then top two is on - if not then I'm not sure.

Atmosphere was very odd - I think we are all collectivly damage from te last two years of disapoontment especially with the unthinkable prospect of a Cardiff vs Swansea playoff game.

I hope we both go up - be mental to see the derby in the Prem.

[elmo]

And we're freeeeeee....

free falling yeah, we're free falling.

And with Forest at the weekend, i can't see it getting any better!

[Headache]

Another win for us and we sit second in the league, I didn't realise until tonight but we have won the most games in the league, I'm amazed at how good our season is going. if David Cotterill could take pens we would be top.

Not bad going for a club who haven't loaned any premiership players on massive wages or spent millions in the transfer Market. I'm enjoying it while it lasts because we will lose a load of players in the summer if we don't go up.

Mate, we have to go to another home game soon!

[incapable hulk]

Oh, for fucks sake.

I stuck £5 on Forest to win 2-1 when they were 1-0 down and was seconds away from a £40 profit. And 3 points for Forest as well, of course.

Bugger.

Did you go? It was fucking terrible.

One of the worst games I have ever been too- and ive been to some awful games!

Just the quality of football was so utterloy poor.

Thanks in no small to preston, who as soon as they scored in the first half resorted to farical levels of time wasting and diving.

I dont normally have much a problem with refs unless thier name ends in clattenburg, or that ref from forest blackpool away, but this had to be the worst ref i have ever seen at the city ground- absoloutely no joke.

It was bizzare.

My mrs said she had never heard me scream at a ref before.

Forest were awful though, and preston deserved thier point. We just never got going.

Im worried that what happened last season is happening again. Except instead of it being away games, its games against the bottom teams.

Koncheskys injured as well, along with earnshaw, tyson,moussi and findley.

Why cant it be just mcgoldrick who we lose to injury.

[wullie]

Swansea were a little bit snide last night, I think it was Pratley who made the most hilarious attempt to win a penalty I've seen in ages, and little things like not returning the ball after a drop-ball, instead clearing it into the corner then crowding the resulting throw. The substitution made the difference as we had them on the ropes until then without actually creating anything resembling a clear chance. After going a goal up they turned into Brazil, oleing the ball around as if their boots were magnetised.

Nathan Dyer can't be any taller than 4'11", right?

[Rex Grossman]

Great night for Cardiff. One point off second with the teams directly above and below about to go through a horrendous run of matches.

Despite it being QPR, Swansea, Cardiff City and Forest in that order in the table, bookies odds go QPR, Forest, Cardiff City and Swansea.

I would say Swansea are getting a raw deal but I just can't see them getting enough points in the next 7 games (which include Forest, Leeds and Norwich – all in top 6) to still be 2nd come mid April.

[Rex Grossman]

Nathan Dyer can't be any taller than 4'11", right?

It helps him sneak behind the bar undetected to do this: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sunday-mirror/2008/03/09/southampton-football-stars-bradley-wright-phillips-and-nathan-dyer-in-barmaid-bag-theft-scandal-98487-20345281/

He's a horrible little cunt. To kick off my stag do in August 2008 a load of us stood on the Bob Bank terrace in the pouring rain for the first game of the season. Even those who were not Cardiff fans enjoyed shouting 'THIEF THIEF THIEF' and more at him. We also beat Southampton 2-1 that day thanks to a last-minute winner.

[DeadRussian]

Did you go? It was fucking terrible.

No, everyone I know either doesn't want to go or can't afford it. Probably for the best though, most my friends would think a lot less of me if they saw what I get like watching Forest.

[trickytree]

Why cant it be just mcgoldrick who we lose to injury.

Not great, was it? I couldn't believe how little pace McGoldrick and Tudgay have, they seem to be running in treacle. At least 'Eddie' did a few decent flicks here and there, Tudgay was well below par for the third or so game in a row.

McKenna should be fined for that miss in the first half, he had time to take a couple of touches but the nose bleed must have put him off.

Almost pleased in a way to see our overly-defensive tactics fail us, going all-out defence at home to the bottom club is just dire. Stupidly though we pack the box so much that we don't bother to cut out crosses, so one decent one as last night undoes us.

I also don't understand why our top scorer is stuck out wide where he can't get many shots in, Lewis needs to be playing off the striker(s) as he did earlier in the season when he was smacking them in for fun. We badly need to score more goals, we should be putting 3 or 4 past teams like Preston.

[incapable hulk]

Mate, I still cant believe how bad it was.

Maybe its tiredness? They have played I think its 7 games in the last 20 days which is going on a game every 2 and a bit days.

I didnt think we set up to be deliberately overly defensive (when billy came storming down from the stands, he was screaming at them to move forward), it just kind of happened owing to a complete lack of ideas. It was so frustrating watching morgan and chambers just pass it back and forwards to one another, constantly. Then chambers would just hoof it over everyone through to the preston keeper.

I couldnt believe mckenna missed that chance. It was a sitter, but i did think he ran his arse off for the rest of the game but looked exhausted. This is where we need squad depth.

It is amazing how completely immobile (im glad some else calls him eddie too!)mcgoldrick is.

Tudgay and mcgoldrick i think need to be partnered with someone nippy who will latch on to through balls and actually be near the goal. Mcgoldricks like david batty up front. Back to goal, pass the ball to defence- rinse and repeat.

I thought tudgay got up well for some great headers and chests to knock the ball onto.....no one. Because mcgoldrick was inexplicably behind his own midfield.

Rodney coming on was a breath of fresh air. He had pace and enthusiasm which is what we critically lacked. I never thought id say this, but that game was crying out for nathan tyson.

If earnshaws not fit for saturday, id go tudgay/rodney or mcgoldrick/rodney. As tudgay/mcgoldrick was so poor. They are almost too similar.

As for lewis, I wholeheartedly agree. I think billys trying to stick with 4-4-2 and keep mcgugan in midfield. But really, he should be playing off the striker. We need him in the middle- desperately.

Its odd, but I cannot wait for the international break! We need it!

[trickytree]

Tudgay and McGugan would be my front two while Earnie's out, Tudgay just gets in there on heading ability. Lewis has the ability to pick up Tudgay's flicks and either waltz into the box or score from range. I still don't see how Eddie scored 16 goals for a relegated Saints side, as you say he plays more like a midfielder (Batty's a bit harsh though!). Rodney did freshen up the attack, he was unlucky with his header.

Our marking from the crosses for their two goals was shocking, Chambers had a particularly bad game (although he's been mostly excellent all season). Look at their second goal - Gunter just stands and watches (I think he's terrible in the air generally though - opponents regularly target him with long balls).

On the positive, Cohen's been excellent in centre mid, far better than when he's out wide. Raddy's back next game too after his dumbass tackle, so let's go continental and bring back the diamond!

----McKenna----

Raddy-----Cohen

----McGugan----

Think that'll bring the best out of our players, the fullbacks can provide width and the back three midfielders tuck in when we don't have the ball.

[DeadRussian]

Hmm. The BBC stats tracker seems to indicate that Forest had 72% of the possesion away from home against Millwall today. Is that accurate? Are we Barcelona (if Barcelona drew 0-0 away to Millwall)?

[elmo]

Hmm. The BBC stats tracker seems to indicate that Forest had 72% of the possesion against Millwall today. Is that accurate? Are we Barcelona (if Barcelona drew 0-0 away to Millwall)?

The BBC stats have been all over the place lately so i'd take that with a pinch of salt. I think you had more of the play but not my that much, neither team really got out of second gear and from about the 60th minute you could tell it was going to end even.

[Herbalizer]

Beat Leeds 3-0 and played amazing. I don't like the look of our run in but with 12 games left it's in our own hands. Exciting stuff.