Who's going to sneak in this year?

Each year in The Championship, there seems to be a "sneaker". By the term "sneaker" I mean a team that strings together a run of form that sees them clinch 6th and the final spot in the Play-Offs, sometimes even on the last day of the season.

Arguably, this season has seen perhaps not the greatest quality of football, but certainly the most competitive in a number of years. Even though it looks like the first 5 places of the table are sewn up by; Stoke, West Brom, Bristol City, Hull and Watford, nobody can predict in which order they will end up. However, 6th place is still very much up for grabs, with as many as seven teams still holding aspirations of throwing their name into the lottery of the Play-Offs.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace currently lie in 6th under the guidance of Neil Warnock. The former Sheffield United manager has transformed Palace within the space of half a season from a mid-table side into that of a contender for the Play-Offs. It's hardly surprising, as Warnock reached the Premier League with the Blades just two years ago, and will no doubt be confident of achieving the same feat with the Londoners this time around. Plenty of other clubs will try to deny them of that, with another "been there, done that and got the t-shirt manager" in the shape of Mick McCarthy hoping to steer his Wolves side to Wembley.

Wolves

McCarthy hauled Sunderland to the Premiership and has quietly placed Wanderers into a strong position with games in hand. It is argued and often said by managers that they'd rather have points on the board, but Wolves have two games in hand on Palace and are only three points behind. Despite missing their most talented player, Michael Kightly, for the majority of the season Wolves have dug out results when it mattered.

Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town fans must be pulling out their hair, they are surely the "if only" team this season. The style of football Jim Magilton has got The Tractor Boys playing this term is fast, flowing and easy on the eye. Their home form is amongst the best in the country having only lost once at Portman Road. Yet their dreadful away performances have unquestionably halted their progress. They have only managed three victories on their travels. If only Magilton had the nous to set his team up for an away game, they would surely be contenders, not for the Play-Offs, but for automatic promotion. Still, they have four games to go and are in the hunt for the much-coveted 6th spot.

Charlton Athletic

Alan Pardew has all but admitted defeat in the race for the Play-Offs after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Southampton. The Addicks are four points behind Crystal Palace with three games remaining. Although Charlton were amongst the favourites for promotion this season, followers of the London club shouldn't be too down-hearted as this season has been one of change and has seen new, young players with bright futures emerging. It's not over yet though, as we've seen this year anything can happen in this league.

Cardiff City

Here's an interesting one. Cardiff City- F.A Cup finalists- with 60 points and a game in hand. The Welsh club are hitting form at exactly the right time and their cup run has given them the momentum to mount a serious challenge. Usually, a prolonged run in a cup competition has a detrimental effect on the club's league form, but it seems as though Cardiff have been spurred on. Credit to Dave Jones, another manager that has seen success in guiding Wolves to the "promised land" in years gone by. This may be the surprise package as Cardiff currently occupy 10th place.

Crack Down

So what will it come down to? Most say it's down to the players, and to an extent I agree. They're the ones playing all the football after all. At this stage of the season, it's not just about ability and style. As much as anything else; it's mental strength. If a squad can remain focussed, undeterred by the form of clubs around them, they have a better chance then most. Out of the five clubs mentioned, four have managers that have experience of gaining promotion to the top flight. Jim Magilton, in his first full season as a manager has surpassed all expectations. It is the job of the manager to keep his players calm. It is his job to make the right decisions at the right times. Who will win the race for 6th place? Or, perhaps a more apt question is, who will crack first?

Championship 1-0 Premiership

So, the two F.A Cup semi-finals have been and gone and the hope of an all Championship affair in the final is now a distant memory, but I can't help but feel like it's been a victory for the second tier of English football.


Already in this competition we've seen more giant killings than in recent years combined, hushing the synics and reigniting the "magic" of the most prestigeous cup competition in the world. However, surely even the most ardent fan of the competition could not predict what was to come, even in it's latter stages, could they?


Perhaps part-timers Chasetown beating Port Vale in a replay of the 2nd round should have been recognised as an omen. Yes it recieved great coverage from all angles of the media, but did anyone truely expect this season's contest to unravel in the dramatic fashion it has done since? I doubt it.

Look at Barnsley's passage through to the semi final. A struggling side in the second tier, fighting to stave off the threat of relegation each week. The F.A Cup acted as a distraction for them. It gave their season and, more importantly their fans, something to look forward to. Every team of Barnsley's ilk hopes for the "dream draw", one of the "untouchables". That's what Barnsley were given, Liverpool.....at Anfield. Most fans would enjoy the day out no matter what. Let me remind you what happened on this particular day, as Barnsley made history.

With football becoming a business rather than a form of entertainment through the billions of pounds pumped into top clubs, it rarely leaves room for upsets. Even within the Premier League now, divisions are forming. The top four clubs are seemingly untouchable. Then the battle for 5th and 6th place is scrapped out by a handful of clubs, leaving a couple in midtable mediocrity and the rest in the relegation mire. Yet, this season in the Cup, all football fans have been reminded constantly throughout the competition that it is 11 versus 11......anything can happen.

West Brom's route to the semi-final wasn't exactly hard, yet they were more than a match for their Premiership opposition, Portsmouth. A desputed goal from former Baggie Kanu was the only difference as Pompey reached the final. Cardiff however, travelled to the north-east in the quarter-finals as underdogs. Live coverage from the BBC on a Sunday afternoon provided the perfect setting as thousands of "arm-chair" fans cheered as the Blue Birds disposed of Middlesbrough, with I might add, ease.

So onto the final; Cardiff beat Barsnley to face Portsmouth at the Wembley arena, and I'm sure the majority of neutrals will be once again cheering for the underdogs. I'll leave you with one of the best memories of FA Cup history.

Championship Round-Up Saturday 29th March

AS the 2007/2008 season draws to an exciting end, even more finger nails were shredded on Saturday as yet another weekend of fixtures in The Championship unfolded, turning the league table on its head.

Bristol City replaced Stoke at the top of the table, as the Robins beat Norwich 2-1 with Stoke held to a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Hull brushed aside a poor Watford side with a resounding 3-0 victory at the KC Stadium in the 3rd versus 4th clash. West Brom maintained their automatic promotion hopes, coming away with 3 points in a seven-goal thriller against bottom of the league Colchester United. Wolves moved up the league at the expense of Plymouth, who suffered at the hands of relegation threatened Coventry City.


Leicester won through in a tense bottom of the table clash against Scunthorpe, while Southampton are just one point above the drop zone after their 1-0 defeat at Cardiff.




Steve Brooker scored
the late winner to
send Bristol City top

Bristol City 2-1 Norwich City

Dele Adebola gave the hosts the lead just before the break, but Darren Huckerby curled a superb equaliser twenty minutes from time as Norwich piled on the pressure. However, in stoppage time, Steve Brooker pounced on a loose ball in the area to score his first goal for City in over a year, amid claims of handball from Norwich defenders, their appeals fell on deaf ears.

Burnley 2-1 Barnsley

Burnley moved to within 3 points of the play-offs after an entertaining game at a drenched Turf Moor. Wade Elliott capped a fine move on the half hour for the Clarets, poking home from 8 yards. The lead was doubled just 6 minutes later as Northern Ireland star, Kyle Lafferty, curled home from the edge of the area. F.A Cup semi-finalists Barnsley pulled one back through Brian Howard’s scrambled effort, but the Tykes couldn’t find an equaliser, moving them closer to the drop zone.

Cardiff City 1-0 Southampton

Cardiff faired better than fellow Cup semi-finalists Barnsley, with a Paul Parry effort as early as the 6th minute enough to defeat relegation-threatened Southampton. The Saints lie just one point ahead of Sheffield Wednesday, who have two games in hand.

Charlton Athletic 2-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Karl Henry struck in the 5th minute of stoppage time to steal all 3 points for Wolves in a gripping 5 goal thriller at The Valley. In-form Slyvan Ebanks-Blake gave Wanderers the lead as he lashed the ball home in the 15th minute. Full-back Greg Halford leveled for Charlton with a fine volley after half an hour. Ebanks-Blake restored Wolves’ advantage, in the second period, with a breath-taking solo effort. The former Manchester United man, turned Patrick McCarthy by the corner flag, before blasting a left-footed effort into the top corner from a tight angle. Leroy Lita looked to have rescued a point for the Londoners with a header in the 92nd minute before Henry’s timely intervention.

Coventry City 3-1 Plymouth Argyle

Michael Doyle gave Coventry a boost away from relegation with two goals in the first half to dent Plymouth’s promotion bid. Jay Tabb made sure of the win in the 65th minute to cap a fine personal display. Steve MacLean slammed home a consolation for The Pilgrims nine minutes from time.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Blackpool

Crystal Palace couldn't break down a stubborn Blackpool side at Selhurst Park. Neil Warnock’s side are just outside the play-offs while Blackpool edge closer to safety.

Hull City 3-0 Watford

Michael Turner provided the perfect start for Hull, heading home inside the first minute. Watford never recovered from that early set-back and were two down when Fraizer Campell continued his rich vein of form, netting in the 13th minute. Caleb Folan made sure of the points on 73 minutes before Steve Kabba capped a forgettable day for The Hornets as he was shown a straight red card for a late challenge.

Ipswich Town 0-0 Queens Park Rangers

Ipswich are just one point outside the play-offs despite being held to a goalless draw at Portman Road. QPR battled well to keep out The Tractor Boys who have only dropped 6 points at home all season.

Leicester City 1-0 Scunthorpe United

Lee Hendrie provided one moment of real quality to give Leicester the points in the all important relegation battle. The former England midfielder found the top corner in the 41st minute to move City two points above the drop zone, Scunthorpe look doomed.

Preston North End 3-1 Sheffield United

Preston continued their fine run of form with a deserved victory over Sheffield United. North End took the lead from the spot in the 28th minute after Neil Mellor was felled by Matthew Kilgallon. Callum Davidson stepped up to smash the ball home. It was Mellor who added the second before James Beattie ensured a tense finish with a penalty of his own 3 minutes from time. But Mellor wrapped up the victory, racing clear to score past Paddy Kenny in stoppage time.

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stoke City

Stoke failed to capitalise on a good start to the game, as Sheffield Wednesday scored late on to share the spoils. Former Owls striker, Richard Cresswell, gave Stoke the lead after a clever flick diverted Stephen Pearson’s drive into the bottom corner. However, City couldn’t convert several other chances and were duly punished as loanee Frank Songo’o drilled home a fine right-footed shot. Wednesday however included 6 loan players in their squad, going against league regulations which only allow 5, and could be hit with a fine by The Football League. Stoke City have made a complaint.

West Bromwich Albion 4-3 Colchester United

West Brom came from behind , scoring two goals in the last minute to snatch an important three points. Chris Coyne gave bottom of the table, Colchester, the lead after 14 minutes. To everyone’s surprise the U’s doubled their lead three minutes later, as Medy Elito expertly drove home his first goal for the club. The Championship’s leading scorer, Kevin Phillips, pulled one back for The Baggies before Chris Brunt curled home a brilliant effort to bring the scores level just before the break. However, Kevin Lisbie restore the visitors lead with just 14 minutes remaining as Colchester looked set for an astonishing away win. James Morrison and Roman Bednar broke the travelling fans’ hearts as they both netted in stoppage time. Colchester could be relegated next week.

Burnley 1-0 Charlton Athletic Tuesday 11th March

Wade Elliott’s wonder strike was enough to boost Burnley’s Play-Off hopes and dent that of Charlton’s at Turf Moor last night. The winger cut inside from the right to unleash an unstoppable left footed shot into the top left corner, leaving Nicky Weaver no chance.

Just prior to the match, Burnley officials were working hard to clear surface water off the pitch that had put the match in doubt. The rain and swirling wind made it difficult for both teams to get the ball down and play. It was Burnley who made the brighter start and could have taken the lead in the first ten minutes. Kyle Lafferty was put clear down the left hand side and from his centre; James O’Connor rose to head just over the Charlton crossbar.

Burnley continued to pile on the pressure, with Charlton’s Paddy McCarthy doing well to clear from inside his own 6-yard area. Charlton began to get themselves into the game, and should have taken the lead 20 minutes in. Jerome Thomas showed good skill to get past Burnley right back Graham Alexander and with Andy Gray and Leroy Lita waiting in the middle, Thomas blasted over from a tight angle. Both teams were trying to keep the ball down but chances were few and far between. Just before the break, Lita held the ball up well for the Addicks and laid the ball inside for Darren Ambrose. The former Newcastle man ghosted past Stan Varga and from the edge of the area drew a fine save from Gabor Kiraly down to his right.

Charlton started the second half as they ended the first. Former Claret Andy Gray raced clear of the Burnley back line, but just as he was about to pull the trigger, Clarke Carlisle slid in to deny Gray his first goal for the Londoners, at the expense of a corner. From the corner Charlton should have scored again. Sam Sodje found himself all alone, but somehow headed straight at Kiraly.

With just under an hour played, the deadlock was broken. Robbie Blake held the ball up well for Burnley, and after Stylishly laying the ball through Jose Semedo’s legs Elliott smashed home his first goal of the season in his 100th appearance in a Claret shirt.








Wade Elliott celebrates with Burnley manager
Owen Coyle (picture- viewimages)


The goal gave Burnley confidence and The Clarets began to pass the ball around at a much higher tempo. Burnley almost doubled their advantage minutes later, as former Chelsea left back Jon Harley, ventured forward and fizzed a 30-yard shot just wide of the top corner. Andy Cole and Blake then combined well to set up Alan Mahon who also gave Weaver a scare as Burnley pressed for a killer second.

Charlton boss Alan Pardew responded accordingly, bringing on strikers, Chris Iwelumo and Luke Varney to try and rescue a point. It nearly worked to immediate effect as Iwelumo headed wide when well placed. Charlton had Burnley on the back foot and launched high ball after high ball into the Clarets area. The defence and goalkeeper dealt with the majority, but Varney wasted Charlton’s best chance. Iwelumo headed dangerously across goal, only for the unmarked Varney to head well wide. Matt Holland drilled a low ball across the box, but no Charlton player could apply a telling touch.

Burnley played out the four minutes injury time and held on for all three points.

The teams were;Burnley: Gabor Kiraly, Graham Alexander, Clarke Carlisle, Stanislav Varga, Jon Harley, Wade Elliott, James O'Connor, Alan Mahon (John Spicer 64), Kyle Lafferty, Robbie Blake (Mark Randall 87), Andrew Cole (Ade Akinbiyi 75). Subs not used: Brian Jensen, David Unsworth.
Charlton: Nicky Weaver, Greg Halford, Sam Sodje, Patrick McCarthy, Ben Thatcher, Darren Ambrose (Luke Varney 69), Matt Holland, Jose Semedo (Zheng Zhi 79), Jerome Thomas, Andy Gray (Chris Iwelumo 69), Leroy Lita. Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Jonathan Fortune.Referee:
Phil Joslin (Newark).
Attendance: 10,780.