Episode 11 Late Kick Off Midlands

Midlands teams hoping to stay up are fighting hard. Some of our our

teams hoping to go up are faltering. It's all coming up in tonight's

The view from the Trent - Danny Higginbotham on Nottingham Forest's

chances of staying up. I thoroughly believe that if we keep our form

going the way we have been, we will be safe sooner than later.

After 14 defeats and five draws, the Sky Blues finally return to

Coventry with an away win. And from Anderlecht to the Black

Country via Stoke, Walsall's on loan Florent Cuvelier on life in

League One. The I believe that we will stay in League One for next

season, because everyone their works very hard in training every

day. And I'm joined in the studio

tonight by two men who always have plenty to say for themselves.

Martin Allen recently left Notts County and has also managed

Leicester and Brentford amongst other clubs. As a player, he

starred for the likes of QPR and West Ham. And Dean Kiely knows all

about winning promotion from the Championship. He did it with West

Brom, where he's now on the coaching staff.

First tonight, a man who started with Manchester United and has

spent most of his career in the top division. But now Danny

Higginbotham is doing his best to keep Nottingham Forest in the

Championship. Natalie Jackson spent an afternoon messing about on the

river with the experienced Stoke defender. Danny, as you try to keep

Nottingham Forest afloat, we thought we'd pick your aboard.

Wajid for the cliche! -- watch out for. I you enjoy Nottingham? Yes, I

do, I come from Manchester, and coming here and spending some time

here, it is nice. It is a really nice city. Doing things like this

is really nice. It is a Premiership club waiting to happen, the

facilities, the stadium and everything. If you look at the

players and the way they are playing, some of the lads are

playing to their capabilities and it is showing. Garath McCleary is

doing very well and there is no better winger than him in this

division. It is a good set of lads. The dressing room is as good as any

I have been in before, which is a bonus. That is starting to show now,

how close the lads are, by the results on the pitch. Things are

coming good, aren't they? Hopefully at the right time. It is not a case

that we can rectify it next week, it is about getting results now,

which we are doing. We're just in front door of the stadium, it

reminds me of the Millwall game. How does that read? It was up there,

I suppose! I have scored or few goals as a defender, so I enjoyed

that. Thankfully, it went into the corner. Top three are for, maybe.

It seemed like Forest were treading water. Now, can you keep them

afloat, the thing? Mead, myself, personally could? No! Yes I believe

so. I believe that the minute I walked in the door. With their own

are sadly passing away a few months ago, it is imperative the football

club stays up and everything can get sorted out in the summer and

the team get to the right side of the table next season. What about

Steve Cotterell of? He has had a lot of stick from the fans? But was

not great when he came in. Steve McLaren had signed the players that

were here before. Football is a fickle sport. I think, if Stevo get

this club saved, people will say, that is a bonus. Would you like to

stay here? If there is an opportunity to come here, it would

be something I would definitely think about, the history of the

football club, the fact you're still getting over 20,000 fans,

albeit been at the wrong end of the table, whether I get the

opportunity to stay or not, I am hopeful that the football club can

do that next year. Danny, you have been a footballing captain but to

be have been the captain of our ship. Have you enjoyed it? I have

thoroughly enjoyed it. It has been a great experience. Thank you for

Danny Higginbotham will have enjoyed watching Forest's latest

game. A 3-0 win at Crystal Palace gives them a six-point cushion over

the Forest manager Steve Cotterill could perhaps sense an upturn in

his team's fortunes and despite an early scare when Owen Garvan might

have given Palace the lead, this out! Radoslaw Majewski with a

belter! Chris Gunter back for Radoslaw Majewski, on a hat-trick!

He has got three! After a season of largely fruitless

away trips, few would have given Coventry much chance of breaking

their duck at promotion-chasing Hull. But from the moment Liam

Cooper marked his first game in 18 months with an own goal, the Sky

Blues were on the up. Substitute Cody McDonald confirmed the victory

with four minutes remaining and for the first time since October,

Coventry are out of the bottom But has been a long time coming,

being stuck in that bottom three. We have shown a lot of character

and belief. There is a great buzz in the dressing room. I am pleased

for the fans as well, because they have been right behind us through

the whole season, through the ups and downs, and they have stuck with

us and driven as on today. It was a struggling Bristol City despite

taking an early lead. He's inside the box - polls are back. I Gall,

fantastic fable by Derby! -- a goal. He pulls it back - what a goal! 1-1.

Birmingham represent the Midlands' best hope of a play-off place after

Friday's 3-1 victory at Doncaster. David Murphy's equaliser was

followed by a memorable individual goal from Chris Burke. Marlon King

secured the victory with ten But a terrific hat-trick from

Radoslaw Majewski. Yes, he has always been a fantastic tactical --

technical player. He has had their ability to make goals, but a hat-

trick on Saturday. Steve deserves a lot of credit for bringing in some

good loan signings and the arrival of O'Driscoll was well was key. I

think they will definitely be safe. Danny Higginbotham's experience has

been key. It is vital to have someone like that in the dressing

room, isn't it? It is, and you have to get the right type of person and.

Danny Higginbotham has a solid citizen. The other people from

other clubs to have, on loan have a point to prove that their pay in

club. They have a fresh pair of legs on them. Nottingham Forest

certainly needed it. They have had a tough season. Similar story with

Coventry. They are now out of the bottom for the -- the bottom three,

after no wins and 11. Now they have a monkey off their back by winning

at home. Coventry have got the summer sun stars of the future

playing for them. -- some stars of the future. Two of their loan

players look like the catalyst for turning it round for Coventry. I am

pleased for Andy Thorn, he never moans, he never get up or down. He

came from being the chief scout, which was very similar to Brian

McDermott at Reading. The key for Coventry is now not to become

complacent. With Portsmouth situation, that was a boost for all

the clubs around, because it proportionate than a top spot and

they benefited from it. -- it pipped Portsmouth N a tough spot.

It is a good time to get some points on the board, the need to do

it sooner rather than later. Birmingham's victory at Doncaster

lifts them up to fourth place, but what of Leicester City? They

started the season as hot favourites for promotion but a lack

of consistency has cost them dearly. Saturday's defeat at Peterborough -

a story of missed chances - just about sums up the Foxes' season.

Natalie was at London Road for Late Kick Off.

Elek the morning -- early in the morning at London Road and the kit

man and I are pretty out Piquet. To stake -- to say the away dressing

rooms are cramped and old fashioned as an understatement. They're very

old fashioned, I would be surprised if there was more than one shower.

Will any of those players in a dressing room be giving up on the

play-offs yet? No, no, No. Not at all. What will be on their minds is

getting out there and winning this game. The fans are looking at the

games to go on thinking about how many points are left. When Martin

O'Neill was here, we're out of it until the last few games, I ended

up winning those and ended up winning promotion. The best time to

get in the play-offs is the last but one game of the season. If you

get there too early, you can get pushed out again. But time is

running out and Leicester City do not have an easy run-in. Doncaster.

These players can't afford to think about the games coming up - all we

can worry about is the game today. But Nigel Pearson knows his team

have it all to do. Ben Marshall put an early chance just over. On seven

minutes, the keeper tipped the free-kick over the bar. The

managers' body language said it all. The chances kept coming, but no

Paul Taylor stunning the huge away following. Peterborough could have

made it 2-0 when the goalkeeper brought down the striker. But the

captain redeemed himself by saving a penalty. As the minutes ebbed

away, the manager was heading every ball. Leicester even had a goal

disallowed. At full-time, he conceded the play-off dream seems

Can you still get into the top six? It is going to be very hard. There

is an awful lot to play for still in terms of how we finish the

season, so it is a big gap at this stage. It is not arithmetic

Is the dream over? It is looking that way. I expected Leicester to

be above the right side of the lines regarding promotion. They

have under-achieved. The manager is a straight Ford Open Fowler. You

cannot say he has been let down -- straight forward fellow. They must

be something. For the budget and talents they have in the squad to

be were they are, they are under- achieving. What is it, high

expectancy, too much too soon? There is a high expectancy when you

spend that amount. I think Nigel will be looking forward to pre-

season training where he can make his own personality and make his

mark on the club putting himself and recruitment in the summer to

bring in some players. It looks like I am sure Leicester City

supporters will be understanding. Too much spent too soon and I am

not sure the money was spent wisely. But you talk about regrouping over

the summer but you don't want the revolving door to be bringing in it

double-figure players. It has to revolve because Nigel has taken

over somebody's squad and thoughts and ideas. It has not worked. In

this period, he is playing with players that maybe he would not

have signed. He Hasted, in my opinion, be given the time and the

chance -- he hopes to. frustrated with the content is

splitting up. Still to come on tonight's Late Kick Off: Not a

quite a picture perfect performance by Walsall but the Saddlers stay

out of the relegation zone at Rochdale.

Now he may be a small midfielder but his pace and performances for

Walsall have become a big talking point. Florent Cuvelier has already

attracted offers from Manchester City, Tottenham and Fulham in the

past and is currently on the books of Stoke City. But the 19-year-old

has been on loan at Walsall since January and is helping to inspire

the Saddlers fight for survival in league one. Laura May McMullan went

Walsall are more than happy to go with the flow. His arrival on loan

from Stoke City has coincided with only one defeat in the last 11.

has enthusiasm, energy and a desire. He loves playing football. You can

see that in his body language. he's one of the loan stars who's

shining. His connection with Sam Mantom and Emmanuel Ledesma is

providing real creativity and flair in the midfield. The 23-year-old

Argentine has scored twice in the last two games. And Cuvelier scored

two goals in his first 4 performances for the Saddlers.

They've become firm fan favourites. I think we have a good chance now.

We have signed three players that have made a huge difference to the

club. The best is him. For someone of his size, he is quite a strong

player. The 19-year-old on loan from Stoke City is giving him a

vital first team experience. enjoyed to play up front of the

fans. I like the feeling to play and win the game. His vitality on

the pitch is balanced by a great attitude of it. He invited us to

spend some time with him. Welcome to my house and I'll show you

around. This is my girlfriend. Hello! This motivates me every day.

For me, it pushes me forward. has come a long way since first

kicking a ball as a toddler. And nine, he left home to enrol in a

sports academy in Belgium. At 15, he was scouted to come to England

and joined Portsmouth's academy. There was a problem when I arrived,

I could not speak any English. To be honest, since I was five years

old my dream was to play football. I always wanted to play football in

England at top level. His family still live in Belgium since his

girlfriend is a great support. With ambitions of heroin to do a law

degree, she admires how hard he works. He works very hard. He

always puts in the extra mile. He is the nicest person I have ever

met. He has a good heart. He has strong beliefs and morals. He is a

great believer in God. That's important with that ball. His work

ethic has been praised by his fellow team-mates. A month after

making his debut, he was nominated for League 1 Player of the Month.

It's a big achievement for me. I kept my feet on the floor. I didn't

First on his agenda now is to help the Saddlers fight for survival.

hope and believe Walsall will stay in League 1 for the next season.

And every player works really hard in training every day. His talent

and ability has understandably earned him a few nicknames. One of

The latest stop on Walsall's journey to beat the drop was

Rochdale, another team fighting to avoid relegation. A draw -

Walsall's 19th in 40 games - inched them a little closer to safety.

One defeat in eleven games for Walsall certainly isn't relegation

form - if only the Saddlers could win more. On-loan Emanuel Ledesma's

second goal in a week gave them a flying start at Spotland and

Ledesma's freekick forced an own goal to make it 2-0 and the

Argentine just had to capture the moment. But Walsall had to snap out

of it quickly. Corner from the left-hand side. It is in! Rochdale

get one back. A penalty for are level with nine minutes to go.

It is in! The home side had scored! Amazing scenes. So three minutes

into injury time and 3-2 to Rochdale surely there wasn't time

for the Saddlers to come back was there? Inside the penalty area! Key

races away to Walsall fans on the far side. In the fourth minute of

stoppage time, the Saddlers have rescued a point. A dramatic finish

too at Meadow Lane where the score remained goalless with a minute to

They have broken the deadlock. It Martin, how does it feel watching

Notts results now? Bitter? bitter. And not really disappointed.

I enjoyed my time there. I worked very hard. I am pleased with the

work we achieved, myself and the staff and the players and I'm

delighted for the supporters. Five new players. A new manager and

staff and I hope they do well. player and manager, you often seem

to have had positive relationships with fans but not with directors -

fair comment? There was only one direct and there was the chairman's

wife. She was a lovely lady. Some of the club's it's a bit like that.

Teams get relegated and find their way tough. That's what I have been

asked to go in and try and sort things out. To get the club going

again and work in the right direction and organise. I have

enjoyed doing it. Fire-fighting. Yes, with Bonet last year and Notts

County in the relegation places. -- bonnet. I am happy for the players

and staff. And also the owner, he spent a lot of money in that club

and they deserve to be successful. The loan signing has often proved

inspiration. Many managers, the credit comes their way and for Dean

Smith he kept them up last year and has struggled with the Budget and

the resources. For them to be where they are, that is his success. He

has come in as a lone player, I am a bias but I would say he lets him

go off and do what he does well. He sits in and anchors it. Sam does it

well. They complement each other great. An added extra they have

needed at the right time. And deja- vu. We'd love to hear from you here

on Late Kick Off. We're open for business seven days a week on

Facebook, and you can continue the conversation right now on Twitter.

The race for automatic promotion from League Two is closer than ever

with Shrewsbury outside the top three by the smallest of margins -

Shrewsbury - unbeaten at home in the league - fell behind to a Josh

Payne penalty for Aldershot. The Shrews prospects apparently receded

further when David McAllister was sent off for elbowing Adam Mekki.

But even with ten men, the Shrews COMMENTATOR: Goal! Cheltenham's

promotion push is fading alarmingly - a four nil defeat at fellow

challengers Southend on Friday drops the Robins to 6th. After

eight consecutive defeats, Burton have managed a win and a draw

without conceding a goal. Crawley were largely on top at the Pirelli

Stadium though Justin Richards threatened an upset for the Brewers.

The season probably can't finish quickly enough for Port Vale. They

fell behind to a Micky Spillane goal for relegation-threatened

Dagenham and Redbridge and the normally-reliable Marc Richards

then failed to rescue a point from a late penalty. Dagenham's victory

was bad news for Hereford whose immediate future in the Football

League is looking bleak. A one goal defeat at Rotherham leaves the

Bulls bottom and four points from safety. Shrewsbury held to a draw

against Aldershot. Interestingly, they have one four. There is

nothing wrong with a character. Graham Turner has done a fantastic

job. He will be disappointed to not hold on to it. Aldershot are on a

fantastic run. Scoring a goal for Shrewsbury, he left Aldershot last

year under tricky circumstances. Acrimonious, fair to say it was job

I smiled when he scored that goal. Cheltenham are plummeting. 8 1/2

hours without a goal. You try and gather it up. They are struggling

at the wrong time. It's difficult because they have done great. They

have done extremely well. But you will be judge of what's happening

now. It's a tough run. You have trouble your sleeves up. He has

done well, the club is a good one, Cheltenham. It didn't go well for

me there, to be honest. I am pleased Mark and it's good for the

supporters. They could turn it back. They play great football. It is

looking ominous for Hereford. Four points adrift of the division.

Finally tonight - some good news for all fans, whoever you support.

It seems the so-called "pasty tax" announced in last week's Budget

won't affect the price of your pre- match pie. A pie, possibly combined

with a pint, is now seen as the ideal preparation for the 90

minutes to follow by many fans. There were fears that the price

would go up but a Treasury spokesman told Late Kick Off that

most clubs already charge VAT on their pies and the "pasty tax"

shouldn't make a difference. We have got some to drive. I know you

worry, sir. -- to try. Do the managers indulge in the pies?

get the waft of a high across the pitch. That makes you think about

what she would have after a win. I haven't eaten many pies at a

football ground, I am playing all sitting in the stands. A favourite

question mark I don't mind one from the chip shop. I don't have them at

football matches. Chicken ball to goes down well. You might have

talking to some. Great to see. We're taking a week off for Easter

so there won't be a Late Kick Off next Monday but we're back in a