Episode 5 Late Kick Off Midlands

Hello and welcome to Late Kick Off, as we approach the final third of

On the show tonight: Some of our clubs rely on them, but football's

world governing body wants to ban them - what's the future for

emergency loans? You might as well just keep it open all season long.

A new look in the dressing room - perhaps a new stage for next season.

We go behind the scenes at the King Power Stadium. And who'll be the

Midlands kings in the championship? Natalie hopes the answers on the

cards. You never expect this Birmingham side to go on a long

sequence where they can't win. I'm joined in the studio tonight by

two men with more than 1,100 first- team appearances between them. Dean

Smith played for and is now manager of Walsall, masterminding last

season's great escape. And Michael Johnson was a terrace hero at Notts

County, Birmingham and Derby. Gentlemen, welcome. First this

evening, the chairmen of the 72 Football League clubs meet in Derby

this week with a proposed new ruling from FIFA on top of the

agenda. Football's world governing body wants to end the practice of

emergency loans, which are loan deals which take place outside the

two transfer windows. FIFA wants to bring the English game in line with

the rest of the world from the season after next. But many clubs

are saying that the change will significantly damage their

prospects. For Late Kick Off, Laura May McMullan has been to one of

those clubs, Burton Albion. It's hard to compete with the big

spenders. Down the divisions money is tight. The impact of the FIFA

ban on all 72 league clubs could be huge. It could be a major set-back,

financially. Lower division clubs that can only afford small squads

are often left to rely on the emergency loan system. As many as

400 players move clubs each season. And it'll be a big blow for Burton

in League Two. They've had 16 players come and go out on

emergency loans over the last three seasons. The club can't afford to

keep buying player. Quite simply, it needs the emergency loan system

to be competitive. If you gear yourself to having a smaller squad,

16-18 players, which sometimes we have to do because of our wage

bills, if you really do hit a sticky patch with four or five

injured, you really will get caught short. It would be a huge blow.

manager says he's also bemused by the whole system. He's calling for

transfer windows to be scrapped. have a transfer window close and

then a week later another one opens. If you go back and you have got to

ask yourself what was wrong with the original system. It is

ludicrous. There are two transfer windows across the football world,

one during the summer and another throughout the month of January.

But in the Football League, a week after a transfer windows shut,

another emergency loan window opens and this is what FIFA wants to ban.

But it'll also affect the Premier League clubs who rely on loaning

out their promising young players to get vital first team experience.

I do understand from my time in Switzerland that FIFA do not just

concern themselves for the Premier League or English football, they

have 230 or 240 countries to worry about. We must accept being part of

the general family that they might go to other people, but I would

like to see the English authorities fighting their corner for this one.

Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner joined Coventry on a month-long

emergency loan last November. He's since returned to Villa and has

earned promotion to the first team. Jamie Ward joined Derby County from

Sheffield United on an emergency loan last February. The loan went

so well that Ward is now permanent Ram. And with goals in short supply

for Port Vale before Christmas, striker Guy Madjo was brought in

from Stevenage. He scored four Under FIFA's plans, so-called

standard loans, those that begin and end in the transfer windows

will still be allowed. Burton have made good use of standard loan

signings with Calvin Zola and Cleveland Taylor both staying on

permanents deals. It is very valuable to go out and get games.

You don't learn much on the bench. And defender Tony James was

struggling to get in the squad last season. A month on an emergency

loan to Hereford and this season he's made 23 appearances. They must

have seen my performances for the other team and put me straight back

and the team. It worked wonders for me. FIFA is determined to close the

emergency window but have promised to look again at widening the two

existing transfer windows. The Football League will consult the 72

club chairmen in Derby on its next step on Thursday. Would it tile

hands of the emergency loan was scrapped? Yes, nobody can foresee

what is going to happen though, and you need something to go back to to

bring players in. Michael, do you agree? Yes, it is a system which

benefits not just the club but players as well. When I was at

Derby, it was great to get out and go to Sheffield Wednesday and help

their cause. We talked about this just now because there is also the

fact that as a manager, you want to be seen to the fans and the poor to

do something if things aren't going well, so does emergency loans to be

that scope. Yes, it gives your -- gives you the opportunity to change

things around. Some of the bigger squads, if they are carrying 25

players, some of the players are not playing and they need to go out

and develop their careers, so it puts a restriction on them if they

can't go out on loans. Fifa might say, why don't you just rely on the

standard loans? It will cost you a lot more. If you go on and take on

a player from a Premier League club he is a young player, you don't

know how we will fit in, if he is going to have further develop his

career will be ready for you. Come off down the line, if he is not

quite on the fringe of your team, we have got him for the rest of

that window and you are still playing -- paying the wages. Should

they be scrapped totally? You might as well scrap it and let the clubs

have loan signings as and when you need them. I understand why it was

brought in. We have had to come in line with Fifa and the rest of the

world, so we understand why it has been done, but where quite unique

in that we have got four professional leagues. It is the

unique position for us to use that emergency loan system because of

the leaks. Still to come: The best of the weekend's action, including

the goal which took Cheltenham back to the top of League Two. Now, for

many, Leicester City have been a disappointment so far this season.

Back in August they were favourites for promotion. Sven Goran Eriksson

spent millions on a whole new squad. But within ten weeks, Sven was out

and Nigel Pearson rejoined the club. Now the Foxes are mid table and

have a battle on to reach the top six. Can they still do it? Well, on

Saturday, we sent Natalie to the King Power Stadium to assess their

Well, behind the scenes at Leicester the dressing rooms have

had a fantastic makeover - they are certainly set up for the Premier

The Thai owners have spent thousands on the new look home

dressing rooms for manager Nigel Pearson. It looks brilliant in here,

doesn't it? The whole white board is new, isn't it? Yes, technology

is coming in. Our cameras were the first to be allowed inside. Are you

still enjoying it? Yes. Nigel is really upbeat and according to

football director Andrew Neville, there is still a real belief they

can get to the play-offs. If he had stayed first time round, we might

have been a better position than we are now. There are signs of

progress, so if we can start to move forward, who knows what the

rest of the season will bring us? The thing there is time for you to

get a play-off spot? Yes, definitely. Six wins on the trot.

We can do it if we have that bit of So this is one of the games of the

day in the Championship. If Leicester are to arrive fashionably

late into the top six, they must win games like this today. Cardiff

have only lost two away games all season but within minutes Leicester

overwhelmed them with power and The home team dominated the high

flying Welsh men. The breakthrough came when Wellens, who was running

the show in midfield, was brought Paul Gallagher put away the penalty

with style. In the second half, Leicester continued to test

Marshall in the away goal but he got know where near Gallagher's

Cardiff had a bit of luck when they were awarded a penalty themselves.

So there was a nervy finish, but Leicester deserved the win and

based on this display, look a better bet than Cardiff to get

promoted. One win is great, but we need to back that up on Tuesday

night. Trade mark penalty and the free-kick. Yes, good game.

Hopefully, this is the start of last season. -- our season. It was

a tough game last week, so for them to bounce back like this, it is

credit to the players. A good day today. Yes, I think so. With

Birmingham's game at Barnsley a late postponement, Midlands

attention was on the bottom of the Championship where Nottingham

Forest and Coventry urgently needed victories. There was a sombre mood

at the City Ground - the death of the club's owner Nigel Doughty was

Before the game, the Forest manager spoke of the need of channelling

emotions. So they quickly produced five -- their first goal in eight

matches courtesy of Gareth McLeary. Forest's failure to add to that

advantage proved costly and Troy Deeney equalised just before half-

time. Forest had chances to win the game in the second half. Chris

Gunter was saunter and by the crossbar, -- thwarted by the

games for Coventry, who fell behind chances than the host in the second

half with Alex Nimely going close, but Coventry are now unsexed --

eight points from safety. The Rams could have claimed a victory if

Craig Bryson had managed to convert their best chance. I don't think he

will appreciate us showing that one again! It is harder to miss that

You are talking to get two ex- offenders. Speak for yourself!

good. For Derby, Craig Bryson, despite that Miss has been in great

form since his move from Kilmarnock. Leicester, a new dressing rooms,

but that left the players when they come in to new facilities like they

have got at the stadium? It will do, it shows where they want to go. The

players will buy into that. Natal - - Nigel will do a great job there.

Much-needed win against Cardiff, it was just as comprehensive against -

- as their win against a pub to not that long ago. How do you see their

Out it is a big club, they deserve to be up there battling away.

Nottingham Forest came away with a point against Watford, are much

improved performance this time round. It is that consistency

factor, having to build on a good performance from Forest. They are

in a position where they need wins at the moment. It is tough, and it

was a poignant day, with the chairman passing away. They got a

point, it was a battling point, and they can build on that. What are

your feelings on Coventry City? They are eight points adrift and it

is not looking good. Their problems behind the scenes, if players are

low on confidence. You cannot see them getting out of it. You feel

for Andy Thorn. I have been there, eight points adrift, they can do it,

it is getting some belief in to it. That is from someone who has been

there and done it. Thank you for your kind words against -- about

our tribute to Nigel Doughty. We always like to hear from you on

Neither Warsall or Notts County were in action in League One, and

only three games survive in League Two. One of them was at Edgar

Street where Cheltenham had the chance to return to the top of the

Cheltenham had an ideal opportunity to bounce back because the new

leaders were without a game. Things did not start well for the Robins.

He gives her fridge United the lead! Hereford continued to

threaten the goal, and Nicky Featherstone's goal was cleared.

Three minutes into the second half, they were level. That is a great

equalising goal by Mohammed, superb action, goal No. 8 for him. It is

Hereford 1, Cheltenham one. Sri spree might have opened the scoring

at Torquay, but James Collins's header hit the crossbar.

Let's talk about Walsall's game, the game that did not happen. So

much to talk about. Postponements, twice, you must be frustrated by

that. I am. Hours was postponed on Friday for the game against

Colchester, but the pitch was that hard it was never going to get up.

It was minus seven degrees overnight. The players wants to

play, it was two weeks since our luck -- last game against Notts

County. Tomorrow night, we are at Oldham where they played the night

before. We should be coming out of the blocks. What about the season

generally? After the Great Escape last season, fans were hoping it

would herald the start of a new dawn, but it has not happened. Why

is that? That is what we wanted, we want to carry on the momentum from

last year that we gain and take it into this season. We started the

season quite well, we got a win in the first game, we won at

Bournemouth. But unfortunately we have drawn too many games against

the big clubs. The big five in the League. We beat Preston, Sheffield

Wednesday, we have drawn at Huddersfield and Charlton. This is

the game we are seeing, it was a good performance of stock we got

beaten away at Sheffield United, a good game, 3-2. We are putting in

good performances against a good Cup. I bet you wish you could

bottle up what happened against shuttled Wednesday and use it again.

You do. It was a great win, Boxing Day, a great crowd. Two late goals

for us, fantastic. Psychologically, you are dropping into the

relegation zone of on the back of those postponement, the other teams

have played their games. What does that do to the players and manager

when you look at the tables? You go and watch games while your game is

postponed, and you look at some of the teams around you getting

beaten! You can only control the controllable, and that is your

results. We have to concentrate now, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday 2,

Tuesday for a few weeks and we can put a run together. We are the draw

specialists along with Scunthorpe with the League, and if you turn

those into wins, you what sitting 16th in the League. Specifically

those it big teams in the division, surviving, that would be a huge

achievement in itself, not meant to be patronising. Yes, we are once --

We are one of the smaller teams in the league, and you are playing

against teams who average 18,000. We average 4000. It is tough, but

we need to start winning football players. We have players who are

capable but we have not put some results together. All five of our

Championship clubs are in action tomorrow evening, frozen pitches

Neither Notts County nor Walsall have played this month. Weather

permitting, they will play. It is congested at the top of League Two.

Five points to operate their top six teams. -- separate the top six

teams. We are down to the last third of

the season, 16 or 17 games to go and in the Championship, the table

is starting to take shape. At the top, can Birmingham push for the

Premier League and a top to spot? Can Leicester and Derby make the

play-offs? And at the bottom, will Forest and commentary avoid the

crop? -- Coventry avoid the drop?

Our championship teams are just about starting to show their hands.

Who will be leading the pack at the end of the season? Tonight, the BBC

5 Live football expert Darren Fletcher is helping us and the

team's play their cards right. So, can Birmingham City and Chris

Newton arrived in the top two and stay there? I can't see any reason

why not. They have got a good manager with Chris Wootton, who has

experience of being promoted with Newcastle. They have gone and 12

match run when they have not conceded -- only conceded four

times. That is astonishing. If they can cement themselves in the top

two, they have enough in mixed -- experience to stay there. They have

got the momentum, I think they will go a throwback to the Premier

League. Our Derby a wild card for the play-offs? I don't think they

can, but Patrick Nigel Clough is doing a fantastic job. If they can

put a run together, they might potentially sneak into the play-

offs. I think what Nigel is doing is looking for something long term,

trying to build the club properly. It is a little bit too soon this

year for a good season of progress. More to come next year. On to

Leicester, can Nigel Pearson became? I don't know what is wrong

at Leicester. Maybe there are too many players. One thing Nigel will

do is settle on a team and he will have a consistent team selection,

which I think will help them in the second half of the season. Possible

late run in the play-offs, I think they will finish just about outside,

a little bit too much inconsistency will cost them. What a dreadful

season Forest has had. It is tragic in every sense, the sad passing of

the owner at Nigel Doughty which put an entire question over the

club. We have got to analyse what is happening on the pitch, and it

has been a shambles from the beginning. If you look from the

beginning of the season, they have never looked competitive pulled a

do you think they will go down? I do. I do not see how they can

bridge the five. Gap. I do not see how they can change the thought --

fortunes of the Club. Canned commentary have a turn up in

fortunes? -- can Coventry? I don't think they are good enough. They do

not have enough players of quality to stay in the league. I think they

will finish bottom, well adrift. They will have to come back

stronger next year. There is always a joker in the patch, and I think I

have found him! There is no sitting on the fence as

far as he is in concerned! Not at all! He has got Coventry and Forest

doomed. He expects great things from them and, they are doing great

under Crest. We never thought we would do well. He has come in and

been an absolute breath of fresh air. He has taken all the pressure

from the lads, made them contemplate -- concentrate on

playing football. I do not want to throw a spanner in the work with

Birmingham's fans, all with what is going on in Tottenham, if Harry

goes to the England job, would he take Chris with him? Chris wants to

take his job done. Be he Street he has with Tottenham has appalled, --

the history he has. It has a poor for him, but we hope that these

days. -- we hope that he stays. is a big call to say that Coventry

are doomed. A lot of people at those clubs will wants to throw

that back in his face. In League One, we have got Walsall and Notts

County. You do not expect to see Walsall go down to the final day

like last season? I certainly hope not. We are hoping to put a run of

results together, to help us climb out. We certainly feel there are

four worst teams than us. What about Notts County? They have had a

sticky run as late, but the signs are there, they have started

scoring, they can have a few games, getting momentum and get back in

the top six. One of the headline makers has got to beat Charlton

town, what a job Mark Yates has done. With the resources he has got,

it is top class. Shrewsbury have done it before, can they get that

elusive promotion? I think they can. We played Cheltenham pre-season, we

have played frisbee pre-season, they are a very good team. --

Shrewsbury. How do you sensed Port Vale's chances? They have still got

a chance. All it needs is a couple of wins and they are in play-off

places. We have got Burton as well. They have said goodbye to Darren

Moore, they are looking to the future, so they could be good times.

The boss has done a good job. He has got the boys believing in what

he has doing. With him at the helm, they will be there at the end of