Episode 4 Late Kick Off South, South West and West

Hello, joining me tonight, two defenders with a thousand g`mes

between them. Who knows how many more they could have played in if

they'd had a curry first? Wdlcome to Late Kick Off.

Does carry make you a better player? The results are in from our

scientific survey. Your delhvery will be with you in about 20

minutes. We have loads of goals but what about the ones that got away?

There are loads of them as well And revered at Swindon in Portslouth,

Alan McLoughlin gives an exclusive interview on foot and his fhght

against cancer. I suppose at the time I thought I was letting

everyone down. I thought, actually, I was letting them down and making

them worried. And highlights from tonight's play`off clash in league

two. Gary Waddock takes charge. The action from Roots Hall is coming up.

Welcome to Adie Williams and Guy Branston. Gary has played whth 9

clubs, most recently promotd Argyll. Lots to come and lots about our

curry survey. Would you havd fancied a curry before a game? Definitely.

Not for me. The man with all the answers is Dr Stewart Bruce`Low and

he's waiting in the wings rhght now to give his verdict. Let's get into

the Championship right now, it's all change again in the top six. We

start with Reading on the road. That's good news these days.

Captain 's performance from Jobi McAnuff. Reading reinforce their

play`off claim. Great composure for the first goal. The experienced

defender makes a rash challdnge definitely a penalty. Scored by the

former Swindon man. Alex McCarthy very nearly saved that one. This man

is not up to speed, nine go`ls this season, should have been dotble

figures. Watch out for Jobi McAnuff, throws himself at the cross. A real

captain's performance. Readhng in the top six.

Brighton's hopes of a top shx finish were dented by this defeat to

Ipswich. Brighton's captain not even watching the bold year as the

coroner comes in. The keeper misses it, soft goal to give away. The ads

striker gets in front of Matty Upson. Another soft goal. Another

bad day at the office for Brighton. Bournemouth have kept five clean

sheets in their last six. Poor defending, but they got awax with

it. Victory at bottom of thd table Barnsley came thanks to a l`te goal.

Exciting stuff for the Cherries fans. Ian Hart, time to delhver one

of your best. Great save, is it turned over the line? It is. The

Cherries fumbled a tin in the 9 rd minute. `` have fumbled it hn. They

celebrate in front of their fans. It is going to be another 1`0 win on

the road. It is Reading's ttrn, they're win put above Nottingham

Forest. Brighton's defeat drops them to eighth place. Bournemouth nudge

up to 11. Jobi McAnuff, the matchwinner at Birmingham, two years

on this last goal. He doesn't score many goals, but he gives evdrything.

Week in week out. He leads by example. A fantastic captain. They

are missing players at the loment with injury, Reading, but Chris

Beard has gone up to Burnlex. I think he has had his hands tied One

or two promises have not bedn fulfilled. He will be playing

Premier League football this season. Jason Roberts, how much of ` missed

him? He has retired. Big pl`yer big signing back in January. Jason

Roberts, here's a better pl`yer when he has his back to goal. He loves

rolling you. He can score goals We wish Jason all the best. With

Brighton, no clarity is what the fans were saying to me. Continental

manager, is he going to change the style of play? Definitely, xou have

got to take into account thd English style of football. If you h`ven t

got the game, you're going to struggle. They have probablx been

through all the plans at Yeovil this season. Two points dropped from

their game against Bolton. Fantastic play. He has been in and around the

Premier League, he should bd scoring more than that. It is going so well

at that point, you think thdy are out of the bottom three at this

stage. But 2`1. Then the big talking point here. The penalty. Kevin

Dawson. Watch what the referee does. Walking over, he changes his

decision, says it is a red card and a penalty. They do not make the most

of it. It is shocking. The defending here is even more shocking.

Goalkeeper, absolute disastdr. It is a big blow for them, becausd at one

stage, they had leapfrogged Millwall. Always look at thd end of

the table at the end of the season. Still to come: The science of curry

` a good pre`match meal or not? The results will be hot off the press

very soon. Plus we have League One and League Two action, incltding

highlights of tonight's plax off encounter. Oxford at Southend. New

manager Gary Waddock at the helm. Plus an exclusive interview with

Portsmouth star Alan McLoughlin on his fight against cancer and the

goal that took him into Irish folklore. It got us to the World Cup

in 1994. A few pints of Guinness on the back of that. Five of the bottom

seven clubs in League Two are from across our region. Only Exeter fans

had anything to shout about this weekend.

A massive victory for Exeter as the Emperor Football League survival.

When you are towards the bottom and own goal will do nicely. On the

blindside of the defender, he gets the final touch. A second is all

about anticipation. He is expecting the mistake. He follows up the free

kick, at River Quinn for Exdter `` at horrific win.

Terrible challenge, surely he stamped on the lad. No complaints at

all. He is the skipper, he should know better. Totally deservds this

ban. Not too much to smile `bout for Portsmouth. Miss of the week. Two

wins in their previous thred have given Torquay hope of staying in

league two. Sent off for an elbow, clearly leading with his arl. No

complaints for me, the referee is spot`on. Eight defeats in 13 since

Chris Hargreaves took over. Desperate times for Torquay.

Here's the bottom. Torquay `re six points from safety where Portsmouth

sit. But Wycombe and Bristol Rovers are right in the thick of it too.

Exeter go into tomorrow night's huge Devon Derby in 17th. Guy, all the

clubs never relegated. What is the key when you're down there?

Character on an off the pitch. Do not get too down, or too high.

Knowing when and how to win the game is important. Exeter, a big first

home win since October. That will change their dressing rooms I called

of the, Google `` that will change their dressing room, won't ht? Two

fantastic goals at the weekdnd, yes. Bristol Rovers, Joe O'Toole had the

best chance. They have had ` mixed week. Good news about the stadium.

They could not get the result. Yeah, there wasn't enough p`ce on

the cross. Bristol Rovers h`ve only had one when. Ten yellow cards, one

red card for Joe O'Toole. You need a player like that in your te`m and

playing at the end of the sdason. Do you tell him to curb his attitude a

bit, or does he just have to be himself? He should be himself. There

should be enough in the squ`d to bring someone in if he gets picked.

You want on the field, though. Absolutely. You have got to let him

get on with it. But you do not want foolish bookings. Foolish ddfending

as well. Let's take a look `t Wycombe. Not so good from them at

the weekend. They needed better than this. That is a scramble and a half.

You do not mark space, you lark the man. He is in the six yard box, drab

and get hold of him. Space never scores. Portsmouth need somd goals.

They have had decent perforlances lately. A decent point that evening,

but they need more points. That is going to be a struggle. Can Torquay

stay up? No. Now our special interview with Alan McLoughlin. As a

Portsmouth player he drove the midfield in the 90s. Now as a coach

he's trying to help pull thd team up by the boot straps. But in `ll the

recent turmoil at the club @lan has been fighting his own battld against

kidney cancer. He's talked exclusively to our Late Kick Off

reporter Andy Steggall. On match day, Alan McLoughlhn, the

coach, is just as committed as he was as a player. A commitment he

also shows every day in trahning. Your first movement should be here.

To try and give information to the players, I tend to put in four

straight in. At times it can be fulfilling, everything you wanted to

be. As a youngster, Allen w`s never given the playing career on a plate.

Overlooked in the Manchester area by several clubs, Manchester United

would spot him and give him a few trial sessions. Tuesday and Thursday

nights, I was the hungriest and meanest player out there. I knew it

was my last chance. If not ht was college and maybe non`leagud

football. It wasn't really what I wanted to do. I coveted United

apprenticeship followed. Lot McCarry signed him at Swindon. Southampton

next, he was there a record signing at the time. When Jim Smith came

calling, he made the hardest crossing to Portsmouth. The other

side of the Hampshire rivalry. I used to sit around there. F`cing the

mirror down there. As Jim Slith would come down, I was alwaxs in his

eye line first. I bought thd brunt of his ranting and raving. Hf you

met us at the door, you are doing OK. If he went to the toilet first,

you knew you were in for a bit of a volley, shall we say. The fhrst time

I walked out at Fratton Park, I got booed for 20 minutes. I was called

most thing under the sun for 20 minutes, because I come frol

Southampton, the enemy up the road. And then I scored a lovely goal in

the top corner. It makes me laugh that everyone who was booing,

suddenly they were jumping tp and down. You have so many playdrs you

come into contact with, but he is a really good friend of mine. He is

right up there. I trust implicitly. Alan McLoughlin the player?

Passionate on the pitch. Quhte chirpy. For the quality plaxer. `` a

quality player. Not wanting to let anybody down, whether it be myself,

my family, the fans. I have thought about how I might be brilli`nt in

this game and it wasn't that. I didn't want to go out there and make

an idiot of myself. What I didn t do is hide on the pitch. A lot of

people make a mistake and don't hide. A fantastic bloke, a loyal

player. He always gave 110%. Fearless. After hanging up his

boots, his career would arrhve back at Pompey. Then came a life changing

event, kidney cancer. I passed blood, hell of a lot of blood, and

the shock was immense. My fhrst thought was, I wasn't going to sit

on my hands, I took myself straight to hospital. I knew there w`s

something sinister Ltd the two people out of the room with me in

the same ward. `` when they too can the two people out of the w`rd. The

first reaction is right and terror. That was really difficult to tell my

wife and kids. I did it. It was important that I did it, th`t I told

them. It wasn't the consult`nt telling them. I know it sounds daft

now. I suppose at the time H thought I was letting everyone down. That

was the overriding thing. I thought I was letting them down by getting

this and making them worry, so that was daft, I know, but that hs what

it was. You said that about your football, now you are saying it

about something that is in comparison in a different ldague? It

was. Nothing can prepare yot for that. It's a difficult thing. You

get through it as a family tnit as best you can. I have had a couple of

scans now and they have been clear and you move forward and th`t is

what you have to do. You sed people who have hidden things that they

should have brought to light, whether it's out of ignorance,

whether it's out of fear, for whatever reason, they don't do the

right thing. But Macca did. And that's saved his life. Away from

Portsmouth, he is part of Irish footballing folklore. He was a

constant in their golden er` and lauded for this goal which darned

the point which qualified Ehre for the first of two of World Ctps,

Italia '90. Those glories are past. Alan definitely now lives in the

Pompey and personal, present and future. I have loved it and I wake

up every day and enjoy going into work. If you can do that, that's a

real bonus. Top man, Alan McLoughlin, and if you

want to see more, on our Facebook page, Late Kick Off South, we'll put

lots more of Alan's intervidw up there throughout the week. So have a

look. We are not done with League Two, play`off and promotion hopes

still to be assessed becausd under new management, there are extended

highlights of Oxford at Southend. And Plymouth's race to the play`offs

continue. Guy Branston has been with them all season. His views on their

promotion chances coming up. Plus, of course, our curry

experiment will be revealed as well. We are going to League One first.

You'll hear "bobble", "scruffy" and "celebration" in this round`up ` and

they all come from the same game. We start with a spot`kick at Swindon.

A huge win for Swindon after eight without a victory, it all btt ended

their play`off ambitions. Clear penalty, challenge wouldn't look out

of place at Twickenham. Michael Smith for Swindon, decisive from the

spot. Plenty of encouraging signs for Mark Cooper. They'll want to

finish the season on a high. Bristol City are unbeaten in five,

11 points from a possible 14. It could have easily been all three as

well. Martin Paterson with the scruffy opener, Thomas should have

doubled the lead, probably would have ` look for the bobble ` the

crowd doesn't see that. Citx's first goal I called scruffy, the same word

could be used for their second. Scott Wagstaff making it 2`0. Look

out for the celebration. Wh`t is all that about? Needs some work

Two late Colchester goals spoiled Steve Cotterill's day. Two points

dropped. Not sure why the kdeper is complaining. City are not qtite out

of the danger, sometimes yot have to put your hands up and say, "That's a

cracking strike!" Crawley's run of two straight wins came to an end at

Oldham. John Gregory said this defe`t was

his lowest point as Crawley manager since taking charge in Decelber

At the top, Swindon move up to eighth, but they're still a long way

off the last play`off place. Crawley sit mid`table with games in hand.

Bristol City are 15th, still five points above the relegation places.

Hopefully, safety will be assured sooner rather than later. Bristol

City, they have to be more ruthless, Steve Cotterill was saying `t the

weekend. What do you think, Guy Definitely. They have only had three

major strikers this year. Thomas, Baldock and Wagstaff getting six

goals at the end of that, they have to score from more areas. Swindon,

they moved up, but play`off, any chance? It was a big result at the

weekend against Preston. Th`t will give them belief. It will bd a

difficult one. On the subject of Bristol City, Wade Elliott hs going

to join us here next week. It is back to League Two now.

Highlights in a moment as Oxford go to Southend. First, Plymouth ` what

a change of fortunes for Argyll 16 points from 24, they are back

outside the play`off places but only on goal difference after a draw at

Accrington, so, Guy, are thdy going to get themselves back into that top

seven? I think so. I can see it happening.

He has created a good squad there, with good lads, and they ard a

hard`working bunch. The way they are as a unit, they are solid, `nd

dropping out of the play`off area will get them back into it. Reuben

Reid on target there. John Sheridan furious with his side with the late

goal they gave away. It's what he said afterwards: "Have we got no

leaders on the pitch or what? I have a bunch of mutes on the pitch. We

are not defending, the goal we conceded, that goal, was a joke "

What's going on? He knows what he is doing. He is trying to get the

leaders within the dressing room to get on the pitch and start talking

more. It is clever movement from him. I disagree. Managers nowadays,

top managers, they keep it `ll in`house. They don't publicly come

out and slaughter their plaxers so I disagree. Although he is ` good

manager, I wouldn't have done that. OK. For our Monday match highlights,

Oxford at Southend, and what a topsy`turvy three days leadhng up to

this game. Back to Friday nhght a precious 1`0 win for Oxford which

was the last under the management of Nicky Lewis. The goal against

Hartlepool, scored by David Connolly. The weekend drama was

beginning for with Gary Waddock named head coach. He's been unveiled

to the press today. He has plenty of experience as well. He leavds MK

Dons to take up the post, btt he's managed QPR, Aldershot and Wycombe

in the past. We will tweak one or two things. I won't dismantle

everything, that's for sure. I will look at the players that ard here

within the squad, I have to give them every opportunity to ilpress.

They will get that. And I'm looking forward to working with thel. And

Waddock, with no time to settle in, his team was at Roots Hall, a win

puts them up to fourth in the League Two table. Commentary from John

Roder. One victory in their last sdven for

Oxford, that came on Friday, 12 in the league without a win for

Southend. Here is Loza. A chance here and Will Atkinson has taken it.

Southend in front. Loza with the ball across. And Atkinson there In

towards Loza. Awkward bouncd. Wright with the touch. Loza, is he brought

down? Yes, he is. Penalty khck. Ryan Clarke conceding the spot`khck. Lee

Barnard on loan from Southalpton. It's 2`0.

Constable is in all sorts of space. Can't get it on target. A l`te

corner and cleared away on the line. Smally with the header.

A long throw. Constable, it hit him and went wide. Frustrating night for

the visitors. That's brilliant. What a save from

Ryan Clarke. This is outstanding goalkeeping.

Leonard. Thought about a long`range shot, he's taken one. Oh! Rxan

Clarke with another outstanding effort to keep that out. Brhlliant

goalkeeping. Takes a deflection and he is at full stretch to tip it

over. Wonderful goalkeeping from Ryan Clarke. Just able to gdt there.

Towards Loza. Loza keeps gohng. Wonderful determined play. Can he

finish it? 3`0 to Southend. Loza gets his first senior goal.

Four defeats in five away m`tches for Oxford.

That result leaves Oxford shxth in the table, still very much hn the

play`off hunt but a disappohnting start for Gary Waddock.

Not the kind of impact he would have look liked to have had and ` tough

night for them and Ryan Clarke, no complaints with the penalty. All

he's got to do is shepherd ht out to the corner flag and he brings him

down trying to save it. Ridhculous. At that point, 1`0 down, and of

course a penalty and the night gets very hard. Lee Barnard with the

goal. We criticised Clarke, but we should be full of some praise for

some of the other saves. Let's pick out one. This is a cracker.

Fantastic save to his lower left. He's pulled off a great savd that

goes over the bar. A tough talent to have that. Adie, we have a look at

the run`in for Oxford. Can they get in the top seven with that? The good

thing for me, Waddock has bden appointed. They needed to appoint

somebody. The fans have been crying out for a manager. The board have

done that. Some big games to come, starting at Dagenham Redbridge

this weekend. Before we reveal our curry science,

commiseration to Gosport Borough, the Conference South side wdre

beaten in the FA Trophy Fin`l yesterday by the full`timers of

Cambridge United. The Borough side lost 4`0 in front of 20,000 fans.

Gosport had been the surprise package of the competition this

season but one last upset proved beyond them. Bad luck to thdm.

Now, it is time to reveal the curry facts. Not the fiction. Resdarch

which Late Kick Off has helped commission with Solent Univdrsity

has created a scientific pilot study to find out if the chilli content in

curry can improve football performance. Here is the story so

far. Top chefs provided preciselx

measured ingredients, each gram of meat and spice is accounted for

Providing extra heat, Frannx Benali. Famous on the pitch for his

no`nonsense defending, famots in the curry house for the Benali Biriyani

and the whole process referded by Solent scientists. Each plate for

each participant has a cert`in amount of curry, measured pdr body

weight and with the same amount of curry powder in it. Sportsmdn all

around the country thinking they can have a curry before a sporthng event

and their performance will be improved is quite exciting `nd

interesting to know. After loading up on chilli, our three brave souls

headed back to the lab for `n exactly`timed rest and digest

followed by a gruelling 5K run. Now, finally, the tests are over and

sports science expert Dr Stdwart Bruce`Low joins us to reveal that

burning question which we are all dying to know the answer to.

So, the results are in and H'm excited about this. Dr Stew`rt

Bruce`Low, from Solent Univdrsity, what is the news? Is curry good for

footballers? It would appear that it is. That is great news for dveryone.

Fantastic. Why? Because part of the curry that we used had chilli in it.

Within chilli there's capsicum. This is an element that is reallx

important for pain numbing so analgesic effects and this has made

the performance increase. The hotter the better? Potentially. Thhs is a

pilot study. You want to go a bit wider and find out more abott the

facts? Indeed. With any pilot study, you need to increase the schentific

rigour of it. We will be looking for more participants. Super. What do

you think, guys? Forget the beans and the rice, bring on the vindaloo!

Guy, you are still playing. Vindaloo sounds good. Change the habhts of a

lifetime. Thank you very much. Go to Twitter #currysquad or to otr

Facebook page to see our make believe curry`flavoured football

names which we have been collecting with your help over the weekend and

some of them are super. That is it from us, though, for this wdek. See

you at 11.20pm BBC One next Monday. Enjoy your week. Cheerio.