Episode 14 Late Kick Off Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Forget City and United, here it is Wednesday and United. Welcome to

A city divided. We watch Wednesday with the man who won the club's

last major trophy. Will the blades be blunted? What united be playing

catch-up after the evening fixture? And Harry Houdini can sleep safe as

Good evening. I had to fight my way through a very disappointed Guy

Mowbray fan club outside the Late Kick Off studio tonight. He has

been busy tonight at the Etihad Stadium. You're stuck with me,

George Reilly, instead. Define not sufficient star quality, two

managers alongside me, Dave Bassett and John Hendrie, who managed

Barnsley. In fact, Dave succeeded John as Barnsley manager in 1999.

No fighting, please. League One is where the drama is

far sides. Wednesday started a point plus goal difference behind

their city rivals. With United kicking off late, the Owls had a

great opportunity to leapfrog them for only a few hours and perhaps so

at a seed or two of doubt in their the fear city rivalry has an ever

unravelling sub-plot. There is an almighty score to settle in

To mark against ago, one point the difference. The pursuit has been

relentless and the steel city is on Unbeaten in 12 matches, Griffin

Park was the venue as Wednesday looked to move second in League One

on Saturday. A1 promotion through the play-offs in 2005. The last man

to mastermind an automatic assent was Ron Atkinson. He took them back

to the old First Division in 1991, as well as winning the Rumbelows

Cup. What does it take to see the job through? The key is to hold

your nerve. From both points of view, but especially Wednesday,

they have an experienced manager that will keep them calm. They are

in good form, which is a big thing. Very importantly, they have front

players that can win games. Being back in the second tier is the

least Big Ron expects from one of English football's great old clubs.

For me, Sheffield Wednesday are one of the biggest clubs, not just

outside the Premier League, I would include it. From a club point of

view and a fan base point of view, they could hold their own with any,

they are potentially a top-ten Premier League club. The crowd,

what has happened, heaven only knows. To be even playing at this

level, of their standing, it's a joke. On the final weekend of

February, Sheffield Wednesday beat United at Hillsborough. It proved

to be Gary Megson's final act as manager. Milan Mandaric, whose

bravery was never questioned, found that his wisdom was. But the

decision to appoint Dave Jones has paid dividends. He's done excellent.

It's a difficult situation. There was a lot a motion because of the

fan's relationship with Gary Orr Nixon. But I think he made the

right decision. -- Gary Megson. He's got them playing football. The

players are more relaxed on the pitch. They are not committing

errors, they just get on with it. It's a masterstroke. Not many

people were supportive of the decision to Ruiz Gary Megson after

the great Derby victory. In hindsight, what a great decision.

He told the players to go and play an attacking way, have the

confidence we knew they had. Maybe they were a little bit inhibited in

the way that Gary Megson wanted us to play. Sheffield Wednesday, if

they win here, they will be in second in League One for a couple

of hours at least. What would he be saying to your team now? The brave,

don't leave anything in the dressing room. Go and play your

football. Let's not be saying if only. So, Wednesday needed bravery.

You know what they say, fortune work with this effort. -- Jonathan

Douglas found the woodwork. Wednesday struck first. What little

room there was, Keith Treacey found it. It came from a former Lownie to

Sheffield United. It Brentford barrage after the break. When

Donaldson was felled by Mark Beevers, he picked himself up to

level from the spot. The lead lasted four minutes. A right-wing

corner of the faintest of touches from Llera, but it was the winning

touch. It was hard out there. I said to the players, we have to dig

deep. I said, we are not playing as well as we are capable of. The sign

of a good team is when you can begin. I thought the penalty was

harsh, but we showed good character by getting the winner. What do you

do, watch, listen? I'm going to go and have a drink and see what I do

from there. It's going to be some final day. I hope so. Sheffield

Wednesday have done their bit at Griffin Park. A 2-1 win. It wasn't

pretty, but they got over the line and took second spot, if only for a

couple of hours. They had to grind out three.? Very much so. Brentford

played very well. Super game, Wednesday really have to dig deeper.

They had to battle and scrap. Now they are in a situation where it is

possible for them to go up. It's going to be difficult, they are

depending on other results. At least they know they have done

their part of business. Sheffield Wednesday take second spot. It

might only be for a couple of hours, but for now it is over to Sheffield

Just half-an-hour after that game finished, Sheffield United were

kicking off in Sheffield, knowing exactly what they needed to do to

go second again. Paul Barnes went Sheffield United fans turned out at

Bramall Lane on Saturday, knowing that two more than league wins

would guide them back into English football's second tier. Just a year

after suffering the pain of relegation. The man who has

overseen the reversal in fortunes is, of course, Danny Wilson. He was

seen as a controversial appointment at the time. His past as both a

player and manager was with the blue half of Sheffield. Many fans

voiced their disapproval. Wilson is aware of his past, but hopes United

fans are more concerned with the present. When I first came in, it

is nothing I can change, its history. I'd like to say that I am

sure the fans that we have had will seek the commitment we said we had

at the beginning of the season. That not only transpires in the

games you play. I'd like to think some of the performance as the boys

have put in this year, some of the results, some of the great

entertaining games, I genuinely feel the fans are starting to

believe in what we are trying to do. In an ideal world, would he like to

take their neighbours up with them? Of course. Irrespective of whatever

loyalties lie in the fans, what they have done, professionally, is

they have pushed us to the limits. I think we pushed them to the

limits as well, in footballing terms. If we could, in an ideal

world, get promoted together, it would be brilliant if we had this

type of inspiration in the next league. If it's happening that way,

it is going to drive the results on. That would be good for the city.

months have passed since Wilson took over. I United fans now

adopting him as one of their own? was apprehensive when he arrived,

being a Wednesday manager. But he's done well. You can't argue with the

position the club is in. He's turning into a hero. If he can get

has promoted, he definitely will be. When he arrived, I wasn't too keen.

But he's done brilliant. Fantastic football, we'd been excellent. Toby

we can do it today. It didn't really bother me. I know his past,

playing for Sheffield Wednesday, I just wanted him to bring a good

standard of play and he has. Very sceptical at the time. Big links

with Wednesday. He played for them, he managed them. But he's done well.

He'd done good. Initially, a very bad move. I've warmed to him a

little bit more. If we go up, he'll be the best thing since sliced

bread. I think they are enjoying the football. We wanted people to

come to football games and enjoy what they are seeing, hopefully see

a winning team as well. In that respect, if you've turned their

attitude around slightly, great. I think we are going in the right

direction if that happens. A sell- out crowd to cheer it on united in

anticipation of a vital home win. But Stevenage silenced the home

supporters with the opening goal after 30 minutes. Jill Byron

connected with Patrick Agyeman's cross. Worse was to come in the

second half, A Scott Laird deflected shot found the back of

one back with this neat header to give United a glimmer of hope. And

with five minutes remaining, the comeback was almost complete. Mark

Oaten's a terrific volley squared the game at 2-2. James Beattie

almost won it in stoppage time to complete a thrilling end to the

match. But it was not to be, as both sides had to settle for a

point. United have a tough task to gain automatic promotion. Very

disappointing. The second half, we got at them a bit more and got Tim

goals. But it was a little too late. There is a lot of football still to

go, a lot of things can happen. We will be going into the game next

week ready to take the three points. Next week, who knows what happens?

Whom would have thought it would be too-to today? You just don't know.

We try to keep focused on our job, try to win at Exeter next week. You

just never know. If we have to go to the play-offs, we go to the

play-offs. It's a great way to go up, if you go up. Ideally, you

would like to be automatic. It's not going to be that, we stay

positive and go the other way. Danny Wilson's side dropping vital

points at home to Stevenage, the race for the second automatic

promotion spot is now out of their hands. Sheffield Wednesday host

Wigan, knowing that three points will see them return to the

championship. In a season that has ebbed and flowed from start to

finish, who knows what might leaves the top of League 1. It is

narrow Wednesday from United by a single point. The impetus is with

Dave Jones came in, at the time a massive call from Milan Mandaric,

removing a manager who had his team third and he has come here and

antique has been almost faultless? Yes, it has come after a good time

because normally managers gets sacked when you are down the bottom

of the league! He has kept the momentum going, increased it, they

have kept car in their performances. I was at Brentford on Saturday and

Lady Luck was with them. Brentford pass the ball better and had better

chances but sometimes when these things happen, the important thing

is when you look back their right games that you win there and you do

not deserve to which perhaps makes up for things earlier in the season

when Wednesday perhaps deserve to win. It looked like lunacy but 29

points in 11 games since. Decent choice in hindsight. Yes. He has

come in and relax these players. That is what Dave Jones is about.

He is calmness personified. Whatever will be will they. He has

prepared his players for this weekend and that is important. No

distractions going into Saturday's game against Wycombe. But they need

a bit of luck as well. We saw there with United. Very unfortunate. They

got a couple of deflections there against Stevenage. You need a bit

of luck as well. I am sure that during the course of Saturday the

pendulum may swing to on one will two occasions. Listening to

Sheffield United, the manager and players, they were a bit shell-

shocked from the results but the body language was not great. They

were disappointed because they have been up there and they wear

expecting to get enough points out of Milton Keynes and to beat

Stevenage. When you see it at this late stage you see destiny is not

in their hands. They will not want to go into the play-offs. But

they're experienced players. If it happens, they have got to go out

against Exeter and win the game. They could have almost won that

with James Beattie there. They almost got out of jail BET. Yes, he

hit it. That could easily have flown in the net. They did not

start as brightly as they wanted to. There are 2-0 down at half-time but

they showed good spirit. What they can do is beat Exeter and then it

is up to Wednesday to win. Football does change and if they end up in

the play-offs, they have got to look at it and say, well, we are

still in the play-offs. They might have settled for that at the start

of the season. They must not let the disappointment of possibly

having automatic promotion take away from them. It is still

unsettling and how important has losing their star striker bit. This

is the match-day programme. He doesn't exist, Ched Evans. There is

no number 9. Yes, I do not know who made that decision to take his name

off. He has played the part -- his pot this year with the goals he has

scored. If United do not make it I am sure our lot of supporters will

use that as an excuse. Let's remind ourselves of the picture still to

come for bedsides. Wednesday at home to Wycombe. An away game for

Sheffield United. What is your gut instincts? The ball is in Sheffield

Wednesday's McCourt. All three points would see them over the line.

Still to come. What is the future for Nick Barmby at Hull City? After

his suspension. And will be O'Dea killed the radio stars. Radio Leeds

show us how a quiz should be The tension at the top of League 1

is excruciating. Spare a thought for fans of Chesterfield whose

dream of the Great Escape is now over. The rest of the League 1

Yeovil Mervyn a win would keep them in with a shout of staying in

League 1. He's far right side still needed results to get their way but

when Jordan Bowery was her in the Hayes minute the great escape was

on. But Chesterfield came back, Dominic Blizzard finishing off a

sweeping move he had started. Spireites fans again have hope when

Danny Whitaker's strike from 25 yards to take the deflection into

Yeovil's net. But the heads were broken by Kieran Agard. The

Spireites had their chances. Craig Westcarr shot this golden

opportunity wide. Their heads of final extinguished with ten minutes

to go when Andy Williams got a goal, that means Chesterfield will start

next year in League 2. After the High of last season and winning the

cup, are one to improve in sheer and it is obviously very

disappointing to go straight back down. But all I can do is try to

hit the ground running and I just have to prepare for next season.

Had a still dropped two points at Walsall and with the MK Dons

winning it means the Terriers looks set to finish fifth in the table.

Novak have put town up 1 up in the second minute but Walsall were

fighting for their own lives and probably deserved their share of

the spoils. Not much for Scunthorpe or

Bournemouth to play for at Glanford Park. McDermott had put the

Cherries ahead just before half- time but substitute Thomson made it

1-1 with ten minutes to go. A draw a fair result.

Huddersfield now it is MK Dons in the play-offs and and as there is a

swing over the final weekend they will be at home first. At the wrong

end as you can see, Scunthorpe, The longest serving manager in our

region and he has taken his side down. It was the 70 match winners

Brehme. -- 17 matcha Brehme with no wins. I do not merit it to the

players a long time to adjust but they lost a lot of points and that

is very hard. The Johnstone's Paint Trophy did not do them any favours.

It is fantastic to have won it but really, they would have been better

getting points in the league. It is a shame that they have learnt a lot

this year and that should hold them in good stead for getting back next

year. They did have the chance of a great escape but it did not quite

come to it. Huddersfield as well, they notice a MK Dons in the play-

offs. We do not know whether it is home or away. -- they know it is MK

Dons. Stark contrast to last year. They managed to get to the finals

against Peter Brand were favourites. They are not favourites this year.

There is not as much pressure on them. -- against Peterborough.

Whatever team loses at will be the favourites. I am sure Simon Grayson

will take the pressure of the players again. We will have a bit

of frivolity. Our quiz has been compared to mastermind. I'm not

sure by who. I would say it is more like the creature Pointless. -- the

quiz show Pointless. A m Gareth Jones, a BBC Radio Leeds

presenter. I am Paul often. I have described Huddersfield for Radio

Leeds for the last ten years. two clubs got through to the Europa

League final last night? Moving on. Which football club played home

games at Huish Park. Local town. Jordan Rhodes has a footballing

father. Andy Roberts. What was the manager are Bradford City before

the current one? P did Jackson. is captain of Wales? Gareth A up.

No. Name the three relegated teams in the Championship. Who was it?

Portsmouth, Coventry... 1 H. Which is nearest to Leeds, Bradford or

has it? Bradford. Yes. Which profession did Harry Gravesham do...

Teacher. He is the last Yorkshire football club to win the FA Cup?

Sheffield Wednesday. Mare, Leeds United. I am not sure how well that

reflected on the BBC! We could not get back prop back of poor often.

Back to the action. A nervy or binge at the top of League 1. Our

Championship side saw their destinies decided a while at Massa

it was a shot this afternoon to hear that Tigers' boss has

apparently been suspended by the club. This round-up starting with

Nick Barmby as manager of Hull City? Although things started

brightly under his stewardship, they dipped in February and the

Tigers missed out at the players. Barmby has been vocal about the

need to strengthen his squad. If rumours are correct, that is the

reason for his suspension. Saturday, West Ham held out hope of automatic

progression and they took the lead in the 35th mate. Carlton Cole at

their head up. He then got his second three minutes of added the

second half. City, who struggled in front of goal all season, he did

get a consolation near the end., Evans took advantage of poor

defending. They nearly clinched it in the dying moments only for a

linesman's flag to cancel out Richard Garcia's goal.

Chairman can Bates is in court accused of harassment. -- Ken Bates.

Leicester City's first goal summed up United's shambolic defending in

recent weeks. It looked like Leeds would get a draw went Danny Webber

scored with eight minutes to go, but in the end the visitors took

all the points and substitute parrot made it 2-1. -- and to Harry

header before Brian Stephenson was awarded the goal or a shot that did

not cross the line, to make it 2-0 to the tractor men. One was pulled

back for Rovers. But when Ipswich were awarded a ridiculous penalty

for a foul that it lies outside the box, Jason Scotland scored to seal

the win. A late goal reduce the deficit but it was too late. Their

rapid changes ahead over the summer. The first team sheet of next term

will look very different at the Keepmoat.

Barnsley finished the year with a scoreless draw with Brighton. The

Tykes finished in the last survival players. Ian Hill will have to lick

his players after a very difficult finish to the season's campaign.

But as all Barnsley brands know, come August the club will top the

league, if only until the season starts.

This is the final Championship table. Hull City are only

representatives in the top half of the table. 14th players finish for

Leeds. Was that were the changing manager? Barnsley just OK.

Hull City flying the flag in terms of our Championship sides. We yet

manager at Nick Barmby have been suspended, we believed dead to a

couple of interviews where he appeared to put pressure on the

hierarchy to spend cash on players. If that is the case what would your

reaction be? If he is asking for more money, or transfers to improve

the team, most managers in League 1 and the Premiership are doing that

all the time. Neil Warnock is saying Ken Bates has to improve the

team. So are find that rather strange. Even if the hierarchy...

Baker at events say to Nick, you are not getting any money. -- they

could even say to Mick. Any manager would want to improve the team. He

has probably gone and said we need slightly better players. How did

you see his position? He would never use the media to manipulate

the situation. Nothing sinister whatsoever. He is as honest as you

get. He would just have been telling the truth. Maybe he has

been naive in what he has said but I do not think it was anything

sinister. Do you think he will be there next year? I would like to

think so. He has a -- day and a good job. He needs time. Rotherham

fans may well be wondering what might have been. They already knew

they were missing out on the play- offs for another year but on

Saturday the Millers contested a thriller at Aldershot. The pick of

year put a spring in their step and Steve Evans will her back continues

when he takes his side to the club's New York Stadium in August.

De Millers went in front against Aldershot 3 egg Gareth Evans

penalty but the hosts the levels. Rotherham were back in front before

half-time. Hustings with a slightly fortunate effort that looked more

like a cross and a shot. For the game be distributed to all when Guy

Madjo nodded her and just after the break, a sending off for a east

side of no consequence. Bradford City said at half-time

thanks to his low effort. But immediately after the restart Jimmy

Spencer levelled things. The on- loan Huddersfield striker got his

second just after the hour mark. Berger's sealed the win for

Cheltenham. Bantams fans will be hoping for better next season.

One game to get. Rotherham can man not make it into the play-off

places. At the wrong end of the table, Bradford City. Is that good

Stay 50 -- save before Bradford City but not the best table for

Bantams brands. -- safety for Bradford. They have done better

against the top teams. The quality of players that Parkinson has there,

they should be higher up the table. I am sure he has more contracts to

sort out in the summer. They will be known around the play-offs next

season. A quick word on Rotherham United. Too little, too late.

they got into a new stadium, they would have liked to get promoted

but the stadium should improve the crowds. No fixtures until next

Saturday but I sense United and Wednesday fans are counting the

sleeps already and no doubt struggling to get to sleep. Twitter