25/02/2012 The Football League Show

A good evening. With the sun shining, it looks like spring is

final here. With a two months left of the season, every game means

that much more. There is little time to waste as they try to hit

the ground running in new jobs. There are 32 games taking place in

the NPower Football League. West Ham had an early start. They were

looking to make it two wins in five games and they welcomed Crystal

Palace across the Thames. Reading started the day in force. They

automatic promotion credentials would be tested when they travelled

north of base at Boro side with similar aspirations. A couple of

familiar faces started new jobs. We will see how the new boys got on at

Notts County and Huddersfield. having kicked sand in the face of

those who doubt that his managerial credentials, Paolo Di Canio is laid

to leaders Swindon will hope to set a new club record by winning the

9th consecutive league game. Restart night at the Riverside,

with Middlesbrough against Reading, who started in force. Boro have won

their last two but they are up against form team in the

Championship was bedding taking points in the last six games. Brian

McDermott has decided to stay put. Middlesbrough and Reading have both

made a charge for a top two finish. Berra unbeaten in a Championship

while rubbing have won their last four. West Ham and Southampton in

their sights. Boro Op Art unchanged started Dong-Won-nil win over

Burnley eight days ago. Plenty of attention on Jason Roberts. Three

goals in four appearances since joining from Blackburn. Another 34-

year-old in defence in Harte. Their experience is vital. A man who's

has been in the news this week simply by going nowhere, Wolves

were said to be interested in taking Brian McDermott to the

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Premier League will start -- to the Republic of Ireland international

scoring for the second away match in succession. A deep ball, Pearce

with a header across and Hunt on defeats at home so far this season

and the Championship four Tony Mowbray's side. West Ham and

Burnley the only times -- sides to come away with all three points so

instantly raising his flag. This is the sort of free kick that Ian

Harte will fancy, the former Republic of Ireland international

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Middlesbrough man plaster more. just over. Brian McDermott's side

boasting the second best defence in the Championship before this

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create opportunities. It has been a really good period of play for the

is shown the yellow Kai Ide. -- is second goal for the Royals. It is

an absolutely perfectly placed free signal for quite a few

Middlesbrough fans to head towards Five wins in a row, five clean

sheets, but her performance today? I would say so. It is never easy to

come to Middlesbrough and get a result. The first 15 minutes there

was a lot of ball, we have a way of playing against a very different

team and our boys carried out their game plan really well. We had

opportunities to score the two goals we did. Read in a very good

at what they do. They do get men behind the ball, play two backs of

four. They counter attack away and yet for us, looking at ourselves,

it was really a day when we needed to be brighter, to try to break

them down, the amount of possession we had in the third -- the final

third, it was a frustrating day. has been quite a few days with the

it everything going on, and the deal on Wednesday. How relieved

were you to get back to playing football rather than talking about

it? Very relieved. I am happy it is done, there has been a lot going on

at the club for the last five or six weeks and from my point of view

the most important thing is the players, the staff around me and I

am very pleased it is done and dusted and we can move on and get

on with football. Yes, very good week for Reading. I suppose it was

your archetypal away performance and Championship, soaking up the

pressure and hitting them on the break? I think they did more than

soak up the pressure but that is the way that Reading play, they do

allow you possession in areas where they cut be heard, I look at their

side, it has a really evil looked at them. I would think where is the

area or you can get, the weak area in their team? There is -- I don't

see that. People know their job, they do their job, they get men

behind the ball, they have pace on the break, pace up front, two

sitting midfielders who do the job, defensively they are well versed in

seeing games out, so they have every box ticked and also you come

through into the equation Ian Harte, who has started to find his range

with free kicks as well. They are a hard-working unit. They were at

Middlesbrough all the time we saw that, in the build-up to the second

very quickly. Jason Roberts, the through-ball there, he gets brought

down. This is what can happen. delicious free kick. We have

probably forgotten this, this season, what it has been like. He

got 11 last year. It is nice to see him back, what a way to introduce

yourself. He gave a pair of his boots to Reading fan afterwards,

which was a nice touch because they They have money, they are on form

on the pitch and with the manager tied to a long term deal, things

are looking good? Yes, that is the best record in the Championship,

five wins on about. A note he has done that yet. My team has done it

this season. Where is going to start going wrong? Nothing has gone

wrong. Everything you can say about them is positive. They are in a

good place, they look as if they are a very tight-knit unit as you

say. Everything is going according to plan, the manager stays as well.

It is a good time to be a Reading fan. Middlesbrough lacked that

spark and by all accounts Harvey will be on his way soon. Next come

Upton Park, where West Ham and detained Crystal Palace. West Ham's

thumping win against blackballed put them back on top of the

Championship so they are looking to take advantage of the early tip --

early kick off and go four points clear. The Hammers named the same

16 for the games as those that beat Blackpool. Pallors made one change,

McShane coming into defence. Ambrose, but West Ham very nearly

caught cull here. Many referees might have given something for the

Porsche. -- push. They might look to hit it from there. -- I don't

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stop. You don't need to lip read to get the gist, liven up, that is the

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He won't get many better chances have been, five minutes after the

restart, the second half sub Carlton Cole almost puts West Ham

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the goalkeeper, if truth be told. Koll with wonderful set-up play, a

The last three games have caught up with us a little bit physically.

Mentally as well, we have given everything we possibly had.

Unfortunately it did not work today. Saying that we have created two or

three chances. If we put them awake we would have won the game.

broke on them, we created chances, we made a team of West Ham's

stature change their personnel and to shake the second half, which is

all credit to the lads. We were resilient, showed defensive

qualities. All in all I felt a fair result was a drop. A good point

that for Palace. The players went off to Broomes at half-time and

full-time. They're not buying into the style of football, Upton Park.

Two-thirds of the season through, despite the success. Yes, obviously

it is a waiting game, to see where they finish up and if they are

promoted. It is one of the few clubs where there is an innate

ability to put a massive importance on the way they are playing, not

just the results but the manner in which they get the result. Sam has

been brought in to get them out of the Championship by hook or by

crook, he hasn't been brought in to play at the marvellous football, it

is effective football, getting results, getting out of the

Championship. They might just have to stay with that until they get

out of this division and then we say where they go from there.

was a day for the goalkeepers, two of the best on show and

Green, called up, deservedly so, he has been outstanding. They went a

great number of chances in this game. A lot of these are long-range

shots that the keepers are dealing with. It is not just the way they

deal with them but where the ball finishes it after they have made

the save which is important. Credit to Crystal Palace as well, still

unbeaten. It says a lot about them. It is a tough place to go and to

get a result and play the way they did, which is important, they are a

good side, physically strong, well organised, they are no pushover for

anybody now. He has got some real foundations, something to build

from there, Dougie Freedman. A little bit of flair here and there

may be, they can be a team to be West Ham opened the door for them -

- for Southampton to go back to the top of the table. They would have

unbeaten in their last five League games and with 58 goals, hosting

the strongest attack in the division. Leading the way again,

the prolific Rickie Lambert. Lambert started the game as the

lead's top scorer and he was on hand, or head, to capitalise on

this positional error to nod home his 21st in all competitions. It

was this player's first game since his move from Manchester United.

Lambert lives to score and to volley, this time straight at the

keeper. The Saints put four past Watford in the reverse fixture in

October and it did do not take long to score another. Lambert had the

quenching finish. After the break Southampton continued to turn the

screw. There was a golden opportunity to make it three but it

went over. And try as they might do Hornets had few chances to reply

and when they had won they fluffed it. This was headed wide. It was

Southampton that were in control in this game and soon they had opened

up what that again. Dickinson pushed the Japanese striker and

Southampton had a penalty. Up stepped Lambert to take it, hoping

for his third league hat-trick and 23rd goal of the campaign and his

80th in just 139 games for the Saints. No wonder they are top

again, looking at back-to-back A pleasing victory, very

professional. We have had to do the horrible things you have to do with

football and we do that very well. We have adopted performance, they

have had to graft very hard. -- eight dog-eared performance. It was

a spirited Watford side and the lads have done well. Sometimes with

teams in the kind of form they are in, they gain momentum and they put

us out of our stride. Our performance was below par and other

collective if you do it below any side, and certainly the league

leaders, it is tough. Two header defeats for Watford. Lambert's

season goes from strength to strength. You were jumping out of

techniques in football. When the ball comes across your body like

that and you try and hit that across the ball, the way it is

rolling, low and hard into the opposite corner, that is one of the

most difficult techniques you will get in football. He has executed it

perfectly. It shows not just a big man but someone with that technique,

it puts him aside a little bit. made it look so easy. He has made a

few things look easy. On to the On Thursday there was the small

matter of an East Midlands derby. Two teams with an outside chance of

opening ball, Danns has got it for Leicester. Leicester lead in this

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outside of the post. Does the Leicester City so close to doubling

their advantage. Nugent with a header. Knocked hard onto the

close to getting a second goal of We started find, then Leicester

took control and got the goal but the second half, that is what we

ask of the players, how they performed second half, lots of

honesty, lots of endeavour, just that quality lacking. We had to be

a bit more persistent in the second half because they asked more

questions of us. It was a difficult game to see over the line but we

danger a month ago Bristol City have found it tough recently. One

win from seven has left Derek McInnes' side teetering on the

brink once more. Blackpool thrashed City five-nil in the reverse

fixture but this time they conceded after half-an-hour, Stead starting

under his first game took this opportunity impressed -- to impress

with his first goal of the season. Ian Holloway's side studded As the

league's second highest scorers. This deflected free kick was not a

surprise except David James. That sparked the game into life. David

James did well to deny it Ince here. But six minutes later the winger

had his revenge. Substitute Brett Ormerod created the opening. His

cross allowed Ince to do the rest. No Blackpool second half comeback

is complete these days without a Kevin Phillips goal. He did not

disappoint here, 87 minutes on the clock. His 13th goal in all

competitions this season. But there was still time for action at the

other end. Stead was thwarted by Baptiste with spectacular goal-line

heroics before Pitman hooked his effort wide. Blackpool have jumped

I brought some of Mike Hall soldiers in today, delighted to

have them, I have four or five missing. Important players for us.

He did not show as though I am delighted, well done to everyone.

When we lost the ball we can be done as well, the game started to

slip, we have done that -- we have seen them do that to so many teams.

The players with pace and ability started to affect the game in the

first half, we had kept them something to smile about.

Nottingham Forrest's recent win over Coventry, along with his own -

- old club Pompey's ten. Deductions or the time out of the bottom three.

-- ten point deduction. How about taking the lead? Blackstock scoring

for the first time in 15 injury-hit months. But true to form Birmingham

drew level ten minutes after the restart. King retrieved this. Burke

scored his 8th league goal of the season. But confidence is a

wonderful thing, having scored his first since November 2010,

Blackstock added another with a lovely touch and turn as Forrest

became the first away team to score twice at St Andrew's in the league

this season -- Nottingham Forest. Birmingham's response to going

behind a second time was to push forward in numbers. The crossbar

was hit, Curtis Davies missed. What a result for a Nottingham Forest

There was a long time on the sideline -- on the sidelines. I

have been fit for a few months, I was desperate to play, score goals,

do what I did today. Everyone footballer wants to play after

being out for a long period of time. Thankfully to date it has come

Ipswich had won their last four so something had to give on the

Tractor Boys's first visit to the Amex Stadium, where Brighton

remained unbeaten this year. They almost got off to the perfect

start... Michael Chopra says Don Joe Mattock's defensive clanger,

but the ball was cleared off the but the ball was cleared off the

line. -- seized on. There can be few things better for a striker

than scoring on your birthday and Craig Mackail-Smith was perfectly

teed up by Will Buckley and got the party started. His first goal since

September. Having waited so long for that one, he almost enjoyed a

birthday double as Brighton fish at the first half the stronger of the

teams. -- finished. Ashley Barnes was prolific last season, this

season has been different, but his quality was clear after 65 minutes

after he scored his first go for Brighton this year. And he wasn't

finished. Ipswich's 32 games this season have generated more goals

than any other the Championship and Ashley Barnes scored again with six

minutes left. They are now level on points with Cardiff. Our I am not

trying to play one way, we are trying to buy a football using the

qualities of our players. And taking advantage of their position,

taking advantage of the situation. When you play like that, you can

always make decisions on the pitch and saw Ted Ems that look difficult

in the beginning. -- sort out games. If you or your

housemates on nodding off, don't, wake them up, because you are about

to see the goal of the day. It came at Turf Moor, where Millwall had

one last season. Within 15 minutes, things are going their way again.

Andy Keogh scoring his second since joining from walls. That wasn't the

one, even though it was a fine finish -- Wolves. This is it. Josh

Wright, who had never scored for them before. It was so good, even

his goalkeeper joined in the celebrations. With 20 minutes

remaining and having resisted everything Burnley could throw at

them, Millwall scored again. James Henry set up Harry Kane, whose low

finish saw Millwall scored three at Burnley again. The home side's

perseverance was rewarded later on when Shane Lowry tripped Marvin

Bartley in the area. Jay Rodriguez had the honour. And he scored his

19th goal of the season. But the day belonged to Millwall, Kenny

Jackett and Josh Wright. Glad you stayed up now? We have had a lot of

good performances and by the drawn or not got a decision so it is nice

to have a good performance and get three points, because the player's

conference then follows through. It is as good as coli she will say. It

was a terrific strike. In that period, we could have had more --

as good a goal as you will see. Keith Hill's Barnsley made their

trip to the Midlands looking for their first win away the lead over

the Sky Blues in 89 years. -- in the league. After six defeats this

year, bars the fans must have thought they were overdue. But

Coventry made the early running. Alex Nimely couldn't keep that

there for Dan. Bars they were reduced to trying their luck from

distance. -- that -- that efforts there. After the break, Alex Nimely

teed up nor would. But that wasn't the finisher wanted. As the game

went into stoppage time, or Coventry City lodge themselves once

more. Clive Platt, he hadn't scored their goal since November, finished

neatly. -- Who. After barely threatening the Barnsley goal all

game, they nearly made it two. Alex Nimely did the legwork and Gary

McSheffrey got everything right apart from the aiming. Three vital

points for Coventry. We kept going against a really good Barnsley team.

I thought we kept believing and we got the goal we deserved. It is

unfortunate, because from the performance and the strategy and

the way the players implemented, it was superb. They are low in the

changing rooms. When Darren Ferguson's Peterborough

arrived at Doncaster, it must have felt like a homecoming for him.

According to reports this week, Doncaster is actually part of

Scotland, something to do with a treaty from the 9th century.

Doncaster would rather be anywhere that the England right now, and you

could see why they had not won in five league games. But later in the

half, they took the lead. El-Hadji Diouf took the free kick and Giles

Barnes rose to score his first goal since 2000 and night. They almost

doubled their lead just after the break, El-Hadji Diouf the archetype

one small -- architect for once more, and then it missing. -- Kyle

Bennett. But Tyrone Barnett sparked a posh end to live for. The former

Crawley striker was denied a debut goal by this fine save it. Apache

continued to press a button. Paul Taylor twisted and turned his way

into space, but the keeper was equal to his shot and Doncaster or

stay ahead. Having weathered the storm, Doncaster looked set to hold

on for only their 6th league win of the season but the Peterborough new

boy had other ideas. Ryan Bennett are delivered the cross and far

Barnard headed home, a debut goal for him. It is their hard-earned

point. You need them. It keeps us where we are. We need 12 points

from 14 games and the way we did second half, I think we will get

them. Tyrone Barnett of the mark for his

new club, Peterborough. We saw wins for a team struggling at the end of

the Championship, including Millwall, but for Josh Wright, what

a goal this was. Sometimes, you get a goal scored and you can just

imagine this being played for years and years and this is one of those.

That is how you strike the ball. The Swede this collection you're

probably never going to see, a fantastic strike -- the sweetest

connection. The best way to get off the mark. In his 5th start as well,

hopefully he can go from strength to strength. When's don't get much

bigger than Nottingham Forest at Birmingham. Two goals from a player

whose career was on the line de rigueur. It is not always command -

-, bet that he has fulfilled his potential. But this is a fantastic

goal. A great touch and a turn. We know what he is capable of. They

played well today, Forest. We saw in the second half last week, it

looked as though they believed they could get the result. Certainly

looking at today, that was a big performance at a tough place.

day for Dexter Blackstock and Coventry had to pull something out

of the bag with those teams winning. They left it late with the man who

is revered then there as Bertini. - - Plattini. They have not always

got the results they deserve, but you can see some light at the end

of the tunnel. They nicked it at the end and they have given

themselves a chance. They certainly have. A few points away from

survival. Good wins for Brighton, Blackpool and Leicester as well.

Now then, we saw last week that Portsmouth slipped into the bottom

three on the back of their points deduction. Well, it's been another

tortuous week down at Fratton Park. A raft of redundancies, including

that of chief executive David Lampitt, came as the administrator

warned that the club might struggle to even end the season. Not the

best preparation then for the visit of Leeds United.

The sun was shining on the south coast but these are dark days at

Portsmouth. Even so, the spirit is willing and resolute. Hopefully

there Trevor Birches in, it will be different. A lot of the fans wanted

someone else in, so hopefully he can find a suitable buyer, whether

it is the fans or another investor. All we can do is great and bear it

and hope this Guy manages to get us out of the trouble we are in. I

will still be here every week, if I can. It is about trying to get the

whole community onside, not just the fans, but people in and around

the town and the City. There is the whole talk about trying to sort out

a community by air, getting the fans to club together and save the

football club. That buyer. I don't want them to go, it is the only

thing I have got, really. The only thing I have got taken away his not

a good thing for me. Emotions were running high as the club lost their

pack the Park campaign, which saw discounted tickets increase the

intend it to 70,400. -- attendance to 17,500. Most of them believed

they should have had a penalty. The referee didn't. He then denied

Leeds United a goal, twice. First he ruled that Ross McCormack's shot

didn't cross the line. Robert Snodgrass followed up but he was

ruled offside. I wonder if Neil Warnock took that decision so

calmly in the Leeds dug out. The Pompey owner had -- goalkeeper had

spent the weekend trying to raise money by selling tickets. He showed

his worth in a goal by keeping out Luciano Becchio. At the other end,

that Joel Ward tried his luck from range. The referee was back to

centre-stage when he said Greg Halford pot had failed to get a

touch what Barnet way into the net. Back row.. Shared, but Portsmouth

need all the. Staking get that points. It is a clear penalty, and

the it is amazing the referee has misted, but you have to take it on

the chin and hopefully over the coming weeks, we will get a few

decisions that go our way and get a bit of luck. So I point in Pompey's

bid for survival after another difficult week where the harsh

realities have hit home -- a point. 31 redundancies. Yes, we can talk

about the playing side and that is obviously important, because it is

ultimately a football club, and there -- but we are talking about

people's lives and their futures and 31 people lost their jobs,

people who are probably only ever known look -- working airport but

as a job, so you start to think this is hard work. That working at

Portsmouth. Taking on a new dimension fought Michael Appleton,

being forced to sell your top scorer, he is now probably treading

that that deadline will cumin in March and -- dreading. I think that

leads us to impact upon the players. We can talk about wages, but they

will get their money. When you look around the dressing room and you

are losing your best players, you are just starting to see it change,

that is where it has a negative psychological effect on the

dressing room. League One now and Charlton's march

towards the title has been interrupted somewhat of late by a

couple of draws against Rochdale and Tranmere. The Addicks were

still seven points clear, though, going into their game with sixth-

Valley's biggest crowd of the season, but the majority hoping to

see Charlton stretched their lead at the summit. Michael Robinson's

thunderbolt in the second half. But the leaders had every right to be

cautious about a Stevenage side who beat them October and was still

smarting from a midweek defeat. Brad Pitt Wright-Phillips make it

comfortable by tucking away his increase the lead, but normal

service is resumed after successive draws and the leader at the top

stands at 10 points. It was pleasing to get a win against a

real dog eared team. Stevenage have done exceptionally well this year

but my players will be performed. - United on his CV, Simon Grayson

wouldn't be warmly welcomed by Huddersfield fans. But that

resonate also concerns a bit of -- a couple of promotions and his

impact guided them to a first win on. Jordan Rhodes notching his 30th

goal of the season. Huddersfield back in business and happy with the

new man in the hot seat. It has been a good week in terms of

everybody connected with the club making us feel ready welcome, and

the players have responded in training with what we have asked

them to do. To win the game with a clean sheet is great.

Two ambitious side, but in contrasting form and it was the MK

Dons who emerged with a third successive victory. Mathias dumb by

Stalin for his second goal in three games -- Mathias Doumbe.

Bournemouth almost punished again, but Charlie MacDonald's first goal

of 2012 remains elusive. The Cherries are reported to have

received an unexpected visitor at half-time, the wife ofKolo a Maxim

Demin. They improved, and nearly grabbed a draw. I thought we played

very well. I'm here saying again we have played well but not won the

game, goals change games and it is disappointed not to be standing

You will shed five goals but the third game running but came up

short or one of the longest trips suspension and then does fashion.

Straight from the restart The Oval dragged themselves level. Gary

Johnson's team have been in good form following his return to the

club. Confidence levels have soared. Obika's third goal since arriving

from Spurs restored parity. Carlisle were hoping to bounce back

from a four-nil defeat at Brentford last time out but at home they

would take some stopping. They haven't lost in their own patch

since September and when Madden seized on the mistake, the unbeaten

run looks like being extended to 12 matches. But the Glovers refused to

cave in and with eight minutes left the fabulous drive from Blizzard

appeared to have earned them a share of the points. But the home

team pressed on for the win that would lift them into the play-off

places. Francois Zoko a whisper away from clinching maximum points.

The paperwork this club -- rescued The Oval and it sped Carlisle's

bushes down the other end. Williams almost scored. There was still time

for one last twist. Francois Zoko had The Oval's defenders and keeper

in a panic punished them to full effect. A dramatic winner lifting

Scunthorpe have once again had the momentum checked. This volley was

typical of the side that had -- that lacked a cutting edge. Some

Slocombe was called upon to keep out this effort, Paul Reed did

likewise. Scunthorpe had the better of it but missed chances up costly.

Jon Parkin could be in for a sleepless night after this one. We

come's bid to avoid an automatic return to league to sort Gary

Waddock make four alone signings this week. They made an impact. The

striker put away the loose ball. Hayes arrived from Charlton along

with Doherty, the former Tottenham and Norwich defender also weighed

in with a debut goal. His first for two years. Hartlepool's long

journey south to could turn for the worst before half-time. Stuart

Beavon out muscle to the defender and tapped his 50th of the season

into an empty net. The visitors contributed to their own misery.

This clearance went straight at Hayes. Stuart Beavon reacted first

and made it four-nil. Three successive defeats have prompted

Gary Waddock to bring in fresh faces and it has paid off as they

move off the bottom of the table. Alive -- the lively Stuart Beavon

completed the rout. We come's first double of the season and this

equalled their biggest-ever League following Martin Allen's departure

last week but after a winning start against Stevenage, he went in

search of more success against Chesterfield. There was a fine

double stop. John Sheridan's when gifted their opponents the winner

ten the up -- ten minutes from time. Forte got a goal. From up --

following his debut win as manager, he sent an e-mail thanking the

supporters. His sights are within three points of a play-off place.

The scoreline almost looked convincing but his new boss is all

Colchester's goalless draw was Rochdale. And there it was. This

header summing up the match best Dumbarton overshadowed events at

Deepdale. The young midfielder dislocated and broke his ankle in

the tackle with the Saddlers player. There was an 11 minute stoppage

while the medical teams treated Barton. He will undergo an

operation on Sunday. It was another frustrating afternoon for the home

fans. Their side has one win from six matches. This effort was

flicked away by the keeper. This teenager was the match-winner wreck

Scunthorpe in midweek he squandered an opportunity to repeat the feat.

The Saddlers are now unbeaten in worth the wait. A beauty of Bury.

Leyton Orient were dreaming of a win. They last did teach such a

beat three years ago, although the London club should have been in the

driving seat by half-time. The Shakers could have been in big

trouble was this back-pass. Richie Barker's decision to make two

second half changes made -- paid dividends. Elford-Alliyu scored

with his first touch on his debut being tested. Defeat at Oldham

makes it one win in 19 games. Rovers were chasing this one from

the moment Simpson was tripped in the box. Kuchi had missed his last

two spot-kicks but he rammed this home -- Kuqi. Rivers were fortunate

not to concede more goals against an Oldham side who had lost five of

their last seven. After. Simpson claimed ownership of this week's

most comical miss. With Rovers fans restless, Chesterfield next week is

That is what Paul Dickov would have wanted after last week's nightmare

result. Simon Grayson off to a winning start. John Rhodes, back to

his all ways of scoring goals. It is not even March and he is up to

you go through a lean spell. He is waiting for it. I am wondering when

it will happen. He is a goal machine. There has been no dipping

his form. He has scored consistently through the season. It

is a win really that gives, puts pressure on Sheffield United for

Sunday. Ahead of the derby. Another striker making headlines, Lee

Miller has been missing for Carlisle. If you thought they

missed him, Francois Zoko has come up with vitally important goals

this season. Three goals after the 90th minute, two wins and a draw

come up in the top six. Absolutely, a massive win, probably one they

would have at home, if you're going to maintain the top-six position

you expect results like that but they took it to the wire. Greg

Abbott does a great job. Also for Wycombe, it has been a stressful

time for Gary Waddock, four de Betanzos. What a hammering for

Hartlepool. Yes, you are right to call them new starters, two often

scored. Hayes, a super player. No doubt about that. We know about

Doherty, he has played at the top level, centre half for centre-

forward. There is no doubt that most players will make a massive

impact and from Wycombe Wanderers perspective, there is still plenty

of time for them to get out of the position they are in. A couple of

big talking points tonight, Eddie Mitchell has been on the radio, at

Bournemouth the wife of the CoE owner went into the dressing room

at half-time to introduced herself to the players, someone -- they

thought she was giving half-time team talk. If she is coming to say

hello, but at the time... timing is not right but there is

nothing wrong with what she has done. Non-footballing people not

understanding. They are going through a sticky patch, fans are

wondering what is going on. problem is the Mitchell has is it

is not being reported in the correct way. -- Eddy Mitchell. If

you are making the correct assumption, people can make up

their own minds. As a footballer, as someone in the dressing room,

not the right time to do it but I can understand her wanting to come

in and introduced herself. Not a problem with that but maybe at the

start of the game. Possibly at the end. Maybe not at half-time. She

did not going to give the team talk, we talk about Steve Morgan of what

happened. It was not that kind of scenario. We have to keep things in

context. Well done to Notts County and we must wish I Dumbarton all

the best after dislocating his ankle. -- Adam bartered. Now lead

two. A run of one defeat in 19 hasn't seen Swindon Town moved

effortlessly leak -- effortlessly to the top of the table. They have

done it under the tutelage of that He was unveiled as the new boss of

Swindon Town, few people could have anticipated the impact that Paolo

Di Canio would have as a manager but in midweek and -- an eight

successive league win secured top spot and to do so far so good for

the Italian and there have been one Occasionally it oversteps the mark,

once or twice, Northampton away, when we score in the last minute,

he knows he will celebrate with the fans and pay a fine. Sometimes you

get picked on and we have to address that. I think it is fair to

say that Paolo Di Canio has got his own way of doing things. Remember

the spat with Leon Clarke at the end of Swindon's Carling Cup tie

with Southampton? He has never played for the club again. De Canio

has also been sent to the stands so often it has been suggested he

should buy a season ticket! And to say he has bind up the odd press

conference or two is an understatement. -- brightened up.

have culture, I speak with my body language sometimes, in England,

people have to respect me. A what is it like to have him as a

manager? Fantastic. I was not sure at the start of the season how it

would go it eight wins in a row, football we are playing, the

passion of the man is great. A even if they send me off, we win. No

problem. He is an inspiring man. my body, my shoulder, my legs they

can't send a off every time. Johnstone's Paint Trophy final

trophy, Bring It On. I will keep more camp if I can but I can't

change what I am. Paolo Di Canio is -- have a legendary status in the

English game. He was would have terrace chants like Verdi's

Rigoletto? # Paolo Di Canio #. of course Disco. And the

consistency of his side has been outstanding. Swindon's last league

defeat was on Boxing Day. Add to that to date at Wembley for the

Johnstone's Paint Trophy final in March and you can see what kind of

an impact he has had on a club that lest we forget suffered relegation

at the end of last season. He is very passionate, enthusiastic, gets

his point across. The boys react, the gaffer is a big name. It gives

you a lift. Technically in training he is very good, better than us.

You always have to be on your toes. Best to see you. -- nice to see you.

I suspect you would be gutted if he did not finish of the job for you?

Which job? Getting back up to the next division. Bit further? That is

the truth, as long as our ambition matches his ambition, he his here

for longer than people think. is Accrington Stanley who stand and

the way of Swindon's 9th consecutive league win come a

result that would break the club half-time. Paul Burns and fixed

them into an eight-minute lead. That did not bode well for and

Accrington side who had lost the last three without scoring,

although they almost ended the goal drought. But that was only a minor

scare Forestside who had not lost at home since the opening month of

the campaign. This effort tend to increase Stanley's misery. But no

such problems for Swindon, who were enjoying the ride under the

stewardship of they have faced the Italian manager, so much so they

hoped it opened talks about a contract extension. Just before the

half-hour they were well on their way to a 7th straight success.

Benson's second settled the contest. Paul Cook is still searching for

his what first win as Accrington manager. Swindon are going to take

old club record and yet, I don't think you are very happy. To be

honest, I am not happy. About the record, I can be happy, because it

means we one-day game. It is a few victories in a row. -- we won a

game. But the way we played in the second half, I am furious with my

players. And not happy. Those standards of very high? It is not

about the record. So in general, I am happy, because it means we are

at the top with another victory. Like you say, the record, but it

doesn't count if you don't win the title. And so glad you started to

smile, I was getting worried. make me smile, because I like you

as a person, because you smile is infectious, but that is probably

because I was furious until five minutes ago. I just wanted to enjoy

what you do, that is all? -- want you. I enjoy it, but enjoying it is

winning at the way you want. As a manager, you have to look forward,

to the future. I am worried, because if we behave in this way,

the way we did the second half, it is not the right way.

So room for improvement as far as Paolo Di Canio is concerned. How

have -- how impressed have you been by the Italian? He has done a

fantastic job. He lost four out of his first five and then has now won

19 of his last 26. Whatever she did -- you have got to say about him,

it is a decent first job. He has got room to manoeuvre. He has made

one or two sidings that haven't worked out... And he puts his hands

are up about those things. He has been able to bring other players in.

If you have no other room for manoeuvre, it is harder, but he has

been given a bit of latitude would bring in players in and moving them

on. He has their got players bedded in and a team that is really

confident, and rightly so -- now got. If in pole position. The rest

of League 2 there, and we start for Southend, he went coast-to-coast to

take on all come. -- Morecambe. Having branded his side cutlass and

a week, Paul Sturrock has another poor performance to digest.

Southend's promotion credentials still remain very much in doubt.

Morecambe 1 B shrimper Derby Thaxted Jordan Burrows scoring his

first League goal. Southend will have to hope points on the board

are better than games in hand -- thanks to.

After failing to score in their last three home games, Charlton and

needed a positive opening. Upon being recalled to the starting

line-up, Jermaine McGlashan delivered it. Five minutes gone

when he celebrated his first goal since moving from Aldershot. The

winger was proving a real handful for the Brewers. Five minutes from

the break, he went under -- went down under a challenge. But Ross

Atkins made and an outstanding save from the penalty. -- an outstanding

save. Then a red card for but visitors. They have been struggling

for form and were about to match an unwanted record of nine games

without a win. Jimmy Spencer heading back across goal towards

the end and sea-going Batty and -- Sido Jombati and Jermaine McGlashan

were arguing over the final touch. Early in the second half, the Kent

club edged in front. A diving header from Simon King put the

hosts on course for their first win since the start of generate. That

appeared to have done the job, but Gavin Thomas and was brought down

with full-time approaching. It is a pity the referee didn't have the

same view, with him deciding to send off the wrong defender. No

surprise that Martin Ling plans to appeal the decision. Danny Kedwell

taking advantage from the spot. After eight defeats and a Road,

Macclesfield needed something special at Oxford. They got it from

Michael Duberry -- in a row. Another own-goal from the veteran.

Oli Johnson secured a point, scant reward for Oxford, who missed the

chance to cement a top seven players. -- place. Micky Adams's

Port Vale have some momentum and got off to a flying start. When the

hosts failed to deal with a corner, Doug Loft's Centre was met by John

McLoone. His only goal this season was by -- also against the same

opposition. Sean Rigg then raced clear and rounded the goalkeeper

Majid. Northampton gave themselves hope lay Tarn drew up added bay

akin Fenn wire. But Aidy Boothroyd's side remain in trouble

-- gave themselves hope late on. have got no complaints today. I

thought we were well worth the victories we have had recently the

book -- but today we got what we deserved, because they play that

match pace and we were playing that testimonial place for some reason

that pace for some reason. We were fantastic that two-thirds of the

game. And then I think, I wouldn't say we were cruising, you're never

that confident, but in the last 20 minutes, they put us under enormous

pressure. Rotherham's boss Andy Scott pointed

to a lack of quality following this latest setback. Lewis Grabban's

second half miss summed up his side's deficiencies in front of

goal. Had that got in, they could have been in the play-off picture

but were left to reflect a defeat that leaves them six points adrift

of the play-off spot. Andy Dorman sealed Bristol Rovers's their third

away win in the four. -- in four.

AFC Wimbledon may not be the Crazy Gang, but they do love a ding-dong.

The game of the day in League 2 began with Billy not finding the

corner. Crewe Alexandra responded

immediately. It was the first of two goals in 60 seconds by the

Railwaymen. With the game only 11 minutes old, Nik Powell gave a

delight -- gave the lie to the notion that they lack striking

nailed on when they got a penalty just before the hour. But at the

save from Ashley was good -- up Westwood was the catalyst for

another comeback. Sammy more's brilliant goal raised hopes with

nine minutes remaining. Then in injury time, of Wimbledon grabbed

their third consecutive draw. Under the circumstances, this one will

best run of the season and despite keeper's been grilse best efforts,

they were behind after six minutes -- been grilled's. Dean Holdsworth

side had won five in a row before this, and Danny Hylton doubled the

lead. That Turkey is tallied for the season to 13. Barnet were three

down after just half-an-hour. It was headed back into the danger

zone and Troy Brown swivelled. His first goal since arriving on loan

from Rotherham. Both managers made double substitutions at the break

but the pattern remained the same. Some abysmal defending the leading

to number four. With just one point from their last four outings, but

these are far from safe. Jordan a beater had his strike parried by

the replacement goalkeeper and Charlie Taylor poached his first

a vital victory eight minutes from time -- Hereford. But David Syers

levelled the scores for just two minutes left. Even the tide against

them, the home side sensed it could still be their day. The Ben Purkiss

sent Kyel Reid Flying to leave Hereford are teetering. -- Ben.

That left them a man light during five minutes of injury time that

they were almost punished with virtually the last kick of the game.

Marcel Seip designed a winner -- denied a winner. Grizzled but

there's no team -- a result but does neither team any good.

Five of the bottom six drew on Saturday, making this stalemate

even more frustrating for Plymouth. They were bemoaning their luck when

Luke Daley rattled the frame of the goal. It may have still been

shaking when Robbie Williams repeated the trick seconds later.

Another hard-luck story for the Pilgrims, who remained firmly in

the relegation scrap. Yes, draws are not what they

require at this stage of the season. We saw Markham -- Morecambe not

chop a valuable victory. What is going on at Southend? Losing five

of the last eight? Is it a case of nerves? I don't think it is nervous.

When she get into a decent position, it is dangerous -- difficult to

stay there. I think there is a bit of this harmony amongst the players,

the manager and the players. The players are playing the way that

they want to play rather than the way he wants to play. The chairman

goes in at half-time and gives the play as a piece of his mind. Maybe

they need to get together and will pull in the same direction that

players. It is tough to get out of that division. All the sharp said

the new Football League club record with Fiats -- wins on the spin. It

wasn't that long ago that they couldn't find a goal between them -

- Aldershot. Behold what has made some sidings that have changed the

horizon. It came off the back of the Man United defeat and they went

a real slump, but they have come out of that with five wins on the

trot. Some big results. So they are in good nick. You keep your fingers

crossed, maybe someone -- they can have a go at the top seven. A good

result for Port Vale, and they have a transfer embargo, so Micky Adams

continues to battle against the odds.

Let's have a look at the latest league tables before we sign-off.

Swindon's winning run at now have stands at nine.

-- now stands at nine. Shrewsbury take on Crawley on

Monday night. It was a bad day for sees them 10 points clear at the

top. It is the steel City derby on Sunday as but Sheffield clubs look

for a point at Hillsborough. Last week, Wycombe were the only

team in the bottom seven not to win but what a difference of the week -

- a week makes. The only side in the bottom made to pick up all

three points. Southampton took the Championship

again after they won and West Ham drew. Reading become the first side

in the division to win five in a row this season and will move above

of Birmingham, has to Blackpool. Commentary's late winner against

Barnsley moved them up of Portsmouth. Nottingham Forest live

up over Bristol City. That move up. Now the show is on the red button

Now the show is on the red button and on Freeview till midday on

Sunday. It's also on the iPlayer all week. And if you're after

extended match highlights of each game, you'll be able to see them on

the BBC Sport website. Sunday's a big day on the football calendar as

the first piece of silverware is up for grabs. And you'll be able to

see whether Cardiff City or Liverpool get their hands on the

Carling Cup live on the BBC - Carling Cup live on the BBC -

Carling Cup live on the BBC - coverage starts at three on BBC One.

coverage starts at three on BBC One. And if you miss that because you're

out enjoying the sunshine, then I'll be joined by Mark Bright and

we'll bring you highlights at 11:05pm, also on One.

Away from the cup, there's Premier League action, you will be able to