02/02/2014 The Football League Show

What a 24 hours it has been in the Football League, with a frantic end

to the transfer window, followed by the shock news of Brian Little

Dummett's reported sacking by Leeds United. More on that later. Earlier

in the week, Chris Wilder swapped life at Oxford for Football League

survival at Northampton. From the Cobblers to the straight talking

Leroy, who is with me tonight, and here is a taster of what is coming

up. QPR up the pressure on Leicester with their fourth consecutive win

against Bolton on Tuesday. Next for Harry Redknapp's boys, the visit of

Burnley. We have got the best of the action from the other end of the

table, as Sheffield Wednesday took on Barnsley in a South Yorkshire

derby. In League One, a world away from their days in exile in

Sheffield, we will be with Rotherham united, as they test their hopes of

a second successive promotion against Leyton Orient. And as ever,

there are some spec tequila goals for you to enjoy. The Championship

promotion race is warming up quite nicely. -- spectacular. On Friday

night, Nottingham Forest came from behind to beat Watford. So, how

would their promotion rivals respond today? We start at Loftus Road, as

QPR went in search of a fifth consecutive win, this time at home

to Burnley. QPR, the preseason favourites,

taking on Burnley, who are refusing to let go in the race to reach the

Premier League. It is a full house at Loftus Road. It could be a

cracker. Let's check on the two teams. Six players signed by QPR in

the last week, just one of them starting today, Kevin Doyle, on loan

from Wolves. Burnley's squad is small and compact. This is the same

team which drew with Brighton on Tuesday.

Danny Ings and Sam Vokes have got 28 of their 39 goals this season. Niko

Kranjcar takes the corner. Turned over by Heaton. Good goalkeeping

from Tom Heaton, that is a clever header and a fine save. Niko

Kranjcar once again with the dead ball delivery. QPR live free. --

lively. And this time it is in. Kevin Doyle, with a debut goal! They

had a warning from the first corner. Again, it came into the near

post. It was glanced in by Kevin Doyle. A great start for him.

Kevin Doyle, busy and bustling. Kevin Doyle! After 11 minutes, he

looks a cracking signing. Full of energy and endeavour. Charlie Austin

watching on, injured with that shoulder complaint, cannot face his

former club here this afternoon. The ball in from Trippier, great

effort! Danny Ings for Burnley again! What a season he is having.

17 league goals now for him. And that was some finish. That is going

to be a free kick going the way of Joey Barton. It comes in from Joey

Barton, it has come an awful long way, and out for a corner.

Taken by crunch are, once again to the near post. What a finish from

Richard Dunne! -- taken by Niko Kranjcar. That is his first QPR

goal, and one he will never forget. It was a Charlie Austin style volley

from the centre half. Try Ouray in full flow, menacing

stuff. Michael Kightly, great all in, and

Sam Vokes has scored! The Clarets have levelled again. It is the

deadly duo, first Danny Ings, now Sam Vokes. Between them, they have

now got 13 league goals this season out of 41. -- 30.

Trippier takes the quick throw. Arfield... It was pulled back for

Danny Ings, but for once, he got beneath it.

Now it is Burnley's turn to try to shape the game. Danny Ings has got

in behind Assou-Ekotto. Vokes! The double act have combined again. Sam

Vokes having his most prolific league season ever. 14 now for the

campaign. Assou-Ekotto was far too casual. And for the first time this

afternoon, Burnley are leading. Here comes that change. Coming on for his

debut, having signed right on the deadline last night, it is Maiga,

signed on loan from West Ham United. Can he get a goal on debut, like

Kevin Doyle did? Sam Vokes, and the flag stays down.

Danny Ings... It is a super run, but not quite. He saw the top corner

begging for him to find it, and he couldn't, but he was mighty close.

David Jones has been a steady presence in midfield for the Clarets

today. Joey Barton with a lovely ball out to junior toilet.

-- Junior Hoilett. Modibo Maiga, on his debut! It was toilet with the

presence of mind to get the ball in.

This really has been a cracking contest in the Championship. QPR

have not scored four goals in a game all season. They will need to now,

to win this one. Lovely play by Niko Kranjcar. Niko Kranjcar pulls it

back for Joey Barton. Assou-Ekotto. Clever play, once again it goes out

to Hoilett on the wing. Sam Vokes, fouled by Dunne.

Is there to be one more twist in a remarkable match? Angelo Balanta,

and now, Trippier. Stanislas! My word, what an effort.

Assou-Ekotto, not for the first time, was dispossessed. He has had

his pocket picked. And Stanislas was very close to getting a dramatic

winner for Burnley. I am very happy with the performance, that is for

sure. A couple of details with in it which cost us dearly, but generally

speaking, it is what we have come to expect from our group, with the good

work we do on the training pitch, together with the staff. The

framework and organisation but also good quality. Some of our moves, the

second goal was a terrific move, shifting the ball quickly, and a

great finish. Lots of positives. Are you able to give Queens Park Rangers

supporters any indication of how long Charlie Austin will be out for?

Are we talking two months which Mark I think it will probably be the

season, I would imagine. We will be lucky if we see him this season. How

big a blow is that? Massive. He is an outstanding player for us. He was

our main man, scoring goals for us. But Andy Johnson worked hard today.

We have got Kevin Doyle, and Maiga came on a and Bobby is fit. We will

get on with it. Yes, a big blow for Harry, but almost overnight, he has

got an embarrassment of riches, almost, in terms of strikers. As for

the game itself, it was a fantastic name. Fascinating, with two teams on

opposing ends of the financial spectrum, but giving us a classic. I

really enjoyed the game. I thought QPR started the game really well.

They edged it in the first half, but Burnley came out and dominated in

the second half. When they got their noses in front, I thought they would

win it, but then Harry introduced Maiga to get the equaliser. I think

Burnley might be slightly more disappointed. Harry touched on it,

they have almost been overreliant on the goals from Charlie Austin. It is

a huge blow for them. But he has shown once again his canny touch in

the transfer market. Absolutely. Kevin Doyle has got a good pedigree.

It has not quite worked out for him at Wolves. But him on loan. Great

delivery from Niko Kranjcar as well. That is a difficult one to defend

against. You have to give that to the attacking side. Hoilett also

came on as a substitute, and was really effective down this right

hand side. I think Harry will be pleased. Charlie Austin, 15 goals in

all competition is, it is going to be hard to replace him with one

player, so Harry might have gone a bit over the top with four! There

are two more who did not take part today, but he wants options, and he

has got that. And credit to Burnley, they have become the first

team to score more than one goal at Loftus Road, with two players who

are in great form. I don't think you can blame the

defence. This was an excellent move, the switch of play and to the left

side and some folks gets across his mind and gets the first touch. The

typical training goal -- sam you can't blame the defence much. In

possession you some great movement for the second goal and out of

possession, they chased everything down and made it difficult for their

opponents. Is real energy about them. Is the Vokes and Ings

partnership good enough to take them up?

I think so, if you look at their dealings in the transfer window,

Sean Dyche will be delighted they are still there. There are

definitely the best partnership in the Championship.

After all of their recent troubles, if you thought you had seen it all

at Leeds, think again. The club has been thrown into turmoil in the last

24 hours, the confusion surrounding the club's ownership and Brian

McDermott's position as manager. Hardly the perfect backdrop for the

visit of Huddersfield. Also you'd think.

McDermott had been told to stay away, despite being advised his

sacking on Friday wasn't authorised. So his assistants Nigel Gibbs took

charge and the fans continued their protests against Massimo Cellino.

Also on the basis of this result, maybe the powers that be will be

tempted to have people before every game. Things didn't start too well.

Oliver Norwood inches away from putting Huddersfield ahead before

Danny Ward did give them the lead. He scored for the Terriers when they

beat Leeds earlier in the season, but this was as good as it got this

time around. On the stroke of half-time, the Championship's top

scorer came up with the goods for Leeds once again. Ross McCormack

showing the predatory instinct that made him the subject of plenty of

Premier League interest during the transform window. -- transfer

window. He turned provider after the break to teacup Jimmy Kebe for his

first goal since arriving on loan from Crystal Palace. The crowd

showing who they wanted to be in charge. MacCormack took centre

stage, scoring twice more in the space of 11 minutes. -- Ross

McCormack. Then he made it 16 goals in his last 15 appearances when he

buried Cameron Stewart's cross. Leeds had only managed five goals in

their last eight matches but they equalled that inside the last ten

minutes. It was a special moment for 18-year-old Alex Mowatt as he scored

his first goal for the senior club -- senior goal for the club. A day

that ended in celebration but with plenty of questions still to be

answered. Yesterday wasn't nice, what was happening at the club, but

the most important thing is what happens on the pitch. We had a chat

before the game, we rallied the troops and we knew the most

important thing was the three points and we showed good character from

1-0 down. We could have folded, everything was against us but we

came back and scored five great goals. It is a shame Brian wasn't

here to witness that, if his team. They followed his instructions to

the tee and it was a fantastic victory. I am led to believe he will

be back in the club on Monday as manager and he will be welcomed back

by me and the squad. So after 24 hours of mayhem and

confusion, it is as you were. But is it? Of course it isn't. Brian was

supposedly sacked by a lawyer acting for the potential owners and as we

saw on the clip, it wasn't authorised. What it has done in a

funny way is unite everybody at the club and give everybody and

understanding about what they feel about the job Brian McDermott is

doing. Leeds were going through a very sickly patch -- sticky patch.

Ross McCormack said when he thought Brian McDermott had gone that he was

gutted and you don't often hear that, you hear about players being

mercenaries and only worrying about their wage packets, but there is a

real belief that Brian was doing a great job at the club and he didn't

want to take the moves is offered to him to go to the Premier League. So

I think it has strengthened the resolve at Leeds United and it could

turn out to be good. You had to give Ross McCormack credit, not only for

the hat-trick but he by quoting -- he spoke of an interview and has

become a real leader in the dressing room but what a PR disaster for any

owner wanting to come into a new club, not just a club with history

lightly generative. All of these reports about Gianluca Festa being

asked to sit on the bench midweek, being refused because it would

undermine Brian McDermott. All of these reports do not ingratiate the

new owners to the fans. Of course it doesn't and owners need to do their

homework on the managers who are in charge at the time. Some owners by a

club, bring their own people in, they say, " You are no good" but

they need to find out about who the manager is, that is Brian McDermott.

He came from a Premier League job, he was so excited to get the Leeds

job because he considered potential and the players can see the

potential in him and the owner should recognise that and move

forward with him as manager. After seeing that, I think Leeds are on

the right track. So Brian is due to report to the training ground on

Monday, should be interesting. There is no stopping the league

leaders Leicester at the moment. They notched an eight successive

league victory against Birmingham in midweek. Could they extend their

lead at the top with a ninth win at Bournemouth?

Leicester's manager revealed this weekend that he once had to fight

off a pack of wild dogs in Romania. Strange, but true. At least at this

rate there will be no one snapping at Nigel Pearson's heels in the

running. Bournemouth's star performer was Lee camp, keeping

Jamie Vardy off the scoresheet. They were rarely able to trouble his

counterpart Kasper Schmeichel. Even lose grab them off target. The tide

was predominantly against the home club. League Cup's refusal to be

beaten was becoming a worry for the table toppers. Anthony knockout

thwarted. The goalkeeper will think he wasn't beaten -- knockout. The

linesman intervened for the victory. Kevin Phillips was convinced the

ball had crossed the line, as you would expect. The evergreen

40-year-old becoming the club's oldest ever scorer as the lead went

into double figures. It is satisfying to extend their winning

run. It is a shame, I suppose, that the game has been settled with a

goal which has a bit of controversy surrounding it, I suppose, but our

players were convinced it was a goal. And I think we deserved to win

the game. Having acquired three Manchester

United players on deadline day, Lee Clark says he is delighted with

Birmingham's transfer business. He might have been having second

thoughts when one of them gave Derby a first-half penalty. The teenager

bringing down we'll fuse. Fortunately for him, Randolph saved

Craig Bryson's spot kick. The second half began with another January

signing Kevin lose the lead. Free agent Brian Howard was snapped up a

couple of weeks ago. A spell in Bulgaria didn't go as the midfielder

had hoped. His celebration showed relief at another crack at the

Championship. The lead lasted less than a minute. The 21 goals this

season for Derby's Patrick Bamford mean he's tied to miss chances,

certainly when he has two opportunities to put them away. That

began a 25 minute spell when Derby appeared to take the game away from

their hosts. A freak goal edged them ahead just before the hour. Chris

Martin's shop looping in thanks to a deflection from his own team-mate --

shot. Still on the fringes of the relegation battle, Birmingham's new

signings need to gel quickly. The back four looks like perfect

strangers as Craig Forsythe made it 3-1. With only seven minutes ago --

to go, it looked bad for Lee Clark's site. Steve McLaren was left

ringgit, Chris Bertram giving Birmingham hope, before another

deadline day signing had his say. Federico Macheda, another buy from

the Red Devils, struck in injury time and Birmingham salvaged a

draw, their sixth in nine winless home matches.

The passion and the driver and the desire to come back into the game

was there for all to see, and you saw the reaction from the supporters

at the end, they are with the players so much, they are desperate

for them to do well, and they are backing the young players every step

of the way. We can only blame ourselves, in a game where we have

had 20 opportunities, they have had three shots and it is 3-3.

Millwall's third home fixture in a row, and they were beginning to find

some form at the new Den. The visitors, free scoring Reading,

would always test them, and so it proved. Stephen Bywater in the

Millwall goal was at fault for the breakthrough. He didn't deal with a

lofted ball and Pavel Pogrebnyak took full advantage. Ian Holloway's

teams always play with an attacking spirit, but the Lions were

struggling to match their opponents. Liam Feeney wasting one of their

better opportunities. Reading had put seven past Bolton, five past

Blackpool and added to their tally. Stephen Bywater with a terrific stop

from Pogrebnyak, but Alex Pearce put away the rebound. Just minutes

later, Danny Williams claimed his first goal for Reading to complete

the scoring. Millwall remained just outside the relegation places, but

for the Royals, it is now four wins in five and all of the signs are

encouraging. A real, good, hard-working performance from the

players yet again. Consistency in team selection, consistency of

performance and togetherness, goals through the team, and everyone is

enjoying it. Dougie Freedman has been bemoaning

Bolton's bad luck at the moment but he couldn't blame ill fortune for

their failure to take an early lead at which ship. The ball to Lucas

Djokovic fell kindly to Mark Davis but he couldn't convert either of

his fights at the cherry -- Leuchars this winter Ipswich gives them one

place away from the play-off spots. Frank Nouble wasn't far from giving

them the lead in the first half. Mick McCarthy said he was happy to

keep hold of Erin Cresswell and David McGoldrick up the Premier

League interest in the pair and after Cresswell's long-range effort

was tipped over, McGoldrick was brought down by the goalkeeper in a

challenge Dougie Freedman called a Rush of blood to the head.

Ipswich's top scorer kept pickle head to convert from the spot and

like his 15th goal of the campaign -- kept a cool head.

Making his boss a happy man in the process. Nick, you are right in the

play-off picture. If you keep on winning at home and drawing away,

that is what you want -- make. I couldn't agree more, I don't know

what you want to say to that. Absolutely.

Mick McCarthy, as concise as ever. It is pinch yourself time for

Leicester fans, nine consecutive wins, going from strength to

strength at the right time. Compare their standing from this time last

season, they are two points shy of last season's tally with 17 left to

play. It is a change of environment. Everyone knows the budget was cut

from Nigel at the start of the season and last season, it seemed to

be if we have a problem, we will buy a player. Now he has a group of

players he is working with and they are progressing, there is a great

spirit there. They are a talented bunch and he's getting the best out

of them, that is testament to him and his staff. We will not talk

about Kevin Phillips's age, he is probably as sick as we are talking

about it, but he has been brought in when he doesn't even need strikers.

Was it a goal? Well, it was given, but was it over the line? It is such

a poor angle, it is hard to tell. Bournemouth will be felling hard

done by what I would do the same if I was Kevin, putting pressure on the

referee. We saw Birmingham get into injury time before they could dish

out the leveller against Derby County. They had lost three going

into this. He has had such a tough time, Lee Clark, considering the

lack of leadership in the boardroom and six of his 1122. Yes, and a big

turnover of players. A lot of his experience, he moved them out,

Ambrose, Mullins and Wade Elliott. Six of his players are under 22 but

they are putting in a shift for him. They have a poor home record, so to

go out against the good Derby County side and get that result will

certainly give them a lift. McCague was signed yesterday, that is a good

way to start for any striker. -- Federico Macheda. And the sooner the

ownership issues are sold, the better. The dogfight at the other

end now and what a difference Stuart Gray has made at Sheffield

Wednesday. Under the new head coach, whence they are unbeaten in

six, lifting them out of the relegation zone. -- Wednesday. Their

next challenge came in a way of local rivals Barnsley. Second from

bottom. Local pride and precious points at

stake as these two Yorkshire rivals find themselves in another scrap for

survival. Stuart Gray has led Wednesday's revival, pulling them

out of the bottom three. They are aiming to go ten games unbeaten in

all competitions. Barnsley have turned to the man who took them to

their one and only season in the Premier League, Danny Wilson,

against his former club. Danny Wilson has brought in no fewer

than six new players during the transfer window. Jack Hunt is in

right back and Emanuel Frimpong, signed from Arsenal, gets the nod at

midfield. Barnsley corner. Barnsley inching

themselves into the game. A blistering strike! Blocked twice.

My word, that was travelling. How close were Barnsley to scoring here?

Howard Wilkinson and Dickie Bird, side by side.

Frimpong has to be careful. At this rate he will end up getting himself

booked. Too keen to get involved. He got nowhere near the ball. The

referee taking charge of his first football league fixture of the

season. Tells Frimpong to calm down. Maguire goes down on the edge. And

it is Frimpong again. What did we say? Yellow card. He should have

learnt. But he didn't. And now he is walking a tightrope.

It is Frimpong with the challenge. It will be a second yellow and it

will be red for Emanuel Frimpong on his debut. He lost his cool area in

the game. Someone needed to calm him down. But Emanuel Frimpong has a

debut to forget. Barnsley down to ten men. He has to put up with the

stick he is getting from the Sheffield Wednesday fans. He has got

to walk right past them. Jennings! Good save from Chris Kirkland. That

would've been turned up. -- that would have been a surprise. He is

yet to score for Barnsley. The last action of the first tab.

-- the first half. Of his own post from Jack Hunt!

Kieran Lee! Pushed away by the goalkeeper. They are getting closer.

But not close enough. Jennings caught in possession. Lee has a go.

That was a good save. Far from a classic but it has had its talking

points. Let's have a look at this. Mellis is

pointing the finger at Jermaine Johnson. He is going for the

pocket. I think this is going to be red. It is! He has only been on the

field a matter of minutes, Jermaine Johnson. Let's have a look. That was

high. That was reckless. Mellis slipped. It looked that way

at first glance. A second viewing might make the decision easier. He

steps on the inside of the defender. Was their contact? Barnsley have a

throw. Mellis went flying in. That looked

reckless from Jacob Mellis. Are we going to see a third player sent

off? We are. Jacob Mellis dismissed. Incredible. And is that because he

felt he should have had a penalty moments before. --? Has he taken his

frustration out? The speed at which he comes over the top there.

Would you believe it! Chris Maguire with only seconds to spare, wins the

game first Sheffield Wednesday! -- first Sheffield Wednesday. Wild

celebrations all around. Nobody saw this coming. An incredible end to a

very odd game. Chris Maguire wins it for Sheffield Wednesday.

A couple of the tackles were a little warning, stop it, by the way.

But an experienced referee would have recognised that. I think Dan is

a little disappointed that he played over five minutes. Would you play to

the final whistle. Chris Maguire picked the ball up and we know he is

going to shoot. A great feeling when it went in. We played five minutes

over time. Seven and a half minutes at the end. The goal has, from that.

I don't know where the rest of the time has come from.

Danny Wilson feeling hard done by. Wednesday came out on top in pretty

dramatic fashion. Was it the right result? Sheffield Wednesday sneaked

it on the majority of possession. I thought Barnsley showed terrific

spirit. But yes, they just about edged it, Sheffield Wednesday. No

argument over the red cards. Frimpong had been warned. The

challenge by Johnson was horrific. And Mellis, he was reckless. The

referee was right on all counts. As for the all-important goal, we will

see this as a pivotal goal both clubs. Definitely. O'Brien will be

disappointed. He could have done better with the clearance. Sheffield

Wednesday have gone ten unbeaten. For Barnsley, they have just gone on

a nice little run themselves. Danny knows it is a run of results that

will get them out. He needs to pick them off the floor and get on the

road again. That was a big setback. Blackburn's promotion push suffered

another blow at the week -- in the week as they dropped points against

Barnsley. Blackpool were the visitors today.

Blackpool were seeking a spark to reignite their season. The man who

got the ball rolling for Blackburn needed no introduction. David Dunn,

still going strong at 34. Another blow for Blackpool, who need a new

playmaker now Thomas Ince has moved to the Premier League. Steve Davis

did his best. Barry Ferguson reckons Blackpool could still make the

play-offs but that is surely a long shot. Much more realistic for

Blackburn Rovers, five points adrift. The home side made sure they

keep tabs on the top six, with Grant Hanley scoring. It was a goal which

guaranteed Blackpool's 10th league defeat in 12.

I am disappointed, obviously. I wanted to win the game. The two

goals we could have dealt with a bit better. But overall, I think you

could see, once we get a bit of time to spend on the training pitch,

which will passion -- which we will be doing next week, we have got a

good team. We just need to believe. Doncaster have found some form.

Against Middlesbrough they were seeking a third win out of four.

They might have got it. Neither side created much. Paul Dickov's site are

much stronger at the back. Saint Aitor Karanka arrived at

Middlesbrough, they have improved at that -- in that position as well.

The Teessiders did not quite have the quality to win the game.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnston was not tested. A goalless draw.

Two clubs with different agendas. Two managers with a genuine mutual

respect. The ease with which Charlton opened up the Wigan defence

will have been cause for concern. Johnnie Jackson with the assist.

Sordell beat the advancing goalkeeper. One of the best moves of

the match ended without reward. Callum McManaman had a chance for

the equaliser. Nicky Maynard felt aggrieved. He found the net but the

goal was wrongly ruled out. Uwe Rosler made changes to his team. In

the final minutes his tactical reshuffle paid off. Fortune

equalised. The last of the Wigan substitute provided the greatest

drama. Jordi Gomez spark jubilant scenes with a set piece special.

Charlton stay in the bottom three. There is always drama with me. There

is always the chance to come back into the game. The players did

magnificently. They started a bit sloppy. Conceded so early in the

game. The way we chased the game, especially in the second half, all

Charlton -- credit to Charlton, they defended for their lives. The three

substitutions helped us. It was disappointing to concede that

free kick and come away with nothing. I thought the players were

brave in the way they played. And to hang in there. But they need to do

that to the end. Dramatic late turnaround at Wigan.

They remain in the play-off hunt with games in hand. For Charlton, no

win in eight matches away from home. Chris Powell, 15 players out of

contract in the summer. He has almost got a new look squad to start

again with? Yes. With all that uncertainty going around your

contract, which is difficult to live with, he has put out a side with

four debuts, to academy players, a goalkeeper playing his second game.

To perform like that was admirable. It was heartbreaking to lose the way

they did. Chris will be proud the way the players performed. It will

take a bit of patience, wanted? -- want it? Yes, it will. I wonder if

the Charlton fans will buy into it. Lots of promise for the future. They

need to give him time to get these young players to gel. I think it is

great that a club like Charlton are dipping into the academy and giving

them an opportunity and they are performing like that. All Charlton

fans should be proud. The same could be said of Blackpool, who have had a

a mulch or as few days. They came unstuck against Blackburn. They were

hit for five in the mid week and they are now without the other

inputs, Thomas has gone. It is difficult when you are in freefall.

Paul Ince has gone, they have not won in 12 games. So taking over a

team that is lacking in spirit and have lost their best player. The

goals they conceded were poor goals. It is a shame, because the

performance wasn't bad. It will give them hope that they have stuck in

there against a decent Blackburn side. Barry is a work and is

determined and they need a win to get them going. To League One, which

had three games called off because of the weather, but no such problems

for Rotherham, who, after celebrating promotion back in May,

have pretty much carried off where they left off last season, in the

play-off positions. They welcomed promotion rivals

Leyton Orient. A gleaming beacon of urban

regeneration on Rotherham's once industrial heartland. The New York

Stadium, where it is time's football club who have doubled their

attendances over 18 months. Rotherham United, exiled in

Sheffield United and hit by a cumulative deduction of 37 points,

have been to hell and back since they were last in the Championship

nine years ago. And Steve Evans, one of the technical areas most

formidable adversaries, is campaigning for promotion in the

fourth year in succession. How are you? Can I get you some

cushions or something? I was falling asleep. Don't you love it when a

plan comes together, I think you knew what could be done.

Absolutely, it was always a club that was below it could have been,

but the best manager in the game, Sir Alex, told me that if I was

going to leave, check with the chairman, and I spoke to the

chairman and asked what the facilities were going to be, what he

was trying to do with the club and it was a no-brainer. How ambitious

are you long-term? I said when we get to the Championship, I'll start

dreaming again. We have quite a way to go but ambition is about being

able to perform with the best and that will never leave me. It is a

really tough league to competing but we are trying our best to make sure

that, come the end of the season, when we have a few games played, we

have this place rocking and we play-off place. Is this the new you?

People always see the work persona, are you chilling a bit? I had to

channel my enthusiasm and passion. I had a Watford chairman who wanted me

to channel it and directed in the right way -- and I work for a

chairman. If I was married to you, I would be worried about you. The

stress comes with it, but it is about how you manage it. In the last

year, being away from match day, it has taken the stress levels down and

then I manage it on match day. Do you want a cup of tea and your

cushions? Back into normal position. 50 minutes before

kick-off, have a sleep. Leyton Orient's usually impressive

away record has kept them at the right end of the table. Rotherham

harbouring similar ambitions. Wes Thomas on the end of a Pringle

cross, his first goal for the club. They nearly strengthened their hold

on proceedings when Tom Hitchcock was sent clear. Only a smart save

prevented him from claiming Rotherham's second of the afternoon.

Orient haven't been beaten in six and have scored more goals than any

of their rivals, so it was no surprise when Moses Odubajo brought

them back into this game in the final quarter of an hour. Pringle

was a player Rotherham did well to hold onto. His drive from distance

flashing just wide. Alex Revel, who enjoyed a productive spell with

Orient before moving north won it in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Rotherham turned down a bid from commentary for the striker and that

looked a good move as he claimed his third goal in week.

Steve, I'm going to forgive you those histrionics at the end. That

was not what we were talking about pre-match. We knew the game was time

up and I think that is too good teams that have gone toe to toe,

perhaps we should have been further in front at half-time. They have had

a real go, and the medical man has the watch and he said it was time.

Richie wins the ball, gives it to Alex and the rest will be history,

that we have beaten them. It is a great win for us. I am not playing

it down, they are a great side. What a great late performance from Steve

Evans's Rotherham. He says he has mellowed but no luck

fighting spirit from his players. Certainly not, a great performance

against Oriente. He had to mellowed, believe me, because when he was in

the opposite dugout, he was abrasive and aggressive but he is a winner.

They are in the play-off positions now and he is going for his fourth

consecutive promotion, which is outstanding. It shows not only is he

someone who likes winning but he knows what he's doing, he knows his

players and is building something very good. We mustn't forget they

have only just got back into this division after a while. While some

people say it is then to a decent sometimes they won't keep the

momentum, you can see them holding their position through till the end

of the season. He will certainly be relentless with his players and

there is a real desire in that football club. He is a deep thinker

of the game. They have got a poor home record, so I think he got his

players to stay in a hotel. I think he may have driven around town to

recreate an away performance. That is how he thinks about the game, no

stone is unturned, he knows his stuff, and that is why he has had so

much success. It is all right having money but you have to spend it

wisely in the lower divisions and he has done that. There is no doubt who

the division's inform side is at the moment. Brentford's win over Bristol

City on Tuesday was their 10th win in 11 league games to maintain their

2-point lead at the top. Mark Aubert and faced a trip to relegation

threatened Shrewsbury, who are adapting to life after Graham

Turner. Leyton Orient's last-gasp defeat

left the way open for Brentford to extend their lead at the top and

they opened the scoring at Shrewsbury following a generous

refereeing decision to award them a penalty. Marcello Trotta hit both

posts from the spot kick but was on hand to put the loose ball in.

Shrewsbury, who had not scored or picked up a point in their previous

five matches, earned a draw when online Bolton youngster Tom Eaves

score. But the Bees are still on top. It is a 90 minute game, we

pressed and we got the goal, but it was a fantastic goal to draw level

and that his life, we move on and we are top of the table. It wasn't a

great day conditions was, with the wind and the pitch was heavy but we

are pleased with a point. I think we deserved that.

Having used the window to clear out some of the higher wage earners, it

is a leaner and meaner walls. Leon Clarke joined from commentary but

there was no debut goal. The game turned when Nathan Doyle went in

hard on Kevin McDonald. A second caution inside 28 minutes. Even so,

the bantams still posed a threat. Adam Reach battering the bar for

Bradford. The opener came right on half-time. Kevin McDonald, goalless

since August, made it two in two games. Right back Stephen Dobbie

went on and once again, they would work rescued League One's best

defence. A game where walls needed a second goal as an insurance policy,

it came like the first, via Bakary Sako's assist, Nouha Dicko scoring

his third in three league games. Clark nearly had a bad goal on his

second Molineux debut. Wolverhampton Wanderers back of the second, the

managers verdict? Could do better. -- back up to. I think we can do

better than we did today. It is a professional performance and the

conditions weren't easy but for the amount of possession, we should do

better. The sending-off was disappointing, Nathan has got to

stay on his feet after being booked. He has left ten players to a

real tough task out there and it was difficult.

This one was in keeping with league positions, but the magpies did

frustrate Simon Grayson's high-flyers thrown our thanks to an

inspired performance by the goalkeeper Pilkington. He was named

between the post because of illness and injury. You wouldn't have

guessed it was his first appearance since last March. The hosts did

finally find a way through courtesy Davies, when he produced a wonderful

spin and hit midway through the second half to find the net on his

Preston debut. And the points were wrapped up soon after when Jack

Grealish's attempted interception sent babies through and in trying to

repair the damage, Jack Grealish brought him down. Canty felt it was

outside the box but the referee said inside. Joe Garner did the necessary

and the magpies slipped into the relegation zone.

Jon Stead was a Transfer Deadline Day soldering for Oldham athletic

and was soon showing Swindon town exactly what he was capable of.

Oldham hadn't won away since late November but that run came to an end

at the County ground. Jon Stead involved again until Jonathan

Grounds settled matters with the only goal. Having already been

booked, the substitute went in late two end his all too brief

appearance, and victory was Oldham's.

Yes a good response from Oldham's players at that heavy defeat to

Wolverhampton Wanderers, but for Shrewsbury, it may not be the wind

that Michael Jackson wanted but it is a very good point against the

league leaders -- the win. The first goal at greenhouse Meadow. It is

right in the dying embers of the game, Tom Eaves, it is a great half

volley. They didn't want to come away with nothing again but as you

said, first goal in six games and first point, he is up and running.

Of course, he follows Graham Turner, it is quite some task. It certainly

is. When Graham resigned a couple of weeks ago, it was the end of an

era, as such. A great football man, he knew his stuff, Aston Villa,

Hereford, do a fantastic job and a legend at Shrewsbury, so it was a

real shame it had to come, but great careers to come to an end and he

made a really respectful decision to Shrewsbury to resign, because he

felt he couldn't take the club forward. Michael Jackson has bad

start, I'm sure he has somebody he can call at times -- has that stuff.

I'm sure Graham will provide him with all of the help he requests.

From Michael Jackson to Craig Davies, who looks like a very decent

acquisition for Preston. He has come in, got a goal and won a penalty on

a dream debut. A great touch and finish from the big man. He has

always had good faith but he has had injury problems at Barnsley, Bolton

and hasn't had a run-in with those injuries but let's hope that he can

get a good run of games and get his fitness, because he has quality. Our

last look at League One begins at Priestfield, as Chillingham look to

get their recovery under Peter Taylor back on track after a setback

at Brentford last time. The visitors were Port Vale. Gillingham's striker

Akinfenwa put away three goals in his previous three starts. He said

the Gills on their way to a third consecutive home win. Just past the

hour he met another magnificent delivery. Port Vale were heading for

a fourth league defeat on the spin. That was confirmed by the goal of

the match a few minutes later, McDonald's scoring. -- McDonald.

There was a late flurry from Port Vale when Chris Robertson cut the

arrears. The referee's assistant superbly placed to award the goal.

In the end it didn't matter, although the last three minutes were

nervous for the home fans. A tied scoreline but Gillingham were good

value for the win. I am over the moon the way the

players have got a result. We can always learn from things. Sometimes

you get a win and you don't think so much about the game. But we got a

win today and we can learn a lot from -- from it. That is good.

It was a fruitless deadline day for MK Dons. They lack of goals is

becoming a real problem. -- the lack of goals. The goals of dried up with

Bamford's departure. Powell offered the dons some hope. The goalkeeper

in the way. Tranmere rode their luck. Powell almost scored again but

Rovers held firm. How is this for a kick in the teeth? Ryan Lowe on hand

to smash and grab. Derek Williams will be a relieved

man this evening. His loose pass almost led to an early opener for

Carlisle. The Cumbrians arrived on a run of four straight defeats. They

took the lead when Potts found the net for the second game running.

With just one clean sheet in their last 12 matches, one was always a

fragile advantage. Two city goals proved that. Both came courtesy of

Marvin Elliott. They move out of the relegation zone for the first time

since November. Crewe have not won consecutive home

matches all season. Nigel Clough's first game in charge for Sheffield

Crewe. He won on that occasion. There was to be no repeat. Cloth's

team in deep trouble and facing a 2-goal deficit. Things got worse.

They rarely threatened the home defence. A penalty appeal waved away

my first wedding day for a struggling team. Crewe went on to

claim a third in stoppage time. Moore guaranteed a highly

significant victory. Sheffield United dropping to the bottom two.

The threat of relegation is all too clear.

Terrific performers like Crewe, thanks mainly to the inform striker.

Nigel Clough must be tearing his hair out, particularly after holding

full to draw a few days earlier? Bloom It is just what he didn't

want. He will be disappointed. Their performances have been good under

Nigel Clough. Nigel will be disappointed. We saw

Ryan Lowe come up with the winner for Tranmere. He has scored 15 of

his team's 32 goals. At that age, playing as a lone striker, it is a

great return? It is. Apparently he had cramp and he wanted to come off.

Ronnie kept him on. Ronnie has done little bit of magic. He brought

Astley back into the fold. Ryan will get a little bit of help. I think

you will be pleased. Let's see how the Sky Bet League two

fared. On Friday night, Southend looked to extend their unbeaten run

against Newport County. The pitch always promised to spoil

the spectacle. The home side went close to livening up a quiet first

half. Atkinson's header was turned on to the post. Newport County work

cursing in the second half. Bobby Wilmot put his penalty into the

seats. Hugely frustrating for a club yet to win in 2014. Southend were

held to their first goalless draw the season. Having climbed into top

spot during the week, Chesterfield were in no mood to slip up against

Bristol Rovers. They needed less than five minutes to take the lead.

Morsy scoring his first goal for the club. Rovers were briefly back on

level terms. An inch perfect finish from Lee Brown raised hopes of a

shock result. The Pirates hang --: Until half-time. -- had the Pirates

held on until half-time, they may have had a chance. But Banks

restored the advantage. There was more dodgy defending the other side

of the interval. Parks gave the ball to Roberts, and he teed up Owen

Coyle. The home side might have had more. O Shea was unlucky with this

effort. A fourth would not have flattered Chesterfield.

Fair credit to the lads, they worked hard from the first minute to the

final whistle. A good game considering the conditions. We have

been penalised for some poor defending. The second goal was a

mistake. Suddenly you are chasing a massive game against the league

leaders, who are a massive side. Scunthorpe have not lost in 12 under

manager Russ Wilcox. It has been a sticky spell for Hartlepool. Four

defeats in five. The second have failed to ignite. Williams was too

high with his chance. It is difficult for both teams. They

both played really well. I thought it was a decent point for both

teams. Just a frustrating afternoon really. The conditions played a

part. A win for Fleetwood would have taken

them into the top to -- two. An own goal gifted them the lead at the end

of the first half. They found an equaliser with 18 minutes left.

Mandron tapping home after Yorke repeatedly failed to clear their

lines. Surely now Fleetwood were favourites to take the points? A

minutes into stoppage time it was Fletcher who arrived at the near

post for his 12th of the season. Your cut had pulled off one of the

shocks of the weekend. -- York. Disappointing because I don't think

we deserved to lose. But we have lost. Two sloppy bits of defending

cost us the game. It has been on Lycos so far this calendar year. It

is something we have to make right for the next game.

Boasting League two's best home record, Rochdale were set to make

short work of Dagenham Redbridge. But when Donnelly missed the

target, it was the first hint of the afternoon would not run to form. The

next time he had the goal at his mercy, he did better only fully

goalkeeper to pull off a stop. Dagenham's defensive resilience

provided the platform for a sizeable surprise. Murphy secured the win.

That made it five points from three successive games against promotion

changes. 2014 is promising so far for the Essex club, even if they

could not pinch a second. We knew it was going to be a difficult game. We

came out in the second half and I thought we had some decent chances.

But it was always going to be a difficult game. Reasonably happy

with where we are. Listen, I'm just looking forward to next week.

Oxford are yet to taste defeat under caretaker manager Mickey Lewis. They

took the lead against Wimbledon. David Connolly scored a second. Back

in the day Connolly was a regular scorer for Wimbledon. On another

day, Wimbledon might have taken something from this game. Charlie

White pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining. -- Wyke. Oxford

held on and climb back into the top three.

Fair play to him, -- them, they shook people up front. That is what

you do when you are too-1 down. Had a half decent chance towards the

end. It was a tough game. I am disappointed for the boys

because I said to them before the game it is about both boxes. Between

the boxes we have been at least as good as them if not better.

Paul Tisdale talk is team to face Burton. Alexander begin the game on

the bench. -- began. After long spells of midfield hustle and

bustle, the opening goal was a hard luck story for Burton. The

goalkeeper saved superbly from O'Flynn. The ball hit Sharps in the

face. An unlucky own goal. The lead lasted barely two minutes. The

impressive McGurk began the move. And he finished, his eighth league

goal of the season. Scott Bennett had and missed one of

the better chances late on. Davies went closer still, kept out by the

post. Honours even, but Burton way below their best. If you had told me

we would draw before the game, I would be disappointed because it was

a big game for us. If we won, it would give us impetus for the next

few. But after seeing how we have played and the conditions, I would

have to say probably a point gained. I don't know how other teams around

us have done but it might be an important point at the end of the

season. We didn't play anywhere near well enough.

Conditions for the Accrington and Morecambe fixture were absolutely

shocking. Just before the break, with the ball slashing all over the

place, Alex Kenyon lost his composure and following a two footed

tackle on Peter Murphy, the referee produced a red card as tempers began

to flare. And with the rain continuing to Bandstand and with

standing water on the pitch, the referee abandoned the match before

the hour mark, although comanager James Beattie was critical of the

decision. -- home manager. Plymouth Argyle

lost goalkeeper Luke McCall back at a later -- McCormack to injury after

15 minutes and his replacement was in picking the ball out of the net.

A big moment for Mansfield team looking to put them selves away from

the bottom two. But Plymouth came roaring back. They knew that in

October, Plymouth had snatched the winner right at the death, so six

minutes of stoppage time was far from welcome. In the very last of

those, Nathan Thomas bamboozled the Beavers and Mansfield ended up with

their third draw in a row. Chris Wilder's tenure at Northampton could

hardly have started any worse. Mr Allam two minutes had been played

when the Cobblers keeper Matt Duke -- less than two minutes had been

played when the Cobblers keeper Matt Duke misread that one. Northampton

did enough to suggest there may be better days ahead. Ian Morris nearly

scored, his effort striking the woodwork. His next contribution was

almost disastrous. His under weighted pass letting in the

opposition, Matt Duke saving. But with 14 minutes to go, Matty Blair

prevented Northampton's third straight defeat.

Not so much Fawlty Towers but a faulty Rifat Torquay's hotel meant a

2am evacuation under 5am move to a new accommodation. No signs of

fatigue, Trevor Carson keeping at this effort. It was Pompey who were

caught napping. Billy Bodin in the wide awake club, grabbing his first

goal since April. There was a response in the second

half from Portsmouth. After good work from Ricky Holmes, the best

chance fell to Wes fobbed. He is still goalless for his club. -- Wes

Fogden. A good shed the humble wasn't giving. A first-ever Torquay

win at Fratton Park -- a good shed for handball wasn't given. Just two

points above the drop zone before kick-off, Berry managed to leapfrog

their opponents after Anton Forrester latched onto a past from

Ashley Grimes to tidily put away the only goal of the game.

Unbeaten on their previous four games on the road, Nick Arnold was

only just off target late on, as Bury held on for a massively

important three points. A huge win for Bury, and notable away wins for

your and Dagenham Redbridge but at least all of those sides could have

boasted a good night's sleep -- York.

One team that couldn't say that were Torquay, but they got themselves a

great result. Fantastic, given the circumstances.

To have no sleep, get woken at two o'clock in the morning, to be

evacuated and then be rehoused at five o'clock and then go and perform

is an incredible performance. I think Chris will be really pleased,

and the fact that there are no excuses. Players can look for

excuses and they didn't use it, it was a really important result. We

saw the result that left Northampton six points adrift of safety and the

battle retain -- to retain league status is getting harder. People

will question why Chris Wilder has left the job at Oxford to go to

Northampton. Is it just about money? No, Chris was at Oxford for five

years, got them success, got them to a league -- tabbouleh, and it can

drain you. A lot of the Oxford fans were not taken with him, so I needed

a new challenge. He's definitely secure, he has a three and a half

year contract, he only had a year at Oxford, so that is important feel

family and how you feel going into work but I think a new club that do

have resources should do a lot better and they certainly have got

the belief that they can go forward under the manager with experience.

Let's have a look at the league tables before we sign. Leicester

stretch their lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship to ten points

after their ninth consecutive win. The three teams directly below them

all truths are no changes. Leeds ended a turbulent week with an

emphatic win to move them up to 11. Sheffield Wednesday with a big

movers in the bottom half of the table, dropping three -- going up

three places to 17th after a dramatic last-minute winner. No

change in the bottom three. Bolton slipped to 20th upgrade third

successive defeat. Brenton remain top of League One

despite conceding a late equaliser at Shrewsbury. Leyton Orient dropped

to third. They are out of the automatic promotion places for the

third time this -- first time this season. Sheffield United dropped to

23rd after a third defeat in four. Notts County also drop into the

relegation zone. Bristol City climb three places after their first

league win this year. Chesterfield extend their lead at the top of

League 2 to three points that Scunthorpe could only draw at

Hartlepool. Oxford are up to third after winning

back-to-back home matches for the first time this season. Chris Wilder

faces a tough task to keep Northampton in the Football League

despite earning a drawer in his first match. The Cobblers remain

bottom and six points adrift of Torquay, who won away at Portsmouth.

Before we go, the usual reminder to catch up on all of the weekend's

Premier League goals, join Mark Chapman for much of the data on

Monday night at 10:35pm. -- Match of the Day too. We are back next week

straight at the Match of the Day. Thank you, Leroy, and have a great

week. Good night.