10/11/2013 The Football League Show

Hello, with the Sky Bet League's One and Two in Cup action, The

Championship takes centre stage this week. And I'm here at Pride Park to

check on the progress of Derby County, now under the guidance, of

course, of former England manager Steve McClaren. It is one of 11

games we will be focusing on in The Championship. Never a fixture for

the faint hearted, Leicester's meeting with Nottingham Forest in an

East Midland derby took on extra significance this week with both

clubs in hot pursuit of an automatic promotion - a game with all the

makings of a classic. Reading suffered a five-goal reality check

at bottom of the table Sheffield Wednesday last week. We'll find out

how they responded against Harry Redknapp's QPR in the day's early

kick-off. And as ever, we've the best of the

rest of the action in another dramatic Championship weekend. As

the players come out at pride Park will be back here another cool

while, but we are staying in the East Midlands. 30 miles down the

road, it is Leicester against Nottingham Forest. . No time to

waste let's join our match commentator, Martin Fisher. Nine

points apart in the promotion pack at the top of The Championship.

Leicester City enjoying their second best ever start to the season.

Nottingham Forest still in sixth place despite a recent slump that

has brought just one point from their last three games. With Chris

Wood called up for New Zealand, Jeffrey Schlupp plays an attack for

Leicester. Nottingham Forest recall Jamie

Paterson, Andy Reid and Simon Cox. He scored home and away against

Leicester last season. Danny Drinkwater and Anthony Knockaert

over this for Leicester City. The referee measuring out the ten yard

distance for the Forest wall. Nugent, and Morgan, looking to

attack this for Leicester City. Terrific save from Karl Darlow.

David Nugent thought he had scored. Karl Darlow ensured that he hadn't.

Beautiful flick from Nugent. That is away from Andy Reid. Schlupp and

Lloyd Dyer waiting in the centre. At the back post with a chance, and it

hits the side netting. Many of the Leicester fans saw the net billow,

and thought that Lloyd Dyer had progressed in front. A second good

opportunity for Leicester City in the last couple of moments. Nugent

feeding Anthony Knockaert. Good skills to hit the byline, but his

first touch let him down, Lloyd Dyer.

The foul on Jeff Schlup. Schlupp proving something of a handful for

the Forest offence. Drinkwater and Anthony Knockaert over it for

Leicester City, it is floated in, and David Nugent has got to hit the

target from there. And he knows it. He has lost his marker. And the

facial expression of player and manager speaks volumes. Beautiful

delivery from Anthony Knockaert. From that close, he has got to

score. Forest, with three in the box.

Beautiful ball round the corner. That is a real chance for Forest,

and Nottingham Forest take the lead. The first shot on golfer Nottingham

Forest gives them the lead. -- first shot on goal, for Nottingham Forest.

Barriers Henderson drops to the bench, Andy Reid with the gorgeous

ball for Paterson, and Leicester are lucky, as it falls into the path of

Simon Cox. And, after riding their luck at the other end, Nottingham

Forest go in front. That was a good tackle by Andy

Reid, right in front of the Forest fans. They will love that. Reidy is

the chant, From the 3000 strong travelling army from Nottingham.

Jeff Schlup on the turn, and he missed by not very much. The chances

are dropping for Leicester, but they are not putting them away. The long

foreign cause trouble. And Schlupp did not miss by much. -- the long

throw-in caused trouble. Jack Hobbs is there in the nick of time for

Nottingham Forest. Karl Darlow came racing out of his goal to try and

deal with it. But he made a pig 's ear of it.

There is that lovely reverse ball picking out Henry Lansbury. He hit

that so firmly. Kasper Schmeichel happy to get both this to it, --

both fists and third behind for the corner. -- turn it behind.

The delivery from Andy Reid. Jamaal Lascelles is arriving, and it is 2-0

Nottingham Forest, and it is Jamie Mackie. They cannot believe this.

I'm sure that he cannot either. Jamaal Lascelles almost got to it.

And it is cleared off the line from Lansbury, and Jamie Mackie is first

to react, and that is 2-0, Nottingham Forest. It is his second

goal of the season. Nugent, enter the path of Schlupp.

Nugent, and it was Jamaal Lascelles in the way. And Forest Gate the free

kick. -- Forest getting the free kick. David Nugent could have a

hat-trick to his name, but instead, Leicester are still two behind.

Forest getting us back under way, attacking the goal to our right,

holding a 2-0 lead that looked unlikely after the opening 30

minutes when Leicester were so dominant, fashioning so many

goal-scoring opportunities, but not taking them. That is a good stop

from Kasper Schmeichel. If that had been a goal, it might have been game

over. Penalty. The challenge is just

inside the box by David born. -- Vaughan. And Forest might have

offered Leicester City and opportunity to get back into this

game. A pivotal moment in the afternoon. David Nugent against Karl

Darlow. And David Nugent misses. What an awful day for David Nugent.

He could have had a hat-trick in the first half, and now he misses from

the penalty spot. It is just one of those days for Nigel Pearson and

Leicester City. It went too high. And it remains too-0, Forest. --

2-0. Karl Darlow finally forced into a

save in the second half. It was a fine effort from Danny Drinkwater.

But it was just heading by the post, maybe. We have had opportunities in

the game. Unfortunately, today, we have just not maximise the chances

that we have. And we got the penalty. That is a good chance to

get back in it. It is not in our day, but we move on. Delighted with

three points. We know that there was a lot of work to do. We know that

there are many games where things will change, but all in all, it was

a fantastic, disciplined performance, with a great workrate,

and it is a fantastic victory. That was a day to kick forgetful

Leicester fans. We can have a look at how Chaplin should leaders

Burnley got on. The visitors today - Bournemouth. Eddie Howe was up

against history since being reappointed at Bournemouth last

year. Bournemouth had never won at Turf Moor. The home side were on top

for much of the first half. Sam Vokes could not get his aim right

and the free kick was cleared. But the chances kept coming. When Jason

Shackell was on target, Brett Whitman was in the right place to

keep the leaders at bay. It seemed a matter of time before the first

goal. Then, the league leaders found themselves rocked by one of the

goals of the day, a deadly strike by Tokelo Rantie, the record signing

from Bournemouth from Malmo. And then six minutes from time, the

Burnley double act saved the day. Sam Vokes won the header, and Danny

Ings beat Lee Camp for the pair's 23rd of the season. Keith Treacy.

Flying save from the camp to rescue a point. Bournemouth still waiting

for their first victory. It was a good game between two hard-working

sites. Burnley worked incredibly hard. I thought we matched them

today. We threaten a number of times on the counter attack. We are

disappointed not to win but we have to take the positives from today. We

shifted the ball quickly. We made some excellent chances. We certainly

well worth a point and the possibly could have nicked it. With Black

Bull enjoying their best league start in 46 years, Bloomfield Road

seemed an unlikely venue for Ipswich to claim their first away victory of

the season, even more so when Blackpool took the lead going into

half-time, with a perfect delivery from Bobby Grant meaning that

Stephen Dobbie barely had to break stride to score. Ipswich were

insipid in the first half, and Mick McCarthy changed the shape of his

team and the personnel at the break, with Frank Nouble and

Portillo coming on. -- Paul Taylor coming on. The flag stayed down and

Ipswich were level. Ipswich Town were transformed by the tactical

switch and looked set to win the game. Paul Taylor, signed the 1.5

million in 2012 finally curled in his first goal for the club, and it

seemed like Ipswich were on their way, but Mick McCarthy's men have

relinquished 14 points from winning positions this season and their

Hearts sank in the 91st minute when Steve Davis drilled in an injury

time equaliser for Blackpool. Incredibly there were still time for

another goal. Two minutes later, Ipswich regained the lead. The

corner was met by Daryl Murphy, who gave Ipswich Town the victory that

they thought they had thrown away. The first victory in six for

Ipswich, down in no small part to some bold changes by the manager.

They reacted to the changes. We worked on what ifs in the week. We

changed it to one of those what ifs. It has worked wonderfully well for

us. It was another Italian opposition in

this game, even Watford boss had to admire this backheel to set up

Adomah, his sixth in five matches. This game saw centre-back Ayala play

a major role. Troy Deeney gratefully grabbed the goal. Into the

second-half and the Spanish defender was led a merry Danns again. After

his miscontrol, Forestieri was too slippery, 2-1 to Watford, all

self-inflicted for Boro. Few teams draw quite as many as Middlesbrough.

The final minute, up popped Ayala offering one right for his two

earlier wrongs. Middlesbrough's seventh draw in 13. Disappointed, it

was a game that mistake. We had come to the ball and the game we should

be more ruthless. We deserved the point from the game. I don't think

any team deserved to win. Pretty settled it ended like that. The

Valley seemed barely playable because of so much rain. The game

kicked off half an hour behind schedule. McCormack had one of those

days. He made his intentions clear after 17 minutes. There was goal

number one. Charlton were still in the came game up to half-time.

Cameron Stewart equalised. No wonder he was happy. His first goal at the

Valley. Leeds and McCormack were ahead again after the re-start. The

Scottish international was involved in the build-up, Harriott brought

down Danny Pugh. You know who stepped up for the penalty, to drive

Leeds in front again. Goal number two to add to his double in last

weekend's match. Back came Charlton and in some style thanks to Simon

Church. Not content with beating his two markers once, he did it again.

There was Johnnie Jackson to level it two all with 20 minutes

remaining. Minutes later Leeds were ahead again. McCormack perfectly

placed for goal number three. His first hat-trick in professional

football. Still, Leeds' top-scorer wasn't finished. Into stoppage-time,

here's number four. Best of the bunch to emulate similar

achievements in Leeds colours for previous players. He scored an

unbelievable volley. The last goal was terrific. He deserves all the

plaudits. Both of these sides suffered a rare blip last week.

Derby had their first defeat under Steve McClaren, Sheffield Wednesday

won, 5-2 as well. Sadly for Dave Jones and the Owls normal service

was resumed. It took three defenders to stop Simon Dawkins. Derby

dominated but it wasn't until the last-minute of the first half they

made the breakthrough. Buxton heading home. Wednesday wilted in

the second-half. It took the Rams four minutes of the second 45 to

double their lead. Will Hughes got his fourth goal of the season, he

had a hand in Derby's third. He started the move, it ended with

Chris Martin taking advantage of some bad defending. Derby could

easily have had a fourth or fifth goal. Kirkland's save helped to

prevent further embarrassment. Wednesday' fans were in need of a

stiff drink after this one. By the looks of it the first one is on

Steve. With me is Steve McClaren. Did you that in emphatic fashion at

the end of it? I thought it was very, very good team performance. We

talked about Sheffield Wednesday coming off 5-2 being buoyant and

making it difficult for us and earning the right to play. They did

that with a great platform from the goalkeeper, the back four, Cisse in

front. Gave the forward players the freedom to express themselves. I

didn't see it coming. The week's training has been superb. It's been

so sharp, to bright, movements, passing, scoring goals, defending.

Everything that could go right last week, went wrong today. You have

been here a month now, how far can Derby go this season? It's

consistency. It's like Sheffield Wednesday, 5-2 against Reading, what

a great team, what goals. What football. And then it's the

inconsistency of the league. What we have to be is consistent. Action

from today's early kick off now and Reading's match against QPR. Nigel

Adkins looking for a response to last week's drubbing at Sheffield

Wednesday. QPR's win last week at Derby, their first in four matches.

Nigel Adkins made one change to the Royals team beaten convincingly at

Hillsborough last weekend with Kaspars Gorkss replacing Alex Pearce

in the centre of the Royals defence. Harry Redknapp also made one change

bringing in Gary O'Neil in place of the injured Alejandro Faurlin. Kevin

Keatings was watching this one. Here's Austin.

He will have a go from range. Brilliant effort off the bar.

McCarthy was beaten. Hoilett wrapped the crossbar after little over two

minutes. What a strike this was. In by Phillips. Mistake that let's

in Austin. McCarthy has to react quickly. So quick to realise the

opening there, Charlie Austin. McCarthy denies him. Good start here

for QPR. 2,300 Rangers fans here. They will almost applaud a goal.

McCarthy has to react again there. This time to deny Gary O'Neil. This

is the ball in from Phillips that opened up the chance for Charlie

Austin. McCarthy reacting well, just moments after that, Charlie Austin

this time almost setting up a chance for Joey Barton.

Guthrie will take the free-kick. Flash header. Pushed away by Green.

Very nearly into the path of Pogrebnyak. Here is the Guthrie

free-kick. There is Baird's header, Green across to make the save. Easy

clearance for Morison. Could open the play out now for Danny Simpson.

In goes Austin! Decent save by McCarthy. Really good header, just

couldn't direct it into the corner. Looking for the shot here, Junior

Hoilett. That's McCarthy's best save so far, finger tips to deny Hoilett.

Such a difficult skill when you are running square like this to generate

the power. Hoilett certainly did. That is a fine save from McCarthy.

Just over an hour gone at the Madejski Stadium. McCleary. Yes,

he's scored! Off the post. Heading very much in the right direction for

Garath McCleary. Took the gamble on from range and, bingo, big payoff

for Reading. They lead QPR by a goal to nil.

Austin, took it on immediately. It was a good try from Charlie Austin.

Excellent technique to strike that on target. Lovely feed here though

by Johnson. Pogrebnyak, good ball to

Robson-Kanu. This is Obita. What can the 19-year-old do here? Unorthodox,

but an effective save out of Green whose body weight was all on his

right hand side there. It almost squeezed past him. Johnson. Hoilett,

struggling to join in. You can see him there with the orange boots.

Phillips! A free-kick given. Gorkss challenge on Austin. That was very

approximate to being on the line. It will certainly be Joey Barton.

Can he deliver? Oh, yes he can! The right decision to give Barton the

honour. Wraps it into the corner of the net. Here's Barton, Johnson.

Lovely turn away from Gunter, from Andy Johnson.

Slip there by Obita. Header away. Turned into a pass in the end for

Johnson! A good try from Andy Johnson. How often in his long

career have we seen him turn smartly like this and find the corner of the

net. Not quite on this occasion. Credit to them, Nigel has done a

great job. They kept playing and going. In the end, it was a good

game. You know, in the end pleased to come away once we went 1-0 down

and end up with 10 men I was pleased to come away with a point in the

end. It was two teams that tried to endeavour to play good football. I

think the supporters should go home today having enjoyed two teams

trying to win a game of football. Nothing to choose from between

Readinged and QPR. The rest of the action from the Championship now,

and two clubs with realistic promotion ambitions struggling for

consistency, Brighton and Blackburn Rovers. Before Blackburn's visit

Albion have failed to win the their last three home league matches.

Goals are hard to come by too. What was needed here was a helping hand.

Step forward Rovers' sub. The goalkeeper was picked out by Garcia

for important saves. This tip over over from Danns Danns header one of

his best. The gap between goals was just seven days as this header gave

Brighton clear breathing space. A third goal wrapped things hes up for

Brighton. It was a personal landmark for Barnes. This was his 50th goal

for Albion. Job done, but perhaps a flattering scoreline.

We started the game not too good, but after the goal, we started to

play really well. I think we deserved to win. We gifted the goals

to Brighton but we found a goalkeeper in top form.

We hit the bar in the second half. He produced some very good saves.

Lee Clark doesn't enjoy the cheeriest reception at his former

club but his return couldn't have gone better. The visitors were in

front after only 11 minutes, a chance initially created by Mitch

Hancox. Nicola Zigic, his second of the season. Huddersfield responded.

Directed deftly to Anthony Gerrard. A first goal for Birmingham from

Jesse Lingard in the second half. And again, nine minutes from time

giving Birmingham their first away win. But then his sending-off after

what was deemed as excessive celebration. I don't particularly

enjoy it because I am seen as the enemy coming back, it has special

memories, a fantastic place. But I have a job to do. Really poor,

we were abject today. It was one of those games where we

couldn't get going. Six years ago this weekend, Bolton

drew 2-2 at Bayern Munich in the UEFA cup. And still looking for

their first win of the season. Robert Hall gave them the perfect

start after five minutes. The Lions are always welcome at Bolton Bailey

because they last one here in 1973. Easter joined them level with his

second goal in as many games. Jermaine Beckford has been the man

in form for Bolton. But his touch deserted him there. He didn't have

to wait long for another opportunity, his fifth goal of the

season. Millwall rallied in the second half. It took a fine save

from long ago and. At the other end, Bolton were missing chances.

Beckford was experiencing a frustrating afternoon in front of

goal. Substitutes Andre Moritz made sure of the game for Bolton.

A derby in which the major story broke with the Doncaster chairman

resigning. This cross led to Pedersen being

flattened, a clear penalty. McCourt has brought real quality to

midfield. Three players were left trailing before Turnbull kept him

out. He went one man better after half-time, alluding for defenders

before a fifth caught him. This time, no penalty.

Rovers found their best moment on the counter. This effort was well

wide of the mark. It finished even. The headlines were made by

Doncaster's outgoing chairman. I felt it was the right thing for

the club, I only want what is best for the club. I have improved the

club. My fellow shareholders went behind my back. I felt that was

totally out of order. Over to them now, let's see what they can do.

Slightly disappointed on a personal note because John wasn't just my

chairman but my friend. He has his reasons for doing it. I

have got to carry on doing what I am doing to get the players ready.

Doncaster fans suggesting the resignation of their chime in --

chairman. Let's have a look at the table.

Despite only drawing at home, Burnley remain top of the Sky Bet

Championship, and extend their lead at the top to two points.

Nottingham Forest move up a place to fifth at Reading's expense, and were

the only team in the top seven to win today.

Leeds, Derby, Brighton and Ipswich all won, to close the gap on the

Royals who occupy the last play-off place.

Birmingham were the big movers in the bottom half, moving out of the

bottom three, and up four places. Sheffield Wednesday drop back into

the relegation zone, after suffering their first defeat in six.

Bolton climb two places, thanks to their first home win of the season,

and extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

That's all from us. We take a break next week, but a reminder that

there's plenty of international rugby union to look forward to on

the BBC. Next Saturday, we've live action

with Wales v Argentina on BBC One at 2pm, followed by Ireland v Australia

on BBC Two at 4.45. My thanks to everyone here at Derby

County. See you in a fortnight.