29/12/2013 The Football League Show


29/12/2013

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Good evening. Hope you had a great Christmas. Coming up, the final

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round of games in the sky league. And a half term report from the

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former teacher who happens to be the manager of Leyton Orient. Russell

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Slade. Here is what is in store this evening.

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A draw against Ipswich and a pretty encouraging start for the new

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Watford manager. They go head to head with QPR. Nottingham Forest

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inflict did a Boxing Day defeat on Harry Redknapp's hooks. We also

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feature leads United. And the undisputed Match of the Day in

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league one. A tasty head to head against leaders Leyton Orient. And

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another day. Tax killer goals. All 90 for you to enjoy. Some well worth

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staying up for. We start with Leicester City who returned to the

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top. They went in search of a third straight win at home to Bolton.

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Bolton had a score to settle but the recent form of the leaders suggested

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this would be a testing afternoon. The home side were quick to get off

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to a good start. This came just five minutes in. But Bolton were quick to

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hit back. This cross met by Andre moderates who levelled the scores

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with a quarter of an hour gone. Jermaine Beckford cut inside before

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finding the bottom corner. The travelling fans felt sick with this

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next telling blow. A terrific spectacle for the supporters but not

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for the managers who were witnessing some dire defending. Bolton headed

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for the brake on top. But Leicester can be irresistible these days as an

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attacking force. After the break the free kick had the woodwork shaking.

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After impressive wins over QPR and Reading they seemed intent on

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sending Bolton the same way. There was just one man for the job. Nine

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of Dave Nugent's 12 goals this season came from the spot. But he

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did not get to add to that tally. The finish was explosive. And this

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time they would be no reply from the Lancashire club. 5-3 to the table

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toppers. Happy New Year? At this rate it just might be. In all

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honesty I think we have been dominant throughout the game but

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conceded three goals to a side who were clinical when they had

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opportunities. We got them on the back foot. The

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problem we have against Leicester, they are the best team we have

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played against this year. They attacked us in the second half with

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great desire and pace. Leicester were top of the tree in

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the Championship at the turn of the year. What a game. A great game of

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foot wall. I was not surprised that Leicester came back. They have shown

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that resilience and that desire. Especially after losing the

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penalty. They showed great character. So I was not surprised

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that they came back. But Bolton put on a decent show. It marks a good

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year for fans. You know Nigel Pearson. He will be playing things

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down. He never gives away too much but he will not be getting carried

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away. He is a quiet man but always very organised, his team will know

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their jobs, know what they are doing. I think there just picking up

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momentum. Do you think they will get promoted? I think they have a good

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chance. They are in a great position now. There could be a bit of

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wheeling and dealing in the window. Steve Walsh is in the market for

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players. Well it has not been the best Christmas for QPR so far after

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a couple of defeats. Not the ideal time to meet a Watford side but have

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looked reinvigorated since the arrival of their new manager. The

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Championship season is a test of endurance and QPR need to show they

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have what it takes to go the distance.

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Watford will be another test of character for them. Both managers

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have forced -- been forced into changes. Joey Barton returns to take

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the armband from a one match ban. It will be fascinating to see how

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some of these players cope with such an arduous campaign. And what Harry

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Redknapp is able to do during the January transfer window. At the

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moment it seems they do need another striker. A disappointing finish in

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the end from the man given the job of leading the QPR side this

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afternoon. Phillips, gets away with it. It may open up here. Niko

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Kranjcar unable to do anything. The finish was lacking. Murray waits on

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the edge of the area. It is deflect it. A routine save in the end.

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Watford looking dangerous on the break away. Niko Kranjcar may have

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to go alone. It is a promising run. That is the closest he has come so

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far. For them the time in the first half finding a great area. It was

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lovely play from Niko Kranjcar to engineer the opening. His manager

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applauds the intention. Watford do have it bottled up down the centre.

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Here is Phillips. Phillips may go alone. It is the story of the first

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half for QPR. Their players creating the space but not hitting the

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target. Matt Phillips this time. Good vision from Niko Kranjcar. It

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spins into the area. The ball scrambled away. Bodies all over the

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place inside the penalty area. And one of them is the Watford

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goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia. It was toilet who collided with Manuel

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Almunia. -- Hoylett. Barton in support. Manuel Almunia

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does just enough. Phillips almost catching out the Walford goalkeeper.

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No lack of big names on the Queens Park Rangers bench. Bobby Zamora and

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Johnson left there today. Niko Kranjcar the centre forward. And

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that tells you a lot about Harry Redknapp's thinking. Fabbrini! And

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it is a good save. His first real save in a game of any real

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importance. That mistake was a real present for Fabbrini. Phillips.

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Watford have a contender here. Marry again! -- Murray. Just deflect did

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by Richard Dunne in the end. -- deflected. Barton over the free

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kick. Every single outfield player back defending for Watford. Barton

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goes for it but it is turned into the side netting. Gary Barton almost

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caught them out but George Ford was alert to the danger.

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For the managers it is pleasing that we had good shape against a very

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good team. Defensively they did not cause us to many problems. The DNA

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of the side looked good. The work put in in the quick turnover of

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games is starting to show. We had a football lesson in the first half.

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We have got a problem just scoring goals at the moment. We do not

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really have any fit strikers. Bobby is not fit to play. Andy Johnson is

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the same. I played Niko Kranjcar and in the first half we played a great

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game. Not the most riveting 90 minutes we have seen.

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One shot on target each at the end of the game. But for the new Watford

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manager, five points is a solid return. And a clean sheet. I sense a

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cautious approach. I think he needs to find a balance. Zola was all

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about attack. I think he is going to be different. But it worked today

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and QPR did play well in the first half. It is like a session, just

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going from back to front. They did play a good game but you never

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thought they were going to get any work. w

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He thought he had said hello to the new Watford manager, noticing he was

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behind him. He can't be easy for someone coming into the game not

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being able to speak English. I think Harry had a lot on his mind there.

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It is not easy. As he says there. It is not easy, in terms of coaching, I

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am sure on a day-to-day basis he will get his message over, on match

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days it will be more difficult when he wants to get his point of view

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over to the players in the heat of the moment. That could be a problem.

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Briefly n the last four of the last five games they failed to score,

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QPR. Surely he will be dipping into the transfer market in January. He

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has to 24 goals 23 goals in 24 games. Only conceded 13 but Harry

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knows goals win you game, they haven't been able to get hair noses

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in front, and get the tree points often enough as some should have

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done. Let us find out how the other promotion contenders got on, Burnley

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suffered their first defeat in five at Middlesbrough. Could they bounce

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back to Wigan? Skin head revival at Wigan. Fittingly there were plenty

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of close shaves. Burchly had the first narrow escape. Their former

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player Chris McCann came close. Wigan have been revitalised with

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their new manager, they gave the title chasing Clarets a run for

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their money. Fortune's cross causing panic in the box.

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It wasn't long before they were forcing the pace. Vokes brought the

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best out of has been has been. Soon after, Burnley were a hair's width

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width away from taking the lead. David Jones close. Wigan had the

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final chance, courtesy of Nick Powell but he too lacked the

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necessary cutting-edge. The goalless draw sees both sides

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look a bit of momentum; disappointing, but nothing worth

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loosing your hair over When somebody asked me how would be you first four

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games against the teams, I would have taken two wins and two draws.

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Is this a woos -- useful point That is a side of highly quality player,

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the best squall in the division I think, and our timing was probably,

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I think that is one of the toughest places to come to in the division

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today. Magic touch, whatever you call it

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Steve McLaren has it at the moment. After eight minutes his player had

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the lead as well. Jonny Russell to dau vins, but who else but Chris

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Martin was in the right place. Last week's penalty miss a distant MEPry.

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Heading to the break. Craig Bryson will wonder how he didn't score his

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fifth goal in as many games. But norm I service resumed almost

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immediately, a Sunday sprint for Wisdom and a thank you for Martin

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for goal 15 of the season. But the best was still to come, from a

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former Derby player. See how his former team-mates can't stop him.

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Then he shoots. Suddenly became a different game and

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it should have been a different score line. In one final attack,

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Weiss man's cross found O'Grady but not the happy ending. Barnsley stay

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bottom. Derby are just off the top. We started putting them under

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pressure. They showed again, they can be pressed and you can have joy

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from them. We didn't do it for long enough in the game. I thought we saw

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the game out very well. Showed resilience at the right time, so

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performance of football which we want, so resilience and digging in

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to get the result when we need. You to have to go back to September

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for the last time Ipswich lost at Portman Road. McCarthy's team

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survived the scare and took less than an hour to end Bournemouth's

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resistance. Darrell Murphy connecting with the cross to give

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them the initiative. They had their keeper to thank for a

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series of fine saves. He ensured they held on the that lead until

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Pitman was brought on which paid off. Surman was frustrated in his

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search for an equaliser but Pitman made the difference, and Bournemouth

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were level. The afternoon might have got better

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for them. The effort was disallowed because of a foul by Elphick, and

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their protests were in in vain. He has not had a serious save to make

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in the game. We need it to be more clinical with the chance we got

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today. On another day we could have won that game. Great goal by us, sad

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we couldn't disappointed we cold keep hold but it happens.

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It is over a year since Middlesbrough named an unchanged

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team. The last time they did they claimed a third win on the spin.

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They were hoping for the same outcome. Gus Poyet was a keen

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spectator as Boro looked to take a Reading side out of sorts and

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slipped out of the top six on Boxing Day. Mid grow have showed plenty of

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Christmas spirit. The Royals were heading the same way. Leadbitter's

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searing drive had them comfort by half-time.

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A Reading fight back never looked on the cards, and even less likely when

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Gorkss went in on o December many. -- the Berkshire side a man light

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into the second half. By the time he was brought down by

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Pearce, the damage was done. Ring were heading for a straight defeat

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as Leadbitter helped himself to a second from the spot to crown a

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fruitful Christmas period. Big worries for the Royals, they might

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need emergency surgery. The transfer window opens, as a club we have to

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identify how we move in the next direction. It is fa fair to say if

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we continue in the mould we are, we are not going to achieve with sweat

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out to do. Before the last three games Middlesbrough has won only

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seven this calendar year and they are ending with three consecutive

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victories without conceding, that the one thing that has been

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undermining their efforts. What a turn round. Yes, it it has taken

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them a few game, now he is breeding a positive attitude, he is getting

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his message over now, and there will be a philosophy there that he will

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be wanting to put in lace, he looks like he is getting that over and

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they are starting to play with confidence. What about Derby? Talk

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about momentum, they won nine of the last ten, they are in the highest

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league position for 27 month, and marauding full backs is no longer a

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rare sight there. They are so positive. I thought when, he was

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haar er, the enthusiasm Steve has as a coach is reflected in the way they

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play. There a a tempo. They had good players there, he added to it with a

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few loan sign, so there is a real positivity about that Derby and they

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are on the crest of a wave. He needs to keep it going. You know about

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that because you started the season with eight consecutive wins. We are

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struggling to get back-to-back wins, so it shows how difficult it is to

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put positive results together. We got eight, it was an unbelievable

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start and it has given us a platform. That will have given him a

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platform. I have to mention Ipswich, now, coming to the end of a year in

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a play-off position, what a 14 months under Mick McCarthy who took

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over the club when they were bottom of the pile in the Championship. He

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took them when they were about to go into relegation. I think Marcus

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Evans stepped away from investing, Mick has gone in and thought I will

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get them organised, been pragmatic about things but very well-organised

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and they have come to a run of form. And Mick will still be pragmatic and

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still be consistent in his message, and that is what they have needed.

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They have not got too excited. The players believe. They have yet to

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unleash Blake. At the City ground only one point and place divided

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Nottingham Forest and Leeds. Forrest enjoyed a win over QPR earlier in

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the week. In comes the early free-kick, there

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is the goal. Nottingham Forest take the lead. It is the makeshift

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striker Halford again. And he has done the trick again.

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Leeds called out by the free-kick. Beautiful delivery by that man Reid

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and Greg Halford gets the better of two Leeds defenders at the back

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pose. It is the perfect header. Back across goal. Kenny couldn't get to

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it and first blood to Nottingham Forest.

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Now Leeds United have to succeed where others have failed. Reid. Just

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over the cross bar. He had options to his left and right

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Andy Reid. Reid felt this was a good enough opportunity to go for it

:24:28.:24:31.

himself. Clever ball, Reid. Now there is

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danger. He has found... Andy Reid at the

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heart of this move. Majewskis drive. It was just enough.

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It is getting cold out there. Reid's drive. Against the post.

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Kenny never moves. A lick of paint away from goal

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number two. That is a good ball. It is Byram. It

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is cleared by Lascelles. McCormack. Wouldn't you just know it.

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His first attempt at goal, and Ross McCormack sends the Yorkshire hoards

:25:34.:25:39.

into derum. And here is Byram. Looking to cross, I think that was a

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cross rather than a shot. It bounce, of all places, into the path of Ross

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McCormack. Who was never going to miss that.

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13 goals in his last 14 games. And his 18th goal of the season.

:25:57.:26:04.

Lock up at one a piece with seven to go. Simon Cox has come on for

:26:05.:26:09.

Nottingham Forest. Jamie Mackie has made way and Forrest have to win

:26:10.:26:14.

this game, with Derbyshire, they might well have done. What a goal,

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Matt Derbyshire. What a cracker. And there is an argument, a raining

:26:20.:26:25.

argument between Paddy Kenny and his captain. -- raging argument. I hope

:26:26.:26:28.

he is not saying he should have stopped this. Could have had two

:26:29.:26:33.

keepers in there they wouldn't have smelled it, let alone stop it. Bang,

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what a goal. Leeds were level for less than a minute. Matt Derbyshire,

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the supersub. It was a hell of a strike. It was a real, amazing

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strike and it has gone in the top corn, we are disappointed, having

:26:51.:26:55.

said that Forrest played good stuff in the first half and done us on a

:26:56.:26:59.

set play more than anything, so, you know, I know where we are are at. I

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know where we are at as a club, we will go forward. I have been here,

:27:05.:27:09.

second in January. And having seen no investment, and then missing

:27:10.:27:12.

outcome the end of the season, I know how it feels, to be

:27:13.:27:16.

disappointed in a January window, with the regards to the outcome at

:27:17.:27:19.

the end of the season. And this is what I said to the chairman, through

:27:20.:27:24.

experience, it is important that we do get ourself in the mix, it is

:27:25.:27:27.

very important we do look to strengthen, and if you do that, you

:27:28.:27:31.

can get that acceleration to the end of the season, which is very

:27:32.:27:36.

important. Two seaside clubs going in opposite

:27:37.:27:42.

direction. Brighton were in the ascendancy at Blackpool.

:27:43.:27:50.

It was canned Ron's ram paging run that made it. The Spaniard's finish

:27:51.:27:55.

wasn't bad. A second goal of the season for him. Garcia hailed an

:27:56.:28:00.

outstanding performance from his right back. Adventurous and high on

:28:01.:28:06.

energy. Only Gilks prevented Calderon from getting a second.

:28:07.:28:12.

Blackpool looked weary. Basham had their best opportunity.

:28:13.:28:15.

Brighton closed out the game and looked well placed for another crack

:28:16.:28:20.

at the play-offs. Lua Lua almost added a second adds they collected

:28:21.:28:23.

their first win of the Christmas period. -- as. Blackpool have lost

:28:24.:28:28.

five out of six, their injury list has the got the better of them.

:28:29.:28:36.

Juning by the boo, the Tangerines early season heroics are working

:28:37.:28:40.

against then. We have 32 point, for what we have done, the lads have

:28:41.:28:44.

done miracle, but the thing is, you know, when you look at teams in this

:28:45.:28:48.

leg, they are changing three or four playerers, we haven't done that, it

:28:49.:28:53.

wasn't a case of being sluggish, it was a case of any manager, the if

:28:54.:29:00.

you can play the seam tame for the Christmas season, we have are having

:29:01.:29:11.

to do that. You'll feel's first Christmas in the Championship has

:29:12.:29:14.

been tough. They started with promise in West Yorkshire. Ishmael

:29:15.:29:23.

Miller took his chance. And that was as good as it got. Huddersfield

:29:24.:29:29.

responded in style in what became the Danny Ward show. His next

:29:30.:29:38.

significant contribution came just before half-time. Gary Johnson will

:29:39.:29:46.

wonder what happened to his defence. Huddersfield were just warming up.

:29:47.:29:53.

Minutes later Adam Hamill's corner flashed past for number three. The

:29:54.:29:59.

goalkeeper had just disentangled himself but had to be on his toes to

:30:00.:30:04.

watch this extraordinary effort from Paul Dixon. Even David Beckham was

:30:05.:30:17.

not that ambitious. For Danny Ward it was all about scoring rather than

:30:18.:30:23.

creating. He knew exactly what he wanted to do if he got another

:30:24.:30:28.

chance, and he did just moments later. Huddersfield equalled their

:30:29.:30:35.

best win of the season. Right from the start of the game we set out our

:30:36.:30:41.

stall and had some good goals on the end of that. We have to make sure we

:30:42.:30:48.

take out the shrinking violets from the competitors. The second half of

:30:49.:30:52.

the season is going to be a competitive period of time. So we

:30:53.:30:57.

have to get people that want to keep this club in the division.

:30:58.:31:05.

Birmingham City's last league triumph at Ewood Park was back in

:31:06.:31:11.

1968. They looked like ending that oppressive run but Novak opened the

:31:12.:31:15.

scoring for the Blues inside a quarter of an hour. And did not take

:31:16.:31:24.

long to arid at second. -- to add a second. Simon Eastwood in the home

:31:25.:31:31.

goal powerless to stop Birmingham tightening their grip on

:31:32.:31:44.

proceedings. Rovers gifted their opponents a third. A poor clearance

:31:45.:31:49.

dropped for Chris Burke who helped himself to his first goal since

:31:50.:31:57.

August. No shortage of drama as Rovers staged a second-half

:31:58.:32:00.

comeback. Birmingham vulnerable at the back as Ben Marshall's perfect

:32:01.:32:10.

cross was headed home by roads. -- Rhodes. And he hung on for his 15th

:32:11.:32:21.

goal of the season. It was not enough, as they suffered a rare home

:32:22.:32:29.

defeat. Dan's best efforts could not quite rescue a point.

:32:30.:32:40.

In terms of what we did in the first half, we had to work extremely hard

:32:41.:32:45.

and scored three great goals ourselves.

:32:46.:32:50.

Next year promises to be one of change for both of these clubs.

:32:51.:32:54.

Charlton could have new owners while Sheffield Wednesday could have a new

:32:55.:32:59.

manager. But the man in caretaker charge has not done too badly. The

:33:00.:33:08.

stand-in boss felt his side dominated. The key to survival for

:33:09.:33:21.

Sheffield Wednesday could be keeping hold of Connor Wickham. Injured on

:33:22.:33:27.

Boxing Day, he returned to equalise just shy of the hour. But it looks

:33:28.:33:33.

suspiciously offside. Simon Church was inches away form restoring the

:33:34.:33:49.

lead for the home side. -- from. As far as the table goes, both teams

:33:50.:34:02.

were content. Wickham is clearly offside but whether that would have

:34:03.:34:13.

denied us the win, we do not know. Interim manager Neil Harris had

:34:14.:34:16.

little more than 24 hours to prepare Millwall for this six pointer. Five

:34:17.:34:20.

changes brought about an improved performance. Larry's header cleared

:34:21.:34:26.

off the line as Millwall had the better of the first half. Donny also

:34:27.:34:33.

had their moments. This effort coming back off the woodwork. Soon

:34:34.:34:40.

afterwards David Ford's saved from Mark Duthie. The rot successfully

:34:41.:34:50.

stopped. An encouraging performance from the Lions under coach still

:34:51.:34:53.

learning the ropes. I enjoyed watching the team and some good

:34:54.:34:57.

performances. It is different standing on the

:34:58.:35:02.

sidelines. You are that close to it. But until someone else comes in,

:35:03.:35:15.

that is fine in the meantime. Steve Claridge is interested in the

:35:16.:35:20.

Millwall job. But what a way for Huddersfield to end the year. You

:35:21.:35:28.

get the impression that it has been a pretty demoralising few days for

:35:29.:35:34.

the club. It has been a tough week. Gary will still understand that they

:35:35.:35:39.

need quite a few victories to stay in the league. They have the lowest

:35:40.:35:43.

budget in the league and every game will be tough for them. Cracking

:35:44.:35:49.

goals from Danny Ward. The first was horrific. But I think Gary

:35:50.:35:56.

understood that there would be days like this. Those three points have

:35:57.:36:05.

gone and you have got to move on. They are in a mini table down at the

:36:06.:36:10.

bottom of that league. At one stage this season we thought they would be

:36:11.:36:15.

stranded. They are capable of doing it. And he needs to invigorate them.

:36:16.:36:22.

He is the most enthusiastic man I know. He will be going in and

:36:23.:36:30.

picking the players up. So as far as the Championship is concerned this

:36:31.:36:33.

year is done and dusted. Do we expect the top six to stay the

:36:34.:36:40.

same come the month of May? I expect Nottingham Forest to push on a

:36:41.:36:47.

little bit! Absolutely. Billy has got that momentum back. They had a

:36:48.:36:53.

difficult period with injuries but seem to be back on track. And the

:36:54.:37:01.

dark horses? Anyone could get a run of results and get into the top six.

:37:02.:37:08.

But Brighton, I was worried when Garcia took over. They had injuries,

:37:09.:37:13.

no centre forwards, but they have been solid and have come into decent

:37:14.:37:19.

form. They have shown it consistently. And it looks grim for

:37:20.:37:27.

Barnsley in the bottom half. Do we expect the likes of Bolton and Wigan

:37:28.:37:34.

to still be there? I do not. Wigan have had a tough time. We know they

:37:35.:37:42.

have a good manager. Bolton are stuttering. They have had a lack of

:37:43.:37:49.

goals. But I think they will get it right. And the quality they have in

:37:50.:37:57.

the squad will come to the fore. In League one you have to start with

:37:58.:38:01.

the top two. Leyton Orient took on Wolves.

:38:02.:38:14.

If you think life has been tough for Wolves supporters then imagine what

:38:15.:38:23.

it has been like for those at the other end of the generational scale.

:38:24.:38:32.

During the golden era in the 1950s the club were three times champions

:38:33.:38:37.

in England. Twice they won the FA Cup. And helped lay the foundations

:38:38.:38:43.

for what is now the Champions League. Now their recovery lies in

:38:44.:38:49.

the hands of the man who set Swansea City on the road to their current

:38:50.:38:53.

success and re-established Millwall in the Championship between his

:38:54.:38:59.

summer move to the ground. -- before.

:39:00.:39:07.

The place is full of tradition and history and rightly so. They have

:39:08.:39:13.

had fantastic teams in the past. You forget about the scale. This is an

:39:14.:39:20.

enormous club. It is fantastic. I have played here and been an

:39:21.:39:24.

opposing coach and manager. It is impressive from the outside. It is

:39:25.:39:32.

the biggest compliment. A word to describe how you felt when you got

:39:33.:39:36.

relegated again in May? We were gutted. Not too brilliant. It is

:39:37.:39:45.

just the way it goes. We needed to turn it round quickly and get onto

:39:46.:39:51.

the next one. A very tough League one campaign. And then just some

:39:52.:39:57.

realism of where we are, putting the past behind us. Making sure the

:39:58.:40:02.

relationship between the supporters and the players is repaired. What do

:40:03.:40:07.

you hope for next year? Back into the Championship. I think we are

:40:08.:40:16.

going to do well this season. Some players have been left on the

:40:17.:40:20.

fringes of the squad and they cost a lot of money. It must have been a

:40:21.:40:26.

big dilemma for you. What cannot happen is the progress of the club

:40:27.:40:30.

cannot be hampered whilst we wait for contracts to run out. The

:40:31.:40:36.

development know of quite a young side, that is paramount. This is a

:40:37.:40:45.

huge opportunity. It is a fantastic chance. It is a great club and we

:40:46.:40:51.

are just looking forward positively now. I am now looking for the

:40:52.:40:58.

players to put on a performance that warrants that type of support. The

:40:59.:41:07.

biggest attendance of the season had hardly settled into their seats

:41:08.:41:10.

before they were out of them in celebration. Leighton Oriente knew

:41:11.:41:24.

that this was big. Wolves are intent on battering. Jake Cassady with this

:41:25.:41:36.

rebound. A change of ends brought no change in momentum. The visitors

:41:37.:41:46.

held their nerve and then found a way back. Baudry with his first goal

:41:47.:42:06.

of the season. What are you thinking after that?

:42:07.:42:11.

Disappointed we did not win. We put on a terrific performance. We did

:42:12.:42:16.

not capitalise on chances and situations. Latent Oriente, a

:42:17.:42:31.

resolute side. It is the challenge now to make sure that we replicate

:42:32.:42:36.

that performance in the second half of the season. So far so good for

:42:37.:42:44.

Wolves. And for Leyton Orient. It has been an amazing season. What

:42:45.:42:48.

has been the secret? I think continuity. We managed to keep the

:42:49.:42:54.

group together in the summer. The two players that we did take in, we

:42:55.:43:01.

had them on loan. They were the two major signing of the summer. And it

:43:02.:43:07.

is a lovely group with great characters. We have been careful

:43:08.:43:13.

choosing the right characters. A great captain in Nathan Clark and

:43:14.:43:16.

experience through the side as well. It is a great spirit and a

:43:17.:43:21.

great place to be right now. How hard is it going to be to maintain

:43:22.:43:27.

this? We have maintained it for the best part of the year. It is going

:43:28.:43:32.

to be difficult. We just recently started to pick up some injuries. We

:43:33.:43:37.

have built ourselves the platform now and we are not going to throw

:43:38.:43:47.

that away easily. T It is going to be a tough year, no doubt about

:43:48.:43:50.

that, but we have given ourselveses a real good chance of competing with

:43:51.:43:54.

the boys at the top. This is it. It is about keeping the squad together.

:43:55.:43:59.

You mention the injury, it is coming at the worst possible time, isn't

:44:00.:44:03.

it? I will be grateful when the window is open; I need to get the

:44:04.:44:06.

team a bit of help. The play evers a bit of help in terms of bringing in

:44:07.:44:10.

a few more personnel to help us out, as we know, we are playing our

:44:11.:44:16.

second choice keeper, young Jake, he played at Wolves today, and then we

:44:17.:44:22.

have lost, our top goal scoring David Mooney and Scott Cuthbert has

:44:23.:44:27.

been out. And the list is ever growing, but you know... I bet you

:44:28.:44:32.

are glad you came on! You have to remain positive and hopefully one or

:44:33.:44:36.

two new faces coming in in the window will enhance that group. Of

:44:37.:44:39.

course, very best for the seconds half of the season. More from League

:44:40.:44:44.

One and December -- despite their recent change Brentford were the

:44:45.:44:47.

tomorrow team with their win over Swindon. Their tenth win in 11

:44:48.:44:53.

games. The next challenge game in the form of a rejuvenated MK Dons.

:44:54.:45:04.

After Leyton Orient drew at moll knee this was a chance for them to

:45:05.:45:13.

end in top spot. Donaldson game them an early add ran tan. His latest

:45:14.:45:20.

offering in a highly productive season. The departure of Uwe Rosler

:45:21.:45:26.

hasn't troubled them. They needed a save to preserve the score line. Sam

:45:27.:45:38.

Saunders picked him out and Trotter put them in sight of another winning

:45:39.:45:42.

successful Saunders who played a significant part in this impressive

:45:43.:45:48.

showing got in on the act. Well deserved His third goal in as

:45:49.:45:53.

many games, the contest appeared over.

:45:54.:45:58.

In truth, the MK dons were well beaten, they one lighted was

:45:59.:46:02.

provided by Lee Hodson, his first goal for the club, but Brentford end

:46:03.:46:06.

the year looking down on the rest. And with the manager who believes

:46:07.:46:12.

they can still get better. I thought the first 25 minute, the

:46:13.:46:16.

first half we were excellent. Our shape was good we moved the ball

:46:17.:46:21.

well. We should have been three or four goals, then we got sloppy. I

:46:22.:46:26.

thought the same in the second half. Suddenly, loose in the pass,

:46:27.:46:29.

dropping ten yards deep. We have to learn from that.

:46:30.:46:38.

After three straight home defeat defeats sluice by boss felt this

:46:39.:46:43.

might be the game his side needed. A fine save Superintendented John

:46:44.:46:48.

Taylor putting them ahead. They needed luck to pick up their sixth

:46:49.:46:55.

win in seven. Ian Hulme made an immediate impact from the bench

:46:56.:46:59.

after his 80th minute cross was turned in I by Ryan Woods.

:47:00.:47:07.

With six defeat in nine it has been a tough run for Peterborough. At

:47:08.:47:11.

Brunton Park Shaun Brisley went close, kept out by Ben Amos's Laser

:47:12.:47:20.

reflexes, this hulk Hogan effort was ex rated. The reef re-said stop, red

:47:21.:47:28.

card to be expected. Lee Tomlin takes a mean free-kick.

:47:29.:47:33.

Something Amos can vouch for, in by the bar. Posh's ten men ahead beyond

:47:34.:47:39.

the hour mark. This game turned in Carlisle's

:47:40.:47:41.

favour in a couple of minutes. The second game a mere 70 seconds

:47:42.:47:56.

later. Once again after good service from the flanks.

:47:57.:48:01.

A goal to put them back on track after two league defeats. In the

:48:02.:48:08.

final moment, the away team could have grabbed a point. Mark Little

:48:09.:48:13.

brought down. This match last season saw Port Vale

:48:14.:48:33.

run out 6-2 winners so you wonder what the crowd thought when the

:48:34.:48:41.

first goal came after eight minutes. Rotherham were handed a bake when

:48:42.:48:45.

hay were awarded a penalty. Eight gar made the running. Agar reckons

:48:46.:48:55.

without Sam Johnson. That was let off number one for Port

:48:56.:49:00.

Vale. And another arrived just before

:49:01.:49:04.

half-time. On this occasion Johnson had no hand in keeping Rotherham at

:49:05.:49:15.

bay. O'Connor's free-kick hit the wall -- post. Rotherham made the

:49:16.:49:21.

match tougher for themselves, Davis was given a straight red for that

:49:22.:49:25.

challenge. Was it the tackle or the follow threw? Either way, the

:49:26.:49:28.

referee thought he had the answer, and Rotherham were left to play the

:49:29.:49:32.

final half hour with ten men and it cost them. Port Vale had to wane

:49:33.:49:36.

only ten minutes before wrapping up the points. Tomlin was in the right

:49:37.:49:41.

place to end their unbeaten run. Veil move to within two points of

:49:42.:49:48.

the play-offs. After just one league win in 12,

:49:49.:49:55.

this opener came as a timely lift for Bradford City. Swindon have lost

:49:56.:50:00.

the last two on the road but they have an outstanding prospect in

:50:01.:50:04.

Pritchard. He is on loan from Spurs and came close to equalising, and

:50:05.:50:11.

his persistence was to pay off. The Bantams defence had no answer as

:50:12.:50:14.

Pritchard scored a goal of the highest quality to earn them a point

:50:15.:50:18.

on their travels. He made the opportunity, and finished it off in

:50:19.:50:24.

some style. And Swindon are four points off the top six. So the

:50:25.:50:29.

points shared at valley parade. A cracking goal from Pritchard.

:50:30.:50:32.

Brentford continue to go from strength to strength. They have won

:50:33.:50:37.

11 out of the last 12. They have replayed Leyton Orient at the top of

:50:38.:50:40.

the table going into the New Year. This, I mean basically Warburton has

:50:41.:50:45.

taken on the mantle left by Uwe Rosler. I think it, he has carried

:50:46.:50:50.

on the good work Uwe Rosler left behind. Saunders with a great

:50:51.:50:54.

strike. It was an inspired appointment. Bringing in David Weir

:50:55.:50:58.

who has had experience of the division, as well, excellent coach,

:50:59.:51:02.

it was great. But interesting you said about that 11 wins in the last

:51:03.:51:07.

12 game, that came at the same time that Jonathan Douglas came back into

:51:08.:51:11.

the midfield. He is so influential. A lot of fans think he is vitally

:51:12.:51:16.

important. He has a really good understanding of the game. That was

:51:17.:51:20.

the catalyst as well. I think you would testify to that? I do. He is

:51:21.:51:24.

an experienced player. He has the know how. Don't forget they have a

:51:25.:51:30.

very good squad. For me, one of the favourites at the start of the

:51:31.:51:35.

season, despite Wolves coming down, they were going up to be up there,

:51:36.:51:39.

they are on a great run at the minute, it is a fantastic

:51:40.:51:43.

opportunity for Mark to fill that vacancy and push them on, but, yeah,

:51:44.:51:48.

they are going to be there for me. Let us look at the top half of the

:51:49.:51:51.

table then. Now we have reached the end of 2013.

:51:52.:51:58.

How big an achievement is it to see Leyton Orient in second? It is a

:51:59.:52:04.

great achievement. I have known the manager a long time he won't be

:52:05.:52:10.

happy. He is up there for a reason, because they played fantastic game

:52:11.:52:15.

football, they have been positive; am sure that will continue, so yes,

:52:16.:52:20.

it's a great achievement up to now, but they will want to know, to go

:52:21.:52:28.

and finish it off. Think the supporters understand just how good

:52:29.:52:31.

this team are, with the squad of 19 players from the start of the

:52:32.:52:35.

season, with first year pro-s on the bench. There has been a great spirit

:52:36.:52:38.

there and I am sure Russell will want to continue that. Kicking on

:52:39.:52:43.

after a couple of near miss last season, who is the best team you

:52:44.:52:48.

faced this season? Probably Coventry, we have played them three

:52:49.:52:53.

time, I think Steve has done a great job there, it can't be easy playing

:52:54.:52:58.

away from home in front of 1800 fans, what he gets out of them,

:52:59.:53:02.

certainly in terms of going forward is remarkable, they look a threat,

:53:03.:53:06.

every time they go forward... The top scorers in the Football League.

:53:07.:53:09.

If you put the ten points on from the desuction they would be in the

:53:10.:53:14.

play-offs They are strong competitors and hopefully when I

:53:15.:53:22.

have them out of the way... OK. Last look at League One starts at

:53:23.:53:27.

Priestfield as Gillingham look to bounce back. Walsall were the

:53:28.:53:35.

visitors this time. Some at Gillingham felled felt hay

:53:36.:53:39.

should have won at Leyton Orient but failed to take their chance, that is

:53:40.:53:44.

somebody McDonald can't be accused of as he pulled off this cracker

:53:45.:53:48.

after half-time. They hit the bar twice before Walsall drew back

:53:49.:53:52.

level. Saws rounding off a neat move to score for the second time in

:53:53.:53:58.

three games, despite the best efforts of Leon Legge on the line.

:53:59.:54:04.

Anyone who decided to make an early exit missed out on a thrilling

:54:05.:54:10.

finish. The Julian Gray blasted Dean Smith's side into the lead.

:54:11.:54:15.

But in the second added minute, McDonald kept his head, after losing

:54:16.:54:21.

his footing, to put the Gills back on terms.

:54:22.:54:25.

And there was still time for further drama, as Richard o Donald denied

:54:26.:54:30.

Gillingham an incredible win and McDonald the match ball.

:54:31.:54:38.

We have conceded two goals which in the end were poor goals, they are

:54:39.:54:42.

little things we have to learn, that is why we are in the position we are

:54:43.:54:46.

in, but the players never stop, and they kept on believing, and they

:54:47.:54:54.

deserve a lot of credit for that. Johnson Clark Harris holds the

:54:55.:54:57.

record as Coventry's youngest player. He never scored for the Sky

:54:58.:55:07.

Blues, against he thumped in a goal against them.

:55:08.:55:14.

Carl Baker with the 4th goal of the season for League One's highest

:55:15.:55:22.

scorers. Home to the bottom side after

:55:23.:55:25.

scoring six goals in two games Colchester must have been aiming

:55:26.:55:29.

high, even more so when they went ahead after half an hour through

:55:30.:55:34.

this deflected free-kick. But Crewe up their game after the

:55:35.:55:42.

interval. They were almost handed and equaliser. Tom Hitchcock found

:55:43.:55:47.

the angle and the keeper too much to beat. If only Wilson had been able

:55:48.:55:51.

to repeat his block on inman soon after. He didn't and Crewe were

:55:52.:55:58.

level. -- Inman. Prolonged celebrations you

:55:59.:56:03.

might think. Just wait. Because three minutes later Inman as

:56:04.:56:09.

it again. This time it was Hitchcock who cashed in and he certainly

:56:10.:56:12.

milked the moment. His third goal in four game, Crewe

:56:13.:56:15.

off the bottom with their second away win of the season.

:56:16.:56:21.

For John Gregory and his cauly players this was the perfect

:56:22.:56:28.

response to their Boxing Day defeat. This left Notts County chasing the

:56:29.:56:32.

game. County had only one once way from

:56:33.:56:36.

home in the league this season, and a second caution for Sheen ended his

:56:37.:56:44.

afternoon. Deliberate handball and dismissal followed. Jamie Proctor

:56:45.:56:51.

was one fortunate not to make Crawley's margin of victory better

:56:52.:56:58.

but they got the result they wanted. Crunch games between teams at the

:56:59.:57:03.

bottom can be tight, tense after if fairers with little goalmouth

:57:04.:57:08.

action. Nine minutes on the clock when Murphy converted from close

:57:09.:57:13.

range. Taylor came within inches of another own goal, when Murphy fired

:57:14.:57:17.

into the box, Taylor scored at the wrong end when the sides last met in

:57:18.:57:21.

March. United weren't in need of a helping hand on this occasion

:57:22.:57:26.

doubling their lead just before the hour, but backster swept home Port

:57:27.:57:32.

ter's centre, and the Blades were home and dry, this time Murphy

:57:33.:57:38.

played provider with Flynn the grateful recipient.

:57:39.:57:40.

Tranmere have done better on the road than at home, and the

:57:41.:57:44.

travelling fans did have some cause for cheer late on, as tailor showed

:57:45.:57:50.

his pros we at the right end, following their failure to clear a

:57:51.:57:54.

free-kick. Although Kirby came within inches of reducing the

:57:55.:57:57.

deficit further, in the final minute, this was a comfortable

:57:58.:58:02.

victory for Nigel Clough's side The pressure was on, we have trained all

:58:03.:58:06.

week really well, we wanted to win today. There is no doubt about that.

:58:07.:58:12.

The lads have been superb. On a day where Lewis Carey set a new

:58:13.:58:18.

appearance record for Bristol City the Robbens began brightly. Scott

:58:19.:58:22.

Wagstaff's cross met by cunning happen. His second professional

:58:23.:58:28.

goal. It got better still six minutes later. Thomas the drivings

:58:29.:58:34.

for. Baldock the goal score for the third league game on the bounce.

:58:35.:58:47.

Emanuel Thomas has thrived since his move away from Ipswich. It has been

:58:48.:58:56.

his best scoring season to date. He grabbed two goals. That is ten in

:58:57.:59:16.

his last 13 appearances. Great to have back to back wins

:59:17.:59:21.

because in any division that is difficult. So that was great to get

:59:22.:59:26.

that and it gives the supporters of good and to the year. Hopefully

:59:27.:59:33.

everyone has had a good Christmas. Another good result for Bristol

:59:34.:59:35.

City. Nothing harder than getting

:59:36.:59:39.

back-to-back wins in the Football League. To take a look at the bottom

:59:40.:59:46.

of league one. Some big teams down at the bottom. You look at Sheffield

:59:47.:59:51.

United and the likes of Bristol City. Do we expect them to stay

:59:52.:00:05.

there? We do not. Bristol City has appointed Steve who is a very

:00:06.:00:09.

experienced manager and full of enthusiasm. He knows the area as

:00:10.:00:15.

well. Because you have two managed the supporters as well as the

:00:16.:00:17.

players. Those back-to-back wins will have given them a lift. And

:00:18.:00:23.

what about your old club, Notts County? They have played two games

:00:24.:00:29.

more than Oldham. Is the pressure off, maybe being a young manager?

:00:30.:00:38.

Does that work against him? I know Sean very well. I signed him for

:00:39.:00:44.

Notts County when he was fifth team. He has got Greg Abbott with him as

:00:45.:00:49.

well. So that is experience. And Greg knows the league inside out.

:00:50.:00:53.

Between them they have got the toughest job of all. They are

:00:54.:00:58.

anchored at the bottom at the moment. But as anyone can, I would

:00:59.:01:07.

give them a chance. In league two one game fell foul of the weather.

:01:08.:01:13.

And Chesterfield were elevated back to the top of the division. They

:01:14.:01:21.

welcomed Dagenham to the pro-Iraq Stadium.

:01:22.:01:28.

Dagenham have not had much joy on the road recently but they will feel

:01:29.:01:33.

they missed the chance of an eye-catching win.

:01:34.:01:48.

They were then given a man advantage after Sam Hurst 's Allred for

:01:49.:02:01.

tripping Rhys Murphy. -- saw red. The ten men took the lead just after

:02:02.:02:07.

the restart. This handball allowing Mark Richards the chance to show how

:02:08.:02:17.

it is done. A moment of magic from a go-go Drew Dagenham level. - Agogo.

:02:18.:02:33.

I thought the first half performance did not reflect as at all. The lads

:02:34.:02:40.

came out with credit in the second half to take the point.

:02:41.:02:58.

Scunthorpe were playing catch up. Oxford's league defeats have all

:02:59.:03:09.

come at home. They were lucky not to fall to behind when the referee saw

:03:10.:03:18.

this handball. Ryan Clark's save ensured just a single goal half-time

:03:19.:03:26.

deficit. Burton went clear. The clincher came through the boot of

:03:27.:03:33.

Donnie Mullins. His fourth of the season, all away from home. Oxford

:03:34.:03:41.

got a penalty of their own when the keeper was slow coming off his

:03:42.:03:56.

line. James Constable tripped. One-way traffic at the Pirelli

:03:57.:04:02.

Stadium. Phil Edwards is one of two Bolton players who struck the

:04:03.:04:05.

woodwork in this one-sided encounter. Sheriff also came close.

:04:06.:04:14.

The Newport keeper had to perform miracles. This save from Billy Key

:04:15.:04:28.

was the final score. Adam McGuirk's luck was out on this occasion. But

:04:29.:04:38.

Burton secured another 1-the Old Vic three.

:04:39.:04:42.

Really pleased. It shows how much the site has progressed and it just

:04:43.:04:51.

shows our potential. -- the side. The young up and coming manager

:04:52.:04:55.

against the one who has been there and got the T-shirt. Doing a

:04:56.:05:04.

sterling job at Accrington. Phil Brown almost 20 years we see's

:05:05.:05:09.

senior almost saw his side fall behind. But with all that experience

:05:10.:05:15.

it is nothing that he had not seen before. Phillips tried to atone for

:05:16.:05:24.

his earlier mistake. When he did find a way past, the post got in the

:05:25.:05:33.

way. A useful point for both sides. Rovers arrived with four points from

:05:34.:05:38.

the two games either side of Christmas. They had plenty of first

:05:39.:05:45.

half possession. The keeper missed the Boxing Day victory over

:05:46.:05:51.

Mansfield. They broke the deadlock when Joe Rafferty combined with

:05:52.:05:59.

Matty land. The midfielder swung the ball in. -- Lund. Jack O'Connell's

:06:00.:06:10.

clearance gave O'Connell something to chase.

:06:11.:06:28.

Andy Fleming is not afraid to try his luck for Morecambe. Just

:06:29.:06:43.

clipping the bar. It could have been to before half-time. Three minutes

:06:44.:06:54.

from time it appeared, the striker's first shot in ten. That's

:06:55.:07:05.

part of dramatic finish. The ball something back off the crossbar. --

:07:06.:07:12.

something. Flinders save this initial shot and this was superb

:07:13.:07:27.

from Kevin Ellison. Hartlepool securing the jury. -- the victory.

:07:28.:07:36.

Quite an upset at Cheltenham. Baron Harrison's early efforts seem to

:07:37.:07:42.

confirm a rough ride for Mansfield. Anthony Howell got the opener. Scott

:07:43.:07:50.

Brown apparently to stand to move. Then Mansfield went to up. -- two

:07:51.:08:02.

up. And they are confident display continued. Cheltenham did pull one

:08:03.:08:10.

back but Mansfield held on. They have put much-needed breathing space

:08:11.:08:14.

between themselves and the drop zone.

:08:15.:08:21.

End of year bragging rights at stake in the Devon derby. Torquay had the

:08:22.:08:28.

chance to draw first blood. Karl Hawley was denied in front of home

:08:29.:08:38.

fans. Their neighbours seized the first advantage. Torquay's troubles

:08:39.:08:45.

worsened, David Wheeler increasing the lead. That composed finish but

:08:46.:08:54.

Exeter back in the groove after consecutive defeats. The game was

:08:55.:09:05.

now firmly back in the balance. With five minutes left, Alan Power

:09:06.:09:14.

wrapped things up to dump Torquay back into the bottom two. Exeter now

:09:15.:09:24.

five points off the top seven. For Wimbledon fans a goal of any

:09:25.:09:29.

kind would give the year end celebrations a lift. Michael

:09:30.:09:36.

Smith's finish underline exact play why his club wants to extend his

:09:37.:09:49.

loan. The Dons keeper was that full stretch as the Pilgrims chased an

:09:50.:09:56.

equaliser. Ben Harrington kept his place. His delivery met by breed. --

:09:57.:10:14.

Reid. A game for in quality was almost lit

:10:15.:10:18.

up by a goal of real class. Matt Duke was well beaten. The squad was

:10:19.:10:30.

ravaged by injuries especially in attack. But it did not result in a

:10:31.:10:42.

match winner. Anyone who thinks lean to it's all

:10:43.:10:46.

about long balls and physicality might need to revise their opinion.

:10:47.:10:52.

The opening goal was a terrific team effort finished off by Anton

:10:53.:11:05.

Forrester. Aaron McCarey's fumble was punished by Nathan Cameron. York

:11:06.:11:12.

had won just one of 15 reviewers cup games. Michael Coulson got his first

:11:13.:11:24.

of the season. But it was five wins in eight for Bury. That was the

:11:25.:11:32.

turbulent 12 months for the football club. One result that stands out is

:11:33.:11:39.

Scunthorpe at Oxford. 2-yl winners. A great result. The side are totally

:11:40.:11:54.

rejuvenated. We were talking about it before. Another young manager who

:11:55.:11:58.

knows the league inside out and Scunthorpe as well and has news that

:11:59.:12:03.

wisely. And there is much to be said about that. If we look at the top of

:12:04.:12:10.

the table, good to see Burton in third. But there is a point to be

:12:11.:12:13.

made about these young English managers. Kevin Nugent led to his

:12:14.:12:26.

trade that way as well and is doing a terrific job. With limited

:12:27.:12:33.

resources. Very little budget, one of the smallest in the league. And

:12:34.:12:37.

they got a great result that Chesterfield today. And Newport,

:12:38.:12:47.

what an outstanding job. For the bottom, it beggars belief to see

:12:48.:12:58.

Portsmouth at 17. Portsmouth and restore Rovers both jump out. --

:12:59.:13:09.

restore Rovers. They know that they should be doing better with their

:13:10.:13:16.

fan base. There have been problems with injury. And they are trying to

:13:17.:13:21.

introduce young players into the squad which I think is the right way

:13:22.:13:27.

to go for Bristol Rovers. Before we go a quick reminder to join Gary for

:13:28.:13:33.

a round-up of all Premier League games in Match Of The Day on New

:13:34.:13:38.

Year's Day. Great to see you tonight. Rank you for your company.

:13:39.:13:46.

-- thank you. Have a great year and see you next year. Good night. #

:13:47.:14:26.

Come

:14:27.:14:27.

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