09/08/2014 The Football League Show

Hello, just 27 days on from the World Cup, here we are again for

all the drama, intrigue and thrills from the Sky Bet Football League.

And with me to reflect on the opening weekend

of a brand new season,? a regular on the show -

former Fulham and Bristol City striker Leroy Rosenior.

And alongside Leroy, we're delighted to have another

ex-striker who called time on his 13 year playing career in the summer.?

He scored goals right across the three divisons.

With spells at Reading and Portsmouth -

it started at Cambridge and finished at Oxford? -

Anyway, here's what's coming up on our first offering of the season.

Making their first appearance back in the Championship in 13 years,

in Saturday's late game at Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town.

We have the best of the action from a cracking opening match

Our featured game comes from Griffin Park as newly-promoted

Brentford welcomed Charlton for a full blooded London derby.

After their brief stay in the Premier League,

Cardiff started life back in the second tier at Blackburn Rovers.

We'll see how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side got on at Ewood Park.

And one of the big stories of the summer was yet another

As they prepare for their opening game at Millwall -

one of football's most notorious and demanding owners.

Having paid a record ?11 million for striker Ross McCormack

in the close season, Fulham manager Felix Magath has made a big call

in a bid to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

started life back in the Championship at Ipswich Town.?

Mick McCarthy awarded a debut to Hungarian summer signing

Balint Bajner up front while Felix Magath picked eight debutants,

including last season's Championship top scorer, Ross McCormack.

That is a terrific save. At full stretch. Great delivery. Fulham,

short of numbers at the back. The 20-year-old, Hewitt, with a corner

kick. The drive, always fizzing wide. The question was, did the

goalkeeper get a finger to that? Great vision. Good pass. Ofcom 's

Tim Hoogland, full of running, so far. -- goes. A Rush of blood to the

head. Felix Magath, 12 Premier League games in charge bringing 12

once last season, not enough to keep Fulham in the top flight. -- 12

points. That has come out as far as Skuse. Difficult to keep that down.

A good effort. Spilled by the keeper. And a great recovery. It was

an earlier error from Dean Gerken, but how quickly he redeemed himself.

Here come Ipswich with Daryl Murphy. Murphy, Ipswich Town take

the lead. To some extent, against the run of play. Murphy blazed past

Hutchinson. And that was a very calm finish past the rookie goalkeeper.

Mings, stretching those long legs of his. Picking out Murphy. On his left

foot, this time. That is his favoured foot. He took his time to

pick the past. Murphy, finding space, but he could not find the top

corner. A good flick on from Moussa Dembele. Nicely brought down. Sizing

up the chance. He goes for gold. A familiar story for Felix Magath. His

side trailing at half-time. Getting away from Hewitt. And Dean Gerken

not required. That was a nice move from the visitors. The pass from

Ross McCormack, slightly behind Dembele. And how about this? It is

the ?11 million man, Ross McCormack, who makes way. His debut

for Fulham lasted less than one hour. That goes Hutchinson. Murphy

has got the better of him. And it comes out to McGoldrick. 2-0,

Ipswich! David McGoldrick is back doing what he does best. 2-0 might

be enough to see off the challenge of relegated Fulham. Shaun

Hutchinson were Fulham debut ends. And on comes another teenager,

17-year-old Patrick Roberts. Chambers. Hewitt, in support.

Chambers might not need it. It is a lovely cross. That was a gilt edged

opportunity. It raised the crossbar. George Burley, the former

Ipswich manager who guided them into the Premier League, way back in

2000. Mings slips. Hoogland getting away, and it is a deflection,

Hoogland will claim it. Smith will not want it. Is there still a

glimmer of a chance for Fulham to get something out of their first

game in the Championship? The slip from Mings, so significant. Hoogland

just chanced his arm. Parker, driving Fulham forward. He has a man

to his left hand side. It is Eisfeld. This is Roberts. It was

almost a dream story therefore Patrick Roberts. -- there, for

Patrick Roberts. This is Roberts. Now Woodrow. Roberts has gone for

the return. Another deflection. And this time, Dean Gerken and Ipswich

are fortunate. That was a good way to start the season, wasn't it? It

was, wasn't it? I totally agree. It was hard work achieving it. But it

is three points. Good result for Ipswich on the opening day. Their

fans might have been fearing the worst because failing to hold onto a

lead was one of their hallmarks last season. They conceded possession.

They knew that Fulham would have the majority of it. They have hit them

well on the counterattack and scored terrific goals. They just contained

Fulham all the game. How much of a result was that for your former

club? I don't think people expected them to be in charge this year but

it was the right decision to try and rejuvenate them. They went down with

a little bit of a whimper. A lot of young players brought in. They have

got to learn very quickly. They have got to deal with the power, pace and

aggression of the Championship and they did not do that very well, but

there were some good pastor their game. All eyes were on the new ?11

million signing for Fulham, Ross McCormack, but he was taken off at

half-time. Roberts, the youngster, caught the eye. He was only on for

15 minutes but he did catch the eye. He gave impetus to that Fulham

performance. He has had a good upbringing. I think he will play a

major part in this season for Fulham. Some big clubs are looking

and they will have to keep hold of him. He can have a positive effect

on the season for Fulham. It was great for Mick McCarthy to see both

of his strikers getting on the scoresheet. What about Fulham, with

all of the changes that have gone on? Do you expect them to be still

challenging? They have got the nucleus of a very good side. Scott

Parker was exceptional today. He had young legs around him. He was able

to bring them into the game, call we Woodrow, for example. Roberts is

another good find and able do well to hang onto him. Let's see how the

other newcomers got on in the Championship, starting with Cardiff.

The Bluebirds got their campaign underway at Cardiff -- at Blackburn

on Friday night. That would like a handball. And

referee Andy madly has had instructions from his assistant on

this nearside, and it is Cardiff City who are penalised. Handball,

this nearside, and it is Cardiff but was it just inside the penalty

area? Tom Cairney, straight into the wall. That looked like it was just

inside the penalty area. Andrew madly, watched by the new refereeing

supremo, Howard Webb, who has retired from refereeing. Connelly

has come to the edge of the Blackburn penalty area. Peter

Whittingham with the free kick. And Kevin Jones. On the end of the touch

from Hudson. Cardiff City get the first goal of the new football

league season. Cardiff had cause Blackburn problems from previous

corner kicks. league season. Cardiff had cause

Blackburn problems You can see the central defender with a touch on,

Hudson. And in, by Ken Wynne Jones. -- Ken Wein Jones.

Tom Cairney places it perfectly past David Marshall and Blackburn Rovers

are back on level terms. Peter Whittingham dispossessed by Jordan

Rhodes. Kenny, creating a little bit of room for himself, curling it away

from David Marshall. And it is all square at Ewood Park. Delicate ball

in. And not too far over from Rudy Gestede. Very promising start to the

second half from Blackburn. That has got to be a foul. He is lining this

up against his former club. Craig Conway. David Marshall did not even

attempt to make a save. You could have felt sorry for yourself because

you could have had a penalty in the first minute. I think so. It is a

clear handball. And the timing of the incident is irrelevant. It is a

penalty in our eyes. It was in the box. We are disappointed we did not

get it. But we recovered well. Tonight, the supporters will be

happy, but a point away from home against one of the favourites. It

was a good return. A meeting of two clubs who experienced the best and

worst feelings at the play-offs at Wembley back in May. Derby have to

regroup after missing out on the top flight with virtually the last

kick. Judging from their start, therapy to no long-lasting effects.

Simon Dawkins fired in a warning as the Millers try to find their

bearings. The home side came forward again. Cyrus Christie clean-up

Johnny Russell, who was thwarted brilliantly. Then Rotherham began as

King questions. The header stopped on the line by Will Hughes, and

Kieran Agard failed with a follow-up. And as the Yorkshire club

closed in on what would have been an excellent opening-day point, there

was a goal from Jeff Hendrick. No wonder he is winning so many

admirers. What are displayed more of that never say die attitude that got

them over the line last season. Then Kieran Agard appeared destined to

score. Craig Forsyth came to the rescue to assure Steve McClaren's

side of a winning start. They didn't get the goal and got restricted but

kept our patience and kept playing, kept possession. Eventually we have

got the quality to win games. We are disappointed. We have lost a good

team and we frustrated them and we were the better team for long

periods. Plenty of positive things to draw from four Steve Evans.

We saw there, no shame in losing away to Derby County. Rotherham

frustrated the opposition for large spells. Let's not patronise them,

they wanted to go there and get something and they deserved

something from the game. They scored 86 goals in League 1 last year. They

looked like they will try to do the same thing in the Championship. They

cannot be as open as they wear, last year. That was as good an away

performance as you will see this season and they deserved something

from the game. That is what Steve McClaren wanted. Just to blow away

any talk of a possible hangover from Wembley. They are up and running

with a good victory over Rotherham. They will be there or thereabouts at

the end of the season. The bookies have them as title favourites. They

have lost that thing of being an unknown quantity that they had last

season but they are good side. And Steve McClaren is a canny enough

courage to get them out of that league. We saw Cardiff playing

against Blackburn on Friday night. Not quite the explosive start their

fans were looking for. Taking into consideration what happened last

season, is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer right man to take them up? He wanted

to go there and make a statement. You need a balance in the

Championship. Cannot throw all of your eggs in one basket. Do not

think that he had a plan bee for that game. He's not experienced at

this level. You could say that about a lot of managers. He needs to find

a balance. Maybe just the sort of player to give those attacking

players a platform to do their best. Well, it's been 21 long years since

Brentford took their place in the Last season's League One runners-up

began life in the Championship at home to a new-look Charlton side,

in a London derby. Mark Warburton gave debuts to new

signings Alex Pritchard, Moses Odubajo and Andre Gray,

while Bob Peeters included no fewer than seven debutants

in his first Charlton line-up. Good period of possession. It goes

wide, first shot at goal. Alex Pritchard has been brought in from

shooting positions, and a first sight of goal from the Tottenham

signing. Pritchard kept it in. A

disappointing shot. Good work from Pritchard. But the left foot was

very easy for Henderson. Berg Gudmundsson has opened them up,

a great opportunity and a great save. Found himself one on one, and

David Button stood tall. A great chance for the visiting side.

A good pass from a corner. It took a deflection and Henderson parried it

away behind. It did just take a deflection on the way through.

Better from Charlton at the start of the second half.

The header came back, and a good save, and of the post. Charlton come

close again. Brentford had the best home record last season, only beaten

on three occasions on an outstanding promotion season. This is better.

Great, and Henderson saves. Once again, it is Pritchard with a

delivery. And the header. Vetokele showing quick feet.

Cousins. That took a touch from a Brentford boot, and it has gone

behind for a corner. Jackson will take it. Right in on the line and

into the back of the net, Charlton have scored! Vetokele, right on the

line with the keeper. Button may have appeared to have bashed it into

his own net. Vetokele will claim it, right in front of the celebrating

Charlton fans, Charlton in front. First touch for substitute Tommy

Smith. The keeper hesitated for a moment,

Western -- Button was way out of range. Effectively an open goal. And

the substitute spurns the chance by the narrowest of margins and

Brentford stay in the game. Crashing away from the crossbar.

Still plenty of attack, all the way through for the Tommy Smith. Smith!

An equaliser for Brentford, from the debut boy Tommy Smith. It found a

way through. And the former Cardiff man marks his first team debut with

a goal which might just save Brentford on this opening day. A

horrible deflection from Ben Haim, but Smith will want to claim it,

Brentford have a leveller. The referee will give a free kick.

Proschwitz. Could be dangerous. Jackson has been penalised and

Brentford, with an opportunity, 25 yards out.

It looked like Judge. Oh! I don't think Henderson was getting to that

one either. A brilliant effort from Judge. Up, over, from the top of the

crossbar. Corner to Brentford. Time is

starting to wind down. Is there a fairy tale finish to a first day

back in for the Brentford fans? Very deep, prop Schmitz got there.

Setting up Smith but not this time. -- Proschwitz. He did well to keep

that one alive. What an introduction for Tommy Smith.

Games can change so fast, you were close to 2-0 down.

We should have been, in all fairness. Tommy is a quality act. He

showed his experience and got the goal. I am delighted for him and for

the team. It wasn't our best performance but we will learn.

Did you think it might have been all three points.

We still needed to play for the one point, they had fresh legs. We

missed 2-0 in an open goal. That is football, if you do not take the

moment. Three open chances away from home, you need to put the ball in

the net. I am happy with the way my team looked solid at the back. We

created chances. It opened up at the end, plenty of

encouraging signs. Who would have been happier? I think Brentford,

having come from behind. Charlton missed a succession of chances.

Bob Peeters alluded to that, a solid start which could have been

spectacular. Charlton had some really good

chances, that was Tucudean. His first touch was right in front, his

second was more less in front of him, he should be rolling back to

the side of the keeper. But straight at Button. An opportunity for the

substitute who came on, it should have been in the back of the net.

Unfortunately lifted it to high onto the crossbar. That would have made

it 2-0. And given Brentford a lift. When they did get back into the

game, they did go for it. Though these were neat and tidy in

possession. They didn't have too many clear-cut opportunities. In the

end, experience told. Yes, they ran the game for the first

20 minutes. It highlights the importance of taking your chances.

Quality, Tommy Smith. Technical ability. What Brentford will learn

at this level is their enthusiasm was great, attitude spot on, that

extra bit of quality from Smith was crucial. As the season progresses,

they will need experience. Charlton has a lot of experience in

the side. They are no pushovers. Ben Haim and he is a good defender.

A solid back five there. Now, to an interesting summer,

to say the least, at Leeds United. Where, despite initially failing the

Football League's fit and proper persons test, owner Massimo Cellino

not only successfully appealed the ruling, he then raised more eyebrows

in the close season, by appointing a head coach who was previously

in charge of Conference Premier Well, in the build-up to

the club's opening game at Millwall, what better way to help

Dave Hockaday acclimatise in his new Football's odd couple, a flamboyant

Italian with Iraq sheet of criminal convictions who in 22 years in

Calgary changed his manager 26 times. And a teetotal manager who

has never managed in the Football League.

Tell me the story, how did you get the gig?

I got a phone call from an Italian man, he said he had been asked to

find a coach and would I be interested? We talked football for

five hours. During the conversation, he said, I want you to be my head

coach. What are you thinking? Do you know the full ramifications of

appointing Mr nobody? You go quick, quick, then slower,

and lower. Did you tackle him on his track

record of managerial recruitment and changing? Does it concern you what

he has done in the past? That is history. I have been given an

incredible opportunity, I will give it my best shot.

All the transfer acquisitions, are they coming from his direction?

We are throwing all the names in together. We do her work on the

players. He has said no to my suggestions, and vice versa. People

are trying to make a big thing of this. There is no knocking of horns,

we are singing from the same sheet. I am in charge of the team. I pick

the team, run the game on a Saturday, done.

Hand on heart, did you know much about the new gaffer? I spoke to my

mate at Leyton Orient and he knows him, he said he is a really good

coach. It gave me a positive feeling. You have to give everybody

a chance. He has had a good effect on the boys. What has gone on over

the last decade, eighth permanent manager, it is astonishing.

You cannot change history, you can learn from it. People have been in

before and it hasn't worked. My job is to make all of these players help

themselves and become better players, that is my job. We are a

team and we need to get better in every department. We will work as

hard as possible to achieve that. They were chasing the game after

only eight minutes, Beevers got the opener.

The big chance came and went in minutes into the second, this fumble

fell nicely for Nicky Ajose. But Noel Hunt was denied his first ever

League goal. Millwall resumed their dominance, Martyn Woolford had a

strong case for a penalty after tangling with Murphy. But the

referee Oliver Langford said no. The lines were awarded a spot kick.

After this challenge from Lewis Cook.

Williams scored from the spot. Unbeaten now in their last nine

games. Our motto is stronger together and

hopefully we can prove to be that. It is a great start.

They dealt with the moments better. We had to learn from that and pick

ourselves up and crack on for the next game.

Millwall have had a good pre-season. And a comfortable win at home.

Leeds, what do you make of what has gone on over the summer in terms of

Massimo Cellino, the president decision to appoint David Hockaday?

Dave got a phone call out of the blue, a five hour chat from the

Channon, that is great. Good luck today. You grab it with both hands.

-- the chairman. I have never heard anything like it in my life before.

A situation where you see Dave on the training ground, head coach on

his own. If things go well he should get the credit, but if not, he will

get all the flak. It is almost unfair he has been put in this

situation. He is in the firing line. It was the

manner of defeat against Millwall. He didn't need that. If someone

offers you the job, you grab it. I am sure he will do the best he can.

What he did not need today was the level of performance which puts

unnecessary pressure on the next game. That is Accrington Stanley. It

is interesting he said they sit down and decide on players. The chairman

has said no to him and he said no to the chairman. But four Italians have

been signed. He should be put in charge to pick his players and so he

can live and die by his own decision. Do you expect the

relationship to last the season? I think he will do the best he can.

If the club have any problems they will come from above.

Right, time to round up the rest of the Championship action

from the first day starting at the Amex, where former Liverpool captain

Sammy Hyppia was taking charge at Brighton for the first time.

The visitors were Sheffield Wednesday.

Sami Hyypia was up against Sheffield Wednesday again in his opening

English managerial assignment. Kazenga LuaLua try

English managerial assignment. course for this match. It was an

early start for Kieran Westwood on his Wednesday debut. Former Fulham

keeper David Stockdale made his first appearance for Brighton. He

came off second best when Giles Coke let fly. The problems increased the

Brighton after the break when cross found Hutchinson. The referee went

straight for the red card. With the loss of their most influential

midfielder, and the signing of St Johnstone striker Stevie May was

revealed during the game as the Yorkshire club continue to

strengthen. Westwood foiled Chris Grady to keep the point secure. The

red car did not make it any easier. When you get a red card when you are

trailing 1-0, it is not an easy task. The challenge for the players

was to get off to a good start. In the end, at 1-0 up, I thought we

controlled the game. It is fair to say neither of these clubs kick off

the new campaign of the most in the preseason thoughts of those

discussing who might be part of the race for the Premier League. The

opening day is time be optimistic. There was no lack of buoyancy

amongst those gathered in the West Yorkshire sunshine. But for

Huddersfield fans that feeling lasted for precisely 25 seconds

before Marc Pugh gave Bournemouth a grip on the game that they never

lost. Selling louis Grabban to Norwich looked to have hampered the

prospects for the Cherries, but some of the cash was spent on Callum

Wilson from Coventry, and that already looks like good business.

Huddersfield had to score the next goal to make it up contest and

Oliver Norwood almost raised their spirits, but it was game over

straight after half-time, as Yann Kermogant picked up the pieces after

Alex Smithies could not hold onto that header. Huddersfield then

simply disintegrated. A disgrace was how manager Mark Robins described

their performance. Some up by the second for Wilson. It could have

been even worse. Joel Lynch short-changed Alex Smithies who then

tumbled Wilson, for a penalty. The goalkeeper then denied him a debut

hat-trick. But it was of no concern to Bournemouth and no consolation to

Huddersfield. We restricted them to have chances from distance. We were

professional in our approach and saw the game out that the end. We did

not form to any sort of level. It was not good enough. After a strong

finish to the end of last season there was plenty of optimism at the

Riverside this time round. Daniel Ayala met a corner from Grant

Leadbeater. And it was a lead they did not look like pulling clinching.

That was one Spaniard on the scoresheet, soon to be followed by

another, Kite, as he likes to be known, and announced his arrival in

the second half, after some poor defending. He tucked away a debut

goal. At just short of ?3 million, it could prove to be money well

spent. And following a free kick straight from the training ground,

he should have doubled his tally. This was one of several smart stops

from Darren Randolph that kept the score down. There were no effort on

the Middlesbrough goal. In possession of the football, we were

extremely negative. The statistics tell you that story. It was perfect,

because the team was perfect since the first whistle and we have two go

again, but we are a very good team to play the way that we are. At an

arduous week at the City Ground ended happily with Stuart Pearce

celebrating an opening day win. The new boss had been needled by the

sale of Karl Darlow, but the bill has been sugared by the arrival of

?7 million worth of striking talent, with Michail Antonio making his

debut, opening the scoring 24 minutes in. Alongside Antonio was

the new record signing, Britt Assombalonga. ?5.5 million secured

him from Peterborough. On the evidence of this showing" like money

well spent. It might be a free transfer that is the best bit of

business for Forest this summer. Chris Burke was out of contract when

he left roaming and was quickly snapped up by Stuart Pearce. His

fabulous goal made it a winning return to the Forest hot seat for

Stuart Pearce after a seven-year absence. Blackpool could only name

four substitutes for this game, and only one with outfield experience.

Andrea Orlandi had a good chance, but the lack of bodies told, and

Forest won the game comfortably. I am proud of my players for different

reasons. In the short term, we had to prepare for this game and to get

enough players. Just enough players to play this game. Their behaviour

was good. They trying to do their best all during the game. We hope

that as a group, of staff and players, we can galvanise

performances like that and make the owner proud of what we are trying to

achieve at the club. On his first full season, Beppe Sannino now has

his own team in place. Keeping Troy Deeney is probably the best bit of

business. 17 minutes of the new campaign was all it took for him to

eat the Bolton defence and no doubt spark more interest from clubs at

higher levels. Two seasons ago, 39 goals from him and Matej Vydra took

Watford close to pollution. There was no let up in the second half as

Paredes showed that he has a shot to be feared. Ten minutes from the end,

the Bolton back line was opened up with ease that manager Dougie

Freedman found alarming. Fernando Forestieri capitalised. Chung Yong

Lee went close to do consolation goal for Bolton, but there was

nothing to take the edge off the excitement for the home side. We

have got two striker scoring, winning 3-0 at home, it is a pretty

good start. We need to make sure that it does not happen again. It is

uncharacteristic for us to make these mistakes. We will just move on

very quickly. The Reading manager and Wigan owner started the season

with a selfie and then focused on getting their clubs back into the

Premier League. Wiggin took the lead against the run of play. Martyn

Waghorn put the ball into the path of Callum McManaman to put the

Latics ahead. Reading were the better side before they equalised.

To say that that game, unlikely source was the understatement of the

opening weekend. Sean Cummings with his first league goal. Wigan were

rattled by more directly from the Royals. It was not long before

another member of the Reading back for got onto the scoresheet. The

free kick routine was rounded off by Sean Morrison. And nobody picked up

James McArthur, who ensured that both these potential contenders both

took a point. The first half, a typical Championship opener. Long

balls, from Reading. I thought that we competed well. We got the ball

down in the first half. The difference between the teams was

Callum McManaman. He looked good in the first half. The second half

performance was not just about spirit, we dominated the game for

long spells. We put ourselves in a good position away from home. And we

came away with something that is important. Wiggin was one of my tips

to do well this season. And you like the way that the Royals came out

with a point. I did not know what to expect today, but they acquitted

themselves very well. They have lost some players. It looks like they

will bring some in. And with the nucleus of the squad that they have

it could be good times coming back to Reading. Bournemouth, biggest

winners of the day, 4-0 at Huddersfield. Everything that's

deemed to be able to go their way, went their way. And the great away

win on the first day of the season. It was a nice start for Eddie Howe.

Not so good for Huddersfield. They have picked up where they left off

with some poor home form. Matty fright and Assombolonga in the

middle. Against a Blackpool team, similar to Leeds, whose chaotic

summer was reflected by their performance. A lot of people thought

that Blackpool would get hit for five goals today, and the fact that

they didn't is good for morale. I think we will see a lot of goals

from Forest this year. Watford have got some good strikers, some new

faces and some old, new faces. Troy Deeney is coveted by some Premier

League clubs. And now Matej Vydra is back after that loan spell at West

Bromwich Albion. That pace gives a manager options at Watford. I think

they could get back on track. It was an impressive performance from them

today. Really looking forward to the rest of the season for them.

To League One now, which proved to be the division

for goals last season, boasting not just 39 more than

the Championship, but a whopping 182 more goals than in League Two.

So, could it pick up where it left off?

Our first round up starts with two teams relegated

after just one season in the Championship, Yeovil and Doncaster.

It was Rovers who found their feet fastest, Curtis Main went clear, his

finish was perfection. A tough summer for the fans. Harry Forrester

put Doncaster two clear. The Yeovil response was this James Hayter

effort against the crossbar. Paul Dickov decades -- dedicated this to

his fans. A good day's work for Doncaster.

Between them, these two fielded 15 new players but it was a stalwart

which gave a scare, Josh Simpson beat Adam Davies but not the post.

Then, the Turning Point, Jennings seeing red on the opening day after

reacting to a challenge. Crawley have never lost their opening match

in three seasons. MacLeod opened his account to maintain that record.

The red card was pivotal in the result. When you are down to ten men

it makes it more difficult. Crewe Alexandra saw an opening

defeat against Fleetwood. The second half was moments old.

Fleetwood took the lead barely a minute later, new man Jamie Proctor

teaming up for the opener. A half-time substitute, Proctor made

all the difference, sealing the points with a debut goal of the

highest calibre. Just after the hour, Inman was brought down in the

box by Hogan. Matt Tottle made life easy for the goalkeeper Maxwell.

Saunders was brought down in injury time. Fleetwood had done more than

enough for their first ever win. The Chesterfield boss described this

as the sternest test they could have had. It took Boco only seven minutes

to put them in front. Striker Owen Doyle hit the post just before the

break. Before opening up a two goal lead 11 minutes from time.

A crucial goal as well, Darius Henderson scrambled a late one on

his debut and you sense the east Londoners will get over this set

back pretty quickly. Not a lot in the game. I thought we

had three great chances in the first half but we didn't get that. Fair

play to Chesterfield, they hung on and got the result.

Replacing their missing striker wouldn't be hard, and the winning

goal came from Carl Vassell. It dampened home spirits.

I thought we played really well against good opposition. Previously

in League One they had been promoted. We stood up to that

challenge. But as I said to the players, good sides lose football

matches. Scunthorpe were hoping to build on

momentum from the promotion drive but Swindon put paid to that. After

three minutes, this goal turned in from Byrne. Michael Smith increased

the lead after 12 minutes. Paddy Madden has a history of scoring

goals at this level and he kept his cool. As half-time approached, the

home team gave themselves breathing space, this drive seemed destined

for the corner but Smith got a lucky break and bagged his second. Neither

side managed to add in the second half. Marcus Williams lashed out at

Nathan Thompson and was given a red card. A good start to Swindon who

should be in contention again this term.

Swindon have started as they meant to go on and on Saturday. A couple

of standout performances. Doncaster, 3-0 winners at Yeovil. Considering

the way they went down on the final day of the season, a terrific way to

put that to the back of your mind. The second of three goals. It was

devastating the way they went down. If you are going to have someone in

charge who can deal with that, Paul Dickov, believe me, he has

galvanised that side. I'm sure the goalkeeper would make

the same poor decision again. He has made a Rudd for his back,

Gary Johnson. He will be disappointed they got relegated from

the Championship last season. He will try to get some energy back

into the club. It may take some time but he has the right man. I like the

way Leyton Orient have gone about in the transfer market. Orient did well

last season. What a win this is for the men.

Chesterfield are a good team. They are a fantastic team, they play

football in the right way. A good result. Are you surprised

they kept hold of Gary Roberts? He was Player Of The Year last season.

I am more surprised someone hasn't snapped him up.

More from League One now, starting with Saturday's early kickoff

at Brammall Lane, where promotion favourites Sheffield United were

hoping to continue the momentum they showed at the end of last season

The Blades were at home to Bristol City, another side tipped to

A good run from Mark Little, a decent cross, Wilbraham scores! A

long wait, Aaron Wilbraham on his competitive debut, he opens the

scoring for Bristol City. Despite the best efforts that Howard made in

the goal. A free kick for the home side. A

line of seven purple shirts looking to deny it. Slipped in by Higdon.

Just like Wilbraham, she scores on his debut. Then Davies with the free

kick, guided in by Higdon. Wilbraham neatly on, and a goal for

Bristol City! The flick on, Wade Elliott with Aaron and airing

volley. Campbell-Ryce. Falling here, oh! It stayed out. It was

Flynn who got it clear. I thought we got control of the game

in the second half. Something we are proud of coming to a really good

club like Sheffield United. There will be up there at the end of the

season. They have a really good squad, good manager.

We had a good spell, after they took the lead, controlled the rest of the

first half. Second half, we went a bit flat but the game did in

general. They got the goal out of nothing and we did our best for the

equaliser but did not manage it. Having acclimatised to life back in

League One, Bradford are looking to push on this season, with plenty of

positive signs. Billy Clarke gave Hansen the opportunity. Coventry

were back on terms before the interval. Reader Johnson nodded the

Sky Blues level. These summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday,

Johnson has been handed the armband at Coventry, a key figure in this

one. Five minutes into the second half, he was spotted marking Hansen

rather tightly and referee Mike Dean awarded Bradford the penalty. Alan

Sheehan was successful from the spot. Before the match, Phil

Parkinson had impressed. But, late on, it looked like the Bantams would

have to settle for a draw. 89 minutes on the clock, Johnson made

amends for his earlier mistake, firing a second goal. There was

still time for Bradford to snatch all three points, another inviting

cross from Jason Kennedy brought about the requisite bullet header

from Hanson. One of the games of the day in League One.

Colchester began last season with an excellent victory at Gillingham.

After Okuonghae gave them the perfect platform, they looked

capable of a winning start. Celebrations under way after seven

minutes. But the latter it were a much improved side after the

appointment of Johnson as manager in March. Jonathan Forte struck the

equaliser. He arrived again five minutes before the interval. Brian

Wilson with the cutback. This summer recruit from Southampton was

enjoying a brilliant debut. It was another new signing who grabbed a

point for Colchester. West Ham youngster George Moncur, on as a

substitute, lurking in the corner of the box, after this shot came back

from the woodwork. Excellent entertainment. League One

teams should have known by now not to give McDonald sight of goal. The

opener here on seven minutes as he and his team made a terrific

stance. MK Dons found him too hot to handle,

goalkeeper David Martin was clumsy when faced with McDonald, the

outcome, a penalty. Put away by the composed head while.

And opening-day shock was looming. How often does a goal before the

break change a game? This one, an own goal from Hause. The goalkeeper

suffered a suspected broken down. A debut goal for Grigg tied the game

at 2-2. Two minutes later, the home side led this -- the first time.

Comeback complete for Kyle McFadzean. The day which began so

well ended with a second own goal by Gillian.

-- Gillingham. We dominated large parts of the game. Gillian tried to

frustrate us but we played with patience and built up the play.

The biggest blow for Walsall and in some was the departure of Andy

Butler. The new look back line didn't make a great start,

presenting Pope with the chance he could have finished with his eyes

closed. The Saddlers were worth a point and their sum of recruits

combined, Ashley Grimes picking out Bradshaw. This one finished all

square. -- summer. Since avoiding relegation on the

final day, Notts County have brought in 14 players and let 17 go. Their

squad faced a difficult task at Preston. Jake Cassidy fired the

Magpies ahead. Up till then, Preston had been frustrated by Roy Carroll.

He was eventually beaten by Joe Garner. 19 goals last season. His

first visit campaign was typically well taken.

Notts County, seconds away from recording a huge victory. Steve,

call it the perfect start, but that was a huge one.

The bookies favourites, you can see why both these sides are there.

Sheffield United played well in the first half. This is the goal from

Wade Elliott. He will be really influential. More of a playmaker. He

was a winner at Bournemouth. The way City play with him being one of

three midfield players, that suits him perfectly. He has plenty in the

tank. And a nice flick from Aaron

Wilbraham. A chance meeting with Steve Cottrell in Dubai led to his

signing. It does happen. It worked out very

well for him. A tremendous result. And MK Dons, four goals, turned

around in a matter of minutes. I think it was five minutes, four

goals. On the opening day, to come back from two goals down.

A fantastic turnaround. His fifth season in charge, Karl Robinson. Is

it true he is under pressure. With our reputation? Still an upcoming

young manager. People get impatient. He went in at a difficult time. Paul

Ince had left, not many wanted to take the job. He settled the club

down. He has done really well. And again this season.

League Two now, and a momentous day for Cambridge. They opened their

account at home to Plymouth. United to restore their football

league status and it was only ten minutes before the first law of

approval echoed round the stadium. Plymouth keeper Luke McCormick at

Cambridge waiting for the first football league goal since April

2005, and that became a recurring theme, with quasi-Appia denied in

the second half. They seem to have taken the step up in their stride.

The milestone goal arrived eventually from a man who is

Cambridge through and through. Josh Coulston, their longest serving

player, with over 200 games for the club under his belt, scored. One

loose pass almost took the shine off the afternoon, but Reuben Reid could

not beat Chris Dunn. Cambridge could reflect on a perfect start. On the

evidence of the first day, it was good. Secondly, we want to keep

improving, and I think we can. Luton Town's five-year foot fall league

exile is over and the first day back was a picture, with Mark Colin

having a simple finish. Luiten scored over 100 goals last season.

They had the joint best defence in the Conference. Goalkeeper Mark

Tyler runs a tight ship. Paul Connolly was given the slip. The

cross found Billy Paynter. Only he will know how he hit the post and

not the back of the net. It was the first game back for Carlisle after

relegation. They will feel hard on by, not to have taken anything.

Luiten are back with a bang. -- Luton Town. There is an old saying

in football, never go back to the previous club. Try telling that to

James Collins. A prolific scorer in his first spell at Shrewsbury. It

only took him nine minutes to find the net. Matt Tubbs is part of a new

strike partnership at Wimbledon and levelled the game midway through the

first half. The Dons finished just three points clear of relegation

last season and Sean Rigg, recruited on a free transfer from Oxford, put

them in a winning position 16 minutes from time. It was Collins

who had the final word. Arriving late to grab a point. Reminding the

Shrewsbury fans that he still knows where the back of the net is.

Accrington manager James Beattie spent the preseason batting away

predictions that his team or struggle. James Gray almost gave

them early reasons to be optimistic. Shaquile Coulthirst tempted Adam

Buxton into the sort of challenge that the referee was only going to

look at one way. Look Simpson quickly became a local hero by

denying Barry court. The striker was then replaced by Lee Barnard who

marked his 100th appearance for Southend by getting on the wrong

side of Dean Winnard, and Phil Brown's men got another opportunity

from 12 yards. This time, Simpson could not rescue Accrington and

Southend were sent back to Essex with a winning start. Bury one of

the hottest tips for in the division, but reputations are not

often respected in the Premier League, and a sharp stop from Taylor

was required. It was not long before he was picking the ball out of the

net. The referee came to the rescue. A foul sported in the build-up to

Matt Taylor's header. If David Flitcroft's member riding their

luck, it was about to run out. Joe Hanks put himself in the headlines

with a fantastic finish. A first senior goal, to savour. After that,

according to Flitcroft, the bus. The Derry manager expects lots of others

to do the same this season. Matt Richards combined with the keeper to

prevent Pablo Mills from bagging the equaliser. Charlton clawed away an

effort beat into stoppage time. -- deep into. Morecambe are the bookies

tip for relegation from League 2. But some of those predictions could

look foolish come may with goals like this. The referee saw a foul on

Jake Sampson. That gave Patrick Ament the chance to put Morecambe

two clear. It was a chance that he took, emphatically. -- Padraig

Amond. A third goal finished off Dagenham in added time. Redshaw

grabbed the goal. It was a performance that impressed. Before

kick-off, there title odds were 100 to one. The bookies are never wrong,

are they? ! A sickness bug swept through the club this week forcing

the manager to register himself as a player. Tom Nichols nipped in for

the Exeter opener. They were the much better side in the second half.

Andy Barkin storming away, to be denied by Christy Pyn in goal for

the Grecians. Matt Oakley eventually clearing the danger. Portsmouth were

to get the equaliser that they deserve. Jed Wallace on the right,

and the highly regarded youngster, the top scorer last season, finished

brilliantly across the goalkeeper. It was a hard earned point against a

very strong team. We had been looking vulnerable this week. We had

some illness and what have you. Whickham survived by the slimmest

margin on the final day of last season and they were quickly on the

back foot. The match was effectively decided just before half-time. One

of Whickham's nine new signings, Peter Murphy, made the most of set

piece work on the training ground. And the new season optimism was

doused four minutes later, when Sam Wood scurried past some nonexistent

challenges to leave Paris Cowan-Hall with a formality of a penny. -- of a

finish. Northampton finished too close to the relegation zone for

comfort last them, say they will hope that Kaid Mohamed's debut goal

will set a different tone for this season. Mansfield almost responded

in kind. Matt Duke at his most agile to keep out Ryan Tafazolli. The home

side, unable to clear their lines, and they held their breath when Rob

Taylor took aim. Ultimately Mansfield could have no complaints

about their defeat. Northampton should have finished off the match

before the finish. Mark Richard squandered an excellent chance. He

will feel better than Ivan Toney who looked like a certainty to add that

elusive second. Never mind, Northampton are off the mark.

Michael Appleton's first game as Oxford boss was against Burton. Josh

Ruffels kept out by John McLaughlin. George Long was sharp on his debut

and goals. Razor-sharp reflexes with Stuart Bevan on the receiving end.

The decisive moment was a run from the on loan Preston man. And a

strong start for the Brewers. It took us a little while to get to

grips with their shape. We got to grips with that and then we coped

well after that. What's disappointing from my point of view

is that I would like them to be a little bit braver in the final third

and take a few extra risks. Hartlepool failed to score in the

first five league games last season. Jack Compton was millimetres away at

Stevenage early on. The home side went close, either side of the

break. There was. Save out of Hartlepool keeper Scott Flinders.

Then Chris Whelpdale fired one in from just outside the box. This

time, Scotland has had no answer. Tranmere have returned to the fourth

tier for the first time in 25 years. Defending set pieces was a weakness

in their relegation season. And Keith Lowe showed that it is still

an area for manager Rob Edwards to work on. The central defender almost

sealed three points in similar fashion as they look to respond to

failure play-offs last season. Tranmere scrambled a point in the

fourth minute of added time. Finesse is not a word that springs to mind

when describing the build-up, but the finish was well received on the

Wirral. What are they for the new boys,

Cambridge and Luton Town. Sensational opening-day wins. You

are formerly a Cambridge United player, David. For Josh Coulson, it

is the stuff of dreams, scoring on their return to the foot or league.

It is fantastic. To see them back in the Premier League. After nine

years. They have been through the mill on and off the pitch in that

time. Hopefully they can kick on. They have signed Reuben Reid which I

thought was a good signing. I think that they can push on from there.

Disappointing to have drawn today but they will get better. 550 mile

round trip for Luton Town going up Carlisle. They have come away with a

terrific win. It was a backs to the wall effort in the second half. This

was a well made goal. They have lost their top scorer to Brentford. There

were some concerns about whether they could keep that momentum going.

And they have just carried on where they left off. John Still has

massive experience of this division with Dagenham and with other teams.

He's the perfect man to push them on. John Still has said that Ricky

Miller reminds him of a young Kevin Phillips. Do you expect Luton Town

to go up as runners-up as the bookies expect them to? Coming up

from the Conference, they have got momentum. The quality and the

Conference is not much different from League 2, so I do not see why

not. That is your lot from us. We are back on Wednesday at five past

11 was the best of the action from the Capital One cup. Join us for

that. That is it. The new season is up and running. For most teams, it

is a case of one down, just 45 to go. Goodbye for now.

ECHOING HEARTBEATS LOW, THROBBING BUZZ

I don't think I know who the Doctor is any more.