28/09/2014 The Football League Show

Well, in almost the blink of an eye, the Skybet Football League played

out the final full round of games for September,

as the three divisions slowly begin to take shape.

On the management front, this week saw Darko Milanic installed as the

new Leeds United boss, while Russell Slade finds himself in a curious

state of limbo, somewhere between East London and South Wales.

Talking of which, Steve's with me to see who managed to raise

Having drawn two of their last three games,

are there signs that Blackpool may finally be turning a corner?

Our featured match today sees the Tangerines welcome promotion

contenders Norwich to Bloomfield Road.

Unbeaten in the League and leading the title race, Nottingham Forest

We've extended highlights from the City Ground as Stuart

It's first against second in League One, as leaders Bristol City

look to build on a flying start against highly fancied MK Dons.

We've another 82 goals for you to enjoy,

including five at the Matchroom as Orient began life after Slade.

So seemingly, against all the odds, Jose Riga continues to manage

Blackpool more than two weeks after Chairman Karl Oyston held

But having secured a well deserved point at Brighton

last week, how would they fair against Norwich City, one

At Bloomfield Road for us was Steve Wyeth.

How quickly fortunes can change 12 months ago, Blackpool had started

with 17-points from their first eight games. Now they Langish

without a win. Instead its visitors Norwich who matched that impressive

Blackpool points tally of a year ago. A World Cup representative in

Blackpool's mist, a debut for Cubero. There is no shortage of

attacking options. Daniel is the only recognised centre-back.

Jerome's six goals so far is double Blackpool's collective tally. He

spearheads a Norwich Ied side which started their league outing after 11

changes in the Cup midweek. Hooiveld joined Blackpool six years ago.

Opportunity for Delfouneso. He got his head up, Nathan Delfouneso.

Bradley Johnson had little choice, but to bring him to the ground.

Blackpool now have a free-kick. This is definitely in a shooting

position. McMahon sets his sites. Not a bad one. Ruddy is forced into

the game's first save. It was a far from straight-forward one, the

Blackpool captain testing him. He will take the resulting corner

kick. Ah - brilliant header goalwards from Zoko. Vicious

delivery from McHaon. Zoko made the dart. Ruddy, he made that look easy.

-- McMahon. Grabban, he will think about doing something special. The

deflection takes it just wide. Lewis was wrong-footed. Daniel, got enough

on it to turn it wide of the post. That will be a pass back, surely?

No. Ruddy allowed to continue. Many of the Blackpool fans thought there

was enough intent on the ball back to the goalkeeper that that should

have been an indirect free-kick. Tettey turns towards the Blackpool

goal. Sight of goal for Grabban. He is well, well off target. He's

waited 43 minutes, Lewis Grabban for his first sight of the Blackpool net

it. Was a swift counter-attack that presented him with a chance. He had

plenty to aim at. Couldn't add to his five goals so far this season.

It's Blackpool with the early opportunity. A wonderful save from

Ruddy. On the rend bound, it's in. It's Nathan Delfouneso with a goal

to give everybody at Bloomfield Road a lift. Once again, they caught

Norwich napping in midfield. Perkins leading the charge. Whilst Miller

couldn't take his chance, boy did Delfouneso take his. Blackpool 1,

Norwich 0. Hoolahan and Redmond standing over

the free-kick. Hoolahan. Well-worked, Grabban. He was hoping

to pick out a team-mate. Instead he found Lundstram, to turn it behind.

Redmond in once more. It's off Daniel this time and in. An

equaliser for Norwich. I'm not sure how much they knew about it,

Norwich. They've got themselves back into it. Redmond's delivery was a

good one. Donovan Daniel could do nothing more than to help it on into

the back of the net. -- Donovan Daniels. Redmond. Another

good delivery from him. Lewis is forced into a save. Very nearly

Norwich turned 1-0 down into 2-1 up. She will be hoping, once again, the

club that she oversees can turn around a game that they were losing

around turn it into three-points. Brilliantly won for Ranger. Ranger

is there again. Miller was denied at the last. Just as he looks to get

his first Blackpool goal. He shrugged off Turner. Hooiveld was

there is to help out his defensive partner. Perkins against Johnson in

the midfield. Hoolahan found that pocket of space once more. Forced

Grabban a little while. Support is arriving, in the shape of Redmond,

who is urged to shoot. Jerome, you would have absolutely quaranteed he

would have turned it in. Somehow it has gone over and behind. What an

opportunity for Cameron Jerome. Grabban. Looking for a shooting

opportunity. Grabban gets one. A deflection has taken it past Lewis.

Once again, Norwich City have come behind to lead in the Championship.

Will that be enough for them to claim a sixth win of the season?

It's another goal, which came with a helping hand. Lewis Grabban created

the opportunity for himself. But, once again, it was Donovan Daniels,

the unfortunate player, to get the final touch. Blackpool are 2-1

behind to Norwich. Here come Norwich again. Murphy. Oh,

that's brilliant. An outstanding goal from the substitute, Josh

Murphy. His first Norwich goal, it should wrap up the victory. Norwich

City lead at Blackpool, 3-1. Cameron Jerome winning it back. After that,

it was all Murphy's own work. Waited for the gap. And waited for the

opportunity. The 19-year-old was able to finish beautifully. He is

off the mark in Norwich colours. They've seen enough disenchanted

now. They are heading for home. We are always very close, but, at the

end, the result is not always, but often the same. So it's... Yeah,

it's a big frustration for me, for the staff and for the players. I

think during one hour we were good. We were looking for good

organisation and for good result. We were really in the game. If you want

to win the league, you want to get promotion, there are times when it

will be all guns blazing, attractive attacking. Crowd on the edge of

their seats. Other times it will have to be, we need to get the job

done. That is probably what happened today. Another comeback win for

Norwich this season. Not their free-flowing best, as Neil

mentioned. Solid enough from them? Yeah. I mean they will take the

points, obviously. You are almost frightened to score first against

them, aren't you? That is when they seem to be at their best, when

coming from behind. In the end, they had to work quite hard for that one.

They got there. Blackpool certainly had the better chances in the first

hour? For an hour they made life difficult for the league leaders.

Lack of goals. First goal they have scored in nearly a month. To get out

of the situation they are in, you need to win games. Clearly, they are

going to need to score more goals. Riga said when you are at the bottom

your luck is out. That showed with the two deflected goals. Absolutely.

Any arguments about that third goal as far as the Canaries are

concerned? Lundstram should have put the ball forward, he doesn't. Murray

got one. There is obviously another Blackpool player inside. They would

have been happy to show him down-the-line. He opens his body up

here, Josh Murphy, sees the gap. A wonderful finish. 20 points from the

nirs nine games of the season for Neil Adams at Norwich. The only

relegated side to have kept hold of the original manager. Are you

surprised how he has done? Four games towards the end of the season,

three were difficult. . Difficult to make a judgment call on that. He had

to decide who goes and who stays and bring players in to add to those who

remain. He has done that well. Blackpool have a Chairman who

doesn't believe in paying agents their fees. Doesn't involve them. Is

he limiting the club's options unnecessarily? This is a contentious

issue throughout the football, not just on this, but other issues, in

this particular instance he is sticking to his principles. I

understand what he is saying. It limits what is available. .

Although Oscar Garcia returned to take training at Watford on Friday,

he opted to sit in the director's box as the Hornets

Blackpool had most of the possession. Watford were more

dangerous. The keeper's home debut proved testing. Vydra made things

hard for himself, but he redeemed the situation. Blackpool's afternoon

got worse. They scored this fabulous kick. Gestede's header sparked an

onslaught that Watford found impossible to resist. This cross set

up Tunnicliffe's first senior goal. Cairney was involved in the

build-up. He was inches from adding a third. Despite that fruitful first

half, Watford were fortunate to escape with a draw.

players was first class. The goal after half-time caused is the real

problem. Middlesbrough arrived showing no ill

effects from their heroics midweek, and they started like a team who had

done the double over Charlton last is on. George Friend was just off

target with their first chance. Next up was Chelsea loan striker Patrick

Bamford in search of his third goal in three games. Then Spanish striker

kite Kek the goalkeeper on his toes. Then Adomah's week got worse, and

missed penalty on Wednesday and a red card on Saturday. That was the

cue for Charlton to step up, and they were almost rewarded in

stoppage time. Substitute Laurie Wilson had his moment of Corrie

dashed by the keeper's legs. Then from the corner, the ball found its

way to Wiggins, but still Charlton couldn't force a winner. We push

them in the second half and tried to score the goal. That is what we

would like to do at the last three games against Watford, Wolves and

Rotherham, we get three points and are still unbeaten. But today it was

the other way around. We were the best team and we created enough

chances to win. With prospective new boss Russell

Slade watching from the stands, Scott Young and Danny Gabbidon took

charge of Cardiff for the third time hoping for a first win. They made

nine changes from the cup defeat against Bournemouth, but Wednesday,

who shipped seven goals at Man City, almost got an early goal. Then Aron

Gunnarsson's header came on Jones's folly. Sean Morrison opened the

scoring with his first goal in a Cardiff shirt.

Morrison's second goal in a Cardiff shirt and third of the season was to

follow five minutes after the break. But this time, I'm afraid, wrong

end. One apiece, and Wednesday sensing they could win their third

league game in a row. May again came close. Anthony Pilkington forced

westward into a cracking reflex save, and just two minutes after

that, Cardiff were allowed to play some head tennis in the Wednesday

area. And Elkington does finally score his first for Cardiff for

their first win since August. Winning breeds confidence, so it is

important to put some wins together. I am sure the lads are

feeling good at present. We didn't defend our ox well enough. Credit to

Cardiff, but we have to do better in a good position.

In almost two years in charge at Monroe, Mick McCarthy had never seen

his players win four games in succession, but against Rotherham,

they seized the opportunity. Visiting goalkeeper Scott Loach

quickly called into action against the club he left in the summer,

denying Darren Murphy. But the number nine didn't have to wait much

longer. And the lead soon doubled. David McGoldrick showing wine Mick

McCarthy reckons he is one of the championship's top strikers. Jordan

Bowery's header showed that they had no plans for a meek surrender.

Gradually they took control, although Frazer Richardson's header

back almost finish them off. The rest of the match was far from

comfortable for Ipswich. Easy enough that time to deal with Paul Green's

header, but the deflected free kick posed a few more problems.

Richardson was unable to make the rebound count, and Ipswich were

victorious again. It was a perfect start. Heaven knows what happened

after that. You have to give Rotherham credit, they played well.

I thought we showed fantastic character not to give up after going

2-0 down in the first five or six minutes. Steve Evans feels his side

should lapse of got more out of that contest at Portman Road. Four wins

in a row for Mick McCarthy's team. Murphy, McGoldric, both of them on

the scoresheet. They could have a good partnership this season. They

could. They are both decent players. He is

still a threat up front and complain through the middle. We know that he

could have been the difference between Ipswich get in the play-offs

last year and not. When you consider they were talking about ?10 million,

that shows what sort of player they have got. Without him, I wouldn't

say they were much of a muchness, but they fall into a category of a

lot of other sides. With him, it just takes them out of that ranging

gives them a little extra. When you are in temporary charge, you have to

hit the ground running. It was a good result against a good Sheffield

Wednesday. It was. We know the result that Sheffield Wednesday had

in the week, but it had no bearing on this game. They are a tough side

to play against, they have had a good start, Sheffield Wednesday, and

this is an excellent result. Ultimately, that was a good finish.

Blackburn showed some real guts earlier. 2-0 down against Watford,

to draw 2-2. Look at this overlap. When you have

a player who is left footed on the right-hand side, there is place down

the line, and it was a wonderful ball in, as well. And a player with

a lot of confidence at the moment after a few goals. Having given

Spurs a fright in the Capital One Cup this week, it was back to

championship business for Nottingham Forest.

Stuart Pearce made 8 changes from that cup defeat with star

players Lansbury, Antonio and Assombalonga all returning.

Sami Hyypia made seven changes from their midweek cup win with

Stockdale, Dunk, LuaLua and Mackail-Smith the only survivors.

Paul Walker describes the action. Brighton without a win in their last

four league matches, Sami Hyypia hoping that that winning the cup

will spur them on. Here is LuaLua. That was dangerous. Good hands from

the goalkeeper. That was really whipped in with venom.

Assombalonga, Osbourne. Still with the German. He ghosted into a great

position there. And that deflects away, and

Stockdale had to be sharp. Great effort, and look at that for a

save. That was almost an own goal! That

was close. He has the woodwork to thank for sparing his blushes.

And look at and it over on the left. And Bennett has got round the back.

Mackail-Smith is waiting. Sami Hyypia had his head in his

hands. Look at that. Mikael Smith was begging for it. It is going to

need a bit of magic to separate these two. Ince with the clearance,

and they have conceded a free kick. Dunc just holding on to the back of

Assombalonga. Beyond Wilson and wide.

It was lifted in. Wilson couldn't make contact, and the referee is

playing advantage here. Trying to get Mackail-Smith in. A great

chance. The ball in to him was excellent. He takes it early,

unlucky. And space has opened up now. Lifted

in towards Paterson, Bruno couldn't get it. Assombalonga is waiting in

the middle. That was poor. That went off Bennett, I think, for

a corner. Are we in for some late drama, I wonder? Neither side

deserved to lose it from here. And that was over the bar. He looks to

the heavens just like his manager. He has a free header here, Dan into

the turf and up over the bar. Even the manager was heading one home. It

was a clear header which we probably should have buried, but you take 1-0

and move on. For us to stay in the top six, we will have to show a

level of consistency that probably we haven't showed today, I don't

think. Certainly defensively we are pretty resolute. That is pleasing.

In the second half, with better luck, we maybe could have got the

win, but we need to work on things that we understand the game better,

and will keep creating more and better chances to score. Despite no

goals, Forest continue their run in the league. Slight sound of

frustration from both managers there. How would you reflect on that

game? The build-up was better than the final, that is where both sides

lacked a bit of quality. They played decent football at times, but like

you say, that little bit of quality at the end for both sides was

lacking. This is the centre-half coming forward, and nobody, but

nobody, has got anywhere near him. As he drifted to the area, no one

has picked him up at all. That is your archetypal too much time. I

think it hits him almost in the face, and he goes down. As for

Brighton, they worryingly didn't create too many chances, but there

was one, Mackail-Smith. I don't know whether he will be disappointed not.

The keeper gets his angles right, so you get the feeling that even if he

had got that on target, it would have been saved. But it is good to

see him back with a bit of fitness. Nottingham Forest have lost that

fear is that we know they can deliver with their front man. But

for Brighton, that is five Lancs in eight or nine games, a worrying

stat. -- five blanks. And then you go, hold on, what do we do about

this? You will only go down the road for so long, and then you have got

to do something. The most worrying thing is is if they were missing

lots of chances, you would think, that will change, but they are not

creating them. As for the rest of the Championship,

with just one win in eight, Bolton were desperately after a result

at home to Derby who despite just one defeat so far were yet to reach

the standards they set last season. COMMENTATOR: Home advantage counted

for little as Derby threatened any feel good factor after barely eight

minutes. Brighton's charge into the area led to the referee awarding a

penalty. Lonergan was too good for Martin. Events proved that wasn't

the case all afternoon. Bolton drew heart from that let-off and Joe

Mason almost gave them the lead minutes later. Derby got into their

stride. Just before half-time, Richard Keogh sent Christie away.

Bolton were opened up. Martin was ready and waiting. This time,

Lonergan had no answer. 1-0 became 2-0 after the restart. Bryson won

the ball, Martin did the rest. You never know, they could get a goal.

The last time we had this at Blackburn a goal of weeks ago. It

was mayhem. We didn't want that situation today. We controlled the

game well and deserved the win. I picked a team today and tried it and

got it horribly wrong. I have to look at my performance and take the

responsibility from it. Saying that, we can't keep on committing football

suicide week in and week out, as I think we did today. A chance for

Silvestri to impress the new boss, a double save from Judge and Odubajo.

. Leeds were less impressive. Tarkowski has taken over penalties.

I wonder for how long. Have a look at some terrific passing from

Brentford. The ball finds its way to the Spanish summer signing. His

first goal straight out of the Barcelona manual. Brentford were

given the freedom of the United area. They were queueing up to make

it 2-0. McCormack with the shot over the bar. McCormack hadn't scored

from March. Leeds almost invited him to have another go. Backing off and

backing off. That sealed a much-needed victory for Brentford

after two defeats in a row. Good performance, great character from

the players. After a tough week away. We knew the threat they

imposed. New manager, I'm sure they were keen to impress. We were good

today in parts. I knew that home team is very good. They play

aggressive football. We have some troubles with aggressive football.

With the football they are playing. It had been a long time since

Huddersfield fans went home with a spring in their step. Wells found

the net with a flourish the roar was long and loud. The first goal they

had scored in three matches was cancelled out within four minutes.

Upson, on target for the first time for the Lions. The Londoners needed

that. Keen to make last week's goalless draw with Forest a turning

point as they sought a second win in seven. . Wells got the chance to

take the glory. Not just manager Powell's first victory. It would be

Huddersfield's first home success since the beginning of march.

Millwall left empty handed. The boys look flat. Can I explain it? Did

they mean it? Probably not. I thought it was a good display from

the players. Really well earnt. My first win as manager. My fourth

match. Yeah, good day all round for us. Winning away twice in the last

week had raised home expectations. Bournemouth didn't disappoint.

Wigan's defence only just cleared this cross. Kermorgant's follow up

needed Carson at his most alert. Surman started their key move,

Ritchie made the move. Kermorgant got his second goal of the season.

Bournemouth's second goal arrived in the second-half from an unlikely

force. Simon Francis started the build-up. Wilson provided the dummy.

No holding Francis. Only his third Bournemouth goal in three years. The

referee felt the full force of Wigan's frustration. Wilson's quick

thinking almost made it 3-0 from this corner. Carson with help from

Barnett saved the day. Wigan kept pressing. Boruc was equal to this

shot. . We scored a tremendous second goal and put the game to bed.

Disappointed and embarrassed. Words to my Chairman, words to my

supporters that we in the moment can't deliver better results. Partly

to blame for Fulham's dismal start to life in the Championship has been

giving the ball away cheaply. Cotterill almost made them pay early

on. Fulham played eight, lost seven, drawn one before this in the

Championship's bottom side almost went behind with a corner. Grounds

with a header just over. 37 minutes gone, Fulham often precious little

resistance, the optimistic few who travelled from the Thames must have

feared the worse when Cotterill gave Birmingham a deserved lead with a

belter. His first for the Blues having scored against them last

season. Shea came on for City at half-time and would have made an

impact but for Bettinelli. A shot makes it is way towards goal and

Hoogland scored his third of the season. Rodallega with plenty to do.

Fulham's second goal in eight minutes. Kit Symons, second win in

four days. The three games under my tenure they have done really, really

well. Albeit, we seem to be able to play in one half of a game. We seem

to play very, very well. If we can get it crack where we play well for

both halves, we will be doing OK. Conceded a goal 1-1. All right. Not

good, but not the end of the world. Still got to have a fight back in

us. We just seem to go and do our own thing after that and go away

from the gameplan and become very nervy. They had to do it the hard

way with that come back win at St Andrews. Well done to Fulham. Huge

relief I'm sure. It doesn't get much better for kit Symons winning two

out of three? Making the most of it and enjoying his time. He is the

only person who can smile and talk at the same time. Nice guy. Doesn't

hurt when the good guys win. We wish him well. What about Rodallega on

the scoresheet. They have had quality players but exiled at their

cost? What is the point in marginalising. If you want to get

rid of them, make that clear. If it doesn't happen you have to bring

them back into the fold. They are good players. Kit saying by doing

what he did he galvanised everybody. It brings everybody together and

pulling in the same direction. Birmingham with an unwanted

milestone? It took a while to work it out. One win in 23. 23 home

games. A full season, you have won one game. That isn't good enough. It

has to change change will find themselves in another dog fight like

they were last year. Huddersfield fans celebrating a long away win.

Wells getting two goals. Only a couple of days ago they got Holt on

board? They did. With Wells he is a player that hasn't played at this

level. Learning how to get used to this sort of level. I think he will

be, that is a good signing, particularly for someone like him.

James Vaughan has been out for a while. In and out of the side with

injuries and stuff like that. Likes to play with the big men, Wells did

it well at Bradford. It is better to come for the team and Wells as well.

Leeds came unstuck at Brentford. A great win for Brentford. 10-points

out of 12. Before they changed manager, they have lost momentum or

the danger is of that happening? It's either that or coincidence. You

do get the feeling - it's such a dramatic effect, Neil Redfern you

getting a feeling from the Leeds perspective, the answer is under

your nose they haven't overlooked it because you do think, maybe that was

an opportunity missed with Neil red fern. What did you make of the

Leeds' owner being amongst the away fans at Brentford? Each to their

own, isn't it? We have seen some Chairman and Presidents, shall we

say, do strange things. I wouldn't imagine he will do this every week.

I think... If you are a Chairman or, you should be sat really in the

place where everybody expects you to sit. As I said, he is trying to

connect with the fans, I would imagine.

No doubting the game of the day in League One.

Five points clear of second placed visitors MK Dons,

Bristol City have enjoyed a blistering start to the season

Clem takes up the story at a club that's undergoing a transformation

There may be a clearer view than normal of the tower block used as

Nelson Mandela's house in Only Fools And Horses, Bristol City's owner is

in a different league to Del Boy and Rodney. As Steve Cotterill chases

his own fourth promotion as 20 years as a manager, Steve Lansdown sits

1067th in the Forbes list of world billionaires. And, they are spending

?45 million of his fortune on creating a state-of-the-art, home of

the future for Bristol City. I can't get over the last time we were here,

10 or 11 months ago, the place was really on a down. What a

transformation? Away. Steve Cotterill coming in and doing what

he did. He kept us safe last year. Enthusiasm back into the place.

Discipline into the place. Brought everybody up with imhad. That has

been great. We got off to a fantastic start this season. You

were quite clear from the off what the objective is this season. Which

is to win this league? Yeah. For sure. No point hiding from it and

being scared of it. That is what we want to do. At this moment we are

doing OK. The season doesn't finish tonight. If it did, we would be

celebrating now, don't worry about it. When you have wealth like yours

do you have to manage the perception on how people interact with the

football club? The hardest word is no. You want to do everything to

make the club successful. You have to stand back and say, I'm wealthy

and prepared to invest in this football, not at any price. People

have to come across with a proper business case, if you like, for what

they want to spend. It will be your fifth promotion, is there something

you can smell in the dressing room that is imlard to doing it the other

four times? A good team spirit and a set of lad with good attitudes. We

have it here. We work hard for each other. When we have been promoted

those are the things. It's a topsy-turvy world being a football

manager. For sure. Success in the past, working for Harry and his

coach. You are in your flow and element again? Thankful to Harry for

giving me that opportunity to go back out on the training field. At

the end of the day, it's very difficult when you have been a

manager to be a coach. All the time and do a good job, anyway. I think

that, when you are in charge and when you have been a manager, next

season, apart from a couple of interuption, I have been at it for

20 years much I must be doing something right somewhere along the

way. COMMENTATOR: there were goals right

from the start. Agard is responsible for almost a quarter of Bristol

City's tally this season. He needed four minutes to make his mark on

this game. Agard has made a flying start to his Robins' career. City

were awarded a penalty. The Dons didn't like the decision. They liked

it even less when Agard smashed in his fifth goal in his last four

games. Bowditch pulled one back. On 73 minutes, disaster struck for City

and Wade Elliott. The League One leaders had thrown away a two-goal

lead for the second week in a row. Valente hero in about 40 seconds. I

don't think I had the best afternoon, to be honest. -- villain

to hero. It is goes to show what you can do under pressure. This has the

makings of a very famous season. Though yes, I think you can sense it

from the crowd. There is a feeling around the club, it is a good vibe.

Ever since that Hull KR file, Bristol City have been in steady

decline. There is a real bars around Ashton Gate. -- buzz. If anybody

deserves the success they get now, it is them. And what a turnaround

for Steve Cotterill. It is incredible. They have not changed

their side of the last six, so he knows what he has got. You don't

want to change something that isn't broken. I like the way that he has

gone about his business saying that we are in this to win this, and that

breeds confidence among the players. Staying with League 1, few would

have predicted how it would turn out for Leyton Orient. Six games into

the new season, manager Russell Slade was threatened with the sack

am only to resign 11 days later after being refused a chance to talk

to managerless Cardiff. This is what the fans thought of it all as they

prepared to meet Rochdale. The way Russell Slade has been

treated is disgraceful. No manager deserves that, no owners in the park

of ever behaved the way that they have. I'm disappointed, because I

thought he could do it good job for us this year. I really hope that

they had worked it out. This could be the right move for Leyton

Orient, but not for Russell Slade. The club is too big for him. Russell

Slade's departure cast a long shadow over the club. Matt Done was allowed

space and time before unleashing one of the shots of the day, his seventh

goal of the season. Kevin Nugent in his third spell as caretaker will be

in courage by his team's response. They were level nine minutes later.

Orient then had the chance to go ahead again.

They had a penalty, and Rochdale were reduced to ten men after the

defender was sent off. But the penalty was saved by Conrad Logan,

and the opportunity went begging. Rochdale then suffered again.

2-1, the home side well set for a morale boosting win? Wrong. Three

minutes after half-time, Rochdale were level. Peter Vincenti's finish

meant more furrowed brows in east London. Then Stephen Dawson sent the

ball in, and as in the first half, so in the second. Orient slipped

closer to the bottom four. Even when Shane Lowry's header beat Logan

later on, Ian Henderson was on the line to clear. Tough times at

Brisbane Road. It has been a difficult week. It has been tough.

The second half there didn't make it easier for us. Win has been hard to

come by in recent weeks for Peter Brant Fleetwood.

It was the first-ever competitive meeting of these two clubs. But

midway through the second half, Conor McLaughlin came close to

settling them, only to be denied by the agile Ben Alnwick in the Posh

goal. This challenge failed to escape the

attentions of the referee, leading to a dismissal. We have to learn

that we will get punished for the slightest thing, and that is what

happened today, but we should have been leading by that point. We have

to look at it as a group. They knew the importance of the result today.

That is always the main thing. It was closely followed for me by the

performance. We know how we can play, but we got the win, and that

was important. Notts County boss Shaun Derry was

delighted with the character shown by his players. The young defender

was clearly in the mood, his next effort millimetres away from

doubling the lead before Nicky Wroe was denied on the follow-up. But the

second half saw a powerful response from Chesterfield, and it was a

shade too high before the loose ball was fired across goal by banks. But

the next time they ventured forward, the header was buried just under the

bar. It was turning into a really entertaining contest, and the

Magpies substitute nearly won it later on. But his overhead was

cleared away. Defeat would have been very harsh on The Spireites. Port

Vale had lost six in a row, and started brightly at Bradford. There

was a controversial penalty awarded for a handball. Chris Lines

converted his first goal for a year, and it didn't go down well with the

home fans. This did, Mark Yeates finding the top corner, his first

goal for a year. Bradford's last home win was on the opening day of

the season, Gary Liddle almost scored a special goal to end that

run, but 1-1, it finished. Preston are back contract. Bailey

Wright's header was a sign of things to come at Coventry. Tom Clarke

nudging North end in the direction of back-to-back wins. A penalty was

one here, and no argument about the foul.

I thought from start to finish we controlled it. We were very

disciplined with the ball. The fantastic work ethic, and the game

plan was executed really well. After a period of some good results, we

have had three disappointing results, and now it is up to us to

show the character to get through this. None of the previous ten

league meetings between these two have produced a home win, and the

trend looked like continuing when for all their possession as chances,

Shefford United and in this case Mark McNulty couldn't find a way

through the stubborn Gelling on defence. The Blades had no fewer

than 27 shots, but even the woodwork was proving hard to avoid. So it was

a shock when Gelling themselves to cheat Luke Norris -- Gillingham

substitute Luke Norris found the goal. But they managed to equalise.

Then in the dying seconds, Jamie Murphy went on a one-man rescue

mission, weaving his way through the defence for a dramatic winner in the

seventh minute of added time. I am just disappointed that the boys

have got nothing, because they couldn't have worked any harder, and

the lateness of the goal was disappointing. We were still

pressing for the winner, and we scored some important late goals, so

I think it will be a feature if we are going to succeed, we will have

to sometimes do that. It was almost written in the stars,

Sheffield United celebrating 125 years since their first game, and

they couldn't have left their eighth win of the season any later. Know,

-- somehow they managed to win it in 87 and 90 minutes. After a slow

start, they are picking up. Yes, we would have expected that. They are

back in contention. Kevin Nugent is in temporary charge Leyton Orient,

but what a great comeback formance this was Rochdale with ten men.

Fantastic, they have done brilliantly. He has done really

well. They started the season a bit slower but have managed to pick up

the momentum now and carry it on. They might be the fly in the and

went in this division. They have done brilliantly to get up there,

they have an awful lot of experience at that level. That it is a

fantastic start for them. He has worked his magic set. I know there

is a smattering of academy players in that first team squad. But where

does it leave Leyton Orient and this air of uncertainty that lingers

around them? The strange thing is, they had given him that ultimatum,

then they built up some are meant, then summary comes he resigns, then

suddenly he is back in the situation where it needs to be resolved and

resolved quickly. There is no doubt that that is a very good club to

take over, it is a really good club with some excellent players, so you

have a really good chance there if you can become manager. The rest of

League 1 now, starting with Yeovil who are starting to pick up after a

poor start to the new season. They were away to Crawley.

Joel Grant is displayed some delightful footwork before netting a

great win last weekend against Peterborough. He very nearly put his

side in front early on against Crawley. They were searching for

back-to-back wins for the first time since December, but this cross had

the look of a home banker. Elliott, who had a trial with Yeovil in the

summer after being released by Bristol City put the seal on the

wing just a few minutes later. He signed a monthly contract with

Crawley to stir over a week ago, and now they are in the top half of the

table. Terrific stuff from Elliott. Scunthorpe had lost three of their

last four matches, but De Vita and Rory Fallon almost announced himself

in style. -- Debbie before the match, Russ Wilcox had

told his players to watch out for Jonathan Forte. Five goals in seven,

so definitely don't let him in their to make it six goals in eight games.

Mike Jones was playing his 10th match for his new club, at 25 yards

out came close to opening his goal-scoring account.

Fallon, who has played everywhere from Plymouth to St Johnstone and

all points in between, did not his debut with a goal. His last match

was for Crawley in May, but the New Zealander showing he is still sharp.

At half-time, Oldham brought on Danny Philliskirk, and 20 minutes

later, they were level again. That is his first in 12 matches. He

didn't have long to wait for his second, 17 minutes, in fact. The

goal to lift Lee Johnson's sides to 10th in the table.

Goalless at half-time, this game ran away from Barnsley in the second

half will stop once Nathan Byrne received the ball, he had just one

aim in mind, the home defence backed off, he kept coming and Swindon had

a lead they never looked like losing. Byrne never stop. Barnsley

seemed to have no answer to the wave of attacks. Andy Williams almost

made it four goals in four games but for Ross Turnbull, but there was

only so much he could do before Swindon's dominance played off.

Another substitute, Jake Reeves, was eventually in the right place to get

his first goal of the season. Seconds later, it got even worse for

Danny Wilson's side in front of a disbelieving crowd. Possession was

conceded straight from the kick-off, and Michael Smith was on his way.

The only question was who would score, Reeves or Williams, and it

was Williams. Barnsley drop to the bottom four.

Donny may have sensed it wouldn't be their day when this regulation catch

by Steer ended his participation after only half an hour. A hip

problem saw him replaced by Marosi. To add insult to that injury,

Walsall took the lead. Baxendale put them behind with his first goal of

the season. The Sadler's doubled their lead 12 minutes into the

second-half. Bradshaw got the fifth goal of the season. No sign of the

Doncaster that pushed Fulham all the way in Tuesday's League Cup match.

Forde completed the comfortable win who enjoyed their second victory in

10 League and Cup matches. It's a little too early to talk of

must-win games. The meeting of the bottom two increased the chance to

improve fortunes. Walters turned provider for Leigh who could not

have gone closer to opening the scoring. Colchester went in front.

Good work out wide by Watt, Sears got his fifth goal in eight matches.

Within another 10 minutes they put Crewe to the sword with two more

goals. 19-year-old substitute Healey had come on for his debut nine

minutes earlier raced through to make it 2-0. He was again involved

four minutes later as a teasing ball was turned in by Watt for the third.

The U's out of the bottom four, Alex rooted to the bottom of the

available. The worse result Crewe fans could have feared for with a

team just above them in the table. Three goals in 11 minutes is that a

reflection of the mental fragility for some of those players? Young

players. Yeah? I think so. I watched the extended edit of this game. Up

until the goal they concede, the first goal, they played well. Three

or four good chances. Not just the chance they had, the manner in which

they created them. Everything about Crewe, the one-touch football, the

movement. They conceded they started to chase the game and lost

discipline. Conceded again. The third goal, completely killed them

off. There are some postives. There are things to take from the game.

Losing 3-0 to a team directly above you, considering you are bottom of

the league, isn't ideal. Colchester made a good start. Three clean

sheets in four. Has done well? He is. Not huge pressure on Colchester

at this level. It's to stay in the league will be their first brief.

Even that was starting to be questionable. That was on form we

have seen so are far. The manager turned that around. Fresh face and

things are looking up. Resilience shown earlier by Oldham. They came

back twice. Eventful few days for Lee Johnston. This was a good win.

They have strung together a good sequence of results. He was

appealing for patience from the fans not so long ago. Stick with us, we

will turn it around. Give us time. It will be OK. He was right.

Unbeaten in seven. Time to find out how League Two

unfolded, and having described Bury's win over Burton last week

as "breathtaking", could David Flitcroft maintain his side's lead

at the top - away to an Exeter side COMMENTATOR: For Bury this game had

banana skin written all over it, once Grimes had bent in this opener.

Bury didn't slip up as such, they found Exeter in determined mood. Pym

denied Lowe and equaliser. The young goalkeeper will be disapoined about

the leveller. Soares effort eluded the teenager. Bury were on top. A

few weeks ago Exeter might have wilted. They stood firm, as did Pym,

he made up with his mistake by preventing a Bennett own-goal.

Exeter held on before getting a winner later on. Keohane got the

goal. They end Bury's eighting match unbeaten run. Bury will feel they

were deserving of at least a draw. We had a good team effort. Played

our game really well. The game, probably the hour back, back 1-1.

They were getting on top. We managed to pull it round. I think we

deserved our goal in the last 20 minutes. We finished stronger. Nine

goals conceded in losing their last three games. Burton needed to get

back on the winning trail. Beavon struck this 20-yarder, 11 minutes

before the break. It was the only goal of a tight encounter against

Cheltenham. Their only moment of concern was self inflicted.

McLaughlan nearly paying a heavy price for a lapse in concentration.

Cheltenham's forwards, who scored one in five games now, unable to get

a touch on Vaughan's cross in the dying moments. Burton are back on

top of the table. Cambridge went for broke, fired up at the start of both

halves to make things difficult. Dunk rolled his effort wide of the

mark after the break. A moment they will regret. Wycombe went closer.

Hayes has plied his trade at nine different clubs. His third in four

games happened to complete a century of league goals. A hard-earned

personal milestone and winner. Both clubs were in high spirits. Southend

had had won their last three and threatening top spot. Shrewsbury had

won in the Cup. Coulthirst scored for Southend. Akpa-Akpro teased the

woodwork. With this looking like another fruitless trip, Mangan

picked up a second yellow card with six minutes of the game remaining.

Despite the defeat, Shrewsbury remain in the play-off places as do

Southend who keep up the pressure on the top three. Northampton made the

stronger start and would have been in front, but they fired straight at

Roche. They were behind again when Tony rose to beat the keeper --

Toney. Chris Wilder reckoned this was his sides best win of the

season. This header was tipped over by Archer. Northampton up to fifth.

The form book went out of the window in Stevenage, they went 2-1 up

against Mansfield within five minutes. They were still taking

their seats when Whelpdale got the opener. Nobody could keep up with

Lee as he drove into the box and finished from Beardsley's pass.

Mansfield, five minutes late forework. Strangely, the Stags had

the better of the first half. Not that it did much good. They hit the

woodwork and this rebound was as good as it got. Having started well,

Stevenage started strongly too. 83 minutes on the clock, Whelpdale got

his fourth goal of the season. Frank Lampard was in no mood to celebrate

last week, Yakubu was delighted when his header gave Newport the lead

against his former club, Wimbledon. It was two goals from Pigott that

put the issue beyond the Don's reach. The boss praised their

partnership for helping to broker the loan deal. 20-year-old striker

made it 3-0 midway through the half. Displaying neat foot work. A

deflection off Barrett helped his cause. Wimbledon had won their

previous two without conceding. When Akinfenwa put away his fourth goal

in three games you felt they could stage a comeback. It failed to

materialise. O'Connor put the gap on a tremendous home performance. Their

biggest win since they hammered Accrington by the same scoreline on

the first day of last season. This fixture had finished goalless

the last two times it was staged. Portsmouth had the better chances.

Flinders off his line to thwart Westcarr. The home side had an

opportunity to break the deadlock. This miss-hit fell for Charlie Wyke.

Accrington were hoping the second homecoming of manager John Coleman

might produce another goal fest like last week. Naismith found a way

through after 13 minutes their hopes were raised further. In light of the

fact that Plymouth enjoyed the lion's share of the possession,

Stanley worked hard to preserve their lead. Thomas almost able to

enhance his 20th birthday celebrations. McCormack was alert to

the danger posed by O'Sullivan, who couldn't add to his debut double at

Northampton. Meller was denied by Nicky Hunt who ensured Accrington

held on for a fourth win in five matches. 9,000 in the crowd were

soon celebrating with Wilkinson's header. The ball ran kindly for

Ppanzu. Oxford could ill afford to make life tougher for themselves.

Hylton's arm did exactly that. The referee awarded the penalty.

Howells' spot-kick was well saved by Long. He adjusted his feet quickly

to put away the rebound. Is Luton extended their unbeaten run to four

games, in which they haven't concede. That defensive record

remained intact as Barnett headed straight at Mark Tyler. A first home

game for Keith Curl, he found the Carlisle training schedule from

1974. Good old fashioned wing play led to their first chance. Brough

rattled the woodwork. There was a debut for Hanford. He made this fine

save from Richards. Maybe finding that document from the '70s was an

omen. Amoo secured their first win of the season. A long-awaited first

maximum in 16 league matches. I interest taken over the football

that is fragile. The players needed that win am they needed belief in

themselves. We know where we are. Bottom of the league, four points

adrift. The players needed that performance, as well as the result.

That gives us something to build on. Before the weekend Dagenham had

picked up most of their points away from home. After York striker

Coulson fired an early shot wide the Daggers produced the move of the

match to take the lead. #k45i78 bergs showing pace and compose sures

down the lef -- compos sures -- Chambers.

The result was wrapped up past the hour by Labadie. Dagenham jump above

their opponents in the table. for Keith Curle, the first win of

the season. On an unwanted record has come to an end finally for them.

And hopefully you would think they can start to turn things around.

Every time I look at Carlisle's situation, I think of the Jimmy

Glass moment. It is a big club that level, they should be doing better.

Wycombe have made an absolutely sensational start. They are almost

halfway to the points tally they achieved last season, and we are not

even into October. It is fantastic. Gareth has learned a lesson from

last year. They played some great stuff, just didn't quite have that

cutting edge. There are willing to keep the ball, take responsibility.

Paul Hayes might just found the answer. That is his 100th league

goal of his career, a fantastic achievement. And for Southend, four

wins out of four sees them pushing up the table, and all thanks to that

lucky shirt that Tim Brown was talking about! He must have bigger

neck muscles than I have in my arms to make that header! They are feast

or famine, Sheffield United. They either can't win, or they blow

everyone away. It is apparently a lucky shirt, they have won four

games since winning it. It was apparently all-white, and 75% off!

Lets have a look at the table. Norwich are the new leaders as the

comeback specialist won 3-1. OK, we'll have to leave it there for

another week. But the usual reminder before we go that MOTD2 will round

up the BBC One.

Football League, at 23.50 on One.

again. Hope to see you next week. Bye for now.

You do not involve yourself in the lives of the locals.

If you've got intelligence, we need to tell James.

Either they're luring us in or something else is going to happen.