Super Saints learning from mistakes of the past

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Northampton Saints kept up their relentless march to the Aviva Premiership play-offs after a bonus point win over London Irish on Sunday.

That win at the Madjeski made it five victories from their least six league matches as Jim Mallinder‘s men moved up to within four points of Saracens in second.

With a home semi-final starting to become a real possibility, Northampton’s chances of Premiership glory are strengthening by the week.

What makes their recent form all the more impressive is that in previous seasons, this has been the stage of the campaign where the depth of the squad has come into question.  

What can England get out of tomorrow’s friendly?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

England prepare to take on the Netherlands at Wembley tomorrow on the back of a hugely eventful last few weeks in the set-up of the national side.

Fabio Capello is no longer in charge after the Italian resigned following the Football Association’s decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy, with his impending court case for charges of racial abuse against Anton Ferdinand not due to take place until after Euro 2012.

So with no permanent captain and no permanent manager in place, Stuart Pearce has taken temporary charge while the FA decide who is the best choice to take the side to Poland & Ukraine this summer.

The Under-21 boss has picked a few fresh faces within the squad for tomorrow’s game, as the likes of Frazier Campbell and Tom Cleverley find themselves gaining international recognition.    

Can Wednesday achieve automatic promotion?

 

By Tony Alvarez
In yesterday’s second biggest derby, following the North London one between Arsenal and Tottenham the two Sheffield clubs met with both teams in the chase for the second automatic promotion spot. Wednesday were at home but went into the game as underdogs, they had lost the last three league fixtures on the spin and if rumours are to be believed manager Gary Megson was under pressure in terms of keeping his job as manager of the Owls.
In contrast opponents Sheffield United had won their last three and as the club were sitting in second the Blades fans were singing their manager Danny Wilson’s praises.
It was the home side and the side whose manager was under pressure who came away with a hard fought 1-0 victory thanks to a Chris O’Grady header 17 minutes from time.
The result leaves Wednesday in third place trailing their local rivals by just two points although the Blades do have two games in hand as do Huddersfield who are only two points behind the Owls.
Wednesday have some very winnable fixtures coming up in the coming weeks which should help their efforts to close down and attempt to over take Sheffield Wednesday.
Next up for them is Rochdale away, dale have found a little bit of form of late and find themselves unbeaten in three however they are still second from bottom.
Following Rochdale, Wednesday host Bury who lie 14th in the table beforeBournemouth are the visitors to Hillsborough.

Possibly due to the pressure he has been under Megson called the derby win the biggest of his managerial career he said “I’ve had some results at other clubs which were hugely important but no game has ever meant more to me than beating Sheffield United in a derby game”.
It may be a significant sign that the players have faith in Megson that after the goal they all ran straight to the dugout to celebrate with the former West Brom boss. It could also be a sign that the players thought the pressure on Megson was real and felt they owed it to him to put in a big performance.
I think Wednesday have the quality to really fight for an automatic promotion spot but I think they will fall short, I personally think at the present time their rivals Sheffield United are a better side and also if the rumours of unrest regarding Megson’s position are true that isn’t going to help anyone.

I’m certain they will make the play offs and from their there is no reason why promotion can’t be achieved but I do think they will fall short of the elusive 2nd place. However there is of course enough time for them to prove me wrong they still have 13 fixtures to play all against sides below them and only the trip to Huddersfield being against a side around them in the League table.
What are your thoughts? Will Wednesday challenge for 2nd? Will they get 2nd? Why is their pressure on Megson?
If you are on Twitter please follow us @sfts1

2011/12 Carling Cup Final Preview

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Today the first domestic final of the English season takes place, as Liverpool and Cardiff City battle it out at Wembley stadium in the Carling Cup Final.

The Reds are firm favourites to win their eighth League Cup against Championship opponents that are competing in their first final in this competition.

But while Cardiff are familiar with the new Wembley after they lost in the 2008 FA Cup Final to Portsmouth, this is Liverpool’s first trip to the famous arena since it was rebuilt and opened back in 2007.

For Kenny Dalglish it’s a welcome return to a major cup final as Liverpool manager, his first in the Anfield hotseat since winning the all-Merseyside FA Cup Final back in 1989.  

Is tomorrows North London derby make or break for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger?

 

By Tony Alvarez
At 13:30 tomorrow the game that could shape the rest of Arsenal’s season and possibly the club for the next few years will kick off.
Media outlets especially Sky tend to over hype games such as these because in reality saying 4th vs. 3rd no one would really care. But this game could really be the all important blockbuster Sky are always promoting.
I’m sure you are aware of or are one of the many Arsenal fans who have completely lost faith in manager Arsene Wenger and want him out the club as soon as possible. Whilst these fans have been in this mood for quite some time, there dismay at Wenger has heightened over the last 10 days following an embarrassing loss in Milan and then a totally inept performance in the 2-0 FA Cup loss at Sunderland.

Can Warnock work his promotion magic with Leeds?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Neil Warnock takes charge of Leeds United for the first tomorrow when they travel to Fratton Park to face crisis club Portsmouth.

While much of the focus will be on the reaction of the Pompey supporters in their first home game since the club went back into administration, for the away fans all eyes will be on their new boss.

Warnock has agreed an 18-month deal with the Yorkshire outfit just six weeks after he was sacked by Queens Park Rangers despite guiding them to the Premier League.

Many felt that the 63 year-old was unfairly treated when QPR owner Tony Fernandes relieved him of his duties, and he has made it clear that he feels he has unfinished business in football management.

“I feel I have one big challenge left in me and believe Leeds is a club that should be in the Premier League,” said Warnock following his appointment last Saturday.  

Can Dagenham and Redbridge win their battle for Football League survival?

By Tony Alvarez

Following Saturdays somewhat embarrassing loss at the hands of Cheltenham Town, Dagenham and Redbridge sit bottom of League Two and look in real danger of dropping out of the Football League.

The Daggers are three points off safety albeit with a game in hand however with their inferior goal difference largely due to Saturdays defeat the gap more resembles four points than three.

Six Nations Week Three Preview

By Laurie Fitzgerald

With the upcoming games this weekend marking the halfway mark of this year’s championship, the 2012 Six Nations reaches a critical stage.

Following the postponement of France v Ireland in round two, it is Wales and England that lead the way with two wins out of two, and they face each other at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier that day, Ireland will finally play their second game in this tournament at home to Italy as both teams look for their first win in the championship.

Then on Sunday, France travel to Murrayfield to face a Scotland side looking to claim a notable scalp after a disappointing campaign so far.  

Preview: Aldershot Town vs. Southend United

By Tony Alvarez

I like to look forward to matches I will be attending so although this match doesn’t have the same attraction as the Crawley vs Cheltenham clash I previewed a couple of weeks back I have choose to look ahead at this evenings League Two tie.

Aldershot welcome Southend (and me) to their EBB Stadium on the back of a short spell of fine form having picked up some much needed points, after Saturdays 1-0 victory over Macclesfield Dean Holdsworth’s men have won their last three and picked up 10 points from the last 12 available to calm any relegation fears there were around the club, this is despite having a terrible January on and off the pitch.

Is the Champions League the lifeline for Villas-Boas?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

The undoubted growing pressure on Andre Villas-Boas only served to increase at the weekend after they were booed off in a disappointing 1-1 home draw to Championship side Birmingham City in their FA Cup fifth round tie.

It was a result that clearly did not go down well within the Stamford Bridge heirarchy either, with a shake of the head from Chief Executive Ron Gourlay and a stern expression from Chairman Bruce Buck evident at the final whistle.

While Birmingham deserved great credit for an excellent performance that merited a replay at St. Andrews, much was made of the lack of creativity and a cutting edge in the Premier League big boys.

This latest setback for the Blues means it’s no win in their last four matches, and comes during a period where the focus on the manager has never been more scrutinised.