League One Play-Off Final Preview

By Laurie Fitzgerald

The Football League Play-offs take centre stage once again this weekend as four teams battle it out for the ultimate aim of the season and clinch promotion.

On Saturday Huddersfield Town take on Sheffield United in the League One showpiece, before Cheltenham Town and Crewe Alexandra fight it out in the League Two play-off final on Sunday.

While we will look more into that game tomorrow, today’s feature concentrates on the all-Yorkshire affair as the Terriers and the Blades aim to get into the Championship.

Having gone into the play-offs as the top two sides of the quartet, both progressed from their semi-finals in tense fashion to make it to Wembley.

Huddersfield fought off a comeback from Milton Keynes Dons, while Sheffield United took 175 minutes to break down the fierce resilience of Stevenage before Chris Porter’s late second leg header put them one win away from joining local rivals Sheffield Wednesday in promotion back to the second tier this season.    

Will Carlisle reach the play-offs?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Carlisle United face Huddersfield Town this afternoon knowing that victory will provide a major step towards reaching the League One Play-offs.

Greg Abbott‘s side currently sit in the top six having cemented their status as one of the suprise packages of the division so far, and will hope to continue that against Simon Grayson’s Terriers.

Despite having more limited resources than the likes of Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Milton Keynes Dons, the Cumbrians now have similar ambitions to the aforementioned teams as they battle with Stevenage and Notts County for the final play-off spot.    

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.  

Is Jackett the most underrated manager in the Championship?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

After Crystal Palace’s 3-0 defeat at Millwall on Saturday, the main talking point was naturally the sacking of the Eagles manager George Burley, as his side remained slumped in the bottom three of the Championship table.

The sacking took the focus away from Millwall and their impressive win. But Kenny Jackett is probably used to this now.

Because when it comes to who is the most underrated manager in the Football League, then you’d be hard pressed to find a manager who doesn’t get the praise they deserve than Jackett.

When the 48 year-old took over Millwall in November 2007, the club were in the relegation zone in League One. Just over three years later, they find themselves in seventh place in the Championship, a point outside the play-off spots and potentially pushing for a place in the top flight.

Jackett came in and rebuilt the confidence of a squad that suffered under the guidance of Willie Donachie. The Lions went on to maintain their League One status that season, and Jackett’s side grew from there.

He guided Millwall to a play-off final the following season, only to suffer a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Scunthorpe at Wembley. It was a disappointment that could be used for potential failure the next campaign.

But Jackett didn’t need any excuses. He lifted the squad and this time, when they reached the play-off final again, they took their chance, beating Swindon 1-0 to take them into the Championship.

Again, Jackett’s side have gone from strength to strength, despite the improvement in quality of opposition. The New Den witnessed a blistering start to the season, winning five of their opening six games, and despite a blip in form following that start, they are now unbeaten in seven matches.

It’s not just the statistics that demonstrate his qualities, but case studies of players that he has transformed. The best case study is that of Steve Morrison.

Few took notice when Morrison was plucked from non-league Stevenage by Jackett in the summer of 2009. But his 23 goals in a league which was two tiers above what he had been used to showed how his manager helped unleash his full potential.

Morrison already has 11 goals to his name this season, and is now a regular at international football for Wales. Jason Puncheon, on loan from Southampton, looks to be the latest discovering their true quality under Jackett, demonstrated from his hat-trick on Saturday.

But the list is long. Paul Robinson, Darren Ward, James Henry, Chris Hackett and Danny Schofield have shone under the guidance of the former Swansea manager.

He has transformed the side and given Millwall fans real belief of a bright future. Not only that, but Millwall are having a fantastic season by playing some really good, organised football in the process.

Maybe it will take the leap to the promised land of the Premier League for him and Millwall to get the praise they deserve, but while Simon Grayson, Paul Lambert and Neil Warnock get their acclaim, Kenny Jackett will quietly carry on demonstrating his ability as a top manager.

So what do you think? Millwall fans, just how good is Kenny Jackett? Is this current team ready for a promotion push? Let us know

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Are Leeds heading back to the big time?

 

By Tony Alvarez

Following their miraculous come back from 2-0 down away at Burnley on Saturday Leeds currently sit 4^th in the Coca Cola Championship just 2 points off Cardiff in the 2^nd automatic promotion spot.

After struggling in league one for a few seasons albeit some of them with points deductions, Leeds seem to of taken to the Championship like a duck to water.

Following the clubs automatic promotion from League one Leeds lost their talismanic striker Jermaine Beckford on a free transfer to Everton and fans worried that it was to be a long and difficult season for their club. How wrong they were.

Despite losing Beckford manager Simon Grayson made some positive signings in the summer recapturing Arsenal starlet Sanchez Watt on loan, Kasper Schmeichel on a free transfer, George McCartney on loan from Sunderland, striker Ross McCormack and midfielder Lloyd Sam from Charlton Athletic amongst others.

These signing have appeared to have a positive effect on the squad with the goals shared around rather than Beckford getting all the lime light as he was in the promotion season.

Becchio has been the star man in front of goal so far this season with 11 goals but the plaudits have been spread around and Leeds are now being noted for their team performances and their fighting spirit.

Despite the promise the squad has shown so far they now face a run of tricky fixtures that will really show the squads true character, they start off hosting the league leaders QPR followed by a tough looking trip to under achieving Leicester who on their day are a match for anyone.

Should Leeds take 4 points from these two fixtures and then at least another point when they travel to second placed Cardiff on January 4^th you would not bet against them on gaining at least a play off place if not an automatic promotion spot.

However despite all the positivity around the club at the moment and the great team spirit being shown by the squad fans are starting to show their displeasure at the behaviour of midfielder Bradley Johnson.

Johnson rejected a new deal earlier in the season after feeling the terms offered did not reflect his ability and importance to the side, this had led to the midfielder being placed on the transfer list and being told by Chairman Ken Bates to show the club some respect after reportedly failing to turn up to meeting with the clubs Chief executive.

Johnson feels he has been harshly treated and his not being treated the same as some of his colleagues. A section of Leeds fans have turned on Johnson and are claiming he does not show the required effort when he plays and believe he should not be seen in a Leeds shirt.

The problem comes because the manager Simon Grayson clearly feels his side are better with Johnson in it, if the fans disagree and make their feelings felt this could cause a rift between the fans and the players/ staff and also between the squads itself which would harm the Leeds spirit which has been a focal point of their form thus far.

What do you think? Can Leeds form continue? Will they get promoted or at least reach the play offs? Should  Bradley Johnson still be pulling on the Leeds shirt? Will the rift between Johnson and members of the board have a negative effect on the team?

 Leave your thoughts and let me know.