Play-off disappointment shouldn’t cloud Brighton’s progress

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Brighton & Hove Albion go into Saturday’s final game of the season at Barnsley with only pride left to play for after their play-off push ran out of steam over the last few weeks.

Gus Poyet‘s men have gone on a run of seven games without victory while their promotion rivals kept up the pace and pull away from the Seagulls at the business end of the campaign.

It’s a disappointing way for Brighton‘s first season back in the Championship to end, but looking at the bigger picture and there are plenty of positives to take and build on for the future.    

2011/12 Championship Preview

By Tony Alvarez & Laurie Fitzgerald

It’s been a summer of restlessness for many football fans, with no World Cup or European Championships to fill the void, and many of us having to spend more time with our loved ones!

But fear not, because on Saturday the football season is officially back underway as the three divisions of the Football League kick-off.

Over the next few days, the SFTS lads are going to be previewing the Npower Championship, League One & League Two. Today, we focus on the Championship:

Which signings have impressed you this summer?

Tony: Matthew Mills has been the stand out signing for me, I saw quite a bit of him at Reading last year and am shocked he is not a Premier League player. Kevin Nolan is obviously an impressive signing and has always worked well under Allardyce, while Craig Mackail Smith was a great buy for Poyet I’m shocked he’s not plying his trade in an already established side with genuine promotion ambitions ( no disrespect to Brighton).

Laurie: I think Mills could be the crucial piece of a heavily-invested jigsaw for Leicester, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better centre-half outside the Premier League. Mackail-Smith is definitely the coup of the summer, while Paul Jewell may have found a cracking strikeforce in Michael Chopra and Nathan Ellington.

Who will be the favourites for automatic promotion?

Tony: It is clear from the above statement that Leicester are without a doubt in my mind the CLEAR favourites for the title and it will be a travesty if they don’t come up. According to the bookies, West Ham have the same odds as Leicester for coming up but i think Leicester have a better chance because they will not have the culture shock of coming down a division. I think West Ham will come second but they won’t have things all their own way as some fans and pundits seem to think.

Laurie: Leicester would only be able to justify automatic promotion come May with their outlay this summer. The test for Sven Goran Eriksson is making sure the new arrivals gel, but with his experience in management there shouldn’t be any worries regarding this. West Ham are the other standout team, but the only thing that may work against them is that they haven’t strengthened a defence that was poor last season, with both Upson and Gabbidon going. But they have a shrewd operator in Sam Allardyce.

Who could be this season’s dark horses?

Tony: Southampton could cause some shocks if people think “they have just come up they will just be looking to survive” then surprises will be in store. They won’t challenge for the title, but they are easily capable of a mid-placed finish if not better. I’m tipping them to do the best out of the promoted sides – Peterborough still leak goals and have lost their 2 main goal threats from the last time they were in this division and Brighton for me have moved to a nw ground at the wrong time, it always takes time to settle in at a new ground and with them being new to the division they will have to settle in to that too which could prove tricky.

Laurie: Brighton are definite dark horses. A new stadium, an ambitious owner and manager, and a vibrant attacking outfit that is only strengthened by the additions of Mackail-Smith and Will Buckley. Securing the loan deal of Tresor Lua Lua is another big boost.

Who could struggle?

Tony: Doncaster are favourites for relegation every year, they are written off and every year they surprise us. I don’t think they have the quality and would tip them to go down but who knows their spirit could see them through.

Laurie: I worry about Watford, who have lost key players in Buckley and Danny Graham as well as their manager Sean Dyche, although bringing in Chris Iwelumo could be a smart deal. Coventry also struggled at the back-end of last season, and could face a difficult campaign this time around.

Who could be the player of the season?

Tony: Signing of the season is always tough to call it generally goes to a player who can find the net. If a team surprises and they have a regular scorer they will get it. If Carlton Cole adjusts to life in the Championship and doesn’t sulk my moneys on him. However, if Ipswich have a good season then I can see someone like Chopra getting it.

Laurie: Kevin Nolan got Championship Player of the Year for Newcastle 12 months ago, and if he has a similar effect with the Hammers, then his leadership abilities and goal-scoring exploits from midfield should make him a serious contender once again.

Which young player should we look out for?

Tony: I am not sure if he comes under a Young player but i think Jack Collison is an outstanding player and if injuries are kept to a minimum he could be the standout player in the whole division, I don’t think he would win player of the year because that goes to goal scorers usually but he could be a big driving force in the division.

Laurie: Last year Scott Sinclair was outstanding for Swansea as he finally began to realise his potential. This year I think Jack Cork could have a similar effect for Southampton. Already an England U-21 international, Cork will play a pivotal role for the Saints in their first season back in the Championship.

Tony’s predicted final table:

1. Leicester
2. West Ham
3. Birmingham
4. Forest
5. Cardiff
6. Hull
7. Reading
8. Ipswich
9. Leeds
10. Burnley
11. Bristol City
12. Middlesboro’
13. Blackpool
14. Southampton
15. Pompy
16. Millwall
17. Brighton
18. Derby
19. Watford
20. Coventry
21. Crystal Palace
22. Peterborough
23. Doncaster
24. Barnsley

 

Laurie’s predicted final table

1. Leicester
2. West Ham
3. Reading
4. Ipswich
5. Nottingham Forest
6. Leeds
7. Millwall
8. Brighton
9. Cardiff
10. Blackpool
11. Bristol City
12. Middlesboro’
13. Birmingham
14. Southampton
15. Portsmouth
16. Burnley
17. Hull
18. Doncaster
19. Barnsley
20. Derby
21. Watford
22. Coventry 
23. Crystal Palace
24. Peterbrough

So what do you think? Will your team fare well this season? Let us know your thoughts.

Who has been the Championship signing of the summer so far?

New Leicester signing Matt Mills could prove to be inspirational for Sven and the Foxes

By Laurie Fitzgerald

It’s less than two weeks before the start of the new Npower Championship season, and all 24 clubs have been working hard to finalise their squads in time for the new campaign.
 
The likes of West Ham, Blackpool, Reading and Cardiff are set to be among the favourites when it all kicks off on August 6th – but who has made the best signing of the summer so far?
 

Shouts from the Stands looks at the pick of the pre-season deals so far, from the big deals that look set to pay off to the bargain deals that could prove their weight in gold:
 
Kevin Nolan (West Ham United) – There has been no bigger signing in terms of stature and experience than that of Newcastle United skipper Kevin Nolan. When Sam Allardyce was appointed the new manager at Upton Park following relegation in May, there was one man he wanted to be the lynchpin in the Hammer’s push for promotion back to the Premier League.
 
When 29 year-old Nolan was not offered the five-year deal that he wanted to see out his career at St. James’ Park, Allardyce seized his opportunity. Not only does the midfielder have an excellent pedigree at this level (he was Championship player of the Year in 2009/10) but he had an excellent season back in the top-flight last year, with 11 goals to his name. His leadership and battling qualities will help make West Ham the favourites going into the opening game.
 
Matt Mills (Leicester City) – After a strong second half to the season under Sven-Goran Eriksson, there’s no doubt that the Foxes have been the big spenders this summer. The likes of Neil Danns, Sean St. Ledger and David Nugent have joined the Kingfisher’s revolution, but it’s the signing of centre-half Mills that could prove pivotal to their chances this season.
 
The Reading captain didn’t come cheap, costing Leicester a club record fee reportedly in the region of £5 million. But what they get with the 25 year-old is one of the best defenders in the Championship. His no-nonsense style of defending, along with his very good reading of the game and ever-improving leadership skills, could provide the backbone for a successful promotion push for Sven and the ambitious Midlands club.

 

Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton & Hove Albion) – When Peterborough announced following their promotion to the Championship that their prolific striker was to be leaving London Road in May, Craig Mackail-Smith attracted the attentions of some of the top clubs in the division. So when newly-promoted Brighton secured the Scotland international’s services, it was the transfer coup of the summer.

 

It’s easy to see why the Seagulls worked so hard to beat the likes of West Ham, Leicester and Premier League newboys QPR to his signature. The 27 year-old scored 34 goals for the Posh last campaign, but it’s his staggering work-rate – he doesnt give the opposition defence a second’s rest – that shows why manager Gus Poyet wants to build a team around him as they prepare for their first season in their new stadium in Falmer.

 

Chris Iwelumo (Watford) – The summer got off to a nightmare start for Watford: the fans saw two of their best players sold in Danny Graham and Will Buckley, and then witnessed manager Malcky Mackay make the move to Championship rivals Cardiff City. But since Sean Dyche has come in to steady the ship, he may have pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the signing of experienced marksman Iwelumo.

 

The Scotland international has proven to be one of the best strikers in the Championship in recent seasons, having got goals at Colchester, Wolves and Burnley before making the switch to Vicarage Road. At the age of 32, Iwelumo may not prove to be a long-term answer, but he can be the talisman to push Watford on from a promising campaign last time around.

 

Michael Chopra (Ipswich) – There has been interest for quite some time from the Tractor Boys in Cardiff striker Chopra, but this summer they’ve finally got their man, and with it a forward with a proven track record at this level approaching the peak of his career.

 

The 27 year-old has scored 41 goals in the last three seasons with the Bluebirds, and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. With Nathan Ellington also linking up with his former manager Paul Jewell, Ipswich may have potentially stumbled upon one of the best strikeforces in the league as they look to make further strides under the former Wigan boss.

 

So what do you think? Who has been the best signing of the summer so far in the Championship? Is there another signing that you feel deserves more recognition going into the new campaign? Let us know your thoughts. 

League 1 preview….

By Tony Alvarez

The race for the League 1 play off title and the right to go up to the Championship along with Brighton and Southampton gets underway this weekend with Huddersfield, Peterborough, MK Dons and Bournemouth battling it out.

The mini tournament kicks off on Saturday with Huddersfield who were so close to automatic promotion visiting the side that finished 6^th Bournemouth following them on Sunday 5^th placed MK Dons host Darren Fergusons Peterborough United.

The return legs will be held on Weds the 18^th of May and Thurs the 19^th respectively.

The disappointment for the winners is of course that this year due to the champion’s league final being held there the final will not be held at Wembley but at Manchester United’s Old Trafford. (Check back on Friday for an article on that)

Huddersfield are understandably the bookies favourites going into the play offs as they finished 8 points above 4^th placed Peterborough and a massive 16 points ahead of the final play off position and semi final opponents Bournemouth.

This division is unlike any other due to the huge gap in points and it is reflected in the bookmakers odds with Huddersfield at 13/8Peterboroughat 5/2 MK Dons at 10/3 andBournemouthat a massive 4/1.

 I am not going to go for the favourites so often in these competitions the team who deserve it over the regular season miss out and I can see the same happening to Huddersfield here, there’s no doubt Lee Clarke has got his men in excellent shape but a bit of bad luck or finding themselves against one of these clubs on a bad day could shock them.

I have a sneaky feeling that Peterborough are going to produce some special performances and earn themselves promotion, they know all about gaining promotion and so does their manager as he got them to the Championship two years ago.

 Peterboroughstruggle with a poor defence but they more than making up for that with their attacking options, the Posh are the leagues top scorers with over 100 goals in the 46 game league season which means on their day they will be a threat to anyone.

IfPeterboroughdo have any chance of success much will depend on the form of talismanic front man Craig Mackail-Smith, the 27 year old scored 27 goals in the League this year and much of their play is based around him, if he’s on form the rest of the sides better be wary. He will surely be plying his trade at a higher level next term it’s just a question of whether he can take hisPeterboroughside with him.

I am not writing off any of the sides as they all have ability clearly to get to the play offs and they all have something about them which makes them very dangerous on their day, Huddersfield are clearly the best side but as we all know the best side does not always win football matches.

What do you think? Who will be playing in the Championship next season? Will Mackail-Smith be there with or without Peterborough? Are Huddersfield way too strong for the rest of the competitors leave a comment and let us know your thoughts

Can Fergie Junior work his magic again?

By Tony Alvarez

What a difference 14 months can make in the career of a Football League manager. In November 2009 despite back to back promotions Darren Ferguson was relived of his duties as manager of Peterborough United.

Fast forward 14 months and relegation for Peterborough and Ferguson is back in charge following a disappointing stint in charge at Preston North End.

At the time of his sacking from the London road club many fans thought it was harsh that a man who had brought the club back to back promotions was relieved of his duties due to results in a division that in all honesty was above the level of the playing squad.

After Ferguson “posh” employed two further managers but this could not keep them in the Championship, after relegation was confirmed the club appointed former Bristol City man Gary Johnson.

Johnson had 21 games in charge of Peterborough in League One, gaining 36 points and was in 7^th position in the league. However, due to a policy disagreement he left the club.

Just two days later the club named Ferguson as manager for his second spell in charge. In an interview Ferguson said “I wouldn’t have come back if I didn’t think we could reach the next league. I’ve come back to the club with us high up in the table and we need some stability. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Ferguson’s tenure started off with a loss at league leaders Brighton and he faces his first home game at home to Hartlepool on Saturday.

The key to Posh’s promotion push will be in Fergusons man management and whether he can get the best out of strikers Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd following the loss of Aaron Mclean to Hull City.

The pair formerly flourished in League one under Ferguson but have not been so prolific this term, whilst Mackail-Smith has fair quite well scoring 16 goals in 30 games, Boyd has been poor only scoring 6 goals in 26 outings.

Another key factor that will determine how well Ferguson’s second spell in charge goes will be whether or not the club can keep goal keeper Joe Lewis, the club say they have rejected a bid from Aston Villa although the midlands club deny this.

Should Ferguson know the secret into the front line performing well and manage to fend off the advances from some of the countries top clubs for the player many would say if their prize asset (Joe Lewis) then you would not bet against the Posh gracing the Championship again next season.

However, as we discussed in a previous article sentiment is not always the right thing to do when football is involved, with some fans feeling that Ferguson has not been given the job on merit but due to his previous achievements at the club.

Ferguson will have to win these fans over before the club can look to progress once again, to read this article on sentiment in Football please click the following link: https://shoutsfromthestands.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/is-there-a-place-for-sentiment-in-football/

What do you posh fans think? Are you happy to have Ferguson back at London Rd? Is it always a good thing to bring back a former legend? Can Ferguson return your club to the championship once again?

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