On the way to glory

I was shocked about the Powell sacking as their not doing too bad in my opinion, especially with their pre-season predictions, but the likes of Leicester and Cardiff have been shocking, so Pearson and Mackay being sacked did not shock me, but am glad you think my reports on them are good. A good point to say we had lost the game before, but disappointing to say we lost the lead twice.

UNITED DUO TO LEAVE ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY.

27 November 2012.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Austin and Kisnorbo called up for international duty.



We can this morning confirm that Rodolph Austin and Patrick Kisnorbo will leave soon, to join their respective countries on international duty.

Midfielder Austin, 27, has become a key member of our squad since joining in the summer and will be missed by us, with him being called up to play for Jamaica on the 1st, 3rd and 5th of December, in the Caribbean Championship, and he could stay longer if The Reggae Boyz progress from their group.

Meanwhile centre-back Kisnorbo, 31, has been called up by The Socceroos manager Holger Osleck, to help his country qualify for the East Asian Championships, which will be played next summer in South Korea, and he will feature for his country on the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th of December.

27 November 2012
Last updated at 22:40


Leeds United ran out 3-1 winners over Hull City tonight at The KC Stadium, in a tight and nerve racking Yorkshire derby.

Hull City came into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw at home to Cardiff City, and manager Steve Bruce made just two changes from that draw, out went Abdoulaye Faye and Jay Simpson, with Corry Evans and Nick Proschwitz replacing them.

Leeds United travelled to The KC Stadium tonight without a win in two, so manager Phil Walker made a total of five changes from the 2-2 draw with Birmingham City, out went Adam Drury, Jason Pearce, Sam Byram, Paul Green and Luke Varney, with Danny Pugh, Patrick Kisnorbo, El-Hadji Diouf, Rodolph Austin and Davide Somma replacing them.

The first chance of the match came to Hull City, and it ended up in the back of the net, with Stephen Quinn scoring the goal. The assist came from fellow midfielder Robert Koren, he was found by a Matty Fryatt pass, he then slotted the ball into Quinn, who then smashed a shot across the face of Paddy Kenny and into the goal, via the far post.

The visitors had a great chance to equalise on 23 minutes, but El-Hadji Diouf headed across goal and wide. The chance for the number 21 was created by Aidan White, he beat Liam Rosenior and whipped a cross into the far post, and the cross found Diouf, but he could only send a looping header across goal and wide.

The visitors finally had the ball in the back of the net to equalise on 40 minutes, and it was Luciano Becchio with the goal. The move started for the visitors when Rodolph Austin tackled Robert Koren to win the ball in the middle of the park, he then slotted the ball into Davide Somma, who held the ball up and slotted it into the run of Becchio, who then rounded Ben Amos and slotted the ball home to equalise.

With the visitors gaining some momentum with that Becchio goal, the hosts sat back hoping to go in at the interval level, but El-Hadji Diouf had other ideas, and the attacker made it 2-1 on 44 minutes. The assist for the strike came from skipper Lee Peltier, he picked the ball up a David Norris square pass, before slipping it into the run of Diouf, and the Leeds United man somehow found space between Ben Amos and the near post, to fire United into the lead.

The home side had the chance to bring themselves level on 56 minutes, but Paddy Kenny made a great save to deny Matty Fryatt. The move for The Tigers started from a free kick in their own penalty area, goalkeeper Ben Amos laid the ball out to Jack Hobbs, he hit a long ball down field to striker Nick Proschwitz, who knocked the ball down to Fryatt, and he skipped past centre-back Tom Lees, before hitting a curling effort towards goal, and the effort looked to be going into the far corner, but somehow Kenny got there to save the shot.

The visitors wrapped the game up with nine minutes left in normal time, and it was Luciano Becchio with the goal. The move for the visitors started when Danny Pugh picked up a loose ball in The Tigers half, he then slipped the ball into Aidan White, who then slotted the ball into David Norris who was in the penalty box, and The Whites number 19 pulled the ball back for Luciano Becchio, who fired home a first time drive into the far corner, to kill the game off and make it 3-1 in front of the travelling supporters.

Full time here at The KC Stadium and it is Leeds United who have got all three points tonight, with a well-deserved 3-1 victory, thanks to two goals from Luciano Becchio and one from El-Hadji Diouf, but in all honesty it was a tight and nerve racking Yorkshire derby which could have gone either way. The home side remain in the top half of the table despite this defeat, but the visitors close the gap on top of the table Wolves, after they lost 3-0 at Leicester City.

Hull City boss, Steve Bruce, on the defeat. "This was one of those games that could of gone either way, it was a typical nervy derby played in a tense atmosphere, but I thought when we scored the first goal we was going to dominate, but that is why Leeds United are in the top two, because they fought back and scored three goals to win it, I just wish the game had finished after six minutes."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the victory. "Well a good result for us tonight, a lot of our players were still tired from the weekend, and Hull City have been in good form over the recent weeks, so when we went 1-0 down I feared for us, but I changed things around and we improved to take all three points, so that is very pleasing for me tonight."

Hull City starting line-up (4-4-2). Amos, Rosenior, McShane (c) (Hobbs (c) 51), Chester (Bruce 81), Dudgeon, Elmohamady, Evans, Koren, Quinn, Fryatt, Proschwitz (Simpson 81).
Subs not used. Jakupovic (gk), Hoff, Aluko, Cairney.
Goal. Quinn 6.
Booked. Elmohamady.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Peltier (c), Lees, Kisnorbo, Pugh (Pearce 81), Diouf, Austin, Norris (Green 81), White, Somma (Varney 75), Becchio.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Drury, Byram, Poleon.
Goals. Becchio 40, 81, Diouf 44.

Attendance. 24,618.
Referee. Dean Whitestone.
Man of the Match. Luciano Becchio (Leeds United), rated at 9.1 over 90 minutes. Another brilliant performance from The Whites top scorer, taking his total to 13 strikes this season, and earning his fourth man of the match award this season.

Cracking win there buddy!

Ye great win to say we went behind, and Hull have come into good form in recent weeks.

November awards handed out in the npower Championship.

Two awards go to players from Yorkshire clubs.

Last updated: December 1, 2012 10:40am.





The npower Championship awards for the month of November have been announced, with two of the awards going to teams from Yorkshire.

The Manager of the Month award has gone to Owen Coyle of Bolton Wanderers, after he led his team to four league victories in six games, including a victory over promotion rivals Nottingham Forest. The Player of the Month award has gone to Elland Road, and it is Luciano Becchio who has won the award after being in deadly form, which has seen him net on average more than a goal game this month. The Young Player of the Month has also gone to Yorkshire, but it is a South Yorkshire club it has gone to, with Jacob Mellis of Barnsley winning the award, following six impressive performances for the club. The final award is for Goal of the Month, and that has been won by Larnell Cole, for his strike for Crystal Palace against Huddersfield Town, a goal where he picks the ball up in his own half, dribbles past two defenders, before hitting a good effort from 15 yards out.

The top two starts this month like it did last month, with Wolves leading the way and Leeds United hot on their heels, and keeping the pressure on the Midland clubs. It is Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers, who make up the play-off places coming into the busy Christmas period. It has been another bad month for Nottingham Forest, back at the start of October the club was in 2nd place, but just two months later they find themselves down in 11th, with fans booing the players off after being unhappy with recent results. In the drop zone it is Middlesbrough, Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town, with two of those clubs sacking their manager since the beginning of the season, but The Addicks are yet to replace Chris Powell.

Manager of the Month. Owen Coyle (Bolton Wanderers).
Player of the Month. Luciano Becchio (Leeds United).
Young Player of the Month. Jacob Mellis (Barnsley).
Goal of the Month. Larnell Cole. Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town.

1 December 2012
Last updated at 20:15


Millwall have begun the month of December with a victory, beating Leeds United 1-0 at The Den, thanks to a strike from Andrew Keogh.

Millwall made three changes from the 3-0 defeat to Cardiff City on Tuesday night, out went Jack Smith, John Marquis and Scott Malone, with Alan Dunne, Darius Henderson and Chris Taylor replacing them.

Leeds United made four changes from the 3-1 win at Hull City on Tuesday, out went Patrick Kisnorbo, El-Hadji Diouf, Aidan White and Rodolph Austin, with Jason Pearce, Paul Green, Luke Varney and Michael Brown replacing them.

Millwall had the first chance of the evening at The Den, with midfielder Liam Trotter going close. The chance for Trotter was created by Darius Henderson, he held the ball up on the edge of the box before crossing it into the far post, there was Danny Pugh to head the ball away, but Trotter fired in a shot, which went just over the goal of Paddy Kenny.

The visitors lost midfielder Michael Brown on 21 minutes, after he limped off with an injury. The injury to The Whites number 17 came from a rash tackle by Josh Wright, both players went to claim a loose ball, but it was Brown who came out of the challenge worse off, and limped off injured.

The final chance of the first half came in injury time, when Luciano Becchio hit the woodwork of the Millwall goal. The chance for The Whites came after a good tackle by Paul Green, he dispossessed Chris Taylor in his own half, before playing the ball into the run of Davide Somma, who hit a low drive at goal which was saved by Maik Taylor, the rebound then fell to Becchio, whose drive was hit through a crowd of players, but hit the foot of the post and did not go in.

The first chance of the second half did not come until the 64th minute, and Paddy Kenny made a great save to deny Darius Henderson. The chance for the hosts was created by Andrew Keogh, he picked the ball up from a Liam Feeney pass, before crossing the ball into the far post to find Henderson, and the Millwall striker thought he had scored with a powerful header, but somehow Kenny got there to tip the ball over the crossbar.

The home side won the match with just 15 minutes remaining, and it was Andrew Keogh who won the match, a player who has had two spells with Leeds United. The goal for Keogh was created by left-back Jack Robinson, the player who is at Millwall from Liverpool on loan drove a ball in, and there was Keogh to slot home, and put the home side into the lead.

The visitors thought they had equalised on the 89th minute, but a header from Luke Varney was disallowed for offside. The chance was created after great creative play from the visitors, Ramon Nunez laid the ball out to Sam Byram, and the midfielder pulled the ball back to Lee Peltier, who sent a cross into the far post to find Varney, who sent a powerful header at goal, which Maik Taylor could only push into the corner of the net, to send Leeds United into celebrations but they were short lived, as the linesman had his flag up to rule the goal out.

Full time here at The Den and Millwall take all three points here this evening, thanks to a strike from striker Andrew Keogh. This win for Millwall lifts them level on points with Blackburn Rovers in sixth, but Leeds United drop into third place, with Bolton Wanderers winning 2-1 in the derby against Burnley.

Millwall manager, Kenny Jackett, on the win. "A good win for us this evening, Leeds United have been going strong this season in the league, so to take all three points off them is a great feeling, but as always this game was battling match but a battle which we came out on top of."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on losing. "Well these games between us and Millwall and always tough, and today was no different with just the one goal separating us, but I felt the game should have ended in a draw, which would have been the fairer result. We will have to wait to see how bad the injury is to Michael (Brown), it looked serious as he went off, but we will know more tomorrow."

Millwall starting line-up (4-4-2). M. Taylor, Dunne, P. Robinson (c), Shittu, J. Robinson, Feeney, Trotter, Wright (Mkandawire 56), C. Taylor (Malone 59), Henderson, Keogh.
Subs not used. Forde (gk), Smith, Marquis, Racon, Osbourne.
Goal. Keogh 75.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Peltier (c), Lees, Pearce, Pugh, Green, Brown (Byram 23), Norris (Nunez 68), Varney, Becchio, Somma (Diouf 57).
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Drury, White, Poleon.
Booked. Peltier, Pugh.

Attendance. 17,365.
Referee. Howard Webb.
Man of the Match. Paddy Kenny (Leeds United), rated at 8.1 over 90 minutes. The Leeds United goalkeeper was in great form this evening, and he was unlucky to concede the goal to Andrew Keogh, but he kept the score down with some great saves.

Still there or there abouts come the half way stage for you mate! Promotion is looking possible now!

Yep we are having a great season so far, start of the campaign I would of been happy with a top half finish, so if we finished in the top six it would be a great achievement, especially with the little transfer budget I have at my disposal

Brown out for around four to five months.

Midfielder will be a big blow for The Whites.

Last updated: December 2, 2012 9:00am.





Leeds United will be without midfielder Michael Brown for four to five months, after he picked up an injury in the 1-0 defeat at Millwall yesterday.

Brown, 35, picked up a torn calf muscle in the defeat at The Den in front of the Sky Sports cameras yesterday evening, after stretching too far in a challenge to win a loose ball, in the middle of the park. This will be bad news for the Hartlepool-born midfielder, he is into the final year of his current contract, and manager Phil Walker is unsure as to whether he will hand Brown a new deal, so Brown was hoping to impress the boss into handing him a new deal, and will see this injury as a major setback.

This injury will come as a major blow for boss Phil Walker, he is currently without Patrick Kisnorbo and Rodolph Austin who are on international duty, while Ross McCormack is still out injured with an ankle injury, and the players looked very tired towards the end of the game yesterday, so Walker will look to bolster his squad in January, or use some of the younger players already at the club.

Big injury blow that mate, but your doing very well so far!

Ye to say who are missing at the minute but we will have to deal with it. Ye the season is going great so far, doing well above my expectations

FA Cup Third Round draw is made.

Upsets could be made by lower league teams.

Last updated: December 2, 2012 3:30pm.





The FA Cup Third Round draw was made this afternoon, with a number of Premier League teams facing trips to lower league teams.

Holders of the FA Cup Chelsea, are one of those teams facing a trip to lower league opposition, they face a trip to St. James, where they will face Exeter City, who are rooted to the bottom of League Two.

Manchester City will face a short trip in their tie, they will travel to League One outfit Preston North End, in what could be a tough game for the Premier League holders.

Bristol City who are 14th in the npower Championship, will host Tottenham Hotspur at Ashton Gate, and will be hoping to knock the Premier League side out of the competition.

Premier League side Sunderland will face a trip to a League two side, but they are not sure who they face yet, as Northampton Town and Chesterfield face each other in a replay.

The runners up from last season Liverpool have been drawn at home, they will take on npower Championship side Blackpool, in what will be a tough test for the men from Anfield.

Leeds United look to have one foot in the Fourth Round after the draw today, they will face either Macclesfield Town or AFC Wimbledon, at Elland Road.

Other ties include Newcastle United v Manchester United, Arsenal v Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham City v Walsall, Cardiff City v Alfreton Town, and Ipswich Town v Reading.

The FA Cup Third Round draw in full.
Arsenal v Sheffield Wednesday.
Barnsley v Carlisle United.
Birmingham City v Walsall.
Burnley v Crystal Palace.
Bristol City v Tottenham Hotspur.
Bury v Stoke City.
Cardiff City v Alfreton Town.
Charlton Athletic v Plymouth Argyle.
Dagenham or Redbridge or Accrington Stanley v Port Vale or Aldershot Town.
Derby County v Wycombe Wanderers.
Everton v Hull City.
Exeter City v Chelsea.
Huddersfield Town v Portsmouth.
Ipswich Town v Reading.
Leeds United v Macclesfield Town or AFC Wimbledon.
Liverpool v Blackpool.
Newcastle United v Manchester United.
Northampton Town or Chesterfield v Sunderland.
Nottingham Forest v Bolton Wanderers.
Peterborough United v Leicester City.
Preston North End v Manchester City.
Rochdale v Norwich City.
Rotherham United v Queens Park Rangers.
Scunthorpe United v Millwall.
Sheffield United v Brentford.
Swansea City v Wigan Athletic.
Watford v Blackburn Rovers.
West Brom v Brighton and Hove Albion.
West Ham v Aston Villa.
Wolves v Fulham.
Yeovil Town or Stevenage v Southampton.
York City or Crewe Alexandra v Middlesbrough.

4 December 2012
Last updated at 22:10


Blackpool won a five goal thriller tonight at Elland Road, by beating Leeds United 3-2.

Leeds United made four changes from the defeat at Millwall on Saturday, out went Danny Pugh, Paul Green, Luciano Becchio and Michael Brown, with Adam Drury, El-Hadji Diouf, Aidan White and Ramon Nunez replacing them.

Blackpool made three changes from the 2-2 draw with Hull City, out went Alex John-Baptiste, Angel and Thomas Ince, with Craig Cathcart, Elliot Grandin and Ludovic Sylvestre replacing them.

The game took a while to get started, and the first chance came on 26 minutes, with David Norris firing the home side into the lead. The assist for the goal came from El-Hadji Diouf, he cut inside and found Norris on the edge of the box, and The Whites number 19 fired home a low drive, to put the home side into the lead.

The lead for the home side only last six first half minutes, as Nathan Delfouneso equalised for the visitors. The assist for the strike came from midfielder Marc Pugh, he received the ball from a Ludovic Sylvestre pass, before playing Delfouneso in on goal, and the striker slotted home past Paddy Kenny for 1-1.

The home side took the lead just four minutes after that Delfouneso goal, with Marc Pugh going from provider to scorer. The goal this time was created by Matt Phillips, he found a gap in the home sides defence and slotted it into the run of Pugh, who then curled it past Paddy Kenny and in off the post for 2-1.

The Seasiders wrapped up all three points less than a minute into the second period, with Nathan Delfouneso finding the net again for 3-1. The goal again was created by Marc Pugh, who was giving the defenders of the home team a torrid time, the Blackpool midfielder was found in the box by a Matt Phillips pass, and he put the ball into the six yard box to find Delfouneso, who turned and rifled home a half volley past Paddy Kenny.

The two goal lead lasted only three minutes for the away side, as Aidan White pulled one back for the home side, with his first ever strike for the club. The goal for The Whites was from a counter attack, Tom Lees won the ball from Elliot Grandin, and he hit the ball over the top into Luke Varney, who ran at the Blackpool defence before crossing into the far post, and that cross found White at the far post, who let the ball bounce before firing home into the net from a tight angle.

The night got worse for the hosts on 87 minutes, as El-Hadji Diouf was sent off, to round off a terrible night for them. The Whites attacker was already on a yellow card, which he picked up wrongly in the first half for diving, and his second booking of the game was for diving, but yet again the referee Chris Foy got the decision wrong.

Full time here at Elland Road on a disappointing night for the hosts, not only do they lose all three points to Blackpool, but they end the game with ten men, with El-Hadji Diouf being sent off for two yellow cards, both coming after wrong decisions by the referee, who claimed Diouf had dived. This win for Blackpool sends them level on points with the home side, but Leeds United stay above them on goal difference.

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the defeat. "Well that was a very disappointing result for me, we took the lead but yet again could not keep a clean sheet, but it is the fans I feel sorry for having to watch that tonight, the players were not good enough tonight. I am also a little disappointed with the referee tonight, twice he wrongly booked (El-Hadji) Diouf, so we will now not have him to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday"

Blackpool boss, Ian Holloway, on securing all three points. "A good win for us tonight, I feel we are in great form at the minute, only one defeat in ten games for us I believe, and that is down to a great bunch of lads, but we have to keep this run going until May."

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Peltier (c), Lees, Pearce, Drury, Diouf, Nunez, Norris (Green 61), White, Varney (Byram 74), Somma (Becchio 61).
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Pugh, Thompson, Poleon.
Goals. Norris 26, White 49.
Booked. Peltier, Diouf.
Sent off. Diouf.

Blackpool starting line-up (4-2-3-1). Gilks, Eardley (John-Baptiste 86), Cathcart, Evatt (c), Crainey, Sylvestre, Ferguson (c) (Angel 81), Grandin, Pugh (Broadfoot 87), M. Phillips, Delfouneso.
Subs not used. Kettings (gk), Ince, Dicko, Harris.
Goals. Delfouneso 32, 46, Pugh 36.
Booked. Cathcart, Grandin.

Attendance. 21,493.
Referee. Chris Foy.
Man of the Match. Marc Pugh (Blackpool), rated at 9.1 over 87 minutes. The home side could not keep the Blackpool man quiet tonight, not only was he involved in all three goals, but he gave the hosts problems all night.

Easy cup tie really as long as you avoid the upset! Tough result to take there too!

It is and it is a good chance to maybe give the more important players a rest. Finding it tough at the minute with injuries, international duty and now a suspension, plus players are tired at the moment.

Middlesbrough dismiss boss Mowbray.

Boro boss sacked after a poor start to the season.

Last updated: December 4, 2012 10:20pm.





Tony Mowbray has tonight been sacked by Middlesbrough, less than an hour after their 2-0 defeat to Everton, in the Capital One Cup last eight.

English-born Mowbray, 49, has been at The Riverside Stadium for over two years, after taking over in October 2010, after the departure of Gordon Strachan, but Mowbray has tonight been sacked by chairman Steve Gibson, with the club in 22nd place in the league, and having exited the Capital One Cup earlier tonight.

Boro fans had expected their side to have a decent start to the campaign in the summer, especially with the club signing players like Jonathan Woodgate to add to a strong squad, which includes Marvin Emnes, Jason Steele and Scott McDonald, but the season has been a poor one so far, with the club languishing in the bottom three of the npower Championship.

Speculation as to who will take over at The Riverside Stadium is certainly keeping people guessing, with the likes of Jimmy Calderwood, Graham Westley and Neale Cooper being linked, but it seems Gary Megson is the early favourite to take over.

Clark sacked by Birmingham City.

Geordie sacked after less than six months in charge of The Blues.

Last updated: December 4, 2012 11:15pm.





Birmingham City have made it two sackings in the npower Championship tonight, after they sacked manager Lee Clark.

Ex-Newcastle United midfield man Clark, 40, has been sacked less than two hours after the 4-1 defeat to Millwall, at St. Andrews. Clark was only appointed as boss of the Midland club in the summer, but after a poor campaign so far, which sees them in 18th place in the league, with only five wins so far this season, Birmingham City managing director Ian Furey has wielded the axe, hoping a change of manager will turn the clubs fortunes around.

The Blues had been tipped to be fighting for promotion this season, during the summer, especially with the likes of Peter Lovenkrands, Darren Ambrose, Hayden Mullins and Tal Ben-Haim arriving, but it has been a very disappointing campaign so far, with fans booing the side off the pitch, and the club also having the lowest attendance of the season tonight.

There have been a number of names being lined with the vacancy at the club, with the likes of Gary Megson, Gary Smith and Russell Slade being linked, but MK Dons manager Karl Robinson seems to be the one Birmingham City want, but whether they can appoint him is a different story.

4 December 2012
Last updated at 23:50


Charlton Athletic have tonight confirmed who will become their new manager, and it is MK Dons boss Karl Robinson who has taken over at The Valley.

The Addicks have appointed Liverpool-born Robinson, 32, on a deal until June 2015, as the Charlton fans will be hoping that he can keep them in the npower Championship this season, and hope they are not relegated straight back to the npower League One, which they won last season.

The new Charlton Athletic manager is only in his second job in football management, he was appointed as manager at MK Dons in May 2010. During his time with The Dons he did not win anything, but he helped the club to two 5th place finishes, and leaves the club in 7th place in the league, with rumours that the financial status is insecure.

It will be a tough start for Robinson at the club, with Bristol City first up at The Valley on Saturday evening, then they travel to Nottingham Forest, before taking on Burnley and Wolves at home, and they then round the year off at Sheffield Wednesday.

It is rumoured that Charlton have paid £400,000 compensation to MK Dons, for the services of Robinson, and he will be unveiled to the press tomorrow morning.

Another couple of well written reports buddy!

Cheers for the feedback Dan, glad your liking the updates

I AM DELIGHTED TO GET MY FIRST GOAL.

5 December 2012.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Aidan White delighted to score his first goal for us.



Aidan White has today spoken of his delight to score his first ever goal for us, in the 3-2 defeat to Blackpool last night.

White, 21, scored his first goal in a shirt for us last night, since making his debut in 2008 for us, in a Carling Cup match against Crystal Palace, and has gone on to make 65 league appearances for us, including playing 14 times in the npower Championship this season.

The left sided player has taken time out to speak to us today, about his delight on scoring his first goal for us, but has also confirmed he would have preferred all three points.

Aidan White on his first goal for us. "Of course I am pleased to score my first goal for the club, but I would of preferred for it to be in a win for us, and I would of swapped my goal for all three points last night, but hopefully we can pick ourselves up and beat Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, when they come to Elland Road."

6 December 2012
Last updated at 15:00


Ian Holloway has this afternoon left as manager of npower Championship side Blackpool, to take over Premier League side West Brom.

The Baggies are currently struggling in the Premier League, and sacked Steve Clarke as there manager over a week ago, with the club rock bottom of the Premier League, with just one victory all season in all competitions, which was a 3-0 win at home to Millwall.

In terms of the deal Holloway has signed at The Hawthorns, the Bristol-born manager has signed a deal until June 2016, which is £22,500 a week, and The Baggies board will be hoping he can keep them in the top flight this season, despite the club not winning a Premier League game so far.

Holloway, 49, has got a very tough start to life at The Hawthorns, they travel to Midlands rivals Aston Villa on Saturday, before travelling to Chelsea and Arsenal after that, before taking on Liverpool and Swansea City at home just before Christmas.

The rumours have started who will take over the reins at Bloomfield Road, the favourite seems to be ex-Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay, but other managers such as Stuart McCall, Danny Lennon and Craig Brown are also being linked.

Ian Holloway on the move to The Hawthorns. "I felt this challenge was too big to down am afraid, I do leave Bloomfield Road after more than three great years there a little sad, after all I have been through a lot with them, promotion to the Premier League against all odds but then relegation the season after, but it is time to look to the future and my new job with West Brom."

Interesting switch from Holloway however a somewhat unrealistic one you feel

Ye I would not have expected it, especially with how Blackpool are doing this season

8 December 2012
Last updated at 18:05


Blackburn Rovers were well beaten by Leeds United at Elland Road today, with the home side winning 3-0.

Leeds United came into the game having lost to Blackpool in midweek, and manager Phil Walker made four changes, out went Adam Drury, El-Hadji Diouf, Ramon Nunez and Luke Varney, with Danny Pugh, Sam Byram, Paul Green and Luciano Becchio coming in. Youngster Simon Lenighan was named on the bench, and he was handed the number 37 shirt before the match.

Blackburn Rovers came to Elland Road on the back of a 0-0 draw away at Cardiff City, and boss Alan Curbishley made just the one change, Jordan Rhodes dropped to the bench with Nuno Gomes replacing him.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to the home side, and they put the ball in the back of the net, with Tom Lees scoring his first goal of the season. The goal was created from a Leeds United corner, the corner was taken by Aidan White, he crossed the ball into the box to find an unmarked Lees, and the centre-back headed the ball powerfully past Paul Robinson and into the net.

The away side created their first real chance of the game on 15 minutes, and it was Nuno Gomes who had the chance. The chance for the Portuguese striker was created by Danny Murphy, he picked the ball up from a Dickson Etuhu pass, before slotting it into Gomes, and the Blackburn striker held off a challenge from Jason Pearce, before firing a low shot just wide.

The visitors lost midfielder Colin Kazim-Richards on the 44th minute, the Blackburn Rovers attacker limped off with a hamstring injury, much to the delight of the home fans, who were booing him throughout the match, as he is currently on loan at the club from Galatasaray.

Blackburn hit the woodwork in first half injury time, and it was Jason Lowe who had the chance. The ball came to the Blackburn Rovers number six from a Nuno Gomes pass, and Lowe took a good first chance to take it away from Tom Lees, before hitting a low drive at goal which beat Paddy Kenny, but cannoned back off the post.

The first opportunity did not come until after the hour in the second half, and it was Leeds United defender Jason Pearce who had the chance, but his shot smashed back off the post. The chance for Pearce came from a free kick which was won by Paul Green, after he was brought down by Jason Lowe just outside the box, and Pearce curled his shot over the wall but the shot came back off the post.

The home side doubled their lead just two minutes after that chance, and it was David Norris who found the net, for his second goal in as many games. The goal was created by Paul Green, he picked the ball up from a Davide Somma pass, before laying the ball into the run of Norris, and he lofted the ball over Paul Robinson and into the net for 2-0.

The home side wrapped all three points up 19 minutes later, and it was Paul Green with the strike. The assist for the strike was a very cheeky one from Luciano Becchio, the Leeds United striker picked the ball up from a Sam Byram pass, he then spotted the run from midfielder Green, and back heeled the ball into him, Green then used his skill to beat Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley, before hitting a low shot past Paul Robinson and into the net.

It took a good save from Paul Robinson to deny Leeds United a fourth goal, and it was Davide Somma with the chance. The chance for the Leeds United striker was created by Luke Varney, he laid the ball into Somma who was on the edge of the area, and he took a touch to beat Gael Givet, before hitting a drive at goal which was heading into the roof of the net, before Robinson tipped the shot over.

Full time here at Elland Road, it is a 3-0 win for Leeds United against Blackburn Rovers this afternoon, thanks to goals from Tom Lees, David Norris and Paul Green. This win for Leeds United means they stay in third place, but the defeat for Blackburn Rovers keeps them outside the play-off places.

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the win. "It is a terrific win for us this afternoon, it was really important for us to get back to winning ways, especially after the last two games, so to grab all three points against a side like Blackburn Rovers was great, but I also feel this was our best performance under me since I arrived."

Blackburn Rovers manager, Alan Curbishley, on losing this afternoon. "Of course it is always disappointing to lose, but we were second best in every position today, and that is not good enough for our travelling fans."

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Peltier (c) (Thompson 88), Lees, Pearce, Pugh, Byram, Norris (Nunez 72), Green (c), White (Varney 60), Somma, Becchio.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Drury, Lenighan, Poleon.
Goals. Lees 3, Norris 63, Green 82.

Blackburn Rovers starting line-up (4-5-1). Robinson, Young, Dann (Hanley 69), Givet, Hill, Kazim-Richards (Rhodes 44), Murphy (c), Lowe, Etuhu (Vukcevic 74), Pedersen, Nuno Gomes.
Subs not used. Sandomierski (gk), Henley, Orr, Mouyokolo.
Booked. Lowe, Hill.

Attendance. 26,771.
Referee. Lee Mason.
Man of the Match. Paul Green (Leeds United), rated at 9.0 over 90 minutes. The midfielder helped Leeds United to all three points this afternoon, not only did he create the second goal and fired home the winner, he also finished the match as captain, after Lee Peltier was brought off after picking up a knock.

WE WILL FACE AFC WIMBLEDON IN THE CUP.

11 December 2012.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
First time we will ever face The Dons.



It has been confirmed tonight that we will face AFC Wimbledon in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Dons won 1-0 at home to Macclesfield tonight at Kingsmeadow to set this tie up, with the goal coming from midfielder Stacy Long, after just 14 minutes.

This will be the first time we have ever face AFC Wimbledon, who were formed ten years ago, after the original Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes, to become the club what is known as MK Dons.

One player who will not be available for the opponents is Sanchez Payne, a player who is on loan with them for us, and has been a key player for them, having played 21 games in all competitions, and scoring just the one goal.

Top win against Rovers, Wimbledon should be a fairly straight forward game for you too!

Ye a great win against Blackburn but we could have had four or five goals against em, and yep it should be a straight forward tie for us

14 December 2012
Last updated at 11:30


Gary Megson has this morning been unveiled as the new manager of npower Championship side Middlesbrough.

Boro are currently in the bottom three of the npower Championship, and chairman Steve Gibson sacked former manager Tony Mowbray ten days ago, with the club having won just four games in the league this season.

In terms of the contract handed to Megson, the former Bolton Wanderers boss has signed a deal until June 2015, on £8,500 a week, and his main objective will be to avoid relegation this season, but will have a tough job on his hands, with the financial status at the club being insecure.

Megson, 53, will have a tough start to life at The Riverside Stadium, first he faces Peterborough United on Saturday at The Riverside Stadium, then they face trips to Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town, who are both having a good season, before taking on promotion chasing Bolton Wanderers at home, then facing struggling Bristol City also at The Riverside Stadium.

Gary Megson on his new job. "I am delighted to be back in football management today, this was a challenge that appealed to me when I had the interview, and I hope to keep the club in this division this season, which is a challenge I believe I will have success in completing."