Championship 23/24

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

8 minutes ago, AllRoverAsia said:

Yes indeed. It worries me that Stoke may decide to give "nice" football a try for a change.

Mm, I’d be amazed if his name wasn’t amongst the names being mentioned at Stoke. 

Edited December 10, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[bazza]

I know lots on this board will disagree with me but, if JDT were to leave us, I would want Lee Johnson from Fleetwood Town. I have always liked the way his teams have played and I like the way he talks about football. I think he could do a good job for us under the circumstances.

Having said that, I forgot for a moment that our owners couldn't care less. Down to Earth with a bang!

[roversfan99]

Not only does Johnson come across as a prick, but his managerial record isnt very good either. Currently 21st having lost his last 5 games by either a 3-0 or 4-0 scoreline.

[bazza]

9 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Not only does Johnson come across as a prick, but his managerial record isnt very good either. Currently 21st having lost his last 5 games by either a 3-0 or 4-0 scoreline.

I said not many would agree. But he has taken over a team in dire straits. I thought he did an excellent job at Bristol City.

[DE.]

Friday night's match saw Wayne Rooney's Birmingham City™ continue to show no fear of losing, as they were once again beaten, this time 2-0 by Coventry City at the CBS Arena. Rooney's first nine games in charge have yielded a dismal five points, but their poor away form stretches back to the beginning of the season, as they haven't managed a single point on the road since August 19th (according to the beeb). The Sky Blues could have won by more in a match they completely controlled, but they'll no doubt settle for three points and a clean sheet. In Rooney's post-match interview he said his team can't defend, can't attack and can't take set pieces. Not ideal. Birmingham now slip to 17th in the table, overtaken by a Coventry side who are finally getting their form back, now in 15th having won three of their last four league games. 

Rovers hosted Leeds at Ewood park in one of two lunch time kickoffs on Saturday. The quality in Leeds' ranks ultimately proved too much for Rovers to handle, as they fell to a second successive defeat, losing 2-0. Rovers' home form continues to be a concern, with six losses from ten home matches this season making for worrying reading. Additionally concerning is that ten defeats ranks up there with the worst teams in the division, but as we don't draw, nine wins has seen us remain in a decent position - only three points from the playoffs. Nonetheless, Rovers' GD slips back into negative territory at -1, and we've now lost three of our last five league games. Leeds meanwhile notch up their third straight win in a row, continuing to pursue Ipswich and Leicester in the automatic spots - albeit from a distance of seven and eight points respectively.

 Sunderland's first game without Tony Mowbray went well, as they arrested a run of three games without a win by beating WBA 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. WBA only managed a single shot on target, and scored it, so they can't really complain about the result. Victory lifts Sunderland back into 6th position on goal difference, level on points with Cardiff in 7th and Hull in 8th. The Baggies have now lost two in a row, but stay in 5th for the time being. 

Joe Edwards continues to find life as new Millwall boss difficult, as his side slipped to four games without a win, this time suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium. They really could have come up with a more creative name. Anyhow, a largely poor game was decided by a 78th minute goal from Dimitrios Goutas. The result has Caridff in 7th, pushing for the playoffs and only behind 6th-placed Sunderland on goal difference. Millwall drop to 19th, having only managed one point from the last twelve available. They are just two points off the relegation zone, and with QPR suddenly springing to life, a lot of teams will be starting to get very nervous.

One of those teams will be Huddersfield, who laboured to a 1-1 home draw against Bristol City. They are unbeaten in four, but three of those four games were draws, which are limited in usefulness when they come in clusters. Huddersfield have still only won four games this season, and remain in 21st, increasingly anxious as QPR approach at speed in the rear-view mirror. Brisol City's season continues to define mediocre, as they sit in 14th place, having managed five points from the last twelve available. They have now failed to win in three matches.

As with a few teams in this division, Plymouth are pretty useless away from home, and Leicester ruthlessly exploited that by giving them a 4-0 pasting. Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher said after the match that "4-0 is not the scoreline we wanted before the game". I mean... yeah, obviously. Leicester seem to be well past their mini-wobble and are back on form, remaining top of the table having attained ten points from the last twelve available. Plymouth are doing a Rovers, stuck in a WLWLWL pattern, and this loss drops them to 18th in the table, three points clear of the relegation places. 

Not too long ago Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna were coaching at Manchester United together. Nowadays each has their own post in the Championship, and they were in opposite dugouts for Middlesbrough's home match against Ipswich Town. It was relentless Ipswich who continued to make this Championship lark look easy, scoring two and keeping a clean sheet at the Riverside to earn yet another three points. A fourth win in five for Ipswich keeps them in second place, a point behind Leicester and still seven ahead of Leeds, who must be wondering if Ipswich are ever going to give them a chance to catch up. Boro's third loss in five matches sees them remain in mid-table, 12th, although still only three points from a playoff position. 

Norwich and Preston played out a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road, a rare blank for typically free-scoring Norwich, but also a rare clean sheet. The draw doesn't do a great deal for either club. Preston drop to 9th, although the draw does halt a run of three consecutive defeats. Norwich meanwhile sit in 13th, having gained a credible ten points from the last fifteen available.

The resurrection of QPR is well and truly underway, as they beat Hull City 2-0 at Loftus Road to secure a third win in a row - having only won twice in the entire season beforehand. Marti Cifuentes impact is certainly being felt, as QPR's new boss appears to be yanking his team from the ashes and giving them a fighting chance of staying in the division. They are still 22nd, but all of a sudden just two points behind Huddersfield, Stoke and Millwall, and three behind Plymouth. What appeared to be a hopeless situation has transformed into a genuine push for survival. It was a second defeat in a row for Hull, who fall out of the playoff places, down to 8th and overtaken by both Sunderland and Cardiff on goal difference.

Rotherham, in contrast to QPR, find themselves staring into oblivion as another loss - this time 2-1 at home to Swansea City - sends them to the foot of the table with just two points picked up from the last fifteen available. They should probably aim to appoint a manager at some point in the next few months, as Matt Taylor was sacked way back on November 13th and nothing has improved. Daniel Ayala did not help Rotherham's cause by getting himself stupidly booked twice in the first seventeen minutes, leaving his team to play the rest of the game with ten men. Much like Sunderland, Swansea's first match after sacking their manager ended with a 2-1 victory. It ends a run of five games without a win for the Swans, pushing them up to 16th. 

Sheffield Wednesday followed up their second win of the season last week against Rovers by not only winning again, but keeping a clean sheet as they beat Alex Neil's Stoke side 1-0 at the Bet365 Stadium. They can perhaps count themselves a little lucky, with Stoke having missed a 64th minute penalty, and the Owls snatching the win in the 91st minute, but three points are three points. With Stoke having picked up an abysmal two points from the last eighteen available, Alex Neil was relieved of his duties two days after this result. He leaves Stoke in 20th position, on a run of four straight defeats and two points from the drop zone. Sheffield Wednesday are still eight points from safety, owing to their horrific start to the season, but young boss Danny Rohl sees his team claw above Rotherham to 23rd in the table. The great escape seems unlikely... but you never know.

Southampton appeared to be heading for a narrow 1-0 away win against Watford, but a last-gasp 96th minute equaliser from Rhys Healey meant that the points were ultimately shared. Watford rise to 10th place, leapfrogging Rovers, having been able to collect ten points from their last fifteen. With all of the teams above them winning, a draw for Southampton means that - although they remain comfortably in 4th - they have slipped three points behind Leeds, ten behind Ipswich and eleven behind Leicester. The Saints poor start to the season leaves them with little room for error if they want to seriously challenge for the automatic spots. 

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by DE.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

24 minutes ago, DE. said:

Friday night's match saw Wayne Rooney's Birmingham City™ continue to show no fear of losing, as they were once again beaten, this time 2-0 by Coventry City at the CBS Arena. Rooney's first nine games in charge have yielded a dismal five points, but their poor away form stretches back to the beginning of the season, as they haven't managed a single point on the road since August 19th (according to the beeb). The Sky Blues could have won by more in a match they completely controlled, but they'll no doubt settle for three points and a clean sheet. In Rooney's post-match interview he said his team can't defend, can't attack and can't take set pieces. Not ideal. Birmingham now slip to 17th in the table, overtaken by a Coventry side who are finally getting their form back, now in 15th having won three of their last four league games. 

Rovers hosted Leeds at Ewood park in one of two lunch time kickoffs on Saturday. The quality in Leeds' ranks ultimately proved too much for Rovers to handle, as they fell to a second successive defeat, losing 2-0. Rovers' home form continues to be a concern, with six losses from ten home matches this season making for worrying reading. Additionally concerning is that ten defeats ranks up there with the worst teams in the division, but as we don't draw, nine wins has seen us remain in a decent position - only three points from the playoffs. Nonetheless, Rovers' GD slips back into negative territory at -1, and we've now lost three of our last five league games. Leeds meanwhile notch up their third straight win in a row, continuing to pursue Ipswich and Leicester in the automatic spots - albeit from a distance of seven and eight points respectively.

 Sunderland's first game without Tony Mowbray went well, as they arrested a run of three games without a win by beating WBA 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. WBA only managed a single shot on target, and scored it, so they can't really complain about the result. Victory lifts Sunderland back into 6th position on goal difference, level on points with Cardiff in 7th and Hull in 8th. The Baggies have now lost two in a row, but stay in 5th for the time being. 

Joe Edwards continues to find life as new Millwall boss difficult, as his side slipped to four games without a win, this time suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium. They really could have come up with a more creative name. Anyhow, a largely poor game was decided by a 78th minute goal from Dimitrios Goutas. The result has Caridff in 7th, pushing for the playoffs and only behind 6th-placed Sunderland on goal difference. Millwall drop to 19th, having only managed one point from the last twelve available. They are just two points off the relegation zone, and with QPR suddenly springing to life, a lot of teams will be starting to get very nervous.

One of those teams will be Huddersfield, who laboured to a 1-1 home draw against Bristol City. They are unbeaten in four, but three of those four games were draws, which are limited in usefulness when they come in clusters. Huddersfield have still only won four games this season, and remain in 21st, increasingly anxious as QPR approach at speed in the rear-view mirror. Brisol City's season continues to define mediocre, as they sit in 14th place, having managed five points from the last twelve available. They have now failed to win in three matches.

As with a few teams in this division, Plymouth are pretty useless away from home, and Leicester ruthlessly exploited that by giving them a 4-0 pasting. Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher said after the match that "4-0 is not the scoreline we wanted before the game". I mean... yeah, obviously. Leicester seem to be well past their mini-wobble and are back on form, remaining top of the table having attained ten points from the last twelve available. Plymouth are doing a Rovers, stuck in a WLWLWL pattern, and this loss drops them to 18th in the table, three points clear of the relegation places. 

Not too long ago Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna were coaching at Manchester United together. Nowadays each has their own post in the Championship, and they were in opposite dugouts for Middlesbrough's home match against Ipswich Town. It was relentless Ipswich who continued to make this Championship lark look easy, scoring two and keeping a clean sheet at the Riverside to earn yet another three points. A fourth win in five for Ipswich keeps them in second place, a point behind Leicester and still seven ahead of Leeds, who must be wondering if Ipswich are ever going to give them a chance to catch up. Boro's third loss in five matches sees them remain in mid-table, 12th, although still only three points from a playoff position. 

Norwich and Preston played out a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road, a rare blank for typically free-scoring Norwich, but also a rare clean sheet. The draw doesn't do a great deal for either club. Preston drop to 9th, although the draw does halt a run of three consecutive defeats. Norwich meanwhile sit in 13th, having gained a credible ten points from the last fifteen available.

The resurrection of QPR is well and truly underway, as they beat Hull City 2-0 at Loftus Road to secure a third win in a row - having only won twice in the entire season beforehand. Marti Cifuentes impact is certainly being felt, as QPR's new boss appears to be yanking his team from the ashes and giving them a fighting chance of staying in the division. They are still 22nd, but all of a sudden just two points behind Huddersfield, Stoke and Millwall, and three behind Plymouth. What appeared to be a hopeless situation has transformed into a genuine push for survival. It was a second defeat in a row for Hull, who fall out of the playoff places, down to 8th and overtaken by both Sunderland and Cardiff on goal difference.

Rotherham, in contrast to QPR, find themselves staring into oblivion as another loss - this time 2-1 at home to Swansea City - sends them to the foot of the table with just two points picked up from the last fifteen available. They should probably aim to appoint a manager at some point in the next few months, as Matt Taylor was sacked way back on November 13th and nothing has improved. Daniel Ayala did not help Rotherham's cause by getting himself stupidly booked twice in the first seventeen minutes, leaving his team to play the rest of the game with ten men. Much like Sunderland, Swansea's first match after sacking their manager ended with a 2-1 victory. It ends a run of five games without a win for the Swans, pushing them up to 16th. 

Sheffield Wednesday followed up their second win of the season last week against Rovers by not only winning again, but keeping a clean sheet as they beat Alex Neil's Stoke side 1-0 at the Bet365 Stadium. They can perhaps count themselves a little lucky, with Stoke having missed a 64th minute penalty, and the Owls snatching the win in the 91st minute, but three points are three points. With Stoke having picked up an abysmal two points from the last eighteen available, Alex Neil was relieved of his duties two days after this result. He leaves Stoke in 20th position, on a run of four straight defeats and two points from the drop zone. Sheffield Wednesday are still eight points from safety, owing to their horrific start to the season, but young boss Danny Rohl sees his team claw above Rotherham to 23rd in the table. The great escape seems unlikely... but you never know.

Southampton appeared to be heading for a narrow 1-0 away win against Watford, but a last-gasp 96th minute equaliser from Rhys Healey meant that the points were ultimately shared. Watford rise to 10th place, leapfrogging Rovers, having been able to collect ten points from their last fifteen. With all of the teams above them winning, a draw for Southampton means that - although they remain comfortably in 4th - they have slipped three points behind Leeds, ten behind Ipswich and eleven behind Leicester. The Saints poor start to the season leaves them with little room for error if they want to seriously challenge for the automatic spots. 

 

Excellent summary as always.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Huge average attendances...

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/championship/attendances

 

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Mattyblue]

Football crowds are booming in this country from the Premier League to non league at a level not seen since the 1950s.... with an obvious exception..

[Upside Down]

Every single one of those clubs is offering more than this one.

The only club in the country that had no ambition to do anything other than exist.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Upside Down said:

Every single one of those clubs is offering more than this one.

The only club in the country that had no ambition to do anything other than exist.

And people know that. It’s a soul destroying time to be a Rovers fan.

[Upside Down]

29 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

And people know that. It’s a soul destroying time to be a Rovers fan.

Pointless, one may even say.

[1874]

Rovers are now +3 goal difference and -1 point from corresponding fixtures last season.

[rigger]

Results are going well for us tonight.

[islander200]

Sky reporting Michael Beale set to be appointed Sunderland manager

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, islander200 said:

Sky reporting Michael Beale set to be appointed Sunderland manager

They’d better off sticking with Mowbray.

[bazza]

2 hours ago, islander200 said:

Sky reporting Michael Beale set to be appointed Sunderland manager

I thought they could do better than that. Oh well. Higher up the league for us.

[DE.]

Tuesday/Wednesday...

Rovers got back to winning ways after two defeats on the spin with a 2-1 win over Bristol City at Ewood Park. Our home form hasn't been the best lately, so it was great to see us pick up all three points against a side we'd expect to beat on our own turf. Those games can be just as tricky as the ones against superior opposition. Siggy back on the scoresheet which is nice to see, as well as a Wharton brothers combo for goal number two. We never do things the easy way, though, and a Bristol City goal on the 60th minute made for a nervy final 30 minutes or so. Rovers move up to 9th, two points from the playoff positions. It was a third defeat in four matches for Bristol City, having picked up just one point from the last twelve available. New boss Liam Manning has some work to do, as his side falls to 15th.

Preston put a run of four games without a win behind them as they beat woeful Huddersfield 3-1 at the John Smith's Stadium. The Terriers were booed off by their fans at half time, 2-0 down against a PNE team who are not exactly renowned for their scoring prowess. Darren Moore attempted a half-time triple substitution, but it ultimately wasn't enough to salvage the situation. Huddersfield remain in 21st for the time being, but just one win in their last five matches now has them a single point from dropping into the relegation zone - with worse GD than QPR beneath them. Three points for North End leaves them in 8th position, their horrible form over the past few months making 3rd place now seem like a distant dream. 

Rotherham finally appointed a new manager this week - former Wigan boss and long-time assistant to Paul Cook, Leam Richardson. His reign started off in less-than-ideal circumstances, with a 2-0 home defeat against West Brom. The Millers can't buy a win away from home, so cannot really afford to drop points like this at home if they want to survive. It's their second home defeat on the spin, having been beaten 2-1 by Swansea at the New York Stadium at the weekend. Rotherham have conceded a whopping 41 goals and have the worst defensive record in the league, in addition to being bottom of the table and eight points from safety, so it's some job Richardson has on his hands. WBA meanwhile continue in 5th, two points ahead of Hull in 7th, but a massive sixteen points behind Ipswich in 2nd. Having lost their last two matches, this was nonetheless a welcome three points for the Baggies.

Neither Stoke nor Swansea have a permanent manager at present, and the teams perhaps suitable played out a 1-1 draw at the bet365. The Potters looked to be heading for a much-needed victory after converting a 70th minute penalty, but an 89th minute equaliser meant the points were ultimately shared. It stretches Stoke's run of games without a win to 7, with a paltry three points collected from a possible twenty-one available in that time. As a result, Stoke sit just two points from the relegation zone. Swansea have now not lost in three, with a half-decent six points gained from the last fifteen available. They are five points off the drop. 

Another win for Ipswich, this time away at Watford, saw the Suffolk side briefly go top of the table. Leicester would soon reclaim that spot for themselves, but nonetheless the Tractor Boys are making a mockery of those who loudly proclaimed that they would inevitably fade. Absolutely no signs of that happening any time soon - they won this one despite making five changes to the side that brushed aside Boro 2-0 at the weekend.  Ipswich are in 2nd place, ten points clear of Leeds in 3rd and a point behind Leicester at the top of the table. They remain the league's highest scorers. Watford's three game unbeaten run comes to an end, and they sit in 12th place. 

Sunderland are continuing to enjoy life without Tony Mowbray, as they made it two wins from two since sacking the former Rovers boss. They faced a Leeds side at the Stadium of Light which had gone seven games unbeaten and won three on the spin, but still came away with an impressive 1-0 victory courtesy of a Jobe Bellingham goal. Interim boss Mike Dodds will certainly be pleased with how his Sunderland have reacted to Mowbray's departure. Leeds meanwhile cannot afford to drop points like this if they want to catch up with the two relentless teams above them.  Victory for Sunderland moves them back into 6th position, having taken seven points from the last nine available. Leeds remain in 3rd, losing ground on both Ipswich and Leicester, now ten and eleven points behind each team respectively. 

Wayne Rooney picked up his first away win, and indeed only his second win overall, as Birmingham boss as his team snuck a 1-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium. It may have only been a second win in ten matches, but Birmingham were good value for their win against an underwhelming Cardiff side who have now lost three of their last four matches and fallen down to 10th in the standings, albeit still only three points from a playoff spot. Birmingham move up to 16th, six points off the relegation zone and six points from the playoffs.

Coventry had won three of their last four home games, and picked up a respectable 1-1 draw at home to Southampton. It stretched the Saints' unbeaten run in the Championship to an impressive thirteen games, but they could ill-afford to fall further behind Ipswich and Leicester, which is exactly what happened. Despite still being in 4th, Southampton are now twelve points behind Ipswich and thirteen points behind Leicester. Coventry move up to 14th place, and much like BIG CLUB they are both six points from relegation and the playoffs. 

 Joe Edwards' hapless Millwall side showed fight away to Leicester, but still left without any points as they lost 3-2. The Lions went ahead after just ten minutes and were a goal up at half time, but the Foxes came back strong in the second half to secure all three points. The jumped back above Ipswich into first place, having won four of their last five matches. Millwall's dire form continues, with just a single point from the last fifteen available. They drop to 20th, having only won five games out of twenty-one this season, leaving them just a point from the drop zone.

Having surprisingly picked up seven points from their last nine, normal service resumed for Sheffield Wednesday as Danny Rohl's side were beaten 3-1 at Carrow Road by Norwich. It was a fourth win in six games for the Canaries, who are climbing back up the table after a dismal run of form. They are now in 11th position, just three points from the playoffs. The Owls meanwhile remain in 23rd, still eight points from safety on account of both Millwall and Huddersfield losing. Their next match against 22nd placed QPR on Saturday is massive for both clubs. 

Speaking of QPR, their three-game winning streak came to an end as they were unable to find a way past a resolute Plymouth at Loftus Road, with the game finishing goalless. Considering Plymouth had a man sent off in the 25th minute and QPR registered 29 shots on goal, the Hoops will be desperately disappointed to have come away from this match with just a single point - especially with all of the teams above them losing, meaning a win would have taken them out of the relegation zone for the first time in months. Nonetheless, a point sees them edge closer to Huddersfield and Millwall, with just one point now separating 22nd, 21st and 20th. Plymouth will be very happy to have come away with a point from this one, and they sit in 18th, three points from the relegation zone. 

With Boro having picked up a head of steam recently, it's all come crashing back down to Earth with a 2-1 home defeat to Hull City being their third consecutive defeat. They've lost four of their last five matches, dropping down to 13th place, six points from the playoff positions. The Tigers had lost their last two matches, but three points here moves them up to 7th and only out of the playoffs on goal difference. Liam Rosenior's men are also just two points from 5th placed WBA. 

 

 

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, DE. said:

Tuesday/Wednesday...

Rovers got back to winning ways after two defeats on the spin with a 2-1 win over Bristol City at Ewood Park. Our home form hasn't been the best lately, so it was great to see us pick up all three points against a side we'd expect to beat on our own turf. Those games can be just as tricky as the ones against superior opposition. Siggy back on the scoresheet which is nice to see, as well as a Wharton brothers combo for goal number two. We never do things the easy way, though, and a Bristol City goal on the 60th minute made for a nervy final 30 minutes or so. Rovers move up to 9th, two points from the playoff positions. It was a third defeat in four matches for Bristol City, having picked up just one point from the last twelve available. New boss Liam Manning has some work to do, as his side falls to 15th.

Preston put a run of four games without a win behind them as they beat woeful Huddersfield 3-1 at the John Smith's Stadium. The Terriers were booed off by their fans at half time, 2-0 down against a PNE team who are not exactly renowned for their scoring prowess. Darren Moore attempted a half-time triple substitution, but it ultimately wasn't enough to salvage the situation. Huddersfield remain in 21st for the time being, but just one win in their last five matches now has them a single point from dropping into the relegation zone - with worse GD than QPR beneath them. Three points for North End leaves them in 8th position, their horrible form over the past few months making 3rd place now seem like a distant dream. 

Rotherham finally appointed a new manager this week - former Wigan boss and long-time assistant to Paul Cook, Leam Richardson. His reign started off in less-than-ideal circumstances, with a 2-0 home defeat against West Brom. The Millers can't buy a win away from home, so cannot really afford to drop points like this at home if they want to survive. It's their second home defeat on the spin, having been beaten 2-1 by Swansea at the New York Stadium at the weekend. Rotherham have conceded a whopping 41 goals and have the worst defensive record in the league, in addition to being bottom of the table and eight points from safety, so it's some job Richardson has on his hands. WBA meanwhile continue in 5th, two points ahead of Hull in 7th, but a massive sixteen points behind Ipswich in 2nd. Having lost their last two matches, this was nonetheless a welcome three points for the Baggies.

Neither Stoke nor Swansea have a permanent manager at present, and the teams perhaps suitable played out a 1-1 draw at the bet365. The Potters looked to be heading for a much-needed victory after converting a 70th minute penalty, but an 89th minute equaliser meant the points were ultimately shared. It stretches Stoke's run of games without a win to 7, with a paltry three points collected from a possible twenty-one available in that time. As a result, Stoke sit just two points from the relegation zone. Swansea have now not lost in three, with a half-decent six points gained from the last fifteen available. They are five points off the drop. 

Another win for Ipswich, this time away at Watford, saw the Suffolk side briefly go top of the table. Leicester would soon reclaim that spot for themselves, but nonetheless the Tractor Boys are making a mockery of those who loudly proclaimed that they would inevitably fade. Absolutely no signs of that happening any time soon - they won this one despite making five changes to the side that brushed aside Boro 2-0 at the weekend.  Ipswich are in 2nd place, ten points clear of Leeds in 3rd and a point behind Leicester at the top of the table. They remain the league's highest scorers. Watford's three game unbeaten run comes to an end, and they sit in 12th place. 

Sunderland are continuing to enjoy life without Tony Mowbray, as they made it two wins from two since sacking the former Rovers boss. They faced a Leeds side at the Stadium of Light which had gone seven games unbeaten and won three on the spin, but still came away with an impressive 1-0 victory courtesy of a Jobe Bellingham goal. Interim boss Mike Dodds will certainly be pleased with how his Sunderland have reacted to Mowbray's departure. Leeds meanwhile cannot afford to drop points like this if they want to catch up with the two relentless teams above them.  Victory for Sunderland moves them back into 6th position, having taken seven points from the last nine available. Leeds remain in 3rd, losing ground on both Ipswich and Leicester, now ten and eleven points behind each team respectively. 

Wayne Rooney picked up his first away win, and indeed only his second win overall, as Birmingham boss as his team snuck a 1-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium. It may have only been a second win in ten matches, but Birmingham were good value for their win against an underwhelming Cardiff side who have now lost three of their last four matches and fallen down to 10th in the standings, albeit still only three points from a playoff spot. Birmingham move up to 16th, six points off the relegation zone and six points from the playoffs.

Coventry had won three of their last four home games, and picked up a respectable 1-1 draw at home to Southampton. It stretched the Saints' unbeaten run in the Championship to an impressive thirteen games, but they could ill-afford to fall further behind Ipswich and Leicester, which is exactly what happened. Despite still being in 4th, Southampton are now twelve points behind Ipswich and thirteen points behind Leicester. Coventry move up to 14th place, and much like BIG CLUB they are both six points from relegation and the playoffs. 

 Joe Edwards' hapless Millwall side showed fight away to Leicester, but still left without any points as they lost 3-2. The Lions went ahead after just ten minutes and were a goal up at half time, but the Foxes came back strong in the second half to secure all three points. The jumped back above Ipswich into first place, having won four of their last five matches. Millwall's dire form continues, with just a single point from the last fifteen available. They drop to 20th, having only won five games out of twenty-one this season, leaving them just a point from the drop zone.

Having surprisingly picked up seven points from their last nine, normal service resumed for Sheffield Wednesday as Danny Rohl's side were beaten 3-1 at Carrow Road by Norwich. It was a fourth win in six games for the Canaries, who are climbing back up the table after a dismal run of form. They are now in 11th position, just three points from the playoffs. The Owls meanwhile remain in 23rd, still eight points from safety on account of both Millwall and Huddersfield losing. Their next match against 22nd placed QPR on Saturday is massive for both clubs. 

Speaking of QPR, their three-game winning streak came to an end as they were unable to find a way past a resolute Plymouth at Loftus Road, with the game finishing goalless. Considering Plymouth had a man sent off in the 25th minute and QPR registered 29 shots on goal, the Hoops will be desperately disappointed to have come away from this match with just a single point - especially with all of the teams above them losing, meaning a win would have taken them out of the relegation zone for the first time in months. Nonetheless, a point sees them edge closer to Huddersfield and Millwall, with just one point now separating 22nd, 21st and 20th. Plymouth will be very happy to have come away with a point from this one, and they sit in 18th, three points from the relegation zone. 

With Boro having picked up a head of steam recently, it's all come crashing back down to Earth with a 2-1 home defeat to Hull City being their third consecutive defeat. They've lost four of their last five matches, dropping down to 13th place, six points from the playoff positions. The Tigers had lost their last two matches, but three points here moves them up to 7th and only out of the playoffs on goal difference. Liam Rosenior's men are also just two points from 5th placed WBA. 

 

 

 

Well done matey. I’m now perfectly informed as to the goings on in our division for the first season in years.

[DE.]

Me too!

[windymiller7]

Just watching the East Anglia Derby cracking game. 1-1 at HT but Ipswich should be about 4-1 up.

[1874]

Rovers are now +1 goal difference and -1 point from corresponding fixtures last season.

[superniko]

29 minutes ago, 1874 said:

Rovers are now +1 goal difference and -1 point from corresponding fixtures last season.

Interesting that we’re pretty much flat year on year, as I don’t think anyone can argue that our squad has been weaker given the injuries and lack of summer budget. 

[Waggy76]

4 hours ago, superniko said:

Interesting that we’re pretty much flat year on year, as I don’t think anyone can argue that our squad has been weaker given the injuries and lack of summer budget. 

We won't be come March 24....

[Mattyblue]

Why? The non parachute clubs are no better than last season, we are no worse. 7th/8th seems perfectly feasible.

[DE.]

Despite Ipswich having been in top form for pretty much the entirety of the season thus far, the visit of Norwich was always going to be a tricky tie. The East Anglian derby hadn't come to Portman Road in five years, with Ipswich being stuck in League 1 for a prolonged period and Norwich having brief stints in the Premier League. Ipswich have been significantly better than Norwich so far this season, but hadn't beaten their neighbours since 2009. The curse seemed to be lifting as Nathan Broadhead put the home side ahead on 34 minutes, but goals just before and just after half-time by Jonathan Rowe put the Canaries in a familiar position of being in the lead against the Blues. Wes Burns equalised for Ipswich in the 60th minute, and they dominated the match from this point onwards, but were unable to further breach the Norwich backline and had to settle for sharing the points. Norwich are now four games unbeaten, having collected eight points from the last twelve, and sit in 10th place, five points from the playoffs. Ipswich remained in 2nd place, level on points with Leicester and eleven points clear of Leeds...

However, Leeds would now have an opportunity for the first time in five games to actually gain some ground on Ipswich. Having lost their last game away to Sunderland, a home match against lowly Coventry represented an excellent chance for Daniel Farke's team to close the gap a little. Considering Leeds play Ipswich at home on Dec 23rd, picking up three points here became even more imperative. Alas, despite going a goal up in the 58th minute, Leeds were pegged back in the 66th minute and squandered their opportunity to pull closer to Ipswich as the game fizzled out into a 1-1 draw. Daniel Farke bemoaned Coventry setting up to be compact and defensive, but whilst I'm sure he'd love every team to set up like Rovers last week, this is how teams without parachute payments get results against teams who do have them. Failure to win means Leeds are still ten points adrift of Ipswich in 2nd and Leicester in 1st, but Leicester have a game in hand on both clubs - played away to Wayne Rooney's Birmingham City™ on Monday. Coventry are 15th, with the second-most draws in the division behind Huddersfield. 

Sunderland had won their first two games under interim manager Mike Dodd, following the sacking of Tony Mowbray, but the honeymoon period came to an end at Ashton Gate as Bristol City beat the Black Cats 1-0. A 20th minute penalty decided a game which Sunderland otherwise dominated and arguably deserved at least a point from. Bristol City boss Liam Manning won't be feeling hugely sympathetic though, as he desperately needed a win having seen his side lose three and draw one of the last four matches. A win here lifts them to 14th position, whilst Sunderland fall outside of the playoffs into 7th place.

It was Hull City who benefited from Sunderland's slip-up, with the Tigers recording a comfortable 3-0 win over a lacklustre Cardiff City at the KCOM. Hull have bounced back from two defeats in a row by recording two wins in succession, lifting them back into the playoffs and putting them three points clear of Sunderland in 7th. The general poor form of the inconsistent teams below 6th means that Hull have a four point gap from Preston in 8th and a five point gap on Watford, Norwich and Rovers in 9th, 10th and 11th respectively. As far as Cardiff are concerned, four defeats in the last five matches has bombed them out of playoff contention, as they now sit six points from 6th position, falling to 12th place. Bluebirds Boss Erol Bulut admitted post-match that there was a gulf in quality between his side and Hull, and that he had put too much expectation on his team by previously suggesting they could be in playoff contention.  

Joe Edwards looked set to pick up three points as Millwall manager for the first time in six matches at home to struggling Huddersfield, with his side 1-0 up and the crowd baying for the final whistle as the game drew to a close. Their opponents, however, are the draw-specialists of the division and enhanced that reputation by salvaging a point with a 97th minute goal - and even worse for Millwall, it was a penalty, given for a handball against George Saville. The draw does very little for either team, with Millwall failing to win in nine of their last ten matches and Huddersfield only winning once in twelve matches. Such horrendous runs of form would typically see teams plunged into the relegation zone, but the quality of the bottom three has somehow been even worse, sparing both teams such a fate thus far. However, that could all change depending on the result of...

Sheffield Wednesday Vs QPR, taking place at Hillsborough. QPR would have been able to escape the bottom three in midweek had they beaten Plymouth at home, but a disappointing goalless draw kept them in 22nd. They had a second bite of the cherry here, with a win guaranteed to take them out of the relegation zone due to Millwall and Huddersfield playing each other. For the second time in a row, however, the Hoops spurned the chance to give themselves a huge psychological boost by taking themselves out of the bottom three. Things were going well, with QPR a goal ahead and the game coming to a close, but an 86th minute equaliser from Bailey Cadamarteri changed everything. Anthony Musaba would dramatically seal all three points for the Owls with a 94th minute winner. The result ends QPR's four game unbeaten run, and means Sheffield Wednesday have somewhat implausibly won three of their last four matches. Before beating Rovers a couple of weeks back, Wednesday had only won once all season. Now they've won four matches, but remain in 23rd. They pull to within four points of QPR, and six points of Millwall and Huddersfield - who thanks to this result continue to survive on the fringes of the relegation zone in 20th and 21st respectively. QPR stay in 22nd but lose some ground on the teams directly above them, going from one to two points adrift. Having had a huge opportunity to get themselves into a solid position with games at home to Plymouth and away to Wednesday, QPR instead still find themselves in trouble. If they'd managed four points from those two games, they'd be in 20th right now. Six points would have lifted them to 19th, ahead of Stoke. 

Daniel Ayala continued his one man mission to have Christmas and New Year off, as he got himself sent off for the second successive game. He's the first player to achieve that this season. At the point Ayala was sent off, Rotherham were already 2-1 behind away to Plymouth. Despite Ayala's 55th minute sending off giving his team mates far more work to do, the Millers found themselves level in the 77th minute and appeared to be on their way to earning a respectable draw against a Plymouth team who have a decent home record. In the end it wasn't to be, however, as Plymouth scored a 96th minute winner to doom Rotherham to yet another away defeat. They've lost nine of their eleven away matches and drawn the other two. Plymouth are in fact the only other team in the division not to have won a single away match, but they have the 5th best home record in the league, winning seven of their eleven home matches. Rotherham meanwhile aren't much better at home, only winning twice at the New York Stadium this season. This is why Plymouth sit in a relatively comfortable 16th place, in spite of their away form, and Rotherham are rooted to the bottom of the division, nine points from safety. 

Preston went 1-0 up against Watford after 27 minutes, and from that point onwards their afternoon became a nightmare. It was only 1-1 at half time, but a second half blitz from the Hornets meant that the game ended 5-1 in Watford's favour, as PNE boss Ryan Lowe saw his team crumble in embarrassing fashion. Not for the first time this season, either. It's a third home defeat in a row for Preston, who every so often look like the may be getting back to something resembling decent form before inevitably collapsing again. PNE have only picked up four points from the last twelve available and fall to 8th, four points behind Hull in 6th. Their GD of -10 is the worst in the division outside of the bottom four. Watford, on the other hand, are building up a head of steam with ten points from the last fifteen available pushing them up to 9th in the table, five points from the playoff positions.

Rovers failed to restore any pride to Lancashire, losing 4-0 to Southampton in a game we barely even competed in. We looked beaten from the first whistle and so it came to be, although as the game came to a close, 2-0 didn't seem quite so bad - especially considering we had been reduced to ten-men in the 55th minute thanks to Callum Brittain leaving his brain in the dressing room at half time. Unfortunately goals in the 97th and 99th minute piled on the misery for our poor, hardy away fans. Can't say we deserved anything other than what we got, so a big thanks to Venky's for leaving us in a position where we can only hope not to get utterly smashed by the bigger clubs in the division. We aren't even capable of fighting it out Sparky/Big Sam style. A third defeat in five sees us drop to 11th,  the gap to the playoffs increasing to five points. Southampton remain in 4th but are now level with Leeds in 3rd, both teams on 42 points. 

Michael Carrick's Boro put a three-game losing streak behind them as they fought for a 2-1 victory against Swansea at the Swansea.com Stadium. Another astonishingly creative name there. The Swans, still without a manager, were unbeaten in three, having won one and drawn one since Michael Duff's departure, but they tasted defeat here to bring that run to an end. It leaves Swansea sitting in 18th place, five points clear of the relegation zone. Boro move up to 13th, six points from the playoff positions. 

Sunday's match saw another managerless team in Stoke give a spirited away performance against West Brom, fighting to earn themselves a point in a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns. It was a second 1-1 draw in a row for caretaker manager, former Rover Paul Gallagher, which represents a small improvement over the four-game losing streak that former boss Alex Neil had departed on. QPR's defeat on Saturday means that the additional point pulls the Potters three points clear of the relegation zone. WBA's form has been rocky lately, with just four points gained from the last twelve available. They still hold on to 5th position for the time being, but Hull are now level on points with the Baggies. Both are some way behind Southampton and Leeds, though, so one would imagine it will be a fight for 5th and 6th between the remaining teams during the second half of the season. 

I will add Leicester's match against Wayne Rooney's Birmingham City™ here after tomorrow.

Edited December 17, 2023 by DE.