Championship 23/24

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

14 hours ago, DE. said:

Let’s see what happened in the latest round of midweek Championship matches.

Darren Moore picked up his first win as Huddersfield boss at the weekend, but it was back down to Earth with a bump as his team were thrashed 4-0 at home by Cardiff. Huddersfield found themselves two goals down after twelve minutes, and failed to recover from this poor start. The Bluebirds had hit a poor spell of form as of late, having lost two of their last three matches – this was quite a way to get over a disappointing run of results. The result lifts Cardiff to 7th, only out of the playoff spots on GD, whilst defeat for Huddersfield leaves them teetering on the edge of the relegation zone in 21st. 

Managerless Millwall had been able to take a point from Preston, but the mighty Rovers offered them no mercy and earned a 2-1 away victory in a scrappy match at the Den. Rovers had the worst possible start, with a defensive horror show gifting Millwall an opening goal within three minutes. Undeterred, however – at the one ground where going behind doesn’t seem to bother us – Rovers clawed themselves back into the game thanks to Bialkowski refusing to allow Wahlstedt to take sole spotlight in the blooper reel. The game was won thanks to an incredible effort from Callum Brittain, curling a beautiful shot into the top corner from just inside the box. Quite a way to score your first goal in four years, and some way to open his account for us. It’s a third win on the spin for a revived Rovers, and pushes us up to 11th in the table. Millwall fall to 16th, in desperate need of a boost from whoever comes in next, as it’s now no wins in three. 

Another team dropping down the table at rapid pace are Norwich. Despite starting the season well, their form recently has been terrible and a 2-1 home defeat against Middlesbrough only added to a growing sense of frustration in Norfolk. David Wagner is unable to get his team to stop leaking goals, and another two shipped in this match leaves Norwich as joint-worst in the division for goals conceded alongside QPR and Southampton. It’s now three defeats in four for the Canaries and a drop to 14th in the table. Boro, on the other hand, can’t stop winning. Momentum is a helluva drug and six wins in a row for Michael Carrick’s team propels them to the giddy heights of 9th, now only outside the playoffs on goal difference – which would have been unthinkable only a month ago.

Swansea’s run of victories came to a halt at the weekend, and they were beaten again by Watford, losing 1-0 at the Swansea.com stadium. A tight game was decided by an 82nd minute winner, and keeps Watford’s recent momentum going strong. It’s a second win in a row for them and a return of seven points from the last nine has helped push them up to 15th in the standings. A second defeat in a row for Swansea, however, drops them to 19th. 

Leicester continued their stroll through the Championship with a 1-0 win over a determined but misfiring Sunderland side. Leicester have amassed 36 points faster than any other side in the past twenty years of Championship football, and will already be preparing for next season’s seemingly inevitable Premier League return. Twelve wins from thirteen games, having only conceded seven, suggests that this is a team vastly superior to the rest. Although nobody would have expected Sunderland to win this one, it was nonetheless a third defeat on the trot for them and drops them to 10th spot. Leicester are already fourteen points clear of Leeds in 3rd, and five ahead of their only real challengers – newly promoted Ipswich Town.    

QPR’s nightmare season showed no signs of changing as they lost their eighth match in a row, beaten 2-0 by WBA at the Hawthorns. Worse still, they had a player sent off for arguing about a penalty decision. Former Rovers’ target Cedric Kipre picked up a ‘serious’ knee injury in what was otherwise a routine victory for West Brom. The result leaves Albion sitting in 6th spot, having won three of their last five matches, whilst QPR drop to 23rd due to Rotherham claiming a vital home win against Coventry. Somehow QPR are still only six points from safety, so as of yet all hope is not lost, but there needs to be a huge turnaround there. One imagines Ainsworth would need to depart for any serious change in fortunes, as it seems obvious at this point whatever he’s attempting is not working. Still, we’ll always have that video with the tribal guy chanting and dancing as QPR’s players look on in bemusement. His tenure will have been worth it for that alone... as a neutral fan, anyway. 

Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham™ continued to have the opposite of a new manager bounce, as they went down 2-0 at home to Hull City. The Tigers had been on a dismal run lately, with two points from a possible twelve, but have Birmingham to thank for ending that run. Always nice to come up against a team who have recently unreasonably sacked a solid manager in favour of a big name who has no track record of managerial success. Anyhow, three points for Hull pulls them up to 8th, just outside the playoffs on goal difference. Birmingham were in the playoffs before binning their manager, but so far Rooney’s revolution has seen them collapse to 12th place with no goals scored in his first two matches. Reports from St. Andrews suggest the atmosphere is already turning toxic, with a section of fans unhappy with both the sacking of Eustace and the hiring of Rooney, feeling neither of these decisions were in the best interests of the club. The good news is that the owners have ‘no fear’, so I’m sure they won’t be worried. Probably not going to hear many “Rooooneh” chants from Birmingham fans any time soon, though. 

Ipswich continue to make this Championship lark seem like a breeze, as they picked up yet another win, this time away at Bristol City. A single goal was all Ipswich needed, but it could have been more as they thoroughly deserved their three points. For any Football Manager connoisseurs out there, Ipswich remind me of when you select an average team, apply a tactic you know breaks the game engine and watch as the magic happens. All you can say is well done Kieran McKenna, what a job he has done there. The concern for Ipswich fans will be whether any struggling Premier League clubs will have taken notice of Ipswich’s meteoric rise under McKenna’s stewardship and decide to test his loyalty. Anyhow, Ipswich remain in 2nd place, a ridiculous nine points clear of 3rd. Bristol City drop to 13th, alternating between WLWL at present as they continue to be one of the division’s most inconsistent teams. 

Plymouth eased their relegation concerns with a comfortable 3-0 win over a frankly pathetic Sheffield Wednesday side. At this point Wednesday might as well forfeit the remaining games of the season, as it’s obvious they are done. No goals in six matches, five scored in thirteen matches, zero victories, ten defeats... it’s over. The only question is whether they end this season on the lowest historical points total. Certainly seems like it’s possible at this moment in time. It was a much needed win for Plymouth after just two points from their last twelve, and helps them move up to 17th place. Wednesday remain bottom and you might as well already stick an ‘R’ next to their name. I would say thanks for trying, but I’m not sure they are.

The form table suggested another tough night for Preston as they faced Southampton at Dumpdale, but despite Northend not winning in five matches, and Southampton winning three of their last four, it was Preston who nearly came away with all three points – coming from behind to lead the game 2-1. Then they threw two points away with a 96th minute own goal. Lol. Unlucky. Preston stay in 4th, and Southampton in 5th. The Saints would have been 9th had it not been for their equaliser at the death, which shows how incredibly compact the division is. Just three points separate all teams from third to eleventh, and even Huddersfield in 21st position are only six points off sixth spot. Barmy. Two goals conceded by Southampton means they remain joint-worst defence in the division alongside Norwich and QPR. 

Rotherham picked up just their second win of the season with a 2-0 home win over Coventry. A second defeat on the spin for Coventry underscores the fact they have only won three out of thirteen matches this season, and need to be careful, as they could find themselves fighting it out with Rotherham for a relegation place if they don’t get themselves sorted out. They fall to 20th place in the table, as Rotherham jump above QPR into 22nd – five points behind Huddersfield in 21st. Rotherham are unable to win away from home, so they will see home matches as absolutely vital to any hopes of survival.

Finally Leeds lost ground on Ipswich in 2nd as they were beaten away at Stoke. An own goal condemned Leeds to a first defeat in four games, having won their last three matches. For Stoke it was a much needed win, having found themselves dangerously close to the bottom three lately. Stoke climb to 17th, whilst Leeds stay in 3rd. 

I agree with you about McKenna. He gets the basics right, keeps it simple, everybody knows their role in the team and they fit the game plan. It’s really not that complicated.

[JHRover]

I find it interesting how Ipswich have got up from League One and there's no mention of them 'taking it steady' or 'building' or development projects or multi-year plans or 'not being ready' to go up or talk about 'how difficult' the Championship is.

No losers mentality there, just building on the momentum of last season in impressive fashion. Compare and contrast to what we've witnessed here since 2018...

[Norbert Rassragr]

True. I expect them to eventually fall down the table, but have a good season. I seem to remember Reading under Ince were flying early on in the season and then tanked.

[chaddyrovers]

3 hours ago, JHRover said:

I find it interesting how Ipswich have got up from League One and there's no mention of them 'taking it steady' or 'building' or development projects or multi-year plans or 'not being ready' to go up or talk about 'how difficult' the Championship is.

No losers mentality there, just building on the momentum of last season in impressive fashion. Compare and contrast to what we've witnessed here since 2018...

That's was Mowbray slow build despite him actually spending 3m on Armstrong and 7m on BBD plus signing Palmer and Reed on loan

[Mattyblue]

12 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

That's was Mowbray slow build despite him actually spending 3m on Armstrong and 7m on BBD plus signing Palmer and Reed on loan

That’s the Mowbray who you backed to the hilt.

[Upside Down]

Amazing what can be achieved by some basic ambition.

[KentExile]

Not sure if this has already been mentioned

 

In possibly the most ironic transfer of all time, Rotherham have signed Daniel Ayala to help with their injury issues

https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2023/october/signing--millers-granted-permission-to-add-ayala-to-squad-list/

[wilsdenrover]

10 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Not sure if this has already been mentioned

 

In possibly the most ironic transfer of all time, Rotherham have signed Daniel Ayala to help with their injury issues

https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2023/october/signing--millers-granted-permission-to-add-ayala-to-squad-list/

Give it a week…

[rigger]

18 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Not sure if this has already been mentioned

 

In possibly the most ironic transfer of all time, Rotherham have signed Daniel Ayala to help with their injury issues

https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2023/october/signing--millers-granted-permission-to-add-ayala-to-squad-list/

I wonder if Ayala will make the new years day  game ?

[simongarnerisgod]

19 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Not sure if this has already been mentioned

 

In possibly the most ironic transfer of all time, Rotherham have signed Daniel Ayala to help with their injury issues

https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2023/october/signing--millers-granted-permission-to-add-ayala-to-squad-list/

ayala is like my old mk1 fiesta,it used to break down and refuse to start  when the weather turned colder😀

[bazza]

1 minute ago, simongarnerisgod said:

ayala is like my old mk1 fiesta,it used to break down and refuse to start  when the weather turned colder😀

Fords were always buggers to start in the winter. Someone said to me, "Buy a Ford. They're cheap and the spare parts are cheap". That was because they weren't made very well and rubbish parts were always failing.

[bazza]

Rotherham Utd play Sheff Wed this weekend. Ayala and Buckley can reminisce. 

[metalrover]

https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/another-blow-for-sheffield-wednesday-as-club-is-placed-under-efl-embargo-4389019

😧

[DE.]

Surprised Ayala hadn't found any Championship club willing to take him on until now, as at 32, soon to be 33, he still has a season or two left in him at this level. Picky, injury record catching up with him or unreasonable demands?

In regards to Ipswich, they've weirdly been given a 'moneybags' label from the media, which is bizarre as they've spent less than we did during the one window we bought Gallagher (or Brereton), and nobody was calling us a moneybags club. Their wage bill is also in the lower third, I believe. Would be interested to know what % they are paying of Brandon Williams salary, as otherwise I believe their wage structure is limited to around 12 or 13k pw. One look at their squad will tell you this isn't a team rolling in money. A lot of journeyman players and youngsters there, but they've been organised in a way that makes them far better than the sum of their parts. Basically the same thing McCarthy did for them a decade ago, but with slightly more transfer funds and a different way of playing. 

[Upside Down]

Ayala basically put his cards on the table and said if you're not going to pay this much I'm not playing.

Obviously Rotherham are in a bit of a pickle and need someone experienced and ready to go.

Fair do's to Ayala.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

22 minutes ago, DE. said:

Surprised Ayala hadn't found any Championship club willing to take him on until now, as at 32, soon to be 33, he still has a season or two left in him at this level. Picky, injury record catching up with him or unreasonable demands?

In regards to Ipswich, they've weirdly been given a 'moneybags' label from the media, which is bizarre as they've spent less than we did during the one window we bought Gallagher (or Brereton), and nobody was calling us a moneybags club. Their wage bill is also in the lower third, I believe. Would be interested to know what % they are paying of Brandon Williams salary, as otherwise I believe their wage structure is limited to around 12 or 13k pw. One look at their squad will tell you this isn't a team rolling in money. A lot of journeyman players and youngsters there, but they've been organised in a way that makes them far better than the sum of their parts. Basically the same thing McCarthy did for them a decade ago, but with slightly more transfer funds and a different way of playing. 

They’ve got a very clear minded manager.

[wilsdenrover]

8 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

They’ve got a very clear minded manager.

As have we.

The difference is theirs is backed from above and ours (to say the least!) isn’t.

[simongarnerisgod]

rooney not getting off to the best of starts😂

[arbitro]

Rooney working his magic at Birmingham I see. Two down after 22 minutes at Southampton.

[TonyM]

My daughter in law comes  from a Birmingham supporting family - their fans are really not happy at all with Rooney being brought in, especially after they made a good start to the season under Eustace who was very popular with the fanbase. Loads of booing apparently at the home game on Wed, even when Rooney came out before the match started......... he needs to turn things around, and quickly.

They do look pretty poor against Southampton though - so the signs aren't good so far.

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by TonyM

[arbitro]

Birmingham have been denied an absolutely certain penalty for a ridiculous challenge by the Southampton keeper.

[Cherry Blue]

9 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Birmingham have been denied an absolutely certain penalty for a ridiculous challenge by the Southampton keeper.

100% penalty. Rooney will hit the roof when he sees replay.

Edited October 28, 2023 by Cherry Blue

[simongarnerisgod]

3 minutes ago, Cherry Blue said:

100% penalty. Rooney will hit the roof when he sees replay.

not surprising,the refs in general are shocking,it`s like refereeing roulette sometimes,complete game of chance most weeks

[R0verb0y]

There's an interesting article in today's Times about Hull City and Rosenior, their manager.

The thing that caught my eye, though, was that our old loanee, Morton, is on a season's loan there from Liverpool. Given that he's still being loaned out and that he wasn't the worst Liverpool player we've borrowed, I wonder if he might be a useful acquisition, maybe at the end of the season.

[TonyM]

Birmingham have woken up in the 2nd half ......