Burnley

Burnley Update

After critics complained Russian manager Heath Brown did not put enough effort in for the world cup leaving first choice keeper out of the squad by mistake because he had forgot to book him a plane ticket and finances are tight these days so away he stayed. My budget went on flying in between games to scout a complete new squad for Burnley where the rumours a source close to home quoted.

After a slow start last season I wanted to change team for the new season and worked hard to scout players with potential but also with a decent rating so we can hopefully improve.
But the squad is nearly complete and lets see how they do.

The only players considered for first team being B Mee and keeper Stockdale who is a consistent keeper playing well. He is back up though to new team captain Fraser Forster.

The new look defence compromises off
Makeev , Granat, Maksimovic. B Mee

Fullbacks and Wing Backs

Cavanda , Cacciatore, Costa

Midfield and forward line now has some great fire power

Obiang (vice Captain) Perotti, Pucciarelli, Rizzo, Yusupov, Zapata, Mane, Bueno

A good start 3 wins is great but I know a consistent season will be difficult but its great start with Forster playing well from the start.

Also fine start from Zapata

Update over !!!

RAMS STUN EURO CHAMPS

DERBY COUNTY........ 1  TRANMERE ROVERS........ 0

Derby kicked off the season with a solid display in a 1-0 win at West Brom last Saturday. It wasn't a headline performance but it did show that they were going to be nobody's pushovers. Tonight, Tranmere Rovers were the visitor's to the Ipro Stadium. Derby couldn't have arguably asked for a better team to play their first ever top flight game at home, with maybe only Manchester United coming close. The Champions Cup holders were favourites to take home the points and even the most ardent Derby fan would have found that hard to argue against.
The teams emerged to a wall of noise with 31,129 fans inside the ground. The 3,500 that had travelled down from Liverpool were letting themselves heard as the noise died down and the songs, more aimed at the opposing fans, were already in full swing. Derby boss Kinnear had surprised many by leaving striker Bobadilla on the bench with Rodriguez, who had starred against Charlton in the English Shield win, being a surprise inclusion. Paulinho would lead the attack, backed up by last week's hero Alex Lopez. Tranmere boss Hirst had hinted that young German signing Goretzka may start but he was named on the bench. However, Adam Lallana, signed from Queen's Park Rangers was in the side and would make his debut. Lukaku would lead the line with captain Totti further back.
The referee got proceedings under way with Derby attacking the Mansfield bitter end and their first attack was easily snuffed out. Tranmere were happy to pass the ball about as they sounded out Derby's formation with the home side happy to let them have the ball away from the danger zone. The first chance of the match came on 10 minutes with Tranmere showing how quick they can strike. With their being no apparent danger, Mario had the ball on the right about 5 yards inside the Derby half. Without warning he launched a high ball into the Derby box where Bonaventura had made a blind side run. The Italian got a good connection with his head but fortunately for Derby, it didn't quite have the direction and Adrian was able to save, holding the ball with his strong pair of hands. It was a warning that Tranmere were capable of making something out of nothing. Derby's first effort came on 15 minutes and it was a move they had used against West Brom. Nathan Baker, in for the suspended Tshaminga, made a run down the left which was spotted by Compper. The German played a long pass along the ground in front of the full back which was taken on to the angle of the Tranmere box. Before the Tranmere defender could get a tackle in, Baker tried to curl a shot towards the top corner but Perin, in the Tranmere goal, seen it early and saved comfortably.

Action from the Ipro

 It was a tight game so far with not a lot of room in midfield and it was taking the long ball to create anything dangerous. On 21 minutes the referee was called into action for the first time when Rodriguez mistimed a tackle on Totti. The ref deemed it worth the first yellow of the game and I doubt anyone could have argued as Totti would certainly not have left Rodriguez in his trail. Chances were becoming harder to spot than a unicorn but on 28 minutes Derby went in front. On loan Felipe Gutierrez was picked out on the left and he took a pace forward before sending a pass into the feet of Paulinho, who had made his way just inside the box. Paulinho managed to squeeze a shot towards goal which 9 times out 10 would have been saved by Perin but this time he seemed to fumble the ball which ended up in the net. It was definitely a blunder by Perin but Paulinho didn't care as he wheeled away to celebrate with his team mates. The Derby fans seemed to take a second to realise what had happened but they were soon out of their seats in wild celebration. The Tranmere fans looked stunned while Hirst was out in his technical area trying to spur Perin on and get him back full confidence. A couple of encouraging pats from the players letting Perin know that sometimes these things happen. It was a surprise lead for the Rams but Tranmere had been behind before and there was still over an hour to play.

Derby players celebrate Paulinho's goal

 The expected onslaught from the visitors was absent from the play and they looked a bit out of sorts. Whether the Derby goal had hit them hard or whether they were just not clicking was not clear, they weren't stringing the passes together. Derby were working hard and were in the Tranmere players faces. They had upset the Tranmere rhythm and the visitors looked like they were needing the half time break to regroup. On 35 minutes Recio seemed to be fouled as he jumped with Guilavogui but the ref disagreed and awarded the free kick the other way. Recio was not happy and let the ref know about it. In turn the referee was not happy and flashed the yellow card at the Spanish midfielder. Tranmere were struggling to make any impression on the solid Derby back four and were failing to create any sort of opening. Lallana, making his debut, was posted missing and could hardly get a touch. Two minutes before the break Alex Lopez showed some nice footwork to leave Guilavogui in his trail before sending in a cross that allowed Paulinho get a firm head to the ball, sending it goalwards. Perin showed he had not let the earlier mistake affect him by pulling off a fine save, although he made it look much easier than it was. The referee brought the first half to a close with a shrill of his whistle and the Derby fans stood to a man to applaud a fine 45 minutes for their idols. Hirst was quickly inside the tunnel, no doubt with a few harsh wards for the disappointing first half display by his team.
The teams emerged from the tunnel for the second half with the Derby fans once again roaring their team out. Tranmere fans were also on their feet, seemingly clapping harder than they have ever done, to try and encourage their side to a better second half effort. A quiet start to the second half definitely suited Derby more with Tranmere still trying to work out how to unlock the Derby defence. This encouraged Derby and on 53 minutes they created the first opening since the break. Gutierrez was given some space out on the left and sent in a cross towards the hard working Paulinho. The Brazilian striker had been a thorn in the flesh of the defenders all day and his quick feet got him in front of Reyes managing to flick the ball towards goal. Perin was quick to get across his goal and he seemed to have it covered as the ball cleared the bar. Tranmere were still struggling and whatever Hirst said at half time obviously was having no effect. On 57 minutes Recio knocked one in towards the centre of the Tranmere box where the reliable Paulinho was there to send in a looping header that cleared Perin's oustretched hand but also cleared the crossbar. From the goal kick, Tranmere launched an attack that seen Ansaldi look determined to make some inroads but he was outnumbered before managing to lay the ball back to Loic Perrin who tried an effort from about 30 yards that caused Adrian some concern before sailing wide of the goal. Hirst was running out of patience with his teams efforts and on the hour decided to make changes. Lallana, who had shown nothing, a tired looking Totti and Bonaventura made way for Goretzka, Rode and Son as Hirst hoped to inject some pace into his team's performance. On 62 minutes Derby captain James Tomkins became the third Derby player to go into the book after a foul on Guilavogui. Maybe if Tranmere showed the same commitment as the Derby players, the game might have a different look about it. The changes that Hirst made seemed to give new life to his side and on 68 minutes Mario sent a high cross-field ball that seemed to wrong foot the Derby defence. Ansaldi picked it up and diagonally headed towards goal. He slipped past Baker before eluding a hard looking Compper tackle and fired a low shot that zipped across the turf towards the far post before just flying wide. It was an encouraging sign for the visitors and something to get the Tranmere fans excited about and they were at last finding their voice. Five minutes later Tranmere came again with substitute Son controlling a pass with his chest before rolling the ball into the path of the onrushing Ansaldi. The Argentine wing back broke into the box before powering in a shot that failed to trouble Adrian in the Derby goal. This was Tranmere's best spell of the match but could they make it count. Derby recognised the danger and on 76 minutes foraged forward with Rincon powering down the right hand side. The Venezuela international then knocked a delicate pass to Recio and he controlled the ball before releasing a shot that zipped past Perin's right hand post. The game had opened out and on 81 minutes Tranmere turned defence into attack when Ansaldi launched a clearance that Goretzka got to ahead of Sorensen. The youngster knocked the ball behind Sorensen before using his pace to out run the defender. He fired a low ball towards an advancing Adrian but unfortunately for him it went just wide. It was Tranmere's best chance of the match as Derby's defence started to creak. Two minutes later Tranmere were on the attack again with the anonymous Lukaku receiving the ball just outside the box. He tried to turn but Sorensen blocked his way and he was forced to go wide. Lukaku didn't have much room but a nice stepover created just enough room to get a cross in. The ball went to the far side of the box where Guilavogui took a touch before firing a shot to the far corner. It seemed to be heading towards the bottom corner only for Adrian to dive at full stretch and turn the ball away.

Tranmere caused Derby problems late on

It was the first real save the keeper had had to make and he done well to reach it. The ball was cleared up to Paulinho who held the ball up before laying it back to Recio. Derby kept possession as the defence regrouped and although Tranmere, encouraged by their late efforts, tried to get behind them again, Derby held firm. Time ran out on the European champions and when the full time whistle was blown they had suffered their first defeat of the season. For Derby it was a great effort and, just for their first half performance, they probably deserved the win. The defence was once again solid and apart from a couple of second half lapses, they will be delighted with their efforts. The Derby fans stood to applaud their players off the field and Kinnear came on to the pitch to shake their hands as they left the field.
Tranmere will come back from this defeat and there is no doubt they will be fighting at the top for the title. Every team has an off day and when they look back they will probably look at this one as being theirs. Derby lie a lofty second in the table after this win and they along with Manchester City are the only two sides with a 100% record after two games. Derby are at home once again on Saturday and Swansea City will provide the opposition this time along with a different set of problems for them to face. Kinnear maintains that survival is the only aim for the season and they will think of nothing more until that safety is achieved.

Fannie Licker @ Pride Park, Derby.

English League Shield Round 1

Manager Grant Cameron Choose to field a weakened team in the first round of the League Shield as his priorities are to gain promotion this season.
When comparing the side that faced Dagenham and Redbridge in the cup to the team that drew against Woking in the first game of the season an incredible 10 changes were made the only player that managed to keep his place was Goal Keeper Yassine Bounou. The side that was picked to face Dagenham in the cup was definitely a shadow of the side that played 2 days previous.

1	Y BOUNOU	80
2	J SIAFA	72
3	T RICHARDS	73
4	R STREETE	75
5	J COOPER	75
6	T CHAMPION	70
7	E JORDANOV	80
8	S FRIDJÓNSSON (c)	74
9	D SAM-YORKE	71
10	R DONALDSON	71
11	D BABUNSKI	80

Full Match Statistics 

Cambridge United                                                                                        Dagenham and Redbridge

Possession %
49%	51%

Total Shots
7	10

Shots On Target
4	5

Total Corners
6	7

Yellow Cards
3	1

Red Cards
2	0

In 90 minutes the match ended 1-1 with goals coming from J.LABADIE on the 65th minute and D.SAM-YORKE on the 67th minute. the match went into a penalty shoot out and Cambridge managed to scrape through 3-1 on penalties.

After the match Cambridge United's manager Grant Cameron had little to say other than some of the fringe players may have played there way into the first team for his sides trip to Kidderminister Harriers on Wednesday night. 

  

Cambridge United's Summer Transfers

Manager Grant Cameron sat down with us today to talk about his summer transfers into the club.
"Due to some unforeseen circumstances we had to let some of last seasons star performers go due to some cash flow problems. At this moment in time we have had 12 transfers come into the club and we have 1 pending."
Cameron gave us a brief analysis of each of the players that has joined Cambridge this summer to allow us the chance to get to know a little about them.

Transfers In

Dani Espejo

Position: D,DM,M(L)
Age: 21
Rating: 77
Cost: £550,000
Scout: Has the potential to dramatically increase in rating.
Has the potential to be a very good player (86-89)

Key Points

• Very young player and is an unknown quantity at this stage of their career
• Should be contending for a starting place in your team
• Is likely to be a squad player playing as a M(L)
• Is one of your best D(L)

Herve Kage

Position: DM(C),M(RLC)

Age: 25

Rating: 82

Cost: £2,100,000

Scout: Has the potential to slightly increase in rating.
Has the potential to be a good player (81-85)

Key Points

• Quite a young player but unlikely to ever break into the big time
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is your joint best DM(C)
• Is your joint best M(C)
• Is your joint best M(L)
• Is your joint best M(R)

Ouasim Bouy

Position: DM,M,AM(C)

Age: 21

Rating: 82

Cost: £1,600,000

Scout: Has the potential to increase a lot in rating.
Has the potential to be a very good player (86-89)

Key Points

• Very young player and is already developing well
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is your joint best DM(C)
• Is your joint best M(C)
• Is your joint best AM(C)

Russell Teibert

Position: M,AM(RL)

Age: 22

Rating: 80

Cost: £1,800,000

Scout: Has the potential to slightly increase in rating.
Has the potential to be a good player (81-85)

Key Points

• Young player but perhaps not likely to get much better
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is one of your best M(L)
• Is one of your best M(R)
• Is your joint best AM(L)
• Is your joint best AM(R)

Leandro Navarro

Position: M,AM(RL)

Age: 22

Rating: 80

Cost: £1,600.000

Scout: Has the potential to increase in rating.
Has the potential to be a good player (81-85)

Key Points

• Young player but perhaps not likely to get much better
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is one of your best M(L)
• Is one of your best M(R)
• Is your joint best AM(L)
• Is your joint best AM(R)

Dudu Biton

Position: F(C)

Age: 27

Rating: 83

Cost: £2,400,000

Scout: Is at or around his peak and unlikely to increase in rating.

Key Points

• Player should now be at the peak of his ability
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is your best F(C)

Jon Bautista

Position: F(RLC)

Age: 19

Rating: 75

Cost: £240,000

Scout: Has the potential to increase a lot in rating.
Has the potential to be a good player (81-85)

Key Points

• Very young player and is an unknown quantity at this stage of their career
• Is not likely to be contending for a place in your team
• Is one of your best F(C)
• Is your best F(L)
• Is your best F(R)

Inigo Lekue

Position: D,DM,M(R)

Age: 21

Rating: 77

Cost: £550,000

Scout: Has the potential to increase a lot in rating.
Has the potential to be a good player (81-85)

Key Points

• Very young player and is an unknown quantity at this stage of their career
• Should be contending for a starting place in your team
• Is likely to be a squad player playing as a M(R)
• Is your best D(R)

Mark Beevers

Position: D(LC)

Age: 25

Rating: 82

Cost: £2,600,000

Scout: Has the potential to slightly increase in rating.
Has the potential to be a good player (81-85)

Key Points

• Quite a young player but unlikely to ever break into the big time
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is your joint best D(C)
• Is your joint best D(L)

Shane Duffy

Position: D(C)

Age: 23

Rating: 82

Cost: £2,200,000

Scout: Has the potential to increase in rating.
Has the potential to be a very good player (86-89)

Key Points

• Quite a young player but unlikely to ever break into the big time
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is your joint best D(C)

Marko Poletanovic

Position: DM,M,AM(C)

Age: 21

Rating: 82

Cost: £2,900,000

Scout: Is at or around his peak and unlikely to increase in rating

Key Points

• Very young player and is already developing well
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is your joint best DM(C)
• Is your joint best M(C)
• Is your joint best AM(C)

David Babunski

Position: AM(RLC)

Age: 21

Rating: 80

Cost: £1,400,000

Scout: Has the potential to dramatically increase in rating.
Has the potential to play at the highest level (90-93)

Key Points

• Very young player and is an unknown quantity at this stage of their career
• Should be commanding a starting place in your team
• Is likely to be a squad player playing as a AM(C)
• Is your joint best AM(L)
• Is your joint best AM(R)

Pending Transfers

Yaniv Brik

Position: M,AM(C)

Age: 19

Rating: 75

Cost: £338,000

Scout: Has the potential to increase a lot in rating.
Has the potential to be a good player (81-85)

Key Points

• Very young player and is an unknown quantity at this stage of their career
• Is not likely to be contending for a place in your team
• Is likely to be a squad player playing as a M(C)
• Is currently not likely to get a game for your team playing as a AM(C)

English Shield Round 1 Summary

Team of the Round - Lincoln City

Last night, Division 5 Promotion hopefuls Lincoln City played host to Division 1 side Queens Park Rangers seeing (on paper) the shock of the round. Most people would've thought that Lincoln would play a more defensive game and try to catch Gerrit's side out on the counter attack, but it was RCB's division 5 side that attacked with intent and were 1-0 up on 25 minutes when veteran, Lionel Scaloni crossed in for Dodo to bullet a header in. Lincoln continued to attack down the flanks and the 2nd goal came soon after on 41 minutes, this time a cross from the left wing from Capuano was neatly put home by on loan forward, Munir! QPR had much the better chances in the 2nd half, but Lincoln defender well, until Ezekiel got QPR back into the game with 5 minutes to spare, but unfortunately for Gerrit, it was too little too late. Lincoln will now travel to Watford in the 2nd round.

Player of the Round - Gareth McCleary (Bolton Wanderers)

Gareth McCleary was the star of the round bagging a hat trick away to division 1 side West Brom in a thrilling 4-3 victory, thus booking them into the 2nd round with a home tie against Notts County.

Blackburn Bow Out - English Cup 1st Round Report

Beddows had nothing but praise for his young Blackburn side as they crashed out of the Cup on penalties last night to Arsenal following a 3-3 draw at Ewood Park.

From the outset this season the Blackburn boss was adamant that the Cup was not a target this season and his team selection reflected that last night, including Youth Team captain Jack Price captured for £1m towards the end of last season appearing on the bench.

Jack Price

Arsenal took an early  lead on 4 minutes when the greatest player in Costa Rican history, Bryan Ruiz put them in front but Beddows was confounded that the linesman had not seen a push on his on loan Spanish centre-back Nacho.

It was not surprise that the 2nd greatest Costa Rican player ever, Joel Campbell, doubled the lead with a neat finish on 15 minutes but Beddows again was totally perplexed by the linesman for not giving a clear offside.

Tom Cairney who has been retained at the club this season then pulled one back on 36 minutes with a glorious goal. The comeback was then complete when Italian superstar midfielder Andrea Bertolacci scored a thunderous thunderbolt which almost tore the back of the net. Blackburn had pulled it back to 2-2. What a comeback. Ewood was rocking and Beddows looked the former China manager, Dave T in the eye from his technical area and allegedly used a four word expletive which Beddows clearly denied afterwards. “I said f*** all” he told reporters.

On 60 minutes he made his usual changes which included 3x debuts for Price, Sainsbury and Jobello and Blackburn seemed to be getting on top of their opponents despite having substituted 3x first teamers…. And it was Jack Price who scored on 81 minutes an absolute worldy that within minutes of hitting the net had 3,132,431 hits on YouTube. 3-2 to Rovers.

Joel Campbell then appeared to spit at and man handle poor Grant Hanley to the ground on 85 minutes but the referee waved play on and advantage appearing to accuse Hanley of diving… And then Campbell scored. 3-3! Beddows looked baffled by another lackluster decision from the referee and almost stepped out of his technical area towards the Arsenal bench.

And then penalties and it was the youngster Jobello who missed the decisive penalty on his debut as Blackburn crashed out due to dreadful decisions made by the officials.

Post match Beddows was questioned as to the chanting from the Arsenal section which appeared to be directed towards the Blackburn star Adam Johnson…

Fannie Licker asked. “The Arsenal fans appeared to be singing ‘There’s only one Jimmy S******’ what are your thoughts? Didn’t the Leicester fans do the same on Satruday? Do you think you should rest Adam to protect him?”

“No comment!”

It was noted that after Adam Johnson scored for Blackburn in the season opener against Leicester on Saturday that there were a number of Japanese schoolgirls within the ground who appeared to go crazy when Johnson scored. 

Japanese Schoolgirls on a school exchange in Blackburn

Wednesday begin with a bang

Sheffield Wednesday started what promises to be an exciting season with a gritty 2-1 win away at fierce rivals Sheffield United. Before the match, Powell had been seen in the media claiming his side were going to 'tonk them 7-0', but in reality, he knew this was going to be a tricky match.

Ragnar Klavan immediately showed his aggression after just 6 minutes, picking up a booking for a lunge on Michael Carrick. But after 14 minutes, new signing Pyatov kept Wednesday out with a superb save, to deny a thundering shot from Sergi Roberto after Aleix Vidal set him up.

After that, the home side began to grow into the game. Dybala was becoming more and more involved, setting up Fischer whose shot was easily saved by Kawashima after 18 minutes, before Carrick skewed high and wide a couple of minutes later.

Wednesday then made their rivals pay with an excellent goal. Eder Alvarez Balanta brought down Vidal with a reckless challenge, but from 30 yards it looked surely too far out for a shot. However, up stepped new loan signing and free-kick expert Enner Valencia. He saw Pyatov slightly off his line, and smashed in an outstanding effort to silence Brammal Lane.

This goal invigorated Wednesday, and Ragnar Klavan went close in the 30th and 32nd minutes with long shots, both well saved by Pyatov. However, just as it looked like Wednesday were going to push on and grab a deserved second goal, United equalised. Mbemba fouled Pablo Piatti, and a whipped freekick from Afellay found its way to the dangerous Pablo Dybala, whose header flew past Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima.

After a weak shot from Guillame Gillet, United ended the half strongly. Afellay rolled a ball out to Pablo Piatti, and his shot was well saved by Kawashima in the 40th minute. Just 2 minutes later Piatti went close again. He was teed up by Diafra Sakho, but this time the ball flew past the goal and out for a goal-kick. That was the final action of a first half which had proven as entertaining as expected, with the score probably a fair reflection

Half time- Sheffield United 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday



There were no changes at half time and, until the 57th minute, no action of any kind whatsoever. Sergi Roberto, who was having an impressive first match since his loan move from Barcelona, shot wide of Pyatov's post.

The pressure was starting to mount on United and, in the 61st minute, Wednesday regained their lead. Enner Valencia ran forward and curled a beautiful cross right into the path of Spanish winger Aleix Vidal. Vidal collected the ball, 1 on 1 with the keeper, and slotted past Pyatov with ease. Powell jumped off the bench with delight, and the Jessice Ennis Stand was sent into raptures after a well-taken goal.

Vidal wheels off after restoring the lead

However, in the 66th minute, a  moment of madness from Ragnar Klavan, newly appointed captain,saw the pressure right back on Wednesday. The Estonian, a recent arrival from Augsburg, brought down Diafra Sakho, and the referee showed no sympathy, sending the defender off for a 2nd bookable offence. Powell was left fuming after the incident, and rumours coming out of training suggest that Klavan may have already lost the captain's armband, with Andres Guardado favourite to replace his fellow new signing.

Despite this setback, Wednesday didn't allow United back into it and, in fact, didn't allow them a single shot in the entire second half. Enner Valencia went close to a 2nd after 84 minutes, with Pyatov then making another save in the 89th to deny Vidal. The full-time whistle went, and Wednesday had achieved the kind of victory which good sides achieve. Despite going down to 10 men for a long time, they had dominated the game, and earnt a crucial 3 points.

Match Stats

Score- Sheffield United 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Possession- 43%-57%
Total Shots- 10-15
Shots on Target- 3-11
Corners- 0-13
Yellow Cards- 0-1
Red Cards- 0-1

5 Star Start For Palace

Crystal Palace are looking to get back into the Premier League at the first available opportunity, and gave themselves the perfect start with a 5-0 win over Barnsley. Palace start the season as one of the favourites, having been relegated despite a huge turnaround in form during the second half of last season. The squad is also largely the same as the one that was relegated, with Dwight Gayle heading to Lee Reynolds' Peterborough, and being replaced by experienced Spaniard Aritz Aduriz, who arrived from Bilbao for a shade under £6m.


       Aritz Aduriz

Palace also managed to get the three loanees back from Barcelona who served them so well last season, Deulofeu, Rafinha & Vazquez.

Two of them, Deulofeu, Rafinha, started tonights game against the Tykes, and instantly proved why Parfitt was so keen for them to return to Selhurst Park this season. A brace for Rafinha, and a goal and an assist for Deulofeu helping Palace on their way. Aduriz also managed to bag a debut goal, with the other coming from the spot courtesy of Jedinak.


Miles Jedinak scores from the penalty spot tonight to put Palace 2-0 up

Tuesday night sees Palace once again in action, this time with a tricky looking cup tie against fellow Championship side Norwich. Parfitt is expected to make 10 changes to his side, and expects Norwich to do much the same. However, even though Parfitt is working with a small squad at Palace, he feels that the squad players should be looking to put on a display to try and force their way into the starting line up.

There has also been a lot of rumors regarding the future of star defender Matija Nastasic.


      Matija Nastasic

The young Serb is known to have interested Arsenal during the close season, with the North London giants thought to have tabled a couple of offers. The player remains at Selhurst Park for now, however it is thought that a deal has been agreed with an as yet un-named Premier League side for the player to leave in exchange for a high quality midfield player, and a replacement young defender that Parfitt feels has the potential to play for his Country in the future. The identities of both the club and players in question will remain a secret for now, but will be announced as and when it is appropriate to do so.

Off the field, the club would also like to congratulate the Crystal Palace cheerleaders for their foray into the music business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXrcl6Au6Dc

BAGGIES HIT BY RAMRAID

 

WEST BROM..........  0   DERBY COUNTY......... 1

Derby County laid out their stall for the season with a superb tactical performance helping them to a 1-0 win at The Hawthorns. Last season West Brom comfortably held on to their Premier League status by finishing in 13th place and they will have been hoping to get off to a flyer at home to a side just promoted from the Championship and being tipped, by many, to struggle near the bottom of the table. If this performance was anything to go by, then Derby with their disciplined defence and well marshalled midfield will be nobody's pushovers and will certainly spring a few surprise results.

Derby fans packed out the away end

West Brom came out full of fire and started like they meant business with danger man Matri testing Adrian with a well timed strike on 8 minutes. Adrian looks the part and it was a shrewd bit of business by Kinnear to bring the goalkeeper to Derby. The Rams' first serious attack came on 17 minutes when Rincon skinned Golubovic down the right hand side and sent in a cross that seen Bobadilla out-jump the West Brom central defenders and get a header on target. It wasn't a header that troubled Mignolet but it was a warning of how much a handful Bobadilla is going to be this season. Derby were good at holding the ball without causing too much danger. The first yellow of the match came on 25 minutes when Diego robbed Recio in the middle of the park and as he tried to launch an attack, he was caught late by Rincon. An easy decision for the referee to book Rincon. The free kick looked a bit far out for a shot at goal but Diego gave it a go anyway with the ball clearing the bar. The goal kick was a poor one that was picked up by Aaron Hunt and he sent it forward to Diego who made the quick decision to have a shot. Adrian made the save look easier than it was but the main observation here was that Diego seemed to have a shoot on sight policy. It was one that wasn't going down well in the stands with his effort at goal bringing out a few groans. There was no doubt that West Brom were the more positive side with Derby seemingly content to sit back and deny Matri any room to manoeuvre. A good ball from Joe Allen found Gouffran with room out on the right and with Derby reluctant to commit, he found it too easy to saunter into the corner of the box and fire in a shot that, fortunately for the Rams, could have caused Adrian more trouble than it did. The keeper got his body behind the effort and saved comfortably but the threat was enough to bring Kinnear out to the technical area and bark some instructions at his defence. Another attack from West Brom on 32 minutes seen Gouffran sending in a cross that Diego was able to send back across the goal towards Matri, with the Italian striker's header forcing a one handed save from Adrian. The corner came to nothing but the Baggies were chapping on the door. Derby tried to slow the game down and take the sting out of West Brom's play, a ploy that was successful with Yedlin becoming West Brom's first booking of the season after a bit of dissent towards the referee. With no more incident, the referee blew for half time and the teams went off with the score at 0-0.

Johnson and Kinnear out in the technical area

Kinnear would have been the happier of the two bosses with Chris Johnson maybe disappointed that his side hadn't found the net.
With no changes to either line up, the second half started much the same as the first with both sides sparring to see what the other team could come up with. It was predicted that Derby would come out more and try and test West Brom's defensive ability but it was, once again, the home side who looked the more adventurous. On 56 minutes Diego controlled a high ball with a delightful touch and laid it out to Gouffran. The French wide man had been Derby's biggest problem in the first half, and he cut outside Baker, when Baker was expecting a cross, before releasing an angled shot that Adrian had to look smart to get down to and make the save. Derby's first chance of the second half quickly followed when Baker shot down the left and played the ball into Paulinho's feet. The Brazilian turned quickly before playing the ball back into the run of Baker. The young defender then cut inside Yedlin, taking advantage of his earlier booking, before unleashing a shot that was curling into the far corner only for Mignolet to dive to his left and grasp confidently. It was Derby's first real effort since the 17th minute of the first half. Paulinho was starting to come into the game more and a great turn fooled Finnbogason into a foul and the West Brom midfielder was the recipient of a yellow card. Derby were certainly looking more positive and on 63min Compper played a superb ball into the path of Bobadilla, whose first time shot forced Mignolet to save with his body before the ball was cleared by Topal. The game was opening up now and on 66 minutes a cross from Hunt found Allen, and his header was turned round the post by Adrian who looked concerned at the way Allen got in front of his marker. You could sense a goal was coming and it arrived on the 70 minute mark. A good ball into the box from Rincon landed at Bobadilla's feet and he laid it back to the edge of the box for Alex Lopez to fire a shot past Mignolet and into the back of the net. The Smethwick End stand erupted as the Derby players jumped on Lopez. Kinnear jumped off the bench with his arms aloft along with his backroom team.

Lopez scores Derby's first goal of the season

The goal was slightly against the run of play but it was a well taken shot from Lopez and it gave Mignolet no chance. The goal stung West Brom into attack and Matri split the defence with a great pass that found Finnbogason. The man from Iceland slipped past the Derby defender but unfortunately for him, his shot also slipped past the post. It was one where he could have done better but he snapped at the shot. Derby could have shut up shop but they still looked for an opening in the Baggies defence, hoping to put the game to bed. Compper was having a fine game at the back for the Rams and  he intercepted a Gouffron pass before playing the long ball to Bobadilla. The Argentine striker controlled the ball and hit it early towards the goal but Mignolet was alert and he managed to hold the ball at the second attempt. Time was running out for West Brom as they probed the Derby defence but there was no way through as Tomkins marshalled them brilliantly. When the referee brought proceedings to a close, the West Brom fans stayed to applaud a good effort by their team, showing they knew that they had tried hard. It was a classic sucker punch that undone West Brom but it's almost certain they wont be the only side to lose that way this season. For Derby, Kinnear will be delighted at the way his team performed. They controlled most of the possession and the defence was disciplined into a hard working unit that looked as though they had played together for years. A great 3 points for Derby in a season where every point will be a prisoner and if they continue to play like this then, it might not be pretty to watch, but it will do the job of keeping them up.

Fannie Licker @ The Hawthorns

279 Saturday Show (Episode 1)

The Pundits including your host 'The Doctor' sporting his new look

The Doctor: “Welcome everyone to the first ‘279 Saturday Show’ the show for the 279 Managers to discuss 279, the Super Seven and all things SM. I am your host The Doctor and today we have regular WC pundits Ted (Sheff Wed), PMW (Newcastle) and our first special guest Jens (York). Welcome guys. Ted looking forward to tonight?”

PWM: “Yes, Ted big game that Sheffield Derby. Do you expect City rivals United to be relegated?

Ted: “I bloody hope so! I have a hatred for them in real life, and our visit to Bramall Lane tonight, whilst for a small club like them it’s their cup final, it just an ordinary match for us. ”

The Doctor: "As you can all see there are some drinks that I brought back after I time travelled to the Mexico 2015 World Cup final, please help yourselves.

Ted: "Doctor does Razzaque win again tell us?"

The Doctor: "By the laws and time and space I cannot tell you hat happens in the future all I can say that the Mexico 2015 winner will surprise everyone. Jens, great to have you with us. I hope you like our studio and the  How are you?”

Jens: "I'm great thanks. I feel privileged to sit in the chair that Frank was in on Wednesday. Such an honour to follow in the footsteps of great managers and to sit beside them."

PMW: “That you are and you are sat next to the best. So 77% of all the managers nominated you as manager of the season in Division 5 Jens yet it is a picture of Razzaque a fellow former Division 5 manager who sits on the studio wall behind us. How does that make you feel?” 

Jens: “I’m not one for standing in the way of megalomania. He’s a pioneer of voodoo inspired football tactics. You can’t get that anywhere else. A true special talent.”

Ted: “Great answer that Jens. PMW in Division Two we can only watch on and aspire to be as great as Razzaque, Hirst, Augero or yourself… and I cannot help but read that the media are often reporting of a fractious relationship between you and your chairman last season? Is your position tenable?

PMW: “I’d love it, really love it… wait sorry what was the question? Me and Mike? Tenable? Of course he’s a winner and wants to win and loves the French, and I’m sexy and speak French so perfect.”

The Doctor: "My own position is perfectly teneable. Ted back to you? A lot of pundits including Beddows have backed you to go up this season? Can you do it?

Ted: “I try not to pay attention to what others say about us. Obviously it’s flattering to hear such high praise, but we’re keeping our feet on the gound, and the playoffs are the target.”

Jens: “I read in The Burton Mail that Beddows is playing the Murray card again with 2^nd from bottom his target. Doctor are you and Plymouth aiming for somewhere similar but the other end of the table.”

The Doctor: “Last season was an emotional roller coaster comparable to only to Paraguay’s World Cup Adventure or Tranmere’s end of season losing in a Cup Final, finishing 5^th on the last day and then winning the Champions League and to find out the SMFA have allowed him to compete… If only Peterborough had have had their promotion taken away for cheating? Alas. I ponder. So PMW there was that incident that Rickie Lambert reported following a crucial defeat last season regarding Ashley Young? How have you managed to fix that relationship?”

PMW: “Me and Young? Yeah we’re sound, we just let our emotions get the best of us, but Lambert? He can go! Does anyone actually want him though?”

Ted: “Not me. Jens… What about Division Four? Mister Malcolm (Oxford) claimed in his end of season report that Division Four is the easiest to win? Are you confident?

Jens: “If I’m smoking a Cuban by a poolside somewhere in Paraguay surrounded by a bevvie beauties having wrapped up the title 10 games from the end. That’s when it’s a doddle. Until then it’s a game at a time and we’ll see what happens. What about you Doc? Ready to go? Who worries you?”

The Doctor: “Well I think Joe Jordan at Doncaster has a fairly good chance to be honest. And Walsall, Forest Green and Portsmouth but we shall see. Ted, any manager you really want to see fail this season in your division?

Ted: “Possibly my old chap Norman Little himself, starting when we tonk his Blades 7-0 on Saturday. COME ON YOUR OWLS!”

Jens: “Jeez. Calm down mate it’s only a game!”

PMW: “Jens you have the World Cup Final losing manager in your midst in Division 4. Will he have a World Cup hang over or are you tipping Chesterfield to do well?”

Jens: “It’s difficult to see where the paths may take us… but the Chesterfield manager showed his worth in Italy. I dare say he’s got his own Cuban, ready for that ‘special’ occasion.”

The Doctor: “I never had you down as such a philosophical guy Jens, you surprise me. Final question for you my good friend PMW, some newspapers have reported you will adopt a Northern Irish approach to the league this season with Newcastle with a determined “No Surrender” banner been gifted by the club to be displayed at St James’ Park are you not worried about the controversy this may cause?

PMW: “Norn Iron? No there won’t be any controversy there. We’ll take the ‘no surrender’ motto and make it our own, we had a great World Cup and look forward to the next, I hope we qualify as I don’t fancy sitting with those pundits for a full week, they don’t half talk garbage!”
The Doctor: “Has anyone had a go on the Super Seven this week and want to share their predictions?”

Ted: “I had a go… I think I’ll win the weekly 100 SM credit prize to be honest… here we go West Brom (2) Derby (1), Blackburn (2) Leicester (0), Barnsley (0) Palace (3), Boro (2) Wigan (1), Rochdale (1) Forest Green (1), Chesterfield (1) Bristol Rovers (2), Barnet (2) Kidderminster (1)…”

The Doctor: “That’s it now lads for this week. Next week I have decided that despite being good sports I won’t be inviting back Ted, PMW and Jens… maybe in the future!”