[simplythebest35]

http://www.fachallenge.co.uk/images/keithbanner.jpg

mkdons manager deciding to switch tactics he is waiting for the players to get used to the new system to get the results needed to get out of the relegation battle they see them selves in at the moment

with a good 2-0 win against swansea
followed by 2 defeats

1-0&1-0 against torquay and northampton

with job status not looking to clever keith needs results before he gets the dreaded sack

[robbie_647]

Brighton stuck in the playoffs again.

With plenty of games left we are Confident we can overtake either Crewe or Doncaster and take one of those auto promotion spots.

A run down of recent results:

Brighton 2 vs 0 Doncaster
Rushden 0 vs 2 Brighton
Brighton 1 vs 1 York
Bradford 2 vs 1 Brighton
Brighton 0 vs 0 Gillingham
Brighton 0 vs 0 Millwall
Hednesford 0 vs 3 Brighton (F.A Cup 1st round)
Swindon 0 vs 0 Brighton
Preston 4 vs 3 Brighton
Brighton 2 vs 1 Rotherham
Walsall 0 vs 4 Brighton (F.A Cup 2nd round)
Walsall 1 vs 3 Brighton
Brighton 3 vs 0 Huddersfield
Tranmere 1 vs 1 Brighton
Brighton 3 vs 0 Chesterfeild
Wycombe 0 vs 3 Brighton
Chelsea 1 vs 0 Brighton (F.A Cup 3 round)
Brighton 3 vs 0 Scunthorpe
Waford 1 vs 1 Brighton

In one of his 1st interviews Ray Robson spoke to Jan Nichols from the Brighton Star.

He said the following:

We are going up Crewe and Doncaster will be brushed aside, We are the best in this league there is no doubt about that, Now all the best to my fellow managers .

There you have it from Ray Robson himself, The man has such confidence in his own and his teams ability it makes me proud to say i am a Brighton Fan.

Thats it from me then till next time, Where hopefully we will have secured promotion to the Championship.

Come on the Brighton :thup:.

[smurfdok]

SHOCK NEWS! - Smurthwaite Leaves High Flying Baggies!

Promising West Brom manager Dale Smurthwaite has left the club in a shock move to struggling Premiership team Everton. Smurthwaite was on the verge of taking West Brom to the Premiership for next season and has left purely for financial reasons. His move may have been a bit hasty though as he is unable to bring any more players to Everton as the transfer window has closed to Premiership teams.



Dale did manage to grab one player from West Brom before he left though :

PLAYERS IN

DC - Philippe Senderos - £500k from West Brom

He also bought two other players before the transfer window closed for the season:

FRLC - Derek Riordan - £4.2M from Celtic
GK - Kasper Schmeichel - £3.1M from Man City

So far there have been no departures from the club, but there certainly will be as Smurthwaite will look to refine his squad for next season.

However, it remains to be seen if Smurthwaite can keep the Premiership strugglers in the top flight as they are having some trouble getting any points at the moment and with Wigan only 3 points behind them with 2 games in hand, Everton may still go down. Its up to Smurthwaite to get a couple of results in the next 9 games to secure survival.

Results So Far Under Smurthwaite's Leadership

Everton 0 V Crystal Palace 0
A half decent result to start off with as many expected Everton to fall under James Woodward's strong Palace side. A point is better than nothing at this stage of the season.

Star Man - Richard Wright (Everton)

Tottenham 4 V Everton 0
An expected result here as Everton struggled for a first team. Many injuries at the moment and form is not so good. Hopefully it will turn around soon.

Star Man - Teemu Taino (Tottenham)

Everton 0 V Newcastle 2
Newcastle were the better side here, but both teams went down to 10 men after two very rash challenges from both players. Everton never looked like scoring though after The Magpies dominated the game.

Star Man - John Heitinga (Newcastle)

With Everton's next match being a home game against mid table Blackburn, Smurthwaite will be hoping for a result or face the possibility of passing old team West Brom on the way down to the Championship; and what a sore feeling that would be.

Until my next report...

DS.

[robbie_647]

Brighton are standing still, We had the hope we had the belief but still we cant get one of those auto promotion spots. We are Standing still!

Now for a quick round up of the fixture's

Blackpool 1 vs 0 Brighton
Brighton 5 vs 0 Oldham
Hartlepool 3 vs 0 Brighton
Brighton 2 vs 0 Cambridge
Brighton 1 vs 1 Brentford

Shock at Brighton as highly respected manager Raymond Robson resigns his position to take up a post at West Brom.

Robson give an explanation to the Star after his departure:

This was one of the hardest decisions i have ever had to make. But in the world of football such decisions have to be made, This was a opportunity i just could not turn down i am very sorry to the Brighton fans i never wanted to leave but when a job comes up like this one i would have been stupid to turn it down it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wish the Brighton Fan's the team and my former chairman Dick Knight all the best for the future :thup:

There you have it a very a very emotional Ray Robson as he left Brighton, I for one would like to wish Mr Robson all the best in his future employment, Signing off for the last time my name is Jan Nichols from the Brighton Star.



After new manager Ray Robson flies into the Hawthorns he had this to say to the press.

I have come here for one reason and that is to get his wonderful club back into the Premiership where we belong, I look forward to taking over from where Dale Smurthwaite left this club and i will be taking this clubs to new heights so strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.

Results and transfer's to follow in my next post.

Till next time.

[big gordon]

GENERAL CREWE NEWS

With the merry-go-round that is Football Managnent,the last few weeks has seen a lot of managerial changes & with two more looking likely the trends seems to be continuing.On that note Crewe chairman John Bowler was quick to call a meeting with up & coming manager Gordon Macari. Bowler seemed worried that Macari may be attracted to some big money offer from another club,Now without going into detail about the entire meeting,Bowler asks Macari what does he see for his and more importantly Crewe's future...?

Crewe's future is my future! i dont want to be aywhere else,i dont want to manage any other club! The amount of effort and money you have given me to make this club a success deserves more credit than you get.The fans of this wonderful town have made me feel at home here,And i will garentee you one thing.....Crewe will play Premiership football & i will be the manager in charge!

With Macari's Crewe future sealed and signed,it was Macari's turn to tlak about future's......his players.After strong intrest from Middlesborough,Leeds were next to come calling for the signature of Crewe's impressive Winger Alan O'Brien,Macari sent a resalute NO to Leeds and anyone else thinking of trying to nick one of Macari's prized asset! This brought a suprizingly negative response from the player......

No player should be kept at a club agaiest there will! While i understand im under contract at Crewe,if a club like Leeds comes along the bid must be considered !

Macari si belived to have called a meeting with this player and several other to reitarate the future of this club depends on keeping its best players and to achieve the goal of Premiership football,This has been reported to have had a magnificant reaction with the squad and more importantly Alan O'Brien.So here's hoping these two can rebuild there relationship and get on with the task of taking this marvalous club to its deserved place in England's top flight.




Now on to results:

Crewe have seen a fantastic run of results send them n to 2nd place,two points of top spot with a game in hand. Wins over Brighton,Draws with sides like Huddersfield & top team Doncaster have seen Crewe cement there place in the top sx places.

The FA Cup has been a great ditraction from league business for Macari and his side,the league one outfit have done amazingly well in the compition this season,Beating Preston 2 - 1,4th placed Championship side Coventry were next to be toppled by Crewe in a very bad tempered game which seen 3! Red cards (Two for Crewe,One for Coventry) Crewe won the match 2 - 1 with nine men after a stunning winner from Polish midfeilder Zeon Aleska. The 5th round of the draw was both kind and cruel to Crewe,While handing them a glamerous home tie,some people think that it would have been better to get one of the so called 'Weaker' teams to improve chances of progression,But Macari being Macari had something to say......

Well some people say we should have been hoping to get a smaller club in this round,but im delighted to get the chance to test myself as are the players! Now those who think we are gonna be rolled over better think again,Remember they have got a busy shedule that week....plus! They have to come to the Alexandra!

Well thats about it just now,My next reort will be a comprehensive re-cap of the season and deatiled report of our League 1 winner's party!!!

Till next time......'Mac 10' Out!

[hibberdons]

Huddersfield News and Results

News: Manager Michael Cahill has been very bust in the past few weeks, not only has he been trying and seemingly faling to win Huddersfield a League One Play-Off place he has been finalising many transfers that will go through in the summer transfer window. We havent been able to find out who the players that Cahill is bringing in as the big boss is keeping his cards close to his chest. Cahill has said:

There will be around 9 or 10 free transfers coming in but i dont want to spill the beans on who they are as the buzz around the club with people trying to find out who the players are is absolutley amazing.

Also many fans are said to be worried that Cahill is looking to leave the club to futher his managment career, there has been many roumors flying around the place that Cahill has applied for many of the jobs that have came available recently. When questioned on this issue Cahill only said:

Look, were coming to the end of the season and were still in contention to steal a Play-Off place, i wont be drawn on speculation on my position at the club at this moment in time.

With Cahill saying this, fans and players alike are seemingly worried that Cahill's time at Huddersfield is coming to an end, although with Cahil bringing in many players for next season it would be unlikley that he would leave his job half done.

Results.

Last 15 results,

Huddersfield 0-0 Gillingham - Draw

Preston 0-0 Huddersfield - Draw

Huddersfield 0-0 Millwall - Draw

Swindon 2-1 Huddersfield - Loss

Walsall 0-0 Huddersfield - Draw

Rotherham 0-0 Huddersfield - Draw

Cambridge 2-2 Huddersfield - Draw

Huddersfield 0-0 Tranmere - Draw

Chesterfield 1-0 Huddersfield - Loss

Huddersfield 1-1 Watford - Draw

Wycombe 0-1 Huddersfield - Win

Huddersfield 2-0 Scunthorpe - Win

Blackpool 0-3 Huddersfield - Win

Huddersfield 0-0 Oldham - Draw

Hartlepool 1-1 Huddersfield - Draw

So far this season - P-42 W-12 L-11 D-19 PTS-55, 6 games to play and 10 points off the Play-Offs so its still possible.

Until next time when i'll be revealing my Future Transfers, GOOD BYE

[DJSwerve]

Port Vale continue to struggle as the end of season looms!

With Port Vale nearing the end of a tough frist season in the Champinoship they find themselves in amongst a tight battle for safety. They are currently in 23rd position and are only 2 points off safety, but with only 4 more games to play this season it is sure to be a close finish. With only 6 wins all season it is very evident that Port Vale have found the transition to a higher level of football a lot tougher than they expected. Their main problem throughout the season has been their inability to score the goals to kills teams off, this has resulted in them drawing games they should have won. With a new record run of 14 games without victory this season Port Vale will count themselves very lucky if they do manage to survive. The only real highlight of a terrible season so far has been holding Premiership Portsmouth to a draw in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. With funds tight at Port Vale, manager Andy Silk was forced to sell star man Billy Paynter to fund some new signings, and although this was met with dismay by the fans, the new signings have enabled Port vale to at least a give themselves chance at safety.

During the season there have been 5 new arrivals at Vale Park;

Richard Page:- A young defender signed from Man Utd for 55k. One for the future for sure.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson:- A veteran attacking midfielder who gives us a different option in midfield. Signed for 10k.

Kjell Andre Thu:- An exciting amc with a rocket shot. Signed from Brighton for 16k.

Haruna Babagida:- Explosive right sided winger who gives Vale a different attacking option to Modino on th right wing. Signed for 30k.

Leon Knight:- A proven goalscorer who has got goals at every club he has been at. Signed for 50k and he will hopefully shot the goals to keep Port Vale up.

The results up until the 11th of April 2009 were as follows;

Ipswich 3-0 Port Vale
Cardiff 2-0 Port Vale
Port Vale 1-2 Wolves
Port Vale 1-1 West Ham
West Brom 1-1 Port Vale
Port Vale 3-2 Birmingham
Sheff Wed 3-1 Port Vale
Port Vale 1-0 Stoke
Port Vale 0-0 Notts Forest
Reading 2-2 Port Vale
Leeds 3-0 Port Vale
Port Vale 0-1 Plymouth
Middlesborough 2-0 Port Vale
Port Vale 0-0 Sheff Utd
Derby 3-2 Port Vale
Port Vale 3-0 Sunderland
QPR 3-0 Port Vale
Barnsley 3-2 Port Vale
Luton 3-1 Port Vale
Port Vale 0-0 Coventry
Port Vale 0-0 Portsmouth
Port Vale 0-0 Oxford
Port Vale 0-1 Burnley
Portsmouth 5-1 Port Vale
Bristol City 4-1 Port Vale
Port Vale 0-2 Cardiff
Hull 3-0 Port Vale
Port Vale 0-2 Ipswich
Birmingham 1-1 Port Vale
West Ham 1-1 Port Vale
Port Vale 1-1 West Brom
Port Vale 2-2 Sheff Wed
Stoke 2-1 Port Vale
Port Vale 1-0 Leeds
Notts Forest 0-0 Port Vale
Port Vale 0-2 Reading
Plymouth 3-1 Port Vale
Port Vale 1-0 Middlesborough

Manager Andy Silk was asked to comment on his sides chances of survival but refused to give an answer. He is clearly a man feeling the pressure of trying to keep Port vale in the Championship.

With 4 fixtures against Sheff Utd, Derby, Sunderland and QPR to go Port Vale have a tough task to avoid the drop. But as they proved last season, anything is possible and they will continue to give their all until the very end of the season.

Until next time,
Andy Silk
xxx

[smurfdok]

Everton Prepare For Relegation

The Toffees look to be heading down a division next season after a dismal run of form. Manager Dale Smurthwaite appears to be unhappy at Goodison Park and is perhaps regretting his decision to leave West Brom.

Due to the closure of the Premiership transfer window, there have been no transfers at Everton so its straight on with the results.

Everton 0 V Blackburn 3
Another poor display from Smurthwaite's team here as the drop looks more and more certain. Everton just couldn't get the ball on target and Blackburn punished them for it with a brace from James Beattie.
Star Man - Matei Mirel Radoi (Blackburn)

Portsmouth 5 V Everton 2
This was an abysmal result for Smurthwaite and Everton as they crashed to a mediocre Portsmouth side. Again, the Toffees' finishing was poor and Pompey's Lua Lua ran the show.
Star Man - Lomana LuaLua (Portsmouth)

Everton 1 V Norwich 0
A welcome win here that kept Everton's survival hopes alive. Even though Norwich had most of the game, Morten Gamst Pedersen's goal gave Everton some much needed points.
Star Man - Michael Lamey (Norwich)

Aston Villa 2 V Everton 1
Another nightmare game for Smurthwaite here as he watched his team get overrun for the whole match. Everton did manage a consolation goal from Pedersen but one isn't enough at this level.
Star Man - Richard Wright (Everton)

-----------------

NEWSFLASH!

Oh wait, I'm just getting a newsflash in my earpiece...I don't believe it, Everton manager Dale Smurthwaite has quit the club! After only 70 days in charge at Goodison Park, Smurthwaite has taken the vacant post at White Hart Lane and Tottenham Hotspur. I'm still in shock. I can't believe it, I really can't. Well, this football lark just gets more bizarre by the day.

Smurthwaite will now miss out on some great players that were on their way to Everton next season. The likes of Diego Forlan, Luis Fabiano, and Arsenal's Lauren. However, with relegation almost certain for Everton, I can't see those players wanting to stay there long.



Smurthwaite Relishes Spurs Opportunity

Tottenham Hotspur revealed Dale Smurthwaite as their new manager today after the departure of Jupp Heynckes. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy welcomed Smurthwaite to the club saying :

I believe Dale is the best man for the job and we have been watching his prgress with Everton where he was clearly managing a club below his own abilities as a manager.

With the Board's confidence behind him, surely Smurthwaite can do something with this talented Spurs squad. However, there is one problem. The wgae bill is an astronomical £177,000 over its weekly budget and we may see some big names leaving White Hart Lane in order to control the finances.

Smurtwaite has only led the club in one match so far and here is the result.

Tottenham 3 V Wigan 1
A good start to Smurthwaite's time here as Spurs dominated the game. Things will not get much easier than this.
Star Man - Hugo Viana (Tottenham)

With Spurs' next game away to big guns Chelsea, Smurthwaite will be hoping for a result so solidify the Board's faith in him. Onwards and upwards for Dale Smurthwaite.

Until my next report...

DS.

[robbie_647]

Testing time at the Hawthorns, With my side not playing aswell as we would of liked we are only 3rd, I did manage too get a few signings in and they are:

Transfers in

Ben Watson, A star of the future i hold very high hopes for him bought for 525k from southampton.
Phil Cave, Another one for the future bought for 50k from Brighton

There have also been one player who left the club and he was Kevin Savage who i sold to Altrincham for 95k.

We all love to get off to a good start and we did just that in our 1st game against Oxford, It was a suberb performance from Robson's men as we had them from start to finish, It could have been more but 2-0 would have to do the two goals came from Parker and Porarinsson and man of the match went to Hosain Kaebi.

West Brom 1 vs 0 Sheff Utd (F.A Cup 5th round)
West Brom 1 vs 1 Barnsley
Port Vale 1 vs 1 West Brom
Luton 0 vs 1 West Brom
West Brom 0 vs 0 Burnley
West Brom 0 vs 2 Newcastle Utd (F.A Cup 6th round)
Bristol City 1 vs 3 West Brom
West Brom 2 vs 1 Cardiff
Hull 1 vs 3 West Brom
West Brom 0 vs 0 Ipswich
West Ham 1 vs 1 West Brom

With only 1 point keeping us from going top and only 4 game's left to go in the season we are very hopefull we will go up.

So till next time where hopefully i will be bringing news of a Premiership bound West Brom.

[big gordon]

The Season Comes To A Close

Well another loing season comes to a halt for Crewe and Macri! At least this year was slightly more fulfilling than last year,This season has seen Crewe change almost the whole squad under Macari,and the results have clearly shown this change to be a great success. Performances from some of the squad has been out of this world in all honestly and thus has attracted interest from bigger clubs,although ive been ensured by Macari that none will be leaving.

Results Rundown

Crewe 0 - 1 Chelsea (FA Cup 5th Round)

Brighton 0 - 0 Crewe

Bristol Rovers 0 - 2 Crewe

Crewe 1 - 0 Brentford

Crewe 2 - 0 Cambridge

Crewe 0 - 0 Doncaster

Rushden 0 - 2 Crewe

Crewe 1 - 0 York

Watford 0 - Crewe 2

Crewe 5 - 0 Gillingham

Bradford City 0 - 2 Crewe

Preston 2 - 1 Crewe

Crewe 2 - 1 Millwall

Swindon 2 - 2 Crewe

Crewe 1 - 0 Rotherham

Walsall 0 - 2 Crewe

Crewe 1 - 0 Hudderfield

Now apart from the FA Cup run being ended by money bags Chelsea,in which Crewe put up on hell of a fight,with a stunnig left footed volly from Robert Huth breaking all the Crewe fans hearts,Even Jose Moruinho had to admit he was very impressed by Crewe and there manager,saying " It wont be too long before we see Creweplaying there football in the Premiership ". Now with the FA Cup dream over for another season Crewe could concetrate on League matters. The FA Cup hangover came into play in there first game after the Chelsea tie,As Crewe fought out for a 0 - 0 draw with high-flying Brighton. From then on in crewe went on an unbelevible run on form, Macari's men went Ten games unbeaten and ten games without conceding a goal!!! All credit must go to goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi and his defense.This run of from propelled Crewe to the tp of the league where they stayed untill And on Saturday the 18th of April Crewe where confirmed as League 1 Champion's with a 1 - 0 victory over Rotherham.







The Quest Is On!!!

The Crewe board and fans were togethor i celebrating this succes and both party's give full credit to manager Gordon Macari. Macari was happy to celebrate but wanted to get to work straight away for next season such is his determination to get this team to the premiership.

Macari's Team Report

Fans Player Of The Year : Alan O'Brien

Top Goalscorer : Michael Chopra

Highest League Position : 1st In League One

Highest Attendence : 10105 v Chelsea FA Cup 5th Round

Highest Gate Recipts : £200,000 v Chelsea FA Cup 5th Round

Average Attendance : 9221

PLAYERS.

Most Assists : Michael Chopra 11

Highest Average Rating : Alan O'Brien 7.81 (35 apps)

Most MOM : Alan O'Brien 9

Well with the new season upon us Macari si casting his eye far and wide,using all his contacts to secrue players cabable of securing Premiership football,He has been in contact with a few agents and has tabled a few contacts.

We will give our full pre-season report once these signings have been comfirmed and once we are near the start of what we hope will be another glourious season down at the Alexandra Stadium.

Till next time.......'Mac 10' OUT!