[retired_dalilatrb]

The day it started to fall apart.

As January drew to a close Rob Stone was left regretting comments he had made in previous interview about promotion, as something had changed in team, and it wasn't good.

The Leighterwood sale infuriated him, and in the three league games after it Wimbledon conceded 7 goals and scored none. THey had been outplayed by Walsall, Millwall, and Cardiff and scraped through the F.A cup 4th round against Boston after a replay. Something wasn't right. THeir squad was smaller because of injuries, but it had been small all season and the team had coped.

January saw Wimbledon lose their 10 point lead at the top and fall to second, they had lost their 11 point goal difference advantage over Forest, who were now top of the table on goal difference.

Dons manager Stone was left hoping January was just a freak month, but the performances had been so dissapointing that he was not hopeful. Hopefully February can see a return to the form that took the top of the table and that the championship can be won.

Who knows what will happen.

[retired_sindeydp]

Millwall - Kings Of The Cup

January had been a unusual month for the Lions, 2 wins, a few draws and a loss in the league meant that by the end they were trailing behind the two automatic promotion spots by 7 points. However thanks to Wimbledon finally starting to do what everyone had been expecting them to, lose, well, they were only 7 pts off the lead as well, much better then the 11 it was at the start of the month.

Pushing aside the league for a minute, January was time for the FA Cup, the oldest in the world, the most prestigious in the world, and one every club wants to win. The third round saw Millwall play lowly Halifax where they were given a good hard thrashing, 7-0 in fact, with talented young prospect Cherno Samba coming on to score two goals. On to the fourth round, and the draw was not an easy one, home to the big-spenders Chelsea.

On the day, Chelsea fielded a full strength side with the likes of, Crespo, Gudjohnsesn, Mutu, Veron, Cole and Duff playing against thier south london rivals of Harris, Weatherson, Sweeney, Ifil, Whelan and of course old Chelsea favourite Dennis Wise.

Chelsea of course dominated the game, but Millwall played excellent counter-attacking football and managed two goals on the break. 2-0 up, and looking good if they could just hang on. But when playing against the richest that the premiership has to offer, you know there will be a tough job ahead. They piled on the pressure managing to get a goal back. 2-1. And then, on his first game back from injury, Millwall Captain Dennis Wise lost his head and fouled his opponent in the box. PENALTY!!. 2-2.

Not to be discouraged though, two minutes later at the other end of the park, Peter Sweeney scored a delightful free kick, bottom right corner. 3-2. After that it was all Chelsea, could Millwall hang on for 20 more minutes. They hung and they hung, until the 91st, Chelsea had a corner, got a flick on, Warner in goal flapped at it, it was 3-3. But no, the referee whistled, it was disallowed, there had been pushing in the box. Sighs of Relief echoed round the New Den!!. And then it was all over, Millwall were through to the FA Cup Fourth Round. Chelsea were going home, beaten, ashamed, gutted!

[retired_footballyears]

since the departure of Franco from the clan, it became aparent we now required a new website, so.... brace yourselves.... I took it upon myself to take over that responsibility (hell I'm doing most other stuff to do with the clan these days )

so here it is. Any feedback or suggestions are more than welcome

www.freewebs.com/gqcmonline/

[retired_footballyears]

Forest charge to the top
PART ONE

Expectations are rising all round the city ground during the past 3 months. Nottingham Forest have been unbeaten in the league since the 6th of December. This unbeaten run has helped to propell the reds to the top of the table. In the first of this two part special, we shall look at the games that are part of this successful run and focus on Forest's rise to the top. We shall also plot how The Reds got on in the FA cup 3rd round tie against Premiership side, Charlton.

6th December 2003
Millwall 2-0 Forest
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Ifill 53 Dawson s/o 42 Bopp OG 75Attendence: 17480</pre>
Forest owed a lot to the heroics of goalkeeper Stekelenburg for keeping the scores level at half time. The dutch stopper saved several Millwall efforts at close range as the lions surged forward early on. Before the break trouble bloomed for Forest when Centre back Michael Dawson was shown the red card for throwing an elbow at Bob Peeters, it appeared to "catch" the Millwall striker in the face. Forest were down to ten men. Millwall eventually broke the deadlock on 52 mins. A Sweeney corner looped in for Paul Ifil to meet unapposed at the near post to head home. the 2nd goal came, again from a Sweeney corner, on 75 mins. Struck to the back post Where Peeters met it and headed back towards goal. the header took a deflection off Bopp who had taken up position on the far post. It was 2-0 and there was no way back for The Reds now.

13th December 2003
Forest 0-0 Wigan
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Attendence: 17825</pre>
Not an indication that an unbeaten run was about to start, by any means, however Forest were the better side. Failure to find the target cost the home side and they must have felt aggreived not to take all three points.

17th December 2003
Sunderland 1-1 Forest
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Welsh 77 Thompson 59Attendence: 32811</pre>
John Thompson, in for the suspended Michael Dawson, scored Forest's only goal. He pounced on the rebound from a low driven Michael Stewart free kick. The Black Cats keeper did well to turn the shot onto the post but Thompson reacted quickest and slotted home from 10 yards. john Welsh leveled the score line on 77 mins with a close range shot to beat the stranded Forest keeper at his near post. Welsh rounded off a sweet Sunderland attacking move, their first real attacking display in the game. The reds had let 3 points slip from their grasp again.

20th December 2003
Forest 2-0 Derby
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Harewood 27,54Attendence: 30139</pre>
Back to winning ways in a game that went largely to plan. Harewood's double strike either side of half time was only mared by the injury to strike partner David Johnson

26th December 2003
Stoke 2-2 Forest
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Akinbiyi 53 Reid 16Walker 60 Johnson 29Attendence: 16025</pre>
Boxing Day's visit to the Britania Stadium started well enough. Forest were 2-0 up at half time, but Stoke rallied together at half time and came out looking like a different team after the break. 2 goals in the space of seven minutes leveled the tie and although the visitors managed to regain the upper hand in the last half hour they were unable to regain the lead. The first game of the Christmas period ended all square.

3rd January 2004
Forest 1-1 CharltonFA Cup 3rd Round
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Rungratsamee 19 Cole 69Attendence: 28677</pre>
So here it was, Nottingham Forest's first outing of the season in the most prestigious cup competition in the world. Not the most favourable of draw's to come out of Soho Square for the Division One side, but never the less a tie Forest Gaffer Wilkins was relishing. Injury to David Johnson after only 14 minutes meant things had to be changed early on. Thrust in to the fold was one Supat Rungratsamee. The 15 year old had already made a name for himself playing in the Carling Cup, scoring in two seperate rounds, he was set to carry on the trend of cup scoring exploits when he latched onto a Harewood through ball five minutes after coming on. He cooly took the ball in his stride and slotted past the advancing Charlton Keeper to make it 1-0 Forest. Three minutes later and the youngster, affectionately known as Rugrat by the fans and players alike, latched onto an Andy Reid pass over the top. He calmly slotted past the Charlton keeper for the 2nd time only to see it ruled out, Rugrat was ajudged to have been off-side. Carlton Cole's 69th minute equaliser spoilt the day for the City Ground faithful and forced the game to a replay at the Valley in 10 days time.

7th January 2004
West Ham 1-2 Forest
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Dailly 31 Johnson 87, 90Attendence: 28846</pre>
West Ham were occupying one of the play-off spots just below Nottingham forest so the trip to London would prove to be one of the biggest games of the season for both sides. Christian Dailly struck on the half hour from a corner. He rose highest to meet the inswinging delivery. His header guided it back towards the near post and in to an unguarded net. There was nothing Goal keeper Darren Ward could do but pick the ball out of an empty net. In a game of few chances it didn't look like the scoreline was likely to change. Into the 2nd half and the final few minutes, a tactical switch by Forest led to them playing 5 men up front. It was a risk, but a risk that paid off. Two goals from Star man David Johnson rescued the game and sent Forest home with three points. They say its a sign of true champions when a team can play poorly but manage to grind out a win, was this one of those signs???

This takes us up to the half way point of the season. 23 games played, 23 still to go. Nottingham forest trailed Wimbledon by 7 points. While January turned out to be a miserable month for Wimbledon, it proved to be the corner stone for Forest to strengthen their quest for automatic promotion to the Premiership, and possibly even the Division One title to go with it. In the next issue of Forest Focus we shall look at January and February's results and see how Forest began March top of the table.

[This message was edited by DezMW on 01 February 2004 at 3:17.]

[This message was edited by DezMW on 01 February 2004 at 3:20.]

[retired_jasonkt]

Cardiff still on the up

Cardiff City Manager Mike Carnie has been warmly congratulated by the fans of the club, following the Teams successes on the field.

Carnie has brought Cardiff up to 7th in the Table, trailing only by one goal to W.B.A

An unexpected 3-0 win over table toppers Wimbledon strengthened the clubs ambition, but the club has been wracked by injuries and news that CLub Captain, Gareth Whalley will be leaving at the end of the season on a Free Transfer to Wolves. Carnie has vowed to try and bring him back, even being prepared to pay to get his dynamic midfielder back.

News of key winger, John Robinson being out for 2 or 3 weeks has also left a slight frown on many a fans face. He joins Scott Young and Tony Vidmar on the injury list and Danny Gabbidon is also suspended.

Mike Carnie has also been engaging much of the backroom staff in contract talks, as many of them coudl walk away in the summer. Sub Keeper Stephen Bywater is also injured, and having not played any games this season so far for Cardiff, many are saying that the 750k former West Ham number 2 was a waste, but Carnie insists that he will prove his worth.

We hope to bring you more updates very soon.

[retired_zamzam]

Clarets slump to bottom of table

Burnley have failed to improve on their poor performances in the first half of the season, and they have now dropped into 24th place, with only 12 league games left to be played.

Manager Joe Finnigan would've thought that his team's season could not get any worse, after a series of bad results resulted in them dropping into the relegation zone. However, 2004 has not brought anything to Burnley in the way of luck, and with just two victories so far this year they are now in last place, and seven points away from safety.

However, Burnley have played slightly better in 2004 than in 2003, with a couple of new loan signings from clubs in higher positions in the league such as Millwall and Cardiff, although a loan deal for a Cardiff player to go to Burnley until the end of the season has now been called off. As well as the signing of Gareth Taylor from Nottingham Forest early in the year, Finnigan sealed the loan signings of Serge Makofo and Paul Robinson from Millwall, and Makofo in particular has certainly helped Burnley on a few occasions in the past month or so. The striker scored in his first game for Burnley against Bradford in mid-February, but that goal was not enough to stop his side from losing 2-1 to the Bantams.

Burnley have been unlucky in several of their matches as well, as Bradford came from behind and scored a last minute winner in the match mentioned above. The two Burnley league wins in 2004 that were mentioned previously were against Reading and Sheffield United, with the results being 3-1 and 2-1 to Burnley respectively. The win over Reading was arguably deserved but the Blades would have been disappointed to walk away from Turf Moor without a point, in a match that was dominated by them for large periods of the game.

Even Rotherham have overtaken Burnley in the league now, and Burnley's next two games will be crucial if they are to stay up - they are both home games against Gillingham, who are just above the relegation zone in 20th place, and Ipswich who are inside the relegation places in 22nd position. These will be seen as must-win games for Burnley, if they are to stay up and avoid being relegated. For the Clarets now, things can really only get better.

[retired_christinelrivera]

SPL blown wide open,Larsson returns

Anthony Donnachie was interviewed yesterday about Celtics recent form:

Reporter-How do you feel about your teams form of late.

Anthony Donnachie-I feel frustrated.We were touted to kill the league off in the old firm derby,but it had the opposite effect,and we have had bad results of late,only losing one but drawing frequently.

R-Do you think you can win the league from here?

AD-I have no doubt.We are three points clear,but Rangers have a tricky game in hand.Henrik returned and has scored in every game since.He is the driving force that will make the difference,In my opinion.

R- Whats your thoughts on your Champions league chances.

AD-It was not as dissappointing as we first thought,as it was only 1-0.Although we didnt get an away goal,We have one of the best home records in Europe.I am confident of progressing.

R-Any signings on the cards?

AD-No coment

R- thanks Anthony

AD-Thanks

More updates to follow

[retired_pissykrise]

A new face at Bramall Lane

Just as things were looking up for Sheffield United, came the news that Franco had left the club. The long suffering supporters felt that Italian's style had just started to show itself on the field.

Alongside the directors cars parked outside the ground, in the space vacated by Franco's Ferrarri, is now a Vauxhall Corsa. With the appointment of Ziggy Zigson coming as a complete surprise to the Blades' demanding fans, the board were said to be desperate for instant results.

Sheffield United 6 - 0 West Ham
An awsome start for United's new boss as his new charges put on a wondershow to confound the bookeys. Kabba surely put on the First Division's display of the season as he gave London's promotion hopefuls a hammering to lift the gloom at Bramall Lane.

Sadly, the honeymoon period ended there.

Shefield United 0 - 3 Liverpool
Back down to earth with a sickening crunch for Zigson as his team were completely outclassed, out performed, and out of the cup.

Zigson's first signing, Netherlands legend Artur Newman, was visibly concerned by his first taste of defeat for his new employers. Other new faces at the club include Graham Guy a £26,000 steal from Cheltenham, and Arsenal club mates Stepanovs and keeper Rami Shaaban, all of whom have instantly commanded first team places.

WBA 1 - 1 Sheffield United
Honours shared between Stevens' at times classy side, and Zigson's determined fighters.

Sheffield United 1 - 1 Norwich
Another draw keeps the Blades looking nervously over their shoulders, still 17th in the table.

Burnley 2 - 1 Sheffield United
Silence reigned on the short coach trip home from their visit to Lancashire, as United wondered how they had lost this one. A bizarre goal mouth scramble, and any number of spurned chances, had cost Zigson 3 points. On a more positive note, these events ushered in his first attacking signing.

Leo Fortune-West, a £60,000 capture from Doncaster, was a reaction to the sides worstening luck in front of goal.

Sheffield United 2 - 0 Reading
3 much needed points and a debut goal from Fortune-West pushed United up to 16th in the table, and Kabba was in irresistable form once more.

Zigson was positively aglow with praise for his new signings after the match. "I'm not going to single anyone out, but Stepanovs has been a mountain at the back in the last few games. I mean, a 7.5 average rating, I'm made up for the lad" he droned.

Cardiff 2 - 0 Sheffield United
With Peter Ndlovu finally back from the African Cup of Nations, Zigson had high hopes. Hopes that left on a stretcher in the 25th minute. Ndlovu was out once more.

Sheffield United 1 - 0 Wimbledon
A tight game was decided by a single strike from substitute Magallanes.

Sheffield United 0 - 1 Nottingham Forest
Table toppers Nottingham Forest had it all their own way and fully deserved the 3 precious points at a muted Bramall Lane. 3 hours after the final whistle, Zigson was seen to be still seated in the dugout with a pen and pad of paper, trying to comprehend the tactics employed by Dez.
"It shouldn't work, it's not right, it shouldn't work..." he grumbled.

So, a roller-coaster start for Zigson at Sheffield United. With the club slipping towards the red, and still perilously close to the drop-zone, a tough end to the seaon is expected by all.

[retired_swanman1988]

Stevens blasts pathetic Jeremy Peace

Stevens today has described his disgust towards W.B.A chairman Jeremy Peace after his shock dismissal from the club.
W.B.A were pushing for an automatic promotion place when the decision was made by the club, and many fans are thought to be tottaly gutted to lose such as a promising manager. Stevens wishes the best to the team but says they will never go far with the current chirman in power.

Stevens has now taken control of struggling watford and his first job is to cut the wage bill down due to the financial problems the club are under.
With only one game played he can still boast an unbeaten record after a 0 - 0 draw with fellow strugglers Stoke City. The game had very few chances and there were very few goalscoring chances.

With no money to spend Stevens will be looking for posible loan signings to try and get the club out of trouble.

[retired_footballyears]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zigson:
Zigsonwas seen to be still seated in the dugout with a pen and pad of paper, trying to comprehend the tactics employed by Dez.
"It shouldn't work, it's not right, it shouldn't work..." he grumbled.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm a bit worried about your future in football management, Ziggy. If you think 442 shouldn't work... :p