League One

Stockport's torrid run continued against the MK Dons at Edgeley Park. Stockport ran the game through out but some major mistakes from the Referee Mr Waugh cost the home team 3 points and a chance to end 15 games without a win.

Stockport made all the early running and full Debutant and Man of the Match, George Donnelly, made Willy Gueret make a brillaint save after Donnelly latched onto a ball played over the Dons defence.

Paul Huntington then should have scored, his free header from Adam Griffins free kick should have found the back of the net but instead he headed the ball over the bar.

Stockport did break the deadlock after 11 minutes, Greg Tansey's cross field ball found Richie Partridge on the left hand side. As he cut into the Dons defence he squared the ball to Donnelly, who creatively chipped Gueret to send the home fans into raptures.

Stockport should have doubled their lead shortly after when Donnelly was tripped whilst through on goal and even though the Referee missed the event and didnt even book Danny Woodward, his assistant called for the penalty. Donnelly stepped up but Gueret made a good low save to keep the score to 1-0

Even though the Dons didn't look like they were here for the game, they somehow squared the game in the 24th minute. Jermain Easter, one time of Stockport, scored at the second chance after he missed the first chance after he hit the ball at Danny Swailes on the line.

Aaron Wilbraham then missed a golden opportunity for the Dons, with an open goal, he somehow managed to spoon the ball across the face of goal and Mat Sadler cleared the ball for The Hatters

Just before Half Time Easter broke free of the Stockport defence and ran half the length of the pitch to get one on one with Owain Fon Williams in the Stockport goal. Even though the County keeper slipped Williams showed his class to pull off a blinding save to keep Stockport in the match.

Stockport started brightly again in the second half. Griffin headed over the bar from Partridge's cross.

Then David Perkins broke free of the MK Dons defence only for Gueret to bring him down, even though the obvious foul wasn't stopped by Mr Waugh, MK Dons didnt settle for their lucky escape and after Stockport Captain Johnny Mullins slipped Wilbraham curled a lovely right foot shot into Fon Williams right hand corner to put the Dons 2-1 up.

Substitute Andros Townsend made it 3-1 for the Dons with a lovely solo goal after he broke down the right and cut into the box, he shot and the ball rolled into the net and past Fon Williams in the Stockport goal.

The only real chance after this was in the 80th minute when Stockport sub Danny Pilkington broke and squared the ball to Griffin, whos shot was way off target.

When the final whistle blew Stockport felt hard done to and reasons why are because of a shocking display by Ref Mr Waugh.

Stockport: Fon Williams 7, Mullins 6, Swailes 6, Huntington 6, Sadler 5, Partridge 7 (Pilkington 6), Tansey 6, Perkins 6, Griffin 6, Poole 6 (Vincent 5), Donnelly 8

MK Dons: Gueret 6, Howell 6, McCraken 4 (Stirling 5), Woodards 6, Lewington 4, Baldock 7 (Morgan 5), Gleeson 6, Leven 6, Townsend 7, Wilbraham 7, Easter 7 (Gobern 6) 

The game was a game of two periods, before Stockport scored, Brighton hardly seemed interested and happy for a point, after Stockport score the game was all Brighton.

The opening 15 minutes of the game was all Stockport and when former Celtic defender Adam Virgo clattered into Jemal Johnson deep into the Brighton half the game burst into life. Virgo received a yellow card for his troubles. After the initial free kick was cleared, Danny Pilkington hit a shot that Brighton's Dutch keeper Michel Kuipers did well to parry before the ball was cleared to safety. 

After a Brighton corner was cleared on the half hour mark, Pilkington shown real class as he danced down the right wing, only to be up ended by Marcos Painter. The tackle on Pilkington itself was rash, but with Pilkington being the last man, they home fans wanted more than the yellow card brandished by referee Peter Quinn. 

Just before the half time interval, Brighton had a golden chance to go 1 up. Glenn Murray hit a free shot straight into the arms of the grateful Owain Fon Williams. 

Danny Pilkington and David Perkins were combining well in midfield and this chance for Murray only fired up the Stockport players and when Perkins freed Richie Partridge who hit a right foot shot just wide of Kuiper's goal with the Brighton keeper beaten.

The score was 0-0 at half time, Sotkcport had the chances but Brighton wasted the best chance of the first half.

Into the second half and Stockport had to make a change, Johnny Mullins, who picked up an injury in the first half, was replaced by Greg Tansey. 

Stockport took the lead just before the hour mark. Partridge burst down the right wing before pulling the ball back to Pilkington, with still a lot to do Pilkington nipped past two Brighton defenders before curling a 25 yard shot into the top corner of the goal to give Stockport the lead. 

This woke up the traveling players and introduced former Stockport hero Liam Dickinson. He was first to threaten for Brighton but his shot went straight to Fon Williams in the Stockport goal.

Nicky Forster then had a 25 yard shot well saved by Owain Fon Williams, who's personal form has recently picked up. 

Alan Navarro then thought he had scored with a header, as did the traveling Brighton fans but when the linesman said the header hadn't crossed the line, play continued.

Unfortunately for the League One basement team Brighton somehow equalized, when Lee Crofts shot hit a divot in the pitch and as Fon Williams dived to stop the ball, the ball chipped up over the Welsh keeper and into the back of the net. 

But Brighton could have finished off the game straight after the restart Forster then hit a volley which James Vincent headed off the line.

The 1-1 draw did no help for Stockport as there struggle continued. Brighton would be happy with a point away from home but could count themselves lucky because Stockport were dominant. 

With a new year and a new decade upon us, Leeds United fans can look back at what can only be described a rollercoaster ride through the English game. Unfortunately, much of it on a downward trend.

The 2000/01 season saw a spirited young Leeds side surprise many by battling all the way to the Champion's League semifinal against Valencia, all while being touted as the next big Premier League side to watch out for.

However, a combination of astounding accounting, poor management, relegation (twice), administration, playoff final heartbreak (twice), and a good old fashion 15 point deduction now see Yorkshiremen toiling in the third tier of English football for the third straight year. The term "fallen giants" is usually not far when speaking of Leeds United.

The past 10 years have truly tested the resolve of all Leeds fans. Too often, we have had to ask when the freefall would stop, only to usually be hit with more bad news.

That all being said, the dark clouds seem to finally be lifting from West Yorkshire.

The start of 2010 sees Leeds sitting atop League One with a bit of space to breathe. Their form in nearly all competitions has been nothing short of awe inspiring with just one league loss and a loss to Liverpool in the Carling Cup; a game which the Merseysiders were largely outplayed.

And of course, who can forget Leeds' Old Trafford triumph, when the scoreline could have easily been worse for the boys from Manchester?

All year long the team has been playing with a fearlessness and tenacity that’s not been present since those past days of Champion’s League glory. Leeds look poised to finally break free from the clutches of League One and on to a pursuit of Premiere League football in the Championship.

There’s still, however, quite a bit of the season left to be played and trophies are not given out in January.  

A transfer request handed in by leading marksman Jermaine Beckford prior to the FA Cup third round clash with Manchester United looks to possibly disrupt the fine run of form Leeds have enjoyed thus far. Newcastle has been linked strongly with the former Wealdstone man, while Wolverhampton have recently upped their interest.

The potential loss of Beckford would not help matters, but it is unlikely it would completely derail efforts at automatic promotion, thanks to the squad Simon Grayson has built up.

In Leeds’ favor, they have momentum on their side, solid depth at nearly every position, the hottest young manager in England, and sound financial footing from which to work from. An enviable position, to say the least, and one that has been sorely missed for some time now.

If Leeds can continue their staggering run of form, there is no reason to believe they will not be hoisting the League One trophy by season’s end. One step closer to the Premier League and one step closer to their rightful standing.

Things certainly are on the up for the mighty Whites.

Oldham v Hartlepool, League One, September 4, 2009

Oldham 4/5; Draw 9/4; Hartlepool 14/5

Hartlepool hung on to their League One status by their fingernails last season, and the way things have begun this year it looks like being another long campaign for the Monkey Hangers.

In five matches already this term Chris Turner’s Pool have only won once, while they have worryingly lost at home to Charlton, Bristol Rovers and Norwich in their last three matches at Victoria Park. With their home form so desperate, perhaps at trip to Oldham is just what the doctor ordered.

Last year Hartlepool had the second best home scoring record in the league, better than Leicester, Peterborough and MK Dons with only Leeds scoring more goals at home. This season they’ve mustered just two home goals in four games, despite signing three new strikers over the summer.

22-year-old striker James Brown (11/4 to score) has only managed to get on the scoresheet once this season, while fellow strike-partner Adam Boyd (15/2 to score first), who re-joined Pools from Leyton Orient in the summer, has so far failed to break his duck for the season with the forward still trying to regain his match-fitness after missing the last three months of last season.

Looking to freshen up the squad, Turner has recently signed Armann Bjornsson from Norwegian outfit SK Brann. Bjornsson, 28, arrives with the reputation of being a versatile player who can operate at the back or lead the line.

With six points from five matches, Oldham have started the season only slightly better than their opponents on Friday night. The Latics have also only won once so far this season, away on the road at Leyton Orient, and the Boundary Park faithful will be optimistic of seeing their team claiming their first third point haul at home this weekend.

Oldham boss Dave Penney has made moves to bolster his squad by adding fresh faces over the summer, with 19-year-old Blackburn striker Nick Blackman (5/1 to score first) the pick of the arrivals at the League One club. Blackman scored a beauty for Oldham during their 1-all draw with Brentford last Saturday as the striker bedded down in his new temporary home for the next few months. The hope is for Blackman can forge a useful partnership with mainstay striker Pawel Abbott (6/5 to score) that can help fire the Latics into promotion contention.

Dave Penney could again be without winger Chris Taylor and midfielder Jon Worthington for the match with Pools, both players are currently sidelined with injury.

101predicts: Oldham 1 - Hartlepool 1 (11/2)

Oldham 4/5; Draw 9/4; Hartlepool 14/5

Full match odds here.

Newcastle v Leicester, Championship, August 31, 2009

Newcastle 4/5; Draw 5/2; Leicester 7/2

Bank holiday Monday in England is rounded off with Newcastle’s meeting with Leicester, in a match which sees former Magpies caretaker boss Nigel Pearson (pictured) return to St James’ Park.

Pearson had two minor spells in charge of Newcastle following the departures of Glenn Roeder and Sam Allardyce, before leaving the club in February 2008.

After winning promotion from League One last season, Pearson has seen his Foxes side acclimatise well since joining the Championship. Leicester are unbeaten in the league so far this season, having won two and drawn two so far this campaign. In particular, 23-year-old striker Matty Fryatt (2/1 to score) has started the season on fire bagging three goal already, and the forward looks like being a handful for most teams in the division.

Leicester have also added to their attacking options by bringing in some fresh faces this summer. Experienced forward Paul Gallagher (10/3 to score) was recruited from Blackburn increasing the competition for places with Steven Howard, while the Foxes also looked to improve in the centre of the park by buying promising French and former Lincoln midfielder, Dany N’Guessan.

Elsewhere in the team its a mixture of old-heads and young upstarts, with former Liverpool defender Jack Hobbs (12/1 to score) playing at the back alongside 39-year old former England international Chris Powell. While Matt Oakley is the wise head bossing the game in and around the centre-cicle.

Yet, for all Leicester’s early season promise Newcastle will undoubtedly provide the Foxes with their toughest test of the season to date. The Toon have won their last three consecutive matches, currently sitting joint top of the table with 10 points from a possible 12.

The Magpies though will have to overcome a striker shortage. Andy Carroll and Xisco are both sidelined with groin injuries, while leading marksman Shola Ameobi (5/1 to score first) is doubtful with a foot problem. That could offer a rare start for highly-rated upstart Nile Ranger (15/8 to score) to show his potential for the first team.

The Toon’s injury problems extend to midfield where Jonas Gutierrez is struggling with a hamstring strain. On the plus side Nicky Butt and Joey Barton are fit to return, while Newcastle can also boast one of the best defensive records in the country having not conceded in nearly five-and-a-half hours of league football and have only let in one goal so far this season.

101predicts: Newcastle 2 - Leicester 0 (7/1)

Newcastle 4/5; Draw 5/2; Leicester 7/2

Full match odds here.

There is no way to gloss things over. Last week’s effort proved a total washout and it hurts to be a little out of pocket. Fortunately we’ve still got enough to persevere and turn things round, and as we all know, its only a bit of fun anyways.

Helping to make betting an even more enjoyable experience, William Hill are offering FREE £25 for all new players. If you want to get involved and claim your FREE money all you have to do is click on this link, register an account and follow the instructions. Good luck!

Needing to get some money in the bank, we start with a pair of matches in League One on Saturday in which we are betting against two teams who have started the season on major downers.

Gillingham opened the season with with a 5-nil mauling of Swindon, but have since gone on to lose three consecutive league matches to leave them in lowly 20th place. The Gills head this weekend to Walsall, a club also coming off the back of two defeats in the league, however both losses were to the two front-runners in the division, Charlton and Leeds.

Wycombe have also struggled to find any momentum so far this year, Peter Talyor’s team opening with three losses and a draw from their opening four fixtures. This weekend the Blues have home advantage, but their visitors are high-flying Bristol Rovers who have won their last three including two away victories.

Backing Walsall (11/10) and Bristol Rovers (6/4) to both win, our £1 stake can turn into a £5.25 return.

Next, the hope we can pair up two goalscorers both playing on Saturday. Spurs have surprised many by their fantastic start to the new season and this weekend the Lilywhites have, what appears on paper, to be a straightforward match with newbies Birmingham. While Jermain Defoe have been grabbing the attention, Robbie Keane will know that he has scored six goals in his last seven starts against the Midlanders.

Over in Italy the headline-stopping match of week two in Serie A sees Inter face-off with AC in the Milan derby. Samuel Eto’o, one of the deadliest strikers playing in Europe, opened his account against Bari in week one, and the Cameroonian will again spearhead the Special One’s attack against the Rossoneri.

Sensing that both Robbie Keane (EVS) and Samuel Eto’o (5/4) will be on target this weekend, the aim is to make a £4.50 return on a £1 bet.

Sunday in France provides yet another mouth-watering proposition as Marseille take on Ligue 1 leaders Bordeaux at the Stade Veladrome. Should Laurent Blanc’s charges, who are three from three this season, manage to scalp OM on their home turf then Les Girondins will lay down an early marker that they are the lead to beat this season.

With tasty odds of 11/5 on the away win for Bordeaux we are staking £2 with the hope of getting £6.40 in return.

Lastly, this weekend sees the Spanish La liga kick into gear once more and the opening weekend has a series of interesting match-ups including Valencia’s fixture at home to Sevilla. It seems almost incredible to believe that David Villa, arguably the sharpest marksmen in world football, is still at Los Che despite their terminal financial troubles. But having retained Villa, it’s almost unforgivable to not back the forward to score in week one.

Putting £1 on both David Villa to score (6/5) and Valencia to win (6/5), a winning ticket will produce a £4.84 return.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £25 BET

Millwall v Brighton, League One, August 28, 2009

Millwall 4/6; Draw 12/5; Brighton 10/3

Having seen hooligans associated with the Lions disgrace themselves at Upton Park on Wednesday night, all eyes will fall on Millwall’s match with Brighton on Friday with violence at the forefront of everyone’s minds. That sad reality further stains the reputation of Millwall, a club who have done more than most in attempting to rid English football of its violent culture that dogged the sport during the 70s and 80s in particular.

The thugs may have won the battle, but Millwall are definitely winning the war. Particularly on the pitch itself.

Amid all the fallout from the Carling Cup match it is easy to forget that Millwall, a club two divisions below West Ham, were just minutes away from causing a major upset. The loss to the Hammers was the first suffered by Kenny Jackett’s men this season, the Lions having started the new year in fine form with one win and three draws (two away from home) in their opening four fixtures.

Spearheading Millwall is their all-time leading goalscorer, Neil Harris (pictured). The remarkable 32-year-old striker, the first ever player to score over 100 goals for the Lions, has not only managed to overcome testicular cancer during his career, but he has also seen off the competition for places up-top from a host of young whipper-snappers including Lewis Grabban, Gary Alexander, and Marc Laird. Harris has maintained his form this season, already chalking up five goals including a hat-trick against Bournemouth.

At the back Millwall also look to have things under control. The Lions have only conceded once in the league this term, with Irish keeper David Forde marshalling a well-oiled backline populated with experienced defenders. Jack Smith has neatly slotted into the back-four since his move from Swindon, while stalwarts Andrew Frampton and Alan Dunne have maintained consistency in the Lions’ defence. (Millwall are EVS to keep a clean sheet.)

This leaves Brighton, second-bottom of the league, with a hugely daunting task. Having picked up just one measly point from their opening four fixtures, the Seagulls are only spared the ignominy of being rock-bottom due to Southampton being on minus points after going into administration.

With four defeats and one draw in their last five matches, times have become so desperate for Brighton that there have even been suggestions in the tabloid press that Dennis Wise could be set to take over at the Withdean Stadium. Russell Slade’s charges have taken a battering in the opening weeks of the new season, including picking up two reds cards and falling to a crushing 7-1 defeat away at Hudderfield in round three. (Brighton are 7/2 to keep a clean sheet.)

On Friday night Slade’s decisions are arguably that much simpler as Albion are down to the bare bones. The squad virtually picks itself for the clash at The New Den with only 16 senior outfield players available for selection in the match.

On the positives, the Seagulls are Millwall’s recent bogey team having recorded three clean sheet victories on their last four visits to The New Den.

101predicts: Millwall 3 - Brighton 1 (11/1)

Millwall 4/6; Draw 12/5; Brighton 10/3

Full match odds here.

Tranmere v Bolton, Carling Cup, August 25, 2009

Tranmere 9/4; Draw 12/5; Bolton 10/11

The Ginger Mourinho is anything but special at the moment.

The most unfashionable manager in the Premier League, at one of the most unfashionable clubs in the Premier League, faces the daunting prospect of a banana-skin tie away at League One Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup, and another defeat for the Trotters would see coach Cary Megson fighting for his job as the boo-boys prepare to lower the guillotine.

The chorus of “We want Megson out” rang loud amougst the Bolton faithful on Saturday as the club handed Hull a first home win in what seems like an entirety, and the manager admitted such intense pressure made the Carling Cup clash against Tranmere all the more difficult.

Megson: “We’ve got a really, really difficult game coming up against Tranmere - not just because they are a decent side on their own ground with a chance of upsetting the odds, but also because we’ve got Liverpool at home coming up. We’ve got to make sure that everybody in the club sticks together. We’ve been here before and we’ve done it and we’ll have to do it again.”

No Premier League points and no goals to boot, Bolton need to turn things round at Prenton Park. Sadly though the omens for an upturn are bleak being that it is now 12 matches since Bolton last won away from home. And more specifically, if Bolton are to win at Tranmere then someone within the side is going to have to find their shooting boots.

Johan Elmander (13/2 to score first) looks like a striker who has totally forgotten how to put the ball in the back of the net while foul-merchant Kevin Davies (15/8 to score) is firing blanks in equal measure. That has shifted an unfair amount of pressure on new signing Chung-Yong Lee to hit the ground running, while Megson has also begun to introduce 17-year-old striker Danny Ward (7/4 to score) as the quest to find a goalscorer has filtered into the Bolton acedemy.

But for all of Bolton’s woes, Tranmere can hardly be painted to be world-beaters themselves.

The bastard-child of the Liverpudlian football scene received a high-profile shot in the arm at the start of the season as John Barnes and his sidekick Jason McAteer rolled into the club to take over the management. Yet, the former Liverpool stars have had little success in their opening few weeks of the season, recording one win and three losses in their first four matches of the new year.

Tranmere will be hoping that top scorer Ian Thomas-Moore (2/1 to score) will recover from a groin strain that saw the forward come off last Saturday. And it is a similar story for centre-back Ian Goodison, who was also replaced at the weekend after complaining of a twinge in his hamstring.

Barnes will likely have former Manchester City striker Chris Shuker (5/1 to score) lead the line alongside teenager Terry Gonnell (7/2 to score).

101predicts: Tranmere 1 - Bolton 2 (7/1)

Tranmere 9/4; Draw 12/5; Bolton 10/11

Full match odds here.

Sunderland 1 - Chelsea 3 (Premier League, August 18, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Darren Bent claimed his second goal in as many games to put Sunderland one-up at home to Chelsea. (First-half highlights here.) Carlo Ancelotti’s side proved their title credentials in the second half, first Michael Ballack swept the ball home from a corner, Frank Lampard put the Blues in front from the penalty spot and Deco completed the win with a fine strike.

Carlo Ancelotti’s post match interview can be seen here.

Wigan 0 - Wolves 1 (Premier League, August 18, 2009) Wolves took the lead at the DW Stadium in the sixth minute, Andy Keogh glancing home a free-kick.

Mick McCarthy’s post match interview can be seen here.

***

Walsall 1 - Leeds 2 (League One, August 18, 2009) The Saddlers went ahead in the 79th minute when Sam Parkin scored from the spot, but late goals from Bradley Johnson and serial goalscorer Jermaine Beckford turned the match in Leeds’ favour.

The 2009-10 League One season will be Leeds United's sixth season outside the Premier League, and the fans of fallen football giants sure know it.

In the time since the club last graced the Premier League, there have been two different owners at EllandRoad, the club has gone into administration and been relegated again. They incurred a fifteen point penalty for not exiting administration without a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). Then they missed out on promotion three times, and have also had four managers and dozens of different players.

With all these problems you will probably think the statement about to be printed is absolutely mad, but, Leeds United will be League One Champions this season and in doing so start the club on the path back to the top flight.

The main reason why this outcome is a certainty is because of the man currently in the Leeds United hot seat, Simon Grayson.

In the past two seasons, Leeds United has had their promotion pushes derailed by mid-season changes.

In January 2008, Dennis Wise left as Leeds boss to take up a role as a director at Newcastle United. This forced Chairman, Ken Bates into appointing a new manager in Gary McAllister.

Despite Leeds' handicap of 15 points that season, they went on to make the play off final at Wembley, against Doncaster Rovers, eventually losing out 1-0.

Had Leeds not been deducted fifteen points or if they had been successful in regaining them, they would have finished second in League One, just one point behind Swansea who were crowned Champions.

In December 2008, Ken Bates was forced to make another managerial change after a dismal run of form saw Leeds drop out of the promotion places, and end Gary McAllister's tenure as Leeds boss.

Just days later former Leeds defender, Simon Grayson was appointed manager, after acrimoniously leaving Championship side, Blackpool.

Grayson guided the club into last season's playoffs, losing to Millwall in the semifinals, but Leeds had only missed out on automatic promotion by six points.

Had Grayson taken over a month earlier, who knows what might have been.

Grayson offers Leeds United their first chance for managerial stability since Kevin Blackwell was boss back in 2006. Grayson also has something on his CV which his predecessors didn't, he has won promotion from League One before, with Blackpool in 2006.

During his time, so far, at Elland Road Grayson has stamped his own mark on the team. They have shown more confidence in both themselves and each other, they have scored more goals and conceded less, and most importantly, they are enjoying their football.

Grayson, as a manager, has the right blend of youth and experience and holds two traits in equal measure, that Wise and McAllister struggled with.

McAllister excelled in the area of man management and Wise didn't, but Wise created a team spirit, something McAllister couldn't accomplish.

Both Leeds Chairman and Manager, have outlined their vision for Leeds this season, and already squad changes are underway. Johnny Douglas, Frazer Richardson, and David Lucas have all been axed, with several more players likely to leave.

The only major dilemma facing the Leeds boss is the future of star-striker, Jermaine Beckford. The former Wealdstone FC forward scored thirty plus goals last season and is currently on the transfer list.  He rejected a new deal with only twelve months left on his current contract.

But even this problem could prove to be nothing more than a small inconvenience, with rumoured transfer targets including, Billy Sharp, David Healy and Michael Mifsud.

Finally, Leeds are helped in their goal of automatic promotion by the calibre of the opponents in the title race.

Southampton are set to start the season on negative 10 points and are still unsure of who will own the club, manage the club, and play for the club.

Norwich are a force to be reckoned with, but have lost key players such as Lee Croft and Manager, Bryan Gunn is also surely one of the likely candidates to be the first manager sacked.

Charlton are in financial trouble, which would, barring the usual anomaly, leave just MK Dons and Millwall for Leeds to fear.

However, Leeds matched both of these clubs last term and has the bigger resources to pull even further ahead of them this season, although should the club not achieve promotion this season they will struggle to attract the higher calibre of player needed to gain Championship status.

While confidence is high that this is the start of club's return to glory, it is also the last chance saloon.