Blackpool – WBA

Despite they’re the poorest side in Premier and were tipped to be stuck for the bottom at the end of the season without too much points on the balance, Blackpool have noticed a decent start in the top crew. They have combat spirit and don’t respect anyone. They attacked Liverpool at Enfield and won (maybe never worse, but still it’s Liverpool), but on the other hand they have probably worst defense in  Premier. They simply can’t hold the things tight, if they don’t score will concede soon. Just on Man Utd’s games were seen more goals, they went over 2.5 in 7 of their 9 league games (two were 2-0) and all of their last 4 mutual games. Skipper and key player, Charlie Adam, is in a doubt for the game.

If the Seasiders are noticing a decent start, WBA are doing a dream one. They have 15 points and sounds unreal they’re two points far from Champions League! The characteristic that also applies to them is they’re playing without too much respect. The Baggies defeated Man City, Arsenal away, came from two behind at Old Trafford and don’t have a single defeat in last 8 competitive games! Striker Odemwingie and midfielder Morrison are in doubt, while duo Marc-Antoine Fortune and Jonas Olsson are back in contention. WBA have won their last four league games against Blackpool, scoring a total of 11 goals.

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I’m sure both sides fancy their chances tonight. Blackpool want to turn the corner (if that is possible however) after four defeats in last five games. WBA are on fire and will try to keep their recent run. Both sides carry an attacking style of play, won’t show too much respect (as usual) and I don’t think there’s a chance to cancel each other and play a boring game. Goals are very likely.

Bet: Over 3.0
Odd: 2.26 Canbet
Stake: 8/10

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Cardiff 1-1 Blackpool

Charlie Adam's ninth league goal of the season secured a point for Blackpool at a bitterly cold Cardiff City Stadium.
Ian Holloway's side had to come from behind after Mark Hudson gave Cardiff a ninth minute lead, heading home Peter Whittingham's free kick. 
The Bluebirds also hit the bar through youngster Josh Magennis who later went off with a suspected broken leg. 
Adam levelled for Blackpool 28 seconds after the restart firing low into the bottom corner. 
The game could have gone either way as the promotion rivals looked to keep up the pressure on the top two. 
Cardiff remain fourth in the Championship, while Blackpool climb up a place to seventh, just one position and two points off the play-offs.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"Supporters are entitled to boo and cheer but I've said before that I don't understand booing your own players. 
"We've played a team who's up there and we seem to think we have this divine right. 
"We've got three or four lads in their throwing up and they could have easily come off. 
"I'm proud of them today because they've dug in and that's hard going." 
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway:
"I am pleased Cardiff did so well to get the game on but it didn't look as though we had turned up in the first half," he admitted. 
"I had a go at my players during half-time and the second half was totally different as we forced their keeper to make a number of saves. The longer it went on the more we looked like going on to win. 
"I cannot understand the crowd jeering Cardiff off the field when they are fourth in the league. They should have a reality check."

www.bbc.co.uk

Cardiff City- Blackpool

Cardiff go in this game after two disaster results. First lost more than unlucky at home against strugglers Plymouth (0-1) than faced even bigger shock on the road vs. another strugglers Peterborough. After excellent first half and high 4-0 lead, Welsh side allowed to concede four times and let two points gone with the wind. Those two games weren’t played badly and it’s more crisis of results than performances, but interesting fact is their bad results always come in series of 4-5 games. Last season finished under the play-off zone instead direct promotion thankfully to three loses and a draw in last four rounds, this season also had two such runs, in September five defeats from six games and in November three consecutive defeats. Bad luck should only boost their morale, but the fact their complaints about the luck came after the games against two probably worst squads in the league calls on caution. Also, conceding four goals from Posh for one half is disgrace. And after that confidence of defense line can’t be to high. No problem with injury players as all that have been in doubt are expected to be fit.

 

Thankfully to manager Ian Holloway, Seasiders are (beside Forest) the biggest surprise of the season so far. They started recent campaign as one of main contenders for relegation, but they’re currently at 8^th place with just three points less (and two games less from most other clubs) of play-off zone. With limited budget, Holloway is pulling the maximum from existing players. They also have gained a large amount of self confidence, actually liking to be underdogs. Already ruined Boro at Riverside (3-0). Few days later, also on the road, were defeated against Ipswich but put another open performance and after that in third consecutive game on the road defeated Derby 2-0. New year started with a defeat in Cup, for them not important competition. I have no doubt they see their chance against confused hosts. However, Holloway will have to cope with missings of his two key defenders, Ian Evatt and Rob Edwards, who are both suspended. Blackpool have scored in all of their last eight matches and have failed to score only three times this season.

 

I’ve been thinking about this encounter since I saw the schedule. Cardiff, although very strong side look very inconsistent lately. Bad results for them come in the waves, while defense was trashed by the weakest side in the league. Visitors through the season look very dangerous with Charlie Adam in a great shape. Pitch is in perfect condition thankfully to undersoil heating and won’t limit pass play. Both clubs have very strong attacks, but also problems in back lines. I expect another open game and goals on both sides. 1.96 at Pinnacle. Over.

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Complete success

Blackpool 3 - 0 Sheff Utd

Blackpool continued their fine recent form after a convincing victory against struggling Sheffield United.
On-loan centre-half Marcel Seip gave the hosts the lead on the hour after rising to meet David Vaughan's corner. 
Jason Euell capped a flowing move from Ian Holloway's side to make it 2-0 nine minutes later before Charlie Adam drilled home with eight minutes left. 
Darius Henderson and Matt Kilgallon both missed good chances but the visitors struggled to get going. 
Blackpool stay in the play-off places following the victory and remain unbeaten at home this season, while United have now gone five league games without a win. 
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway on rotating his squad:
"I always try to make changes, because I believe I have now got a squad with strength in depth. 
"The new lads took us in at 0-0 and the guys who came on made a difference. We weathered the storm and stepped it up. 
"I'll carry on with my policy of making changes, because each match in the Championship is horses for courses." 
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell:
"We are going through a bad time, but I feel our work ethic is good and the spirit is there. 
"Things didn't go for us when it mattered. We were the better side in the first half, but the first goal made a difference and Blackpool got on top. 
"I've got injuries. But things will start to happen, I'm not worried."

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Bristol City 3 - 1 Plymouth

Bristol City scored three goals in six minutes to see off Championship strugglers Plymouth.
It took the home side 73 minutes to take the lead when Danny Haynes slid in to convert a Jamie McAllister cross. 
Jamie Mackie drilled home to level two minutes later but, almost immediately, McAllister set up Jamie McCombe to head City back in front. 
Nicky Maynard completed the victory when he fired a thunderbolt past the helpless keeper Roman Larrieu. 
Bristol City manager Gary Johnson:
"I didn't think we did enough in the first half to deserve to be in front, but the lads kept going and it became a bit of a chess match. 
"We are keeping ourselves on the coat-tails of the leaders in this league and just have to keep going. 
"I still believe we have the squad to maintain a challenge." 
Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock:
"We keep having these zany moments, it's unlike any team I have been involved with in the past. 
"I keep feeling sorry for my players because they put in a lot of effort, but we can't keep losing concentration when it comes to picking up opponents. 
"There were a lot of good performances, yet we end up 3-1 losers. Saturday's game with Ipswich is now huge for us."
www.bbc.co.uk

Keano go fishing!

Blackpool 2 - 0 Plymouth

Ian Holloway's Blackpool recorded their fourth consecutive home win to leave his former side Plymouth struggling at the foot of the table.
Marcel Seip, on loan from Plymouth, opened the scoring with a glancing header from a Charlie Adam free-kick as Blackpool dominated the first half. 
The visitors improved after the break before David Vaughan made it 2-0 with a fine shot from the corner of the box. 
Plymouth never gave up hope but rarely threatened to get on the score sheet. 
The two sides' contrasting fortunes were shown by their approach to the game in the early stages.

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Ipswich 1 - 1 Swansea

Under-fire Ipswich boss Roy Keane is still searching for his first win of the season after being held by Swansea.
Craig Beattie put the Swans ahead with his first goal for the club after seven minutes, smashing the ball past debutant keeper Asmir Begovic. 
But that lead was cancelled out eight minutes later when Pablo Counago side-footed home from close range. 
Ipswich looked threatening from set pieces but could not find a way through as Swansea held firm. 
It means Keane's side have failed to win any of their opening 12 Championship games and remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
www.blackpoolfc.co.uk

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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bolton defender Gary Cahill is being tracked by Italian giants Juventus following a glowing reference from England boss Fabio Capello. AC Milan are also interested in the 23-year-old.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton manager Gary Megson says he is not prepared to sell striker Johan Elmander, despite a disappointing record in front of goal and the arrival of loan signing from Nantes, Ivan Klasnic, this summer.(The Sun) 
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will decide on Thursday whether to offer a contract to Cameroon midfielder Modeste M'Bami, who has been on trial with the club since the start of the season.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United are becoming increasingly concerned by defender Rio Ferdinand's persistent injury problems.(The Times) 
Former Tottenham and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell quit Notts County because he hated his debut match against Morecambe so much.(Daily Mirror) 
Campbell walked out of Notts County because he did not believe the promised investment from the club's new owners would materialise.(The Independent) 
Hull's Carling Cup defeat at home to Everton leaves under-pressure manager Phil Brown with only four matches to save his job. After the game against Liverpool this weekend, Hull then face fellow strugglers Wigan, Fulham and Portsmouth.(The Sun) 
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, 38, will decide in December whether this season will be his last.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez faces a battle to keep pace with the biggest clubs in Europe as leaked documents reveal that his net summer spending is locked at £20m until 2014. That figure also includes wage increases.(The Independent) 
Football Association chairman Lord Triesman and chief executive Ian Watmore have dismissed suggestions that Fabio Capello will stand down as England manager after the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mail) 
Former Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore could be heading back to Rovers to replace John Barnes, if the ex-Liverpool winger fails to halt the club's slide down the League One table.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al Fahim says the Premier League strugglers are unlikely to buy new players in the January transfer window.(The Guardian) 
Liverpool's Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has been cleared of any wrongdoing following his clash with Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford during Tuesday's Carling Cup match.(Daily Mail) 
Uganda's FA has dropped its compensation claim following manager Csaba Laszlo's move to Hearts last year. (The Sun)
Dundee United manager Craig Levein has escaped punishment from the Scottish FA after comments about the referees involved in defeats by Celtic and Hearts last season. (The Times) 
Scotland manager George Burley says he is ready to omit players from his squad for next month's friendly against Japan if they are not 100% fit. (The Sun)
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown says he does not want to be rested for club or country because of a niggling injury. (Daily Express) 
Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam is poised for a Scotland re-call after starring for new club Blackpool. (Daily Mail)
Preston's former Celtic and Sunderland winger Ross Wallace could also be named in the Scotland squad to face Japan. (Daily Mail) 
Robert Snodgrass hopes his impressive display for Leeds against Liverpool in the Carling Cup will earn him a Scotland call-up. (Various)

AND FINALLY

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green has given an honest assessment of his club's performances this season following the Carling Cup defeat by Bolton on Tuesday. "We're getting above ourselves, thinking we're better than we are at the moment. We're in a position where we have to get results."(Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk