Leeds – Sheffield United

Leeds collected 10 points in the opening 7 rounds which isn’t bad, but in my opinion their displays are over the recent results. They lost in local derby (vs. Barnsley 2-5) in the game that came just 3 days after very hard home encounter against Swansea (2-1, after 0-1 at half time). In the previous round, they overplayed Doncaster, also on the road, but drew at the end. They’ve been showing a plenty of fighting spirit. Two times came from behind, but they’re also the only side in Championship that committed 100 fouls. They should continue the trend from League One when Elland was a fortress and in any game at home, Leeds will be favorite. Simon Grayson has no injury concerns and it will be first time when he can pick from a full squad. Loanee left-back, George McCartney, will probably has his debut.

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Blades sacked his manager, Kevin Blackwell, after home defeat vs. QPR 0-3. Harsh decision, in my opinion, as Rangers seem to be the strongest league club. And United this year won’t be able to repeat the ambitions from previous seasons (play-off). Blackwell’s successor, Gary Speed (ex Leeds player), has been trying to implement his own style of play. Which means battle in whole game, very few goals conceded (three clean sheets in five games), but also very few goals scored (3 goals in those 5). They have lots of problems in creating the chances and they really suffer with the absence of Darius Henderson in the attacking line. Skipper and central-defender, Chris Morgan, is still sidelined. I think their only advantage will be history that says Blades haven’t lost vs. Leeds in the last seven encounters.

 

Leeds will start aggressively and will be keeping that pace during all 90 minutes. I expect their good performances finally change into good results. Blades carry the same style of play and that’s the way how Leeds like opposition to play. Sheffield also obviously lack in quality this season. Blackwell’s departure was a big mistake, Speed won’t stay too long. Home win with some caution.

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Bet: Leeds -0.25
Odd: 1.82  Pinnacle
Stake: 9/10

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Sheffield United - Scunthorpe

Sheffield United are 10^th, seven points far from play-off zone. They have had two problems recently. Their sensationally bad run on the road. Seven consecutive defeats (one goal scored) and two draws in last two games. And injury crisis that forced them to loan players. But, situation has been improved on that field as skipper and key defender Chris Morgan returns to the squad after suspension. Boss Blackwell was forced to play with just one player in attack, Richard Cresswell (4 goals in last 3 home games). For today’s game two important players will have a late fitness test, key striker Darius Henderson and another striker Henri Camara. I expect Henderson from the start. Blades last time lost at home 2^nd November (0-1 vs. Newcastle) and since than have 8 wins and 3 draws. Also, they have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 11 home league games.

 

Scunny are 20^th with five points more than clubs in relegation zone (have a game in the hand) and it seems they’re on the good way too keep the status. They’ve noticed two crucial wins in last two rounds against direct opponents from the bottom, Plymouth and Peterborough. However, it is fair to say one of those was hit by injury crisis and second is far worst in the Championship. Also, their record on the road is not something that should be proud with. They’ve noticed just 12 points (just Posh are worse) and conceded 42 goals (the biggest number in the league). Major concern for manager Adkins is condition of best player and key striker, Gary Hooper after his injury. Interesting thing is Adkins removed his main man from the squad for match vs. Newcastle on the road, as he kept him from potential injury and for more important games. I won’t be surprised to see same thing again.

 

Scunny will fight, they need points but feel safe as Palace continued with their free fall. On the other hand hosts are chasing play-off. They definitely have quality for that, I expect very strong squad for this game and in such occasions, Bramall Lane  become a hell place for visiting teams. I predict a win with few goals margin and choose -1 ah. 2.09 at Pinnacle.

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Saturday's beauty

Sheff Utd 2 - 0 Bristol City

Sheffield United shrugged off a slow start to maintain their push for the Championship play-offs at Bristol City's expense.
Chris Iwelumo showed some promising early touches on his City debut, but United gradually grew in authority. 
City keeper Dean Gerken pulled off some excellent saves, but was powerless to stop Henri Camara's vicious second-half effort from nestling in the top corner. 
Darius Henderson nodded in Jamie Ward's cross on the hour to seal the points. 
The win, United's first in five games, leaves the Blades a point adrift of sixth-placed Leicester City, who have played two games fewer. 
City, meanwhile, are without a victory since mid-January and have now conceded 13 goals in their last six games.
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"I thought everyone played really, really well. 
"We used the ball intelligently and moved well off it. When you see us go out and look like that then it makes you realise our biggest problem this season is going to be keeping everybody fit. 
"If we can do that then we've got every chance. 
"We are trying to build something and the boys have shown out there what they can do." 
Bristol City manager Gary Johnson:
"We didn't do enough to give ourselves a chance to win the game and the the first goal killed us. 
"Our confidence is a bit low at the moment and it just seemed to drain - that's where we are. 
"We've been drawing a lot, especially away from home, and now we're getting our fair share of defeats. 
"But we've got two home games now and hopefully we can get a bit of confidence going with our fans behind us."

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Coventry 1 - 0 QPR

Gary Deegan's early strike was enough to stretch Coventry's unbeaten run to five matches, while QPR are now nine games without a win in any competition. 
Deegan struck his first goal for the club early on, a shot into the bottom corner that left Rangers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme rooted to the spot. 
QPR pressed either side of half time, with Lee Cook forcing Keiren Westwood to save from a free-kick. 
Cook also flashed a shot across the goal, but the visitors could not level. 
Coventry manager Chris Coleman:
"I anticipated that it wasn't going to be a classic but we got the job done. 
"We said to them at half-time that it might be one of those games where we just had to dig in and get a result. 
"This win puts us within six points of the top six and eight points off the bottom three so we are on the up." 
QPR manager Mick Harford:
"You run out of words to say when you are on a run like this because you don't get the rub of the green. 
"You are always under pressure as a manager. You are judged on results. I would prefer to play poorly and win, that's what we need to do at the moment. 
"I don't think we deserved to lose because they had one shot on target in the whole game and it took a deflection. It's my job to pick the players up but the spirit is good."
www.bbc.co.uk

Sheffield United – Bristol City

Blades have had a turbulent season so far. As a play-off contenders had a weak start, then faced the injury crisis and noticed 8 games without a win. Overcoming the injuries reflected in positive run, but recently they again have some important players out. First goalie, Mark Bunn, broke his hand (Ian Bennett is decent substitution). Rock in the defense line, Chris Morgan, and fellow center-half Marcel Seip are out and that’s the main problem. As a result of these missings, United conceded 6 goals on two away games (WBA 1-3 and Watford 0-3). Then home draw vs. Derby 1-1 and unlucky defeat in the last round, on the road vs. Preston 1-2. Boss Kevin Blackwell was fuming on referees, accusing them for wrong decisions that ended in a defeat. However, Blackwell said, it wasn’t a players’ fault and the atmosphere in a dressing room hasn’t been spoiled. Beside mentioned players, Blackwell will miss midfielder James Harper. Only the current top three clubs have a better home record than the Blades.

City lie at the middle of the table, at 13th place, with the same distance from play-off and relegation zone. Their previous record and recent shape suggest they’ll stay there where are now. They have just a single win (Preston at home 4-2, before Ferguson’s appointment) in past eleven games and noticed just one point. Their main problem currently is scoring goals, they scored just once in last five competitive games (Coventry at home 1-1). Major cause is absence of key striker (and probably the best player), Nicky Maynard. For today’s clash, manager Gary Johnson will also miss winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce, another striker Danny Haynes and defender Jamie McAllister. City have conceded nine goals in injury time this season - more than any other Championship team (interesting fact is United have scored more goals in injury time than any other club - six).

I see United in play-off zone at the end of the season. They definitely have a quality for that, but if they want to reach it simply have to win games like this. They’re playing well recently, have huge attacking potential and their home ground is a fortress. Home win

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool are hoping to land Real Madrid's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, 33, on a six-month loan deal.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is a £20m target for Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants set to make a move for the Serbian international at the end of the season.(The Sun)
Vidic could cost Real Madrid £30m, with United interested in replacing him with Everton's Jack Rodwell, 18, and Porto's Bruno Alves. (The Times) 
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could line up a January move for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris - but he will have to pay Lyon £20m for the France international.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed he is an admirer of Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy but the Frenchman doubts the Eastlands outfit would sell the Welshman as they do not need the money. (The Independent) 
However, Wenger will step up his bid to sign 15-year-old QPR striker Raheem Sterling. (Daily Mirror) 
Palermo defender Simon Kjaer has rejected a £12m move to Manchester City - although Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini has denied he is interested in signing the Dane.(Daily Mirror) 
West Ham United's sporting director Gianluca Nani insists they are not interested in signing Fiorentina's Romanian striker Adrian Mutu.(The Independent) 
Everton will face competition from Arsenal and Manchester United to sign 17-year-old Belgian winger Maxime Lestienne. The Excelsior Mouscron star has been offered a trial after being recommended by Toffees midfielder Marouane Fellaini.(The Sun) 
Birmingham City are preparing a £3.5m deal to turn goalkeeper Joe Hart's loan move from Manchester City into a permanent one.(Daily Mirror) 
Meanwhile, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is also planning a £2m move for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.(The Sun) 
Burnley are close to signing Algeria captain Yazid Mansouri for £1m from French club Lorient. The 31-year-old midfielder will spend most of January at the African Cup of Nations.(Daily Mail) 
Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell wants to sign Greg Halford on loan after the versatile wide man fell out of favour with Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.(Daily Mirror) 
Wolves are weighing up a £1.5m bid for Derby County winger Kris Commons. (Daily Mail) 
Newcastle will offer Leeds £1.25m for striker Jermaine Beckford, who can leave on a free transfer in the summer.(The Sun) 
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is planning to offer Celtic £6m for centre-back Stephen McManus, midfielder Barry Robson and Australian striker Scott McDonald.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile striker Scott McDonald insists he would be happy to finish his career at Celtic, despite reports linking him with a move to England. (The Herald) 
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies is lining up a £750,000 move for Swansea's Spanish midfielder Andrea Orlandi. (Daily Star) 
Sochaux chief Alexandre Lacombe has confirmed he is planning a January swoop to bring Rangers striker Kris Boyd to the French outfit. (The Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack expects to agree a new two-year contract extension to take him to June 2012 - and beyond his 35th birthday.(The Telegraph) 
Chelsea have put youth talent scout Gary Worthington on gardening leave - in a bid to stop him moving to rivals Manchester City. (Daily Mirror) 
London-based financial company Intermarket will submit a bid to take control of West Ham United on Monday.(The Telegraph) 
Former Stockport and Motherwell boss Jim Gannon is in the frame to replace Alan Irvine as Preston North End boss. (The Times) 
Alternatively, Preston may opt for former Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

West Ham right-back Julien Faubert has revealed Tottenham fans and players have been "taking the mickey" out of him in the street. Faubert, who was in the West Ham side beaten 2-0 by Spurs on Monday, lives in an area where many Tottenham fans and players reside. (The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

Profit!

Sheff Wed 0 - 2 Swansea

Darren Pratley's two goals condemned Sean McAuley to a losing start as Sheffield Wednesday caretaker boss.
The midfielder took just five minutes to put Swansea in charge, Gorka Pintado laying the ball on for Pratley to take in his stride and beat Lee Grant. 
Wednesday rallied and it took a good save from Dorus de Vries to keep out Jermaine Johnson's fierce shot. 
But the Owls then struggled and Pratley struck a second goal, meeting Nathan Dyer's low cross at the near post. 
Wednesday parted company with Brian Laws last weekend but McAuley was unable to inspire an improvement as Swansea maintained their push for promotion. 
The Owls are now winless in the last 10, having lost the last six and face the harsh reality of relegation if they do not make drastic improvements.
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QPR 1 - 1 Sheff Utd
New Queens Park Rangers manager Paul Hart saw his side draw with Sheffield United in his first game in charge.
Mikele Leigertwood opened the scoring for the home side with a right-footed strike from the edge of the area after just two minutes. 
Toni Kallio set up Richard Cresswell to fire home from close range for the equaliser six minutes later. 
Ben Watson headed against the crossbar in injury-time for the home side but both teams had to settle for a point. 
QPR manager Paul Hart:
"I thought we played extremely well. In the second half we were excellent, it was wave after wave. 
"I work with players to try to help them improve. I'm here to steady the ship. 
"I think this is a great club and it's a privilege to be working here." 
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"We talked about it in the week, it's not the time to be playing a team when a new manager walks through the door. 
"The players have got to show them what we are about. 
"All the talk was about QPR but my players were very resilient and did a professional job."
www.bbc.co.uk

QPR - Sheffield United

Paul Hart will have his debut as a manager, but also will have to cope with bad shape of his players, injury worries and strong opponent. Rangers are in run of five games without a win, three defeat and two draws. More disturbing is a fact till the previous round their performances didn’t look as top club’s at all. At Monday against WBA on the road, Rangers were defending whole hour than took a lucky lead after an own-goal. With a wind in the back score another and were keeping the lead till 94^th minute when conceded for a draw. So, their shape is far from promotion chasers and with not so good dressing room atmosphere, Hart will have a difficult job to make a harmony in the team. Also, he will hand a number of players late fitness tests (didn’t precise who, but defender Matt Connolly is one of them). Key midfielder Akos Buzsaky is expected to miss out again with a knee problem. But, good news full-back Gary Borrowdale should return after missing Monday's draw and midfielder Steven Reid is also close after two weeks out with a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Radek Cerny will be available despite jarring his ankle attempting a goal-kick against and striker Angelo Balanta is fit after a groin injury.Midfielders Gavin Mahon, Lee Cook and Martin Rowlands (all knee) are long-term absentees.

 

Before the season started, Blades were considered as one of the clubs that should fight for a direct promotion. Thankfully to injury crisis that was shaking the club in October, United noticed eight games without a win and dropped in the bottom half of the table. But as the players started to recover, United started to collect the points, have made a run of six games without a defeat (four wins and two draws) and have kept clean sheets in four of the last five. Currently hold eighth place and with a win today would make a break into top six. However, boss Kevin Blackwell also has some injury concerns and also refused to name them. The most important is condition of key striker Darius Henderson who missed the last three matches, but it seems he’ll appear today. Midfielder Nick Montgomery is back in contention after serving a one-match ban.

 

QPR have a quality for a top challenge for sure, perhaps syndrome of new manager will make some good impact, but problem with them is they don’t look as a squad. Most of their goals came after individual efforts, while defense line looks shaky and have been leaking a lot. They deserved this odd just for stopping WBA. Blades are permanently improving the shape and results and I expect them in top six very soon if not today. They also gain a style of play that doesn’t suit to QPR who also will have some problems with their passing play on the bad pitch. Pinnacle offer 3.09. Dnb 2 look safe, away win as a gamble.

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Barnsley 2-2 Sheff Utd

Darius Henderson scored two penalties to earn Sheffield United a draw at south Yorkshire rivals Barnsley and end a run of four straight defeats.
The Blades saw keeper Ian Bennett and defender Matt Kilgallon join their long injury list before Anderson de Silva's thunderbolt put Barnsley ahead. 
Henderson levelled after Luke Steele was adjudged to have fouled Ched Evans. 
Daniel Bogdanovic headed Barnsley back in front, but Henderson struck again when Adam Hammill tripped Kyle Walker.
Barnsley manager Mark Robins:
"To only draw a game like that after we've played so well is difficult to take. 
"We played really well. We passed the ball well and controlled the game for large parts. 
"It was a good game, a decent derby game. They've had a couple of chances, they've hit the woodwork, but they've been given the two penalties." 
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"I'm proud of the lads, but another game and two more injuries. 
"You can see we are chasing round having put square pegs in round holes. 

"My biggest praise is for Derek Geary who's been out for 18 months, knee rebuilt and I've had to put him in."

www.bbc.co.uk

Barnsley - Sheffield United

Changing the manager now seems as an excellent move for Barnsley’s chairman Patrick Cryne. New man in charge, Mark Robins, brought some improvement, new players on-loan deals and team has been noticing good run of results and escape from a danger zone. They have four wins in last six Championship rounds. In one moment, they had three competitive defeats in a row (Nottingham Forest 0-1 away, Bristol City 2-3 home and Man.Utd. 2-0 away in the cup game), but successfully got back on track with last weekend’s win on the road against Peterborough (2-1). Although they used to be the strugglers (in last three Championship seasons ended as 20^th, 18^th and 20^th), they’re also known as a good home team and they have been noticing much better results at their Oakwell. Boss Robins will be without defender and skipper, Stephen Foster, while all others are fit and available.

 

This season so far looks as a nightmare for the lads from Bramall Lane. During the transfer market, team management kept almost the same squad from previous season and Blades were in the group of serious contenders for promotion. Then started problems with injuries that caused a worst run of results in past decade. United are seven games without a win (five defeats and two draws) and four consecutive defeats on the road. Currently, manager Kevin Blackwell struggling to put a team together! He asked for permission for additional number of on-loan players, but was refused from Football Association. Things went even worse last weekend as defender, skipper and a rock in defense line (defense that btw. conceded 17 goals in mentioned seven games), Chris Morgan got a suspension in home 0-1 defeat against Newcastle. Also, another two defenders, Kyle Walker and Jordan Stewart have joined the injury list. Blackwell will likely set his, last season favorite, 4-5-1 formation with alone Henderson in front.

 

High odds for home win definitely have the value. Away side has advantages only in club’s reputation and in statistics that say Blades haven’t suffered a defeat from Barnsley in last six encounters. Home side is respectable opponent to all league squads and their shape is going in raising path. I’ll cover a draw just because it isn’t a weekend game. So, 1 dnb.

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Saturday summary

Preston 2 - 2 Middlesbrough

Billy Jones scored a last-minute header to snatch a point for Preston.
Middlesbrough dominated the opening half and took the lead when Gary O'Neil, who had already been denied by Andy Lonergan, scored with a free-kick. 
Paul Parry levelled with a neat finish from a tight angle after Brad Jones has parried Jon Parkin's header. 
Adam Johnson restored Boro's lead with a low shot into the bottom corner and Rhys Williams hit the post but Jones converted a Ross Wallace free-kick. 
The match may well be Colin Cooper's only game in charge of Boro before the club make a permanent appointment as successor to Gareth Southgate. 
On the evidence of the first-half, Boro should have taken all three points from the encounter. 
The visiting team, encouraged by considerable away support, created a series of decent openings. 
But Preston rallied after the break and their perseverance was rewarded with their late equaliser - although the draw means that North End drop out of the top six. 
Preston manager Alan Irvine:
"I'm not over-happy. We have got a point, but I look for more than just a result. There are a lot of things we will need to take out of that game and improve upon. 
"We were poor in the first half. I was praying for half-time to come to address some of the issues that needed addressing. 
"I thought we got the response almost from the kick-off in the second half. We then started to stretch the game out a bit better than we had in the first half. 
"They deserve enormous credit for keeping going. It's a fantastic quality to have." 
Middlesbrough caretaker manager Colin Cooper:
"Unfortunately it comes a bit too much of a coincidence when you concede two to three late goals. 
"We should be sitting fairly close to the top of the table with the points that have gone begging. 
"Hopefully we will learn and not make mistakes in a game that we should have won comfortably."

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Sheff Utd 3 - 4 Cardiff 
Hat-trick hero Peter Whittingham is mobbed by his Cardiff team-mates
Cardiff went second in the Championship in a dramatic, action-packed game.
Jay Bothroyd seized on a rebound to put Cardiff ahead, but Mark Hudson's back-header let Darius Henderson equalise. 
Peter Whittingham's penalty restored Cardiff's lead after Matthew Kilgallon fouled Bothroyd, only for Henderson to strike again with a looping header. 
Whittingham sealed the win, converting a flick-on then poking in his hat-trick, only for James Harper's late goal to give the Blades forlorn hope. 
Even after Harper struck in the 90th minute to make it 4-3, there was still time for the home side to carve out another chance and they thought they had equalised. 
But Stephen Quinn's effort was ruled out for off-side, much to Cardiff's relief as they leap-frogged West Bromwich Albion to become Newcastle's main Championship challengers.
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"Things are tough at the moment, but the squad players that came in gave me a great shift and I can't knock them. 
"It was a good performance and on another day it would have been enough to get us a point. 
"It's tough when you are losing your experienced players and until we get them back it will be tough. 
"But I think we deserved more than we got out of the game, that's for sure and the players showed terrific spirit to keep coming back." 
Cardiff City manager Dave Jones:
"The first half was a bit crazy... so I'm sure Kevin [Blades boss Blackwell] will be disappointed with his defending as much as I am with ours. 
"I just felt every time we got our noses in front we went and did something stupid. 
"But our fourth goal today you won't see many better, our moving, our passing, our crispness and the finish. 
"And well deserved for Whitts [Whittingham] to get his hat-trick... it was a tough game."
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Tottenham 0 - 1 Stoke

Glenn Whelan struck late to earn Stoke victory over Spurs, who will ruefully look back at missed chances.
Aaron Lennon's curling shot was well kept out by Steve Simonsen, while Peter Crouch's header was acrobatically cleared off the line by James Beattie. 
Niko Kranjcar's drive hit the foot of the post as Spurs pressed. 
But Spurs, hit by an early injury to Jonathan Woodgate and a late one to Lennon, were stunned when Whelan smashed in an angled shot to win it. 
England winger Lennon was forced off with 10 minutes to play, leaving Spurs to finish the match with 10 men as they had already used all their substitutes. 
And as Tottenham were stretched, Stoke took advantage to pull off a smash and grab they barely deserved.
The match marked the first anniversary of Harry Redknapp taking over as Spurs boss, and there is no doubt he has transformed the club. 
A year on from his appointment, Redknapp has taken the Londoners from relegation candidates to a side that would go top of the table with victory against Stoke. 
It should have been extra incentive for Tottenham to turn on the style against opposition who had won only one of their last five Premier League matches.
But instead, they failed to make the most of their greater possession and territory and got hit with a sucker punch. 
They will also be frustrated by the injury to Woodgate, who managed only a 13-minute cameo in his first start of the season.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp on injured Aaron Lennon walking off with 14 minutes left:
"I hoped he could stay on but he couldn't. I told him we'd only have 10 men and could he play on, but he said his ankle was too sore. 
"I don't want to cause an issue. It's not about England - he's got big games coming up for Tottenham." 
Stoke boss Tony Pulis:
"It was probably our best result because we were playing against a top, top side. They have all the ammo you need to win games and they will still probably have a great season. 
"For this football club, we have to be in the Premier League for three years before we push on. We are still living in portacabins at the training ground."
www.bbc.co.uk

Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham will make a £6m move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson in the January transfer window. (The Sun) 
Birmingham will join the race to sign Emile Heskey if the 31-year-old England striker quits Aston Villa to boost his World Cup hopes.(The Sun) 
Sunderland will make a move for Middlesbrough's England Under-21 winger Adam Johnson, 22, in January. (The Sun) 
Stoke manager Tony Pulis is ready to make an opening £1.5m bid for Huddersfield's highly rated young goalkeeper Alex Smithies. The Terriers rate the stopper at about £4m.(Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is interested in signing Barnsley's teenage striker Reuben Noble-Lazarus. The 16-year-old became the youngest Football League player at 15 years and 45 days in a game against Ipswich in October 2008. (The Sun) 
Arsenal are leading the chase for 14-year-old Montenegro midfielder Nikola Zvrko. Chelsea and Barcelona are also interested in the youngster. (Daily Mail) 
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell is weighing up whether to bring in former Wigan striker Henri Camara, who is a free agent, to boost his injury-hit squad.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Rafael Benitez's job as Liverpool manager is safe for now because the club cannot afford to sack him. The Spaniard has four and a half years to run on the £4.5m-a-season contract he signed in March, so sacking him could cost about £20m.(Daily Mail)
Former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann, who was approached a couple of years ago to succeed Rafael Benitez at Liverpool, has reiterated his desire to manage in the Premier League. (The Sun) 
Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has admitted he would love to come back to England and manage in the Premier League again. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Germany's World Cup players have been warned to expect to wear bullet-proof vests if they venture away from the team hotel at the 2010 finals in South Africa.(The Daily Telegraph)
www.bbc.co.uk

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."
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle hope to sign Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara on loan to cover for injured frontman Shola Ameobi, who is out until December with a stress fracture of the foot.(The Sun) 
Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood is another loan target for Magpies caretaker boss Chris Hughton.(Daily Mirror)
Hull City striker Daniel Cousin is keen on a loan move to Newcastle after slipping down the pecking order at the KC Stadium.(Daily Mirror) 
Everton have given striker James Vaughan the go-ahead to join Middlesbrough on loan.(The Guardian) 
Bolton boss Gary Megson has agreed a deal with Wolves worth up to £1m for defender Mark Davies, who joined the Trotters in January. The two clubs opted to negotiate the fee rather than using a transfer tribunal.(Daily Mirror) 
Stoke defender Andrew Davies has rejected a loan move to Plymouth.(The Sun) 
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has handed former Chelsea and Sunderland goalkeeper Jurgen Macho a trial following the Austrian's release by AEK Athens.(Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell hopes to beat Ipswich, Barnsley and Colchester to the loan signing of Bolton defender Danny Shittu.(The Sun) 
Australia striker Scott McDonald says he will not be quitting Celtic to join Wigan. (The Sun)
Hartlepool manager Chris Turner fears an approach from Celtic for midfielder Gary Liddle and striker James Brown. (The Herald) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reopened his feud with Manchester City boss Mark Hughes following Emmanuel Adebayor's alleged stamp on Robin van Persie on Saturday. Wenger, who used to accuse Hughes' Blackburn side of being too physical, said: "You ask 100 people, 99 will say it is very bad and the hundredth will be Mark Hughes." (The Sun) 
City are in talks with their legal team in a bid to save Adebayor from a potential four-match suspension following Football Association charges of violent conduct and improper conduct as a result of his actions against the Gunners.(Daily Telegraph) 
Inter Milan's former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Fabio Capello "knows nothing about football" after the England coach said it was imperative for the Serie A champions to win the Champions League this season.(Daily Mirror) 
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez admits England were missed at Euro 2008 and feels they are among the favourites to win the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mirror) 
New Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al Fahim is adamant the Fratton Park club will have money to spend in the January transfer window but Pompey's chief executive Peter Storrie says the club has had no new funds made available.(The Sun) 
Al Fahim says he will meet with Pompey boss Paul Hart on 21 November to discuss potential signings.(The Times) 
Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish has welcomed the decision not to axe national manager George Burley over the Scots' failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. (Daily Record)
George Peat's position as Scottish FA president is under threat after he criticised manager George Burley before the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign. (Daily Express) 
Tartan Army spokesman Hamish Husband says George Burley only kept his job as Scotland manager because other candidates rejected approaches to take over. (Various)
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has hailed team-mate Steven Gerrard as "the greatest player in the world".(Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks is confident he can reduce the club's £250m debt and says boss Rafael Benitez can use some of the revenue from the Reds new £20m-a-year shirt-sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered Bank on strengthening his squad.(The Times) 
Liverpool midfielder Lucas, who has been heavily criticised by Reds fans, says he would have left Anfield if not for manager Rafael Benitez, who he says has given him "incredible support and confidence".(Daily Mirror)
Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes has asked his best friend Fernando Meira for the lowdown on Stuttgart ahead of his side's Champions League clash with the Bundesliga outfit on Wednesday. Meira spent six years with Stuttgart from 2002 to 2008 and now plays for Zenit St Petersburg. (Daily Mirror)
Rangers could be forced to play Lee McCulloch as a makeshift centre-half against Stuttgart in the Champions League because of an injury to David Weir. (Various) 
Olympiakos have expressed an interest in appointing Bryan Robson as their new coach after sacking former Newcastle midfielder Temuri Ketsbaia.(Daily Mail) 
Former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has applied for the vacant manager's job at League Two side Rotherham.(Daily Mirror) 

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AND FINALLY

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor appeared to recreate his controversial celebration from Saturday's 4-2 win over his old club Arsenal after scoring in training on Tuesday. The Togo striker, who has been charged with improper conduct for running down the pitch to celebrate in front of Gunners fans, smiled as he ran and slid to his knees in front of his team-mates. (Various)
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Championship

Leicester 1 - 0 Barnsley

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Matty Fryatt's second-half goal gave Leicester victory and left winless Barnsley bottom of the Championship.The Foxes went closest to scoring in an open first half when Lloyd Dyer rode two challenges and fired just wide. 
Barnsley threatened through Martin Devaney's long-range shot before Fryatt opened the scoring, latching on to a Richie Wellens pass and slotting home. 
By now, Leicester were dominating but the Tykes almost snatched an unlikely equaliser when Rob Kozluk fired wide.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson:

"It was a tough game in many ways but I thought we thoroughly deserved our win."

Barnsley boss Simon Davey:
"Defeat is very disappointing. I thought there was very little between the teams."

Reading 1 - 3 Sheff Utd

An error by Reading keeper Adam Federici helped Sheffield United come from a goal down to beat the Royals.
Matthew Mills headed the home side in front but Stephen Quinn equalised when he side-footed in after Reading failed to clear their lines. 
Gylfi Sigurdsson's drive hit the post for Reading before Federici let Jamie Ward's speculative 25-yard shot through his grasp and into the goal. 
David Cotterill arrowed in a strike to seal victory for the Blades. 
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"We created some lovely goals and we looked a good side at times. It could have been five or six. Apart from a 20-minute spell when Reading scored we were dominant.
Reading boss Brendan Rodgers:
"I understand the fans' frustrations. They want to see their team winning and have just come to an end of a five-year cycle which brought much success.
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Sheff Utd 1-0 Preston (agg 2-1)

Sheffield United overcame Preston to book their place in the Championship play-off final courtesy of Greg Halford's second-half header. 
An edgy game saw chances at a premium before Halford rose above Youl Mawene to power home Kyle Walker's deep cross. 
Preston threw men forward and Jon Parkin tested Paddy Kenny before Brian Howard cleared off the line from Neil Mellor's six-yard drive. 
But United held firm with some stout late defending to progress to Wembley. 
Kevin Blackwell's side were rewarded for their attacking intent and now find themselves just one game away from a return to the Premier League, two years after they were controversially relegated.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Naughton, Kilgallon, Morgan, Walker, Howard, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Halford (Bromby 82), Beattie, Cotterill.
Subs Not Used: Hendrie, Lupoli, Webber, Sharp. 
Booked: Stephen Quinn, Cotterill. 
Goals: Halford 59. 

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan, Sedgwick (Mellor 72), McKenna, Nicholson (Carter 72), Wallace, Parkin, Brown (Elliott 62).
Subs Not Used: Neal, Chilvers. 
Booked: Wallace, Parkin, Mawene. 

Att: 26,354 
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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Sheffield United - Preston North End

Semi-final, play-off, re-match. First game ended 1-1 and that result set the home side as a favorite for the final. As it was expected, we watched a tough game at Deepdale. Blades put very solid performance, started with attacking attitude with a clear intention to finish the job in the first game. Jamie Ward missed a big opportunity to took his team in a lead and punishment came in 20th minute after a tragic mistake by defence line. Blades consolidated after that and in the rest of the game were the better side. Midfielder Brian Howard scored at the start of the second half and just thankfully to not-serious reactions of Craig Beattie (twice), result stayed the same. Tonight full Bramall Lane will support the lads who are in clear advantage. I think that Blades deserved a direct promotion, they're the most quality team in play-off, mentally very strong and they are the main candidate to reach Premier. But, to make a situation not so perfect, there are some injury problems for Kevin Blackwell. John-Joe O'Toole is injured, while Darius Henderson, Jamie Ward and David Cotterill are under the serious doubt.

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Lillywhites made their run into play-off zone with four wins from last four league games. In the first game, excellent left-back Sean St.Ledger scored for a lead, team played with 100 percent of potential, making even some opportunities for double it. But, it has to be said, it wouldn't be fully deserved. Their performance is not consistent, play in warm-cold shape. They lost at home, for example, against Blackpool 0-1, but in the next home game humiliated Cardiff 6-0! Their progression would be a first class surprise, but if the host underestimate them everything is possible. That's the beauty of play-offs, however. Lee Williamson is missing as he completes a three-game ban, while Richard Chaplow and Michael Hart remain on the injured list.

,

This is a play-off, I don't believe in underestimating, though won't be an easy game surely. I expect a cautious game in the first half (and will place a gamble ht/ft, X-1), but don't doubt we'll watch the Blades at Wembley (and in Premier, next season). Bwin offers 1.90. Home win.

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Preston 1-1 Sheff Utd

Brian Howard's goal 21 seconds into the second half earned Sheffield United a draw in their semi-final, first-leg Championship play-off tie with Preston. 
Preston had taken a first-half lead when Sean St Ledger latched on to a free-kick to convert from close range. 
The home side almost doubled their lead but Jon Parkin headed Ross Wallace's corner against the post. 
The Blades had several chances to equalise but it was Howard's volley from 10 yards that rescued them. 
The visitors started brightly with Jamie Ward going close in the fourth minute. 
Ward received the ball with his back to goal and turned his marker superbly before firing a low drive against the outstretched legs of keeper Andy Lonergan.
Preston manager Alan Irvine: 
"There were times when we played well so that makes me positive. 
"We are still in contention and I said that was the most important thing ahead of the game. 
"We know it will be a difficult game at Brammall Lane but we've played difficult games all season and still won. 
"We hoped to test Paddy Kenny more but once we got the goal we didn't push on from there." 

Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell: 
"We had to make sure we went back to Brammall Lane with something to play for and we have. 
"I've got a great set of players. They didn't panic, we kept the ball well and I'm delighted with the response of the players. 
"I was disappointed with the goal but at half-time I said to the players to continue as they had left off and it was great to get the equaliser so soon." 

Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan, Sedgwick, McKenna, Carter (Nicholson 70), Wallace, Parkin, Mellor (Brown 77).
Subs Not Used: Neal, Chilvers, Elliott. 
Booked: Carter. 
Goals: St. Ledger 21. 

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Naughton, Montgomery, Howard, Stephen Quinn, Halford, Henderson (Beattie 54), Ward (Lupoli 74).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Cotterill, Bromby. 
Booked: Kilgallon, Montgomery, Lupoli. 
Goals: Howard 46. 

Att: 19,840 
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
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Preston North End - Sheffield United

At the Deepdale Stadium will be played the first match of semi-final play-off for a spot in Premier League. After a horror finish, Preston took the 6th place, moving Cardiff under the line. They're in a great shape, four wins in a row (most significant was against mentioned Cardiff, 6-0 at home). In the last round, Preston defeated QPR 2-1 at Deepdale. In the additional time, twice stopped the ball on a goal line, then came the news Welsh side lost against Wednesday and Preston found a spot in a play-off thankfully to one (a single) goal scored more than Cardiff! They got a wings and now are full of self-confidence. Midfielder Lee Williamson and winger Ross Wallace will serve three game suspension (last one), while Callum Davidson, Richard Chaplow and Michael Hart are injured.

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United finished Championship on a third place, although they had a potential for a direct promotion (my opinion). They took only a point against C.Palace (0-0 away), but even a win wouldn't change anything 'cause Birmingham defeated Reading. Blades were better side at Selhurst Park, attacking entire game, missed a lots of goal opportunities, but didn't score. They had to accept play-off and prepare mentally for a fight for Premier. Will try to stop home side play and attack in the waves. Last four United's games finished with a zero, or one goal per a game. Long time injured, right back Gary Naysmith is still sidelined and will be substituted again with Kyle Walker. Big benefit for Kevin Blackwell is recovered midfielder Brian Howard who will take his place in the first eleven.

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I think that Blades are favorites in this clash and expect from their iron defence to do the main job. In this game, under is very possible, but odds about 1.65 don't worth a bet. Instead that, I'm going for a gamble. 888sport offers 3.10 for visitors. More than enough for a try. Away win.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Sheff Utd

Sheffield United had to settle for a place in the Championship play-offs following a draw at Crystal Palace. 
Birmingham clinched automatic promotion with a 2-1 victory at Reading, which meant that even a win for the Blades would not have been enough. 
Palace keeper Julian Speroni was in great form, saving from Jamie Ward on three occasions and tipping over a header from Greg Halford. 
Blades captain Chris Morgan's header bounced off the post late in the game.
But for all of the possession and chances they created the Blades could not find a past Palace's last line of defence - something they would have rued had the game between Reading and Birmingham finished in a draw. 
United will now play Preston in their Championship semi-final playoff tie, with the first leg at Deepdale. 

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock: 
"While I'm tinged with being a Blade it was solely a manager's job I had to do, but it wasn't easy for me. 
"I shook Kevin Blackwell's hand before the game and told him I wanted to win. We couldn't do that, but we competed really well and had some good chances. 
"I couldn't have asked for anything more from my players. I can go back to being a Blade now and support them in the play-offs. 
"I think once they get over the results this weekend, they will be the favourites to go up." 

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell: 
"It was a massive pressure game and they didn't buckle, they just kept going. 
"I can't complain about the display at all and now we just need to reproduce that in the play-offs. 
"You need breaks in these games and we just didn't get them - Speroni made save after save. 
"We needed something to go our way and it just didn't happen for us. If I could take anything away from Crystal Palace it would be Lady Luck. I'd put her in the boot of the car and hope that she can rear her head in the play-offs when you need it." 


Crystal Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, McCarthy, Jose Fonte, Hill, Ertl, Danns (Scowcroft 90), Carle, Moses (Rui Fonte 55), Kuqi, Stokes (Hills 72).
Subs Not Used: Clyne, Cadogan. 
Booked: Lawrence, Ertl. 

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Walker, Kilgallon, Morgan, Naughton, Halford, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn (Webber 89), Cotterill, Henderson (Beattie 74), Ward (Lupoli 74). 
Subs Not Used: Hendrie, O'Toole. 

Att: 22,824 
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

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Sheff Utd 2-1 Barnsley

Sheffield United moved into third place in the Championship after a dramatic derby win over struggling Barnsley. 
John Joe O'Toole bundled home Gary Naysmith's throw to put United ahead on 81 minutes and Arturo Lupoli met Darius Henderson's cut-back to make it 2-0. 
Blades keeper Paddy Kenny saved Jamal Campbell-Ryce's last-minute penalty, before Daniel Bogdanovic finally pulled one back for the visitors. 
A touchline fracas involving both dug-outs marred the end of the match. 

Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell on moving to within five points of Championship leaders Wolves: 
"It was another big win for us. 
"Tonight, the top two were looking and it's 0-0 with 70-odd minutes gone, then two goals go in, so psychologically they know that we are chasing them. 
"To be as close as we are now is terrific credit to this side." 

Barnsley boss Simon Davey on the touchline row: 
"It was nothing. I was disappointed with the multi-ball system. That was the issue. 
"When United scored their first goal all the balls disappeared. We had 24 when we were drawing and then there's one in the stadium when we're losing. 
"I spoke to the referee and there were words exchanged, but it's nothing." 

Blackwell on the touchline row: 
"I thought they wanted more time and I thought: 'Where's he going with this?' 
"But I don't control the multi-ball system and it never went missing. I don't know what he's on about." 

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Naughton, Morgan, Bromby, Naysmith, Halford, Montgomery, O'Toole, Cotterill (Lupoli 70), Ward (Beattie 90), Henderson. 
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Howard, Walker. 
Booked: O'Toole. 
Goals: O'Toole 82, Lupoli 87. 

Barnsley: Muller, Hassell, Moore, Foster, Kozluk, Teymourian, De Silva, Colace (Bogdanovic 84), Campbell-Ryce, Macken, Mifsud (Hammill 76). 
Subs Not Used: Steele, Guedes, Devaney. 
Booked: De Silva, Campbell-Ryce. 
Goals: Bogdanovic 90. 

Att: 27,061 
Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).
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