After the win at Charlton, it seemed like anything was possible, that Notts County could keep the momentum going, get results against the Sheffield sides and secure a play-off position. However, this proved a bridge too far.
On a warm St Patrick’s Day at the lane, a bumper crowd of 12,410, including a sold out Jimmy Sirrel Stand packed with Owls fans, watched the Pies lose 2-1 against a resilient and well-organised Wednesday side, Ryan Lowe and Gary Madine netting the away side’s goals and Lloyd Sam with a late consolation for Notts.
An improvement was expected against the red side of Sheffield the following Tuesday; instead, a first-half horror show saw the Pies concede four against United, and even though Alan Judge and Julian Kelly netted two before the end of the 90 minutes, a fifth was conceded and, to make things worse skipper Neal Bishop, already going through a bad patch of form, was sent off after two yellows.
On a positive, the three consecutive games against the titans of the division were now behind them, and a return of three points may have seemed decent enough. However, this left Notts in eighth place on 56 points, with Carlisle and Stevenage into sixth and seventh spot respectively. Even worse, those two teams had two games in hand – the play-offs were theirs to lose now.
A resurgent Scunthorpe side was the next team to face County at Glanford Park, and despite Notts dominating the match, the Iron defence proved just that, and a 0-0 scoreline was the final result. Two more points dropped – had the wheel come off the wheelbarrow for good?
Keith Curle, alarmed at this drop in form, decided to make some personnel changes. Out went the ineffective Ben Burgess to Cheltenham, in came Dele Adebola, Daniel Bogdanovic and Nicholas Yennaris – the former two seasoned Championship-level veterans, the latter a talented Arsenal youth-teamer.
A good performance against Oldham culminated in another late winner for the Pies, Alan Sheehan getting the all-important goal in the 89th minute, while Leyton Orient were dispatched 3-0, courtesy of goals by Damion Stewart, Jeff Hughes and the ever-improving Sam. Crucially, the seemingly unsurmountable Carlisle dropped points at Wycombe; a last-minute Chairboys goal making it 1-1.
On Easter Bank Holiday, despite looking finished two weeks before, Notts miraculously rose back from the dead and ascended into the play-off positions once again. Carlisle dropped two more points, while Lloyd Sam decided to pay tribute to the injured Jonathan Forte by bagging a hat-trick of his own against Yeovil and sealing a 3-1 win. Sixth place was once again occupied by County.
Brentford were up next, away at Griffin Park. A fairly tricky fixture, Notts finished the game with a valuable point, keeping the Bees at bay in a 0-0 draw while Carlisle lost against Charlton, the Addicks sealing promotion to the Championship after an outstanding season.
As things stand after Matchday 43, it’s not quite advantage Notts, because Carlisle still have a game in hand. However, this will be played on Tuesday against fellow play-off chasers Stevenage, who trounced Yeovil 6-0 away on Saturday. All Pies’ eyes will be on the game this Tuesday evening, hoping the Cumbrians drop even more points and with three games left in the season, the saying “squeaky-bum time” has never been more apt.
However, having done so well to claw our way back into play-off contention twice in one season – when Keith Curle took over County while in 11th and again after dropping to 8th after the Sheffield games – it would be a shame not to finish the job properly! So Come On You Pies!
Written by Giuseppe Labellarte, We Are Going Up’s Notts County blogger
A win in the Steel City derby, third in the league and a group of players who appear to love working with you, none of these things are good enough apparently.
There was confusion when Megson let Clinton Morrison go out on loan to MK Dons only to bring in McGoldrick on loan from Nottingham Forest. There was disenchantment when Wednesday lost 5-1 to Stevenage and more recently there was worry when Wednesday lost 1-0 to Chesterfield. The Wednesday fans believed though; they believed that in Gary Megson there was a man at the helm who could drive us forward. His fierce attitude towards the media, his straight-talking pre and post-match comments on how the team performed and his the honest appraisal of what was deserved from the game, as well as his unbridled passion for the club all proved that he was the man to take Wednesday forward.
It seems meaningless to discuss the Steel City derby now with the sweetness of the victory seemingly snatched away by the bitterness of losing the manager.
The players have said little other than they will move on and go forward but players often would not dream of lamenting such a decision because criticism of the removal of the previous boss may leave them out of favour with the new boss. I don’t blame them because the goal of promotion is still very much in the crosshair but can Dave Jones, a manager of a very different ilk, get the team playing in his style or will he decide to leave any tinkering until the season is over.
If Jones comes in and does nothing, then why change managers at all, if he changes things and we go up, was it not inevitable anyway? Equally if he changes things and we don’t go up, what has changing manager really achieved? The general consensus amongst the fans is that Megson should have stayed but that now he has gone, Jones will have their full support.
It is true that the fans support Sheffield Wednesday Football Club not the individuals that make up the staff but when someone brings all that Gary Megson did, it is hard to disassociate the two. Sheffield Wednesday was Gary Megson and for a while, Gary Megson was Sheffield Wednesday.
Dave Jones, in complete contrast to Megson, has a reputation for not becoming emotionally attached to the clubs he manages but employment in football is not like employment in most other areas. You have to live and breathe the club you work for, you have to ache when they lose and soar to the skies when they win.
Be proud Gary because you did what so few have achieved in many years, you gave us hope, you gave us a future and we will miss you. You are always welcome on the Kop.
The King is dead, long live the non-committal replacement.
Written by Dominic Stevenson, We Are Going Up’s Sheffield Wednesday Blogger
At the start of the season, Sheffield United named ex-Sheffield Wednesday player and manager, Danny Wilson as the man to try and lead the team back into the Championship. Eyebrows were raised by all supporters, including myself, as other candidates such as Keith Hill and Roberto Di Matteo had been overlooked. Many will remember the protests at the press conference as Wilson was unveiled, something that didn’t present the club in a positive light at the start of the new era, however very few could have anticipated what a change would be made.
For years, Sheffield United have been seen as a team who get the job done by whatever means possible. Encouraged by Neil Warnock, Kevin Blackwell and Micky Adams, Blades teams of old have played the long ball game but to limited success. Last season, only one of four managers tried to pass the ball to create openings and that was short-term boss Gary Speed. That mentality soon changed once he took up the Wales job and was replaced, firstly by John Carver and then Adams. Danny Wilson fitted the criteria of creating a ‘no fear’ attitude towards playing the ball on the floor which was called for by many fans although his lack of promotions and career statistics were worrying. Owner and Chairman Kevin McCabe stuck to his guns and it has so far worked out better than most could have imagined.
The transformation from the first whistle of the campaign has been phenomenal with United gaining plaudits from several opponents and being able to control the game at crucial times. The atmosphere at matches has also been a positive influence with the crowd finally singing Wilson’s name thanks to a comical chant first heard at The Valley a month ago. The recent performances against Wycombe, Huddersfield and Preston in recent weeks have epitomised Wilson’s passing mentality whilst maintaining the never-say-die attitude of teams of old, more than justifying the chants.
Patience was a key word used by Wilson after the Wycombe game when the Blades were victorious 3-0 after it took 66 minutes to eventually break down the visitors defence. If the same game had been played 12 months ago, the crowd would have been complaining and abusing their own team which would result in long balls pumped into the box at the first opportunity rather than calmly looking for openings and keeping the ball. ‘The opposition can’t score if you’re in possession’ seemed to be the overriding thought following the game with United enjoying 70% of the overall possession.
In the following game away at Huddersfield Town, an early goal from Neil Collins put the Blades on the receiving end of what could have been one of their own performances from last season. After surviving a barrage of crosses and long throw-ins in the first half, the second was a much more open game with Kevin McDonald instrumental in central midfield for the Blades. Both Wilson and McCabe deserve credit for the signature of McDonald who he has been a key part in resurrecting the sinking ship and a candidate for best recruitment. Despite having the most clear cut chances, Huddersfield couldn’t break down the defence, especially Maguire, Collins and with ‘keeper Simonsen on top form. Views after the game suggested Huddersfield may have made life easier if the players had taken a bit of time on the ball. This result ultimately cost Lee Clark his job at Huddersfield and the appointment of Simon Grayson could be just what is needed to calm the players and focus them as they push for second place.
The next match was at home to Graeme Westley’s Preston side who, like Huddersfield, offered yet another physical threat. Just before the half-hour mark, in-form Ched Evans struck a weak penalty and Preston suddenly came into the game for the first time and hit back with a goal ten minutes later. The thoughts from the stands could easily have been to expect a spiritless performance from then on, given last season’s performances from similar situations but Danny Wilson has renewed the player’s confidence, meaning that their performances have given them the freedom to push on and score goals. This meant it was no surprise when Evans struck an equaliser within five minutes of going behind and then the winner ten minutes from time. A major blow from the Preston game was the injury sustained by Kevin McDonald which makes him a doubt for the game against Wednesday.
United go in to the derby as the in-form side and arguably the favourites for the game against their cross-city neighbours. Both managers have gone into the game with different attitudes. Danny Wilson has kept his cards close to his chest whilst commenting on his own squad and putting the focus on the fans rather than his own return to Hillsborough. Gary Megson on the other hand has become more and more frustrated with recent results going against them and has succumb to making rash comments about opposition players and budgets as if readying himself to defend any dropped points.
The 127th steel city derby this Sunday will be a tremendous atmosphere, despite it being played in the third tier of English football. The game will be watched by around 45,000 spectators at both Hillsborough and via a beam-back at Bramall Lane. The league positions, the openness in the title run and the build up has led this game as being dubbed the most important game between the two sides since the 1993 FA Cup semi final at Wembley. Anything can happen in games like this and the red and white half of the city will be hoping Danny Wilson’s calming influence can bring at least a point back to S2 following the game. A United victory could be a massive blow to Wednesday’s automatic promotion hopes thanks to the other contender’s games in hand. Alternatively, a victory for the Owls could open the promotion race up further by going just two points behind second placed United. Either way, the supporters should be in for a derby day that will live long in the memory, hopefully for all the right reasons for the Unitedites.
Sheffield United are on a cracking run at the minute. With Tuesday’s win over Notts County, the club are back up to second for the first time since the loss to leaders Charlton Athletic on 1st October. The defence is looking solid again and Ched Evans has been on fire in front of goal. James Beattie also made his much-anticipated return in the County game as he continues to build up his fitness – a fully-fit Beattie alongside an in-form Evans could cause huge problems for League One defences.
As is the Blades Way, however, you can’t beat a good old dose of pessimism when things are going well. Ahead of the recent Alan Johnston Paint Trophy match on this site’s podcast, I was asked how I liked the idea of an all-Sheffield playoff final. It’s been something that I’ve been asked about on numerous times already this season – always by people that have no affiliation to either side, and normally with them sporting a look that suggests they think it would be the best play-off final ever.
With both clubs firmly in the top 6 and pushing the top two, the chances are that one will end up finishing in the automatic places, with the other having to settle for the playoffs. But let’s imagine they finish 3rd and 4th, and following successful semi-finals both head down to Wembley for the final.
Wembley was the venue for my first Sheffield derby – an FA Cup semi-final in 1993. On that day, United seemed a bit overawed by the occasion. Despite the heavily-bearded Alan Cork equalising just before half-time to cancel out Waddle’s long-ranger, Wednesday came back into it and eventually got the winner in extra-time. Heart-break for the red half; joy for the blue half. Since then, the Blades have been to three play-off finals and in each have expected victory, only for the team to fail to show up.
0-1 vs Crystal Palace in 1997 – which saw David Hopkin’s late piece of quality in an otherwise dreadful game (the debut of the dreaded white kit.) The game had extra-time and penalties written all over it right up to the point before Hopkin let fly.
0-3 vs Wolves in 2003 – a dreadful end to what had been a fantastic season, which included an incredible 4-3 win over Forest in the semi-final 2nd leg. The result was made all the more worse by the fact that it was clear the game was lost as early as half-time.
0-1 vs Burnley in 2009 – another where United failed to show up when it mattered. The minute the final whistle blew, you knew the club were saying goodbye to the likes of Kyles Naughton and Walker.
Three games, three no-shows on our part and not even a goal to celebrate. There’s only one way any of those games could have been much worse, and that’s if you replaced the opponents with Sheffield Wednesday. Both sets of fans hate to lose a Sheffield derby. What could be worse than losing the biggest of Sheffield derbies? Normally, it’s just the bragging rights for the victor. In a playoff final, it’s promotion and the bragging rights for probably years to come. The knowledge that you are single-handedly responsible for the other languishing in a lower league.
There is a slim possibility that we might one day actually turn up to this sort of big occasion. But it would go against the recent trend, and regardless of opposition. play-off finals for this reason fill me with a complete sense of dread.
You can almost picture it. A tense and scrappy game with a late goal sealing it, probably after an uncharacteristic blunder from someone that had been reliable all season. The horrible scenes as the final whistle goes as Megson & Co celebrate. The realisation that this would mean the inevitable sales of United’s better players once more, and a major effort from the manager (possibly the next manager) to pick up the pieces.
An absolute nightmare….
Written by Joe Clift, We Are Going Up’s Sheffield United blogger
The League Cup has, in recent years, been written off by some observers as a second rate competition which creates unwanted congestion on an already hectic fixture calendar. However many Football League clubs have enjoyed successful runs in the competition, with some reaching the semi-finals, the final or even winning the cup itself on occasion.
It is no secret that many of the country’s biggest clubs use the League Cup as an opportunity to play the reserves or field their youngsters, which can lead to some unexpected results and allow lower ranked sides to reach the latter stages of the tournament.
Last week Dougie Freedman’s Crystal Palace upset the odds by defeating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford to reach the semi-finals – where they will meet fellow Championship side Cardiff City after they beat Premier League Blackburn Rovers in the last eight. Since the League Cup’s inception in the 1960/61 season there have been plenty of other upsets and this week Toppo’s Top Ten looks at some of the most memorable….
10: Sheffield Wednesday 1 Manchester United 0 1991
Wembley has seen its fair share of cup final upsets down the years and the 1991 League Cup Final was no different. Manchester United went into the game as FA Cup holders and huge favourites as they faced Sheffield Wednesday, who would go on to win promotion from the Second Division that season.
Former United manager Ron Atkinson was the Owls’ manager, pitted against Alex Ferguson, the man who replaced him in the Old Trafford hotseat five years before. It would be Big Ron who would be smiling by the end of 90 minutes as a ferocious volley from midfielder John Sheridan settled the game. The second tier outfit pulled off a shock by beating United to claim the League Cup for the first time in their history.
9: Norwich City 0 Milton Keynes Dons 4 2011
Premier League new boys Norwich City crashed out of this season’s Carling Cup in the first round with a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to an MK Dons side two divisions below them. Canaries manager Paul Lambert made eleven changes for this match and his side fell behind on 21 minutes to a goal from former Norwich player Luke Chadwick. Striker Sam Baldock, in one of his final Dons appearances before his transfer to West Ham United, doubled the lead seven minutes later with a powerful strike having been played in by Stephen Gleeson.
In the second half Karl Robinson’s side extended their lead further as Chadwick combined with Dean Bowditch before netting his second of the game and substitute Daniel Powell capitalised on some poor home defending to make it four on 67 minutes. A memorable win at Carrow Road for MK Dons which is Lambert’s heaviest defeat during his two year tenure as Norwich boss.
8: Queens Park Rangers 3 West Bromwich Abion 2 1967
By 1967 the League Cup had been running for seven years but this year’s final was the first to be played at Wembley – up until then the final consisted of a two-legged affair with a match played at the home ground of each team. The first final underneath the Twin Towers proved to be a cracker, as First Division side West Bromwich Albion met Third Division Queens Park Rangers, playing at Wembley for the first time.
The favourites lived up to their pre-match billing as as they took a 2-0 lead into half-time thanks to former QPR winger Clive Clark’s brace. However the Hoops fought back in twenty second half minutes as Roger Morgan scored with a header to make it 2-1, then a great individual run and strike from Rodney Marsh equalised. Rangers eventually won 3-2 thanks to Mark Lazarus’ late goal and in doing so they became the first club from the third tier to win a major trophy.
7: Southend United 1 Manchester United 0 2006
Manchester United won the Carling Cup in the 2005/06 season and were looking to reach the quarter-finals the following campaign. In their way were Championship side Southend United and a capacity crowd packed into Roots Hall to witness this fourth round encounter.
Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a United side including ten internationals in the hope of avoiding an upset with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney on the field for the whole 90 minutes, but they would end the night humbled. On 27 minutes Southend frontman Freddy Eastwood lined up a free-kick some distance from goal before running up and unleashing an unstoppable, bending drive which beat Tomas Kuszczak in the United goal to put Southend a goal up.
Despite United pouring forward in search of an equaliser, Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan kept them at bay with a string of great saves while Eastwood threatened on the break at the other end. However the Premier League outfit could not find a way through and it was Southend who knocked out the holders, progressing to the last eight of the competition.
6: Chelsea 1 Burnley 1 (Burnley win 5-4 on penalties) 2008
In the 2008/09 season Championship side Burnley reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, where they were knocked out by top-flight Tottenham Hotspur over two legs. On their way to the last four, Burnley beat Premier League leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Fourth Round in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Didier Drogba looked to set Chelsea on their way to the next round as expected when he finished expertly having been played in by Frank Lampard in the first half. However after the break Burnley fought their way back into the game and equalised through Ade Akinbiyi – sending the 6,000 travelling Clarets fans mad.
The game went into extra-time where Chelsea had a goal disallowed and missed several opportunities to win, but with no goal forthcoming the tie would be settled on penalties. After five-spot kicks each, both sides missed one and scored four before Michael Duff converted Burnley’s sixth. Jon Obi Mikel stepped up next for Chelsea and Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen made himself a hero, diving full length to his right to palm the effort away and send the second tier club into the next round.
5: Liverpool 1 Grimsby Town 2 2001
In the 2001/02 season, Division One side Grimsby Town pulled off a famous result at Anfield, knocking Worthington Cup holders Liverpool out of the competition in the third round. After a goalless 90 minutes, the match headed into extra-time and a David Beharall handball gave the hosts the chance to go in front from the penalty spot eleven minutes in. Gary McAllister slotted home the spot-kick, but in the second period of extra-time Grimsby hit back.
Centre-back Marlon Broomes volleyed a 113th minute equaliser in front of the travelling Grimsby support and, in amazing fashion it was the visitors who would take the lead late on. Liverpool were pushing for the winner but Town went up the other end where, from 35 yards out, Phil Jevons unleashed a piledriver which flew into the top corner of Chris Kirkland’s net. Jevons, a boyhood Liverpool fan, had joined the Mariners from Everton in pre-season and instantly became a hero at Blundell Park with an incredible 120th minute strike.
4: Arsenal 1 Walsall 2 1983
Fifty years before this 1983 Milk Cup fourth round tie, Walsall stunned Arsenal by beating them in the FA Cup and they would go on to do something similar at Highbury. At the time Arsenal were in trouble both on and off the pitch, with fans calling for manager Terry Neill to be sacked, however a home cup tie against Third Division Walsall should have provided some respite.
Things looked to be going to plan as Stewart Robson put the Gunners ahead just after the half hour, although Walsall were enjoying most of the play. The Saddlers got their reward fifteen minutes into the second half as Mark Rees netted after Ally Brown’s shot came out to him for the equaliser. Then with five minutes to go, the underdogs took the lead as David Preece’s left-wing cross was not dealt with by the Arsenal defence and the ball fell to Brown who slammed it high into the net to win the tie.
A great result for Walsall and their player-manager Alan Buckley as his side progressed to the quarter-finals. This result spelled the end of Neill’s tenure as Arsenal boss, paving the way for George Graham to take charge.
3: Liverpool 2 Northampton Town 2 (Northampton win 4-2 on penalties) 2010
In the third round of last season’s Carling Cup, Northampton Town pulled off arguably the shock of the tournament by knocking out Premier League Liverpool at Anfield. Reds boss Roy Hodgson made many changes to his side, picking mainly fringe players but they got off to a good start as Milan Jovanovic gave them the lead on nine minutes.
In the second half a Cobblers free-kick was knocked down to Billy McKay who rifled it into the roof of the net as the Town fans behind the goal celebrated wildly and that was how the scores remained after 90 minutes. Northampton, 17th in League Two and three divisions below their opponents, took the lead in extra-time when the ball broke to Michael Jacobs who stuck it into the top corner in front of the Kop. As the visitors sensed a famous victory, David Ngog equalised for Liverpool with four minutes left, to the relief of Hodgson and the Reds fans inside Anfield.
The match went to penalties and in the teaming rain, Town striker Stephen Guinan and Ngog missed their penalties before Nathan Eccleston hit Liverpool’s fifth against the crossbar to hand Northampton a chance of victory. Under great pressure, Abdul Osman stepped forward and sent Brad Jones the wrong way to clinch Town’s place in the fourth round – a great achievement from Ian Sampson’s side.
2: Manchester United 0 York City 3 1995
It is a great achievement for many sides to come away from Old Trafford with a win – for a fourth tier side to do it is quite remarkable, especially by the margin York City defeated Manchester United in the second round of the League Cup in 1995.
Alex Ferguson brought in some of his fringe players – including David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville – alongside proven players like Ryan Giggs and Gary Pallister but they could not stop their visitors crusing to victory. Alan Little’s York took the lead through Paul Barnes’ deflected strike and in the second half Barnes doubled it from the penalty spot, before Tony Barras made it three from a header in front of a stunned Old Trafford crowd.
In the return leg United fielded a stronger lineup and levelled the tie – but conceded one goal to be knocked out 4-3 on aggregate in one of York’s greatest ever victories.
1: Swindon Town 3 Arsenal 1 1969
One of the greatest upsets in any English cup competition. The 1969 League Cup final pitted Third Division Swindon Town against First Division Arsenal, under the stewardship of Bertie Mee, who would lead them to the League and FA Cup double two years later. However Danny Williams’ Swindon were out to cause an upset in the showpiece match at Wembley.
It was the Robins who took a shock lead through Roger Smart after a mix-up in the Arsenal defence left goalkeeper Bob Wilson stranded, presenting Smart with an easy finish. Swindon held on until the 86th minute when goalkeeper Peter Downsborough failed to clear the ball and Bobby Gould punced to head home the equaliser and seemingly dash the underdog’s hopes of an upset. However in extra-time Swindon had the better of the play and regained the lead as Don Rogers netted after a corner was not cleared by the Gunners.
In the second period of extra-time Arsenal went forward in search of another equaliser but lost the ball and Swindon broke on the counter-attack. The ball was played through to Rogers who, in acres of space, carried the ball towards goal before cooly rounding Wilson to score and make it 3-1. Arsenal could not find a way back and it was Swindon who pulled off a famous victory, lifting major silverware for the first time in their history.
Written by Steven Toplis, We Are Going Up podcast member and blogger
Tweet Steven at @steven_toplis with your suggestions for Toppo’s Top Tens
The Steel City Derby has produced several memorable moments for both teams in recent years; from Michael Brown’s 20-yard volley in 2003 to Wednesday’s favourite game; that 4-0 victory 32 years ago. The two clubs haven’t played each other for 18 months due to the side from Owlerton’s relegation from the Championship, thanks in part to a Lee Williamson equaliser at Hillsborough in mid-April. One thing that is guaranteed is that the excitement and tension will be at fever pitch come midday on Sunday.
Wednesday fans will be hoping that after this weekend they will have a much more recent song to sing than their current ‘Hark Now Hear’, but following the build-up and the season so far, United will not take that threat lightly. The current stats show the Blades sitting pretty with 45 wins to Wednesday’s 41, so no matter what the outcome, United will still be on top come the close season, preferably with a six game cushion and still a division apart. All Blades fans know this will be a tough task, especially as our opposition constantly remind us that they are a massive football club.
One thing that will not be left at home this weekend will be passion. Public messages from both clubs have indicated the will to win including Danny Wilson, ex-Wednesday player and manager, to tell reporters how he “doesn’t give a ****” about his reception from the away end on Sunday.From a Blades perspective, I find it a brilliant sign when influential players such as Chris Morgan, who is expected to return from injury around Christmas, have told Wilson they are fit to play, such is their desire to be involved in what promises to be a fantastic spectacle for all football fans.
United go into the game on a disappointing run of form, after only picking up 4 points in their last five league games, whereas Wednesday have been picking up results since their 5-1 hammering by Stevenage, thanks mainly to Gary Madine scoring 7 goals in their last six games. It’s been said before every derby game that form never comes into the equation but you can’t help feeling that after not having a game last week United could be at a disadvantage, however the extra week has given players such as Quinn and Evans the chance to retain full fitness in time for the Owls’ cup final.
Transfer news from the Lane this week has involved the signings of Blackpool duo Matt Phillips and Billy Clarke on Friday, both who have the potential to push for places in the first team. I will be more impressed by the addition of Phillips as he is a young, promising winger who is also blessed with pace. My main worry with Clarke is the fact that he has recently suffered several injuries; as have Cresswell, Evans and Porter; and if two of them become injured once more, we are desperately short on experienced attacking options again. Ideally, United could still do with looking for additional attacking options in order to keep our choices open. Saying that, I am all for giving youngsters such as Danny Philliskirk and Erik Tonne a few games to gain experience, but this will most likely happen in the cup and definitely not in this weekend’s derby.
Another boost for Sheffield United is the loan extension of Marcus Williams from Reading, who has impressed in his initial three games and I hope he begins the game on Sunday to bolster our defence. Despite this acquisition, I do still worry about our defensive position, as our defence tends to excel one week before making amateur mistakes the next. One area of this that is a big concern to me is our full-back position, as both Matthew Lowton and Lescinel Jean-Francois thrive on attacking down the wings, compensating for our poor wing play. Unsurprisingly this has led to Lowton already picking up two goals from inside the opponents penalty area, despite feeling he should have scored more from the chances he has created, but this is small consolation for the inevitable occasions where we are pushing for the game and allow the opposition to expose the wide areas, something Ben Marshall of Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping to do. Another worry is our lack of confidence in central defence. Young protégée Harry Maguire has done very well so far this season and shows excellent ability on the ball, reminding me of a raw Phil Jones as he advances into opposing territory. Due to his age and lack of experience, however, he has been liable for several mistakes along with his more experienced partner Neill Collins who has begun to allow basic errors to creep back into his game after an excellent start to the season.
Slightly more pessimism emanates from our midfield, despite having four of the division’s strongest central midfielders in Quinn, McDonald, Montgomery and Williamson; however injuries have plagued players recently such as winger Nathanial Mendez-Laing and defensive midfielder Nick Montgomery. I would be very shocked if the latter does not feature on Sunday, even if he only plays for 30 minutes. On paper it looks as though we shouldn’t need our vice-captain however, as we have a previous Republic of Ireland international (even if only for one game) in our ranks in the form of vice-vice-captain, Michael Doyle. Personally, and I know my opinions are shared by other Unitedites, I feel that Doyle is one of our least productive players. My main reason behind this revolves around his inability to pass the ball forwards although, to his credit, he is one of only a handful of players willing to shoot from around 25 yards out if the opportunity presents itself. He fails to show the desire of other players in the centre of the pitch that is shown by the likes of Montgomery and Quinn and can be known to drift in and out of the game when it suits him.
This weekend’s game has all the making of a classic, with plenty of goals flying around and maybe a United win will help Wednesdayites realise they aren’t in a massive league after all.
My prediction goes down as a 3-2 Blades win, just like the last time at the Lane.
Written by Eddie Chapman, We Are Going Up’s Sheffield United blogger
Sunday at noon sees the first Sheffield derby of the new season. It’s the first in the third tier for over 30 years – symptomatic of the plight of both teams in recent years – but remains one of the best local derbies football has to offer.
Entertaining for the neutral, yet often a torturous 90 minutes for Unitedites and Wednesdayites alike, Sunday’s derby unusually sees both teams fighting each other at the top of the league table. The first derby I saw was 20 years ago in the old First Division (where Brian Deane famously nutmegged Chris Woods.) Since Wednesday were relegated from the Premier League in 2000, United have tended to face an Owls side hovering towards the lower end of the Championship while their city rivals battled for a place in the top six.
Fast forward to this season and it’s all change in League One. Both clubs have strung together a reasonable set of results so far, coupled with the odd shocking result, but they are certainly challenging for the top six. Though United were second until recently, disappointing consecutive defeats to Wycombe and Charlton have seen the Blades slip to seventh. Meanwhile Wednesday, since their horror show at Stevenage, have gone on a decent run that has lifted them to second spot themselves. They come to Bramall Lane as the form side.
The other novelty for a Steel City derby is that we’ll see two former teammates of each other in opposite dugouts in Danny Wilson and Gary Megson. Wilson of course also returned to Wednesday after his playing career (heroically steering them towards relegation before his sacking in 2000) and it’ll no doubt be an odd feeling for Wednesday fans to watch him directing things from the home dugout on Sunday.
United fans will also be reacquainted with long-standing hate figure Gary Megson. In 2002, Megson cemented his place as permanent persona non grata after that abandoned match against his West Bromwich Albion team – the infamous Battle of Bramall Lane, where he accused then-manager Neil Warnock of telling players to feign injury so they could be brought off. So convincing were these injuries that Michael Brown was out with a hernia injury for the remaining months of the season – the other player, Rob Ullathorne, had an injury-plagued career only marginally better than Kieron Dyer. United were of course cleared in the aftermath – but they’re still waiting for an apology from Megson. It is certainly refreshing, following the perfectly likeable Brian Laws and Alan Irvine, to have someone back as Wednesday manager that is instantly easy to dislike.
Losses at home to Huddersfield and Charlton have cast some doubt on United’s promotion credentials recently and any win here would go some way to restore the faith and confidence from the early games. Players need to stand up and be counted on Sunday and it’s often been the case in the past that unlikely derby heroes have sprung up when we needed them the most. Laurent D’Jaffo’s unlikely goal at Hillsborough in 2001, Stuart McCall’s man-of-the-match performance at the Lane in 2003 (best derby game I’ve seen incidentally) and even Ade Akinbiyi for his wonder strike at Hillsborough in United’s last promotion season in 2006 to name but a few.
That game in 2006 also saw a solid debut for Neill Collins at the heart of the defence – Blades fans can only hope he replicates that up against the in-form Gary Madine this weekend. Wilson himself may throw in two new players for their debuts. On Friday United loaned Blackpool’s speedy winger Matt Phillips and striker Billy Clarke, both on their way back from injuries last season, providing the team with some much-needed pace and firepower.
This derby won’t decide each team’s ultimate fate this season. It is in that respect just one of the 46 league matches both play this season. But for 90 minutes on Sunday, for both sets of fans it will mean everything.
Written by Joe Clift, We Are Going Up’s Sheffield United blogger
The Steel City Derby of 1979 is folklore to Sheffield Wednesday fans. For those who were there it was an incredible day of football and for those of us who have heard about it through parents, friends and songs on the Kop, we feel like we were there. Nearly fifty thousand were at Hillsborough that day to watch first versus fourth place in Division Three. Now once again, the two teams of Sheffield meet in the third tier of the Football League to battle for the glory of the city.
Both Wednesday and United have seen better days but both teams are having a slight renaissance under new stewardship. Gary Megson, with the aid of Gary Madine goal machine and the rest of the squad are sitting in second place whilst United, with Danny ‘Judas’ Wilson at the helm are in seventh place.
A few weeks ago Wednesday fans were dreading going to Bramall Lane because the team’s away form was, at very best, patchy. Only one draw from the first four away games, including a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Stevenage led to much trepidation at the possibility of facing the club’s biggest rivals on their own turf. Since the Stevenage game Wednesday have put together a respectable run of four wins on the trot with two of those being away from home; optimism once again is on the rise.
Lessons were learnt following the game against Stevenage and this could be seen at Yeovil. A woeful first half was followed by a second half where some of the eleven on the pitch showed what it really meant to wear the blue and white. It wasn’t pretty but it was determined. Gary Madine shone that day as he has on so many others and with ten goals this season, you wouldn’t like to bet against him securing his place in Wednesday history with a few goals on Sunday.
There was seemingly no reason for the appalling away form as fortress Hillsborough was being created at the same time with six wins from six at home. Chris Lines could be one explanation as he has well and truly stamped his authority on the first team with a string of sterling performances. It could be down to Madine and continuing good form or it could even be down to Megson’s very obvious passion for the job that he is now making his own. I don’t think there is a Wednesday fan that cares though. As long as the team are putting in their all, the fans will respect them.
Sunday will see two teams, who arguably should be playing at a higher level, take each other on but not all of the action will take place on the wrong side of Sheffield. Over 6,000 tickets have been sold for a live broadcast of the match at Hillsborough, which is more than the majority of League One games had in attendance last week.
Titles are not won by history or a perceived injustice at a club’s current position, they are earned by hard work and dedication to the cause and this is what Gary Megson has drummed into his team. League One is packed full of teams who by rights should be in the Championship and every League One club that I have seen play have fans who only deserve the very best.
Sunday will be an exhibition of what the lower leagues really offer; glorious fans, hard-working professional footballers and hopefully a score line that everyone who bleeds blue and white can go into work on Monday morning happy with.
This season has seen more than one star born at Hillsborough though. Gary Madine may be winning the plaudits at the moment but Richard O’Donnell, the goalkeeper who valiantly stood in for Nicky Weaver, will become a Wednesday hero in time and Chris Lines is already making his mark after his move from Bristol Rovers. In addition Liam Palmer, a Scotland Under 21 international, is proving his international status on a weekly basis and loanees Danny Batth and Ben Marshall are making compelling arguments for Milan Mandaric’s chequebook to be brought out come January. In addition to this there are the relatively new signings of Chris O’Grady and Ryan Lowe fighting for a spot in the first eleven.
For the first time in years the future seems to be genuinely bright at Hillsborough and whatever the result on Sunday, the Wednesday squad have the capabilities to bring glory come May.The glory of a derby victory will see you through Monday, maybe a whole week but the tears of joy that run down your face when you see your club promoted will last a lifetime.
I think that a well fought 2-1 victory will go Wednesday’s way with Gary Madine grabbing a brace.
Written by Dom Stevenson, We Are Going Up’s Sheffield Wednesday Blogger
After Peterborough United’s 7-1 demolition job over Ipswich Town on Saturday, it is only fitting that this week’s top ten takes a look at some other big victories in Football League history.
Football is all about putting the ball into the opposition’s net and the vast majority of league fixtures will be settled by a couple of goals at the most. Sometimes there are dull, drab affairs with little goalmouth action, however occasionally there are matches which go against the norm.
Defences go walkabout while attacking sides run riot, having the sort of goal-gluttinous day they can only dream about. One goal quickly turns to two, two to three, three to four…..you get the picture. As one team bangs them in, the other looks on in bemusement and suffers complete embarassment. Such games go down in folklore – for the winning team anyway. Here’s ten memorable games from the Football League where one of the sides involved went goal-crazy:
10: Portsmouth 6 Leicester City 1 2010
Seven games into last season, both Portsmouth and Leicester found themselves nestled at the wrong end of the Championship table. Pompey, under new boss Steve Cotterill, were attempting to rebuild after Premier League relegation months before, amid financial woes which saw Cotterill working with a small, depleted squad. Leicester, having finished in the play-off spots the season before also had a new man in charge, Paolo Sousa, but the Portugese only picked up five points from his first seven matches and it was about to get worse for The Foxes.
Having beaten Pompey in the Carling Cup a few days previously, Leicester stayed on the South Coast ahead of this Friday night fixture, which got off to a bad start as centre-back Michael Morrison handled the ball in the box ten minutes in, Liam Lawrence converting the resulting penalty. Lawrence added a second twelve minutes before the break and as the teams headed off at half-time with the score 2-0, few could have predicted what would happen during the next 45 minutes.
Thirteen minutes into the second half David Nugent’s finish from a tight angle made it 3-0 then the striker turned provider for Dave Kitson, as he set up the former Reading man who netted with a chipped effort. Down to ten men after Migel Vitor rugby-tackled Nugent during the first period, Leicester’s defending went array follwoing Steve Howard’s consolation goal for 4-1. Kitson grabbed his second after the Foxes failed to clear a corner and then Michael Brown went on a sauntering run from midfield before slotting home from an acute angle to make the score 6-1. Leicester were humbled and Sousa was axed not long after with former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson arriving to steer the East Midlanders to mid-table safety come the end of the season.
9: Burnley 2 Sheffield Wednesday 7 2003
This game involved a side already relegated from Division One. Neutrals looking at the scoreline would’ve thought that team were Burnley, instead it was Sheffield Wednesday, doomed to the drop, who would sign off their campaign in the second tier with a thumping victory at Turf Moor.
Paul McLaren opened the scoring for the visitors with a long-range effort which Burnley goalkeeper Nic Michopoulous failed to save. Two minutes later Ashley Westwood added a second with a close-range tap-in from the brilliantly named Brian Barry-Murphy’s left-wing cross. It got worse for the hosts as Ian Moore was sent off on 21 minutes for a cynical challenge on Barry-Murphy.
Defender Richard Wood made it 3-0 to Wednesday, his first senior goal coming as he volleyed home Grant Holt’s header. Burnley manager Stan Ternent hauled off Michopoulous, replacing him with sub-goalie Marlon Beresford. The Clarets pulled one back through a Robbie Blake penalty but the substitution failed to stem the flow of goals. A minute after the break, Richard Evans beat Beresford with a cross-cum-shot from 35 yards before Blake pegged The Owls back again with a left-footed drive.
Chris Turner’s side quickly restored their three goal advantage as Steven Haslam scored from Alan Quinn’s free-kick and within seven minutes they had another. Burnley’s French defender Artur Gnohere put Grant Holt’s cross past his own goalkeeper before Wednesday set the seal on their performance as Quinn hit an excellent 30-yard drive past Beresford for an unexpected 7-2 away win.
8: Oldham Athletic 1 Cardiff City 7 2002
In the 2001/02 season both Oldham Athletic and Cardiff City were gunning for promotion from Division Two and the sides met at Boundary Park in March 2002, where Cardiff sent out a real statement of intent, leaving their hosts stunned.
It was a nightmare return to the Latics for veteran Scottish goalkeeper Andy Goram. He played for the club between 1981 and 1987 and was brought in by boss Mick Wadsworth to resolve a goalkeeping crisis, which he could not solve as he shipped seven goals. Scott Young put the Bluebirds ahead early on before Leo Fortune-West and Peter Thorne gave them a 3-0 lead after just 23 minutes.
Andy Campbell made it four half an hour in before Oldham’s Matty Appleby was sent off making his side’s day even worse. Fortune-West hit the fifth and his second of the afternoon just before half-time and after the break striker Campbell completed his hat-trick, netting in the 64th and 73rd minutes. Stuart Balmer pulled a goal back for Oldham, a mere consolation sixteen minutes from the end which did little to hide the total embarassment his side suffered.
7: Nottingham Forest 7 Swindon Town 1 2006
After Nottingham Forest suffered relegation into League One in 2005 they struggled to adapt to life in the third tier under manager Gary Megson. A series of humbling defeats at the likes of Yeovil and Oldham saw Megson leave by mutual consent in February with the team 13th in the table, four points off relegation. Assistant manager Frank Barlow and coach Ian McParland jointly took charge until the end of the season and resided over an fantastic run which nearly saw the Reds reach the playoffs as they won 8, drew 4 and lost 1 of the pair’s 13 games in charge. The highlight came during their second match in the dugout as the Reds ran riot against Swindon Town.
Nicky Southall bagged a hat-trick as the Reds stuck seven past their visitors at the City Ground, Southall opening the scoring just three minutes in with a half-volley which flew into the top corner. Wes Morgan and Ian Breckin nodded home corners to make the score 3-0 before the half-hour mark. After the break Swindon continued to ship goals as Forest’s passing football and the pace of Nathan Tyson down the left stretched them, Southall heading home his second goal before rifling home from close-range to complete his hat-trick. Morgan scored his second from another corner before Jerel Ifil received his marching orders for Swindon.
Football League journeyman Trevor Benjamin netted a consolation for The Robins, but Forest finished off the rout as Jack Lester’s deflected effort looped into the net to complete a memorable afternoon’s football for the Reds.
6: Preston North End 6 Cardiff City 0 2009
Two teams hoping to secure Championship play-off spots met at Deepdale in April 2009 and while the result may not have instantly affected Cardiff’s chances of a top-six finish, come the end of the season they would go on to rue their heavy defeat.
Neil Mellor opened the scoring on 17 minutes as his strike deflected into the net off Cardiff defender Roger Johnson then made it two on 41 as he got the final touch to another deflected effort, this time from captain Paul McKenna. Billy Jones then conceded a penalty, offering the Bluebirds a chance to get back into the game, but Ross McCormack saw his spot-kick superbly saved by Andy Lonergan.
In the second half Jon Parkin made it 3-0 as he raced onto Mellor’s pass and slotted a composed finish beyond the on-rushing Stuart Taylor and Mellor contributed to Preston’s fourth as his cross was headed into his own net by Mark Kennedy. Mellor was soon replaced but the goals kept coming as sub Chris Brown headed a fifth with fifteen minutes to go and Lee Williamson completed the scoring, making it a 6-0 thrashing four minutes from the end.
On the final day of the season Preston beat QPR 2-1 while Cardiff lost 1-0 against Sheffield Wednesday leaving the two sides level on points and a goal difference each of +12. By virtue of goals scored it was Preston who occupied the final play-off place having scored 66 goals to Cardiff’s 65 – an agonising near miss from Dave Jones’ men courtesy of that 6-0 defeat.
5: Millwall 1 Watford 6 2010
Newly-promoted Millwall went into this Championship encounter against Watford proudly defending a ten month unbeaten record at home. Ironic then that their defenders went missing as the Hornets racked up an unexpected five-goal win at the New Den in September last year.
John Eustace bundled home Don Cowie’s corner after seven minutes to give Watford the lead, which Jordon Mutch extended six minutes later, lashing the ball into the back of David Forde’s net after seeing his first effort blocked. Marvin Sordell’s left-footed effort rolled over the line two minutes into first-half stoppage time leaving Millwall 3-0 down at the break.
Nine minutes after the restart another Cowie corner was not dealt with by the Lions and Adrian Mariappa took advantage, heading Watford into a four goal lead. Liam Trotter reduced it to three two minutes later but that was as good as it got for the hosts, Danny Graham rifling a powerful finish into the top corner to restore the four goal cushion for Malky Mackay’s side. They got a sixth in added time as Martin Taylor directed a header low into the bottom corner to compound Millwall’s misery.
4: Peterborough United 7 Ipswich Town 1 2011
Darren Ferguson returned to London Road midway through last season and steered them to promotion via the League One play-offs. He’s done it before in 2009 but as was well-publicised, he left the club a few games into the Championship season which saw Posh relegated amid a host of managerial changes. You sense the club has learned from that experience, Ferguson too from his unsuccessful time as Preston boss and all parties are better for it now. At the weekend they hosted Paul Jewell’s Ipswich Town and blew them away with a performance which has made the rest of the league sit up and take notice. The loss of 35-goal man Craig Mackail-Smith to Brighton left some fearing whether Posh would have the firepower to compete in the second tier but with Paul Taylor, Lee Tomlin, and Grant McCann finding the net they have goals in the team. It was the visitors who went in front though as midfielder Keith Andrews slammed a 25-yard effort in off the post. Paul Taylor levelled with a fine volley from the edge of the area and Tomlin made it 2-1, chesting down a lofted ball forward, skillfully turning away from his marker and hitting an excellent shot into the far top corner. Taylor then pounced on a loose ball and sprinted away from the Ipswich defenders before slotting a composed finish past goalkeeper David Stockdale. Soon it was 4-1 as Tomlin grabbed his second, running onto McCann’s superb through ball and cooly rolling the ball through the ‘keeper’s legs.
Ipswich winger Lee Martin then saw red for a rash challenge on Mark Little and the controversial decisions continued as, 71 seconds after the break, Town subsitute Tommy Smith was sent off for bringing down Tomlin in the D, outside the penalty area. Despite that, the referee gave a penalty which McCann stepped up and scored with applom. Ten minutes after the break it was six as Lee Frecklington’s low cross was converted, via a deflection, by McCann for his second. In injury time the impressive Tomlin completed his hat-trick, following up on his cleared effort to make it 7-1, leaving Ipswich boss Paul Jewell reflecting on what he called an ‘embarassing’ defeat.
3: Hartlepool United 1 Plymouth Argyle 8 1994
This Third Division clash in May 1994 saw a relegated side host a promoted one and the gulf in class was easy to see, Plymouth Argyle thrashing United as they looked forward to a place in the third tier. Dwight Marshall set the visitors on their way with a 29th minute strike and Steve McCall added a second ten minutes later. Richard Landon and Paul Dalton made it 4-0 at half-time and there was no let-up after the break as Landon hit number 5. Steve Castle added yet another goal before Hartlepool midfielder Nicky Peverell grabbed a consolation effort with 20 minutes remaining. Landon completed his hat-trick on 77 minutes to restore Argyle’s six goal advantage and midfielder Paul Dalton completed the scoring with a minute to go, as the Devon side racked up a remarkable 8-1 away win.
2: Crewe Alexandra 8 Cheltenham Town 1 2010
One of the stand-out performances in the Football League last year came at the Alexandra Stadium as Crewe Alexandra decimated visitors Cheltenham, hitting eight goals as they chased a play-off place.
Clayton Donaldson opened the scoring for the hosts four minutes in, slotting home from Shaun Miller’s pass. The latter then added the second as he tapped in from Danny Shelley’s pass before Shelley laid on the third for Donaldson. Joel Grant made it four just before half-time and Cheltenham pulled one back after the break, Wesley Thomas with a close-range finish. Alexandra midfielder Ashley Westwood scored his side’s fifth as he converted Matt Tootle’s cross and Donaldson completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Steve Elliott handled in the area. Grant scored his second with a tap in and got his own treble with two minutes remaining as he netted Crewe’s second penalty of the match, awarded following a trip on Donaldson in the area. It would be a long trip home south for the travelling Cheltenham fans.
1: Norwich City 1 Colchester United 7 2009
As Norwich City began life in the third tier for the first time in half a century, no one could have predicted their opening day result at home to Colchester United as the visitors secured a memorable 7-1 victory in front of a stunned Carrow Road.
Kevin Lisbie gave the U’s the lead after ten minutes, Clive Platt netted twice, David Fox netted from a free-kick and Lisbie found the net again as Norwich were 5-0 down within 38 minutes. Cody McDonald netted for the Canaries after the break but David Perkins’ volley and Scott Vernon’s close-range finish made it 7-1 to the visitors – a fantastic performance from Paul Lambert’s side inflicting Norwich’s heaviest home defeat in their 109 year history.
Norwich sacked manager Bryan Gunn within a week of the thrashing and turned to the man who masterminded it, Lambert being appointed the new boss at Carrow Road. He galvanised the team and led them to promotion as Champions, before embarking on a memorable season the following campaign as the Canaries finished 2nd in the Championship to secure Premier League football for the first time since 2005.
Written by Steven Toplis, We Are Going Up blogger
Tweet Steven at @steven_toplis with your suggestions for Toppo’s Top Tens.
There must have been something in the pre-match cups of tea in Football League dressing rooms last weekend, as several players found the net with great strikes from distance. Port Vale’s Sean Rigg, AFC Wimbledon midfielder Rachid Yussuf and Tranmere Rovers full-back David Buchanan were amongst those who netted spectacularly.
Efforts from long range tend to be speculative and easier for goalkeepers to save as they have the time to react to the ball, however sometimes they are just unsaveable . When a ball flies through the air and crashes into the roof of the net, it is a great sight. This week the top ten looks at some of the best screamers scored in the Football League, giving me the perfect excuse to roll out that old cliche ‘If you don’t buy a ticket, you don’t win the raffle.’
For the purposes of this list I’ve omitted volleys and free kicks, as they will be covered in later top tens.
10: Steven Schumacher
Bury fans refer to midfielder Steven Schumacher as the ‘League One Frank Lampard’ due to goals like this one against Stevenage in February. After the Shakers secured promotion to the third tier for the first time in eight years, they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Broadhall Way against Graham Westley’s men, who would join the visitors in League One the following season.
Schumacher netted earlier in the game with a 20-yard strike but it is his second goal which makes number 10. With the scores at 2-2 and twenty minutes remaining, the former Everton man collected the ball in the middle of the park, took two touches and unleashed a stinging effort from 25 yards out which beat Chris Day in the Stevenage goal all ends up. An excellent effort which the Bury fans in this clip, filmed by one of them, rightly appreciate.
9: John Bostock
Tottenham Hotspur youngster John Bostock spent the 2010/11 season on loan to Hull City. The midfielder made his debut for the Tigers on the first day of the season against Swansea City and endeared himself to the fans right away with a stunning goal.
Collecting a pass from the right, Bostock turned away from his marker and let fly with a 30-yard drive which left Swansea ‘keeper Dorus De Vries with no chance as it arrowed into the top corner. The midfielder joined from Spurs just 24 hours before the match kicked off and lit up the KC Stadium with his brilliant effort.
8: Anthony Pilkington
Prior to suffering a season-ending injury early in 2011, winger Anthony Pilkington caught the eye with some impressive performances for Huddersfield Town in League One prior to securing a move to Premier League Norwich City, and this was one of his best goals for the club. In January Town hosted Sheffield Wednesday at the Galpharm Stadium in a live televised match, settled by a spectacular strike.
After Wednesday failed to properly clear a high ball into their box, Pikington picked it up wide on the right. After taking a touch to control the ball then another to push it in front of him, he hit a fine 25-yard strike from level with the right hand side of the penalty area that flew into the far top corner of the net. Town went on to win 1-0, not a bad winning goal by anyone’s standards.
7: Dean Furman
Last season’s Goal of the Year in the Football League from Dean Furman is a fine goal for two reasons, the build-up play followed up by the excellent long range strike from the midfielder.The South African’s strike capped off a 3-0 victory over Notts County at Boundary Park.
The first part of the goal is a great example of good passing football as Oldham move the ball around, Notts County players chasing shadows as first-time passes carve them open. The ball is laid off to Furman who takes two touches and hits a bending drive into the top corner of the net from 25 yards out. See the whole goal from 1:04 in this clip.
6: David Buchanan
One of the goals which inspired this week’s countdown. Tranmere Rovers left-back David Buchanan made his debut for the club on Saturday as they faced Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road and got off to a perfect start with his new side, finding the net with a screamer.
With half an hour remaining, Orient cleared a high ball into their box which Rovers midfielder Robbie Weir nodded left-side for Buchanan to collect. The former Bury man took a few touches then rifled a ferocious strike into the top corner of Lee Butcher’s goal from 20 yards out. It is only the second goal scored Buchanan has scored in his career so far, he’ll do well to better it.
5: Michele Di Piedi
Standing at nearly two meters tall, beanpole striker Michele Di Piedi led the line for Sheffield Wednesday after their relegation from the Premier League in 2000. Despite his career never really taking off, the Italian was Paul Jewell’s first signing for the South Yorkshire side and he certainly made an impact, scoring some memorable goals remembered well by the Wednesday faithful.
One of his best goals came in a 3-2 win against Norwich in November 2000. Di Piedi came on at half-time in place of Andy Booth and went on to score one of the goals of the season with the Owls already 2-1 ahead. He collected a long ball with his back to goal, spun past his marker and hit a dipping 35-yard drive which flew over the head of Canaries goalkeeper Andy Marshall. The match ended 3-2 to Wednesday and Di Piedi’s wonderstrike won’t be forgotten by those who saw it.
4: Leighton Baines
Now at Everton, Leighton Baines has one of the most cultured left foots in the Premier League and he played a big part in Wigan’s promotion into the top flight six years ago. It was whilst a Wigan player the left-back scored one of his most memorable goals as his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to Ipswich in December 2004.
With the score at 0-0 60 minutes in, Ipswich cleared a set-piece as far as Baines who was at least 40 yards from goal. Controlling the ball, he hit a powerful drive that rose into the top corner that left Kelvin Davies with no chance. It was the 19-year-old’s first senior goal, and what a strike it was.
3: John Harkes
American midfielder John Harkes played for several English clubs during the 1990′s, including Derby County and West Ham, but one of his best goals came whilst at Sheffield Wednesday, against future employers Derby.
Breaking into space down the right hand side after receiving Nigel Worthington’s cross-field ball, Derby players stood off Harkes and he took full advantage, rifling a powerful drive into the top corner of the net. Derby goalkeeper Peter Shilton could not get near the strike as it smacked into the stanction and nestled over the line. An outstanding hit.
2: Glenn Whelan
There’s something about Sheffield Wednesday players and long-range belters! Glenn Whelan’s effort here came in a match full of great goals at Leicester City in 2006. The midfielder, currently with Stoke City, helped the Owls to a 4-1 victory at the Walkers Stadium with a blistering strike from distance.
Chris Brunt’s long ranger put Wednesday 2-1 up and after Leicester lost possession midway in their own half the ball broke to Whelan, who hit it first-time from 30 yards out. The ball smacked the crossbar and bounced down into the net, a brilliant effort which was followed up by another excellent goal from distance by striker Marcus Tudgay. See all the goals in this video, Whelan’s belter is 2:28 in.
1: Ferrie Bodde
For the past two years, Swansea’s Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde has seen his career blighted by injuries. In November 2008 he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and tore cartlidge in his left knee during a match against Birmingham City and twice came back to fitness, only to see a recurrence of the injury cut short both comebacks. Having signed a new deal with the Swans, hopefully Bodde’s injury problems are behind him as his side begin their first season of Premier League football.
Bodde is a sweet striker of a ball as he proved in a Championship match against Preston North End in 2008. Spotting Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan off his line, Bodde hit a rising right-footed drive from fully 40 yards out which sailed over Lonergan’s dive, nestling in the back of the net. Great opportunism and execution make this strike one of the best from long-range.
Written by Steven Toplis, We Are Going Up Blogger
Tweet Steven at @steven_toplis with your suggestions for ‘Toppo’s Top Tens.’
After the win at Charlton, it seemed like anything was possible, that Notts County could keep the momentum going, get results against the Sheffield sides and secure a play-off position. However, this proved a bridge too far.
