Themed piece for the Cardiff City FC match day program.
What have the Romans ever done for us? By Andy Sloan
Roman Abramovich’s millions have propelled the Premiership to new heights, augmenting the growing financial chasm that separates it from its poor neighbour, the Championship. But whilst Roman’s eye-watering transfer fees and pay-packets fail in any way to aid Championship teams’ hopes of holding onto their talented youngsters, or of them affording the loan services of top flight squad members, the financial prosperity of the Premiership provides an unrivalled carrot for Championship contenders to aim for. And this week, five games into their campaign to return to the land of milk and honey, Watford displaced Coventry at the front of the queue.
Darius Henderson proved he may still have a future with Watford after turning down a move to Preston North End and scoring a 90th minute winner to send his side to the top of the table. George Burley must have been suffering from déjà vu, Henderson having scored against him in his first game in charge for Southampton two years ago when Watford last swept up to the Premiership. Henderson will hope he can go on to emulate the form he showed that season when his 15 goals were a vital part of Watford’s successful push for promotion. Danny Shittu was first off the mark on Saturday not long before the break but long enough to allow Grzegorz Rasiak equalise before the break finally came. Nathan Dyer then fired Southampton in front in the 69th minute invoking the wrath of Aidy Boothroyd, who declared that he wanted to tear strips off his players for losing the lead. Henderson had entered the fray minutes earlier after telling Boothroyd he had erred in omitting him. “When will you learn?” he told his manager. “When I play we win.” Good to his word his two goals saw Watford to an important win and Boothroyd on track for a return to the big time.
Charlton’s bouncebackability suffers merely a flesh wound
Ten-man Colchester couldn’t hold on to a first-half two-nil lead as Charlton pegged them back courtesy of Svetoslav Todorov and Zheng. Teddy Sheringham set up Mark Yeates for the opener then Charlton old boy Kevin Lisbie doubled United’s lead as they chased their first home win of the season. In a reversal of fortunes, Colchester old boy Chris Iwelumo headed the ball down to Todorov in the 45th minute and he gave Charlton hope going into the interval, but it was referee Mike Russell’s controversial decision to send off United youngster Matt Connolly that proved the decisive moment in Charlton’s comeback. Colchester, despite continuing to create chances of their own, could only repel Charlton’s advances until the 73rd minute when Zheng Zhi found the equaliser. These sides have very different ambitions but both had to settle for a point a-piece. Charlton though quietly crept up a place into fifth.
Dowie didn’t expect the Bristol Inquisition
If Ian Dowie had been asked at the start of the season which side would inflict Coventry City’s first defeat, he would probably not have highlighted his team’s home clash with newly promoted Bristol City. It was Gary Johnson’s men though who posed the questions to which Coventry had no reply and swept to an impressive 3-0 victory courtesy of strikes from new signings Michale McIndoe and Darren Byfield and an own goal from the Coventry goalkeeper, Dimi Konstantopoulos. “I am not surprised and the boys are not surprised” said Johnson, clearly surprised. Dowie, though gracious in defeat, was not quite so ready for such a result. “I thought we dominated the game for long periods,” he said. “Soft goals are killing us.” Bristol City are now the only unbeaten side in the Championship and relieved Coventry of the top spot for a few hours before Watford took to the field.
Megson manages Mandaric’s sanity for the meantime
“There are some people who, through no fault of their own, are sane. Some were born sane, some became sane later in their lives. It is up to people like you and me who are out of our tiny little minds to help these people overcome their sanity.” This Monty Python quote could well have come from Leicester Chairman Milan Mandaric who parted company with Martin Allen after just three league games which included a 4-1 rout of new table toppers Watford. Gary Megson opened his managerial account under Mandaric with a one-all draw against QPR, Ian Hume drove home a 63rd minute penalty after Damion Stewart was deemed to have unfairly sent DJ Campbell spinning in the box. Asked whether he was appointed until the end of the season or on a longer term basis, Megson replied, “it’s a long term contract, I think it’s about six weeks,” as he looked across at his new boss and laughed. “Seven” interjected Mandaric as both men shared some humour in front of the cameras. Draws such as this one will need to be converted into results if the humour is to remain.
Taylor’s not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy
“Being seventeenth in the league is not getting the best out of your squad” reflected Palace Chairman Simon Jordan after watching his side lose away from home at Norwich City courtesy of a solitary strike from David Strihavka. “We should be in the top six. I want Peter Taylor to be successful, but if I feel he is not, he will be the first person to know.” He’ll be delighted to see Palace are now 21st following the rest of the weeks results.
Laws tries to look on the bright side of life
Sheffield Wednesday plunged to a one nil loss at the hands of fellow strugglers Preston. The result constitutes their fifth defeat, the worst start to a season in the club’s history. Paul Gallagher’s goal gave Preston their first win of the season and insured that Wednesday remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Their manager, Brian Laws, called for calm despite the distressing statistic. “I don’t believe we deserve the position we are in – we just need that little bit of luck, a bit of patience and not to panic.” Wednesday fans may not entirely share that opinion.
Beattie’s no lumberjack
James Beattie continued to repay the faith Bryan Robson has put in him with a further two goals as Sheffield United came from behind to beat Wolves. Stephen Elliot opened the scoring for the visitors but Beattie put his body on the line to equalise before winning a penalty seven minutes from time. Jon Stead came off the bench to score a third in the dying moments. The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, said he felt “mugged”. Perhaps he should speak to Jim Magilton.
Ipswich wish they could just call it a draw
Ipswich manager Jim Magilton and his opposite number at West Bromwich Albion, Tony Mowbray, used to play together in the Ipswich side that sealed promotion to the Premiership. Any comradeship was forgotten at the Hawthorns though as West Brom romped to a 4-0 win. Despite the emphatic score-line, the Baggies did not have it all their own way. Ishmael Miller opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but the home side then rode their luck as, in Mowbray’s own words, “Ipswich had a real go.” Three late goals in the final three minutes, two from the boot of Kevin Phillips, sealed the win in dramatic fashion. Ipswich may have felt unlucky but need to turn chances into goals if they are to compete for a play-off place this season; West Brom, up to 4th and with a 100% home record still intact, are on course to aim even higher.
And now for some completely different games…
An own goal from Marcus Williams and a cool finish from new signing Kayode Odejayi secured three points for Barnsley as Scunthorpe’s early season form stuttered and they fell from fourth spot out of the top ten.
Ade Akinbye thought he had won Burnley’s clash with Blackpool with his 86th minute finish to put Burnley 2-1 up, but Andy Morrell earned a priceless point for the visitors as the home side failed to clear their lines in the final minute. Burnley manager Steve Cotterill was frank in his appraisal: “What happens leaves a bitter taste but I don’t think we deserved to win the game. We weren’t good enough and that is why we didn’t win.”
Stoke had only lost once in Hull since 1960, and maintained that record. Rory Delap gave them the lead just before half-time but summer signing Jay Jay Okocha, who according to reports was led to Hull by the Lord, inspired Phil Brown’s side to snatch a late draw. David Livermore provided the finishing touch but it was Okocha who drew the manager’s praise on the final whistle.
In one of his less exciting match summaries, Plymouth Argylle manager and Gareth Thomas look-a-like Ian Holloway declared that his side’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City was, “probably a fair result on the balance of play,” despite his disgust at dropping two points. Cardiff clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit through Gavin Rae and a late, late strike from fit-again Steve Thompson.
What have the Romans ever done for us? By Andy Sloan
Roman Abramovich’s millions have propelled the Premiership to new heights, augmenting the growing financial chasm that separates it from its poor neighbour, the Championship. But whilst Roman’s eye-watering transfer fees and pay-packets fail in any way to aid Championship teams’ hopes of holding onto their talented youngsters, or of them affording the loan services of top flight squad members, the financial prosperity of the Premiership provides an unrivalled carrot for Championship contenders to aim for. And this week, five games into their campaign to return to the land of milk and honey, Watford displaced Coventry at the front of the queue.
Darius Henderson proved he may still have a future with Watford after turning down a move to Preston North End and scoring a 90th minute winner to send his side to the top of the table. George Burley must have been suffering from déjà vu, Henderson having scored against him in his first game in charge for Southampton two years ago when Watford last swept up to the Premiership. Henderson will hope he can go on to emulate the form he showed that season when his 15 goals were a vital part of Watford’s successful push for promotion. Danny Shittu was first off the mark on Saturday not long before the break but long enough to allow Grzegorz Rasiak equalise before the break finally came. Nathan Dyer then fired Southampton in front in the 69th minute invoking the wrath of Aidy Boothroyd, who declared that he wanted to tear strips off his players for losing the lead. Henderson had entered the fray minutes earlier after telling Boothroyd he had erred in omitting him. “When will you learn?” he told his manager. “When I play we win.” Good to his word his two goals saw Watford to an important win and Boothroyd on track for a return to the big time.
Charlton’s bouncebackability suffers merely a flesh wound
Ten-man Colchester couldn’t hold on to a first-half two-nil lead as Charlton pegged them back courtesy of Svetoslav Todorov and Zheng. Teddy Sheringham set up Mark Yeates for the opener then Charlton old boy Kevin Lisbie doubled United’s lead as they chased their first home win of the season. In a reversal of fortunes, Colchester old boy Chris Iwelumo headed the ball down to Todorov in the 45th minute and he gave Charlton hope going into the interval, but it was referee Mike Russell’s controversial decision to send off United youngster Matt Connolly that proved the decisive moment in Charlton’s comeback. Colchester, despite continuing to create chances of their own, could only repel Charlton’s advances until the 73rd minute when Zheng Zhi found the equaliser. These sides have very different ambitions but both had to settle for a point a-piece. Charlton though quietly crept up a place into fifth.
Dowie didn’t expect the Bristol Inquisition
If Ian Dowie had been asked at the start of the season which side would inflict Coventry City’s first defeat, he would probably not have highlighted his team’s home clash with newly promoted Bristol City. It was Gary Johnson’s men though who posed the questions to which Coventry had no reply and swept to an impressive 3-0 victory courtesy of strikes from new signings Michale McIndoe and Darren Byfield and an own goal from the Coventry goalkeeper, Dimi Konstantopoulos. “I am not surprised and the boys are not surprised” said Johnson, clearly surprised. Dowie, though gracious in defeat, was not quite so ready for such a result. “I thought we dominated the game for long periods,” he said. “Soft goals are killing us.” Bristol City are now the only unbeaten side in the Championship and relieved Coventry of the top spot for a few hours before Watford took to the field.
Megson manages Mandaric’s sanity for the meantime
“There are some people who, through no fault of their own, are sane. Some were born sane, some became sane later in their lives. It is up to people like you and me who are out of our tiny little minds to help these people overcome their sanity.” This Monty Python quote could well have come from Leicester Chairman Milan Mandaric who parted company with Martin Allen after just three league games which included a 4-1 rout of new table toppers Watford. Gary Megson opened his managerial account under Mandaric with a one-all draw against QPR, Ian Hume drove home a 63rd minute penalty after Damion Stewart was deemed to have unfairly sent DJ Campbell spinning in the box. Asked whether he was appointed until the end of the season or on a longer term basis, Megson replied, “it’s a long term contract, I think it’s about six weeks,” as he looked across at his new boss and laughed. “Seven” interjected Mandaric as both men shared some humour in front of the cameras. Draws such as this one will need to be converted into results if the humour is to remain.
Taylor’s not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy
“Being seventeenth in the league is not getting the best out of your squad” reflected Palace Chairman Simon Jordan after watching his side lose away from home at Norwich City courtesy of a solitary strike from David Strihavka. “We should be in the top six. I want Peter Taylor to be successful, but if I feel he is not, he will be the first person to know.” He’ll be delighted to see Palace are now 21st following the rest of the weeks results.
Laws tries to look on the bright side of life
Sheffield Wednesday plunged to a one nil loss at the hands of fellow strugglers Preston. The result constitutes their fifth defeat, the worst start to a season in the club’s history. Paul Gallagher’s goal gave Preston their first win of the season and insured that Wednesday remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Their manager, Brian Laws, called for calm despite the distressing statistic. “I don’t believe we deserve the position we are in – we just need that little bit of luck, a bit of patience and not to panic.” Wednesday fans may not entirely share that opinion.
Beattie’s no lumberjack
James Beattie continued to repay the faith Bryan Robson has put in him with a further two goals as Sheffield United came from behind to beat Wolves. Stephen Elliot opened the scoring for the visitors but Beattie put his body on the line to equalise before winning a penalty seven minutes from time. Jon Stead came off the bench to score a third in the dying moments. The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, said he felt “mugged”. Perhaps he should speak to Jim Magilton.
Ipswich wish they could just call it a draw
Ipswich manager Jim Magilton and his opposite number at West Bromwich Albion, Tony Mowbray, used to play together in the Ipswich side that sealed promotion to the Premiership. Any comradeship was forgotten at the Hawthorns though as West Brom romped to a 4-0 win. Despite the emphatic score-line, the Baggies did not have it all their own way. Ishmael Miller opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but the home side then rode their luck as, in Mowbray’s own words, “Ipswich had a real go.” Three late goals in the final three minutes, two from the boot of Kevin Phillips, sealed the win in dramatic fashion. Ipswich may have felt unlucky but need to turn chances into goals if they are to compete for a play-off place this season; West Brom, up to 4th and with a 100% home record still intact, are on course to aim even higher.
And now for some completely different games…
An own goal from Marcus Williams and a cool finish from new signing Kayode Odejayi secured three points for Barnsley as Scunthorpe’s early season form stuttered and they fell from fourth spot out of the top ten.
Ade Akinbye thought he had won Burnley’s clash with Blackpool with his 86th minute finish to put Burnley 2-1 up, but Andy Morrell earned a priceless point for the visitors as the home side failed to clear their lines in the final minute. Burnley manager Steve Cotterill was frank in his appraisal: “What happens leaves a bitter taste but I don’t think we deserved to win the game. We weren’t good enough and that is why we didn’t win.”
Stoke had only lost once in Hull since 1960, and maintained that record. Rory Delap gave them the lead just before half-time but summer signing Jay Jay Okocha, who according to reports was led to Hull by the Lord, inspired Phil Brown’s side to snatch a late draw. David Livermore provided the finishing touch but it was Okocha who drew the manager’s praise on the final whistle.
In one of his less exciting match summaries, Plymouth Argylle manager and Gareth Thomas look-a-like Ian Holloway declared that his side’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City was, “probably a fair result on the balance of play,” despite his disgust at dropping two points. Cardiff clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit through Gavin Rae and a late, late strike from fit-again Steve Thompson.
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