Sir Bobby Robson RIP (1933-2009)
ENGLAND (2) 3 Ferdinand, Thompson, Shearer (pen)
GERMANY (2) 2 Helmer, Bobic
SIR Bobby Robson watched on as Alan Shearer helped England XI come back from two goals down to beat Germany XI 3-2 at St James' Park on Sunday.
Sir Bobby, who is battling cancer for a fifth time, made a pre-match appearance on the pitch in his wheelchair.
There was hardly a dry eye in the house as the Italia 90 theme Nessun Dorma was sung while he shook hands with both teams.
Although he looked frail, he was also bursting with pride as he took his place in the directors' box for the game which raised funds for his charity, the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
Germany started much better and it was no surprise when ex-Sunderland striker Thomas Helmer gave them the lead after just five minutes following a neat move.
On 18 minutes, Fredi Bobic doubled the Germans' advantage with a simple finish after England's defence again struggled to match the pace of their opponents.
England almost replied instantly when Rob Lee fired over his team's first effort from 25 yards before a streaker interrupted proceedings to the mirth of all.
Shortly afterwards, the tide turned in the Three Lions' favour as Shearer became more involved.
First, Shearer won a free-kick down the left which was whipped in by Alan Thompson and converted with a trademark flick-header from Les Ferdinand on 28 minutes.
Then, just four minutes later, Thompson scored direct from another free-kick won by Shearer, curling the ball over the ball and into the top corner to make it 2-2 at half time.
England enjoyed a much more comfortable start to the second half but still relied on some excellent interceptions from Des Walker who looked as lean as ever at centre half.
The Forest fans were clearly right when they sang, "You'll never beat Des Walker". Along with Shearer and Thompson, he was among the most impressive England performers.
The match seemed to be petering out to a draw and yet another penalty shootout against Germany when Shearer made another surge towards the box.
Jens Nowotny made a clumsy challenge on the former England captain in the box. Shearer picked himself up and converted a classic penalty in the corner.
Germany still had time to rattle the Leazes End crossbar after a stunning strike from ex-Rangers man Jorg Albertz.
And only a goalmouth scramble prevented an equaliser as England relaxed and brought on their 'celebrities'.
All in all, a fantastic night for a magnificent man and his very worthy cause.
*To donate online to cancer research charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, click here.
Monday 27 July 2009
Sunday 26 July 2009
The Championship 2009-10 Guide
BARNSLEY
Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET. Capacity 23,009 www.barnsleyfc.co.uk
Last season: 20th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Simon Davey (since November 2006)
Players In: David Preece, Onome Sodje
Players Out: Dennis Souza, Diego Leon, Heinz Muller, Marciano van Homoet, Kyle Letheren
Pre-season form: The Tykes have gone through pre-season unbeaten with notable wins against Ferencvaros (3-2) and Bradford City (2-0) before a hugely credible 1-1 draw against moneybags Manchester City at home.
Prediction: 23rd. Manager Simon Davey has done an excellent job on a tight budget - but, after two narrow escapes in the last two years, this could be the season that time finally catches up with the Tykes especially if they continue to struggle in front of goal.
BLACKPOOL
Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancs, FY1 6JJ. Capacity 9,731 www.blackpoolfc.co.uk
Last season: 16th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Ian Holloway (since May 2009)
Players In: Charlie Adam, Jason Euell, Billy Clarke
Players Out: Stuart Green, Shaun Barker, Jermaine Wright, Claus Jorgensen, Matthew Kay, Marlon Broomes
Pre-season form: The comfortable wins over Burscough (4-0) and Barnstaple Town (5-0) were followed by a 1-1 draw with Lancastrian neighbours Rochdale before three further wins - two against League One opposition, Carlisle United (3-1) and Oldham Athletic (4-2), and an excellent confidence-boosting 2-1 beating of Premier League Everton.
Prediction: 22nd. Although Blackpool did well last year to stay out of trouble and finish 16th, they won only five times at Bloomfield Road all season and a lack of money will always be a restriction. At least Tangerines fans will have some fun with the unpredictable Ian Holloway now in charge, although he did take Leicester down in 2008.
BRISTOL CITY
Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ. Capacity 21,479 www.bcfc.co.uk
Last season: 10th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Gary Johnson (since September 2005)
Players In: Lewin Nyatanga, Danny Haynes, Paul Hartley, Dean Gerken, David Clarkson, Andre Blackman
Players Out: Chris Weale, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Dele Adebola, Scott Murray, Peter Styvar, Michael McIndoe
Pre-season form: An unbeaten pre-season was rounded off by a 3-1 home win against Wycombe Wanderers after previous wins at Hereford United (2-1), Weymouth (4-0) and Dorchester (2-1), and a 1-1 draw with Cheltenham Town.
Prediction: 12th. Another frustrating season awaits City. After reaching the playoffs in 2007-08, the Robins went backwards during the last campaign and could only finish 10th. Expect them to do no better than tread water this time around.
CARDIFF CITY
Ninian Park, Sloper Road, Cardiff, CF11 8SX. Capacity 20,376 www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk
Last season: 7th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Dave Jones (since May 2005)
Players In: Paul Quinn, Anthony Gerrard, Mark Hudson, David Marshall, Michael Chopra
Players Out: Paul Parry, Darren Dennehy, Darren Purse, Roger Johnson
Pre-season form: The summer began well with comfortable wins against Chasetown (4-0), and Fatima (1-0) and President's XI (3-0) on their Portugal tour. No goals in their three matches since the Bluebirds' return will be slightly disconcertaing, although two of the matches were prestigious home friendlies against Celtic (0-0) and Valencia (0-1), sandwiching a visit of Swindon Town (0-0).
Prediction: 9th. Cardiff City only had themselves to blame for not making the playoffs last season. They surrendered a comfortable lead over Preston to lose out on goal difference on the final day after having been beaten by their nearest rivals 6-0 in the run-in. The Bluebirds might not be as close this time, though.
COVENTRY CITY
Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry, CV6 6GE. Capacity 32,500 www.ccfc.co.uk
Last season: 17th, FA Cup 6th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Chris Coleman (since February 2008)
Players In: Sammy Clingan, Michael McIndoe
Players Out: Daniel Fox, Scott Dann, Sean Fraser, Robbie Simpson, Donovan Simmonds
Pre-season form: A busy period of seven friendlies was rounded off by an entertaining 2-2 draw against Everton at home. Before then, City had enjoyed wins against Nuneaton Town (1-0), Hinckley United (2-0) and Northampton Town (2-1), and draws with Wrexham (1-1) and Huddersfield Town (0-0). Their only defeat came north of the border against Dunfermline Athletic, where they were beaten 1-0.
Prediction: 19th. A lack of money means Coventry are unlikely to improve on last season's already disappointing 17th-placed finish with Sammy Clingan and Michael McIndoe as the only arrivals to date. The loss of Scott Dann's long throw is yet another weapon which under-pressure Chris Coleman will miss.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Selhurst Park, London, SE25 6PU. Capacity 26,309 www.cpfc.co.uk
Last season: 15th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Neil Warnock (since October 2007)
Players In: Stern John, Darren Ambrose, Freddie Sears
Players Out: Rhoys Wiggins, Paul Ifill, James Scowcroft, Carl Fletcher, Scott Flinders
Pre-season form: A patchy run-up to the season with two 1-0 home defeats against League One opponents Norwich City and Gillingham hardly inspiring confidence, although Palace were full of goals before then. They beat Baltimore (5-2) and Harrisburg City Islanders (3-1) on a tour of the United States before returning for an away draw with Brentford (2-2) and a comfortable 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers.
Prediction: 6th. Neil Warnock may have a young side at Palace but few managers know this division better than the abrasive Yorkshireman who favours the odds being stacked against him. The loan deal which has brought Freddie Sears to Selhurst Park from West Ham could be one of the best of the summer.
DERBY COUNTY
Pride Park Stadium, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8XL. Capacity 33,597 www.dcfc.co.uk
Last season: 18th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup Semi finals
Manager: Nigel Clough (since January 2009)
Players In: Saul Deeney, Shaun Barker, Lee Croft, Dean Moxey, Jake Buxton
Players Out: Liam Dickinson, Lewin Nyatanga, Lewis Price, Emanuel Villa, Tyrone Mears
Pre-season form: The Rams beat League new boys Burton Albion 1-0 before suffering defeat in the Derbyshire FA Centenary Cup to Chesterfield (1-2). A tour of the south west followed with victories over Yeovil Town (2-0) and Exeter City (3-1) and a 0-0 draw with Torquay United. County then beat Notts County 3-2 on their return and a late equaliser rescued a 2-2 home draw against Premier League outfit Stoke City.
Prediction: 10th. Last season, Derby had barely recovered from their dreadful relegation from the Premier League in 2007-08 and finished 18th. And that was only after Nigel Clough left Burton Albion to pick up the pieces from Paul Jewell's disastrous reign. Clough has certainly made his mark over the summer with no fewer than 10 changes. Depending on how quickly the new squad gels, the Rams should improve.
DONCASTER ROVERS
Keepmoat Stadium, Stadium Way, Lakeside, Doncaster, DN4 5JW. Capacity 15,231 www.doncasterrovers.co.uk
Last season: 14th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Sean O'Driscoll (since September 2006)
Players In: Quinton Fortune
Players Out: Jason Price, Richard Wellens, Gordon Greer
Pre-season form: Rovers have warmed up well with an early victory over local side Armthorpe Welfare (3-2), two 2-0 wins against Barrow and Grimsby Town, and 4-0 thumping of Rotherham United.
Prediction: 18th. A 14th place last time around was Donny's best for 50 years and came only a few years since they were playing in the Conference. Better still, their rise through the leagues has come about with football played in the right way. It doesn't always work in the rough and tumble of the Championship, but it should win them enough matches to stay out of real trouble.
IPSWICH TOWN
Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA. Capacity 30,300 www.itfc.co.uk
Last season: 9th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Roy Keane (since April 2009)
Players In: Colin Healy, Lee Martin, Damien Delaney
Players Out: Kevin Lisbie, Dean Bowditch, Dan Harding, Danny Haynes, Tommy Miller, Billy Clarke, Matthew Richards, Chris Casement, Kurt Robinson, Ivan Campo, Velice Sumulikoski
Pre-season form: A tough training camp in Portugal was followed by victories over Brentford (3-1) and Southend United (2-0) which sandwiched a surprise 2-0 loss to Keane's hometown club Cork City.
Prediction: 2nd. The arrival of Roy Keane had a galvanising short-term effect as Ipswich finished last season strongly even though they had left it too late to make an impression on the playoffs. Keane set about the hard work this summer and trimmed the squad of its weakest members in preparation for a promotion push.
LEICESTER CITY
Walkers Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL. Capacity 32,500 www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk
Last season: 1st (promoted from League One), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Nigel Pearson (since June 2008)
Players In: Richard Wellens, Chris Weale, Dany N'Guessan, Wayne Brown, Robbie Neilson, Jack Hobbs
Players Out: James Wesolowski, Patrick Kisnorbo, Billy McKay, Barry Hayles
Pre-season form: An unbeaten pre-season started with two draws against Tamworth Town (1-1) and Mansfield Town (0-0) before the Foxes thumped Shrewsbury Town 4-0. A pair of 1-0 wins against Chesterfield and at home to Spanish side Valladolid rounded off the preparation.
Prediction: 14th. Leicester coped admirably with being relegated to third-flight football for the first time in their history in 2007-08. The Foxes stormed the division to make an immediate return and hopes are high that momentum will mean they threaten the playoffs. Those expectations may need to be checked now the level has stepped up again, however.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS. Capacity 35,100 www.mfc.co.uk
Last season: 19th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 6th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Gareth Southgate (since June 2006)
Players In: Leroy Lita, Danny Coyne, Mark Yeates
Players Out: Mido, Stewart Downing, Ross Turnbull, Graeme Owens
Pre-season form: Boro played five friendlies, all away, and enjoyed comfortable victories in their first three matches - against Macclesfield Town (3-0), Dumbarton (5-0) and Carlisle United (2-0). Boro had also arranged to play Darlington but their crisis-hit neighbours had to pull out due to a long injury list. Southgate's men instead finished slightly disappointingly with draws against Oldham Athletic (2-2) and Millwall (1-1).
Prediction: 1st. Boro may have lost a talent in Stewart Downing but, so far, they have remarkably retained the services of their other young winger Adam Johnson, a genuine matchwinner at this level. As ever, chairman Steve Gibson has remained loyal to his manager but Gareth Southgate knows he needs to start producing results from the off. He will be hoping Leroy Lita performs better in front of goal than Premier League flop Alfonso Alves.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
St James’ Park, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4ST. Capacity 52,387 www.nufc.co.uk
Last season: 18th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Chris Hughton (since June 2009, latest caretaker stint)
Players In: None
Players Out: Michael Owen, David Edgar, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins, Fraser Forster
Pre-season form: The Magpies started in encouraging form with a comfortable win over Shamrock Rovers (3-0) and a 7-2 thrashing of Darlington. A 1-0 win against Huddersfield Town was followed at the end of the game by an unsavoury fracas before a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Leyton Orient completed a miserable week. Drab draws against Leeds United at home (0-0) and Dundee United away (1-1) rounded off the action.
Prediction: 11th. Favourites for promotion at 9/2 but, after seeing past the famous name, it is hard to see how. Newcastle have an owner who does not want them, no permanent manager and a wafer-thin squad which they cannot reinforce while the situation remains in limbo. And the players left behind were invariably not good enough when the going got tough last season. Matters are likely to get worse before they get better at St James' Park.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ. Capacity 30,602 www.nottinghamforest.co.uk
Last season: 19th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Billy Davies (since January 2009)
Players In: Dexter Blackstock, Joel Lynch, Radoslaw Majewski, Chris Gunter, Paul McKenna, Lee Camp, David McGoldrick, Dele Adebola, Paul Anderson
Players Out: Matt Thornhill, Mark Byrne, Hamza Bencherif, Shane Redmond, James Reid, Joe Heath, Brendan Moloney, Liam Hook, Ryan Whitehurst, Richard Tait, Tom Sharpe, Emile Sinclair, Adam Newbold
Pre-season form: Forest started with a fine 1-0 win against Sporting Lisbon with a goal from new signing Anderson. This was followed up by further victories over Burton Albion (4-1) and Rotherham United (1-0) before a 1-1 draw with Rushden & Diamonds. Davies' men then suffered a 2-1 defeat to buoyant neighbours Notts County before encouraging signs in the two matches against Premier League sides, Stoke City (1-1) and Birmingham City, a 2-1 win.
Prediction: 13th. Forest did well to survive their first season back in the Championship last year. For a while under Colin Calderwood, it looked doubtful but in came former Derby boss Billy Davies at the turn of the year and he looks like he is starting to sort the mess out. The signings of Blackstock, Adebola, Anderson and McGoldrick should add more bite to an attack and push Forest towards the top-half.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
London Road, Peterborough, PE2 8AL. Capacity 15,314 www.theposh.com
Last season: 2nd (promoted from League One), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Darren Ferguson (since January 2007)
Players In: Krystian Pearce, Tommy Rowe, Lee Frecklington, Toumani Diagouraga
Players Out: Rene Howe, Scott Rendell, Chris Westwood, Kieran Charnock
Pre-season form: Posh kicked off a tough pre-season with a 4-0 win over St Albans before being outclassed by two Premier League sides, Aston Villa (0-3) and Tottenham Hotspur (0-4). This was followed up by an improved performance against a third top flight team, Fulham, in an entertaining 3-3 draw. Comfortable wins against Stevenage Borough (2-0) and Oxford United (3-0) will have improved confidence, though they were followed by a third defeat against the top flight, to Sunderland (0-2).
Prediction: 20th. Posh enjoyed a second successive promotion in May to go from playing Morecambe and Macclesfield to Middlesbrough and Newcastle. The whirlwind achievement has came about because manager Darren Ferguson has spent money wisely, in particular discovering the non-league goalscoring talent of Aaron McLean and the craft of George Boyd. Expect the progress to continue with survival at this level.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ www.pafc.co.uk
Last season: 21st, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Paul Sturrock (November 2007)
Players In: Kari Arnason, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Carl Fletcher, Alan Judge, Alan Gow
Players Out: Jason Puncheon, Jermaine Easter, Yannick Bolasie, Emile Mpenza, Roudolph Douala
Pre-season form: A patchy summer for Argyle started with two draws against local opposition, Truro City (1-1) and Torquay United (3-3). Two 2-0 wins over Skelmersdale United and Morecambe sandwiched a loss north of the border against Livingston (1-2) before a 0-0 home stalemate with SPL side Hearts.
Prediction: 21st. Paul Sturrock begins the third year of his second spell at Argyle with hopes that it matches his first when the club achieved their highest position of 10th. Last season, early promise gave way to a relegation fight and - unless Sturrock can improve the dreadful home form - Pilgrims fans can expect another scrap.
PRESTON NORTH END
Deepdale, Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston, PR1 6RU. Capacity 24,525 www.pnefc.net
Last season: 6th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Alan Irvine (November 2007)
Players In: Paul Parry, Velice Sumulikoski
Players Out: Karl Hawley, Simon Whaley, Paul McKenna, Chris Neal
Pre-season form: Preston enjoyed warm-up wins against Bamber Bridge (3-0) and Tranmere Rovers (2-1) before a 1-1 draw with Wrexham. Two home matches followed against top-flight teams - the first match was a fine 2-1 win over Stoke City but the second was a 4-1 reversal against Wigan Athletic. Pre-season was completed by a solid 3-1 win at Hibernian.
Prediction: 5th. Alan Irvine lost no time on making a good impression in his first managerial spell, having been an assistant to David Moyes at Everton. He guided Preston away from the drop in his first season and qualified for the playoffs last time around. As usual, Preston could not make it through but there's no reason why they should not be there or thereabouts again this season.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Loftus Road, South Africa Road, London, W12 7PA. Capacity 19,100 www.qpr.co.uk
Last season: 11th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 4th round
Manager: Jim Magilton (since June 2009)
Players In: Alessandro Pellicori, Alejandro Faurlin
Players Out: Dexter Blackstock, Jake Cole, Lee Camp, Damien Delaney, Zesh Rehman
Pre-season form: Rangers come into the season on the back of four wins, culminating in a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Southampton. Magilton's men had previously beaten Aldershot (4-0), Forest Green Rovers (2-0) and Wycome Wanderers (2-1).
Prediction: 7th. A lack of stability cost QPR a playoff place last season as they stumbled to 11th without threatening. Another change has been made since as Jim Magilton becomes the fourth manager in little more than 18 months under the backing of F1 bosses Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. A repeat of Magilton's indifferent form at Ipswich would set off the trigger-fingers again and more upheaval may mean the Londoners miss out again.
READING
Madejski Stadium, Bennett Road, Reading, RG2 0FL. Capacity 24,200 www.readingfc.co.uk
Last season: 4th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Brendan Rogers (since June 2009)
Players In: Ryan Betrand
Players Out: Leroy Lita, Alan Bennett, Alex McCarthy, Michael Duberry, Scott Goldbourne, Marcus Hahnemann, Kevin Doyle
Pre-season form: The Royals have hit plenty of goals in the run-up to their second successive Championship campaign, starting with a 5-1 beating of Didcot Town. A tour of Sweden brought even more goals, with wins against Jonsereds (8-0), Tolo IF (4-0) and Qviding (2-1). The Royals then led Chelsea 2-0 for much of their final match at home before two late goals saved the Londoners' blushes.
Prediction: 8th. Last season, Reading looked well set to back bounce from their Premier League relegation of 2007-08 at the first attempt. But dreadful home form in the second half of the season was carried through to the playoffs where they lost to buoyant Burnley. Steve Coppell left as manager, and Doyle and Hahnemann have regained top-flight football at Wolves. Although now managed by Brendan Rogers, an adopted Reading man, the Royals might have missed their chance for now.
SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Glanford Park, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 8TD. Capacity 9,183 www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk
Last season: 6th (promoted from League One via playoffs), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Nigel Adkins (since November 2006)
Players In: Rob Jones, Josh Wright, Michael O'Connor
Players Out:
Pre-season form: The Iron enjoyed a goal-glut against local sides Winterton Rangers (5-0) and Brigg Town (12-0) before beating Grimsby Town 3-0. A 2-0 home loss against Brighton and 1-1 draw with Lincoln City have suggested vulnerability, though they won the latter 4-2 on penalties to win the Lincolnshire Senior Cup for a third year running. Scunthorpe completed their pre-season with another loss - 4-2 against Premier League new-boys Wolves.
Prediction: 24th. Scunthorpe suffered no relegation hangover after their Championship demotion in 2007-08 and make an immediate return, though they only made it into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. The Iron were rewarded with a day out at Wembley and a fine 3-2 win against Millwall but pure logistics suggests this Championship season is likely to be no different to their last at this level.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU. Capacity 32,702 www.sufc.co.uk
Last season: 3rd, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Kevin Blackwell (since February 2008)
Players In: Mark Bunn, Glen Little, Kyle Walker (on loan), Ryan France, Keith Treacy, Ched Evans, Andy Taylor, Kyel Reid, Lee Williamson
Players Out: Sun Jihai, Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, Keith Quinn, Jamie Annerson, Ben Starosta, Danny Webber, Ugo Ehiogu, Adam Champman, Nicky Law
Pre-season form: The Blades go into the season in good form on the back of four wins against Sheffield FC (4-3), Chesterfield (2-0), Bury (3-0) and Lincoln City (2-0).
Prediction: 4th. United went closest to overhauling Birmingham City and suffered yet more playoff heartbreak. With Wolves and the Blues stumbling over the line above them, Kevin Blackwell's men were playing the best football of the division for much of the second part of the season. But the loss of James Beattie to Stoke came at a vital time and Blades fans will be hopeful that a further raft of changes does not derail the promotion bid.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 1SW. Capacity 39,812 www.swfc.co.uk
Last season: 12th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Brian Laws (since November 2006)
Players In: Darren Potter, Tommy Miller, Darren Purse
Players Out: Liam McMenamin, Sam Liversidge, Steve Watson, Kenny Lunt
Pre-season form: Wednesday have gone through pre-season unbeaten, alternating between solid 2-0 wins against lower league opposition, at Hartlepool United and Northampton, and home draws against top flight teams Hull City (0-0) and Blackburn Rovers (2-2).
Prediction: 15th. Wednesday were the Jekyll and Hyde team of the division last season as some impressive results, including a double in the Steel City derby, were mixed with some crushing defeats. It generally evened out as they finished bang in the middle in 12th with a negative goal difference. A tight budget means, if anything, the inconsistency is likely to get even worse this year.
SWANSEA CITY
Liberty Stadium, Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA. Capacity 20,500 www.swanseacity.net
Last season: 8th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 4th round
Manager: Paulo Souza (since June 2009)
Players In: Jordi Lopez, Steven Dobbie, Nathan Dyer
Players Out: Jason Scotland, Owain Tudur-Jones
Pre-season form: A busy run-up to the season started with a trip to Portugal for a 1-0 win over CD Trofense (1-0) before the Swans beat Steve McLaren's FC Twente 3-1 at home and Neath Athletic 6-1 away. A Spanish tour followed and began with a 2-0 loss against Espanyol B before a win by the same score against Palamos CF. A 0-0 draw with Gimnastic Tarragona and a 2-1 win over CE Sabadell completed the trip. City returned home to despatch Kilmanock 4-1 at home with Mark Gower hitting a hat-trick before a 1-0 win over Port Talbot Town the following day.
Prediction: 17th. With a finish in the top eight and two decent cup runs (including a cup defeat of Cardiff), there was much to smile about for Swansea last season. But it seems unlikely that the club will feel no ill-effects from the loss of their inspirational manager Roberto Martinez and their main striker Jason Scotland to Wigan. Paulo Souza is in charge as he attempts to rebuild his own confidence after an unhappy five-month spell at QPR.
WATFORD
Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER. Capacity 19,900 www.watford.premiumtv.co.uk
Last season: 13th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 5th round
Manager: Malky Mackay (since June 2009)
Players In: Jure Travner, Danny Graham, Scott Severin
Players Out: Steve Kabba, Alhassan Bangura, Stuart Searle, Theo Robinson, Lee Williamson
Pre-season form: The Hornets had an excellent finish to their pre-season campaign, coming from behind to beat Serie A opposition Parma 3-2 at home. Previously, Mackay's men had beat Boreham Wood 4-1 before a tour of Spain featured two 1-1 draws against CF Balaguer and UE Lleida.
Prediction: 16th. When Aidy Boothroyd was sacked last November, Watford's days in the Championship looked numbered. But the ship was steadied by Malky MacKay in caretaker capacity before Brendan Rogers completed the job, taking the Hornets to 13th. With Rogers now at Reading, MacKay has his own opportunity but another comfortable survival is probably the best he can hope for.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Hawthorns, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, West Mids, B71 4LF. Capacity 28,003 www.wba.co.uk
Last season: 20th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Roberto Di Matteo (since June 2009)
Players In: Reuben Reid, Simon Cox
Players Out: Carl Hoefkens, Pedro Pele, Jared Hodgkiss, Joss Labadie, Sherjill MacDonald, Do-Heon Kim, Luke Daniels, Paul Robinson
Pre-season form: Albion will go into the season on the back of two defeats at Cheltenham Town (2-1) and Swindon Town (1-0) which summed up a patchy pre-season. The Baggies started with a tour of Slovenia and Croatia where they beat Nafta 3-0 but could only draw 2-2 with Varteks. On their return, a 2-0 win against Shrewsbury Town was followed by another 2-2 draw in a Black Country derby with Walsall.
Prediction: 3rd. West Brom were relegated yet again from the Premier League without a whimper as their yo-yo existence continues. Tony Mowbray stuck to his passing principles but the Baggies were never likely to survive with their leaky defence and a lack of goals. Since then, Mowbray has moved on to Celtic and former MK Dons man Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed to freshen up the club. The strength of Albion's challenge will depend on how quickly he imprints his own style.
All transfers and pre-season results correct as of 2pm on Wednesday, August 5. Transfer window shuts on Monday, August 31. Football league clubs may loan players in/out until Monday, November 23.
Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET. Capacity 23,009 www.barnsleyfc.co.uk
Last season: 20th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Simon Davey (since November 2006)
Players In: David Preece, Onome Sodje
Players Out: Dennis Souza, Diego Leon, Heinz Muller, Marciano van Homoet, Kyle Letheren
Pre-season form: The Tykes have gone through pre-season unbeaten with notable wins against Ferencvaros (3-2) and Bradford City (2-0) before a hugely credible 1-1 draw against moneybags Manchester City at home.
Prediction: 23rd. Manager Simon Davey has done an excellent job on a tight budget - but, after two narrow escapes in the last two years, this could be the season that time finally catches up with the Tykes especially if they continue to struggle in front of goal.
BLACKPOOL
Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancs, FY1 6JJ. Capacity 9,731 www.blackpoolfc.co.uk
Last season: 16th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Ian Holloway (since May 2009)
Players In: Charlie Adam, Jason Euell, Billy Clarke
Players Out: Stuart Green, Shaun Barker, Jermaine Wright, Claus Jorgensen, Matthew Kay, Marlon Broomes
Pre-season form: The comfortable wins over Burscough (4-0) and Barnstaple Town (5-0) were followed by a 1-1 draw with Lancastrian neighbours Rochdale before three further wins - two against League One opposition, Carlisle United (3-1) and Oldham Athletic (4-2), and an excellent confidence-boosting 2-1 beating of Premier League Everton.
Prediction: 22nd. Although Blackpool did well last year to stay out of trouble and finish 16th, they won only five times at Bloomfield Road all season and a lack of money will always be a restriction. At least Tangerines fans will have some fun with the unpredictable Ian Holloway now in charge, although he did take Leicester down in 2008.
BRISTOL CITY
Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ. Capacity 21,479 www.bcfc.co.uk
Last season: 10th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Gary Johnson (since September 2005)
Players In: Lewin Nyatanga, Danny Haynes, Paul Hartley, Dean Gerken, David Clarkson, Andre Blackman
Players Out: Chris Weale, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Dele Adebola, Scott Murray, Peter Styvar, Michael McIndoe
Pre-season form: An unbeaten pre-season was rounded off by a 3-1 home win against Wycombe Wanderers after previous wins at Hereford United (2-1), Weymouth (4-0) and Dorchester (2-1), and a 1-1 draw with Cheltenham Town.
Prediction: 12th. Another frustrating season awaits City. After reaching the playoffs in 2007-08, the Robins went backwards during the last campaign and could only finish 10th. Expect them to do no better than tread water this time around.
CARDIFF CITY
Ninian Park, Sloper Road, Cardiff, CF11 8SX. Capacity 20,376 www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk
Last season: 7th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Dave Jones (since May 2005)
Players In: Paul Quinn, Anthony Gerrard, Mark Hudson, David Marshall, Michael Chopra
Players Out: Paul Parry, Darren Dennehy, Darren Purse, Roger Johnson
Pre-season form: The summer began well with comfortable wins against Chasetown (4-0), and Fatima (1-0) and President's XI (3-0) on their Portugal tour. No goals in their three matches since the Bluebirds' return will be slightly disconcertaing, although two of the matches were prestigious home friendlies against Celtic (0-0) and Valencia (0-1), sandwiching a visit of Swindon Town (0-0).
Prediction: 9th. Cardiff City only had themselves to blame for not making the playoffs last season. They surrendered a comfortable lead over Preston to lose out on goal difference on the final day after having been beaten by their nearest rivals 6-0 in the run-in. The Bluebirds might not be as close this time, though.
COVENTRY CITY
Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry, CV6 6GE. Capacity 32,500 www.ccfc.co.uk
Last season: 17th, FA Cup 6th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Chris Coleman (since February 2008)
Players In: Sammy Clingan, Michael McIndoe
Players Out: Daniel Fox, Scott Dann, Sean Fraser, Robbie Simpson, Donovan Simmonds
Pre-season form: A busy period of seven friendlies was rounded off by an entertaining 2-2 draw against Everton at home. Before then, City had enjoyed wins against Nuneaton Town (1-0), Hinckley United (2-0) and Northampton Town (2-1), and draws with Wrexham (1-1) and Huddersfield Town (0-0). Their only defeat came north of the border against Dunfermline Athletic, where they were beaten 1-0.
Prediction: 19th. A lack of money means Coventry are unlikely to improve on last season's already disappointing 17th-placed finish with Sammy Clingan and Michael McIndoe as the only arrivals to date. The loss of Scott Dann's long throw is yet another weapon which under-pressure Chris Coleman will miss.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Selhurst Park, London, SE25 6PU. Capacity 26,309 www.cpfc.co.uk
Last season: 15th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Neil Warnock (since October 2007)
Players In: Stern John, Darren Ambrose, Freddie Sears
Players Out: Rhoys Wiggins, Paul Ifill, James Scowcroft, Carl Fletcher, Scott Flinders
Pre-season form: A patchy run-up to the season with two 1-0 home defeats against League One opponents Norwich City and Gillingham hardly inspiring confidence, although Palace were full of goals before then. They beat Baltimore (5-2) and Harrisburg City Islanders (3-1) on a tour of the United States before returning for an away draw with Brentford (2-2) and a comfortable 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers.
Prediction: 6th. Neil Warnock may have a young side at Palace but few managers know this division better than the abrasive Yorkshireman who favours the odds being stacked against him. The loan deal which has brought Freddie Sears to Selhurst Park from West Ham could be one of the best of the summer.
DERBY COUNTY
Pride Park Stadium, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8XL. Capacity 33,597 www.dcfc.co.uk
Last season: 18th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup Semi finals
Manager: Nigel Clough (since January 2009)
Players In: Saul Deeney, Shaun Barker, Lee Croft, Dean Moxey, Jake Buxton
Players Out: Liam Dickinson, Lewin Nyatanga, Lewis Price, Emanuel Villa, Tyrone Mears
Pre-season form: The Rams beat League new boys Burton Albion 1-0 before suffering defeat in the Derbyshire FA Centenary Cup to Chesterfield (1-2). A tour of the south west followed with victories over Yeovil Town (2-0) and Exeter City (3-1) and a 0-0 draw with Torquay United. County then beat Notts County 3-2 on their return and a late equaliser rescued a 2-2 home draw against Premier League outfit Stoke City.
Prediction: 10th. Last season, Derby had barely recovered from their dreadful relegation from the Premier League in 2007-08 and finished 18th. And that was only after Nigel Clough left Burton Albion to pick up the pieces from Paul Jewell's disastrous reign. Clough has certainly made his mark over the summer with no fewer than 10 changes. Depending on how quickly the new squad gels, the Rams should improve.
DONCASTER ROVERS
Keepmoat Stadium, Stadium Way, Lakeside, Doncaster, DN4 5JW. Capacity 15,231 www.doncasterrovers.co.uk
Last season: 14th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Sean O'Driscoll (since September 2006)
Players In: Quinton Fortune
Players Out: Jason Price, Richard Wellens, Gordon Greer
Pre-season form: Rovers have warmed up well with an early victory over local side Armthorpe Welfare (3-2), two 2-0 wins against Barrow and Grimsby Town, and 4-0 thumping of Rotherham United.
Prediction: 18th. A 14th place last time around was Donny's best for 50 years and came only a few years since they were playing in the Conference. Better still, their rise through the leagues has come about with football played in the right way. It doesn't always work in the rough and tumble of the Championship, but it should win them enough matches to stay out of real trouble.
IPSWICH TOWN
Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA. Capacity 30,300 www.itfc.co.uk
Last season: 9th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Roy Keane (since April 2009)
Players In: Colin Healy, Lee Martin, Damien Delaney
Players Out: Kevin Lisbie, Dean Bowditch, Dan Harding, Danny Haynes, Tommy Miller, Billy Clarke, Matthew Richards, Chris Casement, Kurt Robinson, Ivan Campo, Velice Sumulikoski
Pre-season form: A tough training camp in Portugal was followed by victories over Brentford (3-1) and Southend United (2-0) which sandwiched a surprise 2-0 loss to Keane's hometown club Cork City.
Prediction: 2nd. The arrival of Roy Keane had a galvanising short-term effect as Ipswich finished last season strongly even though they had left it too late to make an impression on the playoffs. Keane set about the hard work this summer and trimmed the squad of its weakest members in preparation for a promotion push.
LEICESTER CITY
Walkers Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL. Capacity 32,500 www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk
Last season: 1st (promoted from League One), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Nigel Pearson (since June 2008)
Players In: Richard Wellens, Chris Weale, Dany N'Guessan, Wayne Brown, Robbie Neilson, Jack Hobbs
Players Out: James Wesolowski, Patrick Kisnorbo, Billy McKay, Barry Hayles
Pre-season form: An unbeaten pre-season started with two draws against Tamworth Town (1-1) and Mansfield Town (0-0) before the Foxes thumped Shrewsbury Town 4-0. A pair of 1-0 wins against Chesterfield and at home to Spanish side Valladolid rounded off the preparation.
Prediction: 14th. Leicester coped admirably with being relegated to third-flight football for the first time in their history in 2007-08. The Foxes stormed the division to make an immediate return and hopes are high that momentum will mean they threaten the playoffs. Those expectations may need to be checked now the level has stepped up again, however.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS. Capacity 35,100 www.mfc.co.uk
Last season: 19th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 6th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Gareth Southgate (since June 2006)
Players In: Leroy Lita, Danny Coyne, Mark Yeates
Players Out: Mido, Stewart Downing, Ross Turnbull, Graeme Owens
Pre-season form: Boro played five friendlies, all away, and enjoyed comfortable victories in their first three matches - against Macclesfield Town (3-0), Dumbarton (5-0) and Carlisle United (2-0). Boro had also arranged to play Darlington but their crisis-hit neighbours had to pull out due to a long injury list. Southgate's men instead finished slightly disappointingly with draws against Oldham Athletic (2-2) and Millwall (1-1).
Prediction: 1st. Boro may have lost a talent in Stewart Downing but, so far, they have remarkably retained the services of their other young winger Adam Johnson, a genuine matchwinner at this level. As ever, chairman Steve Gibson has remained loyal to his manager but Gareth Southgate knows he needs to start producing results from the off. He will be hoping Leroy Lita performs better in front of goal than Premier League flop Alfonso Alves.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
St James’ Park, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4ST. Capacity 52,387 www.nufc.co.uk
Last season: 18th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Chris Hughton (since June 2009, latest caretaker stint)
Players In: None
Players Out: Michael Owen, David Edgar, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins, Fraser Forster
Pre-season form: The Magpies started in encouraging form with a comfortable win over Shamrock Rovers (3-0) and a 7-2 thrashing of Darlington. A 1-0 win against Huddersfield Town was followed at the end of the game by an unsavoury fracas before a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Leyton Orient completed a miserable week. Drab draws against Leeds United at home (0-0) and Dundee United away (1-1) rounded off the action.
Prediction: 11th. Favourites for promotion at 9/2 but, after seeing past the famous name, it is hard to see how. Newcastle have an owner who does not want them, no permanent manager and a wafer-thin squad which they cannot reinforce while the situation remains in limbo. And the players left behind were invariably not good enough when the going got tough last season. Matters are likely to get worse before they get better at St James' Park.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ. Capacity 30,602 www.nottinghamforest.co.uk
Last season: 19th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Billy Davies (since January 2009)
Players In: Dexter Blackstock, Joel Lynch, Radoslaw Majewski, Chris Gunter, Paul McKenna, Lee Camp, David McGoldrick, Dele Adebola, Paul Anderson
Players Out: Matt Thornhill, Mark Byrne, Hamza Bencherif, Shane Redmond, James Reid, Joe Heath, Brendan Moloney, Liam Hook, Ryan Whitehurst, Richard Tait, Tom Sharpe, Emile Sinclair, Adam Newbold
Pre-season form: Forest started with a fine 1-0 win against Sporting Lisbon with a goal from new signing Anderson. This was followed up by further victories over Burton Albion (4-1) and Rotherham United (1-0) before a 1-1 draw with Rushden & Diamonds. Davies' men then suffered a 2-1 defeat to buoyant neighbours Notts County before encouraging signs in the two matches against Premier League sides, Stoke City (1-1) and Birmingham City, a 2-1 win.
Prediction: 13th. Forest did well to survive their first season back in the Championship last year. For a while under Colin Calderwood, it looked doubtful but in came former Derby boss Billy Davies at the turn of the year and he looks like he is starting to sort the mess out. The signings of Blackstock, Adebola, Anderson and McGoldrick should add more bite to an attack and push Forest towards the top-half.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
London Road, Peterborough, PE2 8AL. Capacity 15,314 www.theposh.com
Last season: 2nd (promoted from League One), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Darren Ferguson (since January 2007)
Players In: Krystian Pearce, Tommy Rowe, Lee Frecklington, Toumani Diagouraga
Players Out: Rene Howe, Scott Rendell, Chris Westwood, Kieran Charnock
Pre-season form: Posh kicked off a tough pre-season with a 4-0 win over St Albans before being outclassed by two Premier League sides, Aston Villa (0-3) and Tottenham Hotspur (0-4). This was followed up by an improved performance against a third top flight team, Fulham, in an entertaining 3-3 draw. Comfortable wins against Stevenage Borough (2-0) and Oxford United (3-0) will have improved confidence, though they were followed by a third defeat against the top flight, to Sunderland (0-2).
Prediction: 20th. Posh enjoyed a second successive promotion in May to go from playing Morecambe and Macclesfield to Middlesbrough and Newcastle. The whirlwind achievement has came about because manager Darren Ferguson has spent money wisely, in particular discovering the non-league goalscoring talent of Aaron McLean and the craft of George Boyd. Expect the progress to continue with survival at this level.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ www.pafc.co.uk
Last season: 21st, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Paul Sturrock (November 2007)
Players In: Kari Arnason, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Carl Fletcher, Alan Judge, Alan Gow
Players Out: Jason Puncheon, Jermaine Easter, Yannick Bolasie, Emile Mpenza, Roudolph Douala
Pre-season form: A patchy summer for Argyle started with two draws against local opposition, Truro City (1-1) and Torquay United (3-3). Two 2-0 wins over Skelmersdale United and Morecambe sandwiched a loss north of the border against Livingston (1-2) before a 0-0 home stalemate with SPL side Hearts.
Prediction: 21st. Paul Sturrock begins the third year of his second spell at Argyle with hopes that it matches his first when the club achieved their highest position of 10th. Last season, early promise gave way to a relegation fight and - unless Sturrock can improve the dreadful home form - Pilgrims fans can expect another scrap.
PRESTON NORTH END
Deepdale, Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston, PR1 6RU. Capacity 24,525 www.pnefc.net
Last season: 6th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Alan Irvine (November 2007)
Players In: Paul Parry, Velice Sumulikoski
Players Out: Karl Hawley, Simon Whaley, Paul McKenna, Chris Neal
Pre-season form: Preston enjoyed warm-up wins against Bamber Bridge (3-0) and Tranmere Rovers (2-1) before a 1-1 draw with Wrexham. Two home matches followed against top-flight teams - the first match was a fine 2-1 win over Stoke City but the second was a 4-1 reversal against Wigan Athletic. Pre-season was completed by a solid 3-1 win at Hibernian.
Prediction: 5th. Alan Irvine lost no time on making a good impression in his first managerial spell, having been an assistant to David Moyes at Everton. He guided Preston away from the drop in his first season and qualified for the playoffs last time around. As usual, Preston could not make it through but there's no reason why they should not be there or thereabouts again this season.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Loftus Road, South Africa Road, London, W12 7PA. Capacity 19,100 www.qpr.co.uk
Last season: 11th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 4th round
Manager: Jim Magilton (since June 2009)
Players In: Alessandro Pellicori, Alejandro Faurlin
Players Out: Dexter Blackstock, Jake Cole, Lee Camp, Damien Delaney, Zesh Rehman
Pre-season form: Rangers come into the season on the back of four wins, culminating in a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Southampton. Magilton's men had previously beaten Aldershot (4-0), Forest Green Rovers (2-0) and Wycome Wanderers (2-1).
Prediction: 7th. A lack of stability cost QPR a playoff place last season as they stumbled to 11th without threatening. Another change has been made since as Jim Magilton becomes the fourth manager in little more than 18 months under the backing of F1 bosses Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. A repeat of Magilton's indifferent form at Ipswich would set off the trigger-fingers again and more upheaval may mean the Londoners miss out again.
READING
Madejski Stadium, Bennett Road, Reading, RG2 0FL. Capacity 24,200 www.readingfc.co.uk
Last season: 4th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Brendan Rogers (since June 2009)
Players In: Ryan Betrand
Players Out: Leroy Lita, Alan Bennett, Alex McCarthy, Michael Duberry, Scott Goldbourne, Marcus Hahnemann, Kevin Doyle
Pre-season form: The Royals have hit plenty of goals in the run-up to their second successive Championship campaign, starting with a 5-1 beating of Didcot Town. A tour of Sweden brought even more goals, with wins against Jonsereds (8-0), Tolo IF (4-0) and Qviding (2-1). The Royals then led Chelsea 2-0 for much of their final match at home before two late goals saved the Londoners' blushes.
Prediction: 8th. Last season, Reading looked well set to back bounce from their Premier League relegation of 2007-08 at the first attempt. But dreadful home form in the second half of the season was carried through to the playoffs where they lost to buoyant Burnley. Steve Coppell left as manager, and Doyle and Hahnemann have regained top-flight football at Wolves. Although now managed by Brendan Rogers, an adopted Reading man, the Royals might have missed their chance for now.
SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Glanford Park, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 8TD. Capacity 9,183 www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk
Last season: 6th (promoted from League One via playoffs), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Nigel Adkins (since November 2006)
Players In: Rob Jones, Josh Wright, Michael O'Connor
Players Out:
Pre-season form: The Iron enjoyed a goal-glut against local sides Winterton Rangers (5-0) and Brigg Town (12-0) before beating Grimsby Town 3-0. A 2-0 home loss against Brighton and 1-1 draw with Lincoln City have suggested vulnerability, though they won the latter 4-2 on penalties to win the Lincolnshire Senior Cup for a third year running. Scunthorpe completed their pre-season with another loss - 4-2 against Premier League new-boys Wolves.
Prediction: 24th. Scunthorpe suffered no relegation hangover after their Championship demotion in 2007-08 and make an immediate return, though they only made it into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. The Iron were rewarded with a day out at Wembley and a fine 3-2 win against Millwall but pure logistics suggests this Championship season is likely to be no different to their last at this level.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU. Capacity 32,702 www.sufc.co.uk
Last season: 3rd, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round
Manager: Kevin Blackwell (since February 2008)
Players In: Mark Bunn, Glen Little, Kyle Walker (on loan), Ryan France, Keith Treacy, Ched Evans, Andy Taylor, Kyel Reid, Lee Williamson
Players Out: Sun Jihai, Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker, Keith Quinn, Jamie Annerson, Ben Starosta, Danny Webber, Ugo Ehiogu, Adam Champman, Nicky Law
Pre-season form: The Blades go into the season in good form on the back of four wins against Sheffield FC (4-3), Chesterfield (2-0), Bury (3-0) and Lincoln City (2-0).
Prediction: 4th. United went closest to overhauling Birmingham City and suffered yet more playoff heartbreak. With Wolves and the Blues stumbling over the line above them, Kevin Blackwell's men were playing the best football of the division for much of the second part of the season. But the loss of James Beattie to Stoke came at a vital time and Blades fans will be hopeful that a further raft of changes does not derail the promotion bid.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 1SW. Capacity 39,812 www.swfc.co.uk
Last season: 12th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Manager: Brian Laws (since November 2006)
Players In: Darren Potter, Tommy Miller, Darren Purse
Players Out: Liam McMenamin, Sam Liversidge, Steve Watson, Kenny Lunt
Pre-season form: Wednesday have gone through pre-season unbeaten, alternating between solid 2-0 wins against lower league opposition, at Hartlepool United and Northampton, and home draws against top flight teams Hull City (0-0) and Blackburn Rovers (2-2).
Prediction: 15th. Wednesday were the Jekyll and Hyde team of the division last season as some impressive results, including a double in the Steel City derby, were mixed with some crushing defeats. It generally evened out as they finished bang in the middle in 12th with a negative goal difference. A tight budget means, if anything, the inconsistency is likely to get even worse this year.
SWANSEA CITY
Liberty Stadium, Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA. Capacity 20,500 www.swanseacity.net
Last season: 8th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 4th round
Manager: Paulo Souza (since June 2009)
Players In: Jordi Lopez, Steven Dobbie, Nathan Dyer
Players Out: Jason Scotland, Owain Tudur-Jones
Pre-season form: A busy run-up to the season started with a trip to Portugal for a 1-0 win over CD Trofense (1-0) before the Swans beat Steve McLaren's FC Twente 3-1 at home and Neath Athletic 6-1 away. A Spanish tour followed and began with a 2-0 loss against Espanyol B before a win by the same score against Palamos CF. A 0-0 draw with Gimnastic Tarragona and a 2-1 win over CE Sabadell completed the trip. City returned home to despatch Kilmanock 4-1 at home with Mark Gower hitting a hat-trick before a 1-0 win over Port Talbot Town the following day.
Prediction: 17th. With a finish in the top eight and two decent cup runs (including a cup defeat of Cardiff), there was much to smile about for Swansea last season. But it seems unlikely that the club will feel no ill-effects from the loss of their inspirational manager Roberto Martinez and their main striker Jason Scotland to Wigan. Paulo Souza is in charge as he attempts to rebuild his own confidence after an unhappy five-month spell at QPR.
WATFORD
Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER. Capacity 19,900 www.watford.premiumtv.co.uk
Last season: 13th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 5th round
Manager: Malky Mackay (since June 2009)
Players In: Jure Travner, Danny Graham, Scott Severin
Players Out: Steve Kabba, Alhassan Bangura, Stuart Searle, Theo Robinson, Lee Williamson
Pre-season form: The Hornets had an excellent finish to their pre-season campaign, coming from behind to beat Serie A opposition Parma 3-2 at home. Previously, Mackay's men had beat Boreham Wood 4-1 before a tour of Spain featured two 1-1 draws against CF Balaguer and UE Lleida.
Prediction: 16th. When Aidy Boothroyd was sacked last November, Watford's days in the Championship looked numbered. But the ship was steadied by Malky MacKay in caretaker capacity before Brendan Rogers completed the job, taking the Hornets to 13th. With Rogers now at Reading, MacKay has his own opportunity but another comfortable survival is probably the best he can hope for.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Hawthorns, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, West Mids, B71 4LF. Capacity 28,003 www.wba.co.uk
Last season: 20th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Manager: Roberto Di Matteo (since June 2009)
Players In: Reuben Reid, Simon Cox
Players Out: Carl Hoefkens, Pedro Pele, Jared Hodgkiss, Joss Labadie, Sherjill MacDonald, Do-Heon Kim, Luke Daniels, Paul Robinson
Pre-season form: Albion will go into the season on the back of two defeats at Cheltenham Town (2-1) and Swindon Town (1-0) which summed up a patchy pre-season. The Baggies started with a tour of Slovenia and Croatia where they beat Nafta 3-0 but could only draw 2-2 with Varteks. On their return, a 2-0 win against Shrewsbury Town was followed by another 2-2 draw in a Black Country derby with Walsall.
Prediction: 3rd. West Brom were relegated yet again from the Premier League without a whimper as their yo-yo existence continues. Tony Mowbray stuck to his passing principles but the Baggies were never likely to survive with their leaky defence and a lack of goals. Since then, Mowbray has moved on to Celtic and former MK Dons man Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed to freshen up the club. The strength of Albion's challenge will depend on how quickly he imprints his own style.
All transfers and pre-season results correct as of 2pm on Wednesday, August 5. Transfer window shuts on Monday, August 31. Football league clubs may loan players in/out until Monday, November 23.
Tuesday 21 July 2009
A Moon landing event for a new generation
In just a few hours from now, at 3:56 BST to be precise, it will be exactly 40 years since Neil Armstrong took his first step on the Moon.
It was a truly wondrous moment that is now etched in history.
This greatest achievement of mankind came courtesy of Mr Armstrong with his fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin, who was second on the Moon, and Michael Collins, who remained in the Apollo 11 craft.
Back on earth, it was a brilliant piece of living history followed by 450 million people out of a total world population of 3.6 billion.
In fact, many of those people - especially Americans - had been following the mission well before it launched.
They had been promised that man would be on the Moon "before this decade is out" back in May 1961 by President John F Kennedy.
Stung by the Soviet success in April '61 when Yuri Gagarin became the first person to fly in space, the Americans became obsessed with landing a man on the Moon.
But it was a good obsession and the rivalry with the Soviets in the space race, at the height of Cold War troubles, was entirely progressive.
Mr Armstrong said today: "It was the ultimate peaceful competition: USA vs USSR.
"I'll not assert that it was a diversion which prevented a war, nevertheless it was a diversion.
"Eventually, it provided a mechanism for engendering co-operation between former adversaries. In that sense, among others, it was an exceptional national investment for both sides."
Mr Armstrong was speaking at a rare public reunion of the Apollo 11 crew but it was Mr Aldrin who came up with the more salient point, in my opinion.
"The best way to honour and remember all those who were part of the Apollo programme is to follow in our footsteps; to boldly go again on a new mission of exploration," he said.
Since the lunar landings, and despite huge amounts of investment in NASA, there has been no earth-shattering, jaw-dropping, 'wow' event for this generation.
Politically, of course, there is far less of an onus.
But it would undoubtedly be a much more attractive proposition to see another space race, say between the United States and budding fellow superpower China, to land the first man or woman on Mars.
Much more attractive, for instance, than stockpiling nuclear arms.
I'm not the only one frustrated by the lack of progress. Eugene Cernan, who was the last man to leave the Moon in 1972, said: "My glass has been half empty for three decades at least.
"Hopefully, we can turn that around because what we did then is do-able again."
It may cost a lot of money in these troublesome times but billions of dollars are going to be spent either way.
And even if the program span wildly out of budget, as these things tend do, it would still be worth continuing.
After all, in decades to come, it would probably be seen as a progressive investment.
It's about time we had another historical event in space - another giant leap for mankind - to celebrate.
It was a truly wondrous moment that is now etched in history.
This greatest achievement of mankind came courtesy of Mr Armstrong with his fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin, who was second on the Moon, and Michael Collins, who remained in the Apollo 11 craft.
Back on earth, it was a brilliant piece of living history followed by 450 million people out of a total world population of 3.6 billion.
In fact, many of those people - especially Americans - had been following the mission well before it launched.
They had been promised that man would be on the Moon "before this decade is out" back in May 1961 by President John F Kennedy.
Stung by the Soviet success in April '61 when Yuri Gagarin became the first person to fly in space, the Americans became obsessed with landing a man on the Moon.
But it was a good obsession and the rivalry with the Soviets in the space race, at the height of Cold War troubles, was entirely progressive.
Mr Armstrong said today: "It was the ultimate peaceful competition: USA vs USSR.
"I'll not assert that it was a diversion which prevented a war, nevertheless it was a diversion.
"Eventually, it provided a mechanism for engendering co-operation between former adversaries. In that sense, among others, it was an exceptional national investment for both sides."
Mr Armstrong was speaking at a rare public reunion of the Apollo 11 crew but it was Mr Aldrin who came up with the more salient point, in my opinion.
"The best way to honour and remember all those who were part of the Apollo programme is to follow in our footsteps; to boldly go again on a new mission of exploration," he said.
Since the lunar landings, and despite huge amounts of investment in NASA, there has been no earth-shattering, jaw-dropping, 'wow' event for this generation.
Politically, of course, there is far less of an onus.
But it would undoubtedly be a much more attractive proposition to see another space race, say between the United States and budding fellow superpower China, to land the first man or woman on Mars.
Much more attractive, for instance, than stockpiling nuclear arms.
I'm not the only one frustrated by the lack of progress. Eugene Cernan, who was the last man to leave the Moon in 1972, said: "My glass has been half empty for three decades at least.
"Hopefully, we can turn that around because what we did then is do-able again."
It may cost a lot of money in these troublesome times but billions of dollars are going to be spent either way.
And even if the program span wildly out of budget, as these things tend do, it would still be worth continuing.
After all, in decades to come, it would probably be seen as a progressive investment.
It's about time we had another historical event in space - another giant leap for mankind - to celebrate.
*For the BBC story on which this blog post was based, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8158519.stm
Friday 17 July 2009
The Ashes - Second Test: Freddie five-for gives England a fine win
England 425 & 311-6 dec beat Australia 215 & 406 by 115 runs
Scorecard
ANDREW 'Freddie' Flintoff took a five-for on his final appearance at Lord's as England completed a comprehensive win against Australia in the second Test to lead the series 1-0.
Man of the match Flintoff finished with figures of 5-92 as England won an Ashes Test at HQ for the first time since 1934.
In a complete turnaround from the first Test in Cardiff which the Aussies dominated, England similarly were in control throughout this match.
And it was apt that Flintoff should provide the coup-de-grace after he announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of this series in the run-up to Lord's.
Flintoff took three wickets on the final morning to kill off the threat of what would have been a remarkable Aussie comeback.
Brad Haddin was out to Flintoff's first over of the day without adding to his overnight score of 80.
He later bowled out tailenders Nathan Hauritz for one and Peter Siddle for seven.
But the contribution of Notts spinner Graeme Swann was just as important, if not more so.
Shortly after Haddin's dismissal, Michael Clarke's imperious stand of 136 came to an end after Swann bowled him through the gate.
And Swann took the last wicket, that of Mitchell Johnson who had batted well for his 63.
Australia began the last day requiring 209 more runs for a world record fourth innings chase after being set 522 to win by Andrew Strauss's declaration on 311-6.
The early wickets on Sunday of Simon Katich, Philip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and Marcus North left Australia on 128-5.
The clatter of Aussie wickets seemed to have vindicated Strauss's decision not to enforce the follow-on after his innings of 161 had helped England to a first innings lead of 210.
But Clarke and Haddin batted for the rest of the day as Australia reached 313-5 at the close of day four and there was easily enough time for them to pull off the momentous win.
The early loss of Haddin unsettled Clarke, however, and once he had followed, it became only a matter of whether Flintoff could get his name on the Lord's honours board.
Flintoff duly delivered to give England a well-deserved win.
After their lucky escape in Cardiff, and having won the toss, it was important that England's top-order batsmen performed better.
A fine opening partnership of 196 between Strauss and Alastair Cook was an ideal start but the Aussies came back in the final session to restrict England to 364-6 on the first day.
Once again, the tail added vital runs with another last-wicket stand - this time between James Anderson and debutant Graham Onions - pushing England's total past 400 on the second morning.
Anderson then showed his worth as a seamer by removing Philip Hughes and Ricky Ponting to leave Australia on 10-2.
Then, once Onions broke a stand of 93 for the third-wicket between Simon Katich and Mike Hussey, the floodgates opened and Australia finished day two on 156-8.
Onions cleaned up the final two wickets within the opening hour of day three but Strauss, recognising there was plenty of time left in the game, decided to bat again.
Rapid half-centuries in the evening session from Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood justified the decision as England built up a mammoth advantage.
This set up the declaration and the arrival to centre stage of match-winner Flintoff.
---
EARLIER CLOSE OF PLAY REPORTS
Day Four (close)
England 435 [Strauss 161, Cook 95] & 311-6 dec [Prior 61, Collingwood 54] v Australia 215 [Hussey 51] & 313-5 [Clarke 125*, Haddin 80*]
DEFIANT Aussie batsmen Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin shared an unbeaten 185 partnership to put England's victory charge on hold on day four of the second Test at Lord's.
Clarke and Haddin arrived at the crease with the tourists in deep trouble on 128-5 after England's bowlers made early inroads.
But some fine batting took Australia within 209 runs of a truly remarkable win as they closed on 313-5.
With the start of play delayed due to bad weather for 15 minutes, captain Andrew Strauss declared on the overnight score of 311-6.
This gave England a lead of 521, with the previous successful record fourth innings chase in Tests being 418 by West Indies against the Aussies in 2003.
The declaration looked to have paid dividends when a fiery Andrew Flintoff, playing in his final Lord's Test, took both openers' wickets.
Simon Katich was out to an uncharacteristic loose shot which was taken by Kevin Pietersen. He was followed shortly afterwards by Philip Hughes who was caught in the slips by Strauss.
Both wickets had an element of controversy to them. Flintoff was shown to have overstepped and bowled a no-ball to Katich while replays suggest Hughes' shot had touched the ground before Strauss took it.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting told young Hughes to stand his ground to cat-calls from the crowd but the umpires in the middle remained unmoved.
Matters got better still for England after lunch when Ponting played onto his stumps off Stuart Broad on 38.
Then a dangerous-looking stand of 42 for the fourth wicket was broken when Mike Hussey was caught by Paul Collingwood off Graeme Swann's spin for 27.
Swann struck again to remove the nervous Marcus North for six as England eyed victory within four days.
But Clarke signalled his intention early on with three sumptuous cover drives and he found a like-minded batting companion in Haddin.
Eventually, England resorted to waiting for the new ball before using the threat of Flintoff and Anderson to try and take the remaining wickets.
But, frustratingly, only six overs were available before bad light stopped play for the night, leaving the match intriguingly poised.
With the ball still new and the bowlers rested, England remain favourites for a first Ashes win at Lord's since 1934.
But Strauss and the bowlers will only get more nervous as Australia put more runs on the board and get closer to their record-breaking target.
Day Three (close)
England 435 [Strauss 161, Cook 95] & 311-6 [Prior 61, Collingwood 54] v Australia 215 [Hussey 51]
ENGLAND built up a huge lead of 521 as they reached 311-6 at close on the third day of the second Test at Lord's.
Half centuries from Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood have arguably taken the match away from Australia who had earlier conceded a first innings deficit of 210.
England skipper Andrew Strauss elected not to enforce the follow-on after Graham Onions took the tourists' two remaining wickets in the opening hour.
Instead, England batted again with the aim of achieving an impenetrable lead.
Openers Strauss and Alastair Cook made an encouraging start and reached lunch on 57-0 before both departed on 32 in quick succession to Nathan Hauritz.
This brought to the crease the start of England's fragile middle order and, once again, Ravi Bopara and Kevin Pietersen scrapped around, looking for their best form.
Bopara never found his and looped an easy catch to Simon Katich on 27 as brave Hauritz picked up his third wicket of the innings despite bowling with a dislocated middle finger.
Pietersen was out shortly afterwards, caught behind by Brad Haddin off Peter Siddle's bowling for 44.
But, more importantly, the run rate had worryingly dropped below three-an-over just when England should have been pressing home their advantage.
Prior and Collingwood recognised this and scored at five-an-over to move the momentum back firmly in England's favour.
England's lead was already 470 when Prior was run out on 61 from just 42 balls by Marcus North's remarkable direct hit, thrown from deep point.
Collingwood was out for 54, caught behind by Haddin off Siddle, from what was the last ball of the day as heavy rain brought a premature halt to proceedings.
England must feel they have just about done enough with the bat and the bowlers will be eager to start taking the 10 Aussie wickets.
But, with so much time in the match still left still left, Strauss may ask his remaining batsmen to continue for some of the morning session to kill off Australia's slim chances completely.
Day Two (close)
England 435 [Strauss 161, Cook 95] v
Australia 156-8 [M Hussey 51; Anderson 4-36]
JAMES Anderson took four wickets to put England in firm control of the second Test at close on day two.
The Burnley Express finished the day with 4-36 as Australia collapsed from 103-2 to 156-8 at stumps, still 70 adrift of the follow-on target.
After his match-saving antics with Monty Panesar in the first Test, Anderson had also contributed earlier in the day with the bat as England look to secure a first win against Australia at Lord's in 75 years.
He scored 29 runs as part of another fine last wicket stand of 47, this time partnered by debutant Graham Onions.
But, resuming on 364-6, England endured early disappointment when they lost skipper Andrew Strauss, on a magnificent 161, to the second ball of the day when he was bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus.
Graeme Swann followed in the next over, caught by Aussie captain Ricky Ponting off Peter Siddle's bowling for four.
And in the third over, England lost their third wicket when Stuart Broad also fell victim to Hilfenhaus for 16.
It left England on 378-9 and unlikely to make 400 despite having been 196-0 and 222-1 during the innings.
But Anderson and Onions cared little for that assumption and took England to 425 before Anderson was finally out, caught by Mike Hussey off Mitchell Johnson's bowling.
If Australia felt that they had finally got a foothold in this match by bowling England out in the opening hour, they were wrong.
By lunch, the Aussies were 22-2 having been 10-2 at one stage as Anderson started aggressively and struck twice early in the innings.
First, Philip Hughes was caught behind by Matt Prior for four. Then Ponting was out for two, given out after his opposite number Strauss took a catch in the slips.
Ponting was not happy with the decision and replays indeed showed he had not hit the ball but that he should have been given out lbw anyway.
A post-lunch recovery was staged by Simon Katich and Hussey who recorded a 93 partnership for the third wicket despite two breaks for rain.
Onions made the vital breakthrough but much of the credit must go to Broad who came in from the deep to make an excellent diving catch to dismiss Katich for 48.
Hussey followed shortly afterwards for 51 as he left a good length ball from Andrew Flintoff which clipped the top of off-stump to leave Australia on 111-4.
With the partnership broken, the floodgates opened.
The Aussies had failed to get off the dreaded 111 when Michael Clarke departed for one run having given Alastair Cook a simple catch at short midwicket as Anderson took his third.
Anderson's fourth followed soon after as Marcus North went for a 14-ball duck, playing an over-eager attempted pull shot onto his stumps.
And the dangerous Mitchell Johnson went cheaply for four when he failed to deal with Broad's short delivery, succeeding only in top-edging it to Cook.
Before the day was finished, Cook snaffled his third catch of the innings as Brad Haddin was dismissed for 28.
Haddin complained about the light after he had similarly failed to deal with a short ball from Broad and, irritatingly for the Aussie keeper, play was brought to an end for the day just ten minutes later.
It had comfortably been England's best day of the series so far as, in all, 12 wickets fell in overcast conditions at Lord's.
If the skies above London remain as bleak as Australia's prospects and England can take the two remaining wickets early enough, the follow-on will come in for serious consideration.
But, weather permitting, England have more than enough time to bat again and compile an impenetrable lead on day three before Anderson and co attack the Aussies again on Sunday.
Scorecard
ANDREW 'Freddie' Flintoff took a five-for on his final appearance at Lord's as England completed a comprehensive win against Australia in the second Test to lead the series 1-0.
Man of the match Flintoff finished with figures of 5-92 as England won an Ashes Test at HQ for the first time since 1934.
In a complete turnaround from the first Test in Cardiff which the Aussies dominated, England similarly were in control throughout this match.
And it was apt that Flintoff should provide the coup-de-grace after he announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of this series in the run-up to Lord's.
Flintoff took three wickets on the final morning to kill off the threat of what would have been a remarkable Aussie comeback.
Brad Haddin was out to Flintoff's first over of the day without adding to his overnight score of 80.
He later bowled out tailenders Nathan Hauritz for one and Peter Siddle for seven.
But the contribution of Notts spinner Graeme Swann was just as important, if not more so.
Shortly after Haddin's dismissal, Michael Clarke's imperious stand of 136 came to an end after Swann bowled him through the gate.
And Swann took the last wicket, that of Mitchell Johnson who had batted well for his 63.
Australia began the last day requiring 209 more runs for a world record fourth innings chase after being set 522 to win by Andrew Strauss's declaration on 311-6.
The early wickets on Sunday of Simon Katich, Philip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and Marcus North left Australia on 128-5.
The clatter of Aussie wickets seemed to have vindicated Strauss's decision not to enforce the follow-on after his innings of 161 had helped England to a first innings lead of 210.
But Clarke and Haddin batted for the rest of the day as Australia reached 313-5 at the close of day four and there was easily enough time for them to pull off the momentous win.
The early loss of Haddin unsettled Clarke, however, and once he had followed, it became only a matter of whether Flintoff could get his name on the Lord's honours board.
Flintoff duly delivered to give England a well-deserved win.
After their lucky escape in Cardiff, and having won the toss, it was important that England's top-order batsmen performed better.
A fine opening partnership of 196 between Strauss and Alastair Cook was an ideal start but the Aussies came back in the final session to restrict England to 364-6 on the first day.
Once again, the tail added vital runs with another last-wicket stand - this time between James Anderson and debutant Graham Onions - pushing England's total past 400 on the second morning.
Anderson then showed his worth as a seamer by removing Philip Hughes and Ricky Ponting to leave Australia on 10-2.
Then, once Onions broke a stand of 93 for the third-wicket between Simon Katich and Mike Hussey, the floodgates opened and Australia finished day two on 156-8.
Onions cleaned up the final two wickets within the opening hour of day three but Strauss, recognising there was plenty of time left in the game, decided to bat again.
Rapid half-centuries in the evening session from Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood justified the decision as England built up a mammoth advantage.
This set up the declaration and the arrival to centre stage of match-winner Flintoff.
---
EARLIER CLOSE OF PLAY REPORTS
Day Four (close)
England 435 [Strauss 161, Cook 95] & 311-6 dec [Prior 61, Collingwood 54] v Australia 215 [Hussey 51] & 313-5 [Clarke 125*, Haddin 80*]
DEFIANT Aussie batsmen Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin shared an unbeaten 185 partnership to put England's victory charge on hold on day four of the second Test at Lord's.
Clarke and Haddin arrived at the crease with the tourists in deep trouble on 128-5 after England's bowlers made early inroads.
But some fine batting took Australia within 209 runs of a truly remarkable win as they closed on 313-5.
With the start of play delayed due to bad weather for 15 minutes, captain Andrew Strauss declared on the overnight score of 311-6.
This gave England a lead of 521, with the previous successful record fourth innings chase in Tests being 418 by West Indies against the Aussies in 2003.
The declaration looked to have paid dividends when a fiery Andrew Flintoff, playing in his final Lord's Test, took both openers' wickets.
Simon Katich was out to an uncharacteristic loose shot which was taken by Kevin Pietersen. He was followed shortly afterwards by Philip Hughes who was caught in the slips by Strauss.
Both wickets had an element of controversy to them. Flintoff was shown to have overstepped and bowled a no-ball to Katich while replays suggest Hughes' shot had touched the ground before Strauss took it.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting told young Hughes to stand his ground to cat-calls from the crowd but the umpires in the middle remained unmoved.
Matters got better still for England after lunch when Ponting played onto his stumps off Stuart Broad on 38.
Then a dangerous-looking stand of 42 for the fourth wicket was broken when Mike Hussey was caught by Paul Collingwood off Graeme Swann's spin for 27.
Swann struck again to remove the nervous Marcus North for six as England eyed victory within four days.
But Clarke signalled his intention early on with three sumptuous cover drives and he found a like-minded batting companion in Haddin.
Eventually, England resorted to waiting for the new ball before using the threat of Flintoff and Anderson to try and take the remaining wickets.
But, frustratingly, only six overs were available before bad light stopped play for the night, leaving the match intriguingly poised.
With the ball still new and the bowlers rested, England remain favourites for a first Ashes win at Lord's since 1934.
But Strauss and the bowlers will only get more nervous as Australia put more runs on the board and get closer to their record-breaking target.
Day Three (close)
England 435 [Strauss 161, Cook 95] & 311-6 [Prior 61, Collingwood 54] v Australia 215 [Hussey 51]
ENGLAND built up a huge lead of 521 as they reached 311-6 at close on the third day of the second Test at Lord's.
Half centuries from Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood have arguably taken the match away from Australia who had earlier conceded a first innings deficit of 210.
England skipper Andrew Strauss elected not to enforce the follow-on after Graham Onions took the tourists' two remaining wickets in the opening hour.
Instead, England batted again with the aim of achieving an impenetrable lead.
Openers Strauss and Alastair Cook made an encouraging start and reached lunch on 57-0 before both departed on 32 in quick succession to Nathan Hauritz.
This brought to the crease the start of England's fragile middle order and, once again, Ravi Bopara and Kevin Pietersen scrapped around, looking for their best form.
Bopara never found his and looped an easy catch to Simon Katich on 27 as brave Hauritz picked up his third wicket of the innings despite bowling with a dislocated middle finger.
Pietersen was out shortly afterwards, caught behind by Brad Haddin off Peter Siddle's bowling for 44.
But, more importantly, the run rate had worryingly dropped below three-an-over just when England should have been pressing home their advantage.
Prior and Collingwood recognised this and scored at five-an-over to move the momentum back firmly in England's favour.
England's lead was already 470 when Prior was run out on 61 from just 42 balls by Marcus North's remarkable direct hit, thrown from deep point.
Collingwood was out for 54, caught behind by Haddin off Siddle, from what was the last ball of the day as heavy rain brought a premature halt to proceedings.
England must feel they have just about done enough with the bat and the bowlers will be eager to start taking the 10 Aussie wickets.
But, with so much time in the match still left still left, Strauss may ask his remaining batsmen to continue for some of the morning session to kill off Australia's slim chances completely.
Day Two (close)
England 435 [Strauss 161, Cook 95] v
Australia 156-8 [M Hussey 51; Anderson 4-36]
JAMES Anderson took four wickets to put England in firm control of the second Test at close on day two.
The Burnley Express finished the day with 4-36 as Australia collapsed from 103-2 to 156-8 at stumps, still 70 adrift of the follow-on target.
After his match-saving antics with Monty Panesar in the first Test, Anderson had also contributed earlier in the day with the bat as England look to secure a first win against Australia at Lord's in 75 years.
He scored 29 runs as part of another fine last wicket stand of 47, this time partnered by debutant Graham Onions.
But, resuming on 364-6, England endured early disappointment when they lost skipper Andrew Strauss, on a magnificent 161, to the second ball of the day when he was bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus.
Graeme Swann followed in the next over, caught by Aussie captain Ricky Ponting off Peter Siddle's bowling for four.
And in the third over, England lost their third wicket when Stuart Broad also fell victim to Hilfenhaus for 16.
It left England on 378-9 and unlikely to make 400 despite having been 196-0 and 222-1 during the innings.
But Anderson and Onions cared little for that assumption and took England to 425 before Anderson was finally out, caught by Mike Hussey off Mitchell Johnson's bowling.
If Australia felt that they had finally got a foothold in this match by bowling England out in the opening hour, they were wrong.
By lunch, the Aussies were 22-2 having been 10-2 at one stage as Anderson started aggressively and struck twice early in the innings.
First, Philip Hughes was caught behind by Matt Prior for four. Then Ponting was out for two, given out after his opposite number Strauss took a catch in the slips.
Ponting was not happy with the decision and replays indeed showed he had not hit the ball but that he should have been given out lbw anyway.
A post-lunch recovery was staged by Simon Katich and Hussey who recorded a 93 partnership for the third wicket despite two breaks for rain.
Onions made the vital breakthrough but much of the credit must go to Broad who came in from the deep to make an excellent diving catch to dismiss Katich for 48.
Hussey followed shortly afterwards for 51 as he left a good length ball from Andrew Flintoff which clipped the top of off-stump to leave Australia on 111-4.
With the partnership broken, the floodgates opened.
The Aussies had failed to get off the dreaded 111 when Michael Clarke departed for one run having given Alastair Cook a simple catch at short midwicket as Anderson took his third.
Anderson's fourth followed soon after as Marcus North went for a 14-ball duck, playing an over-eager attempted pull shot onto his stumps.
And the dangerous Mitchell Johnson went cheaply for four when he failed to deal with Broad's short delivery, succeeding only in top-edging it to Cook.
Before the day was finished, Cook snaffled his third catch of the innings as Brad Haddin was dismissed for 28.
Haddin complained about the light after he had similarly failed to deal with a short ball from Broad and, irritatingly for the Aussie keeper, play was brought to an end for the day just ten minutes later.
It had comfortably been England's best day of the series so far as, in all, 12 wickets fell in overcast conditions at Lord's.
If the skies above London remain as bleak as Australia's prospects and England can take the two remaining wickets early enough, the follow-on will come in for serious consideration.
But, weather permitting, England have more than enough time to bat again and compile an impenetrable lead on day three before Anderson and co attack the Aussies again on Sunday.
Friday 10 July 2009
The Ashes - First Test: England escape with unlikely draw
England 435 & 252-9 drew with Australia 674-6 dec
Scorecard
ENGLAND snatched an unlikely draw in the Ashes opener despite being thoroughly outplayed by Australia at Sophia Gardens.
Ricky Ponting's men were completely dominant and deserved to take a 1-0 lead into the second Test at Lord's which begins on Thursday.
But, having got themselves in a good position at lunch, they were thwarted by a stand of 74 by Paul Collingwood and a match-saving partnership from James Anderson and Monty Panesar.
Had England lost this match, which seemed most likely throughout the final day, much of the blame would have been rightly reserved for the top order batsmen who failed in both innings on a placid pitch.
After the morning session on the opening day, England were on 99-3 before Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood enjoyed a stand of 138 for the fourth wicket.
But the English batsmen, and Pietersen in particular, were guilty of throwing their wickets away.
And despite adding 106 runs for the final three wickets at the start of day two, with Swann hitting an unbeaten 47, England were all out for 435.
Australia set about surpassing that first innings total with relish.
Once Ashes debutant Philip Hughes had departed for 36, Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting both hit centuries and saw out the rest of the day as the Aussies reached 249-1.
The morning of day three was the only session which England won with the ball as they managed to take three Aussie wickets.
Katich departed lbw on 122 to James Anderson who struck again to remove Mike Hussey for just three.
With Ponting finally out to Monty Panesar for 150, leaving Australia with two new batsmen shortly before lunch, England had a last chance to wrestle control of the match.
When tea arrived, it became clear England had not taken that chance as Michael Clarke and Marcus North started to build another long partnership.
Clarke hit 83 before getting out to a catch by Matt Prior off Stuart Broad but Brad Haddin took up the mantle to push Australia into a lead of 44 runs at close of day three.
Strauss continued to set uninspiring fields and England's bowlers continued to struggle on day four as North and Haddin recorded the third and fourth centuries of the Aussie innings.
Having made serene progress in the morning session, the Aussie batsmen stepped up the tempo in the afternoon despite cynical attempts by England to slow the over rate.
And so, with rain forecast, Australia declared once Haddin holed out to Ravi Bopara off Collingwood.
This left England seven overs to survive before the rain arrived after tea.
But they could not manage it. Alastair Cook was out lbw to Mitchell Johnson for six as he tried to play across a straight one.
Then, even luck deserted England as Bopara was the victim of a shocking decision by umpire Billy Doctrove to leave England 20-2 at close on day four.
Doctrove, who had turned down several good lbw shouts in the Australian innings, gave Bopara out on a ball which was comfortably missing the top of the stumps.
And the rain, on which the hosts were pinning most of their hopes, fell overnight giving the ground staff enough time to clear the outfield for the start of play.
This left the Aussies with what looked a relatively simple task of removing England's final eight wickets in the remaining 98 overs.
With the bit between their teeth, the bowlers started well, though they were assisted by some woeful shot selection by the English batsmen.
Pietersen offered no shot to a straight one from Ben Hilfenhaus and was out for eight.
Andrew Strauss followed soon afterwards, attempting to cut Nathan Hauritz's spin but only succeeding in giving a simple catch to Haddin.
And Prior repeated Strauss's error against Hauritz, with Clarke pouching the catch to leave England in dire straits at 70-5.
A stand between Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff took England to lunch without further damage.
But the match looked to have swung decisively in the Aussies favour once Flintoff was removed by an excellent low catch from Ponting off Johnson's bowling.
This did not factor in Collingwood's obduracy, however, or his impressive management of the tail as he first put on 32 with Broad before the Notts bowler was lbw to Hauritz.
Then he followed it up with an even more vital stand of 62 with Swann who was also out lbw, this time to Hilfenhaus.
When Collingwood played a loose shot to be caught by Hussey off Peter Siddle's bowling for 74, there were still more than 11 overs remaining and a late Aussie victory looked likely.
But Ponting oddly kept faith with the misfiring Johnson and the occasional off-spin of North, ignoring the form showed by Siddle and Hilfenhaus.
And roared on by the noisy Cardiff crowd, Anderson and Panesar remarkably held firm with a last-wicket partnership of 19 runs to take England into a narrow lead of 13 runs.
As 6.40pm passed and the minimum amount of overs for the day had been bowled, the umpires removed the bails to a joyous outpouring of relief on the balcony from England.
In the post-match interviews, Strauss admitted his team had been lucky while his counterpart Ponting grimaced as he accepted the man of the match award, aware that a huge chance for an early lead in the series had been narrowly missed.
But, even though they failed to secure victory, the psychology of the series in very much in the tourists' favour as they move on as favourites to Lord's where England have not won since 1934.
Widely considered before the series to be the worst touring Aussie side for 20 years, Ponting's men handed England a lesson on how to construct a Test innings on a flat surface.
Moreover, England's supposed advantage in spin bowling never materialised with Hauritz looking more threatening than Swann and Panesar put together.
Despite his uncharacteristic batting heroics, Panesar is likely to be dropped and replaced by Steve Harmison or, my preference, Graham Onions.
Broad is the most likely of the seamers to lose out after he failed to bowl economically or with any menace.
But, with no clear threat from the County Championship, and in the interests of consistency, the top order batsmen are all likely to be given another chance.
Indeed, the whole England team have given themselves another chance despite what could only be considered to be a woeful performance before the final session heroics.
Let's see if they can take it by upsetting the odds at Lord's.
---
EARLIER CLOSE OF PLAY REPORTS
Day Four (close)
England 435 [Pietersen 69, Collingwood, 64, Prior 56] & 20-2 v
Australia 674-6 dec [Katich 122, Ponting 150, Clarke 83, North 120*, Haddin 121]
AUSTRALIA further strengthened their stranglehold on the First Test by utterly dominating England on day four at Sophia Gardens.
Marcus North and Brad Haddin enjoyed a sixth wicket stand of exactly 200 runs as the tourists set about extending their overnight lead of 44 in earnest.
England's seamers once again struggled to find any swing and spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar looked redundant as the batsmen cruised through the morning session with North recording his century in the penultimate over before lunch.
With rain forecast for the afternoon, North and Haddin were clearly instructed to step on the gas and reach a lead at which captain Ricky Ponting could declare.
Despite England's cynical attempts at slowing the over rate, Ponting allowed Haddin to become the fourth centurion of the Aussie innings an hour after lunch before he holed out to Ravi Bopara off Paul Collingwood on 121.
That brought a close to the Aussie innings on 674-6, a lead of 239 runs, with England needing to survive seven overs before tea.
England could not and found themselves a sorry sight at 20-2, still 219 behind. First Alastair Cook was out lbw to Mitchell Johnson on a ball that kept straight.
In the next over, luck deserted England as Bopara followed, the victim of a terrible lbw decision by umpire Doctrove who had in previous days turned down several plumb lbw calls.
Tea came and England skipper Andrew Strauss traipsed off with the man he had replaced, Kevin Pietersen. As the interval began, the heavens opened over Cardiff and rain called a halt to proceedings for the day.
The poor weather is expected to last overnight but will be clear by early morning, giving the groundstaff time to clear the outfield and a likely 98 overs for Australia to take eight wickets.
---
Day Three (close)
England 435 [Pietersen 69, Collingwood 64, Prior 56] v
Australia 479-5 [Katich 122, Ponting 150, Clarke 83, North 54*]
AUSTRALIA moved into a commanding position at close on day three in the First Test at Sophia Gardens.
The tourists moved past England's first innings total and had a lead of 44 at stumps, allowing them to set up a victory charge on the final two days of play.
Resuming on 249-1, England made inroads into the Aussie batting order in the morning session when three wickets fell.
First, Simon Katich was out lbw for 122 after James Anderson belatedly found some swing.
He was followed by Mike Hussey who made only three before nicking one behind to Matt Prior off Anderson's bowling.
And just moments later, Ricky Ponting's innings of 150 was over after he played on to the stumps after being deceived by Monty Panesar.
At lunch, Australia were still 89 behind with two new batsmen at the crease and England knew that quick wickets in the afternoon session would leave the match in the balance.
But Michael Clarke and Marcus North steadied the innings as Australia went through the middle session without losing a wicket and edged past England's total.
Clarke eventually fell on 83 to Stuart Broad's bowling as Prior took his third catch of the game in an evening session which was interrupted by rain.
Having failed to make the required impact on day three, England will now be hoping the unsettled forecast for Cardiff this weekend does not change as they battle to rescue a draw.
But if the bad weather holds off and Australia can bat well, they will be looking to bat for most of the fourth day before putting England in for the final few overs then exerting further pressure on the final day.
---
Day Two (close)
England 435 [Pietersen 69, Collingwood 64, Prior 56] v
Australia 249-1 [Katich 104no, Ponting 100no]
AUSTRALIAN batsmen Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting staged a fantastic fightback after England's tail took the hosts beyond 400 on the second morning of the First Test.
Katich remains unbeaten on 104 with skipper Ponting on 100 not out in a second wicket partnership of 189 to put the tourists in a strong position going into day three.
Australia may still trail by 186 but, with nine wickets in hand, will be looking for a large enough innings lead to declare and put England's batsmen under pressure.
Before Ponting took to the crease, Ashes debutant Philip Hughes had dominated the early stages of the innings. But he could only make a contribution of 36 before being caught behind by Matt Prior off Andrew Flintoff's bowling.
England's attack was mystified with the lack of swing which had been in evidence for the Australian bowlers and they toiled in the field as the runs piled up.
Earlier, England's tail performed impressively, adding 106 runs for the final three wickets.
Resuming day two on 336-7, Stuart Broad fell early when bowled by Mitchell Johnson but this brought Graeme Swann to the crease.
Swann scored 47 not out off just 40 balls to assist nightwatchman James Anderson who was finally out on 26 to a catch by Mike Hussey off Nathan Hauritz's bowling.
Once Anderson departed, Swann continued for as long as he could with Monty Panesar at the other end before Panesar was caught by Ponting off Hauritz for 4.
England may have struggled against Katich and Ponting on day two but must retain belief they are still in this match.
If England's bowlers can find swing and reverse swing, and start to put pressure on the Aussie batsmen, there is still a chance that the likely first innings deficit can be kept below 100 runs.
A strong second innings performance with the bat for England should then secure the draw before they could attack on a final day pitch.
Scorecard
ENGLAND snatched an unlikely draw in the Ashes opener despite being thoroughly outplayed by Australia at Sophia Gardens.
Ricky Ponting's men were completely dominant and deserved to take a 1-0 lead into the second Test at Lord's which begins on Thursday.
But, having got themselves in a good position at lunch, they were thwarted by a stand of 74 by Paul Collingwood and a match-saving partnership from James Anderson and Monty Panesar.
Had England lost this match, which seemed most likely throughout the final day, much of the blame would have been rightly reserved for the top order batsmen who failed in both innings on a placid pitch.
After the morning session on the opening day, England were on 99-3 before Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood enjoyed a stand of 138 for the fourth wicket.
But the English batsmen, and Pietersen in particular, were guilty of throwing their wickets away.
And despite adding 106 runs for the final three wickets at the start of day two, with Swann hitting an unbeaten 47, England were all out for 435.
Australia set about surpassing that first innings total with relish.
Once Ashes debutant Philip Hughes had departed for 36, Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting both hit centuries and saw out the rest of the day as the Aussies reached 249-1.
The morning of day three was the only session which England won with the ball as they managed to take three Aussie wickets.
Katich departed lbw on 122 to James Anderson who struck again to remove Mike Hussey for just three.
With Ponting finally out to Monty Panesar for 150, leaving Australia with two new batsmen shortly before lunch, England had a last chance to wrestle control of the match.
When tea arrived, it became clear England had not taken that chance as Michael Clarke and Marcus North started to build another long partnership.
Clarke hit 83 before getting out to a catch by Matt Prior off Stuart Broad but Brad Haddin took up the mantle to push Australia into a lead of 44 runs at close of day three.
Strauss continued to set uninspiring fields and England's bowlers continued to struggle on day four as North and Haddin recorded the third and fourth centuries of the Aussie innings.
Having made serene progress in the morning session, the Aussie batsmen stepped up the tempo in the afternoon despite cynical attempts by England to slow the over rate.
And so, with rain forecast, Australia declared once Haddin holed out to Ravi Bopara off Collingwood.
This left England seven overs to survive before the rain arrived after tea.
But they could not manage it. Alastair Cook was out lbw to Mitchell Johnson for six as he tried to play across a straight one.
Then, even luck deserted England as Bopara was the victim of a shocking decision by umpire Billy Doctrove to leave England 20-2 at close on day four.
Doctrove, who had turned down several good lbw shouts in the Australian innings, gave Bopara out on a ball which was comfortably missing the top of the stumps.
And the rain, on which the hosts were pinning most of their hopes, fell overnight giving the ground staff enough time to clear the outfield for the start of play.
This left the Aussies with what looked a relatively simple task of removing England's final eight wickets in the remaining 98 overs.
With the bit between their teeth, the bowlers started well, though they were assisted by some woeful shot selection by the English batsmen.
Pietersen offered no shot to a straight one from Ben Hilfenhaus and was out for eight.
Andrew Strauss followed soon afterwards, attempting to cut Nathan Hauritz's spin but only succeeding in giving a simple catch to Haddin.
And Prior repeated Strauss's error against Hauritz, with Clarke pouching the catch to leave England in dire straits at 70-5.
A stand between Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff took England to lunch without further damage.
But the match looked to have swung decisively in the Aussies favour once Flintoff was removed by an excellent low catch from Ponting off Johnson's bowling.
This did not factor in Collingwood's obduracy, however, or his impressive management of the tail as he first put on 32 with Broad before the Notts bowler was lbw to Hauritz.
Then he followed it up with an even more vital stand of 62 with Swann who was also out lbw, this time to Hilfenhaus.
When Collingwood played a loose shot to be caught by Hussey off Peter Siddle's bowling for 74, there were still more than 11 overs remaining and a late Aussie victory looked likely.
But Ponting oddly kept faith with the misfiring Johnson and the occasional off-spin of North, ignoring the form showed by Siddle and Hilfenhaus.
And roared on by the noisy Cardiff crowd, Anderson and Panesar remarkably held firm with a last-wicket partnership of 19 runs to take England into a narrow lead of 13 runs.
As 6.40pm passed and the minimum amount of overs for the day had been bowled, the umpires removed the bails to a joyous outpouring of relief on the balcony from England.
In the post-match interviews, Strauss admitted his team had been lucky while his counterpart Ponting grimaced as he accepted the man of the match award, aware that a huge chance for an early lead in the series had been narrowly missed.
But, even though they failed to secure victory, the psychology of the series in very much in the tourists' favour as they move on as favourites to Lord's where England have not won since 1934.
Widely considered before the series to be the worst touring Aussie side for 20 years, Ponting's men handed England a lesson on how to construct a Test innings on a flat surface.
Moreover, England's supposed advantage in spin bowling never materialised with Hauritz looking more threatening than Swann and Panesar put together.
Despite his uncharacteristic batting heroics, Panesar is likely to be dropped and replaced by Steve Harmison or, my preference, Graham Onions.
Broad is the most likely of the seamers to lose out after he failed to bowl economically or with any menace.
But, with no clear threat from the County Championship, and in the interests of consistency, the top order batsmen are all likely to be given another chance.
Indeed, the whole England team have given themselves another chance despite what could only be considered to be a woeful performance before the final session heroics.
Let's see if they can take it by upsetting the odds at Lord's.
---
EARLIER CLOSE OF PLAY REPORTS
Day Four (close)
England 435 [Pietersen 69, Collingwood, 64, Prior 56] & 20-2 v
Australia 674-6 dec [Katich 122, Ponting 150, Clarke 83, North 120*, Haddin 121]
AUSTRALIA further strengthened their stranglehold on the First Test by utterly dominating England on day four at Sophia Gardens.
Marcus North and Brad Haddin enjoyed a sixth wicket stand of exactly 200 runs as the tourists set about extending their overnight lead of 44 in earnest.
England's seamers once again struggled to find any swing and spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar looked redundant as the batsmen cruised through the morning session with North recording his century in the penultimate over before lunch.
With rain forecast for the afternoon, North and Haddin were clearly instructed to step on the gas and reach a lead at which captain Ricky Ponting could declare.
Despite England's cynical attempts at slowing the over rate, Ponting allowed Haddin to become the fourth centurion of the Aussie innings an hour after lunch before he holed out to Ravi Bopara off Paul Collingwood on 121.
That brought a close to the Aussie innings on 674-6, a lead of 239 runs, with England needing to survive seven overs before tea.
England could not and found themselves a sorry sight at 20-2, still 219 behind. First Alastair Cook was out lbw to Mitchell Johnson on a ball that kept straight.
In the next over, luck deserted England as Bopara followed, the victim of a terrible lbw decision by umpire Doctrove who had in previous days turned down several plumb lbw calls.
Tea came and England skipper Andrew Strauss traipsed off with the man he had replaced, Kevin Pietersen. As the interval began, the heavens opened over Cardiff and rain called a halt to proceedings for the day.
The poor weather is expected to last overnight but will be clear by early morning, giving the groundstaff time to clear the outfield and a likely 98 overs for Australia to take eight wickets.
---
Day Three (close)
England 435 [Pietersen 69, Collingwood 64, Prior 56] v
Australia 479-5 [Katich 122, Ponting 150, Clarke 83, North 54*]
AUSTRALIA moved into a commanding position at close on day three in the First Test at Sophia Gardens.
The tourists moved past England's first innings total and had a lead of 44 at stumps, allowing them to set up a victory charge on the final two days of play.
Resuming on 249-1, England made inroads into the Aussie batting order in the morning session when three wickets fell.
First, Simon Katich was out lbw for 122 after James Anderson belatedly found some swing.
He was followed by Mike Hussey who made only three before nicking one behind to Matt Prior off Anderson's bowling.
And just moments later, Ricky Ponting's innings of 150 was over after he played on to the stumps after being deceived by Monty Panesar.
At lunch, Australia were still 89 behind with two new batsmen at the crease and England knew that quick wickets in the afternoon session would leave the match in the balance.
But Michael Clarke and Marcus North steadied the innings as Australia went through the middle session without losing a wicket and edged past England's total.
Clarke eventually fell on 83 to Stuart Broad's bowling as Prior took his third catch of the game in an evening session which was interrupted by rain.
Having failed to make the required impact on day three, England will now be hoping the unsettled forecast for Cardiff this weekend does not change as they battle to rescue a draw.
But if the bad weather holds off and Australia can bat well, they will be looking to bat for most of the fourth day before putting England in for the final few overs then exerting further pressure on the final day.
---
Day Two (close)
England 435 [Pietersen 69, Collingwood 64, Prior 56] v
Australia 249-1 [Katich 104no, Ponting 100no]
AUSTRALIAN batsmen Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting staged a fantastic fightback after England's tail took the hosts beyond 400 on the second morning of the First Test.
Katich remains unbeaten on 104 with skipper Ponting on 100 not out in a second wicket partnership of 189 to put the tourists in a strong position going into day three.
Australia may still trail by 186 but, with nine wickets in hand, will be looking for a large enough innings lead to declare and put England's batsmen under pressure.
Before Ponting took to the crease, Ashes debutant Philip Hughes had dominated the early stages of the innings. But he could only make a contribution of 36 before being caught behind by Matt Prior off Andrew Flintoff's bowling.
England's attack was mystified with the lack of swing which had been in evidence for the Australian bowlers and they toiled in the field as the runs piled up.
Earlier, England's tail performed impressively, adding 106 runs for the final three wickets.
Resuming day two on 336-7, Stuart Broad fell early when bowled by Mitchell Johnson but this brought Graeme Swann to the crease.
Swann scored 47 not out off just 40 balls to assist nightwatchman James Anderson who was finally out on 26 to a catch by Mike Hussey off Nathan Hauritz's bowling.
Once Anderson departed, Swann continued for as long as he could with Monty Panesar at the other end before Panesar was caught by Ponting off Hauritz for 4.
England may have struggled against Katich and Ponting on day two but must retain belief they are still in this match.
If England's bowlers can find swing and reverse swing, and start to put pressure on the Aussie batsmen, there is still a chance that the likely first innings deficit can be kept below 100 runs.
A strong second innings performance with the bat for England should then secure the draw before they could attack on a final day pitch.
Wednesday 8 July 2009
The Ashes preview
England hopes of a repeat of their memorable 2005 home victory were given a boost after Australian strike bowler Brett Lee was ruled out of the opening Test at Sophia Gardens.
Lee, who has 310 wickets in 76 Test appearances, picked up a rib injury in the warm-up match against England Lions.
His absence means the Australian attack is being spearheaded by Ashes unknowns Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson, although Johnson impressed in the recent series victory in South Africa.
England's build-up has been dominated by the selection of two spinners, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, and the non-selection of Steve Harmison.
While Harmison's exclusion is perhaps understandable, England could be putting too much emphasis on the use of the spinners.
However, England can take heart from Australia's patchy form while on tour so far with draws recorded against Sussex and England Lions.
England could also only draw their warm-up match against Warwickshire but they were well on top when proceedings were called to a halt.
Reassuringly, Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior all made a half-century in one of the two innings against the Bears.
But, looking at their most recent series, England remain horridly inconsistent - losing 1-0 away to the West Indies over the winter before hammering the same opposition in both Tests back at home.
Not that Australia have been their usual selves. The retirements of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist would seem to have reduced the threat of their bowling attack.
Last November, the Aussies lost their first Test series since the 2005 Ashes when they were beaten in India 2-0.
It was followed by another Test series defeat - 2-1 at home against South Africa.
But Ricky Ponting's men regrouped and beat South Africa in the return series by the same score, though they lost the Third Test by an innings.
Retired McGrath has been bullish as ever, predicting another whitewash. He said: "If they can do the same and improve in one or two areas they will do really well and probably win 5-0."
Things look much closer on paper, however, and there are high hopes that England can wipe away the nightmare 06-07 series by performing as well as in that great series of 2005.
Prediction
England lose the First Test but launch a magnificent comeback to take the series 3-2.
First Test Sophia Gardens, Cardiff - July 8-12
Second Test Lord's, London - July 16-20
Third Test Edgbaston, Birmingham - July 30-Aug 3
Fourth Test Headingley Carnegie, Leeds - Aug 7-11
Fifth Test Brit Oval, London - Aug 20-24
Live coverage on SkySports and TMS on BBC Radio 4. Highlights at 7.15pm on channel five.
Lee, who has 310 wickets in 76 Test appearances, picked up a rib injury in the warm-up match against England Lions.
His absence means the Australian attack is being spearheaded by Ashes unknowns Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson, although Johnson impressed in the recent series victory in South Africa.
England's build-up has been dominated by the selection of two spinners, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, and the non-selection of Steve Harmison.
While Harmison's exclusion is perhaps understandable, England could be putting too much emphasis on the use of the spinners.
However, England can take heart from Australia's patchy form while on tour so far with draws recorded against Sussex and England Lions.
England could also only draw their warm-up match against Warwickshire but they were well on top when proceedings were called to a halt.
Reassuringly, Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior all made a half-century in one of the two innings against the Bears.
But, looking at their most recent series, England remain horridly inconsistent - losing 1-0 away to the West Indies over the winter before hammering the same opposition in both Tests back at home.
Not that Australia have been their usual selves. The retirements of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist would seem to have reduced the threat of their bowling attack.
Last November, the Aussies lost their first Test series since the 2005 Ashes when they were beaten in India 2-0.
It was followed by another Test series defeat - 2-1 at home against South Africa.
But Ricky Ponting's men regrouped and beat South Africa in the return series by the same score, though they lost the Third Test by an innings.
Retired McGrath has been bullish as ever, predicting another whitewash. He said: "If they can do the same and improve in one or two areas they will do really well and probably win 5-0."
Things look much closer on paper, however, and there are high hopes that England can wipe away the nightmare 06-07 series by performing as well as in that great series of 2005.
Prediction
England lose the First Test but launch a magnificent comeback to take the series 3-2.
First Test Sophia Gardens, Cardiff - July 8-12
Second Test Lord's, London - July 16-20
Third Test Edgbaston, Birmingham - July 30-Aug 3
Fourth Test Headingley Carnegie, Leeds - Aug 7-11
Fifth Test Brit Oval, London - Aug 20-24
Live coverage on SkySports and TMS on BBC Radio 4. Highlights at 7.15pm on channel five.
Back to work, back to reality...
And back to the blog - which rather unintentionally and regretfully has become a once-a-week thing. Once again, I must apologise to my readers.
The problem is, you see, that I've been even busier since Glastonbury Festival than I was before it. Now I have a job.
Unfortunately, it is not in the field of journalism. In fact, it is nowhere near. But it's a far sight better than being on the dole.
I'm actually back in the civil service, part-time, working for the compensation recovery unit of the Department of Work and Pensions.
I had previously worked in a contact centre at HM Revenue and Customs for three years before the NCTJ course in September 2008.
At least this current job is evening shifts which gets me off the dole and allows me to carry on with my attempts at driving.
Speaking of which, my lessons became further delayed after my break at Glastonbury by my inadequate eyesight after I broke my glasses.
Thankfully, I have since had my biennial eye test and shelled out for two new pairs of spectacles - a tinted pair and a set of prescription sunglasses.
The gap between lessons behind the wheel (13 days) resulted in a real crisis of confidence - I could barely imagine getting the car started again and started considering whether it was worth
it after getting so uptight about.
But after a gentle introduction on Monday, I started to get it together again yesterday (Tuesday) and even improved from where I was before the break.
My Achilles' heel, however, is roundabouts, which I'm finding a nightmare as I am struggling to read the traffic properly.
My instructor, David Convery, has promised we will work on it this week so hopefully I will have more positive news then.
Although the job and the driving taking up a significant proportion of my week, I intend to keep this blog going - even though, for the last couple of weeks, it has looked as if it's dying out.
I am still looking for work as a writer - and can only feel my chances will improve by keeping this blog going and to pass my driving test.
And to make sure my readers have something to read during this month, I will be publishing my thoughts throughout The Ashes contest between England and Australia on this blog.
That starts later this morning with a preview of the series on the opening day of the First Test.
The problem is, you see, that I've been even busier since Glastonbury Festival than I was before it. Now I have a job.
Unfortunately, it is not in the field of journalism. In fact, it is nowhere near. But it's a far sight better than being on the dole.
I'm actually back in the civil service, part-time, working for the compensation recovery unit of the Department of Work and Pensions.
I had previously worked in a contact centre at HM Revenue and Customs for three years before the NCTJ course in September 2008.
At least this current job is evening shifts which gets me off the dole and allows me to carry on with my attempts at driving.
Speaking of which, my lessons became further delayed after my break at Glastonbury by my inadequate eyesight after I broke my glasses.
Thankfully, I have since had my biennial eye test and shelled out for two new pairs of spectacles - a tinted pair and a set of prescription sunglasses.
The gap between lessons behind the wheel (13 days) resulted in a real crisis of confidence - I could barely imagine getting the car started again and started considering whether it was worth
it after getting so uptight about.
But after a gentle introduction on Monday, I started to get it together again yesterday (Tuesday) and even improved from where I was before the break.
My Achilles' heel, however, is roundabouts, which I'm finding a nightmare as I am struggling to read the traffic properly.
My instructor, David Convery, has promised we will work on it this week so hopefully I will have more positive news then.
Although the job and the driving taking up a significant proportion of my week, I intend to keep this blog going - even though, for the last couple of weeks, it has looked as if it's dying out.
I am still looking for work as a writer - and can only feel my chances will improve by keeping this blog going and to pass my driving test.
And to make sure my readers have something to read during this month, I will be publishing my thoughts throughout The Ashes contest between England and Australia on this blog.
That starts later this morning with a preview of the series on the opening day of the First Test.
Wednesday 1 July 2009
In Review: Glastonbury Festival 2009 - The Boss still rules
Festival organiser Michael Eavis declared Glastonbury 2009 to be the most successful festival he has hosted.
Eavis also claimed Bruce Springsteen's played "probably the best show of his life" in his Saturday night performance on the Pyramid Stage.
Yet, before The Boss could rule Worthy Farm, the festival endured a most surreal moment in not, for once, being the main music story of the week.
The news of the death of Michael Jackson was broken to me straight after East17 had finished playing in the Dance Village.
Immediately I considered it to be a typical, if slightly crude, Glastonbury rumour.
But, by the time I suffered my usual festival faux pas by losing my spectacles to Hattie Hatstar, Jackson's death had been confirmed.
***
Despite this, there was still an air of unreality as I stared at the newspaper and took in the opening set on the Pyramid Stage, Bjorn Again.
Thankfully, the up-tempo Abba tribute act were a timely boost as they made their way through all the classics.
The Rakes followed this up with a lively show on the Other Stage before I made a gem of a find in a group called Baskery.
As it happens, Baskery is a trio of good-looking Stockholm lasses.
But minus my glasses, of course, it was actually their music - acoustic, punk rock - which got me into the Acoustic tent.
On Friday night, I saw an excellent set from The Specials on the Pyramid Stage before heading back to the Acoustic tent for The Kinks' Ray Davies.
Davies was brilliant. He had the whole crowd singing along to his many classics.
I was right towards the front and, partly because I'm a soft lad but also because the cider had been flowing, broke down as he sang 'Days' and 'Waterloo Sunset'.
Davies was my Glastonbury highlight - for me, he even beat The Boss.
***
Saturday began with the political comedian Mark Thomas on the Speaker's Forum.
A large attentive crowd listened as he recalled entertaining accounts of being stopped and searched, having his DNA taken before later getting it destroyed.
Thomas was followed by a wonderful set from the natural entertainer Rolf Harris on Jazz World.
Harris, who enjoyed the biggest attendance of the festival on his last Glastonbury visit, sung his classics (finishing on 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' to the tune of 'Land of Hope and Glory') and cracked a few decent jokes.
It was the perfect set up for an amusing interlude on Pyramid from Spinal Tap, which inevitably featured the Stonehenge dwarves.
After a short break, it was off to see the mercurial Peter Doherty on the Other Stage.
Perennially-troubled Doherty played well and looked much better than he did when I saw him last - at Benicassim Festival in 2006. But, disappointingly, his set was one of the shortest of the weekend.
This allowed me to catch The Gaslight Anthem on the John Peel Stage but I still missed out on their highlight - an early appearance by Springsteen who joined the band on stage for 'The 59 Sound'.
The Boss returned the favour when Gaslight lead Brian Fallon played alongside Springsteen for 'No Surrender'.
After the Gaslight Anthem, there was the rather unusual festival sight of Kasabian fans impatiently waiting for Crosby, Stills and Nash to finish their stuff on the Pyramid Stage.
Meanwhile, I caught a bit of Maximo Park having missed them opening up the festival on the Park Stage on Thursday.
But, just as I thought it might be before the festival, Saturday's music was all about The Boss.
Dressed in a dark shirt, blue jeans and welly boots, he arrived at five past 10 and played until 39 minutes past midnight.
The nine minutes beyond the curfew will cost Eavis a fine of £3000, imposed by Mendip District Council.
But Eavis has said he doesn't mind paying this time around, calling the last nine minutes "spectacular".
The Boss quickly struck up an affinity with a huge Glastonbury crowd and the front rows were treated to frequent visits as he dived on top of them, guitar in hand.
It was the show that got better and better and better. Notably, he held back 'Glory Days' and 'Thunder Road' until the encore before finishing on 'Dancing in the Dark'.
So, while Davies was my personal highlight, Springsteen was undoubtedly a Glastonbury 'I was there' moment.
***
Unsurprisingly, The Boss was still the talk of the campsite on Sunday morning.
Providing the entertainment on the Pyramid Stage were the Easy Star All Stars who played a dub/reggae version of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band LP.
The All Stars were followed by Status Quo who were happy to play their chord to stereotype, commenting on their performance in a wonderfully self-depreciating fashion.
I did not see all of the Quo's set, however, as I made my way over to Other Stage to see Art Brut for the second time this year.
Frontman Eddie Argos was as entertaining as ever in front of a modest crowd and further strengthened my belief that Art Brut are much better in an intimate venue.
A stroll over to the Acoustic tent to see some instrumentals from The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was well-timed as they struck up 'Music For A Found Harmonium' as soon I got there.
And I made it back to the Pyramid Stage for an enjoyable performance from Sir Tom Jones during which I moved through the crowd for Madness.
The Nutty Boys were as impressive as ever in the evening sunshine but as their set ended, my thoughts turned towards the festival's end.
Thankfully, there was one final act to savour as Blur made a triumphant return to Glastonbury for the first time since 1998.
They played magnificently, complementing the raucous 'Girls and Boys', 'Country House' and 'Song 2' with stand-out moments of raw emotion on 'Tender' and 'The Universal'.
***
It's hard to disagree with Michael Eavis and his belief this has been the best year yet - even if he tends to say that every year...
Glastonbury has been good to me, very good to me. I even got sunburn when the Friday rain gave way to glorious conditions on Saturday and, for the most, part, Sunday.
Ray Davies and Blur both gave unforgettable performances and Bruce Springsteen's 150 minutes will undoubtedly become the stuff of Glastonbury legend.
While the King of Pop may have sadly fallen to his demise, The Boss still rules.
Eavis also claimed Bruce Springsteen's played "probably the best show of his life" in his Saturday night performance on the Pyramid Stage.
Yet, before The Boss could rule Worthy Farm, the festival endured a most surreal moment in not, for once, being the main music story of the week.
The news of the death of Michael Jackson was broken to me straight after East17 had finished playing in the Dance Village.
Immediately I considered it to be a typical, if slightly crude, Glastonbury rumour.
But, by the time I suffered my usual festival faux pas by losing my spectacles to Hattie Hatstar, Jackson's death had been confirmed.
***
Despite this, there was still an air of unreality as I stared at the newspaper and took in the opening set on the Pyramid Stage, Bjorn Again.
Thankfully, the up-tempo Abba tribute act were a timely boost as they made their way through all the classics.
The Rakes followed this up with a lively show on the Other Stage before I made a gem of a find in a group called Baskery.
As it happens, Baskery is a trio of good-looking Stockholm lasses.
But minus my glasses, of course, it was actually their music - acoustic, punk rock - which got me into the Acoustic tent.
On Friday night, I saw an excellent set from The Specials on the Pyramid Stage before heading back to the Acoustic tent for The Kinks' Ray Davies.
Davies was brilliant. He had the whole crowd singing along to his many classics.
I was right towards the front and, partly because I'm a soft lad but also because the cider had been flowing, broke down as he sang 'Days' and 'Waterloo Sunset'.
Davies was my Glastonbury highlight - for me, he even beat The Boss.
***
Saturday began with the political comedian Mark Thomas on the Speaker's Forum.
A large attentive crowd listened as he recalled entertaining accounts of being stopped and searched, having his DNA taken before later getting it destroyed.
Thomas was followed by a wonderful set from the natural entertainer Rolf Harris on Jazz World.
Harris, who enjoyed the biggest attendance of the festival on his last Glastonbury visit, sung his classics (finishing on 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' to the tune of 'Land of Hope and Glory') and cracked a few decent jokes.
It was the perfect set up for an amusing interlude on Pyramid from Spinal Tap, which inevitably featured the Stonehenge dwarves.
After a short break, it was off to see the mercurial Peter Doherty on the Other Stage.
Perennially-troubled Doherty played well and looked much better than he did when I saw him last - at Benicassim Festival in 2006. But, disappointingly, his set was one of the shortest of the weekend.
This allowed me to catch The Gaslight Anthem on the John Peel Stage but I still missed out on their highlight - an early appearance by Springsteen who joined the band on stage for 'The 59 Sound'.
The Boss returned the favour when Gaslight lead Brian Fallon played alongside Springsteen for 'No Surrender'.
After the Gaslight Anthem, there was the rather unusual festival sight of Kasabian fans impatiently waiting for Crosby, Stills and Nash to finish their stuff on the Pyramid Stage.
Meanwhile, I caught a bit of Maximo Park having missed them opening up the festival on the Park Stage on Thursday.
But, just as I thought it might be before the festival, Saturday's music was all about The Boss.
Dressed in a dark shirt, blue jeans and welly boots, he arrived at five past 10 and played until 39 minutes past midnight.
The nine minutes beyond the curfew will cost Eavis a fine of £3000, imposed by Mendip District Council.
But Eavis has said he doesn't mind paying this time around, calling the last nine minutes "spectacular".
The Boss quickly struck up an affinity with a huge Glastonbury crowd and the front rows were treated to frequent visits as he dived on top of them, guitar in hand.
It was the show that got better and better and better. Notably, he held back 'Glory Days' and 'Thunder Road' until the encore before finishing on 'Dancing in the Dark'.
So, while Davies was my personal highlight, Springsteen was undoubtedly a Glastonbury 'I was there' moment.
***
Unsurprisingly, The Boss was still the talk of the campsite on Sunday morning.
Providing the entertainment on the Pyramid Stage were the Easy Star All Stars who played a dub/reggae version of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band LP.
The All Stars were followed by Status Quo who were happy to play their chord to stereotype, commenting on their performance in a wonderfully self-depreciating fashion.
I did not see all of the Quo's set, however, as I made my way over to Other Stage to see Art Brut for the second time this year.
Frontman Eddie Argos was as entertaining as ever in front of a modest crowd and further strengthened my belief that Art Brut are much better in an intimate venue.
A stroll over to the Acoustic tent to see some instrumentals from The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was well-timed as they struck up 'Music For A Found Harmonium' as soon I got there.
And I made it back to the Pyramid Stage for an enjoyable performance from Sir Tom Jones during which I moved through the crowd for Madness.
The Nutty Boys were as impressive as ever in the evening sunshine but as their set ended, my thoughts turned towards the festival's end.
Thankfully, there was one final act to savour as Blur made a triumphant return to Glastonbury for the first time since 1998.
They played magnificently, complementing the raucous 'Girls and Boys', 'Country House' and 'Song 2' with stand-out moments of raw emotion on 'Tender' and 'The Universal'.
***
It's hard to disagree with Michael Eavis and his belief this has been the best year yet - even if he tends to say that every year...
Glastonbury has been good to me, very good to me. I even got sunburn when the Friday rain gave way to glorious conditions on Saturday and, for the most, part, Sunday.
Ray Davies and Blur both gave unforgettable performances and Bruce Springsteen's 150 minutes will undoubtedly become the stuff of Glastonbury legend.
While the King of Pop may have sadly fallen to his demise, The Boss still rules.
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