Spireites shelve plans to leave Saltergate
April 3, 2008
League Two side Chesterfield have edged closer to playing in a new stadium after submitting planning application to the council.
The bid documents plans to completely regenerate the Whittington Moor area of the town, which was formerly used as a glass manufacturing warehouse.
Should the plans be accepted, the club potentially could depart their Saltergate ground towards the end of next year.
The ambitious proposal embodies business premises and a supermarket which will fill the twenty two acre site.
Saltergate, originally named the Recreation ground, has been the home of the Spireites since 1871 and is a ground which I always enjoy going to due to the fact that it has character – which in many cases is missing from newer stadiums.
Advantage Liverpool
April 2, 2008
Liverpool edged closer to the semi finals of the Champions League this evening with a hard fought draw at the Emirates Stadium.
The “Battle of Britain” clash was a more mundane affair than many had expected, yet this suited the Merseysiders who not only avoided a first leag defeat but also claimed a vital away goal.
The hosts started brightly and took the lead on 23 minutes when leading goalscorer Emmanuel Adebayor powerfully headed home a cross from Robin van Persie. This was the Gunners’ 99th goal in all competitions this season.
Yet the lead was to be short lived as just three minutes later Steven Gerrard launched a powerful run to the byline and his cross along the six yard area was met by a sliding Dirk Kuyt to level the tie.
Both sides had chances to win the match yet the hosts always looking the more likely to score with Nicolas Bendtner seeming clearing an attempt off the Liverpool goal line mid way through the second half.
The Gunners continued to press with Alexander Hleb blatently impeded by Kuyt in the area in the latter stages of the match – time will tell how crucial the referees decison was to wave his protest away.
The Reds surely now have the advantage and with a full house guaranteed at Anfield, it would take a brave man to bet against them now.
Champions League set for Battle of Britain clash
April 2, 2008
Arsenal and Liverpool are all set for this evenings “Battle of Britain” first leg tie at the Emirates Stadium and are looking to give themselves a good cushion to take to Anfield next week.
The Gunners have been boosted by the news that leading marksman Emmanuel Adebayor is fit to play and should claim his place in the starting line up. After being sent of against Bolton Wanderers at the weekend, Abou Diaby is also likely to feature due to the fact that his suspension does not apply in European competitions.
For the Reds, Javier Mascherano looks set to start after serving his one game ban whilst defensive pair Alvaro Arbeloan and Fabio Aurelio are declared fit following their recent injuries.
The two sides embark on a run of three successive games against each other with the Premier League encounter taking centre stage this weekend.
Winning is Everything cant wait for tonight’s clash although we have a sneaky feeling that the actual contest will not be as free flowing and attacking as everyone is expecting. Be prepared for a low scoring match with plenty of one on one battles characterising the tie.
As far as predictions go – I expect a low scoring draw – possibily even a nil nil.
Tell us what you think – leave a comment!
Leeds close in on play off positions
April 2, 2008
The most unlikely of promotions is still on the cards today after Leeds United left South Yorkshire with maximum points against rivals Doncaster Rovers.
United were deducted fifteen points at the start of the season and just so survive in League
One would have been a monumental achievement. Yet the Elland Road outfit now find themselves back in the play off spots after this hard fought victory.
The home side bossed much of the game with visiting keeper Casper Ankergren making a string of fine saves to keep his side in it.
Yet the game was ultimately won in the twentieth minute was Alan Sheehan’s outstanding free kick left former Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan with no chance.
There is still some debate whether or not the initial fifteen point penalty will stand, but at the moment Gary McAllister’s side are proving that this could well be irrelevant.
Wrexham edge closer to relegation
April 1, 2008
League Two side Wrexham looked destined to be relegated after losing their bottom of the table clash with Mansfield Town at Field Mill this evening.
The Red Dragons are now eight points away from safety yet the picture looks very bleak for Brian Little’s side.
Gareth Evans was penalized for handball five minutes after the interval and Jefferson Louis duly converted the spot kick to give the Stags the lead.
Worse was to follow for the Welshmen just three minutes later when John Mullins combined well with Matty Hamshaw who finished well to double the hosts lead.
Mansfield continued to press yet Stuart Nicholson’s fierce shot was only parried by Carl Muggleton and Marc Williams was on hand to give the vistors a glimmer of hope twelve minutes from time.
Yet Wrexham could not find an equalizer and now face an anxious end to the season.
United gain first leg advantage
April 1, 2008
Manchester United have taken a massive step towards the semi finals of the Champions League after a two nil victory in Roma this evening.
Goals from midfield sensation Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney gave the 1999 winners an arguably decisive cushion to take into the return leg next week.
Yet the night was to start disappointingly for the Premier League leaders, losing defender Nemanja Vidic after half an hour through injury. Yet under ten minutes later, United took the lead when Ronaldo met Scholes’ precise cross with a bullet header from eighteen yards – his 36th goal of the campaign.
Roma did stage a partial comeback after the interval and had their best chance of the evening when Christian Panucci blasted high over the bar when he really should have done better. Mirko Vucinic also forced van der Sar into a terrific point blank save late on but the home side struggled to maintain any amount of concerted pressure.
They were made to pay on in the most decisive of manners when United made it two nil five minutes after the hour mark. Ji-Sung Park, who surprisingly replaced Ryan Giigs in the visitor’s starting line up, headed a teasing ball into the six yard area which keeper Doni moved for indecisively, leaving Rooney a straight forward finish.
Roma will point to the absence of leading scorer Francesco Totti as the main reason they mis-fired this evening, but in truth the Premier League champions more than matched them in every department. As a result, the Italians will now need a minor miracle to progress in the competition.
Where will your team finish?
April 1, 2008
Its that time of year where things start getting decided again folks!
One teams delirium is matched by another’s desperate plunge into the abyss.
But who do you think will be the movers and shakers this season?
The Pieman has been thinking about this over the past couple of days and would like to make the following predictions –
Premier League Winners – Manchester United
Relegated from the Premier League – Derby, Fulham, Bolton
Championship Winners – West Brom
Also Promoted – Stoke City
Play offs – Hull City, Bristol City, Watford, Wolves
Relegated from Championship – Colchester, Scunthorpe, Barnsley
League One Winners – Swansea
Also Promoted – Carlisle United
Play Offs – Doncaster, Southend, Notts Forest, Leeds
Relegated – Port Vale, Luton, Bournemouth, Millwall
League Two Winners – MK Dons
Also Promoted – Peterborough, Hereford
Play offs – Darlington, Rochdale, Stockport, Wycombe
Relegated – Mansfield, Wrexham
Conference winners – Aldershot
Play offs – Torquay, Burton, Exeter, Stevenage
Relegated – Droylsden, Stafford, Halifax, Altrincham
Champions League Winners – Manchester United
UEFA Cup Winners – Rangers
FA Cup Winners – West Brom
Bentley wants more
April 1, 2008
Blackburn and England midfielder David Bentley says he has not ruled out leaving Blackburn in order to push for a regular starting place for England.At 23, Bentley is in talks with Rovers over a new contract. However he wants regular European football and it may be a case of wait-and-see as to whether he signs. Certainly don’t expect anything until the summer, after Uefa Cup spots have been finalized.
“You never know in football. Sometimes you have to make strong decisions.”
Bentley has shown that he will. In 2005 he handed in a transfer request at Arsenal in order to get first-team football. He also pulled out of the England Under-21s last year because he wanted to be considered for the seniors for as long as possible.
“I want to play European football, I want to play at the top of my game. I want to go to the World Cup in two years and I want to be starting.”
Mark Hughes will believe that Bentley can achieve all this at Blackburn but will he be able to convince the man himself.
Roma vs Manchester United – Preview
April 1, 2008
Manchester United have been handed a welcomed boost prior to this evenings Champions League quarter final with Roma, following the news that captain Francesco Totti has failed to shake off a thigh strain.
The Italian is Roma’s leading goal scorer so far this season having netted fourteen times – Mirko Vucinic is set to take his place.
In terms of the United team, keeper Edwin van der Sar has successfully recovered from the groin strain which kept him out of last Saturday’s victory over Aston Villa, yet it remains uncertain whether Michael Carrick has shaken off his pulled hamstring.
Defender Mikael Silvestre came through a reserve match with Newcastle last Thursday and looks set to feature in tonight’s match whilst both Louis Saha and Nani have been ruled out through injury.
In addition to this, veteran midfielder Paul Scholes is set to earn his 99th Champions League appearance for United.
The match will be heavily scrutinised following violent clashes between rival fans during recent encounters. Italian authorities have provided visiting fans with complementary transport to the match in a bid to safeguard them from potential trouble whilst a voucher system has been introduced to help alienate the ticket touts.
Winning is Everything prediction – Roma 1 v 1 Manchester United
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