Friday 28 November 2008

Weeekend Championship Preview, Game 20

Game 20 - blimey! With four matches left to the half-way mark, we are well short of the first-half points total we need to stay in the Championship. Several wins are required and that has to start with Southampton at the Valley tomorrow. For me, it's Parky's last chance and a failure to record our first win in ten games where we have garnered only three points must see the Board move to appoint someone new to the club with fresh ideas and proven motivational capabilities.

I think we can do it if we pass the ball with the confidence and urgency we showed at QPR. Starting with the same side that began at Loftus Road would be ok, although Parky might consider the more attacking Moutouakil at right-back and McEveley on the bench to help Youga concentrate.

It' a big weekend elsewhere and this is how I see it going...

I wonder whether Luke will get to show the Rams what he's capable of here? Either way I don't think it will be enough to stop Owen Coyle's side from bouncing back from their 3-2 reverse at Oakwell.
Prediction; 2-1

Charlton Athletic v Southampton
Six pointer here and Southampton have shown signs of recovery recently. They asked for more tickets this week as interest on the south coast increases. It's a must-win game and I believe we will do just that. A defeat here and it will be hard to see when we might win again without further radical change in the shape of new management. We haven't kept a clean sheet since September so one's well overdue.
Prediction; 1-0


Rangers looked less than average on Tuesday and any performance remotely close to that here will see Palace scoop the points and clambour above the Super Hoops. Having scored four last time out at home and two at Norwich in midweek, I think they are in the mood to win again.
Prediction; 3-1

Ipswich Town v Sheffield United
United must be a bit frustrating to watch right now. They are winning games but disappointing in between times and would have believed they could overcome Wolves at home in midweek. Chris Iwelumo killed them off with two goals and they will need to score first here I reckon if they are to have a chance of winning. Portman Road will provide a sterner test than the Valley.
Prediction; 2-0

Forest looked doomed and Colin Calderwood's promising managerial career with them. Barnsley have shown how to climb off the bottom of the table and are now eight points clear of us. This is a chance for them to record a rare away win.
Prediction; 0-1


A long trip in prospect for the Seasiders, and, I suspect, and even longer one home. Blackpool are a club we could do with catching and this is a home banker for me.
Prediction; 2-0

Bristol City are in a slump at the moment and this will be a tough trip. Preston fought for a point at Derby in midweek and will be confident of getting the win here.
Prediction; 1-0

Norwich are another side struggling right now and one we should be capable of catching. Another home banker for me but Wednesday have been inconsistent of late and tripped up at home to Coventry last time. Surely they won't repeat that?
Prediction; 3-1

Golden opportunity for the Hornets to climb the table here and I am sure they will do it for their new manager.
Prediction; 3-0

Midlands grudge match and top versus second. I can't see the Old Gold losing but the Blues might have enough fight for a derby point. 
Prediction; 1-1

Hate derby which probably kicks-off at 9am or something stupid. Swansea have already beaten Cardiff at the Liberty Stadium in the League Cup and I won't be surprised to see them do it again. It's the Sunday game which might be good to watch if we're feeling flushed from a Valley win and are awake by kick-off.
Prediction; 1-0

Reading v Coventry City
Surely Reading won't slip-up twice in-a-row at home?
Prediction; 3-0

If you are going to the Valley let's get behind the side from the off and suck that first goal in. Come on you Reds!

1 comment:

  1. come on drinking - 2 games and out him? ;-)
    let's give him more of a chance than that?
    i agree with your comments about loans not being the answer but effectively that's all he has at his disposal as a new (caretaker) manager - sad but true :-(

    viva la redvolution !!!
    keep on drinking - it's the only way to kep going these days 8)

    ReplyDelete

Go on, you know you want to....