Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Cardiff City: Opening game stalemate

By Peter Wells:

The opening game of the 2014/15 Football League season ended all square as Blackburn Rovers were held at Ewood Park by recently relegated Cardiff City. The away side took the lead thanks to the grand presence of Kenwyne Jones before man of the match Tom Cairney fired home before the break. Both sides seemed happy with the stalemate at the final whistle.

The two teams have ambitious plans about this season in a quality filled Championship, and they both showed in spells why they are both considered teams to push for a return to the Premier League.

Cardiff's bright start was spearheaded by their prolific centre forward, Jones who came close from a deadly Peter Whittingham corner kick. That header was denied by Paul Robinson, but the former England stopper could not save Jones's next chance, as another Whittingham free kick was flicked on and then headed over Robinson into the back of the net.

Cardiff continued to control proceedings thanks to three hard working midfielders who snuffed out the creators, Cairney, Conway and Lowe, who in turn could not feed Rudy Gestede and an unusually quiet Jordan Rhodes.

Jones should have done better from just inside the area when he was fed through by Nicky Maynard.

The turning point came on 39 minutes when Whittingham was pick-pocketed by Rhodes who fed Cairney to fire home left footed behind the outstretched arm of David Marshall.

Blackburn dominated the rest of the first half and continued that to start the second period, but they could not create the chance to make that dominance count.

Markuss Olsson and Craig Conway were both dangerous down the left in the second 45 minutes for Blackburn but despite several good deliveries they never troubled Marshall in goal.

Adam Le Fondre failed to make an impact on his competitive debut for Cardiff, playing down the right.

Both teams have players to come back into the first team, which will certainly improve their chances at promotion, which will require a deep squad rotation in the notoriously tight division.

Change for the worst: Spain's defence of World Cup crown ends in two games

By Peter Wells:

They were never the favourites at this years World Cup, but the defending World Champions and back-to-back European Champions Spain were still considered as one of the front runners in Brazil. Even a tough group with Holland, Chile and the less favoured Australia, football anticipated that this era of domination would not end lightly.

But within less than 190 minutes of football they left the tournament with no more than a whimper, with still one scheduled game left in their disastrous World Cup, Spain see themselves in an unfamiliar position. The feat means they are the 3rd team in the last 4 World Cups to crash out in the group stage when defending their crown, France in 2002 and Italy in 2010.

With their pending plane back to Spain, the enquiry into what went wrong will already be in full motion, and the factors are numerous.

Vicente del Bosque will take a large chunk of the blame, as will the group they were selected into. Diego Costa will leave Athletico Madrid to Chelsea knowing what opportunities he missed, while Cesc Fabregas will leave in the same direction imagining what he would have done had his opportunity arisen.

Having won the 2010 World Cup scoring just 8 goals, it was understandable that the Spanish team wanted to change it up slightly. It is hard to rely on just over a goal a game helping them all the way this time around, but the change in tactics proved fatal.

At the last World Cup it was mainly a combination of David Villa and Fernando Torres that held the front line. The two linked up well together as well as linking up with the majestic midfield. While Torres and Villa were not your usual number 9's as they more or less integrated with star midfielders Xavi, Inisesta and Fabregas to name a few, they were effective. Possession football was strangling opponents and eventually they would make their rare clear-cut chances pay.

At the 2012 European Championships they rarely played with a centre forward, electing to play keep ball in the midfield, with Fabregas the furthest up the pitch. This was again effective as they kept the ball for ridiculous amounts of time.

With the amount of possession they had it was proving almost impossible for oppositions to find the back of the net against them. They incredibly conceded just 1 goal throughout the 2012 tournament. Now they wanted to integrate a traditional number 9 up top to punish their opponents as they chased the ball. But being greedy cost Spain dear as their possession stats dropped below the average, opponents finding it easier to close the ball down while the Spanish then found it harder to win back position. Costa, a fine goal scorer, does not have the same work ethic that Fabregas, Villa and Torres had in the same role, and injuries that had plagued him in the final weeks of the regular season only lowered his motor.

In an attempt to score more, they have instead scored less, finding the net only once in the tournament so far with just 1 game remaining, that being a Xabi Alonso penalty.

At the other end there has been a distinguishable lack of authority. Iker Casilas has lacked first team football and it has showed as several mistakes from the Real Madrid number 2 have led to opposition goals. They have already conceded 7 goals, 1 more than they have conceded in the last 3 winning tournaments combined.

With no Carles Puyol there seems to be no defender to steady the ship that has been rocking out of control since Robin Van Persie's exquisite headed goal.

A 5-1 drubbing to the Dutch should have called for a change, and it did, but not the change most expected. Instead Javi Martinez slotted in at centre back in place of Gerard Pique, while Pedro dropped into midfield to replace maestro Xavi. Costa remained on the pitch as they were swept out of the competition by a raucous Chile, 2-0, but like the opening game he came off to a chorus of boos from the Brazilians to be replaced by Fernando Torres. Both times it was too late to make a difference.

This year change has been bad for Spain, as the gap between their midfield and lone striker Diego Costa was as large as the gulf between 2008-2012 Spain and the Spain that participated in this years World Cup. As the Spanish will put it, Si no está roto entonces no lo arregles. (If it's not broken then don't fix it)

Playoff Final Weekend Recap

By Peter Wells:

After a long and tiresome year of football, full of joy and despair in equal measure, the English Football League ended with a flourish as the Championship, League One and League Two playoff finals concluded the 2013/14 season. Six sets of fans basking in a day out at Wembley, three jumping for joy, three dreaming of what might have been.

For those who say that it doesn't matter which league a team plays in, they clearly have never experienced the euphoria of promotion or the utter disappointment of defeat. The playoff finals represent one game that will define two sides seasons.

On Saturday afternoon Wembley Weekend kicked off with the "£100million Game", the right to play in the Premier League. Queens Park Rangers and Derby County already had a win apiece in their two regular season matchups, QPR finished the league in 4th, 5 points behind Derby.

Derby came in off the back of two wins against Brighton in the semi-finals - 2-1 & 4-1 - while QPR needed extra time to see off Wigan in the semi's after a 0-0 draw up north, they won 2-1 at home with a 96th minute extra time winner from Charlie Austin.

Derby had the momentum and in the game they had the chances, but in the end even with 10 men for 30 minutes of the game, QPR bounced back at the first time of asking to the Premier League with a 90th minute winner from Bobby Zamora - the 2nd time he'd sent a side up with a winning goal in the Final.

The first half was cagey, QPR starting well but creating no chances, before Derby began to pile on the pressure. Hoilett looked the danger man for QPR down the right, while Ward looked alert for Derby, almost opening the scoring on 40 minutes as his deep free kick was tipped wide by Green.

Early in the 2nd half on the break QPR should have taken the lead when the ball was cut back to Austin who's effort was sliced wide.

3 minutes later the Londoners were a man light as Russell was through on goal and O'Neil lunged in from behind. The referee took his time over the huge decision, consulting his linesman before brandishing a straight red card to the central midfielder.

The odds were then against the Hoops but it was 'park the bus' time as Derby could not find a clean way through. Chances did present themselves, but only Martin and Dawkins forced notable saves out of Green.

Then as the game was just entering injury time, Hoilett did magnificently to steal the ball on the by-line, skip through two Derby players before pulling it back for the perfectly placed Zamora to curl home in front of the ecstatic Rangers faithful.

Derby pushed everyone forward, even their keeper as a late corner came to nothing. In the end there was no way through for the East Midlands club after throwing everything they could.

QPR return to the Premier League, but will be wary of spending in the right areas and on the right players this time around. With Harry Redknapp in charge they'll be confident of building around this solid team. Derby on the other hand, finished the season exceptionally and can look to continue that momentum. But they must be aware of the backlash Watford have encountered this season after missing out on the final day last year at Wembley.

After the air had settled it was the turn of Leyton Orient and Rotherham United. Another 50/50 matchup between the 3rd and 4th placed teams.

Leyton Orients blistering start to the season had petered out, but they regained their swagger with a 3-2 aggregate win over Peterborough United. Rotherham had picked up momentum as the season went along, finishing level on points with Leyton and were more than confident having dismissed Preston 4-2 on aggregate.

And true to their respective seasons this was a game of two halves, Leyton dominating the first half to take a 2-0 lead, before Rotherham came roaring back, levelling it up at 2-2 by full time. Extra time could not bring a conclusive end to proceedings, so a penalty shootout was required, and it was Rotherham who won in the most nerve-racking of fashions 4-3.

While the game was fast and furious it lacked chances for either side, until the 34th minute when Orient took the lead in fine fashion. A cross was only headed clear as far as Odubajo on the edge of the box and the winger lashed the ball over the keeper into the roof of the net.

That spectacular strike was followed 4 minutes later when Odubajo turned provider as he fed the ball across the six yard box for Cox to turn into the net.

With renewed energy from the half time interval, Rotherham came out with purpose in the 2nd half. Pringle hit the top of the crossbar with a dipping free kick before Revell scrambled the ball home to half the deficit. Jones in goal for Leyton could only get an unconvincing hand to a whipped in set-piece which conveniently dropped to the former Orient striker who slid the ball home.

Within 5 minutes Rotherham were level with an outrageous goal from Revell, as he took the ball from Agard before striking the ball from 35 yards out over Jones and into the bottom corner of the net.

Rotherham were the better team as the game headed to extra time, the Orient fans stunned that there commanding lead had vanished so rapidly.

Extra time saw both teams have chances to end the torture for their fans, as at one end Cuthbert was saved by his keeper from an embarrassing own goal as Jones somehow was able to tip the defenders header over.

At the same end in the 2nd half of extra time several attempts in the Rotherham box were blocked as Colin was sparred making a save with time running out.

Agard and James both kept their cool in the opening penalties before Frecklington was denied by Jones. Lundstrum and Clarke took full advantage for Orient, while Pringle also kept his composure to keep Rotherham in the shootout. Tavernier put the pressure on Baudry as he tied it up at 3-3 with Orient having took one penalty less. That pressure applied was crucial as Baudry was denied by Colin. Smallwood then made no mistake with Rotherham's 5th penalty, leaving Dagnall in a must score situation. Dagnall stepped up confidently but his penalty was at a good height for Colin who pushed the penalty away, giving Rotherham a 4-3 win in the shootout, and sending them up a division for the 2nd straight year.

After two promotions on the trot it will be a tough task in a high class Championship for Rotherham, while Leyton Orient will be cursing there luck, knowing full well any other season would have likely seen them promoted automatically with 86 points.

Then on Bank Holiday Monday the final game of the season as Fleetwood Town took on Burton Albion. Burton were beaten semi-finalists in last years playoffs but came through Southend 3-2 on aggregate to face a Fleetwood side that squeaked past the impressive York 1-0 on aggregate.

For Burton it would turn out to be another tough ending to their season, this time slipping up at the final hurdle as they lost 1-0, a mistake by keeper Dean Lyness being the crucial moment.

Fleetwood came out the blocks on fire as Lyness kept his side in the game, firstly denying the ever present Ball, who's 5th minute effort was tipped over before Lyness was called into action again from the resulting corner.

Ball had several more opportunities in the 1st half, but couldn't capitalise to give his side the lead.

The momentum didn't shift after the break, but it would take a moment of fortune to find the winning goal. Sarcevic's long range free-kick was misjudged by the Burton keeper as it flew over Lyness and into the back of the net. Lyness lay on the floor, reliving the moment 100 times in those couple of minutes before the restart.

The game then ended with a flourish as Burton were trying everything to send the game into another 30 minutes of football. Fleetwood favourite Nathan Pond put his body on the line several times in a dramatic climax to the season. For all their efforts Burton could not muster up a golden opportunity with so many bodies in the way of the Fleetwood goal.

The Promotion party has become a familiar site for Fleetwood fans as they celebrated their 6th promotion in 10 years as their incredible story continues. As for Burton, their fans can only hope for 3rd time lucky.

So the season is officially over, and the teams for the 2014/15 season are set. Every fan, every chairman, every player will have their realistic targets for next season, but in every person involved in the Beautiful Game, they will have that target of glory that they will relive over and over until the first ball is kicked in August.

But before any of that their is a certain event only two weeks away that has us all dreaming. And I'll be bringing up plenty of coverage from the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with live commentary, previews, reviews and analysis right the way through to the final.

Just visit my twitter page @boxingsaddler for all the links and subscribe to 'boxingpeter' on YouTube to check it out.

League One: Sheffield United 2-1 Notts County

By Peter Wells (twitter- @boxingsaddler):

With the new season officially underway, Harry Maguire's 66th minute header secured a 2-1 victory for Sheffield United against 10 man Notts County.

After 13 minutes of play Gary Liddle's reckless high boot came down hard on the ribcage of Kevin McDonald, warranting the centre half an early shower. Despite the protests there was little substance in arguing Liddle's case.

United who were already enjoying a large percentage of possession had just seconds earlier survived a scare when Danny Haynes headed towards goal from a corner only to be denied by keeper George Long.

Sheffield United continued to apply pressure as Febian Brandy and Jamie Murphy looked lively on both wings. Finally the breakthrough came when Darryl Westlake's low ball was slotted into the bottom corner by the on-rushing McDonald.

The lead was almost snatched away before the break when a County free kick was headed wide by Joss Labadie.

In the second half, United had several chances to wrap up the game, but failed to convert their chances. Chris Porter was the guiltiest of all when he leaned back to fire over from 7 yards out after a fantastic run from Brandy.

Then on 59 minutes they were made to pay when substitute Enoch Showunmi shrugged off the attentions of Maguire before firing into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area.

With the crowd in shock, United set about restoring their lead. The chance came about when a free kick was given just outside the corner of the area, when there seemed nothing to award a free kick for. Even so Notts County could not be excused for the poor defending from the resulting set piece. Maguire was left unattended at the back post to nod over the keeper and into the back of the net.

County gave it their all but despite some late pressure, they couldn't find a chance to find an unlikely leveller. Sheffield on the other end had several more chances to seal the deal but failed to do so.

Both teams will have plenty to be pleased about. 3 points to start the campaign for United while Notts County showed plenty of energy and commitment to remain competitive for so long with a man light.

Football League Predictions/betting tips: 2nd-4th August

By Peter Wells (twitter- boxingbrains_):
 

 

Finally! Football is back! On Friday 2nd August the first game of the English football league will begin. Every team has made changes and the adjustments will take some time for fans to fathom. But there is no doubt that this weekend the roads will be filled once again with football fans full of optimism about their teams coming season.

 

Today is the first of my predictions for this season (Obviously!) and don't forget to get yourself involved by commenting at the bottom of the page, or tweeting me your thoughts to my twitter account: @boxingbrains_.

 

So here are my predictions (betting odds courtesy of William Hill):

 

League Two:

 

 

Bury vs Chesterfield- 1-2 (17/2)
 

Cheltenham vs Burton- 1-0 (13/2)
 

Newport vs Accrington- 2-0 (9/1)
 

York vs Northampton- 1-3 (25/1)
 

Exeter vs Bristol Rovers- 2-0 (11/1)
 

Wycombe vs Morecombe- 3-2 (33/1)
 

Torquay vs Wimbledon- 3-0 (20/1)
 

Southend vs Plymouth- 1-1 (6/1)
 

Scunthorpe vs Mansfield- 2-1 (8/1)
 

Rochdale vs Hartlepool- 1-2 (10/1)
 

Portsmouth vs Oxford- 2-2 (16/1)
 

Fleetwood vs Dag & Red- 4-0 (28/1)
 

 

League One:

 

 

Sheff Utd vs Notts County- 2-0 (8/1)
 

Bristol City vs Bradford- 0-0 (9/1)
 

Carlisle vs Leyton Orient- 1-2 (9/1)
 

Walsall vs Tranmere- 2-0 (9/1)
 

Stevenage vs Oldham- 1-0 (13/2)
 

Shrewsbury vs MK Dons- 0-2 (11/1)
 

Preston vs Wolves- 1-3 (22/1)
 

Crawley vs Coventry- 2-0 (10/1)
 

Port Vale vs Brentford- 2-3 (28/1)
 

Peterborough vs Swindon- 1-1 (13/2)
 

Gillingham vs Colchester- 3-1 (16/1)
 

Crewe vs Rotherham- 2-1 (17/2)
 

 

Championship:

 

 

Burnley vs Bolton- 2-2 (14/1)
 

Reading vs Ipswich- 3-0 (14/1)
 

QPR vs Sheff Wed- 4-1 (33/1)
 

Nott'm Forest vs Huddersfield- 2-0 (7/1)
 

Millwall vs Yeovil- 1-1 (6/1)
 

Middlesbrough vs Leicester- 1-2 (17/2)
 

Leeds vs Brighton- 2-1 (17/2)
 

Doncaster vs Blackpool- 1-2 (10/1)
 

Bournemouth vs Charlton- 1-0 (13/2)
 

Birmingham vs Watford- 0-2 (12/1)
 

Barnsley vs Wigan- 0-3 (22/1)
 

Derby vs Blackburn- 0-1 (17/2)

 

Sunday Premier League Review: Remy wonder strike not enough for R's; Spurs, Everton go toe-to-toe; Cisse sends fans and Pardew into pandemonium

By Peter Wells:

There's just something about football on Sunday's. I can't quite figure out what it is, but somehow Sunday football always feels that extra bit special. In all fairness when there are five games spanned out over four and a half hours none stop, its hard not to feel the full array of emotions for a sport that can bring out every single one of those emotions in a person in just 90 minutes.

For those QPR fans, they were put through every emotion ever created during their heart breaking 1-1 draw with Wigan. It was a breath taking 6 pointer, which had all the ingredients of a fairy tale ending for QPR's season. That was until a last gasp Shaun Maloney free-kick scuppered a sensational victory. Bobby Zamora was sent off after just over 20 minutes and now QPR's chances of survival look as ridiculous as Zamora's challenge.

A decent start from QPR saw Remy strike the post with Joel beaten, before Zamora saw red in more ways than one, when from a Wigan throw-in he attempted to intercept the ball which was at head height, and inevitably caught Jordi Gomez on the side of the head. Zamora was sent to the dressing room while Gomez was left with a bad head and constant booing from the home fans.

Wigan then controlled the ball, but lacked the urgency needed from a team still deep in a relegation battle. Then in the 2nd half QPR took over, they showed greater urgency and much greater quality, but as the minutes ticked by the less likely a winner looked. But then with 5 minutes to go, on the counter attack, Remy needed just one touch with the inside of his foot to launch the ball into the top corner of the net. From the edge of the area the technique was simply amazing, and what a winner it could have been.

But that wasn't it, because when Mbia - who had an amazing game - committed a foul just outside the area, Wigan were handed a final chance to steal 2 points away from QPR. Maloney stepped up and curled over the wall and past Cesar. Had Adel Taarabt stood tall the free-kick would have likely been deflected over but the star player ducked out the way of the ball. To put it simply, if you don't want to take a hit to the face, DONT stand in the wall.

When discussing emotion, none gets greater than the emotion showed by fans, players and manager alike when Papiss Cisse scored a 93rd minute winner for Newcastle to send them 5 points clear of the drop zone. Newcastle's ace had been trying all game to find the goal, but things just didn't seem to be going his way. That was until he took the ball wonderfully, spun around and poked the ball beyond Schwarzer. Cisse sprinted and dived into the crowd, and then the camera's all turned to Alan Pardew who himself sprinted over to the fans by the dug out and bear hugged the first person in the crowd he could see. It was a wonderful sight, the sight of pure joy, a sight we see so often in football, but seeing a manager celebrating in the crowd is something of an anomaly. Sadly the ridiculous rules meant that Papiss Cisse received a yellow card for his celebrations. Football is full of emotions yet when a player shares the joy with his loyal fans he gets cautioned. As a fan what the FA call over-celebrating is exactly what every football fan loves to see. Cisse may have received a booking but he will also receive a lot of respect for showing how much the fans mean to him.

Paulo Di Canio's first game in charge at Sunderland couldn't have gone much better in the first half. Azpilicueta deflected the ball into his own net and the Black Cats were well worth their lead. But Rafa's men came out flying to start the 2nd and a Kilgallon own goal, and a brilliant piece of improvisation from Ivanovic turned the game around. Sunderland showed little in the 2nd half but can take enough from the 1st 45 minutes to believe they can stay up. A win against Newcastle next week will certainly give them a much needed confidence boost.

Tottenham and Everton served up a cracker in a 2-2 draw, which saw Adabayor score within 30 seconds. Everton levelled through Jagielka, before Miralles' mazy run and quality finish gave them the lead. But with a few minutes to go Sigurdson tapped home a rebound and saved Spurs while also denting Everton's Champions League hopes in an action packed game.

Finally Liverpool and West Ham were involved in an entertaining 0-0 draw, which left both sets of supporters unsatisfied. Liverpool dominated and had the bulk of the chances, but West Ham could have stolen all 3 points when Lucas cleared Collison's header off the line.

Fulham 3 QPR 2: First half calamity leaves Rangers in desperate trouble

By Peter Wells:

If seasons could be defined by one match, then last nights 3-2 defeat for Queens Park Rangers would be the perfect definition of their second spell in the Premier League. Defensively appalling, midfield lacking creation, and the strikers seeing too little of the ball. That was the first half, yet the second defined their season even better as a whole. They showed that sometimes they can play, and that the midfield does not lack the creation required of a team paying such high wages. Yet that's it, isn't it. QPR fans have been teased all season with the teams potential, yet the players do not produce the goods on a regular enough basis. Now Rangers sit dauntingly 7 points below the red line, but unlike Reading are not yet being written off. Its not only that QPR have the favourable fixture list, but also because of those rare occasions when they show the footballing world what they are capable of. When they do this they are hard to write off, but no one can deny the task set for Harry Redknapp is looking bleaker and bleaker.

The game could not have started any worse for Redknapp's side when Christopher Samba tripped Dejagah in the area, conceding a 7th minute penalty. Berbatov was the man to step up and take, and with the confidence only Berbatov possesses, he tucked it into the back of the net, giving Rangers an unwanted mountain to climb.

That mountain was getting steeper as the half went on, Fulham were in control and QPR looked lost at sea. Ruiz headed a corner just wide of the far post before a Fulham free kick almost found its way into the QPR goal. Then on 22 minutes, another Samba mistake allowed Berbatov to score his and Fulham's second of the game. Samba was caught stalling with the ball at his feet in his own penalty area and when he lost the ball Berbatov was there to place the ball past Cesar.

QPR then managed to find a way back into the game. Down the right they looked dangerous all night, yet lacked the final ball, Bosingwa was the guilty party on more than a few occasions. Remy and Townsend were looking most likely to find the net for QPR but neither did.

Instead it was QPR defender Clint Hill who found the net next, but it was the wrong net as far as Rangers were concerned.

QPR looked dead and buried, that was until a slip in the Fulham defence released Taarabt who fired home from the edge of the area, a minute before the break. Suddenly the game was back on, despite Fulham's utter dominance.

Remy ran straight at the Fulham defence to start the second half, and fired a shot which was deflected wide with just 10 seconds gone. Then after sustained QPR pressure, Taarabt was clumsily brought down in the penalty area, for the second penalty of the game. Remy stepped up, and Schwarzer saved, before Duff cleared - it has to be said Duff got their first because he started running before the penalty was taken, as did everyone else. It was a crucial opportunity missed for Rangers and one they are now ruing.

Just a few minutes later Remy made up for his missed penalty, with a sumptuous first touch to take it into the area before blasting it over Schwarzer and into the roof of the net. Townsend and Zamora had shots well saved by Schwarzer as Fulham looked ragged while QPR were purring.

More chances came QPR's way before Sidwell was showed a straight red for a lunging tackle on Traore. It looked a harsh decision at first but on second look, Sidwell caught the QPR left back on the ankle and it was a very rash tackle.

Rangers pressed but failed to find the one good opening they were craving, and were rewarded with nothing but "good efforts" for their spirited fightback.

Fulham can now put any lingering relegation worries to bed with that win, and after their first half performance, most people would agree the result was justified.

Next Sunday's game at home to Wigan, has just become QPR's make or break game. A win and there is still hope, while a defeat and there is no question that they are heading for the drop. So more crucial matches for QPR, but if they are to go down, then its calamitous defending like at Craven Cottage that has been the thorn in their side.