Football League Fan Zone 19/10/2009
Every game – by the people who care most
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Blackpool 2 Plymouth Argyle 0
What made the headlines?
The meeting of current Seasiders boss Ian Holloway with one of his former clubs was always going to be a spicy affair and it certainly lived up to expectations, although Argyle ended up well beaten.
Who was the villain?
Hard to know whether it was Dutch defender Marcel Seip for scoring against the Pilgrims, or Paul Sturrock and others at the club for allowing the loanee to take part against his parent team and head a crucial goal. (Pilgrim Pete, Plymouth fan)
***
Bristol City 1 Peterborough United 1
Happy with the point?
Not really as you can never really be happy when your team concedes in the last minute. To be fair they probably deserved a point as they had more shots on goal. (Ashton8, Bristol City fan)
Who shone for the Posh?
George Boyd was the hero of the hour and to be honest he's one of a few players who've stood out in the Championship. A few eyebrows were raised when we spent £250,000 to sign him from non-league football but he's worth every single penny. He could play in the Premier League. (Skippy, Peterborough fan)
***
Cardiff 1 Crystal Palace 1
What was the turning point?
As always seems to happen, the curse of a player facing his former club struck Mark Hudson and after his own goal Cardiff were on the back foot and we had to battle hard to secure a point.
Who was the villain?
All the headlines were being made by the alleged abuse dished out to Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra. There was nothing obvious at the time, but with the FA set to step in, watch this space. (City Chris, Cardiff fan)
***
Doncaster Rovers 0 Barnsley 1
Was it a fair result?
Probably not but we are struggling with a horrendous list of injuries at the moment. Fair play to Barnsley though as they came with a gameplan and executed it perfectly. (Hayter, Doncaster fan)
Happy with Mark Robins?
The new manager has been a breath of fresh air and it's just a shame the board didn't wield the axe sooner. We are not good enough for promotion but we've won three games in a row now and at least we can start to forget about relegation for another season. (DickieByrd, Barnsley fan)
***
Ipswich town 1 Swansea city 1
Were there promising signs?
An improved performance over some that we have seen this season, but with us now the only club in the 92 who haven't won this season, we need points so much more than performances right now.
What next for the club?
If a win doesn't come in the next three games I really think serious questions have to be asked about Roy Keane's management skills and the direction he has taken us in since he became manager. (Justin Johnson, bluesweb.co.uk)
***
Leicester City 0 Derby county 0
Was a draw a fair result?
Both sides will be frustrated not to have won, especially in a derby match with local pride at stake. For the majority of the game the Foxes were in the driving seat but Derby stood strong and defended as a solid unit in typical Nigel Clough fashion.
How were the visitors?
Derby looked content with a point from kick-off but Robbie Savage's free-kick almost snatched it at the death. A late winner would have been cruel on the home side who looked the better team for most of the afternoon. (Joe Harris, foxes-mad.co.uk)
***
Middlesbrough 0 Watford 1
Why can't Boro win at home?
At half-time some supporters decided to boo the players off and that's just stupid. We should be getting behind the lads as it's hardly been a disastrous start to the season. (Mr_Tickle, Middlesbrough fan)
Happy with Watford's form?
Malky Mackay should be named manager of the month as he's doing wonders on a shoestring budget. Sure we've lost some games and badly but it's a learning curve and this young squad will benefit from the experience. (GoldenBoy, Watford fan)
***
Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle United 0
Are Forest promotion candidates?
We've won four in a row and have played well but in all honesty we are not good enough for the Premier League. If we can finish in mid-table this season and then kick on to the play-offs next year I'll be happy. (Jeeves, Nottm Forest fan)
Is this just a blip for the Magpies?
Three games without a win is a slight concern but we are still comfortably good enough to get out of this division. We'll lose a few more games before the end of the season but we'll be back in the Premier League soon enough. (SirLes, Newcastle fan)
***
QPR 4 Preston North End 0
Are Rangers promotion candidates?
When we win we win big but the problem remains consistency. It was a great result on the day but until we can string two 1-0 wins together we won't be anywhere near the play-off places. (GeorgieH, QPR fan)
How poor were Preston?
Apart from goalkeeper Andy Lonergan we were pretty much a shambles from start to finish. Veliche Shumulikoski and Michael Hart were particularly culpable and to be honest we were lucky that it wasn't six or seven nil. It was a nightmare day at the office. (Lilywhite78, Preston fan)
***
Scunthorpe United 3 Sheffield United 1
Was it a deserved scoreline?
This was our best 90-minute performance in a long time. The closing down and work-rate was fantastic and Sheffield United didn't know what hit them. (JJHarris, Scunthorpe fan)
What now for the Blades?
I was an ardent supporter of Kevin Blackwell but after this performance and recent displays I have got to say that I have lost faith and really now do believe that he has to go. He is slowly but surely doing to us what he did to Leeds and his excuses are starting to echo three years ago. (Bladesam, Sheffield United fan)
***
Sheffield Wednesday 2 Coventry City 0
Was it a fair result?
Yes, the Owls bossed the first half and although Coventry had a lot of the ball in the second half Wednesday did enough to protect the two-goal lead they had earned in the first 45 minutes.
Who was the star man?
Jermaine Johnson looked a threat on his return to the team but credit must be given to Darren Purse. The skipper has rightly come in for some stick in recent weeks for some poor performances but put in a real captain's display. (Chris Morris, owls-mad.co.uk)
***
West Bromwich Albion 3 Reading 1
Was it a fair result?
After Reading took the lead they could and probably should've extended their advantage. However, it was one-way traffic after Albion drew level.
What now for Albion?
The welcome return to winning ways saw us claim back the top spot in the division. After our mini-slump, a point at Preston and now the win over the Royals has seen us back to the side which went unbeaten for the first 10 games of the season. (Iain Bate, wba-mad.co.uk)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments