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forgottenfooty · 7 months

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Footy's Forgotten #3: Jussi Jääskeläinen

Jussi Jääskeläinen was a goalkeeper, who played between 1992 & 2018 for the likes of Bolton Wanderers & West Ham United, amongst others.

Born on April 19th, 1945, in Mikkeli, Finland, he started his career at Mikkelin Palloilijat (MP), where he made his debut in 1992. He would play 64 times for the club until 1995, when he joined Vaasan Palloseura (VPS). There, he would make 54 appearances, helping the club to a 3rd place finish in the Veikkausliiga, before joining Bolton Wanderers for £100,000 in 1997.

After a season on the bench, he became the club's first choice goalkeeper, although missed out on the half of Bolton's promotion-winning season of 2000-01 season due to a cruciate ligament injury.

During the 2003-04 season, he helped Bolton to reach the 2003-04 League Cup final, where they lost to a Middlesbrough side which contained Mark Schwarzer, Gareth Southgate, Gaizka Mendieta, Boudewijn Zenden, & Juninho.

The 2006-07 season saw him lead Bolton to a 7th place finish in the Premier League, qualifying them for their 2nd UEFA Cup in 3 years. This earned him Bolton Wanderer's Player of the Year, as well as the 2007 Finnish Footballer of the Year.

He left Bolton at the end of the 2011-12 season, following Bolton's relegation to the Football League Championship. By this point, he had played 527 games for the club, including 474 in the league, & 11 in the UEFA Cup.

He officially joined West Ham United in June 2012, where he made 57 appearances for the Hammers between 2012 & 2015, notably helping them reach the 2013-14 League Cup semi-finals, where they lost 9-0 on agg. to Manchester City.

In 2015, he joined Wigan Athletic, helping them win the EFL League One in his first season. He would leave in 2017, before playing 1 game for ATK in India, retiring in January 2018.

On the international stage, Jääskeläinen played 56 games for Finland between 1998 & 2010. His debut came in March 1998, in a 2-0 win against Malta. However, despite this, he never played at an international tournament.

As a coach, he joined Wrexham as a goalkeeper coach under former Bolton teammate Sam Ricketts. He temporarily became a joint-caretaker manager alongside Graham Barrow & Carl Darlington for Wrexham's 0-0 FA Cup draw against Newport County, before going back to a goalkeeper coach. He would leave the club in June 2019 He also had a brief management career, as the joint-caretaker manager of 🇬🇧Wrexham AFC in 2018.

He has two sons who are also in football. His oldest, Will Jääskeläinen, currently plays for Woking, having previously played 4 games for Crewe Alexandra. Meanwhile, his youngest, Emil Jääskeläinen, currently plays for LIU Sharks, the soccer team of Long Island University.

#Jääskeläinen #Bolton Wanderers #Mikkelin Palloilijat #Vaasan Palloseura #Veikkausliiga #Premier League #West Ham #Wigan Athletic #Footy's Forgotten

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therealefl · 9 months

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EFL Legend Reignites Feud With Wrexham Boss

The Championship’s all-time leading goal scorer Billy Sharp has reignited the war of words with Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, following a recent interview with The Athletic. Sharp’s feud with the 55-year-old stretches back to the FA Cup tie between Sheffield United and Wrexham last season, with the legendary forward labelling the Red Dragons as ‘disrespectful’ in a post-match rant following…

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#billy sharp #EFL #EFL League Two #EFL League Two News #FA cup #Phil Parkinson #Sheffield United #Wrexham AFC

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icemaninvestments · 10 months

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IceMan Investments Update – New Season 2023/24

A new season is upon us, and IceMan has come up with some new selections to boost the portfolio. As ever we are looking for incremental year on year growth. IceMan is always punting for a purpose and will donate some of the inevitable profit to Anti-Fascist organisation Hope not Hate.

I always seems to be posting these updates against a dramatic political backdrop, I suppose that is just the reality of life since 2016. Trump has just been indicted (again), Putin continues his flailing Russian imperial project in Ukraine and closer to home Sunak is going to war in defence of ‘Motorists’. What a load of Bollix, what saddo actually identifies as a ‘Motorist’. I am a Husband, Father and Grandfather etc and well down the list, I am a bloke who sometimes drives a car. My interests as a ‘motorist’ are massively outweighed by my concern for pollution and the environment that will have a major impact on my children and grandchildren (and everybody else’s, even self-described ‘Motorists’).

Ok on with the Football.

Premiership, Arsenal without Man City 9/4

I was seriously going to give this league a miss this year. It is a great product on the pitch but the dodgy owners, too much money and hype mean I have fallen out of love with the Premiership. So, there is all that plus the fact I was struggling to come up with a betting angle, one of the IceMan rules is don’t force it, if there is not a good prospect, then walk away, don’t just take a position because it is ‘the big one‘ or you feel obliged to have an interest.

Then I was reminded of the without Man City market. Last year I had what in hindsight looked to be a ridiculously conservative bet on Arsenal top 6. This year I am being more ambitious and backing the Gunners to win the title without Man City, basically I pick up if Arsenal win or come second to City. The reason for the confidence is Arsenal will have learned a lot from last year’s campaign and they have have made some good additions to the squad, principally Declan Rice, a player about who I have mixed opinions, I don’t think I will ever forgive him for turning his back on the Republic of Ireland.

Championship Leicester City Promotion 13/8

I considered staying with last years selections Middlesbrough who made the play offs. I fully expect them to be there or thereabouts this year, however I am hoping for a team that might snatch an automatic promotion place. This makes consideration of the relegated premiership sides a must, of those, I feel Leicester are best placed to make a quick return. There are negatives, an untested manager, the sale of some of their most talented players and hoping there is not too much of a hangover following a disappointing premiership season. Recruitment so far has been solid rather than spectacular. Having said all that, they do have a massive operating budget and a good depth to their squad. they will be able to make more acquisitions both now and in the January window. They have not been missed in the market , Ideally, I would have liked a better price, however a winning shortie is better than longer priced loser.

League one – Bolton promotion 11/4

Once more, I did consider last year’s pick Peterborough, who gave a decent account of themselves by making the play offs. Expect them to be in the shake out again. It was difficult to overlook the claims of Bolton. This team has improved incrementally each season under Ian Evatt and made the play offs last season. Ironically their success in the EFL Trophy was a distraction that may have cost them promotion last term. Very optimistic they can go one better this season.

League Two Stockport 5/4 and MK Dons 11/4 both for promotion

Very much against my usual MO I am going in two handed here. As ever I considered last year’s picks Mansfield, but not for long, they are always fancied but have proved to be perennial under achievers. A more tempting throwback to last year would be to rejoin the Wrexham bandwagon and their push for back to back promotions. Their Hollywood profile now means they have been found in the market and hold little appeal at current odds. A very good alternative is Stockport who are tested at this level and were very unlucky not to be promoted last year, missing out in the play-off final after making a bold promotion push following a slow start to the campaign. They have retained the core of that squad and made some smart additions like Nick Powell who has been successful at higher levels. Price is a little skinny but is a fair reflection of their chances. The other play in this division is MK Dons, like most football fans I dislike this club immensely due to their historical foundations when they pulled some US franchise nonsense to move what was Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes. Anyways, IceMan don’t do emotional on sports investments. This side look the best of the relegated teams and if impressive boss Graham Alexander can get them to click, they represent decent value in the promotion market.

National League Chesterfield 6/4 and Gateshead 25/1 Promotion

Ok so much for my normal MO I am going in two handed again in a league that has been a happy hunting ground over the years. First up is the obvious and unavoidable Chesterfield. They are the market leaders for a reason. They were beaten in last year’s play off final and the division looks easier this time around following the promotions of Wrexham and Notts County. Manager Paul Cook normally operates at a higher level than this. He has added to an already strong squad and I am hoping they can secure the automatic promotion slot, but taking the insurance of having the play offs as a safety net.

The second tip is more adventurous as with the exception of Chesterfield, I feel the league has a very open look. Gateshead look a bit overpriced at 25/1. They are a solid unit and have had a good pre-season. They need a massive step up in form to challenge for the play offs but that is why they are priced 25/1.

Scottish Premiership - Aberdeen without Celtic/Rangers 9/5

Regrettably I can’t find a Celtic angle, it would be great if my financial and emotional interests aligned but this is not the year. Therefore, I am sticking with last years pick Aberdeen. Such was their improvement under Barry Robson that I can only get about half last year’s odds on this selection. They have a great forward line and look set to outgun Hibs and Hearts. Go on The Sheep.

Scottish Championship - Dundee United 11/8 to win the league.

So, we visit the City of Jute again. last year Dundee done us a favour and this year we hope their city rivals Dundee United can do the same. Not gone unnoticed to me that United have issued a new third kit that gives a nod to their Irish heritage, as they were founded as Dundee Harps. Like Dundee, United are hoping to rebound after a poor premiership season that ended in relegation. The case for United is the same as Dundee last year, they should just have enough class and depth in their squad to be successful at this level. A twist on this position is that United Manager Jim Goodwin was Aberdeen boss last year and was a big reason why I tipped them, however he had a shocking time and ended up getting sacked, they only improved after his departure. I still rate him as a manager, and he is an Irishman. (Not that any sentiment comes into it).

Scottish League One Hamilton Academicals 5/2 to win the league

We are backing one of the best sounding names in Scottish football, and there are many. Like Leicester, MK Dons and Dundee United I am getting involved with a relegated side again. There are always worries that last year’s poor form and losing habits can continue into the new season. I am less concerned in this case than some of the others as The Accies have made some good additions to the squad and have performed well in pre-season. Falkirk look an obvious danger, but they always seem to find a couple of sides too good for them and have become regular under achievers.

Scottish League Two - Stenhousemuir to win 6/1 each way

I am rolling the dice again on Stenny. Last year they were underwhelming finished in sixth place. They trade at 6/1 rather than the 9/2 I took last year and that looks good value in a very competitive division. The reasons to be optimistic are an uptick in results following the appointment of Gary Naysmith last January. The club have also been busy adding some useful new additions to the squad. Hopefully they change it up and at least make the top 3. Go Warriors

Bundesliga - Union Berlin top 4 11/4

I always have a look at the top European leagues in search of a bit of value. There was nothing in the Spanish or Italian markets to whet my appetite. The German Bundesliga looks to offer some value with Union Berlin to make the top 4. A negative is that they will have to contend with playing Champions League games this season which could stretch the squad, however they did go quite deep in the Europa league last season while managing a 4th place finish. On a positive, Bayern and Dortmund should take the top two places and with all due respect to Monchengladbach and Freiburg. I believe this leaves Union, Leipzig , Frankfurt and Leverkusen to fight over the two remaining slots. I think 11/4 represents a good price as Unions close rivals have all lost some serious scoring talent.

An Oldie

Politics Lab/Lib Coalition 7/1

This is still a ‘live ‘position’ and the current cash out exactly matches my stake so no change in the odds. I will keep this open, however personally I don’t expect a formal coalition even if Lab come up a bit shy of an overall majority. Then again, I said no chance of Brexit or Trump winning in 2016, so what do I know.

There is a part of me that would quite like the Lib Dems to have some leverage on Labour as I reckon i Anyways, let’s get these Tory feckers out. It will help Lab take stronger positions on better relations with EU and proportional representation.

So that is it, the money has been placed in the market. I can sit back and enjoy the ride.

IceMan Investment Portfolio – Punting for a Purpose

Smash the Fash

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thefootballlife · 3 years

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Beeched Boys - Carlisle United’s sloppy start reflects on a club in stasis

Which makes what is happening at Carlisle United all the more surprising as the club’s continued downsizing and lack of ambition threatens the club with the ultimate punishment - relegation out of the EFL and, after around… well… after a lot of years, demotion to becoming Cumbria’s second club behind Barrow. After a season without fans which, for a time, promised promotion, how have standards slipped so far?

First things first, it would be scaremongering to suggest that Carlisle are in imminent danger of dropping out of the Football League this season. Quite aside from anything, Oldham are rightly pencilled in for bottom place given their massive off the field issues and, given the past 18 months of everything, it’s also quite difficult to suggest that other clubs won’t, at some point, find themselves at some sort of financial impasse between here and May. Carlisle, to the owners’ credit, won’t be one of those clubs finding themselves out of cash given that Carlisle’s long-run business plan of, well, penny-pinching have left the club better capable of absorbing a shock than many others. A wage/revenue ratio of only 54% in 19/20 places the club as perhaps the most sensible in the entire division in terms of where the money goes (albeit, given that season also included the Branthwaite sale to Everton, the true figure is probably a bit higher).

But that’s about the only thing the owners of the club will be getting credit for in this piece.

The latest result was a 2-2 home draw against second bottom Scunthorpe who, for the first 45 minutes, proceeded to run roughshod over a listless Carlisle side and go in 2-0 up thanks to a pair of goals from corners - the first from issues in the second and third phase, the second from, well, just not tracking the run of a big 6ft 2in defender and giving him a free header five yards out. They were quite the defensive sins.

Go back a week to the loss vs Crawley and, once more, the opening goal came from slack defending at a corner with Crawley’s winner (to be fair, a great volley) coming after more issues clearing the ball from a cross. In defeat against Hartlepool? The winner, again a great volley, came straight from a failure to fully clear a long throw. Vs Orient? A poor clearance from a long ball leading directly to a goal.

It may sound obvious, but any side in League Two that repeatedly has an issue dealing with aerial balls into the box is going to be a side that has issues in League Two particularly when the issues aren’t just across one element of defending set pieces, but across both marking the initial set piece and then also getting out and pressing as things move into the second phase and beyond. Breaking this into a broader set piece analysis across the league, Carlisle fit into the quadrant where they concede less xG from open play than the average but more xG from set pieces than average. Creatively, their set piece xG creation has also halved based on last season’s stats. No side in the league has conceded more from set pieces, no side has conceded more xG from set pieces and this plays out in general aerial duels also - a success rate so far this season around 10% lower than last season.

(Most of those stats are from the Fox Analytics account on twitter. Give it a follow.)

What all that means is that Carlisle are actually an effective defensive side with a glaring weakness at set plays where they appear to lack organisation (as the Scunthorpe game showed) and the ability to deal as effectively with aerial bombardment compared to last season.

In both instances, you would look at transfer decisions made by the club that were, in likelihood, reasonably obvious calls but calls that have damaged the side - namely the sales of both George Tanner and Aaron Hayden to Bristol City and Wrexham respectively added to the loss of Rhys Bennett to Gillingham. Both deals were likely decent money (for both club and player) but selling a large portion of the defence and only bringing in one loan signing in the centre by way of replacement is obviously going to end up with things looked rather disjointed at the back, especially when that loanee (Dinzeyi from Arsenal) hasn’t played a single proper game of senior football (with all due disrespect to the U23 sides in the EFL Trophy) nor has he yet appeared for United.

Now, while it goes without saying that attracting sides to the geographical outpost of Carlisle is slightly more difficult than it is for almost every other League Two side but selling your central defence after the season has started and not replacing it is asking for trouble given it removes a level of tactical flexibility from the manager’s potential options. While Carlisle do have some depth in the rest of the side, they are playing four at the back every game out of necessity and shuffling the pack in front. What that has resulted in is some Jekyll and Hyde performances - Scunthorpe being one but the victory vs Salford being another - where Carlisle are spending extended periods under the cosh because Plan A hasn’t worked and Carlisle have had to get to Plan C because they don’t have the depth to have a Plan B.

And that’s a board issue given that no football manager has ever yet found themselves able to tie their own hands behind their back.

As things stand, the club have been up for sale for, well, pushing on a decade with the ownership actively looking to get out ASAP for at least three. In short, the club were previously funded by EWM who went bust a little while ago and Carlisle are caught in the crossfire of the administrative proceedings behind that so that, while the club is “well run” in regards to it not being a hideously unprofitable mess (unlike, say, Swindon were), it is in a debt over £2m courtesy of those previous arrangements and the longer the club goes without a permanent solution to its ownership question, the more money the club takes in that will end up being diverted to service that debt. The club needs a buyer to take it forward and service the debt but the debt needs servicing before there’ll be a buyer.

And while fans aren’t raucous and attendances are steady, roughly comparable to 2019/20 before everything, they are settling in for what looks like a season that is the inevitable result of late sales and reshaping of the side in the death throes of the summer window. Given Carlisle have saleable talents as well, what does that augur for January? One can’t sell the family silver, replace it with tin and hope no-one notices forever.

For now, it’s fixable. Sorting set pieces out defensively will fix many results making Carlisle a defensively solid if blunt force. It may make eyes bleed but it will, at least, prevent the points total from doing similar.

It’s difficult not to think that if the club were offered their current league position of 14th at the end of the season that they wouldn’t take it eagerly. But if that is the club’s ambition and the club’s mid to long term ambition at that, missing that spot even a little bit will inevitably result in serious trouble.

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martynrandles · 1 year

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Wrexham v Boreham Wood (3-1) | Paul Mullin's double sends Wrexham up as National League Champions

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shelbbswrites · 29 days

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Welcome to Wrexham is BACK with a two-episode premiere that chronicles the early days of Wxm AFC's return to the EFL.

I gush about how the show AND the team keep improving in my "Welcome to the EFL" review.

And if you want to support this review on X, please click this link.

#welcome to wrexham #wrexham afc #wrexham fx #tv #sports #soccer #football #sports entertainment #ryan reynolds #rob mcelhenney #writing

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therealefl · 10 months

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The Real EFL’s National League Matchday Preview: Week One

The Real EFL’s National League Matchday Preview: Week One @CallumTREFL

After 97 days, the Vanarama National League is back and things are expected to be very, very different this time around, with both Wrexham and Notts County no longer in the division following their promotions in the previous campaign. Following this, the National League also said goodbye to Scunthorpe United, Torquay United, Yeovil Town and Maidstone United last season, after they were relegated…

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torentialtribute · 5 years

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Preston’s Louis Moult discusses alcoholism, the disease which took his mother when he was just 15

Recently, Louis Moult looked intently at the young woman's face, recognized the symptoms. Yellow, jaundice skin, bloodshot eyes, light tremor. Alcoholism, the same illness that his mother took away when he was only fifteen.

& # 39; Yes, it all came under water & # 39 ;, he nodded. & # 39; It was as if I was looking straight at my mother if I was honest. & # 39;

Moult is a front center for Preston North End in the championship. He is only 26 but has lived what must have a long life. After a difficult start – a start derailed by the death of his mother – Moult has an established career in the game.

Louis Moult visited the Foxton Center, which is "class =" blkBorder img-share "

More importantly, he has a grip on life.

More importantly, he has a grip on life. I have a partner and two daughters and the days that I used to drink to forget are no longer there.

& Foxton Center, a charity that supports vulnerable adults and young people in Preston, I was nervous because I thought I was doing things would see those bad memories would evoke, but I knew I had it, "he said.

& # 39; It struck me. But the lady I spoke to made it worthwhile She didn't know my story, I wasn't there to blow my mouth off.

The Preston striker tragically lost his mother to alcoholism when he was only 15 "class =" blkBorder img-share "until alcoholism when he was just 15

The Preston striker tragically lost his mother to alcoholism when he was just 15

& # 39; She was in her forties, alcoholic. I made tea and we talked about her life and I hope I helped her. Because she helped me in her way. & # 39;

Moult was born in Stoke and was in his hometown club books as a young person. But his mother Vicky had always struggled with alcohol, and when he died at the age of 43, the grief almost drowned him.

& # 39; I just locked myself in my room & # 39 ;, he said. & # 39; My mother and father were divorced when I was six and I and my brother & # 39;

Jake was in and out of her life because of the alcohol.

& # 39; I remember going to her house on a Christmas Day and Jake immediately smelled it. We walked straight out again. I was about 12.

& # 39; The sad thing is that when she died, she cleaned herself up. From the age of 13 to 15 we had an incredible relationship.

The 26-year-old has had a challenging career, including non-spells in one year old has had a challenging career, including non-spells in league "

The 26-year-old has had a challenging career, including spells in non-league

& # 39; She may have known she was dying. I know but the damage had already been done. & # 39;

How Moult got from where he was to where he is now, he doesn't really know. From a football point of view, I was willing to travel and – after a five minutes of Premier League performance for Stoke in 2010 – I went to places such as Accrington, Alfreton, Aldershot, Nuneaton, Wrexham and then – prior to Preston – Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League.

drink no answers, but finally spoke.

On Tuesday Sat. l be back at the Foxton Center as part of the EFL & # 39; s Action Day, an initiative that brings all 72 league clubs together to demonstrate the positive impact that football can have in changing lives.

Moult told Sportsmail: & # 39; I had no one to talk to. It was me, my brother and my father, and men will be men. They are closed books.

& # 39; In the football changing room, the player wants to show a weakness. It's about being the funniest or loudest.

<img id = "i-5318aa35457585fe" src = "https://ift.tt/2TL5vaK -0-image-a-43_1552941453206.jpg "height =" 396 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-5318aa35457585fe" src = "https://ift.tt/2Y6ClkB 2019/03/18/20 / 11153686-0-image-a-43_1552941453206.jpg "height =" 396 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-5318aa35457585fe" src = "https: // i .dailymail.co.uk / 1s / 2019/03/18/20 / 11153686-0-image-a-43_1552941453206.jpg "height =" 396 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-5318aa35457585fe "src =" https://ift.tt/2FaXsKa "height =" 396 "width =" 634 "alt = "<img id =" i-5318aa35457585fe "src =" https://ift.tt/2FaXsKa "height =" 396 "width =" 634 "alt =" Moult is now in the championship with promotional hunters Preston North End Preston North End

& # 39; But I learned that talking about things is the only way. There was a time when I cried in the conversation at this point.

& # 39; There was also a time when I went out too much and my attitude was bad. I was not a very nice person. I think I changed that.

& # 39; Carlie, my partner, told my father that she was starting to worry. I thought I could control it, but then alcoholics say that.

& # 39; If things don't go well in life, you have to make a decision. As a nation going to drink, our coping mechanism has traditionally been.

& # 39; But I think football can help with this. Players can set examples. Instead of going outside, coming home and yelling at the missus, let's sit down and share our feelings.

Mental health is a difficult subject in football. We hear that attitudes at the highest level are changing. But what about the pyramid?

& # 39; If you talk about personal problems, your manager may think you cannot play & he said. & # 39; Maybe he thinks: & # 39; He is wrong in his head. & # 39; So players can close and that is dangerous.

<img id = "i-8e6caa13657ee0dc" src = "https://ift.tt/2TIWNcW image-m-46_1552941717036.jpg "height =" 567 "width =" 634 "alt =" Moult points to heaven after scoring the opening goal for Motherwell in the semi-final victory of the Betfred League Cup over Rangers in Hampden Park in October 2017

<img id = "i-8e6caa13657ee0dc" src = "https://ift.tt/2Fiv20C -46_1552941717036.jpg "height =" 567 "width =" 634 "alt =" Moult points to heaven after scoring the opening goal for Motherwell in the semi-final victory of the Betfred League Cup over Rangers at Hampden Park in October 2017

& # 39; I'm not saying & # 39;

& # 39; I'm not saying

& # 39; Is this something we should work on in football? & # 39; Hell yes. But publicity helps. & # 39;

On the field, Moult found a home with Preston. At Deepdale they call him & # 39; the King & # 39; and after an injury problem he is now fit to give his weight to that promotion. Preston unbeaten in the championship since New Year's Day

Moult still faces his challenges. His paternal uncle is an alcoholic and has been homeless in the past. Another reason for the young striker to stick to the work of the Foxton Center

& # 39; Footballers are just people and we have our stories & # 39 ;, he said. I have worked hard and experienced a lot to get here.

& # 39; If I can help someone else by telling my story, I will do it. & # 39;

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#Preston’s Louis Moult discusses alcoholism #the disease which took his mother when he was just 15"

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freebetalerts-blog · 5 years

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Five Potential FA Cup Upsets: Peterborough a cracking bet at the Riverside

(New post on FreeBetAlerts.com) - https://freebetalerts.com/2019/01/04/five-potential-fa-cup-upsets-peterborough-a-cracking-bet-at-the-riverside/ #Football, #Freebets, #Tips

Five Potential FA Cup Upsets: Peterborough a cracking bet at the Riverside Please share.

It’s FA Cup third round time and Alan Dudman has identified five potential upsets at big prices for Saturday’s busy fixture list….

Up-and-down Gills can surprise Warnock’s men Gillingham v Cardiff CitySaturday 15:00 The Opta stats don’t paint a particularly encouraging picture regarding Gillingham’s chances of an upset, as they have won just one of their previous nine FA Cup matches against Premier League opposition, and pushing [5.0], they are just about the right price. However, this match centres around Cardiff. With a key run of league fixtures coming up against Huddersfield, Newcastle and Bournemouth, survival in the top flight will be an absolute must. In fact, with those games, there is no reason why Neil Warnock’s side cannot pick up six points – and they need to, as Burnley could be about to hit a run of form. Cardiff exited the EFL Cup at an early stage this season when losing to Norwich, and were held by Mansfield 0-0 in the FA Cup last term. Backing Gillingham this season has been real topsy-turvy stuff. Less top maybe. They do have their inconsistencies, but they possess a forward who scores goals in Tom Eaves. He has 16 this term has been linked with a move away from the Priestfield. The Kent club looked fatigued over the Christmas period, but they managed to beat the leaders Portsmouth 2-0. They have a bit of width, a big forward and they score a few goals. We can back the surprise here at around [5.0]. Bees don’t look certainties at Griffin Park Brentford v Oxford UnitedSaturday 15:00 If this fixture was played in November or early December, I suspect the prices would be different from the ones up for Saturday’s match at Griffin Park. Oxford enjoyed a decent spell two months ago – but the wheels are starting to come off following a horror run over Christmas with three successive defeats. Oxford are priced at [7.80] to cause an upset. I imagine Brentford will be in plenty of accas this weekend at odds of [1.53]. The Bees are currently 18th in the Championship and it’s a similar scenario to Cardiff in terms of their survival. Although aspirations at the club would be towards the playoffs. The Londoners earned an excellent point against Norwich recently and Thomas Frank’s switch to a 3-4-3 formation has reaped some rewards over the festive period with an unbeaten run of four. But it might be worth chancing an away victory at such a big price. Oxford were out on their feet in the defeat to Plymouth on New Year’s Day; with fatigue and a lack of cover finally catching them out. The U’s have progressed to the fourth round on the last two occasions they have reached this stage with wins against Swansea and Rotherham, and we’ll take them to cause a shock here against a far-too-short Brentford. Hatters can continue their goalscoring formSheffield Wednesday v Luton TownSaturday 12:30 Whilst this will hardly go down as a Hereford giant-killing of yesteryear courtesy of Ronnie Radford, we have a chance to back Luton as the outsiders of the two at 2/1+ here – and that never happens in League One with the Hatters. I’ve been utilising the -1 Handicap with Nathan Jones’ side recently with a bit of success, as they really are an excellent team with goals everywhere. James Collins and Elliot Lee already have 10 each, whilst Danny Hylton is a tremendous player – and he has five in 17. Luton have a decent record against Wednesday too in recent seasons and are unbeaten in four visits to Hillsborough. The hosts no longer have Jos Luhukay in charge – he left on December 21st. He has been replaced by Steve Bruce – who won’t officially take charge until February 1st. The squad will be out to impress as Bruce has met the players and told them they all have a “fresh slate”. Wednesday don’t score that many at home, which could put them under a bit of pressure here. The Hatters have found the back of the net in seven of their last eight matches on the road and went four unbeaten over Christmas. I’ll keep my League One hat on for this fixture. Avoid Posh at home, but back them away at the Riverside for cup successMiddlesbrough v Peterborough United Saturday 15:00It wouldn’t be a column without an inclusion of my old friends Peterborough. Although their New Year’s Day performance and a 0-2 home loss to Scunthorpe earned them no pals at all. They started poorly and were very sloppy at the back and a damning assessment from manager Steve Evans came in the shape of telling the press that some of the players that featured in that defeat won’t be playing again. He also said some had been “found out”. I doubt the dressing room was a quiet zone after the match. The Iron loss was in stark contrast to a brilliant away performance from Posh in beating Accrington 0-4 last Saturday. And that’s the nub of Peterborough’s problems this season. They are the 15th ranked team with home results, yet they are in second position with their away form. Evans changed the system at Stanley and played two up front to utilise Siriki Dembele’s pace. They also pushed a lot further up the pitch to press and force mistakes, and they looked far better than some of the shambolic displays at the ABAX this term. I hope he goes with the two up front here. It could be a match that Middlesbrough are likely to make changes for, indeed, Evans has hinted his opposite number could make “seven or eight”, but we have no idea what the team will be until Saturday. Backing the Posh at [6.20] is a nice price considering they are so much better on their travels. They’ve scored 30 in the league this term on the road – and that’s the best in the division. Ricketts can claim a major Cup scalp Shrewsbury Town v Stoke City Saturday 15:00Opta stats alone point us towards a shock here, and that’s without the pressure piling up on Stoke boss Gary Rowett. Dealing with the numbers first from Opta; the Potters have been eliminated at this stage of the competition in each of their last two seasons against teams from lower divisions. Whilst Shrewsbury have not lost a third round FA Cup match at home since 1989 – winning three and drawing the other. Prices dictate a shock could be in store here with the visitors at a nervy [2.06] and Shrewsbury at nearly [4.0]. City boss Gary Rowett was under pressure over Christmas, but it got worst following the shocking performance on New Year’s Day with a home loss to Bristol City. Stoke are now in 14th and looking anxiously at the relegation places below. It’s no surprise that David Moyes and Sam Allardyce have both been linked with the club. This game has come at a bad time for Rowett as defeat really could call time on his position. The Shrews have Sam Ricketts in charge now. A young, progressive manager who impressed in his first job at Wrexham. The hosts are unbeaten in nine in all competitions at home and can trouble a side under pressure. *Click here for more exclusive news and betting previews

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365footballorg-blog · 6 years

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Moyes 'concern' as snow and freezing weather disrupts sporting programme

West Ham manager David Moyes says he has concerns about getting to Swansea for Saturday’s Premier League game, as the UK remains gripped by snow.

Dozens of the weekend’s sporting fixtures are already postponed, with some being switched to Sunday.

Many clubs are carrying out inspections on Friday, with most of the UK under severe weather warnings until Saturday.

“The Met Office is saying people shouldn’t travel, especially through Cardiff and down the M4,” Moyes said.

“It is a concern at the moment and I’m guessing it shouldn’t be any different for football teams and fans. I think the Premier League may need to look at that,” he added.

At 10:00 GMT on Friday, a Premier League spokesman told BBC Sport that there were no concerns about any of Saturday’s seven games going ahead.

Three of Friday’s[1] Super League games have been postponed, with St Helens and Wakefield moving their games to Sunday.

Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match between St Johnstone and Hamilton is off, as is Sheffield United against Burton Albion in the Championship.

Four matches in League One and four games in League Two are postponed, but the number is likely to rise with pitch inspections at many EFL clubs taking place over the next few hours.

Friday’s Pro14 games at Cardiff Blues, Edinburgh and Ulster are also off.

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs’ top-of-the-table Premiership match against Saracens has been put back 24 hours to Sunday (15:00 GMT).

Army called in as Storm Emma hits UK[2]

Scottish football postponements pile up[3]

‘Beast from the East’ nothing compared to this![4]

All jump racing meetings across Britain have been abandoned until Sunday at the earliest.

The Scottish Ski & Boarder Cross Championships,[5] scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, have been cancelled after heavy snow caused roads to be closed around the Glenshee Ski Centre, in the Cairngorms National Park.

The Scottish Championship fixtures between Dundee United and St Mirren and Dunfermline and Livingston are both postponed and the lower leagues in Scotland[6] have been badly hit.

But officials are hopeful that the majority of the Scottish Cup sixth round ties will go ahead as planned.

“There are no pitch inspections scheduled at this stage, but we are in close contact with all clubs, police and local authorities to review all matches on a case-by-case basis,” said a Scottish FA spokesman.

“As always, the safety of supporters, players and staff is our top priority.”

The National League programme in England has been seriously affected with nine matches postponed.

<!–

Postponed sporting events

Friday, 2 March

Super League:

Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons

Wakefield Trinity v Huddersfield Giants – rearranged for Sunday at 15:00 GMT

St Helens v Salford Red Devils – rearranged for Sunday at 16:00 GMT

Pro14:

Cardiff Blues v Benetton

Edinburgh v Munster

Ulster v Glasgow

Scottish Championship:

Dundee United v St Mirren

Saturday, 3 March

Premiership:

Exeter Chiefs v Saracens – rearranged for Sunday at 15:00 GMT

Scottish Premiership:

St Johnstone v Hamilton

Championship:

Sheffield United v Burton Albion

League One:

Bradford v Portsmouth

Gillingham v Rotherham

Oxford United v Fleetwood

Shrewsbury v Peterborough

League Two:

Barnet v Port Vale

Cheltenham v Notts County

Exeter v Chesterfield

Newport v Accrington

National League:

Barrow v Eastleigh

Boreham Wood v Macclesfield

Chester v Bromley

Ebbsfleet United v Wrexham

Guiseley v Dagenham & Redbridge

FC Halifax v Sutton United

Maidenhead United v Woking

Torquay v AFC Fylde

Tranmere v Gateshead

Scottish Championship:

Dunfermline v Livingston

Scottish League 1

Airdrieonians v Stranraer

Albion Rovers v Queen’s Park

Scottish League 2

Berwick Rangers v Stirling Albion

Clyde v Elgin City

Edinburgh City v Cowdenbeath

Peterhead v Stenhousemuir

References

^ Three of Friday’s (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Army called in as Storm Emma hits UK (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Scottish football postponements pile up (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ ‘Beast from the East’ nothing compared to this! (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Scottish Ski & Boarder Cross Championships, (www.ssbx.co.uk)

^ lower leagues in Scotland (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Football

Moyes 'concern' as snow and freezing weather disrupts sporting programme was originally published on 365 Football

#&039concern&039 #disrupts #freezing #Moyes #programme #snow #Sporting #weather

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