darren ferguson

Darren Ferguson has parted company with Peterborough United, the club say that the 37 year old has left by mutual consent following the loss to Newcastle at the weekend which left Peterborough propping up the Championship table.

Ferguson had led Peterborough through back to back promotions since joining the club in 2007, but the magic has deserted him this season as the club have managed just two league wins in what is considered to be the toughest division of all.

Ferguson’s reputation through his achievements at London Road have made him one of the League’s most highly respected young managers, he was refused permission to talk to Reading regarding their vacancy for a manager in the summer and was rewarded with a new four year contract. at Borough.

A statement from Peterborough United said:

“Following a series of meetings with the manager, Peterborough have decided to part company by mutual consent. The football club would like to thank Darren for his magnificent service during his time at London Road and wish him and his family all the best for the future.

Peterborough United Football Club wish to assure all it supporters that the perceived delay in announcing the departure of the manager by mutual consent was entirely due to the confidential terms and conditions that underpinned the agreement which was not approved and finalised until this afternoon.”

It will be interesting to see who is in the frame to fill the vacancy, but I feel sure that Ferguson will get the opportunity to move on to bigger and better things.

Newcastle were easy winners against a Peterborough side who are struggling for form and find themselves unceremoniously dumped at the bottom of the table, thanks to Roy Keane’s Ipswich picking up a point from the 1-1 draw with Reading.

West Brom who faced a recent dip in fortune found their way back to winning ways at Leicester, who despite the 2-1 loss remain in the dogfight for promotion play off places in sixth. Albion are clinging to Newcastle’s shirt tails in second place, two points behind the Magpies.

The game of the weekend in the Championship, for me anyway, was the clash between Welsh clubs Swansea and Cardiff. Cardiff have been scoring goals for fun as Ron Atkinson might say and were favourites going into the tie. Swansea have been doing pretty well themselves following the adjustments at the club following the departure of Roberto Martinez.

New manager Paulo Sousa has instilled a winning mentality into the Swans and before Saturday’s derby they were unbeaten in nine games, having conceded only ten goals and five points adrift of Cardiff but heading in the right direction.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones on the other hand has a team that had scored 31 goals, the division’s top scorers, and had just picked up the Manager of the Month award for guiding the team to third in the Championship.

On the day it was Swansea who came out on top in an enthralling encounter which they won 3-2, with two goal Darren Prately the player of the match.  It is hard to argue with the result, Swansea just having that extra edge throughout an excellent and exciting game, for a neutral.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough continue their free fall from the top of the league, even Gordon Strachan needs time it seems, Crystal Palace taking three points from them with a 1-0 win.

As ever in the Championship, at least half of the table are within early sight of the automatic and promotion play off places, leaving the other half desperately trying to accumulate enough points not to be dragged into a relegation place.

Barnsley

It is the second defeat on the trot in the Championship and third in a week including the Carling Cup loss at Arsenal for the Baggies and has put a temporary dent in their attempt at marching straight back to the Premiership.

Barnsley, who are at the other end of the Championship table, were much the better team and deserved the win with a performance that belies their position in the league.

Michael Chopra scored four in Cardiff’s mauling of Derby County as the Welsh team found their early season form and thrashed Nigel Clough’s side 6-1.

Promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough and Preston were both beaten, the latter by lowly strugglers Reading who won away 1-2 and lifted themselves up the table but will need to build on this result to avoid a relegation battle later in the season.

Gareth Southgate was booed by the home crowd following the 0-1 defeat by Leicester who are now just one point behind Middlesbrough after an indifferent start to the campaign.

Roy Keane’s Ipswich were robbed yet again as Sheffield United scored an equalising goal in injury time to make the score 3-3. Ipswich had led 3-1 and will be disappointed at letting the game slip away, although one point is better than none.

Ipswich Town’s Simon Clegg was quick to dispel any rumours that Keane’s time at the club was coming to an end by issuing a statement to say there is no pressure on the Irishman.

Coventry staged a late comeback to take all the points from their visit to Watford, trailing 2-1 the Sky Blues scored twice in the last ten minutes or so to seal the win 2-3.

Bristol City beat Blackpool 2-0 who are now both on 16 points just outside the play off places which is becoming very congested with five teams on the same points.

Crystal Palace were held to a 0-0 against visitors Sheffield Wednesday, the same result as at Doncaster who entertained Swansea. The bottom of the table clash between Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough and Plymouth was won by the south west team 1-2, their first win of the season.

Newcastle have the chance to stretch their lead to five points at the top of the league when they take on QPR tonight, while Nottingham Forest will host Scunthorpe in the other game.

Wycombe manager Peter Taylor says he is hopeful of  making another addition to the squad before Saturday’s friendly at AFC Wimbledon.

West Bromwich Albion have signed Simon Cox from Swindon Town, the 22 year old striker has signed a two year contract with Albion, with a transfer fee of £1.5million-rising to £1.9million with performance related add ons.

Cox was the top scorer in League One last season with 29 league goals, prompting West Brom to make a move for the player. Although the deal was arranged before Roberto Di Matteo joined as manager the Italian says;  “Simon is an exciting, young talent with bags of ambition, hunger and determination. I think he will be a great asset for our team next season.”

Scunthorpe United have signed Hibernian captain Rob Jones for an undisclosed fee, however it is reported a s being a club transfer record. The 29 year old defender said “It feels great to sign for Scunthorpe. It is nice to be back in England.”

And finally Darren Ferguson has signed an improved four year contract as manager of  Peterborough United. The 37 year old  says, “I’m thankful the chairman rewarded me for the success.  We’ve got a lot of unfinished business, we want to get the club into the Premiership.”