Buzzin Championship Football

Newcastle bounce back to premier league

Newcastle United sealed the Championship title at first time of asking with a comfortable win over Plymouth Argyle last night, sending the Magpies back into the Premier League from where they were relegated around this time last year.

Any fears at the start of the season that Newcastle were on a slippery slope that could see them slip down the league in the same fashion as Leeds United and Southampton, were squashed during the first months in the Championship.

Things may have been different if Newcastle had stuck with Alan Shearer in charge of the team, but the no nonsense approach of Chris Hughton worked wonders this season, he has managed to keep the players feet firmly on the ground, deflated any egos and made the team work for every point they have won.

As always the Championship has been no pushover this season, there are no easy games in this division and the game is as much about work rate as anything and that is where Newcastle have excelled.

Every player has given everything for the cause and ending the season as Champions is justice, given the effort put in. On a personal level it is fantastic to see Chris Hughton given a chance and proving his worth, he has done everything that has been asked of him this season and it will be interesting to see if he can continue to do the same in the Premiership.

Sadly last night’s result also sealed the fate of Plymouth, who are relegated to League One along with Peterborough.

With just three rounds of fixtures left to play for most of the Championship teams, Newcastle need only a point to clinch the title and West Bromwich Albion will definatley join them in promotion back to the Premier League.

The play off places may not make such clear reading though, with six teams realistically fighting for the four places. Nottingham Forest’s place is secure and Cardiff too will feel pretty comfortable with where they are.

Leicester and Swansea face an uncomfortable time over the coming weeks with pressure coming from both Blackpool and Middlesbrough, but I don’t really see any change in the play off teams from how they currently stand.

As usual things are no different in the bottom end of the Championship and the run in will be a nervy affair that could in theory involve the entire bottom half of the table, but realistically again it is difficult to see Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth not joining Peterborough for the drop.

For risk takers, the odds of anything changing in the last few games of the Championship will look tempting and there is big money to be made from betting against the odds. It is a massive risk, but it is made easier by the many publications that offer help and advice about online sports betting, books that could perhaps help overcome the odds.

fan of the week

NATIONWIDE ARE CALLING ALL ENGLAND FANS

– Win Match Tickets and Signed Shirts –

The England football team sponsors Nationwide Building Society are giving away prizes including international match tickets and signed England football shirts in their Nationwide England Fan Of The Week competition.

As the 2010 World Cup finals draw closer, Nationwide are whipping up some World Cup Fever amongst the legions of England fans who will already be making their own plans to watch the competition, be it on TV or for the lucky ones a trip to South Africa.

To take part in the Nationwide England Fan of the Week competition, all that is needed is a picture of yourself  supporting the England team. The competition has already started and will run through the World Cup with a range of great England prizes to be won.

Go to the Nationwide England Fan of the Week website and enter NOW by simply uploading a picture of you supporting the England team.

The Nationwide England Fan of the Week will be randomly drawn every Monday until the end of the World Cup. Prizes for winning fans include match tickets to England v Mexico, signed England shirts and other England goodies.

derby county

Derby County have been fined by the Football Association for a second time this season, once again they were charged with ‘failing to control their players’, on this occasion the charge refers to the Championship game against Swansea at Pride Park on February 20th.

County had denied the charge but were found guilty at a disciplinary hearing. The club were fined £50,000.

Swansea were also fined for their part in the melee, but their fine was only £15,000 with half of that suspended.

Derby were found guilty of the same charge involving their two matches against local rivals Nottingham Forest earlier this season and have already been fined £65,000 on those counts.

The Commission chairman stated:

“The Commission was deeply concerned that this was the third occasion in a period of eight months that Derby County FC have been charged with a similar offence. Furthermore, the Commission felt the incident could have easily been avoided by stronger restraint from players from both clubs.”

Newcastle close in on promotion

Newcastle United moved even closer to fulfilling their dream ambition of returning to the Premier League after just one season away, following a hard fought victory over Nottingham Forest last night.

Promotion could be confirmed as early as this coming weekend if results go in favour of the Magpies and they beat Peterborough and Forest lose to Bristol City.

Nottingham Forest’s purple patch now seems a distant memory, despite the team putting up another brave and gutsy performance at St James’ Park they once again ended the game with nothing to show for their endeavours, stretching their run of away defeats to seven.

Newcastle remain unbeaten at home this season and had the better of the chances in the first half, but amazingly the game remained goalless up until the 71st minute, when substitute Shola Ameobi grabbed the opening goal.

Jose Enrique added the second very late in the game after everyone and his dog had chances for Newcastle to seal the win, but Lee Camp in the Forest goal was superb at keeping them at bay until Enrique popped in the first goal of his career.

It was a close game and Billy Davies will take heart from his teams performance, but I can’t really see them winning an automatic promotion place now and they may have to settle for the play offs, where they already lead the pack.

Newcastle have got stuck in from day one in the Championship and have been favourites for the title all season. I have to say it will be no more than they deserve if they grab promotion this weekend, if not, it is only a question of time.