Rival Watch

[Clyde1998]

Posted this AM (from GB News) .......as ever wonderfully understated


...and fined £40k with £20k suspended?

Drinan was one, Clarke was the other player. Swindon didn’t name Drinan on the team sheet but brought him on as a sub while Clarke was still meant to be serving a 7 game ban but was selected to start. Strikes me as fairly basic cock-ups and expulsion is the standard punishment for this sort of foul up in cup competitions. You’d probably not be surprised at this sort of thing from over worked part time volunteers at a non league side but it’s a bit of a at a professional outfit.

Confusions like this always seem to be about whether suspensions in one competition apply in another (e.g. league v cups).

I suppose they need to be different and specified otherwise a team could say "he served his 2-match suspension by not playing for the U-21s yesterday and in the B&B Cup today" - but I agree it shouldn't be too much to ask for professional football administrators to pick up details like this.

Doesn't help the EFL Trophy has had a separation of suspensions from the league competition since the U21 sides were added (IIRC) - that's about a decade now.

I wonder if it wasn't correctly communicated to Swindon that the ban applied to all matches featuring their first team.

[WestYorksRoyal]

In the race for the play-offs, Bradford may well be catchable on current form. Looks like early season momentum running out.

[morganb]

Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round tie postponed


We can confirm that following a pitch inspection by a match official, the playing surface at Vale Park has been deemed unplayable and Port Vale's Saturday 3pm kick-off against Bristol City has been postponed.

We're at Vale Park next weekend - 21st Feb

[Sutekh]

Two observations:

Firstly, the FA Cup 5th Round is, I believe, slated for the weekend of 7/8 March. Mansfield Town are still in the FA Cup and as a result their trip to Stockport on 7th is highly likely to be postponed.

This will have an effect on Reading in some way as if Mansfield get a live TV game that’s selected for coverage on the Sunday or Monday then Reading’s trip to Field Mill (currently Tuesday 10th March) will also likely be postponed to a later date. Otherwise that Reading trip will be the first reaction from Mansfield to whatever happens to them in the 5th round.

Secondly, Sheffield Wednesday will become a closer rival if they lose at Sheffield United next Sunday

[tidus_mi2]

Two observations:

Firstly, the FA Cup 5th Round is, I believe, slated for the weekend of 7/8 March. Mansfield Town are still in the FA Cup and as a result their trip to Stockport on 7th is highly likely to be postponed.

This will have an effect on Reading in some way as if Mansfield get a live TV game that’s selected for coverage on the Sunday or Monday then Reading’s trip to Field Mill (currently Tuesday 10th March) will also likely be postponed to a later date. Otherwise that Reading trip will be the first reaction from Mansfield to whatever happens to them in the 5th round.

Secondly, Sheffield Wednesday will become a closer rival if they lose at Sheffield United next Sunday

Oh bloody hell, didn't realise they were one game away from relegation already. They haven't even got their ownership situation sorted either.

That said we still have a reasonable chance of being in the Championship next season.

[Clyde1998]

Two observations:

Firstly, the FA Cup 5th Round is, I believe, slated for the weekend of 7/8 March. Mansfield Town are still in the FA Cup and as a result their trip to Stockport on 7th is highly likely to be postponed.

This will have an effect on Reading in some way as if Mansfield get a live TV game that’s selected for coverage on the Sunday or Monday then Reading’s trip to Field Mill (currently Tuesday 10th March) will also likely be postponed to a later date. Otherwise that Reading trip will be the first reaction from Mansfield to whatever happens to them in the 5th round.

Secondly, Sheffield Wednesday will become a closer rival if they lose at Sheffield United next Sunday

Oh bloody hell, didn't realise they were one game away from relegation already. They haven't even got their ownership situation sorted either.

That said we still have a reasonable chance of being in the Championship next season.

I'm starting to wonder if Sheffield Wednesday will even make positive points this season. Hadn't realised they could mathematically get relegated already, but may allow them to bed in some younger players for next season without any pressure on them.

[Orion1871]

Their city rivals being the ones to seal the deal. Oof.

[Brogue]

Caldwell leaves Exeter for wigan - seems a backward step for him tbh, yes wigan have more potential but could well be in league 2 next year

[Sutekh]

Caldwell leaves Exeter for wigan - seems a backward step for him tbh, yes wigan have more potential but could well be in league 2 next year

Unsurprising, he played for Wigan and has managed them to promotion out of the third tier previously. Was doing good at Exeter so is still capable and will presumably get more transfer cash at Wigan. Bound to settle Wigan down and could well recapture his past success next season. Wonder if Wareham will follow him there at some point. Difficult start for him though, Luton (h), Stockport (a) & Huddersfield (h). Gets Exeter (h) and Reading (a) in succession at the end of March.

[tidus_mi2]

Caldwell leaves Exeter for wigan - seems a backward step for him tbh, yes wigan have more potential but could well be in league 2 next year

Unsurprising, he played for Wigan and has managed them to promotion out of the third tier previously. Was doing good at Exeter so is still capable and will presumably get more transfer cash at Wigan. Bound to settle Wigan down and could well recapture his past success next season. Wonder if Wareham will follow him there at some point. Difficult start for him though, Luton (h), Stockport (a) & Huddersfield (h). Gets Exeter (h) and Reading (a) in succession at the end of March.

Frankly glad we got the away game out of the way before any manager bounce.

[Snowflake Royal]

Two observations:

Firstly, the FA Cup 5th Round is, I believe, slated for the weekend of 7/8 March. Mansfield Town are still in the FA Cup and as a result their trip to Stockport on 7th is highly likely to be postponed.

This will have an effect on Reading in some way as if Mansfield get a live TV game that’s selected for coverage on the Sunday or Monday then Reading’s trip to Field Mill (currently Tuesday 10th March) will also likely be postponed to a later date. Otherwise that Reading trip will be the first reaction from Mansfield to whatever happens to them in the 5th round.

Secondly, Sheffield Wednesday will become a closer rival if they lose at Sheffield United next Sunday

Oh bloody hell, didn't realise they were one game away from relegation already. They haven't even got their ownership situation sorted either.

That said we still have a reasonable chance of being in the Championship next season.

I'm starting to wonder if Sheffield Wednesday will even make positive points this season. Hadn't realised they could mathematically get relegated already, but may allow them to bed in some younger players for next season without any pressure on them.

My understanding from a friend is that they are already mainly fielding a youth side and that's why they're getting beaten every week.

[Sutekh]

Oh bloody hell, didn't realise they were one game away from relegation already. They haven't even got their ownership situation sorted either.

That said we still have a reasonable chance of being in the Championship next season.

I'm starting to wonder if Sheffield Wednesday will even make positive points this season. Hadn't realised they could mathematically get relegated already, but may allow them to bed in some younger players for next season without any pressure on them.

My understanding from a friend is that they are already mainly fielding a youth side and that's why they're getting beaten every week.

Probably heavily dictated for them given the embargo they’re under. Certainly seems they’ve accepted their lot and are embracing that way forward after letting Barry Bannan go to Millwall last month. Presuming the take over all works out by the summer they’ll be back up and firing and presumably with a number of useful youngsters with good league experience too on top of new owners keen on proving the money they have will be invested wisely, certainly they’ll have no issues in attracting players as well.

[Snowflake Royal]

I'm starting to wonder if Sheffield Wednesday will even make positive points this season. Hadn't realised they could mathematically get relegated already, but may allow them to bed in some younger players for next season without any pressure on them.

My understanding from a friend is that they are already mainly fielding a youth side and that's why they're getting beaten every week.

Probably heavily dictated for them given the embargo they’re under. Certainly seems they’ve accepted their lot and are embracing that way forward after letting Barry Bannan go to Millwall last month. Presuming the take over all works out by the summer they’ll be back up and firing and presumably with a number of useful youngsters with good league experience too on top of new owners keen on proving the money they have will be invested wisely, certainly they’ll have no issues in attracting players as well.

As always it's all down to the whims of the spiteful thunderpcunt in charge.

I still fear Chanserai is vindictive enough to end them rather than sell. A nastier piece of work than Dai.

[tidus_mi2]

I'm starting to wonder if Sheffield Wednesday will even make positive points this season. Hadn't realised they could mathematically get relegated already, but may allow them to bed in some younger players for next season without any pressure on them.

My understanding from a friend is that they are already mainly fielding a youth side and that's why they're getting beaten every week.

Probably heavily dictated for them given the embargo they’re under. Certainly seems they’ve accepted their lot and are embracing that way forward after letting Barry Bannan go to Millwall last month. Presuming the take over all works out by the summer they’ll be back up and firing and presumably with a number of useful youngsters with good league experience too on top of new owners keen on proving the money they have will be invested wisely, certainly they’ll have no issues in attracting players as well.

Not convinced they'll be amongst the top 6 next season, too much damage has been done by Chansiri and the ownership situation is taking too long to get resolved

[Sutekh]

FA Cup 5th Round:

Mansfield Town v Arsenal

Bound to be moved for TV, however because the CL is off again on 10 March the game can only really be moved to the Friday (6th) or to a different ko time on the Saturday, ergo Reading will still travel to Mansfield on 10 March to be able to experience the full fall out from Mansfield’s cup tie.

[WestYorksRoyal]

My understanding from a friend is that they are already mainly fielding a youth side and that's why they're getting beaten every week.

Probably heavily dictated for them given the embargo they’re under. Certainly seems they’ve accepted their lot and are embracing that way forward after letting Barry Bannan go to Millwall last month. Presuming the take over all works out by the summer they’ll be back up and firing and presumably with a number of useful youngsters with good league experience too on top of new owners keen on proving the money they have will be invested wisely, certainly they’ll have no issues in attracting players as well.

Not convinced they'll be amongst the top 6 next season, too much damage has been done by Chansiri and the ownership situation is taking too long to get resolved

At this stage I wouldn't be surprised if they fall straight through. Imperative they sort out the ownership in the next couple of months so they can stabilise off the pitch and be in a position to recruit over the summer, otherwise they have no chance.

[tidus_mi2]

Was looking at their forum and it looks like they're trying to make their game on Sunday some sort of relegation party to take away Sheffield United's thunder.

There's a chance they get relegated before then but would require Portsmouth and West Brom to win and Blackburn to draw.