Around One – Blades turn for top spot

Last updated : 17 October 2003 By Tony Scholes

Ashley Ward - scored for Sheffield United in the top of the table clash at West Brom
West Brom had a 100% home record but that came to an end in the first clash between the two sides since the infamous fixture of two seasons ago that saw the game abandoned when Sheffield United had three players sent off and a couple of other players walking off.

They had to face chants of ‘Cheat’ from the Baggies fans although with Warnock in charge they are used to that. But it didn’t do them any harm and two first half goals from Michael Tonge and Premiership relegation expert Ashley Ward were enough for them to take all three points with a 2-0 win.

Albion’s defeat enabled JJB Sports (sometimes known as Wigan Athletic) to move back into second place after they ended a run of four draws with a 2-1 win against Stoke. They had to come from behind though after trailing at half time and Geoff Horsfield scored both goals for them.

The rest of the top six all collected one point each. Sunderland’s came in a 0-0 home draw against Cardiff whilst West Ham and Norwich fought out a 1-1 draw with Peter Crouch equalising a Marc Edworthy own goal down at West Ham.

The Hammers were without their front two of Jermaine Defoe and David Connolly (both suspended) with Norwich more fortunate than us, they are both back in contention for Saturday against the central defenderless Burnley.

Down at the bottom Tuesday saw Franchise FC’s second away game since the club moved itself to that hot bed of football Milton Keynes and how they came out to support them. Despite the fact that they had to face such a long midweek journey, Milton Keynes to Coventry is as far as 50 miles, they had a massive following at Highfield Road. Coventry have confirmed that there could have been as many as 150 in the away fans stand but that did include police, stewards, programme sellers and bar staff.

They continued their magnificent run too and another defeat, their tenth in their last eleven league games, sees them now eight points behind the safety position. With rumours that they won’t see beyond Christmas though it hardly matters other than all these teams that have beaten them will lose three points when their record is expunged whilst we will only lose one.

The three teams just above them all picked up points. Watford drew 1-1 at home to Walsall, Bradford City 2-2 at Crewe whilst Rotherham came from two goals behind at Nottingham Forest, both scored by Marlon Harewood, to earn their point. Darren Byfield and Martin Butler scored the goals.

Reading reported for duty under new management with Steve Coppell in charge for the first time at the Madejski. It took a late Steven Sidwell goal to win it after Gillingham had come back with a goal from Marlon King.

Marlon King - scored for Gillingham but could soon be on his way to Forest
Yes, King is still at Gillingham with Paul Scally taking time off from trying to move his club out of Gillingham to turn down a £1 million offer from Nottingham Forest.

Talking new managers and Millwall are the latest club to be taking their manager’s name off the door. Despite being eighth after losing at home to The Weary Whinger’s Preston it was not enough to keep the tiresome Mark McGhee in work and he was sent packing the following day along with his number two Archie Knox.

Some thought Kebab Seller Paphitis had gone mad and surely everyone did by later in the day when he confirmed Dennis Wise as Caretaker boss with Hannibal Lecter Ray Wilkins coming in as his number two. Wilkins has had a break from coaching since his dramatic efforts at Watford when Gianluca Vialli was in charge.

Ipswich continued their recent run of good results by scoring six against a Burnley team with no defenders and very few fully fit and well players whilst finally Crystal Palace got back into their normal routine by finishing the game with ten men.

Darren Powell was the man sent off this time, the sixth different Palace player to see red this season. They did earn themselves a point though with a 1-1 home draw against Derby but they have now won just once in their last nine league games.

The results mean the Clarets have dropped four places to twelfth with Ipswich, Preston, Reading and Forest the sides moving above us. We do though remain considerably closer to the play offs than we do the relegation places.

After last week’s depleted fixture list with matches being called off for the internationals we are back to a full programme this weekend with all games kicking off at 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise shown.

Saturday 18th October

Coventry City v Cardiff City (12:30 p.m.)
Crewe Alexandra v Derby County
Crystal Palace v Rotherham United
Ipswich Town v Stoke City (5:35 p.m.)
Millwall v Sheffield United
Nottingham Forest v Franchise
Reading v Preston North End
Sunderland v Walsall
Watford v Bradford City
West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City
West Ham United v Burnley
Wigan Athletic v Gillingham

Leading Goal Scorers (League Only)

9: Robert Earnshaw (Cardiff)
9: Marlon Harewood (Nottm Forest)
8: Peter Ndlovu (Sheff Utd)
7: Ricardo Fuller (Preston)
6: Robbie Blake (Burnley)
5: Patrick Agyemang (Franchise)
5: Carl Asaba (Stoke)
5: Darren Byfield (Rotherham)
5: David Connolly (West Ham)
5: Pablo Counago (Ipswich)
5: Dougie Freedman (Crystal Palace)
5: Rob Hulse (West Brom)
5: Andy Morrell (Coventry)
5: Andy Reid (Nottm Forest)
5: Steve Sidwell (Reading)