Around One – Top half for Clarets

Paul Shaw scored one of Gillingham's goals against his former club Millwall

Gillingham played their local derby against Millwall at the Priestfield Stadium and what a match it was. Millwall led 1-0 but two goals saw the home side go in front. But Millwall regained their lead at 3-2 but conceded two late goals to allow Gillingham to take the points with a 4-3 win.

All the other games were called off due to international calls including three that were called off during the week leading up to the games.

Off the field it was a busy week for some clubs in the transfer market and none more so than the Clarets who were involved in five loan moves although Peter Crouch, supposedly a target for a third time, moved to next week’s opponents Norwich from ‘We have no players available’ Aston Villa.

Norwich have also added KKMC’s Darren Huckerby today on a three month loan deal and will now have a new look strike force against us next weekend. Wigan have also found themselves a striker after being snubbed by Jason Roberts who moved to Portsmouth. They have signed Geoff Horsfield from Birmingham who will have endeared himself to the few Wigan fans after admitting that he didn’t want to sign but was pushed into it by Birmingham.

A couple of managers have been in the news with one wanted by another club and a second looking to further his career.

Alan Pardew will not be going to West Ham says Reading Chairman John Madejski

Pardew will be at West Ham by Saturday though I confidently predict, his Reading side are there in a First Division fixture.

Meanwhile Gillingham’s Andy Hessenthaler has admitted he is now keen to further his career and said he would be keen to talk to other clubs if Chairman Paul Scally gave permission. There is no doubt that Hessenthaler has done a good job since replacing Legend Peter Taylor, keeping the Gills in Division One for a fourth year with each season ending in a higher position in the league.

It’s back to playing football for all the clubs this week with the internationals out of the way and there is a full fixture list this weekend with all games kicking off at 3:00 p.m. unless otherwise shown

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