Editor’s Note: We at LWOS are always looking for passionate sports fans to add to our roster of writers. This piece was written by Broderick Sutherland, his first at LWOS. Broderick is from Bath, UK and he is a supporter of Manchester City and Celtic football clubs. He is also a fan of the New York Giants NFL franchise as well as an avid follower of the tennis circuit. Follow him on twitter @BrodSutherland and visit his website, ArmchairAnalyst.
Six games into the new season for England’s second tier and the Skybet Championship took more twists and turns in the race for promotion to the Premier League. For the early kick-off, there was a local derby between Burnley and Blackburn whilst Blackpool travelled down to Bournemouth in an attempt to stay at the top of the table in the early stages of the season. Here I shall bring you a rundown of what happened in each match as well as some daring predictions on how each team could end up towards the latter part of the season.
Burnley 1-1 Blackburn
The North West derby between Burnley and Blackburn saw Scottish striker Jordan Rhodes score a late equaliser against the Clarets at Turf Moor. Burnley was looking to go top of the Championship and end a 34 year winless run against their rivals. Junior Stanislas, who replaced Michael Kightly, scored his first goal of the campaign in the 76th minute with a beautiful 20 yard strike following a one-two from Danny Ings. However, a few minutes later saw Scott Arfield’s poor back-pass leading to a Michael Duff clearance cannoning off Rhodes’ shin. Blackburn substitute Lee Williamson got himself sent off in injury time after only being on the pitch for about 75 seconds. He wrestled Danny Ings to the floor after the Burnley youngster got clear of the defence. Burnley are currently looking like a playoff side while Blackburn look settled in the top half.
Bolton 0-1 Leeds
An early goal from Leeds striker Luke Varney settled the difference between these two sides. Varney scored a header at the near post following a Luke Murphy cross in the sixth minute. There were opportunities for both David N’Gog and Darren Pratley but Leeds’ goalkeeper was in fine form keeping a clean sheet. Bolton even threw on former Leed’s striker Jermaine Beckford to try and get Bolton back in the match but Dougie Freedman’s men never looked like winning this one. The defeat is Bolton’s fourth in a row and leaves them second from bottom, ahead of Millwall by goal difference. Leeds are currently sixth and could be a playoff contender judging by early form.
Bournemouth 1-2 Blackpool
Newly promoted Bournemouth has had a relatively good start to the season despite their leaky defence. Despite winning both their home games going into this match, the league’s table-toppers Blackpool, denied them three out of three in home wins. Goals from Ricardo Fuller and Neil Bishop in the 7th and 48th minute respectively led Blackpool to getting 16 points out of a possible 18. Coincidentally both Fuller and Bishop’s goals were their first for the club. Lewis Grabban did equalise for Bournemouth not long after Fuller’s goal and Blackpool’s young left-back Jack Robinson, currently on loan from Liverpool, was dismissed following two yellow cards on winger Ryan Fraser. Blackpool could be back in the Premier League if they maintain a similar level of form and Bournemouth need to improve defensively if they are going to survive this season, despite being in a good position thus far.
Huddersfield 0-0 Doncaster
This Yorkshire derby had quite a number of shots that went close with defender Joel Lynch coming close for Huddersfield after seeing his attempt his the post and the bar twice! Meanwhile Doncaster’s Chris Brown saw an effort that was cleared off the line. Doncaster, who was slightly more dominant statistically speaking, is now six games unbeaten against Huddersfield. Both sides seem solid so far this season and whilst they don’t look like relegation fodder, they don’t look like playoff contenders either, but I don’t think Doncaster fans won’t mind that much.
Ipswich 3-1 Middlesbrough
Both teams have underperformed so far this season, but it is Ipswich who took home the three points in this match despite Middlesbrough having most of the possession in this match. Ipswich striker David McGoldrick scored twice, once in each half to help his team get their second win of the season. But it was Middlesbrough who opened the scoring with Adomah executing a scissor-kick. McGoldrick then equalised ten minutes before half-time with a 25 yard strike. Luke Chambers scored the second around the hour mark with a header and then McGoldrick added insult to injury scoring in injury time. Neither side look like playoff contenders so far and both teams look destined for mid-table mediocrity once again.
Leicester 2-0 Wigan
Wigan have been surprisingly disappointing after six games into the new season, with many pundits suggesting Wigan to be one of the favourites to get promoted back into the Premier League. On the other hand, Leicester has found themselves in the playoff spots in the early part of the season once again. Therefore this result is not that surprising as Liam Moore scored his first goal for the Foxes with a header only 15 minutes into the first half. Leicester continued to dominate the game but they struggled to find the net. It was only when David Nugent scored from the penalty spot ten minutes from time did Leicester double their lead. At this rate, Leicester could be in the playoffs once again while Wigan could still be playoff contenders. The problem with Wigan at the moment is that they have had a huge turnover of players and until they gel as a unit, Wigan will continue to struggle for promotion.
Millwall 1-5 Derby
This is a momentous day in Derby’s history. For the first time in about 100 years, Derby have won their first three away games this season and Derby also won at Millwall after being winless at The Den in the last seven games. And to win by a four goal margin will make it all that much sweeter for the Rams. Derby led the game 2-0 at half time with goals coming from a Jake Buxton header and Craig Bryson’s 20 yard shot. Bryson then would complete a hat-trick with a long rate effort in the 57th and finishing a team move in the 81st minute. Substitute Mason Bennett added a fifth three minutes from time. Millwall did pull one back to make it 3-1 in the 75th minute courtesy of Martin Waghorn, but this was a match Derby dominated and never looked like drawing yet alone losing. Derby, after this performance, is just outside the playoff spots and could be fighting for one of those spots towards the latter stages of the season. Millwall look like they are going to go down this season if they fail to improve on their woeful form.
Nottingham Forest 3-2 Barnsley
After Blackpool and QPR, Nottingham Forest appears to be the best of the rest, finishing the day in the third place spot. However if it were not for the late winner from experienced striker Darius Henderson then relegation candidates Barnsley could have easily snatched a point at The City Ground. Simon Cox opened the scoring with a rebound after Jamie Mackie’s shot was parried. Two minutes later, Chris O’Grady levelled the scoring from the spot. An own goal from Kelvin Etuhu just before half time meant that Forest would go in 2-1 up at half-time. Former Derby midfielder scored a stunning 30 yard free-kick to level the game again before Henderson’s effort resulting in a 3-2 victory for Forest. Nottingham Forest bright start could help them into the playoffs again whilst Barnsley, who have escaped relegation numerous times, look like they are in for yet another scramble to stay in the Championship.
QPR 1-0 Birmingham
Charlie Austin’s first league goal for QPR meant that QPR have won four successive games 1-0, the first time in the club’s history. Charlie Austin, who was signed from Burnley this summer, opened his account four minutes into his second half with a header when Birmingham failed to clear Joey Barton’s free kick. Birmingham had their fair share of opportunities in the game with Lee Novak hitting the post with a header, and Jonathan Spector having an effort ruled out for offside as well as being denied a penalty opportunity. The game was stopped at Loftus Road briefly after a flare went off on the pitch. QPR’s hard fought victory means that they are currently second in the table behind Blackpool by goal difference. With their recent purchases QPR should be up in the places to fight for automatic promotion. Meanwhile Birmingham are one of four teams that have only mustered four points so far (the others being Sheffield Wednesday, Yeovil and Barnsley) and they could be in danger of getting into a relegation battle if they don’t find a way to improve.
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Yeovil
Sheffield Wednesday remains winless this season following a disappointing draw with recently promoted Yeovil Town. Wednesday’s opposition will be relieved to get another point on the board since they haven’t got a single point after their opening day victory against Millwall. Wednesday opened the scoring with Atdhe Nuhiu in the 25th minute. However, the goal was not without controversy due to Nuhiu being offside in one stage of the move that led to the goal. Yeovil were then reduced to ten men as Byron Webster apparently stuck out at Nuhiu just before half time. Cardiff Loanee Joe Ralls equalised in the 64th minute. The draw means both sides are in the bottom six of the Championship and both could be in a fight to survive relegation towards the end of the season if their current form continues.
Watford 1-1 Charlton
Last year’s playoff finalists Watford have had a post-playoff hangover of sorts only winning two of a possible six matches so far while Charlton will be hoping that their form continues to improve following this 1-1 draw. Needless to say Gianfranco Zola’s side will be highly disappointed not being able to win this match with Watford having more chances on goal than its South London rival. Charlton’s experienced striker Yann Kermorgant scored from the spot after Lawrie Wilson was fouled by Essaid Belkalem. Daniel Pudil equalised for Watford after Diego Fabbrini’s shot was parried by Ben Hamer. Watford could possibly fight for a playoff spot once again meanwhile Charlton’s disappointing start indicates that they could end up in mid-table.
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on twitter –@BrodSutherland. Give the site a follow while you’re at it – @LastWordOnSport.
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands of fans at r/football.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? Find more info at our “Join Our Team” page.
