Ward backs Harry Redknapp for the England job

Colchester United manager John Ward indicated he’d prefer the next England manager to be English and in particular Harry Redknapp.

After the mid-week resignation of Fabio Capello, the majority of the nation has jumped apon the ‘Harry for England’ bandwagon, and Ward is no different.

Ward, who worked with the England under 21 squad back in 1992, stated “I’d like it to be an Englishman. I’m a staunch English person myself and the best man for the job is Harry Redknapp.”

However he did also confirm that getting Redknapp in, as manager of the England national side, wouldn’t be as easy as many have predicted. “People tend to forget he is contracted with Tottenham Hotspur, and I think that’s going to be a major stumbling block, because they aren’t going to want to release him, and why would they?”

After much discussion about the week’s main talking point, the conversation got down to whether Colchester would have a game this weekend. And after the postponement of the home match with Sheffield United last weekend, Ward isn’t confident the away game with Walsall will take place. “I’m not very confident of getting a game on. I’ve looked at the overnight forecast and there is set to be a five inch snow due around Birmingham this evening, which leaves our game in doubt.”

Ward confirmed that the club have been preparing for the away trip as if they expect it to be on. “Yeah I’ve been in since 7:30 this morning and we’re chopping and changing our plans for the game, it’s all up in the air but we’ve got plans in place.”

Colchester’s game was cancelled the following day, meaning the Essex side’s last two League One matches have been postponed due to the weather.

Zubar own goal ensures Bournemouth poor run continues

A second half own goal from Stephane Zubar extended Bournemouth's winless run to six games, ensuring the south coast side stay in the bottom four.

Bournemouth incredibly opened the scoring after just 16 seconds, after Wesley Thomas curled home brilliantly from long range. Colchester United rallied in the second half and grabbed a deserved leveller as Zubar, trying to prevent Kayode Odejayi from scoring, only succeeded in turning the ball into his own goal.

Colchester came into the game on the back of just one defeat in five, however six draws from their opening 14 matches, prevented any possible play-off push.

In their last home encounter Colchester trailed inside a minute and history repeated itself as Bournemouth struck after just 16 seconds. Thomas, on loan from Crawley Town, picked up on a loose ball and from distance, curled past Ben Williams in style.

The goal stunned the hosts and it wasn't until the 28th minute they created a chance of note as Anthony Wordsworth blazed over. Odejayi did brilliantly to find Colchester's top scorer, however well when placed he could only put over.

Bournemouth and Wes Fogden in particular blew a chance to double their lead. Marc Pugh did brilliantly to get a cross in, however Fogden's header was weak and Williams saved with ease.

Darryl Flahavan produced a world class save on the stroke of half-time to prevent Ian Henderson from levelling. Wordsworth chipped a teasing ball through, which Henderson did well to get to before the covering Zubar, however his left foot volley was brilliantly repelled by Flahavan.

Bournemouth should have repeated their first half feat in scoring inside the first minute of the half, however inexcusably Thomas headed wide with the goal gaping.

Having been accused of leaving his changes too late in games recently, Ward made two substitutions just five minutes into the second half with Lloyd James and Steven Gillespie entering the fray, with the later a change that the Colchester crowd took well.

Fogden had a goal disallowed mid way through the second half after the midfielder was adjudged to have been in an offside position as he finished from close range after an Adam Barret knock down.

Sub Gillespie was perhaps fortunate not to avoid a straight red card as his over the top challenge was only deemed worthy of a yellow card.

Moments later Gillespie made the most of his redemption by creating the equaliser. Gillespie did brilliantly to win the ball from Stephen Purches and his squared ball was converted into his own goal by the luckless Zubar.

Neither side threatened a late winner as both clubs had to settle for a point in a drab affair.

Rosler off as Donaldson rescues a point

A Clayton Donaldson screamer barely seconds into the second half earned Brentford a point away to a high flying Notts County.

Brentford manager Uwe Rosler was comically sent to the stands mid way through the first half as the former Manchester City player blocked off the impressive Alan Sheehan as the left back prepared to take a free-kick on the half way line.

Shortly after the incident Notts County, deservedly, if yet controversially opened the scoring as Karleigh Osbourne apparently fouled Alan Judge in the penalty box. Jeff Hughes stepped up to take the resulting penalty, expertly beating Richard Lee, with a classy penalty into the top corner.

Seconds into the second half Donaldson brilliantly levelled with a long range effort giving no chance in the County goal. Both sides missed their one glorious chance to steal the three points as Neil McGinn missed when one on one for Brentford and sub Sam Sodje blazed over when well placed late on for County.

Martin Allen's County were the better side, however their real lack of threat in behind a solid Brentford defence was their undoing, as neither Lee Hughes or Ben Burgess got on the wrong side of a defence well marshalled by the impressive Miguel Llera. It wasn't until sub Sodje came on, ironically whose usually a centre back that they got in behind.

Brentford came into the game with a reputation as a side who perform better away from home and with Notts County flying in the top six of League One, the game was a battle of two play off hopefuls.

County were by far the better side early on and Sheehan was a consistent threat down the left hand side. His ability to beat a man coupled with some perfect crosses caused Brentford problems through out the first half.

A game full of controversy had its first real talking point after 20 minutes as Jonathan Douglas was perhaps lucky to avoid at least a caution as his reckless tackle on Neil Bishop.

The incident saw both sets of players lose their temper, and temper's boiled over slightly as the Brentford manager Rosler refused to move as Sheehan prepared to take a free-kick. A clearly angered Allen remonstrated by leaving his technical area to barrage Rosler. The referee Mark Haywood was quickly over to send the German to the stands.

With half time approaching, County scored in fortuitous fashion as Haywood incorrectly pointed to the spot. Judge and Osbourne challenged for an arial ball, which the County winger got to first with the follow through causing Osbourne to knock over Judge. Despite the contact it was never a foul, with no County player even enquiring for a spot kick. However Jeff Hughes stepped up and buried the penalty.

Just 20 seconds into the second half the former Crewe man Donaldson, a transfer target for Allen's Notts County in the summer, stunned the Meadow Lane faithful as he curled home from distance to level the scores.

County were rocked and Marcus Bean missed a presentable opportunity to turn the game completely on his head as he headed wide from a corner. The unmarked Bean should have at least forced Stuart Nelson into action.

Lee did brilliantly to twice thwart County in a matter of seconds. Firstly the former Watford keeper bravely beat Lee Hughes to the ball and then reacted superbly to deny Karl Hawley with a save with his legs.

McGinn then missed a sitter for Brentford as one on one he placed wide. Donaldson again was the creator as he picked up on a fall from the otherwise impressive Krystian Pearce and slide through for the on loan Celtic winger, however his finish was poor and never troubled Nelson.

Allen's bold decision to replace Burgess with Sodje, a defender by trait, nearly paid off as the centre back come centre forward should have won the game. After winning the initial header, a mix up in the Brentford defence saw the ball fall perfectly for Sodje, however his finish when well placed was awful.

Neither side threatened a winner in the last five minutes and a point for County saw them stay in fourth, whilst Brentford moved up a place into tenth.

Man of the match: Alan Sheehan

Massey rescues a point for Yeovil

Two goals from Gavin Massey helped strugglers Yeovil gain a creditable 2-2 away draw with Colchester United.

Massey opened the scoring inside the first minute after Steve McLean's shot was deflected into the path of the on-loan striker. Andy Bond levelled the scorings with half time approaching as his long range effort swerved in the air, however Jed Steer in the Yeovil goal probably should have done better.

Michael Antonio's back post header gave Colchester the lead their dominance deserved, yet Massey against the run of play levelled with his second after Max Ehmer's effort was only parried by Ben Williams.

Yeovil nearly stole all three points in the last minute when Kieran Agard headed against a post. Defeat would've been unfair on Colchester whose patient football was pleasing on the eye, if not clinical.

Coming into the game on the back of four consecutive defeats, Yeovil stunned the Weston Home Stadium as Massey beat Williams through the keeper's legs to give the Glovers an early lead. McLean collected the long ball well and his shot was superbly blocked by Pat Baldwin, only for the ball to find its way out wide for Massey who when one-on-one with Williams finished superbly.

A quick response from Colchester nearly saw the Essex side level the scorings when Brian Wilson's cross found Anthony Wordsworth, whose on target effort was blocked by his own team-mate in Kayode Odejayi.

Despite the miss Colchester were dominating the game, as Yeovil sat back with ten men behind every wave of Colchester attacks.

Ian Henderson, playing on the left of an attacking three forwards, cut inside Ehmer brilliantly and his curling effort was well saved by Steer, however the keeper's parry hit Odejayi only to bounce wide after hitting the post.

It wasn't long however until Colchester opened their account for the afternoon as Bond smashed home from distance. A Colchester short free-kick wasn't noticed by Yeovil and Bond made them pay as his effort swerved in the air, beating Steer in the Yeovil goal.

The leveller was deserved and Ben Coker nearly turned the game on its head before half-time as his curling effort went marginally wide after nice hold up play from Odejayi.

The full-back made up for his miss shortly after the break, as his cross was headed home by Antonio for his second goal in as many games. Henderson and Coker did well done the Colchester left, before the latter's back post cross was headed home by the on-loan Reading winger for a 2-1 lead. Despite the goal being announced as Wordsworth's, replays clearly show Antonio headed home.

Yeovil equalised shortly after as Ehmer was left with too much space and his shot parried right into the path of Massey who slotted home for his second.

Frustration was clearly evident amongst the Colchester fans, as it appeared they would drop two points from a game they merited three.

With time running out substitute Steven Gillespie thought he had won the game for the U's only to see his strike disallowed. The former Cheltenham man went it for a challenge with Steer, however the goal was struck off as Gillespie went in too hard with the keeper and was subsequently booked for the foul.

Undeservedly Yeovil nearly stole all three points as Agard headed against a post from a late free-kick. The miss brought an end to the game, as Colchester missed the chance to close in on the play-offs, whereas Yeovil stay in the relegation zone.

League one title race

In the last two season league one has lost 6 very good teams via promotion in Norwich, Leeds, Millwall, Brighton, Southampton and Peterborough, leaving the league at its weakest in a few years, despite the powerhouses of both Sheffield clubs in the third tier of English football. All this means that unlike last year when only a selected few had a shot at promotion this year numerous teams can consider themselves to have a chance of promotion.

After narrowly missing out twice in successive seasons, I feel Huddersfield are the favourites for promotion. Under Lee Clark they have a good young manager and the club are growing under his teniourship. Only one defeat in 2011, the play-off final, suggests that if the Terriers can put play-off heart-ache behind them then they are more then equiped for promotion.
Huddersfield- 1st

After having five different managers at some stage last season I expect Sheffield United to bounce straight back up under Danny Wilson. The former Swindon manager is very expierenced at this level, and I feel he has the required knowledge and ability to guide United straight back up. Keeping ahold of their young players who got their youth team to the cup final will be key.
Sheffield United- 2nd

Paul Dickovs side started the season fantastic last year, and despite falling away towards the end of the season I expect his Oldham side to run the top two close. The signing of Jean Yves Mvoto is a strong one with reported interest from a couple of Championship sides in the Frenchman. Dickov's Oldham played with attacking flair last year however lacked a real cutting threat, so a goalscorer is a needed addition.
Oldham- 3rd

Phil Brown nearly did the impossible and keep Preston up after they slumped so poorly under previous manager Darren Ferguson, however they just failed in their bid to maintain their Championship status. However Brown has brought a very good professional in Ian Ashbee and with Neil Mellor returning to the club after his loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday, the team should score goals. And despite the loss of key defender Sean St.Ledger, I expect Preston to make a play-off spot.
Preston- 4th.

Bournemouth perfomed admirably in their assault at a back to back promotions, narrowly missing out in the play-off semi-finals, however this years side most equipt for consecutive promotions is Chesterfield. Mark Randall will bring some class to their midfield, and with the foward duo of Jack Lester and Craig Davies, the team will score goals.
Chesterfield- 5th.

Uwe Rosler's appointment as manager of Brentford sparked summer additions to the club. Clayton Donaldson brings a real quality, with Jonathan Douglas's know how in the middle of the park a vital addition. And with Rosler set to use his expierence in the game to bring in more faces, if the club can gel quickly then a play-off spot should be theres.
Brentford- 6th.

7th- Leyton Orient
8th- Sheffield Wednesday
9th- Charlton
10th- MK Dons
11th- Scunthorpe United
12th- Colchester United