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Archives for November 2010

Keane running out of answers at Ipswich

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Paul Fletcher | 20:56 UK time, Sunday, 28 November 2010

Carrow Road

The chant "There's only one Keano" reverberated around Carrow Road midway through the second half of the match between Norwich and Ipswich on Sunday afternoon.

Once upon a time it could be heard at Old Trafford, drifting down from the Stretford End, as Manchester United supporters eulogised their on-field leader.

At Norwich on Sunday, it was an ironic taunt from the home fans as in .

The chants "Keano give us a wave" and, predictably, "You're getting sacked in the morning" both followed.

The Tractor Boys manager stood stock still on the edge of his technical area as the home fans mocked him. I suspect there was more chance of the Irishman stripping naked in the freezing cold than obliging the home fans by waving in their direction.

But there is no doubt that as the temperatures continue to plummet and the country is plunged into a deep freeze, this is shaping up to be a long and difficult winter for Keane and his ailing team.

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What makes a derby special?

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Paul Fletcher | 06:54 UK time, Friday, 26 November 2010

Former Norwich striker Iwan Roberts remembers like they were yesterday. It was the first game of and came towards the end of a mediocre season for the Norfolk side.

With only one win in their previous 10 matches, Norwich were hardly in the best form as they prepared to travel to Portman Road for an East Anglian derby. But that counted for little as the Canaries defeated Ipswich 2-0. What's more, Roberts scored both goals.

I asked the Welshman if he could remember them and he immediately reeled off two detailed descriptions. This is what he said of goal number two: "It came from an Ipswich corner. Andy Marshall got both hands to the ball and threw it to Paul Dalglish on the right wing. He made a great run before picking me out at the back post. I controlled it with my thigh and shaped to shoot. Fabian Wilnis turned his back so I went past him, kept my head and placed it past Richard Wright, shooting to his left. Then I was off, all the way down the pitch to celebrate with the Norwich fans in the corner."

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How to improve the Football League?

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Paul Fletcher | 07:35 UK time, Friday, 19 November 2010

On Monday evening, sat down for a low-key, off-the-record dinner with 12 chairmen from clubs in the North West of England.

He was hoping to find out what they really thought about the state of the Football League and if they thought it could be improved. He wanted to hear their ideas and opinions, no matter how bizarre or radical they might seem.

It was the latest leg of Clarke's very own grand tour, as the 53-year-old attempts to visit all 72 clubs under his jurisdiction during the course of the current season.

Clarke dropped in at Preston, , Stockport and over the course of Monday and Tuesday. On Friday evening, he will be at Burton and on Saturday will see Charlton play Yeovil at The Valley.

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Chesterfield find their field of dreams

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Paul Fletcher | 06:53 UK time, Friday, 12 November 2010

Chesterfield chairman Barrie Hubbard realised 27 years ago that his club needed to move to a new ground.

It has taken a lot longer than he initially anticipated but, after several unsuccessful attempts to secure a new site, the Spireites finally and moved into their .

At first glance, the move appears to have transformed the Derbyshire club, who currently top the League Two table with the best home record in the Football League. Only Crewe have left the new arena with a share of the spoils following .

But the impact extends far beyond what happens on the pitch. Just as , so the Spireites are hoping to reap the rewards of their relocation to a modern facility.

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Cardiff & Swansea - taking Wales into the Premier League?

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Paul Fletcher | 18:57 UK time, Sunday, 7 November 2010

At the Cardiff City Stadium.

The Wales national football team might be but, in other respects, Welsh football is in rude health.

Gareth Bale is rapidly establishing a reputation as one of the world's most talented players, while both Cardiff and Swansea look equipped to end Wales's long wait for a club to reach the Premier League.

The two rivals met at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday for what many had described as one of the most anticipated south Wales derbies in recent history.

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers said that the build-up during the preceding week had brought to mind a Champions League final, while Cardiff skipper Craig Bellamy claimed that with both teams in top form

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Poyet's Brighton look rock solid

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Paul Fletcher | 11:51 UK time, Wednesday, 3 November 2010

At the Withdean Stadium.

Brighton and Hove Albion have but the Seagulls look in excellent shape to make a long-term push for the Premier League.

The suggestion might seem like a knee-jerk reaction to their great start to the current season but the club appear to have all the necessary ingredients for success.

They are , possess an excellent young manager in 42-year-old Gus Poyet and will end 14 years of nomadic existence when they move into next season. And with no other Football League club in Sussex, they also have a large catchment area.

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