St Mary's Stadium will host League One football next season

Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Manchester City, Wimbledon (aka MK Dons), Leeds, Oldham, Nottingham Forest, Swindon, Leicester, Barnsley, Bradford. Soon to be joined by another two and probably three in Charlton, Southampton and Norwich. All these clubs have tasted the sweet nectar of life in the Premier League only to later sup at the workaday bitterness of League One. In Bradford’s case, even League Two.

If Norwich go down, as seems likely, that’s 14 teams who have played against the best and slipped to the third tier of English football in the last 17 years. In a game full of startling statistics, that seems pretty mind-boggling. It might hearten fans of Saints and Addicks that a decent portion of those teams have at least made it back to the Championship. Indeed, this time last year Leicester were belly-up and now they are like a horny young salmon, leaping back upstream to play with the bigger boys and girls once more.

In a sense, this shows the outstanding strength in depth of the English leagues. Unlikely teams including Bradford, Swindon, Hull, Stoke, Wigan and Reading all made huge strides in the last decade and a half to reach the top of the mountain. Yet it does not take much to find yourself back at base camp in double-quick time.

It can be put down to poor money management. It can be blamed on carelessness and poor decision-making. But the shocking thing this year is that two clubs who have often been held up as excellent examples of how a medium-sized club should be managed are either already down or simply waiting for the trap door to open.

When Sheffield Wednesday, Man City, QPR, Leicester and Leeds fell into League One, the structure at the clubs was poor and all of them had dealt inadequately with the money the EPL gave them. But Charlton and Norwich do not seem to fall into this category. Charlton have cleverly developed a fanbase from all over Kent and steadily improved a stadium that was derelict 20 years ago. Norwich had more than their fair share of problems in the boardroom in the 90s, but they have a city dedicated to the team, a real sense of community and Delia Smith providing heart and soul as well.

For those two clubs, the short term might be unpalatable, but the feeling is that the long term might be rosy. They are sensible clubs. If they cut costs, appoint the right managers and keep expectations sensible, they could return a stronger unit, like Leicester appear to be doing.

Southampton, though, could be a different story. Not so long ago they had a new stadium, Gordon Strachan had taken them to the Cup Final and they were the latest in a long line of clubs hoping to break into the top six of the EPL. Now the money is gone. The stadium is not being filled. The stars of their youth system have almost all been sold in an effort to balance the books. Rumours of a takeover notwithstanding, it seems likely that Andrew Surman and Adam Lallana will now have to be sold as well.

Around this time of year a lot of pundits make long faces and say it’s a shame for this team or that team to go down. They are saying it about Newcastle now, but is it a shame when clubs the size of Southampton are relegated to League One? Would we prefer to see the smaller clubs, like Doncaster or Blackpool, get relegated, to keep the status quo?

I don’t think so. I think it’s a healthy situation that big clubs occasionally taste life in the bottom half of the Football League. It’s good for football that so-called small teams like Peterborough can play at Championship level.

With dreams of winning the Premier League unrealistic for fans of all clubs except perhaps five – six at a push – the dream has perhaps been downshifted to glory in the Championship and a chance to merely get in the ring with the big boys.

The difference this season compared to others is that three clubs who have all played at the top level within the last four years are (probably) heading down. Not only should that be a lesson to clubs currently happy in the Premier League, it should be a warning. There are at least half-a-dozen Premier League clubs who could be facing the same crisis as Southampton in three or four years time.

The season is almost over and other then Charlton Athletic, the final relegation spots are still up for grabs by two unlucky clubs. While it has not been made official, it is only a matter of a couple more matches before Charlton’s relegation to League One is confirmed leaving two more slots for two more unlucky teams. While there are 10 teams within 9 points of the relegation zone, with a couple of wins in the last 6 matches 4 of those teams will be safe.

Teams that only need 2 more wins to guarantee safety:

Doncaster Rovers: 49 points, with one more win they will pass the 50 point barrier which usually is the points needed to stay safe in the Championship

Watford: 47 points and have one game in hand. With the game in hand, Watford should be able to secure safety with two more wins at minimum.

Derby County: 47 points and two games in hand Derby are in good position to secure safety this season. While their form has been up and down they have enough talent to secure safety by April.

Blackpool: 47 points, they have been mid-table all season and after just securing their future last season, Blackpool know what it takes to survive in the Championship and I think they will do it.

Teams in immediate danger of entering the drop zone:

Barnsley: 44 points, two games in hand. If Barnsely can win their two matches in hand and pull off another win and a couple of draws that should be enough for them to stay in the Championship for another season.

Norwich: 43 points, while they are only two points away from the drop zone, Norwich have picked up their form getting 10 points from a possible 15. If they can keep this form up it will be an uphill battle but it should be enough to secure safety.

Plymouth: 43 points, Unlike Norwich, Plymouth are on a horrible run of form and that doesn’t look like that is about to change. Plymouth need to dig deep and find a way to win or all too soon they could find themselves playing football in League One next season.

Team in the Current Relegation Zone:

Nottingham Forest: 41 points, Forest have struggled to adapt to the Championship all season and have endured more then a couple of thumpings this season. They have hovered around the drop zone all season and unless they find something inside them and a few results go their way they will be making an immediate return to League One.

Southampton: 40 points, 1 match in hand. Southampton have been around the relegation zone all season and they need to find a way to start winning, and winning fast. They need to basically win all their remaining matches and hope that some results go against those four teams above them if they are to pull off an escape.

Charlton: 29 points, 1 game in hand. At this point it really doesn’t matter what Charlton do, they are headed for League One next season. All they have to play for is pride and finishing off the season as best they can. Its amazing to think only three years ago they were a mid-table Premiership team and now they will be in League One next season.

My relegation predictions: Charlton, Nottingham Forest, Plymouth. I think Southampton will escape.

Glen Roeder was the latest Championship Manager to be sacked joining the growing ranks of the unemployed. Watford, QPR, Charlton, Derby, Nottingham Forest and now Norwich have all made changes in the managerial department. Here are who were the managers and who has replaced them. The bookies have Aide Boothroyd as the man who may replace Roeder at Norwich but as of now there is no permanent replacement named.

Norwich City- Glen Roeder: No Replacement

QPR: Ian Dowie replaced by Paulo Sousa

Watford: Aide Boothroyd replaced by Brenden Rodgers

Derby County: Paul Jewell replaced by Nigel Clough

Nottingham Forest: Colin Calderwood replaced by Billy Davies

Charlton: Alan Pardew replaced by Phil Parkinson

The thrid round of the FA Cup draw is out and here is who the teams of the CCC will face. The ties will be played the weekend of January 3, 2009. If the tie is tied then a replay will be played.

Portsmouth v Bristol City – Ashton Gate

Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham – Hillbrough

Preston NE v Liverpool – Deepdale

Birmingham City v Wolves – St. Andrew’s Stadium

West Ham United v Barnsley – Upton Park

Manchester City v Nottingham Forest – Eastlands

Cardiff City v Reading – Ninan Park

Ipswich Town v Chesterfield/Droylesden – Portman Road

Charlton v Norwich – The Valley

Torquay v Blackpool – Plainmoor

Leyton Orient v Sheffield United – Brisbane Road

Southampton v Manchester United – St. Mary’s Stadium

Histon v Swansea City – Bridge Road

Forest Green Rovers v Derby County – The New Lawn

QPR v Burnley – Turf Moor

Leicester City v Crystal Palace – Walkers Stadium

Morcambe/Cheltenham v Doncaster

Arsenal v Plymouth – Emirates Stadium

Watford v Scunthorpe – Vicarage Road

Coventry City v Kidderminster – Richo Arena

The transfer window may be closed but Championship Teams are still active in the loan market. Deals that are struck between clubs about transfers won’t go through until Janruary 1st, 2009. Here is the latest activity in the loan market:

Andy Todd: From Derby County to Northampton Town

Keith Gillespie: From Sheffield United to Charlton Athletic

Chris Weale: From Bristol City to Hereford United

Luke Varney: From Charlton to Derby County (will be made permanate in Jan for 1M)

Graham Stack: From Plymouth to Blackpool

Bartosz Slusarski: From West Brom to Sheffield Wed

Kurt Robinson: From Ipswich Town to Northampton Town

Kyel Reid: From West Ham to Blackpool

Steve Jones: From Burnley to Bradford City

Shane Higgs: From Cheltenham Town to Wolves

Joshua Gowing: From Bristol City to Hereford United

Mitchell Hanson: From Derby County to Notts County

Liam Dickenson: From Derby County to Blackpool

Mark Davies: From Wolves to Leicester

Jamie Cureton: From Norwich to Barnsley

Deon Burton: From Sheffield Wed to Charlton

Steve Brooker: From Bristol City to Doncaster

Liam Bridcutt: From Chelsea to Watford

Chris Birchall: From Coventry City to Carlisle United

Ashely Barnes: From Plymouth to Gainsbrough Trinity

On Saturday the CCC season officially started as 24 teams battle to win promotion to the English Premier League and the riches that would come with that promotion. For the three promoted teams, Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and Doncaster, they are looking to establish themselves and avoid an immediate return to League One while Reading, Birmingham and Derby County look to bounce straight back to the EPL. One thing that is known about the CCC, there is no sure thing in this division and anything can happen. Here the results from the first weekend of action.

Birmingham City 1 (Kevin Phillips 90′) Sheffield United 0

Blackpool 0 Bristol City 1(Steve Brooker 90′)

Cardiff City 2(Steven Thompson 41,Roger Johnson 90′) Southampton 1 (David McGoldrick 45′)

Charlton 2 (Mark Hudson 3′, Andy Gray 85′) Swansea City 0

Coventry City 2 (Elliot Ward,pen 48′, Leon McKenzie 86′) Norwich City 0

Crystal Palace 0 Watford 0

Derby County 0 Doncaster 1 (Lewis Guy 59′)

Ipswich 1 (Kevin Lisbie 2′) Preston NE 2(Paul McKenna 21, Simon Whaley 34)

Plymouth 2 (Rory Fallon 7′, Marcel Siep 55′) Wolves 2 (Michael Knightly 19′, Sam Vokes 78′)

QPR 2(Fritz Hall 29,31′) Barnsley 1 (Iain Hume 5′)

Sheffield Wednesday 4(Marcus Tudgay 1′,65′, Apko Sodje 4’17′) Burnely 1 (Martin Paterson 6′)

Nottingham Forest 0 Reading 0

The Carling Cup is next up for the CCC teams on Tuesday and Wednesday then back to CCC action on Saturday.

Here are your updated transfers for all the CCC clubs as of 18 July, 08.

Barnsley:  

Out: Dwayne Mattis (released)

Birmingham City

In: Marcus Bent ( Charlton, undisclosed)

Out: Daniel De Ridder (Wigan, free), Oliver Kapo (Wigan 2.5m)

Blackpool

In: Steve Kabba (Watford, loan)

Bristol City:

In: Emad Metab (Al Ahly, 1.5m)

Out: Darren Byfield (Doncaster, free), Enoch Showunmi (Leeds United, free)

Burnley

In: Remco van der Schaaf (unattached)

Charlton Athletic

Out: Marcus Bent (Birmingham City, undisclosed), Chris Iwelumo (Wolves, undisclosed), Darren Randolph (Hereford, loan)

Coventry City

In: Freddy Eastwood (Wolves, 1.2m)

Crystal Palace

Out: Tony Craig (Millwall, undisclosed)

Doncaster Rovers

In: Darren Byfield (Bristol City, free)

Plymouth

In: David MacNamee (unattached)

Out: Peter Halmosi (Hull City, undisclosed)

Preston NE

In: Barry Nicholson (Aberdeen, Free)

 QPR

 Out: Jake Cole (Oxford, free)

Swansea City

In: Stephen Morrison (West Brom, free)

Out: Darren Way (Yeovil Town, free)

Watford

 Out: Steve Kabba (Blackpool, loan)

Wolves

In: Chris Iwelumo (Charlton, undisclosed)

Out: Freddy Eastwood (Coventry City, 1.2m), Charlie Mulgrew (Aberdeen, undisclosed)

Charlton Athletic  

Founded: 1905

Nickname: The Addicks

Ground: The Valley (27,11)

Last Season: 11th in the CCC 64 Points

FA Cup Winners: 1947

Third Division/League Two Winners: 1929, 1935

Second Division/CCC Winners: 2000

Barnsley

In: Luke Steele (West Brom, Free), Ian Hume (Leicester City, 1.2M), Mounir El Haimour (NE Xamax, undisclosed), Darren Moore (Derby, Free)

Out: Paul Reid (Colchester, Free)

Birmingham City

In: Lee Carsley (Everton, Free), Kevin Phillips (West Brom, Free)

Out: Mikael Forssell (Hannover 96, free) Rafael Schmitz ( Lille, end of loan), Patrice Muamba ( Bolton, 5M), Asa Hall (released), Adam Ledzdins (Crewe, Free), David Howland (released), Daniel de Ridder (Wigan, Free), Stefan Milojevic (released) Mauro Zarate (Lazio, loan), Adam Legzdins (released)

Blackpool

In: Marlon Broomes ( Stoke City, Free), Joe Martin (Tottenham, undisclosed), Matt Gilks (Norwich City, undisclosed), Alex Babtiste (Mansfield Town, undisclosed)

Out: Wes Hoolaham (Norwich City, undisclosed) Kiegan Parker (Huddersfield Town, free), Michael Jackson (Shrewsbury Town, free) Marcus Bean (Brentford, free)

Released: Phil Marsh, John Hills, Matt Lawlor, Paul Tierney, Michael Flynn, Andy Welsh, Phil Doughty, Lewis Edge

Bristol City

In: Gavin Williams (Ipswich Town, undisclosed)

Out: Nick Carle (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Alex Russell (Cheltenham Town, free)

Released: Tamas Vasko (Ujpest, end of loan) Darren Byfield, Martin Slocombe, Enoch Showunmi

Burnley

In: Martin Paterson (Scunthorpe United, 1M), Cristian Calvenes (Dundee United, Free), Kevin McDonald (500K, Dundee)

Out: James O’Connor (Sheffield Wednesday, free), John Spicer (Doncaster Rovers, free), Kyle Lafferty (Rangers, 3M) Andrew Cole (released), Jon Harley (released)

Cardiff City

In: Tom Heaton (Manchester United, loan) Darren Dennehy (Everton, free), Ross McCormack (Motherwell, Free) Mark Kennedy (Crystal Palace, Free)

Out: David Forde (Millwall, free), Warren Feeny (Dundee United, free), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal, undisclosed), Michael Oakes (released), Trevor Sinclair (released), Matt Green (released) Matt Smith (released)

Charlton Athletic

In: Mark Hudson (Crystal Palace, free), Stuart Fleetwood (Forest Green, tribunal)

Out: James Walker (Southend United, free), Chris Powell (released), Patrick McCarthy (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Osei Sankofa (Southend United, free)

Coventry City

In: Keiren Westwood (Carlisle United, free), Aron Gunnersson (AZ Alkmar, undisclosed)

Out: Colin Hawkins (Brighton &Hove Albion, free), Michael Hughes (released)

Crystal Palace

In: Patrick McCarthy (Charlton, undisclosed), Darryl Flahavan ( Southend United, free), Nick Carle (Bristol City, undisclosed), Johannes Ertl (Austria Vienna, undisclosed)

Out: Mark Hudson (Charlton, free), Ryan Hall (released), Jeff Hughes (Bristol Rovers, 100K), Ben Kudjodji (released), Lewwis Spence ( Wycome, free), Moses Swaibu (released), Mark Kennedy (Cardiff City, free), Aaron Fray (released)

Derby County

In: Kris Commons (Nottingham Forest, free) Liam Dickenson (Stockport County, 750K), Paul Connolly (Plymouth, free), Martin Albrechtsen (West Brom, free), Jordan Stewart (Watford, free) Nathan Ellington (Watford, free) Paul Gree (Doncaster Rovers, free) Steve Davies (Tranmere, tribunal)

Out: Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest, 2.65M) Michael Johnson (Notts County, free), Kenny Miller (Rangers, 2M), Lee Holmes (Southampton, free), Craig Fagan (Hull City, 750K), David Jones (Wolves, undisclosed), Darren Moore (Barnsley, free) Jason Beardsley (Notts County, loan), Marc Edworthy (released), Ben Hinchliffe (released)

Doncaster Rovers

In: John Spicer (Burnley, free)

Out: Paul Green (Derby County, free), Graeme Lee (released), Stephen Roberts (Walsall, free), Matthew Noble (released), Mark McCammon (Gillingham, free)

Ipswich Town

In: Pim Balkestein (Heerenveen, undisclosed), Gareth McAuley (Leicester City, undisclosed)

Out: Gavin Williams ( Bristol City, undisclosed) Sylvain Legwinski (released), Fabian Wilnis (released), Sito (released)

Here are the pre-season schedules for most of the CCC clubs.

Barnsley

11 July Buxton (A)

12 July Glossip (A)

19 July Yeovil Town (A)

22 July York City (A)

26 July Rotherham (A)

29 July Wigan (H)

2 August Chengdu Blades (H)

Birmingham City

They will be on a tour of Austria from 13-22 July facing the following clubs:

14 July Kichbeg

17 July Victoria Plzen

20 July FC Nuremburg

26 July Gillingham (A)

29 July Leicester City (A)

2 August Fulham (H)

Blackpool

Could not find the clubs pre-season schedule other then

2 August Tranmere (A)

Bristol City

12 July Forest Green (A)

21 July Yeovil Town (A)

22 July Hereford United (A)

26 July AFC Bournemouth (A)

19 July Cheltenham Town (A)

1 August Royal Antwerp (H)

Burnley

10 July Carolina Railhawks (A)

15 July Minnesota Thunder (A)

19 July Queen of the South (A)

21 July Patrick Thistle (A)

23 July St. Johnstone (A)

26 July Accrington Stanley (A)

28 July Glentoran (A)

30 July Bradford City (A)

Cardiff City

12 July Merthyr (A)

22 July Guimarnes (A)

24 July Celtic (H)

29 July Swindon Town (H)

Charlton

9 July Welling United (A)

12 July Ebbsfleet United (A)

26 July Brighton Hove and Albion (A)

30 July Dulwich Hamlet (A)

2 August TBD

Coventry City

I have not found the clubs pre-season schedule

Crystal Palace

I have likewise not found the clubs pre-season schedule other then

14 July Crawley Town (A)

17 July Aldershot (A)