The Football League - Weekend Talking Points

Barnsley early woes continue as Wigan lay down the marker

Having been one of the form teams following the appointment of David Flitcroft in late December, there were hopes around Oakwell that serial escape artists Barnsley might just play things a little safer this term.

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McCammon breaks latest barrier on player power

In another caveat to the argument that players have too much power in the modern game that has been underlined by the contract disputes involving Wayne Rooney and currently Arsenal’s overly-ambitious Robin Van Persie, coming to the party is a player and a club with far less razzmatazz than Arsene Wenger’s annual wrangling with a trophy-wanting player, for Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie who value medals and cups above loyalty, add ex-Gillingham striker Mark McCammon in the one-sided fight that is ensuring power is firmly on the side of the player.

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The Lambert revolution

On the 8^th of August 2009, Paul Lambert’s Colchester began their League One campaign with a trip to newly relegated Norwich City. 

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Gills to get back on track against Cobblers

Gillingham host 18^th placed Northampton Town at Priestfield Stadium no doubt happy to return to home turf following back-to-back losses on the road at Swindon Town and Morecambe respectively.

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Gillingham's forgotten hero

Today doesn't just see the birthday of Paul Dickov but also that of Kevin Horlock. The statistics they share are amazing.

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Dear Australia…… Your rules are rubbish!

I’ve just watched my 13 year old cousin play football for his local team the Tarmoor Tigers in Australia. I’m still astounded and shocked at what I’ve just witnessed and realise why the football here will never be there national sport! It was the quarter finals of the local cup so there was a big turnout. I’ve only recently come to Australia so was quite excited to watch him play and see what the quality was like.

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Can Wolves claw themselves away from mediocrity?

Two wins from two has seen Wolves make their best start ever to a premier league season, with striker’s Doyle and Fletcher catching the eye, the wolves faithful can surely expect a season which offers more than a bottom half slog. Over the years the words indifferent, inept have all marred the clubs performances, with the weakened side sent to Old Trafford being the perfect example. But signing’s like centre half Johnson and creative thinker O’Hara have proven to be shrew business, so can Mick McCarthy’s side take their giant killing mentality to clubs in and around themselves?

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FootballFriendsonline.com Football Quiz Challenge

What type of quizzer are you? Do you sit drunk and clueless in the corner? Or are you halfway to Nerdsville with a tank top on and a smart-arse smile? Can you admit to watching Eggheads - even if only in a moment of weakness? No matter which category you fall into – try our pub quiz and prove to yourself that the years of watching and talking about footy have not been a complete waste of time. But please try not to cheat, for as my headmaster used to say “You’re only cheating on yourself”, which ironically is not what his wife said to him, when she caught him in congress with his secretary.

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League Two 2011/12 Season Preview

Only a bobble on the Wembley turf prevented Charlie Austin scoring against Millwall to take Swindon Town one step closer to returning to the Championship.

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Meeting Your Heroes

They say in life you should never meet your heroes, as you'll more often than not be crushingly disappointed with how arrogant / rude / ignorant etc they may turn out to be. It's best to admire them from afar so your initial preconception of them is kept intact; your illusion is never shattered.

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Football Bad Boys

Since arriving at Eastlands Phil Taylor wannabe Mario Balotelli has put forward a great case for starting a stretch at Lancaster Farms Young Offenders Institution let alone making the starting line up for Manchester City.

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The diary off a Sunday League Manager

Monday 17.57 - call opposition and arrange the weekend fixture, first polite and seemingly mandatory question "how's the team going" bearing in mind we are routed to the bottom off the league and lost our last game 8-0, to*ser! But you politely brush it off and continue with the fixture arrangements and 10 minutes off boredom as the idiot brags about how well their team is doing

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Another One Bites The Dust

It comes as little surprise to hear of a managerial sacking in our English Football League. In an industry where bosses are changed more often than kits, a month barely goes by without a handful of casualties.

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