The unbelievable excitement of English football (video)

English football has proven this season that the birthplace of the beautiful game is home to some of the most exciting football in the world. This has been particularly evident in the lower leagues this season with some quite unbelievable endings to games in both the Championship and League One where fans of several clubs have experienced ecstasy and agony in a matter of moments. Although you must feel sorry for the fans that are left on the losing side of these incredible finishes, you can’t deny that for the neutral watching on it is the excitement of football at its peak.

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Who writes the Championship script?

You can knock it for its lack of quality and this season that argument might be as true as it has ever been, however there is no denying that few leagues can match the Championship for its remarkable levels of unpredictability, drama and entertainment.

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Best crossbar goals (Video)

Nathaniel Chalobah rifled in a stunning 35-yard strike which

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Championship play-off race too close to call

It is mathematically possible that any one of 7 teams could occupy the final 3 remaining Championship play-off places come the end of the regular season on May 4^th. Watford have secured their place in the play-offs, but the three teams below them in the table, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Bolton have not yet made their position in the play-offs safe. Leicester and Nottingham Forest are in 7^th and 8^th respectively and both still have realistic chances of finishing in the top 6.

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Vialli: One of a kind

One of Italy's finest strikers, Gianluca Vialli, he has done it all as a player, coach and now a commentator.

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The Championship play-off race: Who will clinch their place?

On the eve of March, it’s now time to hear that clichéd phrase ‘Squeaky Bum Time’. The Football League tables are starting to take shape and gaps between promotion places and relegation slots are substantially forming.

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The Watford Loophole

Outspoken Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway has been one of the first managers to voice their opinions on the blatant transfer loophole in the Watford squad. Watford currently have 11 loan signings on their books. Gianfranco Zola named a squad which consisted of seven loan players to face Palace, of which six were from Watford’s “sister” clubs Granada and Udinese.

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Spurs' search for a striker continues

Tottenham, are in desperate need of a striker, not least to ease the goalscoring load that Jermain Defoe is currently holding. With Adebayor off at the African Cup of nations, Spurs have just one recognised out and out striker in their squad. With just over a week remaining of the transfer window, I'm sure Andre Villas-Boas will be on the look out for a quick deal that could have a major say on their season.

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Player Watch: Matej Vydra

When I took to my seat at the Amex in anticipation of Brighton and Hove Albion's game against Watford on the 29th December, there was one name that I was particularly wary of; Matej Vydra.

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The dangers of premature celebrations (Video)

If you have managed to successfully lob the goal keeper, a difficult skill anyway, then you are entitled to believe that you have scored a very nice goal and therefore celebrate it with your adoring fans. Right?

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A beautiful game's impact on the beautiful game

For the past twenty years Football Manager has grown into an unhealthy obsession for many football fans who (genuinely) believe they are capable of doing a better job than the real-life manager of the team they support.

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Last minute deals are good for English youth

As the conclusion fell on Tuesday’s transfer deadline day, the importance of a few particular late night deals would have been lost on many behind a full schedule of match action in an entertaining night of football. Of course, the final hours of the transfer window may have been as dull as Andy Warhol’s 1964 Empire film, but there were pleasantries to be found in some particular eleventh hour deals.

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Watford try to fend off Newcastle for Mariappa

As with all walks of the food-chain approach to life, those who sit lower are always at disadvantage to those at the top. When a clownfish has something special to eat, the shark wants it or when the hawk thinks he has his dinner, the lynx is almost guaranteed to be out on the prowl to snatch it off him. In the football hierarchy, it is no different.

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Trotta interests a few Championship clubs

Free-scoring striker Marcello Trotta could be on his way to a Championship club near you as an assortment of clubs are rumoured to be quietly interested, the kind of shyness which occurs in teenage love ah bless them, in taking the Fulham youngster on loan.

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The Ghost Of 3rd Rounds Past

The start of January is supposed to be a time for looking forward and making changes in your life. In reality, most people's resolutions fade away by January 7th, so it seems right to me that this year 7th January is FA Cup 3rd round day, because now all it reminds me is of a New Years resolution gone wrong.

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