Sanchez interview & Saturday Round Up

LS interviewed by the League Managers Association
Weekend action:
David Healy is brought down in Leeds’ match with Sheff Wed, but gets up to put away the penalty and hand them a 1-0 win.

Grant McCann also scored from the spot in Cheltenham’s 3-2 win over Millwall.

Steve Jones got both assists for Burnley in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. His second assist was for young Kyle Lafferty.
Andy Kirk scored and hit the post in Northampton’s 3-2 defeat at QPR:
Here’s an extract from an interview the week before:
‘Has Andy thought about the possibility of winning a recall for Northern Ireland?
“I haven’t even thought about international football. My mind is totally focussed on doing well for Northampton Town.” ‘

The first 06/07 Saturday Round Up

SPL: Hibernian 1 – 1 Aberdeen: Dean Shiels (31 mins)

Saturday Round Up

Birmingham, with Northern Ireland stalwarts Maik Taylor and Damien Johnson, drew 1-1 with Wigan to move out of the relegation zone in the Premiership. However despite their recent resurgence they are far from safe and the teams below them all have a game in hand.
Northern Irish players on target for their clubs today were Stuart Elliott (in Hull’s 3-2 defeat to Sheffield United – Keith Gillespie an unused sub) and Grant McCann (from the penalty spot in Cheltenham’s 3-3 draw with Stockport).
Dean Shiels comeback didn’t happen today, in fact he didn’t even make the bench as Hibs lost 1-0 at Aberdeen. Danny Griffin came on as an 87th minute substitute to shore things up for the Dons.

Elliott on target as Duff starts up front!

Stuart Elliott nearly scored a header for Norn Iron when he came on against Estonia and Wednesday, and he did score one today after half an hour of Hull’s match at Leicester. Hull lost the match 3-2 however.
Championship Burnley had an all-Norn Iron strike partnership today as they lost 3-0 to Reading. When people speak of Michael Duff as being versatile, they usually mean he can play at right back or centre half – however today he started up front! Forget about Capaldi playing left back! His partner was 18 year old NI U21 striker Kyle Lafferty who was starting his first game for the club. Burnley boss Steve Cotterill was full of praise for the lad:
“I thought Kyle Lafferty played very for us though and he was game. He’s been on loan to Darlington which has done him the power of good and they did a terrific job with him and he’s come back a different player and as you could see, he wasn’t suffering from a lack of confidence. He looked as though he had more confidence on his full League debut than what Frank Sinclair did and he’s played in cup finals.”

Sproule scores as Lafferty is recalled

“He’s been terrific and we are bitterly disappointed to see him go”
Ivan Sproule scored 74 minutes into Hibs’ 5-1 rout of Falkirk which saw them safely into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
In-form Jeff Hughes set up Lincoln’s winner as they beat Notts County 2-1 at Sincil Bank.
Kyle Lafferty was recalled by Burnley on Tuesday due to the amount of injuries and suspensions they had. He came on as a 69th minute sub but couldn’t his side losing 1-0 to Coventry. Both the Quakers and the Clarets heaped praise on Lafferty following his loan spell:
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill:
“I think it’s done the lad the power of good being out on loan,” said Cotterill. “It sounds silly, but he seems to have grown up in a couple of months and I think that’s what going out on loan does to a young player. We’re delighted to bring him back into training and he’s been nice and sharp. We’ve just got to bear in mind that he’s a young lad, but we’re pleased with how he’s done and how he’s come back. We’re very thankful to Darlington because we think they’ve done a great job with him.”
Darlington assistant manager Mark Proctor:
“He’s been terrific and we are bitterly disappointed to see him go. To step into a first team environment from youth and reserve team football is a huge step,” said Proctor. “To go from flirting with the first team at Burnley, to suddenly being a first team regular with your name on your shirt and all the responsibility which goes with fitting into a team plan and having people relying on you, is not easy. But he came in fully motivated from day one, scored three goals, and worked non-stop. We have been impressed with his energy levels, enthusiasm and ability, and hope he goes on to enjoy a good career.”

Today’s Action

Young Jeff Hughes scored his second goal in 3 games to give Lincoln a 1-1 draw away to Macclesfield. Big G had conceeded the penalty which put the home side 1-0 up. Left-back Hughes headed home with 15 minutes left. Does a call up for the Estonia game beckon?

James Quinn scored what turned out to be the winner as Peterborough strengthened their promotion hopes with a 2-1 win at Notts County.
Tony Capaldi and Danny Griffin got assists in Plymouth’s 3-1 victory over Coventry and and Aberdeen’s 1-0 win over Falkirk respectively.

Last night and tonight

Norn Iron boys scoring as their clubs falter:

Steve Jones got the opener last night as Crewe went down 2-1 to Ipswich

Andy Kirk scored “a leading contender for goal of the season when he picked the ball up deep inside his own half, held off challenges from Easton and Zakuani and rifled home an unstoppable twenty five yard drive beyond Glyn Garner in to the top corner” for Northampton but their game against Leyton Orient finished 1-1.
And tonight Chris Brunt, who had been dropped by Wednesday, came on for an injured boy in the first half and scored a rocket of a free kick on 79 minutes, but by that time Coventry had scored twice and the final score was 2-1.

Last night…

Maik Taylor put in a man of the match performance for Birmingham last night as they drew 1-1 with Liverpool. Maik pulled off the sort of stunning saves we’re used to, and Rafa Benitez had to admit “their goalkeeper was fantastic”.

Maik’s task was made a lot harder as his international teammate Damien Johnson was given a straight red on 28 minutes for a challenge that didn’t even deserve a booking. Birmingham are appealing the decision. Steve Bruce:
“Both lads are tackling for the ball, Damien actually got it and he is trying to keep his foot away from the lad with his follow through. To wave the red card was harsh. I hope he will take another look at it. I have seen the replays, six times, and it is definitely not a red card. I’m delighted with the result but disappointed because for half an hour we were the better team before the sending off. I have studied it and I don’t think it is a sending off, but the referee has given it. It’s hard enough to play the European champions with 11, let alone 10 for an hour.”

Steve Davis played for Villa as they achieved a very credible 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Talk about a friendly with our Southern friends continues. The Belfast Telegraph quote ‘Stan the man’ and more from Lawrie:
“It would be great to have the north and the south playing each other,” said Staunton aka Stan.. “Obviously there would be a competitive side, as friendly or no friendly, I think there would be blood and thunder whenever we played.”
Lawrie aka Lawrie said:
“I’ll mention it to Mr. Boyce and Howard Wells as they’re the men that do the business. I’m sure they would like the game but because the Republic is a bigger nation they have a lot more offers than we do. There are fewer friendly dates now because we’re playing 12 qualifying games, so it’s a difficult situation. But I’d love to play them and I’m sure my players would.”
Lawrie is also hinting the people should get a move on in regard to the new stadium:
“We need a stadium we can go to with pride and get more than 14,000 people into. We need a national stadium to be built very soon if we want to progress on the football field.”

The Latest

Aul exams are taking a bit of a toll on the blogging lately. Since Saturday, young Londonderry keeper Saul Deeney kept a clean sheet for Burton Albion against Man Utd, although manager Nigel Clough threatened that he won’t play in the replay at Old Trafford if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
Linfield have rejected an improved offer from Gretna for Peter Thompson. Beaco informs us that they aren’t just the no-hopers you might think at first glance:
“On the face of it, the prospect of a move from an unbeatable Linfield side to a Scottish second division club doesn’t get the juices flowing. But young Blues striker Peter Thompson should realise that Gretna are not your average Scottish second division club. This is a club on the up and up.
They have a wealthy and ambitious chairman in Brooks Mileson, a growing fan base, a plush new stadium on the way and are confident that they will be playing Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League in a couple of years. I don’t doubt that belief for a second. They romped to the Scottish third division title last season, are doing the same in division two this time and you can bet your bottom dollar with a few wise investments they will roar to success in the first division next year. Indeed in five years time, they will probably be a mid-table side in the SPL.
Thompson could be part of that. Gretna’s initial bid of £50,000 for him with more to come depending on appearances for club and country has been quite rightly turned down by the Blues, who want a down payment of around £250,000. Somewhere in the middle may be nearer the mark for a player who deserves his chance in the full-time game, which in turn would give him a better opportunity to add to his one Northern Ireland cap. It’s a move that could benefit all parties. Right now Linfield are arguably a bigger club than Gretna, but they won’t be in a few years.
The Scottish outfit offers Thompson a chance to hit the big time and Peter should note that if he wants to get married in the near future, he’ll be in the right place.”
Royston Carroll is also looking to commit his future to West Ham:
“I feel at home at West Ham and really want to stay.
“The boss has signed a new five year deal and fingers crossed I’ll be doing the same. I want my long term future to be here and I want to help West Ham achieve success.”
Thanks to Stevie in the comments for pointing out 2 goals I missed on Saturday: Jimmy Quinn from the spot for Peterborough and Kyle Lafferty making a great start to his loan at Darlington:

Quinn strokes home his peno

Darlington manager David Hodgson on Lafferty and his goal: “He’s timed it really well, got his instep on it which is the biggest part of the foot to hit and bang its in the back of the net. He deserved it. The only thing is I knew he would tire and that’s exactly what happened.”

The Latest

Aul exams are taking a bit of a toll on the blogging lately. Since Saturday, young Londonderry keeper Saul Deeney kept a clean sheet for Burton Albion against Man Utd, although manager Nigel Clough threatened that he won’t play in the replay at Old Trafford if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
Linfield have rejected an improved offer from Gretna for Peter Thompson. Beaco informs us that they aren’t just the no-hopers you might think at first glance:
“On the face of it, the prospect of a move from an unbeatable Linfield side to a Scottish second division club doesn’t get the juices flowing. But young Blues striker Peter Thompson should realise that Gretna are not your average Scottish second division club. This is a club on the up and up.
They have a wealthy and ambitious chairman in Brooks Mileson, a growing fan base, a plush new stadium on the way and are confident that they will be playing Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League in a couple of years. I don’t doubt that belief for a second. They romped to the Scottish third division title last season, are doing the same in division two this time and you can bet your bottom dollar with a few wise investments they will roar to success in the first division next year. Indeed in five years time, they will probably be a mid-table side in the SPL.
Thompson could be part of that. Gretna’s initial bid of £50,000 for him with more to come depending on appearances for club and country has been quite rightly turned down by the Blues, who want a down payment of around £250,000. Somewhere in the middle may be nearer the mark for a player who deserves his chance in the full-time game, which in turn would give him a better opportunity to add to his one Northern Ireland cap. It’s a move that could benefit all parties. Right now Linfield are arguably a bigger club than Gretna, but they won’t be in a few years.
The Scottish outfit offers Thompson a chance to hit the big time and Peter should note that if he wants to get married in the near future, he’ll be in the right place.”
Royston Carroll is also looking to commit his future to West Ham:
“I feel at home at West Ham and really want to stay.
“The boss has signed a new five year deal and fingers crossed I’ll be doing the same. I want my long term future to be here and I want to help West Ham achieve success.”
Thanks to Stevie in the comments for pointing out 2 goals I missed on Saturday: Jimmy Quinn from the spot for Peterborough and Kyle Lafferty making a great start to his loan at Darlington:

Quinn strokes home his peno

Darlington manager David Hodgson on Lafferty and his goal: “He’s timed it really well, got his instep on it which is the biggest part of the foot to hit and bang its in the back of the net. He deserved it. The only thing is I knew he would tire and that’s exactly what happened.”