John Swift’s late goal gave smooth-passing Reading a 1-0 win at St Andrew’s – but what have we learnt from the game? Blues must get their pressing right In the first 35 minutes, Birmingham couldn’t implement a pressing game. For spells, they often dropped off their opponents, afraid to put a tackle in. Egged on… Read more →
Bristol Rovers have just lost Matty Taylor. The man who scored the goals that helped them from the National League and financial uncertainty to the top half of League One. The fact he has crossed the city for the Gashead’s BS3 rivals only rubs salt into open wounds. However, what Taylor’s rise shows is that… Read more →
This is the most exciting time to be a Mansfield Town fan in many years. Back in November, the team was 18th in the table with one league win to their name after August. Under Adam Murray – and to a greater extent Paul Cox before him – they had been playing long ball football,… Read more →
Since Ian Holloway began his second spell at Loftus Road in November, he has made 12 changes to the squad. They have signed Matt Smith, who has a respectable goals per minute ratio at this level, Sean Goss, on the books at Manchester United for five years and Luke Freeman, a 14/15 League One star… Read more →
West Ham fans’ memories of Dimitri Payet should be his performances last season. After starring on his Premier League debut in the win at Arsenal, he put in some outstanding performances, such as the brace against Newcastle then inspiring the team to a dramatic 12-minute comeback at Everton. He lit up the Boleyn Ground with his beautiful free-kicks,… Read more →
An industrious display helped Notts County get their first victory under Kevin Nolan, a 2-1 win over Crawley Town – but which players stood out? Notts County Adam Collin – one good save from a header in the second half. Although Collins’ strike had power, the central nature of it suggested Collin might have done better… Read more →
An industrious display helped Notts County get their first victory under Kevin Nolan, a 2-1 win over Crawley Town – but what have we learnt from the game? Passive Crawley In starting just two attacking players – Enzio Boldewijn and James Collins – Crawley manager Dermot Drummy arguably showed relegation-threatened Notts County undue respect. In the… Read more →
On the field, January has been a positive month for Barnsley with two league wins in three games, but off it, the club has lost some key players. Sam Winnall is not too popular with fans after his move to South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. The striker has been a big part of the club’s… Read more →
James Hanson’s departure from Valley Parade has been greeted with some sadness, having spent eight years at the club with great memories along the way, but not the disappointment that there might have been previously. Hanson’s height and physical presence had made him a key component of Phil Parkinson’s direct outfit, but under Stuart McCall, the team did not… Read more →
Here are The Football Lab’s betting tips for the weekend’s action. Doncaster hope to continue their surge towards promotion with a win at Huish Park and Peterborough and MK Dons play out a local derby. But first – will Cardiff continue their climb up the table when they visit Reading? Reading v Cardiff Reading have lost… Read more →