Welcome to another blog, in this blog i will be reviewing the games from the weekend

Birmingham v Fulham: Birmingham City go into the game against Fulham on the back of a 2-2 draw against Norwich last Saturday while, Fulham are looking for a first win of the Campaign having only got 1 point from the opening 8 games.

Blackburn v Watford: Blackburn go into the game against Watford having beat Fulham 1-0 last time out while, Watford will be looking to claim a 6th win in 9 after a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at Vicarage Road last time out.

Blackpool v Norwich: Blackpool go into the game against Norwich on the back of a 0-0 draw with Brighton last time out, and like Fulham the Tangerines are looking for a first win of the campaign while, Norwich are looking for a 6th win of the campaign.

Bolton v Derby: Bolton go into the game against Derby on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Wolves in the League and after losing 2-1 to Chelsea in the Capital One Cupin midweek while, Derby are looking for their 4th win of the campaign.

Bournemouth v Wigan: Bournemouth go into the game against Wigan looking for a 3rd win of the campaign having drawn 1-1 with Watford in the League and having beat Cardiff 3-0 in the Capital One Cup in midweek while, Wigan go into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich at home in the Monday Night Football.

Brentford v Leeds: Brentford go into the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat to Middlesbrough last time out while, Leeds go into the game on the back of 3 wins out of 4 under Caretaker manager Neil Redfearn and the game will be the first under new manager Darko Milanic.

Cardiff v Sheffield Wednesday: Cardiff go into the game against Sheffield Wednesday on the back of a 2-2 draw with Derby in the league and having lost 3-0 to Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup in midweek while, Sheffield Wednesday go into the game having won 1-0 v Reading last time out in the league and having been dumped out of the Capital One Cup in midweek at Manchester City losing 7-0 despite holding the Premier League side in the first half.

Charlton v Middlesbrough: Charlton go into the game against Middlesbrough having drawn 1-1 at Rotherham in the league while, Boro go into the game having beat Brentford 4-0 in the league and narrowly losing to Liverpool in the Capital One Cup in midweek Aitor Karanka’s men took the Premier League outfit to penalties having drawn 2-2 in 120 minutes Boro eventually lost 14-13 on pens.

Huddersfield v Millwall: Huddersfield go into the game against Millwall on the back of a 5th defeat in 8 league games having lost 3-0 to Leeds last time out while, Millwall go into the game having held league leaders Nottm Forest 0-0 last time out.

Ipswich v Rotherham: Ipswich go into the game against Rotherham on the back of winning three Championship games in a row while, Rotherham go into the game on the back of drawing 1-1 at home to Charlton last time out.

Nottm Forest v Brighton: Nottm Forest go into the game against Brighton on the back of being held 0-0 at the New Den against Millwall while, Brighton go into the game on the back of drawing 0-0 with Blackpool in the league and having beat Burton 3-0 in Capital One Cup in midweek.

Sunday

Reading v Wolves: Reading go into the game against Wolves having lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the league last time out while, Wolves go into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Bolton in the league last time out.

Feel free to check out my own personal website: http://footballandothersports.com/

Mr Russ Vernon

Chesterfield 2-2 Leeds - Sat 26th July 2014

On Saturday 26th July I made the trip to North Derbyshire to watch Leeds United in action against Chesterfield in a Pre-Season Friendly at the Proact Stadium.

United head coach Dave Hockaday named what he decided was his best 11 in the squad we have at this moment. New signing Marco Silvestri started in goal for the Whites while follow Italians Gaetano Berardi, Tommaso Bianchi and Souleymane Doukara began the game on the bench. Youngster Chris Dawson was also named in the squad after missing the games at Guiseley and Mansfield.

Chesterfield started the game well and Eoin Doyle hit wide after a good cross from Jay O'Shea and Sam Morsy forced Silvestri into making a save.

Doyle came close again for the Spireites when he saw his effort turned aside by Silvestri in the Leeds goal.

Leeds thought they should have had a penalty moments later when Aidy White got forward from the right and was brought down inside the box as he shaped to shoot but the referee Mr. M. Naylor said Daniel Jones had won the ball and waved away the penalty appeals from the Leeds players and fans.

Minutes later and White was involved again when he put in a dangerous cross and Luke Murphy could only head wide of the target.

Half Time: 0-0

Into the second half and we'd only been playing one minute when Leeds were awarded a penalty when a good run down the Leeds left and Murphy was brought down by Jummy Ryan and referee Naylor pointed to the spot. Midfielder Rudy Austin took the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way to put Leeds into the lead.

But Chesterfield didn't lie down there and were quickly back on level terms when Doyle played a ball onto the edge of the Whites box and Sam Morsy found space and fired low past Silvestri to bring the Spireites level.

Aidy White had to go off midway through the second half after landing awkwardly on his ankle after making an important tackle in the Leeds area.

Chesterfield took the lead just after the hour mark when a long ball was hit up towards Armand Gnanduillet who headed into the path of Sam Morsy, who got infront of his man to score his and Chesterfield's second.

There was mass substitutions from both managers as the pace of the game slowed down and the Whites enjoyed decent spells of the ball without creating chances to score from.

With five minutes remaining on the clock Sam Byram got forward from the back and defender Jones brought him down and referee Naylor awarded Leeds a second penalty. Rudy Austin steped up to take the penalty and put the ball into the same corner and scored despite Tommy Lee going the same way.

Full Time: 2-2

Goals: Chesterfield (Morsy 54', 65' ) United (Austin pens 46', 85')

Chesterfield: Lee (gk) - Darikwa, Evatt (c), Cooper, Jones - Hird (Gardner 45'), Morsy (Humphreys 76'), Ryan (Morrisson 83'), O'Shea (Gnanduillet 45'), Roberts (Featherstone 81')- Doyle (Daly 86'). Unused Subs: Anyan (gk), Raglan, Onivwigun, Dawes, Clark.

United: Silvestri (gk) - Byram, Pearce (c), Wootton, Warnock (Berardi 74') - Austin, Cook (Tonge 68'), Murphy (Norris 68'), White (Bianchi 64') - Smith (Doukara 45'), Morision (Dawson 76'). Unused Subs: S Taylor (gk), Berardi, C Taylor, Lees.

I'm Mr Russ Vernon and thats my opinon on the game

England 3-0 Peru.... The Vernon Adventure

I set off from my house in Rotherham at 11am to get the coach to Wembley from Sheffield 1.50pm. 

The coach arrived and we set off from Sheffield picking up at Chesterfield on the way to down to Wembley for the game. We stopped at Watford Gap Service Station for a toilet brake and to stretch our legs at 4pm and left the services at 4.30pm and we arrived at Wembley at round 6.30pm.

I was listening on the radio and team news broke just after 7pm and England lined-up with: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Lallana, Rooney, Welbeck; Sturridge. I thought the team was pritty strong and was expecting us to score 3, 4 maybe 5 goals from the team Roy had picked.

On to the game and England took a while to get started but once they did England played some good passing football. 

It took until the 32nd minute for the deadlock to be broken but when it did Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge took the ball well and struck the ball home beautifully from the edge of the box. 

Joe Hart made sure England took the lead at the break when he had to pull off a good save at his near post from Peru's Luis Ramirez as he was released in space behind the England Back 4. 

Half Time: England 1-0 Peru

Peru started the second half well and tried to get back on terms as Jean Deza triped a long range strike from 35 yards out but the shot dropped onto the roof of the net, Deza almost capitalised on a mistake from Johnson but Cahill covered the danger very well.

Gary Cahill's play and hard work was rewarded on 65 minutes moments after Wilshere came on for Gerrard as Leighton Baines wipped in a corner and Cahill got free of his marker to head home England's 2nd goal of the evening.

England then brought on Sterling for Rooney on 66 minutes and Sterling made some amazing runs at the Peru defence. 5 minutes after Cahill put England 2-0 up his centre back partner Jagielka made it 3-0 as Peru keeper Raul Fernandez fell into his own defender lost control of the ball and Jags hit the ball underneath the keeper, 3-0 England lead on 70 minutes. 

England brought on Smalling & Milner for Jagielka & Lallana respecitivley on 73 minutes. Also Hodgson brought on John Stones for his debut replacing Baines on 75 mins and Barkley replaced Sturridge with 9 minutes remaining. 

England could have had a 4th goal late on as Barkley played Sterling in but his shot was heading off target and wasn't going to trouble Fernandez in the Peru goal.

England managed to hold on and now head to Miami for two games v Ecuador (Wednesday 4th June) and Honduras (Saturday 7th June) before the World Cup opener against Italy on 14th June KO 11pm BST.

Full Time: England 3-0 Peru

I arrived home at 02:35am Saturday Morning and i enjoyed my day at Wembley

McCormack gets recognition despite Leeds' poor season

Despite Leeds United's poor season in the Sky Bet Championship, club captain & striker Ross McCormack last night (Sunday 27th April) got the recognition that I feel he deserved, by being named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

McCormack is the Sky Bet Championship's leading goal scorer with 28 goals to his name, in what has to be described as a poor season in the Championship for Leeds United.

Leeds United were sitting 5th in the table at Christmas, but after a poor run of form after the Christmas/New Year period, Leeds found themselves fighting of relegation. But having beat Blackpool 2-0 on April 12th 2014, they secured their Championship status for another season.

Along with McCormack, in the team we saw Champions Leicester City have three players included (Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan and Danny Drinkwater), while runners-up Burnley had also 3 players in the team with Kieran Trippier, Jason Shackell and Danny Ings being named in the side.

Leicester & Burnley have both had impressive seasons in the Sky Bet Championship and I wish them all the best for next season. As for my beloved Leeds United, I think we need another GK, CB, Wingers & Striker to be able to do a Leicester or Burnley next season and finish in the top 2 of the Championship.

PFA Championship Team of the Year in Full: Kasper Schmeichel (Leciester City), Kieran Tripper (Burnley), Wes Morgan (Leicester City), Jason Shackell (Burnley), Aaron Cresswell (Ipswich); Will Hughes (Derby), Andy Reid (Nottm Forest), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Craig Bryson (Derby), Danny Ings (Burnley), Ross McCormack (Leeds).

The Final Round of Fixtures this weekend for all teams in the Championship which all Kick-Off at 12.15pm BST.

Russell Vernons' Sky Bet Championship Round-Up #8

On Saturday in the early kick-off Derby County took on rivals Nottingham Forest at the iPro Stadium and totally demolished them 5-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Craig Bryson, Jeff Hendrick & Jonny Russell also on target for the Rams.

In the 3pm Kick-offs on Saturday A late goal from Steve Cook saw Bournemouth beat Relegation threatened Barnsley at Oakwell. A Brace from Jobi McAnuff helped Reading beatt Birmingham 2-1 at St Andrews Paul Caddis got Birmingham's goal from the penalty spot.

Leicester City remain unbeaten in the league but had to settle for a draw at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers after Matt Kilgallon scored his first goal for Rovers to cancel out a opener from Jamie Vardy. A fourth minute goal from Ricardo Fuller was enough for Barry Ferguson's men as Blackpool beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 at Bloomfield Road.

Goals from Tommy Smith & Darryl Murphy helped Ipswich to a 2-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Goals from Ashley Barnes, Sam Vokes from the penalty spot and Michael Kightly helped Burnley to a 3-0 win over Jose Riga's Charlton at the Valley.

Doncaster Rovers beat South Yorkshire Rivals Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium thanks to a first half goal from Chris Brown. Leeds United managed to get a much needed victory on Saturday after beating Millwall 2-1 at Elland Road Matt Smith and Ross McCormack on target for Brian McDermott's side who's takeover situation is still yet to be resolved. DJ Campbell got a consolation goal for Millwall.

QPR got a much needed win of their own at the Riverside against Middlesbrough after they ran out 3-1 winners following goals from Yossi Benayoun, Bobby Zamora & Ravel Morrison after George Friend had given Boro the lead.

Wigan came from 1-0 down to beat Watford 2-1 at the DW Stadium following goals from Jean Beausejour and Martyn Waghorn after Lewis McGugan had put the Hornets infront. Yeovil and Bolton played out a four-goal thriller as Lukas Jutkiewicz & Zat Knight helped Bolton come from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 Draw at Huish Park, Ishmael Miller and Kevin Dawson had put the Glovers 2-0 infront at Half Time.

This Weeks Fixtures

Tuesday 25 March 2014
Bolton v Blackpool 20:00
Bournemouth v Leeds 19:45
Burnley v Doncaster 19:45
Huddersfield v Middlesbrough 19:45
Ipswich v Derby 19:45
Leicester v Yeovil 19:45

Millwall v Birmingham 19:45
Nottm Forest v Charlton 19:45
QPR v Wigan 19:45
Reading v Barnsley 20:00
Sheff Wed v Brighton 19:45
Watford v Blackburn 19:45

Saturday 29 March 2014
Birmingham v Bournemouth 15:00
Bolton v Wigan 15:00
Brighton v Middlesbrough 15:00
Burnley v Leicester 12:15
Derby v Charlton 15:00
Ipswich v Nottm Forest 15:00
Leeds v Doncaster 15:00
Millwall v Blackburn 15:00
QPR v Blackpool 15:00
Reading v Huddersfield 15:00
Sheff Wed v Watford 15:00
Yeovil v Barnsley 15:00

Please Check Out My Own Personal Website: http://footballandothersports.com/
Mr Russ Vernon

Leeds rocked by take over news

It's been a frantic 72 hours at Leeds United Football Club. On Friday (31st Jan) Manager Brian McDermott took his pre-match press conference in the afternoon as normal and was only focusing on Saturday's game v Huddersfield Town but by Friday Evening Brian McDermott had been sacked by Leeds by a Lawyer representing Massimo Cellino who is the prospected new owner of the Championship club. On Saturday (1st Feb) it was confirmed that Brian's assistant Nigel Gibbs and United's first team coach/Development Squad manager Neil Redfearn was in charge for the game v Huddersfield in which Leeds won 5-1 thanks to goals from Ross McCormack [3], Jimmy Kebe & Alex Mowatt and after the game the players & Gibbs said the result was for Brian McDermott.

On Sunday (2nd Feb) It was confirmed by local reporter Adam Pope that owners GFH Capital had told him that they did not sack manager Brian McDermott and Adam was also told that a club letter-headed paper was used by the IPS lawyer Chris Farnell with Massimo Cellino's signature on it to dismiss McDermott from his role as Leeds United manager. Then on Monday (3rd Feb) It was announced to Adam Pope that there has been advanced discussions between previously rival bidders Sport Capital and the Mike Farnan led consortium plus other significant businessmen in Leeds to today present a combined bid to buy a majority stake in Leeds United. Then just after 9.15am Brian McDermott turned up to Thorpe Arch (Leeds Training Ground) to take training as normal and it was shortly announced just after that Brian McDermott would be facing the media at 1.15pm GMT to say what has been going on over the last 72 hours.

In his press Conference Brian said

BMD: "What's gone on? I got a phonecall Friday night from Chris Varnell to say I'd been relieved of my duties. Saturday morning, I got another phonecall from GFH saying that wasn't the case"

BMD: "The reason I'm sitting here is because I've been reinstated. I want to be Leeds United manager."

BMD: "Nigel Gibbs showed what a class act he is on Saturday. I was proud of the players, the staff and the fans for coming together on Saturday. That's why I'm back. The fans proved they're a class act. It's their football club."

Reporter: You could end up back in the same situation once Cellino takes over.

BMD: "I've no idea, I've had certain reassurances, but GFH Capital currently own the football club. We don't know who the new owners will be"

BMD: "Whatever happens, we need some calm. We need this place to be heading in the right direction. Since April (until Friday), when I came in, we've been heading in the right direction."

Reporter: On Massimo Cellino's statement saying he wants McD as manager, did that have an impact on his return?

BMD: "Not really. I want to be Leeds United manager."

BMD: "I signed a three-year deal, we spoke about a long-term vision, about the stability required. For me, that hasn't changed."

BMD: "I set the team up on Friday morning, the team you saw on Saturday, it was changed overnight, but we changed it back when Gibbs was put in charge"

BMD: "Need to put this to bed and move forward, the ownership situation needs to be resolved quickly."

BMD: "I don't know if it was legal or not (his sacking)"

BMD: "I've been given assurances that I answer to GFH and GFH only."

BMD: "My personal feelings are I want to be Leeds United manager, that's it... The support I've received has been fantastic."

Reporter: Brian, good to see you, where were you Saturday afternoon?

BMD: "Watching Sky Sports..."

BMD: "Neil (Redfearn) told me Festa had changed the team"

Reporter: When did you realise there was no way your sacking was allowed to happen?

BMD: "All along it seemed odd, you have to be owner of the football club to sack the manager. I did think it was very strange"

Reporter: You could be in the same situation next week?

BMD "People have said that to me, but how can I not go back? There's no way I'd leave the staff, the players and the supporters... The bigger picture is the stability of this club."

On Festa,

BMD: "He was at the training ground this morning. I don't know the new player, he arrived deadline day, whether it's been ratified by the Football League I'm not sure. He'll get the utmost respect and every chance"

BMD: "Nigel Gibbs has been absolute class. I'm delighted we got that result with the team we'd been working on throughout the week."

BMD: "I don't hold grudges. The most important thing is the Leeds fans, they showed absolute class on Saturday"

Reporter: What would you like to happen?

BMD:"Whatever happens, what's the best for Leeds United? That's the only thing I'm concerned about"

Reporter: Do you feel let down?

BMD "I would suggest this situation should never happen to a football manager"

BMD: "All [the owners] have said to me is that I answer to them, whatever happens in the future, I don't know. There's a lot of speculation, but as far as the ownership is concerned, it's still to be resolved."

BMD: "Ross McCormack has been phenomenal. He's become a real leader. You have to admire what he's done for Leeds United."

BMD: "I've got assurances in writing"

What next for Leeds? Well i hope Massimo Cellino fails the fit & proper persons test and another of the consortiums buy a stake from GFHC