Championship Fan Zone: 04/10/2009

Every game - by the people who care the most

Barnsley 2 Ispwich 1

Was it a fair result?

Yes absolutely. Bartosz Bialkowski made a stunning stop at the beginning of injury time, but with the chances we created it would have felt like two points dropped if Jon Macken hadn’t scored at the death. Did the visitors play well?They did in patches and certainly don't look the worst team in the division. They are lacking in the final third though. Over 800 Ipswich fans made the long trek up north and that’s dedication when your team is on such a bad run.

(Rob Miles, barnsley-mad.co.uk)

Coventry 1 Leicester 1

Was the draw a fair result?

Sammy Clingan’s world-class free-kick in the first half had edged the home side in front arguably against the run of the play after Leicester had the better of the early exchanges. A late winner would have been unfair on either team, although both managers will argue that they deserved more. Who was the man-of-the-match? Substitute Steve Howard’s contribution showed just how important the whole squad will be if Leicester are to have a successful Championship campaign this year.

(Joe Harris, foxes-mad.co.uk)

Crystal Palace 4 Blackpool 1

Happy with the performance?

We’ve waited almost 20 games to score a first-half goal and I had to pinch myself at half-time when we had found the net twice. Was the scoreline deserved? Certainly on paper 4-1 looks like a good thrashing but in all honesty there wasn’t that much between the two sides. We are both clubs who will finish somewhere around the mid-table mark. We just happened to take our chances on the day which is something of a novelty.

(EddieEagle, Crystal Palace fan)

Derby 3 Sheffield Wed 0

Happy with the point?

Nigel Clough at last deserved his money as manager after playing Jay McEveley in central defence. The guy seems to be learning and also played two up front, which took the pressure off the defence. (Bloomeram, Derby fan) What now for Wednesday? I think we need to inject some steel into the defence and the midfield is not dominating other teams. We desperately need a couple of new players on loan to tide us over until the transfer window reopens.

(owlcity, Wednesday fan)

Newcastle 0 Bristol City 0

Is there a sense of frustration?

We should have had this game sewn up as Bristol City brought nothing to the table. Steve Harper could have had the afternoon off! But I have rarely felt as frothing mad at officials as I did this game. It was the most frustrating and annoying game I've watched for a long time! (sandymag, Newcastle fan) Happy with the point? To be honest we were under the cosh for long periods and lucky to take a point. I’ll have it none the less.

(Ashton68, Bristol City fan)

Peterborough 1 Nottm Forest 2

Is Posh’s form a concern?

Yes but the owner and manager’s suggestion that we could be promoted was always pie in the sky. I’ll be happy to avoid relegation this season and then look to build next year. That’s the only sustainable way. (LDNRD, Peterborough fan) How good are Forest? We’ve won three in a row and Billy Davies is starting to stamp his mark on the squad. I’m not sure we’re quite good enough to mix it with the Championship’s big-boys yet but I’ll happily eat my words.

(Groundhog, Nottm Forest fan)

Plymouth 2 Scunthorpe 1

Was it a good game?

It was no better than most of ours this season, although it had one key redeeming feature as Argyle came out on top! After two months of close calls and tough luck, things are turning down here. We’re only nine points off a play-off place! Who stood out? Credit will have to go to Rory Fallon. The temptation is to slate him for being a one-trick pony, but when he uses his size properly and finds the net he is a more than useful Championship player. Two goals in two games speaks for itself.

(Luggybasher99, Plymouth fan)

Preston 0 West Brom 0

How are Preston playing?

If you’d asked me before kick-off whether I’d take a point against a side rated the best in the league I’d have said yes. However, that’s four games without a win in all competitions and I’m a little concerned. (Simon Ostiadel, prestonnorthend-mad.co.uk) How did the Baggies play? I thought we were defensively very solid, although Abdoulaye Meite looked a bit of a liability at times. The most frustrating aspect of the display was up front where we really struggled to create any chances of note.

(SussexBaggie, West Brom fan)

Reading 0 Middlesbrough 2

Are Reading fans worried?

Brendan Rodgers returned as a great managerial hope for the future. That might still be the case but we need results now and I can see us getting relegated unless a change is made. We haven’t won at home since January. Enough said! (BossMan, Reading fan) What now for Middlesbrough? I hope this will silence those short-sighted fans calling for Gareth Southgate’s head. He remains a quality manager and will take us straight back up to the Premier League this season.

(Rockcliffelad, Middlesbrough fan)

Sheff Utd 1 Doncaster 1

Are the Blades going up?

This time last season we were very average and I doubt many could foresee a third-placed finish and play-off final appearance. This season we've started in the same manner, if not slightly better so absolutely nothing can be ruled out at this stage. Who shone for the home side? Richard Cresswell was the man of the match. I thought he was quality and quite rightly was applauded by our fans. Let’s hope he can play as well as that consistently for the rest of the three months that he is on loan.

(Jamie Furniss, sheffieldunited-mad.co.uk)

Swansea 2 QPR 0

Happy with the 2-0 win?

We were deserved winners but made hard work of it against nine men. We could and should have scored more and that’s a concern. (exiledswan, Swansea fan) Are Rangers fans happy? How can we thrash Barnsley, take a creditable point off Newcastle and then put up such a meek display at Swansea? It doesn’t help when you lose two players to red cards but we should be getting something from a game like this. We’ll still be in the Championship in five years’ time at this rate.

(Webber, QPR fan)

Watford 0 Cardiff 4

Who was the Watford villain?

Goalkeeper Scott Loach was particularly culpable, although the rest of the defence hardly covered themselves in glory. Loach misjudged a harmless free-kick and was left red-faced after it sailed over his head and into the net for their second goal. (Rasiak, Watford fan) How good were Cardiff? We won 4-0 and I’m not exaggerating when I say it could have been double that. Michael Chopra missed one absolute sitter and then Mark Hudson hit a post with a header as we ran rampant.

(Blue4Evr, Cardiff fan)