Newsletter #652

Sorry for the brevity of this introduction but it’s fairly late as I decided to have an entertaining Monday evening watching City win against Southampton on Sky. Southampton certainly wanted to win this game but so did we and we were able to do this courtesy of a sound defensive performance (including the impressive Richard Dunne at right back) and two corking goals from Dickov and Tiatto.

Hopefully we’ll have some match reports for the next issue.

Lastly, thanks to Geoff for standing in again and doing an excellent job with MCIVTA, and the News Summary as well!

NEWS SUMMARY

Southampton Preview

Quoted on the official club site http://www.mcfc.co.uk/, Joe is hopeful of City’s first two back to back wins in the Premiership when they travel to the Dell.

“We will pay them all due respect, but we are going there to win,” says Joe Royle of City’s clash with Southampton, agreeing that City’s first “double” this season would be a great tonic for the team. “What we have to do this season is put clutches of wins together in the League because I feel, as I keep saying, we are a top half side. We fear nobody and that’s not bravado. Apart from the chastening experience at Charlton we have been in with a shout in every game. At Southampton it will be no different.”

There have been a number of changes in the Saints side since the two teams met in the Worthington Cup last season when City lost narrowly over the two legs in the second round. This time round Joe says it will be a, “cosmopolitan” game considering the varying mix of nationalities in the Southampton team.

“There was very little between the two sides when we met last year when we were beaten in injury time by a deflected goal. They have gone through big changes in personnel since then but so have we. It is hard for them as they don’t seem to be able to get enough people through the gates to finance a Premiership side. They want to move to a new stadium and have been trying for a number of years. Throughout it all the Dell has been a good friend to them and a very difficult place to go to. But we are aiming for a win.”

Although Saints’ away form has improved drastically this season, the results at The Dell have been less impressive. In recent seasons, it has been the home form that has kept Southampton above the relegation trap door, but in four Premiership games so far on home turf, Saints have won only once, drawn once and been defeated twice. Glen Hoddle is sure the problem remains the lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, regardless of the venue.

“We have created enough chances at home as well. If you analyse the games, we played excellently against Newcastle and we created enough against Middlesbrough to win the game – without a doubt.” The Boro defeat is something that Hoddle still refers to in a frustrated tone. “They came down here and nicked the points really. That was disappointing.” And the ex-England coach has highlighted two areas of play the team needs to work on as they look to climb the Premiership table. “… getting punished for the silly mistakes that we have made. And not punishing other teams with the amount of ball that we have had.”

Bish has declared himself fit for the trip to Southampton, and other minor injuries appear to be clearing up. Paulo Wanchope has been nursing a thigh strain that has forced him out of training and Alfie Haaland has been troubled by a groin strain, and both have had further precautionary treatment and now Bishop is back to fitness, despite a knee problem that forced him to miss the midweek friendly against Altrincham. There are no clues yet as to whether or not Richard Dunne will make his début. Given the Charvet situation, Alfie Haaland will again fill in at right-back, while Shaun Goater will be on the bench and ready to step in should Paulo Wanchope not be fit enough.

Joe is reluctant to change the side that beat Bradford last week and that means Howey is likely to partner Spencer Prior at centre-half despite the arrival of Dunne, the latter probably having to make do with a seat on the bench at The Dell. The Republic of Ireland international would love to play his first game for City against Saints after facing Glenn Hoddle’s side in his final game for Everton. “It’s a coincidence that we should be playing Southampton again so quickly, but at least I will know what to expect from their forwards this time,” said Dunne. “They played very well at Everton. Glenn Hoddle has them well organised and hopefully I will be able to contribute at some stage.”

Defence Sorted, Now for a Striker?

Weekend reports suggest that Joe now feels he’s sorted out the defensive options in the squad, assuming Laurent Charvet signs, and that the focus of the scouting is shifting to strengthening the attack. With George gone, we have three frontline strikers in Paul Dickov, Paulo Wanchope and the fit-again Shaun Goater, and, according to Sporting Life, Joe reckons he needs another one to compete in the Premiership. “The accent on our scouting will now change from looking at defenders to strikers. I have to look quite closely at where the next front player will come from. It could be one we already have in our ranks. We have Shaun Wright-Phillips, although up front is not his best position even though he can play there. You need four first-team front players in any division, let alone the Premier Division. I was quite pleased with our four before the events of last week so hopefully when we have the right-back situation sorted out we will look at that.”

Royle is still upset by Weah’s scathing attack on him when he was accused by the former World Footballer of the Year of treating him like a child. He was shocked by Weah’s withering blast, although not by the speed of his subsequent move to Marseille. “I can’t help what he says, that’s his perogative to make his comments, but as a final note I would say that you can ask anybody here if George was ever treated differently than anybody else and the answer would be no.” Willie Donachie gave a similar version of events in his Manchester Evening News column. “As always in incidents like this there are two sides to the argument. What George said had an element of truth in it but being an experienced player he could and should have gone to the manager if he wanted to communicate his feelings. It is the British way that life in the dressing-room is full of verbal exchanges. Winning is so vital in the culture of our game, not just for the players and managers but the fans as well, that things often get said in the heat of the moment. What is important to remember here is that George definitely did not get any dressing-room treatment that was any different to anyone else. It all boils down to what I realised pretty soon after he arrived, namely that, although as I have said we really respected him and had great admiration for him, he didn’t seem to fit in here.”

Royle wants to draw a line under the Weah affair and he is more concerned about wrapping up Charvet’s transfer to Maine Road. The French defender had talks with City on Friday, but Royle claims it could be a few days before the move is sealed and he will not be eligible for Monday’s trip to Southampton. “We’ve done the framework of a deal with Newcastle and I think we’re close now,” he said. “Hopefully we can agree personal terms over the next few days, but at the moment all I can say is that talks are still ongoing. I think Laurent could play for Newcastle against Everton tomorrow and then talks will resume next week. He’ll be a good acquisition, if he comes, because he’s versatile. He actually came to England as a right winger with Chelsea, while he can also play wing-back, right back or centre-half.” In the event, Charvet didn’t play for Newcastle; the 27-year-old is understood to have agreed terms over a £2m switch and may well have completed the move by the time you read this.

Howey Welcomes Competition for Places

With Richard Dunne signed and Laurent Charvet likely to in the next day or so, all of a sudden the squad has a lot of competition for places in the back four. Steve Howey is taking a measured view of the situation, and believes that the £3 million signing of Richard Dunne from Everton in midweek and the imminent arrival of Laurent Charvet from Newcastle are good for City because the pair will strengthen the squad.

“It’s always good and healthy for a club when you have competition because it means you have got to push yourself in training and in every game you play,” he said. “If you are not in the team, you push yourself harder to get in and if you are in the side then you try to perform better to stay in the team. It can only be a good thing that a club has more players to choose from. Anyway it’s not exactly the biggest squad here so it’s important that we do have cover. It’s a long season and we will pick up little injuries along the way, so it’s important that you have strength in depth throughout your squad – whether it’s at centre-half or midfield or up front. We have got to have players who are equally as good who can come in and not let the team down.”

Howey is excited by the prospect of linking up again with Laurent Charvet, and was very impressed by the Frenchman at St James’ Park. “He is an absolutely fantastic athlete and the best athlete I have played with,” said Howey. “He is great at wing back or as a centre-half. I remember playing against him when he was with Chelsea and Alan Shearer was that impressed with him that he told the manager Kenny Dalglish and he went out and bought him. And you look at Alan Shearer and he has played against some great centre-halves. Laurent has had a few injury problems at Newcastle and he has had a few operations on his knee. He seems to have got that behind him and he has played most of the season and done quite well. If we do get him, he will be a fantastic signing for us.”

… And Jobbo Wants One of Them!

Richard Jobson wants to fight for his place in the City squad and has turned his back on any potential moves. At one time it seemed that clubs were queuing at Joe’s door to take him on loan. And Stockport County were talking of a permanent move for the thirty seven year old. But the player who Joe Royle said, “saved our season last year” after Andy Morrison limped out of the promotion campaign at the end of October, is preparing for one last tilt at Premiership football.

“There were four clubs wanting me on loan a few weeks ago, but I don’t think this is the right time to go out on loan. Stockport talked about a permanent loan but at that time I got involved in the first team at Gillingham. I know it is going to be difficult to get into the first team. We have signed six new players since last year and are now a Division higher. There are a number of other players in the same situation as myself, so it is a case of keeping fit and doing my best in the reserves.”

Jobson is in the last year of his current contract with the Blues and knows he is at the crossroads of his footballing career. Two seasons ago he fought back from injury which kept him out of the game for most of the year. Now he feels he wants to make up for lost time and to keep playing as long as he can. Too many footballers, he says, retire too early and carry the regrets with them for the rest of their life.

“It is difficult to plan in football. Things happen very quickly so you can’t really plan ahead. At the moment I feel as if I have a lot left to offer. I have spent most of my playing career in the top two divisions, but I think I would be prepared to drop down a division or two to keep playing. You can’t beat playing. As I lost so much time due to injury in my early thirties, I feel as if I have time to make up. So many players hang their boots up in their early thirties and say it was the worst thing they ever did.”

But Richard has other options and is currently studying for coaching qualifications and has completed two levels, the coach’s certificate and the B Licence. Next is the UEFA A licence which he aims to complete next summer. That qualification is recognised in Europe and the one which Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan haven’t got, joked Richard. He doesn’t rule out pursuing a second career in coaching and would love to stay at City.

“I am not saying I would definitely go into coaching or management. It is another string to my bow and an option which I have. You don’t know what is going to happen in football, but City will always have a place in my heart, particularly after last season.”

Irish Eyes are Smiling

Mark Kennedy believes that boss Joe Royle is laying strong foundations for the future with the signing of fellow Dubliner, Richard Dunne. “An added bonus for us,” remarked Mark Kennedy on the clinching of the deal which brought his international colleague, Richard Dunne to Maine Road. One of the brighter memories which the City winger has from the last time he was with the Ireland squad in Dublin was of a conversation he and Richard had. It ended with an ironic twist, as Mark explained.

“I last met him when I was over in Dublin for the Holland game. I was talking to him about Wimbledon as it looked as if he was going there. Without knocking the Dons I told him that, because of my experience there, I thought it would be a big mistake for him. I told him that I didn’t want to influence his decision one way or the other, but having been there I outlined what my experience was. Ironically weeks later he ends up on this doorstep!”

Age, says Mark is a big plus factor with the defender added to his pace and his ability to play football. He will also bring strength to the back division. “Richard is quite quick and is a good footballer which we should all be pleased about. He is a strong player who is a good passer of the ball and is deceptively quick. I am delighted he is here. the big bonus is that he is just twenty one. He has many years ahead of him and, as the gaffer said, to get an international so young at that price he should turn out to be a bargain.”

Fenton Move On?

Apparently there have been strong hints that Notts County could be about to make Nick Fenton’s loan move to Meadow Lane permanent, making up for his disappointment last season when County failed to sign him after he had spent the maximum three months on loan. Executive Deputy Chairman Peter Storrie has dropped a firm hint that once the formalities have been completed on the takeover deal at Meadow Lane, Fenton’s transfer may be completed.

On Loan News

Even when the first team aren’t playing these days, it seems that members of the City squad are playing somewhere for somebody else. Andy Morrison was unable to plug the holes in Crystal Palace’s defence as they lost 3-2 at home to Portsmouth, but Terry Cooke had a better day as Sheffield Wednesday won 1-0 against Birmingham on Sunday to end a run of 8 straight defeats. As a result he has extended his loan with Sheffield Wednesday by a further month following some encouraging displays for the Owls and Paul Jewell has moved to keep Cooke at Hillsborough, giving the manager the option of fielding an unchanged side for the first time this season when the Owls travel to Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday. Cooke said: “I wanted to stay. My fitness is back again and I’m playing first team football.”

In Division 2, Chris Killen scored the only goal as Wrexham beat Swansea, but Nick Fenton was on the wrong end of the same scoreline as Notts County lost at Peterborough. Danny Allsop played the 90 minutes as Bristol Rovers won 3-1 at Swindon, but Leon Mike in contrast didn’t even make the bench as Oxford lost their seventh successive away match (makes you wonder about the value of a loan spell if he’s not playing).

‘Keeper on Trial

Radcliffe Borough goalkeeper Danny Hurst is to have a trial with City following an invitation made by coach Alex Stepney. Hurst, aged 19, will take part in a week’s training with the Blues and is rated as one of the best young prospects in non-League football. City noticed his potential when he played against them in a pre-season friendly. “There’s no better chance for him to develop than by spending a week working alongside Nicky Weaver and Tommy Wright under a goalkeeper legend like Alex Stepney,” said the Radcliffe manager Kevin Glendon, himself once having been on City’s books.

NON-LEAGUE HAPPENINGS

Stanley Let Turk Go For Match Practice

Accrington Stanley have let their Turkish import Servet Tasdemir go to NWCL outfit and near neighbours Great Harwood Town to get in match practice after he failed to claim a regular place at the Crown Ground. The 29 year old arrived with a big reputation having turned down a £60,000 move within Turkish football only last season in order to move to England to join his wife and Manchester City were rumoured to be among the clubs watching him in his pre-season friendlies with Stanley.

Marine Sign Up Rimmer

Marine have signed former Manchester City trainee Steve Rimmer from Port Vale. The 21-year-old defender made a couple of Football League appearances as substitute for Vale last term before being released.

SHIRT HISTORY

Just catching up on MCIVTA after being away. Interesting to see Adam Donnelly’s request for shirts to Africa. As you may or may not recall I tried to set something up with the club, and despite loads of interest from MCIVTA subscribers and promises from the club nothing ever materialised. My shirts are happily donated to Adam. I still think it’s a shame though that the club missed out on some brilliant PR opportunities as well as some good charity work. Maybe they thought the PR was more important before we were a Premiership club.

SOME ANSWERS….

Neil Haigh (MCIVTA 650): “because after the Gillingham and Blackburn games, it’s clear that this guy (JR) can pull some pretty big strings (anyone got a better explanation?)!”

Simon Fink (MCIVTA 651): “To suggest that Joe Royle ‘pulled strings’ so that we beat Gillingham in the greatest ever match and that we beat Blackburn too because of some hidden deal Joe had done (with Lord knows who) suggests to me that Neil is as incisive, knowledgeable and rational as Paddy Crerand.”

Er, Simon, do you not think Neil was suggesting that Joe’s friends in high places might be not “the Lord knows who” but the Lord himself?

Re Tony Arundale’s 3-parter: the only bit I know is that Matt Gray went in goal when Harry Dowd broke a finger at Bury. I was there, aged 14!

OPINION – ‘SAFE’ STANDING AREAS

I write with real concern about the article promoting “Safe Standing Areas” at Eastlands.

Although 15th April 1989 might be dimming in the memories of some, and only an apocryphal tale in the minds of those too young to understand, let us never be the ones to insult the memories of the 96 who died as a direct result of Hillsborough (may God have mercy on their souls).

What happened on that spring day touched all football fans – those who attend football matches – it could so easily have been any of us (do you remember the old Kippax?).

In the article Phill Gatenby openly refers to the Taylor report, and explains that “Taylor commented that the implementation of seated areas should not be an excuse for increasing prices of admission to attend football matches. Safe standing areas will increase the capacity of stadiums, allowing for those fans economically excluded, to watch live football, as the increased attendance’s should not result in a revenue loss via the gate money.”

Let’s not forget that Lord Justice Taylor was concerned only with the safety of supporters. By building stadia with standing areas, you have no way of controlling the number of people in a small area – i.e., not a block or row, but a group where say 20 seats are now – fans will almost certainly congregate in larger groups. The evidence is there – let’s remember those days in Division two – Chesterfield, standing fans moved round at half time; en masse. Preston – home fans behind the goal (Town End) – no more than safely allowed on the terrace, however mostly grouped centrally behind the goal. My Preston supporting in-laws openly admit ‘it is a hell of a crush in there’.

I actually believe that standing areas at football will make no difference to the atmosphere in a ground (didn’t notice great atmosphere in Division 2 when compared to how we can be at Maine Road). I take my 8-year-old daughter to Maine Road, safe in the knowledge that she is not going to get crushed. She and many other like her are the life-blood of Man City, and football in general. There is actually nothing to stop anyone standing up during a game for singing, and exciting moments during the game (we certainly did not sit down at Sheff Utd, or Huddersfield at all).

If you don’t at least share in the emotion of this note then go to Anfield and look at the memorial to those who died. And make sure you notice the ages of the victims!

Football is a sport, it is a passionate form of entertainment, and when passions are raised rationality goes out of the window. One person, in one place is the safest way to ensure that we do not overcrowd – in any part of the ground.

OPINION – CHARVET

Just a quick note on the near signing of Monsieur Charvet. During the Newcastle game I had to move from my normal seat in the Umbro to a seat about 5 rows in from the touchline, on the halfway line in the Kippax. It took me a while to get used to seeing the players that close but must say it was a welcome change. Anyway, back to the point, during the 2nd half Monsieur Charvet was of course on my side of the pitch and I took particular notice of him due to the fact I thought he had the look of Veron instead of his pre-bald head days when he looked like Gerard Houllier’s doppleganger! Charvet looks a good, strong tackler, a little lacking in pace but he oozes confidence and has a good character. At one point as he was waiting to take a throw in on our touchline and getting no end of “encouragement” from us near him, he turned, smiled a smarmy one then juggled the ball onto the back of his neck and took the applause… mostly “you cocky French b*******!”

Let’s hope if he signs, he can show the same attitude; we need a character in this position and let’s not screw him out of the club like we have appeared to do to Reg! JR knows the type of player he wants and if the rumours are true that he has been pursuing le frog for a year then he must be worth waiting for… and £2 million may just be a snip!

P.S. Mr John Taylor? It’s Pete Benn’s 50th the day before the derby at the Cornishman…. you over here? (Ged asked me to ask).

OPINION – WEAH

Having read so much about him and seen him play it just shows that many of the ‘imports’ coming into our game at the end of their careers are primarily doing so for the money! When I’ve seen him play, Weah creates the impression that if the ball does not arrive at his feet or within a yard radius of him then he won’t move for it, unlike the other front men (Wanchope & Dickov ), who run all over the pitch. It really is a shame he decided to take his ball home instead of just knuckling down like most other players and battle for his place, after all they tell us it is now a squad game! The worst thing is that I paid to have 22 WEAH on my son’s home shirt; do you think he would refund me the money if I asked?

OPINION – WELCOME BACK

Andy Collins brings up an interesting point when discussing the departure of George Weah (I wonder how many times his name appears in this week’s MCIVTA?), the point being City’s preference for non-flair players. As Andy pointed out, the likes of Rodney Marsh, although being a player of renowned quality, cost us the Championship, Kinkladze again had great ability and in my eyes is the finest player I have seen in a City shirt (Young, Bell, Lee & Summerbee etc. were all before my time), yet Gio cost us 2 relegations. Could Joe see the same pattern being played out with Weah? In the case of both Gio and George they were the highest paid players at the club, and possibly the other players resented them for that, neither were team players but both made the club a focal point for the media in an era of Rag dominance.

Who really thought we could be attracting first team Premiership regulars this season? Wanchope, Howey, Charvet (hopefully) are examples of the quality/standard of players we need to strengthen our squad but surely the signing of Weah was just an example of how attractive the club is to players of such a high standard. Are we not selling ourselves short of the type of player we can attract here at Maine Road? The club is extremely stable, the manager is well liked and respected, no player is bigger than the club and the place is full week in week out – remember the days when you could pay on the door, now for us non-regulars it is a major planning procedure weeks if not months in advance to secure matchday tickets (I’m not being critical, merely looking at how far we have come in such a short space of time). The present squad is full (seemingly) of players proud/committed to wear the blue shirt of Manchester. I’m not saying we’re of championship quality, but when we won the championship in 1968 (I am reliably informed) it was as a team with no major flair players. Yes we had the likes of Lee et al, but on the whole they were very good players in a very successful team. You might class Kennedy and Wanchope as flair players of the current squad, but look at Wanchope’s ability to leap like a salmon at set pieces in his own six-yard box and Kennedy’s tracking back, something Summerbee failed and was castigated for during his time at City.

We’ll never be a happy collective with what Joe does, but who is? Listen to Radio Five Live with 606 to see how unhappy Liverpool, Arsenal and Man U fans are; many a Saturday I’ve laughed with the suggestions that Wenger and Houllier should be sacked – though I do remember one City fan ringing up and commenting that those fans of Liverpool etc. had nothing to moan about, they should try watching their club dropping into the third tier of English football and becoming beyond the laughing stock of the country. Joe has saved us from something unimaginable, something echoing the likes of Preston and Blackpool to Joe we should be eternally grateful.

REQUEST – IPSWICH TICKETS

I am looking for a way to get my hands on two tickets for the game against Ipswich on Maine Road on November 25th. Having never been to Maine Road before, I am in need of advice about where to buy the tickets, where to get the best prices etc.

If any of you lucky people who actually are able to go each week would be willing to help me, I would be grateful if you’d send me an e-mail!

P.S. Who needs Weah? Feed the Goat and he will score, also in the Premiership!

REQUEST – DERBY GAME IN MIAMI

Quick plea from a concerned father from Stockport. My son is currently travelling the USA and will be there for the local derby on November 18th. I would like to feel he is in a safe pair of hands for the day(!) and that he is able to keep in touch with the game’s developments. Anyone in the area of Miami for the game and has access to the game in any form – technologically or otherwise – please contact Gaz at gazgoswell@hotmail.com (or myself at the address below) and look after him! Alternatively, contact him for a beer; celebratorily, of course!

REQUEST – OXFORD BLUES

Having just moved to Oxford, please could any Oxford Blues let me know the address of any CSA or good pubs in town.

RESULTS

Recent results to 22 October 2000 inclusive

22 October 2000

Aston Villa           0 - 0  Sunderland

21 October 2000

Bradford City         0 - 2  Ipswich Town
Charlton Athletic     1 - 0  Middlesbrough
Chelsea               6 - 1  Coventry City
Liverpool             1 - 0  Leicester City
Manchester United     3 - 0  Leeds United
Newcastle United      0 - 1  Everton
Tottenham Hotspur     3 - 1  Derby County
West Ham United       1 - 2  Arsenal

16 October 2000

Middlesbrough         1 - 3  Newcastle United

15 October 2000

Derby County          0 - 4  Liverpool

14 October 2000

Arsenal               1 - 0  Aston Villa
Coventry City         2 - 1  Tottenham Hotspur
Everton               1 - 1  Southampton
Ipswich Town          1 - 1  West Ham United
Leeds United          3 - 1  Charlton Athletic
Leicester City        0 - 3  Manchester United
Manchester City       2 - 0  Bradford City
Sunderland            1 - 0  Chelsea

League table to 22 October 2000 inclusive

The table does not include tonight’s three points!

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  GD Pts
 1 Manchester Utd  10  4  1  0 17  3  2  2  1  9  5  6  3  1 26  8  18  21
 2 Arsenal         10  5  0  0 11  4  1  3  1  6  6  6  3  1 17 10   7  21
 3 Liverpool       10  4  1  0  9  4  1  2  2  8  9  5  3  2 17 13   4  18
 4 Newcastle Utd   10  2  1  2  5  4  3  0  2  6  5  5  1  4 11  9   2  16
 5 Leicester City  10  2  2  1  4  5  2  2  1  3  1  4  4  2  7  6   1  16
 6 Ipswich Town    10  1  3  1  5  5  3  0  2  9  6  4  3  3 14 11   3  15
 7 Charlton Ath.   10  3  2  0  9  3  1  1  3  7 13  4  3  3 16 16   0  15
 8 Tottenham H.    10  4  1  0 10  4  0  1  4  5 10  4  2  4 15 14   1  14
 9 Leeds United     9  3  0  2 11  8  1  2  1  3  5  4  2  3 14 13   1  14
10 Chelsea         10  3  1  1 15  7  0  3  2  4  7  3  4  3 19 14   5  13
11 Aston Villa      9  2  2  0  7  2  1  2  2  4  6  3  4  2 11  8   3  13
12 Sunderland      10  3  2  0  5  2  0  2  3  3  9  3  4  3  8 11  -3  13
13 Everton         10  1  2  2  7  9  2  1  2  6  7  3  3  4 13 16  -3  12
14 Manchester City  9  2  1  2  8  6  1  1  2  4  8  3  2  4 12 14  -2  11
15 Coventry City   10  1  1  3  3  9  2  1  2  8 12  3  2  5 11 21 -10  11
16 Middlesbrough   10  0  2  3  5  9  2  2  1 10  7  2  4  4 15 16  -1  10
17 Southampton      9  1  1  2  7  8  1  3  1  5  5  2  4  3 12 13  -1  10
18 West Ham United 10  0  3  2  5  7  1  2  2  7  7  1  5  4 12 14  -2   8
19 Bradford City   10  1  2  2  3  4  0  1  4  1 12  1  3  6  4 16 -12   6
20 Derby County    10  0  4  1  8 12  0  1  4  7 14  0  5  5 15 26 -11   5

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