From The Ground Up

With Chesterfield set to crown their debut season in the b2net Stadium as League Two champions, Nobes looks at how other clubs did after they move grounds.

John Sheridan' Chesterfield are on course to win the League Two title this season

So serene has Chesterfield's unflagging quest for the League Two title been that it's easy to forget the Derbyshire side and focus instead on the more competitive areas of the basement division.

It's a sign of just how imperious John Sheridan's men have been in a campaign that will surely see them crowned as worthy League Two winners and end their four year spell in the basement division.

Even more impressively, it has been done despite leaving their home of years in Saltergate and having to adjust to the new surroundings of the b2net Stadium.

However, as I reported earlier in the campaign, the move seems to have been the catalyst behind Chesterfield's renaissance for a dream debut season.

Not every club has welcomed a new ground in such a positive manner though. Here's my look on how it worked out for some of the others.


Oxford United 2001/2

The Oxen were relegated to League Two in their last season at the Manor Ground and hopes were high that they'd bounce back at the first attempt.

However, life in their new three-sided Kassam Stadium was difficult - losing their first two games in a campaign where they struggled towards the bottom and changed managers.

United ended the season in 21st - winning as many matches at home as they lost.


Leicester City - 2002/3

Having waved goodbye to Filbert Street by crashing out of the top flight, the financially troubled Foxes moved into the Walkers Stadium hoping for a change in fortunes.

And they got it. With a little help from a very generous CVA arrangement, City bounced back to the Premier League at the first time of asking as runners-up to Portsmouth.

Leicester won 16 games and lost just twice on their own patch as it served as the foundation for an impressive promotion under Micky Adams.

Leicester won promotion in their first season at the Walkers Stadium

Hull City - 2003

Hull made the unusual step of switching from their Boothferry Park home to the KC Stadium midway through an underwhelming 2002/3 season.

However, having got to grips with their new surroundings in the second half of their mid-table campaign, the Tigers made amends in 2003/4.

They finished as runners-up to Doncaster to gain promotion to League One with a record of 16 wins and three defeats at their new home.


Coventry City - 2005/6

The Sky Blues signed off from their Highfield Road ground with a 6-2 win and began life in the Ricoh Arena with a 3-0 victory.

However, while their final year at their old ground saw them flirt with the drop, their inaugural campaign at the Ricoh saw them post their best finish to date during ten years in the Championship.

Micky Adams's side won 12 and lost just four of their home matches that season and ended up in 8th.


Swansea City - 2005/6

Ending their final campaign at the Vetch Field by winning promotion to League One, the Swans set about welcoming in their new Liberty Stadium in the same fashion.

Kenny Jackett's men were amongst the front runners all season, albeit a late dip in form saw them having to settle for a place in the play offs.

No third tier side scored more goals at home that year than the Welsh club, who won 11 and lost just three on their own patch. They went on to be defeated on penalties by Barnsley in the play off final.

It was nearly a second successive promotion for the Swans at their new home

Doncaster Rovers - 2007

Like Hull, Rovers decided to opt for the mid-season switch as they changed grounds from the antiquated Belle Vue to the more modern and plush Keepmoat Stadium.

They ended the 2006/7 season in mid table before winning promotion to the second tier for the first time in half a century 12 months later.

Donny won 14 and lost five in their first full campaign at the Keepmoat, eventually succeeding through the play offs with a Wembley win against Leeds.


Milton Keynes Dons - 2007/8

The forerunners of Chesterfield. The Dons finally vacated the National Hockey Stadium and moved into their own home in 2007.

The new stadium:mk was given a rude awakening when Bury rolled into town and beat the Dons in its first match. Indeed, four other sides won there that year.

However, Paul Ince's men did win 11 on their own patch, and their formidable away record helped propel them to a double of the League Two title and Football League Trophy.


Shrewsbury Town 2007/8

Salop had gone out with a bang at their Gay Meadow home, reaching the play off final at Wembley - where they had lost to Bristol Rovers.

They were confident of building upon that when making the move to the New Meadow, and even opened up their new ground with four successive victories.

However, that bright start soon evaporated and they finished the campaign in a hugely disappointing 18th with nine wins and eight defeats in their new home.

Shrewsbury didn't do as well as expected when moving to the New Meadow

Colchester United - 2008/9

Having punched above their weight in the Championship for two seasons at Layer Road, the Essex outfit began life in their new stadium in League One.

However, a poor start to the season saw it take them seven matches to record a victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

That sluggish opening saw them end the campaign in mid table, with just seven wins and 12 defeats in their new surroundings.


Cardiff City - 2009/10

A disastrous end to the previous season had seen the Bluebirds depart from Ninian Park with a 3-0 loss and agonisingly missing out on the end of season play offs.

They bounced back in fine style though, winning their first two games at their new stadium 4-0 and 3-0.

It was to remain a fortress for them, with 12 wins and five losses in a season which took them to Wembley and a Championship play off final defeat against Blackpool.


Morecambe - 2010/11

Like Chesterfield, the Shrimps also began this season in new surroundings. However, they have found life a lot harder than their League Two rivals.

Finishing 4th in their last season at Christie Park and qualifying for the play offs, they had hoped to continue from where they left off at their new Globe Arena.

To date though they've won six and lost eight at the new stadium and are languishing in 15th. A far cry from last season's home form of 14 wins and three defeats.

It Ain't What You Do...

Riding high in the top six of the Championship, Nobes looks at how Coventry City boss Aidy Boothroyd is preparing to make history repeat itself.

Aidy Boothroyd has Coventry challenging for a return to the Premier League

December 25, 1969. That Christmas, the Queen decided against giving an address to the nation, and Rolf Harris surprisingly topped the UK charts with 'Two Little Boys'.

In England's first division, Coventry City were enjoying a solid campaign and would end the 1969/70 season in 6th place. Forty years later, and they haven't finished as high in any division since.

However, as Sky Blues fans sit down to enjoy their turkey and Christmas Pudding on Saturday, they can afford themselves a smile as they look at this season's Championship standings.

Even after last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Norwich, the West Midlands side sit sixth in the division and are firmly involved in the race for the play offs. These are uncharted times at the Ricoh Arena.

Not so for Coventry's manager Aidy Boothroyd though. Indeed, the 39-year-old will be having a distinct feeling of deja vu as he plots to recapture the top flight spot City held for over 30 years before relegation a decade ago.

Boothroyd sensationally led Watford into the Premier League in 2006 in his first full season in charge. One of the pre-season relegation favourites stunned much bigger and wealthier opponents to emerge victorious through the play offs.

The Hornets came straight back down - but once again finished in the play offs in 2008. This time, however, they fell short and were no match for Hull over two legs in the semi finals.

Still, it was a reminder that, at this level, the straight-talking Yorkshireman knows what it takes to make the end of season lottery. Now he's hoping to repeat the trick with his new employers.

Boothroyd himself is a complex character. Intelligent and friendly, he was virtually unknown when a then struggling Watford gave the former Leeds and Norwich coach his first managerial role in 2005.

He just about kept the Vicarage Road outfit in the Championship before implementing his whirlwind turnaround in fortunes. However, it wasn't just the surprise element that had people talking about Boothroyd's Watford.

At times, it seemed as though the manager was attempting to recreate history with a style of play reminiscent of the Hornets team which gatecrashed England's elite in the early '80s.

Back then, Graham Taylor's side were branded a 'kick and rush' team as they bombarded opposition defences with high balls pumped into the penalty area. Sophisticated? No. Effective? Extremely.

It was the same recipe for success for Boothroyd a quarter of a century later. Pundits who laughed when the managerial rookie set his sights on the Premier League were left with egg on their face as Watford muscled their way into claiming a place at football's top table.

It earned the new man the nickname 'Hoofroyd', a tag which has followed him around at Colchester last term and now in his latest role in Warwickshire. Not that it seems to greatly perturb him.

"I don't go in for 'playing the game the right way', because statements like that are usually made by purists who don't win very often." he argued. "As far as I am concerned, playing the right way is winning."

I spoke after his appointment - one met with disdain from some Coventry supporters - about the thinking of managers dubbed 'route one merchants'.

Managers for whom results and winning are everything. For whom it's steel, not style, which matters. Managers whose methods dictate they need results quickly - and often get them.

It was certainly the case with Boothroyd at Watford, and now too with Coventry. Only once in their previous nine seasons in the Championship have the Sky Blues had a better record before Christmas.

That was in 2001/2, when the team relegated from the Premier League, along with £5 million addition Lee Hughes, were battling for an instant return to the top flight. They failed, and it has been the same story ever since.

Boothroyd's Watford won promotion via the Championship play offs in 2006

Could that be about to change under City's ninth manager in ten years though?

As when he took over at Watford, Boothroyd is attempting to turn around a side used to finishing towards the wrong end of the division. Coventry ended up 19th last term, following on from two 17th places in recent years. They even finished as low as 21st in 2008.

Under Boothroyd, though, they've rarely been out of the top half all term. City have won 10 of their 22 games and have kept eight clean sheets along the way.

He was fortunate to inherit arguably the division's best keeper in Keiren Westwood, but bringing back experienced midfielder Lee Carsley for a second spell at the club was a particularly shrewd move.

He also returned to former club Colchester to bring target man Clive Platt with him and, typical of his steadfastness, took a gamble on controversial striker Marlon King.

The pair worked together at Watford where King scored 22 goals in their promotion campaign. The striker describes Boothroyd as, "the best manager I have worked under. He gives you belief there's nothing you can't do."

Certainly Boothroyd's methods, while not easy on the eye, ensure that Coventry will always be a difficult proposition for opponents and an emphasis on doing the basics right means they're always in contention in matches.

Sides who don't match their work rate and are unable to cope with their aerial assault will also get little change from a trip to the Ricoh.

While purists will snarl at the thought of City being promoted, credit has to be paid if a side through organisation and sheer effectiveness can upset others with bigger budgets and better players.

There is also more to Coventry's manager than your average long ball merchant. Boothroyd is an innovator.

In 2006, knowing his young Watford side were heading into the play offs, he used the Easter weekend games to rehearse the kind of training schedule necessary for the quick fire games of the play offs.

He also staged a mock penalty shoot out after a home game towards the end of the season.

Home fans were encouraged to boo and heckle the Hornets players as they stepped up to the spot - all designed to try and re-create the kind of atmosphere and situation they would face if Watford needed to triumph in a shoot out in the play offs.

In the end they didn't need one, but the manager argued that not only did it make his players better prepared, but it would also lay seeds of doubt into their opponents minds. They'd believe Watford were better placed to win a shoot out.

Then, for the final, Boothroyd's men trained on a pitch marked out to the exact dimensions of the Millennium Stadium venue, went on a tour of the Cardiff arena, and even practised the pre-match handshake routine performed at such occasions.

You certainly can't accuse him of failing to do his preparation. "I like to pre-empt a lot of things so that when they do happen we are prepared for them," he explained.

In pre-season last summer, Boothroyd worked on various scenarios with his new charges including adapting to playing with ten men and - something which seems pertinent of late - how to deal psychologically with a game in threat of being called off because of an adverse weather.

At Watford, he even changed his touchline attire from a tracksuit to a smart suit because he believed it would gain his team an advantage.

During a game against Preston, he felt opposite number Billy Davies had received more respect than him from the referee because of the way he had been dressed.

Indeed, the pair seem to share more in common than just what they wear inside the technical area.

Both pay great attention to detail, and Boothroyd's comments about Coventry being a work in progress and the need for more time are reminiscent of Davies's last season when describing his Nottingham Forest team.

Of course, Forest went on to make the play offs themselves. Boothroyd will be hoping to take another leaf out of the Scot's book this term by doing the same and ending Coventry's long wait for a top six finish.

One thing is for sure - he would have been preparing for it.

Top Of The Flops

With Gordon Strachan resigning as Middlesbrough boss following a disastrous start to the season, Nobes looks at pre-season favourites of the past who failed to live up to expectations.

Things went badly wrong for Gordon Strachan at the Riverside

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by Middlesbrough, most bookies favourites for the Championship title, struggling towards the start of the season. After all, they received the ultimate kiss of death when even the Soccer AM/MW backed them.

Gordon Strachan should have been preparing to pack his bags there and then - and I'm reliably informed he frequents the site often. He'll have even more time to do so now.

Granted, there's still plenty of time for things to turn around at the Riverside - but failure to do so and, after some heavy summer spending, this Teessiders team will go down in history as one of the game's biggest flops.

Not that they're the first team to fail to live up to such huge pre-season hype though. Here's my rundown of the Top Ten Flops of recent seasons.


10. Millwall - 2006/7

After relegation from the Championship the previous season, the Lions overhauled their squad - investing good money into bouncing back at the first attempt.

Alas though, they decided to hire Nigel Spackman as their manager, and he continued his woeful managerial record at the start of the campaign.

The Londoners collected just five points from their opening ten games, earning Spackman the boot and replacement Willie Donachie having to pull them out of the mire.

They ended up 10th, way short of even a spot in the play offs.


9. Oxford United - 2001/2

There was an air of gloom around Oxford United in 2001 - the club had ended their time at Manor Ground with relegation from the third tier.

Step forward former Oxen player, local boy done good, and ex-England international - Mark Wright. He had impressed in his first manager's job at Southport and seemed like the man to get Oxford moving again.

He wasn't. The squad looked strong, vastly experienced, and well capable of challenging at the right end.

With 19 games played and sitting just three points off the bottom, Wright - already suspended by the FA after alleged racist comments to a match day official - resigned.

Successor Ian Atkins inherited a shambles of a squad which ended up a pitiful 21st with just 47 points to their name.


8. Hull City - 2002/3

Tigers Tigers burning bright. The future looked optimistic for Hull in the summer of 2002.

Their money troubles behind them, a new ground on the way, and a big name manager proven in the lower leagues.

Everyone was tipping City to finally realise their potential. However, things didn't quite go according to plan for Jan Molby.

The Tigers registered just 12 points from their first 12 games and a loss at Kidderminster - the club Molby had walked out on months earlier to join Hull - saw his reign brought to a quick end.

Peter Taylor assumed control, but even he failed to turn around their fortunes. Despite resources the envy of the rest of the division, they ended the season in 13th.


7. Leeds United - 2006/7

Leeds had ended the previous campaign as losing play off finalists to Watford. Hopes were high that Kevin Blackwell's side could now go one better.

Perhaps it was a reaction to their close miss a few months earlier, but the Yorkshire side got off to a miserable start and the manager was fired after just eight games.

He left United in the bottom three, but with enough time and a squad more than capable of getting themselves out of trouble.

So you'd think. Replacement Dennis Wise failed to get the most out a team that had come to within 90 minutes of the Premier League and Leeds dropped out of the division with a whimper having entered administration.


6. Sheffield Wednesday - 2003/4

How the mighty had fallen. Wednesday had been a staple of the top flight during the previous decade, but fell down to League One in 2003.

Boss Chris Turner revamped his squad - aiming to steer his home town club back up at the first attempt.

They almost did make it out of League One - but at the wrong end. The Owls ended up 16th - just three points above the relegation zone and a place in the basement division.

Financially troubled off the pitch, perhaps, but Wednesday's squad's toiling and finishing below the likes of Wrexham and Hartlepool was embarrassing.


5. Bradford City - 2007-10

Still flopping. The pre-season choice for League Two winners of every national newspaper for the past four seasons, City continue to disappoint.

They were relegated to the basement division in 2007, promptly installed legend Stuart McCall as manager, and sold 13,000 season tickets on the cheap.

McCall failed to get them even challenging for the top seven for two-and-a-half years before Peter Taylor was appointed his successor.

Last season's positive end has been followed by a dreadful start this term though - they currently sit in 19th. Still time to turn it around and avoid another flop.


4. Ipswich Town - 2009/10

Resources. Check. Money invested. Check. Decent crowds. Check. Proven manager at this level. Check.

Everything seemed set up for Ipswich last season. How they could fail to challenge now Roy Keane was manager?

How? Try not recording a win in their first 14 games - a run which left them bottom of the table.

Albeit there were plenty of draws in that run - which saw Keane avoid an early axe - but Town fans were not getting value for considerable money.

The Suffolk outfit ended the campaign in 15th - well short of a place in the top six, which had been the minimum requirement.


3. Nottingham Forest - 2005/6

Forest made history in 2005 when they became the first winner of the European Cup to drop into their country's third tier of domestic football.

Their embarrassment didn't stop there though. Despite the lower league experience of manager Gary Megson, Forest failed to get to grips with life in League One.

When Megson was eventually sacked - they sat just four points shy of the bottom four and a possible second successive relegation.

Ultimately, a late rally at the end of the term saw them just miss out on a place in the play offs. A talented squad had made a complete meal of the season though.


2. Coventry City - 2001/2

He may yet get onto a future list with Boro but, for now, Gordon Strachan will have to make do with this failure at Coventry.

The Warwickshire side had just been relegated from the top flight under the Scot after over 30 years amongst the country's elite.

However, they were determined to bounce back immediately - ambition illustrated by the £5 million signing of West Brom striker Lee Hughes.

Three losses in their first five games saw Strachan dismissed though, and replacement Roland Nilsson was unable to coax any consistency out of one of the division's strongest squads.

An end of season 11th place was well below-par, particularly as a Hughes-less West Brom went on to gain promotion.


1. Bristol Rovers - 2001/2

You could probably excuse Rovers for still being in a state of shock when they began their League Two campaign in 2001.

Just 12 months after finishing 7th in the third tier, they had been relegated down to the basement division. Unthinkable.

Still, at least they had retained a strong squad - including promising striker Nathan Ellington. At least they would walk all over opponents and gain promotion with ex-Spurs boss and club legend Gerry Francis in charge.

How wrong they were. Francis was a flop, and the Gas ended the campaign in 23rd - second bottom of the entire 92 club and the lowest position in the club's entire history.

Had they done the same 12 months later, they would have been relegated into the Conference. Rovers got lucky.

Big Match Review - Coventry 1 Leicester 1

Coventry City 1-1 Leicester City

Saturday September 11, Ricoh Arena, (Att: 20,060)

Andy King's second half strike rescued a point for Leicester in their M69 derby against local rivals Coventry.

However, it was a game dominated by the away team and they will feel aggrieved not to have picked up their first victory of the season.

The East Midlands side began the stronger with a succession of half chances - and could have taken the lead but Matty Fryatt couldn't get his shot on target after rounding Coventry keeper Kieren Westwood.

Despite those early opportunities though, it was the home side who took the lead late on in the first half.

Michael McIndoe's cross from the left was met by a towering leap from Clive Platt who powered his header past Carl Ikeme in the Foxes goal.

Paulo Sousa's men dominated in the second period as they went in search of the equaliser. Recent signing Martyn Waghorn only being denied by a post when his header had Westwood beaten.

The Coventry custodian was then forced into a full stretch save as he tipped Lloyd Dyer's long range effort just wide of his left hand upright.

However, the visitors weren't to be denied and, after a mix-up in the Sky Blues defence, Andy King took advantage to delicately chip the ball over Westwood and in.

There was to be no winner for Sousa's side though, as they returned home with just a second point of the season.

Big Match Preview

Coventry City vs. Leicester City

Saturday September 11, 12:30, Ricoh Arena

There's a Midlands derby to look forward to this weekend as local rivals Coventry and Leicester meet at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday lunchtime.

As well as a battle for local pride, it's a clash which sees two sides experiencing contrasting starts to the season under new managers.

Coventry have enjoyed a promising beginning to life under Aidy Boothroyd, but their opponents - now managed by Paulo Sousa - come into the match still seeking a first league win of the season.

The Sky Blues will be able to enjoy a rare moment of supremacy over their visitors therefore, as they look to maintain their 100 per cent start on home soil.

Boothroyd's men have already seen off Portsmouth and Derby at the Ricoh this term. After a disappointing eight home wins last season, they'll be hoping to improve upon that record this year.

Saturday's game will also be an opportunity to bounce back from their last game - a 3-1 loss at Millwall - which saw Coventry fall to their first defeat of the campaign.

That left them 8th in the embryonic standings. Unbelievably, if they ended the campaign in the same position it would equal their 2006 finishing place - their best since relegation from the top flight in 2001.

Leading lights in the Warwickshire outfit's team include striker Freddy Eastwood - who scored a brace on the opening day against Pompey and target man Clive Platt, recruited by Boothroyd from former club Colchester.

The new boss also brought back former favourites Lee Carsley and Gary McSheffrey during the summer - and both could be key to the fortunes of the Sky Blues over the coming months.

Keeping hold of highly rated keeper Kieren Westwood may well have been their best piece of business, though. The former Carlisle custodian has attracted the interest of Premier League teams, but remains a key figure at the back for City.

Coventry have started promisingly under Aidy Boothroyd's management

While Coventry are enjoying something of a honeymoon under their new boss, it's been a slow start to the season for Leicester and their summer appointment, Sousa.

The Portuguese, who moved to the East Midlands club from Championship rivals Swansea, has endured a similarly slow start to that he experienced in South Wales 12 months ago.

The Foxes have collected just a single point from their four matches and currently reside in the bottom three. A far cry from last season's play off campaign under Sousa's predecessor Nigel Pearson.

It could be argued they're suffering a slight hangover from their semi final loss on penalties to Cardiff, as well as finding the transition to a more patient, passing style under their new boss more difficult than they had envisaged.

Their slow start has included being beaten in both of their away games - at Crystal Palace and Burnley - to date. On both occasions Leicester shipped three goals, too.

They'll be hoping for better when they make the trip down the M69 therefore, and will have new signing, striker Martyn Waghorn, available for selection. The former Sunderland man scored 12 goals when on loan at the Walkers Stadium last season.

Other key players for the Foxes include striker Matty Fryatt and attacking midfielder Andy King - both of whom were key sources of goals last season.

The manager was frustrated in his attempts to bolster his fragile backline, however, with an offer for Ashley Williams rejected by Sousa's former club, Swansea.

That could be a problem for the away side, with Coventry sure to test their opponents at the back with a succession of high balls and set plays played into the box.

It is sure to be a game showcasing a real contrast in styles as well as being, as ever with a local derby, fiercely contested.

Form can often go out of the window in such matches, but I'm tempted to suggest this won't be such an occasion - with the home side collecting maximum spoils and the bragging rights.

Nobes' Prediction: Coventry City 2 Leicester City 1

Saints and Sinners

After Southampton's decision to fire boss Alan Pardew, Nobes looks at some of the other unwarranted managerial sackings that defied belief.

Pardew was given just three games at the start of the season at Saints

It's the kind of shocking sacking that, quite frankly, we shouldn't find so surprising.

Given the strength of their squad, Southampton's decision to sack Alan Pardew may not cost them promotion. It has certainly lost them much respect and raised questions about those running the club though.

The dismissal of the former West Ham boss just three games into the new season, and particularly after Saturday's 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers, seems incredibly harsh.

Whatever the reasons - results motivated or otherwise - it's hard to justify sacking a proven manager at that level.

Then again, it's not the first sacking, and certainly won't be the last, to bemuse onlookers. Here's my rundown of some of the worst Football League sackings of recent times.


10. Colin Lee - Walsall

You couldn't help but feel for Colin Lee when he was given the boot from the Saddlers in 2004.

After Plymouth expressed an interest in taking Lee to Home Park, Walsall gave him permission to talk to the Pilgrims.

However, after deciding to remain in the West Midlands, he was sacked by chairman Jeff Bonser for a lack of loyalty and creating 'uncertainty' around the club.

It was to prove costly for Walsall though. Up until then they had been winning their battle against relegation from the Championship.

After Lee's departure they lost three of their remaining four games and dropped into League One. They've never been back to the second tier since.


9. Eric Black - Coventry City

So angry were Coventry fans at the sacking of Eric Black in 2004 that they staged a 'Black Day' protest for replacement Peter Reid's first home game in charge.

The Scot had only been in charge of the Sky Blues for four months and had led them into the top half playing an attractive brand of football.

Despite picking up 29 points in his 18 games though, chairman Mike McGinnity said the team had been too 'inconsistent' and fired Black.

Replacement Reid failed to do anywhere near as well, and was sacked less than a year later after poor results and even worse football.


8. Peter Jackson - Huddersfield Town

Jackson had two spells in charge of the Terriers - whom he had played for during his career, too. It was his first departure which caused most angst, though.

He had taken over in 1997 with the Yorkshire outfit fighting relegation from the Championship.

After keeping them up he then took them to 10th the following campaign.

However, the popular manager was then sacked and replaced by 'big-name' Steve Bruce - who was sacked after a poor start to the 2000/1 season.

It ended with Town being relegated to the third, and later fourth, tier. Only on Jackson's return in 2003 did he immediately take Town back into League One and they only missed out on a return to the Championship in the play offs in 2006.


7. Gary Peters - Shrewsbury Town

The former Preston boss had turned around Salop's fortunes since joining them in 2004.

He kept Shrewsbury in the Football League and then set about building a team capable of challenging at the right end.

That culminated in the 2007 play off final where, despite taking the lead, they lost out to Bristol Rovers at Wembley.

Despite so much progress, a sticky spell in the following campaign - his first at the club - saw him promptly dismissed.

Successor Paul Simpson was granted huge funds to gain promotion but could only match Peters with a play off final defeat to Gillingham in 2009. Had Peters had similar money to spend, Town probably would have been promoted by now.


6. Gareth Southgate - Middlesbrough

Southgate had been at the helm as Boro crashed out of the Premier League after 11 seasons in the big time.

However, he had been given the opportunity to get them back at the first attempt - and seemed to be making a good fist of it.

A 2-0 win against Derby saw Boro lying 4th after 13 games - just a single point off top spot.

However, Southgate was then sacked and in came former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan.

The Teessiders' form dropped off remarkably and they ended the season in 11th - a full 40 points behind Champions Newcastle United.


5. Danny Wilson - Hartlepool United

After relegation to the basement division in 2006, Pools turned to the experienced Danny Wilson to help get them back up into League One.

He did so - and at the first time of asking.

United finished 2nd - missing out on the title by a single point - and then he helped re-establish them back in the third tier with a respectable finish of 15th.

A solid start to the next season saw Pools in the top half but, after successive draws saw them drop to 13th in December, he was sacked.

They finished that season in 19th - a single point above the drop zone, and last term only survived on goal difference. Slipping out of the top half suddenly doesn't seem so bad now.


4. Ian Atkins - Oxford United

When Oxford beat Cheltenham 1-0, they sat 4th in the League Two standings - a point off the automatic promotion places.

They had only been beaten once at home all season and, with nine games of the season remaining, looked a sure bet for at least a place in the play offs.

Despite that good form, manager Ian Atkins had not been offered a new deal.

With his current one due to expire in the summer, he signed a pre-contract agreement to take over at Bristol Rovers for the next season.

Chairman Firoz Kassam decided to fire Atkins and appointed Graham Rix in his stead.

However, Rix's attempt to get a direct team to play passing football failed spectacularly as one win in their last nine saw Oxford miss out on the top seven altogether.


3. Russell Slade - Yeovil Town

Most pundits predicted a struggle for Yeovil when Russell Slade was appointed in 2006.

However, the season ended with the Glovers at Wembley - where they only lost out to Blackpool in the play off final.

Slade had taken a club punching above their weight to stay in League One to within 90 minutes of the Championship.

On meagre resources, it was a fantastic achievement.

It saw him linked to other jobs, but Town rebuffed any approaches. Yeovil ended up 18th the next year and the following campaign was another battle against the drop - but four straight wins in the New Year saw them comfortably in mid table.

However, he was then jettisoned from Huish Park due to a 'breakdown' in his relationship with the board. Town won just three of their remaining 17 games and stayed up by just a couple of points.



2. Ronnie Moore - Tranmere Rovers

Moore had been a great striker for Rovers, and returned to the club as manager in 2006.

In his first two seasons in charge he guided the Wirral outfit to 9th and 11th in League One.

The next term saw Rovers once again mount a push for the top six and they finished 7th, only narrowly missing on the play offs out by a couple of points.

However, the board decided to axe Moore - blaming him for falling attendances - and appointed former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes as his replacement.

It was a disastrous decision. Barnes endured a torrid beginning to the 2009/10 campaign and Tranmere only escaped the drop on the final day of the season under his successor, Les Parry.


1. Alan Irvine - Preston North End

Alan Irvine had joined Preston with the club struggling at the foot of the Championship in 2007.

An improved second half of the season saw him guide North End to 15th and safety, though.

The next season they were fighting it out for a place in the play offs and four wins at the end of the season helped them edge out Cardiff for a place in the top six.

There they lost to Sheffield United, but a fine start to the 2009/10 once again had them in contention. Then a poor run - his first at the club - earned him a shock dismissal at the end of 2009.

Replacement Darren Ferguson oversaw a terrible run of results that saw them slide down the table - only narrowly securing another season of Championship football. They have continued to struggle at the start of the new season.

Long Ball Managers: A Short Story

As Aidy Boothroyd swaps Colchester United for Coventry, Nobes tells the tale of long-ball managers and why their style of football demands they need instant results.

Boothroyd is Coventry's ninth manager in ten seasons in the Championship

It's a brave man who accepts the challenge of turning around the fortunes of Coventry City.

The Sky Blues have always struggled to muster a promotion challenge back to the Premier League - a fact not helped by a modest budget. However, it's not been enough to deter Colchester's Aidy Boothroyd from taking the plunge.

On his appointment at the Essex club last September, I spoke about how Boothroyd's career had reached a crossroads. Was his initial success at Watford a flash in the pan, or did he have more to offer the game?

When taking into account his nine months at United, some observers might suggest that he is fortunate that this opportunity has arisen.

Although he managed to initially maintain Colchester's play-off challenge, they imploded towards the end of the season when a place in the top six seemed certain - eventually finishing 8th.

However, whether he merits the job or not is now irrelevant. More pertinent is the question of just how long he'll last. Unfortunately for Boothroyd, his preference for playing a direct style immediately puts him under pressure.

Like many long-ball managers, a poor run of results and fans will blame the style of football. Here's the story behind why too many long balls usually adds up to a short stay.

[The following story includes pictures of Neil Warnock as illustrations. We are not making any accusations that Mr Warnock is a long ball manager. Although we all know he actually is.]


Why the long-ball?

To understand why a manager would seemingly tie a noose around his neck by favouring such a style, we first must consider why many believe playing in what, most accurately, is known as the 'percentage game.'

It's also known as 'football by numbers', and dates back to a study in the 1950s by Charles Reep who deduced that most goals were scored through passages of play involving few passes.

Quite simply, the more balls you put into dangerous areas - the penalty box - the higher the likelihood, or higher the percentage, of you scoring. And we all know goals win games.

The long-ball style is also defensively strong, the less time the ball spends in your half and not near your box, the less chance your opponents have got of scoring.

After all, a mistake trying to play the ball on the edge of your opponent's area is far less likely to lead to you conceding than one on the edge of your own box.

Offensively dangerous, defensively sound. Next time you see a long-ball manager on the touchline, remember you're watching a footballing scientist in action.


The appointment


The first question many will ask when a manager with a reputation for playing a long-ball game is appointment is: why? There will be Coventry fans asking the same question today.

Put simply, long-ball managers usually earn their reputation for getting the best out of few resources. It's why they employ a style which doesn't demand great technical players.

If you're working to a tight budget and want to compete, it's far easier to employ a style which is basic, simple, and can be very effective rather than taking time to gel a passing team together.

Long-ball managers are also considered a safe pair of hands. They might not produce attractive teams but they can have a steadying influence. They can make teams hard to beat and grind out results when they're required.

So, when chairmen look for a new manager, someone who has got a side to overachieve and someone who can work to a tight budget is an attractive proposition.

Some might even hope that a leopard can changes its spot and that, with greater resources and better players, a manager might employ a more attractive style of play.

A good example of this was Joe Royle whose Oldham team punched above their weight in the top flight in the early 90s playing a very direct style. However, at Ipswich in the Noughties his side played a fluid, passing game.

He was more of an exception than the rule, however.


The early days


You always get a mixture of response from fans at any managerial appointment. Even more so when the man in question has a reputation for playing an unattractive style of football.

Some will be completely opposed, some will be sceptical but willing to give him a chance, some won't care what football is playing as long as their team is winning.

In the early days, a long-ball manager is always protected from criticism. He can point to the fact he is not working with 'his kind of players' or 'his team.'

Conversely, he might argue that he is only playing a style that suits the current playing staff and he would rather play a passing game. Or that a passing game takes time to implement and fans must have patience.

Fans are often willing to accept too that, if their team starts poorly, a 'back to basics' approach is fine to make sure you start to collect a few results, and get some confidence and momentum going.


Reality check


If he's still in a job a few months later, reality begins to hit home for supporters - everything they were told by other fans is true - they've got a hoofball merchant at the helm.

What happens next is dependant on two things - the club in question, and how the season is going.

We'll deal with the question of the club first. Some clubs, because of tradition, believe football should be played in a certain way. They will be unhappy that their team is playing ugly.

Other clubs aren't as particular. However, they will be a bigger club with a larger budget who expect, with the money at the manager's disposal, that he would have constructed a team who play football that is more attractive to watch.

Then there are smaller clubs who have fewer resources whose fans really won't care what style of football is implemented - as long as its achieving results.

Ultimately, it's the last point which is the most important - good results can placate most purists. After all, isn't winning football the best kind you can watch?

If the team is doing well, then the manager is immune from criticism. Fans will praise the manager for how organised he has got the team and how effective they are.

Sure, the football could be better they'll think, but that doesn't always mean better results.


Sticky spell


It happens to every manager sooner or later - you suffer a poor run of results. However, for the long-ball manager there is a ready made stick with which he can be beaten.

Fans once praising the manager for how organised and effective he had got the team will now be pointing the finger of blame at the team's long-ball game.

The defence that the style of play was achieving results would have now gone. Results were achieved in spite of the long balls, not because of them.

Now they have been found out, and the manager's tactics are to blame. He is too predictable and they have no Plan B. The manager has lost a lot of the fans' belief.


The departure


Long-ball or not, it happens to almost every manager eventually. However, with the long ball manager, it has a more predictable air about it.

Often the club are currently, or have finished, in mid-table. They're not going anywhere, results are average, and crowds are dropping because fans don't want to pay to see ugly football any more.

Suddenly a safe and steady pair of hands isn't enough. If the club had been in trouble at the bottom under the previous manager, those past struggles are somehow forgotten.

The chairman's belief is that if the club is going to finish in mid-table then they might as well do it playing entertaining football. That way fans will come back and gates will hold up.

The long-ball manager departs the club.


Unhappily ever after


It's true that the above is a generalisation. Every club is different, and every managerial reign is different. However, they have their similarities too.

I often argue that good football is the last refuge of the poor manager. Even when results aren't coming, they can at least point to the fact their team is playing attractive stuff.

A long-ball manager doesn't give himself that defence. He might believe it is a more effective style and in an impatient industry brings instant success. However, it also can lead to a quicker departure if results don't come.

While, ultimately, every manager is judged by his results, they're even more important when it's only results that matter to a manager.