Tired Of Hanging Around

With Leeds and Norwich in the Championship, Bournemouth in League One, and League Two Oxford all vying for back-to-back promotions, Nobes looks back on other sides who've done the same in recent years - and what happened next.

Up from League One last year, Leeds and Norwich are fighting for successive promotions

Promotion for one, or both, of Leeds and Norwich at the end of this season would cap an incredible turnaround in fortunes at both Elland and Carrow Roads in the past two years.

The pair both won promotion from League One last term and have continued their momentum this term in challenging at the top end of the Championship. Successive elevations aren't out of the question.

League One Bournemouth, too, are also gunning for successive promotions after their against-all-odds promotion last season. Oxford, after their exile in the Conference, have also returned stronger and are mounting a play off push.

While continued success may sound like a dream scenario though, is there an argument for rising too far too soon? Here's my look at some of the other sides who've won back-to-back promotions and how they fared afterwards.


Watford 1997-1999

Graham Taylor, in his second spell in charge at Vicarage Road, guided the Hornets to the third tier title in 1997/8.

Twelve months later, and they had completed a return to the top flight for the first time in more than a decade - beating Bolton in the play off final.

However, after their quick ascent, they found themselves well short in the Premier League. Watford finished bottom, a full 12 points adrift of safety.

Relegated back down to the Championship, it took them another six years before they returned to the top tier for another single year.


Rotherham United 1999-2001

The Millers made it two promotions on the spin during the first managerial spell of current boss Ronnie Moore.

They finished runners-up in both the basement division and then, to everyone's surprise, in the third tier, too, as they returned to the Championship for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Despite small crowds and limited resources, there they remained for four seasons before tumbling back down the ladder due to financial problems.


Brighton & Hove Albion 2000-2002

Not since the mid-1980s during Oxford's rise up the footballing ladder had a team won successive championships.

That changed at the beginning of the new Millennium when Brighton went from the basement division to the Championship - winning both divisions along the way.

Firstly, Micky Adams took Albion to the 1999/2000 League Two title and then, when he left mid-way through the next campaign to join Leicester, replacement Peter Taylor kept the Seagulls on course for consecutive titles and promotions.

Their sudden rise, allied with cramped facilities at the Withdean, ensured Brighton were instantly relegated - although they did manage to bounce back at the first time of asking under Mark McGhee's stewardship.

Currently top of League One - dreaming of a return to the Championship ready for playing in their brand new ground at Falmer.


Doncaster Rovers 2002-2004

Rovers spent five years in the Conference after falling out of the Football League in 1998.

However, they became the first ever Conference play off winners in 2003.

In unknown waters, people predicted the second team to come up to struggle, but Donny shocked everyone by romping away with the League Two crown.

Dave Penney's side comfortably held their own in the third tier before winning promotion to their current position in the Championship in 2008 under his successor, Sean O'Driscoll.


Hull City 2003-2005

The year Doncaster won the basement division title, many people's favourites had been big spending Hull City.

With the experienced Peter Taylor at the helm, and playing in the brand new KC Stadium, the Tigers had to settle for second spot and promotion though.

Twelve months later, and they had made it successive promotions - as runners-up in League One to Luton. Taylor ensured City stabilised in the second tier before Phil Brown led them into the top flight in 2008 for the first time in their history.

They hung around for a couple of seasons before falling back down last May.


Southend United 2004-2006

After years of mid-table mediocrity in League Two, local lad Steve Tilson engineered a dramatic turnaround in fortunes at Southend.

The Shrimpers were victorious in the 2005 play-off final against Lincoln to gain elevation into League One.

There, they shocked everyone by winning the title - pipping local rivals Colchester to boot - and gain a return to the Championship for the first time in a decade.

They only lasted a year there, and although they went close to returning, off-field financial troubles saw them relegated back down to League Two for this season.


Carlisle United 2004-2006

The masters of avoiding relegation from the Football League finally paid the price for previous close-calls in 2003 when a disastrous start cost the Cumbrians their League Two place.

They bounced back at the first time of asking - Paul Simpson's men beating Stevenage in the play off final.

United then followed in Doncaster's footsteps by winning the League Two title the very next season.

Now firmly consolidated in the third tier of English football - as well as performing their usual JPT heroics.


Peterborough United 2007-2009

Ambitious owner Darragh MacAnthony fuelled back-to-back promotions in the Fens as Posh made it from League Two to the Championship.

Darren Ferguson led the Cambridgeshire side to runners-up positions behind Milton Keynes and then Leicester in successive seasons to return United to the second tier for the first time since 1994.

However, Posh struggled badly last term, culminating in Ferguson getting the boot and three other managers failing to stave off relegation.

Now back in League One and back under Ferguson's control.


Exeter City 2007-2009

The Devon side were the first victims of two-up two-down between the Football League and Conference in 2003.

They remained there for five years, losing out in the 2007 play off final to Morecambe before 12 months later returning to Wembley and beating Cambridge to win promotion.

Paul Tisdale's Grecians then finished as runners-up in League Two behind Brentford as they secured a return to the third tier for the first time in 15 years.

They battled against the drop last term, eventually ensuring survival on the final day to secure another year in League One.


What do we learn from a look in the history books? Certainly for Norwich and Leeds, winning successive promotions into the Premier League is rare. Watford found the step-up too big, but then they are a much smaller club.

They would find it hard, like all promoted sides in the top flight do, but would stand a better chance than most of staying up.

For Bournemouth, clubs of similar stature like Peterborough and Rotherham have found the going tough after their rapid ascent into the Championship. With their financial limitations, the Cherries probably would too.

Oxford have cause to be optimistic though. Plenty of promoted Conference clubs have gone straight through the basement division and none of them have been relegated immediately.

With their resources, they should feel confident that a second successive promotion can be the platform for establishing themselves back in the third tier.

Young, Gifted, Attack

Nobes celebrates the success of one of the Championship's surprise packages - Malky Mackay's Watford - currently occupying a play off position.

Danny Graham has been in fine goalscoring form for Watford this season

It's not a unique story in this season's Championship. Modest budget, youthful team supplemented by loan players, and a young Scottish manager trying to make his mark in the game.

One such story, until recently, you could have found at Preston North End. However, with them propping up the division and looking destined for life in League One next season, they jettisoned their Scot at the helm.

The other is an altogether happier tale though. With half the season gone, Watford, tipped to struggle at the wrong end of the table, find themselves in the top six having won their last five matches.

They're the divisions entertainers, top scorers with 47 goals, and with six away victories no side has won more away games in the second tier than the Hornets. What a difference a manager makes.

As North End sift through the wreckage of Darren Ferguson's tenure, down in Hertfordshire, Malky Mackay is beginning to make a name for himself as one of the brightest young bosses in the game.

Indeed, his work with the Hornets has sparked rumours of interest from Championship rivals Burnley for him to fill the vacant managerial post at Turf Moor.

The 38-year-old certainly deserves huge credit for his side's fine first half of the campaign. The Vicarage Road job was a potential baptism of fire for the former Hornets defender, but he has risen to the task.

As a player, Mackay won promotion to the Premier League in three successive seasons with Norwich, West Ham, and then with Watford. He became part of Aidy Boothroyd's coaching set-up in 2007 - earmarked for a future in management.

He thought his time had come after acting as caretaker following Boothroyd's departure from the club in November 2008. However, he was relegated back to first team coach when Brendan Rodgers was given the job.

A few months later, when Rodgers departed to Reading, he was finally given his chance. He hasn't looked back since.

True, a slump in the second half of last season plunged Watford from a position of mid-table security into a battle against the drop. However, Mackay rallied his troops and three wins in their final five matches saw them eventually finish 16th.

A quick start this campaign which saw them sitting in 3rd after the first dozen matches was then followed by a seven-game winless run. Again, the young manager has been able to stop the rot and turn things around though.

It is fair to say, too, that while management can be a relatively simple profession when things are going well, a boss is really tested when the goings get tough. Mackay has come out the other side fighting.

It's also worth remembering that Watford's achievements are against the odds for a side with limited resources.

Mackay has been forced into scouring the lower divisions for his major signings - capturing exciting Rochdale winger Will Buckley last January and in the summer spending £500,000 on Walsall striker Troy Deeney.

Malky Mackay is triumphing at Vicarage Road despite limited resources

The free signing of Carlisle forward Danny Graham in July 2009 was arguably his best piece of business too. The much travelled Geordie is the Championship's top scorer with 15 in all competitions.

It's a total that's even more impressive when you consider he often plows a lone furrow up front - a role he has flourished in with his tireless work rate and a killer instinct inside the penalty area whether on his right foot, left foot, or head.

Unsurprisingly, like his manager, he is attracting interest from elsewhere - although he appears content at remaining at Vicarage Road for the time being.

Part of that is down to the atmosphere and team spirit developed by Mackay amongst his squad - determined to prove the critics who tipped them for the drop wrong.

It is a squad with youth at its core - from promising England U21 keeper Scott Loach through to striker Marvin Sordell.

Young midfielder Jordan Mutch, on loan from Birmingham, has been a shrewd signing and typical of how Mackay is trying to compete against much bigger and wealthier opponent

However, the influence of experienced players, like central defender Martin Taylor and midfield man and captain John Eustace, ensure the Hornets have the vital steel and nous required in the rough-and-tumble of the Championship.

While pace and positivity is key to Watford's play, being able to cope with the physicality of certain opposition and do the dirty aspects of the game is a fact not lost on a former centre half like Mackay.

This is not a side built in the image of predecessors Graham Taylor or Boothroyd though. When Watford made the top flight in the '80s and then again in 1999 and 2006, it was achieved via an ugly route one game.

Anyone who witnessed the way Mackay's men took apart then-unbeaten Championship leaders QPR with a display of vibrant and attractive counter-attacking football can testify that Watford are able to match style with substance.

Since that Loftus Road victory, they have taken apart promotion candidates Cardiff 4-1 and thumped Portsmouth 3-0 at Vicarage Road, where they had previously sometimes struggled for wins.

You get the feeling the manager will be keen to keep his bullish team's feet rooted firmly on the ground though. Reminding his players of last year and how quickly things can go from good to bad.

Indeed, even if Watford's play off challenge does fade away over the last couple of months of the season, the manager can be proud of his team's efforts and the progress made over the past 12 months.

However, in a second tier which appears more open than ever, Mackay will know Watford's young guns may never have a better chance of returning to the Premier League.

He'll be hoping in the race for the play offs that, come May, the club who boast Sir Elton John as their Life President will still be standing.

QPR vs. Watford LIVE

Big Match Analysis - Watford 0 Scunthorpe 2

We continue our look at defending in the Football League with special guest analysis by Lakes from our Big Match.

Watford 0-2 Scunthorpe United

Saturday October 23, Vicarage Road, (Att: 12,366)

On the back of a fine win against Preston, Scunthorpe meant business in this brisk Championship encounter and Watford's defence started to show one or two creaky elements.

After shipping two goals in midweek, keeping a clean sheet was clearly a priority for Scunny - and their defence held robustly throughout the match.

Watford 0 Scunthorpe United 1

It was all about the volleys at Vicarage Road - and the bar was set pretty high early on. But what was the Watford defence doing?

Scunthorpe delivered a long ball into the box, it was headed across the centre of the 18-yard box before being headed again back out to the edge of the box.

What were Watford doing? Chasing air - that's what. For when Cliff Byrne - not to be confused with snooker pro Cliff Thorburn - unleashed his volley, it flew through the Watford defence like a mildly warm knife through slightly chilled butter. Poor show Hornets.

Watford 0 Scunthorpe United 2

Long balls and looping headers seemed to be the order of the day, and Scunthorpe's second was no exception. WHOOSH, a long ball, THWACK, a header out, and BLAM, a volley into the bottom right corner.

Watford's defence all at sixes and sevens again.

Conclusion:

Watford are something of an enigma at home - rarely threatening the opposition and conceding via simple defensive mistakes.

A man on the edge of the box closing down the opposition could've easily blocked the two volleyed goals from Scunthorpe, and the lack of learning from the first goal ultimately cost them dearly.

Not a sexy show from Watford, but Scunthorpe remained solid at the back throughout and knocked the Hornets down a peg or two with a very simple, well-executed game plan.

If I were a Watford fan I'd worry about how easily this defence was usurped by the footballing fundamentals.

Big Match Review - Watford 0 Scunthorpe 2

Watford 0-2 Scunthorpe United

Saturday October 23, Vicarage Road, (Att: 12,366)

Volleyed goals from Cliff Byrne and Martyn Woolford helped Scunthorpe United on their way to an impressive win at high-flying Watford.

In a tight opening, it was the visitors who had the first opportunity when Scott Loach stopped Freddie Sears's shot. However, the Iron were ahead soon after.

After Michael O'Connor had pumped a ball in the box, the home side failed to clear their lines. The ball was headed back to captain Byrne on the edge of the area who unleashed an unstoppable right footed volley into the bottom corner.

Malky Mackay's men tried to respond, but found themselves frustrated by a determined rearguard display from their Lincolnshire opponents. Michael Bryan going closest with a volley wide.

Instead, it was Scunny who doubled their advantage in spectacular style in first stoppage time. When a poor headed clearance from another deep cross fell to the feet of Woolford he acrobatically volleyed the ball home.

In the second period, Loach was called upon to make another stop from Sears as the away side threatened to further increase their lead.

A couple of efforts from range from Stephen McGinn was the closest the Hornets came to beating Tony Warner all afternoon as the Iron comfortably saw out the rest of the game.

A second away win in a week then moves United further away from trouble, but puts a dent in Watford's top six ambitions.

Big Match Preview

Watford vs. Scunthorpe United

Saturday October 23, 15:00, Vicarage Road

Two of the Championship's smaller outfits currently enjoying differing fortunes meet in the Home Counties this weekend as high-flying Watford entertain Scunthorpe.

While the Hornets go into the game sitting in 3rd, their visitors from Lincolnshire sit just three points above the drop zone in 18th.

When considering the resources and budget at Scunny however, a similar finishing position come the end of the campaign would represent a huge success for the division's minnows.

It would arguably be an even greater achievement than last season's survival, too, after the Iron lost hugely influential manager Nigel Adkins to Southampton last month.

His replacement was first team coach Ian Baraclough who, although part of Adkins's staff, is stepping up into his first ever managerial role.

It's tough to imagine a greater baptism of fire, but the 39-year-old has responded well to the task so far - with two wins, two draws, and three defeats from his seven games.

That's included a thumping 4-0 victory at Sheffield United and Tuesday evening's 3-2 comeback win at Preston. They also secured three points on the road on the opening day at Reading.

United will be confident, therefore, that they can come back from the trip down south with something to show for their efforts.

Key to their hopes will be attacking pair Chris Dagnall and Martyn Woolford - both of whom were on the scoresheet at Deepdale in midweek.

Ian Baraclough is charged with keeping Scunthorpe up this season

They'll be facing a stern test at the other end of the pitch however, with the Hornets the Championship's top scorers. They've notched up 25 goals in their 12 games to date.

Top scorer David Graham has already bagged eight goals. He and Marvin Sordell - just one behind on seven - will be a real threat for the home side on Saturday.

Despite their fine form in front of goal, Malky Mackay's side have a patchy record at Vicarage Road so far, with two wins, two defeats, and two draws from their half a dozen home games.

They returned to winning ways in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Ipswich. They've also seen off Middlesbrough at home, but Leeds and Swansea have both left with maximum spoils from their trips to Hertfordshire.

Like his opposite number this weekend, Mackay is a young manager in just his second full season in charge at Watford. He will be keen to address his side's home failings to ensure they remain competitive.

However, after a difficult second half of last season, he will be optimistic that he has a squad capable of avoiding being involved towards the wrong end again.

It's fair to say, too, that most pundits would have expected these two teams to be struggling towards the foot of the division, but both sides are confounding the critics to date.

This promises to be a hard-fought encounter between two hard-working sides, but Watford's greater striking power may just edge it in their favour on the day.

Nobes' Prediction: Watford 2 Scunthorpe United 1

Big Match Review - Leicester 4 Watford 1

Championship

Leicester City 4-1 Watford

Saturday April 17, Walkers Stadium, (Att: 24,765)

Ten-man Leicester comfortably saw off struggling Watford to further boost their hopes of a top six finish and increase their opponent's relegation worries.

The hosts took the lead just after the half hour mark from the penalty spot. Martyn Waghorn sending Scott Loach the wrong way after Jay DeMerit was adjudged to have fouled Richie Wellens.

That advantage was doubled before the break - Paul Gallagher with a stunning volley from the edge of the box after a shot had been blocked.

However, in first half injury time a clattering challenge from behind on Ross Jenkins by Steve Howard saw the City frontman red carded.

Watford were unable to make their numerical advantage count though, and it was Nigel Pearson's men who found the game's all important next goal.

On-loan Jay Spearing volleying in from close range after sustained City pressure on the Watford goal.

Three soon became four midway through the second half when James Vaughan latched onto a through-ball to slot low past Loach.

Malky Mackay's visitors did pull a goal back with 12 minutes remaining. Defender Martin Taylor capitalising on poor defending to convert a Watford corner.

It would only prove to be a consolation for the Hornets though - who remain dangerously hovering above the drop zone - Leicester know one more win will seal their top six place.

Big Match Preview

Championship

Leicester City vs. Watford

Saturday April 17, 15:00, Walkers Stadium

The penultimate home game of the season for play-off hopefuls Leicester sees struggling Watford coming to town needing points to assure them of Championship survival.

The Foxes, promoted from League One as Champions 12 months ago, have enjoyed a successful return to the second tier.

Currently in 5th, they know a win, coupled with other results going their way, could assure them of a place in the play-offs come 5pm.

For Malky Mackay's visitors, the more modest accomplishment of making sure they're still part of the Championship next season is their goal ahead of Saturday.

The Hertfordshire outfit are just three points above 22nd placed Sheffield Wednesday, but know a win at the Walkers Stadium would go a long way to seeing them avoid the drop.

That quest for survival was boosted by last weekend's 1-0 win over relegation rivals Plymouth - a result which stretched their unbeaten run to three matches.

It's their best run in what's been a nightmare 2010 for Mackay's side. Just four victories have been registered as they've slid down the table from the relative mid-table security of 13th.

Part of the problem has been a poor set of results on the road. Indeed, not since they won at Middlesbrough at the beginning of October have the Hornets returned home from their travels with three points.

Only two of the promoted sides - already relegated Peterborough and fellow strugglers Scunthorpe have worse away records this term than Watford. A fact Mackay will hope to improve upon as they make their way to the East Midlands.

He'll also be hoping for more goals from Saturday's matchwinner - Icelandic striker Heider Helguson - who, along with Danny Graham, has ten goals to his name this term.

The other leading light going forwards has been on-loan Manchester United man Tom Cleverly, who's got 11. England U21 keeper Scott Loach has also been an important figure in Watford's team this season.

It's been a season of toil for Watford's rookie manager Malky Mackay

Loach is sure to be busy this weekend too as he attempts to keep Leicester's array of attacking talent out.

City are enjoying their best season at this level since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2003.

Nigel Pearson's men have continued where they left off last term in walking away with the League One title, and boast one of the best home records in the division.

Just four sides have gone away with maximum spoils from the Walkers - and last time out the Foxes rolled over Queens Park Rangers 4-0.

Two of those goals came from Martyn Waghorn - the Sunderland loanee - who has found the back of the net 11 times already this season. Last year's hotshot, Matty Fryatt, remains the team's top scorer this term too though, with 12 goals.

Last time out, Pearson's side were 2-1 winners at Peterborough - making it back to back wins as the business end of the season takes grip.

It also helped continue their recovery after a run of four straight losses had raised doubts over their top six staying powers.

Leicester appear to be back on track now though and, with a potentially tricky trip to Preston followed by a final day game against Middlesbrough still to come, will know Saturday is a great opportunity to almost cement a play-off place.

While they may have to wait a bit longer to assure themselves of an extension to their season, the home side should have more than enough this weekend to see off a Watford team who, despite their tenacity, don't travel well.

Nobes' Prediction: Leicester City 2 Watford 0