Kristian Downer

This weekend sees some interesting ties in the Championship, although with bad weather forecast it seems unlikely that we will see a full program this weekend. Unfortunately I cannot predict the weather, quality of the pitches or the ‘safety reasons’ that could lead to the postponement of these games, therefore as an optimist I am going […]

Just over a couple of weeks ago ChampionshipTalk looked at three of the key loan signings from transfer deadline day. The idea was that these experienced players and the one young hopeful would get a chance to get some playing time in the Championship. However events have conspired against Chris Kirkland, Aaron Ramsey and John […]

One of the most publicised stories of recent years has been the demise and path towards what I am sure will be their eventual re-emergence of Leeds United. This is what makes this FA Cup story resonate with me, growing up I had always known Leeds as a huge side, with a fierce rivalry with seemingly every club in the top flight.

This week’s stand out result for entertainment value in the Championship this weekend has to be the game between Burnley and Leeds at Turfmoor. Leeds entered the game in the play off places whilst Burnley were sitting in the top half of the table within striking distance of the play off mix.

Julio Arca was the hero for Middlesbrough as beat Cardiff With only Scunthorpe unable to overcome the weather, it was nearly a full program in the Championship in another day that showed just how unpredictable the Championship can be. This weekend was a poor weekend for the sides at the top of the table with […]

Darren Ferguson will be breathing a sigh of relief tonight as his Preston side recorded their first victory in seven games with a solitary Iain Hume goal. Unfortunately Middlesbrough’s victory over high flying Cardiff means that the Lilywhite’s remain grounded at the foot of the table, but they are now within two points of safety as Scunthorpe fall into the drop zone due to the postponement of their game against Nottingham Forest.

Watford pulled off a massive shock in the Championship last night beating Queens Park Rangers by three goals to one in a televised Friday night encounter. This defeat means that QPR lose the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table and fall agonisingly close of equalling the clubs record unbeaten run, falling just one short on nineteen.

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert has confirmed that Leon Barnett’s loan move from West Bromwich Albion is to be made permanent. The defender who cost the Baggies £2.5m from Luton Town in 2007 was never able to prove his worth at the Hawthorns making just 45 appearances in three years.

The announcement that Marlon King’s appeal against a conviction for sexual assault had been rejected raised two debates in my mind.

Although the third round is still a month away I have decided to honour the achievements of Crawley Town's achievements encourage all the other potential giantkillers out there by running a series of posts looking back at some of the classic ‘cupsets’ over the years, which I have in vain humour entitled 'FA Cup Upsets and Cupsets'.

Chris Kirkland’s loan spell at Leicester City could be over before it has truly begun as it is currently unclear as to whether the England goalkeeper will regain fitness in time to feature in any of the five games Leicester are due to play before the scheduled end of his loan spell in January. The Wigan striker is suffering from a back spasm in a career that has been blighted by back injuries, however the timing of this injury is unfortunate given the fact that the shot stopper felt he had his back problems under control through constant regulation.

As a true Englishman wherever possible my posts seem to mention the weather and no more so than this week as Britain suffered an early cold snap. Which as now seems standard brought the country to a standstill. This weekend in the Championship there were five postponements causing disruption and frustration to the league planners […]

Despite five postponements there was plenty of action in the Championship this weekend as the seven surviving games yielded over twenty four goals and a host of dramatic and entertaining football. This week’s Championship game of the week also featured late drama in a game that included five goals, a dramatic comeback and a twist that all ensured an entertaining and gripping game at Vicarage Road.

Due to the weather it was a much reduced Championship fixture list with Doncaster, Hull, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth all unable to host a match due to pitch and safety concerns. This did not stop this weekend being action packed with each fixture averaging three goals per game. Those that battled the sub […]

Lord Ashcroft has raised hopes for Watford fans that their fortunes will improve by suggesting to BBC Sport that he is in discussion to sell his stake in the club and bring in new investment. The statement that Ashcroft gave to the media was cryptic and certainly does not suggest that any move is imminent with investors being sounded out at this point.