<div id="attachment_920" style="width: 303px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/09/leedsprogramme.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-920" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-920" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/09/leedsprogramme.jpg" alt="" width="293" height="411"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-920" class="wp-caption-text">Some difficult games ahead this month</p></div>
<p>Before I start I would like to give my condolences to the family of <a href="http://epltalk.com/rip-eric-altshule-soccer-blogger-1966-2010-24037">Eric Altshule</a>, as the EPL talk writer sadly passed away recently. I often read Eric’s work and even if you didn’t agree with his side of the argument all the time, it was great to see someone give a well founded opinion on footballing matters. Eric will be missed.</p>
<p>Despite an opening day defeat to Derby County, where their defence appeared to be showing their nerves slightly, Leeds United have gotten off to a terrific start in the Championship and most fans will be delighted with seven points from their opening four games. They may have been<a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3311184,00.html"> knocked out of the League Cup</a> by fellow Championship side Leicester City, but that won’t bother Leeds too much and instead will allow them to focus more attention on the Championship itself. One of the talking points of the season so far has been the <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11715_6333582,00.html">altercation between Nottingham Forest and the Yorkshire outfit</a>, with tensions bound to be high considering they are both two of England’s most famous clubs. Most recently however, Leeds United picked up a 3-1 win against an in form Millwall side, an important result considering both have just been promoted and the atmosphere among the supporters can make the game feel like a local derby match.</p>
<p>I have been impressed with Leeds so far, particularly going forward. Despite the loss of Jermaine Beckford, the club seems to attack at real pace that can cause panic in most defences. Local boy <a href="http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16709_6354266,00.html">Lloyd Sam has returned to his roots</a> and he provides a fantastic high tempo alongside Sanchez Watt, the youngster on loan from Arsenal. And despite being 24 years old, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/8950047.stm">Ross McCormack is a great signing from league rivals Cardiff</a> with plenty of Championship experience, although <a href="http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/Leeds-United-We39ll-share-the.6516433.jp">he has since stated that he is no Jermaine Beckford in terms of scoring</a> and expects all the club strikers to pitch in with their effort. There is always a pressure that comes from following a great goal scorer as the loss of one can often effect the system that your team plays, but from what I have seen so far, the club seems to be very capable of filling the void Beckford has made. If there is any pressure to score however, it is most likely to fall on McCormack’s shoulders.</p>
<p>Most importantly for the West Yorkshire side is the fact that Robert Snodgrass is nearing full fitness once again; a player I pointed out at the start of the season as one to watch. I’m looking forward to seeing the young Scotsman this season and I think more people will start to take notice of the fan favourite once he gets back to full fitness and match sharpness. As well as this, new signing Billy Paynter is also on his way back and will provide another option in attack for the side. Kasper Schmeicel has been wowing the crowds with his goal keeping abillities and has been touted by many as one of the early stars of the season. Simon Grayson must be feeling pretty happy right now as the pieces are starting to fall into place, but the month ahead will see Leeds’ revisiting a few old friends in the league.</p>
<p>Starting out with a tricky home tie against Swansea this Saturday, United will then take on three other sides from Yorkshire, with Barnsley away, Doncaster away and Sheffield United at home. Despite being marked for relegation by many pundits, Barnsley are never a push over at home and they will be up for the game against Leeds. The game away to Doncaster will be shown live on Sky Sports on a Friday night (which doesn’t suggest drunken trouble…) and with all that in mind, Doncaster players will fancy their chances when the cameras are on them. Finally, Leeds old boy Gary Speed will return to Elland Road, but in the manager seat of the Blades in a game I am already looking forward to as I believe it will be well contested and we will see some great action from two of Yorkshire’s most recognisable teams. After Yorkshire explodes with football excitement, Leeds have a final home tie against Preston in a game most Leeds fans will put down as a definite win, although how they handle the three previous local affairs could determine the outcome of this match, as poor performances against the three Yorkshire sides could really dent the side’s confidence.</p>
<p>So September is certainly a tough month for Leeds but also one that creates great excitement. Between 7-9 points from the five games would be another triumph for the club, but when local pride is at stake the fans will be hopeful of a maximum three points from Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield United as well as two good home performances against Swansea and Preston. This is a really important month in the season for Leeds, the main focus at the start of the season was survival and when you’re playing a Barnsley side who have been predicted for relegation and a Preston side that look like they are somewhat struggling, you will want to win those games.</p>


A Lively Start To Championship Life For Leeds United &#8211; But A Hard Month Ahead

A Lively Start To Championship Life For Leeds United - But A Hard Month Ahead - World Soccer Talk

A Lively Start To Championship Life For Leeds United – But A Hard Month Ahead

<div id="attachment_903" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/08/bellamyspeed.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-903" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-903" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/08/bellamyspeed.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-903" class="wp-caption-text">Bluebirds player Bellamy and Blades Manager Speed</p></div>
<p>It’s a good week for Welsh football, as not only has one of the greatest ever Welsh players produced become manager of Sheffield United, but a Welsh striker of top Premier League quality has joined the Bluebirds. <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11683_6315663,00.html">Gary Speed is expected to be named manager of Yorkshire outfit Sheffield United</a> and <a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11704_6317824,00.html">Craig Bellamy will make a dream move to play for Cardiff City on a season long loan</a>. The move to management for Speed was something I always felt was coming and it is great to see one of the most likeable people in the game get a start at a good club like the Blades. The move for Bellamy is one that will surprise many however, as last season Bellamy was putting Premier League defences to the sword and considering Cardiff’s uncertain financial situation it is a massive coup for the club who will feel that if Bellamy stays fit then they could finally become the first Welsh side to play in England’s top flight.</p>
<p>A first chance in management for Speed who recently received an MBE earlier in the year and his first shot at taking the reins could be rather tricky. Although a decent opening day draw at Cardiff, where the Blades went down to ten men, Hartlepool and QPR found it easier in against United in the league cup and Championship respectively. A 3-0 home defeat against QPR and former manager Neil Warnock and it appeared to be the final straw in the relationship between Kevin Blackwell and the Blades board. To me, it seemed quite bizarre to make this decision with only two games into the season. Many fans were apparently calling for Blackwell to be removed from his position after seeing their side humbled by Rangers and it appears that the board members heard those cries. I think Speed has all the makings to be a great manager, but it is important that he is put alongside and assistant who is experienced. Sheffield United have brought in a few decent signings, but due to a few financial constraints, itis difficult to expect them to really push on for a playoff berth this season and it is probably more expectant the he has a decent first season in charge of the Blades that they can then build off. As a fan of Gary Speed I wish him all the best and hope he finds success in his first managerial job.</p>
<p>The other piece of big Welsh news this week is of course that Craig Bellamy has now signed for Cardiff. This for me (and probably everyone else) is signing of the summer for any Championship side. Man City’s reluctance to give Bellamy to one of their Premier League rivals has seen the player fulfil a dream of his by finally getting to play for his hometown club. Last season, Bellamy looked like an important part of the Man City attack and if he stays fit he will terrify every defence in England’s second tier. It’s a sensational transfer and I bet there are a lot more people throwing money on Cardiff to gain promotion now. Bellamy could start in the game against Doncaster Rovers this weekend and will have a chance to get the first team football he has been craving. It’s unlikely that Cardiff are funding his entire wages and this may well be a case of Man City being unwilling to strengthen fellow Premier League sides, as Bellamy is still a quality player that can play at the top level. If he stays fit, few will doubt that Craig Bellamy will have a great season in the Championship and could give Cardiff that little extra push to help them finally achieve promotion. In any case, Dave Jones must be doing cartwheels around the streets of Cardiff right now.</p>


Welsh Dragons Bellamy and Speed Look To Shake Up The Championship

Welsh Dragons Bellamy and Speed Look To Shake Up The Championship - World Soccer Talk

<p></p><div id="attachment_837" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2010/06/speed.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-837" loading="lazy" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-837" src="/files/2010/06/speed-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150"></figure></div></a><p id="caption-attachment-837" class="wp-caption-text">Speed to recieve MBE from the Queen</p></div><p></p>
<p>It’s almost as if international football is all that exists when the World Cup is on, La Liga, The Premiership, Serie A and The Bundesliga don’t even get commonly mentioned too much due to the importance and focus on the main world game. But many teams are still in business, and it’s likely that a number of stories from the domestic game (Championship in particular) have gone over most people’s heads, I don’t blame you though – if you have seen me over at <a href="http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/">Worldcupbuzz</a>, I have been glued to the action in South Africa. Here’s a couple of stories from the Championship in the past few days:</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6202516,00.html">Gary Speed Recieves MBE</a>:</strong></p>
<p>Rightfully so. Anyone who has been lucky enough to have Speed in their team will appreciate how good he actually was, and I know for a fact that he is a club hero at places like Sheffield United, Newcastle United, Everton and Bolton. There’s usually been an uproar whenever he was sold, I remember Everton fans were shocked when he was snapped up by Newcastle, and Newcastle fans were then disappointed when Sir Bobby Robson decided his time in the North East was over. He’s the most capped outfield Welsh player and was once upon a time the record holder for most Premiership appearances. He’s currently on Sheffield United’s coaching staff and I wouldn’t put it past him to get a managerial job in the future, I predict that he will become Sheffield United manager after taking the job on a temporary basis in the future. I’m a massive fan of Speed and think he’s one of the most under rated Premiership players ever. Well done Gary!</p>
<p><strong>Sheffield United Quick To Strengthen:</strong></p>
<p>Speaking of the Blades, they’ve made one or two signings the past few days. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/8735762.stm">Leon Britton is a big signing for the club</a>, considering there were a number of Premiership teams keeping an eye on the former Swansea midfielder, and the fact it is on a free transfer only sweetens the deal. United have also taken advantage of the Crystal Palace exodus by <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/8731445.stm">snapping up Austrian Johannes Ertl</a> on a free transfer, and of course they already captured Daniel Bogdanovic from (sort of) local rivals Barnsley. There’s also the likes of Cresswell, Morgan and Montgomery that have all signed new deals, showing that despite Paddy Kenny moving on, the core of the team will remain along with a lot more depth for next season. Scottish left back Charlie Mulgrew may also be on his way to Bramall lane, and it’s more a case of ‘watch this space’ for the time being. They might be worth a bet for a playoff push…</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6204164,00.html">Southgate Uneasy On Subject Of Pompey Job</a>:</strong></p>
<p>There’s quite a few teams that are looking for new managers, although considering the majority of the football world is on media duty for whatever country is paying them, they may have to wait until after the World Cup in order to announce anything. Southgate is currently in South Africa, and I’ve just seen him make the bold half time prediction that Elia might come on as a half time substitute for the Dutch team. No score prediction – just that outlandish statement that a good and bright youngster might make an appearance for his country. The commentator Southgate for that call as Elia came onto the pitch. He’s been named as a favourite to get the Portsmouth job, although it’s likely that any manager will want to wait until there is a new owner in place at least, as Pompey’s future looks uncertain at the moment. Southgate isn’t focusing on any speculation at the moment and if he will become the new Pompey manager it’ll probably be sorted a week or two after the World Cup. Hull and Crystal Palace are also in search for a manger, and it’ll be interesting to see who is brought in to take over these teams next season, considering the amount of problems each of the three clubs face.</p>


And Back To Domestic Football &#8211; Championship News

And Back To Domestic Football - Championship News - World Soccer Talk

And Back To Domestic Football – Championship News

Latest news from gary speed. Find out about all the news related to gary speed on worldsoccertalk.com

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A Lively Start To Championship Life For Leeds United – But A Hard Month Ahead

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Welsh Dragons Bellamy and Speed Look To Shake Up The Championship

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And Back To Domestic Football – Championship News