By Paula Marcus
With Christmas fast approaching, its easy to get distracted by everything going on; shopping, parties and of course the overload of games coming up. But even before we get to the games it has been an interesting couple of weeks in the Championship, so here is a slightly festive look back at what has been making the news.
Miracles can happen: One of the major talking points this season (other than Leeds) has got to be the turnaround at Brighton and Hove Albion. Few clubs go from relegations candidates one year to front runners for automatic promotion the next, but Brighton have not just done it, but they have made it look easy. Consistency is often said to be the key to promotion from the Championship and, with zero losses this season, they have taken it to a whole different level.
Brighton seem to have tapped into a much overlooked key to success that has been serving those clubs in the know for the past few years. A good squad of players that work hard together and a manager that knows how to get the best out of his team is far more valuable than a couple of stand-out stars. If they can turn a few of their draws into wins they should have the title sown up with time to spare.
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Scrooge is in town: While we are on the subject of miracles, the idea of Leeds United owner changing his ways certainly falls into that category. It probably takes very little thought as to who in the division could be described as Scrooge (it was a very tough choice between that and the pantomime villain, but they at least tend to be amusing), trying to make money however he can. Having already done everything possible to anger his paying customers, Cellino announced a new pie tax of £5 ($10) per ticket in the south stand. This extra money could then be used to purchase food up to the same value. The reason behind this; apparently fans aren’t spending enough .
Already feeling they are paying too much for the football on offer, fans took to a walk out on the 17th minute to show their continued displeasure at Cellino’s running of the club. For those who can’t remember back to the beginning of the Cellino sage (it feels like it started many, many years in the ago) it was announced he had a very strong dislike of the number 17. It might not be the ghost of Christmas yet to come, but this walkout might give him a glimpse of what could be in store. The big question still remains, does he care?
Santa Claus is coming to town: The month began with Reading’s very own Santa, John Madejski, celebrating 25 years since he took over the club. What he has done for Reading should never be overlooked, taking a club with spiralling debts to the Premier League for the first time in their history. He probably never thought his anniversary week would be commemorated with another loss and the search for a new manager, but then I am still waiting for Santa to deliver the My Frosty I asked for every year. Goes to show you don’t always get what you want.
He knows if you’ve been naughty: Sometimes in football you get exactly what you pay for. Rotherham United’s newest addition Simon Lenigan has been banned by the club without even kicking a football. Lenigan, who has been playing in the lower leagues, was last week found guilty of head butting a woman whilst out celebrating being found not guilty of rape. Whilst nothing excuses Lenigan’s behaviour, you do have to wonder what exactly Rotherham thought they were getting? The case was already pending, they knew about it, so it’s somewhat baffling they couldn’t hold off signed him without waiting for the case to be heard.
He knows if you’ve been nice: Whilst this isn’t technically Championship related, it is a feel good story from the Football League. This week, after severe flooding due to Storm Desmond, Carlisle United players stepped up to prove that a football club really is part of the community. Shocked at what was happening, the players decided they wanted to help in a meaningful way by donating their time to help people in the area.
This included moving damaged furniture, cleaning and offering food and support to other volunteers, despite the players themselves being affected. Most of the squad saw the events unfold on TV after a 5-0 away win at Welling, but goalkeeper Mark Gillespie was forced to flee the rising water through an upstairs window after missing the game through illness. The players returned to find their cars and Brunton Park under water. It isn’t clear when the ground will reopen, but fans will be ready and willing to show their appreciation to the players.
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Santa is a…: Once December hits, out come the hats declaring Santa really is a fan of your team. But which Championship club does Old Saint Nick really follow? Well much as I would really love to believe he secretly wears hoops under his coat, I think we can instantly exclude all clubs that don’t play in red and white. It is also pretty safe to assume he would probably find the south a little on the warm side, and for that reason I think Santa is probably a Middlesbrough fan.
A quick look at their boxing day results seems to confirm this. With an impressive six boxing days wins out of six since their arrival in the Championship (ok, one game was played two days later, but you get the point), it’s hard to believe there isn’t a little Santa magic at work there, Blackburn you have been warned.
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to Paula’s latest Championship podcast at Premier Punditry.