Posted by Rick Fitzgerald

A few more matches have passed in the nPower and slowly things are beginning to take shape.  Some teams brushed off the dust of the off season and are starting to show their true intentions, while others remained in their basements still trying to find some legs.  With lots to discuss, we should get right to it...

THE GOOD:  I have to admit that there is something kind of special about a team that can promote year after year.  As a football watcher, I will say it makes me a bit nervous when I see the likes of Norwich hop a few leagues and end up in the Prem.  The concern is that they will simply get beat down week after week and shoved back to oblivion.  So far, Norwich has done fine, recently taking it to Chelsea in a match that simply could have gone either way.

On a similar note, if you look at the top of the Championship table, you might think you were looking at last year's League One table as Brighton and Southampton are neck and neck for first and second.  But it isn't Brighton's rise to the top that puts them in "The Good," it's a combination of solid play, most recently beating Posh 2-0 and a stunning victory of Sunderland to thump the Cats out of the Carling Cup.  I'm sure if you ask your average Sunderland fan they will tell you they don't care, but trust me, they do.  No one likes seeing their team lose in any competition.



A quick nod to the Hammers for a great and entertaining match vs Leeds.  Tensions were high as these two clubs took the pitch and I have to say, they delivered on what was easily one of the best matches I've seen this year. 

A mere 4,063 fans poured into Greenhous Meadow Stadium on 8/23 to watch League Two mid-tablers Shrewsbury play Prem new boys Swansea in another Carling Cup fixture which should have seen the Swans advance easily.  This was not the case however as Shrewsbury recovered quickly from an early OG to put the Swans away with a 3-1 victory.  This is just the kind of upset I like to see.  Well done Shrews!

How about the early race in League One??  Three clubs tied with 13 points in what may turn out to be a photo finish?  If these clubs can manage to hold their form, this is an overlooked league that may have plenty of exciting ball.

THE BAD:  Chesterfield...Ugh...Anytime you get beat down 6-2 you know the next morning is going to feel worse than a tequila hangover.  Table toppers MK Dons did just that, sinking Chesterfield even lower on the table (second from last...yikes).  How about some defense boys??

Speaking of defense, lets move into The Ugly...because there was plenty of it -

THE UGLY:  Arsenal...wow...what can you say about MU's ownership of this previous top four side?  Now I know Arsenal are not in the nPower, but if they continue to play as they are, they will be here soon.

For the second edition in a row - Ipswich.  I know it may be a bit unfair to put them in the Ugly again, after all, they did have a surprising win over Leeds.  But anyone who saw their complete lack of defense and painfully awful play against Posh knows that they belong here again.  Nine men and some absolutely crappy defense sunk Ipswich early in that match and once the Posh sharks smelled blood, they attacked.  I have to hand it to 'swich though, coming back with a 2-1 over Leeds was a strong recovery.

Congrats to Leyton Orient for being the first League One club to reach double digits in goal differential.  Coming in at a strong - 10, only Chesterfield (-8) hope to catch them in this not-so-great competition.

Finding themselves in the Ugly this week, Nottingham Forest.  Pounded by West Ham and seeing themselves slip to the wrong side of the table, Stevie's boys, who are usually playoff contenders, are starting a trend that they may not be able to recover from.  I don't believe the Trees will find themselves in a relegation battle, but I have a feeling that they will consider the season a complete waste if they don't at least find themselves in a playoff spot again. 

Matches to watch this week:  There are a lot of good ones.  Personally, I like Southampton and Forest.  This is going to be a good test of how serious Southampton is - though with Forests current run it may not be too hard to get points.  This will also be a good challenge for Stevie's men to see if they can pull anything from this recently promoted club.

Leeds vs Crystal Palace.  CP are riding high with 10 points while Leeds have failed to impress.  Leeds will not want to sink further so a win now is pretty vital.  Look for Leeds to move for a more offensive push which should make for a very open and free flowing match.

Chesterfield vs Leyton.  Ok, I know they are bottom feeders right now but sometimes those are the matches that are the best to watch.  Neither team will want to be in that un-coveted bottom stop as the week progresses.  This match will most likely be a 1-0 to either side but the play should be enough to keep spectators thoroughly entertained.

Finally - Getting to know the Npower:

This week I would like to look at Doncaster.  With a current record of one draw and four losses, the only place the Rovers are roving is at the bottom of the Championship table. 

Doncaster were founded in 1879 and currently play at Keepmost Stadium. Their most current achievement was winning the Football League Trophy in 2007.  So far, the Rovers have only scored two goals, one by James Hayter and the other by Billy Sharp, who still remains their most expensive transfer at 1,500,000 pounds.  While Doncaster can name several teams as rivals, their main rivals would be considered Rotherham (though with them being a league below this rivalry has died off a bit) and Nottingham as the two were promoted to the Championship during the new year.

As of now, Doncaster has a squad that is slightly below average.  The addition of Sharp in 2009 has done little over the years to boost the squads scoring and their defense is shaky at best and if things continue to go the way they have been, Doncaster will be able to renew that Rotherham rivalry as they will both be in League One again.  Doncaster may not find themselves climbing in the next few weeks as they have tough matches vs Cardiff, Reading and Palace in September.

That's all for now.

Take care and be safe

Twitter @undefeatedarmy