‘Communication is difficult,’ say Morecambe of contacting their Brazilian owner, who disappeared within a few months of taking over, but more and more clubs seem to have problemsIf we are going to be generous, it is fair to assume Diego Lemos must have a few stories that have been passed down through the family. His father, Luisinho Tombo, was the leading scorer in the Rio State League of Brazil on two separate occasions, the most prolific striker in the history of his first club, America, with 311 goals, and played alongside Zico at Flamengo. One uncle, Caio Cambalhota, was at Flamengo and another, César Maluco, was part of Brazil’s 1974 World Cup squad because of his performances for Palmeiras.Whether that makes...
Impressive wins for all three sides keeps pressure on Newcastle and Brighton, Sheffield United inflict more Boxing Day misery on Oldham and Doncaster take over at the top of League Two• All the Boxing Day scores and scorers• With Newcastle United losing to Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton not playing until Tuesday night, their three closest pursuers at the top – Reading, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United – all made ground on them with impressive victories. Third-placed Reading moved to within five points of second place with a 3-1 win over Norwich City. Related: Glenn Loovens shocks Newcastle in Sheffield Wednesday bruising Continue reading...
The Latics have conceded more goals on the feast of Stephen than any other team and League One promotion chasers Sheffield United are unlikely to do them any favoursHats off to Oldham Athletic’s captain, Peter Clarke, for attempting to sweeten a dog’s dinner this week. A sprinkling of optimism is sorely needed around Boundary Park where the club’s chairman, Simon Corney, was in such a steaming funk after elimination from the FA Cup by non-league Lincoln City on 5 December that he cancelled the club’s Christmas party.Oldham are bottom of League One, winless in seven league matches, subject to a transfer embargo and due to play at second-place Sheffield United on Boxing Day. But Clarke, keen to look up, ventured...
The Italian walked to the dugout to no fanfare and saw his new team lose 2-1 to Brighton but many fans cannot understand why he has replaced Gary RowettHad you arrived at St Andrew’s on Saturday having not read any news in the previous week, you would not have known Birmingham had a new manager. As Gianfranco Zola walked towards the dugout there was no fanfare, no introduction, no real hearty welcome from the home supporters. Some handshakes, a couple of autographs, a few more photographers than usual, but the fans of Birmingham did not greet their new leader like a new hero, arriving in town to save the day.That is at least partly because not many of them can...
Derby County concede at last, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday leave it late, cash in-hand for Yeovil Town and more drama in south Wales • When Neil Warnock took charge of Cardiff City in early October, it was never going to be dull. Last week there was Sol Bamba’s bizarre behaviour and subsequent red card, and this week another entirely different escapade, as Barnsley snatched victory with a 95th-minute winner in south Wales. There were six other goals, Sean Morrison’s opener inside three minutes before Ryan Williams dug deep down the back of the sofa for a winner after Cardiff had pulled level at 3-3. “It was an exciting game for the neutral – on how not to defend,” Warnock said....