This week in the Championship saw the appointment of the former Celtic and West Brom manager Tony Mowbray at Middlesbrough. Mowbray a former Middlesbrough player made 424 appearances for them. Mowbray has said he hopes to usher in a new era of success at the Riverside. He said his main aim is to get Middlesbrough back to the Premier League.
Mowbray has got previous experience at doing this previously with West Brom. He has his work cut out to turn Middlesbrough around with them in the relegation zone though. He also has a number of players that he let go from his Celtic days like Stephen McManus whom he took the Celtic captaincy away from and loaned him to Middlesbrough. It will be interesting to see if he can turn around what looks like a sinking ship.
Elsewhere Cardiff moved level on points with QPR after demolishing Leeds on Monday night. Cardiff ran out 4-0 winners after a brace from Jay Boothroyd and goals from Chopra and Naylor. QPR played on Friday and will be very disappointed to draw away from at struggling Bristol City. After going behind after a goal form John Stead, QPR equalised with a goal late goal from Patrick Agyemang.
Scunthorpe are in 15th in the table after a 2-0 win over high flying Watford. Goals from Byrne and Woolford gave them the win. This defeat leaves Watford in 5th position. Swansea are up to 3rd in the table six behind the top two. They beat struggling Leicester 2-0 after goals from Emnes and top scorer Scott Sinclair. This defeat leaves Leicester in one place above the relegation zone in 21st.
Preston are two place above the relegation zone after a 4-3 win over Crystal Palace. A brace from Parkin and goals from Treacy and a penalty for Davidson gave them the win. Crystal Palace are really struggling now done in 23rd position. Ipswich were condemned to their third defeat in a row after a 2-0 away defeat to Nottingham Forest. Goals from McGoldrick and McGugan gave Forest the win. Ipswich are now down to 14th and Forest are in 10th in the league table.
Norwich pilled on more misery on Middlesbrough with a 1-0 win. Simeon Jackson scored the only goal. Norwich are in good form and up to fourth in the table and Middlesbrough are down in 22nd. Millwall are in 9th after a 2-0 win over Derby. Goals from Morison and Robinson saw them run out winners. This leaves Derby 12th.
Portsmouth continued their good form after a 2-1 away win at Hull. However this result was over shadowed by the continuing saga over Pompey’s administration with people thinking they might be liquidated over the weekend. This was because they could not agree a deal with former owner Sacha Gaydamak over a 3 million pound debt that was owed to him. But since the weekend Portsmouth have been takeover by previous owner Bairam Chainri. This was possible after agreeing a deal with Gaydamak. Portsmouth are now out of Administration and are up to 13th and Hull are down in 19th.
Doncaster managed a 2-0 win over Sheffield United. Goals from Coppinger and Sharp gave them the win. Doncaster are now in 11th and Sheffield Utd are in 18th. Coventry are pushing for a playoff place after beating Barnsley 3-0 at home. This win was courtesy of goals from McSheffery, Clarke and Baker. This moves Coventry up to 6th and leaves Barnsley in 17th.
And Finally Reading hammered Burnley away from home beating them 4-0. Reading took the lead after a penalty from Shane Long and then a goal from McAnuff. Then Leon Cort got sent off for a second bookable offence and Antonio and Simon Church completed the scoring. Reading are now in 8th and Burnley are just ahead of them in 7th after falling out of the playoff places.