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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
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The views of Micky Adams in the Daily Mail
Unfortunately I think he's pretty accurate in his thoughts on us.
We've drawn far too many games, particularly at home where rubbish teams have left happily left St Mary's with a 0-0 result. I think we're as good as any team in the league but we haven't been able to grind out the results as consistently as the likes of Derby.
He's probably a little unfair in questioning the bottle of the team, I don't think we're mentally weak by any means. The squad that got relegated is gone.
Huge couple of months for all of the above teams coming up.
The £30m roller coaster
Nicklas Bendtner so important to Birmingham City
Extra money pouring in from TV deals means the riches in the promised land of the Premiership are more lavish than ever before. Even the bottom team next season is guaranteed £30million, which gives a lucrative incentive to the scramble to get out of the second tier.
MICKY ADAMS, Coventry boss until mid-January and a promotion winner with three teams, draws on his Championship experience to analyse a desperately close promotion battle, which sees the top eight teams separated by just five points going into the final quarter of the season.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
LAST SIX MATCHES: DWWDLW
TOP SCORER: Gary McSheffrey (13)
REMAINING FIXTURES: Cardiff (h), Derby (h), Norwich (a), West Brom (a), Coventry (h), Burnley (h), Barnsley (a), Southampton (h), Leicester (a), Wolves (a), Sheff Wed (h), Preston (a).
STRENGTHS:
Have conceded fewest goals out of all of the promotion candidates. Rugged and tough at the back, resilient without being spectacular in midfield and powerful up front. Not the best side the Championship has ever seen, but since when has that mattered during the course of a 46-game season where matches come at you thick and fast?
WEAKNESSES:
On a practical level, the state of the St Andrew's pitch will be driving Steve mad. It does even it up for lesser opposition, although it should improve. The punters clearly aren't happy at the moment. If the owners, manager and supporters can't get it together during the run-in, it will hamper their chances. And Birmingham do have a young side. That lack of experience may affect them.
KEY PLAYER AND WHAT DOES HE BRING?
Gary McSheffrey. And not just because they bought him off me! He's a wide player who works hard and is not only capable of creating goals, he loves scoring them as well. Take it from me, Gary McSheffrey lives for scoring goals. If Birmingham are to nick one of the two promotion spots, they need to keep him fit.
THE BOSS:
Steve Bruce. He will remain steadfast in what he needs to do. On a personal level, he won't be distracted from what lies ahead, but outside influences I've talked about above may affect his players. With twelve games left, he will be doing his utmost to protect them. Has been through the play-offs before successfully. That will have an effect.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
You need to be physical with their frontmen. Even though he's still a teenager, Nicklas Bendtner is a big lad, he'll stand his ground. And Cameron Jerome might not be everyone's cup of tea but he's awkward for defenders to play against. He is a pest. If you can close them down quickly on a poor pitch they will make mistakes. If the crowd turns on them, you will have a decent chance.
VERDICT:
I see others as stronger. Definite for the play-offs and would not be surprised to see them go all the way. If they manage to unite the club, a force to be reckoned with. Third.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
LAST SIX MATCHES: WWDWWD
TOP SCORER: Diomansy Kamara (19)
REMAINING FIXTURES: Sunderland (h), Wolves (a), Crystal Palace (h), Birmingham (h), QPR (a), Stoke (h), Norwich (a), Sheff Wed (h), Burnley (a), Coventry (a), Barnsley (h).
STRENGTHS:
Score goals from all over the place and so they are difficult to counter. Defend deep and let Jason Koumas run at you to the edge of the box and you are inviting trouble. Ask your defence to operate near the halfway line and they will play through you to Diomansy Kamara. I've not mentioned the threat posed by penalty box poacher Kevin Phillips and Nathan Ellington. They are the top goalscorers in the division. It's not difficult to understand why.
WEAKNESSES:
You will create chances against them. They may have tightened up but you will still have your shots on goal. This sounds silly but even when Coventry were beaten horribly before Christmas, we still had at least three superb opportunities. But if you don't take them...
KEY PLAYERS:
Jason Koumas - along with McSheffrey the best player in the division. Comfortable with the ball at both feet, can spot and execute passes that virtually any Premiership player would find difficult. And he has a keen eye for the net, too.
BOSS:
Tony Mowbray. He took over at a difficult time and he has done a good job, albeit with a set of excellent professionals. The dressing-room deserve credit for that. Not too many teams make such a decent fist of returning to the Premiership after relegation. West Brom's players have focused and, I think, will reap the rewards.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
Again, looking at the statistics, their goals conceded total is the worst out of the top eight. Not totally convinced about the solidity of the back four. Do not give them any time to settle and if they end up playing Koumas on either side of a midfield four, make sure your own wide midfielders do not go walkabouts and end up playing catch-up as he may gamble and stay further upfield.
VERDICT:
Automatic promotion, as runners-up
DERBY COUNTY
LAST SIX MATCHES: WWWDLL
TOP SCORER: Steven Howard (13)
REMAINING FIXTURES: Colchester (h), Norwich (a), Birmingham (a), QPR (h), Cardiff (h), Barnsley (a), Leicester (a), Coventry (h), Ipswich (a), Luton (h), Crystal Palace (a), Leeds (h).
STRENGTHS:
I've seen them three or four times this season and each time they have been awful in the first half. They have emerged a different side after the break, so whatever Billy Davies says to them has had a tremendous effect on their season. I'll say one thing for them, they will keep going. Even when they have been second-best they have somehow dug out results. It's a handy ability to have in the Championship.
WEAKNESSES:
They don't score enough goals. Billy has tried to redress the problem and recruited well. One possible weakness is that because of the number of players he has brought in, they could still be finding their feet. How close they go could depend on how quickly they adapt to their new surroundings.
KEY PLAYER:
Darren Moore. Has twice played in sides promoted from the Championship and is under-rated at this level, in my opinion. I think he has an excellent prospect alongside him in Dean Leacock but Moore has done it with Bradford City and West Brom and is a positive - and very powerful - presence around the place.
BOSS:
Billy Davies is one of the good guys and I've already mentioned his powers of motivation. Taking what was an average squad to the top of the table in January was a brilliant achievement.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
Similar to Birmingham in many ways. They use Steve Howard as a big, physical presence and your defenders need to be all over him. Several times this season Derby have come back - not just to draw - but to win. You need to kill them off and be patient about it. Oh, and you also need to come out with all guns blazing after half-time!
VERDICT:
Second strongest team defensively after Birmingham but may not be able to get the goals to fire them up automatically. Definite for the play-offs, but I don't think they'll make the final, although they do have a decent run-in. Fourth.
SUNDERLAND
LAST SIX MATCHES: DWWWDW
TOP SCORER: David Connolly (10)
REMAINING FIXTURES: West Brom (a), Barnsley (a), Stoke (h), Hull (h), Cardiff (a), Wolves (h), Southampton (a), QPR (h), Colchester (a), Burnley (h), Luton (a).
STRENGTHS:
I travelled to Leeds to watch them shortly after Roy took over. When I went into work the next morning I told my staff at Coventry they would go up. I've seen nothing since to change my mind. Roy's influence is a major plus but they also have good players in virtually every position. He knows how he wants his team to play and won't stand any nonsense from his so-called 'big' players. They counter attack very, very quickly. And a lot of them charge up front to take their chances.
WEAKNESSES:
Again, like West Brom, I'm not totally convinced about the strength of their centre-half pairing. I think that they can be left exposed.
KEY PLAYERS:
Marton Fulop. I took this lad from Spurs but couldn't sign him for Coventry. A first-class goalkeeper. I cannot speak highly enough of him. He is certainly good enough to play in the Premiership. And, if the heart of your defence is susceptible, then it is probably just as well you have someone as good as Marton as the last line of your defence.
BOSS:
Shades of Sir Alex Ferguson in Roy, undoubtedly. The way they break at speed reminds you so much of Manchester United in their pomp. Has done a brilliant job, so far. He has spent well but has bigger tests to come.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
They have more of an opportunity away from home because of their rapid breaks. If you can stifle them and grab a goal at the Stadium of Light, it might start getting interesting. They are strong in midfield as well. Yours must be disciplined in return otherwise you will get steamrollered.
VERDICT:
Automatic promotion - get my vote over West Brom to be champions.
SOUTHAMPTON
LAST SIX MATCHES: WLDWLW
TOP SCORER: Grzegorz Rasiak (17)
REMAINING FIXTURES: Preston (a), Stoke (a), Cardiff (h), Colchester (h), Wolves (a), Luton (a), Sunderland (h), Birmingham (a), Leeds (h), Norwich (a), Southend (h).
STRENGTHS:
George Burley. His experience will be vital during the last few games. He has been there on several occasions with both Derby and, more successfully, Ipswich. The Saints are strong without being particularly spectacular in most areas. They may fall down in the final reckoning because they have not been able to turn territorial superiority into victories, particularly during the first few months of the season. That glut of draws in the opening couple of months is looking expensive now.
WEAKNESSES:
Although George has some good players at his disposal, you have to wonder whether they have the desire or drive to make it to the next level. With ten games or so left this season, Saints' fans will soon find out whether they have the bottle. Equally, however, they are capable of beating anyone on their day.
KEY PLAYER:
Chris Baird - at full-back or centre-half, he is now starting to show the potential that many of us in the game thought he had. His influence will be vital as the pressure grows.
THE BOSS:
George Burley. Another one of the guys who tries to do things the right way, in my opinion. Has a reputation for putting together passing teams, but the Saints can mix it up and aren't afraid to use the long ball when necessary.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
As pointed out above, George's team do like to fire long, diagonal balls at a big man and work around him. Cutting off that supply is a good start. Impress upon your own widemen to close their full-backs down quickly and thus lessen the impact of players like Gzregorz Rasiak.
VERDICT:
Sixth. I think they will make the play-offs, but similarly when push comes to shove question whether they have enough heart to win through.
CARDIFF CITY
LAST SIX MATCHES: WWDWLW
TOP SCORER: Michael Chopra (21)
REMAINING FIXTURES: Birmingham (a), Norwich (h), Southampton (a), Derby (a), Sunderland (h), Sheff Wed (h), Burnley (a), Stoke (h), QPR (a), Hull (h), Ipswich (a).
STRENGTHS:
The desire of the team is communicated through the Ninian Park crowd. They have been desperate for success for a while in this part of Wales and is seeps through into the players. Also, Dave Jones's first-choice XI is quite able of stringing together a run of results that could propel them into the automatic spots.
WEAKNESSES:
The smallest squad out of those left contesting the promotion race. A glut of injuries now and you can forget any chance of making the top two. The crowd, while generally a major plus, can also lose them games, depending on the state of play going into the last half-dozen matches. Apart from Michael Chopra, where else are the goals coming from? Heavily reliant upon him.
KEY PLAYER:
No surprises here. Michael Chopra. If Cardiff are to stand any chance of going up, he has to stay fit.
THE BOSS:
Dave Jones is, for my money, the best boss among those contesting the promotion spots. I think he has left every club he has ever managed in a better state than when he found it. The Bluebirds are no exception.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
For a start, keep the home crowd quiet, if you are at Ninian Park, that is. Chopra enjoys lots of balls to his feet. He sets up play quickly from there with Dave's wingers getting up in support quickly. Force them to hit longer balls and make sure your central midfielders are alert to Chopra and cutting off the supply would be a decent start.
VERDICT:
Fifth. Assuming Chopra stays fit, I expect them to contest the play-offs. With a fair wind, I think they could reach the final. From there, it's anyone's guess. Would not be surprised at a Cardiff v Birmingham final.
PRESTON NORTH END
LAST SIX MATCHES: WLWLWL
TOP SCORER: Dave Nugent (12)
REMAINING FIXTURES: Southampton (h), Hull (a), Ipswich (h), Burnley (h), Leeds (a), QPR (a), Crystal Palace (a), Southend (h), Coventry (a), Leicester (h), Plymouth (a), Birmingham (h).
STRENGTHS:
Everyone in the Championship thought Preston would fall apart after Billy Davies left. Paul Simpson has harnessed the feelgood factor that undoubtedly swept the club after taking over and didn't tinker with it too much. That is an art in itself. Being able to call on David Nugent is a massive plus and, by and large, there is not too much of a difference from last season. Strong midfield supporting Nugent has seen them go a long way with Paul McKenna one of the division's unsung heroes.
WEAKNESSES:
They are having a woeful run with injuries. Youl Mawene was a huge loss and Carlo Nash - a class keeper - has fallen out of favour. Brett Ormerod has smashed his cheekbone and the squad is creaking at the seams. And, apart from Nugent, do they score enough goals?
KEY PLAYER: David Nugent - if he picks up an injury, the Lilywhites can forget it.
BOSS:
Paul Simpson. Did an excellent job at Carlisle and has added to his reputation so far with the task in hand in Lancashire. With no parachute payment and no history of Premiership football, they are not paying the best money in the world and so the manager is fighting an uneven battle with those around him. Even if the season finished now, you would say he has done a good job. It will be a bigger test for him next season though, especially if he loses Nugent.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
I'm just not convinced about the manner in which they defend. Mawene and Tyrone Mears were pillars of strength for Davies and gave no quarter to anyone. I think anyone with the power and striking options up front will cause them problems.
VERDICT:
Sorry North End, not this time. Eighth.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS LAST SIX MATCHES: WDWWWW
TOP SCORER: Seyi Olofinjana (6)
REMAINING FIXTURES: Luton (a), West Brom (h), Coventry (a), Sheff Wed (a), Southampton (h), Sunderland (a), Hull (h), Crystal Palace (a), Birmingham (h), QPR (h), Leicester (a).
STRENGTHS:
I watched them play Leeds on Saturday and it's clear they are playing without fear. That's a major bonus at this stage of the campaign. They have got to be in with a chance if they can continue their current run. But will the Championship now wise up to them? Having said that, they don't concede many goals and if you do that, you are always in with a shout.
WEAKNESSES:
A little bit like Birmingham, they have a lot of young lads and although they are playing with without a care in the world at the moment, when the big prize moves into view it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain that level of performance. Although they now carry more of a goal threat, they've scored just 38 times so far which isn't really enough.
KEY PLAYER:
Michael Kightly. He's the most vibrant of the bunch. Andy Keogh is still finding his feet after his £600,000 move from Scampaignerhorpe United and could do with a goal to kick-start his career but Kightly has taken to football at this level like a duck to water.
THE BOSS:
Mick McCarthy has probably surprised himself at how well he has adapted. But I'm not surprised, Mick knows how to win games of football at this level. Not a lot fazes big Mick.
HOW TO BEAT THEM:
Keeping it tight at Molineux would be a start. Last week, they were giving the youngsters a chance after years of expecting any home team to wipe the floor with the opposition. They may begin to get edgy.
VERDICT:
Seventh. I think they will just miss out this year. But definitely ones to watch next season.
Unfortunately I think he's pretty accurate in his thoughts on us.
We've drawn far too many games, particularly at home where rubbish teams have left happily left St Mary's with a 0-0 result. I think we're as good as any team in the league but we haven't been able to grind out the results as consistently as the likes of Derby.
He's probably a little unfair in questioning the bottle of the team, I don't think we're mentally weak by any means. The squad that got relegated is gone.
Huge couple of months for all of the above teams coming up.
