Saturday 18 April 2015 12:27, UK
There were more thrills and spills in the race for promotion to the Premier League and Soccer Special were there every step of the way on a dramatic day in the Sky Bet Championship.
Following Watford’s victory over Middlesbrough, Paul Walsh, Tony Cottee, Neil Mellor and Matt Murray joined Jeff Stelling in the studio to watch four of the other candidates for promotion and here is their reaction to what happened…
Howe's men go top!
Bournemouth moved back to the top of the table after showing great character to come back from two goals down to beat Birmingham 4-2 at Dean Court.
Walsh believes the race for promotion will be a huge test of Eddie Howe’s side’s nerve but thinks the jury is still out on Callum Wilson and Yann Kermogant’s ability to perform at the highest level.
"Bournemouth didn't move the ball around like they usually do; it was an edgy start,” Walsh said. “There was tension there - and I haven't noticed that before.
"Birmingham had so much space - the first goal came from a ball over the top - but in the second half, Bournemouth were much better; the way they played, they deserved a bit of luck.
"Can they hold their nerve? I'd have to say yes after today. They go 2-0 down - Birmingham stifled them, Bournemouth's wide players never got going for the first half-hour - but they got a bit of luck and they got that momentum going. You have to credit the character they've shown.
Can Bournemouth hold their nerve? I'd have to say yes after today.
"It's about bottle now. The players know that it's in their hands as long as they keep winning their games. The players were certainly nervous today and they'll have to start better; it was only in the second half when they started to play with tempo.”
"Can Wilson and Kermogant do it at the highest level? No,” Walsh added.” Wilson is very quick; he'll cause defences problems getting in behind in the lower leagues but defenders in the Premier League are quicker and cleverer. He'll have to be better in terms of balls into feet and his link-up play.
"Kermogant hasn't got the pace of Wilson but he's a good footballer with a brain. Eddie Howe might have doubts about a lot of his players at the top level - but that's his problem when they get up!"
Canaries move second
Former Liverpool striker Mellor watched Norwich’s 2-0 over Sheffield United and he believes Alex Neil’s side are in a fantastic position to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
"It was comfortable for Norwich and I was impressed by the way they started the game having seen the result between Watford and Middlesbrough,” he said.
“It was a chance for Norwich to get themselves back in the automatic promotion places and they did exactly that. They got on the front and pressed Sheffield Wednesday, who never looked like getting anything from the game."
"Five games to go - it's in their hands,” he added.
"Norwich had a huge slump at the end of last season and ended up going down; at one stage you thought they had no chance of being relegated. But they've responded really well.
"Teams often find it really difficult to adjust to life in the Championship. They didn't lose too many players and they're coming good at the right time.
“They've still got to play Middlesbrough but they're in a fantastic position."
Derby stay in play-offs
Derby got their promotion bid back on track, ending a run of eight games without a win at Wigan.
Chris Martin returned for Steve McClaren’s side from the bench and made an immediate impact with a 51st minute strike before Darren Bent sealed all three points late on.
And Cottee, who was watching for Soccer Special, believes Martin’s return gives Derby a real chance of a return to the Premier League.
“It was more about the three points than the performance for Derby today,” Cottee said.
“It was a poor first-half from both teams but then Chris Martin came on at half-time and made a big difference.
“It was a professional performance from Derby and a big three points. They’ve still got an excellent chance.”
Bees rescue point
Derby leapfrogged Brentford into fifth after their win at the DW Stadium but former Wolves keeper Murray thinks Mark Warburton’s side’s dramatic comeback against Nottingham Forest will be crucial come the end of the season.
Brentford found themselves two goals down with just 15 minutes remaining but hit back through Andre Gray before Jota equalised deep into injury time.
Murray told Soccer Special: “In the end it was a really good point because they equalised in the fifth minute of the (indicated) four minutes of stoppage time.
Brentford will probably go in seeing that like a win. It could prove to be a massive point at the end of the season.
“They kept going and doing their thing but Warburton will be disappointed about the manner of the goals they conceded.
“Brentford will probably go in seeing that like a win. They should have got nothing from that game but they can use that point. It could prove to be a massive point at the end of the season.”
