Friday 26 December 2014 14:05, UK
Each week, Sky Sports experts review the Football League action on FL72. Check out Peter Beagrie's thoughts on the latest action.
Bournemouth and Brentford showing how it’s done
BEAGS SAYS: They’re there on merit. They’re scoring goals for fun, and in the forward areas they’ve got an array of talent. But they’re given a platform – both are defensively very strong as well. Often, when you come up the divisions, you’ve got to have a solid base to operate off. You know they can play when they’ve got the ball, but out of possession these two sides have shown they are quality outfits.
We talk about consistency, and in the top six they’ve changed the teams less often – they’ve only used 21 players each. When they do bring players in it’s like-for-like, and you can see that with Ipswich as well.
Forest unlucky on offside calls
BEAGS SAYS: Stuart Pearce did well to keep a lid on it after the game because they were definitely denied two goals and Matty Fryatt could have had a hat-trick, but I was impressed. It’s easy for managers to make excuses, but if you bemoan your luck then you’re giving the players an excuse. Take that negative energy into the next game and make sure the next team suffers for that injustice.
Mackay has a tough job ahead
BEAGS SAYS: A different manager but exactly the same things for Wigan. I was impressed by Rotherham’s work-rate and in a relegation battle they’ve got the players who can scrap and fight. As far as Wigan are concerned, it’s going to take big players to stand up and be counted – Ben Watson is one of them after the frustration of being injured for a while. That game was one where I thought ‘how much to you really want it’ and they’re going to have to show some real fighting spirit.
No need to panic for Bristol City
BEAGS SAYS: It’s around this Christmas period when you’ve got a lot of games coming up you’ve got to just try and maintain your form. There are going to be little blips, and Crewe was one for Bristol City. No-one ever expected it. You’ve got to carry a little bit of luck, but Williams got sent off so it was always going to be an uphill struggle. It was a quality strike from Jamie Ness that won it for Crewe. He’s got a wonderful left foot. It hasn’t quite happened for him since he’s gone there on loan from Stoke but that will give him a big fillip for Christmas.
Dele Alli stars as Dons hit seven
BEAGS SAYS: There’s certainly a look of Ross Barkley in him, the way he carries the ball. His stature and physique is like Ross’ as well. Because of the connections to Liverpool he’s been compared to Steven Gerrard – high praise indeed. He’s a guy who keeps his feet on the floor and the manager does that, but they’ve got a plethora of talent all round that team.
No fairytale start for Ronnie Moore at Hartlepool
BEAGS SAYS: As a new manager you’re always looking to make an instant impact. He gave the young man Joe Ironside his debut and you’re thinking it’s all going to end with smiles for Ronnie. Unfortunately they couldn’t end it, like the majority of this season, when they took the lead. But Ronnie’s quality at that level. He’s always got a smile on his face and he’s always very honest as well. Danny Hylton, meanwhile, has been having a fantastic season – but for his goals Oxford would be struggling further down the table.
