New Year revolutions

Can a change of manager help Preston, Crystal Palace or Sheffield United, asks Peter Beagrie?

Beags looks at the state of things in the Championship

It's a new year, but very little has changed when you look at the bottom of the Championship table. The teams that were in the relegation mix before the fixture-heavy festive period are still down there, although Middlesbrough have had some decent results and look to be moving in the right direction. If you look at the last six games played by each of the bottom six sides - Preston, Scunthorpe, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Ipswich - they have only managed seven wins between them. Boro have won twice and the rest have won just one solitary game in that time. That tells you how much they're struggling and perhaps it's no surprise to see some managerial changes at those clubs. Gary Speed decided to leave Sheffield United for Wales and has been replaced by Micky Adams. Comparisons can be drawn between him and Neil Warnock; a Blades supporter with fiery character, who is very much his own man. He's been at six clubs since the turn of the century and that proves one thing - he's always wanted. I do feel Sheffield United have got enough in their squad to pull away from the drop zone, but they need a massive overhaul of personnel if they want to get near the play-offs. At least four or five players with mobility and pace are required, and I'd say the same about Middlesbrough. Crystal Palace and Preston both axed their managers over the Christmas period. Those two sides have suffered financially over the last few seasons and that has contributed to their decline. It was sad to see Darren Ferguson lose his job, but Preston had only won five of 22 league games before the turn of the year and had one of the worst defensive records around, so you'd have to say the board were within their rights to pull the trigger. You can also justify the removal of George Burley at Palace, but I feel he did have a very thin squad to work with. I've written many times that Palace can seek solace in their productive academy and despite their financial restraints, there is a lot of young blood coming through. Dougie Freedman won his first game in charge and as a Palace legend they might decide to give him a chance. He has no managerial experience, but has a very cool head and knows the game inside out. He'd also be a cheap option in the short term. It will be interesting to see what those teams decide to do, but it's clear that chairmen were in no mood to spread any festive cheer towards managers when their sides were underachieving.

Up at the top...

As expected, QPR remain top of the pile at the start of the New Year and Cardiff are back into second after their massive midweek win over Leeds. Simon Grayson's side will be kicking themselves after throwing away two-goal leads against Portsmouth and Leicester and then losing to Cardiff. They've only kept five clean sheets all year and that has come back to haunt them. They've only taken three points from their last 12 and if they'd taken seven - as they should have done - they'd be in an automatic place. Those results wouldn't be so bad if they were spaced out across the season, but coming in quick succession it has taken the wind out of their sales a little bit. Watford are up to sixth and I can't speak highly enough of the job Malky Mackay has done with a young and hungry side. Danny Graham was my player of 2010 for his goals and his work ethic, and he has contributed so much to that team. Reading and Nottingham Forest are hot on their heels and Millwall are down in ninth, continuing to prove that they can grind out results when they need to, but can also put lesser sides to the sword - as they showed in their 3-0 win over Palace on New Year's Day. It's still too early to call who will finish in the top six, but I don't think you can look beyond the teams currently in the top half. I doubt that 13th-placed Derby have got enough, for example, after losing a couple of their key players to injury. Perhaps Leicester will come out of the pack and you could maybe look at Hull, who have invested in some new players and are very strong defensively. Finally, a quick mention for Burnley following the sacking of Brian Laws. A couple of seasons ago, this would have been a pleasing position for them but the goalposts have moved following their spell in the Premier League. If Laws could have turned a couple of draws into wins he might have held on to his job, but expectations are quite high at Turf Moor these days. However, nobody has a divine right to go straight back up. You only have to look down the table at Middlesbrough and Sheffield United for evidence of that.

Peter's Picks of the Week

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Jason Puncheon (Millwall)
His hat-trick heroics against Crystal Palace have earned him my Player of the Week gong. I'm not sure if his loan is going to be renewed, but if not this was certainly a great way to sign out in style. The Lions faithful will be desperate for an agreement to be reached.
See Millwall highlights here CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL OF THE WEEK - Andy Taylor (Watford)
This was a tremendous left-footed volley from the young full-back Andy Taylor, smashing it into the roof of the net to set the tome for the Hornets' 3-0 win over Portsmouth.
Click here to view

LEAGUE ONE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Glenn Murray (Brighton)
He has been the focal point of Brighton's success this season, along with strike partner Ashley Barnes. He has scored goals throughout his career and will need to keep them flowing to earn a new contract. He has already got four in 2011 - three against Leyton Orient and one against Leicester - and it would be a great loss to the Seagulls if he was to leave.
See Brighton highlights here LEAGUE ONE GOAL OF THE WEEK - Anthony Pilkington (Huddersfield Town)
This fantastic goal against Sheffield Wednesday lit up our live game on Bank Holiday Monday, a curling left-foot shot from the angle over Nicky Weaver from 25 yards.
Click here to view

LEAGUE TWO PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Jack Midson (Oxford United)
Apologies to Jack Lester who scored a fine hat-trick for Chesterfield against Stockport, but this accolade goes to Jack Midson for his treble in Oxford's 4-3 win at Torquay. He was sent out on loan to Southend earlier this season, but has come back into the Oxford side and has started to replicate the goalscoring touch of his non-league days. His first senior hat-trick is testament to that.
See Oxford highlights here LEAGUE TWO GOAL OF THE WEEK - Omar Daley (Bradford City)
This was an acrobatic volley that took the Bantams within three points of the play-off places. Maybe it also gave Peter Taylor just cause to turn down Alan Pardew's offer to join the staff at the Toon!
See Bradford highlights