john the tinca
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Todays NewsNorthern Ireland's very slim hopes of replacing Spain in this summer's Euro 2008 finals appear to be dashed.
Uefa warned Spain they could be thrown out of the Championships if their government attempted to interfere in the Spanish FA's presidential election.
However, the Spanish FA voted on Monday to ignore any advice from their government and will proceed with their election as originally planned.
Spain topped their qualifying group for the Championship with NI in third.
Luis Aragonés side along with second-placed Sweden qualified for this summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland from Group F, with Nigel Worthington's side missing out.
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Feyenoord coach Bert van Marwijk will take over as Holland manager after Euro 2008, replacing Marco van Basten.
The 55-year-old has been handed a two-year contract, taking him up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"This is the best thing you can achieve as a coach. When the chance comes, you must take it," said Van Marwijk.
Van Basten revealed last month he is to step down as Holland coach after the finals in Austria and Switzerland to take over as manager of Ajax.
Van Marwijk, who had a previous spell at Feyenoord from 2000-2004, has also coached German side Borussia Dortmund.
He added: "Fortunately neither the players nor the board of Feyenoord begrudges me this job."
Van Marwijk, who won the Uefa Cup with Feyenoord in 2002, is the father-in-law of Bayern Munich and Holland midfielder Mark van Bommel.
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john the tinca
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Scotland manager George Burley has revealed that he is weighing up the prospect of calling on Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley.
The 22-year-old right-back was born in Eccles but qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow-born father.
"I will watch Bardsley and assess if he warrants selection," said Burley. "If he does it would be a case of speaking to Phil.
"If he didn't want to play for us that would be the end of the story."
Bardsley agreed a three-and-a-half year deal with Sunderland in January after starting his career with Manchester United.
While at Old Trafford, Bardsley was farmed out on loan to Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers, Aston Villa and Sheffield United.
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Cesc Fabregas insists Arsenal will show no fear when they face Champions League holders AC Milan in the San Siro on Tuesday for a place in the last eight.
The Gunners drew the first leg 0-0 at the Emirates two weeks ago and Fabregas insists they will stay true to their vibrant attacking style in Italy.
"We are young, but we are not scared and we will play our game," he said.
"You have always seen if we are winning or losing, we will never go to defend. We will always want to attack."
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john the tinca
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Lyon's Karim Benzema is a big threat to their chances of reaching the Champions League last eight.
Benzema, 20, scored in the first-leg 1-1 draw and is expected to star again in the second leg on Tuesday.
"Benzema plays as a lone striker and he's a goal threat because of that," Ferguson said.
"The way Benzema took his chance tells you he can score out of nothing and you worry about players like that."
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john the tinca
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Former international referee Graham Poll says players are better behaved when playing in European competitions than in the Premier League.
"They're more respectful because they recognise they're being refereed by one of the elite referees in Europe," Poll told BBC Sport.
Now retired from refereeing, Poll believes familiarity breeds contempt for players in the Premier League.
"Players see the same refs all the time. They have an impression of them."
This season in the Champions League, red cards have been handed out approximately at a rate of one in every 17 games.
In the Premier League, where Poll says the pressure on referees is far more intense, there is a red card in nearly one in every 12 games.
"Regular performances in the Premier League are far more difficult to maintain [for referees]," he said.
"To find that consistent level when you are under constant scrutiny is harder than it is nipping off to Spain once a year, and Italy and Germany once every year.
"Talk to [Premier League] players about why they can behave so much better when playing for England or in the Champions League... their behaviour is very different."
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john the tinca
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Dumbarton goalkeeper Peter Shaw has signed for Junior club Arthurlie on loan until the end of the season.
Shaw last played for the Sons' first-team two weeks ago in the 3-0 league defeat by East Fife.
He has made only three appearances for the Third Division club since signing from Dunfermline in 2006.
Shaw has struggled to establish himself in the first-team and has been back-up to Stephen Grindlay, Anton Nugent and David Crawford.
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john the tinca
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St Johnstone have signed Barry Wilson and Sean Lynch on emergency one month loan deals.
Wilson, 36, has joined from Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Twenty one-year-old Lynch has moved to McDiarmid Park from SPL outfit Hibs.
Saints manager Derek McInnes said he was delighted with his additions.
"I'm very grateful to Craig Brewster and Mixu Paatelainen for their help with these loans and I'm sure both players will add something," he said.
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john the tinca
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St Johnstone have signed Barry Wilson and Sean Lynch on emergency one month loan deals.
Wilson, 36, has joined from Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Twenty one-year-old Lynch has moved to McDiarmid Park from SPL outfit Hibs.
Saints manager Derek McInnes said he was delighted with his additions.
"I'm very grateful to Craig Brewster and Mixu Paatelainen for their help with these loans and I'm sure both players will add something," he said.
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john the tinca
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Gretna's Scottish Premier League match with Dundee United has been postponed for a second time.
The game - which was also called-off on Saturday - failed a 1300GMT pitch inspection because heavy snow on Monday has left the Fir Park pitch saturated.
A new date for the tie will be announced in due course although United boss Craig Levein has stated he would like it to be played on Wednesday.
It becomes the latest match to be postponed at Fir Park this season.
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john the tinca
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The Scottish FA has backed referee Iain Brines over the yellow card he gave to Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Brines booked the Polish keeper for gesturing to the home supporters after the 2-0 win at Easter Road on Saturday.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said the booking was unfair and asked for the rules to be clarified.
But the SFA said Brines was correct to show the yellow card if a player made gestures which are "intended to incite or ridicule opposing spectators".
A player may also be booked if his gestures are "provocative, derisory or inflammatory
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Gordon Strachan says there is plenty of pride at stake for Celtic in Tuesday's second leg of their Champions League tie against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
With the Hoops 3-2 down from the first game, the manager said: "We are angry that we lost the first leg although we understand that we played a great side.
"We want to leave Barcelona players and fans with a good impression of us, that's what we are going to try and do.
"Hopefully, the Nou Camp does inspire the players."
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Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has had his red card from the 4-0 Premier League victory at West Ham rescinded.
Lampard tangled with Luis Boa Morte and then pushed the winger after appearing to get caught by a kick.
Referee Peter Walton consulted his assistant before brandishing his red card and then booked Michael Ballack for his part in the melee that ensued.
Lampard is now free of suspension and can play in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Barnsley.
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Middlesbrough captain Julio Arca is hoping the lure of a trip to Wembley will spur his team-mates to bounce back from Saturday's home defeat to Reading.
Cardiff City travel to Teesside for Sunday's televised FA Cup quarter-final and Arca believes a win would provide the perfect tonic for all concerned.
"Hopefully we'll have a long week to rest," he told BBC Tees.
"It's a big chance to get into the semi-final and then we can look forward to a massive game at Wembley."
Arca was part of the side that completed a sapping FA Cup tie with Sheffield United earlier in the week and he admitted it was tiredness that led to Reading's late winner.
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Forest Green manager Jim Harvey plans to let Terry Burton continue in goal ahead of Ryan Robinson.
Harvey told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that Robinson needs to refocus.
"It was just a case of 'just take a breather, let Terry come back in and carry on for a couple of games and we'll see how we get on'," he said.
"When I was playing I could lose my way through the course of the season and the manager pulled me out. You come back again bigger and stronger for it."
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Salisbury coach Tommy Widdrington is confident of making the Blue Square Premier play-offs on current form.
The Whites are unbeaten in the league since 8 December, winning eight and drawing four of their last 12 matches.
"If we can amass as many points in the next 12 games as we've just done in the last 12, we'll be in them," Widdrington told BBC Radio Wiltshire.
"We've played more games than everybody else, but that means we've got points on the board."
Widdrington added: "If you hit a little streak like Burton are doing at the moment, you don't get any points when you play those games."
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Torquay United manager Paul Buckle says he is proud of his players despite their last minute 2-1 defeat at home to Aldershot on Monday.
Buckle says his side still has a chance of challenging for the Blue Square Premier title if they keep the form they showed against the Shots.
He told BBC Radio Devon: "If we can play like that from now until the end of the season we won't be far away.
"People will drop points between now and the end of the season," he added.
Buckle felt his team deserved a win on merit but they were undone in injury time by a Scott Davies volley.
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Aldershot manager Gary Waddock has played down his side's lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier.
The Shots extended their advantage to 11 points with victory at second-placed Torquay on Monday.
"It's a nice position to be in but it's only March," Waddock told BBC Southern Counties Radio. "We haven't won anything yet, we haven't been promoted.
"We must keep working hard to achieve what we want to achieve. We have 12 important games left."
The victory over Torquay came in injury-time at the end of the game, and Waddock does not think it is a coincidence that they have scored so many late goals this season.
"There's a belief that they keep going to the end. They are also very fit, and have a lot of confidence," he added.
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john the tinca
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Aldershot manager Gary Waddock has played down his side's lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier.
The Shots extended their advantage to 11 points with victory at second-placed Torquay on Monday.
"We must keep working hard to achieve what we want to achieve. We have 12 important games left."
The victory over Torquay came in injury-time at the end of the game, and Waddock does not think it is a coincidence that they have scored so many late goals this season.
"There's a belief that they keep going to the end. They are also very fit, and have a lot of confidence," he added.
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Ebbsfleet's FA Trophy semi-final first leg against Aldershot will kick off at 1200 GMT on Saturday instead of 1500 because of police fears of trouble.
The move could affect the crowd for one of the Fleet's biggest games in years.
There is no history of trouble between the two clubs but police intelligence suggested there could be problems.
Fleet's acting chairman Brian Kilcullen told BBC Radio Kent: "We did strongly push to keep it at three o'clock, but the police said it must be 12."
Ebbsfleet had already put up posters in Northfleet to advertise the game at Stonebridge Road at its initial kick-off time.
Kilcullen added: "It will cost us time and money getting out the message about the change, but we've a good relationship with the police and we have to go with their advice.
"We've got a very exciting game to look forward to, and that outweighs any worries about the change of kick-off."
The winner of the two legged semi-final will play either York or Torquay at Wembley in the final on 10 May.
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Shrewsbury Town manager Gary Peters has left the club by mutual consent.
It follows a poor run of form which has seen the team take six points from 12 matches, with only one win this year.
"Whatever we can do for us to get results we need to do. If that means me leaving the club then that is what needs to be," said Peters.
The 53-year-old has been in charge since November 2004 and leaves the club 16th in League Two. Assistant boss John McMahon takes temporary charge.
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On-loan Lincoln striker Louis Dodds has said he may be interested in signing a permanent contract at Sincil Bank in the summer when his loan deal ends.
Dodds is currently on a season-long loan from Leicester City.
The forward, who has been playing in midfield, has scored nine goals for the Imps from 29 starts.
The 21-year-old told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "This is a fantastic club that is going places but we will have to see what the gaffer says
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Peterborough goalkeeper Joe Lewis has been named as League Two's player of the month for February.
Lewis joined Posh from Norwich for £400,000 in January, and only conceded one goal in six league appearances during February.
He also saved a penalty in their recent 2-1 win at Chesterfield.
The other contenders for the award were Hereford's Gary Hooper, Dagenham & Redbridge's Ben Strevens and Milton Keynes Dons midfielder Mark Wright.
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Hereford United defender John McCombe said he is hopeful that the Bulls will overcome their recent poor form.
Hereford's six game winning run came to an end at Dagenham last Tuesday and the Bulls suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stockport at Edgar Street on Saturday.
McCombe told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "The players know how good we are and all the other teams have had a blip.
"We've just got to try and make sure our blip is not as long and get back to winning ways as soon as we can."
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Former Preston boss Paul Simpson would be interested in the vacant managerial post at Shrewsbury Town, BBC Radio Shropshire understands.
It is believed Simpson admires the ambition of the club and the job is one he would be interested in.
It is also understood that the club only has a very small list of candidates for the post.
Gary Peters left the Shrews by mutual consent on Monday after Town slipped to 16th in League Two.
Simpson was sacked from his job at Preston in November after winning just three league games all season.
He also led his hometown club Carlisle to back-to-back promotions after taking over in 2003.
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Bradford City have won the Best Fan Marketing Award at the Football League Awards.
City have been given the accolade for slashing their ticket prices to just £138, the lowest in the League.
The idea by joint-chairman Julian Rhodes has seen the club's attendances jump from 8,694 in League One to 13,765 in League Two.
"We are really trying to get back into the community and the response has been fantastic," said Rhodes.
The club is planning to continue the groundbreaking offers, by setting up a two-for-one deal next season if the current 9,000 adult season ticket holders sign up again.
City's current attendance is more than three times higher than the League Two's average of 4,212 and several other clubs are believed to be considering a similar scheme for next year.
Bantams manager Stuart McCall said: "We keep saying it but the backing we get is tremendous. Not just at home but when we go away we take around 1,000 with us every time."
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Rotherham boss Mark Robins was not a happy man after they were beaten 1-0 by Accrington at Millmoor.
"It was a shocking performance - the worst in the second half that I have seen for a long time," he fumed.
"I was embarrassed to be on the touchline, because that wasn't my team at all. Our passing was terrible.
"We have to pick ourselves up or we will be out of the play-offs and looking over our shoulders at relegation if we aren't careful."
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Swindon boss Maurice Malpas has called for more consistency from his players.
The Robins have won just once in their last seven games and Malpas told BBC Radio Swindon: "Consistency I think is the word I've got to try and emphasise.
"We need consistency in terms of the team selection. To get that we need consistency in the team performance.
"To get that we need consistency of players' performances. The bottom line is, by being consistent we'll get results," he added.
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Carlisle United boss John Ward believes Monday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest proves they are capable of clinching promotion to the Championship.
The result stunned a packed City Ground and Ward is confident his side can handle the pressure of playing at a higher level.
"There's a fantastic attitude to this team," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"The win gives us that bit of confidence to go and stand up to teams and to play and get results."
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Brighton striker Glenn Murray has been named as League One's player of the month for February.
Murray, signed from Rochdale in late January, scored four goals in five games for the Seagulls during February.
Including games for Rochdale, the in-form front man has scored 10 goals in his last 14 appearances.
The other contenders for the award were Southend forward Lee Barnard, Bristol Rovers striker Rickie Lambert and Carlisle forward Danny Graham
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Nottingham Forest's on-loan striker Will Hoskins will have a scan on a troublesome back injury.
The Watford player was given the all-clear last week to resume training but the problem has returned.
"We're in the dark about the injury but hope the scan will tell us once and for all what the problem is," Forest boss Colin Calderwood told the club website.
Hoskins, 21, is at the City Ground until the end of the season with view to a £500,000 permanent move
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Brighton have completed the signing of Leeds midfielder Ian Westlake on loan until 5 April for Albion's hectic spell of nine league games in a month.
The 24-year-old former Ipswich man has signed in time to face Gillingham at the Withdean on Tuesday.
Manager Dean Wilkins said: "He is exactly the calibre of player we want to bring in to strengthen the squad."
Westlake is not eligible to take on Leeds at Elland Road on 29 March under the terms of the loan deal.
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Scunthorpe United have signed Leeds winger Curtis Weston on loan until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has made 11 appearances for Leeds this campaign after a summer move from Swindon.
The Iron manager Nigel Adkins had been looking to add pace to his team down the right hand side in the wake of Cleveland Taylor's move to Carlisle.
Weston will be in contention for Saturday's derby game against Hull City at the KC Stadium.
The midfielder holds the record as the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup final at the age of 17 years 119 days, turning out for Millwall against Manchester United in 2004.
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Scunthorpe United have signed Leeds winger Curtis Weston on loan until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has made 11 appearances for Leeds this campaign after a summer move from Swindon.
The Iron manager Nigel Adkins had been looking to add pace to his team down the right hand side in the wake of Cleveland Taylor's move to Carlisle.
Weston will be in contention for Saturday's derby game against Hull City at the KC Stadium.
The midfielder holds the record as the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup final at the age of 17 years 119 days, turning out for Millwall against Manchester United in 2004.
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Crewe coach Steve Holland will step up his search for a striker if Nicky Maynard's hamstring injury is worse than first feared.
Maynard lasted just 22 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Northampton before he sustained the injury.
Alex have identified a number of transfer targets but has so far been unsuccessful in signing any strikers.
Holland told BBC Radio Stoke: "We'll just have to keep trying. We could do with two new strikers, not just one."
He added: "We had a good go at signing McLeod (Charlton Athletic striker Izale), but he decided to go to Colchester instead because he wanted to stay in the Championship.
"There's no other answer - we'll just keep trying."
Maynard's hamstring problem is the latest in a long list of injuries that the young striker has had to overcome this season.
The 21-year-old, who has scored four goals so far this term, suffered a broken leg on the opening day of the season against Brighton.
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Yeovil goalkeeper Scott Flinders said he wants to prolong his stay after recording his second clean sheet in four games against Gillingham.
The 21-year-old arrived from Crystal Palace on loan mid-February after Steve Mildenhall had been ruled out for six weeks through injury.
Flinders told BBC Somerset: "I want to play as many games as possible.
"I am taking it game by game. I will speak to the manager when it [the loan deal] expires."
The young keeper played 10 games on loan at Gillingham last season and was pleased to keep his former club out in Saturday's goalless draw at Priestfield.
"It is always good to go back to your former club and it was a well-fought draw," he said. "The back lads dug in really well and we are pleased with a point
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Walsall defender Rhys Weston has signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at the club until 2010.
The 27-year-old initially signed for a year when he joined the Saddlers from Port Vale in the summer of 2007 and is thrilled to be staying.
"I'm delighted. It's a nice feeling to have my future sorted out and I can now concentrate on the run-in and helping this club get promoted," he said.
"I've had a great start to my Walsall career so far."
The Wales international has also had spells with Arsenal and in Norway with Viking FK and has been an integral figure in Walsall's bid to win promotion to the Championship this season.
"Rhys has become an important member of the team," Saddlers' boss Richard Money added.
"His performances have become more and more consistent as the season has progressed and we hope that, over the next two years, he will continue to be an important player for Walsall."
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Swansea's League One title challenge has been boosted by the news that Jason Scotland has not broken his toe.
It was feared the Swans' top scorer had suffered a serious blow after Scotland was stretchered off at the end of their 1-0 win at Huddersfield on Saturday.
But Swans physio Richie Evans told the club website that the damage was minor.
"The X-ray revealed no fracture, there was a dislocation there but it won't cause him to miss Friday's game against Millwall," Evans said.
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Defender Krystian Pearce has extended his loan spell at Port Vale for a further month.
Parent club Birmingham have given the green light for the centre-back to continue his stay at Vale Park.
Manager Lee Sinnott told BBC Radio Stoke: "He is mature beyond his years and he is learning all the time he is here. We are pleased he is staying."
The 18-year-old, who has made four appearances for Vale, will now stay on at the club until the end of March.
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Luton boss Mick Harford was upset with his players after the Hatters lost 1-0 to Walsall to leave them 11 points from safety in League One.
"The first-half performance was unacceptable - the players have totally let themselves down," he said.
"We picked up in the second half, but overall it was very disappointing - the performance was totally inept.
"The whole team is feeling sorry for themselves - it has to be a massive improvement from them."
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Northampton boss Stuart Gray was left frustrated after they drew 0-0 with Crewe - the Cobblers' first goalless draw for 14 months.
"It was a case of two points dropped, but at least it is a clean sheet and keeps our run going," Gray said.
"The ball was in their box enough, but we could not get that break and find that elusive strike.
"Our defensive record is improving, but we just needed someone to make something happen at the other end."
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West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray says on-loan striker Luke Moore is well aware he has to be patient for his chance in the side.
The Baggies are the Championship's top scorers and Mowbray told BBC WM Moore knew he would not be an automatic pick.
"We made Luke aware that we have some quality and have scored a lot of goals and he came with his eyes wide open.
"I want him to feel part of what we're trying to achieve here and he'll get the opportunity to get on the pitch."
First-choice strikers Kevin Phillips and Roman Bednar have scored 33 goals between them so far this season and Mowbray admits Moore will have a tough job getting past them.
Phillips, 34, was recently voted the Championship's Player of The Year and Mowbray is full of praise for his veteran forward.
"Kevin's scored some wonderful goals and his goal ratio is pretty special," said the Baggies boss.
"He works extremely hard in training and is a model pro. He's getting the rewards he deserves from the work he puts in day in, day out."
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Charlton manager Alan Pardew wants his team's home form to be the basis of a Championship promotion challenge.
The Addicks are unbeaten in four league matches at the Valley ahead of Tuesday's match with Bristol City.
Pardew told BBC London Charlton's fans have a part to play: "They have been brilliant and we're a lot more confidence at home at the moment.
"The last five or six home games have been terrific, we haven't won them all but the Watford game was brilliant."
He added: "We only ended up with a draw through a couple of dubious goals.
"The most important thing at home is we have a lot more confidence and assurance than we do away.
"We had it at the start of the year in complete reverse and we have to try and put the two together but we haven't managed to do that this year."
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Stoke midfielder Liam Lawrence has been named as the Championship's player of the month for February.
Lawrence scored four goals in six appearances during the month, including a brace in the 3-2 win over Scunthorpe, as Stoke won five consecutive games.
Potters boss Tony Pulis was named as manager of the month last week.
The other contenders for the award were Blackpool striker Paul Dickov, Hull forward Fraizer Campbell and Plymouth midfielder Peter Halmosi.
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Blackpool assistant manager Tony Parkes and first-team coach Steve Thompson have signed new deals which will keep them at Bloomfield Road until 2010.
The pair have been instrumental in the Championship club's recent revival.
Parkes and Thompson helped the club win promotion to English football's second tier for the first time in 29 years.
"We feel we're punching above our weight. What we have done so far has been above expectation," Parkes, 58, told BBC Radio Lancashire.
Parkes arrived at Bloomfield Road in December 2005 after a long and successful involvement with Blackburn's coaching staff which culminated in winning the Premier League title in 1995.
Thompson started with the club's Centre of Excellence before becoming Head of Youth in 2005.
The 43-year-old took over the role as first-team coach 12 months later.
Parkes also paid tribute to the impact Grayson has made in his first spell in management.
"Working with Simon has been excellent and we all just hope we can take Blackpool further," he said.
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Andy Griffin has won his appeal against the red card he was given against QPR.
The Potters, who were 2-0 down at the time, went on to lose the game 3-0 at Loftus Road to record their second straight away defeat.
The full-back would have been facing a three match ban but will now be available to face Burnley on Saturday.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis asked referee Andy D'Urso straight after the game to review the challenge on Hogan Ephraim that had led to Griffin's dismissal.
"I have asked the referee to look at it again and I'm hoping he will realise he's made a mistake," he said.
"If Ephraim had the ball at his feet it would be touch and go. But he was nowhere near it - the ball was out and free.
"(Referee) Andy D'Urso didn't have the best view of it and has agreed to have a look at the video."
D'Urso subsequently admitted that he was wrong to dismiss Griffin.
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Stoke City have signed Wigan keeper Carlo Nash on loan for three months, subject to clearance from the Football Association and Football League.
City boss Tony Pulis has been looking for a goalkeeper since Marton Fulop was recalled by Sunderland in late February after just a week at the Potters.
"Carlo is a good goalkeeper, and he will play a big part in the rest of the season," Pulis told the club website.
The 34-year-old will be eligible for the play-offs should Stoke be involved.
"We were disappointed to lose Marton, but I am delighted to bring in another top-class goalkeeper," added Pulis.
Nash has made 233 league appearances for seven clubs, including Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Middlesbrough.
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Sunderland boss Roy Keane has questioned referee Mike Riley's decision to rule out Michael Chopra's goal in Saturday's draw with Derby.
Television replays showed Chopra was onside before scoring and Keane was left rueing two points dropped in a critical match for the Black Cats.
"We did score, but the officials have disallowed it and I don't know why," Keane told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"He clearly thinks he's offside when he's more than level with the player."
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Everton manager David Moyes says Mersey rivals Liverpool remain favourites to clinch the fourth Champions League spot in the Premier League this season.
Both teams won on Sunday, leaving Everton three points ahead of Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Moyes said: "We are doing everything we can to make a fight of it but Liverpool have to be favourites, still.
"We have been consistent but for them fourth would be expected. The bookies are right to make them favourites
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Newcastle United striker Alan Smith has urged his team-mates to start showing their mettle after Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Blackburn.
The Magpies are without a win in seven games and now sit just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Smith told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It is a time where we have to stand up and be counted, go out in front of 52,000 people and prove our worth.
"We've got to show to everyone that we want to fight for the cause."
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Derby County boss Paul Jewell is confident midfielder Robbie Savage will be back to his best in the near future.
Savage, 33, was dropped for Saturday's draw with Sunderland and has struggled for fitness and form since his £1.5m move from Blackburn in January.
"He's so desperate to do well for Derby. I think it's probably taken over his life a little bit at the moment," Jewell told BBC Radio Derby.
"He will come back better and stronger, I'm sure about it."
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Reading hope Ivory Coast international midfielder Emerse Fae will be available soon after he contracted malaria while on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
The 24-year-old had blood tests on Sunday after falling ill ahead of Saturday's match at Middlesbrough and flying back down south.
Physio Jon Fearn told the club website: "It lay dormant for a couple of weeks before coming out at the weekend.
"He is recovering well at home and shouldn't be out for too long."
Tottenham Hotspur's Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora also contracted malaria in 2006 while former Newcastle United and Portsmouth player Lomana Lualua, now with Olympiakos, has also had the disease after travelling to Africa.
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john the tinca
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Midfielder Tim Cahill has apologised for his goal celebration during Everton's 3-1 win against Portsmouth.
After scoring on Sunday, Cahill crossed his wrists as if handcuffed in a gesture of support to brother Sean, who is serving a six-year jail sentence.
Cahill said: "It was a spontaneous and emotional reaction but was only intended to signify to my brother that I was thinking of him and missing him.
"I wholeheartedly apologise if any offence was caused."
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john the tinca
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Liverpool's owners have been given a £400m take-it-or-leave-it offer from Dubai International Capital to buy the club, BBC Sport understands.
Government-run Dubai investment fund DIC have been in talks with George Gillett and Tom Hicks to buy the club.
BBC 5 Live understands Gillett is willing to sell, but co-owner Hicks is not, but both have to agree to sell for any deal to go through.
DIC has denied the deadline for a decision is by the end of Tuesday.
"I'm told the offer from DIC is £400m," said BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard.
"Mindful of how they were passed over 12 months ago with a previous offer, I understand DIC want an answer fast."
DIC confirmed on Tuesday it had been in talks with American duo Hicks and Gillett about purchasing a stake in the Anfield club.
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john the tinca
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Defender Ashley Williams has been tipped for Welsh honours by his Stockport County manager Jim Gannon.
The 23-year-old County captain has been watched by Wales boss John Toshack and could earn his first call for the 26 March friendly in Luxembourg.
"I think Toshack will be suitably impressed with the outstanding contribution of Williams," said Gannon.
"Although we might lose him for one league game, we're really looking forward to him getting a call-up."
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john the tinca
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The New Saints suffered a blow to their Welsh Premier title ambitions with Tuesday's 4-0 defeat by leaders Llanelli at Stebonheath Park.
A win would have put the Saints top of the league, but the defeat has damaged their hopes of a record-equalling fourth consecutive league title.
Craig Jones provided the crosses for Chris Holloway and Wyn Thomas to put Llanelli two-up before the break.
Thomas made it 3-0 on 67 minutes and Jones added a fourth 13 minutes later.
Llanelli's win came despite playing two games in the last eight days, including extra-time on Sunday.
They are now in the driving seat, with a three point lead and a better goal difference than the Saints.
The crucial final game of the season between the two at Oswestry's Park Hall on 19 April could prove to be the title decider.
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john the tinca
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Cardiff were left to rue missed chances as play-off chasing Crystal Palace held them to a goalless draw.
Palace stopper Julian Speroni denied Roger Johnson before Cardiff's Paul Parry and Kevin McNaughton wasted good opportunities after the break.
City's Glenn Loovens failed to convert Peter Whittingham's teasing cross while a shot from Aaron Ramsey hit the post.
Clinton Morrison could have snatched three points for Palace but he could not head in Ben Watson's cross.
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john the tinca
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Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale admits next weeks's court case may be the only way of solving a wrangle with Langston over a £24m loan.
The club's biggest creditor wants the debt repaid now, but City officials say it is not due until 2016.
Ridsdale says he wants to sort it out of court, but concedes that is unlikely to happen.
"If that's what we have to do if nothing's resolved before then, we're in good shape to go," he said.
Ridsdale has previously warned that Cardiff will be forced into administration if they lose the court case.
But he said whatever the outcome, the city would still have a football club and a new ground to play in.
"If they (Langston) were to succeed, we wouldn't be able to repay the debt," he said.
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john the tinca
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The idea of a Great Britain football team at the Olympics has received the backing of the government.
Andy Burnham, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, is backing efforts to have a GB outfit at the London 2012 Games.
"The idea of seeing a British football team is something I feel very excited about," he said.
The Scottish and Welsh football bodies have opposed any such move in case it affects their status within Fifa.
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john the tinca
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Holders Linfield ensured their place in the semi-finals of the JJB Sports Irish Cup by thumping Newry City 4-0 in Wednesday night's quarter-final replay.
Oran Kearney opened the scoring with a low left foot shot in the second minute and then Glenn Ferguson headed in a Damien Curran corner from six yards.
Ferguson scored his second with a 78th minute penalty after Robert Robinson had brought down Jamie Mulgrew.
Thompson made it 4-0 on 82 minutes after accepting a Thomas Stewart pass.
Kearney netted the opener with a shot inside the post after Tim Mouncey's effort had been blocked by a defender.
Ferguson grabbed his first on eight minutes and then had a shot cleared off the line by City defender Cullen Feeney.
Robinson saved from a Ferguson close-range shot and the veteran striker went close again before Thompson had a shot deflected over for a corner.
Before the break, Thompson shot straight at Robinson and Ferguson was wide with another effort as the Belfast Blues dominated proceedings.
After half-time, Stephen Garrett almost pulled one back for Newry with a header but Ferguson sealed the win with his spot-kick after Mulgrew was brought down by Robinson as he raced clear on goal.
Substitute Stewart squared the ball for Thompson to complete the rout.
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john the tinca
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Portadown striker Gary McCutcheon will miss the rest of the season because of a knee ligament injury.
The club's top scorer was stretchered off near the end of the Irish Cup match against Cliftonville last Saturday.
That means Portadown manager Ronnie McFall will be without his three main front men for Saturday's Premier League match against Lisburn Distillery.
Andy Smith, Kevin Braniff and Aime Koulou are all suspended for the Shamrock Park fixture.
Portadown are currently five points behind fourth-placed Distillery.
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john the tinca
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Coleraine fought back from a goal down to crush Institute in Tuesday's JJB Sports Irish Cup quarter-final replay at the Showgrounds.
Graeme Philson nodded Institute ahead on four minutes but John Neill levelled on 13 minutes and Stephen Carson fired Coleraine ahead eight minutes later.
Kyle McVey added to Coleraine's lead from the penalty spot on 53 minutes.
Darren Cassidy's goal (65) ended any prospects of an Institute comeback and Jody Tolan (72) completed the scoring.
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Dundee have signed midfielder Patrick Noubissie from Hibernian on loan until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old Frenchman will be eligible to play in Saturday's Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Queen of the South.
Hibs signed Noubissie last August and immediately loaned him to First Division outfit Livingston, where he made eight appearances for the club.
Noubissie had been released after playing three times for Swindon Town.
The Frenchman started his career at CS Brétigny-sur-Orge before heading for Le Mée-sur-Seine SF, CS Sedan Ardennes and US Roye Foot Picardie 80.
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St Johnstone winger Bobby Barr has joined Albion Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 19-year-old was given a full-time contract at McDiarmid Park in the summer of 2006, having come through the youth ranks.
Barr is yet to feature for the first team at St Johnstone.
However, he went straight into the Rovers line-up and played 77 minutes of the Third Division 1-1 draw at Elgin City on Wednesday evening
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john the tinca
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Stranraer have secured the services of several players on new agreements.
Scott Black, John Kane, James McKinstry and Danny Mitchell have all signed up with the Blues until May 2009, according to the club website.
Manager Derek Ferguson and assistant Keith Knox are also hoping that James Creaney, Darren Gribben and Kevin Nicoll will put pen to paper shortly.
The Stair Park club are starting the process of retaining the nucleus of the squad for next season and beyond.
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A foot injury will force Laryea Kingston to miss a crunch phase of the Scottish Premier League season.
The Ghana and Hearts midfielder has been ruled out for a further four weeks with a foot injury.
The 27-year-old played for the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
But he has not featured for his club since 1 December, having been absent for Hearts with an unrelated foot injury prior to the Cup of Nations.
While preparing for his country's Africa Nations Cup quarter-final against Nigeria, Kingston sustained the latest foot problem which has kept him on the sidelines at Tynecastle ever since.
"It's not ideal, by any stretch of the imagination to be without Larry for the next four weeks, but it's really important that we have him back fully fit," Hearts caretaker boss Stevie Frail told the club's website.
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john the tinca
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Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher has been named Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month for February.
The 20-year-old scored five goals as Hibs picked up 13 points from a possible 15 last month.
His highlight was a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over Gretna at Easter Road on 13 February.
This is Fletcher's second Young Player of the Month award this season, with the forward having previously picked up the accolade in August.
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john the tinca
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The Scottish FA has backed referee Iain Brines over the yellow card he gave to Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Brines booked the Polish keeper for gesturing to the home supporters after the 2-0 win at Easter Road on Saturday.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said the booking was unfair and asked for the rules to be clarified.
But the SFA said Brines was correct to show the yellow card if a player made gestures which are "intended to incite or ridicule opposing spectators".
A player may also be booked if his gestures are "provocative, derisory or inflammatory".
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Avram Grant hailed Chelsea's intelligent approach as they cruised into the last eight of the Champions League with victory over Olympiakos.
Chelsea boss Grant said after the 3-0 win: "The team was patient, held the ball most of the time and were quick when needed. It was clever football.
"I'm happy of course. We won, we are in the next round and played good football. The team was very mature.
"We knew Olympiakos always score away so we knew they were very dangerous
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Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi will be out for six weeks with a thigh injury sustained in Tuesday's win over Celtic in the Champions League.
The 20-year-old went off in tears after suffering a tear in his left leg.
He will now miss the quarter-finals of the Champions League and will struggle to be fit for the semi-finals if Barcelona reach that stage.
"He is an important player for us and this is a sad moment for the players," said Barca coach Frank Rijkaard.
Messi spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a similar injury during December and January.
It is the fourth time the Argentine has suffered this type of injury in the last three seasons.
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john the tinca
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Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has had his red card from the 4-0 Premier League victory at West Ham rescinded.
Lampard tangled with Luis Boa Morte and then pushed the winger after appearing to get caught by a kick.
Referee Peter Walton consulted his assistant before brandishing his red card and then booked Michael Ballack for his part in the melee that ensued.
Lampard is now free of suspension and can play in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Barnsley.
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john the tinca
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Former Grays Athletic goalkeeper Nicky Eyre has returned to his former club on a loan deal.
Eyre returns to the New Recreation Ground until the end of the season from current club St Albans.
The 22-year-old started his career at Tottenham Hotspur representing England at under-15 and under-17 level.
He has also had spells at Dagenham & Redbridge and Rushden & Diamonds before joining St Albans for the start of the 2007-08 campaign.
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john the tinca
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Forest Green striker Adriano Rigoglioso says five or six wins will put Rovers back in contention for the play-offs.
Rigoglioso got on the scoresheet for the first time this season on Tuesday, with his hat-trick helping Rovers to a 6-0 win away to Weymouth.
"I suppose the fans are a little bit restless because there's a little gap between us and the play-offs," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"We'll be back in there. The season's not over, not by any means."
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john the tinca
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Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish is furious one of the club's biggest games in years is starting at 1200 GMT because of police concerns about trouble.
Daish says the club will lose money because the first leg of the FA Trophy semi-final against Aldershot has been brought forward from 1500 on Saturday.
He told BBC Radio Kent: "I can't understand it. Ebbsfleet v Aldershot - we should be able to deal with that.
"I don't see any other constabularies bringing their games forward."
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john the tinca
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Oxford United manager Darren Patterson is refusing to be downhearted despite Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Cambridge.
Patterson's side sit 15th in the table after Lee Boylan scored twice, with Matthew Green netting for Oxford.
"We'll not drop our heads, we are pleased with how we are going," Patterson told BBC Radio Oxford.
"Now we are now competitive in every game, that's positive. Yes we need to improve but we won't be downhearted by this."
The Us host play-off chasing Burton Albion on Saturday at the Kassam Stadium.
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Manager Tommy Taylor says Boston United have no chance of making the play-offs at the end of the season.
The Pilgrims were beaten 1-0 by Barrow on Tuesday, slipping to 11th in Blue Square North and twelve points behind the play-off places.
"The season is over for us but we have got to keep it going," the Boston boss told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
Taylor's team suffered a double relegation from League Two at the end of last season.
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john the tinca
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York City manager Colin Walker wants better performances from his players after Tuesday's goalless draw with Burton Albion.
Walker believes his side were given a footballing lesson by Nigel Clough's promotion-chasing outfit.
Walker told BBC Radio York: "I thought we were beaten by a good Burton side but we managed to scrape a point out of a very poor team performance.
"It's down to the coaching staff to get them right."
Walker felt the performance was nothing like what he had seen since he took over as manager in November.
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Aldershot manager Gary Waddock has played down his side's lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier.
The Shots extended their advantage to 11 points with victory at second-placed Torquay on Monday.
"It's a nice position to be in but it's only March," Waddock told BBC Southern Counties Radio. "We haven't won anything yet, we haven't been promoted.
"We must keep working hard to achieve what we want to achieve. We have 12 important games left."
The victory over Torquay came in injury-time at the end of the game, and Waddock does not think it is a coincidence that they have scored so many late goals this season.
"There's a belief that they keep going to the end. They are also very fit, and have a lot of confidence," he added.
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Torquay United manager Paul Buckle says he is proud of his players despite their last minute 2-1 defeat at home to Aldershot on Monday.
Buckle says his side still has a chance of challenging for the Blue Square Premier title if they keep the form they showed against the Shots.
He told BBC Radio Devon: "If we can play like that from now until the end of the season we won't be far away.
"People will drop points between now and the end of the season," he added.
Buckle felt his team deserved a win on merit but they were undone in injury time by a Scott Davies volley.
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john the tinca
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Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates has praised his side after they recorded their first win in six weeks with Tuesday's 6-0 defeat of Stafford.
Striker Iyseden Christie and midfielder Simon Russell both scored twice and Darryl Knights and Matthew Barnes-Homer were also on target.
"The belief is still there," Harriers manager Mark Yates told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
"We know we have under-achieved, but we are not giving up without a fight."
Yates added: "The players have gone out there tonight and shown they are decent players.
"We changed one or two faces today, we just picked a team that we felt were going to cause Stafford problems.
"It was a good pitch and we wanted to pay slick passing football, which we did, but we showed the commitment as well."
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Striker Hector Sam has left Notts County by mutual consent after spending less than a season at Meadow Lane.
The 30-year-old joined from Walsall and has played 24 times for the Magpies, but started just nine of those games.
Sam's hopes of first team football have suffered further blows with the recent signings of Danny Crow and Ryan Jarvis.
"Hector has worked hard during his time here and we would like to wish him all the very best for the future," said Magpies assistant boss Dave Kevan.
The Trinidad and Tobago international scored just twice in Magpies colours - once in October's 3-2 home defeat to Hereford and then in the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Histon the following month.
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Bradford City defender Matt Clarke faces a three-week injury lay-off with medial ligament damage.
The 27-year-old centre-back has missed City's last three games after a training-ground injury and is likely to be out until the end of March.
But fellow central defender Mark Bower is set to return for the Bantams after a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since last year.
Loanee TJ Moncur has played alongside David Wetherall in Clark's absence.
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john the tinca
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Shrewsbury Town's managing director Rob Bickerton said the club will not panic in their search for a new manager.
The Shrews are now taking applications for the vacant managerial post after Gary Peters left the club by mutual agreement on Monday.
Bickerton told BBC Radio Shropshire: "We don't have a great rush and we're not in panic station mode. We're in considered decision making mode."
Coach John McMahon has taken temporary charge until an appointment is made.
Bickerton added: "We're not rushing. There's a process to go through which involves collation of interested parties and establishing whether any of those parties are of interest to us.
"Then you have to go through an interview process. More often than not there's a couple of interviews at least before you get to the point of attempting to appoint somebody and discussing their terms."
Shrewsbury are 16th in League Two
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john the tinca
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Grimsby chairman John Fenty has revealed that reaching the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley has netted the club around £400,000.
The Mariners have been given roughly 25,000 tickets for their 30 March Wembley date against MK Dons.
Fenty told BBC Look North: "Broadly speaking this competition from start to finish is probably going to be worth around £400,000.
"Wembley will bring enormous new income streams to the football club."
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john the tinca
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Grimsby manager Alan Buckley says going to Wembley for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final will put a smile back on the face of the Mariners' fans.
A 1-0 aggregate win over Morecambe has set up a Trophy final against MK Dons on 30 March at Wembley.
Buckley told BBC Radio Humberside: "I'm pleased, people have been talking again about the club because of the Wembley thing, it's good for the club and town.
"We have put a smile back on the faces, Wembley has got a special magic."
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Barnet boss Paul Fairclough has called on his team to improve their discipline after they went down to 10 men for the 10th time this season on Tuesday.
Jason Puncheon was sent off for kicking a ball at an assistant referee.
"Give me 11 players on the pitch and we'll compete in this league," he said after the 2-0 defeat to Peterborough.
"I spoke to the players and had them commit to the end of the season to ensure that they're not going to be red carded for a discipline like that."
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Darlington boss Dave Penney believes the playing surface at the Arena is hampering their efforts to gain promotion from League Two this season.
The Quakers' home form has been decent but it is the impact on their style of play that frustrates the former Doncaster manager most of all.
"Pitches away from home are better and we pass it better," he told BBC Tees.
"Our pitch isn't the best, and we can't get it down and play the quick flowing football we'd like to."
Tuesday night's 1-0 victory at home to Chester made it three wins from three and Penney is keen to secure the club's place in League One whatever it takes.
"We want to try and get up as quickly as possible, and we'll do anything we can do to get ourselves up there," he said.
"That four-point gap and the goal difference might be vital at the end."
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On-loan Lincoln striker Louis Dodds has said he may be interested in signing a permanent contract at Sincil Bank in the summer when his loan deal ends.
Dodds is currently on a season-long loan from Leicester City.
The forward, who has been playing in midfield, has scored nine goals for the Imps from 29 starts.
The 21-year-old told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "This is a fantastic club that is going places but we will have to see what the gaffer says."
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john the tinca
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Hereford United defender John McCombe said he is hopeful that the Bulls will overcome their recent poor form.
Hereford's six game winning run came to an end at Dagenham last Tuesday and the Bulls suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stockport at Edgar Street on Saturday.
McCombe told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "The players know how good we are and all the other teams have had a blip.
"We've just got to try and make sure our blip is not as long and get back to winning ways as soon as we can."
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john the tinca
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As job offers go, taking charge of a team clinging on to its Football League life hardly appears the most enticing.
But the gloomy outlook provided by Macclesfield Town's run of just two wins since the middle of November did not deter Keith Alexander.
The 49-year-old made a rapid return to football at Moss Rose last week, just six weeks on from his dismissal as director of football at Bury.
But he said: "I'm a manager. I like to be involved with players day-to-day."
Alexander told BBC Sport: "In the last job I didn't have that so it's great to be back.
"That's the thing with football. You rarely get a job with a team that is top of the league or doing well.
"You have to rescue people or go to clubs that have been in administration, that sort of thing.
"I have got a reputation for doing that. It was like that at Lincoln, then Peterborough had little money when I went there and it was the same at Bury.
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john the tinca
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Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt has denied the club are expecting a written takeover bid from a mystery consortium.
Bratt told BBC Radio Stoke: "In the last three months we've had three people interested, but no-one has come back to us."
Bratt also said a potential buyer needs at least £5m to be taken seriously.
However, a cheaper alternative to get a controlling interest in the club would be to buy 51% of the club's shares from existing shareholders, worth £1.1m.
Failing that, a buyer could purchase £1.1m of new shares, which the club have made available.
The board of directors have denied a sale is imminent and have stressed that any potential buyer would be thoroughly checked to ensure the bidder and their proposed finances are genuine.
Another stipulation of any sale would be that the club remains at Vale Park, and not moved to a new stadium.
Any deal, however, would first have to be approved by the club's shareholders.
They would have to vote in favour of overturning a rule that prevents anyone buying more than a 24.9% of the club's shares.
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john the tinca
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Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt has denied the club are expecting a written takeover bid from a mystery consortium.
Bratt told BBC Radio Stoke: "In the last three months we've had three people interested, but no-one has come back to us."
Bratt also said a potential buyer needs at least £5m to be taken seriously.
However, a cheaper alternative to get a controlling interest in the club would be to buy 51% of the club's shares from existing shareholders, worth £1.1m.
Failing that, a buyer could purchase £1.1m of new shares, which the club have made available.
The board of directors have denied a sale is imminent and have stressed that any potential buyer would be thoroughly checked to ensure the bidder and their proposed finances are genuine.
Another stipulation of any sale would be that the club remains at Vale Park, and not moved to a new stadium.
Any deal, however, would first have to be approved by the club's shareholders.
They would have to vote in favour of overturning a rule that prevents anyone buying more than a 24.9% of the club's shares.
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john the tinca
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Huddersfield Town manager Andy Ritchie blamed 'schoolboy defending' for Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Swindon.
Town went 3-0 down inside half an hour and, although Phil Jevons scored two penalties, Town could not level against the nine men of Swindon.
Ritchie told BBC Radio Leeds: "We defended like schoolboys - we never got to grips with them at all.
"Every time they came down our end it looked like they'd score. We've got to start games brighter and in the zone."
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Leeds United midfielders Andy Hughes and Jonathan Douglas have returned to training this week after injury.
Captain Hughes, 30, has missed the last two games but is now in contention for Saturday's visit of Bournemouth.
Republic of Ireland man Douglas, 26, has been out since December with a knee injury, but he is not ready to return to the first-team yet.
Manager Gary McAllister told the club website: "They both enjoyed joining in and it's good having them involved.
"Andrew has made a good recovery and it's been a case of holding him back a little, but Dougie is still a wee bit away yet.
"They both bring experience and it's a good time to have players returning."
McAllister has been busy trimming his squad this week - letting Ian Westlake, Curtis Weston and Leon Constantine out on loan.
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john the tinca
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Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Ben Williams says he will not be signing a new contract until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old former Manchester United keeper has made over 100 appearances for the League One side since his arrival in 2004.
"The club have made a brilliant offer but I want to wait until the summer," Williams told BBC Radio Stoke.
"The club agree that we should wait but I want nothing more than for Crewe to be in League One next year."
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john the tinca
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Bristol Rovers head coach Paul Trollope has asked his side for more guile after Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by Doncaster, their first loss in five matches.
"The tempo we had in the game was good," Trollope told BBC Radio Bristol.
"But we didn't have enough craft in and around their box to be able to create goals and score a goal.
"I'm proud of the players in terms of their effort and application, but not so proud of the stuff in and around the penalty box."
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Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson has tipped rookie striker Michael Mackay to deliver goals following his winner at Oldham Athletic on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old's subtle chip was his fourth strike of the campaign and Wilson is confident the former Durham City forward can add to his tally.
"He just doesn't get disappointed," he told BBC Tees.
"He's a real handful, he doesn't know the reputations of who he's up against and he's always up for the challenge."
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Swindon manager Maurice Malpas has praised his players for carrying their training ground finishing form into Tuesday's 3-2 win over Huddersfield.
"It's been missing on match day but we see it in training," Malpas told BBC Radio Swindon.
"I'm never surprised with the quality of finishing. Well, maybe I was with Craig Easton scoring.
"But the quality of crosses we get, we see that in training, we see the finishing at training," he added.
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Oldham Athletic have signed Leeds United striker Leon Constantine on an initial month-long loan deal.
The 30-year-old goes straight in to the squad for Tuesday's home game against Hartlepool United.
Constantine arrived at Leeds last summer, but injuries have meant his first-team opportunities at Elland Road have been limited.
The striker has previously had spells at Southend, Peterborough, Torquay and Port Vale.
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john the tinca
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Brighton boss Dean Wilkins is refusing to say when midfielder Dean Cox will play again after he was dropped for Tuesday's game with Gillingham.
Cox is reported to have been reprimanded for his behaviour after being substituted against Leyton Orient on 1 March.
Wilkins told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "We are saying very little on this and keeping the issue in-house.
"As for Carlisle, we'll have to see but at the moment he's not involved."
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