Oranges and Lemons Tossers eh? Like London buses. Plenty last night on the M4 and then this morning one turns up in Shepherds Bush. Some may argue that Dowie in his last couple of posts has not been given enough time to show what he can really achieve, others will say that he did enough damage in the time he was allowed. I don't expect QPRhaha's owners will be those of a patient sort, do you? Whatever, Dowie might not have a face for TV, but he sure does interview well.

I thought it was kind of strange that Bristol City's fans acted like they'd won the Champions League, it was only Palarse after all. I don't remember us behaving like that when we beat Ipswich. You have to assume Hull will win tonight, and will join Stoke and the Baggies in the Dream League. We are surely getting to the point that all of the elite have been crying out for. No relegation. The three promoted clubs will have their 'fun,' make a few quid but each go sliding back down again after spending most of their new found wealth trying to compete and with whatever is left on restructuring their finances.

In fact that has almost been true in recent years, with Reading and Sunderland breaking the mould. One would have thought that its becoming easier for established Premier League sides such as Fulham, Boro, Bolton, even Wigan to not get relegated, even more sickening for us, eh? Particulary when Peter Varney used to bang the old Prem 1 and 2 drum.

Wouldn't it make sense for Hull, say, not to spend any money at all, get tonked every week, gain enough points in their mini-league so they get into double figures and then put together a formidable Championship team the following year allowing them a better chance of safety in the Prem second time around? They won't do it of course. A flutter on Phil Brown getting sacked before Christmas anyone?

As for those teams that have been relegated. The classic second-season story that is Reading are looking a bit dishelveled. Coppell may walk and I expect a number of their players, some of whom have been accused of giving up, will become targets for Premier League clubs - Shorey, Doyle, Hunt and Harper amongst them. Reading 'found' a lot of new fans in the past couple of season's yet their attendances still rarely met ours. However if Coppell does stay, then I would consider Reading a promotion candidate next season.

All does not appear rosy at Birmingham either. Gold and Sullivan have to be fair, made a silk purse out of a pigs ear but they want out. The fans are pissed off and I have a distinct feeling that next season will be a tough one for them in the fizzies, particularly with McLeish's lack of second tier experience.

As for Derby, who knows how this season will affect them next, but it almost certainly will. Yes they have a new benefactor but have admitted to over-spending. They too, have a decent manager though but with a complete clear out planned they might suffer from a bit of Charlton-itis.

And with one place still up for grabs in the League One play-off's, I don't think Forest can be underestimated, well at least until I saw they offered £2.5m for Robert Earnshaw! What do you think?  ¶ 11:29