It’s been a long, drawn out affair for Joey Barton and even after being told to stay away from Newcastle’s training ground by Alan Shearer after being sent off during their 3 - nil loss away to Liverpool, the 26 year old has gone public with his desire to remain at the relegated club down in the Championship.

No doubt about his abilities at the highest level, but would a year or two away from the Premiership spotlight help?

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The Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 this weekend to secure a birth in the Premier League next year.

Cardiff City beat Doncaster 3-0. Cheeky fan adds Hot Chocolate hit…

The man who led Watford to the Premiership in 2006 and just barely lost out on a return in a heartbreaking loss to Hull City in the 2007 / 08 Promotion Playoff has left the club by Mutual Consent.

After a 4 - 3 home loss to Blackpool dropped the Hornents to 21st place in The Championship with just 15 points taken in 15 matches, Adrian Boothroyd met with the Chairman of the club and decided it was best to part ways.

Via Watford’s Official Statement

“It is with some sadness that we have taken the decision, along with Aidy, that the time is right for a new manager to take Watford Football Club forward,” said chairman Graham Simpson.

“Both parties feel that his tenure at the club is simply at an end and, following discussions, we have mutually decided that a parting of the ways is in the best interests of all concerned.”

Image via Newsimg

Little was known about Geoff Sheard previous to recent reports of his buying up shares to take control of debt plagued Sheffield Wednesday. The source of the Lancashire-based businessman’s income has been described as “kit manufacturing” although specifics are hard to find and he has done few interviews. It is rumored Mr. Sheard is a front-man for a foreign group of businessmen living in England with ties to Asia, Italy and Russia. The group is using a bank out the Bahamas. One of the few pictures found online is the photo above and Sheffield Wednesday fans have struggled to find out more information.

But what about this quote to BBC Radio earlier this week from Mr. Sheard about the St. Louis MLS bid, “I was approached by Jeff Cooper, who is fronting the bid to have St Louis win one of the franchise slots, and I did have a lunch meeting with him three weeks ago,” he said. “That’s as far as it’s gone and nothing will progress with that until we’re finished with Sheffield Wednesday”

…Many questions…

Image via Bebo

After leaving Fulham FC near the end of last season, Chris Coleman went to Spain to try his hand with Real Sociedad. But with new presidents comes new changes, ones the were not to the Welshman’s liking and once again Coleman was back in England. The former Swansea City, Crystal Palace and Fulham defender, whose career was cut short through a major car accident in 2002 is widely expected to take the reigns of Coventry City, currently sitting in 20th place with 36 points in the Championship. After parting ways with Iain Dowie on February 11th, signing Coleman would be a major surprise for the Sky Blues supporters.

[image via SimplyWeddings]

After leaving Luton Town with #2 and new Toronto head coach John Carver, Kevin Blackwell is making his way over to Sheffield United replacing Man Utd legend Bryan Robson, who refused the re-assignment position of “Head of Football”. After in the Championship, the former Leeds United boss’ first order of business is survival after spending the 2006-07 campaign in the Barclay’s Premiership. After being relegated on the last day of the season, the Blades fans have not been happy as of late, thus forcing the change.

[image via BBC]

It’s been widely reported that Flavio Briatore and Bernard Ecclestone bought into Queens Park Rangers and that they have stated they expect to see the club fighting with the best Europe has to offer in a matter of years.  Pretty big ambitions for a club that is not even in the Premier League.  Now I knew that these dudes have some serious coin, especially Ecclestone.  What I failed to realize until now, is that the 5th richest dude in the world, Lakshmi Mittal, also bought a piece of the club.  This gives QPR three owners with a combined net worth of almost $55 billion! Yes, I wrote that right…it’s not a typo.  That crushes Roman Abramovich’s deep pockets.  So this basically means that QPR has the wealthiest owners of any sports team in the whole wide universe.  Maybe their big time ambitions don’t seem so out of the question anymore.   Now back to your regularly scheduled programs…