Johnson: Blades are favourites

Johnson: Blades are favourites

Published May. 2, 2013 3:15 p.m. ET

Reading manager Nigel Adkins insists the club will not be forced into selling players following their relegation from the Premier League.

Adkins is already planning for a Championship campaign in 2013/14 - even though the Royals have three matches remaining this season - after last weekend's goalless draw with QPR condemned them to the drop.

Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak is among the players tipped to leave the Madejski Stadium, but Adkins insists Reading will determine what happens during the summer transfer window.

"We will want to do the business we want to do, that's the important message," he said.

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"Yes we will be in the Championship next season, but this is a well-run club and whatever business we do is because we want to.

"Like every club you cut your cloth accordingly and players who were on Premier League wages won't be on them in the Championship, which is prudent business.

"We want to be successful and we are ambitious. If players leave, it's because we'll allowed them to make leave.

"It will be our decision, it's our business and we don't have to sell.

"Now that we know what division we're in next season we're able to establish some processes to move this club forward.

"Conversations have been going on, but they'll remain private and confidential.

"What is important is that we give ourselves the chance to get back in the Premier League because it's the competition everyone wants to be in."

Adkins continued: "This club has always been run prudently and that's important. Good conversations have been had with the owner and there's a lot of ambition at this club.

"What we must do is keep building on the successes of the past, because the last 10 years have been very successful in the history of the club.

"The greatest lesson we've learned this season is that we must keep moving forward. You must keep evolving and build on your successes."

But, although the Baggies boss is not viewing Saturday's meeting with struggling Wigan in those terms, he expects his side to go all out for a victory that would leave Villa smiling.

Paul Lambert's men are five points clear of Wigan, who occupy the final relegation place, and would be elated if West Brom can inflict another defeat on the Latics, regardless of their motivations.

"For us, Saturday is all about getting three points for us," he said.

"Aston Villa did themselves a big favour on Monday night with a great result against Sunderland (a 6-1 victory).

"They've got it in their own hands and they don't need any help from us.

"It's in Aston Villa's own hands and their last result certainly helped them.

"If they get the points they require they stay up anyway (regardless of other results)."

Wigan, meanwhile, are fighting for their lives.

They have completed unlikely escape acts in the last two seasons and need to defy the odds once again to retain their top-flight status.

They may view sides such as West Brom, who are safe but not in the European shake-up, as something of a softer touch given they are playing for little but pride in the remaining fixtures.

But Clarke insists they would be mistaken, especially after seeing his men dismantle Southampton 3-0 away last time out.

"I don't think they'll get an easy game here," the Scot said.

"Not too many teams come to the Hawthorns and get an easy game and I don't think that will be the case this weekend.

"Maybe Southampton thought that last week, that it was a mid-table clash with nothing on it.

"We certainly went down there and showed them it mattered to us and that we wanted the points.

"It's no different this time. We have our own ambitions and our own targets. We like to finish the season well and play well in front of our own fans.

"The game against us, I can assure you, will be difficult because we've been good at home."

Clarke is all too aware of Wigan's reputation as a team who produce spirited displays when they are needed the most.

This season, their battle against the drop is further complicated by the small matter of the FA Cup final on May 11, but Clarke believes that they are well used to managing the rigours of a scrap at the foot of the table.

"The cup final will take care of itself. They've got league matches they have to look at," he said.

"Wigan are a team who are, and maybe this is not the right word, quite comfortable down there fighting.

"Over the years they've always been in the lower reaches and they know what they have to do to get out of it.

"They've got a manager in Roberto Martinez who doesn't panic and he knows there are points still to be had.

"They are a team who still produce good football even though they are struggling in their league position."

A Saints statement said Perth chiefs were "delighted" after midfielder Millar signed a two-year contract extension while 19-year-old Caddis has also penned a new 12-month deal.

Millar moved to McDiarmid in 2008 after a five-year spell with Morton, while midfielder Caddis was farmed out to Cowdenbeath by boss Steve Lomas in January to gain first-team experience.

The Tannadice club lodged an appeal with the Hampden chiefs after the left-back was sent off in the 1-0 defeat to Derek Adams' team.

Douglas was dismissed by referee Kevin Clancy for a tackle on Ivan Sproule during the match in Dingwall that was deemed "serious foul play".

At an SFA fast track tribunal, it was ruled that Clancy had made the correct decision and the automatic two-match suspension would stand.

Douglas will now miss the SPL matches against St Johnstone and Inverness.

The Yorkshireman was accused of breaching two rules after he was quoted in a newspaper report referring to former Ibrox commercial director Imran Ahmad as his "little Paki friend".

Green - who resigned from his position at Rangers last month - has 30 days to pay the fine.

Lord Justice Goldring made the decision after hearing conflicting arguments at a preliminary hearing last week in support of holding the hearing in either the North West or London.

In a written direction, the judge said: "I have concluded that it would be right for the inquests to be held in the north-west. It would not be helpful further to identify a location at this stage."

Britain's worst sporting disaster unfolded at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium on April 15 1989 during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest as thousands of fans were crushed in the ground's Leppings Lane terrace.

A split emerged between two separate campaign groups last week, with one side pushing for the inquiry to be held in the capital and the other calling for it to take place in the North West.

Some 71 families from the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) want the hearing to be held in London, while a smaller group from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign (HJC) asked for it to take place in the North West outside of Liverpool or Manchester.

Margaret Aspinall, HFSG chairwoman, said: "To be honest, I personally don't mind where it is held. I'm quite happy wherever it is held as long as everything goes accordingly and we get the right verdicts on the death certificates."

Last December, verdicts of accidental death from the original inquest in March 1991 were quashed.

The action was taken after the Hillsborough Independent Panel studied thousands of documents and reported that there had been a huge cover-up of what happened at Hillsborough and its aftermath.

Lord Justice Goldring, recently appointed as coroner to the fresh inquests, last week said the new inquests would be held in early 2014.

Explaining why he has chosen to hold the inquests in the north-west, the judge said: "The hearing is bound, it seems to me, to take several months. If it is held in London, those who wish to follow it in person will be away from home and living in hotels for a very long time.

"It is plainly not a practicable solution for someone to commute from Liverpool or the North West on a daily basis."

He went on: "I can not see how anyone with work or caring responsibilities can spend long periods away from home in a hotel in London."

Lord Justice Goldring said for those who are older or unwell, travelling to London would not be comfortable or easy.

He added: "Video-links are second best."

Michael Mansfield QC, who represents the 71 HFSG families, argued that animosity and rivalry among football clubs in the North West could impact proceedings, while London would be best suited to accommodate the international interest.

But Lord Justice Goldring said: "I have no doubt that a location can be found in the North West without the risk of actual or perceived prejudice.

"If there is a jury, those of us with experience of them know perfectly well that with proper and clear directions they soon put behind them anything they may have read or thought and concentrate on the evidence before them."

Kenny Derbyshire, HJC chair and Hillsborough survivor, said: "It's a very good decision. We're made up with it.

"The families didn't want to have to move down to London, so this is for the families.

"I've spoken to a number of families today and they're delighted."

Commenting on calls to hold the inquests in London, Mr Derbyshire added: "With two campaign groups, unfortunately you will get disagreements from time to time. But I'm sure everyone will be delighted with the decision."

The Blades were only denied a place in the Championship by a penalty shoot-out in last season's final against Huddersfield but they have struggled for form in recent weeks, taking just seven points from a possible 24 ahead of the visit of the Glovers.

And Johnson, who led his side to their highest ever finish this season, insists the pressure is off ahead of the first-leg of their League One play-off semi final..

"We aren't the ones that are expected to win it either at Sheffield United or if we get to the final," he said.

"We are certainly going to be the underdogs, in that way we aren't the ones under pressure because no one expected us to be where we are.

"I think they will be two cracking games but the pressure is on them. They are desperate to get promoted and we know that."

Despite the match being screened live on Sky Sports and taking place on a Friday night the Glovers faithful are expected to travel in their numbers and Johnson admits they could make a difference.

"People know we need them up at Sheffield," he said. "Sometimes if you can get a couple of thousands of your supporters, even if they are in a group with 30,000 home supporters, they can make a noise because they are up for it.

"It'll be nice to take a great band of followers up to Sheffield. I know they'll give us great support and we'll appreciate it."

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