Championship Tenner - Preview: Cup Heroes return to league action, the End draws near for Jewell and a Tribute to Speed

TheHardTackle takes a look at 10 things you should be on the lookout for in the next 7 days of action in the NPower Championship.

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1.Ai??Leeds United tribute to Gary Speed

The football world in still in shock following last Sundayai??i??s tragic death of Wales manager Gary Speed. Tributes and messages praising Speedai??i??s career and character have come in from all corners of the globe. The club where Speed started his career, Leeds United, have been particularly forthcoming in their tributes.

In Tuesdayai??i??s match at Nottingham Forest, the travelling Leeds faithful sung Speedai??i??s name for 11 minutes from the 11th minute onwards in memory of their former No 11. Fittingly, Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring for the Whites just as the tribute was ending.

On Saturday, Leeds will play Millwall in their first home game since the news broke. With a floral tribute outside the ground and a minutes silence planned, the club have also announced that on Saturday, they will be renaming one of their suites in their new East Stand to ai???The Gary Speed Suiteai??i??.Ai?? It promises to be an emotional day at Elland Road.

2.Ai??Cup Heroesai??i?? hectic few days

After a stunning extra-time Carling Cup victory over Manchester United on Wednesday evening, Crystal Palace quickly return to the bread and butter of the Championship.

A Glenn Murray header gave the Eagles a famous 2-1 win at Old Trafford to send Dougie Freedmanai??i??s side into a Carling Cup semi-final against Cardiff City. However, Palace will need to put that euphoric result to the back of their minds as they play Derby County less than 48 hours later. Only 4 days later, they then travel to Barnsley for their third game in six days.

With only one win in their last 6 league games, Palace have dropped to mid table, meaning it is imperative that they use the forthcoming games to get back on track.

3.Ai??Quick return for Pearson

Nigel Pearson returns to the KC Stadium, less than a month after leaving Hull City to manage Leicester City (for the second time).

In his time at Hull, Pearson was a success, guiding the Tigers to 11th in 2010-11, whilst he left them in mid-November in 10th place. Since returning to Leicester, Pearson has picked up 7 points from 3 games, moving the Foxes above Hull and into the play-off positions.

Pearson is sure to receive a hostile welcome from the Hull fans who adored him three weeks ago.

4.Ai??Top versus Bottom

Bottom club Doncaster Rovers play host to League leaders Southampton.

After initially improving following the appointment of Dean Saunders as manager, Doncaster have faultered, winning only 1 game in their last 6, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Soouthampton on the other hand are flying. Despite the loss to Bristol City last weekend, Saints are two points clear at the top of the table, have won 5 out of their last 6 and are scoring goals for fun. On Tuesday, they showed great character to come from a goal down to beat Hull City and maintain their 21-game winning run at home.

All signs point to another Saints win.

5.Ai??A tale of two Cities

Sundayai??i??s televised game sees Cardiff City entertain Birmingham City.

Cardiff are currently in great form, sitting 3rd in the table, whilst also reaching the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. Birmingham sit 11th, but with 3 games in hand on their rivals, they are very much in the promotion mix-up too.

With both teams defensively strong, it promises to be a tight affair. But with the Bluebirds having home advantage and with striker Kenny Miller in good form, Cardiff will start the game as favourites.

6.Ai??Carlton Cole

Carlton Cole has already had an up and down career.

As a youngster at Chelsea, Cole was highly-rated. But the influx of strikers like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo, meant Cole had spells on loan at Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa, before he was finally sold to West Ham United.

After scoring seconds into his Hammers debut, Cole struggled to command a first team place, until 2008-09 when he hit a dozen goals in all competitions. His pace and power led to an England call-up. He continued his good form in ai??i??09-10, until injury ruled him out for most of the season.

Last season, he never hit top form but still managed 11 goals and was linked with moves to Liverpool, Galatasaray and Stoke City as the Hammers were relegated. He vowed to stay and help West Ham gain promotion, but started the season as a substitute. He has since regained his place in the side scoring 7 times so far this season, including twice in the last 2 games.

When he is good, he is very good. When he is bad, he is….. So which Carlton Cole will we see at Upton Park this weekend?

7.Ai??The End for Jewell?

Tuesday nightai??i??s 4-0 thrashing at Burnley condemned Ipswich Town to their sixth consecutive defeat, leaving them fourth from bottom in the Championship.

Ipswich owner Marcus Evans has publicly backed under-fire manager Paul Jewell, labelling him ai???a top managerai???. But, with the Portman Road faithful becoming increasingly restless, anything less than 3 points at home against Watford on Saturday could spell the end of the road for Jewell.

8.Ai??More goals at The Posh?

2-1, 7-1, 0-1, 2-1, 1-2, 4-3, 2-3, 3-2, 1-1. No, these are not the lottery numbers, it is the results from Peterborough Unitedai??i??s 9 home league games so far this season. 22 scored, 15 conceded. If you want entertainment, Peterborough is the place to go.

On Saturday, Posh host Keith Hillai??i??s Barnsley. Both sides sit on 24 points and are evenly matched. With Barnsley hitting a bit of form, having beaten Leeds 2-1 away last weekend, and with their striker Craig Davies having scored 5 goals in 5 games, it promises to be another entertaining affair at London Road. So how many goals will we see this week?

9.Ai??Pompey to lose points again?

On Tuesday, Portsmouth owners Convers Sport Initiatives entered administration, leading to Pompey owner Vladimir Antonov stepping down. The Fratton Park Club are now on the lookout for yet another new owner.

In 2009, Pompeyai??i??s South Coast rivals Southampton were in a similar position. When their parent company, Southampton Leisure Holdings, went into administration, the Football League found the club and their parent company were ai???inextricably linked as one economic enitityai???, so the Saints were deducted 10 points.

After becoming the first club to enter administration in 2010 and subsequently lose nine points, could lightning be about to strike twice for Portsmouth?

10. Can Blackpool cope with the loss of Shelvey?

Jonjo Shelvey has enjoyed life on-loan at Blackpool. In nine games for Ian Hollowayai??i??s side, the young midfielder netted six times as the Seasiders flirted with the play-off places.

However, following an injury to Lucas Leiva which is likely to keep the Brazilian out for around 6 months, parent club Liverpool have recalled Shelvey back to Anfield.

Whilst it is good for Shelvey as it means he is in Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglishai??i??s thoughts, it is a bitter blow for Blackpool and Holloway. As the Seasiders attempt to return to the Premier League, they must now find someone to replicate Shelveyai??i??s scintillating form.

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Tags: NPower Football Championship