Gavin Mahon / Gavin Mahon / 23 October 2008 / Leave a comment

Amidst a frenzied league and cup schedule, the QPR man is impressed by Welsh opponents and by a manager who takes the time to explain his selections...

Two games in quick succession, without too much time to think about things in between, is what the Championship's all about and that's been us over the last couple of days.

When you look at how many games you get through in a season, it really is a test of mental as well as physical endurance, a year in the Football League - added to which, for us at least, we're still in the Carling Cup.

Our 2-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday and the goalless draw in Wales on Tuesday were our 14th and 15th games of the season already!

A midweek trip to Swansea was always going to be tough. They're unbeaten at home and I can see why; that's the best opposition we've faced this season - and that includes a full-strength Villa side in the cup.

I was left out on Saturday but I've got a good relationship with Iain Dowie and he made it clear why that was. He took me to one side again on the Monday and said I would play at Swansea. Regardless of the fact we're not in the Premiership, you've got to accept that you can't play every single game and deal with it like a man. The manager is good enough to explain his reasons so that's good enough for me. I don't have to like it - but I accept it and move on.

Back at my old club, Watford, I see Richard Lee - a keeper I know very well from my seven years there, has saved three penalties in the space of two games.

That's some going. I've heard of two saves in the same game but he's followed up that pair at Southampton with another one on Tuesday night against Cardiff.

Good luck to him, he's a top lad. I always said he's one of the best shot-stoppers in that division and he's got unbelievable spring as well. He's not the most physically imposing but he's as brave as you like and makes good decisions which is all you ask of your goalkeepers.

Penalty taking is a bit of an art, I think. I had a good run at Hereford, scoring about seven in a row. I think my overall record is about 12 from 13, something like that.

I've always tended to wrap my foot across it and try to put it into the side of the net to the keeper's right. I reckon if you hit it firmly and with accuracy, it's going to have to be a worldy save to keep it out. There's a bit of bluff and double-bluff goes on so the main thing is to know exactly what you want to do when you put the ball down and stick to it.

Next Newcastle United manager

Gavin says: We're actually live on the box this weekend, away at Reading, so obviously I don't want to be talking about that one.

The game I'll probably be watching, if I get a chance, either at home or at a hotel on the way, is Sunderland v Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime. And the Newcastle managerial situation is really interesting.

Kevin Keegan's still the favourite, of course, but Joe Kinnear's not far behind now and I'm not that surprised in all honesty. It's obvious that Dennis Wise has played a part in his appointment, with the connections from the old Wimbledon days and the London scene generally.

But Kinnear's already shown he's very much his own man. I think most people, me included, had kind of forgotten him because he'd been out of the game for a good while.

But I've noticed from watching bits of their games that he seems to have got the hunger back amongst the players. If you can do that as a manager, and command respect while you're at it, you won't be far off.

Keegan's still the people's choice, although Alan Shearer has also come in for plenty of support. I'm sure the Geordies wouldn't mind either. They know what they're getting with Keegan but Shearer could be quite different in his style. I'm not convinced he sees it as his time just yet, although I know he hasn't ruled out doing the job.

You always get the crazy outsiders when people start having a crack at who's going to be next. I've seen Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle on the list but I don't think Newcastle are quite at the point of appointing total novices yet.

I just wonder if the new owners, whoever they are, might think a clean slate is best - someone other than Keegan, effectively, with all the attention that follows him around up there.

Richard suggests:

3pts Back Joe Kinnear to be next Newcastle manager at [5.9]

2pts Back Alan Shearer to be next Newcastle manager at [9.0]