#12: Savaged At Pound Camp

#12: Savaged At Pound Camp

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The twelfth episode of The Square Ball marked the opening of the 2010-11 Championship campaign, with Dan Moylan, Michael Normanton, Daniel Chapman (Moscowhite), and Paul O’Dowd (Oddy) taking stock after three early fixtures that told a decidedly mixed story.

White Watching covered the opening returns. The season began under Sky Sports lights at Elland Road: Leeds fell 2-1 to Derby County, Luciano Becchio pulling one back on 15 minutes after Rob Hulse and Kris Commons had put the visitors ahead. A 4-0 League Cup win over Lincoln City offered brief respite, before a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest — Lloyd Sam equalising on 37 minutes after Dexter Blackstock’s early opener — continued the run without a Championship win. Sam’s contribution at the City Ground earned particular admiration. The panel’s standout player across all three games was Kasper Schmeichel, still on loan from Manchester City, whose form in the new division had quickly generated consistent admiration.

The talking points ranged across the summer recruitment. Sanchez Watt, on a season-long loan from Arsenal, and Adam Clayton, who had arrived from Manchester City, were assessed alongside Ramon Nunez, a Honduran international on extended trial whose future at the club remained open. The release of Tresor Kandol — 77 appearances, 16 goals — received a warm send-off from the hosts.

Off the pitch, Kevin Blackwell’s departure from Sheffield United after just two games of the new season was noted. So too was the extended Robbie Savage media circus surrounding Derby’s opening-day visit: the tabloid coverage of Savage’s Twitter activity and performative on-pitch presence had effectively framed the fixture before a ball had been kicked.

The episode title came from an internet story circulating about American striker Mike Grella, involving what was described as an incident at a “pound camp” — an online rumour about a frat prank that the hosts found difficult to set aside, and which prompted extended discussion about Grella’s position at the club.

A Lorimer’s Bar event at Elland Road on the day of recording featured appearances from Richard Naylor, Neil Collins, Gwyn Williams, and Shaun Harvey.