The curse of matches in hand afflicts us as we struggle to catch the eight sides above us in League One. We have one, two or three games in hand and the "what-if" scenarios will continue to be played out for another couple of months before we have fully caught up. Points on the board are invariably worth more than those in hand and I fully expect my learned New York Addict friend to share the actual value of these imminently (C'mon Brad, I know you will know!).
In the meantime we can only concentrate on the next game and that means Chrissie Powell's side trying to beat Yeovil down in the West Country on Saturday. I won't be there but I will be tuned into the commentary as I watch the start of the 6 nations unfold. It's a real test for our boys and I am going for us to get an unlikely third successive clean sheet and goals to win the game.
That would set us up nicely for Posh next week at the Valley. Having scored five at their place, many will see it as a foregone conclusion but I don't see it that way and suspect free-scoring Peterborough could well break Powell's winning start if we can indeed continue the sequence on Saturday.
In the meantime here's the rest of this week's games...
AFC Bournemouth v Leyton Orient
The Cherries are flying at home and have taken Eddie What's-his-name's departure in their stride. We could do with the O's turning in another away winning show like at Swansea in the Cup but somehow I doubt it.
Prediction; 2-0
Brentford v Plymouth Argyle
Andy Scott got the tin-tack this morning and the Bees should be in disarray for this one. Nicky Forster could be in temporary charge for Saturday.
Prediction; 1-1
Bristol Rovers v Brighton & Hove Albion
These sides could be two divisions apart next season. MK Dons beat Rovers in Bristol in the week and Brighton should be confident they can do the same.
Prediction; 1-2
Carlisle United v Walsall
Walsall have a new manager and picked up a point at Notts County to go with their morale-boosting 6-1 thrashing of Hopeless Rovers the other week. A long fruitless journey is just what they need to remind themselves they will be playing Morecombe and Cheltenham, next season.
Prediction; 3-0
Exeter City v Huddersfield Town
This promises to be a feisty encounter and the Grecians could do us a favour here by putting in another strong home performance.
Prediction; 3-2
Hartlepool United v Colchester United
Like Exeter, Hartlepool could do us a favour and keep Colchester off our tails. They crashed 4-0 at Oldham last week but I'll take a much better performance here.
Prediction; 2-0
Oldham Athletic v Dagenham & Redbridge
Oldham are back in the play-off places and will be pumped-up for this one against the doomed Daggers.
Prediction; 3-0
Sheffield Wednesday v MK Dons
Alan Irvine was dumped by Sheffield Wednesday this week after shipping five at Peterborough in the week. Wednesday are struggling to maintain their challenge and they need to sort themselves out quickly. Gary Megson is being lined-up for another shot but they might suffer from the disruption of sacking Irvine.
Prediction; 1-1
Swindon Town v Rochdale
Swindon are now fourth bottom and they have played more games than those about them. They might be playing with a bit of fear but a win here would be another result for us.
Prediction; 2-1
Tranmere Rovers v Notts County
Tranny must be eyeing survival again and this looks eminently winnable against a County side who have scraped only two wins on the road.
Prediction; 1-0
Yeovil Town v Charlton Athletic
Come on you Reds! The league's top scorer's away from home go again here and we have genuine competition up front. Wright-Phillips and Eccleston might well force a goal from Anyinsah or Benson. Charlton up to seventh.
Prediction; 0-2
Peterborough United v Southampton
This must be a banker for both sides to score. I could easily see these sides sharing seven goals but I'll be conservative and go for 3-2.
Prediction; 3-2
Dave, you're right re points on the board..........always better to have those than play " catch up " I think.
ReplyDeleteI shall be sat down later with a beer or two for the 6 nations opener.
I note from your post earler this week the origin of the title DDTG. I'd always assumed a nod to rugby but am now enlightened. An altogether better idea than to have suffered watching the Addicks on occasions.....if only I'd known !