Weekend Championship Review

Too early on Sunday morning to be up but try telling that to a three year old. So, I have 15 minutes to reflect whilst she's watching Fifi and the Flowertots...

Apart from West Brom slipping up at Oakwell yesterday, the results at the top didn't run for us with Watford, Bristol City and Stoke all winning. Watford became the first visiting side to win at Ipswich all season and Stoke also won well at Wolves. Bristol City were also more comfortable winners over Sheffield Wednesday than the 2-1 scoreline suggests.

So, pretty much as you were at the top. Watford now lead the table again, five points ahead of us. West Brom and Bristol City come next, four points in front and Stoke are fourth with a three point advantage. Elsewhere, I managed a meagre four correct results, three correct scores and two more within a goal of correct scores. With two more matches to be played in the coming week, there's every chance of further changes.

There's a full programme on Tuesday. Watford, West Brom and Stoke all have winnable looking home games, against Leicester, Sheffield United and Southampton with the likelihood that two, if not all three of them will pick up maximum points. That puts pressure on Charlton and Bristol City who face awkward aways at Sheffield Wednesday and Scunthorpe. Below us, Palace face Ipswich and Hull go to fast improving Norwich City, so I can see them losing ground if we get something at Wednesday.

Next weekend sees a fragemented fixture list due to the F A Cup. Stoke play Scunthorpe at the Britannia Stadium on Friday night. There are only four games on Saturday, Charlton v Watford being the pick and Palace are at Bristol City on Monday evening. There are a further three fixtures schedued for next Tuesday but none of the top sides are involved.

We mustn't get carried away on the back of the Palace result and should look on this week as an opportunity to strengthen our play-off credentials. Four or six points would probably increase our lead over 7th place to 9 points although we would also narrow the gap on Watford if not the others.

Keep the faith!