A full card in the Championship over the next couple of nights. I'm driving up to the Keepmoat tomorrow and the two spare seats in the car went today so I will have plenty of company on the way up, although I may be the only one awake on the way home if we lose.
Doncaster have a win and a draw at home and we have two straight defeats. They have one more point than us and will be favourites tomorrow. They played very well at Birmingham, albeit against ten men, but ultimately still lost.This isn't the sort of venue we perform well at - Stockport, Scunthorpe and Blackpool immediately spring to mind. Having said that, I think we should have enough about us to get something if we put in a team performance and don't suffer at the hands of another of the Championships' amateur referees. I was encouraged by Nicky Bailey's optimistic view of the game and his desperation to score again at the Keepmoat which he did last year for Southend. So, I am going for the Addicks to avoid defeat tomorrow night. I honestly believe that we can just as well win as get a draw against a side like Doncaster. The rest of the midweek games in our division look like this...
Barnsley slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Blackpool on Saturday and I expect them to bounce back and be the first side to beat the Bluebirds this year.
Prediction; 2-0
A big crowd in prospect at Ashton Gate as fifth play second. This promises to be a an exciting game with plenty of goals. I can see it finishing 3-2 to either side but will go with home advantage.
Prediction; 3-2
Ugly Lancashire derby. Burnley got a surprise win at Forest on Saturday courtesy of a superb free-kick and later penalty, both scored by Graham Alexander. Burnley hav yet to win at home and Blackpool yet to lose away, so I'll settle for a draw.
Prediction; 1-1
I've said my piece. Bailey to inspire Charlton to our first victory on the road. I expect Varney and Gray to start again and one of them is due a goal. It would be good to get another contribution from Bailey or Bouazza.
Prediction; 1-2
Preston ground out a 0-0 at Coventry on Saturday to keep up appearances and they will fancy this. Forest have conceded 8 goals in their two away matches and the heads might go down if Preston score first.
Prediction; 2-0
Reading might be spluttering away from the Madejski but they are a different proposition altogether at home, not unlike Wednesday themselves so far this season.
Prediction; 3-0
United's promising start has stalled in the last two matches and they will be under pressure to get a result here. Coventry have been a bit hit and piss and might find tomorrow hard work.
Prediction; 2-0
Another intriguing clash. Both sides had unexpected results at the weekend. Swansea slumped at Selhurst and Derby won their first match in their annus horribilus. Paul Jewell is a good manager and I trust him to have bought well in re-building the Derby side. The Board have stood by him for far longer than many other clubs would have tolerated, so they deserve some success. It will be interesting to see how they respond now that the monkey's off their back. It might be a bit much to expect them win at the Liberty Stadium, particularly if Martinez gets a response from his players. However, I'll stick my neck out for a Derby point at least.
Prediction; 1-1
Long way for a night game this. Plymouth are rooted to the bottom of the table and were out-played at home by Norwich on Saturday. Spirits in the Argyle camp are none too good either with Paul Sturrock threatening to change players out. Meat and drink to the Hornets.
Prediction; 2-0
Oh dear! This looks like an accident waiting to happen. Palace might have got their first win of the season on Saturday but one swallow doesn't make a Summer and they could get a tonking here. If results go according to schedule, I will be making a motorway service stop on the M1 after junction 17 on the way home in the hope of finding someone to laugh at.
Prediction; 3-0
Another good game in prospect here. Both sides building confidence and scoring regularly through Lupoli and Blackstock respectively. Norwich have had two home draws so far and I'll go for them to get their first win on Wednesday and check Rangers' advance in the table.
Prediction; 2-1
The Saints look like they might be in a second successive relegation battle. Defeat at home on Wednesday would be their third successive at St Marys. Ipswich have been notoriously poor away from Portman Road but I can see them beating Southampton here and confirming their respective starts to the season.
Prediction; 1-2
Match report to follow in the early hours of Wednesday if we get a result and much later if we don't.
3-0 to Reading! I must disagree, wednesday are scoring at the moment and looking very strong, smash and grab job, 0-1 to wednesday
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