Soaking up the sunshine here outside Paphos in the Cypriot countryside. Not much to do but take it easy and that involves a healthy football diet on Sky that I don't really get a chance to watch much of at home. It was refreshing to see the monsoon at White Hart Lane last night as Young Boys failed to show and were giving a sound thrashing by Arry's Boys.
I have also just seen that Huddersfield have signed Alan Lee, the lanky journeyman striker, from Crystal Palace. Just in time for a scoring debut against the Addicks on Saturday? Maybe it'll be too soon and his arrival might put a nose or two out of joint? Whatever, here's the games I'll be following in a bar in downtown Paphos on Saturday as we make a day of it.....
Colchester United v Carlisle United
Friday evening's Sky game and this is already a fixture we will have a healthy interest in. The immediate reaction is that it would be good to see Carlisle beaten to help our push for the top of the table but Colchester are also unbeaten on five points, so a draw is probably the result we want. It's a long awkward trip for Carlisle and I suspect Colchester might just have a enough attacking threat to edge this.
Prediction; 2-1
AFC Bournemouth v Notts County
County are finding their feet more slowly that Bournemouth have done since joining the elite of League One. AFCB have lost Brett Pitman but looked none the worse for it putting three past Tranmere away from home. I suspect this will be a much closer affair that recent results from both sides might suggest but I'll still take the Cherries.
Prediction; 1-0
Brentford v Rochdale
Can't see beyond a home win here. Brentford should be too good for a Rochdale side who look set for a struggle.
Prediction; 2-0
Brighton & Hove Albion v Walsall
Walsall have made a decent enough start to the season with six points from three and this will be a good test of whether or not they might improve on last season. Brighton drew their only home game so far courtesy of a 92nd minute equaliser from Rochdale and I think they will have learnt from that.
Prediction; 2-1
Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Pards won't be looking forward to this after his side were bundled out of the League Cup at St. mary's in the week by Bolton. No shame in that but there's no momentum at Southampton right now and this is a tough fixture in which to aim to break the pattern. Southampton should have the quality to win here but if Rovers can score first, I can see them getting a result.
Prediction; 2-1
Dagenham & Redbridge v Tranmere Rovers
Bottom play second bottom here but the Daggers have only played twice and both away from home. They will be up for this and Tranmere are ideal opponents.
Prediction; 2-0
Hartlepool United v Sheffield Wednesday
A bumper attendance in prospect for Hartlepool as Wednesday bring their large Yorkshire following to town. Alan Irvine will be planning a victory but could find this hard work. Hartlepool have a win and a draw on the road but only a draw from their solitary home game. Could be a big day for Pools.
Prediction; 2-1
Huddersfield Town v Charlton Athletic
Ouch! We will be more solid with Dailly and Semedo back in the fold. My heart can see a way to victory with a resolute defence and more fast counter-attacking football. Pawel Abbott is due a goal and I fancy him to score when playing oop north this season. However, my head knows Huddersfield had a very impressive home record last season and they know they need the same against this year if they are to go one better than last year. The signature of Alan Lee could make the difference if he can form a partnership with Jordan Rhodes. A real test for the Addicks this and a draw would be a decent result but I think it may just be beyond us at the moment.
Prediction; 2-0
Leyton Orient v Exeter City
Home win for the O's. After their excellent point at Southampton, surely, they will seize the initiative and go one better here?
Prediction; 2-0
MK Dons v Swindon Town
Derby of sorts I guess. It's MK's first home match of the season and Swindon have yet to win from three starts. MK good enough for a draw at least here.
Prediction; 1-1
Oldham Athletic v Yeovil Town
Well, this should be the day's banker. Oldham have started very brightly under Paul Dickov and if the pass and press as well as they did at the Valley last week, it should be routine.
Prediction; 3-0
Plymouth Argyle v Peterborough United
Posh took a five goal trouncing in their only away game so far at Bournemouth. This latest return to the south coast is an early opportunity to make amends and they have the firepower to do it.
Prediction; 1-2
Whatever the weather where you are, enjoy your weekend.
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Hi Dave.
ReplyDeleteYes- the weather here is appalling.
We are off to Whitstable in a minute for what we thought would be, at the time of booking, a few days of sitting on the beach eating seafood, enjoying the last of the summer rays.
I fear we will be hiding in cafes and pubs. (Not all bad!)
Enjoy Pathos. We stayed near the Tomb if the Kings??? ---Think that's what it's called, a few years ago.
Hope it's not too hot for you.
M
Sorry to hear you have such a tough time of it Dave...we'll be "soaking" up the sun ourselves this weekend in blighty.
ReplyDeleteHoping that Huddersfield's reversal at Posh last week might create a few self doubts. I think our resolute defence will do enough to shut them out - I'm going for a 0-0.
Pembury Addick
Marco,
ReplyDeleteWe're in Anarita which is a small village about 5 miles from Paphos on the other side from Tomb of the Kings. Suckling pig in the village last night - excellent! The sunshine is lovely but it's not the be all and end all. Have a pint for me in the Neptune and fresh crab from the fish sheds.
Dave
PA - I admire your confidence. Huddersfield's tonking at Everton in the week might have done their own confidence some damage after having shipped four at Posh. Our chnaces may well have improved but I think we need to go for it and not play defensively from the off.
ReplyDeleteDave.