League One Weekend Preview, Game 21

First, Happy New Year to you all! I know we all want promotion this year above all else and we should be encouraged by our league position, if not buy the quality of our football. Whilst I don't believe we are currently good enough, I am conscious that there evidently isn't a lot to beat and it will only take a modest overall improvement for us to kick on. two or three better players could make the difference but we need our takeover to go through and to find that the new owners have several million to spend now. The immediate priorities are a creative midfielder and a real striker.


After a week of Sunday's at home, I am now wishing I had made arrangements to go to Colchester tomorrow. Stir crazy and a house of snappy females! I know I won't fancy it tomorrow after a few light ales this evening. 


Secondly, it looks like we might get something close to a full schedule of games played tomorrow so I'm back to having a closer look once again.


Brighton & Hove Albion v Leyton Orient
Pressure on Brighton to win this after being held to a draw by our boys on Wednesday. They will face an O's side who haven't played a competitive match since 11th December and should be good enough to win this although Orient are unbeaten in seven.
Prediction; 2-0


Brentford v Dagenham & Redbridge
Whilst the Daggers continue to scrap at the bottom, Brentford are sitting mid-table but are only a win away from fifth such is the nature of the division this year. They should see the Daggers off here.
Prediction; 2-1


Carlisle United v Huddersfield Town
Carlisle have dropped off to 14th in the table and will need to re-focus their efforts if they aren't to say good-bye to their play-off hopes. They need to win this one then and do us a favour in the process but that might be a tall order against a Terriers side desperate for a result after two consecutive losses.
Prediction; 1-1


Colchester United v Charlton Athletic
Colchester can overhaul us on goal difference if they manage to repeat last year's 3-0 win at the Weston Homes Tiny Community Interest in Football Stadium in the Middle-of-Nowhere. They have drawn too many games this year but have only lost three. Manager John Ward may be trying to manage expectations in his pre-match comments about all the "wealthy" sides his club face in the coming set of games but he's also guilty of setting the bar low by suggesting they will do well to hold their existing position in the table.


The wheels are due to fall off our bus at some point and in the absence of takeover news that might just galvanise a performance from a few more of our players, it could be here. Dave Mooney to show Paul Benson how it's done.
Prediction; 2-0


Hartlepool United v Oldham Athletic
Surprisingly, Pools can join the play-off race if they win here and on form they should. Oldham's season has been built at home and this could be a fourth away defeat of the season.
Prediction; 2-0


MK Dons v Bristol Rovers
MK have won an impressive seven of their ten home games so far. I'm going to stick my neck out here and say Rovers will avoid becoming victims number eight. They are desperate for the points to clamber out of trouble and with Plymouth at home on Tuesday, will be looking to do just that.
Prediction; 1-1


Plymouth Argyle v Yeovil Town
Argyle having brought Peter Risdale in to help them escape financial ruin is akin to a dying man inviting the Grim Reaper in for a cup-of-tea. It really is bizarre but maybe they are trying to force any potential investors into the open as well as off-loading all of their assets? The uncertainty and disruption won't be helping team affairs and Yeovil could be eyeing a rare away win.
Prediction; 0-2


Rochdale v Tranmere Rovers
Nineteenth play twentieth here, so a dour affair in prospect. Rochdale were looking good for so long and yet find themselves knocking on the trap-door. I thought they would go back down at the start of the season but they have shown spirit and this is a big opportunity to steady the ship.
Prediction; 1-0


Southampton v Exeter City
Saints fought back from an early goal down to Huddersfield on Tuesday to hit four and they will be raring to get at the Grecians here. I suspect this will be the game that sees them move above us for the first time this season. 
Prediction; 3-0


Swindon Town v AFC Bournemouth
Two crucial home matches in three days for Swindon which could turn their season one way or the other. The Cherries are hanging on in sixth at the moment but their away form has seen them manage only one win. That doesn't look good enough in the long run.
Prediction; 2-1


Walsall v Notts County
It's tempting to see Walsall in a new light after their controlled and winning Valley performance. However, the table doesn't lie and we were dreadful on the day. Notts County are no great shakes mind you and the Saddlers could be eyeing a rare double.
Prediction; 1-0