League One Weekend Preview, Game 30

I attended a thoroughly enjoyable City Addicks evening with Eddie Youds and Garry Nelson last night (well done Brenda). They make an excellent double-act and it was good to hear them recounting tales about events we are familiar with as well as their views on others players and the game in general. For those who were present, here is a link re the prolific sportsman, Gerry McElhinney, aka Cyclops.


This evening I will be glued to Sky Sports as the Addicks look to steal a march on their play-off rivals by winning a second away game under Chris Powell. The mud patch at the County ground is the venue and we will need to be bold if we are to get anything as County will throw the kitchen sink at us in search of their ninth home win of the season. Having only been held at home once it looks like it may well be a case of all-or-nothing.


Having matched our best winning sequence of four games, we have now matched our worst losing streak of two on the spin and a third would mark the end of the Honeymoon period for Chris Powell. It was interesting to read the two-page spread on Powell in the sub-Standard last night. Much of it was are-telling of how nice a bloke he is and how he got the job etc but he revealed that Sven Goran-Ericsson is his mentor and he aspires to be a calm and considered manager, not a cup-thrower like Jim Smith in his Derby County days. Powelly is also telling an honest story about his love of the passing game and his intentions to turn us into a south of the river Arsenal, also he made the point that it takes more of our cultural heritage in terms of the physicality of the game to get out of League One. I suspect that's what we will see this evening and it's a match that Eddie Youds and Garry Nelson may both have excelled at in their day.


Tomorrow we get to see how the others get on...


Notts County v Charlton Athletic
Honeymoon over I fear. Westcarr and Hughes will ask a lot of questions and our back-line will need better protection from midfield than they were given against Exeter and we can't afford any howlers. Attack really is the best form of defence, especially when you have the pace and threat of Eccleson and Wright-Phillips. To this successfully, however, you need an engine room firing on all cylinders and again, that's the weakest link at the moment.
Prediction; 2-1


Brentford v Bristol Rovers
A straightforward home win but the Bees aren't so predictable. It took a 91st minute goal in the week for them to overcome Tranmere and Rovers will come and park the bus in front of their goal.
Prediction; 0-0


Carlisle United v Sheffield Wednesday
Carlisle have rallied of late whilst the Owls are paying the penalty for a premature change of manager. One of my pre-season promotion tips, (with Southampton and Brighton), they are now languishing in 16th place. Could be a long day and long faces for those crossing t'Pennines.
Prediction; 2-1


Dagenham & Redbridge v AFC Bournemouth
Second-bottom versus second-top here. They can't, can they?
Prediction; 0-2


Exeter City v Hartlepool United
These sides sit next to each other in solid mid-table with near identical records. Exeter will be buoyed by their good fortune in front of 25,000 at the Valley and should have enough here.
Prediction; 2-0


Huddersfield Town v Leyton Orient
If the O's can carry on their current renaissance then they could do us a big favour at the Galpharm. However, they have an exciting Cup replay at the Emirates in the week and I suspect they may lack concentration here.
Prediction; 3-0


MK Dons v Brighton & Hove Albion
Looking at this fixture realistically, we should be rooting for a Brighton win. It won't be easy but after knocking the stuffing out of Plymouth in midweek I can see taking the lead here and holding it.
Prediction; 0-2


Oldham Athletic v Peterborough United
Good home meets poor away here, so three points for the Latics who may climb above us in the table.
Prediction; 2-0


Plymouth Argyle v Colchester United
Argyle need to win five in-a-row if they are to have any chance of avoiding League Two football next season. With their debt crisis that could be the least of the problems. Low team morale will be a big problem but Colchester could be there for the taking.
Prediction; 1-1


Southampton v Swindon Town
Plymouth's ten point deduction has thrown Town a lifeline and wit Mike Grella brought in on loan to score the goals Charlie Austin used to, they have half-a-chance. Saints have been unconvincing t St. Mary's this season but are grinding out the results and they should do so again here.
Prediction; 2-0


Tranmere Rovers v Yeovil Town
Tranmere are actually above Yeovil in the table and a win here would see them heading for the relative luxury of mid-table. It's a long journey back to Somerset.
Prediction; 2-0


Walsall v Rochdale
A rare chance for the Saddlers to move out of the drop zone. Dean Smith has brought an improvement to results but you can't polish a turd as the saying goes.
Prediction; 1-2