Four left and the permutations and mathematics are becoming far easier. This weekend should see the first confirmed relegations and maybe the first promotion of the season. The excitement being engendered amongst the Addick faithful this week has almost taken solid form. As the numbers attending has crept up to 800 there have been a spate of snarling snipes about the lack of affordable and convenient transport to Cumbria. All the reasonably priced train tickets were snapped up by canny Addicks weeks again who were ready to take a risk on it being a key match and who were prepared to travel (or pay) in the event it wasn't. A form of natural selection in my mind and I am delighted for those who made the commitment. I wasn't prepared to book early so knew I would be paying a lot more on the train or driving. I'm driving.
We will be joined by lifelong Addick Davie from Elgin, whose drive south from God's Protectorate on the Moray Firth will be the same duration as ours north.
The Club were in a difficult position here because of the uncertainty of the criticality of the fixture until Monday and by then it was too late to book a Special. We would have filled it had a win been enough to guarantee promotion at Carlisle but Sheffield Wednesday's winning streak has meant we will also be dependent on them dropping points at Colchester and, for that reason, I reckon the Club took the right decision or they would be sitting on a sizeable loss.
In the spirit of all-hands-to-the-pumps, I have room for one in the back if there's anyone in Greenwich or Bexley who is still desperate to go but they would need to be ready to stay overnight as we won't hit the M6 back until Sunday morning.
It promises to be a good day for us as long as we don't go expecting promotion.
Brentford v Notts County
If we can win at Carlisle and Brentford can see off buoyant Notts County, it would leave the three of them tied in sixth place on 66 points. It would be great to see the Bees join us and QPR in the London Championship next season.
Prediction; 2-0
Bury v AFC Bournemouth
Both of these sides look safe but Bury probably need one more win to be sure.
Prediction; 1-0
Carlisle United v Charlton Athletic
We have something of the India Sign over the Cumbrians at the moment having beaten them up there last season (4-3) and having done them twice already in the league and cup. I saw very little from them in the two earlier games and they lost two key players to injury this week. I think we can set a new away wins record of 15 at Brunton Park.
Prediction; 0-1
Colchester United v Sheffield Wednesday
The Owl Army will be heading south this weekend (think Game of Thrones) and will be expecting to win again. Colchester have nothing to play for and have drawn seven of the last nine. However, they have the players and the small-club attitude to cock-a-snook at Dave Jones and his boys. History repeats itself.
Prediction; 2-2
Hartlepool United v Chesterfield
No-one has won fewer home games than Hartlepool this season but Chesterfield's away form has been relegation stuff and their return to League One can be confirmed here.
Prediction; 2-0
Preston North End v Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield desperately need some momentum for the play-offs and this is an eminently winnable game against a Preston side with only one win in ten. If we don't get promoted at Carlisle and fail to beat a defensively weak Wycombe (who will be playing two teenagers in central defence), then we will get a crack at this lot. It couldn't be much easier.
Prediction; 0-2
Rochdale v Exeter City
Rochdale could go here and after their thumping on Monday, I will take the Grecians to throw themselves a lifeline.
Predictions; 0-2
Scunthorpe United v MK Dons
A win guarantees Milton Keynes the play-off lottery.
Prediction; 0-2
Sheffield United v Leyton Orient
The O's have a four point relegation cushion but have lost the last four and this looks like five. I suspect they will be girding their loins for their last home games.
Prediction; 2-0
Walsall v Tranmere Rovers
Walsall's football was again better than expected on Monday and this is a game that could again secure their League One struggle next season.
Prediction; 2-0
Wycombe Wanderers v Oldham Athletic
C'mon Wycombe. They are going to need to win three from four and assuming they are not going to upset the odds next week, they know this is a must-win. The Latics have lost the last five and look like cannon-fodder. Paul Dickov could be looking for work this Summer.
Prediction; 3-1
Yeovil Town v Stevenage
Stevenage have left themselves too much to do and their failure to make the play-offs could be rubber-stamped by a Yeovil side who have found home form in recent weeks.
Prediction; 1-0
We will be joined by lifelong Addick Davie from Elgin, whose drive south from God's Protectorate on the Moray Firth will be the same duration as ours north.
The Club were in a difficult position here because of the uncertainty of the criticality of the fixture until Monday and by then it was too late to book a Special. We would have filled it had a win been enough to guarantee promotion at Carlisle but Sheffield Wednesday's winning streak has meant we will also be dependent on them dropping points at Colchester and, for that reason, I reckon the Club took the right decision or they would be sitting on a sizeable loss.
In the spirit of all-hands-to-the-pumps, I have room for one in the back if there's anyone in Greenwich or Bexley who is still desperate to go but they would need to be ready to stay overnight as we won't hit the M6 back until Sunday morning.
It promises to be a good day for us as long as we don't go expecting promotion.
Brentford v Notts County
If we can win at Carlisle and Brentford can see off buoyant Notts County, it would leave the three of them tied in sixth place on 66 points. It would be great to see the Bees join us and QPR in the London Championship next season.
Prediction; 2-0
Bury v AFC Bournemouth
Both of these sides look safe but Bury probably need one more win to be sure.
Prediction; 1-0
Carlisle United v Charlton Athletic
We have something of the India Sign over the Cumbrians at the moment having beaten them up there last season (4-3) and having done them twice already in the league and cup. I saw very little from them in the two earlier games and they lost two key players to injury this week. I think we can set a new away wins record of 15 at Brunton Park.
Prediction; 0-1
Colchester United v Sheffield Wednesday
The Owl Army will be heading south this weekend (think Game of Thrones) and will be expecting to win again. Colchester have nothing to play for and have drawn seven of the last nine. However, they have the players and the small-club attitude to cock-a-snook at Dave Jones and his boys. History repeats itself.
Prediction; 2-2
Hartlepool United v Chesterfield
No-one has won fewer home games than Hartlepool this season but Chesterfield's away form has been relegation stuff and their return to League One can be confirmed here.
Prediction; 2-0
Preston North End v Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield desperately need some momentum for the play-offs and this is an eminently winnable game against a Preston side with only one win in ten. If we don't get promoted at Carlisle and fail to beat a defensively weak Wycombe (who will be playing two teenagers in central defence), then we will get a crack at this lot. It couldn't be much easier.
Prediction; 0-2
Rochdale v Exeter City
Rochdale could go here and after their thumping on Monday, I will take the Grecians to throw themselves a lifeline.
Predictions; 0-2
Scunthorpe United v MK Dons
A win guarantees Milton Keynes the play-off lottery.
Prediction; 0-2
Sheffield United v Leyton Orient
The O's have a four point relegation cushion but have lost the last four and this looks like five. I suspect they will be girding their loins for their last home games.
Prediction; 2-0
Walsall v Tranmere Rovers
Walsall's football was again better than expected on Monday and this is a game that could again secure their League One struggle next season.
Prediction; 2-0
Wycombe Wanderers v Oldham Athletic
C'mon Wycombe. They are going to need to win three from four and assuming they are not going to upset the odds next week, they know this is a must-win. The Latics have lost the last five and look like cannon-fodder. Paul Dickov could be looking for work this Summer.
Prediction; 3-1
Yeovil Town v Stevenage
Stevenage have left themselves too much to do and their failure to make the play-offs could be rubber-stamped by a Yeovil side who have found home form in recent weeks.
Prediction; 1-0
I wish I was going with you, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're still partying...somehow I doubt the M6 will be seen tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteSuze - yes we are. Home tomorrow, we have the title to win x.
ReplyDelete