CC League One - 15th Oct

[Kop66]

BBC news is reporting that Jason Brown (our main keeper, and in pretty good form this season) is unlikely to make the bench for Wales tonight as he suffered a suspected broken thumb in training. If that's confirmed, it's likely to be Paul Crichton in goal, and with the form Yeovil are in we could be in trouble.

He's definately out RC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...am/4335490.stm

[MickeyPaul]

Does that mean I should be looking to take the 2/1 on offer for Yeovil @ Stan James? Was looking a bit tight on paper but a couple of good wins back to back for Yeovil: 3-4 at a decent home side in Scunthorpe and 1-0 against highflying Swansea..... I'm interested.....

Oh, and welcome to TDP handicapman.

[rcgills]

By all logical accounts, yes you should be looking to back Yeovil. I've backed them myself on the DNB, and have got some of my virtual cash on them in this new competition on here. And yet, something somewhere in my head is just telling me Gillingham are going to get a result here.

Following team news has been announced so far for the Gills:

In goal, Brown is definitely out (for 6-8 weeks ). Paul Crichton, ex (deep breath) Notts Co, Darlington, Peterborough, Swindon, Rotherham, Torquay, Doncaster, Grimsby, West Brom, Burnley, Norwich, York, Leigh RMI and Accrington Stanley (and relax) will be making his debut for us at the age of 37. He was only signed as goalkeeping coach, but as Brown is injured, Bullock (signed from Dundee Utd) got injured in pre-season, and we sold Banks to Hearts, it's either him or the youngster Danny Knowles, so Crichton it is.

In defence, Sancho and Cox are both still ruled out, but Chris Hope is back in training and in contention for the game tomorrow (given the alternatives, and unless we bring in a loan signing, I can't imagine Hope not playing tomorrow).

In midfield, Pouton is now out for 2-3 months (Gills fans divided on whether that's good or bad news), but Daniel Spiller is now back in training having been out since August with an ankle injury, and is in contention for tomorrow. Mark Saunders, who broke his leg in just the 3rd game of last season, is finally back in contention. He's been on loan to Welling to regain full fitness, and also played the full 90 mins for the reserves in midweek. Very good news to have him back, not least because he can play anywhere in midfield, and also cover at right back or centre back if required.

Up front, Byfield is definitely out, apparently for another 3 weeks, the same for Paul Shields.

Squad will therefore be selected from the following:

Crichton, Knowles: Rose, Hope, Johnson, Williams, Scaramozzino, Corneille: Hessenthaler, Crofts (just capped for Wales for the first time in midweek), Flynn, Jarvis, Jackman, Saunders, Spiller, Wallis (just recalled from loan at Hastings): Ashikodi, Hislop, Harris, Collin (England schoolboy international who has just signed his first professional contract).

Make of all that what you like, as I say, despite having money on Yeovil, something's just nagging away at me telling me that we're going to get something from this game.

[christianu]

You must be joking seriously? Bradford the last few seasons have been better than anyone away from home in the CC leagues and last year they lost less than 1/3 of there away games.

Theyve started the same this year where they have lost 1 in 6 on there travels. Added to that there 6 games unbeaten with one of the strongest squads in the division.

Port Vale are just an average side in this league who are very very inconsistent. They lose a lot of games and they win a few too, very rarely drawing from what I remember last year.

The only big absentee in tonights game is Windass and he will be back after his suspension on saturday so it should be good on the injury front.

3.2 Available on Bradford now and I hope to get around 3.5 but anything above 2.9 I would take

As per the above I can now get 3.4

Port Vale vs Bradford 1pt@12/5

[kompressaur]

Barnsley v Blackpool
Barnsley have midfielder Stephen McPhail and defender Matt Carbon fit after they have shaken off respective calf and groin problems.
Defender Neil Austin and midfielder Antony Kay both sit out the last game of their three-match suspensions.

Blackpool are set to hand defender Chris Armstrong his debut after his arrival on loan from Shffield United.

John Murphy (back) is a doubt but Danny Coid (hamstring) should be fit, while Keigan Parker returns from suspendion.

Brentford v Swindon
Brentford have Dudley Campbell suspended as he starts a three-match ban and Scott Fitzgerald, who is on the transfer list, could return.
Midfielder Paul Brooker is struggling with an ankle injury.

Swindon keeper Rhys Evans has returned to fitness after seven weeks out with a knee injury and he will compete with Tom Heaton for the first-team place.

But defender Nicky Nicolau is out and is set to miss up to five weeks of the season as he faces a hernia operation.

Bristol City v Tranmere
Bristol City will be without defender David Partridge and midfielders Scott Brown and Bradley Orr after they were suspended by the club.
Left-back Kelly Younga, the club's new loan signing from Charlton, is in contention for a starting place.

Tranmere skipper Jason McAteer is suspended and fellow midfielder Danny Harrison (nose operation) is also out.

Defender Gareth Roberts is available after a groin injury while striker Calvin Zola (foot) should be fit.

Colchester v Bournemouth
Colchester striker Gareth Williams looks set to reclaim his place as manager Phil Parkinson looks set to return to a 4-4-2 formation.
Midfielder Neil Danns may be dropped while Richard Garcia (shin) is pushing for a place, although the game may be too early for Marino Keith's comeback.

Bournemouth have full-back Stephen Purches, centre-half Josh Gowling and goalkeeper Neil Moss back.

Moss may be on the bench because of the fine form of Gareth Stewart.

Doncaster v Southend
Doncaster midfielder Ricky Ravenhill returns after a one-match ban.
Steve Roberts (calf), Sean Thornton (ankle) and Tonny Nielsen (thigh) have all trained this week and could play some part.

Southend defender Spencer Prior is struggling with a hamstring injury, while winger Mark Gower is still lacking fitness.

Striker Freddy Eastwood could be back on the bench despite his winner against Nottingham Forest.

Gillingham v Yeovil
Gillingham midfielder Alan Pouton (knee) and keeper Jason Brown (thumb) are sidelined.
Brent Sancho, Ian Cox, Darren Byfield, Paul Shields and Tony Bullock are still out and Paul Crichton will make his debut in goal.

Yeovil Town's Liam Fontaine is ruled out by an ankle injury but defender Alejandro Melono is back from a three-match suspension.

Lucian Alvares and Paul Terry are fit after recovering from injury.

Huddersfield v Walsall
Huddersfield could recall Danny Schofield but Chris Brandon is expected to miss out after twisting his ankle.
Leading scorer Pawel Abbott is expected to return following a viral infection in place of Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

walsall player-manager is out with a groin injury but full-back Craig Pead (hip) is expected to be fit.

Defender Ian Roper should also be play after hamstring troubles and striker Jorge Leitao is expected to be recalled after being rested.

MK Dons v Chesterfield
MK Dons boss Danny Wilson is set to name the side that drew with Walsall.
Winger Wade Small is still missing with an ankle injury and full-back Trent McLenahan is at least a week away from recovering form a hamstring injury.

Chesterfield defender Alex Bailey is back after a knee injury.

But striker Caleb Folan pulled a hamstring in the reserves this week and will not play, while defender Alan O'Hare is out with an eye injury

Nottm Forest v Hartlepool
Nottingham Forest striker Scott Dobie has been ruled out by a hip injury while Danny Cullip continues to be troubled by hamstring problems.
Full-back John Curtis also remains sidelined by a calf niggle although Gary Holt could feature after recovering from broken ribs.

Hartlepool midfielder Thomas Butler has completed a one-match ban and is back.

Striker Eifion Williams has had a run out for the reserves and will hope to land a starting place

Port Vale v Bradford
Port Vale's month-long signing Michael Husbands could start while midfielder Robin Hulbert, who has been out with a broken foot, is set to be passed fit.
Craig James (calf), Nathan Lowndes (knee), Jeff Smith (knee) should also be available for selection. Bradford striker Dean Windass will return from suspension and Steve Claridge, Andy Cooke and Danny Cadamarteri will vye to partner him.

Keeper Donovan Ricketts is also expected to return to the squad.

Scunthorpe v Rotherham
Scunthorpe skipper Andy Crosby is available after a groin injury but the central defender may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Defender Nathan Stanton is still a major doubt after missing out last Friday with a knee injury.

Rotherham have signed striker Barry Conlon and he should feature.

Winger Andy Monkhouse (knee) and defenders Scott Minto (Achilles) and Phil Gilchrist (shoulder) are expected to return.

form the bbc

[Swooperman]

Huddersfield v Walsall

As Was says....never trust the BBC, as they dont even mention Osbourne. This from Soccernet:

Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson could recall Danny Schofield to his side for the visit of Walsall.

But Chris Brandon is expected to miss out after twisting his ankle in the 2-1 derby win at Bradford.

Fellow midfielder Schofield missed the Valley Parade clash with a groin strain but has made a quicker-than-expected recovery and would be a ready-made replacement for Brandon.

Leading scorer Pawel Abbott is expected to return to the starting line-up following a viral infection in place of Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Defender Martin McIntosh (knee), midfielder Lee Fowler (groin) and striker John McAliskey (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Walsall full-back Craig Pead is facing a race for fitness.

Pead has sustained a hip injury but manager Paul Merson is confident the 24-year-old can recover in time to face the Terriers while fellow defender Ian Roper is also expected to travel to Yorkshire after bouncing back from hamstring troubles.

Striker Jorge Leitao is expected to be recalled after being rested for last week's 1-1 home draw with Milton Keynes Dons.

But player-manager Merson has been ruled out by a groin injury which is likely to keep him sidelined for another two months and goalkeeper Andy Oakes also remains out of action after suffering hand ligament damage.

And a broken shin means Darren Wrack will miss out too with a long-term knee injury putting paid to Daryl Taylor's involvement.

Meanwhile, non-contract striker Michael Husbands has switched to Port Vale.

........Simon Osbourne appears to be the key walsall player this season & misses out through suspension. He has played all 13 games this season although he was a sub twice. Walsalls injuries have eased slightly but they only have the bare 15 players fit, but Merson is leaving Scott Dann (?) at home & either Roper or Staunton will bench but they are both a full week off fitness. Kinsella will deputise for Osbourne, & Leitaio returns as reported, but Husbands leaving is a blow as he is quick & was linking up well with Fryatt. Fryatt had a mare here last season but Pawel Abbott has been a constant thorn in Walsalls side.

I can see only 1 winner here, Hudds have won 3 of the last 6, whilst Walsall have won once in that time. Hudds are unbeaten in 4.
There has ben a lot of moaning about walsalls fitness levels & the effectiveness of training & the fact that 17 of 21 goals have been conceded in the 2nd half tells its own story.
Walsall have also led at half time on 5 occasions this season, taking 1 point from those 5 matches.

Huddersfield win

[Swooperman]

Doncaster v Southend

again from soccernet:

Doncaster are boosted by the return of Ricky Ravenhill for the visit of high-flying Southend.

The midfielder served a one-match ban at Bournemouth last week after being sent off during the recent 2-2 draw with Bradford.

He could be joined in the squad by a number of players currently working their way towards full fitness after injury.

Steve Roberts (calf), Sean Thornton (ankle) and Tonny Nielsen (thigh) have all trained this week to potentially boost a Rovers squad still missing Andy Warrington (broken leg), Jermaine McSporran (knee) and Tim Ryan (Achilles).

Southend's young striker Freddy Eastwood may again have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes.

Eastwood came off the bench to hit the winner against Nottingham Forest last time out but will struggle to displace Shaun Goater or Wayne Gray in attack.

Defender Spencer Prior is struggling with a hamstring injury, while winger Mark Gower is still lacking fitness despite playing 45 minutes for the reserves in midweek.

.....well, the runs got to come to an end somewhere but I agree with AMP & think that Southend are worth backing here @ decent odds

[Swooperman]

Gillingham v Yeovil

Alan Pouton and Jason Brown are the latest additions to the overcrowded treatment room ahead of Gillingham's clash with Yeovil.

Midfielder Pouton has been sidelined with a serious knee injury while goalkeeper Brown has fractured a thumb.

Defenders Brent Sancho and Ian Cox and strikers Darren Byfield and Paul Shields are still missing along with keeper Tony Bullock, so the much-travelled Paul Crichton will make his debut between the sticks.

Better news for manager Neale Cooper is the return to training of defender Chris Hope and playmaker Danny Spiller, and both could be in contention for the weekend.

Midfielder Mark Saunders is also on the comeback trail following more than a year on the sidelines with a broken leg.

In-form Yeovil are boosted by the return of defender Alejandro Melono from a three-match suspension.

Melono's return is timely as on-loan Fulham defender Liam Fontaine is ruled out by an ankle injury.

Colin Miles, Nathan Jones and Melono will vie for Fontaine's spot at left back.

Lucian Alvares and Paul Terry are fit for selection after recovering from injury.

The game is the first official match in charge for new boss Steve Thompson, who has overseen three wins in four games since being caretaker, including the 1-0 win over leaders Swansea.

The game is also the first match for new Glovers assistant manager Kevin Hodges, appointed as Thompson's right-hand man on Monday.

.....well, taking it all into account from this, other snippets & what RC & others have put above, having talked myself out of MK Dons I'm taking Yeovil here & think theyre a decent shout

[Swooperman]

I've talked myself out of backing Port Vale as well, as Chris points out Bradford are decent travelling. Although I would mention that Vale have picked up Husbands on a non-contract basis whos supposed to be quick & had good reports @ walsall, but then you could ask why'd they let him go then ?? Well, we'll see........

[trickrick]

I am certainly going to get the for what I am about to say, but in a weekend that is not inspiring me the only proper bet for me is MK Dons to beat Chesterfield..WHAT! you may say - not the Chesterfield that is currently lying 7th, that have won 5 out of the last 8 games, that have also won 3 out of their last 5 away matches??? (Time to throw in another couple of , plus a big :loon ....)

And this is against a Don's team that is currently 21st out of 24...! Am I mad???? Well maybe, but I am also convinced that MK Dons have turned the corner and having only lost 1 of their last 5 home matches, and although last week they conceeded a lst minute equaliser against Wallsall, I'm sureDanny Wilson will have got them drilled right this time...

Ok let's just throw in another for your benefit, but honestly I am confident at a nice price...

MK Dons to beat Chesterfield - 6 pt single @ 11/8 (Ladbrokes)

[Swooperman]

I was going to take it, TR....I only didnt as I felt I found better, but certainly I think they have a great chance of winning

[kompressaur]

Swindon worth small intrest to shock Brentford .... Mark Langdon

MK Dons v Chesterfield - MK Dons, 2pts 11-8 (Ladbrokes)

MK Dons nearly made it three wins on the spin last week, yet a last-gasp Walsall equaliser left coach Danny Wilson wondering how his side managed to leave the Bescot with just a point.
However, on a positive note, the Dons looked dangerous throughout the match and it’s only a matter of time before they climb the table.
Chesterfield have been doing fairly well, yet it is debatable whether they deserve to be vying for favouritism here.

Brentford v Swindon - Swindon, 1pts 13-2 (Tote, VC)

NO team in League One should be 13-2 against another team from the third tier,and Swindon have to be worth a small bet to shock Brentford.
The Robins have lost their last eight games and confidence is low. But Town have scored the first goal in three of their last four losses and eventually they should manage to hang on.

http://www.racingpost.co.uk

[GETT1NLOTS]

Coca-Cola League One

Huddersfield v Walsall 4/6 5/2 7/2
I'll be taking Huddersafield here. Walsall have a few injury concerns, primarily that of their player manager who still on his day can cause League one outfits some problems. Walsall were extremely lucky to get a draw on their last outing and Huddersfield are a strong League One outfit lying second in the table with only two defeats all season. One of thos defeats was against Forest away on the opening day were the Nottingham outfit didn't deserve the three points (according to Forest fans I know). I think 4/6 is reasonably generous and I will be having a few quid on the home side wherever I see this price or better.

Nottm Forest v Hartlepool 4/5 23/10 3/1
Hartlepool have a strange record this season being better away from home than in front of their own crowd. They have three wins on their travels but these were to lower quality outfits like Blackpool, Doncaster and Bristol City. Forest on the other hand have had a real upoturn in form and despite a loss against Southend (1-0 away - where we deserved to lose according to Megson) our record has been pretty good. I'll stick my neck out and say that Forest wont possibly lose this game today so if you're more of a nervy backer simply lay Hartlepool at the exchanges. For me 4/5 on the straight home win looks far, far too good to resist. A medium sized bet for me on the home win here.

[thehandicapman]

Just a couple of bets for me today, Huddersfield look absolutely nailed on to beat Walsall, so i've gone quite big there

Also got City to beat Tranmere, the 3 players getting arrested won't help but we have adequate cover and I think Tranmere have got far more problems that we have at the moment and we usually win this one at home.

A word of warning re Notts For, I am in no doubt that Hartlepool will do exactly what they did to us the other week week and come to defend the ball and go away with a point (Martin Scott said he would have ben 'delighted' with a point at Ashton gate, something he said after the game!)

This is the problem for 'big' teams in this division, teams are more than happy to play away from home and defend the ball. Should Forest score early they should be ok but most of their goals come in the 2nd half and by that time Hartlepool are likely to have 11 men behind the ball defending for their lives.

This is why i've got a small stake on city, Tranmere are low on confidence and yet need to start picking up points - so should come at us a bit.

Good luck with all your bets!

[Swooperman]

Good points THC, & I'm glad you did that as I was having a late toy with Forest but you've convinved me to leave them alone now

Huddersfields the main bet with me, doubled with wycombe, & I've also been tempted with MK Dons in the en, replacing Coventry @ home to Palace as I was swaying to the draw there tbh.
Good luck