The form side of the Football League continue their run

Five stats about last night’s Football League action

1. While Wolves, Leicester and Wycombe, the teams who led the three divisions at Christmas, have all endured blips since, the team with the best form in the Football League were bottom of the Championship on December 25. Doncaster won just four of their first 24 games in the division but since Yuletide have won seven and drawn one of their eight league games. That run has seen them climb to 15th, where they are eight points clear of the relegation zone.

2. Of course Leicester’s blip has been very minor, with the Foxes still sixteen points clear of Peterborough in third despite three successive draws. Nigel Pearson’s side endured a trio of ties earlier this season before losing away to Brighton which bodes well for in-form Bristol Rovers, who the league leaders visit on Saturday.

Posted: February 18th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Luton fans could be set for a well-earned trip to Wembley

Luton/Brighton, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Chelsea fans who complain about how hard done by they are because they are fourth in the Premier League should spare a thought for Luton’s loyal supporters. Three-and-a-half years ago they were top of the Championship but this season, despite effectively being relegated before a ball was kicked courtesy of a ridiculous thirty-point deduction, they have averaged the second highest crowd in League Two.

It’s fitting therefore that those who have sat through a season of suffering, being forced to wait until January for the privilege of reaching the zero point mark, all the while knowing that they’d be nine points clear of the drop if it wasn’t for the handicaps inflicted on Rotherham, Bournemouth and themselves, will get a day out at Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final if they beat Brighton at their Kenilworth Road home tonight.

Posted: February 17th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Bad omens for Blackburn

Manchester United/Blackburn Rovers, 8pm, Best Odds, Free Bets

Blackburn have impressed in the Carling Cup this season, taking out Everton and winning away at Sunderland but the minute they were drawn away to Manchester United, it was hard to see their journey continuing. Paul Ince has tried to boost morale by making the comparison with when his Macclesfield team were struggling in the relegation zone and won away at league leaders Walsall in the cup, kickstarting their season. Unfortunately for Ince and his team, Manchester United are a bit of a step-up from Walsall.

» Blackburn have already lost at home to Manchester United 2-0 this season and have lost all four of their games against top five sides under Paul Ince.

» Rovers got past two Premier League sides to reach last season’s quarter-finals where they were drawn at home to Arsenal and suffered elimination.

» Sir Alex Ferguson has lost just five of 51 encounters against teams managed by his former players.

Posted: December 3rd, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment