Around 3

I was having a proper look at the Division 3 table this morning, mostly to see how close those scumbags Bristol Rovers are to getting relegated. Truth is they have a decent looking run-in, especially if they can avoid defeat at Bournemouth on Monday. Martin Allen’s bulldog spirit has seen Notts County collect 6 points in their last two games, both away. Another win at home to Brentford tomorrow should see the Magpies safe. Allen is County’s 4th manager this season.

Walsall have us next week and go to Oldham tomorrow needing to win. Their final game is at Southampton, and staying up looks a tough ask for Dean Smith. The Daggers are ahead of Walsall and Rovers on goal difference (Rovers have by far the worst) but they have won only one game in nine since they beat us. They also have the hardest run in and I think they might be going to Peterborough on the last day relying on others. I hope they stay up.

Plymouth are hindered by a 10-point deduction and if it wasn’t for that Walsall, Rovers and the Daggers would already be down. Arygle have improved recently and have won crucial games against relegation rivals. They do have an extra game (at Southampton) but they need to win their other three matches by my reckoning to avoid a double relegation.

Then there is Swindon and we thought we’ve had a crap season. Last year’s play-off final losers will go down if they lose at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow. Since they stuffed us in Parky’s last game at The Valley in early January, Swindon have won just once in 21 games. Looking at the team Swindon put out yesterday, the majority of last season’s players are still there except three very important ones – Austin, Paynter and Ward. Neither of whom are excelling where they are now.

At the top we really want Southampton to go up, and yesterday’s win at Brighton should give them the stimulus to collect the points in their easy-looking run-in. Huddersfield have to go to Brighton too, and I am hoping they fair better in this year’s play-off’s. Peterborough have already claimed their spot with three games left and MK Dons are within spitting distance.

It will be a real shame to see Bournemouth miss out on the play-off’s, they’ve been in there for almost 6 months but Rochdale, Leyton Orient and even Exeter are all queueing up behind them. Yes, I know Rochdale, Leyton Orient and Exeter. Gut-wrenching isn’t it but hopefully a season made less painful if Bristol Rovers go down.