Here we go again in League One, another busy weekend of action. MIKE BACON takes a look at the stories, thoughts and views ahead of the big games… some of them even interesting!
Game of the weekend
MK Dons v Derby County
After a hapless start to the season are MK Dons starting to turn the corner?
Liam Manning’s side are unbeaten in four after they beat Charlton at the Valley, drew at Cheltenham and then won two cup games in the last seven days at Stadium MK.
They are through to the last 16 of the EFL Cup where they will entertain Premier League Leicester City. The season is starting to take off for MK. Or is it?
Meanwhile, Derby continue to huff and puff. Their last six League One games have seen them win two, draw two and lose two, while they could only manage a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup first round with non-league Torquay last weekend, but then took Liverpool all the way in the EFL Cup in midweek, losing on penalties at Anfield.
You certainly pays your money and takes your choice with the Rams. I’m on the fence.
Prediction: MK Dons 1 Derby 1
Stanley boss just loves watching Owls
Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman admits he loves watching Sheffield Wednesday play. Stanley host the Owls today looking to record a first league win since October 1.
Their poor run of form has seen them fall to 20th in the League One standings, just three points above the relegation zone.
You are going to get good odds for a Stanley win, but many have said that before as they rock up at the Wham Stadium, only for Accrington to tuck them up.
“I love watching them play,” Coleman said of Sheffield Wednesday.
“I have watched them three or four times and they are a very good side. Darren (Moore) will be disappointed they aren’t higher up the table.”
Don’t tell you players to watch them too much today, John. Points mean prizes.
Posh look to keep up the record
Peterborough United make the long trek west to Exeter City today hoping to hang onto a good record against the Grechians.
Posh may only have picked up nine of a possible 24 points on the road in League One this season but they travel to Exeter having not lost to them in any of their last six meetings.
Not that Posh boss Grant McCann is taking it lightly, even though his team have won four of their last five League One games.
“They are a strong team,” he said. “They’re a team that’s been together for quite a bit. They got promoted last season so are used to winning and have started the season quite well.
“They’ve got a new manager which always makes you run more and press more for him in the early part. We’ve watched a lot of them, seen a lot of them.”
Going to be a good match, this.
Turn up the volume
Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill has urged the Shrewsbury Town faithful to get behind their team today when they take on Barnsley at the Meadow.
It will be Town’s third game in eight days, all of which have been at Montgomery Waters Meadow. And they drew 1-1 with Oxford United in midweek in a scrappy game that Cotterill’s side had the best chances to win.
“We have another tough home game,” the boss said ahead of the match against the Tykes. “We need the crowd to be behind us.
“I thought they were quite quiet on Wednesday night. The boys need them at the moment – we really need them. Hopefully if they can, turn the volume up for Saturday.”
Come on Salop fans, you can do this.
And finally….
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley isn’t getting overly concerned about his team’s recent average run of results.
Pompey return to League One action at Morecambe today, looking to improve on a drop-off in form after a flying start to the campaign.
Cowley’s men have one win in seven in the third tier, after topping the table early on amid an impressive opening. They sit 19th in the last six-game form guide.
“I’m not getting too caught up with the league table,” Cowley said. “I didn’t when we were top so I won’t now we’re fifth. I never really felt that we were competing (for the top two).
“I know where we are, I live it every single minute of every single day.”
We all do Danny, we all do.
Who’s meeting who… today’s fixtures, 3pm unless stated.
Accrington Stanley v Sheffield Wednesday; Bristol Rovers v Fleetwood Town; Burton v Charlton; Cambridge United v Bolton; Exeter City v Peterborough; Forest Green Rovers v Wycombe Wands; Ipswich Town v Cheltenham; Lincoln City v Plymouth Argyle; MK Dons v Derby; Morecambe v Portsmouth; Oxford United v Port Vale; Shrewsbury v Barnsley.
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