Post by moonie on Jan 16, 2023 14:27:40 GMT
Fixture frequency picks up from Saturday, with the games coming thick and fast for the blues. Whilst it's still too early to be putting much stock in results elsewhere, there are some big games coming up which will have consequences for the promotion and playoff chases. We could finish the day just a point behind the autos (with a game in hand), or we could finish 7 points behind them and down to 7th place.
Stevenage (2nd) vs Orient (1st) - victory for stevenage would see them move just 2 points behind Orient - with a game in hand. The leaders have stuttered of late, with just 1 win in their last 5 games - but a victory for them hear could see us close the gap on their second placed opponents to 7 points. Away win please!
Northampton (3rd) vs Mansfield (9th) POSTPONED - the cobblers' 2-0 reversal at Stockport on Saturday was their 3rd loss in the 5 games since their controversial win over us at Sixfields. The locals are getting restless. Mansfield's form is little better, with the Stags taking just 5 points from their last 3. The visitors could go level on points with us, should they win - whilst we could move within a point of Northampton if we are also victorious. Providing we get some kind of result at Bradford (far from guaranteed), there are positives to be taken from any outcome here, but a draw would possibly suit us best?
Barrow (8th) vs Salford (5th) POSTPONED - Barrow sit just 2 points behind us, whilst their visitors are a point closer. The Bluebirds seem to be recovering from their midseason stumble, whilst Salford are improving, with 3 wins and a draw in their last 5 games. Whilst Salford are arguably the biggest threat to our ambitions, I'd be happiest with these two sharing the spoils.
Walsall (11th) vs Swindon (6th) POSTPONED - it's been a bit of a miserable transfer window so far for the Saddlers, whilst Swindon have welcomed back their prodigal son in Charlie Austin - but have also parted company with gaffer Scott Lindsay. They bounced back from that in emphatic style, annihilating Grimsby - and will be looking to continue that form in order to leapfrog us in the event that we don't win at Bradford. Whilst the visitors are just a point behind us, the home side themselves are just 4 points further behind, with a game in hand. Another game where a draw would suit us, though anything other than an away win will do nicely.
Crewe (17th) vs Stockport (10th) POSTPONED - after a ropey start, County are picking up the pace. 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 have seen them move within 5 points of us, and like Walsall, they have a game in hand. They face a Crewe side who've just lost their 1st choice keeper, and who have won just 1 of their last 6 games. Whilst victory for the Alex would be our favoured outcome, I'd be surprised with anything other than an away win here.
Doncaster (12th) vs Tranmere (15th) POSTPONED - two of the preseason promotion favourites who've struggled to meet expectations. Both sides need to string some results together if they're to progress, but both have suffered multiple departures during the window, and neither set of fans is confident of a successful second half of the season. Tranmere in particular are in danger of dropping out of contention, and will be desperate for 3 points at the Keepmoat, but Donny can't afford to drop points either.
Elsewhere, and (probably) of less consequence to us:
Newport vs Wimbledon POSTPONED
Sutton vs Crawley POSTPONED
Grimsby vs Harrogate POSTPONED
Colchester vs Gillingham
Hartlepool vs Rochdale
Stevenage (2nd) vs Orient (1st) - victory for stevenage would see them move just 2 points behind Orient - with a game in hand. The leaders have stuttered of late, with just 1 win in their last 5 games - but a victory for them hear could see us close the gap on their second placed opponents to 7 points. Away win please!
Northampton (3rd) vs Mansfield (9th) POSTPONED - the cobblers' 2-0 reversal at Stockport on Saturday was their 3rd loss in the 5 games since their controversial win over us at Sixfields. The locals are getting restless. Mansfield's form is little better, with the Stags taking just 5 points from their last 3. The visitors could go level on points with us, should they win - whilst we could move within a point of Northampton if we are also victorious. Providing we get some kind of result at Bradford (far from guaranteed), there are positives to be taken from any outcome here, but a draw would possibly suit us best?
Barrow (8th) vs Salford (5th) POSTPONED - Barrow sit just 2 points behind us, whilst their visitors are a point closer. The Bluebirds seem to be recovering from their midseason stumble, whilst Salford are improving, with 3 wins and a draw in their last 5 games. Whilst Salford are arguably the biggest threat to our ambitions, I'd be happiest with these two sharing the spoils.
Walsall (11th) vs Swindon (6th) POSTPONED - it's been a bit of a miserable transfer window so far for the Saddlers, whilst Swindon have welcomed back their prodigal son in Charlie Austin - but have also parted company with gaffer Scott Lindsay. They bounced back from that in emphatic style, annihilating Grimsby - and will be looking to continue that form in order to leapfrog us in the event that we don't win at Bradford. Whilst the visitors are just a point behind us, the home side themselves are just 4 points further behind, with a game in hand. Another game where a draw would suit us, though anything other than an away win will do nicely.
Crewe (17th) vs Stockport (10th) POSTPONED - after a ropey start, County are picking up the pace. 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 have seen them move within 5 points of us, and like Walsall, they have a game in hand. They face a Crewe side who've just lost their 1st choice keeper, and who have won just 1 of their last 6 games. Whilst victory for the Alex would be our favoured outcome, I'd be surprised with anything other than an away win here.
Doncaster (12th) vs Tranmere (15th) POSTPONED - two of the preseason promotion favourites who've struggled to meet expectations. Both sides need to string some results together if they're to progress, but both have suffered multiple departures during the window, and neither set of fans is confident of a successful second half of the season. Tranmere in particular are in danger of dropping out of contention, and will be desperate for 3 points at the Keepmoat, but Donny can't afford to drop points either.
Elsewhere, and (probably) of less consequence to us:
Newport vs Wimbledon POSTPONED
Sutton vs Crawley POSTPONED
Grimsby vs Harrogate POSTPONED
Colchester vs Gillingham
Hartlepool vs Rochdale
