English Football League / Alan Dudman / 19 February 2009 / Leave a comment

Alan Dudman battles shivers and cold sweats in a bid to not disappoint his loyal readers and tell us about Russell Slade's sacking and the value bets in League One this weekend. Best bet: Back Carlisle to beat Stockport @ [2.46].

I currently write from my sickbed after contracting a particularly nasty bout of 'Man Flu'. There are those that mock and those that tease, but at times like this all one needs is a casserole and a cuddle to ease the pain.....and perhaps a few winners.

Sadly the cuddles and casseroles seem in short supply.

Moving on, and another week means another sacking in the crazy world of League One. I have lost count now of the casualties, but Russell Slade is the latest to join the ever-growing list.

The baseball cap-wearing boss had coaxed four wins recently out of an average Yeovil side to move them above the relegation zone - that wasn't enough for him to stay, and another one bites the dust.

Perhaps the reasons will come out, who knows? The Huish Park club have opted to go with fresh ideas and have appointed 33-year-old player Terry Skiverton as boss, and he'll be assisted by left-back Nathan Jones - who of course had a song written about him by The Supremes.

Yeovil are [2.50] to get relegated and face a tricky match this weekend against Oldham - who continue to pester the play-off candidates at the top of the table.

Slade was popular amongst the fans and this could have a negative effect. Admittedly Skiverton and Jones are liked by the Yeovil faithful, but it's very hard to know what to make of this situation.

Anyway Saturday's game could be too much of an ask against Oldham, who like a 4-3-3 and welcome back Chris Taylor and Greg Fleming.

Recommendations: Back Oldham to beat Yeovil @ [2.46]

Colchester United [1.98] versus Southend United [4.50]

Tickets have been apparently selling like hot cakes for this Essex derby, a bumper crowd of over 7,000 is expected at the Community Stadium - which will surpass the previous record set a couple of months ago.

Colchester must be kicking themselves after losing their last two. Paul Lambert's men were on the verge of moving in to the play-offs two weeks ago - but the dreaded manager of the month curse struck - and defeats against Walsall and Tranmere means we may get a decent price on the home side.

I have never really been a fan of Southend. They've still got a battle on their hands just to stay in the division - 37 points gleaned this term means they are still flirting with the relegation candidates.

It's a derby and Shrimpers boss Steve Tilson thinks it will be an open, attack-minded game. It needs to be after their awful performance against Crewe in midweek.

That 1-0 loss against the Alex was described as 'disgraceful' in some quarters, whilst other fans commented that the game was the worst match ever seen in League One.

Southend struggle for goals too, and they will struggle here against an
organised home side.

Recommendations:

Back Colchester to win @ [1.98]
Back Colchester to win 1-0 ([8.2)], 2-0 ([10.5)]

Carlisle United [2.46] versus Stockport County [2.97]

Carlisle seem the ultimate 'Curate's egg' team in this division (and that's in the face of pretty stiff competition). Their profile is wildly inconsistent - wins versus MK Dons and Huddersfield, defeats against Brighton and Crewe tell the story.

Greg Abbott's side should be better than they are. They've got some decent players and a couple of goal threats - in particular Danny Graham (16 and counting).

The Cumbrians are still trying to salvage something from a pretty dismal campaign, but they've got a couple of decent lads on loan which hopefully may give them a bit of a kick-start.

Winger Lewis Neal has arrived from Preston, whilst Blackburn defender Tony Kane has looked good in a couple of games so far.

Meanwhile Jim Gannon's Stockport have been excellent on their travels all season but it appears the long campaign could be catching up with the young Hatters squad.

Recommendations:

Back Carlisle to win @ [2.46]
Back over 2.5 goals