English Football League / Alan Dudman / 30 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Bond girls have been splashed all over the papers this week, so let's feature one of the classics in Al Dudman's weekly look at the League One odds.

"The taxman's taken all my dough, and left me in my stately home." Well the first bit is most certainly correct, the second part is unsurprisingly not. Tax doesn't have to be taxing says Moira Stewart, results in League One however are.

(Memo to editor: Moira Stewart is not I repeat NOT this week's picture).

(Second memo to editor: Neither is Ray Davies)

Having completed form after form this week (V56, R5, 3R, HH8, A1, M1, B52's, 007, MK47 and 911), I decided to stick with the form theme, or lack of it in the case of Carlisle, for this weekend's fixtures.

Stockport County versus Carlisle United

Two months ago (when there was no snow), Carlisle would have been a clear pick for maximum points here, fast forward to November and the Cumbrians are struggling big time.

Quite what has happened to John Ward's team I don't know. A dreadful run of defeats (lost eight of their last nine), has seen them pick up a paltry one point from their last 27... a shocking stat that has seen their title odds shift from [7.00] to a whopping [340.00]. In fact, so bad are the Foxes that they are trading at [3.77] for relegation!

Ward is hanging on to his job by a shoestring, with fans calling for him to collect his bags and go. The board have issued a statement backing him this week....ahhh the dreaded vote of confidence, in which they admitted the 'gravity of the situation'. I am not one for using words such as gravity, it is after all just a game, and it must be remembered that Ward has taken them to the play-offs in previous seasons.

Stockport however are the opposite, a fine run away from home has seen them break a club record recently, and with one defeat from their last 10 games, Jim Gannon's side could be on the cusp of the play-offs.

Brilliant on their travels, the Hatters are exactly what I like in a side at this level - young, quick, and capable of hitting you on the counter attack - which perhaps explains why they are better away from Edgeley Park.

They don't score many goals at home, and just tend to do enough. A victory here could see them move in to the play-offs, but the price of [1.79] is hardly sexy.

Recommendations: Back Under 2.5 goals @ [1.99]; Back Stockport to win 1-0 [8.00] and 2-0 [10.50]


Brighton and Hove Albion versus Millwall

If Millwall were a Bond girl, they most certainly would be Britt Ekland...tough, always has an answer and oh so very attractive.

(There... this week's picture sorted)

Lions boss Kenny Jackett is not quite as stunning, but his team have really impressed me this season. Easy to say when they are joint top I hear you cry! But it's when the Lions lose they always respond. Defeat to MK Dons was followed up with three points, as was last Saturday's thrilling 3-2 loss at Scunthorpe with a midweek victory against Hereford. This is a really good trait in a side that isn't without quality.

Although the Lions are missing the physical presence of the injured Gary Alexander, the extension of Jermaine Easter's loan spell from Plymouth this week is a big boost.

I was struggling to compare Brighton to any Bond Girl, so for the purposes of the article they can be my Nick-Nack.

The Albion have been drawing ugly recently, but surprised everyone in midweek with a tremendous win against title favourites Leicester - coming from behind to win 3-2 in their first league win since August.

Brighton will bid farewell to loan signing Robbie Savage this week, a shin injury means he will play no part in Saturday's game, and therefore returns to Pride Park... some Albion fans will be pleased. This will have no impact on the squad.

Brighton are better since the recent addition of Bradley Johnson from Leeds, but I am still not convinced about them and fancy Millwall to nick victory.

Recommendations: Lay Brighton @ [3.00]; Back 0-0 [13.51] and 0-1 [9.2]

Did you know that Britt Ekland was one of the first users of Pilates? Well she was, all the way back in the 1970s, before I was born.

I recently tried to join a Pilates class, the teacher asked me how flexible I was. I answered not very.... I couldn't do Thursdays or Fridays. We then said our goodbyes.

Goodbye.

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