English Football League / Alan Dudman / 24 September 2009 / Leave a Comment

Alan Dudman talks northern sayings, Aidy Boothroyd tactics and League One tips ahead of the weekend's action.

There is an old saying in Northern Soul circles, and that is 'to keep the faith'. And it's time to keep the faith in a couple of old favourites this weekend...(and no, not you Doris and Gladys).

Hartlepool [2.36] versus Walsall [3.10], the draw [3.50]

I was rather interested in Hartlepool at Colchester last Saturday, for two reasons. Chris Turner's side have slowly gelled and have been better on their travels. And secondly, I thought they might have caused the Essex side (under their new boss Aidy Boothroyd) one or two problems. Well, they didn't. And they got bombarded with route-one long balls into the box.

Long-balls into the box? Nice to see Aidy Boothroyd still as one dimensional as ever eh? I was hoping he had changed.......

I was worried about Hartlepool's defending though. But Turner made a good point, he had never seen so many balls flung into the box. They just didn't handle it, and I am not sure Walsall will quite go down the 'Boothroyd Punt' route.

Turner has promised some changes for this weekend, and for a side seeking their first home win of the season I am not totally happy with the [2.36] on offer.

Walsall battered Swindon for the first-half last Saturday but came away with only a point, and are still unbeaten in five. They lack a bit of a killer instinct but are defensively, reasonably sound. Manager Chris Hutchings however has some big injury problems with Deeney, Smith and McDonald all rated doubtful.

I could make a case for either side, but goals and a clinical touch could be lacking here. The draw is the sensible play with one eye on low correct and unders.

Recommendations:

Back the draw @ [3.50] Hartlepool versus Walsall
Back 1-1 @ [11.00]

Swindon Town [1.80] versus Wycombe Wanderers [5.00], the draw [3.65]

Swindon were another team that took my dosh last weekend. Ironically drawing 1-1
at Walsall. First-half absolutely hopeless, an utter shambles. But they turned it around
for the second 45 minutes to take a point.

Danny Wilson has a decent looking squad with a bit depth, but are still seeking the right
combo up front to replace the goal machine that was Simon Cox last season. They are
slightly impotent up top, managing just eight goals from nine games. But I like their two
wingers, and am hoping little Anthony McNamee gets a start. They get plenty of balls into the box, but are lacking someone to finish those crosses off.

Wycombe were appalling against MK Dons recently, and are highly suspect at dealing with anything resembling a set-piece or corner. Although they have improved in that aspect slightly, I can't be having them at the moment.

Recommendations:

Back Swindon to beat Wycombe @ [1.80]
Back Swindon to win 1-0 and 2-0 @ [8.00] and [10.00]

Bristol Rovers [1.85] versus Brighton [4.90]

I'll keep this pretty simple. Bristol Rovers are the surprise package of the season, and are looking like they will score at any given moment. The exit of Rickie Lambert has been more help than hindrance - as they now look a lot more mobile in attack.

Loan signing (of which I am usually against) Chris Dickson looked razor sharp last Saturday, and he'll make his home debut having signed on loan from Charlton. It's nearly a sell-out at The Gas and I am looking at plenty of goals here.

Brighton have Nicky Forster in sparkling form, but I don't think they are good enough to
win this. I fancy a bit of a go at some bigger prices on the corrects here, but for those
more prudent, Rovers are a nice price at [1.85] on the outrights.

Recommendations:

Back Bristol Rovers to win 3-1 @ [22.00]
Back over 2.5 goals@ [1.80]

Weekend bets:

Back Bristol Rovers v Brighton over 2.5 goals @ [1.80]
Back Swindon to beat Wycombe @ [1.80]
Back the draw @ [3.50] Hartlepool versus Walsall

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