English Football League / Alan Dudman / 21 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

Alan Dudman praises the betting.betfair.com editorial team for having more patience than the Norwich City Board and talks up Huddersfield's chances of winning at the weekend and indeed the League itself.

If the editorial team at betting.betfair.com had the patience of the Norwich City board, then I would I have been given the 'Spanish Archer' after week one of my column. Luckily I have lasted seven days and seven nights longer, but my sympathies lie with Bryan Gunn - one of the most pathetic decisions I have ever witnessed in my lifetime - after the Scot was sacked from his position having lost 7-1 to Colchester.

That's all in the past now, and Norwich have since sifted through over 100 applicants and persuaded (ironically), Paul Lambert from Colchester to take over the reins. You never know though, some of those applicants could be applying again this season if Lambert loses a game (or two). More on Norwich later.

On to this weekend's action and I am really looking forward to seeing Huddersfield at Bristol Rovers. It's fourth against sixth this Saturday at the Memorial Ground, but with only a point separating them, the Terriers are looking different class at the moment (and have been cut to [7.60] in the winner market).

Lee Clark is a serious manager going places. Results have shown that so far. Yes they have spent some big money, but they have scored big too. It's 15 goals in four games so far and counting, oh and Clark said they can score more.

Huddersfield destroyed Brighton 7-1 in midweek, Clark drooled they were sensational. They've landed a youngster from Manchester United on loan called Danny Drinkwater, and by all accounts he is a cut above this level. Their forward line is very exciting, whilst former United forward Andy Cole has joined the coaching staff.

Rovers are bang in form and have won three on the spin since their opening day home defeat to Leyton Orient. But the [2.86] on The Gas is too short and they must be taken on. Huddersfield at [2.62] really ought to be an Evens shot at best. Rovers recently sold star forward Rickie Lambert (29 goals last season) to Southampton for seven figures. However, Lambert was a big target man and they seem to have a bit more movement with messrs Duffy and Kuffour up front, and they've got four between them so far this season - but it means the squad is a touch lighter.

The home side are in a bit of a false position for me, the price is false too purely because they have won three. Huddersfield have a clean bill of health, and maybe Clark will employ the same tactics he used against Brighton? He dropped Lee Novak just off Jordan Rhodes - with two wide men pushing forward - just what I like.

Recommendation: Lay Bristol Rovers @ [2.62]
Back Huddersfield to win 1-0, 2-0

Gillingham started the season like a whirlwind. A 5-0 spanking of Swindon was followed by a well deserved 2-1 win over Plymnouth in the Carling Cup. Since then manager Mark Stimson has seen his side concede six and be winless in two. They are hoping to put that right this Saturday back at home versus Hartlepool.

Stimson will be learning, like most bosses in this division, that you cannot be sloppy and error prone at the back as you will get punished. In both defeats recently they have played well first half and conceded really poor goals. They are a decent side but are just too open at the back. Centre-half Simon King is a big loss with his injury, as I remember him being a top player at Barnet. However, the experienced Simon Royce should be coming back in goal for this Saturday, and I am hoping his organisational skills should sort them out and give them more leadership and noise.

They can score Gillingham, going forward they are ok. Oli is back in the fold after injury,
and Simeon Jackson has hit five already.

Hartlepool at [4.33] are not the form picks for any match. Without a League One victory thus far, Chris Turner is still looking for his 10 new signings to gel together as a unit, and that takes time. It's a new look eleven that Turner freely admits won't be pushing for promotion. Gillingham should have too much if they sort out the defence, and should be backed at [2.00].

Recommendations: Back Gillingham @ [2.00]
Back over 2.5 goals @ [1.85]

And what of Norwich City? They are [1.77] at home to Wycombe Wanderers this weekend. It's Paul Lambert's first official game in charge and he has brought his coaching staff with him following Ian Butterworth's resignation as assistant manager at Carrow Road.

It's the Canaries' fourth new boss in less than three years, and I spoke with a friend who
saw them at Brentford in midweek and said they were poor. Lambert will get them going and they have got to make a real go at the play-offs. However, Wycombe were awful against Southend on Tuesday and again conceded a goal from a set-piece! Grrrrr!!! They were thoroughly dominated by Becchio and Backford at Elland Road last Saturday, but there isn't anything as frightening as that in the Norwich line-up.

I am fairly tempted to lay Norwich, in what could be seen as a cheap lay. They are however still trading at [5.00] to get promoted.

Weekend best bets:

Lay Bristol Rovers against Huddersfield [2.62]

Back Gillingham to beat Hartlepool @ [2.00]

Back Huddersfield in title market @ [7.70]

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