English Football League / Ian Lamont / 07 January 2010 /

Tis the season for turning over a new leaf for League Two clubs. But, while some will save themselves in the second half of the seasona and even make unlikely promotion bids, for others the momentum will never come. Ian Lamont sorts the winners from the losers...

January stirs even the worst teams. Maybe it is the fresh start afforded by the New Year or the panic induced by the realisation that relegation could come hurtling towards them if points do not come quickly.

In non-league it might come down to the fact that players, having tried their luck at better clubs or higher levels, return to the unfashionable teams to get matches.

There is an element of that in League Two, while contracts make the division less transient, but nevertheless underperforming clubs tend to start their charge now. For some, like Darlington now and Chester last year, momentum never comes.

Last season Grimsby picked up a couple of wins and a draw in January, had a terrible February, then did enough to survive, hardly shifting from 22nd place, it must be said.

They also picked up a few points in December and recent form shows they are not the worst team in the division and there are still signs of life.

Eight draws in the last 10 games - and compliments from opponents Bury after a 1-1 draw - gives them hope. Cynics might argue what else is Alan Knill going to say after his Shakers scrape a point with a 90th minute penalty? But the half glass full approach says at least they have something to build on.

Mariners fans have mixed opinions about new boss Neil Woods, who had said he was going to hit the ground running in the transfer window, but who is now talking patiently about assessing trialists. He is also waiting to see if Nicky Weatherstone, a Hull City loanee, will stay on, before making further market moves. Michael Coulson and Damien McCrory are temporary players he wants to keep, but Michael Conlon for me holds a key. Critisised at Bradford last season, Grimsby's top scorer lost his starting place recently - great, it shows Woods won't just play the "names" because of their reputations.

Grimsby's Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro found his scoring boots last weekend. Managers are fond of saying it can take just one to kick-start an avalanche.

So if the game survives the weather, the concoction of context gives them a chance of another point on Saturday, at Crewe, if not an outright victory for the first time since September. To cover the two possibilities, lay Crewe at [1.85], whose recent revival was undermined by a heavy defeat at Macclesfield.

The second point about theyear's turning point is that it is a good time to ditch the league table and build another using six and 10-game form.

From the table below, it can be concluded that Grimsby are not the division's worst team, Morecambe's run form might have peaked, Chesterfield have gone off the boil, Torquay are flourishing - despite appearances near the bottom of the league - and Barnet have plummetted since taken 21 points from the first 11 games.

Team points over 10/6 games

Rochdale 25/16
Torquay 18/13
Rotherham 16/13
Aldershot 16/13
Crewe 15/11
Bournemouth 16/10
Bury 16/10
Notts County 13/10
Morecambe 22/10
Accrington 7/10
Port Vale 14/9
Northampton 14/8
Macclesfield 14/8
Shrewsbury 13/8
Hereford 14/7
Bradford 13/7
Burton 11/7
Cheltenham 9/5
Dagenham 10/5
Lincoln 7/5
Grimsby 8/5
Chesterfield 15/3
Darlington 6/3
Barnet 7/2

The table demonstrates that it is a good time to back against Barnet. Shrewsbury host them on Saturday and, after beating Bradford and getting themselves back on track, can win at [1.9], with Dave Hibbert still pressing Notts County's Lee Hughes for the league's top scorer slot.

I think the value bet this weekend is Torquay. The stats make them worth backing at home against Dagenham, who have struggled a little away from home in the past two seasons. John Still might have found yet another non-league gem in Phil Walsh (Dorchester) but midfielder Stuart Thurgood being out for months after an operation is crucial. His absence since November 21 is no coincidence to Dagenham's drop in form.

The Gulls, meanwhile, have looked determined not to be beaten, a narrow FA Cup exit to Brighton last weekend being testimony, and league wise have turned a draws habit into recent victories. Back them at [2.5] to prevail.

Best Bet: Shrewsbury to beat Barnet at [1.9]

Lamo's Recommended Wagers:

Torquay to beat Dagenham at [2.5]
Lay Crewe at home to Grimsby at [1.85]

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