English Football League / Ian Lamont / 03 February 2012 /

Which League Two promotion hopefuls will steam on and are there immediate candidates for faltering? Ian Lamont investigates the evidence.

Bradford v Crawley, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Bradford [4.2], Crawley [1.98], The Draw [3.75]

The League Two team in the spotlight is Crawley, courtesy of the FA Cup again. They sold forward Matt Tubbs to his home-town club Bournemouth this week but resisted Peterborough's £1.9 million advances for a joint raid on Kyle McFadzean (the centre-back becoming a ball-playing midfielder) and striker Tyrone Barnett. That shows serious intent to maintain their promotion push, even if the deadline day replacements do not look prolific. But then front men Karl Hawley (Notts County) and Billy Clarke (Blackpool) come from higher division and have a point to prove.

The reliance on Tubbs and Barnett for 50 per cent of Crawley's goals - the next highest scorer having three - would seem a worry. One new boy will start against Bradford, where Crawley need to turn a serious of recent away league draws into a victory.

The Bantams lost to revived Bristol Rovers last weekend. They lie fifth from bottom, but their home form far outdoes their away form and is keeping their heads above water. They score plenty at Valley Parade, where they are unbeaten in five games (including the FA Cup). Having slipped to fourth, Crawley really need all three points. The fresh faces, including Arsenal loanee Sanchez Watt, will be dying to impress. That could be just what they need.

Back Crawley @ [1.98]

Swindon v Burton, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Swindon [1.52] Burton [7.6], The Draw [4.5]

The [9.0] on Swindon to win the title of a few weeks ago has long since disappeared. They are now [2.7] favourites, ahead of long-time, under-priced Crawley. Paolo Di Canio has no fear of recruiting, ranting or rollicking, and retaining Matt Ritchie, another Bournemouth target. Swindon have brought in Ronan Murray, again, on loan from Ipswich, Daniel Boateng (Arsenal) and midfielder Lee Cox. Four goals, in a fifth straight league win, against Southend show their strengths and with Paul Benson and Luke Rooney also recruited the Robins have plenty of depth.

Burton might have slipped from a lofty position, but the Brewers have none of the tribulations of last year - particularly a snow-induced backlog of fixtures - which saw them sink to the nether regions of the division.

Back Swindon @ [1.52]

Plymouth v Southend, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Plymouth [4.1] Southend [2.02], The Draw [3.7]

If Plymouth are to survive, they need to take advantage of Southend's slippage. Paul Sturrock's men have stumbled from their best form - that mammoth run of 10 wins in 11 league games - to successive defeats twice in two months. It was three in early December if you count the FA Cup replay. Three wins in 11 league and cup games now. As Sturrock put it, the players need to take a "right look at themselves".

Home Park at the minute is not the place to do that. Strikers Juvhel Tsoumou and Alex MacDonald, both 21, have been added to the list of loanees while John Deehan has been brought in to "mentor" Carl Fletcher as director of football. Owner James Brent is familiar with such mentoring schemes in business and this seems far less of a light touch than the Lawrie Sanchez appointment at Barnet last season, over the head of Giuliano Grazioli. The Pilgrims can pull away from the danger zone and their desperation for points is greater.

Lay Southend @ [2.04]

Cheltenham v AFC Wimbledon, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Cheltenham [1.75] AFC Wimbledon [5.1], The Draw [4.0]

Cheltenham, much fancied by Crawley boss Steve Evans who claimed nobody was talking about the Robins for the title, have risen to the top of the pile while others play cup games or slip up. Before they visit the Broadfield on Tuesday, Mark Yates' men host a Wimbledon side whose revival was halted by Terry Brown's old side Aldershot. The Dons will not suffer for ever, but penetrating the league's second tightest defence will be tough at Whaddon Road. The hosts have conceded in only one of their last six home games in fact, to Bristol Rovers whose new manager inspired them to a win.

Back Cheltenham @ [1.75]

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