The French Connection:

The French Connection / Andrew French / 30 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

For some reason, Nigel Clough has not had the usual 'new manager' effect since arriving at Championship strugglers Derby. He's without a win in four attempts, but I am taking that run to change when they host Coventry on Saturday.

County have slipped into the relegation zone on the back of a sequence of just one league win in 11 attempts, and Clough will know that beating mid-table opposition like the Sky Blues is essential if they are to pull clear.

Coventry are masters of inconsistency who rarely manage to string together similar performances, and their home defeat to Cardiff in midweek showed their vulnerability.

In League One, Brighton will have been boosted by their midweek draw with runaway league leaders Leicester City. It was a much-needed result for the Seagulls, who have failed to build on last season's near miss for the play-offs, and are instead languishing close to the relegation zone.

However, they have added Preston midfielder Jason Jarrett to a squad that is now returning to near full strength after injury problems.

Visitors Hartlepool have taken their eyes off the ball of late due to their FA Cup exploits, and have won only two of their last dozen in the league. Also, don't underestimate that this is Pool's furthest away trip of the season - it will be a miserably long journey home after Brighton beat them.

Another side facing a long trek is Darlington in League Two, and I fancy them to also be making an arduous return trip from Dagenham and Redbridge without any reward.

Dagenham boss John Still has stretched a thin budget a long way and has managed to mould his squad into promotion contenders. They score goals for fun at their Victoria Road home - their 30 strikes so far this season is the best in the division.

What's more, they get goals from all over the pitch, and that could be the decisive factor against a Darlo side just one place above their hosts. The Quakers have also not travelled well of late - their last away-day success in all competitions came six games ago in early November.