The French Connection: Back Charlton in the last chance saloon

The French Connection / Andrew French / 12 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

They've let me down too many times already but I'm prepared to give Charlton one more chance - and for their fans, this weekend's game against Plymouth may also feel like the last-chance saloon.

The Addicks are bottom of the table and 10 points adrift of safety. They have won just one league match in their last 21 attempts, and anything less than three points against Argyle will surely be the beginning of their descent into League One - especially as four of their next six games are away from home.

So, a visit from out-of-sorts Plymouth is about as welcoming as it gets for Charlton in their current plight. The Pilgrims have won just once in 13 games, and have scored only one goal in their last nine hours of Championship football.

It's do or almost certainly die for Charlton - back them at [2.4] to at least give themselves a fighting chance.

Separated by five points in the League One table, Colchester and Walsall typify the divide between those who have a hope of reaching the Play-Offs, and those who don't.

Colchester are still on the coat-tails of the promotion aspirants, while Walsall head the mid-table sides with too much to do - and I think the Essex outfit can collect three points on their trip to Midlands to further their cause.

The U's are unbeaten in six away games and have one of the best records on the road in the division. Walsall have lost six out of 14 home games, and were trounced 4-1 by Leicester in their last game at the Bescot.

Back: Colchester at [2.88] to continue their impressive recent form.

There's been a tidy little revival at Grimsby recently - but I think that will come to an end when Bury visit Blundell Park this weekend.

The Mariners have given their chances of fighting off relegation a boost by going on a run of one defeat in six - but three of those were draws and, at home, they still have just two wins to their name.

Bury are unbeaten in six games and their recent come-from-behind win at struggling Luton shows they have no mercy for those at the wrong end of the table.

At [2.64], make Bury the third leg of your treble.