The French Connection: Coventry, Hartlepool and Aldershot worth a shot

The French Connection / Andrew French / 17 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

They haven't won at home in their last six attempts - but I am giving Coventry a chance to end their miserable run at the Ricoh Arena by making them the first leg of this week's French Connection.

The Sky Blues have won only three games on their own turf this season in the league, and their last six home games have seem them garner a miserable two points. That sort of run has to end at some point though, and the visit of Ipswich Town presents Coventry with a great opportunity.

The Horses have problems of their own, with fans calling for manager Jim Magilton to resign only a couple of weeks ago. They have slipped out of the promotion places on the back of some inconsistent results, and have lost their last three away games.

Recent away successes at Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton show that Coventry have not lost the winning touch - they just need to rediscover it at home.

I think the visit of Ipswich will enable them to do just that, and therefore I'm kicking off the Connection with Coventry at around [2.44].

Technically, the French Connection actually starts on Friday night though, as I'm including Hartlepool.

The Pools are firmly stuck in mid-table, but what draws me to them this week is that famous old 'change of manager' syndrome. Danny Wilson lost his job at Victoria Park this week, and the club's Director of Sport Chris Turner has taken charge on a temporary basis. How often does merely a change of voice seem to work wonders?

Put that to one side - Hartlepool have a decent home record and their only recent loss on their own soil was to promotion-chasing MK Dons.

Visitors Southend have not won away from home in six attempts, and have not won a League One game since late October.

It all points towards a home win, so I'll be including Hartlepool at a price around [2.28].
There was some much-needed respite for struggling Grimsby Town in League Two last weekend, when they beat Shrewsbury to claim only their second league win of the season. But I can't see them making it two out of two this weekend, and I'll be including Aldershot as the third leg of the treble.

Grimsby would be far, far deeper in the relegation mire if it were not for the points deductions that Rotherham, Bournemouth and Luton are having to contend with.

There is no doubt the Mariners have improved of late, and both of their league wins have arrived in the last month. But they are still a struggling side that has managed just six goals in 10 away games.

Aldershot boast one of only two unbeaten home records in League Two, and they have won each of their last four league games at The Recreation Ground. The most recent of those was a 3-2 victory over table-topping Wycombe, who had been unbeaten all season until then.

Grimsby's confidence will have been lifted by last week's win, but going to Aldershot is a totally different matter. So, it's the Shots for me at [1.79].

Therefore, this week's French Connection treble is backing Coventry, Hartlepool and Aldershot at a price of around [8.9].