The French Connection: Our lower league tipster opens his account for 2009

The French Connection / Andrew French / 09 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

I'm hoping the mini-renaissance being enjoyed by Doncaster in the last couple of weeks can continue this weekend when they host Bristol City.

Out of nowhere, Rovers have suddenly found their scoring boots. Admittedly, a team that has managed a paltry six goals in 13 home league games is far from prolific, but they have won their last two in the Championship and netted six (count 'em) times in the process. In Doncaster terms, that is being on fire.

The other thing that counts in Donny's favour is that they don't concede many at home. In fact, only two teams have shipped fewer goals on their own turf.

Visitors City have also just started to turn things around after some poor results, and last weekend's goalless draw at Portsmouth in the FA Cup came after a victory over Crystal Palace and a Boxing Day success at Watford.

However, prior to that City had lost three out of four on the road. Rovers have lost just once in their last six at the Keepmoat Stadium, and that was to league leaders Wolves.

Therefore, with Doncaster finally discovering the joy of goalscoring, I'm starting this week's French Connection by backing them at [2.58].

Although they claimed a superb FA Cup win over Stoke and have the Fourth Round to look forward to, it's that very distraction which makes me confidently say Hartlepool will lose at Oldham on Saturday.

It is very difficult for a club in the lower divisions to sustain a cup run and good league results at the same time, and with a visit of another Premiership club - West Ham - to look forward to, and the additional revenue it brings, you can easily excuse Pools if their guard slips in the more mundane matters of League One action.

They are nicely tucked away in mid-table, and seem unlikely to be involved in events at either end of the table come May. That's certainly not the case for Oldham, who have been in and around the promotion picture all season.

They have only lost once at Boundary Park in the league, and therefore it's John Sheridan's side all the way for me. I'm including Oldham at [1.76].

Performances may have improved more than results for Grimsby in League Two, but I fancy them to get the three points when Morecambe visit Blundell Park this weekend.

The Mariners have only won twice in the league all season, but both those victories arrived in their last eight games, during which time they also ground out a couple of draws.

Morecambe don't travel well, as just one away league win all season clearly shows. They were stuffed 4-0 at Bradford last time out, and then received a kick in the nether regions off the pitch this week with the news that they are subject to a transfer embargo, due to Football League rules stating clubs cannot spend more than 60% of their income on wages.

Grimsby's results so far wouldn't fill anyone with confidence, but with Morecambe presenting such a good opportunity for only their second home win of the season, I'm backing Mike Newell's side at [2.46].

So, the French Connection this week is backing Doncaster ([2.58]), Oldham ([1.76]) and Grimsby ([2.46]), in a treble that will pay around the [10.0] mark.