The French Connection: Take one from The Championship, another from League One and the last from League Two...

The French Connection / Andrew French / 13 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

They are managerless, have lost their last four league games, conceded 12 goals in the process and let me down when I tipped them last week - but I'm willing to give Watford another chance and make them the first leg of this week's French Connection treble.

Cartaker boss Malky Mackay steered the Hornets to a 1-0 Carling Cup win at Swanseas on Tuesday, less than 72 hours after they had been beaten 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium in the league.

That victory was the Hornets' first in almost a month, and the clean sheet was particularly welcome. It will have lifted confidence in a Watford squad that, on paper at least, looks too strong to be languishing in the relegation zone.

Hosts Barnsley have endured a week when off-field matters have dominated following the injury sustained by striker Iain Hume last week. His teammates can't help but have been affected, and with those events fresh in their minds there's always a chance they will be a little distracted.

The Tykes have been nothing special at home this season, and although Watford have managed just four points from a possible 24 on the road, the combination of their morale-boosting cup win and the week that Barnsley have had gives me the confidence to suggest making Watford the first part of the treble.

There's barely any form to throw out of the window for the West Country derby between Hereford and Cheltenham - and both sides are in the League One relegation zone.

However, Martin Allen has at least breathed some goals and a little life into his Cheltenham charges. Graham Turner's success at United last season was built on shrewd loan recruits - the like of which aren't around this term.

The Bulls chronic lack of goals - just eight in 15 league games - means this will no doubt be a high-scoring thriller in true contrary fashion.

Cheltenham haven't won in five attempts, Hereford are winless in four. It truly is a battle of two teams who have shown a greater propensity to give points away than take them.

However, I'm suggesting supporting the Robins to register their first away win, with man-motivator Allen getting his charges right up for this Edgar Street battle.

Excellent home form meats great away form at the Recreation Ground when Aldershot entertain Exeter in League Two on Saturday.

The Hampshire newcomers have won four and drawn three from seven home matches while Paul Tisdale's City have won five of seven on the road.

Gary Waddock's hosts have already lost seven away matches so they'll be abundantly aware that their home form is vital to retaining their league status this season.

Back them to get the better of the long-travelling Devonians who might well still be smarting from being humiliated at tiny Curzon Ashton in last weekend's FA Cup first round.

So, this week's French Connection backs the treble of Watford, Cheltenham and Aldershot, which should pay around the [24.0] mark.