League Two Midweek Tips: Barton bullish about Rovers

Bristolians can cheer another win

Bristol Rovers 2.111/10 v Colchester 4.3100/30; the draw 3.613/5

When football managers tempt fate with big pronouncements, it always seems like a time for caution. "We will take some stopping from here," said Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton after a fine win over Harrogate on Saturday, adding that nobody would be getting carried away.

If that all seems a bit mixed messages, there's no getting away from the fact the Pirates are in form. I've been feeling for a few weeks they could charge to a play-off spot. They are short enough here for another game they look likely to win.

Aaron Collins sparked his side with a 25-yard goal before Elliot Anderson, on loan from Newcastle, made a mazy run into the box before taking on a defender and scoring. That meant both players scored for the second game running. They have both scored in the same game four times in the past eight matches.

Furthermore, the team have only conceded three times in nine matches, which gives them the really strong platform to kick on.

Barton insists no squad will be fitter or better prepared for the end of the season, having put in a lot of groundwork with eating, sleeping and training regimes.

Colchester have had a disrupted season, struggles near the bottom costing Hayden Mullins the managerial post. Results showed an initial improvement under Wayne Brown, but they went six without winning before - surprisingly - defeating Port Vale then winning at Scunthorpe. The latter, on Saturday, was perhaps far less surprising, because the Iron continue to struggle at the foot of the table.

Brown was relieved his side "dug themselves out of a hole" having gone behind. There will be little hiding place if they go behind at the Memorial Stadium.

Nor will Noah Chilvers be allowed to roam three-quarters of the length of the field to score, as he did at the weekend. The U's are now four games unbeaten, but after back-to-back wins for the first time this season a third in a row is unlikely. A home win seems far more so.

Mansfield to check euphoric Valiants

Port Vale 2.427/5 v Mansfield 3.55/2; the draw 3.39/4

While the Valiants are cock-a-hoop after a big win over Crawley (4-1), can Mansfield bring them back down to earth? And to what extent? The Stags need to improve their away points return if they are to maintain the promotion push which had put them in the top seven. They had more than an eye on the top three - and should still do.

The promotion race is so tight that, having fallen to ninth, they could still be third come 10pm on Tuesday. Albeit it would take a very strange set of results.

Nigel Clough wasn't happy after his side's 14-game unbeaten streak ended on Friday night, not least because he felt two Tranmere goals were offside. The visitors had enough chances to win - five shots on target and seven off. Rhys Oates was twice denied by the keeper. Matty Longstaff, on loan from Newcastle, had a strong chance denied him, before netting the equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Mansfield's 3-2 defeat at Tranmere was their first loss in seven away games. Three of their last five away, however, finished as draws, with two goalless. I rather expect another low-scoring draw here, as Port Vale come down from the euphoria of a big victory and the visitors start from scratch after a rare defeat.

Against the teams near the top, the hosts have drawn: away at Tranmere, at home to Northampton and Forest Green. In their past 13 games, they have mostly not scored big - six times once, four times not at all. Nor have they conceded many: in the past 11 matches, keeper Aidan Stone has been beaten only seven times - and never more than once per game.

Andy Crobsy, the assistant manager in charge while Darrell Clarke is on compassionate leave, hailed Ben Garrity for his progress from non-league after he scored twice on Saturday. Those strikes took his goals tally to 10 for the season. Experienced midfielder David Worrall, six years older, would love to double his own tally to keep pace. It might not happen this midweek though, as both teams settle for a point.

Tranmere relish Mellon's 'must-win' message

Tranmere 2.35/4 v Harrogate 3.613/5; the draw 3.613/5

This midweek set of fixtures feels like the period between Christmas and new year: any team which can take two consecutive wins will be very lucky. Tranmere, having had an extra day's rest, are certainly in prime position to do so.

Each team has played a double home or double away fixture. This has been to Tranmere's advantage and could prove detrimental to Harrogate. They visitors continue to be punished for what boss Simon Weaver says are errors that will prove costly at this level. They are finding their second season in the EFL, especially the second half of it, increasingly hard.

When Jack Diamond, Jack Muldoon or Luke Armstrong are on fire, they are a force to be reckoned with. However, Micky Mellon's side are back at their best, according to their manager.

Having "let themselves down" in recent matches, he had turned Friday's game into a must-win to fire up his squad. Elliott Nevitt obliged with two goals off the bench, to add to defender Peter Clarke's early lead. The win might have been last-gasp, but they are now firmly back eyeing automatic promotion.

Attacking sides should produce goals

Carlisle 3.39/4 v Newport 2.47/5; the draw 3.55/2

A tricky-looking set of midweek fixtures is completed with a goals based bet.

Manager Paul Simpson has revitalised Carlisle with wins in all four of his games in charge. Having clearly tightened their defence with two clean sheets in their first two games, it might seem counter intuitive to launch into a bet that requires goals. But bear with...

The hosts saw off Leyton Orient 1-0, away, in their first match under their re-appointed manager. They then defeated Rochdale, who are in the bottom third, at Brunton Park, 2-0. Oldham, who have found some form recently, scored in a game that Morgan Feeney won with a strike deep into injury time.

Again, on Saturday, Carlisle won very late on, courtesy of Jordan Gibson's penalty. Tobi Sho-Silva, who netted the first against Northampton, had also scored very late against Rochdale. Omari Patrick had struck in three consecutive matches before Saturday. There is much to like about their attack.

In total in the past six games, the Cumbrians have netted nine and conceded six, while rampant Newport have scored 12 and let in seven in their past six - an undefeated spell of three wins and three draws. Rob Street became the second player in as many games to score his first goal for the club, netting one of the two goals at Stevenage.

Yes, five of the Exiles' last six games have been at home, but James Rowberry's side have to attack if they are to continue to stay in third spot, with only three points between them and ninth place. Dom Telford, who turned supplier on Saturday, is due another goal. With both sides attacking, over 2.5 goals should come in at 2.26/5.