League Two Midweek Tips: Buzzing Barrow can sink Mariners

Bluebirds can pile on home misery for Grimsby

Grimsby 2.915/8 v Barrow 2.68/5; the draw 3.711/4
19:00 kick-offs unless stated

A move to a different training ground, with a better surface, has tipped the balance to make the difference to Barrow winning, believes David Dunn. Fresh surroundings often give people a lift.

Back-to-back wins came with a clean sheet, their first in League Two this season, against Bradford. That was after a succession of games in which they scored multiple goals. They have now proved they can hold on and show good game management. Perhaps; we shall see.

The fact they scored nine goals in the previous three matches gives them every chance of achieving more success at Grimsby. Dunn particularly noted Brad Barry's stroke in the 4-2 win over Mansfield. It showed his wing backs were doing what he wanted, he said, by ensuring they were at the back post when needed, not just putting in crosses. Another huge positive is that eight players - a huge variety - have scored those 10 games in the past four games, Dior Angus and Josh Kay two each.

Away form before Mansfield was three defeats, but all by the odd goal. Now, they have got some confidence.
Grimsby's back five, all selected for the past five matches, will find themselves severely tested. Keeper James McKeown earned plaudits to the extent he gained their point at Stevenage, where boss Ian Holloway claimed his forwards "played like strangers" in their goalless draw.

The Mariners' boss highlighted defenders Mattie Pollock and Luke Waterfall as positives, but said he had to read the riot act to his players after a poor training session on Friday.

Grimsby are the division's lowest scorers at home, converting two of 31 chances, say Opta (however, they have only played two games at Blundell Park after Covid call-offs). They'll want to shake that stat, but the Bluebirds seem in happier mood. They deserve their chance to be backed for an away win here.

Evolving Exiles have plenty of strengths

Carlisle 2.915/8 v Newport 2.6613/8; the draw 3.613/5

After Saturday night's initial political announcement, I was all set to write that Newport could afford to go hell for leather to strengthen their lead at the top before another lockdown break. But, with professional football carrying on, what reason is there to think they won't be all guns blazing anyway, even though they know a rest is not coming?

Padraig Amond, a talisman for the Exiles for several years, had been used sparingly (as has Robbie Willmott), mostly as a substitute, so far this season by boss Mick Flynn. But he has started the last two games, scoring in both as well as in the previous match, off the bench. Saving him for the big games? The rest of the team can say they have done extremely well without him playing the fullest role, thank you very much.

Without them, Scott Twine, 21, on loan from Swindon, has been able to make a decent mark and establish himself, as has Tristan Abrahams. Both have three goals this season in this excellent use of rotation. Or is it succession planning? Perhaps even progression into being serious title challengers?

In their past five games - all wins - Newport have scored nine times and conceded twice. They will fancy their chances against anyone, including Carlisle who have had their own fine start under Chris Beech.

The Cumbrians games, overall, have been tighter. At home, however, they have been fantastic, unbeaten in four games and scoring nine times including three each in their past two. Opta point out they have won their last five at home (stretching back to last season) and last won six in December 2016.

Frequent marksman Jon Mellish and his colleagues, however, will surely find it harder to break down the visitors' defence, led by Mickey Demetriou, than that of Morecambe or under-performing Colchester, those last two victims at Brunton Park. Attractively for Newport, their hosts have conceded in each of their past five games, while the visitors have not conceded a goal in their past three away games.

Flynn said he wanted to "strangle" his side after leaving victory so late against Harrogate. But in reality he doesn't care at what point they score, as long as they net enough times to win. In any case, they have a knack of scoring late, doing so on 88 minutes or later in their past three games.

Yems' gems can match Saddlers

Walsall 2.47/5 v Crawley 3.39/4; the draw 3.613/5

What can Crawley really achieve this season? They have reached the heady heights of seventh. John Yems, so often overlooked for the manager's position, is making the most of his opportunity by turning the Red Devils into a resilient, even exciting, team to follow.

He has found a real gem in Max Watters, 21, who has netted five goals in five appearances since signing in early October. The former Doncaster player had been loaned out to numerous non-league clubs in the past two years, including most recently Maidstone. One wonders why he hadn't found his way to League Two on loan in the past, but Yems' scouting network made it Crawley's gain and everyone else's loss.

A stunning defeat of Cambridge on Saturday was perhaps particularly noteworthy because Crawley had to come from an early setback, conceding after three minutes. Watters and Tom Nichols, who has netted four times, are clearly relishing their partnership. With Ashley Nadesan back to vie for a starting place once more, Crawley have serious competition for places up front.

They will need to adapt for Jake Hesketh's suspension, but they will be keen to equal the effort in drawing at Salford in their last away game. George Francomb and his backline could have to contend with Emmanuel Osadebe playing both wings, as the Walsall man did in the 1-1 draw with managerless Mansfield.

Zak Jules and George Nurse didn't seem to give much away at the back for the Saddlers and will need another good game against the visitors. One worry for Darrell Clarke is that there were less assured performances elsewhere in his defence. Eli Adebayo remains a threat up front. Too many draws are hindering the hosts' ambitions. Another would end a great couple of weeks for Crawley.

Walsall were unbeaten in seven at home before losing to Cambridge, say Opta, but haven't lost back to back at home since February. Meanwhile, Crawley have won once in 20 away games, add the stats men. Half of those were draws. Many roads point to another.

Backline can help keep Exeter wins coming

Morecambe 3.6553/20 v Exeter 2.245/4; the draw 3.55/2
18:30 kick-off

Exeter came through a real test, felt manager Matt Taylor, by defending stoutly against Carlisle. Tom Parkes and Pierce Sweeney as centre-backs were given particular praise. The latter is adapting admirably to a new role in defence, while the former also scored. Keeper Jokull Andresson's emergency loan has been extended, so impressive have been the youngster's displays.

Exeter are now nine games unbeaten and having seen off Carlisle who were on their own good run, not so good away, it is about time the Grecians improved their own away form. If that sounds like a strange thing to say for a team unbeaten on their travels, just one away game has brought victory.

Exeter have plenty of attacking skills, even if they only netted one against Carlisle. Matt Jay and Jake Taylor have proved they can score in the previous two games and need to be at their best to break down Morecambe's home confidence. Or what's left of it.

After a great start to the season, the Shrimps have fallen away from the top three with four points in their past four games, with four goals. The draw came at home to struggling Mansfield. The win came on Saturday, 1-0 at struggling Tranmere who sacked their manager. Five-goal top scorer Adam Phillips netted his fifth of the season, a penalty.

In that same period they have conceded 10 times. This must worry Derek Adams, even with that clean sheet. Victory, he felt, came with one of their best performances of the season. However, Exeter should have enough guile about them to forge victory. Opta say they have won their last two at Morecambe. This needs to be a hat-trick.