Here’s our weekly blab, and best bets for the other divisions in English Football. The best divisions we say.
TALES
Ex West Ham and Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan has taken over as a Player-Manager at fourth division Leyton Orient after a fifth change of manager in a season and a half. They are hoping he can turn their season as they currently lie 11th after starting the season with 5 straight wins. Some more positive news than the previous best of president Francesco Becchetti getting a six-match stadium ban and a fine of £40,000 for kicking an ASSistant manager in the arse.
Bolton’s story seems to be getting worse as they advise that their staff may not be paid in January, and that coaching staff are helping to pay administration staff. The clubs are already £172.9m in debt and owe HMRC £2.2m and have until end of February to sort out the tax troubles. Plus they have a transfer embargo. Who’d know that they have over 300 staff to pay. Hopefully they can find some money or an owner or relegation to League One might not be the worst end result.
Bolton’s only good news was avoiding a defeat to Non League Eastleigh in the midweek FA Cup replays. Although they made tough work of it after going down 1-0, and Eastleigh levelling 2-2 just before half time. Ipswich Town were the biggest upset as they beaten by fourth tier Portsmouth. Other heroes from the third round’s first go around – Wycombe and Exeter – didn’t make it through. Happily there’s still plenty of Football League clubs left in the fourth, and a lower league teams are guaranteed in the fifth round. The 4th round draw is here.
TERMINATIONS
LEYTON ORIENT – Ian Hendon – 11th L2 – Last 6 – 1W 3D 2L – 3 points from promotion spots
SCUNTHORPE – Mark Robbins – 16th L1 – Last 6 – 1W 3D 2L – 6 points from relegation
Football League celebrated the release of the news that sacking are at record levels by getting rid of another two. Both seem a little harsh. Read the full story here.
TRANSFERS
Charlie Austin finally gets a EPL gig by moving to Southampton for a lazy 4M. He had to wait to go to a club that were less likely to be back in th championship.
Sam Byram looked to heading to Everton but is now going to West Ham.
One good by product of the EPL wealth is that Bournemouth let Yann Kermorgant – a vital part of their promotion – go to Reading.
TIPS & “BEST” BETS
DRAW – Birmingham v Ipswich
PRESTON to beat Brentford
MIDDLESBROUGH to beat Nottingham Forest
READING to beat Sheffield Wednesday
$1 for $25
BURTON to beat Shrewsbury
WALSALL to beat Blackpool
PORT VALE to beat Bradford
DONCASTER to beat Fleetwood
$1 for $22
PORTSMOUTH to beat Oxford
ACCRINGTON to beat Exeter
STEVENAGE to beat Barnet
CARLISLE to beat York
NORTHAMPTON to beat Morecambe
$1 for $39
