Before Sunday, of course, we have the little matter of a nervous home game against Ipswich Town. Alcohol-free again, my brain will be slightly more alert than usual to everything that happens and the pain could be just that tad sharper as a consequence. Ipswich aren't great away from home and we rolled them over relatively easily last year. Ordinarily I would be very confident of a straight three points. However, we have lost the last two in dismal fashion and the natives are restless. I am immediately reminded of the atmosphere at a dozen of last years home games where our players were terrified to put a foot wrong and were awful as a consequence. Pardew is very obviously feeling the heat as his comment in midweek after his vote of confidence clearly indicate, when all he would say was that he needed a win. It won't take much for the home crowd to turn and much will depend on the way we start and how bold Ipswich are. A draw looks a distinct possibility.
South Yorkshire relegation battle in propsect here. Donny are trying to play football in this division but lack a cutting edge and are on a bad losing run. Barnsley have been finding it hard too but I believe their Championship experience and home advantage will tell, not to mention local pride.
Prediction; 2-1
A decent draw for City at Derby in midweek whilst QPR slipped up again by drawing at home to Blackpool. City haven't exactly been convincing at St. Andrews but Rangers haven't been great on the road either. Birmingham will finish above Rangers come May and this will be an opportunity for three vital points.
Prediction; 1-0
Cardiff have surprised me this year by going unbeaten until midweek but they have drawn a lot of games and they look like fodder to me here. Blackpool need to recover their home form and got their first win last time out. I'll go for them to make it two in a row.
Prediction; 2-0
Charlton Athletic v Ipswich Town
First home attendance to dip below 20,000 this season. Ipswich might bring close to 2000 but floating interest in the Addicks will have dived off this week. Much will depend on the start and the attitude of the Charlton players. I think we still have the fight but confidence will be low and we might have a few scared players out there. A draw would be a poor result for us but obviously better than a morale -sapping third successive defeat.
Prediction; 1-1
A mark of the trouble we find ourselves in, is that Southampton have climbed above us. I think they will be bottom six at the end of the season so we really need to rectify that quickly. Can't see them getting anything at the Ricoh.
Prediction; 2-0
The Derby recovery looks well underway. They are now level with us and this match offers them every chance of overhauling us. City are a bit of a puzzle at the moment and it seems like one step forward, one step back. They lost at St Mary's in midweek so you'd fancy a riposte at home but Derby. I think they might have to share the points.
Prediction; 1-1
Palace looked good on Tuesday but we flattered them. they have only managed one draw away from home and are, as Pards reminded us, still below us in the table. Forest may be bottom but I'll put my money on them getting something here and maybe nicking it late on.
Prediction; 2-1
Argyle picked up a good point at Ashton Gate in the week and were only denied a win a couple of minutes from the end having lead two-nil. They are on a bit of a run and shouldn't make the mistakes against Wednesday that we did last week.
Prediction; 2-0
Redaing served a warning of their automatic promotion credentials on Tuesday win an impressive 3-0 win at Wolves. Owen Coyle picked up the Manager-of-the-Month award today and the curse that goes with it looks good for Reading.
Prediction; 3-1
Sheffield United need to get a run going and might just have started that. City are decent outfit who will battle here but I'll take United to edge it.
Prediction; 2-1
Match of the day in prospect here. Wolves have had their faces slapped and it will be interesting to see how they respond to a sound home defeat by Reading. The Swans had a good win at Preston on Tuesday and are unbeaten at the Liberty Stadium so far. A draw is probably the safest bet but I'll tip Swansea here to give the Old Gold a reality check.
Prediction; 1-0
Our recent fortunes have looked scarily similar to Watford's own. Almost no surprise then to see that they have also dropped like a stone of late and find themselves fourth bottom. However, PNE have lost three on the spin and might find it hard to avoid making this a fourth.
Prediction; 1-0
Whatever happens, the table after 10 games is usually a pretty good indicator of what to expect come May. That doesn't bode well for us because the best we can hope for is mid-table.
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