Big, big match at the Valley on Saturday. Lowly Barnsley come to town after their first away win of the season at even-lower Doncaster. The Tykes have mustered just two goals in seven games away from Oakwell which should ensure a smaller away following than Burnley managed. It's Kid-for-a-Quid this half-term weekend, so don't be surprised if our home gate is larger still than the 21,800-odd recorded for Burnley.
They face a stuttering Charlton side who appear to need a kick-start in games to begin playing so anything is possible. The "Pardew Out" element is growing more vociferous by the week as the Redvolution grows. I am now firmly in the "time for a change" camp but I will support the side and the manager until the end of the game on Saturday.
Like Burnley last week, this is a match our side should be winning routinely at home. Barnsley have won 13 of their 15 points at home so we can expect them to crumple if we get at them and take the lead. If we struggle to score, as we have done recently, then the crowd could grow restless and the attitude of the players could be pivotal. Pards is very much in their hands for this one and you've got to think they know it. That's why we should see clearly whether the problem is largely him or them.
Elsewhere, I see it like this...
Bristol City don't draw too many blanks at home and their 0-0 with the Blades in the week at Ashton Gate will have them trying that fraction harder for the win here. Reading were humbled at Burnley and a loss here could cap a poor week for the Royals.
Prediction; 1-0
Can't see City improving on their 3-1 defeat at Derby in the week. Burnley are a decent side at home and should have the better of this.
Prediction; 2-0
Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Spicy encounter here. Should be a raucous atmosphere and the Old Goal should take a sizeable following to the Ramshackle Stadium as it's just down the M5 and over the bridge. I'll go for Wolves to match Birmingham's win in Cardiff. Big Chris and SEB to net again.
Prediction; 1-2
Should be a convincing home win but I don't think our players will overcome their recent dire form and we face another angst-fest at the Valley. Neither of these sides looks good enough to score more than once in 90 minutes.
Prediction; 1-1
Whoops! Palace fell down the stairs on Tuesday night and ended up in casualty. Mr Warnock had better watch out or he'll be joining Jan Poortvliet and Alan Pardew at the Doctors for sleeping tablets. Simes won't be too enamoured with Palace's ongoing mediocrity and the long ball football continues to stifle home gates. Wednesday have the same poor record away from home at Barnsley but they have shipped a whopping 21 goals, six more than Forest and Doncaster. Surely Palace won't lose again.
Prediction; 2-1
Rovers have still only scored twice at home all season. Swansea were unfortunate to go down at Wolves on Tuesday and I can see them going one better here. Should be a good game to watch between two footballing sides.
Prediction; 1-2
Rangers scalped mighty Brum in the week so will travel to Portman Road with a swagger. Having been mugged themselves in the week, Town will be careful not to miss their next penalty when winning 1-0. Rangers have not been great away but have only lost three. I think they might repeat our scoreline but get closer to deserving it.
Prediction; 1-1
Preston home win. I keep thinking Southampton will be too good to go down but it's getting increasingly hard to find a third side they are worse than at the bottom - unless of course we continue as we are for the rest of the season.
Prediction; 2-0
A cracker in prospect here. Argyle won at Wednesday in the week so go for the Sheffield double on Saturday. I wonder if any of their fans have just stayed up for the second game? Anyway, they will need to be on top form to win this as the Blades defend an unbeaten home record. I'm going to sit on the fence and take the draw.
Prediction; 1-1
Watford need to win here to overhaul the Seasiders in the table and get clear of us. Neither of them are going great guns at the moment, so home advantage should tell here.
Prediction; 2-0
East Midlands derby here on Sunday and no love lost between this two. The largest Championship gate of the weekend should see Derby inflict Forest's seventh away defeat of the season in eight games.
Prediction; 2-1
Monday night fare this and another local derby. It might not have the emnity of Brum v Villa but both sides will relish this one. They have a habit of blowing hot or cold in derby games and this could be a cold!
Prediction; 3-1
Come on you Reds!
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