Good morning everyone. I realise it’s been some time since we last checked on the lower leagues in the English football pyramid, so let’s take a look to see what they’re currently up to.
League One:
Luton Town are climbing back into the playoff picture after a dreadful start to their League One campaign, but two poor draws against Leyton Orient and Port Vale stalled some momentum.
There’s a very interesting race for the automatic promotion spots. Seven points currently separate Cardiff (41) from fifth-placed Stevenage (34), but Stevenage have a couple games in hand. It’s hard to gauge just where these teams really are at the moment, but the Bluebirds have won their last five games.
There could also be a double double-relegation this year, with Plymouth Argyle and Blackpool in the drop zone.
Top six:
Cardiff (41 Pts, +16 GD, 19 MP)
Bradford City (37 Pts, +10 GD, 19 MP)
Lincoln City (35 Pts, +7 GD, 20 M)
Bolton (34 Pts, +10 GD, 19 MP)
Stevenage (34 Pts, +9 GD, 18 MP)
Stockport (32 Pts, +2 GD, 19 MP)
Bottom four:
Plymouth (20 Pts, -11 GD, 20 MP)
Exeter City (20 Pts, -2 GD, 19 MP)
Blackpool (20 Pts, -8 GD, 20 MP)
Port vale (15 Pts, -10 GD, 19 MP)
League Two:
I know very little about League Two, but Bromley being in the hunt for the automatics seems like a strange development. In fact, this is the highest position they’ve ever been in club history. It would be quite fun to see them get promoted to League One.
They’ve got a favourable enough run of games coming up which should help them shore up their spot in at least hte playoffs. If they can hang in there for the next few months, then they might have two big games against Salford City and Walsall to close out the season.
Top seven:
Walsall (39 Pts, +11 GD)
Notts County (37 Pts, +13 GD)
Swindon Town (37 Pts, +9 GD)
Bromley (36 Pts, +9 GD)
MK Dons (33 Pts, +14 GD)
Salford City (33 Pts, 0 GD)
Chesterfield (32 Pts, +5 GD)
Bottom two:
Bristol Rovers (17 Pts, -23 GD)
Newport County (13 Pts, -17 GD)
National League:
Rochdale seem to have the inside track here but it’s still a close call. They’re currently level on points with Forest Green and Carlisle, but have three games in hand.
Top one:
Rochdale (46 Pts, +23 GD, 19 MP)
Fitzie’s track of the day: Man Made of Meat, by Viagra Boys
And now for your links:
BBC: “‘Questions pile up at Celtic but only some are for Nancy’”
The Independent: “Bayern Munich hit with partial stadium closure after fireworks set off in stands”