Afternoon all,

I hope we are all keeping well.  I am all too aware that I haven’t been about these parts much in recent months – apologies.

Since getting the site really rocking and rolling late last year, I have posted only one piece in the last six weeks or so.

It’s been a pretty manic time for me and something had to be put on the back burner – I was starting to run out of hobs!

I won’t bore you all with the details of exactly why now, but I will try and put something up to let you know what I have been up to in recent weeks in conjunction with a review of the sites open positions.  However, one thing is for sure – my fingers are firmly crossed that Robin Van Persie doesn’t tear a Michael Owen over the coming months!

However, as a more pressing priority, here are a few quick thoughts on today’s coupon:

 

No Robin needed – ‘cos they’re offering

My favourite selection of the day is Paulo Di Canio’s Swindon side to win at Rotherham at 2.62.  The Robins are on a bit of a tear at the moment, having gone 12/4/3/+20 since losing four games on the bounce by a solitary goal back in August last year.  That’s an extended run of Championship form.

Ironically, the start of that run was an enthralling 3-2 away win at Rotherham.  That game was the beginning of two terrible months for The Millers – they went 1/5/5/-9 in September and October.  At first glance, they appear to have returned to form in recent months, however wins against Aldershot (16th), Bradford (2) (19th), Hereford (21st) and AFC Wimbledon (18th) indicate there has been an element of fixture imbalance contributing to their up and down form.

Di Canio lost five of his first six away from home to open the campaign, but seems to have got a grip on things in recent months – with Swindon going 4/2/1/+5.  Granted two of these wins were against the hapless Plymouth and Northampton sides, however away wins against Port Vale (13th) and Accrington (9th) give me more than enough to back Swindon at a price representing a 38% shot.

 

Embrace the January Blue-birds

As I plump for my second away win of the day, some of you will no doubt be wondering if my recent lay off has been as a result of a nasty knock to the head!

However, I can’t get away from the 2.20 currently available on Cardiff to win at Doncaster.  Donny are an improved side when compared to the one that started the season, however that isn’t saying much.

Malkay Mackay’s men have kept an impressive six clean sheets in there last eleven games and have risen up the table to be realistic promotion candidates – something which has come as a surprise to many, myself included.

However, they will know the hard work has only just begun and they need to continue there recent form to stay in the picture in a fiercely competitive division.

The main reason I like this bet so much is that The Bluebirds will be mightily disappointed to have lost to Crystal Palace in their big cup semi final in mid week – and as such I expect Malkay will be all over them emphasising that they have achieved nothing yet so far this season and that three points today are imperative.

A few of the Donny players know they are in the shop window, which can raise performance levels – but not enough to put me off at the 2.20 currently available on the Welsh outfit.

 

Is that really wise?

My final thoughts on today’s coupon is that Sheffield Wednesday are a cracking price to beat Charlton at Hillsborough at 2.40.

Megson’s men are  9/2/0/ +15 at home this campaign, so to make them a 41% shot is farcical in my eyes.  No doubt Charlton are a fantastic team, but they have slowed down slightly in recent weeks and there is more than enough fat in this one to back the midweek men.

I won’t be lumping too much into this one personally, given I already have material exposure to The Addicks as a result of my long term Huddersfield position – one which I still believe has legs if they manage to keep hold of Jordan Rhodes.

The chances of Lee Clark’s men making a second half run at it would certainly be boosted by a glut of home wins in the division today.

 

OK, so there you have it.

A few suggestions to potentially feather your nest this weekend (that’s the last pun, I promise).  Hopefully I still have a few readers out there despite my six week lay off!   I’ve got a load of articles planned and in draft which I have had to park in recent weeks, but I am going to make every effort to get the site flying (damn it) once again.

It would be great to get the comments and interaction levels up to where they were last year again in 2012.

Good luck and game on!

Adios amigos.

 

BOTW: 2pts on Swindon to win at Rotherham

2pts on Cardiff to win at Doncaster

1pt on Sheffield Wednesday to beat Charlton

.

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