The 'Real Thing'

N&R's regular look at the Coca-Cola leagues. Those are the 3 divisions below the Premiership for those of you that think English football ends after 4th in the Premiership! Palace fans may find this of interest....

Joe Royle's Ipswich are looking like they are heading back to the Premiership after an absence of 3 season's. Their home form is magnificent and they are the divisions top goalscorers with 61 goals. It is Wigan though who have the firepower. Nathan 'the Duke' Ellington has scored 19 goals and Jason Roberts has 16 as Paul Jewell looks to lead the small Cheshire side to automatic promotion. Small but considerably richer than most in the Championship with benefactor Dave Whelan splashing money around in order to achieve his dream of Premiership football in Wigan. Don't knock it!

Sunderland have been in 3rd for most of the season but it is the resurgence of Derby and the form of Preston that has been most noticable over the past few months. Reading haven't won in the league for 11 games and are going backwards whilst old play-off and Cup experts Sheffield United are still in the frame with games in hand. You have to give it to Neil Warnock who has done a wonderful job at Brammall Lane.

West Ham are so frustrating, they were awful against Sheff Utd and then turned it on against Plymouth on Saturday but I think only a play-off spot is achievable. Beyond them sides are much of a much-ness. Millwall, Burnley, Leeds, Stoke - all average. If I would put money on a team making a run for a play-off spot? Leicester City.

At the bottom, Ronnie Moore-less Rotherham are surely gone. Who is Alan Knill? A very unfortunate surname for a football manager!

The big question at the bottom is if Gary Megson can keep Forest in the division, a slip to Div 1 would be a killer blow and old Cloughie will be turning in his grave! Its about time the Gills and their twat of a chairman Paul Scally go back to where they belong and promoted Plymouth also look in danger despite a good start. My tip for the drop? Cardiff City.

Into League One, Luton and Hull have made it a two-horse race and look uncatchable. Mike Newell was chosen following a vote but he has proved an excellent choice with just 4 defeats in 33 games. Hull are the billy big bollocks in the division and in Peter Taylor they have an admittadly crap top flight manager but a clever and knowledgable lower league one.

The play-off battle could involve upwards of 10 teams with Tranmere, Sheff Wed and Hartlepool looking the most obvious. My tip for the 4th spot? Swindon or Mad Dog Martin Allen's Brentford.

Stockport County struggling in front of small crowds look likely relegation fodder under manager Chris Turner. I bet he wishes he never left Hartlepool for that wonder job at Sheff Wed! Barry Fry's Peterborough are in big trouble too but Wrexham who were deducted 10 points may still be too good to go down if they can rally under the experienced Dennis Smith.

New MK Dons manager Danny Wilson has started a mini revival at the Hockey Stadium - 3 games without a loss - but Franchise FC will get no support from me. The team going backwards in League One? Oldham Athletic. Brian Talbot has really struggled at Boundary Park, particularly since they beat Man City in the FA Cup 3rd round.

League Two or the old 4th Division as I know it. Yeovil are a very impressive outfit and look more than set for a higher level. And it's great to see Scunthorpe and Macclesfield do so well after avoiding relegation last season by the skin of their teeth.

Lincoln look strong play-off contenders and Northampton were everyone's pre-season favourites. Swansea have come back from the brink of bankruptcy and Southend (sorry, Sarfend) are having their best season for ever under Steve Tilson. Outside tip? On their day Darlington are a match for anyone, keep an eye on them.

At the scary foot of the table where relegation is considered to be doom - just ask York, Halifax, Exeter, Carlisle, Scarborough and Southport - Cambridge United and Kidderminster are currently in the two relegation spots. Cambridge are in a mess and ex Addick Steve Thompson has been brought into produce nothing less than a miracle.

Looking over their shoulders are Rushden & Diamonds. Brian Talbot left them in a right mess, Ernie Tippett took them down and now the unknown Barry Hunter is left picking up the pieces and to try and keep them up.

Chester under the great Ian Rush are 13 points clear of the bottom two.

A quick look into the Conference. Barnet are pissing it, they are 13 points clear but did surprisingly get stuffed by 2nd placed Accrington Stanley 4-1 on Saturday, the Bees 2nd defeat on the trot, so no fat ladies singing yet at Underhill (probably the worst ground I have ever been too, just pipping Selhurst!). Any one from 12 teams are in with a shout of the play-off's.

Spare a thought for Leigh RMI fans. One win all season and with only 8 points on the board for the Railwaymen from Cheshire.