The Fizzy Pop League

What a wonderful season Reading have had. 15 points clear and within touching distance of the Premiership and with their own wealthy benefactor their fans will be hoping they follow in Wigan's footsteps.

Sheffield United mind you are struggling. A month or so back they were shoulder to shoulder with Reading but they have won once in 7 games and Leeds and Watford are closing the gap. Watford and their young manager Adrian Boothroyd have also had a fantastic campaign, spending little, nurtering youngsters like Matthew Spring and getting the best out of old pros like Paul Devlin. Boothroyd was previously at Leeds and those in the know give him most of the credit for bringing through youth players like Lennon and Milner.

Palarse have also slipped recently but should make the play-offs and the last place is wide open with Wolves in the driving seat but in form Preston and Cardiff close behind.

Crewe and sadly Brighton look down. Brighton recently had to delay their new stadium again, and Crewe have surpassed themselves with 3 years in the Champiosnhip. They were promoted with Wigan in 2003 from the countries 3rd tier. Benefactors are a wonderful thing aren't they?

Millwall are hanging in there. Hull and managerless Derby look like they have too much about them but Sheffield Wednesday are nervously looking over their shoulder.

In League One, its great to see Southend do so well. They are 6 points clear at the top of the table and they look like heading to the 2nd tier of English football for the first time since the early 90's. Freddy Eastwood's 18 goals combined with Bermuda's very own Shaun Goater, who has scored 10, have led the way for Steve Tilson's side. Mad Dog Martin Allen's Brentford have not been pretty to watch but they are in 2nd place with the so-called 'bigger' clubs of Huddersfield, Swansea and Barnsley all giving chase. Colchester and Oldham are also in with a shout.

At the bottom MK Dons seem to be heading for the basement, this despite Izale McLeod's 14 goals. Knockers of MK Dons will do well to notice some of the recent home attendances though. 6,800 on Saturday against Bristol City and crowds regulary in the 5-6,000 range. All positive as they look forward to moving into their new stadium.

Walsall and Swindon after coming close to promotion in recent years both face the dreaded drop as do cash-strapped Rotherham. Only 8 points separate the bottom 4 and Tranmere in 11th place. This relegation fight looks like it will go to the wire.

What a success story Carlisle are. Michael Knighton screwed the club royally, but under Paul Simpson they lead the way at the top of League Two. Wycombe are there too with my mate Robert Lee in their midfield. Manager John Gorman is now back at the helm following the sad death of his wife to cancer. Grimsby and Orient have been hard to beat and remain in the play-off spots as do pre-season favourites Northampton.

Any two teams from eight could drop out of the league. Stockport under Jim Gannon have had a fantastic revival after looking dead certs for the drop at Christmas. It was strange to see Stockport struggle like they were, they are easily the best supported club down at the bottom. Chester, Bury and Barnet struggle to pull in 2,000 each.

Rushden & Diamonds would not be the first ex-conference team to go back to whence they came but I worry for Oxford. There seems a lot of internal doings going on at the Kassam Stadium and they recently lost one of their best players Craig Davies to Verona in what was one of the strangest January transfers.

In the Conference good old Accrington Stanley are running away with the title, helped by two young Charlton goalkeepers who have taken it turn to be on loan at the Interlink Express Stadium. Rob Elliot and Darren Randolph have helped Stanley to 24 wins in 33 games this season.

Those as old as me will remember the National Dairy Council's advert in 1988 when a young lad sipping on a glass of milk turns to his friend and says: "Ian Rush said if I don't drink milk I will only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley."

His mate replies: "Accrington Stanley - who are they?" to which the young lad replies "Exactly." All done in the deepest Scouse accent.

Recently it was revealed that Tottenham Hotspur was the team name to be used in the advert but that was rejected and the Milk Council picked a more obscure team instead.