League One Fixtures 15th January 2011 (Part 1)

Brighton & Hove Albion v Peterborough United
Brighton need to draw to be sure of keeping their place at the top of the League One table. Peterborough, meanwhile, need a point in order to remain in the play-off places but I doubt either team will want to settle for a draw. Manager Darren Ferguson is back at Peterborough United fourteen months after they sacked him. Don’t be surprised if a few young Manchester United players end up joining him.
Arron Davies faces a former club in rather unusual circumstances. At the beginning of the season, he was at Nottingham Forest and was loaned out to Brighton. When Forest released him in December, he decided to join former Yeovil Town but this was against the rules because he’d already played for two clubs. So Arron became a Brighton player again on non-contract terms and was loaned out to Yeovil. The expectation was that he’d sign permanently for Yeovil in the summer but he decided that the thing that made Yeovil so wonderful wasn’t the place, it was his old manager there. The manager was in question was Gary Johnson who was at Peterborough so Arron signed for Peterborough. Last week, Gary Johnson left the club by mutual consent. So who knows what will happen next?

Carlisle United v Bristol Rovers
Carlisle are only six points from the play-offs, which certainly isn’t insurmountable considering they have between one and three games in hand over most teams. But they’re just five points from the relegation places – it’s that close. If Bristol Rovers win, they will probably still be in the bottom four but only on goal difference. And if they win by three goals and Tranmere lose by three goals, they’ll be out of the relegation places altogether. Bristol Rovers just need to remember how to win, that’s all. Let’s hope they’ve got long memories. They haven’t won in the league since October. Carlisle however might have some sympathy – they haven’t won in any competition since November 30th.
Jason Price is back at Carlisle after choosing not to remain at Bradford City on loan. He believes he can help Carlisle get their season back on track. But only if he can get into the team. So maybe he’s better off going out on loan again.
Byron Anthony missed Bristol Rovers’ last match due to food poisoning and he’s probably not ready to go back into the starting line-up although he could be on the bench. Ben Swallow and Eliot Richards could also start.

Hartlepool United v Dagenham & Redbridge
Away at Hartlepool – it doesn’t exactly strike fear into your heart. But with Hartlepool just two points from the play-offs and Dag & Red botton of the league and eight points from safety, maybe they should be just a little bit scared.
Tony Roberts will play in goal for Dag & Red. Tomorrow, he'll be thinking of survival but he also has a quadruple on his hands.
Loanee Kayleden Brown has returned to West Bromwich Albion after his loan spell came to an end. He’s missed the last three matches due to injury.

Milton Keynes Dons v Tranmere Rovers
MK Dons are just a point outside the play-offs and their home record is very good. Tranmere might struggle to get the point they need to be absolutely sure they won’t be spending the week in the bottom four.
MK Dons have just sold Jermaine Easter to Crystal Palace so he won’t be playing for them again anytime soon.
Ash Taylor is expected to start for Tranmere.

Plymouth Argyle v Oldham Athletic
Plymouth are probably lower in the table than they’d like to be but they’re still closer to the play-offs than the relegation places – and just one point behind Oldham. Plymouth will be glad to be back at home after three successive away matches. Oldham will just be glad they don’t have to play Southampton again..
Carl Fletcher should play for Plymouth.