Accrington Stanley are seriously out of form. Just two wins from 16 games have seen Stanley sit bottom of the Football League on goal difference. In recent games they have struggled for goals, despite a 3-2 win over Barnet (more on them later!) which ended a run of 5 without a goal. An astonishing front two of James Beattie and Franny Jeffers look to improve struggling Stanley. From their remaining games, Stanley face league leaders Gillingham and third placed Burton as well as two relegation 'six pointers' against AFC Wimbledon and York City. What are Accrington Stanley's chances of staving off the trapdoor to the Conference?
Despite being unbeaten in six before two straight defeats, Aldershot sit 23rd after what has, quite frankly, been a horrific season for the Shots. After Dean Holdsworth sacked, Andy Scott took over the reins to aid the Shots' escape from the relegation zone. A defeat on Saturday to AFC Wimbledon showed that luck could be running out. A tough run of games awaits Aldershot: They must visit promotion candidates Port Vale and must host United's Oxford and Southend. Shots' may need to look for results to go their way for the rest of the season if they have any hope of survival.
Season after season Barnet manage the unthinkable. With few games to go they are x points adrift at the foot of the table only to complete an astonishing great escape. On the last day of last season a 2-1 win at Burton saw Barnet survive at the expense of Hereford. Will they do the same again or has Barnet's time finally come? The problem for Edgar Davids' Bees is inconsistency; a win follows a defeat, then two defeats will be followed by two wins. Defeats in vital 'six pointers' away at Plymouth and Accrington have seen the Bees sit 22nd only on goal difference. In their final eight games Barnet host AFC Wimbledon and travel to worryingly off form Torquay, two must win games for the survival prone North Londoners. Underhill has been the source of three points this season and survival hopes are boosted by five home games before the end of the season. Will team spirit prevail again, or will Barnet be hosting Conference fixtures at their new home, the Hive, next season?
Plymouth Argyle have had it bad over the past few seasons. Relegation has been felt before. The Green Army are used to it. The financial problems are all but gone, and the new owner is taking the club forward. But, they must overcome a new hurdle. A new, young squad that is fighting the drop. The final eight games sees them face five of the top eight as well as York City. Argyle's hopes of survival could rest on results elsewhere. Can John Sheridan save the Argyle?
I should NOT be writing this. Last season Torquay United were beaten to the final automatic promotion spot to Crawley Town before losing in the play offs to Cheltenham Town. This is a stark contrast to this season. This season has been nothing short of a disaster. United are in perilously worrying form - one win in EIGHTEEN. They are yet to play York and Barnet, however. The Devon club's campaign has been plighted by the absence of manager Martin Ling who has been struck down by a serious illness. Never has an absence been missed so much. Alan Knill has been placed in charge to keep Torquay in the Football League; a man who is used to relegation dog-fights. An experienced, minimally changed squad have the ability to survive, but is it too little too
late for TUFC?
York City sit 19th on 41 points. One of the favourites to go down at the beginning of the season, City have done exactly as expected: struggle. Gary Mills was sacked a manager just weeks ago and replace by highly experienced Nigel Worthington. Without a win since New Year's Day, York have been dragged closer and closer to the drop zone; goal difference the only thing keeping them out. With Torquay, Accrington AND Plymouth all to play, I believe these three games could decide which two teams will drop down to the Blue Square Conference at the end of the season. Will York make an instant return, or will they survive?
WHO ELSE?
- AFC Wimbledon sit on 45 points, in 18th place. They are gathering form at the right time to repel themselves away from the trapdoor. Will the boys from Kingston do it?
- Rochdale sit one place ahead on 46 points.
- Dagenham & Redbridge sit 16th on 49 points.
Will any of these three face the drop?
*Written on 23/03/13 before that night's fixtures took place.
