The Race for League One…

Here is the current League One table:

With four games to go, it’s Norwich’s to lose. A couple of months ago, it was Leeds’ to lose, which they seemed to have done spectacularly. But they’ve enjoyed a resurgence of late, winning their last three matches and pushing them back into the promotion places. Here’s a little bit on how the respective seasons have gone…

Norwich

Since their opening day humiliation and subsequent dismissal of Bryan Gunn, and a couple of other early season mishaps, Norwich have been close to a model of consistency. They are wobbling slightly at present, losing two (of only eight they’ve lost this season) in the last four. But they remain six points clear and will struggle to throw it away from here, despite that being the manifest trend in the division. Holt and Martin’s goals, the excellence of Wes Hoolihan and a solid defence have been the foundations for what surely is imminent triumph.

Leeds

A few weeks back Leeds had one hand on the trophy. But a combination of Norwich’s excellent form, Jermaine Beckford’s contract negotiations, and their notorious bottling of the title saw them slip down into the play-off places. The nadir was probably a 3-0 home defeat to promotion rivals Swindon, but credit to Simon Grayson they have bounced back from that, and having won their last three games are now back in the automatic promotion places. It’s their’s to lose. Again. They have previous…

Millwall

Millwall are going like a juggernaut, and were it not for Leeds’ phoenix from the flames act would now be occupying second place. They’ve had a superb second half to the season and will now be disappointed not to go up automatically, so impressive have they been. They are the team everyone will want to avoid in the play-offs – but they could avoid them themselves if they can creep back above Leeds…

Charlton

It’s actually been a slightly disappointing season for Charlton, despite them having virtually secured a play-off place. They’ve never really been in contention for the title, which many expected them to challenge for. However, over two legs they could beat anyone in the division and will fancy their chances at Wembley.

Swindon

Swindon have surpassed all expectations this season. That they briefly occupied one of the promotion places is a magnificent achievement for Danny Wilson, and they are almost certain to get a play-off place, more than most Swindon fans dreamt of at the start of the season. A couple of inspired signings – most notably Charlie Austin, poached from Poole Town for peanuts and scorer of 18 goals already this season – and canny use of the loan market have propelled a mediocre side into one that can compete with the best in the division.

Huddersfield

Lee Clark’s men have been free-scoring, second only to Norwich overall and top at home, but have been let down by a far inferior away record. They are vying with Colchester for the last play-off place and are currently in the ascendancy, three points clear with a superior goal difference.

Colchester

Their emphatic 3-0 win over Swindon gave the Essex boys hope they could sneak into the play-offs, but as above they are up against it – that win was sandwiched between defeats to play-off rivals Millwall and Charlton.

Southampton

Almost certain to miss out, but were it not for their 10 point deduction they would be in sixth place. Despite winning the Johnston’s Paint Trophy there is a suspicion that Alan Pardew may be out in the summer.

Above is a nice little graphic showing season form. Note Norwich’s chunks of mid-season blue that have taken them to the top of the table, Leed’s red run that’s likely cost them the title, Charlton’s multiple draws, and at the bottom Stockport’s hilarious shitness.

There are some big games still to come – Norwich and Leeds both visit Charlton, Swindon play Millwall on the last day of the season, and next week Millwall are at Huddersfield. There could be more twists yet… come on Swindon!