PoN's January Round Up!

Looking back over January, the foot of League One is as tight as ever, with no relegation certainties but a cluster of clubs who are in trouble as they search for improved form and more importantly results to clear away from danger a little. Stevenage were dragged into it as playing just three games in the month they secured just a single win, a somewhat surprise 2-0 win over Swindon Town. It was a terrible month for Sheffield United who in December had shown an improvement but last month saw them draw two and win two, not what manager Nigel Clough had bargained for.

Notts County enjoyed wins against Sheffield United and Bradford City at home and a single goal win at Stevenage with a 3-4 defeat at Peterborough and a bizzare 1-5 thumping at home to in-form Walsall where former County players Febian Brandy (with his first senior hat trick) and Craig Westcarr tormented their previous employers.

Shrewsbury Town had a rotten month with no less than four defeats and just the one success which saw the parting of the ways with manager Graham Turner.

Bristol City had to make do with with just two points return from their four games which saw two 1-3 defeats. Crewe managed two wins in five against Carlisle and MK Dons to give them a welcome six points for the month whereas Carlisle's poor season continues with just one win in their four games which included a 0-4 thumping at leyton Orient.

Tranmere managed a win and two draws whilst Crawley only played two games in January, both 2-2 draws. Oldham enjoyed a remarkable comeback to somehow beat Peterborough at Boundary Park by an amazing 5-4 scoreline after being 0-3 down. Colchester were unbeaten in their three games with good wins against Gillingham and Carlisle. Bradford City had to make do with three draws to go with their heavy defeat at Notts County whilst Coventry City had just the one defeat in their four games.

Out of the teams in mid table Swindon continue to win at home but can't do likewise on away soil. Port Vale recorded just the one win and Gillingham and MK Dons showed indifferent form. Moving on to the clubs in the top six, Walsall had a good month with three wins and three draws the highlight being a 5-1 win at Notts County.

Rotherham's season continues to roll with just the one defeat, a surprise 1-3 slip up against Coventry City. Preston and Leyton Orient continue to impress and pick up plenty of points whilst Wolves and Brentford seem to be the teams to watch out for for automatic promotion.