With another international break this weekend, it gives the chance for the EFL to be showcased to a wider audience without the glare of the Premier League consuming all of the space.
There is a near-enough full schedule of games in league 2 this weekend, and as we approach the 10/11 game mark, this is the point where most fans will take stock and see where they sit in the table. Lots will be asking what needs to change to turn the season around while others will be looking to stay on course after starting the season well.
I have had a look at some interesting games league 2 this weekend, a league that always produces surprises and excitement on a weekly basis.
(*All games kick off at 3.00pm)
Saturday, October 12th
Barrow vs Morecambe
Barrow have had an excellent start to the season. After agonisingly missing out on the playoffs last year, despite spending the vast majority of the season in the top places, they parted company with popular manager Pete Wild to the surprise of many. Stephen Clemence was named the new manager after an unsuccessful stint at Gillingham and currently has his Barrow side in third place. With one of the smallest fanbases in the league, Barrow continue to defy the odds and will be looking to go one step further this season.
Morecambe can only dream of the start Barrow have had. The troubled Lancashire club, who have had financial difficulties and failed takeovers for the last few years, are bottom of the entire EFL. They lost 2-1 at fellow strugglers Accrington Stanley last week and manager Derek Adams, back for this third spell as manager, has his work cut out trying to keep them up.
Barrow should have too much for Morecambe at home and will look maintain their excellent start.
Barrow to win outright @ 11/20
Doncaster vs Crewe
Doncaster were one of the pre-season favourites to gain promotion after an excellent second half of the season last year, and have certainly lived up that billing so far. Their opponents this weekend knocked them out in the playoffs in May, so revenge may well be at the forefront of Doncaster players’ minds. In Jordan Gibson and Luke Molyneux Donny have two of the best attacking players in the division, and can score at will, as their 3-0 win at Grimsby last weekend proved. They currently sit in fourth place and will be targeting the top three.
This season took a while to get going for Crewe, but a decent run of form has seen them climb the table to just outside the playoff places. They lost top scorer Elliot Nevitt in the summer but as Crewe always do, they find suitable replacements on a low budget and supplement the squad with talented youngsters from the academy. Manager Lee Bell has admirers from teams higher up the pyramid which is a credit to the work he has done there so far.
This should be a good game, I expect both teams to score but I think Donny will come out on top.
Doncaster to win outright @ 8/11
Gillingham vs Accrington Stanley
Like Doncaster, Gillingham were tipped by many in the summer to go up this year. With owner Brad Galinson having turned the club around since taking the reigns, expectations are high. They have spent a considerable amount of money relative to the level to achieve success this year, and the appointment of Mark Bonner in the summer seems an excellent choice, as the Gills sit second in the table. They will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Crewe last weekend, and have the perfect opportunity to do so on Saturday.
Accrington make the long journey down from Lancashire to Kent buoyed by their first win of the season last weekend. It has been a struggle so far for Accy, who have to operate on a shoestring budget with small crowds. However, manager John Doolan has maintained they have played well for most of this season so far but the results haven’t followed. They will be hoping last week’s result can kickstart a run.
This should be a comfortable home win for Gillingham.
Gillingham to win outright @ 7/10
Salford vs Grimsby
The Class of 92 have ben trying for a while now to get Salford promoted out of league 2, but it hasn’t been as easy as they expected. Despite lots of money spent, their best effort came in a playoff semi-final defeat to Stockport two years ago. They hired manager Karl Robinson last season to try and break that ceiling, and he has had big success in the past. They have had a mixed start to the season, but have picked up a little recently. They will no doubt strengthen the squad in January to push on in the second half of the season.
Grimsby have also had an inconsistent start. They have looked excellent in flashes, playing the sort of passing football manager Dave Artell became known for during his spell at Crewe. However, they have also looked vulnerable, losing at home 3-0 last weekend and getting a man sent off. You feel they are poised to go on a run at some point, they just need that consistency everyone in the league is striving for.
This is a tough one to call, a draw wouldn’t surprise me but I think Salford will just edge it by the odd goal
Salford to win outright @ 6/5
League Two Acca
