Big Match Review - Swindon 1 Dagenham 1

Swindon Town 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

Saturday March 12, County Ground (Att: 7,864)

A late goal from Jon Nurse prevented relegation-threatened Swindon Town from gaining their first win under Paul Hart as Dagenham & Redbridge continued their own quest against the drop.

Chances were at a premium early on, with the home side's best effort coming from David Prutton who saw Tony Roberts block his attempt after being put through by Mike Grella.

The Londoners went close, too, as Grella was called into action at the other end of the field to block a shot from Danny Green.

The Robins took the lead just before the interval as Grella ran onto a long kick forward from Smith and held off the attention of Abu Ogogo to lob the ball over Roberts and into the net.

Dagenham pressed for a leveller in the second period with Smith being forced into saves from Nurse and Bas Savage.

Hart's men then almost sealed the points when Roberts tipped wide a shot from Matt Ritchie and, from the resulting corner, the visitors had to clear a Scott Cuthbert header off the line.

However, Town were to be denied a vital three points with just seven minutes remaining. They failed to clear a long throw and, when the ball was put back into the box, Nurse deflected the ball past Smith with his head.

The Wiltshire side were frustrated late on, feeling they should have been awarded a penalty, but were forced to settle for a draw.

It ensured the Daggers remain outside the drop zone on goal difference. Swindon, while still deep in trouble, can at least console themselves with having moved off the bottom.

Big Match Preview - Swindon vs. Dagenham

Swindon Town vs. Dagenham & Redbridge

Saturday March 12, 15:00, County Ground

Two teams desperately scrapping for survival in League One meet in a crucial six-pointer this weekend as Dagenham & Redbridge make the trip to face Swindon Town.

Just three points currently separate the two sides with Swindon propping up the rest of the division and the Daggers just outside the bottom four on goal difference alone.

The East Londoners, in their first ever year at this level, have found the step up a struggle, but a recent revival has given them a great chance of beating the drop.

Four wins and two draws from their last eight matches have lifted John Still's men from rock bottom to 20th though.

With Dagenham still holding at least three games in hand over the teams below them, then they have the opportunity to put further distance between themselves and the danger zone.

On the road this term they've recorded four victories - at Yeovil, Carlisle, Hartlepool and secured a 2-0 win in last weekend's crucial fixture against fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers.

However, with nine losses from their 16 away games, Still be aware that just a slight improvement on the road could be the difference between maintaining their place in the third tier and losing it.

Outstanding performers for the Daggers this season include Frenchman Romain Vincelot, their top scorer with ten. Midfielder Danny Green has also chipped in with half a dozen strikes.

New Swindon boss Paul Hart is once again fighting against relegation

Their opponents this weekend have drafted in an experienced football firefighter to aid their own battle against relegation.

After Danny Wilson's resignation, Town have turned to Paul Hart - who successfully kept Crystal Palace in the Championship last term - to help them beat the drop.

It's been a nightmare campaign for the Wiltshire outfit, who have fallen spectacularly after appearing in the League One play off final at Wembley last May.

Hart's first game saw them held to a 0-0 stalemate against relegation rivals Walsall before their midweek loss to another struggler, Plymouth, dumped the Robins to the very bottom.

With a woeful away record, their form at the County Ground looks like it will make or break their survival hopes, so Hart will be desperate to add to their five wins - over Southampton, Huddersfield, Bristol Rovers, Colchester, and Sheffield Wednesday.

After the sale of top scorer Charlie Austin to Burnley, the burden of scoring the goals to keep Town up has fallen on new transfer window signing Elliott Benyon as well as on-loan Leeds striker Mike Grella.

Swindon are badly struggling to find the back of the net though, and they will find themselves in for a tough battle against a typically competitive Dagenham side fighting for their lives.

Much will depend on how the home side react to hitting bottom spot after Tuesday night, and all the prior evidence points to badly. The Daggers revival may well continue.

Nobes' Prediction: Swindon Town 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 1

Always On My Mind

With numerous sides from the West Country involved in the League One relegation scrap, Nobes looks at why psychology could play an important part in surviving.

Yeovil Town, under Terry Skiverton, are well versed in relegation battles

The history books will not record 2010/11 as a vintage year in the West Country. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a club from the area who have enjoyed a profitable season.

While Bristol City, many pundits dark horses in the Championship, have failed to fully recover from being rocked by Steve Coppell's brief tenure, three other clubs are involved in the fight for survival in League One.

Indeed, with Bristol Rovers currently propping up the rest in the third tier, it's fair to say that, for the city famous for its balloon festival, the last few months have been a deflating experience.

With local rivals Swindon and Yeovil are also embroiled in the relegation scrap, it's enough to make you hit the cider, with all three aiming to avoid a return to the basement division they believed they'd escaped for brighter times in the Noughties.

Arguably though, it is the smallest of the three clubs, Yeovil, who stand the best chance of staving off demotion. Finding themselves at the wrong end of League One isn't new territory for the Glovers.

Barring one appearance in the play offs under Russell Slade in 2007, the Somerset outfit have spent the rest of their six years in the third tier attempting to just to remain there.

Their highest finish is 15th, just six points above the bottom four, and in 2009 they ended up just a couple of points off relegation. They are seasoned strugglers.

While it's true that flirting once too often with the drop will ultimately result in the inevitable, Yeovil's relegation battle experience should actually work in their favour.

Former player, and current boss, Terry Skiverton is working under some of the tightest budget restrictions in the division, yet has a committed and hard working team well suited to the rigours of a dogfight.

A run of eight without a win actually saw them sitting bottom heading into 2011, but the Glovers have responded in typically pugnacious style. A run of 17 points from their first eight games of the New Year lifting them out of the drop zone.

While the manager will be the first to point out that they are by no means clear of trouble yet - they've suffered three successive defeats recently - they have given themselves a great chance of survival.

It's not just the experience of Skiverton's side which should serve them well though. Psychologically they also in a strong frame of mind.

Not only because they know how to win relegation battles, but because they expect to be involved in them.

Ambition must be curtailed when you're competing against much bigger and richer clubs once in the Premier League. While they can always dream of more, finishing fifth from bottom will always be a good year for a club who spent so many years in the Non Leagues.

It should therefore come as no surprise to fans at Huish Park to see their side once again giving a spirited attempt to maintain their third tier status. They are where they expected to be.

For supporters of Swindon and Bristol Rovers though, that couldn't be further from the truth. Neither the Robins or Gas were tipped to figure in the race to avoid League Two, yet both currently sit in the bottom four.

These are tough times for experienced Swindon manager Danny Wilson

It's been a dramatic fall of grace for both, particularly the Wiltshire side though, who were just 90 minutes away from a place in the Championship last season as they faced Millwall in the play off final.

Danny Wilson's team had arguably overachieved in reaching the showpiece occasion, and on the day found themselves out fought and out played by the Lions, losing 1-0.

However, their struggles towards the foot of the table this term have been equally surprising. While they lost key players Gordon Greer and Billy Paynter during the summer, they still appeared to have more than enough to remain in the top half.

It's even more of a surprise considering the experienced manager successfully bounced back from play off heartache while boss at Bristol City to qualify for the top six again in the next campaign.

Not so with the other Robins of Swindon who, after selling striker Charlie Austin to Burnley in January, now appear to be taking on the appearance of a ship quickly sinking back to League Two, four years after promotion from it.

That came under Paul Sturrock, who guided Swindon to 3rd place in 2007, ironically just behind Wilson's Hartlepool. Now both manager and club could be returning to the basement division.

The winners of the play offs that year were Bristol Rovers, and the Gas look near certainties to return to the fourth tier of English football after a nightmarish campaign.

In truth, the rot had set in under previous boss Paul Trollope in the second half of last season, despite Rovers ultimately ending up 10th in the league.

A poor start to the current campaign saw Trollope dismissed before Christmas with the club in the drop zone. Replacement Dave Penney has been able to reverse the slide though.

Rovers have lost their last five games, and with 65 goals conceded have the most porous back line in League One.

At the moment, the long awaited re-development of their Memorial Stadium looks more likely of happening than the Gas do of surviving - and that's saying something.

All in all, it's a long way from the "false position" Rovers defender Byron Anthony was complaining his side found themselves in at the turn of the year.

Meanwhile, Colchester boss John Ward, before his side's 2-1 weekend win over Swindon, suggested Wilson's side have "too many good players to be a bottom four team."

New signing Elliot Benyon was also bullish on Town's hopes claiming that his new boss hasn't even mentioned relegation and "it'll all be forgotten" after a couple of wins.

Too good to go down? Not even talking about relegation? It's the kind of naive rhetoric which so often results in dropping down a division come the end of the season.

True, there's always room for positive thinking, but the shock of players at Rovers and Swindon at finding themselves in such a precarious position can't be understated.

After beginning with such optimism in August, they are now in the position of having to change their mind set and gear up for a fight to the end, scrapping for every point and focusing purely on survival.

In other words, they must successfully adopt Yeovil's mentality and hope that, like their smaller neighbours, it can fit like a glove.

Separate Ways

At opposite ends of the League One table, Nobes considers the idea of the play off hangover when seeing how Charlton and Swindon have responded to heartbreak in last season's play offs.

Swindon celebrate after beating Charlton on penalties in May's play offs

Misery loves company. Or at least, it did. This was never going to be the easiest of seasons for either Charlton Athletic or Swindon Town.

Indeed, with the pair level on points in mid table at the end of September, it appeared two sides looking to recover from play off disappointment at the end of last season were both experiencing somewhat of a slow start.

A couple of months on though and, while Charlton - much to the relief of under-pressure manager Phil Parkinson - have picked up form and sit in 2nd, Swindon sit just above the relegation zone.

It's a clear example of the opposite ways in which sides can respond to missing out in the end of season lottery - responding to adversity or letting it linger.

In the case of Swindon, Robins fans will obviously point to the proverbial 'play off hangover.'

Although much younger in its roots, such a theory has managed to firmly force its way into the cliche book between somewhere between 'After the Lord Mayor's Show' and 'Honeymoon Period.'

That was largely down to a spell in the mid-1990s in League One when, for three successive seasons, the losing play off finalists were relegated to the basement division the following year.

Ever since that trio trailed that particular blaze, the fear for clubs who miss out in the play offs is that getting over the pain of coming so near yet so far will affect their subsequent campaign.

So with the Wiltshire outfit this term. Defeat a couple of weeks ago at fellow strugglers Notts County left them just two points above the East Midlands outfit.

Their record at the County Ground has also taken a hit, losing three times already compared to just two defeats at home all season in 2009/10.

True, the side is now without last season's 29-goal top scorer Billy Paynter, who moved on a free transfer to Leeds in the summer. However, goalscoring has not been Town's problem this term, with striker Charlie Austin already notching 12.

Rather, it's been down the other end of the pitch where they've struggled - with 32 goals being leaked in 18 games. The loss of defender Gordon Greer - now at League One leaders Brighton - probably more pertinent to Swindon's current struggles.

Boss Danny Wilson would also point to an injury to Jonathan Douglas, as well as uncharacteristic keeping errors earlier in the season from the experienced David Lucas as to reasons why Town's defence has looked worryingly vulnerable.

However, after a fine campaign last year, could the play off hangover have had a part to play? Swindon overachieved reaching the final against Millwall in May - playing an attractive brand of attacking football to boot.

Their narrow 1-0 defeat at Wembley, where they were largely outplayed on the day, was a bitter blow to the former top flight club looking to end their decade spell in England's third tier.

They could be forgiven for thinking then that, in a division increasingly populated by big, high-spending teams, they wouldn't come as close again for a while. A fear only likely to be heightened by the loss of Paynter and Greer.

That was compounded by a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front - failing to freshen up a squad who stretched themselves last season.

Is it any surprise then that they got off to a poor start with no wins in their first five games? With optimism drained and confidence low - mistakes can become rife. A vicious circle of fear and errors strangling a side's early season.

Charlton boss Phil Parkinson is expected to have his side challenging

Why then, observers will ask, has such an affliction not struck in South London? Charlton were defeated by Swindon on penalties in last season's play off semis yet are currently two points clear in the automatic promotion places.

It could be argued, too, that the Addicks - a bigger club with higher expectations than Swindon - failing to win promotion to the Championship was more psychologically damaging.

After all, as recently as 2007 Athletic were competing in the top flight against the country's finest. The loss to Swindon condemned them to a second successive year facing the likes of Yeovil and Exeter.

They had failed to bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking - with fears of a Leeds or Nottingham Forest-esque prolonged spell in League One on the horizon.

Certainly the prospects looked bleak for Phil Parkinson as manager. Someone who, although enjoying success at this level with Colchester, was running out of time to prove he could do the same at The Valley.

However, a run of 20 points from their last 10 games has seen the Addicks establish themselves as table topping Brighton's closest challengers. Parkinson's side have also made progress in both the FA Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Most markedly, they sit a full 18 places and 11 points above their conquerors last May and appear the only half of the duo likely to challenge in the top six once again.

Like the wise man who drinks water after a night out, Charlton appear to have avoided any play off hangover and come back even stronger - securing an emphatic 5-1 win at Peterborough and seeing off Swindon themselves 3-0.

Not that such a recovery is unheard of. Indeed, just as some sides seem to suffer from losing in the play offs, others use the experience as motivation to go one better and ensure they avoid the end of season lottery next time around.

Most famously, Sunderland stormed to a then-record points total when achieving Championship glory in 1999. It came 12 months after losing an extraordinary play off final to, ironically, Charlton. Black Cats boss Peter Reid acknowledged he'd used the pain as the ultimate motivation for his squad.

Rochdale's promotion last season came off the back of successive play-off defeats, and Ipswich won the Championship play offs in 2000 after losing in them for the previous three campaigns.

The likes of Hartlepool, Nottingham Forest, Northampton, and Leeds have also all recently been automatically promoted the year after losing in the play offs.

In Charlton's case this term, it could be argued that the rebuilding job that was required, especially after the departure of two of last season's key men - Nicky Bailey and Jonjo Shelvey - has actually benefited the squad.

Fresh faces not only bring new options on the pitch, but new belief also. Rather than a carry-on of the baggage of last season, new recruits offer optimism and a clean slate.

Of course, getting the right additions helps, with Parkinson blending experienced players like Gary Doherty and Johnnie Jackson alongside exciting young talent in the form of Joe Anyinsah and Kyel Reid.

The capture of proven lower strikers Paul Benson and Pawel Abbott also helped bolster an attacking line which appeared light on options.

With Charlton thriving after such squad evolution though, it provides Swindon with much food for thought ahead of the January transfer window.

Backing a proven manager in Wilson must be the way ahead if they wish to challenge again in the future. For, while Charlton's hangover may have been prevented, Swindon's can still be cured.

Every Loser Wins

Ahead of Saturday's League One Play Off Final, Nobes looks at two managers who have a chance of redemption at Wembley.

Kenny Jackett has taken Millwall to successive League One play-off finals

As Swindon Town and Millwall prepare to fight over the last place in next season's Championship, only one thing can be certain.

Come full time, one of Town manager Danny Wilson or Lions boss Kenny Jackett will have ended his personal play-off nightmare.

In some ways, the two couldn't be further apart. One was once rated as one of the brightest young managers in the game, the other has stepped out of the shadows in recent years to show he is a fine manager in his own right.

Both, however, are united in having suffered play-off misery in League One in the past. This weekend however, one of the bridesmaids will finally get the chance to be the bride.

For the Swindon boss, it will signal the recovery of a career which never fulfilled its early promise. In 1997, Wilson brought top flight football to Barnsley for the first time in their 110 year history.

However, he was unable to keep them in the Premier League and, after an unsuccessful spell at Sheffield Wednesday ended in similar fashion, he was cast from the highest echelons of English football.

It was at League One Bristol City where he chose to resurrect his fortunes a few months later. In four seasons at Ashton Gate he twice led the Robins to 3rd place and the play-offs.

However, in 2003 they lost out to Severnside rivals Cardiff in the semi finals, and 12 months later were 1-0 losers to Brighton in the final. On both occasions, City had come so close to automatic promotion only to fail in the end of season lottery.

He left the club to take on the challenge of the newly formed MK Dons - but suffered relegation to the basement division in 2006. However, a year later he was celebrating promotion to League One with Hartlepool.

The decision to end his reign with Pools in 2008 because the side had 'slipped into the bottom half of the table' looks all the more baffling considering they only narrowly avoided the drop this term.

Now at the County Ground he is 90 minutes away from restoring his reputation - and having another crack at the higher end of the Football League.

It is a chance the 50-year-old probably thought wouldn't take this long. He has always had a reputation for producing sides that are attractive to watch and play positive, attacking football.

Swindon have more than lived up to that reputation this term too - finding the back of net on 73 occasions, although they have also leaked 57 at the back.

It was that positive approach which served them so well in the second leg of their play off semi with Charlton. Wilson made a tactical change to take off top scorer Billy Paynter, and released the rest of his side to chase the goal they required to level the tie.

The decision paid off handsomely, and an assured display from the penalty spot in a shoot out booked them their place at Wembley.

The dignified manner in which Wilson consoled the home players - particularly captain Nicky Bailey whose penalty miss proved so costly - was a sign of a man who knew the pain they were suffering all too well.

Danny Wilson has been managing in the lower divisions for the past decade

It's also a pain that his opposite number at Wembley on Saturday afternoon has felt as recently as last year. Kenny Jackett's Millwall are making their second successive appearance in the League One play-off final.

Twelve months ago, they threw away a 2-1 lead in the last 20 minutes to succumb to Scunthorpe. It is to everyone's credit at the Den that they have bounced back from that disappointment so well this term.

It was not the case for Jackett at his previous club. He took Swansea to promotion from League Two in his first full season in charge in 2005.

A year later, and the Welsh club were on the brink of successive elevations having seen off Brentford in the play-off semis and heading into the final.

However, the Swans surrendered a 2-1 advantage against Barnsley and eventually lost on spot kicks to the Yorkshire side. Less than a year later, and he had left the Liberty Stadium after a poor run of form.

Prior to Swansea, the 48-year-old spent many years as an assistant, first to Graham Taylor at Watford and then as Ian Holloway's number two at QPR.

It was at Rangers where he first suffered play-off misery, losing to Cardiff in extra time at the Millennium Stadium in the 2003 League One final.

Since going it alone though, his success with Swansea and now Millwall has helped Jackett forge a reputation as an up-and-coming manager in the lower leagues.

His sides are always well organised and prepared, boasting a tight defence. While Millwall's direct style is not always the easiest on the eye, their high tempo game cannot be accused of being negative.

Indeed, despite being away from home, they were not afraid of taking the game to opponents Huddersfield in the first leg of their play off semi final. Had a couple of refereeing decisions gone their way, they would have taken a lead from the Galpharm.

As it was, the ease with which they contained their free-scoring opponents in the second leg while being ruthless at the other end was testament to the work that Jackett has done on the training ground.

Promotion on Saturday would present the Lions boss with the opportunity to prove his worth at a higher level. Failure, and clubs already in the Championship could do much worse than to give him his break.

However, failure won't be on his, or Wilson's mind this weekend. They've had more than enough of that in the play-offs already. For one of them - their time has finally come.

League One Play Off Final: Preview

League One Play Off Final

Millwall vs. Swindon Town

Saturday May 29, 15:00, Wembley

A place back in the Championship awaits one of Millwall and Swindon this Saturday as Wembley witnesses a classic clash of cultures.

One's badge is that of a roaring Lion, the other has images of a steam train and a little robin. You get the feeling Millwall could eat their opponents alive.

Indeed, I actually don't think you could find two more dissimilar clubs.

In the blue corner Millwall - a club rooted in the London Docking industry and notorious for their partisan fans who can always ensure a cold welcome to away fans at their New Den ground.

In the red corner, Swindon, famous for trains and roundabouts, and being twinned with Disneyland. In the north east of rural Wiltshire, are they Westcountry bumpkins or Thames Valley commuters? Maybe both.

The two teams are also very different in their style.

Kenny Jackett's Lions - a physical and imposing opponent. No quarter asked and none given. If you're not up for the fight against Millwall, then you're unlikely to get anything from the game.

Resolute at the back, pragmatic in their play, they're not afraid to bombard their opponents with a succession of well drilled set pieces and high balls up front to their dangerous attacking duo of Neil Harris and Steve Morison.

Swindon, as is the way of their manager Danny Wilson, preach the message of good football.

They never waive from a belief in playing the game the right way - they might find Wembley's expansive, if not smooth, pitch to their liking.

Where the Robins are, you can be sure of goals too - at both ends. Strikers Billy Paynter and Charlie Austin have both been in red hot form to fire Town to Saturday's final.

Millwall took four points off Swindon Town during the regular League One season

They'll be in for a tough time against Millwall though. The Lions had the joint-best defensive record in League One this term, and comfortably saw off Huddersfield in the semis without conceding.

Jackett's side have also been here before - just 12 months previously in fact - where they were 3-2 losers to Scunthorpe.

If experience counts then, finally, at the fifth time of asking, Millwall will emerge victorious from a play-off campaign.

Or will Wembley simply bring back bad memories? As with last May's match, the Londonders will again start favourites - albeit slight ones - particularly after defeating Swindon 3-2 on the final day of the regular season.

A high-scoring match that day, I don't envisage Saturday going along the same lines. Both sides know there's simply too much at stake.

With both having benefited from financial backing, they will be hopeful a win will be the gateway to establishing them back in the second tier of English football.

Swindon haven't been there in ten years, Millwall dropped out of the Championship more recently - in 2006. Life in the third tier has generally not been kind to two sides who regularly competed for the top flight 20 years ago.

Who will have the opportunity of competing in the Championship next term though?

Part of me thinks that things have clicked for Swindon this season, they weren't one of the pre-season favourites, but their penalty win over Charlton in the semis shows that fate is on their side.

However, only one side - Leicester in the early '90s - have lost play-off finals in successive seasons. Usually, a side triumphs second time around, so it's unlikely Millwall will lose again.

It wouldn't surprise me to see it go into extra time, but I'll go for Millwall to edge it. Although they probably won't.

Nobes' Prediction: Millwall 2 Swindon Town 1

League One Play Offs: Ties Preview

After looking at the four teams involved earlier in the week, Nobes preview the League One play-off ties.




Millwall vs. Huddersfield Town

First leg: Saturday May 15, 12:15, Galpharm Stadium
Second leg: Tuesday May 18, 19:45, New Den


Form (last six games):

Millwall: WLWLDW
Huddersfield Town: LWWWWL

Previous meetings:

Huddersfield Town 1-0 Millwall, April 16, Galpharm Stadium
Millwall 3-1 Huddersfield Town, September 19, New Den

The tie:

Both Millwall and Huddersfield have proud home records that have been the bedrock of their success this season. Each team have lost just once at home all term.

It's no surprise therefore that, in the two games between the sides during the regular season, the home side came out on top.

The same may well happen during the course of the play-offs. This could even come down to who wins their home match by the largest margin - bearing in mind that away goals don't count.

While they may share a similar home record, the two play in very different styles. Millwall are more pragmatic and tactical, Huddersfield exuberant and expansive.

The Lions are certainly the more experienced of the sides as well, and, along with having home advantage in the second leg, must be favourites to go through.

Prediction: Millwall




Charlton Athletic vs. Swindon Town

First leg: Friday May 14, 19:45, County Ground
Second leg: Monday May 17, 19:45, The Valley

Form (last six games):

Charlton Athletic: WWDLWL
Swindon Town: LWDDDD

Previous meetings:

Swindon Town 1-1 Charlton Athletic, February 6, County Ground
Charlton Athletic 2-2 Swindon Town, December 26, The Valley

The tie:

Two draws between the two teams who, in their respective 46 games, lost just eight matches each this season.

This play-off tie has all the hallmarks of one that could go all the way to penalties.

Swindon's recent form has not been good, although they have still proved difficult to beat. They will want to take a lead to The Valley though, which they will feel they can protect in the second leg.

That could actually lead to a more open first leg and one team going into the return leg with an advantage to protect.

Swindon, rather than Charlton, are more likely to be that side, and having home advantage first could actually work in their favour.

Prediction: Swindon Town

League One Play Offs: Teams Preview

The League One play-offs kick off this weekend as four sides battle to join Norwich and Leeds in next term's Championship.

A dramatic final day eventually confirmed Millwall will face Huddersfield and Charlton and Swindon will meet one another.

Nobes takes a look at the four teams involved.


Final top of the table:

.............................P.....GD.....PTS
1. Norwich..............46.....42......95
2. Leeds.................46.....33......86
--------------------------------------------
3. Millwall...............46.....32......85
4. Charlton.............46......23......84
5. Swindon.............46......16......82
6. Huddersfield.......46......26......80
--------------------------------------------
7. Southampton......46......38......73



Millwall






Story of the season:

Millwall were slow starters to the campaign after losing in last May's play-off final.

However, the Lions got things together in the New Year - putting together a run of just one defeat in 18 games in 2010.

That saw them in contention for an automatic promotion position as Leeds stumbled, but two defeats in their last four meant they eventually had to settle for 3rd.

Manager:

Kenny Jackett is aiming to avoid a third loss in the League One play-off final. As well as last year's final with Millwall, the 48-year-old's Swansea team lost to Barnsley in the 2006 final.

A highly-rated coach who has worked with Graham Taylor and Ian Holloway, Jackett has a reputation for building teams who are high on organisation and defensive strength.

Has taken Millwall to a second consecutive play-off finish since his appointment in 2007.

Strength:

That organisation at the back helped the Lions to the joint-best defensive record in League One this season. Just 44 goals were leaked in 46 games.

They also boasted the best home record in the division - unbeaten in 14, just one defeat all season, the fewest goals leaked, and 56 points collected.

Last year's failure has also given them good experience.

Weakness:

The Lions have shown a greater vulnerability on the road this term compared to their form at the New Den.

They failed to score in recent defeats at Tranmere and play-off opponents Huddersfield and had the worst scoring record away from home in the top six.

Their poor play-off record could also be a burden on the players - especially those with memories of last season's disappointment.

Key players:

A summer signing from Non League Stevenage, forward Steve Morison [left] has been a revelation for Jackett's men. He's notched 22 goals and been a key member of their promotion challenge.

Experienced striker Neil Harris - who won this division with the Lions in 2001 - has also been a important, scoring 18 goals in total.

Keeper David Forde has continued to establish his reputation as one of the best custodians in the lower divisions and has kept 16 clean sheets this term.


Play-off history:

This is Millwall's fifth appearance in the play-offs, and they've yet to win promotion via them.

Their first experience was in the Championship play-offs in 1991 where Bruce Rioch's men lost out to Brighton in the semis. Three years later, and under Mick McCarthy, they fell at the same hurdle - this time to Derby.

Their next taste of the end of season lottery was in 2000. Joint-bosses Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary saw their Lions side beaten by Wigan in the League One play-off semis.

Finally, last year, they did manage to reach the play-off final. Jackett's men saw off Leeds over two legs, but threw away a 2-1 lead to lose to Scunthorpe at Wembley.

Championship pedigree:

It's twenty years since Millwall were relegated from the top flight of English football. Since then they've spent the majority of their time in the Championship.

That included top six finishes on three occasions, and generally solid mid table finishes. but have slipped down to League One




Charlton Athletic






Story of the season:

Raced out of the blocks. The Addicks won their opening six games and lost just one of their first 14 matches to keep pace with table topping Leeds.

Charlton held down a place in the top two for the first half of the season before a rocky start to 2010 saw them slip away.

However, they recovered and were in top two contention going into the final day, ultimately ending up in 4th.

Manager:

Phil Parkinson has experience of promotion from this division - having gone up automatically with Colchester in 2006.

That was the high point of what has been a mixed managerial record. He endured a tough few months at Hull before being sacked and couldn't prevent Charlton's relegation last year.

However, has fashioned an Athletic team who have proved very resilient this term as well as playing positive, attacking football.

Strength:

No side lost fewer games than the Addicks - just eight of their 46 matches. That always gives them a chance going into two play-off matches.

They also have the best away record of the teams in the play-offs, which will give them comfort they can go away from home and bring a result back to The Valley for the second leg.

Weakness:

There's probably the greatest sense of expectation, and therefore pressure, on the former Premier League team. They really need to bounce back from last season's relegation.

That could lead to a nervous atmosphere in the second leg in front of their own fans. Charlton have lost more home games than any other of their play-off rivals.

Key players:

Midfielder Nicky Bailey has been at the heart of Charlton's good play this term. He's scored 13 from the centre of the park and needs to be contained.

Experienced former Premier League striker Deon Burton has scored a similar total. He remains a dangerous attacking outlet.

Young keeper Darren Randolph has recently forced his way into the first team and made some key saves during the run-in.



Play-off history:

The Addicks have only featured once before in the play-offs, in 1998, winning promotion from the Championship in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Having seen off Ipswich over two legs in the semis, they faced Sunderland in the final at Wembley.

The two teams played out a rollercoaster 4-4 draw. Eventually, after extra time, the game went to penalties where Athletic triumphed 7-6.

Championship pedigree:

Charlton were Premier League regulars during the last decade, spending eight out of nine seasons in the top flight between 1998 and 2007.

When they weren't mixing it with the big boys, they were solidly in the second tier.

However, they were relegated from the Championship last season - ending a run of almost 30 years outside the bottom two tiers of the Football League.




Swindon Town






Story of the season:

An inconsistent beginning to the campaign, Swindon were on the fringes of the top six before stringing together a 13-match unbeaten run at the turn of the year.

That put that firmly in play-off contention and another unbeaten run of six saw them force their way into the automatic promotion places.

However, just one win in their remaining six games meant they had to settle for 4th.

Manager:

The vastly experienced Danny Wilson has been the mastermind behind Town's top six challenge.

With some astute summer signings and a commitment to playing the attractive brand of football that is his trademark, Swindon have been a surprise challenger at the very top.

He took Bristol City into the League One play-offs twice, once losing in the semi final and once in the final.

Strength:

Swindon's eight defeats means that, along with play-off opponents Charlton, they were the hardest team to beat in the division.

Their record against the top teams is also good. They lost just one of their six games against the other three play-off teams, held Norwich, and beat Leeds 3-0 twice.

The experience of Wilson in play-off situations may also work in their favour.

Weakness:

Swindon have the leakiest defence of any of the top six teams, as well as the smallest goal difference.

Their end of season form was also not clever - they failed to capitalise on a favourable run-in against teams they should have beaten.

Despite his experience in them, too, the manager has never managed to get a team promoted via the play-offs.

Key players:

Billy Paynter has been a revelation for the Robins this season - scoring 29 goals in all competitions. His goals could again be vital.

As could those of strike partner Charlie Austin [left]. The find of the season - the former Poole Town forward has scored 19 in his League One debut campaign.

Wide man Jon-Paul McGovern has been a vital creative influence and has experience of winning the League One play-offs with Sheffield Wednesday.



Play-off history:

Swindon have appeared in the play-offs on numerous occasions. They won promotion from the third tier play-offs in 1987 under Lou Macari.

In 1989, they missed out on promotion to the top flight after losing in the play-off semis to Crystal Palace.

Twelve months later, despite beating Sunderland in the play-off final, they were denied promotion due to financial irregularities.

They made up for that disappointment by winning the Championship play-offs in 1993 after Glenn Hoddle's side's thrilling 4-3 final win over Leicester.

Their most recent appearance came in the League One play-offs in 2004 under Andy King. However, they lost out to eventual winners Brighton in the semis.

Championship pedigree:

Promotion to the Championship would end a decade spent outside the top two tiers following relegation in 2000.

That followed a successful period in the '90s where they spent a season in the top flight and, despite relegation from the Championship in 1995, they immediately bounced back as third tier winners.





Huddersfield Town





Story of the season:

Strongly tipped before a ball had been kicked, Huddersfield began with a bang and were firmly in the top six throughout the first few months.

That good form continued until three successive defeats at the start of March left them five points off the play-offs with ten games to go.

Six wins and a draw later, and they had secured their spot in the play-offs with two games to spare. A last day loss at Exeter saw them end up 6th.

Manager:

Rookie Lee Clark joined the club in 2008 and is in his first managerial job at the Galpharm Stadium.

The former Norwich coach has been backed in the transfer market and recruited several impressive young players during the summer.

Has encouraged his team to play in an adventurous, enterprising style that has led to plenty of goals at both ends.

Strength:

The Terriers are an attacking force to be reckoned with. Only Champions Norwich and Southampton scored more goals than Town's 82.

They scored more goals at home than any other side, and lost just once at the Galpharm - to Norwich - all season.

Having looked like they had blown their chance a couple of months back, Huddersfield also come into the play-offs happy to be there and in good form. Their young team has nothing to fear.

Weakness:

In contrast to their home form, Huddersfield's away record is the weakest of the top six. They lost 11 of their 23 games, conceding more than away other team.

This is also a very young and largely inexperienced team, and Clark is similarly a managerial novice. Will they be able to handle the situation?

The truth is also that, had Southampton not been deducted ten points, Huddersfield wouldn't be competing in the play-offs.

Key players:

Unsurprisingly for such an attacking team, the form of top scorer Jordan Rhodes [left] will be key for Town. He's found the back of net 23 times this term.

Left winger Gary Roberts is a threat from the wide positions with his pace and direct running. He's also chipped in with nine goals.

Young keeper Alex Smithies is always likely to be busy in such an attacking team. His performances have reportedly caught the eye of Premier League scouts.



Play-off history:

Huddersfield have competed in the play-offs on five occasions - emerging as winners twice.

Their first taste of the end of season lottery was in 1992, where they were beaten by Peterborough in the League One semis.

However, they were victors against Bristol Rovers in the 1995 play-off final to earn promotion to the Championship.

Their next play-off experience was in 2002, where Lou Macari's Town were beaten by Brentford in the League One semis.

They were more successful in the 2004 League Two play-offs. Under Peter Jackson they saw off Lincoln in the semis and beat Mansfield on penalties in the final to win promotion.

Two years later, and Jackson's men lost out in the League One play-offs to county rivals Barnsley in the semi finals.

Championship pedigree:

Huddersfield were relegated on the final day of the Championship season in 2001. That ended a run of six consecutive seasons in the second tier.

Since then they've plummeted all the way down to the basement division - although they instantly bounced back.

Big Match Review - Colchester 3 Swindon 0

League One
Colchester United 3-0 Swindon Town
Saturday April 10, Weston Homes Community Stadium, (Att: 5,111)

A second half brace from Anthony Wordsworth helped Colchester restore their top six ambitions as they upset the form book to see off second placed Swindon.

The visitors, buoyed by their recent good run, started brightly, but it was the Essex club who got the first goal after 24 minutes.

Ashley Vincent firing in from an acute angle at the third attempt after twice being thwarted by Town keeper David Lucas.

Aidy Boothroyd's men began to take hold of the game, and extended their advantage in the second half.

Anthony Wordsworth making the most of time and space in midfield to curl home a beautiful strike past Lucas from 25 yards.

That was with twenty minutes remaining on the clock, and there was just seconds left when the young midfielder doubled his tally for the afternoon.

Direct running for Kevin Lisbie split the Swindon defence, and Wordsworth was on hand to stroke home the striker's square ball.

A damaging result for the Robins therefore, who slip to fourth after this loss, but Boothroyd's men are firmly back in the play-off race.

Big Match Preview

League One
Colchester United vs. Swindon Town
Saturday April 10, 15:00, Weston Homes Community Stadium

Two sides striving to make sure they're not playing in League One next term clash in Essex this weekend as top six contenders Colchester and Swindon clash.

For the home side, a place in the play-offs is the target, while their visitors will be hoping to go one better. They're also divided in their current form though.

Colchester are currently on their poorest run of the season - eight games without a win - while a fine run from Swindon have now propelled them into second place.

It's been a surprise season of success for the Wiltshire outfit, with few pundits expecting them to challenge as high as they have during the course of the campaign.

However, with the experienced Danny Wilson at the helm, the Robins have put together a six game unbeaten run - including keeping clean sheets in five wins.

Among those wins was an impressive 1-0 victory at in-form Southampton, and a crushing 3-0 win on Easter Saturday at promotion rivals Leeds. Their only draw was also credible - coming against league leaders Norwich.

Their success this season has not just been built on a tough defence though - striking duo Billy Paynter and Charlie Austin, who was signed from Non League team Poole, have notched 40 league goals between them.

Other notable names in the Robins team include experienced keeper David Lucas, former Leeds man Jonathan Douglas, and winger John-Paul McGovern.

Wilson, who twice led Bristol City to the play-offs in League One, will be hoping to go one better with Swindon this time around therefore. He will also be aware that his side could face an important last day showdown at top two rivals Millwall.

Manager Danny Wilson has orchestrated Swindon's bid for automatic promotion

For Colchester, a place in the top six would be most welcome though. After an excellent campaign under Aidy Boothroyd - who replaced Norwich-bound Paul Lambert - the U's have hit a rocky patch.

A poor Easter - coupled with good results for Huddersfield - have left United in 7th, three points off the final play-off spot.

It now appears to be a two horse race between Boothroyd's side and the West Yorkshire outfit for 6th spot and a shot in the end of season lottery. A fact which makes the two team's meeting on May 1 even more important.

Colchester will be hoping to have regained some kind of form before then - they have lost their last four away games, but with only three defeats in 20 at home, they remain hard to beat on their own patch.

Stand-out performers for the U's this term include strike duo Kayode Odejayi and Kevin Lisbie. The pair have caused defences throughout the division trouble with their power and physical strength, and have scored a combined 22 goals.

The Essex side have also recently signed Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue on loan, and another notable name is ex-Southampton and Leeds man David Prutton.

If this game was to be decided on form, then there'd only be one winner, but we all know football isn't as simple as that.

It's difficult to not see Swindon scoring - and only once this season have they lost in a game in which they've found the back of the net.

However, Colchester are in desperate need of points and, when taking into account their good home record, they should be able to take a draw from this encounter.

Nobes' Prediction: Colchester United 1 Swindon Town 1

Big Match Review - Bristol Rovers 3 Swindon 0

League One

Bristol Rovers 3-0 Swindon Town

Saturday December 12, Memorial Stadium (Att: 7,613)

Bristol Rovers moved up to 6th as a first half treble helped them blow away play-off rivals Swindon to record a convincing win in their Westcountry derby.

It took Paul Trollope's side just 11 minutes to take the lead. A long ball down the right hand side finding Andy Williams who easiky skipped past the Swindon backline to slot the ball past David Lucas in the away goal.

Two minutes later and the Gas had doubled their advantage. Jeff Hughes finishing a move he started - playing the ball out to the right for Williams to cross in and the Northern Irishman was on hand to flick the ball in at the near post.

The Robins responded, and were unfortunate not to reduce the deficit when Billy Paynter's effort rebounded back off the post and away to safety.

And they found themselves even further behind just after the half hour mark when Stuart Campbell's quickly taken free kick caught the away side out and Jo Kuffour fired home a third.

Danny Wilson's men struggled to find a way back into the match in the second half and were almost caught out again but the crossbar denied Hughes a second with a brilliant chip.

The first half blitz was enough for Rovers though, who replace Town in the play-off positions.

Big Match Preview

League One

Bristol Rovers vs. Swindon Town

Saturday December 12, 15:00, Memorial Stadium

There's more than just local pride at stake this weekend as play-off chasers Bristol Rovers and Swindon meet at the Memorial Stadium for a Westcountry derby.

Just goal difference separates the League One rivals in 6th and 7th in the standings, with the Robins holding sway over their opponents, as well as having a couple of games in hand.

All of which means Danny Wilson's visitors could further strengthen their own play-off chances as well as denting one of their challengers' hopes as they seek a fourth successive victory.

It's been a strong campaign to date from the Wiltshire outfit who, after being drubbed 5-0 by Gillingham on the opening day, have lost just two of their last 17 league games.

Their away form has also been impressive, with wins chalked up at the likes of Brentford, Yeovil, Carlisle, and Tranmere.

Much of Town's hopes rest on the form of striker Billy Paynter, the former Hull man has found the back of the net nine times already this term, with Charlie Austin the next top scorer on four.

Trollope and Wilson are both aiming for the play-offs

Other notable names in the Swindon team include ex-Leeds pair David Lucas and Jonathan Douglas, and Scottish midfielders Jon Paul McGovern and Craig Easton.

For Rovers it's been a season of ups and downs with their play-off challenge constructed on a policy of winning and losing games - only one of their 20 league games has ended all square.

Victories have been registered against Millwall, Southampton, and Huddersfield, however, they've also suffered heavy losses to Norwich and Leed - the latter one of three defeats on home soil this season.

However, when you consider the club were forced to sell Rickie Lambert, League One's top scorer last season, to Southampton, then Gas manager Paul Trollope has worked wonders to get his side competing towards the top.

He's been able to call upon a clutch of players to help fill the void left by Lambert including midfielder Jeff Hughes with seven goals to his name, and the likes of Jo Kuffour, Daryl Duffy, and Chris Lines have chipped in too.

It's a free-scoring approach which has seen games involving the Pirates including 61 goals, compared to the 46 goals which have been witnessed by Swindon supporters this season.

It adds up to an intriguing encounter between the two sides. The Robins have been difficult to beat this season and that will probably add up to a tight derby affair.

That defensive steel will be needed against Rovers and, if they can hold tight, they have enough on the break to take all three points back with them.

Nobes' Prediction: Bristol Rovers 0 Swindon Town 1