So, here we are, sitting just 5 points clear of Oldham, in the last relegation place, and 4 clear of Brighton, Orient and Gillingham. We have two games in hand on the first three of those teams and three games in hand on the Kentish men (or are they men of Kent? Never could remember the difference). Seems to me that we need to win those games in hand. Trouble is, of course, that two of those games are third place Charlton at home and leaders Norwich at home. Think we could do with a win on Tuesday night when the East Angilans are the visitors.

Rumours are abounding on the message boards about the impending departure of players before the transfer window closes, but the only worries for certain are the fitness or otherwise dangerman Steve Jones.

Jones, of course, is not just our leading goalscorer, but is probably our main creative outlet as well, so his absence with a groin strain for a month could have proven to be disastrous, if not for the weather, which has ensured that he’s only missed three games. Those three, however, included a poor performance and a home draw against lowly Orient and that terrible home defeat to an admittedly improving Brighton.

Hutchigns will also have to make a decision regarding the full backs. Sansara is surely likely to miss out, given hid display against Brighton, but Westlake too looked a little shaky in that game and was only given and easier ride by the fact that most of Brighton’s attacks came down the other flank. Weston and Vincent should, therefore, return.

The likely line up, therefore, if Jones should make it (and given the Manager’s unwillingness/inability to experiment too much) is Hutchings’ normal 4 4 2 of:

Ince, Weston, Smith, Hughes, Vincent, Jones, Bradley, Mattis, Richards, Deeney Byfield.

There’s been no word from the Norwich camp of any injuries, following their narrow home win against Brentford yesterday. What we do know, however, is that striker Grant Holt (17 goals this season) got a straight red in that game. All that means, of course, is that they will depend more on Chris Martin, who got the winner for them in that game, who has a similar number!

Manager Paul Lambert also showed his tactical nous in that game, making chcanges after the sending off to a 3 4 2 formation and still winning the game.

Predictions?

Only Brighton, Oldham, Wycombe and Stockport have a worse record than our four home wins this season. That is, of course, three of the bottom four, plus Brighton, fifth from bottom. Meanwhile, only Leeds, with 8, can beat Norwich’s record of 6 away wins and only Charlton and the Franchise can equal it. This looks ominous, so that means we’ll probably get a much needed win!