The period where football seems neverending, the end of December going into the new year. Where the EFL seems to be on every day to our delight, and this article will highlight all the potential twists and turns to look out for as we head into the festive season.
The festive season is without a doubt one of the most chaotic parts of the year with so many matches being played in such a short space of time. Frustration and satisfaction with teams can form very quickly from fans following their team – whoever you support, it will certainly be an intriguing period in League One !
But this will definitely be a bigger period for some managers and players than others at both ends of the table, two that spring to mind are Bolton needing to bounce back after their defeat against table-toppers Portsmouth and some key fixtures for bottom of the table Cheltenham Town over the festive period.
Here are five things to look out for in League One during the festive season…
1. The Bolton Comeback
Ian Evatt’s side had been on a formidable run in the league before Monday night’s defeat to Portsmouth, with no loss in two months and unbeaten in their last seven prior to the top of the table clash, six of which being wins. The loss at Fratton Park should serve as motivation for The Trotters to get back in that scintillating form to close the gap on Pompey, taking on three of League One’s out-of-form sides in Fleetwood, Burton Albion and Leyton Orient.
2. Posh Play-off Consolidation
After a challenging start to the season with a few disappointing results, Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United have started to replicate the good results that helped secure their play-off push last year, with four wins in their last six propelling them into fourth place and third in the form table. With two winnable fixtures at Fleetwood and Shrewsbury before hosting struggling Reading on Boxing Day, the Posh will be hoping that the gap between themselves and seventh place is greater than the four-point difference that currently separates them from Barnsley.
3. Crunch Time At Cheltenham
We all know the horrid start that Cheltenham had at the start of the season where they failed to score in 11, but without a doubt they seem to be slowly picking up a few points under new manager Darell Clarke. Starting with a crucial home fixture against a Leyton Orient side spiraling out of form,the Robins will be hoping the relegation six-pointers against Carlisle United and Reading will help lift them off the foot of the table and closer to safety.
4. Harris’ Impact At Cambridge
Going winless in the league throughout November was enough for Cambridge United to relieve Mark Bonner of his duties with fears of a similar relegation battle like last season, with the appointment of Neil Harris a suitable fit with his positive playstyle bound to improve their sixteen-goal return this season so far. Gassan Ahadme’s late double in Harris’ opening game to save a point at Charlton on Tuesday could serve as a foundation of what is to follow from the former Gillingham boss. With important matches against Exeter City and Leyton Orient around the corner the U’s will be looking to climb up the table with a new boss at the helm.
5. Last Throw Of The Dice For Caldwell
With no league win in 11, including a recent seven-goal hounding at Bolton, Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell needs to turn things around promptly with the pressure piling up on him. With City hovering above the relegation zone, Caldwell has to find a way to produce some positive results in the coming games to get the fans back on side and ultimately save his job, starting with a difficult trip to Stevenage on Saturday.
