By Neil Ravenscroft
April 8 2004

The season is almost down to the wire and Walsall are almost safe, not half way through April. So, who will join the Franchise in Division 2? One thing is fairly certain and that is that Bradford are almost certainly doomed, as it would take a near miracle for them to escape now. That leave the other team in danger in the following positions (and many thanks to BristolSaddler, as I nicked the run in details from one of his posts, although I have put Tuesday's results in):-

Derby - 6 to play - 42 points - minus 19 g/d
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West Ham (a)
Bradford (h)
Preston (h)
Burnley (a)
Millwall (h)
Wimbledon (a)

Looks like a minimum 9 points there from the first 2 home games and the Franchise away, giving them 51.

Gillingham - 6 to play - 44 points - minus 18 g/d
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WBA (a)
Walsall (h)
Ipswich (h)
Wimbledon (a)
Coventry (h)
Stoke (a)

With the best will in the world, on their current run of form, I'd give them draws at home to us and Ipswich and maybe another point at the Hockey Stadium, giving them 47.

Burnley - 7 to play - 44 points - minus 14 g/d
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Walsall (a)
Watford (h)
Cardiff (a)
Wimbledon (h)
Derby (h)
Rotherham (a)
Sunderland (h)

Wimbledon and Watford at home must be banker three points, plus another at home to Derby, giving them 51.

Watford - 7 to play - 44 points - minus 13 g/d
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Crewe (h)
Burnley (a)
Rotherham (a)
Millwall (a)
Norwich (h)
West Ham (h)
Reading (a)

On current form again, I'm struggling to see them get more than a win at home to Crewe, with, just possibly, a draw at Rotherham or Burnley. 48 points.

Rotherham - 6 to play - 46 points - minus 10 g/d
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Ipswich (h)
Stoke (a)
Watford (h)
Coventry (a)
Burnley (h)
Walsall (a)

Draws at home to Ipswich and Watford mean that a win against Burnley would give them 51.

Walsall - 6 to play - 48 points - minus 10 g/d
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Burnley (h)
Gillingham (a)
Norwich (a)
Sheff Utd (h)
Palace (a)
Rotherham (h)

Win on Saturday, plus a win on the last day and draws with Sheffield Utd and Gillingham mean 56 points.

Crewe - 6 to play - 48 points - minus 7 g/d
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Watford (a)
Coventry (h)
Reading (a)
Palace (h)
Sunderland (a)
Norwich (h)

I can see them getting possible no more than a draw on Saturday and, afetr that they'll be struggling. Two points from Coventry and Palace, perhaps? 53 points.

Notts Forest - 6 to play - 48 points - minus 1 g/d
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Stoke (h)
Preston (a)
Millwall (h)
Ipswich (a)
Wigan (h)
WBA (a)

Unfortunately, I think they will get 4 points from Stoke and Preston, but they will be struggling after that. 52 points.

Well, do you agree? Is it Gillingham to go, with Watford as second favourites?