The best action and bets from the latest round of matches, plus our pick from the Football League blogosphere
Key matches
? Desperate to put the disappointment of last season's top-flight-denying collapse behind them, Malky Mackay's high-flying Bluebirds have gone about this campaign in comparatively radar-eschewing fashion. Fifth in the table ahead of Saturday's visit of fourth-placed Crystal Palace, Cardiff are more than handily placed with a third of the campaign gone. The question is: are they good enough to step it up a gear? Palace, meanwhile, are one of the stories of the season so far. Their rookie manager Dougie Freedman continues to outperform expectations and insists ahead of this game that two consecutive goalless draws are something to draw on, rather than fret about. "This was a credit to the players and how hard they work," he said. "We are competing against others who are at another level in terms of big salaries."
? While Huddersfield go about their merry way en route towards becoming the greatest Invincibles the English league has ever seen (7 January at Wycombe could be the day of their 50th game unbeaten), Charlton busily keep leading League One from the front. No fancy streaks for them, just regular, cold, hard wins and lots of goals to boot. Next up are Preston, the only visitors to have left the Valley with a win this season (Carling Cup), themselves still in among the early play-off reckoning.
Frustratingly inconsistent, North End have dropped to 11th after five defeats in six, during which time they've conceded 16 times and become the second most porous defence in the division, prompting boss Phil Brown to call his squad in for "terrace work". "We all did it ? myself, my staff and the players who had played," he explained. "We were up and down the steps and then we sat the lads down in the seats from where the stick was coming from during the game. I wanted them to understand that people who pay money to come through the turnstiles have a right to say what they want to say." Andreas Arestidou replaces injured keeper Iain Turner against League One's joint-top scorers, while Jamie Proctor is also ruled out for Preston.
? League Two leaders Southend head to Oxford, but we're heading to the other end of the table, where basement side Plymouth desperately bid to start a new era out of administration, against Morecambe. The dream team of Carl Fletcher (player-manager) and Romain Larrieu (player-coach) are now officially installed, with the Frenchman set to assume his dual role on Saturday after an injury to Jake Cole. Not that the third-placed Shrimps will roll over at Home Park as they put an unbeaten away record on the line. The striker Phil Jevons and the defender Nick Fenton are available again for Jim Bentley, although injuries have already accounted for his captain Will Haining and the forward Jason Price.
Players to watch
? Jordan Ibe: the 15-year-old forward scored his first senior goal for Wycombe against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend (and was then booked for celebrating with his family). "He trains with us and we see the quality he has got," said the manager Gary Waddock. "He is in the group on merit and he deserves his chance."
? Mason Bennett: the Derby striker, also just 15 years young, made his full home debut in the midweek loss to Cardiff after recently becoming the club's youngest ever debutant. "When we said to the lads to come in for a warm-down we asked Mason what he was doing," explained the manager Nigel Clough. "If our lads feel sorry for themselves they should think again, because he's got double science in the morning."
Quote of the week
"That's for you son" ? the Doncaster striker Billy Sharp lifts his shirt to reveal the message in tribute to his son Luey, who died just two days after being born, following this stunning goal against Middlesbrough.
Goal of the week
A good week for goals, none better than Peter Leven's ludicrous winner from the halfway line for Oxford United against Port Vale.
Best bets
? Oldham to beat Bury at 11-10: coming off consecutive 3-3 draws away from home, the Latics will be glad for just their third home game in seven and they should have enough to deal with local rivals Bury on Saturday. The manager Paul Dickov has added the loan signings of Andreas Mancini and Luca Scapuzzi from Manchester City to his squad this week and while he has Shefki Kuqi in the team, then goals are always going to be close to hand.
? Birmingham to beat Reading at 5-2: fears of Europa League-induced fatigue remain but have yet to materialise and therefore a hefty price on a team that is in a false position of 11th (three games in hand on their rivals) against a Reading side that is winless in four and yet to shrug off the dual hangover of play-off final defeat and Shane Long's departure.
We'll monitor the "best bets" progress through the season, with a set stake of �10 per bet. Current profit: �28.30. Again, there's no tipping contest this season, but that doesn't stop you posting your best bet suggestions below the line. And for those who would like to take part, we have set up a private Championship Fantasy League, the pin for which is: 12647. Phil Avery is still in front with Numbers Game.
What you may have missed from the blogosphere
? Bescot Banter on what is panning out into another tough year for Walsall:
This season, while seeming so promising at the start, has brought the negative feelings that every Walsall fan lives through on a regular basis, to the forefront once again. This got me to thinking, what if anything can change the predictable lack of success that plagues the Bescot season after season?
? Bluebirds Banter on the fan protest at Leeds v Cardiff last Sunday:
Frustration began to grow further in the away end when it appeared that Leeds fans, who were also standing, were doing so unpunished and did so throughout the match. As several more of the away support were asked to leave in the second half, their patience had seemed to come to an end as nearly half of the fans present followed their fellow supporters out the gates.
? You can read much more from our Football League blogosphere, which should now have been updated to include more of your recently suggested blogs.
Still want more?
? Cheltenham Town are ready for another rise after all the falls, writes John Ashdown.
? Paolo Bandini argues that the referee Darren Deadman must be applauded for choosing not to book Billy Sharp in midweek.
? And Jeremy Alexander reports how Sam Allardyce is thinking big with West Ham.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/football-league-blog/2011/nov/04/football-league-weekender
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