English Football League 
/ Alan Dudman / 12 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Scunthorpe boss Alan Knill
"Yes Scunthorpe lack a cutting edge up front but they look really solid defensively at the moment, and they are 10 without defeat and haven't lost a game since February."
Enjoying a 10-game unbeaten run, Scunthorpe have enough about them to frustrate MK Dons on Saturday says Alan Dudman, whilst Sheff Wed should win at Colchester.
Colchester v Sheffield Wednesday, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Colchester [4.4], Sheff Wed [2.02], The Draw [3.5]
Like so many teams over the Easter period, coping with two games in three days is both mentally and physically draining. But Sheffield Wednesday survived their double scraps to come away with a healthy six points over the holiday weekend, with victories against Oldham and Huddersfield.
Easter Monday's TV involved an episode of Last Of The Summer Wine, so it was an easy choice to switch over to the live encounter involving the Owls, and I wasn't disappointed. A clinical 3-0 win over Oldham showed their tremendous pace in the side with the flying machine Michail Antonio. I was also impressed with their front two of Niall Ranger and Gary Madine, with the latter bagging his 18th goal of the season.
Wednesday are eight points off the leaders Charlton, and it seems the second automatic place is a straight shoot-out with neighbours Sheffield United. Manager Dave Jones has used a 4-4-2, but they look best when stretching the play out wide. Saturday's 2-0 win over rivals Huddersfield highlighted their movement and class, and they were all over their Yorkshire opponents.
Colchester's season is kaput following a lethargic display against Bury on Monday. They were thumped 4-1and it was a reminder of the sort of poor performance they were always capable of during various points of this campaign. They were weak in defence against the Shakers and chased the game at 2-0 to become too open. Us boss John Ward has once again overlooked a season which has fizzled out.
Wednesday are a side that keep going (much like those repeats of Last Of The Summer Wine), and haven't conceded a goal in their last four matches.
Back Sheff Wed @ [2.02]
Back 0-1 @ [8.0] and 0-2 @ [11.0] Correct Scores
Preston v Huddersfield, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Preston [3.6], Huddersfield [2.24], The Draw [3.4]
Huddersfield's two games over the weekend were nothing short of disastrous. With 2-0 defeats against Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday, the Terriers are wobbling at the wrong time. Admittedly four matches in 10 days is a cruel schedule, but the performance on Monday against the Cherries was woeful.
I watched Town when they visited London last week and defeated Orient 3-1. However, I was quite disappointed by their lack of football. They are big and strong, direct and physical, with manager Simon Grayson using three strikers shaped into an ill-fitting 4-5-1 whenever they had to defend. Multi-goal striker Jordan Rhodes scored twice that night but looked isolated for long periods - which has been the case over the two recent games.
Preston are still trying to find the 'Westley Way' - whatever that is. Graham Westley was happy with their performance against Stevenage on Monday, suggesting it was their best yet and GW spoke of energy levels and front foot areas - which is pretty typical of him.
The hosts however are tight at the back, but equally thin on goal returns - scoring just three goals in their last five home games. They were not exactly ambitious going forward in the match on Saturday against the MK Dons and I have a feeling both might just cancel each other out here, as the two managers are fearful of a loss for different reasons.
Huddersfield look an awful price for a team that have performed poorly recently.
Lay Huddersfield @ [2.3]
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ [1.94]
Back 0-0 @ [12.0] & 1-1 @ [7.4] Correct Scores
Scunthorpe v MK Dons, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Scunthorpe [3.0], MK Dons [2.5], The Draw [3.4]
Some of my favourite Alans in history have been Devonshire, Igglesden and Wells, but the Scunthorpe contender of Knill will be high on the list of the Lincolnshire faithful. Iron boss Alan Knill (to give him his full name), has turned around his side's fortunes to such an extent that relegation talk looks rather misplaced now. They have 50 points.
Remember this was a side struggling at Christmas, but Scunthorpe have found some togetherness with a strong unit at the back. Yes they lack a cutting edge up front but they look really solid defensively at the moment. They are 10 without defeat, and haven't lost a game since February. For correct score traders and backers, they have kept four clean sheets in their last five games.
The MK Dons should be an automatic promotion team in my opinion, with a side that can always play some high quality football. Monday's 3-0 win over Tranmere saw the club break the 100 goals in a season mark - a record for Dons. However the Saturday 1-1 against Preston explained why they are not in the top two, with a good display that lacked the ruthless skills of a higher team.
I have always liked them as a team and in particular their manager Karl Robinson, but this will be a tough match and the Dons might find themselves frustrated.
Back The Draw @ [3.4]
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ [1.98]
Back 0-0 @ [12.0] & 1-1 Correct Scores @ [7.4]
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