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Current leaders are Millwall who in opening up a five point lead at the summit have become the first team to hint that they might secure a dominant position.
The arrival of Mark McGhee (pictured) as manager has coincided with a burst of form that has seen the East Londoners move clear at the top. With an exciting young team containing talents such as the much sought after Neil Harris we at Footymad can only see the Lions going from strength to strength to cement their place in the promotion places.
Currently occupying the other automatic promotion spot are Wigan who have a beautiful modern stadium and a chairman with plenty of brass, although it has to be said that they are only the second best supported team in their own town. Manager Bruce Rioch has fashioned a side that are hard to beat although their away form must be causing him some concern as too many games are being drawn. If just a small proportion of those games had been converted into wins they would be in a much more commanding position. The one thing Wigan do have in their favour is the ability to go out and strengthen their squad via the transfer market before deadline day.
After their relegation last year Walsall fans must be pleasantly surprised at how well their team have bounced back from that disappointment. The signing of leading scorer Jorge Leitao has proved to be a masterstroke on the part of Ray Graydon and his goals have been instrumental in reversing the Saddlers fortunes.
Rotherham fans, meanwhile, probably have to pinch themselves at the progress their club has made in the past two seasons under the stewardship of Ronnie Moore. After winning promotion from Division Three as runners-up last year they have surprised everyone with their challenge for a second promotion in consecutive years. With additions such as Mark Robins and Alan Lee to last years squad Moore has improved his team once again and their signing of Richie Barker to understudy them showed the club’s renewed ambition.
As one of the biggest clubs in the division Stoke were amongst the pre-season favourites for success. After spending the initial months of the campaign in mid-table they have finally found their feet and their recent run of victories has brought them right into the thick of the promotion battle. Backed by a large, vociferous following they have the pedigree to do well at a higher level.
Bristol C had a difficult start to the season as newly installed manager Danny Wilson revamped the team. However an FA Cup run through to the last 16 was the catalyst that has ignited an excellent run of league form and their recent victory over Wrexham was enough to carry them into a play-off challenging position.
Fifth at the moment are Reading whose success this season has been built on the foundations provided by their excellent home form. Almost irresistible at the Madejski Stadium they are surprisingly vulnerable on their travels, a problem they will have to overcome if they are to make up ground on the teams above them.
Of the remaining teams above half way in the table, non appear ready or able to mount a serious challenge to the seven already mentioned. The team with the most productive form at present are Oldham but they have too much catching up to do to make the end of season shake-up. Northampton are a little short of the required quality presently whilst Notts County and Bournemouth are just too inconsistent.
In view of these factors the Footymad panel feel that the promotion and play-off places will be occupied by six of the seven sides currently occupying those coveted positions. So just who will be the team to miss out?
Footymad Predictions
Champions: Millwall
Runners-up: Stoke C
Play-off places: 3rd- Wigan Athletic
4th- Bristol City
5th- Walsall
6th- Reading
The team we feel will miss out will be Rotherham Utd. The Merry Millers and their fans will be less than ecstatic as their team fumbles the chance of promotion.
