Walsall can keep their run going

Walsall could hardly have made a better start in League One and, with Sheffield United taking the day off, the Saddlers could go clear at the top by beating Bury. There is invariably a banana skin, of course, and they are not going to keep on winning willy-nilly  –   a point underlined by the layers’ willingness to offer them at 13/10 against  –  but they are playing well, the spirit is excellent and they can oblige.

Interestingly, they are looked after these days by Dean Smith, a more than capable manager who used to be number two to Martin Ling. The latter had serious mental health issues following his departure from Leyton Orient and has undergone some fairly frightening therapy but seems to be on the mend now. He is doing some radio work and Smith was quick to offer him a scouting role at Walsall. Perhaps the future will work out well for the pair of them. At 40/1, I hope they work out well for us, too.

Portsmouth enjoy quite amazing support and there were 18,000 inside Fratton Park for a Carling Cup match the other evening. Let’s be honest, fans (and some clubs) do not take the competition all that seriously at this stage but it’s good to keep the winning habit going. Pompey were beaten by Reading but far from disgraced against the Championship side and it is in League Two that they need to continue their winning ways.

Accrington recovered well under James Beattie but then let him go  –  he is assisting Gary Monk at Swansea  –  and that may have been a mistake because the old Southampton and Everton centre-forward has grown up in recent times and has much to offer. Accrington face a long and probably unrewarding trip to the south coast, where Portsmouth are fair value, even at 8/13 (Hills only at present).

WALSALL 20 units at 13/10 to beat Bury
PORTSMOUTH 30 units at 8/13 to beat Accrington