Cheap day out in Blackpool

The Bloomfield Road pitch pre-nematodes

Forest have had a bit of a run since Little Billy returned. They'd won just ten of their first 32 games this season but have now added five on the spin, the latest coming on Saturday when they beat Wolves 3-1.

Despite the defeat, Wolves, having climbed out of the bottom three in midweek, remain fourth from bottom and that despite there being no losers below them. Bristol City beat Middlesbrough to move up two places from the bottom and Peterborough picked up a point from what was a rare 0-0 draw for them against Ipswich.

That's seen Barnsley holding everyone up again. They were in cup action and now have games in hand. Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday sit four points above the bottom four so there is not going to be any immediate change there.

Up at the top it is tight. Hull are now three points behind leaders Cardiff, who have two games in hand. They've two points more than Watford, and three more than Crystal Palace and it is very unlikely that any other side will threaten the top two places in the table.

It's anyone's guess for the other two play off places. Currently it's Leicester along with Forest but Brighton, Bolton and Middlesbrough are the probable challengers. Middlesbrough are on a poor run but, along with Forest, Bolton are the team in form. Starting with the win against us they've won six and drawn two of their last eight games.

Away from the results, Blackpool are rewarding supporters for their patience by cutting season ticket prices. Having lost two managers, Ian Holloway and Michael Appleton have both walked out this season, and having had to play on a pitch that is hardly conducive to football, chairman Karl Oyston has slashed prices which means they will be able to watch Championship football next season for just £195.50 each.

By then, they are hoping things will have settled down in the manager's office and that the nematode problems, similar to those that beset us some ten years ago, will have been resolved.

Supporters will also be able to purchase at that price into May. Burnley Football Club, and its persistence with a cut off date at the end of March, might wish to take note.

One match of interest on Saturday was that between Crystal Palace and Leeds. I don't know why but home manager Ian Holloway had completely lost it at the final whistle. I noticed it, but more importantly so did the FA. He's been charged. To be honest you could charge him virtually every week seeing as that's the frequency of his rants.

And finally, what about the nonsense of the BBC's Late Kick Off waiting until March before it gets its season underway. I watched it on Sunday and, sorry Tony L, I think it needs a bit of a shake up as well as an appearance long before this time in the season.

All the results and stats are below along with this week's fixtures which start with three games tonight. Interestingly four of the weekend fixtures have had their kick off times brough forward by the police.