Here we go again in League One, another busy weekend of action. MIKE BACON takes a look at the stories, thoughts and views ahead of the big games... some of them even interesting!
Game of the weekend
Sheffield Wednesday v Shrewsbury
The Owls will be taking on Shrewsbury just an hour or so after Ipswich Town and Exeter City have finished their clash at St James Park tomorrow lunchtime.
And that's what gives this the potential to make it such a fascinating tie.
If Ipswich haven't won at Exeter, Wednesday will have the chance to go into one of the automatic spots and that would be a big plus for Darren Moore's men.
Salop have lost three of their last five, but in fairness they have been against Charlton, Plymouth and Barnsley, while Wednesday are second in the current last six-game form guide, although those last six games have been against sides in the lower half of the table.
How will it pan out? I still think Wednesday could win League One, let alone this game.
Wednesday 3, Shrewsbury 1.
Former ITFC man stays positive
You don't have to be a League One guru to know that MK Dons are not the MK Dons of recent seasons right now.
Liam Manning's team have been bottom of the table and are still in the bottom four as they head to Barnsley this weekend. But former Ipswich Town academy star, Manning, is staying positive.
“We need to keep building on some of the good stuff we've seen in recent weeks," he said.
“We've been playing well recently but haven't always got the results we've deserved or we're quite ready to get, especially last week. So many things are going in the right direction that we have to stay true to us and believe in what we're capable of."
Ipswich fans will always wish Liam the best.
No excuses, says Stanley boss
Accrington Stanley boss, John Coleman, knows his side are looking over their shoulders at the drop zone.
But Coleman doesn't want excuses, just performances and results.
“You can easily feel sorry for yourself in this league as there are so many good teams and sometimes luck or decisions don’t go for you but you have got to keep going and the best way out of something is through it," he said.
“You are never surprised if anyone beats anyone in this league. You need all your best players out on the pitch at the one time and, because we haven’t been getting that, you feel you have a ready made excuse and I don’t want that."
You're right John, no-one likes an excuse maker!
Stanley head to Cambridge United this weekend.
'Sick of the motorway'
Being on the road for long periods is part of the gig when you play for Plymouth.
And boss Steven Schumacher knows it. For a third week in a row Argyle make a long trip north-east. But at roughly four hours from Home Park, Burton, their opponents this weekend, is not as far as recent visits to Lincoln and Grimsby.
Schumacher, though, will not be complaining about the distance covered. Not only does it come with the territory of being involved with Plymouth Argyle, but the boss appreciates that fans have the same trip - with less comfort.
“I’m sick of the motorway,” said Schumacher, wryly. “It’s our third away game on the spin, but we’ve sold out again, which is brilliant.
“We won’t complain, because we know how important it is to our fans who follow us up and down the country. It’s harder for them than it is for us, the way we travel."
Good words, Steven.
And finally....
Cheltenham boss Wade Elliott admits life has been a bit more cheery for his side this week following their embarrassing 1-2 defeat to non-league Alvechurch in the FA Cup a couple of weeks ago.
Since that result, the Robins hit back with a battling draw at Ipswich Town last weekend and Elliott knows that type of attitude within his squad is vital.
Asked about the mood in the camp this week, compared to two weeks ago, Elliott said:
"The mood has always been okay. Obviously, the Monday and Tuesday after Alvechurch wasn't the bounciest place, so it was a bit brighter after the result at Ipswich, but one result won't define the season, so we don't want to sit on our laurels after a good performance, we want to kick on from there."
Cheltenham entertain Wycombe Wanderers this weekend.
Fun fact: Alvechurch are at Leiston this weekend in the FA Trophy, if you want to go and watch the team that put Cheltenham out of the FA Cup, 3pm kick-off Victory Road, Leiston!
Who's meeting who... this weekend's fixtures, 3pm unless stated.
Friday: Portsmouth v Derby, 8.
Saturday: Exeter v Ipswich (12); Barnsley v MK Dons; Bristol Rovers v Peterborough; Burton v Plymouth; Cambridge United v Accrington; Cheltenham v Wycombe; Fleetwood v Bolton; Lincoln v Morecambe; Oxford United v Forest Green; Port Vale v Charlton; Sheffield Wednesday v Shrewsbury.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here