The best action and bets from the latest round of matches, plus our pick from the Football League blogosphere
Key matches
? A busy New Year's Bank Holiday weekend double round of fixtures kicks off on Friday night, with Southampton topping the bill in their Championship clash against Bristol City at St Mary's. Saints' closest pursuers West Ham (at Derby) and Middlesbrough (home to Peterborough) both play on Saturday, as do fourth-placed Cardiff, bidding to maintain their promotion chase and condemn hosts Nottingham Forest to a relegation spot for the new year. Hull remain fifth, but it is the team rounding off the play-off places that catch the eye. On 11 September, Reading lay 23rd, 12 points off the top of the table with a solitary win from their opening six games. Since then, Brian McDermott's side have lost just three in 17 and even managed to close the gap on the team at the top of the table. Victory over Ipswich on New Year's Eve - aligned with some favourable results - could yet leave them seeing in 2012 in fourth. Hamstring victim Keith Andrews misses the trip for Ipswich, but Jason Scotland is expected to shrug off a hamstring problem of his own.
? As Charlton's cruise towards the second tier continues unabated, the chase for the second automatic promotion spot in League One is tantalisingly poised going into this weekend's fixtures. Just two points separate second-placed Sheffield United from Huddersfield in fifth, with Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons tightly packed in between them. The Blades have lost just one in 11 and welcome Hartlepool to Bramall Lane on Saturday, although both Richard Cresswell and Stephen Quinn are suspended for the game, which could mean a first full start on his latest stint at United for James Beattie. And also starting his second spell at a club is Pools manager Neale Cooper, previously in charge at Victoria Park between 2003-05, and he is as surprised as many of the club's supporters that he is back at the helm:
"I did not see this day coming, although I would have liked it to. It came entirely out of the blue, but it is a wonderful Christmas present. I had a call from a reporter as I was walking my dog in the park in Aberdeen, saying that bookies were taking bets on me. It was total news to me, and there had been no contact at all at that stage. I then drafted a letter to the club throwing my hat in the ring. I had a meeting, and it has all been very quick. From that initial meeting to being appointed happened in days, and I was delighted to be asked to come down again."
? Gillingham continue to keep pace with the leading bunch in League Two, their bitter 2-1 Boxing Day win at Crawley Town prompting the leaders' boss Steve Evans to ungraciously claim that "they are celebrating as if they've won the World Cup". Admittedly, this followed a heated exchange between Evans and several members of the Gills management and playing staff which resulted in a police complaint being made by the home side and manager Andy Hessenthaler being spoken to by an officer. "Sussex police have looked into the matter and have advised the club that they have closed their investigation and will be taking it no further," read a subsequent Gillingham statement. Both teams are back in action on Friday night, with Crawley hosting Barnet and the Gills bidding to extend a six-match unbeaten run on the road again at Dagenham & Redbridge. Striker Jo Kuffour, who scored twice in the aforementioned victory, now has seven goals in 10 starts and will inevitably fancy his chances against the lowly Daggers' defence.
Quote of the week
"It was quite surreal that my testicles were trending" - Gillingham's Chris Whelpdale reveals his surprise at the Twitter interest surrounding the unfortunate ripped scrotum injury he sustained at Crawley.
Goal of the week
Adam Smith's howitzer in MK Dons' impressive 3-0 win at Leyton Orient.
Best bets
? Cardiff to beat Nottingham Forest at 9-5: with just three wins from 12 at home and 11 goals to their name in that time, Forest are ripe for another beating on their home turf. Boss Steve Cotterill has agreed a deal to sign Marlon Harewood (once he becomes a free agent on 1 January), but that extra firepower won't be on hand as a Cardiff team with one defeat in 11 come to the City Ground.
? Burton Albion to beat Morecambe at 11-5: the Shrimps have tumbled to 13th in League Two off the back of a six-game winless run and the promotion-chasing Brewers - now without a goalless draw in their last 41 matches - are more than capable of adding to their troubles.
We'll monitor the "best bets" progress through the season, with a set stake of �10 per bet. Current profit: �17.30. Again, there's no tipping contest this season, but that doesn't stop you posting your best bet suggestions below the line. And for those who would like to take part, we have set up a private Championship Fantasy League, the pin for which is: 12647. Phil Avery is still in front with Numbers Game.
What you may have missed from the blogosphere
? Seat Pitch's Nottingham Forest half-term report:
The start of a new year should be a time of optimism and renewed hope but the majority of Nottingham Forest's supporters are viewing 2012 with similar levels of dread reserved for a trip to the dentists. Just over six months ago Forest had another chance to end their agonising exile from the Premier League but fans now are already fearing nightmare journeys to Yeovil and Crawley next season. The club haven't got a pot to piddle in, Steve Cotterill is marooned in the relegation zone and political mastermind Billy Davies' reputation is getting better with each passing week he stays out of work. Due to years of mismanagement and far too many people pretending they knew what they were playing at, the prospect of returning to League One is scarily real.
? Standing on the Glebe on the best Peterborough United games of 2011:
2011 has been a special year to be a Posh fan. 54 games, 26 wins, 209 goals and a successful play-off campaign later and we currently sit 13th in the Championship table. It has been arguably the best 12 months to ever be a Posh fan. In this blog we look back at the matches that have made this year so memorable.
? You can read much more from our Football League blogosphere, which should now have been updated to include more of your recently suggested blogs.
And may all your 2012s be better than Plymouth's 2011.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/football-league-blog/2011/dec/30/football-league-james-dart
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