The best matches and bets from the latest round of matches, plus our pick from the Football League blogosphere
Key matches
? 53. The number of games it has taken for Plymouth Argyle to be playing Newcastle in the Championship and then fall to 22nd in League Two. Staff have gone unpaid for eight months, the club remains in administration and a protracted completed takeover has until 5pm on Friday or else it will collapse. To put it bluntly, here's acting chairman Peter Ridsdale on his newly-launched blog: "If the takeover fails then the club will liquidate." Fans are holding a vigil in the desperate fight to save a 125-year-old club (www.argylefanstrust.com). Premier League fans: think your club is in 'crisis'? Think again. It feels a gross afterthought, but for the playing side of things, arguably their most valuable remaining player St�phane Zubar terminated his contract at the club on Thursday, leaving yet another first-team spot to be filled by an inexperienced youthful face. One of the two teams below Argyle in the Football League come to Home Park on Saturday, as basement side Crewe bid to halt a 100% defeat record this season.
? 106. The number of years it has taken for Derby County to equal a club-record start to the season of four successive league victories. After a 2-1 success on opening day, three wins to nil have followed against Watford, Blackpool and Doncaster, leaving the Rams joint top with Southampton. Nigel Clough's summer acquisitions continue to impress, especially Jason Shackell, but the centre-back is doubtful with a stiff back and hamstring for Saturday's game at home to Burnley, themselves winless in 21st (but having played a game less). Defender Michael Duff, who has only just returned to the squad, is likely to miss out with a knee injury, while new signing Danny Ings will miss five months with a knee cartilage tear. Zavon Hines has already arrived at Turf Moor, but boss Eddie Howe could have another loan arrival to call on come game-time.
? 360. The number of minutes that Uwe R�sler has managed in English football, during which time he has ably guided Brentford to fourth in League One (albeit having collected three wins against opposition in the bottom seven) and swiftly gained a grasp of what the division is all about. "We know [it] is all about margins and my attitude is that the harder you work the more you improve those margins and you will find things are more likely to go your way," said R�sler ? also the subject of this fascinating recent interview in the Independent ? after last weekend's 5-0 thumping of Leyton Orient. Tranmere's visit will be a good marker; Les Parry has his physical team well organised and they lie seventh after a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United last weekend.
Players to watch
? Sam Baldock: in June, the MK Dons striker turned down a �1.2m move to Peterborough, riling Posh boss Darren Ferguson when saying "as soon as I got there it confirmed my suspicions that it wasn't right for me". Since then, the 22-year-old has helped his team top League One by topping the scoring charts, as well as grabbing another in the 4-0 Carling Cup win at Norwich. Stevenage are next in his sights, though he remains a wanted man: West Ham are understood to be leading the chase for his services.
? Bradford's: after just one draw and three defeats in League Two, manager Peter Jackson quit on Thursday night. "Peter told the board that in light of the poor start to the season, he felt that to resign now would give the club the best possible chance for the rest of the season," read a club statement. Four games. The players were said to be caught by surprise, Michael Flynn revealing: "No one had an idea. As I left the club, I had a joke with the gaffer as he was in his shirt and trousers. I asked if he had a date and he just said, 'No, a board meeting'." Now to see how the Bantams respond, starting at home to Barnet.
Goal of the week
Scott Davies's delicious left-footed drive for League Two leaders Crawley Town's in the 3-1 win at Torquay.
Gesture of the week
Crystal Palace, who have given away more than 1,000 tickets for Saturday's Championship game with Blackpool to families affected by the recent riots in London, as well as making the Reeves family, whose 144-year-old furniture business was heartbreakingly destroyed in Croydon during the unrest, guests of honour.
And, to a lesser extent ?
? Ipswich Town, who are offering the 1,300 fans that attended last weekend's 7-1 bashing by Peterborough free coach travel to the game at Blackpool (again) next month. "It's not a decision we have taken lightly," said chief executive Simon Clegg. Form an orderly queue.
Best bets
? Oxford to beat Aldershot at 11-10: Chris Wilder's team made it two wins in two with their A420 derby victory and the visit of a Shots team that has lost three in a row without scoring in the league and is coming off a short turnaround following their, admittedly impressive, extra-time win at West Ham on Wednesday.
? Brighton to beat Peterborough at evens: yes, the Seagulls were pegged back at the death last weekend, and yes, Peterborough put the smackdown on Ipswich, but there remains a gap in class between the pair. Layers seem to be over-reacting to the Ipswich game: evens is a decent price.
We'll monitor the "best bets" progress through the season, with a set stake of �10 per bet. Current loss: �13.70. 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 that would like to take part, we have set up a private Championship Fantasy League, the pin for which is: 12647. Tom Povey currently leads the way with Spartak Pantsdown.
What you may have missed from the blogosphere
? From West Ham Blog on the latest at Upton Park:
Aldershot result was rubbish, hopefully a one-off performance not to be repeated. [Junior] Stanislas was the only one to impress and potentially his pace could find a place in our team, although his decision making could still do with improving. Some transfer grapevine stuff ? Pablo Barrera set to join Real Zaragozoa on a loan with option to buy. Let's face it, he just ain't gonna settle in here. Papa Bouba Diop going through medical process with Hammers."
? From The Boys from Up the Hill on the importance of James Constable to the club:
James Constable's brace at the County Ground was just the latest in a series of heroic acts during his time at the club. Beano's reputation as cult hero was never in any doubt before the match, his goalscoring record was already the most impressive since Paul Moody, but the events and the circumstances surrounding them could prove to be enough to elevate him to the status of 'Oxford legend' in the eyes of many fans.
? You can read much more from our Football League blogosphere, which should now have been updated to include more of your recently suggested blogs.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/football-league-blog/2011/aug/26/football-league-weekender-blog
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