Not a bad weekend for Ian Clarkson who, in addition to helping his Conference side Nuneaton Borough to a 3-2 win over Forest Green, also recorded a 2-2 draw in GMFs prediction game.
PREMIERSHIP: Middlesborough 1 Birmingham City 0
WHAT CLARKY SAID: After the exertions of Monday evening, Birmingham may find it hard to lift themselves for the game. However, confidence is high amongst the West Midlanders and Steve Bruce has instilled a lot of his Manchester United winners spirit so they will prove a tough nut to crack and with odds of 12/5 for a draw then despite Boros excellent home form I think a low scoring draw is a possibility.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: Me thinks there was a slight case of former 'Blue Clarky allowing his heart to rule his head when he suggested a low scoring draw for this one. But to be fair to the lad he wasnt that far off the mark and it did take a sublime free-kick from French defender Franck Queudrue to secure all three points for Boro. That being said Steve McClaren is building a very organised side at The Riverside and he is making his team very difficult to beat. His approach may not work, against better teams than Birmingham, but you cannot argue that it does not work full stop - as seventh place in the Premier League table will testify. Birmingham perhaps deserved more out of the game that will not sell too many club-shop videos but Steve Bruce will probably take more out of this game than 'Clarky. So, sorry son 0-1.
FIRST DIVISION: Norwich 1 Portsmouth 0
WHAT CLARKY SAID: Despite Norwichs little dip in form and Portsmouths seemingly relentless charge to promotion I have a feeling that the guile, strength and craft of Norwich might just prove too much on this occasion for the South coast men and with generous odds of 6/4 the yellow half of East Anglia will be chirping on Saturday evening.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: Good call 'Clarky and a good call because it was a gut feeling not based on this statistic or that statistic. The sound knowledge of a pro and fair play to him. Norwich are on a roll and Nigel Worthington has ensured 'The Canaries are not feeling sorry for themselves after losing the play-off final to Birmingham. City have lost just one game in nine so far this season and have the best defence of the top three clubs and in Iwan Roberts, the scorer of the only goal against Pompey, they have a proven, top flight goal scorer who is the man for the big occasion. If Norwich give him some more help, to assist those ageing legs, he could well help fire the Canaries into the gilded cage that is the Premiership. A superb equaliser 'Clarky, 1-1.
SECOND DIVISON: Bristol City 1 QPR 3
WHAT CLARKY SAID: A crackling atmosphere will abound at Ashton Gate on Saturday and I think the Robins will use this to their advantage to pick up a hard fought victory. Dont expect a huge return though - I cant find anything more generous than odds of 10/11.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: Down to earth with a bang for 'Clarky as he reckoned on a home victory. The game went to form, obviously 'Clarky was operating on gut instinct again, and Rangers went back to the top of the table with a comprehensive victory, although they had to come from behind after City took an early lead. The win gives Rangers a better away record than it looked before Saturdays win but they may have to improve it even more if Ian Holloways side is not to be too reliant on that home form. 1-2 'Clarky, with a vengeance.
THIRD DIVISION: Kidderminster 0 Rochdale 0
WHAT CLARKY SAID: Whichever way you turn the odds are inviting but I take draw specialists Harriers to notch up their seventh of the season and at odds of 11/5 is good value.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: Spot-on 'Clarky. Rochdale looked odds-on to take all three points to keep parity with Hartlepool but a fighting display from Harriers, and 'Clarky will know all about that, registered their fourth home draw from five games. Manager Ian Britton will be happy with yet another clean sheet but he must be worried about his shot-shy attack. For Rochdale it was their first away draw of the season but Paul Simpson, leading scorer as well as player-manager, would have been hoping for just the one goal that would have earned those two extra points. So its been a score-draw (2-2) weekend for the boy Clarkson who helped Nuneaton Borough to 9th in the Conference table with a 3-2 win over Forest Green.
