d riders in the race for promotion as the Whites head into the business end of the season. At the turn of the year, Leeds United’s dominance of League One marked them out as champions-elect.Two months on, Norwich City hold pole position and no fewer than seven clubs have a firm chance of winning automatic promotion to the Championship.
As an increasingly gripping season edges towards the finishing straight, the YEP’s Gloryometer will follow the ups and downs of all the contenders for a top-two finish.
If the pressure is off the temperature gauge will be lower, if the heat is on the mercury will be rising!
THE WHITES
A crisis seemed to be brewing at Elland Road when the club’s players were booed from the field after their sorry loss to Walsall, but a victory over Oldham Athletic and a draw at Huddersfield eased the tension surrounding the club.
They still hold a valuable cushion over third place.
VERDICT: Feeling happier
NORWICH CITY
First place in League One has been impenetrable since Norwich stole the baton from Leeds United towards the end of January.
No club has been better at grinding out victories and recent defeats to Millwall and Southampton failed to knock City from their side.
A top-two finish should be theirs.
VERDICT: In great shape
SWINDON TOWN
One of the division’s form teams – and a high-scoring one at that. Swindon’s last league defeat came on December 12, but their run-in is congested and difficult, involving trips to Leeds, Colchester United and Millwall.
Their games in hand over the clubs around them will be crucial.
VERDICT: League One’s dark horses
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Up and down like a yo-yo recently but the Addicks produced a late fightback at Southend United on Friday to snatch a vital win. The comments of their manager, Phil Parkinson, do not always inspire confidence but Charlton have refused to slip away and are still firmly in contention.
VERDICT: Back in business
COLCHESTER UNITED
Hold a game in hand over Charlton but are five points behind Leeds and suffering from mixed results away from home. Their manager, Aidy Boothroyd, described Saturday’s defeat to Bristol Rovers as “the most annoying” of the season, and his side have again lost touch with the top two.
VERDICT: In need of a reponse
MILLWALL
Took a long time to get their season going but beat Norwich three weeks ago and have won seven of their last eight matches. A continuation of those results will be necessary if they are to snatch automatic promotion but their boss, Kenny Jackett, knows how to close out a season.
VERDICT: Can’t afford a drop in form
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
As boss Lee Clark said, Huddersfield had little margin for error after a 2-2 draw with neighbours Leeds. They have even less after a 5-0 loss at Southampton last night. That result will dent their confidence, and their recent run of 11 games without defeat may have come to late to pull them above the play-offs.
VERDICT: Licking their wounds
