The three League 2 clubs fighting for mid-table safety

For three teams at least, May 5th probably can’t come around quick enough.

Newport County, Crawley Town and Cambridge Utd are safely entrenched in the middle of the table, not in danger of relegation and not close enough to trouble those trying to get into the end of season play-offs.

County had a flirt with the top seven positions earlier in the season and it’s fair to say the FA Cup run for Michael Flynn’s side hindered more than helped their promotion chances.

Coupled with the  notorious Rodney Parade pitch still facing problems from the rain of the past couple of months and forcing postponements, County ook to have run out of steam and despite games in hand over the clubs above them it’s a huge ask for them to win almost all of their remaining eight games and those above to lose between 2-3 games at least for Newport to prosper.

Having successfully seen off relegation worries last season, County are the team who, besides Accrington’s wonderful performance at the top of the division, have stood out with such a transformation in fortunes and should in most people’s thoughts for a good play-off challenge next season.

Earlier in the year it looked like Kewell’s Crawley were struggling to impose themselves on the division and for Kewell himself to get the team playing exactly the way he wanted.

But the West Sussex outfit have put together a decent run of results to ensure there is no chance of being involved in the relegation scrap despite lacking the consistency to trouble the other end of the table.

Kewell has been linked to the vacant role at The Valley in the last few weeks which is no mean feat given there were times at the beginning part of the season his job was feared to be on the chopping block. Whether Kewell is in charge at the Broadfield Stadium come August remains to be seen.

Cambridge supporters would have expected more from their team after an 11th place finish last season.

The squad has more than a sprinkle of League Two experience and with Shaun Derry into a third year as boss at the Abbey Stadium, the expectation would have been a play-off challenge.

But, things haven’t gone to plan, and Derry was relieved of his duties in January and with Joe Dunne in caretaker charge ever since, little or no improvement in their situation will end in a mid-table finish.

A new manager/head coach should be in place around the time of the season ending to enable enough time to put a squad together to challenge and give the U’s something to cheer about after a few years in the doldrums.

 

Written by Trevor Knell

Follow Trevor on Twitter @trevk37

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