With the first round of the FA Cup just around the corner, League Two will come to a halt this coming weekend.
From managers under pressure and teams turning their form around, what is happening in England’s fourth division?
Mike Williamson under pressure after dire start at Carlisle
After swapping Milton Keynes for Cumbria on the 19th of September, hopes were high for the former Newcastle United defender. He had just taken MK Dons to the League Two play-offs last campaign and after coming under pressure he switched to Carlisle United. He opened his tenure with a win against Swindon Town but has not won since. With eight games and just two points, the fans are starting to turn against Williamson, but the owners and directors still have faith in him to turn things around.
Gillingham go winless in October
After winning manager of the month in August, Mark Bonner’s side wanted to build on a great start and continue their form but the month of October has seen them struggle massively. They picked up just one point from six games (against Swindon) and has seen some Gillingham fans demand a change. The next two games could seal the former Cambridge United manager’s fate as they face Blackpool in the FA Cup and play league leaders Port Vale.
Port Vale are unstoppable
Port Vale’s fine form has been a talking point for the last few weeks and after ten league games unbeaten, they seem unstoppable under Darren Moore. They are currently top of the division and after facing relegation from League One last season, his aim was to get them straight back up and he is on target of doing just that. Players like Lorent Tolaj and Jayden Stockley have found form in the fourth division for the Staffordshire side and they show no signs of slowing down.
Ethon Archer helps Cheltenham onto an upwards curve
After playing in non-league for most of his career, Ethon Archer joined Cheltenham Town from Torquay after Gary Johnson became director of football at the Robins and utilised his links from the Gulls to bring in some new faces. With just two goal contributions going into October, he has found form this month to help ease pressure off Michael Flynn and get his team up the table. Two goals and three assists might put him in contention for the League Two player of the month, and he could get a move in the summer if he keeps it up.
Scott Lindsey is working his magic at MK Dons
After switching League One for League Two in late September, new MK Dons boss Scott Lindsey claimed the club was the biggest in the division and wanted to get them back into the third division. He’s only lost one game so far in his new job which was against league leaders Port Vale and is starting to work his magic. After a promotion with Crawley against the odds, the idea of working at a club which can provide a bigger budget was too tempting for the former Swindon manager and he dropped a league to manage the Dons. They are five points off the top and will aim to continue their good form and try to win promotion.
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