Thursday 11 April 2013 16:03, UK
Peter Beagrie is here every week on skysports.com answering YOUR Football League questions.
END OF THE DAVIES?
BEAGS SAYS: Hi, Jonathan, I think the time has come for Kevin to reflect on some brilliant memories at Bolton - equalising against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the Uefa Cup, appearing and scoring in the 2004 League Cup Final - and accept that the current management cannot guarantee him regular first-team football. Kevin, who accrued a solitary England cap, has led the Bolton frontline and captained the team with courage and professionalism for years, displaying the type of tireless work-rate that left his fans wishing they had another 10 of him on the pitch and opposition supporters wishing he played for them. Davies has never been a 20-30 goal a season man but he has been the perfect foil to others, taking the bumps and bruises and causing mayhem in the penalty area. I am glad that Bolton have agreed to give Kevin a testimonial so that fans, despite probably agreeing with Trotters boss Dougie Freedman that a younger model is needed, can pay homage to a man who has worn a Wanderers shirt with pride.
A MILLERS TALE
BEAGS SAYS: That's the nature of the beast at Rotherham, Liam. The Millers are serial favourites for promotion and following a huge turnaround of players are still searching for the magic formula, but don't let dark thoughts enter your head just yet as the Yorkshiremen can still claim an automatic promotion spot. Burton are there to be shot at and if Rotherham can replicate the sort of performance they put in against Exeter, which garnered them a 4-1 win, League One football is certainly attainable. Early goals are vital at this stage of the season - they settle the scorers down and put pressure on the opposition - and United are at their best when teams come at them, as it allows them to play their fluid, pass-and-move style and gives Daniel Nardiello (pictured) more space to operate in. If Rotherham and Bradford don't go up automatically, what price an all-Yorkshire play-off final?
GRAY MATTER
BEAGS SAYS: That is a great question, Nathan, and, yes, I think both Leeds and Huddersfield would be in better positions had they retained Simon's services. After getting both Yorkshire clubs promoted, Grayson was not given the financial backing to build teams that could match the prerequisites of the boards: promotion for Leeds and survival for Huddersfield. It is, therefore, no coincidence that Neil Warnock and Mark Robins have experienced the same frustrations Simon had, with Leeds, in particular, continuing to sell their best players and bringing in inadequate replacements. I do, though, understand that for all clubs in the Championship it is a fine balancing act between progression and financial stability and you only have to look Charlton to see how easy it is to get on a downward spiral. Enjoy the comfort of mid-table respectability under Chris Powell, Nathan.
IRON SLIDING
BEAGS SAYS: Scunthorpe can stay up but they won't if they don't become harder to beat; eight defeats in the last 10 and six in the last seven does not make for good reading, while they have a terrible record against teams in the top half. The Iron continue to leak far too many goals at home, too, with only Carlisle's 40 conceded on their own patch beating Scunny's 36, and that is something Brian Laws (pictured) must address if his side are to have any hope of staving off relegation. Oldham have failed to capitalise on United's failing, though, taking just two points from 12, so it looks like it will now be a direct duel between the two for the final spot in the drop zone. Oldham have a game in hand, a far superior goal difference and better fixtures, including matches with doomed Bury and struggling Shrewsbury. Scunthorpe, meanwhile, play three of the top nine in their run-in, which reads Walsall (h), Bury (a), MK Dons (a) and Swindon (h), and staying up will be a big ask given the current form and it seems like my old club are set for a return to the fourth tier of English football.
