Five things to look out for in Tuesday's Football League fixtures | Alex Keble
1. Can Ipswich pull their season around?
Ipswich's 1-0 victory at St Andrew's on Saturday was hugely encouraging, but managerial changes often cleanse players of negativity and produce short-term success, regardless of the new manager's suitability for the role. The positive atmosphere Mick McCarthy enjoys in his dressing room this week could evaporate as quickly as it appeared and, with Ipswich Town still rock-bottom of the Championship, an extended honeymoon seems highly unlikely. The game against Crystal Palace – themselves buoyed by the arrival of the charismatic Ian Holloway – will provide a much sterner test than a lacklustre Birmingham City, and show us just how capable Ipswich are of climbing the ladder to safety.
McCarthy has already admitted that, despite Ipswich's rich history, "What it hasn't got at the moment is a particularly good team." If Town are to avoid relegation this season then they will require an initial boost in form. If they fail to put together a decent string of results in these early games, they will probably go down.
When McCarthy became Sunderland's manager in March 2003, taking over Howard Wilkinson's team, he was unable to inspire them and they slumped helplessly into the Championship, with their manager – famed for his man-management and disciplinary skills – unable to heave a woeful set of players out of trouble.
If DJ Campbell, on loan from QPR, and the free transfer Nigel Reo-Coker can shake Ipswich out of their slumber, survival is possible. But these early results are vital, and will tell us if escape is possible.
2. Sheffield United could leapfrog Tranmere
Ronnie Moore has had a fairytale (second) beginning as manager of Tranmere Rovers, converting a distinctly average League One side into formidable title challengers almost overnight. However, signs of fatigue may have crept into their game, with Rovers collecting a solitary point from the past nine available and their early-season sprint faltering. An unbeaten Sheffield United, meanwhile, have been quietly moving up the table and now loom ominously over top-of-the-table Rovers. On the back of three successive wins, United have the chance to move ahead when they take on Swindon, with Tranmere not scheduled to play until Wednesday, when they travel to Hartlepool.
3. Make or break for Lee Clark?
Lee Clark understands the high expectations of impatient chairmen more than most, having been sacked by Huddersfield despite building a successful League One side. Unless his Birmingham City team dramatically improve, he may find himself confronted with a disgruntled employer once again. Realistic Blues fans recognise the difficulty of Clark's task, but their sympathy may fade if results continue to disappoint. The 1-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Ipswich last Saturday was the third game this season in which City have failed to score on their own ground. Marlon King, their top goalscorer, is yet to find the net from open play at St Andrew's.
Their game against next-to-bottom Bristol City could be an important moment in their season, the opponents' weakness offering Birmingham the perfect opportunity to score a few and record a first home win since mid-September.
4. The best of times, the worst of times
The match at the Ricoh Arena brings together two teams with wildly contrasting fortunes, soaring or plunging through the leagues to the delight or despair of their respective fans. Just 11 years ago, Coventry City were six divisions above Tuesday night's opponents Crawley Town. Now they sit 18 places below them in League One. The Sky Blues' hopeless demise looks set to continue unless drastic changes are made at the cash-strapped club. Back-to-back relegation is a serious possibility.
Crawley, on the other hand, are two points off the top of the table, looking for an amazing third successive promotion. Everyone is waiting for the bubble to burst, but their impressive run of form is unlikely to end at Coventry.
5. Just like starting over
Bolton, Blackburn, Burnley, Ipswich and Crystal Palace all have new managers, while Blackpool still have a vacancy after Ian Holloway's departure. There should be plenty of optimistic fans and reinvigorated players on display, and plenty of opportunities for headline-grabbing goals and the hailing of new dawns.
Henning Berg faces the daunting task of reviving Blackburn Rovers, following on from Saturday's defeat at Palace with a difficult trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Huddersfield, while Dougie Freedman's Bolton welcome Leicester City to the Reebok. Burnley host Leeds United, with the two sides separated by goal difference alone. After last week's merry-go-round, there are many Championship clubs essentially starting their seasons all over again.