IT'S an old saying that `money talks' and, this week, it sure enough spoke volumes at the McAlpine.
The transfer that all Town fans were dreading finally happened; Jon Stead left for Blackburn.
There were 18 reasons why he shouldn't leave Town, namely the goals he's scored this season, but ultimately one and a quarter million reasons why he should! Good luck to you, young man.
Town are on an amazing run of form and if you remember the 1-1 draw against Oxford, as predicted here in this column, then boy have we won some cash recently!
So, who are the next sacrificial lambs to be slaughtered at the McAlpine? Darlington, Baaa!
The Quakers will be living up to their nickname as they bring with them the worst away record in the division, having failed to win on their travels all season.
Ladbrokes are taking no chances on Town and have them 2/5 favourites to make it seven wins on the trot. Darlington are a massive 6/1 to bring a halt to Town's push for automatic promotion, with the draw on offer at 11/4.
Darlington have scored just three goals in their last eight League games, but have been surprisingly tight at the back: conceding seven.
Back in December, Town sneaked a 1-0 win at the Reynolds Arena, but Town fans will expect more this weekend and I think they will get it, but not much more, 2-0 at 6/1 will do the trick
This season in the Premiership there's going to be more interest in the relegation battle than in who's going to win the title (Man Utd!).
At the foot of the table Leeds look dead and buried and Eddie Gray will be hoping for a miracle at Villa Park tomorrow.
Ladbrokes make them a 5/1 shot to upset the resurgent Villains who, at 1/2, will be most people's idea of a `home banker' this weekend. The draw is on offer at 12/5 and I'm going to take some of that.
Every now and again the fixture list throws up a real cracker of a match. This Sunday sees Chelsea (1/3) take on Charlton (7/1) at the Bridge. Alan Curbishley will only have to put up a picture of Scott Parker in the dressing room and hey presto, motivation! The 7/1 is too tempting to resist, so hard luck Mr Parker.
Stead's new club Blackburn (10/3) are away to Middlesbrough (8/11) this weekend, but with the best will in the world I can't see a win for him. Sorry Jon, but that dream you'll be having tonight of scoring the winner tomorrow will have to wait for another day!
BOOKMAKERS C.P.Yorkshire Ltd will again be on duty at the McAlpine tomorrow.
Mel Booth's bet of the day is Town to win 2-0 with Nat Brown scoring the first goal.
The odds are 50-1, so the return is £255 for a £5 stake.
