League Two Betting: Back Yo-Yoing York and their new boss

Russ Wilcox sets a real poser this weekend as he is back in management at York City

Russ Wilcox will hope to start positively, having enjoyed a long unbeaten run when starting at Scunthorpe, says Ian Lamont, who will be laying a couple of home teams elsewhere this weekend...

York City 2.915/8 v Shrewsbury 2.89/5; the draw 3.412/5

Russ Wilcox was swiftly enough appointed by York after Nigel Worthington resigned on Monday - the fifth boss to depart a League Two club this season - having taken the Minstermen from the bottom of League Two to the play-offs and back, in a Yo-Yo motion.

Doubtless a few will be over excited that Wilcox's Scunthorpe reign began with a league record 28-game unbeaten run. And of course York had their own long run of 17 games unbeaten in the second half of last season.

There was little sign that promotion was realistic when Wilcox took over at The Iron last November and nor was there much sign that York would fly so high after being third bottom at Christmas.

In the latter's case, it was hard graft that did the trick, setting themselves up to have the whole team behind the ball without possession. It resulted in draws and slim wins which therefore always had the air of vulnerability.

Five draws and a win to start the season - and no points thereafter - have put York at the wrong end of the table again this season. Yet you don't show signs of quality and become  a bad team overnight.

They will have to manage without Russ Penn, sent off against Newport, and Ryan Jarvis needs to find the net like he did eight times last season while Anthony Straker's wide, attacking talents probably need more of an airing.

Is it surprising that high-flying Shrewsbury are just fractionally a shorter price than their hosts to win? Not in many ways. They have failed to win away and will be distracted by the excitement building up towards the Chelsea tie in the League Cup on Tuesday week.

It could be the perfect time to play them - and for York's new manager to impress. Opta stats seem to add to York's cause: they are unbeaten in five home games against the Shrews, yet on the flipside are the only League Two side yet to win at home, although they have only lost there once.

Recommended Bet
Back York @ 2.915/8

Wycombe 2.111/10 v AFC Wimbledon 4.03/1; the draw 3.711/4

The visiting Dons seem a big price to win at Wycombe, having started to bang in goals and been bouyed by their first win against their nemesis in the city of concrete cows.

Bayo Akinfenwa, whose physique will always make him a handful to defenders, has started to contirbute goals after a frustrating start to the season, when at least Matt Tubbs was on fire.

Last weekend they both scored in a 3-2 home win over leaders Bury. Having beaten Burton earlier this season, they head to Adams Park hoping to depose a third team from top spot.

I am certain that particular hat-trick attempt will not be lost on Neil Ardley, who of course will be used to using every trick in the book to inspire his players having been a part of the Crazy Gang at Wimbledon when they played at Selhurst Park. They are also unbeaten in four against Wycombe, stress Opta.

As the weeks go by, it is tempting to ask fewer questions about whether the Chairboys can stay the course for an automatic promotion push, especially with much-travelled Paul Hayes in such fine form - eight goals this season in all competitions.

Seventeen goals scored in 12 games for the host and 20 for the visitors suggests a high-scoring affair, with over 2.5 goals one of two selections, with laying the hosts.

Recommended Bets
Lay Wycombe @ 2.111/10
Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.111/10

Plymouth 2.265/4 v Carlisle 3.55/2; the draw 3.55/2

With three straight wins and as many clean sheets, Carlisle seem a big price to win away. Keith Curle has clearly shuffled his troops into a better state, although a football manager's work is never complete and always evolving.

Confidence and fresh ideas has much to do with it and he appears to have put plenty into Mark Beck and Steven Rigg, who have both scored in each of the last two games - both 3-0 wins.

This could go one of two ways: Carlisle suffer defeat, effectively pausing for breath after a resurgence, or they continue their fine form.

The 3.55/2 offered on the away win by the layers is surely based on season-long form rather than the last three wins under their new boss.

Plus, of course, Plymouth's rigidity and apparent determination to push at least for the play-offs this season. If Reuben Reid can continue to score - he was second top scorer last season - the Pilgrims can continue their fine home record which has resulted in just one defeat in six at Home Park this term.

Their margins of victory, however, have been slim. In fact only three of their games have finished with more than two goals being scored in the result. Carlisle have not conceded in 319 minutes in League Two, say Opta.

Under the circumstances, Plymouth certainly seem layably short.

Recommended Bet
Lay Plymouth @ 2.68/5

Hartlepool 3.412/5 v Luton 2.3411/8; the draw 3.55/2

Hartlepool still have no sight of a new manager, nor an intention to rush a decision it seems, giving Sam Collins an extended chance to set his claim for the position. He wants to see his players "really at it" against the Hatters, after the team picked up their first points in six matches when winning at Exeter.

The trouble is, Luton have really found their feet after a shaky start to the season when they earned just four points from six games.

Now, they have 16 points from a possible last 18 and top the six-game form table comfortably, having only conceded one goal in the process. John Still must be delighted.

Mark Cullen (three goals this season) has a rival for top scorer in Luke Wilkinson a defender keeping a tight ship at one end while relishing Andy Drury's deliveries from set pieces.

Recommended Bet
Back Luton @ 2.3411/8

2014-15 P/L

+7.35pt