Shrewsbury – 19th with 50 points from 44 matches

I believe that with 50 points, the Shrews are already more or less safe. However, with the league being the way it is, you can’t quite say for sure what’s going to happen.

Sam Rickett’s took over from John Askey after the latter had a poor start with the Shrews, but they’ve gone from two-time Wembley losers last season to real relegation fodder this time out. They’re not quite as bad as Scunthorpe in terms of going from top six to bottom four, but for a while it did look touch and go.

Luke Waterfall has been a key player for them, he’s well-regarded for his aerial ability in both boxes and barring a real collapse, we can expect to welcome him back next season, albeit in a yellow and blue shirt.

They face Coventry this weekend, a game I can’t see them winning, before going against Walsall on the final day of the season. You’re about to read what I think of that game.

Can they stay up?

Almost certainly, yes. The last time we went there in the league we lost 2-0, the last time we met them in the league we lost 5-1. 

We’ll get a chance to avenge those results and they’re the sort of team we should be looking at as a guide to how little we have to fear from the bottom four next season.

Walsall – 23rd with 43 points from 44 matches

Ah, the summer of 2017. The Imps were back in the league, some trialist called Neal Eardley rocked up for a game as we met Walsall in Lee Beevers testimonial. 

Since then they’ve sacked two ex-Imps as managers (Jon Whitney and Dean Keates), flirted briefly with the top six this season and then imploded. They started the season well, relying on the goals of Andy Cook and the guile of Josh Ginnelly to see them up the table.

Ginnelly is now long gone. They’ve lost seven of their last eight matches and just four league wins since November 10th saw them sink like the Titanic. It’s been a woeful season and by the time the final week comes around, they’ll be relegated.

The draw with Southend was their first point since early March and looking at their fixtures, it could be their last. If they’re to stay up they need two wins and to hope that others let them in. It won’t happen, they play Peterborough and Shrewsbury and I can see them losing both matches before stand-in manager Martin O’Connor leaves.

Can they stay up?

More chance of getting a post-match interview out of Michael Bostwick I’m afraid.

Not been to the Bescot yet? You’ll need a decent FA Cup draw to make the trip next season.

Wycombe – 18th with 50 points from 44 matches

Gareth Ainsworth is a player who conjures up images of winning at Sincil Bank. he was a rock star footballer, epitomising the Britpop era for me and a generation of Imps fans.

Now, he epitomises shithousery, ugly football and fighting. That’s what Wycombe are, they don’t hide it, in fact they wear it like a badge of honour. In a recent match against Sunderland they injured Duncan Watmore, sparked a huge touchline brawl that saw George Honeyman sent off, got Marcus Bean sent off late and yet still earned a point.

That’s what they do. They don’t play you at football, they fight you. They manage the game, tackle hard and get the ball forward quickly. Gareth Ainsworth is John Beck 2.0 and it works. 

It’s never going to win them League One, nor many friends, but they’re an extreme version of what we are believed to do. I don’t buy into us being long ball of using rough tactics, but others do. If they think we’re bad, watch this lot.

It is enough to keep them in League One though and maybe, just maybe enough to relegate plucky Wimbledon too, who do the same but not as effectively.

They won’t need to bother on the final day, when a visit from Fleetwood promises to be a fiery affair.

Can they stay up?

I think with 50 points, they’ve already done enough. The maximum Scunthorpe can get is 52, but that would mean Plymouth only had 50, tops. With goal difference in their favour they only need to worry about Wimbledon. Even then, I don’t think the teams below them will all get enough.

Can they stay up next season? When you do what they do, as well as they do it, absolutely. Nobody likes playing Wycombe and that’s how they like it.

Conclusion

With Bradford gone and Walsall certain to join them, it’s a straight out fight between Southend, Plymouth, Scunthorpe and Wimbledon for the other two places. One of Plymouth or Scunthorpe is almost certain to go, with Wimbledon the likely side to join them.

However, surely all of football wants to see them stay in League One next season, at the expense of whoever. 

For me, my preference would be for Plymouth and Scunthorpe to go. If both lose this weekend and the Wombles manage a win, that’s exactly what will happen.