Mike Holden on the Football League: Carlos to come good for the cameras

Norwich v Sheff Wed
Saturday 17:30

Carlos Carvalhal is calling on his Sheffield Wednesday players to take more responsibility for their patchy performances after they served up a lacklustre first-half display in the 2-2 draw with struggling Hull last weekend, a game in which Carvalhal himself was sent to the stands before the Hillsborough faithful were left reeling by a Michael Dawson strike deep into stoppage time.

The Owls had already been booed off as they trudged in 1-0 down at the break, and they needed a double substitution and change of system to get them going, storming back to take the lead with a Gary Hooper brace. But their Portuguese boss would prefer them to show a bit more initiative whenever they feel stifled by an opposition game plan.

Some would argue that the general air of apprehension stems from Carvalhal's overly cautious tactics in the first place but that's another argument for another day because this is a game that should suit Wednesday, following the usual blueprint that brought a memorable win at Newcastle last season and victory at in-form Aston Villa only a month ago.

If the Owls can replicate those standards, they would surely back themselves to stand firm against a Norwich side winless in eight outings since their derby win over Ipswich and lacking ideas or inspiration in attack. And with Hooper returning to his former stomping ground in tip-top shape, he could also prove to be the game's decisive player.

Searching questions are now starting to be asked of Daniel Farke because the high-octane approach he was preaching upon his arrival from Borussia Dortmund is nowhere to be seen. The Canaries are timid and cagey, and the atmosphere around Carrow Road faithful has been notably subdued in the past couple of months.

Recommended bet:
1pt Sheff Wed to beat Norwich at 3.30

Oxford v Doncaster
Saturday 15:00

Doncaster landed one of the biggest scalps of the FA Cup second round last weekend, putting locals rivals Scunthorpe to the sword by scoring three times without reply at the Keepmoat. Darren Ferguson labelled it a "complete performance" but inconsistency has plagued Rovers this term and transferring that standard to their League One campaign might be easier said than done.

As such, the market appears to be over-reacting with the visitors trading as only slight outsiders for the trip to the Kassam, despite the fact they trail Oxford by four points and seven places in the table. Shot data over 20 matches would also appear to support the notion that the Yellows are markedly superior.

Oxford were absent from FA Cup duty last weekend, as a result of their humbling first-round defeat at League Two Port Vale last month, but the break proved most welcome for Pep Clotet who took advantage by whisking the team away from all the usual day-to-day distractions to a training camp in Spain.

The Catalan coach treated the trip like a mini pre-season, subjecting his players to some intense work both on the training pitch and in the classroom, as he reinforced the core values of his philosophy, which he believes have been somewhat diluted amid the gruelling schedule of the past two months.

So don't be at all surprised if United suddenly revert to the standards they were setting in August and September, when they were riding high in the top six and beating seasoned League One teams with something to spare. A late come-from-behind win at Gillingham in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday will have done their confidence no harm at all.

Recommended bet:
1pt Oxford to beat Doncaster at 2.64