Notts County
Current position: 20th
Manager: Ian McParland
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Key man: Danny Crow (striker). Notts simply haven't scored the goals, but now have a striker who is renowned for his finishing ability at this level. If he can live up to his reputation he should fire plenty of goals, which may just keep the Magpies up.
Recent form: D,D,L,W,L,D
NCM says: The warning signs are there and the Magpies are in real trouble. The lack of goals is terrifying and with just two wins in it really could be a relegation battle to the very end for McParland. Defensively Notts have perhaps the best of the relegation contenders, but there is a lack of consistency and a distinct lack of fight all around the pitch. There seems to be no confidence and that is alarming.
Verdict: 19th
Chester City
Current position: 17th
Manager: Bobby Williamson
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Key man: Kevin Ellison (midfielder). The experienced wide man has the aggression and passion to make a difference for City. Can always pop up with a goal or a vital contribution.
Recent form: D,L,L,L,W,L
NCM says: The Blues are in freefall, despite a morale boosting win over Mansfield recently. City have a lot of work to do to turn there fortunes around as they have been abysmal of late. Had they not been so good at the start, so good to be considered automatic promotion contenders, they would be in real danger. But that start may just be enough providing they find some steel.
Verdict: 20th
Dagenham & Redbridge
Current position: 18th
Manager: John Still
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Key man: Mark Arber (defender). Recent signing after a great season with Stevenage Borough. The former Peterborough man is a real character, a great leader with bags of experience. His addition will be vital in keeping clean sheets, and he has already netted twice.
Recent form: L,W,W,W,W,W
NCM says: The Daggers were being tipped to enjoy a second successive promotion push in the summer but have found the Football League harder than anticipated. That said they have been in sublime form and have surprised everybody to lead the current form guide ahead of the likes of Peterborough and MK Dons. They might already be out of the woods, but it is hard to believe they will keep this run going and so there early season form could still haul them back into it.
Verdict: 17th
Barnet
Current position: 19th
Manager: Paul Fairclough
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Key man: Ismail Yakubu (defender). After the sale of star striker Liam Hatch, the Bees have found goals hard to come by until Saturday's romp over Shrewsbury. That means the defence will have to be strong, and captain Yakubu is a top defender at this level.
Recent form: L,L,L,L,L,W
NCM says: Barnet were another side seemingly in freefall as they became embroiled in the battle owing to a string of losses. However they were rejuvenated on Saturday and that win will be a huge boost to their confidence ahead of the game with Notts on Saturday. That will be crucial and if Notts win Barnet may nit be out of it. But with several games in hand over the other candidates, the Bees should be OK.
Verdict: 18th
Bury
Current position: 21st
Manager: Alan Knill
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Key man: Andy Bishop (striker) Another side who will argue they can score goals with Bishop leading the line. The tall striker can cause problems and will have to in order to get the goals to get Bury safe.
Recent form: W,D,W,L,D,L
NCM says: The Shakers have had to deal with all kinds of upheaval in recent weeks with the departures of Chris Casper and Keith Alexander. The board are obviously hoping that Knill can at least rejuvenate the dressing room although Alexander has proved himself on numerous occasions at League Two level. Bury are sliding and results may have picked up a little a bit but in the long run inexperience in the new manager may show.
Verdict: 21st
Macclesfield Town
Current position: 22nd
Manager: Keith Alexander
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Key man: Francis Green (striker). Knows new boss Alexander well, and enjoyed his best spell in football under him at Lincoln City. Has been a good player for Macc, and his contribution will increase.
Recent form: L,W,L,L,L,D
NCM says: Alexander was probably the best man for Town to get in as he knows how to get teams scrapping, and he knows the division better than many. Alexander will have to act fast and try and bolster his squad because before his appointment they were perhaps bigger favourites for the drop than Mansfield despite being above them. His arrival will help them, but the lack of squad depth will be difficult for them to overcome.
Verdict: 23rd
Mansfield Town
Current position: 23rd
Manager: Billy Dearden
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Key man: Michael Boulding (striker). On fire in front of goal this season with 20 to his name already. A real classy striker who knows exactly where the goal is. Runs in and out exploiting all the gaps in the defence and his goals could prove decisive.
Recent form: W,L,W,L,D,D
NCM says: Mansfield will have too much about them to go down. They will always score goals with Boulding and Simon Brown up top. They are up for the fight and with creative players all across the middle the Stags will steer clear of danger. Dearden has weathered the storm and took the pressure. He knows the division very well and has the ability to get the best from his decent squad.
Verdict: 22nd
Wrexham
Current position: 24th
Manager: Brian Little
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Key man: Danny Sonner (midfielder). Has been in NCM's League Two team of the weekend twice since January, and has added real quality and steel to the ranks.
Recent form: D,W,D,D,L,X
NCM says: Their recent form had been impressive, but they really needed to beat Mansfield Town. But they have taken seven points off top sides MK Dons, Peterborough and Darlington recently. When you note that Notts lost against the three sides in their most recent meetings it highlights their improvement. Little is a very experienced manager and has enough about him to mastermind a great escape, but are they already too far adrift? With their fan base and attendances still high, they will fight until the death, however they already have six points to make up.
Verdict: 24th