As I’m sure you’ve already heard, this year’s League One division has a group of some of the countries biggest clubs in one of the most open leagues to date.
Leeds United, Norwich City, Charlton Athletic and Southampton are just a few of the massive clubs fighting out for promotion and relegation this season, but it could be case that some of these huge names are left in the dust by some of the countries emerging sides.
Brentford:- Andy Scott wowed League Two last season after a convincing promotion. The 36-year-old built from the back last season, and with 20 clean sheets last season it’s obvious where there strength was. Alan Bennett has crucially stayed on from Reading, while the exciting Sam Saunders has been brought from Dagenham. Some excellent buys from Scott will only add to his swelling reputation. The squad is broader, and a second consecutive promotion isn’t out of the question at Griffen Park.
Brighton and Hove Albion:- With the great escape complete, Russell Slade can focus fully on the new season, and after a squad overhaul things are looking bright for the new year. Despite losing Lloyd Owusu the squad are in good shape, and is furthur improved with the introduction of Liam Dickinson. The real stars could end up being Gary Dicker however. Dicker was on loan at the back end of last season, and has joined permanently for this season. Slade seems to have improved the side’s team spirit amongst other things, and finishing high in the top half is a distinct possibility.
Bristol Rovers:- Constant improvement season upon season has raised hopes and expectations at the Memorial Stadium, and Paul Trollope has reason to consider this season could end in success. Having kept Ricky Lambert for yet another summer the side can start to believe, and with Jo Kuffour and Daryl Duffy still around Rovers aren’t short of firepower. It’s no coincidence that Trollope’s success has come courtesy of time at the position, and Nick Higgs’ trust in Trollope is refreshing to see in this day and age and the club could well be rewarded for such stability.
Carlisle United:- After disposing of John Ward, Carlisle stuttered to survival last season and after loosing a number of players including Danny Graham, the fulcrum of their goal threat, another relegation battle could be on the horizon. Greg Abbott saved the club after a short period last season and hopes that he can replicate that over an entire season are mixed. However Abbott had previous experience succeeding in short term roles, for the club to then offer him the job for the new season on top of last season seems rather naïve. A big struggle at Brunton Park this season.
Charlton Athletic:- It’s no coincidence that just over three years after Alan Curbishley left the club, that Charlton preside in the third tier of the football pyramid. Curbishley brought a certain stability as well as style to the club, and since his departure three managers have come and gone and two relegation's have been endured. Phil Parkinson, who took over last season, is the man with the job of taking the side back up to the Championship. The likes of Darren Ambrose and Nicky Weaver have left the club, while Miguel Angel Llera has signed on a free transfer in a surprise move. They were odds-on to return to the Premiership last season and with the current state of the club at this stage, don’t expect them to trouble the top six.
Colchester United:- The epitome of a mid-table club last season as the first season in their new stadium got in the way of their play-off push. Surprisingly enough the clubs away form was decent enough, but inconsistent performances at home-with just three wins before the New Year at the Weston Holmes Community stadium was their downfall. Injuries to Steve Gillespie last year puts him under pressure to perform after his big money move, but the signings of David Fox and Ben Williams indicate Paul Lambert is confident of a promotion push.
Exeter City:- Paul Tidsale is slowly becoming one of the football league’s hottest properties, and the link with the job at Swansea City in the summer is likely not to be last for the 36-year-old. Losing Dean Moxey and Matt Gill is a blow for the side for this season, and maybe even more alarmingly Tidsdale has failed to use the funds to improve the squad. Given the calibre of opposition the team will encounter this season further improvement seemed a necessity after last season’s promotion, but funds seemed to have been held back to try and secure the clubs immediate future-a shrewd move in these difficult times. More team spirit and togetherness is needed to get the club through the new season.
Gillingham:- Mark Stimson is back to League One with Gilligham, the league the club were in when he was appointed in 2007. He took the club down that season, only for last season’s promotion to set the record straight. Resources are at a minimum despite promotion, but a number of star players will thrive on the pressure of League One. None more so that Simeon Jackson. The Canadian was the spearhead of the clubs promotion campaign, but contributions by anyone else were in short supply; you worry for the side if he picked up an injury. The front man isn’t the only shining light in the side, with Andy Barcham making a name for himself on the wing, and after his new deal the Gills will be confident of staying in the division.
Hartlepool United:- After surviving relegation by the skin of their teeth Pool will be looking to banish any thought of another relegation battle. Former Director of Sport Chris Turner is at the helm, and after a number of previous play-off related finishes hopes are high he can help bring a repeat. The exciting partnership between Adam Boyd and James Brown should prove to be the difference between relegation and mid-table, and while most fans at Victoria Park will be praying for a play-off finish it might be a step too far for Turner this time.
Huddersfield Town:- Lee Clark’s appointment has brought some new ambition at Huddersfield, and with a number of new signings and after some impressive form at the back end of last season a proper promotion push can be planned. Anthony Kay is the biggest of those signings from Tranmere, and his performances will go a long way to seeing how well Clark can do in his first full season in management. Theo Robinson is another to look out for. A youngster at Watford, whose been on loan on a number of occasions at the likes of Hereford and Southend before finally being able to secure regular football at the Galpharm, where he’ll look to shine from day one.
Leeds United:- Last season it seemed difficult to see any side overcoming Leeds to win promotion but with the strongest squad they’ve had since they left the Premiership they fell at the play-off hurdle. This year onlookers will try to find excuses not to back Leeds again, but with Simon Grayson at the helm things do look good for the Yorkshire giants. The loss of Fabian Delph and possibly of Jermaine Beckford is worrying however. Beckford in particular had a handy knack of scoring to set up Leeds wins, and replacing him will be important to their promotion hopes. He scored over a third of the teams goals in the league last season, and despite his disciplinary problems he’s a big match winner.
Leyton Orient:- Martin Ling’s scandalous sacking so early in the season brought in Geriant Williams, formerly of Colchester, and Williams guided the side to survival after the signing of Scott McGleish. McGeish galvanised the team to safety, and more successful signings like that of the former Wycombe man has seen hopes grow in East London. Adrian Patulea has moved up from League Two to try and find the net for Orient, and his role could become vital with the side badly in need of a striker.
Millwall:- There’s always one side in each league that has to deal with play-off heartbreak, and this time it’s Kenny Jacket’s Millwall. Failure to overcome Scunthorpe in the play-off final must have been heartbreaking for a side that graced the top six for almost the entire season. Recovery from the disappointment will be important if they are to bounce back this season, because it’s beyond doubt the squad have the talent. Jason Price has signed permanently, and he’ll hope for more important goals like he delivered last season as will Nadjim Abdou, the scorer of ‘that’ goal at Elland Road. An impressive season awaits the Frenchman.
Milton Keynes Dons:- Paul Ince has returned with unfinished business at Stadium MK, and after his recent appointment he has some work to do to put his tinge back on the side. Roberto Di Matteo had brought in some astute signings that will help Ince, David McCracken for example has replace Miguel Angel Llera, but for me Jermaine Easter, Ince’s second signing since his return, could be the turning point in their season. Yes the player has issues of his own to sort out with his fitness amongst all else, but if he hits form Dons can assure themselves a place in at least the top six.
Norwich City:- The Canaries will be playing football outside England’s top two divisions for the first time for 50 years, and under manager Bryan Gunn the club are well set to make it just a one-year stay. Some decent signings have meant renewed hope around Carrow Road, and as for Gunn, who was unexpectedly kept on as boss, a second chance to set things right. League Two’s Player of the Year Grant Holt is expected much of, as is Matt Gill who arrives with a huge reputation from Exeter. The fans will be in demand for instant success, but it will be down to Gunn to deliver after a hefty transfer budget.
Oldham Athletic:- A well documented night at the dogs spelled the end for John Sheridan last season, and in the end to Oldham’s promotion ambitions after falling to eventually finish tenth. Dave Penney had excelled at Darlington under limited funds so is seen as the right man for the job here. Pawell Abbott and Rod Purdie have joined him from the League Two outfit, as well as eight more players to bolster the Oldham squad. Replacing Lee Hughes’s goals will be a problem if they are to finish in the top half, something that seems unlikely after the re-building job that Penny has started. Mid-table seems more probable.
Southampton:- It’s quiet possible that this time four weeks ago you would have been writing the Southampton Football Club obituary. Without an owner, a manager or any hope of even starting the season the talk of the clubs death would have been partially justified. However now the club have been taken over by a Swiss consortium, installed Alan Pardew as manager and now started building a squad for this season. The players were told in no uncertain terms that they could leave- so the side are without the likes of Bradley Wright-Philips and Andrew Surman, whose transfer fees alone have helped save the club up till now. A 10-point deduction won’t help matters, but in Pardew they have a credible man for the job. Promotion isn’t assured this season but a mid-table finish would keep the fans content for now.
Southend United:- Despite the small activity the club have done in the transfer market, spirits are high that Southend can push towards the top six this season. Steve Tilson last season worked masterfully with very little and finished eighth, an outstanding achievement, but as it always is-the fans are demanding more. Keeping Lee Sawyer for another year is crucial given his impact last year, but many will be bemoaning the loss of Peter Clarke. The club’s Player of the Season struck the equalizer in the FC Cup tie with Chelsea last season, but won’t be around to see the club try and emulate last season’s excellent finish.
Stockport County:- One of the worst season’s in memory took place at Boundary Park last season. Administration was the tip of iceberg, closely followed by finishing just a point above the relegation zone. Their early season exploits saw the team safe despite the late season struggle, but after selling the majority of their better player’s County could have darker times ahead. Greg Ablett has been gifted the poison chalice for this season, with most of his experience coming with Liverpool’s reserve side, hardly ideal for the pressure cooker of League One and a possible relegation struggle awaits.
Swindon Town:- Top scorer Simon Cox’s departure from the County Ground has raised a number of issues for Swindon’s survival this season, with the club just about keeping afloat due to the strikers goals. He produced 32 goals last season to keep the club up, and without him, despite the £2,000,000 win-fall, they don’t look in the best of shapes. Jonathan Douglas is a player of high class and the retention of Gordon Geer is important, given his influence at the back last season. Danny Wilson has a job on his hands this season, and with his littered success in management we might not see a whole lot of him this term.
Tranmere Rovers:- The John Barnes era has officially begun at Prenton Park, and with it comes a manager with some success in his previous jobs but at the club where players have been leaving left, right and centre. Despite some troubled periods he endured just two defeats while at Celtic, while remaining unbeaten as manager of Jamaica. Barnes likes to instil an organisational mindset in his teams, putting huge emphasis on getting the basics right. It’s a strong ethic to have, and at this level a decent one. Not sure how he’ll be able to repeat last season’s position of seventh, even with the impressive Luke Daniels between the sticks.
Walsall:- Chris Hutchings was never the best manager when money was available and big egos had to be managed. But at Walsall he has the opportunity to excel with his coaching style while money continues to be tight. The season won’t be helped by the loss of Jabo Ibehre, but Troy Deeney, a player who left his best form till after Hutchings appointment could be influential this season. Unlikely to be a season of major success, but the fans are sure to be happy with a similar mid-table finish.
Wycombe Wanderers:- You always have to worry about sides whose manner of promotion represents a tortoise crawling back to home. But in truth Peter Taylor’s boys made a right meal of their eventual promotion from League Two. They ended up losing to Notts County on the final day, only for Bury to fail to score enough goals to leapfrog them into third. That struggle and the loss of defensive rock and skipper David McCraken will add fuel to the fire that Wycombe might struggle this year, in spite of Michael Duberry being brought in as a replacement. Taylor doesn’t do long stays during his managerial career either, and in fact seeing him last the season would be a surprise. To see Wycombe stay up would be even more of one.
Yeovil Town:- Fans favourite Tony Skiverton was given the job last season after the departure of Russell Slade, after the cap-wearing manager accused the board of a distinct lack of funds being made available to him. Skivo took the side from mid-table into a relegation battle, and then to eventual safety with some late season wins after some shrewd loan signings, none more so than Jon Obika. Whether the player-manager can repeat the same sort of miracles over an entire season is hard to tell, and given that he’ll have plenty of time at the helm due to his status at the club, he has a real chance to motivate the club into another survival.
Promoted: Norwich City, Milton Keynes Dons
Play-offs: Leeds United, Millwall, Huddersfield Town, Bristol Rovers
Relegated: Carlisle United, Yeovil Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Stockport County
Top Scorer: Rickie Lambert
Being Cheeky
12 years ago
1 comment:
Norwich are an interesting one. On the basis of their squad, they should make the top 6, and it would take an almighty screwup for them not to do so. However, Gunn is a terrible appointment - and not the manager Canaries fans wanted. I can see him being ousted if they don't get off to a good start.
MK overachieved last year, and I can see them doing the same again. Ince will certainly want to prove the doubters wrong. They've made some excellent signings, too, though Easter is not one of them.
Swap Norwich with Leeds, who will win the division comfortably, and you've got my Top 6. Good to see Rovers get a mention - they're my darkhorse too. The squad has been together for a while, they've made some strong additions, and there's plenty of goals there. Another example of letting a manager get on with his job and seeing the team steadily improve.
As for relegation - can't help but agree with Yeovil and Stockport. Wycombe should be OK - they look short on creativity and goals but they'll be typically hard to beat under Taylor. I fancy Exeter to go instead of Carlisle, though. They've lost two big players and it's a case of one promotion too soon for them, like Hereford last season.
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