League 1 Promotion Report

Every season there is a story in the football league that grabs my attention. Last year and relegation battle between Bournemouth, Gillingham and Cheltenham Town which came down to the final day grabbed the attention of everyone in League 1.

This season my attention has been grabbed in mid Novemeber. The venue League 1 again. The subject the eight way promotion chase. The current top eight, look head and shoulders above the rest and already look like they are pulling away.

After a disappointing play-off final performance Leeds United have started the process of returning to the Championship. For me their start hasn't been the best with their defense looking dodgy at the best of times. However with the likes of Luciano Beccio and Jonny Howson up front they are free-scoring and even more potent than last season.

However it's not necessarily their defense that they should worry about, it's the rest of the teams in league 1 they need to concentrate on.

There are around eight teams that could easily win League 1 this season, something that Leeds certainly didn't bargain on.

Leaders Scunthorpe United haven't surprised anyone and with Gary Hooper, who was on loan at Hereford last season up front they always have a chance. Well organized and intent on making up for last season's debacle they look odds on to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Leicester City obviously aren't going to allow themselevs to endure another season in League 1, however there inconsistent form, especially away from home holding them back. Dropping points at Brighton, and yesterday at Swindon Town are moments that the Foxes won't want to repeat in a hurry.

Millwall have put together a series of results to propel them towards the play-off picture, including a win over Leeds. Kenny Jacket has done a brilliant job so far this season, and a promotion success will top things off perfectly.

Promoted duo Milton Keynes Dons and Peterborough United have taken the league by storm, and to everyone's surprise find themselves in the play-offs and competing with every side in the league.

Dons, had a difficult summer after their promotion from league 2. They lost captain Keith Andrews, winger Lloyd Dyer and most importantly manager Paul Ince. But they have become resurgent under Roberto Di Matteo and own the best away form in the league as they find themselves in the dizzy heights of forth.

High scoring Peterborough haven't surprised me with their form, with Aaron McLean and Craig Mackail-Smith up front they will always score goals and as they have shown already can beat any side in the division, don't expect them to be shifting position anytime before May.

These six are joined by Oldham Athletic and Southend United who have both made themselves very difficult to beat with just two defeats between them at home all season.

On loan Lee Sawyer has been hugely influential this season, and if Southend can keep hold of him from Chelsea for a further three months they could start reaping the rewards very quickly.

It's simple for Oldham, they have got Lee Hughes fit and scoring goals. I knew once he was on form, Oldham's would pick up as well it seemed like a simple transition and it's worked well for the Latics.

At the start of the season I backed Leeds to storm the league along with Carlisle United with Peterborough winning the play-offs. It's been far more open than I first thought, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Dons and Millwall have surprised me and they don't look like dropping off anytime soon.

So there we have it the eight teams who are taking control of League 1 this season, lets hope that in April we're graced by as many in the always heated promotion chase.