Last season in League Two showed how pretty much no one can be written off at the beginning of the season.
Both Brentford and Exeter City defied the odds to earn automatic promotion last season, and its left to another side to take the league by storm this year.
With the financial pitfall of being relegated to non-league even greater than ever teams will been keen to avoid the drop, while long term League Two representatives Rochdale and Darlington will be among those who can’t wait to escape the league through automatic promotion.
Accrington Stanley:- A £300,000 tax debt hangs over the club’s head, and despite been given time to pay the debt a wage re-structure means they run on one of the countries smallest playing budgets. As for the team on the pitch then things aren’t much better with the loss of Kenny Arthur to Rochdale. A good start and end to the season saved them last term, but with no point deductions to save them and a depleted squad, John Coleman’s 10th year in charge at the Crown Ground could be a difficult one.
Aldershot Town:- Gary Waddock has forever been praised at Aldershot Town but after just four wins in 2009 after their great start things haven’t been smooth as of late. The loss of Scott Davies, the side’s top scorer last season is a big blow, as is that of Nikki Bull whose injury last season coincided with the Shots decline. Defensive based signings signal to a more sturdy Aldershot side this season, but will the loss of the aforementioned stars prove to be too much of a gap in the side?
Barnet:- A young side who struggled at the back end of Paul Fairclough’s tenure, but flourished under Ian Hendon towards the end of the season, to ease their relegation fears. Albert Adomah, if the club can keep hold of him, is sure to thrive this season after a number of superb displays last year. John O’Flynn is another who stared last season, and if the rest of the squad can mature for this season they could find the top half not before long. Yet again finances aren’t flowing through the club, but Hendon, a legend at Underhill is likely to get plenty of time, and the top half is not completely out of the equation.
AFC Bournemouth:- Eddie Howe, a former Bournemouth player guided the club to safety after their 17-point deduction, something that was a truly staggering achievement. Now on a clean slate the side have a real chance of a play-off birth, but no transfer activity has yet been allowed. Sammy Igoe is a real livewire in midfield, while Jason Pearce is a real talent at the back. Given that they haven’t lost any of their influential players they’ve got a real chance at promotion, with a great young manager who knows what it means to succeed at Dean Court.
Bradford City:- After being persuaded to stay on for another year, Stuart McCall must be on a last chance saloon at Valley Parade. But given that the side were fourth at March there is some encouragement for McCall. Simon Ramsden is a decent signing from Rochdale and along with the likes of Omar Daley the side a perfectly placed to bounce back from their late season disappointment. Fans are still turning out at Valley Parade and McCall has another chance to keep them happy.
Burton Albion:- After stumbling across the line last season, many would have feared for Burton in the new season. Paul Peschisolido has been installed as manager, and he’s gone to work quickly on the squad. Richard Walker is a good acquisition from Bristol Rovers as is Russel Penn from Kidderminster in a club record fee. Guy Branston will bring some steel to the back four, but loosing Saul Deeney and particularly Jake Buxton will hit the side hard.
Bury:- Penalty heartache against Shrewsbury will only motivate Alan Knill further for the new season and with a re-enforced strike-force the club look odds-on to get it right this time. Ryan Lowe and Danny Carlton can only add to Andys Bishop and Morrell’s goals, but the former might miss the beginning of the season after hernia surgery. The side had too many draws in the league last year and the added firepower might turn a few more of those draws into three points. Promotion candidates.
Cheltenham Town:- After a summer of raising funds for the club, Martin Allen has a hopeful season ahead. Around 23 players have come in and out at Whaddon Road this summer, none higher profile than that of Barry Hayles. Another striker Justin Richards has come up a division from Kidderminster and he knows where the goal is. However plenty of the pressure will be on Allen to re-invigorate his players and help them surge up the league after last season’s relegation. Cheltenham’s success hinders on Allen’s ability to keep the players spirits on a high.
Chesterfield:- Blew a play-off spot last season, but now with John Sheridan at the helm after an early summer appointment they have a better chance of holding on to potential promotion birth. The league’s most wanted Jack Lester is pivotal to their hopes and another 20-odd goals from him this season should see the clubs succeed in at least reaching the play-offs. Ian Breckin has come in from Forest to bolster the squad as well. Top seven certainties.
Crewe Alexandra:- No wins in their final 10 games saw them drop to League Two for this season, and after a summer of balancing the books the club can look forward to a league with minor financial and relegation worries. In terms of going down the team look pretty safe, and with Mathew Mitchell-King and Patrick Ada coming in from non-league Histon the side will have some added steel for the New Year. Play-offs are out of the question, but after last season’s disappointment the fans will warm to mid-table mediocrity.
Dagenham and Redbridge:- Another side who needed to succeed to keep their most prized assets, and after missing out on a nervy final day against Shrewsbury the likes of Sam Saunders and Ben Strevens have left for pastures new. John Still hasn’t been able to replace the duo with the sort of quality he’d like, with most of his signings coming from non-league. Even with Paul Benson up-front you have to think the side will struggle, not having Matt Ritchie for another season won’t help either.
Darlington:- With a takeover due to happen any day now the club’s future at least for this season can be confirmed, but with a small amount of players on the playing staff it’s not exactly rosy at Darlington. The likes of Neil Austin and Jason Kennedy have left the club, and without them being properly replaced you have to worry for Darlo. Colin Todd is equipped to get the team on the straight and narrow and back to the form they encountered before last season point deduction. Talisman Steve Foster will be crucial to the side’s attempt to stave off relegation.
Grimsby Town:- Not that many expect a miracle from Mike Newell last season, but the club rather stuttered to survival after his appointment last term. It was seen as a pretty decent choice for the job, but after taking 15 games to gain his first win the cub never hit much of an upturn. This season things look slightly better and after a squad overhaul the team looked well set for a decent stab at the league this year. Promotion is probably a step too far, but with the saviour of last season Barry Conlon still about anything’s possible.
Hereford United:- After an awful season last year, Graham Turner has handed the reins to John Trewick to try and mastermind another successful season in League Two. After utilising the loan market for many years under Turner, Trewick has brought in some permanent signings adding to their defence in the shape of Keith Lowe and Adam Bartlett, and strengthening the attack with Leon Constantine and don’t forget Kenny Lunt-their biggest coup of the summer. Yes they’ve had to let some players go but they can be happy with the summers work, and hopefully for them a mid-table finish.
Lincoln City:- After last season’s predictions the ‘P’ word is banned from Sincil bank right now. Peter Jackson seemed confident last year, and after a disappointing season the fans are once again disappointed. Jackson is sure to be under pressure for most of the season, and if a top seven place isn’t secured then his head could role. He’ll be less confident after the departure of Danny N’Guessan to Leicester, while Rene Howe has gone the other way this time from Peterborough, in a deal that could make or break the Imps season.
Macclesfield Town:- Keith Alexander has admitted already this season that things have been tighter than ever, and this could, in the end, be the undoing for the tracksuit loving boss. For years Alexander has thrived, and succeeded on a small budget but this year with players streaming out of the door the squad looks wafer thin. Jonny Brain is about the only hope the Silkman have this season, and he’ll be keeping a goal that is sure to be barraged this season.
Morecambe:- Consistency was the name of the game for Morecambe last season, and with a few subtle additions can look forward to an exciting season. Phil Jevons has to be looked upon as a sound loan signing. Sammy McIlroy will hope Jevons can fill in for Rene Howe effectively enough to force the side into the play-off picture. The team know a good start will be crucial, something they failed at last season and before not long we might be looking at the Shrimps in League One.
Northampton Town:- After a shock relegation last season the pressure has been heaped upon Stuart Gray for automatic success this time out. The fans have started to get restless, and after Gray was kept on for this season it’s important for his job that he starts well. John Curtis has been the only big money signing so far, Dean Beckwith and Paul Rodgers will add to the defensive unit while Steve Guinan is around to find the goals especially with the fitness concerns surrounding Adebayo Akinfenwa, whose ability to complete a training session is a far cry from his success in-front of goal. Key to the Cobblers success you have to think.
Notts County:- Where do you start? After season upon season of mid-table finishes a middle-eastern takeover and the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson as Director of Football has turned the tide of ambition at Meadow Lane. Despite constant struggles the new owners are assuring fans instant success and a place in the big-time within five years. Karl Hawley, Lee Hughes, Ricky Ravenhill and Ben Davies have all signed as a signal of intent, but it might take more than just flashing some money around to get what they want. Ian McParland is still around to try and achieve this dream, expect him to be ousted by Christmas at the latest.
Port Vale:- Micky Adams seem to be on his last legs as a football manager. After failures throughout the football league, he lands at Vale Park hoping to revive a club whose fans are in manic depression after last season dismal displays. Adams has got his work cut out to change the team’s fortunes around. Geoff Horsfield has come into attempt to bring experience to the forward line as well as the back-room staff. Tommy Fraiser, another new signing, has been given the captain’s armband. A move that shows the rather disjointed feel the squad have at the moment. Will struggle to emerge from the bottom third.
Rochdale:- Two play-off heartbreaks in a row is sure to revitalize a squad into another promotion push, and with quality on view Spotland its hard to think of a reason why they won’t succeed. Their front line is quite breathtaking, with Chris Dagnall, Adam Le Fondre, Will Buckley and Adam Rundle regularly finding the net, and now with Jason Kennedy behind them to give them some support in the middle of the part. Kenny Arthur finishes off a fine team that Keith Hill has put together, surely a season success for the 40-year old.
Rotherham United:- The Millers have been splashing the cash this summer, and with a young ambitious manager at the helm you have to think they can build upon a season crippled by a point deduction. Without it the club would have finished 5th, and now with money to spend Mark Robins is building a side for promotion. The loss of Reubin Reid won’t disappoint too many Millers fans, especially with the signing of Kevin Ellison and Nicky Law, players who could spark a top three push.
Shrewsbury Town:- After scrapping into the play-offs last season after an awful away record the side failed to capitalise on their good fortune and achieve promotion, and with it went their brightest stars. Grant Holt was sold to Norwich for nearly half a million pounds, as was Ben Davies to Notts County. With the core of the side gone, Paul Simpson has a hell of the job on his hands, and with play-off hangovers always a burden it’s a difficult season ahead. Jake Robinson might make it an easier one with his electric pace.
Torquay United:- Unlike fellow promoted side Burton, the Gulls come into the season full of confidence and momentum. Headed by Paul Buckle, Torquay will be keen to repeat what their neighbours, Exeter City, did last season, and stranger things have happened. A good mix of experience with Chris Hargreaves in the middle of the park, with the likes of Elliot Benyon and Mark Ellis give the Plainmoor side a decent shot. Plenty relies on how much the 37-year-old Hargreaves can play this season, given how much the side feed off his endeavour.
Promoted: Rotherham United, Rochdale, Chesterfield
Play-offs: Bury, Bradford City, Notts County, Morecambe
Relegated: Aldershot Town, Macclesfield Town
Top Scorer: Jack Lester
Being Cheeky
12 years ago
1 comment:
I fancy Rotherham and Chesterfield to finish in the top 3 too, with the latter winning the division.
Losing Reid is a blow for Rotherham, but Pope will score goals, and Ellison and Warne will add some experience. They've kept the core of the squad from last year, and with no points deduction they should push on.
Chesterfield look strong and experienced at the back, industrious in midfield, and in Lester, Gritton and Talbot - there's plenty of goals. It's the last year at Saltergate, too, so the fans will be up for it every home game. They've got the squad, they've got the manager, and they they're my tip for the title.
I'll take Bury for the final promotion spot, though a good start is crucial for them - they can't afford a playoff hangover. They've done well to keep the squad together from last season, and they should go one better than last season.
Can't see Bradford making the playoffs myself. I have my doubts over McCall, and the squad looks short on quality. Once again, they'll flatter to decieve.
Rochdale again look well equipped for a playoff push, as do Morecambe who have recruited well over the summer. To fill the final spot, I'll go for Lincoln. I was sucked in by the Jackson hype last year, like others - but there's less hype about them this year, which could work to their advantage.
And no, I'm not going for Notts County. Aside from Davies and Hughes - they've signed no-one special, and McParland is a total clown. They'll probably be thereabouts though, by virtue of their finances if nothing else.
As for the relegation spots - Aldershot look doomed. The surprise element has gone now, and if their dreadful second half of last season is anything to go by, other teams have realised how to combat their attacking threat. The losses of Bull and Davies will hit them hard too.
Don't agree with Macc - with Big Keef at the helm they'll be competitive and tough to beat.
I'll take Accrington for the second relegation. They're a side punching well above their weight, and therefore bound to struggle. And with no other teams on minus points, it's going to be even tougher for them.
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