The Return of the Football Season Part 1 - Npower League 2 Preview

With the Olympics now over, the nation is struggling to come to terms with the fact that no more will we be enthralled by the rhythmic gymnastics or amazed by the Women's 10m air pistol..........................Yeah right, THE FOOTBALL SEASON IS BACK. Ten or so months of the most exhilarating, gripping sport the world has ever seen. To celebrate the new season I am previewing all 92 football league clubs chances for the 2012/2013 season. 

League 2 2011/2012 Champions Swindon Town

Team - AFC Wimbledon

Manager - Terry Brown 

Finish Last Season - 16th

Jack Midson

Pre-season Activity - In the transfer market the Dons have acquired three experienced players, midfielder Stacy Long from Stevenage, Warren Cummings from Bournemouth and Dutchman Pim Balkestein formerly of Ipswich and Brentford. They have also signed former Reading full-back Curtis Osano from non-league Luton Town. Departures include Sam Hatton and Ricky Wellard, two players who played vital parts in the return of the real Wimbledon to the Football league. The Crazy Gang pre-season started well with wins against Maidenhead and Bognor Regis, but finished it with a run of five games without a win including a 4-1 defeat to Preston.

Key Player - 18 goal striker Jack Midson will be the key man for the Dons this season. If he carries on with the same form as last season Wimbledon will do well to keep him at Kingsmeadow.

My Prediction - 20th - To stay up last season was a great achievement for the Wombles and I predict another season of consolidation in the football league.

Team - Accrington Stanley

Manager - Paul Cook

Finish Last Season - 14th 

Karl Sheppard

Pre-season Activity - The big signing of the summer for Stanley was Irish defender Michael Liddle from Sunderland, the 22 year old left back has been capped 5 times by the Republic of Ireland U21's. Another shrewd signing was of Reading forward Karl Sheppard on a 6 month loan. The Irishman scored 15 goals in 34 appearances for Shamrock Rovers before Reading snapped him up. Experienced midfielder Ian Craney left to join Rochdale and link up with the man who brought him to Stanley, John Coleman.His creativity in midfield could be missed. Pre-season results were mixed, a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers was a high but they were soon bought back down to earth with a thumping 4-1 loss to the mighty Coventry City. They have also made an early exit from the league cup in a 1-0 loss to Carlisle United.  

Key Player - If Karl Sheppard can recapture his form from Ireland Stanley could have a real player on their hands.

My Prediction - 22nd - There may be only a few points in it maybe even goal difference, but I expect Stanley to struggle.

Team - Aldershot Town

Manager - Dean Holdsworth 

Finish Last Season - 11th

Dean Holdsworth

Pre-season Activity - In a long list of players leaving Stevenage this summer, another is striker Craig Reid who scored nine goals in Stevenage's run to league 1 play-offs. Add to that the experienced head of no nonsense centre half Guy Branston, Dean Holdsworth is putting together a squad with a good mix of youth and experience. Pre-season ended on a low for the Shots with a 2-1 defeat to Woking, however despite eventually losing to Wolves in the league cup they took the former premier league team all the way to penalties.  

Key Player - Star striker Danny Hylton scored some important goals last season and is improving with every season. It wouldn't surprise me to see him playing at a higher level this time next year.  

My Prediction - 16th - Despite last seasons impressive showing form the Shots, I feel that there are teams with much stronger squads and so a mid to low table finish seems realistic.

Team - Barnet

Manager - Mark Robson

Finish Last Season - 22nd

Izale McLeod

Pre-season Activity - The two major signings of the summer from the Bees were the experienced duo of former Charlton centre half Jonathan Fortune and Dagenham forward Jon Nurse. However it is the players leaving Barnet that will worry their fans, especially the loss of the joint league 2 top scorer Izale McLeod, whose 18 goals single handedly kept Barnet in the football league. The highlight of Pre-season for the Bees was a 10-2 victory over non-league St. Albans. 

Key Player - With McLeod gone, the key players are the Barnet front line who will need to step up to the mark now that their top scorer has departed

My Prediction - 23rd - After narrowly avoiding relegation in recent seasons I feel this time they will not be so lucky. The failure to offer Martin Allen the job after keeping them up last season seems to me a huge mistake. 

Team - Bradford City

Manager - Phil Parkinson  

Finish Last Season - 18th

Pre-season Activity - The Bantams have signed several experienced championship and league 1 players. The stand out signings being Swindon striker Alan Connell whose 11 goals helped Swindon to promotion and former Derby and Barnsley midfielder Nathan Doyle despite league 1 clubs being interested. Four wins on the bounce at the start of pre-season raised hopes of a good season for the Yorkshire club, but this was followed by two defeats to Bury and Bradford Park Avenue which dampened the mood around Valley Parade. However in their first competitive game of the season, the league cup, they beat league 1 Notts County at Meadow Lane.

Alan Connell

Key Player - After over 400 appearances and 72 goals Gary Jones left Rochdale for Bradford at the end of last season. He brings with him immense leadership skills and the experience of captaining a side to their first promotion in 41 years. At 35 the all action midfielder could be the catalyst for a promotion push.  

My Prediction - 7th - With experience now added to the youthful squad from last season I feel a position in the play-offs is is well in reach of the former Premier League team.

Team - Bristol Rovers

Manager - Mark McGhee

Finish Last Season - 13th

David Clarkson, from City to Rovers

Pre-season Activity - The signings of Gary Kenneth from Dundee United and David Clarkson from rivals Bristol City are the highlight of an underwhelming pre-season for the Gas. The favourites for promotion last season, finished a disappointing 13th and I cant see that improving this season with the departure of their creative, pacy attackers Mustapha Carayol and Chris Zebroski to Middlesborough and Cheltenham respectively. Defeats to Frome Town, Newport County and Gloucester City suggests a hard season ahead.     

Key Player - Striker Matt Harrold scored 18 times last season and his goals will be needed again if Rovers are to do anything this season. A goal in pre-season against the mighty Coventry City highlights Harrold's ability.

My Prediction - 15th - Losing pace and replacing it with David Clarkson doesn't actually inspire confidence.

Team - Burton Albion

Manager - Gary Rowett

Finish Last Season - 17th

Zander Diamond

Pre-season Activity - The signing of former Aberdeen captain Zander Diamond could be crucial for the Brewers as they conceded the most goals in league 2 last season more than relegated Hereford and Macclesfield. Burton will be hoping the centre half will bring a bit of defensive stability. Like many league clubs, Burton already got their season underway with the first round of the Capital One Cup. An impressive performance saw them beat Sheffield United on penalties.

Key Player - As previously mentioned Zander Diamond will be vital to the team 

My Prediction - 21st - A decent cup run will be as good as it gets in my opinion.

Team - Cheltenham

Manager - Mark Yates 

Finish Last Season - 6th

Mark Yates

Pre-season Activity - The Robins came so close to promotion last season, a bit of Nick Powell magic being the difference between them and Crewe. Despite this Mark Yates has basically kept his squad together, apart from Luke Summerfield who has moved to Shrewsbury Town. Yates has also brought in the tricky Chris Zebroski and striker Shaun Harrad from Bury a prolific scorer with Burton at this level. Pre-season has been mixed, a 1-0 win over Birmingham was followed by successive 4-0 defeats to Cardiff and Burnley.

Key Player - Midfielder Marlon Pack is destined to play at a higher level and scored a beauty in the play-off semi-final against Torquay.

My Prediction - 4th - Play-offs again, however I wouldn't rule out automatic promotion.

Team - Chesterfield

Manager - John Sheridan

Finish Last Season - relegated from League 1

Danny Whitaker

Pre-season Activity - The JPT holders have so far managed to keep hold of most of their squad from league 1. They have added prolific goalscorer Marc Richards from Port Vale, centre backs Terell Forbes and Sam Hird. The Spireites lost their last two friendlies against Alfreton and Huddersfield. 

Key Player - Danny Whitaker is the creative spark in the team. Was very effective during the 2010/2011 promotion season.

My Prediction - 2nd - They still have a very strong squad that includes Marc Richards, Drew Talbot, Craig Westcarr, Jack Lester, Scott Boden and Jordan Bowery all strikers so goals shouldn't be hard to come by. 

Team - Dagenham and Redbridge

Gavin Hoyte

Manager - John Still 

Finish Last Season - 19th 

Pre-season Activity - Only one arrival so far this summer, former Arsenal defender Gavin Hoyte. This I fear does not bode well for the Daggers as ten players have left Victoria Road including strikers Gavin Tomlin and Jon Nurse. Also departing club captain Mark Arber. 

Key Player - Tricky winger Medy Elito is the creative force in the team.

My Prediction - 24th - In my opinion the Daggers have by far the weakest team in the division and it will take all of John Still's managerial experience to keep the Daggers in the football league.

Team - Exeter City

Manager - Paul Tisdale 

Finish Last Season - relegated from league 1 

Paul Tisdale

Pre-season Activity - Paul Tisdale has bought well in the transfer market, the star signing being former Blackpool and Rangers winger Alan Gow. Other signings include experienced defenders Pat Baldwin and Kevin Amankwaah. Unfortunately the club have been unable to keep strikers Daniel Nardiello and Richard Logan. A 2-2 draw with Yeovil in their last friendly shows they are shaping up well for the new season.

Key Player - Polish stopper Artur Krysiak is a highly rated goalkeeper having come through the Birmingham City academy.

My Prediction - 10th - The Grecians have done well to replace the various players who left following relegation, I expect them to challenge for the Play-offs but they may just fall short.

Team - Fleetwood Town

Manager - Micky Mellon

Finish Last Season - promoted from the Blue Square Premier

A fat bloke

Pre-season Activity - Dubbed as the Crawley of this season the champions of the Conference have spent big during the summer. The Cod Army have signed up many former Premier League and Championship players, these include Damien Johnson, Youl Mawene, David Ball, John Parkin, Steven Gillespie and Barry Nicholson. With these signings it is assumed that Fleetwood have one of the biggest wage bills in the division. The one million pound transfer of top scorer Jamie Vardy to Leicester will have helped fund the wages. Losses to Gateshead, Oldham and Blackburn haven't exactly inspired confidence, but they can take heart from a 3-3 draw with Tranmere and a battling display in a 1-0 defeat to Forest in the league cup.    

Key Player - The beast (or fat bloke) that is Jon Parkin has scored goals at a higher level and should dominate defences at this level

My Prediction - 9th - They may have been compared to Crawley, but automatic promotion may be above them. A challenge for the play-offs is best they can hope for. 

Team - Gillingham

Manager - Martin Allen

Finish Last Season - 8th

Mad Dog

Pre-season Activity - The arrival of Martin Allen as manager at Priestfield was the biggest news of the summer. Mad Dog has so far brought in experienced strikers Deon Burton and Ben Strevens as well as keeper Stuart Nelson from former club Notts County. Pre-season wins over Ebbsfleet and Dartford was followed up by a 3-0 defeat to Watford.

Key Player - Former Peterborough duo Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee performed superbly last season as Gillingham narrowly missed out on the play-offs. Their creativity will be needed again to supply a front line that includes 64 goal forward Adam Birchall who missed the entirety of last season through injury.   

My Prediction - 5th - two 8th place finishes since their relegation from League 1 has been agonising for the Gill's fans, but the motivational skills of Mad Dog will in my opinion see them over the line in their quest for the play-offs.

Team - Morecambe

Manager - Jim Bentley

Finish Last Season - 15th

Danny Carlton

Pre-season Activity - Morecambe hope that new loan signing Richard Brodie can have the same impact at the Globe arena, that he had at Fleetwood where his 9 goals helped them to promotion. Experienced striker Phil Jevons has left the club. Three 2-0 losses to Bury, Bolton and Sheffield United were then followed by a great win in the league cup against Blackpool.

Key Player - With over 200 appearances for the Shrimpers Danny Carlton goals will be needed again this season

My Prediction - 17th - Despite a cracking start last season which saw the top the table for a few weeks, Morecambe fell away to mid-table mediocrity and I would expect much of the same this season.

Team - Northampton Town

Manager - Aidy Boothroyd

Finish Last Season - Northampton Town

Clive Platt so graceful

Pre-season Activity - Despite young star Michael Jacobs leaving for Derby, gaffer Aidy Boothroyd has bought well so far this summer. The highlights being former Coventry forward Clive Platt who may find league 2 to be his level. The acquisition of Ishmel Demontagnac from Notts County is another great buy, the tricky winger should be class in this division. 

Key Player - Joint league 2 top scorer Bayo Akinfenwa will be crucial to the Cobblers success. The thought of him and Platt up front will give many defenders nightmares.

My Prediction - 6th - As a man who gave Coventry City the best start for years a few seasons back, which saw us in the play-offs at Christmas only to fall away following injuries and having no money to spend, I have a lot of respect for Boothroyd. Despite the nature of his football, like Martin Allen his man-management skills drive his teams to success.

Team - Oxford United

Manager - Chris Wilder

Finish Last Season - 9th

Pre-season Activity - Following the departure of talented midfielder Asa Hall to Shrewsbury, Chris Wilder brought in two young gifted players in Jake Forster-Caskey and Lee Cox. The best part of pre-season at the Kassam was the 1-0 win over newly promoted Premier League team West Ham.

Duberry completes the hat-trick of own goals

Key Player - Veteran Michael Duberry will again be at the heart of the Oxford defence agin this season and will hope to score a few in the right end this season.

My Prediction - 13th - Despite me positioning them in 13th I wouldn't be surprised to see them in and around the play-offs this season as is the nature of the league.

Team - Plymouth Argyle

Manager - Carl Fletcher

Finish Last Season - 21st

Captain Fantastic Darren Purse

Pre-season Activity - The loss of midfielder Simon Walton to Hartlepool was a big blow to the Pilgrims this summer, with funds low a replacement has yet to be brought in. Beaten 5-0 by Yeovil shows how far Argyle have fallen.  

Key Player - Former West Brom, Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday skipper Darren Purse will be the leader on and off the pitch as Argyle's young squad will be helped by his experience.

My Prediction - 18th - A season of stability is on the cards for a club that have floated with liquidation in recent times. 

Team - Port Vale

Manager - Micky Adams

Give them sum money

Finish Last Season - 12th

Pre-season Activity - Administration has hampered Vale's pre-season transfer activity but they have managed to bring in creative midfielders Ashley Vincent and Jennison Myrie-Williams. A eight match win streak during the summer was ended by a 1-0 defeat to the all conquering Sky Blues of Coventry. The most important signing will be if Vale can find new owners.

Key Player - Tom Pope is the man tasked with filling Marc Richards boots. 

My Prediction - 14th - Mid table is realistic as it stands now, with new owners the play-offs could be a possibility.

Team - Rochdale

Manager - John Coleman

Finish Last Season - relegated from league 1

Dele in his prime

Pre-season Activity - The signing of Dele Adebola was a real coup for the Dale, the former Birmingham, Coventry, Bristol City, Hull and Notts County forward should score goals for fun at this level. The loss of inspirational captain Gary Jones started the process of rebuilding at the club following relegation. Beating Steve Kean's Blackburn was a highlight of pre-season. Their season got under way with a cracker at Spotland, Dale going down 4-3 to Barnsley in the League Cup.

Key Player - Attacking midfielder Ashley Grimes is another player who can play at a higher level than league 2.

My Prediction - 8th - I predict a fight for the play-offs which will include over half of the teams in league 2.

Team - Rotherham

Manager - Steve Evans

Finish Last Season - 10th

Steve Evans on a good day

Pre-season Activity - Aspirations are high at Rotherham this season. They have finally moved from the awful athletics stadium to their new New York Stadium and with bullish Scotsman Steve Evans at the helm, the signings have come thick and fast. The likes of Daniel Nardiello, Kayode Odejayi, Ian Sharps, Nicky Hunt, Micheal O'Connor and Kari Arnason have all played at a higher level. Add to this the fact that during pre-season they defeated Oldham, Barnsley and Doncaster. 

Key Player - Centre half Ian Sharps has been named in the league 2 team of the season for the last three years.

My Prediction - 1st - With more money to spend in January, Steve Evans knows how to get a team promoted.

  

Team - Southend

Manager - Paul Sturrock

Finish Last Season - 4th

Freddy 'full fat' Eastwood

Pre-season Activity - The major news was the return to Roots Hall of Freddy Eastwood. Much was expected of the front man following his 53 goals in just over 100 appearances for Southend, but subsequent moves to Wolves and Coventry saw him score only 20 goals in 144 appearances for the clubs. Basically kicked out of Coventry for being fat, if he can rediscover his fitness at 28 he could still do something with his career. 

Key Player - Obviously its Freddy he can score for fun at this level.

My Prediction - 3rd - Missed out on automatic by a point last season with Freddy firing they could achieve it this term.

Team - Torquay United

Manager - Martin Ling

Rene Howe

Finish Last Season - 5th

Pre-season Activity - Not much activity at Plainmoor this summer, star midfielder Eunan O'Kane has left for Bournemouth and Billy Bodin has joined from Swindon. Pre-season form has been decent draws with Stoke and Exeter and a narrow defeat to Leeds. 

Key Player - Big man Rene Howe will be relied on again for goals this season.

My Prediction - 12th - A lack of signings may well see Torquay fall behind others. On the other hand if it ain't broke don't fix it and a play-off place wouldn't be out of the question.

Team - Wycombe Wanderers 

Manager - Gary Waddock

Finish Last Season - relegated from league 1

Stuart Beavon

Pre-season Activity - The signing of three experienced players Gary Doherty, Richard Logan and Matt Spring will help Wycombe get used to league 2 football again. Top scorer from last season Stuart Beavon is still at the club but it is more a question of when not if he leaves. Pre-season included defeats to QPR, Fulham and Brentford

Key Player - Richard Logan will be important for the Chairboys this season if Beavon leaves

My Prediction - 11th - With Stuart Beavon play-offs are likely, but without him they may just fall short.

Team - York

Manager - Gary Mills

Gary Mills

Finish Last Season - promoted from the blue square premier

Pre-season Activity - Additions include former Norwich forward Oli Johnson and Bradford midfielder Lee Bullock. Beating Sunderland 3-0 was the highlight of the pre-season for York. Add to that a 2-2 draw with Doncaster in the league cup, showing their ability. 

Key Player - Jason Walker scored 18 goals in 30 appearances as the Minstermen won the play-offs

My Prediction - 19th - Staying up is the aim and I believe they will