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| 2011/2012 League 1 Champions Charlton |
Team - AFC Bournemouth
Manager - Paul Groves
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| Matt Tubbs |
My Prediction - 7th - The Cherries have one of the strongest squads in the division, but the inexperience of manager Paul Groves could mean they just fall short of the play-offs.
Pre-season Activity - The Bees summer transfer activity hasn't exactly set the world alight, 27 year old left back Tony Craig has joined from Millwall. Other signings include unknown youngsters Adam Forshaw from Everton, Harlee Dean from Southampton and Stuart Dallas from Northern Ireland side Crusaders. Leaving the club is highly rated centre half Karleigh Osborne who had formed a good partnership with Leon Legge last season. Good wins over RB Leipzig and Wycombe finished off a decent pre-season.
Team - Carlisle United
Team - Brentford
Manager - Uwe Rosler
Finish Last Season - 9th
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| Myles Weston |
Key Player - Talented wide man Myles Weston is regarded as one of the best players outside of the top two divisions.
My Prediction - 9th - They will again challenge for the play-offs, but will again fall short in my opinion.
Pre-season Activity - Signings have included experienced centre half Adam Lockwood from Donny, youngster Lateef Elford-Alliyu from West Brom and Sunderland reserve keeper Trevor Carson. The pre-season has been disrupted some what, with the departure of gaffer Richie Barker to league 1 rivals Crawley. A 2-1 defeat to Ramsbottom United finished of an up and down pre-season.
Team - Bury
Manager - Peter Shirtliff (Caretaker Manager)
Finish Last Season - 14th
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| Frank Lampard |
Key Player - Skipper Steven Schumacher is often referred to as the Frank Lampard of league one by the Bury fans, a few Lampard esque performances from the Scouser would be more than welcome.
My Prediction - 23rd - The timing of Barkers move to Crawley may pave the way for a disruptive start to the season. However Bury's squad lacks the quality to stay in the division.
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| Lee Miller |
Manager - Greg Abbot
Finish Last Season - 8th
Pre-season Activity - There hasn't been much transfer movement in or out at Brunton Park. The big loss was man-mountain centre half Lubomir Michalik who rejected a new contract offer from the Cumbrians. He was replaced by veteran Mike Edwards from Notts County. Pre-season saw Carlisle win five on the bounce then lose to Middlesbrough and Morecambe.
Key Player - Scottish centre forward Lee Miller scored 14 goals last term and the same will be expected of him this season.
My Prediction - 13th - Carlisle are notorious for just finishing outside the play-offs and I predict a similar situation this season as they have failed to improve their squad.
Key Player - If the partnership of Morrison and Sears can come together like it did when they both played for Coventry, then Colchester wont score many goals. On a serious note Clinton still knows how to put the ball in the net.
Manager - Steve Davis
Pre-season Activity - The stand out signing for the Alex is that of Mathias Pogba the brother of Juventus wonder-kid Paul Pogba. A monumental loss for Crewe was the 4 million pound move of another wonder-kid Nick Powell to Manchester United. He was the heartbeat of the team last season and it was his beautiful strike at Wembley which got them into league 1. The Railwaymen set their stall out with a 5-0 win over Hartlepool in the league cup.
Pre-season Activity - Last season's experiment of bringing in players on huge wages but short contracts ultimately failed and resulted in no more than 16 first team players leaving the club, including captain Brian Stock, El Hadji Diouf and George Friend. This has resulted in Donny having a small squad, but one that still contains quality. They have so far managed to hang onto playmaker James Coppinger and left back Tommy Spurr. Additions to the squad include David Cotterill, Robbie Blake, Rob Jones and Billy Paynter.
Finish Last Season - relegated from the Championship
Pre-season Activity - The biggest turnover of players in the football league has seen 23 players leave Deepdale and 15 players arrive. Those to leave include talented youngster Adam Barton to Coventry and those to join include 35 year old Lee Trundle as well as various Stevenage players from manager Graham Westleys time there. A 1-0 win over Greek side AEK Athens ended North End's hectic pre-season. A 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town saw ten players make their debut for the Lilywhites
Pre-season Activity - The return of former 'fan's player of the year' David Mirfin from Watford is Scunny's main signing. Other signings include Mike Grella from Bury and Christian Riberio from Bristol City. A 3-2 win over Middlesbrough raised hopes for the season ahead and the fans were not disappointed with a win over Derby on penalties in the league cup. The Iron came form 4-1 down to draw 5-5 in a crazy game.
Pre-season Activity - After last seasons agonising loss on penalties to Huddersfield in the Play-off final, Danny Wilson has been able to maintain the basis of his squad who amalgamated 90 points last season yet still didn't go up. The only unwanted departure was that of talented full back Matt Lowton who moved to Aston Villa. United have signed forwards Nick Blackman and Shaun Miller, they have also signed free-kick specialist Tony McMahon from Middlesbrough. Another impressive signing is that of Manchester United youngster John Cofie on loan. United were undefeated throughout pre-season, however they lost on penalties to Burton in the league cup.
Pre-season Activity - The loss of big players from last season has dampened spirits at the New Meadow this summer. Top scorer from last season James Collins joined Swindon, Nicky Wroe and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff have joined Preston. Former Cardiff winger Paul Parry has joined Town as has Leicester keeper Chris Weale. There season didn't get off to the best of starts with a 4-0 loss to Leeds in the league cup.
Pre-season Activity - Di Canio's charm combined with Chairman Jeremy Wray's ability to spend big on wages has seen the Robins bring in a number of top players. The most high profile of these signings was that of Huddersfield duo Gary Roberts and Tommy Miller. Other acquisitions include Alan Navarro from Brighton, Jay McEveley from Barnsley and James Collins from Shrewsbury. A 3-0 win over Brighton in the first round of the league cup shows the ability of the team Di Canio has put together.
Team - Colchester United
Manager - John Ward
Finish Last Season - 10th
Pre-season Activity - The U's have brought in experienced striker Clinton Morrison, who despite being 33 still has the ability to score for fun at this level. Another signing is former West Ham kid wonder Freddie Sears who has failed to live up to his billing since scoring on his debut for the Hammers. Through the exit door has gone experienced forwards Kayode Odejayi and Steven Gillespie. A mixed pre-season was followed up by a 3-0 defeat to Yeovil in the league cup.
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| Bean, Sears and Clinton |
My Prediction - 10th - A challenge for the play-offs beckons again put quality across the squad is missing, this isn't the Colchester of a few years ago with the likes of Iwelumo, Cureton and Halford in their ranks.
Pre-season Activity - An 8-0 win over Hinckley was the high point and a 4-1 defeat to Wrexham the low point. Winning the last three games of Pre-season smoothed over the Wrexham result. On the transfer front its all change for the City, the deadwood of last season has moved on, for example Freddy Eastwood and Sammy Clingan. The star signing is Scotsman John Fleck from Rangers, the signing inspired Cov fans to believe again, at least until we lose to Yeovil on the opening day.
Team - The Mighty Sky Blues
Manager - Andy 'eighty seven Bellies' Thorn
Finish Last Season - relegated from the Championship
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| John Fleck |
Key Player - Now that he has got a pre-season under his belt, striker Cody McDonald has the attributes to shoot the Sky Blues to promotion.
My Prediction - 1st - Maybe I'm biased, but I don't care the club have made good signings and unlike previous seasons the quality of the teams in league one is at a lower level.
Pre-season Activity - The main transfer news for the Red Devils, is the permanent signing of Brentford forward Gary Alexander. The 32 year old will be expected to fill the boots of Tyrone Barnett who has now joined Peterborough for an undisclosed fee. Wins over Peterborough and Millwall were the highlight of pre-season, they then completed an unlikely double over the lions beating them on penalties in the league cup.
Team - Crawley Town
Manager - Richie Barker
Finish Last Season - promoted from league 2
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| New Gaffer Barker |
Key Player - Former Blackpool forward Billy Clarke will both create and sore goals this season for Barker's men.
My Prediction - 14th - They've had back to back promotions in the last two seasons, a third on the bounce would be quite exceptional. Maybe under Steve Evans, but his departure to Rotherham casts doubt over how much money the club have to spend.
Team - Crewe Alexandra
Finish Last Season - promoted from league 2
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| Nick Powell |
Key Player - AJ Leitch-Smith is another academy starlet who shone throughout last season.
My Prediction - 15th - Like Crawley I believe Crewe will be happy with mid-table and a chance for stability. My only worry is similar performances from youngsters AJ Leitch-Smith, Byron Moore, Ashley Westwood and Max Clayton could see bids from Premier League and Championship in the January transfer window.
Team - Doncaster Rovers
Manager - Dean Saunders
Finish Last Season - relegated from the championship
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| Robbie Blake and Dean Saunders |
Key Player - If they can hang onto him, James Coppinger is a talented midfielder who will contribute goals and assists to the team.
My Prediction - 6th - With Dean Saunders at the helm and players that actually want to play for the shirt unlike Habib Beye and Freddy Piquionne a play-off position is more than achievable.
Team - Hartlepool
Pre-season Activity - The signing of veteran target man Steve Howard was the best of three signings for the Monkey Hangers, the others being Plymouth's Simon Walton and Middlesbrough's Jon Franks. Pre-season saw a win against Sunderland and a 5-1 defeat to Newcastle. Fans will be worried however as the Pool lost 5-0 to Crewe in the league cup
Pre-season Activity - Just avoiding relegation last season has seen many players coming in and going out at Brisbane road. Signings include Nathan Clarke from Huddersfield and Michael Symes from Bournemouth. Former Fulham and Derby centre back Dean Leacock has joined Notts County. Pre-season saw Orient lose four times to non-league opposition, but fans will take heart from a win on penalties over London rivals Charlton in the league cup.
Manager - Neale Cooper
Finish Last Season - 13th
Key Player - Former Man City youngster James Poole scored some terrific goals last season and is highly rated up at Victoria Park
My Prediction - 17th - Mid-table mediocrity is on the cards again for Stelling's men. |
| Stelling's Monkey Hangers |
Team - Leyton Orient
Manager - Russell Slade
Finish Last Season - 20th
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| Kevin Lisbie |
Key Player - Former Charlton hotshot Kevin Lisbie will again be Orients main source for goals
My Prediction - 19th - A relegation battle looms again for Orient but with players like Lisbie they should survive.
Pre-season Activity - The major signing of the summer has been that of former Manchester United forward Alan Smith, devastated by injuries in recent years the former England international still has the ability to be a game changer at this level. Other signings include Ryan Lowe, Antony Kay and Jon Otsemobor. MK have shown their ambition by holding on to talented midfield duo Darren Potter and Stephen Gleeson. A draw with Premier League Norwich was the best result of pre-season for MK, progression to the next round of the league cup was confirmed with a win over Cheltenham.
Team - MK Dons
Manager - Karl Robinson
Finish Last Season - 5th
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| Alan Smith |
Key Player - Skipper Dean Lewington is the record appearance holder for MK.
My Prediction - 5th - Karl Robinson has maintained the squad from last season and with additions such as Ryan Lowe, one of the best young managers in England will again take his team into the play-offs.
Pre-season Activity - Keith Curle has brought in a number of players with experience of league 1, Enoch Showumni, Dean Leacock, Gary Liddle and François Zoko. Curle has shipped out the deadwood from last season, this includes Jon Harley, Karl Hawley and Liam Chilvers. Midfielder Alan Judge or the 'Irish Messi' as the County fans have dubbed him has yet to commit his future to the club. They were 'giantkilled' in first round of the league cup by Bradford City.
Team - Notts County
Manager - Keith Curle
Finish Last Season - 7th
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| The Irish Messi |
Key Player - The Irish Messi makes County tick whether he stays or not could be pivotal for their season.
My Prediction - 8th - A challenge for the play-offs is guaranteed.
Pre-season Activity - The departures of Kieran Lee to Sheffield Wednesday and winger Chris Taylor to Millwall have already been replaced by Cliff Byrne and Lee Croft who looked in good form on his debut against Wednesday in the league cup. Possibly the best result of pre-season for any club was the 1-0 win over Manchester City. However despite leading 2-0, the Latics eventually lost 4-2 to Wednesday.
Team - Oldham Athletic
Manager - Paul Dickov
Finish Last Season - 16th
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| Simmo smashes one in against the Scousers |
Key Player - Former Coventry striker Robbie Simpson has finally settled at a club.
My Prediction - 11th - I predict an improvement on last season, but they lack the fire power up front to make the play-offs.
Team - Portsmouth
Manager - Michael Appleton
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| Pompey's greatest ever player? |
Pre-season Activity - With the financial situation at the club ruling out any signings for Pompey, Michael Appleton has only been able to take on trialists who include Izale McLeod and Brian Howard. Every first team player from last season has left the club as they prepare to start the season with their development squad, who went down 3-0 at Plymouth in the first round of the league cup
Key Player - Any player they can get
My Prediction - 24th - With their future looking unsure I cannot predict anything but relegation.
Team - Preston North End
Manager - Graham Westley
Finish Last Season - 15th
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| Mr. Motivator |
Key Player - Captain John Mousinho has been promoted with both Wycombe and Stevenage before and his experience could be vital.
My Prediction - 3rd - Westley's intense training regime will result in Preston being one of the fittest teams in the country, they will be hard to beat and despite his footballing style a promotion push is inevitable.
Team - Scunthorpe United
Manager - Alan Knill
Finish Last Season - 18th
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| The return of Mirfin |
Key Player - Former Spurs youngster Andy Barcham is a tricky creative winger with an eye for goal.
My Prediction - 12th - Like Colchester they are a long way off from the days of Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh and Gary Hooper and mid-table appears the realistic aim.
Team - Sheffield United
Manager - Danny Wilson
Finish Last Season - 3rd
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| Stephen Quinn |
Key Player - Stephen Quinn is a player who should be playing at a higher level. He has an impeccable left foot and is deadly from set pieces
My Prediction - 2nd - After last seasons heart ache, the United players will be more determined than ever to get promoted. Whether it be 1st or 2nd they will go up.
Team - Shrewsbury Town
Manager - Graham Turner
Finish Last Season - promoted from league 2
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| Marvin Morgan |
Key Player - Striker Marvin Morgan will be expected to score the goals now that Collins has left.
My Prediction - 22nd - It could be close, but I fear an automatic return to league 2 for the Shrews.
Pre-season Activity - Stevenage has been one of the biggest success stories of English football in recent years, back to back promotions from the conference to league one under Graham Westley was quite remarkable. They were on course for another promotion until Westley left half way through last season and despite making the play-offs they never looked likely to beat Sheffield United in the semis. This summer has been demoralising for the club with the majority of their first team players moving out, this includes Craig Reid, John Mousinho, Michael Bostwick, Joel Byrom, Scott Laird, Chris Beardsley and Lawrie Wilson. Gary Smith has brought in a few decent replacements, the stand out being midfielder Felipe Morais from Oldham.
Team - Stevenage
Manager - Gary Smith
Finish Last Season - 6th
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| Captain fantastic |
Key Player - One of the few 'Old Guard' not to move on was skipper Mark Roberts and his leadership will be massive again this season.
My Prediction - 21st - Without Westley and numerous players, I predict a relegation battle for the Boro.
Team - Swindon Town
Manager - Paulo Di Canio
Finish Last Season - promoted from league 2
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| Paolo Di Canio |
Key Player - Former Portsmouth winger Matt Richie ripped up league 2 last season and I'd expect more goals, assists and skill from the 22 year old.
My Prediction - 4th - They are odds on for a place in the play-offs and don't rule out a top two finish.
Pre-season Activity - Ronnie Moore's men have lost some key players from last seasons campaign, forward Enoch Showumni, youngster Joss Labadie and captain John Welsh have all moved on. Too replace big man Showumni was an even bigger man in Ben Burgess, however only a few weeks after joining Burgess announced his retirement. After a mixed pre-season which included a 3-3 draw with football league new boys Fleetwood, rovers beat Chesterfield 2-1 in the league cup first round
Pre-season Activity - Experienced strikers Reuben Reid and James Hayter have joined a much changed Yeovil squad, with Andy Williams gone they will be the goal getters. An interesting signing is that of Ashley Young's brother Lewis on a free from Northampton. Last seasons centre back pairing of Bondz N'Gala and Paul Huntington have also left. The Glovers were undefeated during pre-season.
Team - Tranmere Rovers
Manager - Ronnie Moore
Finish Last Season - 12th
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| Ronnie Moore |
Key Player - Talented Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Liam Palmer has moved to Prenton Park on loan.
My Prediction - 16th - Mid table mediocrity again for Rovers
Pre-season Activity - The Saddlers have lost numerous players this summer, the major loss being creative midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma to Middlesbrough. Incomings include Stoke youngster Florent Cuvelier for a second spell and former Manchester United youth player Febian Brandy. A defeat to neighbours West Brom in a friendly was followed up by a 1-0 win over Brentford in the league cup
Team - Walsall
Manager - Dean Smith
Finish Last Season - 19th
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| Will Grigg |
Key Player - Striker Will Grigg is where the goals should come from.
My Prediction - 20th - Good enough to stay up, but could easily be dragged right into a relegation battle.
Team - Yeovil Town
Manager - Gary Johnson
Finish Last Season - 17th
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| Gary Johnson |
Key Player - Lewis Young could surprise a few teams this season.
My Prediction - 18th - Town have one of the smallest squads in the division with 18 players, but have enough quality in it to stay and push for mid-table.
1st
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Coventry City
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2nd
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Sheffield United
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3rd
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Preston North End
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4th
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Swindon Town
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5th
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MK Dons
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6th
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Doncaster Rovers
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7th
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Bournemouth
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8th
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Notts County
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9th
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Brentford
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10th
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Colchester United
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11th
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Oldham Athletic
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12th
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Scunthorpe United
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13th
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Carlisle United
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14th
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Crawley Town
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15th
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Crewe
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16th
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Tranmere Rovers
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17th
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Hartlepool
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18th
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Yeovil Town
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19th
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Leyton Orient
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20th
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Walsall
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21st
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Stevenage
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22nd
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Shrewsbury Town
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23rd
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Bury
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24th
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Portsmouth
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