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| 2011/2012 League One Champions Doncaster Rovers |
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| Nahki Wells |
Team - Bradford City
Manager - Phil Parkinson
Finish Last Season - Promoted from League 2
Pre-season Activity - So far the Bantams have been able to hold onto striker Nahki Wells who bagged 22 goals in 42 league games last season, whether he will still be there come the end of the transfer window remains to be seen. Parkinson has added experienced Rochdale midfielder Jason Kennedy to the squad, he will link up with former team mate Gary Jones in the centre of midfield. Other acquisitions are Watford's Mark Yeates, Swindon's Raffaele De Vita and centre half Matt Taylor from Charlton. Parkinson has also removed some of the fringe players from last year, including Zavon Hines and Will Atkinson. Pre-season saw four wins on the bounce against, Guiseley, Athlone Town, Bohemians and Grimsby.
Key Player - Nahki Wells - Who else, Wells showed last season his natural goal scoring ability and if they hang onto him successive promotions are a possibility
My Prediction - 7th - Momentum is a huge thing in football and Bradford have it in abundance, if Wells and Hanson continue their form on a push for the play-offs is on the cards
Team - Brentford
Manager - Uwe Rosler
Finish Last Season - 3rd
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| Javi Venta |
Pre-season Activity - Uwe Rosler has again done great business in the transfer market, the stand out signing being Walsall's top scorer from last season Will Grigg. The thought of him and Donaldson in attack will scare many a League 1 defender. The Bees also managed to sign veteran Spanish full back Javi Venta from Villareal, however at the age of 37, what he has left to offer remains to be seen. Another international signing is that of Martin Fillo from Plzen in the Czech Republic. Youngster Harry Forrester turned down a contract to move to Championship new boys Doncaster Rovers. Pre-season saw the Bees beat Millwall and Cardiff City, only losing once to Celtic.
Key Player - .Richard Lee - With the ever present Simon Moore moving to Cardiff, Lee looks likely to be first choice this term. The 30 year old has Premier league experience with Watford on his CV.
My Prediction - 5th - Play-offs are a certainty for the Bees
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| JET and Wagstaff |
Team - Bristol City
Manager - Sean O'Driscoll
Finish Last Season - Relegated from the Championship
Pre-season Activity - SOD really has dismantled the majority of the squad following relegation last season with no more than 12 first teamers moving on, including Jon Stead, Brian Howard and Matthew Bates. Coming in a tricky wide men Scott Wagstaff and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, with the latter yet to produce on a consistent basis having promised so much. A win over Reading was the highlight in a mixed pre-season for The Robins.
Key Player - .Jay Emmanuel-Thomas - An enigma of a player, has all the ingredients to be a top player, just needs to focus on his football.
My Prediction - 2nd - SOD gets his teams playing great football and with smart signings, promotion is well within reach
Team - Carlisle
Manager - Greg Abbott
Finish Last Season - 17th
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| Lee Miller |
Pre-season Activity - Only one permanent signing so far for the Cumbrians, that being former Liverpool youngster David Amoo. However most Carlisle fans will say keeping centre forward Lee Miller is vital for their season. They lost 4-1 to Burnley in pre-season as well as drawing with Kilmarnock.
Key Player - Lee Miller - The Scottish forward has scored 24 goals in 60 games for Abbott's men, and will again be relied on for goals
My Prediction - 21st - A relegation battle beckons as Abbott continues to work with a very restricted budget.
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| Sanchez Watt |
Team - Colchester United
Manager - Joe Dunne
Finish Last Season - 20th
Pre-season Activity - Arsenal duo Craig Eastmond and Sanchez Watt have joined on permanent deals following loan spells with the U's last season. Watt is an interesting player who is surely better than this division but has yet to consistently perform for any of his loan clubs. On the way out is veteran centre half Matt Heath and midfielder John-Joe O'Toole. A hard fought 0-0 draw against a full strength Spurs side raised United's fans hopes for the new season.
Key Player - Sanchez Watt - Like Emmanuel-Thomas he has real ability, hence coming through at Arsenal. He needs to show more this season.
My Prediction - 23rd - Stayed up more by luck then judgement last term in a division ridden with average teams, this year its a lot more competitive and in my opinion this season looks bleak for Dunne's men.
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| Tim 'Fat Fuck' Fisher |
Team - Coventry City
Manager - Steven Pressley
Finish Last Season - 15th
Pre-season Activity - N/A
Key Player - .N/A
My Prediction - 24th - We've just gone into liquidation, I'm too numb to comment
Team - Crawley Town
Manager - Richie Barker
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| Nicky Adams |
Finish Last Season - 10th
Pre-season Activity - Former Ipswich midfielder Andy Drury is the only signing of note as Barker contemplates beginning a season with one of the smallest squads in the division. Full backs Muzzy Dumbuya and David Hunt have departed alongside midfielder Matt Sparrow
Key Player - .Nicky Adams - Scored some cracking goals last season and the former Leicester youngster finally appears to have settled down at a club.
My Prediction - 16th - Mid-table is a good as it gets for the Reds as injuries and suspensions will harm this squad more than most.
Team - Crewe
Manager - Steve Davis
Finish Last Season - 13th
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| Steve Davis |
Pre-season Activity - They lost Nick Powell this time last season and once again have lost another influential player as skipper Luke Murphy has joined Leeds. No doubt they will role another superstar off the production line this season, they have signed a player with some pedigree in Accrington's Lee Molyneux. A tight 1-0 defeat to Blackburn and a draw with Chester were part of an underwhelming pre-season for the Alex.
Key Player - Max Clayton - The youngster could be the next out the door at Crewe, with many clubs monitoring his progress. Whilst he remains at Crewe they will continue to reap the benefits.
My Prediction - 13th - More of the same for Crewe, they do play some lovely football under Davis but do not necessarily possess the squad to get into the play-offs.
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| Mad Dog |
Team - Gillingham
Manager - Martin Allen
Finish Last Season - Promoted from League 2
Pre-season Activity - Forwards Deon Burton and Adam Birchall have been replaced with Bayo Akinfenwa and Cody McDonald. Allen declared that Cody McDonald could easily get over 20 goals this season, well as a Coventry fan we were of this opinion last season and it didn't quite pan out. Young central midfielder Jack Payne has joined Peterborough. Pre-season ended with four straight defeats to Ipswich, Millwall, Palace and Woking.
Key Player - Danny Kedwell - Bagged 16 goals last season as the Gills won League 2, the powerful front man will again be the main forward this year at Preistfield.
My Prediction - 18th - Who knows what you will get with Martin Allen to be quite honest, in my opinion they will stay up but aspirations of the play-offs are perhaps a little too ambitious.
Team - Leyton Orient
Manager - Russell Slade
Finish Last Season - 7th
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| Russell Slade |
Pre-season Activity - Signings include Wolves youngster Johnny Gorman, Burnley's Marvin Bartley and Millwall's Shaun Batt. Long serving midfielder Jimmy Smith has joined Stevenage and the O's have so far managed to hang onto tricky wide man Dean Cox who impressed many last season. A 2-1 victory over the New York Cosmos was the most notable result during pre-season.
Key Player - .Kevin Lisbie - A natural goal scorer at this level and I expect him to be amongst the goals again this season.
My Prediction - 9th - Russell Slade has a tight knit group of players at Brisbane Road and they will again finish comfortably in mid table.
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| Stephen Gleeson |
Team - MK Dons
Manager - Karl Robinson
Finish Last Season - 8th
Pre-season Activity - The big signing of the summer has been Chelsea youngster Patrick Bamford on a season long loan as once again the Dons will rely on same bulk of players that have been with them for the last few seasons. Promising full back Adam Chicksen has left for Brighton. Pre-season culminated with a 4-1 win over Barnet.
Key Player - Stephen Gleeson - The central midfielder is a vital cog in the Dons machine, he is one of the best passers in League 1 .
My Prediction - 8th - The lack of depth in their squad will again hinder their play-off hopes.
Team - Notts County
Manager - Chris Kiwomya
Finish Last Season - 12th
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| Chris Kiwomya |
Pre-season Activity - A great bit of business by Kiwomya came in the form of former Ipswich and Charlton forward Danny Haynes, a player with bags of ability is hoping to flourish under his former academy coach. Sick note David Bell has joined from Coventry. Last season's star midfielder Alan Judge left the Meadow Lane to return to Blackburn. A narrow defeat to Turkish giants Galatasaray and a creditable draw with Rayo Vallecano were followed by a 3-3 draw with Ipswich in an entertaining pre-season.
Key Player - Danny Haynes - Could destroy this league if given the right service.
My Prediction - 11th - A push for the play-offs is achievable, but maybe too much to ask for in Kiwomya's first full season as gaffer.
Team - Oldham
Manager - Lee Johnson
Finish Last Season - 19th
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| Jose Baxter |
Pre-season Activity - Two experienced forwards have joined the Latics in Charlie MacDonald and Adam Rooney. Johnson has lost powerful centre half Jean-Yves M'Voto and the squad does have a very young look to it alongside the league's youngest manager. Pre-season kicked off with a 2-2 draw with Dinamo Bucharest and finished with a win over Huddersfield.
Key Player - Jose Baxter - A clever player who will surely play higher at some point in his career.
My Prediction - 15th - Mid-table mediocrity once again
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| Tommy Rowe |
Team - Peterborough United
Manager - Darren Ferguson
Finish Last Season - Relegated from the Championship
Pre-season Activity - There were mixed emotions at London Road when star striker Dwight Gayle left for Premier League new boys Crystal Palace, they did get a reported 4.5 million for former Daggers forward. Part of this fee went on record signing Britt Assombalonga from Watford. Mark Little has also agreed a new contract with The Posh.
Key Player - Tommy Rowe - The skipper is a talented wide man who has been courted by several championship clubs, will provide both goals and assists this season.
My Prediction - 3rd - Ferguson knows how to get out of this league, however I think the play-offs rather than automatic promotion, as they don't possess the fire power in attack they did last time they were in League 1.
Team - Port Vale
Manager - Micky Adams
Finish Last Season - Promoted from League 2
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| Tom Pope |
Pre-season Activity - Adams has bought well so far as he recovers from the losses of Ashley Vincent and Sam Morsy. Coming in are experienced forwards Kaid Mohamed and Gavin Tomlin, centre half Chris Robertson and the midfield duo of former Vale man Anthony Griffith and Chris Lines. They have also signed Carl Dickinson from Watford, having watched him last season for Coventry I have nothing positive to offer Vale fans. Vale scored an impressive 35 goals in pre-season with their best result being a 5-1 win over IPL side Bray Wanderers.
Key Player - Tom Pope - The anti-footballer scored goals for fun last season and Vale fans hope that he continues in the same form this season.
My Prediction - 17th - Mid-table is a certainty
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| Big Kev |
Team - Preston North End
Manager - Simon Grayson
Finish Last Season - 14th
Pre-season Activity - After disposing of Graham Westley North End fans will go into this season with a strong sense of optimism. Signings have included Bolton's Kevin Davies, talented Norwich keeper Declan Rudd, pacy wide man Chris Humphrey and Tom Clarke from Grayson's former employer Huddersfield. A few dodgy Westley signings have departed as Grayson prepares his squad for a promotion push. 4-0 defeats to Liverpool and Fleetwood were followed by a promising draw against Blackburn.
Key Player - Nicky Wroe - A classic ball playing midfielder who was wasted under Westley last term and will look to boss North End's midfield this season
My Prediction - 6th - Under Grayson the play-offs look a great bet.
Team - Rotherham United
Manager - Steve Evans
Finish Last Season - Promoted from League 2
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| Matt Tubbs and Steve Evans |
Pre-season Activity - The Millers have signed two forwards with a lot of potential in Matt Tubbs and Danny Hyllton, Tubbs could get back to his prolific best under the stewardship of Evans once again. Tricky Bury midfielder David Worrall has joined also joined. A win over Bolton was the highlight of a productive pre-season.
Key Player - Craig Morgan - A powerful centre half capped by Wales, he has been linked with a move away from the New York stadium. He is a rock in the MIllers back four
My Prediction - 10th - A club with big ambitions, a season of progress beckons under Evans.
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| The New gaffer |
Team - Sheffield United
Manager - David Weir
Finish Last Season - 5th
Pre-season Activity - Stepping into his first job in management the Scot has made some shrewd signings in the form of Wasall's Febian Brandy and Falkirk's Lyle Taylor. Another great signing is Liverpool youngster Conor Coady who should progress into Liverpool's first team at some point. Old timers Barry Robson, Richard Cresswell and Dave Kitson have left Bramall Lane. United went through pre-season undefeated.
Key Player - Jamie Murphy - Was lauded in Scotland throughout his Motherwell days, it is a big season for the left winger.
My Prediction - 4th - Play-offs are expected by all in Sheffield as they hope third times the charm in the League 1 play-offs.
Team - Shrewsbury Town
Manager - Graham Turner
Finish Last Season - 16th
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| Jon Taylor |
Pre-season Activity - A new centre back pairing looks in the offing at the new meadow as Turner has brought in former Millwall player Tamika Mkandawire and Wycombe centre half Dave Winfield. Mkandawire has also been handed the captaincy. Right back Jermaine Grandison hasn't signed a new contract as yet following a long term injury. The stand out result of pre-season for Town was a 4-2 win over Birmingham City.
Key Player - Jon Taylor - The pacy wide man is being watched by many League 1 and Championship clubs.
My Prediction - 22nd - Relegation is by no means nailed on, however in my opinion they have lost experience and have one of the weakest squads in the league.
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| Graham 'Nutter' Westley |
Team - Stevenage
Manager - Graham Westley
Finish Last Season - 18th
Pre-season Activity - Westley and Stevenage just go together, Gary Smith tried and failed to play football last term with the Boro and so Westley's brand of 'kick and rush' has returned to Broadhall Way. The stand out signing is that of Orient's Jimmy Smith. Westley has lost his influential skipper Mark Roberts who has joined Fleetwood.
Key Player - James Dunne - A talented midfielder who probably won't flourish under Westley.
My Prediction - 14th - They will bully their way to a comfortable mid table finish.
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| Ryan Harley |
Team - Swindon Town
Manager - Mark Cooper (Caretaker)
Finish Last Season - 6th
Pre-season Activity - Manager Kevin McDonald is the most notorious departure at the County Ground alongside numerous first team players from last season's play-off side. These include James Collins, Aden Flint, Alan McCormack, Gary Roberts, Joe Devera and Simon Ferry. Brighton's Ryan Harley is a quality signing at this level of football. They have also signed half of Spurs's youth team.
Key Player - Miles Storey - Is a bright youngster who following the various departures will look to establish himself in the first team.
My Prediction - 20th - A thread bare squad with no manager screams relegation battle.
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| Jason Koumas |
Team - Tranmere Rovers
Manager - Ronnie Moore
Finish Last Season - 11th
Pre-season Activity - Two veteran players in the form of Ryan Lowe and Jason Koumas have got Rovers fans excited for the new season. Left back Zoumana Bakayogo is the only player of note to leave Prenton Park, joining Leicester City. Losses to Burnley and Wrexham put a downer on an otherwise good pre-season.
Key Player - Jason Koumas - A class act at West Brom, Cardiff and Wigan and at 33 he can surely still do it in League 1
My Prediction - 12th - After falling away badly last season a challenge for the play offs is expected, however the quality of the league this year may well see them finish in mid table.
Team - Walsall
Manager - Dean Smith
Finish Last Season - 9th
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| Craig Westcarr |
Pre-season Activity - Losing their three best players from last year in Will Grigg, Febian Brandy and Jamie Paterson doesn't bode well for the 'Pride of the Midlands'. These moves take away the majority of goals and assists that propelled them to ninth last season. Chelsea winger Milan Lalkovic has joined on loan.
Key Player - Craig Westcarr - Not a prolific striker but will be relied upon for goals this term.
My Prediction - 19th - You can't lose your best three players and expect to perform in the same vain as last season, a relegation battle is on the horizon.
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| Leigh Griffiths |
Team - Wolves
Manager - Kenny Jackett
Finish Last Season - Relegated from the Championship
Pre-season Activity - Kenny Jackett has so far done well in his quest to remove the deadwood from last season's pathetic squad. He has signed versatile Bolton defender Sam Ricketts and welcomes Leigh Griffiths back from Hibs. In Griffiths and Cassidy he has two of the hottest properties in League 1.
Key Player - David Edwards - A solid hard working midfielder who should replace the outgoing Karl Henry in the engine room of the midfield
My Prediction - 1st - A manager who knows how to get a club out of league 1 and with several 'championship' players making up the first team alongside Griffiths and Cassidy, finally Wolves fans have something to shout about.
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