What's going on?
Vale and Town - watch them go!
Daniel Jennings looks ahead to the battle for Division 2
BLACKPOOL: After last season's promotion they will be looking to stay in Division 2 and get rid of the 'yo-yo club' tag. John Murphy, ex-Chester, and Brett Omerod will be hoping they can form a good partnership upfront and find the net at a higher level. Two seasons ago Seasiders fans were not at all impressed with Murphy, who has so far only proved himself in the bottom division. Omerod had a good start and finish but his year was hampered by injuries. The front two will rely on support from midfield in the form of Richie Wellens, Paul Clarkson and Phil Simpson who are all very attacking minded. Phil Barnes will again try to fill Steve Banks' shoes in goal, a troubled position since Banks left for Bolton.
BOURNEMOUTH: The south-coast club did very well last season but it is no secret year-long loan signing Jermain Defoe played a big, big part in their success. Steve Fletcher may well be the main forward once more this season and the big target man will be supported by James Hayter who likes to attack from midfield at every opportunity. Hayter is a product of Bournemouth's own youth system and one for the future. Claus Jorgensen will again pull the strings in midfield and it is more than likely that they will get another loan signing from West Ham.
BRENTFORD: They have been a typical mid-table side since their promotion from Division 3 in 1999. The highlight of last season was a trip to the Millennium Stadium for the final of the LDV Vans Trophy but in the league they never looked like pushing for the play-offs and were never threatened by relegation. They are pretty strong at the back with Alan Mahon a rock in the middle. Upfront they clearly lack firepower. Lloyd Owusu is a decent target man but he doesn't do the business in front of goal. Ex-Shrews midfielder Paul Evans is likely to be their star man once more and for the first three months he may well team up with ex-Swans player Jason Price.
BRIGHTON: The Third Division Champions will be inspired again this term by manager Mickey Adams who opted to further his career with the Seagulls, turning down a move to old club Southampton. Bobby Zamorra is obviously a key player, scoring in excess of 20 goals last season after his move from Bristol Rovers (how they must have wished they'd kept him!) Ex-Barnet man Darren Freeman is likely to play a big role and centre-back Matthew Wicks will be looking to hold the defence together after his permanent switch. With so much expectation riding on them, Division 3 champions do have a tendency to struggle in Division 2 - take Swansea for example - and I don't think Brighton will be any different.
BRISTOL CITY: Danny Wilson's side will be hoping it's a case of third time lucky after clearly under-achieving in the last two campaigns. Yet again they will be looking for a promotion push but after slumping into mid-table last season they will not start among the favourites this time around. That might take a bit of pressure off one of the division's 'sleeping giants' and there will be some pleasing aspects to build on from last season. Tony Thorpe was finding the net for fun, reminiscent of his Luton Town days; Scott Murray was brilliant on the right-flank; Brian Tinnion showed how he can control the game from the middle of the park; and Louis Carey commanded the back line well.
BURY: The Shakers started off the season in a dodgy financial situation and did very well to finish in the top half of the table. In the first few months they looked capable of pushing for the play-offs but fell away around Christmas. Manager Andy Preece has done well bringing through a crop of youngsters, taking gambles in the free-transfer market and getting rid of the club's long-ball reputation. The most promising youngster is defender Danny Swailes who is partnered by Lee Unsworth; former Crewe keeper Paddy Kenny is improving and gaining experience all the time; ex-Reds trialist Jason Jarrett is coming on a lot in midfield; and Jon Newby could prove a revelation upfront.
CAMBRIDGE: After somehow avoiding relegation for two consecutive seasons, the Us will be looking to make it three out of three. Extravagant keeper Lionel Perez had a brilliant first half to the season and Scott Marshall deputised for him well after he got injured. United's defence is one of the leakiest in the division and in recent history they have had to rely on the goals of young strikers to balance it out. Martin Butler, Trevor Benjamin and Nathan Abbey have all been and gone, so Tom Youngs will have to cope with a weight on his shoulders. The youngster was used more last season on the wing and will probably leave the club during the coming season to keep with tradition.
CARDIFF: Another 'sleeping giant', the Bluebirds under the Chairmanship of Sam Hamman are very ambitious and with a lot of money at their disposal could be the next Fulham. Jason Bowen was back to his best last season providing the ammunition for hotshot Robert Earnshaw. They are desperate to land Brighton's Bobby Zamorra - to own both of last year's Division 3 top-scorers, and if the Seagulls will let them, they have the money! Ex-Stoke midfielder Jason Kavanagh, especially at 30+, was expensive at £1m and needs to perform to the best of his abilities. Welsh defenders Andy Legg and David Hughes, a former Wrexham target, will play a big part and Cardiff will continue to flash the cash. More quality players are likely to jump on their bandwagon. Sam Hamman boasts a 100% British squad - just watch his Barmy Army go!
CHESTERFIELD: After all the traumas of last season the Spirites somehow still went up - but they are still in a bad, bad way. The Supporters Association have had to buy out the club and they are so strapped for cash that they were forced to sell their best player, Ryan Williams, to ambitious Hull. They have also lost influential goalkeeper Mike Pollitt to Division 1 Rotherham - his former club - who will be replaced by 19-year-old rookie Joel Armstrong. Both of those key men featured in last year's Nationwide League Division Three 'team of the season', as did defender Steve Blatherwick, who will play an extremely important role in the coming season. Luke Beckett, whose signing caused all the trouble, will also be indispensable to the club.
COLCHESTER: After losing Lomana Tresor Lua-Lua early on to Newcastle, Colchester finished in a very respectable position. I say this every season but I do think they will struggle. Despite the return of Scott McGleish and signing Kevin Rapley from Notts County, they certainly won't replace the genius of Lua-Lua. As ever, they will be looking to pick up a few ex-Ipswich veterans who can no longer cut it at the top. Two players who already fall into that category are Mick Stockwell and Jason Dozzell who will have to pull the strings in the middle of the park once more. Exciting left wing-back Joe Keith is one to watch!
HUDDERSFIELD: Town fans will definitely fancy their chances as their team this time will be a lot stronger than the one that took them up a few seasons back. The central defensive pairing of Chris Lucketti, ex-Bury, and Adi Moses, ex-Barnsley, will be as good as any in this division. Midfield general Chris Holland gained plenty of experience at this level with Bristol City while Clive Wijnhard has played in the Premiership for Leeds. His likely strike partner will be young Delroy Facey whose progress was very encouraging towards the end of the last campaign.
NORTHAMPTON: The partnership of Jamie Forrester and Steve Howard early last season pushed the Cobblers up among the main challengers for the four play-off spots. Howard’s departure to Luton made way for Marco Gabbiadini’s big break but after two unstoppable seasons with Darlington he didn’t look good enough in a higher division. It looks likely that Kevin Wilson will start the 2001/2 season with this pair upfront but the influence of Dave Savage - who has expressed a desire to leave Sixfields - and Steve Hodge in midfield will be far more important. This is also the season ex-Kettering keeper Adam Sollitt will look to push Keith Welch out of the side.
NOTTS COUNTY: I have always hated Notts County and every season I tip them for relegation, in hope more than anything! However, in the last year they have come on strong and have scrapped their 'pub football' style of play for a more attractive passing game. They have a very strong 26-man squad after some good deals in the transfer market. Promising young keeper Steve Mildenhall was snapped up from Swindon and manager Scott strengthened the defence with the arrival of Ian Barraclough who was released in the summer by QPR. Forwards Mark Stallard and Danny Allsopp, who both scored a lot of goals last season, will be hoping they will get more service from Darren Caskey, probably the division’s best midfielder, signed on a free from Reading.
OLDHAM: Andy Ritchie has always been a fans favourite at Boundary Park but more and more supporters feel they have underachieved during his tenure. It was only nine years ago that the Latics were competing with the cream of the crop in the old First Division. In the last three seasons they’ve finished in a mid-table position, but will aim for the play-offs this time around. A young squad is maturing with Danny Boshell (centre-midfield) and Matthew Tipton (centre-forward & Wales Under-21 international) being the two hottest prospects. Full-backs Scott McNiven and Mark Hotte, trying to fill Andy Holt’s boots, are also capable players. Mix them with the experience of keeper Gary Kelly, playmakers John Sheridan and Lee Duxbury and winger David Eyres - who will be challenged for his position by young Lee Hardy - and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t mount a sustained challenge.
PETERBOROUGH: Posh boss Barry Fry will again do his best to motivate his side to confirm their place as a Division 2 force. If I was a London Road fan I don’t think I’d be able to share his optimism or enthusiasm! Upfront they have Leon McKenzie (a highly-rated but in my opinion over-rated striker), Andy Clarke (ex-Wimbledon who could only just cut it in the bottom division) and Jason Lee (without doubt the best out of the three). I believe Fry has managed to negotiate a new contract for winger Dave Farrell, who had announced he was unsettled at the London club - and if this is true it will be a huge bonus. He can play on either wing, has too good feet and is a threat at this level.
PORT VALE: I think Port Vale will be among the division’s front-runners this season. Their form in the last third of last season was second to none and they didn’t look like taking their foot off the gas as they picked up the LDV Trophy in the process. Sagi Burton looks better and better in the middle of defence and Dave Brammer hasn’t been attracting interest from higher divisions for nothing – he is one of the best midfielders outside the Premiership both defensively and attacking-wise. Fellow midfielders Tommy Widdrington and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, scorer of many spectacular goals last year, are also capable of keeping things ticking over nicely. At the moment they only have two strikers – Naylor and Viljanen – and need to strengthen that area of the squad.
QPR: After releasing 16 players this summer, they still have 22 on their books – I bet other managers had the chance to offload that many at the end of each season! I didn’t fancy Rangers when I originally heard about this, but they do still have some very capable players. They’ve signed keeper Chris Day from Watford, and Steve Palmer (also ex-Watford) and Clarke Carlisle (ex-Blackpool) will form a sound central defensive pairing. There will be competition for places upfront and Karl Connolly’s ability to operate in a wide position could come in useful. Ex-Gillingham striker Andy Thomson has done it all before in this division and young Sammy Koejoe could make his breakthrough in the near future.
READING: It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that the Royals failed to make the grade last season. At times they completely packed the impressive Majedski but were pipped at the post by surprise package Rotherham. Losing Caskey to Notts County could prove disastrous. Martin Butler and Jamie Cureton will still produce the goods upfront and Nicky Forster, if fit, is a quality winger. Nevertheless Caskey was the mastermind behind all that was good. I think they’ve missed their chance.
STOKE: With, basically, the Icelandic international team, the Potters will again be a force to be reckoned with. It was Irishman James O’Connor who was the pivot of the team last term - his partnership with Jason Kavanagh was one of the best in the league. After Kavanagh’s departure to Cardiff, and O’Connor speaking out about wanting to leave and play at a higher level, Iceland international Brynjar Gunnarsson could be the midfield general this season. Keeper Ward made countless errors at the end of last year and needs to redeem himself with the fans – quickly! Forward Peter Thorne also needs to reproduce his pre-Christmas form as well as striking up a partnership with (yet another Iceland international!) Dadason.
SWINDON: Going down! They somehow survived the drop last season, much to many people’s amazement - mine in particular. They’re a club constantly on the down. They featured in the first ever Premier League in 1992/3 but could be playing in the basement division by 2002/3. It’s been a nightmare ten years for Robins fans and I think it’s only going to get worse. Andy King released Emad, the ‘mystery man’ who was an immediate hit with the fans, after a 28-minute trial! King then left the club himself just two days later. They also lost promising young keeper Steve Mildnehall to Notts County. Bart Griemink is one of the division’s worst number ones!
TRANMERE: Dave Watson’s men will be looking to turn in a typical FA Cup performance every week in the league this season. Like QPR and Huddersfield they’ll be looking for a quick return to Division 1. Ex-Blackpool midfield maestro Micky Mellon will be looking to take the midfield by storm and striker Stuart Barlow will also be looking to get one over on former club Wigan. He will have to compete for a place upfront with Paul Rideout, ex-Everton, and Wayne Allison – the perfect target for long-throw expert Dave Challinor. Watson is also relieved that he has convinced winger Andy Parkinson to sign an extension to his contract.
WIGAN: For the last two seasons the JJB outfit have gone more than 20 games unbeaten from the start. On both occasions rival Latics, Oldham, have proved their downfall and their seasons have never managed to recover. I think that chopping and changing managers every couple of months can’t help and Paul Jewell has stepped into a very insecure job following Steve Bruce who was at the club for just seven weeks! Losing keeper Roy Carroll to Manchester United could be a big blow although Derek Stillie is capable of turning in some good performances. Former Barnsley man Arjan De Zeeuw will control the defence, Andy Liddell the midfield, and there will again be competition for places upfront, with former Reds star Neil Roberts involved.
WREXHAM: Click here!
WYCOMBE: The Chairboys will be looking to build on last season’s unbelievable FA Cup run where they finally fell at the semi-final hurdle – just 2-1 against Liverpool! Their stubborn defence will again be crucial with keeper Martin Taylor and the trio of central-defenders, Paul McCarthy, Jason Cousins and Jamie Bates, all proving their worth in that famous run. At the beginning of the season it looked like Lawrie Sanchez’s side were going to push for the play-offs before their games in hand piled up due to their involvement in other competitions. If they are going to do well this season they will have to hope speedy striker Jermaine McSporran is fit again and hitman Sean Devine returns.
Predicted league table:
1. Huddersfield Town 2. Port Vale ----------------------- 3. Tranmere 4. Cardiff 5. Notts County 6. Stoke ----------------------- 7. Wigan 8. Wrexham 9. QPR 10. Reading 11. Bristol City 12. Oldham 13. Bournemouth 14. Wycombe 15. Brighton 16. Bury 17. Northampton 18. Brentford 19. Colchester 20. Peterborough ----------------------- 21. Cambridge 22. Chesterfield 23. Swindon Town 24. Blackpool