Deadbat
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Thought I would revisit my predictions at the start of the season!
Not so good. 2 of the top 6 but got Bristol right.
Orient went down too! Picked none of relegated sides either.
Go us not far off. Predicted 4th and it was 5th.
So basically don't listen to me in future!
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Deadbat’s Season Preview
Well here goes nothing again…….pin it and come back and laugh at the end of the season but here is my season preview / predictions for the new season.
To be fair I nailed it bang on with my prediction of 7th for United last season despite everyone panning me and got most positions not far off – cue calamitous failure this year! If we make the playoffs then I think we all know what might happen sadly!
Least I have not sat on the fence I suppose….
1) Preston
There is nothing particularly about North End. They were incredibly difficult to beat and were well organised and had a goal scorer in Joe Garner. Outside of games against Wolves and Brentford they lost 2 in 36 games as the season ended. I felt they would be the side to come out of the play offs but they were well beaten by Rotherham. They retain the squad from last year and have a manager who knows how to get out of the division. With fewest disruption (not lost key players like us) I can see them being the side out of all the contenders that pulls away.
Key Man : Joe Garner
2) Bristol City
City, like United, had a tremendous resurgence after seemingly looking doomed due to a dreadful start last season. Steve Cotterill has the experience to see them challenging. The recruitment in the summer has been quietly effective with the likes of Luke Freeman, Luke Ayling and Mark Little who know the division well. Aaron Wilbraham gives them another option alongside Jay Emmanuel Thomas and the free scoring Sam Baldock up top. They sadly look to have ore game changers up top than maybe United ad this tips the balance for me.
Key Man : Sam Baldock
3) Leyton Orient
After over achieving in many people’s eyes last season added to the play off final throwaway (twice- normal time and penalties); you would maybe expect a bit of a come down season. However, new owners and significant investment means they bring back much of the squad from last season (minus a few – Odubajo for instance) and have added to it. Experienced performers like Darius Henderson and Jobi McAnuff won’t have come cheap (wages) and they have the core of a solid side. Expect them to be up there once again as there are no Wolves or Brentfords this season.
Key Man : Darius Henderson
4) Sheffield United
At the end of last season I would have had as pegged as possible champions. We had momentum and were in storming form. I hoped we would get at least one of the loan players back and maybe keep Maguire. Sadly both Coady and Brayford will not be back and Maguire moved on. We lost 3 of the best 5 players from our great run (other two Murphy and Flynn). We have signed a lot of players but my gut instinct is we have gone for quantity rather than quality and the same issues that saw us still look second best against some of the power houses such as Brentford and Wolves, namely goals and pace, remain. I fear the defence down the centre lacks pace/mobility and we do not have that out and out goal threat despite Higdon arriving. However, we have a lot of good League One players with some who have played the league above. We have a better squad if not a better starting eleven and have players that can play multiple positions. Many teams would still be envious of the squad we have at this level and with some promising young players coming through added to some good experience then we should be up there despite aforementioned concerns. The biggest advantage we have is that we have a manager who knows what he is doing. I am confident Clough will get it right but just hope we have enough in a weaker division in my eyes, to get over the line as a 5th year at this level would be extremely disappointing to say the least.
Key Man : Jamie Murphy
5) Peterborough
Despite winning the JPT last season the owner was quite public about them failing as they meekly limped out at the playoff stage. They maybe did underachieve and with some more key players leaving, none more so than leading scorer Britt Assombalonga on the eve of the season; it could be another stretch for them to be in the top two. However with some decent players remaining and money to spend, I expect Ferguson to still keep them up around the top of the division.
Key Man : Jack Baldwin
6) Barnsley
A number of players moved on after relegation including leading scorer Chris O’Grady and keeper Luke Steele. It seemed like they were set for a season of transition but then suddenly a flurry of late buys sees renewed optimism. Sam Winnall, Keith Treacy and Carl Baker give them goals and experience and Luke Berry and Conor Hourihane are talented youngsters who have been brought in from lower down the pyramid. Danny Wilson knows the division well (12 out of the last 14 years of his management have been in the third tier). Will be there or thereabouts.
Key Man : Sam Winnall
7) Doncaster
Much of the summer centered on the on and then eventually off takeover featuring Louis Tomlinson and former chairman John Ryan. Doncaster’s final day relegation heartache along with the turmoil at board room level means a quick return again may not be as easy. They have enough experience and quality to be around the frontrunners but losing likes of Brown, Sharp, Cotterill, Duffy etc means they may have a period of rebuilding.
Key Man : Ritchie Wellens
8) Coventry
A strange season as they played their home games away from Coventry and had to deal with a 10 point deduction. Despite this the straight talking Scot Steven Pressley did a creditable job to get them up the table and at one stage playoffs were a possibility. Buoyed by goals from Leon Clarke and Callum Wilson they were scoring goals aplenty but both have moved on as has skipper Carl Baker. They have recruited wisely with some experience coming in. New skipper Reda Johnson and Shaun Miller will want to prove a point to the Sheffield clubs who released them. If it was not for the ground issue then I would have them as a genuine playoff contenders but that distinct disadvantage will affect them again.
Key Man : Josh McQuoid
9) MK Dons
A few years ago; MK Dons had a side that was always seen as among the promotion favourites. They have seen the squad change somewhat over recent years and appear to have stagnated. Maybe the overly confident Karl Robinson has lost some of his swagger and kudos. However, they also probably needed to freshen things up and have brought in young players like former Blade Kyle McFadzean and Tom Hitchcock along with on loan Will Grigg that will hope to rediscover his Walsall form before a poor spell at Brentford. They will miss the talented midfield schemer Stephen Gleeson and with so many changes they may face another season around the middle of the league.
Key Man : Will Grigg
10) Swindon
Difficult to predict where they will finish. They have some good young players and have recruited well over the last few seasons but with boardroom uncertainty and some loan players returning, it will be hard for them to replicate what they did last season. Swindon perennially have one of the best home records in the league and if they remain strong here then they will not have to worry about any struggles but lack quality and experience to make a real promotion push.
Key Man : Wes Foderingham
11) Walsall
Seemingly every year they lose key players from the previous campaign but always seem to over achieve. Maybe it has something to do with being well organised, an ability to bring further young players through and more so the abilities of manager Dean Smith. Surprised nobody has snapped Smith up who does an admirable job each year to remould a side normally stripped of its main talents. It will be similar again this season and they have lost skipper Andy Butler to the Blades. Will punch above their weight again; mainly due to the manager.
Key Man : James Baxendale
12) Bradford
City looked like following the same path of Rotherham and has a storming start last year before falling away and ended up closer to the bottom than the top. Billy Clarke could be an astute signing and they have signed the Notts County pair Gary Liddle and Alan Sheehan who will give them some new energy and you figure that Aaron McClean may start to get amongst the goals despite a less than convincing start to his Bantams career. Burly target man James Hanson is still key to City’s rather direct approach but of course they start this season without talisman Nakhi Wells. Look distinctly middle of the road with decent crowds and a good home record key for them.
Key Man : James Hanson
13) Yeovil
On the face of it a club coming down from the Championship and with an experienced manager like Gary Johnson you would expect them to be right amongst the front runners. However higher than normal expectation (nobody expected them to go up last time) coupled with some key losses means they will struggle to be a genuine promotion contender I fear. They still have some players who are proven performers at this level but I see little in the squad to suggest they can blow teams away and if they don’t perform at home then they will struggle to be a contender for a return.
Key Man : James Berrett
14) Fleetwood
After having one of the biggest budgets in League Two they face a different challenge in the division above. They do possess some experience and some talent though. Getting in Stephen Dobbie on loan from Crystal Palace could be a master stroke and is quite a coup but young striker Adam Campbell from Newcastle also could be a key man. If they start well then they could be much higher up but maybe lack depth in the squad to be a contender and may have to wait a year to aim for the higher places. Young midfielder Antoni Sarcevic is a talent and he may move onto better things eventually.
Key Man : Stephen Dobbie
15) Notts County
County survived by the skin of their teeth last season and Shaun Derry will want to ensure they start much better too avoid any relegation worries. I cannot see enough for a playoff assault as they have lost some key players such as keeper Bialkowski and left back Sheehan. In comes experience in the shape of Roy Carroll, Alan Smith, Hayden Mullins and also Gary Jones. Will look to Wolves loanee Jack Cassidy for goals. Will stay away from danger but unsure how much is left in the tank from the aforementioned experienced players to see them much higher.
Key Man : Jake Cassidy
16) Oldham
Seem to be perennially around the lower reaches but always do just enough to survive. Manager Lee Johnson has made them harder to beat and has done well with a limited budget. Having a four sided ground again hopefully will help but a limited budget and the lack of experience in the side means it may be a similar placing to previous campaigns.
Key Man : Jonson Clarke Harris
17) Port Vale
Vale had a good season last time around and whilst his spell at the Lane was a disaster manager Micky Adams did a great job. Seems to always have to deal with turmoil at board room level but Adams with limited funds and a small squad got Vale around the playoff places. Will be hard for them to repeat that but they have enough in the squad and have added experience in former Blade Michael Brown. Play a rather direct style of football but will have enough to stay away from trouble.
Key Man : Tom Pope
18) Chesterfield
After yo-yoing between divisions they will look for some stability. No nonsense manager Paul Cook will look to a relatively young but talented group to start well and carry on the momentum. Maybe they lack an out and out goal scorer but they have enough to chip in from midfield. Do not think they will have to worry about going down and Cook’s determination alone will see they are not the pushovers they were under John Sheridan when they were last at this level.
Key Man : Jay O’Shea
19) Crawley
A huge fixture backlog caused huge problems last season (18 matches in 9 weeks to end the season) and they slipped from play off contenders to relegation possible before pulling themselves clear. Quite a few players have moved on and it will be tough for John Gregory to keep them away from the lower reaches this season.
Key Man : Izale McLeod
20) Scunthorpe
Like Chesterfield another side that has seemingly moved between the lower two divisions with great regularity in recent years. Went on an incredible run under manager Russ Wilcox last season and will look to keep pushing forward. Had a wealth options in the striking department but losing Sam Winnall will hurt massively. Former United front man Lyle Taylor will look too take up the slack but has no goal scoring pedigree at all in the English league. Former Owl Miguel Llera gives them a physical presence but they do possess some quite ordinary players and it will be a struggle to stay up.
Key Man : Terry Hawkridge
21) Rochdale
Keith Hill went back to ‘Dale and got them promoted playing with real style. They lack the financial clout and squad depth to do anything but struggle and the loss of Scott Hogan to Brentford is a big blow. Seem to have incredibly loyal fans who have watched them spent most of their existence at the lowest level. It may be hard for the likeable Hill to keep them up but equally I would not be totally surprised if it was them rather than Scunthorpe who survived.
Key Man : Peter Vincenti
22) Crewe
Steve Davis faces a test to keep the Alex away from the trap door. Crewe spent the entire campaign in the bottom 6 last year and it is difficult to imagine them getting much higher this season. Will continue to bring exciting talent through the Academy but lack experience and firepower to do anything but struggle. Mathias Pogba has moved onto Italy and I am unsure where the goals will come from?
Key Man : Max Clayton
23) Gillingham
Another side that flirted with the drop but survived in the end with some comfort. The task this year is to try and stay away from the danger zone but I fear for them. The squad lacks depth and genuine quality and they rely too much on McDonald for goals. If they get off to a poor start then they could be in real trouble.
Key Man : Cody McDonald
24) Colchester
The U’s just stayed up last season but the playoff challengers of a few seasons ago seem a long way from being anywhere near the top end of the division. They have a young manager and side and have lost key man, captain Brian Wilson. Lack scoring options, genuine quality and this could be the season they face the dreaded drop I am afraid.
Key Man : Craig Eastmond
Not so good. 2 of the top 6 but got Bristol right.
Orient went down too! Picked none of relegated sides either.
Go us not far off. Predicted 4th and it was 5th.
So basically don't listen to me in future!
----
Deadbat’s Season Preview
Well here goes nothing again…….pin it and come back and laugh at the end of the season but here is my season preview / predictions for the new season.
To be fair I nailed it bang on with my prediction of 7th for United last season despite everyone panning me and got most positions not far off – cue calamitous failure this year! If we make the playoffs then I think we all know what might happen sadly!
Least I have not sat on the fence I suppose….
1) Preston
There is nothing particularly about North End. They were incredibly difficult to beat and were well organised and had a goal scorer in Joe Garner. Outside of games against Wolves and Brentford they lost 2 in 36 games as the season ended. I felt they would be the side to come out of the play offs but they were well beaten by Rotherham. They retain the squad from last year and have a manager who knows how to get out of the division. With fewest disruption (not lost key players like us) I can see them being the side out of all the contenders that pulls away.
Key Man : Joe Garner
2) Bristol City
City, like United, had a tremendous resurgence after seemingly looking doomed due to a dreadful start last season. Steve Cotterill has the experience to see them challenging. The recruitment in the summer has been quietly effective with the likes of Luke Freeman, Luke Ayling and Mark Little who know the division well. Aaron Wilbraham gives them another option alongside Jay Emmanuel Thomas and the free scoring Sam Baldock up top. They sadly look to have ore game changers up top than maybe United ad this tips the balance for me.
Key Man : Sam Baldock
3) Leyton Orient
After over achieving in many people’s eyes last season added to the play off final throwaway (twice- normal time and penalties); you would maybe expect a bit of a come down season. However, new owners and significant investment means they bring back much of the squad from last season (minus a few – Odubajo for instance) and have added to it. Experienced performers like Darius Henderson and Jobi McAnuff won’t have come cheap (wages) and they have the core of a solid side. Expect them to be up there once again as there are no Wolves or Brentfords this season.
Key Man : Darius Henderson
4) Sheffield United
At the end of last season I would have had as pegged as possible champions. We had momentum and were in storming form. I hoped we would get at least one of the loan players back and maybe keep Maguire. Sadly both Coady and Brayford will not be back and Maguire moved on. We lost 3 of the best 5 players from our great run (other two Murphy and Flynn). We have signed a lot of players but my gut instinct is we have gone for quantity rather than quality and the same issues that saw us still look second best against some of the power houses such as Brentford and Wolves, namely goals and pace, remain. I fear the defence down the centre lacks pace/mobility and we do not have that out and out goal threat despite Higdon arriving. However, we have a lot of good League One players with some who have played the league above. We have a better squad if not a better starting eleven and have players that can play multiple positions. Many teams would still be envious of the squad we have at this level and with some promising young players coming through added to some good experience then we should be up there despite aforementioned concerns. The biggest advantage we have is that we have a manager who knows what he is doing. I am confident Clough will get it right but just hope we have enough in a weaker division in my eyes, to get over the line as a 5th year at this level would be extremely disappointing to say the least.
Key Man : Jamie Murphy
5) Peterborough
Despite winning the JPT last season the owner was quite public about them failing as they meekly limped out at the playoff stage. They maybe did underachieve and with some more key players leaving, none more so than leading scorer Britt Assombalonga on the eve of the season; it could be another stretch for them to be in the top two. However with some decent players remaining and money to spend, I expect Ferguson to still keep them up around the top of the division.
Key Man : Jack Baldwin
6) Barnsley
A number of players moved on after relegation including leading scorer Chris O’Grady and keeper Luke Steele. It seemed like they were set for a season of transition but then suddenly a flurry of late buys sees renewed optimism. Sam Winnall, Keith Treacy and Carl Baker give them goals and experience and Luke Berry and Conor Hourihane are talented youngsters who have been brought in from lower down the pyramid. Danny Wilson knows the division well (12 out of the last 14 years of his management have been in the third tier). Will be there or thereabouts.
Key Man : Sam Winnall
7) Doncaster
Much of the summer centered on the on and then eventually off takeover featuring Louis Tomlinson and former chairman John Ryan. Doncaster’s final day relegation heartache along with the turmoil at board room level means a quick return again may not be as easy. They have enough experience and quality to be around the frontrunners but losing likes of Brown, Sharp, Cotterill, Duffy etc means they may have a period of rebuilding.
Key Man : Ritchie Wellens
8) Coventry
A strange season as they played their home games away from Coventry and had to deal with a 10 point deduction. Despite this the straight talking Scot Steven Pressley did a creditable job to get them up the table and at one stage playoffs were a possibility. Buoyed by goals from Leon Clarke and Callum Wilson they were scoring goals aplenty but both have moved on as has skipper Carl Baker. They have recruited wisely with some experience coming in. New skipper Reda Johnson and Shaun Miller will want to prove a point to the Sheffield clubs who released them. If it was not for the ground issue then I would have them as a genuine playoff contenders but that distinct disadvantage will affect them again.
Key Man : Josh McQuoid
9) MK Dons
A few years ago; MK Dons had a side that was always seen as among the promotion favourites. They have seen the squad change somewhat over recent years and appear to have stagnated. Maybe the overly confident Karl Robinson has lost some of his swagger and kudos. However, they also probably needed to freshen things up and have brought in young players like former Blade Kyle McFadzean and Tom Hitchcock along with on loan Will Grigg that will hope to rediscover his Walsall form before a poor spell at Brentford. They will miss the talented midfield schemer Stephen Gleeson and with so many changes they may face another season around the middle of the league.
Key Man : Will Grigg
10) Swindon
Difficult to predict where they will finish. They have some good young players and have recruited well over the last few seasons but with boardroom uncertainty and some loan players returning, it will be hard for them to replicate what they did last season. Swindon perennially have one of the best home records in the league and if they remain strong here then they will not have to worry about any struggles but lack quality and experience to make a real promotion push.
Key Man : Wes Foderingham
11) Walsall
Seemingly every year they lose key players from the previous campaign but always seem to over achieve. Maybe it has something to do with being well organised, an ability to bring further young players through and more so the abilities of manager Dean Smith. Surprised nobody has snapped Smith up who does an admirable job each year to remould a side normally stripped of its main talents. It will be similar again this season and they have lost skipper Andy Butler to the Blades. Will punch above their weight again; mainly due to the manager.
Key Man : James Baxendale
12) Bradford
City looked like following the same path of Rotherham and has a storming start last year before falling away and ended up closer to the bottom than the top. Billy Clarke could be an astute signing and they have signed the Notts County pair Gary Liddle and Alan Sheehan who will give them some new energy and you figure that Aaron McClean may start to get amongst the goals despite a less than convincing start to his Bantams career. Burly target man James Hanson is still key to City’s rather direct approach but of course they start this season without talisman Nakhi Wells. Look distinctly middle of the road with decent crowds and a good home record key for them.
Key Man : James Hanson
13) Yeovil
On the face of it a club coming down from the Championship and with an experienced manager like Gary Johnson you would expect them to be right amongst the front runners. However higher than normal expectation (nobody expected them to go up last time) coupled with some key losses means they will struggle to be a genuine promotion contender I fear. They still have some players who are proven performers at this level but I see little in the squad to suggest they can blow teams away and if they don’t perform at home then they will struggle to be a contender for a return.
Key Man : James Berrett
14) Fleetwood
After having one of the biggest budgets in League Two they face a different challenge in the division above. They do possess some experience and some talent though. Getting in Stephen Dobbie on loan from Crystal Palace could be a master stroke and is quite a coup but young striker Adam Campbell from Newcastle also could be a key man. If they start well then they could be much higher up but maybe lack depth in the squad to be a contender and may have to wait a year to aim for the higher places. Young midfielder Antoni Sarcevic is a talent and he may move onto better things eventually.
Key Man : Stephen Dobbie
15) Notts County
County survived by the skin of their teeth last season and Shaun Derry will want to ensure they start much better too avoid any relegation worries. I cannot see enough for a playoff assault as they have lost some key players such as keeper Bialkowski and left back Sheehan. In comes experience in the shape of Roy Carroll, Alan Smith, Hayden Mullins and also Gary Jones. Will look to Wolves loanee Jack Cassidy for goals. Will stay away from danger but unsure how much is left in the tank from the aforementioned experienced players to see them much higher.
Key Man : Jake Cassidy
16) Oldham
Seem to be perennially around the lower reaches but always do just enough to survive. Manager Lee Johnson has made them harder to beat and has done well with a limited budget. Having a four sided ground again hopefully will help but a limited budget and the lack of experience in the side means it may be a similar placing to previous campaigns.
Key Man : Jonson Clarke Harris
17) Port Vale
Vale had a good season last time around and whilst his spell at the Lane was a disaster manager Micky Adams did a great job. Seems to always have to deal with turmoil at board room level but Adams with limited funds and a small squad got Vale around the playoff places. Will be hard for them to repeat that but they have enough in the squad and have added experience in former Blade Michael Brown. Play a rather direct style of football but will have enough to stay away from trouble.
Key Man : Tom Pope
18) Chesterfield
After yo-yoing between divisions they will look for some stability. No nonsense manager Paul Cook will look to a relatively young but talented group to start well and carry on the momentum. Maybe they lack an out and out goal scorer but they have enough to chip in from midfield. Do not think they will have to worry about going down and Cook’s determination alone will see they are not the pushovers they were under John Sheridan when they were last at this level.
Key Man : Jay O’Shea
19) Crawley
A huge fixture backlog caused huge problems last season (18 matches in 9 weeks to end the season) and they slipped from play off contenders to relegation possible before pulling themselves clear. Quite a few players have moved on and it will be tough for John Gregory to keep them away from the lower reaches this season.
Key Man : Izale McLeod
20) Scunthorpe
Like Chesterfield another side that has seemingly moved between the lower two divisions with great regularity in recent years. Went on an incredible run under manager Russ Wilcox last season and will look to keep pushing forward. Had a wealth options in the striking department but losing Sam Winnall will hurt massively. Former United front man Lyle Taylor will look too take up the slack but has no goal scoring pedigree at all in the English league. Former Owl Miguel Llera gives them a physical presence but they do possess some quite ordinary players and it will be a struggle to stay up.
Key Man : Terry Hawkridge
21) Rochdale
Keith Hill went back to ‘Dale and got them promoted playing with real style. They lack the financial clout and squad depth to do anything but struggle and the loss of Scott Hogan to Brentford is a big blow. Seem to have incredibly loyal fans who have watched them spent most of their existence at the lowest level. It may be hard for the likeable Hill to keep them up but equally I would not be totally surprised if it was them rather than Scunthorpe who survived.
Key Man : Peter Vincenti
22) Crewe
Steve Davis faces a test to keep the Alex away from the trap door. Crewe spent the entire campaign in the bottom 6 last year and it is difficult to imagine them getting much higher this season. Will continue to bring exciting talent through the Academy but lack experience and firepower to do anything but struggle. Mathias Pogba has moved onto Italy and I am unsure where the goals will come from?
Key Man : Max Clayton
23) Gillingham
Another side that flirted with the drop but survived in the end with some comfort. The task this year is to try and stay away from the danger zone but I fear for them. The squad lacks depth and genuine quality and they rely too much on McDonald for goals. If they get off to a poor start then they could be in real trouble.
Key Man : Cody McDonald
24) Colchester
The U’s just stayed up last season but the playoff challengers of a few seasons ago seem a long way from being anywhere near the top end of the division. They have a young manager and side and have lost key man, captain Brian Wilson. Lack scoring options, genuine quality and this could be the season they face the dreaded drop I am afraid.
Key Man : Craig Eastmond
