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John_
ENG
1182 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Jun 2012 : 11:14:14
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Armed with nothing more than a can of Polish Tyskie, I apologise up front for any mistakes below as I've quite literally been writing this up without doing any background checks/homework. I've covered our 23 opponents and predicted their general finishing place next season. Not quite as in depth as I'd like and certainly not good enough for the Washbag, so here we go!
AFC BOURNEMOUTH
Hmm. Didn't this lot have a crush on Matt Ritchie at one point last season? They now have a lot of financial backing it would seem and have lofty ambitions. Sadly they have a relatively unknown manager and this could be a problem. Prediction 8th
BRENTFORD
Came close to the play-offs last season which fills me with confidence as it suggests that if teams like Brentford can come within a whisker of the Top 6 then we, ourselves, have absolutely nothing to worry about. It'll also be good to engage in conversation with a Mr Jonathan Douglas once more. Prediction: Top Half
BURY
Unlike Chesterfield, at least Bury managed to survive the season. I predict they'll struggle again and it'll be touch and go whether they can pull off the 'Great Escape'. Prediction: Bottom 6
CARLISLE UTD
Another team sniffing around the play-offs. Previously they'd been at the wrong end of the table for a few seasons so kudos to the manager and players for turning things around. We get to meet JP McGovern again but I can't see Carlisle having as good a season again this time round. Prediction: 12th-14th
COLCHESTER UTD
I really don't want to go to this ground. Colchester seem a bit Jekyll and Hyde to me. They were smashed 6-1 at home by Stevenage last season but then they can go somewhere else and pick up points the following week. I see little to suggest so far that they'll be anything bar an average League One outfit during 2012-13. Prediction Mid-table.
COVENTRY CITY
Have they got rid of their useless manager Andy Thorn? God, he was terrible. I swear they wouldn't even be in this league if they'd pulled their fingers out. Granted, they're another club with financial problems and did have to sell Jutkiewicz (remember him?) to Middlesbrough but I guess once you're in freefall there's little to stop the momentum. I see a season of consolidation. Prediction: 11th
CRAWLEY TOWN
So Sean O'Driscoll has been tasked with keeping the Crawley train on track. Shame really, as he seemed a nice enough fella. I expect the wheels to come off at some point this season - more than likely to be off the field than on it I reckon. Prediction: Administration
CREWE ALEXANDRA
Everyone's favourite little club. They looked half useful back at the CG last August before we beat them 3-0. They came from nowhere to snatch a play-off place and subsequent promotion. On a small budget, reliant on youth development they'll have nothing to fear next season. Prediction 12th
DONCASTER ROVERS
Dean Saunders just failed to keep Donny in the Championship so I'm assuming expectancy levels are calling for a swift return. It's hard to tell whether they're as good a team as they were last time they played at this level. I'd say no, but I still expect them to be knocking on the door. Prediction 6th.
HARTLEPOOL UTD
Good old Pools. Still somehow surviving at this level - which is more then we've achieved in recent seasons! Small crowds, no money but they continue to pick up results. I think they had a new manager come in last autumn who transformed a losing team into one that was hard to beat. I guess Hartlepool will be looking to hold their own again this time round. Prediction: 14th-18th.
LEYTON ORIENT
Didn't they escape the drop by the skin of their teeth? Oh Mr Cuthburt! What are you like! Apparently they now have the same sponsors as us. What a coup that was Mr Hearn. I'm assuming the big bald guy is still in charge? A slow start for the East Londoners and he'll be for the chop. Prediction: 18th
MK DONS
Always seem to be on the cusp of promotion. Undoubtedly one of the footballing pariahs but it doesn't seem to faze them. Their fan base is pathetic and I'd love to see us beat these more than any other team next season. I can see MK coming close again on the pitch. Prediction: Top 6
NOTTS COUNTY
Potential dark horses? Maybe, there's something about County that indicates to me there really trying to push on. They were more than happy to get shot of Martin Allen despite being in a reasonable position. I think their owners want the play-offs as a minimum. Prediction: Top 8
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Paul Dickov, the best named manager in Football. His Oldham team seem to be a middle-of-the-road outfit. That winger Taylor always used to cause us bother - I assume he's still there? If we are to achieve anything next season, we should be beating teams like Oldham. Prediction: Mid Table.
PORTSMOUTH
Surely Pompey have to be more concerned with sorting their off field problems out first and foremost. I'm not sure of their player budget so I'd classify them as an unknown quality. They will have great support - I'd love them to visit the CG in the first game of the season - and I'm sure they can spring a few surprises but will they have enough strength in depth? Prediction: Top Half
PRESTON NORTH END
Graham Westley may have found the right formula at Stevenage but I've been less than convinced with his performance at Preston so far. Last season was a joke for them so Westley has been quick to off-load the failures and bring in the newbies - including some of his ex-Stevenage players and of course Lee Holmes, whom we were courting. Preston evidently have a bit of cash to spend. If it all goes tits up I can see Westley on his bike in October. Prediction: 9th
S****HORPE UTD
Ever since their 'Physio' went onto bigger and better things at Southampton, S****horpe have slowly sunk back down the leagues. I still regard them as a League Two outfit punching above their weight.
Prediction: Bottom half.
SHEFFIELD UTD
Good old Danny Wilson. I love you so! Very nearly turned a very vociferous fan base on side but then you bottled it with 2 games to go. God bless you! What's worse, you surrended to Wednesday, have one of, if not 'the' highest budgets available in the League and yet you find yourselves having to do it all again. Despite the Ched Evans saga I still expect to see Sheff Utd there or thereabouts next season. Prediction: Top 3.
SHREWSBURY TOWN
The team who went unbeaten all season at home in League 2. I note they've already been busy in the transfer market - most notably picking up Oxford Utd midfielder Asa Hall whom rejected a new contract at the mighty U's. Apparently, according to the yellowsforum folk after news broke of his imminent departure, he wasn't any good anyway. If the Shrews can continue having a half decent home record whilst picking up a few results on the road, I can see them holding their own in League One this season. Prediction: 12th-16th.
STEVENAGE
They had a fantastic season. Reaching the play-offs in their first ever stint at this level was a great achievement. I think much of this is down to them having a 'good team' rather than a squad of talented individuals. However, I can see the vultures circling around Stevenage & picking up players, offering vastly superior wages, from this squad and starting to dismantle everything they've strived for. Their new manager should have enough nous about him to keep the Hertfordshire outfit in League One next season. Prediction: Mid-table.
TRANMERE ROVERS
Ronnie Moore is back at Tranmere, replacing that physio who did a reasonable enough job. This change of direction may lead to the club thinking more about play-offs than survival but with little money I can't see them making too much of an impact. Prediction 10th-14th
WALSALL
Another one of these teams I like to arrogantly put down as inferior to us (even though they're anything but). Small crowds, surrounded by bigger clubs, Walsall continue to defy the odds. Promotion to the Championship is almost a non-existant dream for them these days so I expect next season will - again - be all about finishing in 20th or above! Prediction 14th-18th
YEOVIL TOWN
Seriously! What are they still doing at this level? I think they've basically survived the last 3 years by loaning in Jon Obika from Spurs and hoping for the best. Gary Johnson took over the reigns mid-season and steered the Glovers to safety but since then they've lost a load of players - seemingly including Andy Williams. I assume their priorty is survival but even under Johnson's guidance I forsee a season of struggle. Prediction: Relegation |
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John_
ENG
1182 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2013 : 19:46:44
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#Bump#
Haha, I thought I'd look back on my League One preview from last June to see my half-arsed predictions, and I guess the most outstanding point that needs to be made is how wrong I was about Yeovil Town! I also did a disservice to both Leyton Orient and Walsall who've had wonderful seasons. Once again I apologise for my behaviour.
I did enjoy reading again what I wrote about Brentford:
Came close to the play-offs last season which fills me with confidence as it suggests that if teams like Brentford can come within a whisker of the Top 6 then we, ourselves, have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Anyone got anything planned for this Bank Holiday weekend?
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Alan
South Africa
90 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2013 : 03:20:16
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ha ha interesting read. Take heart though John, you were almost right about Sheff Utd  Now about that crystal ball you have for sale!!! |
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My 2012-13 League One Preview
