The season ahead for League 2 looks to be extremely exciting and realistically, there could be as many as thirteen teams who believe they can push for promotion.
It has been one of the busiest and most heavily speculated transfer windows experienced at this level for quite some time, with most teams making some excellent additions. Gillingham added the talented duo from Peterborough, Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee, who helped The Posh on two promotions. Big-spending Crawley Town have added to an already strong squad of players with the likes of Scott Davies from Reading and Wes Thomas from Cheltenham. Bristol Rovers strengthened heavily, as well as Southend United who made three big signings in Neil Harris, Liam Dickinson and Jemal Johnson.
We could talk about the signings made this summer for quite some time, but just looking at those players being touted there, it is clear to see the strength and depth the league has this year. If last season is anything to go by, we should know not to rule out lower teams, after seeing Stevenage jumping a tier and Accrington’s end-of-season charge into the playoffs – there is hope for everyone!
Aside from transfers to look out for, we will have the managerial debut of a Premiership legend to look out for, in Paulo Di Canio at Swindon Town, who is sure to add some Italian flair to the division.
Onto the main course then, who do I think can dream about League one and who should fear dropping out of the 72? For me, it is very difficult to look past Crawley Town as the eventual champions, due to their obvious spending powers and the fact they may well spend further in January to ensure promotion. After this, I believe there is a great competition and for me there are potentially six sides who could fill the other two automatic promotion spots; Swindon, Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury, Gillingham, Rotherham and Port Vale. Shrewsbury went close last season, Port Vale would have been right up there if not for an awful run of form towards the latter of the season and Gillingham and Rotherham have strengthened well. Bristol Rovers will look to bounce straight back up after making good signings such as Zebroski and Swindon will be hoping Di Canio can get the team firing instantly.
The next batch of teams I would clump together are the ‘playoff pushers’ so to speak. For me these are Oxford United, Plymouth, Southend United, Torquay, Dagenham & Redbridge and Accrington Stanley. Oxford and Southend have signed well in the right areas and Torquay started well last season but had a bad middle which cost them dearly. Plymouth and The Daggers cannot be counted out after their relegation from League One but will need to stabilise quickly. Accrington out-performed themselves last season and will need to work hard to produce a repeat but it will be a difficult place to go, that’s for sure.
In terms of relegation candidates, I believe there are five clubs with a fair chance of dropping out; Hereford, Barnet, Burton, Morecambe and Macclesfield I believe will struggle to compete with the other sides in the division and will do well to stay up.
This leaves Northampton Town, Bradford City, Aldershot, Crewe Alexandra, Cheltenham and AFC Wimbledon. I feel that these clubs have the stability to finish in respectable mid-table positions but struggle to see them pushing the stronger sides in the league. However, I am extremely pleased to see AFC Wimbledon back in the Football League, having worked their way back up from the bottom, congratulations!
There will be bound to be many of you who disagree with me, but only time will tell. The transfer window certainly isn’t over yet, but I don’t expect to see too many more deals in this division.
@Rich__Norton
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