Expectations for the season

[Frigby Daser]

Not the Top Twenty (referred to in that tweet) is a really good podcast. Their review of League 2 is almost as good as the LS review! Their prediction seems to be based on Wellens being a very good manager who, based on results during his tenure last year, had us as the 5th best side in the league. Since then, we’ve undoubtedly improved the squad. Add a striker, and we have to be up there.

I don’t see the fuss about Mansfield under Dempster. I do see the fuss about Plymouth and Bradford.

[RobertT]

5th, interesting, so he did "OK"?

[Costanza]

Not the Top Twenty (referred to in that tweet) is a really good podcast. Their review of League 2 is almost as good as the LS review!

Haha. My version was ...... well we're not giving up our day jobs. Although there were plenty of similar predictions with NTT20.

[Bob's Orange]

NTT20 podcast is good if you can ignore the fact one of the presenters is an Oxford fan.

[Reg Smeeton]

5th, interesting, so he did "OK"?

That is an interesting stat... and a closer look at it confirms OK, insofar as there are a further 7 teams around the 43 mark... that Wellens got in his tenure. So

Franchise 42, Tranny 43, Exeter 40, Stevenage 42, Carlisle 42, Crewe 43, Numb 42.

 So good steady stuff, but when playing catch up sadly you need more for a promo push, and why you end up 13th.

In terms of that weight of points being an indicator for this year, then presumably a case could be made for Stevenage, Carlisle, Crewe or Numb.

[RobertT]

Carlisle seem the least likely given their policy on contract lengths appears to have lost them some of their better players.  Exeter seem steady, nothing materially to suggest they'd decline, especially as they were steady over the past couple of seasons.  Cheltenham are the surprise one I guess - can they sustain that?  I never have any idea if Crew are on the up or the down again.

[Reg Smeeton]

Carlisle seem the least likely given their policy on contract lengths appears to have lost them some of their better players.  Exeter seem steady, nothing materially to suggest they'd decline, especially as they were steady over the past couple of seasons.  Cheltenham are the surprise one I guess - can they sustain that?  I never have any idea if Crew are on the up or the down again.

Carlisle seem ready for the basket case every season, but then do quite well and have players who we'd like to sign, or ex loanees no idea what their secret is.  Exeter have the template of a Trust run club developing young players, which seems to suit them... Crewe have struggled in recent years, maybe they've a good crop again so possible good season.

As regards Numb.... Duff is one to watch, and not just because I failed to get him in a quiz. Which Norn Iron international, a manager, played in all 4 Divs, as well as non league? I went Dowie 

There could be a bit of Howe about him.... also given they've taken Ince, who many on here reckon the best thing since sliced bread, it could be their first chance to finish above us in the same league.

Most annoyingly Numb picked up Duff, playing for Carterton, once our sort of territory....

I don't think there'll be too much between a good chunk of sides in Div 4 this season....

[The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey]

Bit of an interesting stat.

We have the 3rd largest squad ‘churn’ in the division - retaining only 38% of last season’s squad - and that could go lower.

Strangely, contrary to popular belief, Salford have retained 83% of last season’s squad - whether that’s because of their contracts or choice, I don’t know.

[Peter Venkman]

Bit of an interesting stat.

We have the 3rd largest squad ‘churn’ in the division - retaining only 38% of last season’s squad - and that could go lower.

Strangely, contrary to popular belief, Salford have retained 83% of last season’s squad - whether that’s because of their contracts or choice, I don’t know.

If every player lined to them actually signed then they would have had a 200% turn over of playing staff!

Here is a list of transfers of each club up to 28th July.

Bradford City
Ben Richards-Everton [Accrington - Free]
Tyler French [Sudbury - Free]
Sam Hornby [Port Vale - Free]
Zeli Ismail [Walsall - Free]
Adam Henley [Real Salt Lake - Free]
Clayton Donaldson [Bolton - Free]
Paudie O'Connor [Leeds - Free]
James Vaughan [Wigan - Free]
Matt Palmer [Rotherham - Loan]
9 new signings so far
3 players out
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cambridge United
Luke Hannant [Port Vale - Free]
Harvey Knibbs [Aston Villa - Free]
Kyle Knoyle [Swindon - Free]
Callum Burton [Unattached]
Dan Jones [Notts County -Free]
5 new signings so far
3 players out
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carlisle United
Jack Iredale [Greenock Morton - Free]
Christie Elliott [Partick Thistle - Free]
Jon Mellish [Gateshead - Free]
Harry McKirdy [Aston Villa - Free]
Jack Bridge [Northampton - Free]
Byron Webster [Scunthorpe - Free]
Nathaniel Knight-Percival [Bradford - Free]
Nathan Thomas [Sheffield United -Loan]
8 new signings so far
6 players out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheltenham Town
Charlie Raglan [Oxford - Free]
Tahvon Campbell [Forest Green - Free]
Reuben Reid [Forest Green - Free]
Rohan Ince [Unattached]
Dan Bowry [Charlton - Free]
5 new signings so far
2 players out
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colchester United
Danny Collinge [Unattached]
Luke Gambin [Luton - Free]
Omar Sowunmi [Yeovil - Free]
Michael Fernandes [Farnborough - Free]
Matthew Weaire [Brighton - Free]
Paris Cowan-Hall [Wycombe - Free]
Jevani Brown [Cambridge - Free]
Dean Gerken [Ipswich - Free]
8 new signings so far
6 players out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crawley Town
Ashley Nadesan [Fleetwood - Free]
Mason Bloomfield [Norwich - Loan]
Nathan Ferguson [Dulwich Hamlet - Free]
Beryly Lubala [Birmingham - Free]
Michael Luyambula [Birmingham - Loan]
Jack Powell [Maidstone - Free]
Jordan Tunnicliffe [AFC Fylde - Free]
7 new signings so far
0 players out
----------------------------------------------------------
Crewe Alexandria
Olly Lancashire [Swindon - Free]
Daniel Powell [Northampton - Free]
2 new signings so far
3 players out
---------------------------------------------------------------
Exeter City
Nigel Atangana [Cheltenham - Free]
Tom Parkes [Carlise - Free]
Lewis Ward [Reading - Free]
Alex Fisher [Yeovil - Free]
Gary Warren [Yeovil - Free]
Jonny Maxted [Accrington - Free]
Nicky Ajose [Charlton - Free]
Robbie Cundy [Bristol City - Loan]
Noah Smerdon [Gloucester - Free]
9 new signings so far
2 players out
-----------------------------------------------------
Forest Green Rovers
Matt Mills [Pune City - Free]
Aaron Collins [Morecambe - Free]
Ebou Adams [Ebbsfleet - Undisclosed]
Adam Smith [Bristol Rovers - Free]
James Morton [Bristol City - Loan]
Kevin Dawson [Unattached]
Liam Kitching [Leeds - Undisclosed]
Dom Bernard [Birmingham - Free]
8 new signings so far
5 players out
---------------------------------------------------
Grimsby Town
Matt Green [Salford - Free]
James Hanson [AFC Wimbledon - Free]
Moses Ugbu [Al-Ain - Free]
Elliott Hewitt [Notts County - Free]
Liam Gibson [Newcastle - Loan]
5 new signings so far
1 player out
------------------------------------------------
Leyton Orient
Josh Wright [Bradford - Free]
Conor Wilkinson [Dagenham - Undisclosed]
2 new signings so far
2 players out
---------------------------------------------------------
Macclesfield Town
Jak McCourt [Swindon - Free]
Joe Ironside [Kidderminster - Free]
Emmanuel Osadebe [Cambridge - Free]
Jacob Blyth [Barrow - Free]
Theo Vassell [Port Vale - Free]
Fraser Horsfall [Kidderminster -Free]
Eddie Clarke [Fleetwood - Loan]
Owen Evans [Wigan -Loan]
8 new signings so far
5 players out
------------------------------------------------------
Mansfield Town
Andy Cook [Walsall - Undisclosed]
Aidan Stone [Unattached]
Nicky Maynard [Bury - Free]
Dion Donohue [Portsmouth - Free]
Kellan Gordon [Derby - Free]
5 new signings so far
0 players out
-------------------------------------------------------
Morecambe
Michael Howard [Preston - Free]
Tom Brewitt [AFC Fylde - Free]
John O'Sullivan [Blackpool - Free]
Joe Lynch [Crewe - Free]
Lewis Alessandra [Notts County - Free]
5 new signings so far
3 players out
-----------------------------------------------------
Newport County
Tom King [Millwall - Free]
Lazar Stojsavljevic [Millwall - Free]
Kyle Howkins [West Brom - Free]
Daniel Leadbitter [Bristol Rovers - Free]
George Nurse [Bristol City - Loan]
Ryan Haynes [Shrewsbury - Undisclosed]
Tristan Abrahams [Norwich -Free]
7 new signings so far
2 players out
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Northampton Town
Matty Warburton [Stockport - Free]
Joe Martin [Stevenage - Free]
Chris Lines [Bristol Rovers - Free]
Harry Smith [Macclesfield - Undisclosed]
Ryan Watson [MK Franchise - Free]
Alan McCormack [Luton - Free]
Steve Arnold [Shrewsbury - Free]
Nicky Adams [Bury - Free]
Reece Hall-Johnson [Grimsby - Free]
Vadaine Oliver [Morecambe - Free]
Charlie Goode [Scunthorpe - Undisclosed]
Scott Wharton [Blackburn - Loan]
12 new signings so far
5 players out
-------------------------------------------------------
Oldham Athletic
Alex Iacovitti [Nottingham Forest- Free]
Zak Mills [Morecambe - Free]
Gary Woods [Hamilton - Free]
Gregor Zabret [Swansea - Loan]
Scott Wilson [Macclesfield - Free]
Marvin Kokos [Gazelec Ajaccio - Free]
Desire Segbe Azankpo [FK Senica - Free]
7 new signings so far
3 players out
----------------------------------------------------------
Plymouth Argyle
Joe Edwards [Walsall - Free]
Danny Mayor [Bury - Free]
Will Aimson [Bury - Free]
Dom Telford [Bury - Undisclosed]
Byron Moore [Bury -Free]
Callum McFadzean [Bury - Free]
Alex Palmer [West Brom - Loan]
Jose Baxter [Oldham - Free]
8 new signings so far
6 players out
-----------------------------------------------------------
Port Vale
Scott Burgess [Bury - Free]
Adam Crookes [Nottingham Forest - Free]
Kieran Kennedy [Wrexham - Free]
Richie Bennett [Carlisle - Free]
Ryan Lloyd [Macclesfield - Free]
Mark Cullen [Blackpool - Free]
David Amoo [Cambridge - Free]
Callum Evans [Macclesfield - Free]
8 new signings so far
3 players out
--------------------------------------------------
Salford City
Richie Towell [Brighton - Free]
Kyle Letheren [Plymouth - Free]
Martin Smith [Swindon -Free]
Cameron Burgess [Scunthorpe - Loan]
Luke Armstrong [Middlesbrough -Undisclosed]
5 new signings so far
1 player out
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Scunthorpe United
Andy Butler [Doncaster - Free]
Kgosi Ntlhe [Rochdale - Free]
Jake Eastwood [Sheffield United - Loan]
Alex Gilliead [Shrewsbury - Undisclosed]
Yann Songo'o [Plymouth- Free]
5 new signings so far
4 players out
---------------------------------------------------------
Stevenage Town
Jason Cowley [Bromsgrove - Free]
Jamie Fielding [Hastings - Free]
Chris Stokes [Bury - Free]
Paul Digby [Forest Green - Undisclosed]
Charlie Carter [Chesterfield - Undisclosed]
Tyler Denton [Leeds - Undisclosed]
Dean Parrett [Gillingham - Free]
7 new signings so far
2 players out
-----------------------------------------------------------
Swindon Town
Tyler Reid [Swansea - Free]
Adam May [Portsmouth - Loan]
Zeki Fryers [Barnsley - Free]
Mathieu Baudry [MK Franchise - Free]
Jerry Yates [Rotherham - Loan]
Rob Hunt [Oldham - Free]
Daniel Ballard [Arsenal - Loan]
Jordan Lyden [Aston Villa -Free]
Diallang Jaiyesimi [Norwich City - Loan]
Lloyd Isgrove [Barnsley - Free]
10 new signings so far
9 players out
----------------------------------------------------------
Walsall
Stuart Sinclair [Bristol Rovers - Free]
James Clarke [Bristol Rovers - Free]
James Hardy [AFC Fylde - Free]
Elijah Adebayo [Fulham - Free]
Jack Kiersey [Everton - Free]
Shay Facey [Northampton - Free]
Cameron Pring [Bristol City - Loan]
Jack Rose [Southampton - Loan]
Mat Sadler [Shrewsbury- Free]
Wes McDonald [Birmingham - Free]
Danny Guthrie [Mitra Kukar - Free]
Gary Liddle [Carlisle - Free]
Zak Jules [Macclesfield - Undisclosed]
Rory Holden [Bristol City - Loan]
14 new signings so far
7 players out
----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Kinky Tom]

Bit of an interesting stat.

We have the 3rd largest squad ‘churn’ in the division - retaining only 38% of last season’s squad - and that could go lower.

Strangely, contrary to popular belief, Salford have retained 83% of last season’s squad - whether that’s because of their contracts or choice, I don’t know.

Not surprising, was obvious Wellens didn't fancy a large portion of the squad so we were always going to have a large turnover once more.  What is encouraging though, is that the vast majority of the new stock were brought in much earlier than other recent years so have been together for a good amount of time.  Even Isgrove had been around for a while now. 

As long as we get that goal scorer we look alright, they don't necessarily need as much 'gelling' time as most of the squad as they know their job, get it over the line, often don't need to worry so much about how the manager wants to approach the game as the rest of the squad.

Perhaps Salford are struggling to actually attract players with XYZ maybe expecting to pitch up and demand 10 grand for their services and the club realising they'll need to cut their cloth more than they expected.

[Kinky Tom]

If every player lined to them actually signed then they would have had a 200% turn over of playing staff!

Here is a list of transfers of each club up to 28th July.

Bradford City
Ben Richards-Everton [Accrington - Free]
Tyler French [Sudbury - Free]
Sam Hornby [Port Vale - Free]
Zeli Ismail [Walsall - Free]
Adam Henley [Real Salt Lake - Free]
Clayton Donaldson [Bolton - Free]
Paudie O'Connor [Leeds - Free]
James Vaughan [Wigan - Free]
Matt Palmer [Rotherham - Loan]
9 new signings so far
3 players out
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cambridge United
Luke Hannant [Port Vale - Free]
Harvey Knibbs [Aston Villa - Free]
Kyle Knoyle [Swindon - Free]
Callum Burton [Unattached]
Dan Jones [Notts County -Free]
5 new signings so far
3 players out
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carlisle United
Jack Iredale [Greenock Morton - Free]
Christie Elliott [Partick Thistle - Free]
Jon Mellish [Gateshead - Free]
Harry McKirdy [Aston Villa - Free]
Jack Bridge [Northampton - Free]
Byron Webster [Scunthorpe - Free]
Nathaniel Knight-Percival [Bradford - Free]
Nathan Thomas [Sheffield United -Loan]
8 new signings so far
6 players out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheltenham Town
Charlie Raglan [Oxford - Free]
Tahvon Campbell [Forest Green - Free]
Reuben Reid [Forest Green - Free]
Rohan Ince [Unattached]
Dan Bowry [Charlton - Free]
5 new signings so far
2 players out
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colchester United
Danny Collinge [Unattached]
Luke Gambin [Luton - Free]
Omar Sowunmi [Yeovil - Free]
Michael Fernandes [Farnborough - Free]
Matthew Weaire [Brighton - Free]
Paris Cowan-Hall [Wycombe - Free]
Jevani Brown [Cambridge - Free]
Dean Gerken [Ipswich - Free]
8 new signings so far
6 players out
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crawley Town
Ashley Nadesan [Fleetwood - Free]
Mason Bloomfield [Norwich - Loan]
Nathan Ferguson [Dulwich Hamlet - Free]
Beryly Lubala [Birmingham - Free]
Michael Luyambula [Birmingham - Loan]
Jack Powell [Maidstone - Free]
Jordan Tunnicliffe [AFC Fylde - Free]
7 new signings so far
0 players out
----------------------------------------------------------
Crewe Alexandria
Olly Lancashire [Swindon - Free]
Daniel Powell [Northampton - Free]
2 new signings so far
3 players out
---------------------------------------------------------------
Exeter City
Nigel Atangana [Cheltenham - Free]
Tom Parkes [Carlise - Free]
Lewis Ward [Reading - Free]
Alex Fisher [Yeovil - Free]
Gary Warren [Yeovil - Free]
Jonny Maxted [Accrington - Free]
Nicky Ajose [Charlton - Free]
Robbie Cundy [Bristol City - Loan]
Noah Smerdon [Gloucester - Free]
9 new signings so far
2 players out
-----------------------------------------------------
Forest Green Rovers
Matt Mills [Pune City - Free]
Aaron Collins [Morecambe - Free]
Ebou Adams [Ebbsfleet - Undisclosed]
Adam Smith [Bristol Rovers - Free]
James Morton [Bristol City - Loan]
Kevin Dawson [Unattached]
Liam Kitching [Leeds - Undisclosed]
Dom Bernard [Birmingham - Free]
8 new signings so far
5 players out
---------------------------------------------------
Grimsby Town
Matt Green [Salford - Free]
James Hanson [AFC Wimbledon - Free]
Moses Ugbu [Al-Ain - Free]
Elliott Hewitt [Notts County - Free]
Liam Gibson [Newcastle - Loan]
5 new signings so far
1 player out
------------------------------------------------
Leyton Orient
Josh Wright [Bradford - Free]
Conor Wilkinson [Dagenham - Undisclosed]
2 new signings so far
2 players out
---------------------------------------------------------
Macclesfield Town
Jak McCourt [Swindon - Free]
Joe Ironside [Kidderminster - Free]
Emmanuel Osadebe [Cambridge - Free]
Jacob Blyth [Barrow - Free]
Theo Vassell [Port Vale - Free]
Fraser Horsfall [Kidderminster -Free]
Eddie Clarke [Fleetwood - Loan]
Owen Evans [Wigan -Loan]
8 new signings so far
5 players out
------------------------------------------------------
Mansfield Town
Andy Cook [Walsall - Undisclosed]
Aidan Stone [Unattached]
Nicky Maynard [Bury - Free]
Dion Donohue [Portsmouth - Free]
Kellan Gordon [Derby - Free]
5 new signings so far
0 players out
-------------------------------------------------------
Morecambe
Michael Howard [Preston - Free]
Tom Brewitt [AFC Fylde - Free]
John O'Sullivan [Blackpool - Free]
Joe Lynch [Crewe - Free]
Lewis Alessandra [Notts County - Free]
5 new signings so far
3 players out
-----------------------------------------------------
Newport County
Tom King [Millwall - Free]
Lazar Stojsavljevic [Millwall - Free]
Kyle Howkins [West Brom - Free]
Daniel Leadbitter [Bristol Rovers - Free]
George Nurse [Bristol City - Loan]
Ryan Haynes [Shrewsbury - Undisclosed]
Tristan Abrahams [Norwich -Free]
7 new signings so far
2 players out
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Northampton Town
Matty Warburton [Stockport - Free]
Joe Martin [Stevenage - Free]
Chris Lines [Bristol Rovers - Free]
Harry Smith [Macclesfield - Undisclosed]
Ryan Watson [MK Franchise - Free]
Alan McCormack [Luton - Free]
Steve Arnold [Shrewsbury - Free]
Nicky Adams [Bury - Free]
Reece Hall-Johnson [Grimsby - Free]
Vadaine Oliver [Morecambe - Free]
Charlie Goode [Scunthorpe - Undisclosed]
Scott Wharton [Blackburn - Loan]
12 new signings so far
5 players out
-------------------------------------------------------
Oldham Athletic
Alex Iacovitti [Nottingham Forest- Free]
Zak Mills [Morecambe - Free]
Gary Woods [Hamilton - Free]
Gregor Zabret [Swansea - Loan]
Scott Wilson [Macclesfield - Free]
Marvin Kokos [Gazelec Ajaccio - Free]
Desire Segbe Azankpo [FK Senica - Free]
7 new signings so far
3 players out
----------------------------------------------------------
Plymouth Argyle
Joe Edwards [Walsall - Free]
Danny Mayor [Bury - Free]
Will Aimson [Bury - Free]
Dom Telford [Bury - Undisclosed]
Byron Moore [Bury -Free]
Callum McFadzean [Bury - Free]
Alex Palmer [West Brom - Loan]
Jose Baxter [Oldham - Free]
8 new signings so far
6 players out
-----------------------------------------------------------
Port Vale
Scott Burgess [Bury - Free]
Adam Crookes [Nottingham Forest - Free]
Kieran Kennedy [Wrexham - Free]
Richie Bennett [Carlisle - Free]
Ryan Lloyd [Macclesfield - Free]
Mark Cullen [Blackpool - Free]
David Amoo [Cambridge - Free]
Callum Evans [Macclesfield - Free]
8 new signings so far
3 players out
--------------------------------------------------
Salford City
Richie Towell [Brighton - Free]
Kyle Letheren [Plymouth - Free]
Martin Smith [Swindon -Free]
Cameron Burgess [Scunthorpe - Loan]
Luke Armstrong [Middlesbrough -Undisclosed]
5 new signings so far
1 player out
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Scunthorpe United
Andy Butler [Doncaster - Free]
Kgosi Ntlhe [Rochdale - Free]
Jake Eastwood [Sheffield United - Loan]
Alex Gilliead [Shrewsbury - Undisclosed]
Yann Songo'o [Plymouth- Free]
5 new signings so far
4 players out
---------------------------------------------------------
Stevenage Town
Jason Cowley [Bromsgrove - Free]
Jamie Fielding [Hastings - Free]
Chris Stokes [Bury - Free]
Paul Digby [Forest Green - Undisclosed]
Charlie Carter [Chesterfield - Undisclosed]
Tyler Denton [Leeds - Undisclosed]
Dean Parrett [Gillingham - Free]
7 new signings so far
2 players out
-----------------------------------------------------------
Swindon Town
Tyler Reid [Swansea - Free]
Adam May [Portsmouth - Loan]
Zeki Fryers [Barnsley - Free]
Mathieu Baudry [MK Franchise - Free]
Jerry Yates [Rotherham - Loan]
Rob Hunt [Oldham - Free]
Daniel Ballard [Arsenal - Loan]
Jordan Lyden [Aston Villa -Free]
Diallang Jaiyesimi [Norwich City - Loan]
Lloyd Isgrove [Barnsley - Free]
10 new signings so far
9 players out
----------------------------------------------------------
Walsall
Stuart Sinclair [Bristol Rovers - Free]
James Clarke [Bristol Rovers - Free]
James Hardy [AFC Fylde - Free]
Elijah Adebayo [Fulham - Free]
Jack Kiersey [Everton - Free]
Shay Facey [Northampton - Free]
Cameron Pring [Bristol City - Loan]
Jack Rose [Southampton - Loan]
Mat Sadler [Shrewsbury- Free]
Wes McDonald [Birmingham - Free]
Danny Guthrie [Mitra Kukar - Free]
Gary Liddle [Carlisle - Free]
Zak Jules [Macclesfield - Undisclosed]
Rory Holden [Bristol City - Loan]
14 new signings so far
7 players out
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Presumably all those clubs have a CK on social media complaining about free transfers and loans #where'sthemoneygone

[Peter Venkman]

Presumably all those clubs have a CK on social media complaining about free transfers and loans #where'sthemoneygone

One or 2 yes, actually in the main most clubs are optimistic about the coming season with the exception of Carlisle, Oldham and Macclesfield fans.

[suttonred]

Interesting thing for me is we pretty much exclusively signed from the leagues above. Scunny, Northampton and Newport have to a large extent as well. Not sure it means too much, but certainly better than punts on below or the french 3rd division i would suggest.

[Reg Smeeton]

Interesting thing for me is we pretty much exclusively signed from the leagues above. Scunny, Northampton and Newport have to a large extent as well. Not sure it means too much, but certainly better than punts on below or the french 3rd division i would suggest.

I'm not sure it does mean much.... getting proven Div 4 players is probably a better route.

[suttonred]

I'm not sure it does mean much.... getting proven Div 4 players is probably a better route.
[/quote

Umm thats worked well last 2 years..