League One Preseason Predictions

Brentford

Newly promoted, but their rivals would do well not to underestimate them. Andy Scott, one of the brightest managerial prospects in the country, has forged a formidable team spirit within his small squad, which boasts Ben Strevens, the former Dagenham & Redbridge forward, as its marquee signing. If Brentford can avoid too many injuries, they could spring a surprise or two.

Prediction: 5

Brighton

Russell Slade is the latest manager charged with the formidable task of fulfilling Brighton’s considerable potential. Last season’s relegation battle was grimly predictable and, for all Slade’s determination to produce a hard-working team, few on the South Coast are expecting an improvement. Joel Lynch has moved on, to Nottingham Forest, with Liam Dickinson the most notable arrival, from Derby County.

Prediction: 22

Bristol Rovers

Keeping hold of Rickie Lambert, the prolific forward who is coveted by a number of clubs in the Championship, will be the key to success this season. They ended last season in mid-table, and that is the most likely outcome once more, but with Lambert’s goals on board a play-off place is a reasonable aim for one of the division’s more progressive footballing sides.

Prediction: 11

Carlisle United

An unsettling summer of high-profile departures, most notably Danny Graham, the forward, to Watford, has failed to be offset by enough arrivals to suggest anything other than a repeat of the ultimately successful, though only just, battle for survival last season. Greg Abbott, the manager, continues his search for another forward in time for Saturday’s opening fixture.

Prediction: 20

Charlton Athletic

It is almost three decades since Charlton last played at this level and their supporters are still struggling to comprehend how a club that were once a model of stability in the Premier League could have fallen so far, so fast. Phil Parkinson, the manager, has lost his captain, Mark Hudson, and a number of senior players. An automatic return to the Coca-Cola Championship is far from certain.

Prediction: 6

Colchester United

A humdrum season last year, but expectations are creeping upwards in Essex. Paul Lambert, the new manager, is attempting to introduce a more fluent brand of football, albeit on a tight budget. The sale of Mark Yeates to Middlesbrough has kept the accountants happy, although Colchester will miss him. Ben Williams, the goalkeeper, has arrived from Carlisle United.

Prediction: 21

Exeter City

Two years ago Exeter, then a non-league club, launched their season away to Altrincham. On Saturday, after back-to-back promotions, they travel to play Leeds United in a fixture that fully reflects the giant strides they have made. With a modest budget by the standards of the division, avoiding relegation would be a significant achievement for Paul Tisdale, their manager.

Prediction: 23

Gillingham

Mark Stimson went from pantomime villain to bona fide hero in the space of a few heady months last season, winning over the critical Priestfield supporters by leading the club to promotion via the play-offs. This term will pose a stiffer challenge, but the bulk of last season’s successful squad has been kept intact and Kevin Maher, signed from Oldham Athletic, will provide League One knowhow.

Prediction: 19

Hartlepool United

Flirted with relegation last term and, despite optimistic noises from the camp during pre-season, their prospects of improvement have not been helped by the loss of Michael Nelson, a defensive rock for the past six seasons, to Norwich City. His move is a substantial setback and underlines the belief that they will struggle to seal a finish anything above lower mid-table.

Prediction: 17

Huddersfield Town

Lee Clark, the manager, begins his first full season in charge and will be looking to establish his reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in the game. Dean Hoyle, the owner, has backed him in the transfer market and also allowed him to keep Matt Glennon, the highly rated goalkeeper, while bringing in Peter Clark, Robbie Simpson, Theo Robinson and Lee Peltier.

Prediction: 4

Leeds United

Will this finally be the season for the Yorkshire club to start moving up? Having missed out in the play-offs last term, the pressure will again be on Simon Grayson to go one better and win promotion back to the Championship. Leeds can ill afford another season in the third tier and the club’s ability to keep Jermaine Beckford, the prolific goalscorer, could prove key. Patrick Kisnorbo should be a useful signing.

Prediction: 1

Leyton Orient

Geraint Williams made a remarkable impact after his appointment as manager near the end of last season. Survival was achieved comfortably and expectations have been cranked up after the 6-1 pre-season drubbing of Newcastle. Safety remains the priority, but Williams has made astute signings, including Jimmy Smith, from Chelsea, and James Scowcroft, the veteran forward.

Prediction: 12

Millwall

Kenny Jackett, who defied all expectations in taking a wholehearted but hardly glitzy squad to the play-off final last season, faces a difficult task as he aims to sustain their progress this term. Zak Whitbread, the talented central defender, is set to depart before the start of the campaign and a lack of depth could prove their undoing, with only two new signings made this summer.

Prediction: 7

Franchise

Paul Ince has returned, tail placed firmly between legs, after his unsuccessful Premier League sojourn with Blackburn, but the Dons should benefit from a fired-up “Guv’nor” striving to rebuild his reputation. Beaten in the play-offs last term, they should again be among the promotion contenders, particularly if Ince can unlock the potential in Jermaine Easter, the £200,000 signing from Plymouth Argyle.

Prediction: 3

Norwich City

Crowds of 20,000-plus at Carrow Road will demand that Norwich quickly establish themselves among the promotion front-runners. Bryan Gunn, who failed to keep the club up last season, is yet to convince he can make the grade as a manager, but has been given financial backing to bolster the squad with excellent signings such as Simon Whaley, the midfield player, and Grant Holt, the experienced forward.

Prediction: 2

Oldham Athletic

Oldham were in contention for the play-offs for most of last season before fading badly towards the end. Dave Penney, the new manager, will be expected to sustain the challenge this time and has recruited well, re-signing Sean Gregan, the club’s former captain, and drafting in Michael Walker, the full back, and Dean Furman, the midfield player, who was signed on a free transfer from Rangers.

Prediction: 10

Southampton

Alan Pardew, the new manager, who has claimed Southampton are the only club that could have persuaded him to drop down to League One, faces a challenge to rebuild his reputation. He will start the campaign with a ten-point deficit. Dan Harding, the defender, is his first signing and should prove to be a shrewd one. The club have also been boosted by Kelvin Davies, the goalkeeper, signing a new contract.

Prediction: 15

Southend United

The fine form Southend showed at the end of last season came too late to propel them into the play-offs, so Steve Tilson’s squad must start quicker this term. Never to be underestimated, especially on home soil, Tilson’s confidence should be improved by having Dougie Freedman, the experienced forward, fully fit after a string of injuries ruined his debut season at Roots Hall.

Prediction: 14

Stockport County

Financial stability appears to have arrived at last at Edgeley Park along with a new manager in the shape of Gary Ablett. He faces a difficult task after the departure of several key players and will be without Matty Mainwaring, the midfield player, after he suffered a serious leg fracture in a pre-season friendly. Mainwaring is facing seven months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.

Prediction: 24

Swindon Town

Simon Cox’s goals arguably enabled Swindon to retain their League One status last season, so his £2 million transfer to West Bromwich Albion already presents problems for Danny Wilson, the manager, whose primary mission this summer has been to strengthen a defence that leaked 71 goals last term. Scott Cuthbert, Jonathan Douglas and David Lucas are among his summer signings.

Prediction: 9

Tranmere Rovers

John Barnes, the new manager, hopes to match the success of John Aldridge when his former Liverpool team-mate was in charge at Prenton Park. He has made a useful start with the signing of Shaleum Logan, the Manchester City defender, who has joined on a season-long loan, while Alan Mahon begins his second spell at the club after his release by Burnley. However, Rovers remain short on cover at the back.

Prediction: 8

Walsall

After earning £600,000 from the summer sale of Anthony Gerrard, to Cardiff City, and the sell-on fees from Scott Dann and Daniel Fox, their former players, Walsall will provide Chris Hutchings, the manager, with money to build a squad in his first full season. Retaining Troy Deeney, the coveted forward, will be vital in their bid for progression. Steve Jones and Sam Parkin are among useful newcomers.

Prediction: 13

Wycombe Wanderers

Peter Taylor’s team finally escaped the clutches of League Two in May, although an alarming end-of-season wobble almost condemned them to the play-offs instead of automatic promtion. Taylor has an enviable record of securing promotion through the lower leagues but a tilt at the Championship will surely prove beyond a willing, but limited, squad. Michael Duberry will be a steadying influence at the back.

Prediction: 16

Yeovil Town

With cuts made to an already modest playing budget, it is little surprise that the Somerset club feature regularly among those expected to struggle in League One this season. Dean Bowditch, the former Ipswich Town forward who has signed a 12-month contract, will have his work cut out to reach a double-figure tally of goals. With a history of injuries, they will also desperately need him to stay fit.

Prediction: 18

Impact player: Jonjo Shelvey Charlton

Shelvey made his debut for Charlton only 59 days after his 16th birthday. Still only 17, he is developing into a genuine box-to-box midfield player who is on the radar of every Premier League club. Capable of playing at a higher level than League One, he has become a first-team regular and the experience will certainly give him an added edge.

Manager on the move: Andy Scott Brentford

Scott, who was 37 yesterday, guided Brentford to the League Two title in May at the end of his first full season in charge. It was an achievement that effectively answered those who say the direct approach is the only way to succeed in that division. Scott has a commitment to a passing game that will serve him well when he manages at an even higher level than League One, which he surely will. Brentford want to keep him, but this is a name that has been noted by bigger clubs.