By SAM BUNCE
The next installment of Sky Bet League Two is looming with the first fixtures commencing on Saturday 5th August, as exciting newcomers Wrexham and Notts County are among the 24 teams competing at a place for promotion.
Here, the Football League Paper will predict and analyse each club’s chances and league position.
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AFC Wimbledon
Johnnie Jackson hopes to lead his side away from the relegation zone in his second managerial job, making two signings from Stockport County in the form of Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis on loan to achieve that goal. Players with higher level experience have been lacking in their transfer business, so it may be difficult move away from the bottom half this season.
Prediction: 20th
Accrington Stanley
The ‘Owd Reds suffered narrow relegation from League One in their last campaign and are looking to claim the throne of League Two at the Crown Ground. It has been a quiet transfer window so far for manager Jon Coleman in his ninth season in charge, but the team will carry a willingness to compete after several spells of defeats.
Prediction: 12th
Barrow
The Bluebirds undertake their fourth season in the English Football League with the signing of Emile Acquah from Maidenhead United the most notable of the three forwards recruited, as well as Mazeed Ogungbo, an Arsenal defender on a two-year deal for the side that finished 9th last season.
Prediction: 10th
Bradford City
A heartbreaking defeat to Carlisle in the extra time spectacle of the play-off semi-finals crushed The Bantams push for promotion. Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes continues with the team, signing striker Tyler Smith from Hull to play alongside talisman Andy Cook, who lit the stage with 31 goals, which will catalyse Bradford’s attacking threats to challenge for the title.
Prediction: 2nd
Colchester United
The U’s will aim to escape the relegation zone of League Two, but with the second least goals scored in the league last season, they need to find a way to score. Ellis Iandolo, a defender from Swindon Town with 172 games for the Robins in the bank, is their only signing made so far.
Prediction: 21st
Crawley Town
The Red Devils will look to win their inaugural tie against former Manchester United Red Devil Mark Hughes with his testing Bradford City side. Scott Lindsey will need to eradicate Crawley’s defensive issues as they only just survived the drop, while contract talks with Remi Oteh will be crucial to complete.
Prediction: 24th
The Alex have made four signings looking to develop from their mid-table finish: Harvey Davis on a season-long loan from Liverpool, Ryan Cooney, Shillow Tracey and Jack Powell. Lee Bell, product of the Crewe academy system, is eager to improve the team in only his second managerial season.
Prediction: 18th
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster are looking to bounce back into the higher football standings, after finishing near the bottom end of League Two last season. Former Northern Ireland international Grant McCann takes charge of his first campaign, while players like Deji Sotana, an ex-Manchester United and Nice youngster, have featured as the latest promising trialists with several prospects that have already joined this summer.
Prediction: 11th
Forest Green Rovers
Rovers finished rock bottom of League One with a dismal 27 points, which was the lowest in the Football League, after a triumphant promotion in the preceding season. Hannah Dingley recently took the headlines for Forest Green Rovers once more, as the first qualified female (caretaker) coach in professional men’s football advancing from a position within the academy setup. Teddy Jenks has been signed and Callum Jones on loan from Brighton and Hull respectively, to strengthen the midfield in a bid to bounce back again.
Prediction: 16th
Gillingham
The Gills will look to extend their impressive spell towards the end of last season under the watchful eyes of Neil Harris. Conor Materson signed permanently in May from QPR, settling in after his loan spell, while Wales international Jonny Williams will bring an elite understanding as an additional leader to the squad, as they need to rectify their previously very low goalscoring tally.
Prediction: 8th
Grimsby Town
The Lincolnshire side showcased a scintillating display in the FA Cup last season, reaching the quarter finals with an evidently unmatchable team spirit. They’ve been busy in the transfer market with Cartwright, Kamil Conteh and Harvey Rodgers to name a few, as Paul Hurst works towards the challenging task of consistency of those types of performances.
Prediction: 15th
Harrogate Town
Simon Weaver, manager since 2009, has introduced key names into the dressing rooms at The Sulphurites. Abraham Odo from relegated Rochdale, James Daly and Dan Cornelius bring freshness, despite their individual lacklustre seasons last time out, as Harrogate will need to face up to the demanding competition.
Prediction: 23rd
MK Dons
The Dons were relegated from League One and will bring a 30,000-seater stadium to the fourth tier of English football in August with Graham Alexander, the manager that led Motherwell to Europa Conference League qualification, at the forefront to return back up. He comes to the club with high expectations with Cameron Norman and Alex Gilbey as pivotal signings that have been made.
Prediction: 5th
Mansfield Town
With the play-offs at their fingertips, The Stags were denied a place in the top seven on goal difference. Still, they had an impressive season with the joint most goals scored in the league along with Salford. Football veteran Nigel Clough stays put in the Nottingham area to replicate their successes again to hopefully obtain results.
Prediction: 7th
Morecambe
A plethora of signings have come in under Derek Adams, like Watford midfielder JJ McKieran and Joel Senior from Carlisle albeit, thankfully, free transfers. The Shrimps’ financial situation is troublesome with the owners ordering the urgent sale of the club towards the end of last season combined with substantial losses. So, despite their experience in the tier above, League Two seems difficult for the club to remain near the top of their potential.
Prediction: 17th
Newport County
The Welsh side have bought in Shane McLoughlin from Salford and Matthew Bondswell from Newcastle together with the renowned rising star of Kiban Rai, who secured the accolade of the first player of Nepalese heritage to sign a professional contract. Marksman Omar Bogle will attempt to steer the side to safety with a repeat of his flurry of goals as well.
Prediction: 19th
Notts County
The oldest club in the football league had a remarkable run in the National League and are poised for further great outcomes. 35-year-old David McGoldrick returns to his childhood club from Derby with Macaulay Langstaff and Aaron Nemane extending their contracts as key attributes to The Magpies’ system. The penalty shootout victory over Chesterfield gives further hope for these players to rise to the challenge with Luke Williams.
Prediction: 6th
Salford City
The reformation of the Ammies instigated by Manchester United stars like Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs have accelerated Salford, who seem to have a significant shot at promotion. Mariappa, Lund and Watson have all signed new deals with Luke Garbutt and Ossama Ashley looking to rectify the penalty loss in the play-off semi-finals.
Prediction: 4th
Stockport County
Another team defeated in the play-offs to formidable shootout opponents Carlisle, the Hatters will fight for another chance with a commendable campaign finishing top of the play offs. Nick Powell and Billy Chadwick are the new introductions from Championship level clubs heightening their very realistic title hopes.
Prediction: 1st
Sutton United
The team from the capital made a free double signing from Leyton Orient of Craig Clay and Harry Smith, with Ryan Jackson also enrolled into the squad by Matt Gray, whose inexperience with the vast array of competition this season may prove to be a step too far.
Prediction: 22nd
Swindon Town
Michael Flynn’s side has had limited transfer involvement in terms of arrivals after he took over in May, save for the singular signing of goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney on a season long loan. Flynn will look to implement his style to the existing players as the route to achieve a higher place in the table.
Prediction: 9th
Tranmere Rovers
Luke McGee and Regan Hendry’s Forest Green chemistry has been transferred to Prenton Park along with Luke Norris from Stevenage. Along with their new players, Ian Dawes is assisted by Joe Murphy, who signs a new one-year deal and joins as part of the coaching staff.
Prediction: 14th
Walsall
The Saddlers look to advance under the new guidance of Mat Sadler, and former striker Darren Byfield joining as a first team coach alongside him. The ruthless 11 player clear-out initiated by Sadler and the re-signings of James Taylor and Danny Johnson could make or break their season.
Prediction: 13th
Wrexham
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McIlhenny have propelled Wrexham’s global and unprecedented fame, as they won the National League as the only team with automatic promotion and only three losses all season. Ben Foster – from last season – is their leading signing, and a home MK Dons first tie sets up an enthralling campaign that could dramatically unfold for the Red Dragons again.
Prediction: 3rd
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