Vital Lincoln City – League Two Season Preview 2018-19 (Part One)
INTRODUCTION
The information in this preview is complete to 5pm on Wednesday 1 August 2018. Managerial data is as accurate as I can make it: it is almost impossible to identify the exact dates managers joined or left minor non-league clubs 25 years ago, and detailed statistical information for minor leagues is not readily available. Online statistics databases have not been used due to the errors they can contain. As I have compiled the figures myself, any errors, therefore, are my fault entirely. Firstly, sincere apologies to the subjects; secondly, any errors should be minor and not affect the overall impression; thirdly, it will be more accurate than Wikipedia.
An average points per game figure is given for each manager. In order to translate that into something more tangible, the table below shows how many points that figure equates to over the course of a 46-game season. Although other factors obviously come into play, it gives an indication of how likely that manager is to be involved in a relegation struggle (under 1.20 PPG), a play-off challenge (above 1.50 PPG needed) or an automatic promotion challenge (above 1.70 PPG needed).
As for the player sections, permanent transfers and longer-term loans in are included; shorter-term loans and season-long loans out are not included.
Only regular pre-season friendlies are listed. Those played behind closed doors frequently follow irregular formats and feature high numbers of trialists, rendering the results irrelevant.
BURY
Last season: 24th in League One (relegated)
P46 W8 D12 L26 F41 A71 Pts36
Average attendance: 3,931
Chairman: Stewart Day, 36 (appointed May 2013)
Manager: Ryan Lowe, 39 (appointed January 2018 as caretaker, May 2018 permanently)
Ryan Lowe’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (8):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (3):
Craig Jones, 31 (Untraced)
Nathan Cameron, 26 (On trial at Mansfield Town)
Greg Leigh, 23 (NAC Breda – Holland)
Midfielders (5):
Chris Humphrey, 30 (Untraced)
Chris Maguire, 29 (Sunderland)
Andrew Tutte, 27 (Morecambe)
Zeli Ismail, 24 (Walsall)
Callum Reilly, 24 (Gillingham)
Forwards (0):
Players in (10):
Goalkeepers (1):
Matthew Hudson, 20 (Preston North End – loan until January)
Defenders (3):
Tom Miller, 28 (Carlisle United)
Chris Stokes, 27 (Coventry City)
Will Aimson, 24 (Blackpool)
Midfielders (2):
Nicky Adams, 31 (Carlisle United)
Byron Moore, 29 (Bristol Rovers)
Forwards (4):
Chris Dagnall, 32 (Crewe Alexandra)
Jordan Archer, 24 (Chester)
Gold Omotayo, 24 (Whitehawk)
Dominic Telford, 21 (Stoke City)
Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 26
Number of players in squad: 29
One to watch: Jermaine Beckford, 34 (striker)
Season ticket sales: 1,730 (2,105 in 2017-18)
Pre-season:
P7 W1 D3 L3 F5 A16
6/7 Glasgow Rangers A 0-6
10/7 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN H 0-4
14/7 LIVERPOOL H 0-0
18/7 EVERTON H 1-1
21/7 Chester A 1-0
24/7 Radcliffe FC A 2-2
28/7 Southport A 1-3
Commentary:
Bury chairman Stewart Day minced no words following Bury’s abject relegation from League One, accusing the players of not caring enough and having a lack of desire. Labelling their efforts ‘inexcusable’, Day also criticised the club’s summer 2017 recruitment, claiming they had not carried out sufficient due diligence on some individuals. He also pointed to managerial instability as another reason for relegation, having worked his way through three of them during the course of a disastrous season. Whatever the reasons, Bury find themselves relegated to the basement for the sixth time in their history with a paltry eight wins and thirty-six points.
To add to the Shakers’ woes, accounts recently published for the 2016-17 financial year revealed a sorry state of affairs. With over £7 million of creditors at that point, the accounts revealed how dependent they are on the chairman, who injected £3 million in 2016 and a further £1m in 2017. The auditors concluded there was material uncertainty over the club’s ability to continue trading, and that was prior to the disastrous relegation season that followed. Over £1.25 million was injected into the club in June and July 2018, presumably by the chairman again: one would think to shore things up rather than to spend on players.
Summer arrivals look a mixed bag, with former City defender Tom Miller, midfielder Byron Moore and the experienced Chris Dagnall looking the best of the lot. Gold Omotayo from Whitehawk is an imaginative signing, although he is making a significant step up from tier six. Much will depend on the fitness of Jermaine Beckford, who is more than capable of scoring goals in League Two even in his mid-thirties. Pre-season matches comprised Glasgow Rangers, Liverpool and Everton followed by three minor non-league clubs, a very unusual approach to the new season.
Bury have never managed to bounce back at the first attempt after relegation to the fourth tier, and there is very little to suggest they are capable of breaking that pattern. They will not be helped by having a rookie manager at the helm, nor by the enforced retention of the majority of last season’s squad. After Chesterfield’s second successive relegation and Port Vale’s single-point survival, it could be Bury’s turn to fight for their Football League lives this time around.
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 14/1 (seventh-favourites)
Prediction: Lower mid-table.
CAMBRIDGE UNITED:
Last season: 12th
P46 W17 D13 L16 F56 A60 Pts64
Average attendance: 4,522
Chairman: None
Manager: Joe Dunne, 45 (appointed February 2018 as caretaker, May 2018 permanently)
Joe Dunne’s managerial record:
League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.
Players out (4):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (1):
Leon Legge, 32 (Port Vale)
Midfielders (2):
Medy Elito, 28 (Barnet)
Piero Mingoia, 26 (Accrington Stanley)
Forwards (1):
Uche Ikpeazu, 23 (Heart of Midlothian)
Players in (3):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (2):
George Taft, 25 (Mansfield Town)
Louis John, 24 (Sutton United)
Midfielders (0):
Forwards (1):
Reggie Lambe, 27 (Carlisle United)
Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 31
One to watch: George Maris, 22 (attacking midfield)
Season ticket sales: 1,712
Pre-season:
P10 W8 D1 L1 F37 A8
7/17 St Neots Town A 7-1
10/7 Cambridge City A 8-1
12/7 Royston Town A 4-0
14/7 Chelmsford City A 4-1
20/7 Braintree Town A 3-0
21/7 MILLWALL H 0-2
24/7 Ebbsfleet United A 2-2
25/7 Dagenham & Redbridge A 2-0
28/7 Bishop’s Stortford A 1-0
28/7 Newmarket Town A 6-1
Commentary:
It has been a very quiet summer in southern Cambridgeshire. That is somewhat unexpected, as Cambridge finished last season as one of the form teams. A little more consistency over 46 games may produce a play-off challenge this season, and a few key signings may have been expected to reinforce that. Transfer activity has been minimal however, with few departures and few additions of any note. Whether due to budgetary restrictions or a deliberate decision by manager Joe Dunne, Cambridge have kept faith with the players who finished last season so well. Top scorer Uche Ikpeazu has gone to Hearts and certainly will have to be replaced: a side that scored only 56 goals last season will definitely need to replace his tally of fourteen, and find more besides. Injury-prone Barry Corr has signed a new six-month deal but looks unlikely to be the answer, and new signing Reggie Lambe from Carlisle has never been prolific. Other than that, everything is essentially as it was at the Abbey Stadium.
On the positive side, sparse transfer activity meant there was very little squad bonding or integration required. There was a somewhat strange pre-season schedule which consisted largely of massacring hapless sides from the lower levels of the non-league pyramid. The only game of the ten which was against a Football League side produced a home defeat to Millwall. It is hard to see what Cambridge could have learned from that lot, but that settled squad may hold the answer.
Cambridge could be one of the dark horses this season, but a lack of goals could hamper them again. The defence looks very solid, so a mid-table position should be the very minimum achievable. Joe Dunne enters his first full season at the helm and will be eager to justify his three-year contract. On that basis, he will have his sights set squarely on the playoffs.
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 20/1
Prediction: Outside bet for the playoffs.
CARLISLE UNITED
Last season: 10th
P46 W17 D16 L13 F62 A54 Pts67
Average attendance: 4,656
Chairman: Nigel Clibbens, 50 (appointed June 2016)
Manager: John Sheridan, 53 (appointed June 2018)
John Sheridan’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (12):
Goalkeepers (1):
Morgan Bacon, 20 (Untraced)
Defenders (3):
Clint Hill, 39 (Retired)
Mark Ellis, 29 (Tranmere Rovers)
Tom Miller, 28 (Bury)
Midfielders (5):
Jamal Campbell-Ryce, 35 (Stevenage)
Nicky Adams, 31 (Bury)
Luke Joyce, 31 (Port Vale)
John O’Sullivan, 24 (Blackpool)
Samir Nabi, 21 (Torquay United)
Forwards (3):
Shaun Miller, 30 (Crewe Alexandra)
Reggie Lambe, 27 (Cambridge United)
Cameron Salkeld, 19 (Gateshead)
Players in (7):
Goalkeepers (2):
Adam Collin, 33 (Notts County)
Joe Fryer, 22 (Middlesbrough – season loan)
Defenders (2):
Gary Miller, 31 (Plymouth Argyle)
Macauley Gillesphey, 22 (Newcastle United)
Midfielders (2):
George Glendon, 23 (Fleetwood Town)
Regan Slater, 18 (Sheffield United – season loan)
Forwards (1):
Jerry Yates, 21 (Rotherham United – loan until January)
Average age of players out: 28
Average age of players in: 24
Number of players in squad: 22
One to watch: Cole Stockton, 24 (striker)
Season ticket sales: 1,791 (1,880 in 2017-18)
Pre-season:
P5 W4 D0 L1 F8 A4
10/7 Barrow A 1-3
14/7 Penrith A 2-0
21/7 AFC Fylde A 1-0
24/7 Workington A 3-1
28/7 BRADFORD CITY H 1-0
Commentary:
It has been a case of all-change at Carlisle this summer as an exodus of players followed former manager Keith Curle out of the Brunton Park door. Whilst some would consider that a huge challenge for new manager John Sheridan, it does clear the decks for the extensive overhaul that many fans considered necessary after a couple of near-misses at the top of League Two. On the other hand, a new manager, a major squad rebuild, and a hastily prepared pre-season schedule is not the ideal grounding for a successful season, neither is a flurry of signings late in the transfer window. Carlisle go into the new season not as prepared as many other clubs, and it may take some time before any consistency is found.
Summer signings have not been spectacular, the experienced Gary Miller from Sheridan’s former club Plymouth being the most notable. At the time of writing, three of Carlisle’s seven signings to date are on loan, which does nothing to dispel the uncertainty around the quality of the squad. The pre-season schedule of just five uninspiring games offers few clues either, leading to the conclusion that this is most certainly a work in progress.
Sheridan has a track record in League Two, leading Chesterfield to the title in 2011, but that was on a tidal wave of unsustainable spending as we now know. Whether he can deliver the goods on a much smaller budget remains to be seen, but his managerial record in recent times has been extremely patchy. This is his seventh job in a little over three years and he will be desperate to create something more permanent. Season ticket numbers have held up well despite a lukewarm season last time around and growing apathy amongst the fan base. Carlisle need to get off to a good start to keep the fans on board, but at this stage it is hard to see them doing that. It could be a long winter ahead for the Cumbrians.
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 28/1
Prediction: Bottom eight.
CHELTENHAM TOWN
Last season: 17th
P46 W13 D12 L21 F67 A73 Pts51
Average attendance: 3,171
Chairman: Andy Wilcox, 48 (appointed May 2018)
Manager: Gary Johnson, 62 (appointed March 2015)
Gary Johnson’s managerial record:
League games only – playoffs and cup games not included. Does not include Johnson’s spell as Latvia manager from September 1999 to April 2001.
Players out (13):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (3):
Aaron Downes, 33 (Retired)
Jamie Grimes, 27 (Macclesfield Town)
Jordan Cranston, 25 (Morecambe)
Midfielders (5):
Harry Pell, 26 (Colchester United)
Carl Winchester, 25 (Forest Green Rovers)
Jerell Sellars, 22 (Östersunds FK – Sweden)
Adam Page, 21 (Gloucester City)
Josh Thomas, 19 (Gloucester City)
Forwards (5):
Danny Wright, 33 (Solihull Moors)
Dan Holman, 28 (Aldershot Town)
Sanmi Odelusi, 25 (FC Halifax Town)
Mohamed Eisa, 24 (Bristol City)
Jaanai Gordon, 22 (Untraced)
Players in (12):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (4):
Johnny Mullins, 32 (Luton Town)
Chris Hussey, 29 (Sheffield United)
Sean Long, 23 (Lincoln City)
Joshua Debayo, 21 (Leicester City)
Midfielders (6):
Ben Tozer, 28 (Newport County)
Alex Addai, 24 (Merstham)
Conor Thomas, 24 (ATK – India)
Ryan Broom, 21 (Bristol Rovers)
Tom Smith, 20 (Swindon Town)
Jacob Maddox, 19 (Chelsea)
Forwards (2):
Immanuelson Duku, 25 (Hayes & Yeading United)
Liam McAlinden, 24 (Exeter City))
Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 24
Number of players in squad: 21
One to watch: Jacob Maddox, 19 (attacking midfield)
Season ticket sales: 950
Pre-season:
P6 W2 D0 L4 F10 A13
10/7 Bristol City N 2-4 (played at Weston-super-Mare)
13/7 Cirencester Town A 4-0
19/7 Evesham United A 2-0
21/7 BIRMINGHAM CITY H 0-3
24/7 Weston-super-Mare A 1-4
28/7 WALSALL H 1-2
Commentary:
Once again, budget constraints at the newly christened Jonny-Rocks Stadium have led to manager Gary Johnson having to sign almost a new team for this season. Johnson got the majority of his work done early, which is seldom a good sign. On the other hand, he is one of the few managers with a thousand games to his name, and has a fine working knowledge of the lower division and non-league game.
That is beautifully evidenced by his discovery of top scorer Mo Eisa last summer. A similar discovery this summer is remote, but there are some talented players among the new arrivals. Johnny Mullins and Chris Hussey will add vast experience to a defence that conceded a frightening 87 goals last season: as soon as Eisa scored them, the defence let them in. Jacob Maddox is a talented midfielder who reached the Checkatrade Trophy semi-final with Chelsea U21 last season, whilst Tom Smith was highly-rated by supporters of former club Swindon.
However, it is no longer a case of simply reinforcing the defence. With Eisa now departed for Bristol City, the question appears to be who is going to score the goals this time around. With a rumoured £1 million in the bank from the transfer, at least a replacement can be sourced for money. Liam McAlinden from Exeter has a mediocre scoring record but could come good with a regular run in the side. The immediate solution appears to be the untested Manny Duku from Hayes & Yeading, but will Johnson regret having signed the majority of his new squad before the sale of Eisa?
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 33/1
Prediction: Bottom eight.
COLCHESTER UNITED
Last season: 13th
P46 W16 D14 L16 F53 A52 Pts62
Average attendance: 3,320
Chairman: Robbie Cowling, 57 (appointed September 2006)
Manager: John McGreal, 46 (appointed May 2016)
John McGreal’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (7):
Goalkeepers (1):
Sam Walker, 26 (Reading)
Defenders (0):
Midfielders (5):
Doug Loft, 31 (Shrewsbury Town)
Sean Murray, 24 (Vejle Boldklub – Denmark)
Craig Slater, 24 (Partick Thistle)
Tommy O’Sullivan, 23 (Untraced)
Drey Wright, 23 (St Johnstone)
Forwards (1):
Denny Johnstone, 23 (Greenock Morton)
Players in (7):
Goalkeepers (2):
Ethan Ross, 21 (West Bromwich Albion)
Bailey Vose, 20 (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders (1):
Noah Chesmain, 20 (Millwall)
Midfielders (1):
Harry Pell, 26 (Cheltenham Town)
Forwards (3):
Frank Nouble, 26 (Newport County)
Luke Norris, 25 (Swindon Town)
Aaron Collins, 21 (Wolverhampton Wanderers – season loan)
Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 24
One to watch: Sammie Szmodics, 22 (attacking midfield)
Season ticket sales:
Pre-season:
P7 W6 D1 L0 F23 A4
7/7 Maldon & Tiptree A 4-1
10/7 Braintree Town A 5-0
13/7 Colwyn Bay A 5-0
17/7 Dagenham & Redbridge A 1-1
21/7 Dartford A 1-0
24/7 MILLWALL H 2-1
28/7 GILLINGHAM H 5-1
Commentary:
John McGreal enters his third season as Colchester manager needing an improvement on last season’s disappointing bottom-half finish if he is to enjoy a fourth term. The initial promotion challenge tailed away badly with just three wins from their last thirteen games, and only eight goals scored. Indeed, Colchester’s form over the entire second half of the season was almost that of a relegation side, with only twenty-six points coming those final twenty-three games (W6 D8 L9). The immediate requirement, therefore, may be to ensure that poor form does not continue into this season.
On the other hand, the solution may be relatively straightforward. Colchester have scored and conceded barely a goal a game during McGreal’s tenure, suggesting the advent of some serious strike options this summer could see them make a concerted challenge for the playoffs. The arrival of highly-rated Aaron Collins on a season-long loan from Wolves may go some way towards solving that, although he has just eight goals to his name from sixty-six games in League Two and the National League. The enigmatic Mikael Mandron and last season’s revelation Sammie Szmodics remain despite transfer speculation during the close season, and journeyman Frank Nouble could chip in with a few goals with the right supply line. Harry Pell from Cheltenham could be the answer to that – he should add creativity in midfield and provide opportunities for the front men.
Whether that theory will work in practice remains to be seen. Following a pre-season camp in Wales, Colchester referred to their pre-season schedule as ‘testing’, which is hardly the case considering the standard of opposition. They have scored goals in those games, and replicating that in the higher standard of League football will be the key. Gates at the newly-named JobServe Community Stadium barely averaged 3,300 last season and ensure that budgets will never be among the best in League Two. So is John McGreal the man to reverse the negative momentum and help Colchester punch above their weight this time around?
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 20/1
Prediction: Lower mid-table.
CRAWLEY TOWN:
Last season: 14th
P46 W16 D11 L19 F58 A66 Pts59
Average attendance: 2,268
Chairman: Ziya Eren, 48 (appointed March 2016)
Manager: Harry Kewell, 39 (appointed May 2017)
Harry Kewell’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (10):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (2):
Josh Lelan, 23 (Aldershot Town)
Josh Yorwerth, 23 (Peterborough United)
Midfielders (7):
Dean Cox, 30 (Untraced)
Aryan Tajbakhsh, 27 (Braintree Town)
Aliu ‘Kaby’ Djaló, 26 (Untraced)
Enzio Boldewijn, 25 (Notts County)
Billy Clifford, 25 (Untraced)
Jordan Roberts, 24 (Ipswich Town)
Moussa Sanoh, 23 (CSM Politehnica Iaşi – Romania)
Forwards (1):
Thomas Verheydt, 26 (Go Ahead Eagles – Holland)
Players in (10):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (2):
Romain Vincelot, 32 (Bradford City)
David Sesay, 19 (Watford)
Midfielders (4):
Filipe Morais, 32 (Bolton Wanderers)
George Francomb, 26 (AFC Wimbledon)
Ashley Nathaniel-George, 23 (Hendon)
Tarryn Allarakhia, 20 (Colchester United Academy)
Forwards (4):
Ollie Palmer, 26 (Lincoln City)
Dominic Poleon, 24 (Bradford City)
Reece Grego-Cox, 21 (Woking)
Brian Galach, 17 (Aldershot Town)
Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 24
Number of players in squad: 22
One to watch: Romain Vincelot, 32 (centre half)
Season ticket sales: 1,000
Pre-season:
P3 W0 D1 L2 F1 A4
17/7 IPSWICH TOWN H 0-1 (at East Grinstead Town FC)
21/7 CHARLTON ATHLETIC H 0-2 (at East Grinstead Town FC)
28/7 KSV ROESELARE H 1-1
Commentary:
It would be fair to say that Crawley were one of last season’s surprise packages in League Two, mounting a credible challenge for the playoffs as late as February. A great run of eleven wins from sixteen games carried them to within two points of the top seven, but the final win of that run – the 3-1 victory over Lincoln on 17 February – ironically marked the end of their challenge. Crawley picked up just eight more points from their final twelve games to slip into the bottom half.
Manager Harry Kewell certainly created something to build on in his first season in management, but there have been major losses on the playing side. Exciting winger Enzio Boldewijn was sold to Notts County for a substantial six-figure fee, while Josh Yorwerth became the latest League Two player to land on the Peterborough conveyor belt for very good money. Perhaps Crawley have become victims of the limited success Kewell brought to the club last season as the better players left for pastures new. The losses will be hard to replace, but Kewell has brought in two vastly experienced campaigners in Romain Vincelot and Filipe Morais to maintain some form of status quo. Ollie Palmer has arrived from Lincoln in search of more game time – it will be interesting to see how he fares with a run of regular starts.
Crawley were another side to undertake a strange pre-season schedule, with only three official games plus a number of behind-closed-doors games held at training grounds. One of those was a 9-0 defeat to Arsenal, which surely takes the prize for the most pointless pre-season friendly of the year. The bookmakers clearly do not rate Crawley’s chances of mounting another promotion challenge this season, and some are suggesting a season of trouble ahead. Harry Kewell’s side surprised us last season, but look less likely to do so this time around.
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 40/1
Prediction: Lower mid-table.
CREWE ALEXANDRA
Last season: 15th
P46 W17 D5 L24 F62 A75 Pts56
Average attendance: 3,876
Chairman: John Bowler MBE, 81 (appointed 1987)
Manager: David Artell, 37 (appointed January 2017)
David Artell’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (4):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (2):
Zoumana Bakayogo, 31 (Tranmere Rovers)
Ross Woodcock, 19 (Untraced)
Midfielders (0):
Forwards (2):
Chris Dagnall, 32 (Bury)
Daniel Udoh, 21 (AFC Telford United)
Players in (4):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (1):
Nicky Hunt, 34 (Notts County)
Midfielders (1):
Paul Green, 35 (Oldham Athletic)
Forwards (2):
Shaun Miller, 30 (Carlisle United)
Alex Nicholls, 30 (Barnet)
Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 32
Number of players in squad: 26
One to watch: Jordan Bowery, 27 (striker)
Season ticket sales:
Pre-season:
P8 W4 D2 L2 F10 A6
7/7 Nantwich Town A 1-0
10/7 Colwyn Bay A 2-1
14/7 Barrow A 0-1
17/7 Bala Town A 0-1
17/7 Kidsgrove Athletic A 2-1
20/7 Altrincham A 3-0
26/7 Leek Town A 1-1
28/7 BLACKPOOL H 1-1
Commentary:
After struggling against relegation until the latter stages, Crewe ended last season in good form with twenty-three points coming from their final fourteen games. Whilst not exactly promotion form, it does suggest that the retention of the majority of last season’s squad could see Crewe as one of the surprise packages this season. Their notoriously leaky defence must be fixed first, with an uncomfortable eighty-nine goals conceded in all competitions; even during that fine run-in, they still managed to concede twenty.
Manager David Artell has largely kept faith with the players who finished the season, with just four out and four in. Summer signings have consisted of two of last season’s loanees (Paul Green and Shaun Miller) plus two other senior players – indeed, all four of Artell’s signings are thirty-something. As per last season, he may seek to boost his squad through a series of youthful loan signings from higher divisions. The dangerous Jordan Bowery remains, as does strike partner Chris Porter. The experienced Nicky Hunt joins from Notts County to help plug that defence, but conceding too many goals may well prove Crewe’s Achilles heel again.
Artell believes team spirit is worth twelve points a season, but that is no more than platitudinous. The vast majority of teams would claim to have a good team spirit, and that should be a given in this day and age. What is needed to set a team apart is a good set of players and a good manager who can elevate them above the rest, especially where financial considerations dominate. Do Crewe have that? Or is their great team spirit about to see them finish in the bottom half again?
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 33/1
Prediction: Upper mid-table.
EXETER CITY
Last season: 4th (lost in the play-off final)
P46 W24 D8 L14 F64 A54 Pts80
Average attendance: 4,073
Chairman: Julian Tagg, 62 (appointed 2015)
Manager: Matt Taylor, 36 (appointed June 2018)
Matt Taylor’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (11):
Goalkeepers (1):
Lewis Williams, 19 (Untraced)
Defenders (4):
Danny Seaborne, 31 (Derry City)
Troy Archibald-Henville, 29 (Untraced)
Jordan Moore-Taylor, 24 (Milton Keynes Dons)
Jordan Storey, 20 (Preston North End)
Midfielders (3):
Ryan Harley, 33 (Milton Keynes Dons)
Lloyd James, 30 (Forest Green Rovers)
Alex Byrne, 21 (Untraced)
Forwards (3):
Robbie Simpson, 33 (Milton Keynes Dons)
Ryan Brunt, 25 (Bath City)
Liam McAlinden, 24 (Cheltenham Town)
Players in (6):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (2):
Aaron Martin, 28 (Oxford United)
Jimmy Oates, 27 (Hereford FC)
Midfielders (2):
Lee Martin, 31 (Gillingham)
Nicky Law, 30 (Bradford City)
Forwards (2):
Jonathan Forte, 32 (Notts County)
Tristan Abrahams, 19 (Norwich City – season loan)
Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 28
Number of players in squad: 28
One to watch: Jayden Stockley, 24 (striker)
Season ticket sales: 1,470 (27/6/18)
Pre-season:
P5 W4 D1 L0 F15 A2
12/7 Truro City A 6-0
17/7 Bath City A 1-0
19/7 Weymouth A 2-0
27/7 Taunton Town A 2-2
28/7 Bristol Rovers A 4-0
Commentary:
Two successive play-off final defeats combined with Paul Tisdale’s departure after twelve exciting years left Exeter City at a turning point at the end of May. The club decided to maintain some form of continuity and immediately appointed from within: U23 manager and former player Matt Taylor stepped up to the manager’s job despite having no experience in management. He wisely appointed an experienced management team around him, and was fortunate enough to inherit a squad that is used to winning.
However, Taylor was given no time to settle in as a number of players, some of whom were still under contract, followed Tisdale out of the door. Three of them have since turned up at Tisdale’s new club MK Dons, much to the displeasure of the fans. The loss of some key players will be difficult to overcome, although Exeter do have one of the larger squads in League Two to compensate. On the positive side, influential midfielder Hiram Boateng remains despite attention from a number of clubs. Lee Martin looks the pick of the signings, while Jonathan Forte should deliver ten goals to support the efforts of main striker Jayden Stockley.
Further to substantial changes in playing staff and management, Exeter have also had the disruption of ground redevelopment to contend with. There is light at the end of that tunnel – completion of the two new stands is expected to raise capacity back to 8,500 by October.
Considering the extent of the upheaval over the summer, it is by no means certain that Exeter will be ready to mount a third consecutive promotion bid. The difference may be that man Stockley, assuming Exeter can hold on to him for the whole season. A host of Championship clubs are known to be circling already, and he is out of contract next summer. There is still plenty of quality in the squad, but is there enough to maintain the current momentum? Matt Taylor has already stated his intention to be his own man, but is he the right man? Those questions are about to be answered.
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 20/1
Prediction: Unsuccessful play-off challenge.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS
Last season: 21st
P46 W13 D8 L25 F54 A77 Pts47
Average attendance: 2,771
Chairman: Dale Vince OBE, 56 (appointed October 2010)
Manager: Mark Cooper, 49 (appointed May 2016)
Mark Cooper’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (18):
Goalkeepers (3):
Sam Russell, 35 (Grimsby Town)
Cameron Belford, 29 (Chorley)
Harry Pickering, 20 (Untraced)
Defenders (7):
Mark Roberts, 34 ()
Dale Bennett, 28 (Sutton United)
Dan Wishart, 26 (Sutton United)
Alex Whittle, 25 (Untraced)
Manny Monthe, 23 (Tranmere Rovers)
Callum Evans, 22 (Macclesfield Town)
Jon Moran, 20 (Chester)
Midfielders (5):
Isaiah Osbourne, 30 (Untraced)
Keanu Marsh-Brown, 25 (Newport County)
Charlie Cooper, 21 (Newport County – season loan)
Tom Anderson, 19 (Cirencester Town)
Jordan Morris, 19 (Cirencester Town)
Forwards (3):
Omar Bugiel, 23 (Bromley)
Luke James, 23 (Hartlepool United)
Olly Mehew, 20 (Untraced)
Players in (12):
Goalkeepers (3):
James Montgomery, 24 (Gateshead)
Lewis Thomas, 20 (Swansea City)
Robert Sánchez, 20 (Brighton & Hove Albion – season loan)
Defenders (3):
Joseph Mills, 28 (Perth Glory – Australia)
Paul Digby, 23 (Mansfield Town)
Liam Shephard, 23 (Peterborough United)
Midfielders (4):
Lloyd James, 30 (Exeter City)
Carl Winchester, 25 (Cheltenham Town)
George Williams, 22 (Fulham) current Welsh international!
Theo Archibald, 20 (Brentford – season loan)
Forwards (2):
Tahvon Campbell, 21 (West Bromwich Albion)
Isaac Pearce, 19 (Fulham)
Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 26
One to watch: George Williams, 22 (attacking midfield)
Season ticket sales:
Pre-season:
P9 W6 D2 L1 F23 A14
6/7 Brimscombe & Thrupp A 2-0
10/7 Torquay United A 4-1
13/7 Weston-super-Mare A 6-6
17/7 LEEDS UNITED H 1-2
18/7 Swindon Supermarine A 2-2
21/7 BRISTOL ROVERS H 1-0
25/7 Hereford FC A 3-1
28/7 Wrexham A 3-2
30/7 Cirencester Town A 1-0
Commentary:
Interested observers would be forgiven for thinking that Forest Green have fitted a revolving door to the players’ entrance at the New Lawn. There has been a huge turnover of players since they won promotion to the Football League a year ago: there were nineteen transfers during the summer 2017 window (eight out/eleven in), seventeen in January 2018 (seven out/ten in), and an incredible THIRTY this summer (eighteen out/twelve in). That means that a staggering thirty-three players have left the club in little more than a year, with thirty-three coming in. Only in-demand striker Chris Doidge remains from the promotion squad, plus Fabien Robert who is now surplus and on the transfer list. Retaining their League status by a solitary point suggests that too many changes were made in too short a period, yet an even larger churn has taken place this summer. If too many poor signings were made last season, what chance is there that FGR have it right this time?
FGR have clearly spent a lot of money this summer, with a very young average age of signings. There are some good ones in there, the most notable being the capture of current Welsh international George Williams from Fulham. Carl Winchester has been lured away from neighbours Cheltenham Town, and Lloyd James is one of the more experienced players to depart Exeter City. Striker Tahvon Campbell returns on a permanent basis, but there is a noticeable lack of experience in the squad. Everything appears to hinge on Christian Doidge: his retention may mean a surprisingly good season, but his loss would certainly prove problematic.
With a £23 million loss at Ecotricity and redundancies causing animosity in the area, will Dale Vince continue to underpin his football club folly to the tune of £2.5 million every year? Could the FGR gravy train be about to hit the buffers? Summer transfer business suggests not, but those subsidies keep on rising. The question is: has all of that money been used well this time?
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 40/1
Prediction: Lower mid-table with Doidge, relegation battle without him.
GRIMSBY TOWN
Last season: 18th
P46 W13 D12 L21 F42 A66 Pts51
Average attendance: 4,657
Chairman: John Fenty, 56 (appointed July 2004)
Manager: Michael Jolley, 41 (appointed March 2018)
Michael Jolley’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (15):
Goalkeepers (1):
Ben Killip, 22 (Braintree Town)
Defenders (5):
Ben Davies, 37 (Untraced)
Nathan Clarke, 34 (Untraced)
Karleigh Osborne, 30 (Aldershot Town)
Zak Mills, 26 (Morecambe)
Jack Keeble, 19 (St Neots Town)
Midfielders (6):
Sean McAllister, 30 (Untraced)
Luke Summerfield, 30 (Wrexham)
James Berrett, 29 (Untraced)
Chris Clements, 28 (Untraced)
Sam Kelly, 24 (Hamilton Academical)
Tom Sawyer, 19 (Grantham Town)
Forwards (3):
Gary McSheffrey, 35 (Untraced)
Scott Vernon, 34 (Cleethorpes Town)
Siriki Dembélé, 21 (Peterborough United)
Players in (10):
Goalkeepers (1):
Sam Russell, 35 (Forest Green Rovers)
Defenders (3):
Harry Davis, 26 (St Mirren)
Alex Whitmore, 22 (Chesterfield)
Akin Famewo, 19 (Luton Town – season loan)
Midfielders (3):
John Welsh, 34 (Preston North End)
Jake Hessenthaler, 24 (Gillingham)
Elliott Whitehouse, 24 (Lincoln City)
Forwards (3):
Jordan Cook, 28 (Luton Town)
Louis Robles, 21 (San Roque de Lepe – Spain)
Charles Vernam, 21 (Derby County)
Average age of players out: 28
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 22
One to watch: James McKeown, 29 (goalkeeper)
Season ticket sales: 2900 (2983 in 2017-18)
Pre-season:
P5 W2 D0 L3 F10 A8
7/7 Cleethorpes Town A 3-4
17/7 SUNDERLAND H 0-1
18/7 Cleethorpes Town A 2-3 (Lincolnshire Senior Cup quarter-final)
24/7 DONCASTER ROVERS H 1-0
28/7 Gainsborough Trinity A 4-0
Commentary:
So, the amusingly-named Jolley Revolution is underway. Back on Planet Earth, Grimsby Town are facing a far more mundane reality: can rookie manager Michael Jolley somehow turn last season’s great escape into regular form this time around?
That is the challenge that faces all saviour-managers, and history shows that generating similar momentum the following season is extremely difficult. It is hardly an auspicious outlook at Blundell Park despite the artificially-generated vitality. The appointment of a very inexperienced management team to support a very inexperienced manager looks a strange move, and there has been a huge turnover on the playing side. The vast majority of Russell Slade’s poor squad has quite rightly been jettisoned, but too many of the replacements look unconvincing, perhaps the natural result of manager Jolley’s irregular coaching history and a limited budget.
Matters were not improved when 21-year-old Ivorian striker Siriki Dembélé, one of the few bright lights last season, submitted a transfer request and departed in June. On the positive side, the average age of the squad has been brought down significantly. Their best signing appeared to be the energetic Elliott Whitehouse, but he will miss most of the season with a knee injury suffered during a pre-season friendly. Former England U21 midfielder John Welsh has been brought in and appointed captain, but at nearly thirty-five and with a history of injuries, he may have limited impact in the rough and tumble of League Two. Jordan Cook has arrived from Luton, but he has only nineteen goals to his name in nine years. Louis Robles has been playing regional football in Spain, while the more promising Charles Vernam has arrived from Derby U23 on a permanent basis. Grimsby only scored 42 goals last season, and that remains their main problem: it is hard to see them being as bad again, but it is also very difficult to see how that will change with limited creativity in midfield and unproven strikers up front.
The Jolley Revolution started pre-season with a summer camp in Warwick before limping into a haphazard pre-season schedule which did not go well. Gates at Blundell Park fell by eleven percent last season and season ticket sales this summer suggest the lost fans will be hard to lure back. With continuing animosity between owner and supporter clouding the horizon further, it could be some time before things improve in Cleethorpes. The question is: will there be two teams worse than Grimsby this season?
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 33/1
Prediction: Bottom four. There should be enough poor sides for Grimsby to survive.
LINCOLN CITY
Last season: 7th (lost in play-off semi-final)
P46 W20 D15 L11 F64 A48 Pts75
Average attendance: 8,812
Chairman: Clive Nates, 60 (appointed June 2018)
Manager: Danny Cowley, 39 (appointed May 2016)
Danny Cowley’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (9):
Goalkeepers (2):
Paul Farman, 29 (Stevenage)
Richard Walton, 20 (Matlock Town)
Defenders (1):
Sean Long, 23 (Cheltenham Town)
Midfielders (5):
Nathan Arnold, 31 (Boston United)
Cameron Stewart, 27 (Untraced)
Billy Knott, 25 (Concord Rangers)
Alex Woodyard, 25 (Peterborough United)
Elliott Whitehouse, 24 (Grimsby Town)
Forwards (1):
Ollie Palmer, 26 (Crawley Town)
Players in (7):
Goalkeepers (1):
Grant Smith, 24 (Boreham Wood)
Defenders (2):
Harry Toffolo, 22 (Millwall)
Scott Wharton, 20 (Blackburn Rovers – season loan)
Midfielders (1):
Michael O’Connor, 30 (Notts County)
Forwards (3):
John Akinde, 29 (Barnet)
Bruno Andrade, 24 (Boreham Wood)
Shay McCartan, 24 (Bradford City – season loan)
Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 19
One to watch: Bruno Andrade, 24 (striker)
Season ticket sales: 6,300 SOLD OUT
Pre-season:
P6 W3 D0 L3 F8 A6
10/7 NORWICH CITY H 1-3
13/7 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY H 0-1
22/7 BLACKBURN ROVERS H 0-1
24/7 Boston United A 4-1
28/7 Scunthorpe United A 1-0
31/7 DERBY COUNTY U23 H 2-0
Commentary:
Having signed a new four-year contract in May, Lincoln manager Danny Cowley stated that the only way to top last season’s Checkatrade Trophy win and play-off semi-final would be to win promotion this time around. EFL figures revealed that Lincoln over-performed last season on only the fourteenth largest budget in League Two. Despite the financial disadvantage, a new £1.3 million state of the art training ground is under construction at Scampton, and every available season ticket has sold out. The elevation of popular director Clive Nates to club chairman during the summer completes a very positive picture at Sincil Bank, and expectation is high in the old city.
The close season has not all been plain sailing. City suffered the high-profile departure of Alex Woodyard to Peterborough, although many supporters felt the need for a more offensive outlook in midfield. The rest of the players leaving the club were certainly surplus to requirements, with the majority of supporters believing more quality would be needed for a sustained promotion challenge. That is exactly what the summer transfer market has delivered to LN5, with the notable signing of John Akinde for a club record fee a clear sign of intent. City lacked a genuine goalscorer last season, and have taken very positive steps to correct that. Highly-rated Bruno Andrade from Boreham Wood can only reinforce Lincoln’s strike options, while attacking left back Harry Toffolo will do likewise in addition to his defensive duties. Outstanding young defender Scott Wharton returns on a season loan from Blackburn, and the dangerous Shay McCartan makes a similar move from Bradford. With attacking right back and club Player of the Season Neal Eardley signing a new two-year contract in May, expect Lincoln to score plenty of goals.
City gave themselves a tough pre-season schedule deliberately to maximise fitness returns from games against higher class opposition. Even after two years of unprecedented success, nearly 6,500 season ticket holders believe something special is about to happen again at Lincoln. With last season’s Checkatrade Trophy and play-off semi-final squad boosted by some very good signings, there is no reason to believe that they will not be one of the teams to beat this season.
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 15/2 (third favourites)
Prediction: Automatic promotion.
MACCLESFIELD TOWN
Last season: 1st in the National League (promoted)
P46 W27 D11 L8 F67 A46 Pts92
Average attendance: 1,838
Chairman: Mark Blower, 49 (appointed May 2013)
Manager: Mark Yates, 48 (appointed June 2018)
Mark Yates’ managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (9):
Goalkeepers (2):
Shwan Jalal, 34 (Chesterfield)
Sam Ramsbottom, 22 (Untraced)
Defenders (3):
George Pilkington, 36 (Retired)
Mitch Hancox, 24 (Milton Keynes Dons)
Kieran Kennedy, 24 (Shrewsbury Town)
Midfielders (3):
Courtney Richards, 24 (Untraced)
Danny Whitehead, 24 (Salford City)
Noe Baba, 21 (Waterford)
Forwards (1):
Diego De Girolamo, 22 (Buxton)
Players in (11):
Goalkeepers (1):
Rhys Taylor, 28 (AFC Fylde)
Defenders (6):
Michael Rose, 36 (Morecambe)
Jamie Grimes, 27 (Cheltenham Town)
James Pearson, 25 (Kidderminster Harriers)
Callum Evans, 22 (Forest Green Rovers)
Fiacre Kelleher, 22 (Oxford United – season loan)
Miles Welch-Hayes, 21 (Bath City)
Midfielders (1):
Callum Maycock, 20 (Coventry City – loan until January)
Forwards (3):
Nathan Blissett, 28 (Plymouth Argyle)
Harry Smith, 23 (Millwall)
Ben Stephens, 20 (Stratford Town)
Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 24
One to watch: Ben Stephens, 20 (striker)
Season ticket sales:
Pre-season:
P5 W1 D2 L2 F7 A6
14/7 Ashton United A 5-1
17/7 Altrincham A 0-1
20/7 BURNLEY H 0-2
24/7 WREXHAM H 1-1
28/7 Stockport County A 1-1
Commentary:
The loss of manager John Askey to Shrewsbury will be unsettling for the National League champions, but perhaps an indication that he had taken the club beyond where he thought possible. Maidstone boss Jay Saunders was offered the job but turned it down. Former City midfielder Mark Yates got the job after rescuing Solihull Moors from relegation last season. The experienced Yates looks a good appointment, having enjoyed periods of success at clubs of a similar size. He has a decent record in League Two with two play-off campaigns to his name at Cheltenham, but there is a host of reasons why he may find it much harder this time.
With a naturally restricted budget and an average attendance of around 1,800 last season, Macclesfield appear to have few opportunities to generate the income necessary to compete in the League. Furthermore, Macc only scored 67 goals in winning the National League, which presents a real challenge against the significantly superior defences and goalkeepers in League Two. On the basis that promoted teams on average score twenty-three goals fewer in their first season in League Two than in the National League, Macclesfield appear to have a serious problem. By means of a comparison, Forest Green scored 88 in gaining promotion in 2017 and stayed up by a single point. Macc appear to be relying on former Lincoln loanee Nathan Blissett to score the missing goals, which does not bode well for them if his past record is anything to go by. Ben Stephens from Stratford Town was courted by Birmingham and Ipswich last season, but League Two will be a big step up at the age of 20.
The majority of Lincoln supporters would wish all the best to Macclesfield. Further to our mutual affection for Mssrs Alexander and Butcher, Macc have a habit of following City up and down the leagues. Unfortunately, it is very hard to be optimistic. Promoted sides Forest Green, Grimsby and Cheltenham have all struggled badly in the last two seasons, and Macclesfield can expect the same. No club has been relegated straight back to the Conference a year after promotion, but Macclesfield look ill-prepared for life in the League.
At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 66/1 (joint-favourites for relegation)
Prediction: With regret, relegation.
Vital Lincoln City – @SkyBetLeagueTwo Season Preview 2018-19 (Part One):https://t.co/cVzk6OOMBm#CamUTD #ColU #GTFC
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) August 2, 2018