Vital Lincoln City – League Two Season Preview 2018-19 (Part Two)


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.

MANSFIELD TOWN

Last season: 8th
P46 W18 D18 L10 F67 A52 Pts72
Average attendance: 4,308

Chairman: John Radford, 52 (appointed September 2010)

Manager: David Flitcroft, 44 (appointed March 2018)

David Flitcroft’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (9):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (4):
Johnny Hunt, 27 (Stevenage)
Rhys Bennett, 26 (Peterborough United)
George Taft, 25 (Cambridge United)
Paul Digby, 23 (Forest Green Rovers)

Midfielders (4):
Joel Byrom, 31 (Stevenage)
Alfie Potter, 29 (Untraced)
Jack Thomas, 22 (Untraced)
Lewis Collins, 21 (Cleethorpes Town)

Forwards (1):
Jimmy Spencer, 26 (Untraced)

Players in (5):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (1):
Matt Preston, 23 (Swindon Town)

Midfielders (2):
Neal Bishop, 36 (Scunthorpe United)
Otis Khan, 22 (Yeovil Town)

Forwards (2):
Craig Davies, 32 (Oldham Athletic)
Tyler Walker, 21 (Nottingham Forest – season loan)

Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 27

Number of players in squad: 23

One to watch: Tyler Walker, 21 (striker)

Season ticket sales: 1,443

Pre-season:
P8 W5 D2 L1 F15 A4

7/7 Vitória Sport Clube N 0-1 (played in Albufeira, Portugal)
12/7 Bradford Park Avenue A 3-0
14/7 Retford United A 5-0
14/7 Hednesford Town A 0-0
18/7 DERBY COUNTY H 3-1
21/7 SHEFFIELD UNITED H 0-0
24/7 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY H 2-1
28/7 ROTHERHAM UNITED H 2-1

Commentary:

Here is the million-dollar question: do Mansfield have a similar budget to last season? Their bold and ultimately misguided attempt to buy promotion went horribly wrong of course, perhaps allowing Lincoln into the playoffs through that failure. The departure of controversial manager Steve Evans in March did not help that drive, although Mansfield presumably knew what they were getting when they employed him. A massive fine for owner John Radford from the Financial Conduct Authority set the seal on a year to forget at Field Mill, although there is no sign of it affecting his ability to invest in Mansfield Town.

With Evans gone, new manager David Flitcroft could not maintain the promotion push and now appears to be trying to sort out the mess left behind. Three Evans signings – Joel Byrom, Jimmy Spencer and Alfie Potter – have already been released, while six members of Evans’ 2017 summer spree were made available for transfer despite being under contract. Quite how much money he has in his budget may depend on how many of Evans’ expensive errors he can move on, but the evidence seems to suggest the coffers are not empty regardless. Highly-rated young striker Tyler Walker has arrived on a season loan from Nottingham Forest on wages rumoured to make Simon Cowell gasp, while industrious midfielder Otis Khan from Yeovil looks the best of the rest for a mere £100,000. The Stags suffered a blow late in the transfer window when Danny Rose handed in a transfer request after a number of offers for him were rejected.

Like the Imps, Mansfield are also developing their infrastructure through the construction of a new training ground. The £2m facility at Pleasley benefits from a £500,000 grant from the Premier League & FA Facilities Fund, a condition of which stipulates that the facility must be made available for local community use. It will also be used by the club’s academy and Mansfield Town Ladies. The rest of the money comes from a company owned by John Radford.

A highlight for many during the summer was an ill-advised appearance on BBC’s Question Time by CEO Carolyn Radford, who proved unequivocally that she is not Karren Brady. If nothing else, the Mansfield Town Theatre of the Bizarre promises to keep the rest of us entertained regardless of what happens on the pitch. And who knows? With the sorry Evans episode consigned to history, perhaps Mansfield can even become likeable again.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 10/1 (fourth favourites)

Prediction: Playoffs.

MILTON KEYNES DONS

Last season: 23rd in League One (relegated)
P46 W11 D12 L23 F43 A69 Pts45
Average attendance: 9,202

Chairman: Pete Winkelman, 60 (appointed March 2004)

Manager: Paul Tisdale, 45 (appointed June 2018)

Paul Tisdale’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (7):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (2):
Scott Wootton, 26 (Plymouth Argyle)
Ben Tilney, 21 (Larne)

Midfielders (5):
Nigel Reo-Coker, 34 (Training with West Bromwich Albion)
Ed Upson, 28 (Bristol Rovers)
Giorgio Rasulo, 21 (Untraced)
Connor Furlong, 20 (Untraced)
Hugo Logan, 19 (Untraced)

Forwards (0):

Players in (9):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (4):
Mathieu Baudry, 30 (Doncaster Rovers)
Mitch Hancox, 24 (Macclesfield Town)
Jordan Moore-Taylor, 24 (Exeter City)
Baily Cargill, 23 (AFC Bournemouth)

Midfielders (4):
Ryan Harley, 33 (Exeter City)
Lawson D’Ath, 25 (Luton Town)
Ryan Watson, 25 (Barnet)
Jordan Houghton, 22 (Chelsea)

Forwards (1):
Robbie Simpson, 33 (Exeter City)

Average age of players out: 24
Average age of players in: 27

Number of players in squad: 31

One to watch: Kieran Agard, 28 (striker)

Season ticket sales:

Pre-season:
P7 W3 D1 L3 F10 A5

7/7 Newport Pagnell Town A 3-0
9/7 St Neots Town A 5-1
13/7 Brackley Town A 0-1
18/7 UD Almería N 0-0 (played at Pinatar Arena, Murcia)
20/7 FC Jumilla N 1-2 (played at Pinatar Arena, Murcia)
24/7 IPSWICH TOWN H 0-1
27/7 OXFORD UNITED H 1-0

Commentary:

Following a somewhat unexpected relegation in May, MK Dons find themselves having to rebuild from the bottom. Three wins from four games in March appeared to be carrying the side to safety, but a run of six successive defeats in April dumped them back into the basement division they left in 2008. Indeed, it is only two seasons since the club graced the Championship with ambitions of Premier League status, so they might be forgiven for blinking in surprise at their current plight.

However, the post-relegation mourning period was refreshingly brief. Owner Pete Winkelman moved quickly to resolve the problem of the revolving door to his manager’s office by bringing in an experienced manager: Paul Tisdale joins after twelve years at Exeter, accompanied by three of his better players in Ryan Harley, Jordan Moore-Taylor and Robbie Simpson. The core to the squad is a solid one, and certainly one that never should have been relegated. Kieran Agard, in particular, will prove too good for League Two, whilst Moore-Taylor, Baily Cargill and Mathieu Baudry should ensure a firm defence. Crowds look set to hold up well, and will easily top 10,000 if the side starts winning again.

In terms of support, management and players, MK Dons appear to have all the hallmarks of a successful season ahead. A club with a capacity of 30,500 would naturally expect to be playing at Championship level as a minimum, and MK Dons are a fish out of water in League Two. They will certainly be one of the big fish that every other team in the division will be angling for, but it is hard to see anything less than a successful challenge for promotion.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 13/2 (second favourites)

Prediction: Champions.

MORECAMBE

Last season: 22nd
P46 W9 D19 L18 F41 A56 Pts46
Average attendance: 1,492

Chairman: Peter McGuigan, 68 (appointed 2000)

Manager: Jim Bentley, 42 (appointed May 2011)

Jim Bentley’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (11):

Goalkeepers (2):
Dan Nizic, 23 (Western Sydney Wanderers – Australia)
Niall Maher, 19 (Untraced)

Defenders (4):
Michael Rose, 36 (Macclesfield Town)
Dean Winnard, 28 (Untraced)
Patrick Brough, 22 (Falkirk)
Aaron McGowan, 22 (Hamilton Academical)

Midfielders (0):

Forwards (5):
Adam McGurk, 29 (Untraced)
Rhys Turner, 23 (Barrow)
Reece Deakin, 21 (Untraced)
Luke Jordan, 19 (Ramsbottom United)
Steven Yawson, 18 (Untraced)

Players in (11):

Goalkeepers (2):
Mark Halstead, 27 (Southport)
Dawid Szczepaniak, 18 (Airbus UK Broughton)

Defenders (2):
Zak Mills, 26 (Grimsby Town)
Jordan Cranston, 25 (Cheltenham Town)

Midfielders (2):
Andrew Tutte, 27 (Bury)
Lamin Jagne, 20 (Manchester College)

Forwards (5):
James Sinclair, 30 (GAIS – Sweden)
Jason Oswell, 25 (Stockport County)
Rhys Oates, 23 (Hartlepool United)
Liam Mandeville, 21 (Doncaster Rovers – season loan)
Carlos Mendes Gomes, 19 (West Didsbury & Chorlton)

Average age of players out: 24
Average age of players in: 24

Number of players in squad: 24

One to watch: Barry Roche, 36 (goalkeeper)

Season ticket sales:

Pre-season:
P4 W2 D1 L1 F8 A8

10/7 Bamber Bridge A 2-1
13/7 Alfreton Town A 3-2
24/7 Chester A 2-2
28/7 FLEETWOOD TOWN H 1-3

Commentary:

After years of financial struggle and inadequate cash flow, Morecambe FC was finally taken over by London-based Bond Group Investments Limited in May 2018. The new owners promised to pay off all significant debts and put money into the club, which they did in July (£750,000). The immediate future of the club is more secure, and at least the players may get paid regularly now. However, little money exists for building a squad capable of carrying the club away from perennial danger at the foot of the Football League, a challenge that has faced likeable manager Jim Bentley for the last seven seasons. Indeed, Bentley became the longest-serving manager in England after Paul Tisdale parted company with Exeter in June; considering Morecambe’s ongoing struggle for League survival, that represents a remarkable show of loyalty by both parties.

A mix of experience and youth has been brought in during the summer, with striker James Sinclair returning to the Football League after a spell in Sweden. Stockport’s Jason Oswell will be keen to make his mark in the League at last at the age of 25, whilst the signings of youngsters Lamin Jagne and Carlos Mendes Gomes from Manchester College are very imaginative. Perhaps the most important signings came with the retention of old stagers Kevin Ellison and Barry Roche on one-year contracts. One big omission will be striker Garry Thompson, who will be out until December with a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered against Crewe in April.

The club appears to have made some bargain basement signings again this summer, but it must be remembered that Morecambe are fishing at the very bottom of the professional pool. To have kept the club in the big time despite gates dropping into three figures at times is no mean achievement. By rights, Morecambe should not really have a League club at all, given its population of under 35,000. This is one of those rare occasions when the manager’s relatively poor statistical returns have to be ignored. The headline at the Globe Arena is that Jim Bentley has somehow kept the club out of League Two’s bottom two for seven seasons in a row: the question is, can he make it eight?

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 80/1 (favourites for relegation)

Prediction: Relegation.

NEWPORT COUNTY

Last season: 11th
P46 W16 D16 L14 F56 A58 Pts64
Average attendance: 3,489

Chairman: Gavin Foxall, 48 (appointed August 2015)

Manager: Michael Flynn, 37 (appointed March 2017 as caretaker, May 2017 permanently)

Michael Flynn’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (10):

Goalkeepers (1):
James Bittner, 36 (Retired)

Defenders (2):
Jamie Turley, 28 (Untraced)
Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, 25 (Untraced)

Midfielders (4):
Ben Tozer, 28 (Cheltenham Town)
Joss Labadie, 27 (On trial with Dagenham & Redbridge)
Lamar Reynolds, 22 (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Tom Owen-Evans, 21 (Falkirk)

Forwards (3):
Paul Hayes, 34 (Untraced)
Marlon Jackson, 27 (Untraced)
Frank Nouble, 26 (Colchester United)

Players in (8):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (2):
Fraser Franks, 27 (Stevenage)
Tyler Forbes, 22 (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders (4):
Andrew Crofts, 34 (Scunthorpe United)
Keanu Marsh-Brown, 25 (Forest Green Rovers)
Charlie Cooper, 21 (Forest Green Rovers – season loan)
Tyreeq Bakinson, 19 (Bristol City – loan until January)

Forwards (2):
Jamille Matt, 28 (Blackpool)
Antoine Semenyo, 18 (Bristol City – season loan)

Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 24

Number of players in squad: 25

One to watch: Keanu Marsh-Brown, 25 (winger)

Season ticket sales:

Pre-season:
P5 W1 D2 L2 F4 A5

13/7 Undy AFC N 1-1 (at Chepstow Town FC)
14/7 Chippenham Town A 0-1
18/7 Penybont A 0-0
21/7 Hereford FC A 2-0
28/7 STOKE CITY U23 H 1-3

Commentary:

Perennial financial problems continue to dominate in South Wales. The supporter-owned club has been forced to consult fans regarding its future ownership model. The club recently posted a £351,456 loss in the latest accounts (to June 2017) but claim last season’s FA Cup run will offset that amount in this year’s accounts. However, the cost of playing at Rodney Parade has apparently increased by 100% due to increased rents by the ground’s owners (the Welsh Rugby Union) to cover the cost of extensive health & safety and pitch works. Doubts have been raised over the viability of remaining at the ground despite being committed to a lease until 2023. With average attendances continuing to struggle in this rugby heartland, the £50,000 per annum rent may prove increasingly hard to find.

It would be fair to say that Newport had a great season in 2017-18, finishing in the top half of League Two as well as earning a fourth-round FA Cup replay against Spurs at Wembley. Unfortunately, they have lost the heart of that team during the summer. Two of the better players in Frank Nouble and Ben Tozer rejected contract offers to move to other League Two clubs, while injured captain and convicted vampire Joss Labadie unexpectedly decided to do likewise. On the positive side, new signing Keanu Marsh-Brown can be a handful on his day, the problem being that his day does not come often enough. Fraser Franks will make the defence more secure, and new skipper Andrew Crofts from Scunthorpe will offer organisation and nous in midfield.

A very lacklustre pre-season schedule was far from being ideal preparation, and there is little to suggest that Newport can expect anything more than another mid-table season at best. But Michael Flynn has shown himself to be a clever manager despite his inexperience and appears unfazed by the ongoing financial challenges that remain. There will be no risk of relegation while he is in charge, and perhaps that is a reasonable enough ambition at present.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 33/1

Prediction: Mid-table.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN

Last season: 22nd in League One (relegated)
P46 W12 D11 L23 F43 A77 Pts47
Average attendance: 5,830

Chairman: Kelvin Thomas, 45 (appointed November 2015)

Manager: Dean Austin, 48 (appointed April 2018 as caretaker, May 2018 permanently)

Dean Austin’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (6):

Goalkeepers (1):
Richard O’Donnell, 29 (Bradford City)

Defenders (3):
Brendan Moloney, 29 (Untraced)
Raheem Hanley, 24 (Untraced)
Aaron Phillips, 24 (Untraced)

Midfielders (0):

Forwards (2):
Kevin Luckassen, 25 (Almere City – Holland)
Leon Lobjoit, 23 (Untraced)

Players in (4):

Goalkeepers (1):
Lewis Ward, 21 (Reading – season loan)

Defenders (1):
Hakeem Odoffin, 20 (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Midfielders (0):

Forwards (2):
Andy Williams, 31 (Doncaster Rovers)
Junior Morias, 23 (Peterborough United)

Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 24

Number of players in squad: 28

One to watch: Junior Morias, 23 (striker)

Season ticket sales: 2,750 (11/6/18) 3,210 last season

Pre-season:
P5 W5 D0 L0 F12 A0

3/7 Sileby Rangers A 2-0
7/7 St Albans City A 4-0
10/7 Brackley Town A 1-0
24/7 BARNET H 3-0
27/7 MANCHESTER UNITED XI H 2-0

Commentary:

And so we welcome one of football’s yo-yo clubs back to League Two. Since the formation of the four-division league format in 1958, Northampton have been promoted from and relegated back to the basement division on no fewer than seven occasions. In the 1960s came that famous run to the First Division and back, perhaps setting the tone for what has happened since. One thing is for certain: Northampton will be looking for their eighth promotion from the fourth tier, and with immediate effect.

Placed into context against the environment the club has been operating within in recent times, that relegation in May was no surprise. The club was put up for sale in May this year following ongoing disputes with the council regarding the development of the troublesome East Stand. Northampton Borough Council is still trying to recover a £10.25 million loan granted to the club in 2013 for the redevelopment of Sixfields; the money has disappeared, and the council has spent a further £1 million plus in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the money. No one quite knows what the ultimate repercussions may be.

Against that background, Northampton also have a relatively new manager to lead them into their campaign in the shape of former Spurs right-back Dean Austin. Austin has very little experience of management, although he is very knowledgeable as a coach. Two of his better players in Brendan Moloney and goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell have moved on, but the retained list contained few surprises. Quite where the goals are going to come from is perhaps the main challenge facing Austin – last season’s top scorer Chris Long, on loan from Burnley, will not be there this time. Andy Williams, with over a hundred Football League goals to his name, has come in from Doncaster, while the speedy Junior Morias from Peterborough looks the pick of the signings.

Northampton were another side who undertook an underwhelming pre-season schedule. Having played a flurry of games against some minor non-league sides, Northampton allowed themselves just two official games in the final four weeks of pre-season, and one of those was at home to relegated Barnet. In short, Northampton is a relegated club that is up for sale, is embroiled in legal wrangling with the council, and has a new manager. However, they look in a better state than fellow relegated clubs Bury and Oldham in spite of the off-field shenanigans. They could be in for an interesting season at the newly-named PTS Academy Stadium.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 12/1 (joint fifth favourites)

Prediction: Playoffs.

NOTTS COUNTY

Last season: 5th
P46 W21 D14 L11 F71 A48 Pts77
Average attendance: 8,513

Chairman: Alan Hardy, 54 (appointed January 2017)

Manager: Kevin Nolan, 36 (appointed January 2017)

Kevin Nolan’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (13):

Goalkeepers (1):
Adam Collin, 33 (Carlisle United)

Defenders (3):
Mike Edwards, 38 (Untraced)
Nicky Hunt, 34 (Crewe Alexandra)
Carl Dickinson, 31 (Yeovil Town)

Midfielders (5):
Rob Milsom, 31 (Untraced)
Michael O’Connor, 30 (Lincoln City)
Liam Noble, 27 (Hartlepool United)
Curtis Thompson, 24 (Wycombe Wanderers)
Elliot Hodge, 22 (On trial at Burton Albion)

Forwards (4):
Alan Smith, 37 (Untraced)
Shola Ameobi, 36 (Untraced)
Jonathan Forte, 32 (Exeter City)
Callum Saunders, 22 (Untraced)

Players in (10):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (1):
Ben Hall, 21 (Brighton & Hove Albion – season loan)

Midfielders (7):
David Vaughan, 35 (Nottingham Forest)
Enzio Boldewijn, 25 (Crawley Town)
Andy Kellett, 24 (Wigan Athletic)
Nathan Thomas, 23 (Sheffield United – season loan)
Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, 20 (Portsmouth)
Tom Crawford, 19 (Chester)
Will Patching, 19 (Manchester City)

Forwards (2):
Kristian Dennis, 28 (Chesterfield)
Kane Hemmings, 27 (Oxford United)

Average age of players out: 31
Average age of players in: 24

Number of players in squad: 23

One to watch: Enzio Boldewijn, 25 (winger)

Season ticket sales: 3,100

Pre-season:
P6 W3 D0 L3 F26 A13

7/7 Rolls Royce Leisure Select XI A 17-0
10/7 Basford United A 3-1
14/7 DERBY COUNTY H 1-4
21/7 LEICESTER CITY H 1-4
28/7 Luton Town A 0-2
28/7 Carlton Town A 4-2

Commentary:

And so the club with the fantasy football finances returns with a vengeance. Following owner Alan Hardy’s admission last season that the current wage structure and bonus scale was unsustainable, we might have been forgiven for thinking Notts County were about to cut their cloth this summer. The wage bill was certainly reduced by some significant departures – thirteen players have gone, including presumed high wage-earners Alan Smith, Shola Ameobi and Jonathan Forte.

However, it is the arrivals that have drawn a sharp intake of breath from the outside world. The significant signings of Kristian Dennis (transfer fee alleged to be £150,000) and Kane Hemmings on a lucrative three-year deal started the golden ball rolling. Enzio Boldewijn was then signed from Crawley for a substantial six-figure fee (rumoured to be £300,000), which represents the largest investment since County paid £1.5 million for Kaspar Schmeichel in 2009. The total transfer fee for the three players is believed to be around £550,000, and that is without taking into account the wages for the three or the cost of recent Welsh international David Vaughan from across the Trent. With Hardy desperately trying to flog season tickets under a variety of guises and making impassioned appeals for the fans to turn up, one wonders how secure the whole thing is. Again.

There is no doubt that County have conducted some excellent summer business, whatever the cost, and they appear to have a squad to envy. Further to those headline signings, there has been a huge reduction in the average age of player, suggesting that the legs may last further into the season than they did last time. One criticism of the County side was that they appeared to run out of steam mid-season, and manager Nolan has certainly taken steps to avoid a similar fate this time.

From a Lincoln City perspective, we should also mention that Hardy is relaunching the ladies’ team this season under the new name Notts County Women. That is a bit strange, as Hardy closed the Notts County Ladies club down last summer on the basis that to continue would be ‘little short of financial suicide’. At that time, they could not cover the £1 million needed to cover debts, a £350,000 tax bill and the £500,000 per year running costs of the club. Hardy also stated the projected revenue from sponsorship and attendances was only £28,000, so what makes him think it is suddenly more viable 12 months later? Hardy says they will start further down the women’s pyramid and play home games at the ground of financial disaster area Ilkeston Town, which Hardy also owns. Not much of this makes sense. In fact, none of it does.

Considering the astounding amount of money spent this summer, anything less than promotion next May will represent catastrophic failure. Watch this space.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 11/2 (favourites)

Prediction: Automatic promotion

OLDHAM ATHLETIC:

Last season: 21st in League One (relegated)
P46 W11 D17 L18 F58 A75 Pts50
Average attendance: 4,442

Chairman: Abdallah Lemsagam, 41 (appointed January 2018)

Manager: Frankie Bunn, 55 (appointed June 2018)

Frankie Bunn’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (13):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (3):
Brian Wilson, 35 (Barrow)
Wilfried Moimbé, 29 (Untraced)
Ryan McLaughlin, 23 (Blackpool)

Midfielders (7):
Paul Green, 35 (Crewe Alexandra)
Tope Obadeyi, 28 (Untraced)
Abdelhakim Omrani, 27 (Royal Excelsior Virton – Luxembourg)
Ollie Banks, 25 (Tranmere Rovers)
Gyamfi Kyeremeh, 23 (Untraced)
Kallum Mantack, 20 (Untraced)
Mason Fawns, 19 (Curzon Ashton)

Forwards (3):
Craig Davies, 32 (Mansfield Town)
Aaron Amadi-Holloway, 25 (Shrewsbury Town)
Patrick McEleney, 25 (Dundalk)

Players in (9):

Goalkeepers (1):
Daniel Iversen, 21 (Leicester City – season loan)

Defenders (2):
Andy Taylor, 32 (Blackpool)
Sam Graham, 17 (Sheffield United – season loan)

Midfielders (4):
Giles Coke, 32 (Chesterfield)
Jose Baxter, 26 (Everton)
Christopher Missilou, 26 (Le Puy – France)
Johan Branger, 25 (FC Dieppe – France)

Forwards (2):
Chris O’Grady, 32 (Chesterfield)
Sam Surridge, 20 (AFC Bournemouth – season loan)

Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 26

Number of players in squad: 27

One to watch: Jonathan Benteke, 23 (striker)

Season ticket sales: 2,874 (2,900 in 2017-18)

Pre-season:
P5 W3 D1 L1 F9 A6

10/7 Ashton United A 3-1
14/7 Curzon Ashton A 2-0
17/7 FC United of Manchester A 2-0
21/7 NOTTINGHAM FOREST H 2-2
28/7 PRESTON NORTH END H 0-3

Commentary:

Boardroom battles, removal of the chairman, a takeover by Moroccan businessman Abdallah Lemsagam, denials of blatant ongoing financial problems, a huge unpaid tax bill (£130,000 and counting), outstanding wage liabilities to staff and players, disputes with their bank, foreign players imported on big wages with no knowledge of English football, unpaid ticket money collected on behalf of other clubs, players not paid and told to stay away from the club, staff departures, dressing room disputes, agents telling their clients not to sign for the club, unpaid phone bills, players unable to afford to put petrol in their cars, threats of employment tribunals from disgruntled staff, player departures…we welcome Oldham Athletic from League One.

The article in the Daily Mail making the above allegations was not the most complimentary, and therefore we need to take some of it with a tiny amount of sodium chloride. To be fair to new owner Lemsagam, he has stated that ‘the mess was bigger than we expected’, but this is hardly the best of starts to life in football’s basement where the trapdoor to oblivion is only nine months away.

To compound matters, Oldham appointed their ninth manager in a little over three years after Richie Wellens was sacked in June. New manager and club legend Frankie Bunn has no experience of management to speak of – he managed Coventry for two games as caretaker in February 2008, drawing one and losing the other 5-0 at home. His knowledge of League Two will be practically nil.

The departure of Northern Ireland full-back Ryan McLaughlin came as a serious blow to Oldham’s hopes of bouncing back to League One, the defender rejecting a contract offer to join Blackpool. Influential midfielder Ousmane Fané will miss the first half of the season after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle during training in July. Added to which, Oldham have conjured up a rag-bag of signings from every corner of obscurity, not helped by a turbulent background that will not make it easy to sign players at the best of times. We have the interesting return of Jose Baxter from Everton, who called his move from a Premier League club to a League Two club in disarray ‘a no-brainer’. To top the lot, the less than lethal Chris O’Grady joins from a terrific season at Chesterfield. On the positive side, striker Jonathan Benteke has decided to re-sign for the club after originally leaving in May.

Owner Lemsagam claims he can make a profit this season, but Oldham look in real trouble on and off the field. There are significant similarities to Leyton Orient, Chesterfield, and Port Vale, all of whom faced a dire struggle for Football League survival after relegation from League One. It looks to be a long road back for Oldham.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 20/1

Prediction: Bottom eight, could be the next Chesterfield if the disarray continues.

PORT VALE

Last season: 20th
P46 W11 D14 L21 F49 A67 Pts47
Average attendance: 4,582

Chairman: Tony Fradley, 68 (appointed May 2017)

Manager: Neil Aspin, 53 (appointed October 2017)

Neil Aspin’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (11):

Goalkeepers (2):
Ryan Boot, 23 (Solihull Moors)
Joe Slinn, 19 (Untraced)

Defenders (5):
Kjell Knops, 31 (Returned to Holland)
Callum Howe, 24 (Harrogate Town)
Graham Kelly, 20 (Untraced)
Luke Dennis, 19 (Newcastle Town)
Charlie Walford, 19 (Untraced)

Midfielders (3):
Harry Middleton, 23 (Untraced)
Billy Reeves, 21 (Untraced)
Chris Regis, 21 (Untraced)

Forwards (1):
Anton Forrester, 24 (On trial at Sunderland)

Players in (12):

Goalkeepers (1):
Scott Brown, 33 (Wycombe Wanderers)

Defenders (3):
Leon Legge, 32 (Cambridge United)
Connell Rawlinson, 26 (The New Saints)
Theo Vassell, 21 (Gateshead)

Midfielders (4):
Louis Dodds, 31 (Chesterfield – season loan)
Luke Joyce, 31 (Carlisle United)
Manny Oyeleke, 25 (Aldershot Town)
Brendon Daniels, 24 (Alfreton Town)
Tom Conlon, 22 (Stevenage)

Forwards (3):
Ricky Miller, 29 (Peterborough United)
Scott Quigley, 25 (Blackpool – season loan)
Idris Kanu, 18 (Peterborough United – season loan)

Average age of players out: 22
Average age of players in: 26

Number of players in squad: 25

One to watch: Idris Kanu, 18 (striker)

Season ticket sales: 2,800

Pre-season:
P9 W1 D6 L2 F13 A15

6/7 Redditch United A 1-1
7/7 Kidsgrove Athletic A 1-1
14/7 BLACKBURN ROVERS H 1-1
17/7 FC Halifax Town A 3-2
18/7 Nuneaton Borough A 2-2
21/7 BLACKPOOL H 0-1
24/7 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI H 2-2
28/7 SHREWSBURY TOWN H 2-4
29/7 Newcastle Town A 1-1

Commentary:

Having been relegated to League Two in 2017, an apparently disorganised Port Vale were hardly expected to make a swift return to League One last season. However, no one could have foreseen the near-disaster that unfolded as Vale sank straight into the bottom two. In the end, they stayed in the Football League by a single point (safety confirmed with a win over Lincoln) and had earned the right to breathe again.

Things are seldom that simple, of course. The relationship between the club and its supporters has been strained in recent years, and it has been put up for sale. Many fans feel that a takeover cannot come soon enough, considering Port Vale’s astonishing swallow dive down the Football League. Incredibly, it is only a little over two years since they were challenging for the League One playoffs. Although every club desires promotion, Vale supporters might be forgiven for dreaming of a season of stability instead.

There is no doubt at all that Port Vale are in a better place than twelve months ago. Many of the failed signings made by previous managers Bruno Ribeiro and Michael Brown have gone, replaced by players with at least some knowledge of League Two. Eleven players departed Vale Park during the summer, and there were no surprises at all among them. Plenty of experience has been brought in, with four signings over the age of thirty. The arrival of Ricky Miller is the headline-maker, although his record in the Football League is extremely poor. At almost thirty, Miller is surely in last-chance saloon as he tries one more time to ignite a career that has been as inconsistent as his off-field behaviour. If he can silence the critics and replicate the form that made him the National League’s top scorer fifteen months ago, Port Vale could have a good season ahead. Much will depend on how readily Miller forms a working relationship with experienced Tom Pope, while Louis Dodds has been brought in to boost the supply line. The best signing of all could prove to be eighteen-year-old Idris Kanu, who was outstanding for Aldershot Town in 2016-17.

Port Vale legend Neil Aspin returned to the club last season in his first job as a Football League manager, and could not have had a more challenging baptism of fire. So far he has worked wonders with very little to work with, but although the squad looks far better than at the start of last season, it still appears short of a possible promotion challenge. Aspin will not mind that especially, given Vale’s narrow escape from relegation and his own relative inexperience as a Football League manager. This could well be a season of consolidation, and a mid-table finish would represent a fine recovery from the shambles of the past two years.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 25/1

Prediction: Upper mid-table.

STEVENAGE

Last season: 16th
P46 W14 D13 L19 F60 A65 Pts55
Average attendance: 2,610

Chairman: Phil Wallace, 68 (appointed June 1999)

Manager: Dino Maamria, 47 (appointed March 2018)

Dino Maamria’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (11):

Goalkeepers (1):
Chris Day, 43 (Untraced)

Defenders (3):
Fraser Franks, 27 (Newport County)
Kevin Lokko, 22 (Dover Athletic)
Ben Wilmot, 18 (Watford)

Midfielders (4):
Jack King, 32 (Ebbsfleet United)
Chris Whelpdale, 31 (Untraced)
Tom Conlon, 22 (Port Vale)
Dale Gorman, 22 (Leyton Orient)

Forwards (3):
Matt Godden, 27 (Peterborough United)
Alex Samuel, 22 (Untraced)
Jamie Gray, 20 (Untraced)

Players in (13):

Goalkeepers (1):
Paul Farman, 29 (Lincoln City)

Defenders (4):
Scott Cuthbert, 31 (Luton Town)
Johnny Hunt, 27 (Mansfield Town)
Ben Nugent, 25 (Gillingham)
Luther Wildin, 20 (Nuneaton Borough)

Midfielders (6):
Jamal Campbell-Ryce, 35 (Carlisle United)
Michael Timlin, 33 (Southend United)
Joel Byrom, 31 (Mansfield Town)
James Ball, 22 (Stockport County)
Emmanuel Sonupé, 22 (Kidderminster Harriers)
Donovan Makoma, 19 (Barrow)

Forwards (2):
Kurtis Guthrie, 25 (Colchester United)
Alex Reid, 22 (Fleetwood Town)

Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 26

Number of players in squad: 24

One to watch: Danny Newton, 27 (striker)

Season ticket sales:

Pre-season:
P6 W4 D0 L2 F12 A6

10/7 St Albans City A 3-1
14/7 PORTSMOUTH H 3-2
17/7 St Neots Town A 3-0
21/7 COVENTRY CITY H 2-0
24/7 CRYSTAL PALACE XI H 1-2
27/7 WATFORD XI H 0-1

Commentary:

The good news for Stevenage supporters is that work on the new 1,248-seater North Stand started in May after £600,000 was raised through a bond scheme. The bad news for Stevenage supporters is that work on the new stand was halted in June by a problem with an adjacent electricity substation, delaying the intended opening date of November. At the time of writing, work has yet to recommence.

The new stand – when it eventually materialises – is not the only change at the Lamex Stadium this summer. In addition to new manager Dino Maamria settling fully into his role, there has been significant movement on the playing side. Long-serving goalkeeper and former Imp Chris Day departed after not being offered a playing contract, while highly-rated defender Fraser Franks took the slightly odd decision to leave for Newport. Teen starlet Ben Wilmot was sold to Watford for a club record fee (undisclosed of course, but believed to be in the region of £1 million) and Matt Godden has joined the Peterborough cavalcade for an undisclosed six-figure fee (believed to be £400,000). That gives Stevenage plenty of money to reinvest in the team, assuming it is not required elsewhere. Arrivals so far range from the experienced Scott Cuthbert and Paul Farman to up-and-coming stars from the non-league game. James Ball from Stockport will relish his opportunity in League football, and there is a good age range also. Some may say that three signings from National League North represents a big step up in standard, although fans will point to the success enjoyed by former Tamworth striker Danny Newton last season.

Stevenage finished much closer to relegation than the playoffs last season, and it is hard to see them making a convincing challenge just yet. However, Dino Maamria has a good name in non-league circles and will be testing his skills in the Football League for the first time in earnest. With an interesting mix of players and an unknown quantity in the manager’s chair, Stevenage could just surprise a few people this season.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 28/1

Prediction: Mid-table.

SWINDON TOWN

Last season: 9th
P46 W20 D8 L18 F67 A65 Pts68
Average attendance: 6,436

Chairman: Lee Power, 46 (appointed December 2013)

Manager: Phil Brown, 59 (appointed March 2018)

Phil Brown’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (11):

Goalkeepers (2):
Reice Charles-Cook, 24 (On trial at Aldershot Town)
Stuart Moore, 23 (Untraced)

Defenders (3):
Ben Purkiss, 34 (Untraced)
Ryan McGivern, 28 (Linfield)
Matt Preston, 23 (Mansfield Town)

Midfielders (4):
Amine Linganzi, 28 (Untraced)
Donal McDermott, 28 (Untraced)
Tom Smith, 20 (Cheltenham Town)
Tom Ouldridge, 19 (Hungerford Town)

Forwards (2):
Luke Norris, 25 (Colchester United)
Paul Mullin, 23 (Tranmere Rovers)

Players in (8):

Goalkeepers (1):
Luke McCormick, 34 (Plymouth Argyle)

Defenders (0):

Midfielders (6):
Toumani Diagouraga, 31 (Fleetwood Town)
Jermaine McGlashan, 30 (Southend United)
Michael Doughty, 25 (Peterborough United)
Jak McCourt, 23 (Chesterfield)
Martin Smith, 22 (Coleraine)
Steven Alzate, 19 (Brighton & Hove Albion – season loan)

Forwards (1):
Elijah Adebayo, 20 (Fulham – season loan)

Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 26

Number of players in squad: 25

One to watch: Toumani Diagouraga, 31 (defensive midfield)

Season ticket sales:

Pre-season:
P6 W3 D0 L3 F13 A11

4/7 Cirencester Town A 3-1
7/7 Melksham Town A 5-2
14/7 WEST BROMWICH ALBION H 1-3
17/7 Chippenham Town A 0-2
21/7 PORTSMOUTH H 0-2
27/7 Swindon Supermarine A 4-1

Commentary:

After making a promising start to life back in the basement, Swindon fell away towards the end of last season to finish outside the play-off places. Chairman Lee Power is not famous for patience and would have been expecting a sustained promotion challenge. With the appointment of the experienced Phil Brown to the manager’s chair on a permanent basis in May, it is clear what the expectation will be this time around. Brown immediately added more League Two experience to his team with the appointment of former Lincoln assistant manager Neil McDonald as his assistant.

Much will be expected of Swindon therefore, but a good budget and an experienced manager does not necessarily guarantee success. Paris Saint-Germain prodigy Toumani Diagouraga looks the best of the signings, returning to Swindon after a short loan spell twelve years ago. Midfielder Michael Doughty also enjoyed time on loan at Swindon a couple of years ago, and this time returns to the club on a permanent basis. The gains are evened out by the losses, with Matt Preston and Paul Mullin leaving for pastures new. Swindon suffered a significant setback when experienced striker Marc Richards incurred shoulder ligament damage during the pre-season friendly win at Melksham. Richards is expected to miss the first month or two of the season.

In June Swindon announced plans to build a £6 million training centre on the former Twelve Oaks Golf Club at Highworth comprising eight grass pitches and other facilities for joint-community use. Funding that should be interesting, but never let it be said that Swindon lack ambition.

Phil Brown has great experience in the game including an astonishing nine play-off campaigns to his credit as a player and coach. He has very recent experience of success in League Two, having won the playoffs with Southend three years ago, and that makes Swindon very plausible contenders this season. Notts County, Lincoln, MK Dons and Mansfield may appear to have slightly better squads, but Brown has been in that position many times before. Place your bets now.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 12/1 (joint fifth favourites)

Prediction: Playoffs.

TRANMERE ROVERS

Last season: 2nd in the National League (promoted via the playoffs)
P46 W24 D10 L12 F78 A46 Pts82
Average attendance: 5,293

Chairman: Mark Palios, 65 (appointed August 2014)

Manager: Micky Mellon, 46 (appointed October 2016)

Micky Mellon’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (13):

Goalkeepers (0):

Defenders (3):
Jay McEveley, 33 (Warrington Town)
Mitch Duggan, 21 (Untraced)
Eddie Clarke, 19 (Fleetwood Town)

Midfielders (5):
Jeff Hughes, 33 (Larne)
Drissa Traoré, 26 (Untraced)
James Wallace, 26 (Fleetwood Town)
Jake Kirby, 24 (Stockport County)
Devarn Green, 21 (Southport)

Forwards (5):
Andy Mangan, 31 (Bala Town)
Andy Cook, 27 (Walsall)
James Alabi, 23 (Leyton Orient)
Jack Dunn, 23 (Untraced)
Elliot Rokka, 22 (Untraced)

Players in (9):

Goalkeepers (1):
Shamal George, 20 (Liverpool – loan until January)

Defenders (4):
Zoumana Bakayogo, 31 (Crewe Alexandra)
Mark Ellis, 29 (Carlisle United)
Jake Caprice, 25 (Leyton Orient)
Manny Monthe, 23 (Forest Green Rovers)

Midfielders (3):
Ollie Banks, 25 (Oldham Athletic)
Jonny Smith, 21 (Bristol City – season loan)
Harvey Gilmour, 19 (Sheffield United – loan until January)

Forwards (1):
Paul Mullin, 23 (Swindon Town)

Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 24

Number of players in squad: 25

One to watch: Scott Davies, 31 (goalkeeper)

Season ticket sales: 3,100

Pre-season:
P7 W3 D0 L4 F11 A10

7/7 Dunfermline Athletic A 4-0
10/7 LIVERPOOL H 2-3
14/7 WIGAN ATHLETIC H 1-2
17/7 Warrington Town A 2-0
21/7 FLEETWOOD TOWN H 0-2
24/7 Chorley A 1-0
28/7 ROCHDALE H 1-3

Commentary:

Manager Micky Mellon has had something of a rebuilding job to do at League newcomers Tranmere this summer. In particular, the loss of striker Andy Cook to Walsall came as an unexpected setback. Cook’s twenty-eight goals last season leaves a big hole to fill, especially with the added impact of the significant step-up to League Two. Ironically, Tranmere won promotion last season having achieved a massive thirteen points fewer than they did the previous season, possibly indicating a side on the wane. A dozen of the promotion-winning squad have gone, replaced with a mix of players with Football League and non-league experience. Therefore, a complete overhaul of the playing side ahead of the new season was by no means a bad thing.

Further unexpected losses were to follow in the shape of Eddie Clarke and James Wallace to Fleetwood Town. Paul Mullin has been brought in from Swindon and should do well, although Tranmere still look short of attacking options. Mark Ellis from Carlisle adds some useful experience at the back, but one has to wonder how the ageing Steve McNulty – retained on a further one-year contract – will fare against the faster, more skilful strikers in League Two.

A six-day training camp in Scotland at the start of July preceded a challenging set of pre-season matches against good quality opposition. There was an excellent 4-0 win at Dunfermline followed by a second-half comeback in the annual game with Liverpool. Fans are a little concerned that all four home games were lost, but Mellon will probably be less concerned by that than he will at the problems he has encountered in building his squad. By his own admission, Tranmere do not have a budget to match the best in League Two and he has asked supporters to be realistic.

Mellon has previous experience of promotion from League Two, having taken Shrewsbury up in 2015. To expect a promotion challenge at the first attempt looks a step too far, but his previous experience should ensure that Tranmere have few problems readjusting to life in the League.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 22/1

Prediction: Bottom eight, consolidation.

YEOVIL TOWN

Last season: 19th
P46 W12 D12 L22 F59 A75 Pts48
Average attendance: 2,941

Chairman: John Fry, 77 (appointed 1996)

Manager: Darren Way, 37 (appointed December 2015)

Darren Way’s managerial record:

League games only – playoffs and cup games not included.

Players out (8):

Goalkeepers (2):
Artur Krysiak, 28 (Untraced)
Jonny Maddison, 23 (Darlington)

Defenders (3):
Ryan Dickson, 31 (Torquay United)
Nathan Smith, 31 (Untraced)
Daniel Alfei, 26 (Untraced)

Midfielders (3):
Oscar Gobern, 27 (Eastleigh)
Connor Smith, 25 (Boreham Wood)
Otis Khan, 22 (Mansfield Town)

Forwards (0):

Players in (7):

Goalkeepers (1):
Nathan Baxter, 19 (Chelsea – season loan)

Defenders (2):
Gary Warren, 33 (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)
Carl Dickinson, 31 (Notts County)

Midfielders (3):
Sessi D’Almeida, 22 (Blackpool)
Reece Cole, 20 (Brentford – season loan)
Diallang Jaiyesimi, 20 (Norwich City – season loan)

Forwards (1):
Korrey Henry, 18 (West Ham United)

Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 23

Number of players in squad: 20

One to watch: Jordan Green, 23 (attacking midfield)

Season ticket sales:

Pre-season:
P5 W3 D1 L1 F12 A4

10/7 SWANSEA CITY H 1-2
17/7 BRISTOL ROVERS H 1-1
21/7 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE H 5-1
24/7 Dorchester Town A 2-0
28/7 Corby Town A 3-0

Commentary:

Last season delivered yet another very close shave for Yeovil Town, retaining their League status by just two points. Survival was only confirmed after a very convenient 0-0 draw with Forest Green on 24 April kept both clubs in League Two. In spite of that poor league form, Yeovil enjoyed good runs in two of the cups, reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup and the semi-final of the Checkatrade Trophy. Attendances reached almost to the 3,000-mark, which is impressive in a town of 45,000 people. Unfortunately, it also means that income streams will always be limited relative to the bigger clubs in League Two. All of that makes their run to the Championship all the more impressive, but those days are behind them now.

With that naturally restricted budget, manager Darren Way will need to use the loan market very well again. The signing of Chelsea U23 goalkeeper Nathan Baxter is positive evidence of that, but summer departures mean that much more will be required. Yeovil have one of the smallest squads in League Two, with a high proportion of loans. The loss of two of the club’s better players in Oscar Gobern and Otis Khan will undoubtedly have an impact. Striker François Zoko and clever wide man Jordan Green remain, while defensive experience has been added with the signings of veteran duo Carl Dickinson and Gary Warren. Zoko managed to score fifteen goals last season despite missing ten games through four separate suspensions. That defensive area was certainly in need of attention, having conceded 89 goals in all competitions last season. If they can shore up the defence, the fact that they scored an impressive 79 in return should mean a climb away from the foot of the table where they have been for the last three years: Yeovil have finished nineteenth, twentieth and nineteenth under Darren Way’s management.

However, success this season may once again be survival. New signing Gary Warren said he had joined Yeovil to win things, but that looks very unlikely as things stand.

At the bookies (Ladbrokes): 66/1 (joint-favourites for relegation)

Prediction: Another relegation battle, will stay up by the skin of their teeth. Again.

end

Writer: Scotimp

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