UNDOUBTEDLY League Two is one of toughest divisions to predict. Bradford City and Shrewsbury Town were the fancied side’s last season, but both failed to gain promotion and it was Exeter City who were the surprise package of the season, clinching second place. They joined champions Brentford and third-placed Wycombe Wanderers in League One, as well as Gillingham, the play-off winners.
At the other end of the table, it was a farcical state of affairs at the bottom with three sides on points deductions and Luton were inevitably relegated. Chester City were not deducted points, but had a miserable season and joined the Hatters on the way into the non-league.
With Charlton Athletic, Southampton and Norwich City entering via the Championship trap-door too, this season presents some mouth-watering matches in League One.
Accrington Stanley
Accrington’s pre-season results will not have given their fans much optimism, two draws and four defeats, including a 5-0 hammering at Radcliffe Borough, but this was followed by an encouraging 2-2 draw with Burnley. They will not be helped either by the suspension of four players for match-fixing. Their first priority will be survival in League Two again, starting with a tough opener against promotion-favourites Rotherham, but it could prove beyond them. Prediction: 23rd
Aldershot Town
The Shots had a good start to their first season back in the Football League last time around thanks to an excellent record at the Rec, which propelled them into the promotion spots at one point, but a loss of form compounded by injuries to key players towards the end of the season saw them slip to 15th. If the Shots remain injury-free, their squad should be good enough for a mid-table finish. Prediction: 15th
Barnet
Barnet are another side which will not be likely to set the world alight in League Two, but they should still be safe and, with the signing of Micah Hyde adding some creativity in the middle of the park, they should avoid relagation again this time around. Prediction: 18th
Bournemouth
Bournemouth were hit with a 17-point deduction last season for going into administration and ensured their survival in League Two. The Cherries should be expecting to make a challenge for a play-off place this season. Prediction: 5th
Bradford City
The Bantams were among the favourites for promotion last season, but failed to deceive. Inconsistency marred their campaign last season and they were not helped by injuries to key men Peter Thorne and Omar Daley. Bradford could be play-off challengers if they can string a run of wins together, but will they accomplish that with a similar squad to last season and creative wide-man Omar Daley injured until Christmas? Prediction: 10th
Burton Albion
A betting man may fancy a flutter on Burton to do well this season. Albion have signed players experienced enough to handle League Two football, bringing in veteran centre-back Guy Branston from Blue Square Premier side Kettering Town and striker Richard Walker from Bristol Rovers. This bolstering with experienced league players could help last season’s Blue Square champions carry their momentum into League Two. Prediction: 4th
Bury
Bury lost out on automatic promotion by a goal last season and then lost on penalties in the play-offs. This failure will only make Alan Knill and his side more determined to succeed this time around. They have a similar squad to last season and have kept leading goalscorer Andy Bishop over the summer. There is no reason why Bury should not be looking at the play-offs at least, this season. Prediction: 2nd
Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham will be looking to bounce straight back into League One this season. The signings of forwards Barry Hayles and Julian Alsop will be a threat to League Two defences, but they will have to defend a lot better than the 91 goals they shipped last season if they are to make the play-offs. Prediction: 13th
Chesterfield
Chesterfield fell just short of the play-offs last season and, with a similar squad, they should be looking to mount a similar challenge this time around. They also still have Jack Lester, who is a potent threat to League Two defences, but the strength of the side’s around them could oust them out of the play-offs again. Prediction: 9th
Crewe Alexandra
Crewe are another side relegated from League One last season with a terrible defensive record, conceding 82 goals in the process. An exodus of players over the summer has left Crewe weakened and Gudjon Thordarson’s side will find it difficult to make any promotion challenge this year. Prediction: 16th
Dagenham and Redbridge
The Daggers had an excellent chance to reach the play-offs last season, but lost out to Shrewsbury on the final day. The summer has seen the departure of key players, Ben Strevens, Danny Foster and Sam Saunders, all to Brentford. Manager John Still has recruited strong centre-back Will Antwi from Wycombe Wanderers, but, without the attacking threat of last season, his side could find themselves as part of the basement battle. Prediction: 22nd
Darlington
Darlington would have been in the play-offs last season, had it not been for a 10-point deduction for entering administration. Leading goalscorer Pawel Abbott has since left for Oldham. Dean Windass has joined as player-assistant manager and will score some goals for Darlo, but they will not have the same fire-power to make the play-offs this year. Prediction: 14th
Grimsby Town
Grimsby only escaped relegation last season because of a points deduction from Luton Town. With Mike Newell at the helm and improvements to their squad, Grimsby should be looking at a higher finish this year, but still do not have a squad to compete with the play-off contenders. Prediction: 17th
Hereford United
Hereford have had a complete makeover this pre-season with some of the most comings and goings in League Two. Leon Constantine stands out as one of their star signings and, if he can produce his goalscoring potential, Hereford will be in the top half, but a lot will depend on whether the squad gels quickly enough. Prediction: 8th
Lincoln City
The Imps finished mid-table last season, under the management of Peter Jackon. With players leaving during the summer and no big signings, Lincoln could struggle to maintain last season’s 12th-placed finish. Prediction: 21st
Macclesfied Town
Macclesfield are another side who have had a dramatic makeover this summer. With more players going out than coming in, the squad looks very thin and Town look to be one of the most-likely relegation candidates this year. Prediction: 24th
Northampton Town
Northampton fans will be keen to see their side bounce straight back to League One, but it could be a frustrating season for them. The departure of defender Chris Doig has left them weakened in defence. Striker Leon Constantine has left for Hereford, while experienced Steve Guinan has replaced him, moving in the opposite direction. The Cobblers will not have to worry about relegation, but they won’t set the division alight either. Prediction: 12th
Notts County
The Magpies have had an exciting pre-season, which has seen ex-England manager Sven Goran Eriksson join them as Director of Football. On the playing side, Ian McParland’s side can be expected to score plenty of goals this season, following the signings of strikers Karl Hawley, Lee Hughes and Luke Rodgers, and midfielder Ben Davies, who played a key role at Shrewsbury last season. A promotion place could be in store for the Nottinghamshire side. Prediction: 3rd
Port Vale
Inconsistency was why The Valiants finished so far down the table last season and with not many changes to their squad, they could face a similar season in 09/10. Vale need some more firepower in their side if they are going to challenge at the top of the division. Prediction: 19th
Rochdale
Rochdale lost out in the play-offs last season and should be expecting to make a similar promotion attempt again this year. With almost the same squad as last year and goalscorer Adam Le Fondre at the front, Rochdale should make the play-offs again. Prediction: 5th
Rotherham United
Rotherham made a mockery of a 17-point deduction for entering administration last year, by finishing 14th and producing form which would have seen them in the play-offs. Despite the departure of striker Reuben Reid, Rotherham still had a stable defence last season, which is why they are this year’s favourites to be champions of League Two. Prediction: 1st
Shrewsbury Town
The Shrews made the play-offs last season before losing to Gillingham in the final. The departures of striker Grant Holt and midfielder Ben Davies will make it a challenge to make the play-offs again for Paul Simpson’s side. Prediction: 11th
Torquay United
Torquay were promoted to League Two from the Blue Square Premier play-offs last season and it will be a challenging season for Paul Buckle’s side. They could be the surprise package, but they are expected to finish towards the bottom of League Two. Prediction: 20th
Predicted final league table
1. Rotherham United
2. Bury
3. Notts County
4. Burton Albion
5. Rochdale
6. Bournemouth
7. Morecambe
8. Hereford United
9. Chesterfield
10. Bradford City
11. Shrewsbury Town
12. Northampton Town
13. Cheltenham Town
14. Darlington
15. Aldershot Town
16. Crewe Alexandra
17. Grimsby Town
18. Barnet
19. Port Vale
20. Torquay United
21. Lincoln City
22. Dagenham and Redbridge
23. Accrington Stanley
24. Macclesfield Town
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