NolansOrient
Active Member
Continuing on from Part 1, I apologise for any errors in the first instalment, I am but a mere mortal, moving swiftly on to...
Crewe Alexandra: Last season = 24th (League 1)
A miserable run out last year for the Railwaymen, but in truth they have been fortunate to stay in League 1 for as long as they did. Rock bottom in 2015/16, and with fewer youth prospects coming through from the famous Midlands academy than in previous years, it would take an optimistic supporter indeed to assume Crewe are likely to bounce back up at the first attempt.
Still, the signings of Ryan Lowe and Chris Dagnall upfront represent a wealth of experience, with a combined age of 67 and a league goals tally of 276, Crewe should be able to net a few in League 2. Personally, I wonder if Lowe will still be of much use at 37, but Dagnall is comfortably their best signing of the summer in my opinion
The departure of Brad Inman to Peterborough is a significant blow, and I would expect Crewe to be relatively unexciting. Play offs are not an impossibility, but with a small-ish squad and aging front line, I think lower mid table is more realistic this year before pushing on in the following season.
Prediction = 17th.
Doncaster Rovers: Last season = 21st (League 1)
Inconsistency was the Achilles Heel for Rovers last year, as they slumped to a disappointing 21st in League 1, earning them a spot in League 2 for the first time in 12 years.
Fans don't seemed to have warmed to Ferguson Jnr, but he has been rather astute in the transfer market, as well as retaining the core of a side that were probably (on paper) too good to go down last year.
Wright and Baudry shore up the defence very nicely, Rowe and McSheffrey to bolster the midfield and Marquis brought in up front (I rate him highly) leaves Rovers looking good heading into game week 1. Experienced heads such as Coppinger will add much value over the 46 matches to come, and whilst the jury is still out on young Darren, on paper Rovers look very tough to stop at this level.
Prediction = 1st.
Exeter City: Last season = 14th
My motto is 'never bet on Exeter', and with good reason, they can be unplayable one week, and Ryman standard the next, and in recent years I have predicted the Grecians would finish highly, that ends this year.
Tisdale is a fine lower league manager, who always tries to play on-the-deck football, and to that end the signing of Lloyd James from Orient looks to be a match made in heaven. Goals could be an issue though, as the uninspiring signings of Liam McAlinden and Robbie Simpson do little to offset the significant losses of Hoskins (injury problems aside), Nicholls and Ribiero.
Financially, things look up for Exeter, with a tasty cup run last year, combined with a neat sell-on-clause, it's a shame Tis hasn't been given more to spend, and, largely due to this, I think it'll be another run-of-the-mill year for the Grecians.
Prediction = 15th.
Grimsby: Last season = 2nd (Conference)
A summer of sweeping change for Conference play-off winners Grimsby.
The most potentially damaging change being the loss of Amond, who moves over to fellow northerners Hartlepool. He scored for fun in the Conference, but questions remain over his ability to score consistently in the football league, so it may not be as big a loss as it looks, especially with 16-goal Omar Boyle keen to step up.
Portsmouth's veteran Ben Davies makes the move, in what looks to be a very shrewd signing, as does the loan of 22 year old Vose from Scunny.
Aside from those 2, however, its a host of lower league mediocrity, which includes many players who consistently find themselves at the wrong end of the league 2 table; Summerfield, Zak Mills and Ashley Chambers to name but a few.
With plenty of new faces this team could take time to gel, and I'm not convinced they have the quality to guarantee staying up, might be a close shave for the Mariners.
Prediction = 21st/22nd.
Hartlepool: Last season = 16th.
A fairly robust 16th last season for the Pools, who will surely relish a slightly more northern line up in the league this time out.
As for the coming season, looks like goals could be on the menu at Victoria Park, with the signings of Amond (fresh from a 30 goal season last year) and Rochdale's Alessandra (who I actually rate despite a very average couple of years), Hignett looks to be targeting a top-7 finish. And why not, with the additions of Grimsby's Ysiala at the back, and Nicky Deverdics in the middle, Hartlepool could surprise a few.
Personally, I don't think they quite have the depth of quality required to sustain a genuine play off push, but expect to see them at the right end of the table for a change.
Prediction = 10th.
Leyton Orient: Last season = 8th.
Despite going through another 18 managers, an injury crisis or a par with the 100 years war, an owner quite literally running onto the pitch to kung-fu kick our now-manager Andy Hessenthaler, and Ollie Palmer, Orient still somehow contrived to finish 8th last season, in what was another bitterly frustrating season for the Os faithful.
Reasons for optimism this time out though, the Orient have, in my view, been the most impressive League 2 outfit in the transfer market this summer, with a number of genuine quality signings; Robbie Weir, Liam Kelly, Gavin Massey, Jordan Bowery and Tom Parkes to name but a few. The retention of top scorer Jay Simpson is another mini-coup for the east London outfit, as he is surely too good for this level. Add to this the returns of Dean Cox and Paul McCallum from injury, as well as a crop of extremely promising youth players, and you have a side brimming with League 1 quality in most positions.
All this positivity could be brought crashing down to earth if the bumbling billionaire Bechetti continues to fiddle with the side, and the home supporters needs to reign their toxicity and actually get behind the players. If these factors can be addressed there's no reason why the Os cant be in the top 3 come May.
Prediction = 2nd.
Luton: Last season = 11th.
People predicted Luton to win automatic promotion last year, but I wasn't surprised in the slightest to see them finish in mid table. Last summer's signings were largely disappointing, especially the likes of Scotty Cuthbert, Danny Green and the well-past-his-best Craig MS. However, things seem a little different this time down at Kenilworth Road.
Stand out players from last season (Mariott and McGeehan in particular) have been retained by the club, and the summer signings have, again, lead to optimism amongst the supporters. Mullins looks to be an excellent defensive signing, and the capture of Oxford's Hylton to partner Mariott up top, should ensure Luton's stay in League 2 is brief, not to mention all the fun hotel-related puns that spring to mind.
With their budget you would expect Luton to be up there, and this summer seems to indicate that they may have finally fine-tuned the team. One big doubt is new keeper Walton, who signs after poor spells at Plymouth and Brighton - potential Achilles Heel?
Prediction = 3rd (just).
Mansfield: Last season = 12th.
Decent run out last time for Mansfield, although in truth I felt they were in a false position for much of the season; this was best exemplified by their dreadful record against sides in the top half of the table.
The loss of Tafazolli this summer, and fans favourite Nicky Hunt last season, does leave questions over their defensive capabilities, although Benning is arguably one of the best left-backs in the division.
Up front, Green was fairly average last year, and he looks to be partnered by Danny Rose, whose goal scoring record is far from impressive. Both technically gifted players, but if they struggle to put the ball in the back of the net, and I think they will, the Stags could have some trouble this season, especially if the injury-prone Green becomes unavailable.
Prediction= What's the opposite of dark horses? light horses? 19th.
Crewe Alexandra: Last season = 24th (League 1)
A miserable run out last year for the Railwaymen, but in truth they have been fortunate to stay in League 1 for as long as they did. Rock bottom in 2015/16, and with fewer youth prospects coming through from the famous Midlands academy than in previous years, it would take an optimistic supporter indeed to assume Crewe are likely to bounce back up at the first attempt.
Still, the signings of Ryan Lowe and Chris Dagnall upfront represent a wealth of experience, with a combined age of 67 and a league goals tally of 276, Crewe should be able to net a few in League 2. Personally, I wonder if Lowe will still be of much use at 37, but Dagnall is comfortably their best signing of the summer in my opinion
The departure of Brad Inman to Peterborough is a significant blow, and I would expect Crewe to be relatively unexciting. Play offs are not an impossibility, but with a small-ish squad and aging front line, I think lower mid table is more realistic this year before pushing on in the following season.
Prediction = 17th.
Doncaster Rovers: Last season = 21st (League 1)
Inconsistency was the Achilles Heel for Rovers last year, as they slumped to a disappointing 21st in League 1, earning them a spot in League 2 for the first time in 12 years.
Fans don't seemed to have warmed to Ferguson Jnr, but he has been rather astute in the transfer market, as well as retaining the core of a side that were probably (on paper) too good to go down last year.
Wright and Baudry shore up the defence very nicely, Rowe and McSheffrey to bolster the midfield and Marquis brought in up front (I rate him highly) leaves Rovers looking good heading into game week 1. Experienced heads such as Coppinger will add much value over the 46 matches to come, and whilst the jury is still out on young Darren, on paper Rovers look very tough to stop at this level.
Prediction = 1st.
Exeter City: Last season = 14th
My motto is 'never bet on Exeter', and with good reason, they can be unplayable one week, and Ryman standard the next, and in recent years I have predicted the Grecians would finish highly, that ends this year.
Tisdale is a fine lower league manager, who always tries to play on-the-deck football, and to that end the signing of Lloyd James from Orient looks to be a match made in heaven. Goals could be an issue though, as the uninspiring signings of Liam McAlinden and Robbie Simpson do little to offset the significant losses of Hoskins (injury problems aside), Nicholls and Ribiero.
Financially, things look up for Exeter, with a tasty cup run last year, combined with a neat sell-on-clause, it's a shame Tis hasn't been given more to spend, and, largely due to this, I think it'll be another run-of-the-mill year for the Grecians.
Prediction = 15th.
Grimsby: Last season = 2nd (Conference)
A summer of sweeping change for Conference play-off winners Grimsby.
The most potentially damaging change being the loss of Amond, who moves over to fellow northerners Hartlepool. He scored for fun in the Conference, but questions remain over his ability to score consistently in the football league, so it may not be as big a loss as it looks, especially with 16-goal Omar Boyle keen to step up.
Portsmouth's veteran Ben Davies makes the move, in what looks to be a very shrewd signing, as does the loan of 22 year old Vose from Scunny.
Aside from those 2, however, its a host of lower league mediocrity, which includes many players who consistently find themselves at the wrong end of the league 2 table; Summerfield, Zak Mills and Ashley Chambers to name but a few.
With plenty of new faces this team could take time to gel, and I'm not convinced they have the quality to guarantee staying up, might be a close shave for the Mariners.
Prediction = 21st/22nd.
Hartlepool: Last season = 16th.
A fairly robust 16th last season for the Pools, who will surely relish a slightly more northern line up in the league this time out.
As for the coming season, looks like goals could be on the menu at Victoria Park, with the signings of Amond (fresh from a 30 goal season last year) and Rochdale's Alessandra (who I actually rate despite a very average couple of years), Hignett looks to be targeting a top-7 finish. And why not, with the additions of Grimsby's Ysiala at the back, and Nicky Deverdics in the middle, Hartlepool could surprise a few.
Personally, I don't think they quite have the depth of quality required to sustain a genuine play off push, but expect to see them at the right end of the table for a change.
Prediction = 10th.
Leyton Orient: Last season = 8th.
Despite going through another 18 managers, an injury crisis or a par with the 100 years war, an owner quite literally running onto the pitch to kung-fu kick our now-manager Andy Hessenthaler, and Ollie Palmer, Orient still somehow contrived to finish 8th last season, in what was another bitterly frustrating season for the Os faithful.
Reasons for optimism this time out though, the Orient have, in my view, been the most impressive League 2 outfit in the transfer market this summer, with a number of genuine quality signings; Robbie Weir, Liam Kelly, Gavin Massey, Jordan Bowery and Tom Parkes to name but a few. The retention of top scorer Jay Simpson is another mini-coup for the east London outfit, as he is surely too good for this level. Add to this the returns of Dean Cox and Paul McCallum from injury, as well as a crop of extremely promising youth players, and you have a side brimming with League 1 quality in most positions.
All this positivity could be brought crashing down to earth if the bumbling billionaire Bechetti continues to fiddle with the side, and the home supporters needs to reign their toxicity and actually get behind the players. If these factors can be addressed there's no reason why the Os cant be in the top 3 come May.
Prediction = 2nd.
Luton: Last season = 11th.
People predicted Luton to win automatic promotion last year, but I wasn't surprised in the slightest to see them finish in mid table. Last summer's signings were largely disappointing, especially the likes of Scotty Cuthbert, Danny Green and the well-past-his-best Craig MS. However, things seem a little different this time down at Kenilworth Road.
Stand out players from last season (Mariott and McGeehan in particular) have been retained by the club, and the summer signings have, again, lead to optimism amongst the supporters. Mullins looks to be an excellent defensive signing, and the capture of Oxford's Hylton to partner Mariott up top, should ensure Luton's stay in League 2 is brief, not to mention all the fun hotel-related puns that spring to mind.
With their budget you would expect Luton to be up there, and this summer seems to indicate that they may have finally fine-tuned the team. One big doubt is new keeper Walton, who signs after poor spells at Plymouth and Brighton - potential Achilles Heel?
Prediction = 3rd (just).
Mansfield: Last season = 12th.
Decent run out last time for Mansfield, although in truth I felt they were in a false position for much of the season; this was best exemplified by their dreadful record against sides in the top half of the table.
The loss of Tafazolli this summer, and fans favourite Nicky Hunt last season, does leave questions over their defensive capabilities, although Benning is arguably one of the best left-backs in the division.
Up front, Green was fairly average last year, and he looks to be partnered by Danny Rose, whose goal scoring record is far from impressive. Both technically gifted players, but if they struggle to put the ball in the back of the net, and I think they will, the Stags could have some trouble this season, especially if the injury-prone Green becomes unavailable.
Prediction= What's the opposite of dark horses? light horses? 19th.
Mansfield fans are so bloody touchy when it comes to people suggesting their team might not be promotion material and their players might not be world class. 
