Drapes v Moss Christmas Special

Editor Drapes came out second last season to his deputy and League Two writer Moss - but is desperate to win this years battle of wit....

With half the season behind us, the NCM boys try their hand at looking into their crystal ball as far as May.

It's Drapes up first...

1. Peterborough
2. MK Dons

Fergy...Drapes' title tip

3. Darlington

4. Chesterfield
5. Wycombe
6. Rotherham
7. Chester

8. Hereford
9. Shrewsbury
10. Rochdale
11. Bradford
12. Notts

13. Stockport
14. Lincoln
15. Bury
16. Barnet
17. Grimsby
18. Morecambe
19. Barnet
20. Wrexham
21. Accrington Stanley
22. Macclesfield

23. Mansfield
24. Dagenham

Drapes may talk the talk but how does he fare up when questioned.

Title winners Posh! Are you sure?

Yes I am. Of all the sides I've seen come to Meadow Lane so far they have been the best. They look like a really classy side for this level. They've got match winners all over the park and I think they will further reinforce their squad in January. They have got plenty of goals in them and goals win you titles. Simple as!

Easter...Wycombe to make play-off's without him

Wycombe to clinch fifth? What brought you to that conclusion?

Wycombe are a side that are always nearly there. But I think this time around they will sneak in. I think in the past they have relied on Jermaine Easter too much but now they seem to be sharing the goals out a bit more. They are a really resillient side and at home they have a great record. I can see them doing it this year after learning from previous failings.

Hereford to miss out! Why?

After the departure of Lionel Ainsworth to Championship side Watford I think they will fall away. He was a huge player for them and time will tell. They have a really small squad and I just think Graham Turner will struggle to keep it together.

Notts to secure a top half finish? Is that your head or your heart speaking?

My head without a doubt. I know we keep saying it but looking at the teams around us I think we can still achieve a top 12 finish. We should be

McParland...To lift Notts

challenging towards the play-off's although I think it is too late for us to keep dreaming of that. I think Charlie will get rid of some players in January and if he can bring in a striker we will put together a decent run after Christmas.

Lincoln to finish comfortably away from trouble. Are they in a false position?

I don't think they are in a false position because in my opinion John Schofield was very poor. But Peter Jackson has done a terrific job so far with on the whole fringe players. Lincoln still have a lot of good players to come back such as Lee Beevers and Mark Stallard. When they are back to full strength I think they will climb clear of trouble.

Morecambe to fall away. What makes you think that?

I think they are in a similar boat to Hereford. They have had a good start and must still be on a high after gaining promotion through the play-off's last season. But they have a small squad which in my opinion still lacks real quality. I think as the season goes on they will be out fought by some of the divisions more experienced sides.

Macclesfield to be embroiled in a dog fight but to escape. Why?

They are the worst side I have seen this season at Meadow Lane even though they beat us. They had a fairly solid start and this may be enough to keep them up they have a really weak squad. It is as simple as that.

Mansfield to face the drop. Would you be sorry to see them go?

Of course. It would be sad to lose the derby days. I want thme to struggle and stay right down the bottom but I owuld like to see them survive. It is a good financial boost to the club and we always have some good games against them.

Dagenham held Notts to a point. Are they that bad?

I think they are terrible. They have no cutting edge, no money and not even any real fight. I still see them as a non-league club and I fear they are doomed to relegation.

Next in line - Moss puts together his plan to retain the prediction crown...

1. MK Dons
2. Peterborough

Ince...Moss backs MK

3. Darlington

4. Chesterfield
5. Rochdale
6. Rotherham
7. Shrewsbury

8. Wycombe
9. Hereford
10. Chester
11. Lincoln
12. Notts

13. Bradford
14. Brentford
15. Stockport
16. Morecambe
17. Bury
18. Barnet
19. Grimsby
20. Wrexham
21. Mansfield
22. Macclesfield

23. Accrington Stanley
24. Dagenham

Some differences here, What does Drapes make of it all?

You've gone for MK Dons to cling onto top spott! Whys that?

I've said from the outset that I fancy MK for the title and that is no different now. Paul Ince has done a great job there and I believe he will continue to do so. I have seen both the Dons and Posh in action this season and for me there was no contest. I think MK have far more goals from midfield and they are top now despite some slip-ups at home. I can only see them getting stronger. They have pace and power all over the park.

Rochdale a surprise in fifth. Why?

Rochdale went on an amazing run after Christmas last year narrowly missing out on the play-off's from being bottom of the division. Thye have shown glimpses of real quality this season and I just feel that Keith Hill has got them

Hill...Recipe for success

playing the right way. They have a few games in hand and most importantly four strikers who can all score goals in Glenn Murray, Lee McEvilly, Adam Le Fondre and Chris Dagnall. When they go forward they look excellent. And at the back they are solid too. Rory McArdle has been outstanding at centre-back. All round they are just a good side.

Wycombe to miss out AGAIN. What makes you think that?

I am not denying that they are a very good side. They are the unde-achievers in this division in my eyes. But they have already missed good chances to break into the top seven this season with some poor results. I just think as the pressure rises they will let themselves down once more.

You've opted for the Imps above Notts! You watch both teams so why do you think that?

To be fair I don't think there'll be too much in it by May. Both sides have struggled and both should be knocking on the door of the play-off's. Both

Jackson...To pip Magpies

have sacked their managers and both have picked up so they are in fairly similar boats in many ways. I have gone for the Imps to pip Notts though purely because I think Peter Jackson has got that little bit more adventure baout him and is perhaps more experienced and bold than McParland. I expect both these sides to be strong next season.

Mansfield to stay up! That is not the opinion of many in Nottingham. What makes you think that from viewing a far?

Worse sides have been in bigger trouble than the Stags and still managed to stay up. Mansfield are an established Football League side and I think the board will be brave enough to sack Billy Dearden. They have some players and with I new boss I believe they will stay up. They will score goals with the attcking options they have. There is no need to panic just yet.

Accrington to go down? Why?

They have really under performed at home so far this term. They have been beaten five times already this season at the Fraser Eagle and I have always said in the past that home form will keep Stanley up. Without this I can see them struggling. They have started to slide in recent weeks and I think this will continue. Unless they improve at home they will go down.

You have also gone for Dagenham to finish bottom. What makes you think that?

There is nothing to them in my opinion. They are new to the league but have still not really sprung a surprise. They are a tiny club and I fear they are out of their depth. To be down the bottom already, confidence must be low despite what they say in the press.

Your league table is quite similar to how it is now. Why do you not predict too much change?

That is certianly not intentional on my part. On the whole I have not really been too surprised with what I have seen so far this season. I have re-adjusted my view on some teams but on the whole I think the season has ran how we would have expected. It is always difficult to predict this division as sides drop in and out of form so regularly but this is how I see things today. I may look back in January and disagree with myself.

Results will be revealed after the last game of the League Two season...