NCM League One Preview - Part One

Last updated : 29 July 2013 By Jacob Daniel

NCM LEAGUE ONE PREVIEW - PART ONE

Yes, it's that time of year again - time for NCM to put our pride on the line and predict just how things are going to pan out over the coming months. There have been glorious successes over the years (oh how they laughed when we predicted Morecambe to finish 3rd) and terrible failures (Munto Notts 9th, anyone!?!), but perhaps this will finally be the year that we get a league champion spot on?

24th - Stevenage

Last Season - 18th (League One

Manager - Graham Westley

Star Man - Jon Ashton

One to Watch - Luke Freeman

When Graham Westley's ego decided that it was making the big move to Preston North End little more than eighteen months ago, we're fairly sure that it would never have allowed itself to consider life planning for another season in League One for Stevenage. Failure at Deepdale though has led Westley back to Broadhall Way, after the Hertfordshire side's eventually failed dalliance with Gary Smith, but they're in a far less happy place than they were when he left.

Slumping to eighteenth after being in automatic promotion contention for the first third of the season, Westley has a job on his hands trying to turn around a sinking ship. He'll have to do it without talismanic former captain Mark Roberts, too, who followed Jeff Hughes to Fleetwood whilst also claiming "nowt to do with the money, chaps". Midfielder Jimmy Smith may be a wise addition from Leyton Orient, but otherwise there appears to be little quality coming in to a poor squad. Rekindling the form of Luke Freeman may be vital, but it's hard to see past a season of struggle for League One's former most vile manager (hey there, Mr. Evans).

23rd - Oldham Athletic

Last Season - 19th (League One)

Manager - Lee Johnson

Star Man - Jose Baxter

One to Watch - Jonson Clarke-Harris

Replacing Sir Alex and Darren Ferugson as the Football League's father and son double act at the end of last season were Gary and Lee Johnson, with the latter becoming the league's youngest manager after replacing Paul Dickov at Boundary Park. Johnson just about managed to lead the Latics to safety, but the perennial strugglers look likely to be embroiled in a battle once again this season.

The loss of FA Cup specialist Matt Smith to Leeds United may not be as big of a blow as it seems, but Charlie MacDonald hasn't been a reliable goalscorer from a number of seasons now and they look likely to once again be relying on the talents of Jose Baxter - if he stays past January. They still have quality in the likes of Cristian Montano and new signings James Dayton and Korey Smith, but whether this is enough to replace the losses of Jean-Yves M'Voto, Dean Furman and Smith remains to be seen.

22nd - Bradford City

Last Season - 7th (League Two - Play-off Winners)

Manager - Phil Parkinson

Star Man - Nahki Wells

One to Watch - Carl McHugh

Last season was something bordering on the fantastical for the Bantams. so there's every chance that 2013/14 could represent something of a return to reality - even in a higher division. Illogically backed for a second successive promotion by some commentators, look into it and the Valley Parade squad seems to be lacking in genuine quality and depth. Star forward Nahki Wells has undoubted quality, but his game may suffer from the fact that James Hanson's physical presence will trouble defenders far less in League One, whilst the supply from the likes of Kyel Reid may also be shut down somewhat.

City's best summer recruits have undoubtedly been Mark Yeates and Andrew Davies, the latter signing a new deal, but again these scream solid rather than impressive. A poor start or a few injuries and a small squad could catch up with them, whilst going into the season with the central midfield pairing of Gary Jones and Jason Kennedy, that saw Rochdale relegated two years ago, is a risky strategy.

21st - Shrewsbury Town

Last Season - 16th (League One)

Manager - Graham Turner

Star Man - Jon Taylor

One to Watch - Tom Bradshaw


Graham Turner's Shrewsbury side have been one of League One's quiter, less offensive outfits since their promotion - comfortably steering themselves to safety last season. Repeating the trick could be tough, however, for the Shropshire side, with new recruits few and far between. Full back James Tavernier is a shrewd short-term replacement for Jermaine Grandison, whilst sealing a new contract for talented winger Jon Taylor was great news, but Town's squad is still lacking in both depth and genuine class.

Tamika Mkandawire has arrived from Millwall and, if able to replicate his form of three or four years ago, could be a revelation - but a lot is resting on the Malawian's form. Otherwise, the likes of Dave Winfield and Darren Jones don't scream League One quality whilst Luke Summerfield and David McAllister is a midfield that seems one-paced and plodding. Indeed, it may be the emergence of youngsters in Taylor and the talented Welshman Tom Bradshaw that gives them a chance of survival.

20th - Carlisle United

Last Season - 17th (League One)

Manager - Greg Abbott

Star Man - Josh Gillies

One to Watch - Dave Symington

Last season was a huge disappointment up in Cumbria, where Greg Abbott's side failed to build in their near play-off campaign and ended up nearly being dragged into a relegation battle. With little action at Brunton Park this summer, it's hard to see things getting better for United in 2013/14. One plus point is the fact that they've managed to hold on to Lee Miller, a forward who will be on of the division's best if he can put his personal problems from the last year behind him, whilst the emergence of promising young players in Brad Potts, Dave Symington and Mark Beck is at least a plus point.

One area where Carlisle must improve is in midfield, where the likes of Liam Noble and James Berrett struggled to live up to their billing as one of the division's best midfielders from two years ago. The sigining of Josh Gillies from Gateshead should help with this - a classy and tricky attacking midfielder capable of both goals and assists. They'll be needed, too, with Miller and Danny Cadamarteri not prolific and new signing Lewis Guy simply not very good.

19th - Port Vale

Last Season - 3rd (League Two)

Manager - Micky Adams

Star Man - Chris Lines

One to Watch - Ben Williamson

One of the leading contenders for much of last season, Port Vale were finally able to exocise their demons under Micky Adams and gain promotion back to League One, but could be in a fight to retain their status with a squad that looks worryingly top-heavy and far more reliant on quantity than quality. Tom Pope may have had the season of his life but will find that his sheer presence and work rate causes fewer problems in League One, whilst the likes of Lee Hughes, Gavin Tomlin and Louis Dodds won't be reliable sources of goals at this level. More promising may be Ben Williamson, a young forward who impressed whenever given the chance last season.

It won't be goals that is Vale's problem, however, but the lack of quality and balance that Adams has at his disposal in defence. Adam Yates simply isn't a League One standard right back, whilst having both Dan Jones and Carl Dickinson on the opposite side smacks of poor squad management. In the centre, also, a partnership of Chris Robertson and Richard Duffy or Liam Chilvers is average at very best. Indeed, it is the signing of Chris Lines from Sheffield Wednesday in midfield that may just keep Vale up, a player with more quality than a relegation battle.