NPower League 2 Season Preview

The Npower Football League Two is the fourth tier of professional soccer in England.

The teams who play in the division tend to be local sides that rarely play in front of more than 5,000 people. Remarkably that still means that 2.5 million people will watch this level of football in the upcoming season.

The league consists of 24 teams, with four teams promoted and two relegated at the end of the season.

The upcoming slides review each club’s offseason transactions and previews their chance of success this year.

Guide to Predictions

This is a quick guide to the meanings of the different predicted finishes:

Promotion: These are the clubs that will be promoted from this division automatically come the end of the season

Playoff Contender: Teams that finish in the playoff positions have a mini-tournament at the end of the season, with the winner also getting promoted the next year. These places are hotly contested as there are more playoff contenders than places.

Mid-Table Obscurity: These are the teams who will have nothing to play for with six games to go in the season, as they will be safe from relegation but too far away from the playoff places.

Survival: These teams will be threatened with relegation all season but will be above that zone come the last day.

Relegation: These teams are expected to drop a division when the season is over.

AFC Wimbledon

Nicknames: The Dons, The Wombles

Year Founded: 2002

Stadium (Capacity): Kings Meadow (4,720)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 16th

Manager: Terry Brown

Notable Transfers In: Warren Cummings (Bournemouth), Stacy Long (Stevenage), Pim Balkestein (Brentford)

Notable Transfers Out: Ryan Jackson (Macklesfield), Ricky Wellard (Cambridge United), Jamie Stuart (Sutton United)

Key Player: Jack Midson

Preview: AFC Wimbledon successfully made the transition from non-league to league football last season and will be looking to move up the table this year.

Retaining top goal scorer Jack Midson was the Dons' biggest success of the preseason, and adding experienced league players like Warren Cummings can only make them a better team.

Another mid-table finish should be on the cards.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table Obscurity.

Accrington Stanley

Nickname: Stanley

Year Founded: 1968

Stadium (Capacity): Craven Ground (5,057)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 14th

Manager: Paul Cook

Notable Transfers In: Michael Liddle (Sunderland), Padraig Amond (Pacos de Ferreira), Tom Eckersley (Bolton Wanderers)

Notable Transfers Out: Kevin McIntyre (Rochdale), Ian Craney (Rochdale), Sean Hessey (unattached)

Key Player: Padraig Amond

Preview: Like many lower league clubs, Accrington relied heavily on loan players last season after much of the playoff-contending side of the 2010/11 campaign was lost to bigger clubs.

Getting Padraig Amond to sign a one-year deal with the club is a big boost for morale as many of the new signings this year have been unproven youngsters.

Many fans of Stanley will be hoping for a promotion push, but it is likely that the club will fall short of that ambition.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table 

Aldershot Town

Nickname: The Shots

Year Founded: 1992

Stadium (Capacity): Recreation Ground (7,100)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 11th

Manager: Dean Holdsworth

Notable Transfers In: Craig Reid (Stevenage), Anthony Tonkin (Oxford United),  Guy Branston (Bradford)

Notable Transfers Out: Anthony Straker (Southend), Manny Panther (unattached), Darren Jones (Shrewsbury)

Key Player: Aaron Morris

Preview: Aldershot Town have started the last two campaigns poorly, so manager Dean Holdsworth will be looking for a much faster start this time around.

However there are question marks over the players brought into The Shots this season, as many of them appear to be former non-league players who have failed to make it at other league clubs.

It could be a hard season for Aldershot.

Predicted Finish: Survival

Barnet FC

Nickname: The Bees

Year Founded: 1888

Stadium (Capacity): Underhill Stadium (5260)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 22nd

Manager: Mark Robson

Notable Transfers In: Jonathon Fortune (Exeter City), Jon Nurse (Dagenham and Redbridge), Curtis Weston (Gillingham)

Notable Transfers Out: Izale McLeod (unattached), Sam Deering (Cheltenham Town), Alassane N’Diaye (unattached)

Key Player: Steve Kabba

Preview: Barnet have just survived relegation over the last two years and that fight will continue in this campaign.

The loss of key striker Izale Mcleod was a big blow to the club and will put a lot of extra pressure on veteran front man Steve Kabba.

New players like Jon Nurse and Curtis Weston must make an immediate impression; otherwise relegation is a real possibility.

Predicted Finish: Relegation

Bradford City

Nickname: The Bantams

Year Founded: 1903

Stadium (Capacity): Valley Parade (25,136)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 18th

Manager: Phil Parkinson

Notable Transfers In: Alan Connell (Swindon), Andrew Davies (Stoke City), Nathan Doyle (Barnsley)

Notable Transfers Out: Simon Ramsden (Motherwell), Craig Fagan (unattached), Mark Stewart (Dundee)

Key Player: Richie Jones

Preview: Bradford are a giant club for League Two but perennial underachievement has plagued The Bantams since their brief encounter with the Premiership in the late 90s.

However this might be a turning point for the club as manager Phil Parkinson appears to have had an astute closed season. Quality signings like Andrew Davies and Nathan Doyle, who are both in their footballing prime, alongside the removal of several underperforming high earners bodes well for the future.

This may well be the season that Bradford start their rejuvenation.

Predicted Finish: Playoff Contenders

Bristol Rovers

Nickname: The Pirates

Year Founded: 1883

Stadium (Capacity): Memorial Stadium (12,011)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 13th

Manager: Mark McGhee

Notable Transfers In: David Clarkson (Bristol City), Rogvi Baldvinsson (Algard), Conor Gough (Charlton)

Notable Transfers Out: Chris Zebrowski (Cheltenham), Scott McGleish (Whitehawk), Mustapha Carayol (Middlesborugh)

Key Player: Matt Harrold

Preview: Rovers were one of the biggest disappointments of the last season, but the potential remains within the squad to reach promotion this time around.

The addition of David Clarkson to last season’s top goal scorer, Matt Harrold, may mean that The Pirates have the strongest front two in the league.

Question marks still remain over their defence, but it should be a good season for Bristol.

Predicted Finish: Playoff Contenders

Burton Albion

Nickname: Brewers

Year Founded:1950

Stadium (Capacity): Pirelli Stadium (6,912)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 17th

Manager: Gary Rowett

Notable Transfers In: Zander Diamond (Oldham), Lee Bell (Crewe), Robbie Weir (Tranmere)

Notable Transfers Out: Andres Gurrieri (Plymouth), Ross Atkins (Derby County), Kevin Poole (retired)

Key Player: Justin Richards

Preview: Burton have been at the wrong end of League Two for the last two seasons, and there is little evidence that this trend will change in this campaign.

Despite several ins and outs, their squad doesn’t appear to have been strengthened. A lack of youth prospects coming through the ranks is also concerning.

Predicted Finish: Relegation

Cheltenham Town

Nickname: The Robins

Year Founded: 1887

Stadium (Capacity): Whaddon Road (7,066)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 6^th (lost playoff final)

Manager: Mark Yates

Notable Transfers In: Billy Jones (Exeter), Chris Zebrowski (Bristol Rovers),  Shaun Harrad (Bury)

Notable Transfers Out: Andy Gallinagh (Hecford), Luke Summerfield (Shrewsbury), Steve MacLeon (Yeoril)

Key Player: Steve Elliot

Preview: Having been so close to promotion last season, Cheltenham Town have gone on to further strengthen their side, making them a promotion favourite.

The addition of Chris Zebrowski and Shaun Harrad gives The Robins an increased goal-scoring threat. This means as long as the defence can stay together under the marshalling of Steve Elliot, Cheltenham should go up.

Predicted Finish: Promotion

Chesterfield

Nickname: The Spireites

Year Founded: 1919

Stadium (Capacity): B2Net Stadium (10,400)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 22^nd League One (relegated)

Manager: John Sheridan

Notable Transfers In: Sam Toguell (Scunthorpe), Sam Hird (Doncaster), Marc Richards (Port Vale)

Notable Transfers Out: Jamie Lowry (Plymouth), Aaron Downes (Torquay), Jimmy Juan (FC Niortais)

Key Player: Jack Lester

Preview: After storming to the League Two title in the 2010/2011 season, Chesterfield found life in League One far more difficult. A spirited come back over the latter half of the season just fell short, so they are back in League Two.

Manager John Sheridan appears to have had a clear objective in signing players this offseason as The Spireites manager has chosen to bring in a few experienced faces.

Readjustment to life in League Two may take some time, but Chesterfield should be in the mix come the close of the season.

Predicted Finish: Playoff Contenders

Dagenham & Redbridge

Nickname: The Daggers

Year Founded: 1992

Stadium (Capacity): Victoria Road (6,078)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 19th

Manager: John Still

Notable Transfers In: Gavin Hoyte (Arsenal)

Notable Transfers Out: Gavin Tomlin (Southend), Jon-Jo Bates (unattached), John Nurse (Barnet)

Key Player: Kevin Maher

Preview: The Daggers only just avoided a second straight relegation last season.

Chances of a similar relegation battle are high, as the cash-strapped club have been unable to bring in many fresh faces. Experienced veterans like midfielder Kevin Maher will need to be in fine form if anything more positive is going to happen.

Predicted Finish: Survival

Exeter City

Nickname: The Grecians

Year Founded: 1904

Stadium (Capacity): St. James Park (8,541)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 23^rd League One (Relegated)

Manager: Paul Tisdale

Notable Transfers In: Kevin Amankwaah (Rochdale), Jamie Cureton (Leyton Orient), Matt Oakley (unattached)

Notable Transfers Out: Daniel Nardiello (Rotherham), Billy June (Cheltenham), Troy Archibald-Henville (Swindon Town)

Key Player: Alan Gow

Preview: Exeter drop back to League Two for the first time since 2009 after a dismal campaign last time out.

The Grecians are a supporter-owned club so restricted finances have forced them to lose a number of players, but astute buying appears to have filled the gaps nicely.

Some may expect Exeter to make an immediate return to League One but a season of rebuilding is more likely.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table Obscurity

Fleetwood Town

Nickname: The Trawlermen

Year Founded: 1997

Stadium (Capacity): Highbury Stadium (5,094)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 1^st Blue Square Premier (Promoted)

Manager: Micky Mellon

Notable Transfers In: Steven Gillespie (Colchester United), Damien Johnson (Plymouth), Barry Nicholson (Preston)

Notable Transfers Out: Magno Viera (Forest Green), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Sean Clancy (Chester)

Key Player: Jon Parkin

Preview: High-spending Fleetwood Town lived up to their potential last season as they were promoted to The Football League for the first time.

More money has been invested into the squad in the offseason, which has made them an early favourite for promotion. However the loss of Jamie Vardy will hinder their goal-scoring exploits.

Ultimately, this hype may play against them as teams will be motivated to put a dent in their title bid. However this has not stopped sides like Crawley and Exeter achieving double promotions.

Predicted Finish: Playoff Contenders

Gillingham

Nickname: The Gills

Year Founded: 1893

Stadium (Capacity): Priestfield Stadium (11,582)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 8th

Manager: Martin Allen

Notable Transfers In: Ben Stevens (Wycombe Wanderers), Tommy Forecast (Southampton), Deon Burton (FK Gabala)

Notable Transfers Out: Jo Kuffour (unattached), Dennis Oli (Wycombe Wanderers), Matt Lawrence (retired)

Key Player: Danny Kedwell

Preview: The Gills just missed the playoffs last year, so their objective will be to go at least one place higher in the table this time around.

Bringing in complementary strikers to help in-form Danny Kedwell looks to be a strong move for Gillingham, but defensive queries remain.

With so many teams of relatively equal strength in the division, Gillingham’s inability to significantly strengthen defensively may ultimately cost them their desired playoff berth.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table Obscurity

Morecambe FC

Nickname: The Shrimps

Year Founded: 1920

Stadium (Capacity): Globe Arena (6,476)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 15th

Manager: Jim Bentley

Notable Transfers In: Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe), Robbie Threlfall (unattached), Andres Arestidou (Preston)

Notable Transfers Out: Jon Culshaw (unattached), Keiran Chanock (Fleetwood Town), Phil Jevons (Hyde)

Key Player: Kevin Ellison

Preview: This will be a crunch year for Morecambe and manager Jim Bentley as the club enters its second season without charismatic former manager Sammy McIlory.

McIlory’s influence was still palpable last season, so Bentley must show that the team is now his and apply the way he wants to play football.

How successful that transition is will be a defining factor to how their season goes.

Predicted Finish: Survival

Northampton Town

Nickname: The Cobblers

Year Founded: 1897

Stadium (Capacity): Sixfields Stadium (7,653)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 20th

Manager: Andy Boothroyd

Notable Transfers In: Clive Platt (Coventry City), Chris Hackett (Millwall), Ishmel Demontagnac (Notts County)

Notable Transfers Out: Freddy Hall (Toronto), Michael Jacobs (Derby County), Aaron Davies (Exeter)

Key Player: Adebayo Akinfenwa

Preview: Northampton bitterly disappointed last season as the club flirted with relegation when many expected The Cobblers to be an automatic promotion hopeful.

Expectation is high once again with the dangerous front pairing of Clive Platt and Adebayo Akinfenwa leading the way. However questions over the quality of the centre midfield may hold The Cobblers back once again.

Northampton may be the team that start the new season quickly, only to fade into obscurity as the season progresses.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table Obscurity

Oxford United

Nickname: The U’s

Year Founded: 1893

Stadium (Capacity): Kassam Stadium (12,500)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 9th

Manager: Chris Wilder

Notable Transfers In: Michael Raynes (Rotherham), Lee Cox (Swindon), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Notable Transfers Out: Anthony Tonkin (Aldershot Town), Asa Hall (Shrewsbury), Oli Johnson (York City)

Key Player: James Constable

Preview: Oxford could well be the most exciting team in League Two this year.

Known for their creativity in the midfield last season, Oxford have added even more flair to the side. Overwhelming teams with controlled possession may be another method of victory for them.

However Oxford’s success does depend on them keeping much-touted striker James Constable, who is a target for several higher league sides.

Predicted Finish: Promotion

Plymouth Argyle

Nickname: The Pilgrims

Year Founded: 1886

Stadium (Capacity): Home Park (16,380)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 21st

Manager: Carl Fletcher

Notable Transfers In: Rene Gilmartin (Watford), Jamie Lowry (Chesterfield), Andres Gurrieri (Burton)

Notable Transfers Out: Romain Larrieu (retired), Damien Johnson (Fleetwood), Carl Fletcher (retired)

Key Player: Darren Purse

Preview: Plymouth pulled off an amazing recovery last season as the club fought off administration and a terrible start to finish 21^st in the division.

Despite this positivity Plymouth still faces years of rebuilding and the squad is weak compared to many in the division. Key players like centre half Darren Purse will need to stay fit for much of the campaign if The Pilgrims are not going to be fighting off relegation again.

Predicted Finish: Survival

Port Vale FC

Nickname: The Valiants

Year Founded: 1876

Stadium (Capacity): Vale Park (19,052)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 12th

Manager: Micky Adams

Notable Transfers In: Darren Murphy (Stevenage), Richard Duffy (Exeter), Ashley Vincent (Colchester United)

Notable Transfers Out: Marc Richards (Chesterfield), Anthony Griffith (Leyton Orient), Sean Rigg (Oxford)

Key Player: Chris Stroker

Preview: Port Vale have been the benchmark for an average League Two side over the past two years, and it looks like that trend will be continuing in the 2012/2013 season.

Vale are currently in administration, so players and staff will be concerned about keeping their jobs.

Even so, Port Vale should have enough talent to keep them away from the drop zone but they won’t have enough quality to make the playoffs.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table Obscurity

Rochdale

Nickname: The Dale

Year Founded: 1907

Stadium (Capacity): Spotland (10,249)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 24^th in League One (Relegated)

Manager: John Coleman

Notable Transfers In: Ben Smith (Shrewsbury), Dele Adebola (Hull), Ian Craney (Accrington Stanley)

Notable Transfers Out: Kevin Amankwaah (Exeter City), Gary Jones (Bradford), Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (Tranmere)

Key Player: Brian Barry-Murphy

Preview: Mass changes have been made at Rochdale during the close season, with 34 players either joining or leaving the club.

The signings brought in by manager John Coleman look as strong as any side in the league, but so many changes could mean that the side takes time to jell.

Watch Rochdale to make a late run for the playoffs—whether they achieve their goal or not will depend on how quickly they can pull together.

Predicted Finish: Playoff Contenders

Rotherham United

Nickname: The Millers

Year Founded: 1870

Stadium (Capacity): New York Stadium (12,021)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 10th

Manager: Steve Evans

Notable Transfers In: Kayode Odejayi (Colchester), Lionel Ainsworth (Shrewsbury), Daniel Nardiello (Exeter)

Notable Transfers Out: Richard Naylor (retired), Ryan Cresswell (Southwell), Marcus Marshall (Bury)

Key Player: Kayode Odejayi

Preview: Cautious optimism is taking hold of Rotherham fans due to the wise transfer policy of manager Steve Evans.

Recognising their weaknesses against well-organised defences, Rotherham have concentrated their transfer dealings toward players with individual skills that can beat a man in one-on-one situations. This should help The Millers unlock tight defences during the season.

The issue with these types of players at this level of the game is that they tend to be very inconsistent. This may stop Rotherham from reaching the automatic promotion places.

Predicted Finish: Playoff Contenders

Southend United

Nickname: The Shrimpers

Year Founded: 1906

Stadium (Capacity): Roots Hall (12,392)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 4th

Manager: Paul Sturrock

Notable Transfers In: Rhys Taylor (Chelsea), Freddy Eastwood (Coventry City), Ryan Cresswell (Rotherham United)

Notable Transfers Out: Christian Dailly (retired), Anthony Grant (Stevenage), Merrick James-Lewis (Colchester United)

Key Player: Freddy Eastwood

Preview: Having just missed automatic promotion last season, Southend were left in a vulnerable position. Often clubs who miss out on promotion lose their best players to teams from higher divisions.

So it is much to Southend’s credit that they maintained much of last season’s squad whilst adding a top goal-scoring threat in returning hero Freddy Eastwood.

There is little doubt that Southend are promotion favourites.

Predicted Finish: Promotion

Torquay United

Nickname: The Gulls

Year Founded: 1899

Stadium (Capacity): Plainmoor (6104)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 5th

Manager: Martin Ling

Notable Transfers In: Ryan Jarvis (Walsall), Michael Poke (Brighton), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield)

Notable Transfers Out: Robert Olejnik (Peterborough), Eunan O’Kane (Bournemouth), Mark Ellis (Crewe)

Key Player: Lee Mansell

Preview: Torquay were another side to go very close to promotion last year.

The big question is whether the same players can make the same monumental effort to keep the club in the playoff picture. Many players had career years, and a couple of the top performers have moved onto bigger clubs.

In all likelihood, Torquay will have a notable drop off this season.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table Obscurity.

Wycombe Wanderers

Nickname: The Chairboys

Year Founded: 1887

Stadium (Capacity): Adams Park (10,284)

2011/2012 Final League Position: 21^st in League One (Relegated)

Manager: Gary Waddock

Notable Transfers In: Gary Doherty (Charlton Athletic), Matthew Spring (Leyton Orient), Richard Logan (Exeter City)

Notable Transfers Out: Scott Rendell (Luton), Ben Strevens (Gillingham), Steve Arnold (Stevenage)

Key Player: Nikki Bull

Preview: The big news at Adams Park was the takeover by the club’s trust that returned Wycombe to a supporters-owned football club once again.

On-field considerations have been compromised by those actions, with the club falling behind some of its rivals. However a solid defence and outstanding keeper in Nikki Bull should keep Wycombe out of too much trouble.

Expect Wycombe to have more draws than any other club this season.

Predicted Finish: Mid-Table Obscurity.

York City

Nickname: The Ministermen

Year Founded: 1922

Stadium (Capacity): Bootham Crescent (7,872

2011/2012 Final League Position: 4^th Blue Square Premiership (Promoted via playoffs)

Manager: Gary Mills

Notable Transfers In: Danny Blanchett (Burton), Oli Johnson (Oxford United), Lee Bullock (Bradford)

Notable Transfers Out: James Meredith (Bradford), Danny Pilkington (Kidderminster), Adriano Moke (Cambridge United)

Key Player: Matty Blair

Preview: York were hot at exactly the right time last season as they made the playoffs and FA Trophy Final.

This meant that The Ministermen had two trips to Wembley in a matter of days, and they were victorious on both occasions.

Life in League Two will be a far harder ordeal as York acclimatise with life in The Football League. A strong start may seem their challenge, but survival will be their ultimate goal.

Predicted Finish: Survival