Early Predictions 19/20

[joethegill]

The other divisions are doing it so why not us....

Top 2: Peterborough & Portsmouth

Playoffs: Sunderland, Ipswich, Burton Albion & Rotherham

Relegated: Bury, Rochdale, Wycombe & Accrington

Then focussing on your own team (if you can be arsed....)

Top Scorer: Brandon Hanlan as it stands, until we sign our new 30 a season man.
Signing you’re most excited about: Matty Willock. Comes with decent pedigree and reports. Will be an interesting one.
The player you expect to step up this season: Brandon Hanlan/Elliott List - We need to replace Eaves goals. Both showed promise last season, but they NEED to deliver.
Key Player: Max Ehmer. Need stability in the back line - Zakuani is getting on in years and our other centre back options are not exactly seasoned professionals yet.
Fixture you’re most looking forward to: We've been in this division for years so none are over-exciting, but a trip to Portsmouth is usually fun and ends in 3 points!

 

[DippyDon]

Top 2 - Portsmouth, Rotherham
Playoffs - Sunderland, Peterborough, Coventry, Ipswich
Relegated - Bury, Southend, Wycombe, AFC Wimbledon

Top Scorer - As it stands, probably Kieran Agard. I don’t know enough about Joe Mason to know if he will be better or not.
Signing you’re most excited about - Regan Poole. Was excellent at Newport and highly rated at Manchester United. Fingers crossed he can do the business here too.
The player you expect to step up this season - with more of an importance on defence, I’d hope that Jordan Houghton can prove himself irreplaceable in CDM. We need one of Joe Mason and Jordan Bowery to kick on and get us a fair few goals too, so that our hopes aren’t just pinned on Kags.
Key player - if he can stay fit, Jordan Moore-Taylor is an excellent defender that we’ve really missed since January. Alex Gilbey is a key player as well that we need to be on it all season.
Fixture you’re most looking forward to - I’ve got 7 new grounds to do in the league and I already know that I can’t go to Accrington. The one that stands out to me is Wycombe away on the 17th August, so probably that one.

 

[Eastfield Posh]

TOP 2 : Sunderland & Rotherham

PLAY OFFS : Portsmouth , Coventry , Lincoln & Posh

RELEGATED : Bury , Accrington , Wycombe & Rochdale.

OWN TEAM TOP SCORER : Ivan Toney.
Couldn't get a game at the start of last season with Godden & Cummings on fire , through determination & hard work forced his way into the team , became a fans favourite through his hard work off the ball as well as defensive duties , scored 10 in December ( League 1 Player of the Month ) goes down a bit easy which away fans hate , struggled when Evans got sacked & Fergie came in , teams up well with Siriki Dembele & hopefully Mo Eisa as well with both probably jostling for top of the scoring charts at London Road.

SIGNING MOST EXCITED BY : Mark Beevers.
We've been weak in central defence for a number of years , we signed Stephen Taylor 2 seasons ago who I liked to watch play , it was like having a 2nd Captain but he lacked pace & 90 minutes of fitness in a season we lost around 30 points from winning positions.
We've added the experience of Beevers who's had experience of getting out of this division before & Fergie has also made him Captain , 29 a good age , he'll also help young Kent playing alongside him , am looking forward to mixture of his experience from the back & a vocal prescence as well , we've been weak as a team in not challenging decisions & or getting players yellows or reds which teams like Luton & Doncaster away last season exploited really well.

PLAYER EXPECTED TO STEP UP : Siriki Dembele.
Has speed , is tricky , can score ( should score more ) gets bums off seats & did all those things before getting injured the last few months of last season which may have seen us sneak above Donny if he'd remained fit.
Weaknesses are , he beats 3 players & wants to beat them again.
Takes the more difficult option rather than the easy.
Needs to work harder on his defensive duties.
If he works hard on the above 3 , we have a gem on our hands , he scares the s*it out of opposition defenders who sometimes double & treble up on him.

FIXTURE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO : Easy ! New Year's Day ( IF I can get a ticket )

LINCOLN CITY ( AWAY )

Team who I describe as 1 of our 2 main rivals , the other being ( Northampton ) who we have got in Checkatrade along with Scumbridge & 1 other.

They have a few of our old boys in there team who have done superbly , have great home & away support ( they'll bring 4,000 to London Road in October ) no problem , I hope that I'm lucky enough to be 1 of the 1,000- 1,800 Posh fans making the short trip depending on what were allocated for the occasion.

As a Posh fan we're really lucky this season for away days , take out Sunderland & Pompey & a few around the North West Coast etc & loads are 2 hours or so away !

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Top 2 - Portsmouth, Sunderland
Play offs - Burton, Rotherham, Doncaster, Ipswich
Relegation - Bristol Rovers, Rochdale, Wimbledon, Bury

 

[Reading-Gills]

Top 2 - Portsmouth, Rotherham

Play offs - Ipswich, Sunderland, Burton, Fleetwood

Relegated - Bury, Bolton, Accrington, Rochdale

Top scorer - Hanlan currently. Really came on strong towards the end of last season and hopefully he can step up now that Eaves has gone.

Signing most excited by - Since Joe already picked Willock, I'll go with Jack Bonham. Needed a keeper to replace Holy and seems like we may have got a better one.

Player expected to step up - Bradley Garmston. Looks like he will be our first choice left back this season. Has never been as good as he was when we him had on loan since signing permanently 4 years ago. Hopefully injury problems are behind him. Needs to step up and have a good consistent run in the team.

Key Player - Connor Ogilvie. Has been a revelation since moving from left back to centre back. We conceded way too many goals last season so hopefully him starting the season at centre back will contribute to a stronger defence this year.

Fixture most looking forward to - Ipswich away, boxing day.

 

[Fedora Dale]

Top two: Rotherham, Portsmouth

Playoffs: Sunderland, Coventry, Fleetwood, Peterborough

Down: Bury, Bolton, Accrington and a sleepwalking Ipswich

Top scorer - Ian Henderson, as usual.

Most Exciting New Signing. Eoghan O'Connell. He's actually our only new non-loan signing from outside the club this summer, however reports from Bury indicate he's a decent centre back.

Players to step up: Aaron Morley should be looking to challenge Camps and Rathbone for a midfield place; Ryan Delaney needs to challenge McNulty for the left side centre back role; Matty Gillam needs to get on the pitch more regularly.

Fixture most looked forward to: in normal circumstances would be Ipswich, who we've never played. However, in their current circumstances, the fixtures against Bury would at least mean they are still in existence - so either of those.

 

[CCFC_Charlie]

Top 2: Portsmouth and Peterborough
Top 6: Sunderland, Rotherham, Gillingham and Burton
Bottom 4: Bury, Bolton, Wycombe and Wimbledon

Top Goalscorer: Hopefully a new signing ala Tyler Walker, if not then Jordy Hiwula

Most Exciting New Signing: Jamie Allen looks a cracking player but I'm more excited by the foreign mystery factor of Wesley Jobello and Gervane Kastaneer.

Players to Step Up: Chaplin needs to justify the fee we paid for him last season (if he's not sold)

Fixtures Most Looked Forward To: Just moved up north so pretty much all the northern away days. Bolton is the first on the agenda.

 

[Boz]

Top 2: Sunderland and Portsmouth

Playoffs: Rotherham, Peterborough, Doncaster, Coventry

Relegated: Bury, Accrington, Wimbledon, Rochdale. [With the caveat that if Rovers don't loan or sign another striker and defensive midfielder, we'll be there instead]



Top Scorer: Of the current squad probably Connor Jennings, but can't see him making double figures.
Signing you’re most excited about: Corey Blackett-Taylor, wide player with some pace recruited from Villa
The player you expect to step up this season: Harvey Gilmour young midfielder, looked good in the first part of last season, but after he signed permanently opportunities were limited.
Fixture you’re most looking forward to: The fixture fairy wasn't kind to us; Burton away on Boxing Day again, a ground I'd hope to do and Coventry home on New Year's day ruling out a meet up with a sky blue supporting mate. Probably the trip to Rotherham at the end of August.

 

[Back in the DHSS]

Top 2- Rotherham Portsmouth
P/O- Lincoln Sunderland Fleetwood Peterborough
Relegated- Tranmere Bury Rochdale Accrington
Top Scorer would be surprised if any of our lot make it into double figures
Signing most excited about, 0
Player expected to step up this season, Don’t know, but hopefully Ishmael Miller can step off the treatment table for good.
Key player- David Perkins
Fixture(s) most looking forward to, Rochdale (Cemetery Hotel) Bolton (Blackedge brewery Horwich)

 

[Luke Imp]

Limited knowledge of the division so a bit of stab in the dark.

Top 2: Rotherham & Portsmouth

Playoffs: Sunderland, Peterborough, Coventry & Doncaster

Relegated: Bury, Accrington, Southend & Wycombe

Top Scorer: Our goals are always spread around well. Akinde was our top scorer last season on 17. We'll be due another striker in, so we'll see who that is.

Signing you’re most excited about: We've only signed 3 midfielders but out of those, probably Jack Payne. Mention to Grant as well who, if we can keep his performance levels up and knock the show pony tendencies out of him, should be a god signing as well.

The player you expect to step up this season: No-one really needs to step up because we've kept most of last seasons squad and they all performed highly last season. Expecting Anderson to kick on again on the right wing but he's not one who needs to step up per se.

Key Player: I voted Shackell as our Player of the Season last year on the basis that he drags everyone around him up to nearer his level so it'll be him. Andrade from the left wing caused all sort of problems for full backs last season (partnership with Toffolo was very strong) and despite his doubters, Akinde did a good job for us as well playing as a lone front man, which isn't really what he's about or plays to his strengths so we didn't even get the best out of him last season.

Fixture you’re most looking forward to: Quite a few L1 sides who we haven't played for a while but have done many times before in L2 - Posh, Rotherham, Rochdale, Wycombe, Gillingham, Doncaster etc.

Most will be looking forward to Sunderland, but although it's currently a Saturday game, it'll probably end up a Tuesday one.

 

[mase]

Top 2: Portsmouth and Peterborough/Rotherham (can't decide)

Playoffs: Whoever isn't in the top two out of Peterborough/Rotherham, Sunderland, Fleetwood and Doncaster

Relegated: Bury, Bolton, Wimbledon... err, Wycombe>?

Then focusing on your own team (if you can be arsed....)

Top Scorer: As things stand probably Gavin Whyte. We're in for a striker though so my pick could change depending on who we get in. Lot of talk of Ched Evans in the past 24 hours...
Signing you’re most excited about: We've only made 2 so far! Of the two, I'd say Gorrin from Motherwell. Looks like he might do the business.
The player you expect to step up this season: Malachi Napa - went out on loan last season, and he's always looked good for us when he has featured - time to kick on a bit more now. Also, Nico Jones in defence could have a good year too.
Key Player: Hmm, either Whyte or Cameron Brannagan I think. Oh, and Simon Eastwood.
Fixture you’re most looking forward to: Sunderland away is always a good one.

 

[Franchisor]

Top 2: Sunderland & Peterborough

Playoffs: Portsmouth, Ipswich, Oxford, Rotherham

Relegated: Southend, Tranmere, Bolton, Bury (although I think Wycombe and Rochdale could be in trouble too)


Top Scorer: Rhys Healey. If he can stay fit and play the majority of games reckon he'll get 15+. Has a better strike rate than 1 in 2 in games he's started.
Signing you’re most excited about: Hiram Boateng. If he can stay fit, he'll be one of the best CDM/CMs in the league. Was too good for L2 for Exeter, just had fitness issues.
The player you expect to step up this season: Regan Poole. Wales U21 captain, just released from Man Utd and highly rated. Really needs to show what he can do at this level if he wants to get anywhere near the big time again.
Key Player: Alex Gilbey. We just aren't the same without him. Really runs the show in midfield for us and always gives 100%.
Fixture you’re most looking forward to: Burton away. Never been, heard it's a nice little stadium and good pubs in town.

 

[TractorBoys]

Top 2: Sunderland, Ipswich
Playoffs; Pompey, Rotherham, Peterborough. Burton
Relegated; Wimbledon, Rochdale, Bury & Bolton

As for signings, Norwood stands out. I'm more exicted about our existing midfield though which I genuinely believe is well ahead of anything else in this league. Our weak left flank may temper that - with Lambert signing Luke Garbutt on season long loan from Everton, predominantly LB but played very well as a left winger last season.

Key Player.. take your pick from the midfield, Judge perhaps, but Dozzell, Bishops, Downes, Huws, and Skuseys experience should all shine in L1.

Fixture most looking forward too - Lincoln Away - 20 minutes on the train and located nicely for prematch beers.

 

[Gas Go Marching In]

A bit bemused by so many people predicting Rotherham in top 2? Am I missing something?

 

[Kim Jong Un]

A bit bemused by so many people predicting Rotherham in top 2? Am I missing something?

I believe they have plenty of money mate

 

[Fedora Dale]

A bit bemused by so many people predicting Rotherham in top 2? Am I missing something?

They've bounced before; no reason why they can't again. And they'll probably have enough money for a bit of judicious squad strengthening.

 

[Shrimpurh]

We are going down

 

[Big fish little fish]

Intrigued as to why so many teams have us (Wimbledon) to go down.

Admittedly under Ardley we were dog5hit, but last 10 games of the season we were W4 D5 L1, so I'm looking forward to next season with a healthy balance of hope and trepidation. I'm hoping mid-table obscurity beckons...

 

[joethegill]

Intrigued as to why so many teams have us (Wimbledon) to go down.

Admittedly under Ardley we were dog5hit, but last 10 games of the season we were W4 D5 L1, so I'm looking forward to next season with a healthy balance of hope and trepidation. I'm hoping mid-table obscurity beckons...

In fairness you're always likely to be in the conversation simply because since your arrival in this division you've been at that end of the table. In your three years you've gone 15th, 17th and 20th, and without a massive turnaround in personnel in the playing squad it's hard to argue with those placing you near the bottom.

Rochdale also had a great run in at the back end of last season but I can't see them NOT being in the relegation fight this year either.

 

[thewwfc]

Whilst it's pretty fair to have us in the mix for relegation, given we struggled last season and especially when we thought we'd have to cut an already threadbare wage bill, we've just had some random American come in and pump in a bit of cash.

It could of course go tits up (random unconnected with the club bearing shiny gold coins? that's never gone wrong, has it), but at least in the short term we're a bit more solvent.

 

[Reaper]

Not as confident now than a few weeks ago tbh. Even though we have fetched some decent signings we have lost more players than I thought we would and even some of our other players are getting targeted by other clubs like Robertson and Vassell.

We do however have a lot of money to spend for this level and it all depends on how we recruit from now to end of transfer window.

Has things stand I think we'll be around pushing playoffs but I think we can push top 2 with a few more good signings.

My prediction for top 2 are Sunderland and Portsmouth with Rotherham, Ipswich, Fleetwood and Lincoln playoffs.

Think Peterborough have a strong squad but a terrible manager so I'm predicting they'll miss out and Donny have lost a lot of players from last season who was on loan who were instrumental in getting them in the playoffs so I don't think they'll will be in there either unless they start recruiting well.

 

[Cobbler Baggy]

Top 2: Portsmouth and Sunderland

Playoffs: Peterborough, Ipswich, Coventry, Rotherham

Relegated: Bury, Bolton, Southend, Wimbledon

 

[iWomble]

In fairness you're always likely to be in the conversation simply because since your arrival in this division you've been at that end of the table. In your three years you've gone 15th, 17th and 20th, and without a massive turnaround in personnel in the playing squad it's hard to argue with those placing you near the bottom.

There has been a big turnover which began last season when Downes took over and had no hesitation playing kids that were sidelined by Ardley which was effectively a few new signings.

Won't claim our summer signings have been exactly stellar (apart from Nesta Guinness-Walker shining very bright so far after being plucked from deep non-league) but most of the dead wood has gone and no reason to think we can't carry on where we left off though a lumpy number 9 and nasty bastard midfielder would help.

The big question is whether Downes is a one-season wonder who had nothing to lose last year but will struggle this. I don't think he will but we'll have to see.

 

[gary]

There has been a big turnover which began last season when Downes took over and had no hesitation playing kids that were sidelined by Ardley which was effectively a few new signings.

Won't claim our summer signings have been exactly stellar (apart from Nesta Guinness-Walker shining very bright so far after being plucked from deep non-league) but most of the dead wood has gone and no reason to think we can't carry on where we left off though a lumpy number 9 and nasty bastard midfielder would help.

The big question is whether Downes is a one-season wonder who had nothing to lose last year but will struggle this. I don't think he will but we'll have to see.

I think your spot on.We definitely need another central midfield player and another forward.I think we will be reasonably solid at the back..
At the moment I can't see where the goals are going to come from apart from piggott.The midfield contains the same player's as last season and none of them could score then so I can't see it being any different this season.I think our midfield is a bit powder puff as well.Perhaps Folivi
will come good up front.I have faith in downes however so let's wait and see.

 

[Huntsman94]

Top 2: Sunderland and Rotherham

Playoffs: Ipswich, Peterborough, Portsmouth and Doncaster

Relegation: Bury, Bolton, Accrington and Rochdale

 

[joethegill]

Relegation: Bury, Bolton, Accrington and Rochdale

Bad year for the Greater Manchester area then...

 

[T.A]

Accy cant get anymore Lancashire..

 

[joethegill]

*Greater Manchester and surrounding areas*

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Top 2:- Pompey and Ipswich

Play Offs:- Sunderland, Peterborough, Fleetwood, Shrewsbury

Relegation:- Bury, Bolton, Wycombe, Tranmere

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Can people start predicting us for relegation please.
I keep thinking I’m in the wrong thread!