Post by gtnffc on Jul 30, 2006 18:57:54 GMT -1
Inspired by JJ's fine prose predicting the outcome of the Coca Cola Championship I thought I would give you a unique insight into the possible final composition of League One.
So put down your copy of 'Heat', pull up a chair and immerse yourself in my brain
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1. Doncaster Rovers – New stadium on the way, some astute signings for a team very much on the up. Should clinch the title, maybe some more cup heroics as a bonus?
2. Nottingham Forest – If we could win most weeks at home under Megson I can’t see that changing. Away form is the key, but a season of getting used to playing in ramshackle sheds should stand us in good stead to take 2nd place.
3. Tranmere Rovers – Terribly disappointing last season south of the Mersey, but Ronnie Moore should put the Wirral men firmly back in the promotion frame.
4. Huddersfield Town – Playoffs loom again for Jacko’s men. Luke Beckett and Pawel Abbott will cause a lot of upset for opposing teams this season.
5. Millwall – Despite an inevitable struggle to adjust in the wake of their relegation, the Bermondsey Boys will cement a top 6 berth with ease. Some good signings at this level.
6. Bristol City – Touted as promotion certs every year and always fail to deliver, but the boys from Ssshton Gate should improve on last season’s erraticism. Manager Gary Johnson looks like he has moulded a good team. If they make the playoffs they will be my tip to win the buggers.
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7. Blackpool – Much is being made of their new Latvian investors which should at least elevate them away from the relegation mire. Still need to build the rest of that stadium mind.
8. Swansea City – After their heart rending defeat in the playoff final (LOL), the Swans will find their honeymoon period at an end. Lee Trundle to get chinned on a regular basis with any luck. Worst fans to come to the City Ground for years by the way, bunch of scrotes.
9. Port Vale – Now imbued with real World Cup quality
the Valiants will surprise many people by sustaining themselves as outside playoff contenders.
10. Bradford City – Will find it hard to adjust after an opening day crushing by Forest but the Bantams should recover to launch a limp wristed and ultimately doomed promotion campaign. Little money but made a couple of potentially decent signings. Will probably rely too heavily on the venerable Dean Windass for goals though. Shocking preseason too.
11. Gillingham – Gillingham never really took to life in League One, presumable still shell shocked after their cruel relegation at the hands of you know who, and I expect them to make minimal progress this year. Basically a good solid squad, they’ll do just fine this year.
12. Carlisle United – With Bridges and Hawley on board they should flirt with the playoffs, but may ultimately miss out without the guidance of new Preston incumbrent Paul Simpson.
13. Oldham Athletic – No Luke Beckett this season will dullen Oldham’s attacking strengths and midtable obscurity would appear to be the only outcome for the League One stalwarts.
14. Brighton and Hove Albion – A season of consolidation for the Seagulls as the protracted Falmer saga lurches into yet another season. Unlike 2004, they will not find it so easy to return to League One at the first time of asking.
15. Bournemouth – Don’t expect fireworks from the denizens of God’s Waiting Room. No money, but some decent players- the Cherries are unlikely to bother either end of the table to be honest.
16. Scunthorpe – Awful place, awful ground, average team. Billy Sharp proved a fine signing last year and was responsible for both Scunny’s early brush with the playoffs and their victory over the forces of relegation.
17. Brentford – Should have taken their chance to go up the past two seasons. The loss of influential manager Martin Allen and pivotal players like Sam Sodje, Michael Turner, Jay Tabb should ensure they will BEE (did you see what I did there) in a relegation battle.
18. Northampton Town – Should play decent football under new head honcho John Gorman but the Cobblers may struggle in a physical league. Scott McGleish should score the goals to ultimately keep them afloat. No real shortage of money to spend here too, may need to exploit this to bring in some more quality.
19. Chesterfield – Started brightly last season before fizzling out like a wet fart. No reason to expect anything different this season from the Spireites.
20. Crewe Alexandra – A dismal season for the Railwaymen and their misfiring strikers. Should enjoy their big derby with Port Vale though.
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21. Cheltenham Town – ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in the Dr Martens anymore’. Second stint in the third tier of the football league for these non leaguers, and survival will be a big ask of a limited squad. They’ll still probably beat us at their place and celebrate like it’s ’66 all over again mind.
22. Yeovil Town – Best player has followed their ex manager to local rivals Brizzle City – this non league club will take one step further to from whence they came.
23. Rotherham United – Will battle valiantly but the ten point deduction will prove to be too much of a cross to carry and I expect them to be in and around the bottom 4 from the word go. Lack of money, administration constraints and lack of overall firepower. The drop looms.
24. Leyton Orient – Don’t know fuck all about them to be honest so I’ll lazily predict a rock bottom finish for the East Londoners. Watch them win the damn league now.
So put down your copy of 'Heat', pull up a chair and immerse yourself in my brain
___________________________________________________
1. Doncaster Rovers – New stadium on the way, some astute signings for a team very much on the up. Should clinch the title, maybe some more cup heroics as a bonus?
2. Nottingham Forest – If we could win most weeks at home under Megson I can’t see that changing. Away form is the key, but a season of getting used to playing in ramshackle sheds should stand us in good stead to take 2nd place.
3. Tranmere Rovers – Terribly disappointing last season south of the Mersey, but Ronnie Moore should put the Wirral men firmly back in the promotion frame.
4. Huddersfield Town – Playoffs loom again for Jacko’s men. Luke Beckett and Pawel Abbott will cause a lot of upset for opposing teams this season.
5. Millwall – Despite an inevitable struggle to adjust in the wake of their relegation, the Bermondsey Boys will cement a top 6 berth with ease. Some good signings at this level.
6. Bristol City – Touted as promotion certs every year and always fail to deliver, but the boys from Ssshton Gate should improve on last season’s erraticism. Manager Gary Johnson looks like he has moulded a good team. If they make the playoffs they will be my tip to win the buggers.
___________________________________________________
7. Blackpool – Much is being made of their new Latvian investors which should at least elevate them away from the relegation mire. Still need to build the rest of that stadium mind.
8. Swansea City – After their heart rending defeat in the playoff final (LOL), the Swans will find their honeymoon period at an end. Lee Trundle to get chinned on a regular basis with any luck. Worst fans to come to the City Ground for years by the way, bunch of scrotes.
9. Port Vale – Now imbued with real World Cup quality
the Valiants will surprise many people by sustaining themselves as outside playoff contenders.10. Bradford City – Will find it hard to adjust after an opening day crushing by Forest but the Bantams should recover to launch a limp wristed and ultimately doomed promotion campaign. Little money but made a couple of potentially decent signings. Will probably rely too heavily on the venerable Dean Windass for goals though. Shocking preseason too.
11. Gillingham – Gillingham never really took to life in League One, presumable still shell shocked after their cruel relegation at the hands of you know who, and I expect them to make minimal progress this year. Basically a good solid squad, they’ll do just fine this year.
12. Carlisle United – With Bridges and Hawley on board they should flirt with the playoffs, but may ultimately miss out without the guidance of new Preston incumbrent Paul Simpson.
13. Oldham Athletic – No Luke Beckett this season will dullen Oldham’s attacking strengths and midtable obscurity would appear to be the only outcome for the League One stalwarts.
14. Brighton and Hove Albion – A season of consolidation for the Seagulls as the protracted Falmer saga lurches into yet another season. Unlike 2004, they will not find it so easy to return to League One at the first time of asking.
15. Bournemouth – Don’t expect fireworks from the denizens of God’s Waiting Room. No money, but some decent players- the Cherries are unlikely to bother either end of the table to be honest.
16. Scunthorpe – Awful place, awful ground, average team. Billy Sharp proved a fine signing last year and was responsible for both Scunny’s early brush with the playoffs and their victory over the forces of relegation.
17. Brentford – Should have taken their chance to go up the past two seasons. The loss of influential manager Martin Allen and pivotal players like Sam Sodje, Michael Turner, Jay Tabb should ensure they will BEE (did you see what I did there) in a relegation battle.
18. Northampton Town – Should play decent football under new head honcho John Gorman but the Cobblers may struggle in a physical league. Scott McGleish should score the goals to ultimately keep them afloat. No real shortage of money to spend here too, may need to exploit this to bring in some more quality.
19. Chesterfield – Started brightly last season before fizzling out like a wet fart. No reason to expect anything different this season from the Spireites.
20. Crewe Alexandra – A dismal season for the Railwaymen and their misfiring strikers. Should enjoy their big derby with Port Vale though.
___________________________________________________
21. Cheltenham Town – ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in the Dr Martens anymore’. Second stint in the third tier of the football league for these non leaguers, and survival will be a big ask of a limited squad. They’ll still probably beat us at their place and celebrate like it’s ’66 all over again mind.
22. Yeovil Town – Best player has followed their ex manager to local rivals Brizzle City – this non league club will take one step further to from whence they came.
23. Rotherham United – Will battle valiantly but the ten point deduction will prove to be too much of a cross to carry and I expect them to be in and around the bottom 4 from the word go. Lack of money, administration constraints and lack of overall firepower. The drop looms.
24. Leyton Orient – Don’t know fuck all about them to be honest so I’ll lazily predict a rock bottom finish for the East Londoners. Watch them win the damn league now.
). It's not good for the region with us all in the doldrums.
