Huddersfield Town FC News, Match Reports, Forums and more

Terrier-Bytes have conducted their own preview to League One featuring all 24 teams of League One. We also asked fans of each club (although so far no reponse from Colchester United) what they thought about this season. Here in this first part at Bournemouth, Brentford, Bury, Carlisle United, Charlton Athletic, Chesterfield, Colchester United, Exeter City, Hartlepool United, Huddersfield Town, Leyton Orient and MK Dons.

We asked fans for their prediction of who will finish first and second as well as the four play-off places and the four teams they think that will be relelgated.


Bournemouth

Bournemouth will be looking to put the play-off disappointment behind them but the south coast side have lost some key players. Star defender Jason Pearce has left for Portsmouth, fans player of the year midfielder Anton Robinson was sold to Huddersfield, left back Rhoys Wiggins and midfielder Danny Hollands have left for League One rivals Charlton. Right-back Adam Smith returned to his parent club Spurs and Donal McDermott, on-loan from Manchester City when playing for Bournemouth, has also signed for Huddersfield Town.

In has come goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan from Portsmouth on a free, midfielder Steven Gregory from AFC Wimbledon and experienced defender Adam Barrett from Crystal Palace who has been installed as the team captain. Highly-rated Danny Ings, who has been subject to transfer speculation this summer, is still with the club and left-back Scott Malone and right-back Nathan Byrne are both on a season long loan from Wolves and Spurs respectively.

Prediction - 13th - The Cherries have lost some key players this summer but Lee Bradbury has steadied the ship since Eddie Howe left for Burnley halfway through last season. One of the best footballing sides in the division last year but I think losing most the side of last season will hamper them.

A fans view: Dave Jennings of Bournemouth vital afcb.vitalfootball.co.uk

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

Having just been promoted from League Two many supporters would have quite happily taken a dull boring consolidation season back in League One, but instead we hit the ground running and were the early pace setters in the division. Despite selling two strikers and a midfielder and losing the management team we went on to finish in the play-offs and have the epic battle over two legs with yourselves.

In a strange way losing on penalties in a play-off semi was both the best and worst moment of the season. It was such a proud moment to see a team leave everything on the pitch, but ultimately disappointed to be left with the what-ifs...

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?

It's still too early to say at this point, from that play-off team we have already lost Adam Smith our right back (who was on loan), our captain and centre half Jason Pearce has been sold to Portsmouth, our left back has been sold to Charlton, Midfielder Danny Hollands has also joined Charlton on a free transfer and midfielder Donal McDermott (who was on loan) has joined yourselves.

Coming in we've signed a right back and a left back on loan from Premiership academies and we've signed Adam Barrett for a undisclosed fee from Crystal Palace. Hopefully with perhaps one more addition the team should look fairly solid and in a competitive division like this, if we can hit a good run of form we can hopefully compete for a play-off place again.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?

We've currently got quite a large squad although perhaps still lack numbers in defence (I'd like another centre back as Ryan Garry has been forced to retire at the age of 27).

With the loan signings and Adam Barrett, the departures have been replaced, while we have also signed Steven Gregory a midfielder from AFC Wimbledon who replaced Danny Hollands and Darryl Flahavan a 'keeper from Portsmouth has come in with Shwan Jalal currently in stalled contract negotiations with the club.

We look solid, with quite a few young players with a lot of potential.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?

I wouldn't get rid of anyone, they are all either good first team players, squad players or youngsters with potential given the time to develop.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Assuming that he doesn't get sold after being linked with several Premier League sides, Danny Ings should be set to have a good first full season in League One.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?

Barrett has impressed me, he's my type of no nonsense defender who seems to organise the defence well and is good in the air, it's a shame we didn't have him last season as we might not have conceded so many set-pieces.

7. Are you happy with your manager?

It was always going to be a difficult job for anyone to come in and replace Eddie Howe after all he had achieved in such a short period of time, but Bradders (Lee Bradbury) has now begun to put his own stamp on the squad which you would expect and it will be very interesting to see how he gets the side to perform in his first full season in management. Obviously I hope he does really well as he has shown a lot of promise.

8. Are you happy with your Backroom staff?

I'm a firm believer that a manager has to select his backroom staff and so if Bradders is happy then that's all the matters, in years gone by we didn't even have a backroom staff but now we have a conditioning coach, sports therapist, performance analyst, assistant strength and conditioning coach and so on!

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?

It would be nice to beat Charlton as two of our first team players from last season have gone there! It would also be nice to finally win away at Yeovil.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down

Charlton and Huddersfield for automatic promotion.
Sheffield Wednesday, Preston, Franchise and ourselves for the Play-Offs.
Relegated: Stevenage, Rochdale, Walsall and Tranmere.


Andy - of the Bournemouth Mad website afcbournemouth-mad.co.uk

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

We fared far better than we'd dared hoped! having coming out of League Two the year before we were hoping to achieve mid-table at best! But to be in the automatic promotion places and be in the end of season play-offs was beyond what any one at Dean Court could have dreamed off before last season kicked off. The play-off semi final matches against Huddersfield Town were two of the best games I've seen for a very long time. Completely end to end, full on attacking, great football, great goals etc. Just a shame it had to end on a penalty shoot out! Anything close to that this season would be remarkable!

Worst moment ........ being beaten by the Scummers (aka South Coast Club) three times over the course of the season. Gutted that we gave away so many late equalisers or couldn't defend set-pieces.

2. How do you think you''ll do this season? Hopes, final position?

I can't see AFC Bournemouth getting close to last seasons achievements no matter how much I dream or how optimistic I try and be. Mid table survival would be acceptable given player departures - . Look after Anton Robinson for us please ;-)

3. What''s your squad like, new signings, etc?

We've made a few signings, but whether they are good enough to push for honours this season remains to be seen. Good results in pre-season friendlies count for nothing come August 6th - se we'll see!

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?

None to be honest ....... they all given 110%.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Danny Ings. Pure class! If anything thought that Brett Pitman and Josh McQuoid were the business last season, wait until Danny Ings get going! Our Chairman is right in saying that he will be our first £1m player WHEN he gets sold.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?

Pass ........ not been able to get to any pre-season friendlies this season. Having said that though Steve Lovell and Lyle Taylor have been getting good write ups up front, with new signing Adam Barrett getting good reports for his defensive duties.

7. Are you happy with your manager?

By and large yes - this season will be his first in charge from the start of a new season, so will see.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

Overall, I have to say no! Our Chairman says one thing about not wanting to sell players, then we're hearing that player 'x' has gone! Some of what he says rings true ..... but not all of it! I just wonder where some of the cash from player sales has gone ........ surely not just on repaying past debts?
The backroom staff at Dean Court are superb. I have no complaints about them :-)

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?

We want to beat all teams! This season though we've lost many of the 'derby' matches we'd be looking forward to. The closest derby will be Yeovil Town, Brentford or Exeter City ........ hardly 'local'! It would be nice to put one over on Huddersfield Town IF only for the play-off semi final defeat - certainly not out of any malice towards them.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down

Tough one ...........
I'll give you a top-6 which if given size/finances of club should include the likes of (in no particular order):

Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
Charlton Athletic
Huddersfield Town
Preston North End
AFC Bournemouth - being optimistic!

Bottom four:
Yeovil Town
Rochdale
Walsall
Notts County


Brentford

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy finalists have turned to former Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler to take over the helm at Griffin Park. Former manager Andy Scott's dismissal raised a few eyebrows in February when he was sacked as the Bee's had progressed each year under his leadership. Veteran striker Nicky Forster took for the rest of the season but was overlooked for the permanent job.

Since arriving Rosler has brought in some experienced players. Last season's League Two top scorer Clayton Donaldson. The striker had scored 28 goals last season for Crewe but left at the end of the season as his contract had expired with many of League One and Championship clubs after the former York player. Versatile Shaleum Logan has been brought in on a free from Rosler's former club Manchester City. Logan can play either full back position as well as either flank and has been tipped to shine at Griffin Park. Jonathan Douglas was signed on a free from Swindon Town, the former Leeds midfielder is known to chip in which goals and speedy winger Niall McGinn has been brought in on loan from Celtic.

Prediction - 8th - Always a tough team to break down but Rosler has added some attacking quality to this squad this season. An outside bet for play-offs.

Fans View:

Guildford Bee - of the Brentford forum Griffinpark.org

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc
Underachieved give the money spent. Best - beating Everton. Worst - losing at Wembley.

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?
Should make the Top 6.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
Much improved - 5 new signings including the country's top league scorer last season.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?
Pim Balkestein - sorry.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Jake Reeves hopefully.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
New right-back Shay Logan.

7. Are you happy with your manager?
All the signs are positive.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Yep!

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Sheffield Utd at Bramall Lane on Aug 13 - they think League One will be a walk in the park.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down

Top six: Huddersfield, Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Brentford,
Bottom Four: Chesterfield Bournemouth, Yeovil, Walsall, Tranmere


Super J - a member of the Brentford forum griffinpark.org

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

On the whole, slightly disappointing. The league season started woefully and we never really recovered leading to our manager getting sacked. Nicky Forster steadied the ship but 12th place was an underachievement considering we'd finished the previous season 9th. However two excellent cup runs saw us knock out Everton on penalties, narrowly lose on penalties away at Birmingham and a great run in the JPT trophy gave us a day out at Wembley in front of 25,000 bees fans but sadly the players failed to show up and we lost 1-0. Best moment was probably beating Everton on penalties and winning away in the league at Southampton. Worst? Plenty of awful away days, Orient and Oldham and Dagenham and Redbridge to name just a few.

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?
Very optimistic. We have a new manager, some new signings and in pre season have been playing a brand of football everyone likes to see. The squad is very strong and there is no reason why we can't make the playoffs.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
We seemed to beat off a number of clubs to sign striker Clayton Donaldson from Crewe and the experienced midfielder Jonathan Douglas from Swindon. Niall McGinn is a Northern Irish International and Shaleum Logan seems an excellent acquisition from Manchester City. One of our strongest squads in years although perhaps still a striker short.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?
None. The manager did a good job of clearing out the dead wood of last season and the loan players who struggled to make an impact have all returned to their clubs. I'm very happy with the squad.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Jake Reeves and Manny Oyekele.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
Jake Reeves is a young midfielder coming through the youth squad who has impressed all so far particularly as we aren't blessed with creative midfielders.

7. Are you happy with your manager?
So far, yes. He speaks well, preaches good attacking football and has made positive signings. We all wish him well. However it is a results business and we can only really start to judge him come August 6th.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Yes the club seems to be run in a very professional and structured manner these days.

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Sheffield Utd, Wycombe, S****horpe and Stevenage. A mixture of local rivalry, general hatred and big scalps.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four to go down
Charlton and Preston.
Playoffs- Huddersfield, Scunthorpe, Brentford and Sheffield United.
Relegated- Bury, Walsall, Stevenage and Yeovil.



Bury

For two years previous Bury had been with the chasing pack only to fall at the last hurdle. It appeared to could be third time lucky for the Shakers but they must have feared the worst then Alan Knill left to join Scunthorpe United in March. Former Hartlepool United striker Ritchie Barker took over for the rest of the season and was given the full-time job after six straight wins clinched the runners up spot in League Two behind champions Chesterfield.

Ryan Lowe's 27 goals were a massive contribution in why Bury got promoted. The striker had been linked with a move away from Gigg Lane with Stockport County appearing to break the bank to sign the former Chester man but Lowe has since committed his future to The Shakers. Kyle Bennett has left for Doncaster Rovers which is a big blow for Bury but former Northampton defender Mark Hughes has been brought in along with striker Mark Cullen on loan from Hull City.

Prediction - 24th - If Ryan Lowe carries on were he left off then Bury might have a chance of surviving but I think its going to be a long hard struggle for The Shakers this season.

Fans view: The Boy Holty - of the Bury fans forum Mannyroadend.co.uk

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc
Well we were promoted as runners up after nine seasons in league 2 so 'very well' I would say. We were solid, consistent and hard to beat.
Best moment was winning 3-2 at Chesterfield to seal promotion on Easter Monday. It was one of those days you will never ever forget.
Worst moment was probably when the manager Alan Knill left for Scunthorpe with just 8 games left. It seemed a disaster at the time but in fact it probably galvanised the team into finishing the job.

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?
I think we'll struggle, as we haven't really strengthened very much and we have an inexperienced manager. If we have a good season we may finish mid table, but at this moment I'd be fairly happy just to stay in the division. I reckon we'll finish 18th or 19th.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
We've signed Mark Hughes. Seriously that's it. I don't think we've even signed up any of the many triallists we looked at. We've lost Tom Lees, Nicky Ajose and Kyle Bennett, three of our top performers last season.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?
None of them. They're all hard working and talented, but mostly untried at this level.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Max Harrop. Played a few games towards the end of last season, looks like he's got a lot of potential although he probably won't play very much as we've stepped up a league so can't afford such a luxury as throwing a youngster in at the deep end too often.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
To be completely honest I've not seen any pre-season games. Maybe someone else can step in with an answer to this one. If on-one does, then I'd say Andy Bishop. He's been out a long time with injuries and from what I have read looks really up for it at the moment.

7. Are you happy with your manager?
Yes. He's the one who got us promoted with six wins in his first ever games as a manager. He's inexperienced but very popular with players and fans alike. If he keeps us up this season he'll be a Bury legend for sure.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Chairman seems ok and doesn't seem to get involved where he's not needed. The backroom staff are all new, Peter Shirtliff is the assistant manager and we don't really know very much about him yet.

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Rochdale are our nearest rivals and have been for a decade or so. We missed our annual jaunt to Spotland last season - especially the pubs near the ground. Honestly, you can get three pints and some change for a fiver.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down
Champions: Huddersfield
Runners Up: Sheff Wednesday
Play Offs: Brentford, Charlton, Preston, Leyton Orient
Relegated: Notts County, Tranmere, Walsall, Wycombe


Carlisle United

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy winners finished a respectable 12th last season in League One with former Huddersfield Town midfielder James Berrett at the heart of the team. The Irishman never really got a look in at Town but has proven his worth with 10 goals and eight assists becoming a fans favourite at Brunton Park.

Wingers Andy Welsh and Jon-Paul McGovern have been brought in from Yeovil and Swindon Town respectively on a free. Left-back Stephen O'Halloran has arrived from Coventry (free) and Liam Noble has returned on loan from Sunderland.

Prediction - 14th - Raise their game against big teams but lose to teams below them. Manager Greg Abbott seems to have steadied the ship but they are lacking goals up front and young striker Paddy Madden has now been ruled out for the next three months. Mid-table finish for the Brunton Park side.


Fans View: BluesRGoinUp - CUFC Online Forum Carlisleunited-mad.co.uk

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

Best: Beating Brentford to win jpt. Worst: Losing to torquay in the FA Cup 3RD Round

2. How do you think you''ll do this season? Hopes, final position?

Hopefully Play-Offs but can see us just missing out

3. What''s your squad like, new signings, etc?

Very good just lacking a goal scorer, good mix of old and young players, we had one to many young players last season.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?

None

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Paddy Madden but just picked up a bad injury so hopefully after christmas he can show us what he can do

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?

Jon Paul Mcgovern

7. Are you happy with your manager?

Yes very much so, although I'd rather not listen to his drivle post match

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

Yes the club is very sound & we don't really break the bank so finances should be good

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?

Preston - Because its Preston

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four to go down

Sheff Wed
Huddersfield
Scunthorpe
Preston
Mk Dons
Carlisle

Bornemouth
Rochdale
Stevanage
Bury



Charlton Athletic

Charlton manager Chris Powell has been busy this summer after a disappointing season for the Addicks. Powell has brought in no less than 12 players. In are Bournemouth pair Hollands (free) and Wiggins (und), Bradley Pritchard (Hayes and Yeading, free), striker Nick Pope (Bury Town, und), goalkeeper John Sullivan (Millwall, free), left-back Cedric Evina (Oldham, free), striker Paul Hayes (Preston, free), winger Danny Green (Dag & Red, und), midfielder Dale Stephens (Oldham, und), defender Michael Morrison (Sheff Wed, und), goalkeeper Ben Hamer (Reading, und) and defender Andy Hughes (Scunthorpe, free).

Powell, a Charlton favourite during his playing days, started his managerial life off well with four straights win but towards the end they only recorded just two wins in the last nineteen games. The club has appeared to have invested in the clubs academy by bringing in Paul Hart and talent scout Jeff Vetere.

Prediction - 3rd - If Powell can get the overhaul of new players gelled as a team then Charlton have a decent shout of automatic promotion but I think play-offs for The Addicks. Bradley Wright-Phillips looks guaranteed goals at this level, Michael Morrison was at the heart of the defence when Leicester won promotion from this league in the 2008/09 season. Powell has signed some proven players at this level.

Fans view: Chris Thompson of Doctorkish.com

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

Disappointing, we finished in our second lowest position since the Second World War. The new owners arrival at the end of December, followed by club legend, Chris Powell, returning as manager lifted the spirits but after a bright start Powell won just two of his last final nineteen games. Thrilling, high-scoring away wins at Peterborough & Carlisle were countered by home thumpings by Brighton & Swindon.

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?

There has been a huge turnover of players in the summer with some quality newcomers being recruited. If Powell can mould them into a team the play-offs or even an automatic spot could be possible. The manager wants to play a more expansive, easy on the eye style, this season.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?

Better than last year's. Players such as Danny Green, Dale Stephens, Danny Hollands, Johnnie Jackson & Mikel Alonso give the side a strong midfield that should create plenty of chances for Bradley Wright-Phillips. The defence could be the team's weak spot.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?

We did it a few days ago, Alan McCormack. Signed on a two-year deal last summer he was dreadful. He had his contract terminated 'by mutual consent' a week ago & has now signed for Swindon.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Left-wing flyer, Callum Harriott, could be the one to make the break through.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
The newcomers, particularly Green, Stephens & Hollands have been impressive.

7. Are you happy with your manager?

Not entirely. Club legends returning as managers is fraught with danger & added pressure. Chris Powell is one of football's nice guys & we all know the old saying about nice guys & winning.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

Michael Slater is chairman but where the real money comes from is shrouded in mystery. Charlton are a 'project' and it will only be a success if the club reach the PL. Without the takeover administration was beckoning so we have to be happy. Paul Hart has been brought in to run the academy & respected talent spotter, Jeff Vetere, has arrived from Aston Villa so the infrastructure to move forward is good.

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
None of our major rivals are in the division so Huddersfield. Best team in the league, so if we beat them we will be doing ok.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down

1.Huddersfield
2.Scunthorpe
3.Charlton
4.MK Dons
5.Sheffield Wednesday
6.Brentford

21.Oldham
22.Bury
23.Yeovil
24.Wycombe


Chesterfield

Chesterfield appear to be a team on the up. Started last season at their new home of the B2net Stadium which has seen the average attendance double that of the last season at Saltergate, the club won League Two and season ticket sales for this season are currently hitting a new club record.

The bad news is Chesterfield lost their top scorer Craig Davies to Barnsley and the replacement, Oldham's Deane Smalley, signed for Oxford United. Veteran Jack Lester is still with the club and will always get goals but the club will be looking for someone to partner the experienced striker. Nathan Smith has been brought in from Yeovil and Mark Randall has signed on a free from Arsenal which looks like a decent acquisition.

Prediction - 17th - John Sheridan has a good knowledge of what this division is about so it could stand Chesterfield in good stead. Look a bit lightweight up front but Randall and Danny Whitaker, who scored 15 goals last season, might chip with goal that help keep the club in this division. The B2net Stadium seems to be a fortress for Chesterfield and the fans get right behind the team.

Fans View: Kate Siddall (on twitter @Kate_1418)

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc
An absolutely fantastic season for the Spireites, best moment has got to be clinching the League Two title infront of over 10, 000 fans at the b2net! Worst moment(s) - failing miserably, on three separate occasions, to beat Burton Albion!!

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?
Personally will be more than happy with staying up, but a comfortable mid table finish will do, for our first season back in this league.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
From what I have seen the squad has gelled well in pre-season, Nathan Smith has impressed the most - but we're lacking quality in attack, with only Jack Lester the real proven goal scorer in that area. We need a striker!!

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?
No one, each player is more than capable of making a positive contribution during the 2011/12 campaign.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Would be nice to see Tendayi Darikwa given more of an opportunity to prove himself.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
Nathan Smith, Dean Morgan and Aaron Downes

7. Are you happy with your manager?
VERY! Sheridan's barmy army!!!

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Yes! The club as a whole is definitely moving forward - something us Spireites have waited a long time for. Exciting times ahead!

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Sheffield Wednesday - as local rivals it would be fantastic to beat them on their own turf especially!

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down
Champions - Preston
Runner Up - Huddersfield
Play Offs - MK Dons, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton
Relegation - Stevenage, Wycombe, Walsall and Brentford


Colchester United

Colchester United finished a respectable 10th in League One last season and no doubt manager John Ward will be looking for the same if not having a shot at the play-offs but they will have to add to their squad. Former midfielder Karl Duguid returned on a free from Plymouth, Michael Rose signed a permanent deal after being on loan from Swindon Town and young defender Tom Eastman has signed from Ipswich Town.
Striker Ian Henderson ended the season on rich form so hopes will be high that his form continues as the club are lightweight in attack.

Prediction - 16th - Lightweight up front could hamper Colchester this season but John Ward has experience at this level.



Exeter City

Exeter City surprised everyone last season and were in touching distance of the play-offs towards the end of the season but still they finished a very credible 8th in League One. The Grecians have improved every year under the leadership of Paul Tisdale since his appointment in 2008 but the club have lost three key players in striker Jamie Cureton (Leyton Orient), midfielder Ryan Harley (Swansea) and goalkeeper Paul Jones (Peterborough).

The Grecians have brought in Spanish striker Guillem Bauza from Northampton, right-back Danny Coles from Bristol Rovers and goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley from Bradford but Exeter still have one of the smallest squads in the league as well as one of the smallest budgets.

Prediction - 15th - Punched well above their weight last season but have lost goals in Cureton and Harley. Many Grecians would be happy with a mid-table finish.



Fans View: Rodney Boulton - @rodski72 on twitter

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

better than expected. I would have been happy with a mid-table finish, but we finished eighth, one point off the playoffs which is amazing, as we have one of the lowest budgets in league one. best moment. beating our old rivals Plymouth argyle 1-0 in our last home game of the season and all but sending them down. that was closely followed by a 2-1 win over argyle in the JPT courtesy of a 93rd minute Daniel Nardiello winner. great night! worst moment getting to the JPT southern final and losing 2-0 at home to Brentford in a gutless performance

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?
I would love to say the playoffs, but i can't see it. we lost our two best players and top goalscorers, Jamie Cureton who had 20 goals and Ryan Harley who scored 15. the worst fear i have is us fighting relegation after such a good season. but i think we will finish mid-table or a bit lower

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
Despite losing some good players, we have a decent enough squad. James Dunne who is a midfielder is your typical workhorse and Daniel Nardiello who is our most gifted player and capable of 20 goals if he can stay fit. we have brought in four new players. Lenny Pidgeley, an experienced goalkeeper who started at Chelsea. Danny Coles a centre back from Bristol Rovers. Guillem Bauza a midfielder/striker from Northampton who i have high hopes for, and Callum McNish a midfielder who was at Southampton as a youngster. we also have some talented youngsters, ready to make the step up

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?
None. we shifted all our deadwood in the last couple of seasons, and the squad is pretty small as it is

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Liam Sercombe. our most talented youngster. a midfielder who never scores simple goals. with Harley gone, he is capable of stepping up and taking his role. also pretty sure this will be his last season as other clubs are sniffing around

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
another youngster, Chris Shephard. He's been a pro for four years, but has only made a handful of subs appearances, due to injury. I believe he will breakthrough to be a first team regular this season

7. Are you happy with your manager?
more than happy. Paul Tisdale got us back to back promotions from the Blue Square Premier and out of League Two in our first season back in the league, to the brink of the league one playoffs, all in four seasons. simply put, the man is a god

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
not too sure about the chairman, as he's taking a lot of money for the role. as for the backroom staff. I'm happy with the first team coach Andy Tillson and ex city players now on the coaching staff, Rob Edwards and Marcus Stewart. i would be happy for any one of those three to take the managers job when Tisdale moves on

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
with argyle relegated, that's our derby gone. I would have to say Yeovil. I've had to put up with a lot of ribbing from Yeovil fans, and its always sweet to beat them. plus we have got them in the carling cup, in which we haven't won a first round game in eighteen years

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down
champions, Huddersfield.
runners up, Charlton.
playoffs, Scunthorpe, Rochdale, Leyton Orient and Sheffield united.
To go down: Stevenage, Yeovil, Tranmere and Hartlepool


Hartlepool United

Former Huddersfield Town manager Mick Wadsworth steadied the ship after Chris Turner left the club just weeks into the 2010/11 season. Wadsworth moulded a small squad into a team difficult to break down which gives the answer to Hartlepool keeping eight clean sheets in their first 13 away games as the club finished 16th in League One despite for the early part of the season hovering around the play-offs.

No fewer than ten players been released but former Newcastle United favourite Nolberto Solano has signed for the Pool on a free from Hull City. Scoring goals had been a problem for Hartlepool as the top scorer amongst their strikers was a miserable three goals so Hibernian striker Colin Nish has been brought in on a free so too James Poole from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee. Nathan Luscombe has moved to Victoria Park from nearby Sunderland also on a free.

Prediction - 11th - Wadsworth has a moulded Pool into a team hard to beat but I really can't see them troubling the play-off spots.

Fans View: David Jolley @David_J93 on twitter

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

Considering we were favourites for the drop this time last season, we did very well considering our owns fans and even our manager at the time were fearing the worst before the first game against Rochdale.

Beating the top sides in the division like Brighton, Huddersfield, Peterborough, Bournemouth and Charlton were the best moments last season, very encouraging performances all round and also Wadsworth won the Manager of the Month award and Sam Collins won Player of the Month in December (although we only played two league games that month due to the weather!) was a very good highlight too!

I'd rank getting a 5-0 drubbing off Sheffield Wednesday (a team we don't have a good record against, see: the 2005 Play-Off Final) as the worst part, a game we'd like to forget but I can't recall any of players having a good game that day.

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?

I'd like us to build on last season basically, get some good consistency and for a mid-table finish or even push for a top half finish providing we can keep key players fit (like the injuries to Austin, Brown and Flinders last season). Maybe I'm being a bit optimistic about a top half finish though!

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?

We've made some promising young signings in our former loanee James Poole from Man City, the highly rated Nathan Luscombe from Sunderland and centre-back Jack Baldwin has been brought in from Haversham Town after a successful trial. Also, we pulled off the coup signing of Nolberto Solano and Colin Nish from Hibernian who could be the goalscorer that we lacked last season.
This season's squad is stronger on paper than that of last season but we need one of our strikers to be firing if we are to push for a top half finish.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?

To be honest, none. We released our deadwood at the end of last season (Denis Behan, Armann Bjornsson along with eight other players) and have replaced them with better players and the squad's looking much better than last season despite it being a smaller squad. It's a new start for everyone this season.


5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Callum Hassan has been impressive in pre-season against non-league sides Workington Town and Blyth Spartans and hit double figures for the youth side along with five goals for the reserve side too and he could potentially break into the first team now he's signed his first professional contract if he keeps going the way he is for the reserve side.
Darren Holden also looks like a good young prospect and had a good debut against Tranmere last season and a cameo appearance against Sunderland in pre-season. Local lad Darren looks very confident on the ball for his age and has a long throw on him too! Whether he can get passed Evan Horwood at left-back into the first team will be another matter though.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?

Adam Boyd has lost about 11 pounds this pre-season and is looking very sharp. New signings Poole and Luscombe are also both looking sharp too (don't let Luscombe's stocky appearance fool you though!)

Nolberto Solano is also still looking good at the age of 36, still has a good first touch from what I've seen from him against Barnsley and Sunderland.

7. Are you happy with your manager?

Yes, very. Mick has gotten rid of the deadwood and brought in some encouraging signings and it will be his second season here and it looks like Wadsworth knows what he doing on the training ground and on the touchline. (Although, I'm pretty sure Huddersfield fans will disagree with that view on your former boss!)

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

Same as above: very. They introduced the £100 season ticket initiative (along with £50 for Under-19s) which saw us sell over 5,700 season tickets holders compared to our paltry 1,900 last season and there are now only standing areas available left. The buzz will be back at The Vic!

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?

In all honesty, I'm not bothered who we beat as a win is a win regardless of the opposition and we have no derby games given that Darlington are playing in the Conference!

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down

It's a tough call to be honest as there are some good sides in the division and there could easily be a dark horse, I could see Brentford doing well this season under their new manager. Never bet on my predictions but I wouldn't be surprised if it finished like though:

C - Preston
P - Huddersfield
3 - Charlton
4 - Sheffield United
5 - Sheffield Wednesday
6 - MK Dons

For the drop: Wycombe, Tranmere, Yeovil and Stevenage.


Jonny - a member of the Hartlepool United forum Pooliebunker.co.uk

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc

Best - Beating Charlton at home or Huddersfield away.

Worst - Getting beat by 5 at home to Sheff Wed

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?

Would like to think we will be top half and if things come together really well pushing for top 6.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?

Squad seems strong, new signings Luscombe and Poole look like good players. We need one or two of our strikers to be firing though.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?

new season - new start for all. There are 3 or 4 players who need to up their game based on last season and pre season but I won't name them yet.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Darren Holder - left back, looks very impressive as does Jordan Richards - midfielder.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?

Nathan Luscombe, James Poole and Adam Boyd is looking lean and up for it.

7. Are you happy with your manager?

Yes

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

Yes, very happy

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?

3 points is 3 points as far as I'm concerned.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down

Haven't a clue - there are some supposed big teams in this league now but it is XI v XI....


Huddersfield Town

Town will be aiming to put last season's disappointment of losing the play-off final to Peterborough United and take one step further and secure automatic promotion. a 26-match unbeaten run saw Town unluckily miss out on automatic promotion after been pipped to the post by eventual runners-up Southampton.

Lee Clark will be more determined than ever to get The Terriers into the Championship but they have lost key players in right-back Lee Peltier and winger Anthony Pilkington who have left for Leicester and Norwich respectively but Clark has replaced with quality with the likes of Donal McDermott (Man City, und) and Danny Ward (Bolton, und). As well as McDermott and Ward coming in so too is defender Calum Woods (Dunfermline, free), midfielders Tommy Miller (Sheff Wed, free), Oscar Gobern (Southampton, und), Anton Robinson (Bournemouth, und), Damien Johnson (Plymouth, loan) and defender Liam Cooper (Hull, loan).

Prediction - 2nd Place - Town have enough quality in their side to get automatic promotion this time. Jordan Rhodes will always get goals in this league and Gary Roberts has been one of Town's most consistent performers in the last three season, contributing nine goals and eleven assists last season but whether he remains at the club is yet to be seen. Manager Clark has added quality in the likes of McDermott and Ward and Miller is known for getting goals from midfield.

Fans View - Gez Vance (twitter @terrier78)

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc
Well we did really well last season and broke quite a few club records along the way but unfortunately it wasn't to be as Southampton showed the form that everyone knew they were capable of. I think most people would admit we were unlucky not to get automatic. The best moment was the Play-off Semi Final. Probably the best atmosphere I have ever witnessed at the Galpharm with pundits calling it one of the best matches in years. Worst moment was the final where it all went a bit wrong…….

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?
I think we will get automatic promotion but it will be tough again. People seem to think it will be a formality but with the Sheffield teams, Preston and Charlton all in there I think it could be another difficult season

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
If I was to sum our squad up in one word it would be "huge". It certainly needs trimming down but I am happy with it and we have made several very good signings. Lee Clark says it's the strongest squad he's worked with so far at Huddersfield.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?
Well like I say the squad is huge so we need to get rid of a few. Joey Gudjonnson certainly has no future at the club so given his wages, I'd choose him

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
I think it will be Danny Ward. I think Chris Atkinson is a talent but we have sent him out on loan ,Clark has likened him to Paul Gascoigne though so expect to see him pissed up outside a kebab shop anytime soon.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
For the first time in quite a while I haven't been to a pre-season game but to be fair there hasn't been one at home due to the re-laying of the pitch. I hear that Donaldo (McDermott), Ward and Roberts look lethal in a midfield attacking three though.

7. Are you happy with your manager?
Absolutely. He has a great record. He makes mistakes but he is young and he always learns from them.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
The chairman is a legend. He is every fans dream. Not sure about the backroom staff. I always wonder what Terry McDermott who has won the league, FA Cup and European cup can bring to League One football.

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
I want to beat all of them but I'd say Sheffield Wednesday because my mate supports them

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down
Champions - Huddersfield
Runner-up - Sheffield Wednesday
Play offs - Preston, Charlton, Blades and MK Dons.
Relegation - Stevenage, Bury, Oldham and Walsall


Leyton Orient

Russell Slade's Leyton Orient surprised everyone last year and finished just one place outside the play-off places (7th). An unbeaten run of 16 league games propelled the Orient into challenging for a play-off position but they also had a good run in the FA Cup and took Premier League Arsenal to a reply after a 1-1 draw at Brisbane Road. Dean Cox has become a big favourite at Brisbane Road scoring 11 goals and contributing 19 assists last season.

Veteran striker Scott McGleish was released at the end of the season along with four others but five players have come in such as experienced striker Jamie Cureton, who was Exeter's top scorer last season with 17 goals, joined Orient on a free. David Mooney also joined on a free from Reading after scoring 11 goals whilst on loan at Colchester United. Winger Leon McSweeney (Hartlepool, free),defender Scott Cuthbert (Swindon, free) and midfielder Marc Laird (Millwall, free) have also signed for Orient this summer.

Prediction - 5th- A bet for the play-offs this year. They have managed to keep solid players like Dean Cox and Jimmy Smith at the club and also have added players to the squad that will score goals at this level in Jamie Cureton.


Leyton Orient - Stephen Ratcliffe of Leyton Orient vital orient.vital football.co.uk

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc
Best moment? Where do you start with us? We went on an unbeaten run of 16 league games, scored 20 in 4 home games, scored 8 in one game, beat two Championship sides who went on to get promoted but the icing on the cake last year was definitely the 1-1 draw in the FA Cup Fifth Round against Arsenal. Worst moment was probably finishing one point off the Play-Off's and looking back at games we through away leads or simply, didn't perform.

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?
I'd love to say we could better last season and actually make the Play-Off's, however, I can't see us doing that. I think we do have the potential to finish in the Play-Off's but I honestly think we'll finish comfortable in the top half, so about 10th would be my prediction.

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?
We (the fans) have had an odd summer. First we released a crowd favourite and last season's top scorer, Scott McGleish, then had to wait for quite a while till Jamie Jones and Jimmy Smith re-signed for us. We've signed Scott Cuthbert (Swindon Town), Leon McSweeney (Hartlepool), Marc Laird (Millwall), Jamie Cureton (Exeter) and David Mooney (Colchester). Cureton is a like-for-like replacement for McGleish, Mooney looks a good signing, as does Cuthbert, Laird and McSweeney will be squad players, it seems.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?
Honestly, nobody. We got rid of our deadwood in the summer.

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?
Well, probably none of them now the Football League has reduced the number of subs from 7 to 5! With the two more options, we'd have youngsters like George Porter and Moses Odubajo on the bench, now with a smaller bench, I can't see them getting a look in. However, if I had to pick one, it would be Porter. He scored a hat-trick on our pre-season tour of Finland and looks promising.

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?
I haven't been to a pre-season game yet due to them either clashing with my work or the fact we were in Finland. From what I've been told, Dean Cox, Alex Revell and Charlie Daniels have continued their fine form from last season.

7. Are you happy with your manager?
Delighted. Russell Slade is fantastic and that was justified by Barnsley's interest in him. He's got us playing nice Football, its all passing on the deck, the players have a great relationship with him and the fans are totally behind him.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Yes. Some of our fans may not be but Barry Hearn is doing a good job with the club. Some would argue the money from our Cup run on the squad but we do need to sort out the future of the club.

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?
Most people will say Brentford, due to a rivalry that goes back to the 80's. Also it would be nice to beat Yeovil this season. We lost both games to them last year and gave them their winner through an error in one game and simply didn't turn up and were given some odd decisions against us in the other game.

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four to go down

Huddersfield should walk the league yet there are some teams who get a Play-Off "hangover" but I think they'll be well up there with Sheffield United, Wednesday and Charlton. We could challenge if we stave off injuries and Brentford will probably be up there so; 1. Huddersfield, 2. Sheffield United, 3. Sheffield Wednesday, 4. Charlton, 5. Orient, 6. Brentford.

Yeovil, Stevenage, Hartlepool and I'm going to stick my neck out and say Colchester as well to go down.



MK Dons

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson guided the Dons to a 5th place finish in League One only to be defeated by eventual play-off winners Peterborough United at the semi-final stage. Not bad for a manager who is only 30 and never played league football as a player but came with a good reputation after being a coach at Liverpool.

Sam Baldock looked set to move to Peterborough this summer but The Posh for some reason pulled the plug on the deal. Creative midfielder Peter Leven also left the club and has since signed for Oxford United but Robinson signed Darren Potter on a free from Sheffield Wednesday to fill the void that Leven left. Dean Bowditch has also arrived at Milton Keynes on a free after cracking in 15 goals last season for Yeovil. Two Ireland U21 internationals have also been signed, both on free transfers, goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin and winger Jay O'Shea from Ipswich and Birmingham respectively.

Prediction - 9th - A good shout for the play-offs again but may have the dreaded play-off defeat hangover this season and have a tight budget.

Fans View: Mark - MK Dons Online mkdonsonline.com

1. How did you fare last season? Best moment, worst moment etc
If the fans at Milton Keynes were honest they would say we hoped for a mid table finish at best, so to reach the play off's was an outstanding achievement. The best moment was the defeat of Posh in the semi final first leg - they're such an arrogant lot. But the worst moment was losing to them at London Road.

2. How do you think you'll do this season? Hopes, final position?

We've kept our best players and made a couple of useful signings this summer, but like a lot of other clubs we are on a tight budget. This is the first season that we've kept the same manager for two seasons running and so I'm hopeful of another play off place

3. What's your squad like, new signings, etc?

The squad is small with less than 20 players at the moment - which isn't always a bad thing. We've signed a couple of former Irish under 21 internationals in Ian McLoughlin from Ipswich and Jay O'Shea from Birmingham, as well as a talented midfielder named Shaun Williams from Sporting Fingal. Finally we've brought in Potter from Wednesday.

4. Which player would you happily get rid of?

Would have to be Lewis Guy. Signed him from Doncaster at the start of last season and he's done nothing!

5. Which youngster will make the biggest impression in your team this season?

Darren Powell came into the senior side from the academy last season and was our second top scorer playing on the wing. Outstanding talent. Look out for our other former academy youngsters Sam Baldock (up front) and Adam Chicksen (defender).

6. Any player impressed you during pre-season?

Jabo Ibehre - signed from Walsall last season and was at best mediocre. Has done very well in the pre-season and had an outstanding performance against a strong Spurs side, scoring a brace of goals.

7. Are you happy with your manager?

Robbo is the youngest league manager, has never played league football, and is awesome. Rumour has it that Liverpool wanted him as first team coach in the summer but he turned it down.

8. Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

The chairman has been brilliant... and we have an excellent backroom team. No complaints

9. Which team do you want to beat the most and why?

Huddersfield - Because you guys are way out favourites to go up IMO, so to win against you would mean we're doing pretty well ourselves. Also want to beat Wycombe as our local rivals!

10. Predict your champions and runner up, the four Play-Off teams and the four
to go down

1st - Hudds
2nd - Sheffield United
3rd - MK Dons
4th - Carlisle
5th - Sheffield Wednesday
6th - Preston

21st- Wycombe
22nd - Stevenage
23rd -Hartlepool
24th - Tranmere