League Two 2011/2012: The Lowdown Part 2

The second part of my little look at league two with the final 12 teams, starting with Hereford United.


Hereford United Football Club
Stadium & Capacity: Edgar Street, 5075
2010/2011 Finishing Position: 21st League Two
Manager: Jamie Pitman
Key Players: Michael Townsend, James McQuilkin, Joe Colbeck, Stuart Fleetwood.
Prediction: An improved team on last season and have plenty of fighting spirit, I expect them to be comfortable in mid table, 15th.

Macclesfield Town Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: Moss Rose, 6355

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 15th League Two

Manager: Gary Simpson

Key Players: Nat Brown, Colin Daniel, Waide Fairhurst

Prediction: Macclesfield always seem to finish mid table once more avoiding the job easily and maybe even providing a top half push if they perform well enough, 17th.

Morecambe Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: The Globe Arena, 6918

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 20th League Two

Manager: Jim Bentley

Key Players: Andy Parrish, Izak Reid, Kevin Ellison, Phil Jevons

Prediction: The second season in their new stadium and a change of management with a club legend coming in, I can see them pushing for a play off place like two season ago, 13th.

Northampton Town Football Club
Stadium & Capacity: Sixfields, 7653

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 16th League Two.

Manager: Gary Johnson

Key Players: Ben Tozer, Kevin Thornton, Tadgh Purcell, Shaun Harrad, Jake Robinson.

Prediction: One of the deadliest forward lines in the league and a proven manager to steer the ship, a good season could be in order for the Cobblers, but their unproven back line may be their downfall, 9th.

Oxford United Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: The Kassam Stadium, 12,500

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 12th League Two.

Manager: Chris Wilder

Key Players: Jake Wright, Alfie Potter, Peter Leven, James Constable, Jon Paul Pitman.

Prediction: One of my tips for promotion, they have a very large squad which is good and they've brought in good players such as Peter Leven to start the charge, 3rd.

Plymouth Argyle Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: Home Park, 19,500



Carl Fletcher



2010/2011 Finishing Position: 23rd League One

Manager: Peter Reid

Key Players: Stephane Zubar, Carl Fletcher, Simon Walton, Warren Feeney (if he signs)

Prediction: With the most thread bare squad for obvious reasons, they may struggle in the League, but I expect their experienced heads to make sure they don't go down, 21st.

Port Vale Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: Vale Park, 19,052

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 11th League Two

Manager: Micky Adams.

Key Players: John McCombe, Gareth Owen, Lewis Haldane, Marc Richards.

Prediction: A fairly strong defence will be their best quality this season, a fairly average squad elsewhere, with no real strength in attacking, I say they'll be towards the bottom end, this years draw specialists, 18th.

Rotherham United Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: The Don Valley Stadium, 25,000.

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 9th League Two

Manager: Andy Scott.

Key Players: Ryan Cresswell, Danny Harrisson, Danny Schofield, Chris Holroyd, Le Fondre.

Prediction: Once again you expect Rotherham to challenge but will they keep hold of Le Fondre, the saga continues, a good manager who is proven at this level should lead them towards the top half, 8th.

Shrewsbury Town Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: Greenhous Meadow, 9875

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 4th League Two.

Manager: Graham Turner

Key Players: Shane Cansdell Sherriff, Nicky Wroe, Matt Richards, James Collins.

Prediction: Like many others, expect a promotion push , I'm not convinced with their forward line as yet, Marvin Morgan will not do the business for them, 10th.

Southend United Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: Roots Hall, 12,392

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 13th League Two.

Manager: Paul Sturrock.

Key Players: Bilel Mohsni, Jean Paul Kalala, Kane Ferdinand, Jemal Johnson, Neil Harris.

Prediction: A very strong squad all round and Neil Harris' addition will scare a lot of defences, if they don't reach the play offs I'd see it as a failed season for them, 4th.

Swindon Town Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: The County Ground, 14,700.

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 24th League One.

Manager: Paolo Di Canio

Key Players: Alberto Comazzi, Joe Devera, Matt Ritchie, Simon Ferry, Alan Connell.

Prediction: A new manager and a fresh approach at the County Ground with an influx of foreign players, this will either send them up or I'll go into mid table, I vote for the first, 2nd.

Torquay United Football Club

Stadium & Capacity: Plainmoor, 6104

2010/2011 Finishing Position: 7th League Two (lost in play off final)

Manager: Martin Ling

Key Players: Kevin Nicholson, Lee Mansell, Billy Kee, Rene Howe.

Prediction: Clubs have a tendency to struggle after they've lost in the play offs and they haven't strengthened enough for my liking however I have a soft spot for them and hope they do well, 22nd.

The league is so tight this year, anyone could do anything, it's anyones guess who will get into the play offs, but I'm fairly sure that Cheltenham & Barnet will face the drop.



Where are we all this season!