by shrimper » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:48 am
I think Chester will struggle because of off-field difficulties - they may even have a problem seeing out the season.
Luton will find it very difficult to get into the top half unless they get some serious money in via a takeover and even then it probably wouldn't bear fruit this season.
I like how Shrewsbury (my previous tip) are shaping up and I'd expect Gillingham to do okay.
Others in the frame, for me, would be Brentford, Wycombe, Darlington and watch out for Lincoln under Jackson. They had a good end to the season and have made another couple of decent signings.
Bradford will improve, I think, but not by as much as their fans reckon and they may start getting impatient with the people at the top.
So I'll go for:
Shrewsbury
Lincoln
Darlington
Wycombe
Gillingham
Brentford
Bradford
Aldershot
Rotherham
Bournemouth
Rochdale (who I don't think will have as good a season this time, I think they 'went for it' last season and, not having been promoted, may now have to tighten their belts - albeit they've made a bit on Perks, that won't last forever).
Strugglers:
Macclesfield
Chester
Dagenham
Accrington (just because they are already saying they have financial constraints, which is not a good sign pre-season). I hope Coley can work his magic and keep their heads above danger, though.
And possibly Luton if they can't sort things out.
As for us?
Mid-table, flirting with play-offs perhaps. But I wouldn't be at all shocked if we did considerably better. I don't think we will struggle.
Is the glass half full or half empty? Mmmm? hard to say - but it does look like there's room for more beer!