Part One of The Robin's Nest's League Two Season Preview 2011/12 offers up an in-depth look at six of this year's sides and ultimately a prediction based on their Summer acivity, be it transfers, boardroom changes or managerial appointments, early Pre-Season form, performances last season and strength of squad.
AFC Wimbledon: A story for the football romanticists saw AFC Wimbledon, a club formed in protest to the FA's decision to allow the relocation and transformation of Wimbledon FC to MK Dons, promoted to the Football League for the very first time last season, beating Luton Town in the Blue Square Premier play-off final. Despite the obvious belief and team spirit surrounding the fan-owned club, the Dons are likely to struggle following the loss of influential captain and 2010/11's top goalscorer Danny Kedwell to Gillingham, although the momentum gathered from five promotions in eight seasons should see them safe.
AFC Wimbledon: A story for the football romanticists saw AFC Wimbledon, a club formed in protest to the FA's decision to allow the relocation and transformation of Wimbledon FC to MK Dons, promoted to the Football League for the very first time last season, beating Luton Town in the Blue Square Premier play-off final. Despite the obvious belief and team spirit surrounding the fan-owned club, the Dons are likely to struggle following the loss of influential captain and 2010/11's top goalscorer Danny Kedwell to Gillingham, although the momentum gathered from five promotions in eight seasons should see them safe.Robin's Nest Prediction: 20th
Accrington Stanley: Defying the odds since their return to the Football League, Accrington Stanley (who are they?, exactly!) seemingly overachieved in reaching the League Two play-offs last season. A loss of key players from last season - the most notable being Jimmy Ryan, who joined Scunthorpe United - will seriously affect Stanley's performance in the league this season as they suffer the consequences of a play-off failure. Nonethless, under John Coleman's stewardship, relegation is unlikley for everybody's favourite underdogs, with worse teams than Stanley currently in the division.Key Player: Andrew Proctor
Robin's Nest Prediction: 16th
Aldershot Town: A mid-table finish was deemed as an achievement by Shots fans following their slow start to the 2010/11 campaign. That poor beginning to a season cost Kevin Dillon his job and his successor, the cap-wearing former Bolton striker Dean Holdworth, steadied the sinking ship, guiding Alderhot to a 14th place finish that supporters would have grasped with both hands under Dillon's inconsistent start. No real loss or improvement to the playing staff and Holdsworth's inexperience at this level leads to the belief that Aldershot and indeed Shots fans will again finish the season content with mid-table mediocrity.Robin's Nest Prediction: 15th
Barnet: Narrowly avoiding relegation last season after a collossal effort by first Martin Allen and then Guilliano Grazioli, Barnet face the prospect of another tough season. Even with the appointment of former Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez, the future looks bleak for Bees fans, with player of the season Joe Devera's move to Swindon a massive blow to their Pre-Season preparations. Izale McLeod and new signing Sam Deering will be rays of hope for supporters who face a long season and a possibly unfruitful end to their six-year stay in the Football League. Robin's Nest Prediction: 23rd
Bradford City: The self-proclaimed biggest club in the division, with home attendances often exceeding 12,000, Bradford have underachieved in each of their four seasons in League Two since relegation in 2007. However, in Peter Jackson the Bantams have an able manager who will possess the freedom to build his own team and squad under considerably less pressure, which in turn should increase the chances of him getting it right. The signings of Guy Branston and Ritchie Jones, from Torquay United and Hartlepool United respectively, signal a move in the right direction for Bradford, although the looming 2011/12 campaign may be one season too soon for the ambitious side.Robin's Nest Prediction: 10th
Bristol Rovers: A Summer of transition for Rovers began with the appointment of Paul Buckle as manager, who left Torquay following their defeat to Stevenage Borough in the League Two play-off final. The new man at the Bristol Rovers helm has overseen a Summer of transfer activity that has seen fourteen new players arrive at the Memorial Stadium and a similarly large number depart, as the Gas adjust to life in League Two. Solid signings in Scott McGleish, Joe Anyinsah and Scott Bevan have rightly raised expectations around the blue half of Bristol as Buckle targets a promotion to make up for the personal pain of falling at the last hurdle last season.Robin's Nest Prediction: 2nd
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