League Two Season Preview 2011/12: Part Three

Part Three 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.

Hereford United: Rookie manager Jamie Pitman and his Hereford side face another tough season. The team's tenacity on their travels last season showed that they’ve got too much fight to go down, but they won’t set the division alight either. With the improvements going on elsewhere the Bulls look likely struggle but should again avoid the drop.

Key Player: Stuart Fleetwood
Robin's Nest Prediction: 19th

Macclesfield Town: Dealing with the personal tragedy and great losses to the club of first Keith Alexander and then Richard Butcher puts Macclesfield's creditable 15th place finish last season in an even better light. However, finances will again be a problem for Town who year on year strive for survival first and foremost with 2011/12, perhaps, being one season too far for a team that seemingly continually defy all odds.

Key Player: Arnaud Mendy

Robin's Nest Prediction: 24th

Morecambe: Most likely to play out an unspectacular existence in lower mid-table, the Shrimps should prove too strong to be drawn into the proverbial relegation battle, but ultimately not good enough to trouble the division’s promotion-chasers. Following Sammy McIlroy's departure by mutual consent at the end of last season, the club allowed ex-player Jim Bentley his first steps in football management but it will be a tough ask for the former defender to mark his debut managerial season with a top-half finish.

Key Player: Lewis Alessandra
Robin's Nest Prediction: 18th

Northampton Town: Anticipation, excitement and genuine optimism have gathered around Sixfields about the coming season following the impressive Summer signings of Adebayo Akinfenwa, Jake Robinson and Aaron Davies. Add to that equation manager Gary Johnson's record of three promotions with Yeovil Town and Bristol City respectively and the heightened expectations many Northampton fans currently possess seem to have some substance. Many a new signing and the proverbial 'gelling' of a new side is likely to harm Town's chances of automatic promotion but expect a sustained play-off push and entertainment aplenty at Sixfields Stadium in 2011/12.

Key Player: Michael Jacobs
Robin's Nest Prediction: 7th

Oxford United: Oxford fans will be hoping they can push on from last season's 12th place finish and who can blame them?! The squad that served them so well last year has largely remained and only been added to with real quality and depth in the form of Peter Leven, Deane Smalley and Andrew Whing. United supporters and indeed their large fanbase will be as expectant and optimistic as ever so expect Oxford to trouble the top seven this season.

Key Player: Peter Leven
Robin's Nest Prediction: 6th

Plymouth Argyle: Despite falling into the division in similarly dire financial straits, the Pilgrims are probably too good to be this season’s Stockport County, but the continued ownership wranglings may yet result in the club folding altogether. The loss of big-wage, big-names in Rory Fallon, Marcel Seip and Karl Duguid (to name but a few) could be a blessing in disguise for Argyle who will instead be forced to into the market of free transfers and loan deals to add depth to their wafer-thin squad. Assuming that the club survives and they continue to sign players of the calibre of Stephane Zubar and Luke Daley, a respectable mid-table finish could be on the cards.

Key Player: Stephane Zubar
Robin's Nest Prediction: 11th