League One 2010-11: Clark's Huddersfield a shoo-in for promotion challenge

English Football League / Alan Dudman / 28 July 2010 / Leave a Comment

Lee Clark watches his Huddersfield side during their defeat to Millwall in last season's play-offs

"Huddersfield Town reached the play-off semi-final last season, and have for long been my idea of the ante-post banker for the title - of which they trade at around [8.5]."

Alan Dudman takes an in-depth look at the antepost odds for nPower League One glory this season and it's the Terrriers who take his attention

I am a happy man. Not only has the new series Britain's Next Top Model started (UK Living 9pm Monday nights), but the new season of Npower League One is nearly upon us (Saturdays 3pm). And I can hardly wait. It seemed like only yesterday that Norwich City were dancing their way to the title.

The summer activity at The Galpharm has been of most interest. Huddersfield Town reached the play-off semi-final last season, and have for long been my idea of the ante-post banker for the title - of which they trade at around [8.8]. And having already backed them to win the league, I nearly choked on my Chocolate Weetabix after hearing reports linking Terriers boss Lee Clark with the vacant Fulham manager's job. Don't go Lee, don't go, I was crying.

Clark amazingly traded as low as [1.44] to get the job at Craven Cottage, he's now [85.0], which not only pleases me but also the person who laid Clark for a score at those miniscule odds. Clark was adamant in his response: "I don't want anything to detract from what is a massive season for our Club. " And he's right, it's a huge season.

Huddersfield have been by far and away the busiest in the transfer market (as well as the cutest). I felt their side were slightly naive in key games last term and needed a bit of experience. It has been addressed. Clark's incomings are the most impressive of all League One clubs.

Southampton are the division's big guns this season and trade at [3.35] for the title, and [1.63] for promotion. Manager Alan Pardew released 13 players after last term's seventh place finish. But new signings Danny Butterfield, Frazer Richardson and Ryan Dickson hardly set the pulses racing though, and don't warrant that price. Pardew does have the financial backing of the mysterious, yet fabulously wealthy, Markus Liebherr, but with backing comes pressure, and Pardew will need to get off to a good start. The Saints have also been linked to former England international Darius Vassell. And I'm not sure if that's good or bad...

The drop clubs of Sheffield Wednesday [7.20], Plymouth Argyle [20.00] and Peterborough United [12.50] have all
grabbed a fair few headlines.

Wednesday have been in this division before and may find it a struggle to get out at the first attempt. Manager Alan Irvine has a big job ahead for the Owls, but it's off the pitch they may be fighting a battle too - after being handed a winding up order. Irvine has lost a couple of key players too.

Argyle have a new manager in the shape of Peter Reid, who just might be slightly out of touch with the level of football down here. Whilst their New Zealand forward Rory Fallon (who played three games during the World Cup) has turned down a move abroad because of this chap called the Lord. "One club - a foreign club - has come in for me, but I don't feel the Lord wants me to go." the Kiwi frontman stated "I've always said that the Lord is the main man, and I'll wait on what he says."

Charlton Athletic ([16.0]) have got no chance. They've lost nearly all their players from last season, including captain Nicky Bailey and Lloyd Sam. Veteran Christian Dailly has signed another contract though, but manager Phil Parkinson revealed he is 'miles away from a competitive squad."

Meanwhile, Peterborough have appointed Gary Johnson as boss following last season's desperate showing in The Championship. With some stability and the canny Johnson, their promotion price has been cut to [4.0]. Perhaps
that movement could have been the news that Franck Queudrue has been on trial there, or perhaps not?

And look out for promoted Bournemouth and their new signing Harry Arter. He's a terrific young midfielder who I spotted playing for Charlton reserves a few years ago. After a spell at Woking, it's about time he had a go for a league club. The Cherries however are [2.5] to go back down unfortunately, but look out for Arter!