English Football League / Editor / 08 August 2007 /

The battle for promotion from League One looks like being the most open in years

Most pundits and managers believe this season's Football League One contest to be one of the most difficult to predict in years, which is good news for all of us! Not only will it be an interesting contest, but perhaps bookies and punters both can make a pound or two. Anyway not one to shirk a challenge here goes nothing...

The mighty Leeds United got relegated last season along with Luton Town and Southend. Leeds have the massive hurdle of a 15 point deduction to overcome (although they are appealing), and manager Dennis Wise reckons they need 105 points to go up to counteract the penalty. Considering Scunthorpe won the league last year with 91 points it looks a tall order - especially when you consider that the transfer embargo on the club has just been lifted - it will may explain why Leeds are trading at 6.4 for promotion.

Former Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell now at Luton has made a number of signings in the close season, including the much-travelled Paul Peschisolido, and will be hoping for a swift return to the Championship.

Huddersfield Town also have a new manager in Andy Ritchie, and Ritchie knows all about getting out of this division having got former club Barnsley promoted via the play-offs the season before last, knocking out the Terriers in the semi-finals. Adding former Chelsea player Frank Sinclair, and some wide attacking players with pace in Malvin Kamara and Danny Cadamarteri.

Swansea City have appointed former player Roberto Martinez, as their new man in the dugout, and he seems keen to change the Swans' style from the big, bustling bruisers of old into something more in keeping with the Spanish tradition. With a number of players coming and going, it could be too much of a transition and so I doubt Swansea will be the force they were last season.

Nottingham Forest at seem determined to not repeat the 'oh-so-close-but-not-close-enough' disappointment of last season's play-off failure. Forest are the 2.06 favourites in the promotion market and the arrival of the talismanic Neil Lennon from Celtic is perhaps their most high profile signing.

Trading at 10.00, Gillingham could well prove to be a surprise package. Despite losing the highly-rated Matty Jarvis to Forest, manager Ronnie Jepson has recruited some old heads in Efe Sodje, and Chris Armstrong in defence, midfielder Steve Lomas and Delroy Facey up front. I would rate them as a good outside bet for the play-offs if they stay relatively injury free and they'll certainly do much better than the poor showing of last season.

Of last season's promoted clubs, Hartlepool, Walsall, Bristol Rovers and Swindon, the latter would be my choice as most likely to make an impact this time out.

Other sides who might make waves are Doncaster Rovers, who have signed James Hayter from Bournemouth - a striker much-wanted by many clubs, and Bournemouth themselves who have replaced Hayter with Jo Kuffour from relegated Brentford.
Yeovil had a tremendous season last year, and it's always hard to dismiss Crewe piloted by that wily old fox Dario Gradi. Millwall ended last season as one of the form sides and I can see them carrying on where they left off while Oldham and Tranmere will be there or thereabouts, so you can see just what an open league this is.

My prediction for the top six in no definite order are: (and this is a very tough call!!)
Forest, Luton, Huddersfield, Millwall, Gillingham and Crewe.

This article was written by Jon Ski, editor of the Vital Huddersfield Town website, who can be found at - https://www.huddersfield.vitalfootball.co.uk/

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