Season Preview 2003-2004

By: Steff Keightley
Date: 03/08/2003

WELCOME to this season's Preview. A little something that has been quickly knocked together (NOT) for your perusal, and for you to beat me around the head with at the end of season when I have got the thing completely upside down.

Barnsley

Players In: Tony Gallimore (Free from Grimsby).

Players Out: Bruce Dyer (Free to Watford), Leo Bertos (Free to Rochdale), and Chris Morgan (Free to Sheffield Utd). Rory Fallon, Mathew Ghent, James Dudgeon and Mitch Ward (All Released).

Players To Watch: Alex Neil and Isaiah Rankin.

Fans Expectations: With thier problems at the moment not very high, but are hoping that things can get themselves sorted ready for the new season.

Season Prediction: Finished 19th last Season. Need to get a good start this season if they don't then it could all go down hill for them. 22nd.

Blackpool

Players In: Steve Davies (Free from Burnley), Leam Richardson (Free from Bolton Wanderers) Kirk Hilton (Free from Manchester Utd) and Mike Sheron (Free from Barnsley).

Players Out: John O'Kane (Free to Hyde Utd), Paul Dalglish (Free to Linfield), John Hills (Free to Gillingham).

Players To Watch: Martin Bullock, Richie Wellens and Mike Sheron.

Fans Expectations: Hoping to finish high, at least in play-off slot, if not in an automatic promotion position.

Season Prediction: Finished 13th last Season. Will be one of the sides to beat in the new season, and with their additions might just get there, though via the play- offs. 3rd

Bournemouth

Players In: Fawzi Saadi (Signed from Trainee).

Players Out: Chukki Eribenne, Amos Foyewa, Narada Bernard, John Purches and Andy Petterson (All Released).

Players To Watch: Carl Fletcher, Warren Feeney, Wade Elliott and Alan Connell.

Fans Expectations: See the Play-Offs as a real possibility for themselves, loads of optimism here.

Season Prediction: Finished 4th last year in Div 3 and were promoted via the Play-offs. Need to increase their squad size for this season otherwise it could be a long hard struggle. 10th.

Brentford

Players In: Matt Harold (Free from Harlow Town).

Players Out: Ijah Andersdon (Free to Bristol Rovers), Martin Rowlands (Free to QPR), Jamie Fullarton (Free to Southend), Leon Constantine (Free to Southend), Mark Williams (Free to Barnet), Rizwan Rehman, Marshall and Jay Lovett (All Released).

Players To Watch: Mark Peters, Paul Smith, Ibu Sonko and Kevin O'Connor.

Fans Expectations: Varies from fan to fan, as they have a young team but Mid-Table seems to be the norm.

Season Prediction: Finished 16th last year. They could very well challenge, but with a youthful team might struggle due to lack of experience. 16th.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Players In: Ben Roberts (Free from Charlton), Leon Knight (On Loan from Chelsea).

Players Out: Bobby Zamora (£1.5M to Spurs), Paul Brooker (Free to Leicester City). Paul Rogers and Paul Kitson (Both Released).

Players To Watch: Danny Cullip.

Fans Expectations: With Coppell Play-Offs are obtainable but feel they will not return straight away, but depends on players brought in.

Season Prediction: Finished 23rd last season in Div 1. Need to replace Zamora ASAP and a couple of new faces wouldn't go amiss. 8th.

Bristol City

Players In: Lee Miller (Free from Falkirk).

Players Out: Scott Murray (£500K to Reading). Peter Beadle, Liam Rosenior and Kieth Millen (All Released).

Players To Watch: Danny Coles, Tommy Doherty, Kevin Amankwaah.

Fans Expectations: Looking for a top 6 position and believe they can produce one.

Season Prediction: Finished 3rd last season, but missed out via the Play-Offs. This is one of the dark horses for next season and I believe they can go all the way. 1st Champions.

Chesterfield

Players In: Ian Evatt (Free from Derby).

Players Out: Rob Edwards (Free to Huddersfield Town), and Marcus Ebdson, Martyn Booty, Shayne Bradley and Jonathan Howard (All Released).

Players To Watch: Ian Evatt, Chris Brandon and Jamie Burt.

Fans Expectations: Escaping Relegation will suffice the fans, but a new accomplished striker, or one of their stikers hitting form could change things.

Season Prediction: They finished 20th last Season. A good run early on could see them out of contention for the dog fight at the end of the season. 20th

Colchester United

Players In: Wayne Andrews (Free from Oldham Athletic), Phil Hadland (Free from Darlington) and Andy Myers (Free from Bradford City).

Players Out: Kevin Rapley (Free to Chester) and Mark Warren (Free to Southend Utd). Joe Dunne, Chris Keeble, Mark Canham, Mvondo Atangana and Mick Stockwell (All Released).

Players To Watch: Wayne Andrews, Andy Myers, Greg Halford and Alan White.

Fans Expectations: Optimism is quite high and feel they could improve on last years position.

Season Prediction: Finished 12th last Season. Have brought in some players and could be in the mixing pot at the end but, have to be consistent. 10th.

Grimsby Town

Players In: Aidan Davison (Free from Bradford City), Iain Anderson (Free from Preston North End), Des Hamilton (Free from Cardiff City), Marcel Cas (Free from Sheffield Utd) Tony Crane (Free from Sheffield Wednesday) and Jason Crowe (Free from Portsmouth).

Players Out: Danny Coyne (Free to Leicester City), Steve Livingstone (Free to Carlisle), George Santos (Free to Ipswich Town) and Tony Gallimore (Free to Barnsley). Steve Chettle, Jake Sagere, Chris Thompson and Terry Cooke (All Released)

Players To Watch: Marcel Cas, Iain Anderson and Alan Pouton.

Fans Expectations: Fans expectations range from mid-table to Champions, but the majority say they still require a Striker.

Season Prediction: Finished 24th in Div 1 last season. The bounce back specialists have a chance this season of getting straight back up, with one or two more additions especially a striker. 2nd.

Hartlepool United

Players In: Marco Gabbiadini (Free from Northampton Town) and Michael Nelson (Free from Bury).

Players Out: Graham Lee and Paul Smith (Both Free to Sheffield Wednesday), Tommy Widdrington, Brian Ross, Paul Stephenson, James Sharp, Gordon Simms and Gordon Watson (All Released).

Players To Watch: Mark Tinkler and Marco Gabbiadini.

Fans Expectations: After promotion last season they feel that they could be a reasonable for in Div 2 this season.

Season Prediction: Finished in 2nd Place in Div 3. Need to get some players in to strengthen the squad, if not then they could find them selves in a relegation dog-fight. 19th.

Luton Town

Players In: None.

Players Out: Mark Ovendale (Free to Barry Town), Carl Emberson (Free to Southend Utd) and Duncan Jupp (free to Southend). Alan Kimble, Arron Skelton and Peter Holmes (All Released)

Players To Watch: Steve Howard, Matthew Spring and Emerson Boyce.

Fans Expectations: They feel that they could have a good chance, if things are sorted out off the pitch.

Season Prediction: Finished in 9th place last Season. If the problems off the field aren't sorted out then it will cause problems on the field, and those problems could take some time to srt out. 23rd.

Notts County

Players In: None.

Players Out: Danny Allsopp (Undisclosed to Hull City). Richard Liburd, Richard Holmes, Craig Ireland, Danny Stone, Ian Richardson and Saul Deeney (All Released).

Players To Watch: Mark Stallard, Paul Heffernan, Nicky Fenton and Darren Caskey.

Fans Expectations: Not too confident on their finishing positon but would seem to be happy with a Mid-Table finish.

Season Prediction: Finished 15th last Season. Need to sort out the Embargo before they can bring in new players before the start of the new season. 18th.

Oldham Athletic

Players In: None.

Players Out: Wayne Andrews (Free to Colchester), Chris Armstrong (£100K to Sheffield Utd), Fitz Hall (£250K to Southampton), Clint Hill (Free to Stoke), Tony Carss (Free to Huddersfield), Shaun Garnett (Free to Halifax) and Lee Duxbury (Free to Bury). David Miskelly, Carlo Corazzin, Wayne Gill, Duncan Roberts and Ben Smith (All Released).

Players To Watch: Anyone left at the start of the Season.

Fans Expectations: In the Shyte!!! (Their words not mine).

Season Prediction: Finished 5th last Season, but missed out on the Play-Offs. If they cant sort out their problems they are going to finish where no one wants to be. 24th.

Peterborough United

Players In: Andy Legg (Free from Cardiff), Andre Boucaud (On Loan from Reading).

Players Out: Ian Hendon (Free to Barnet). Steve Laurie, Gary MacDonald, Helgi Danielson, Jason Lee and Neale Fenn (All Released).

Players To Watch: Andy Legg, Andre Boucaud, Leon McKenzie and Mark Tyler.

Fans Expectations: They hope to be pushing for a play-off position, but would be happy with finishing just outside the play-offs.

Season Prediction: Finished 11th last Season. Could do well next season but they might drop off towards the end of the season. 12th.

Plymouth Argyle

Players In: Peter Capadi (Free from Birmingham City), Peter Gilbert (On Loan from Birmingham City).

Players Out: Craig Taylor (Free to Torquay), Stuart Malcom (On trial at Ross County) and Paul Bernard (Free to St Johnstone). Kieran McAnespie, Stuart Maclom, Joseph Brand and Osvaldo Lopes (All Released).

Players To Watch: David Norris and Marino Kieth.

Fans Expectations: Most fans here are expecting a play off slot and promotion bound.

Season Prediction: Finished 8th last Season. Another dark horse, but automatic promotion out of reach, could get a Play-Off slot. 5th.

Port Vale

Players In: George Pilkington (Free from Exeter), Andreas Lipa (Free from Xanthi) and Adrian Littlejohn (Free from Sheffield Utd). Phill Charnock, Matt Carragher, Rae Ingram, Paul Byrne and John Durnin (All Released).

Players Out: Shaun McClare (Free to Rochdale).

Players To Watch: Neil Brisco, Andreas Lipa and Adrian Littlejohn.

Fans Expectations: These fans seemed to be a little worried until the embargo was lifted, but now expect mid-table, bare minimum.

Season Prediction: Finished 17th last Season. Now that the Embargo has bee lifted they can bring in new squad members and feel reasonably comfortable with a mid- table finish. 13th.

QPR

Players In: Gareth Ainsworth (Free from Cardiff), Eric Sabin (Free from Swindon) and Martin Rowlands (Free from Brentford).

Players Out: Oliver Burgess (Free to Northampton Town), Dave Wattley (Free to Lincoln City), Danny Murphy (Free to Swindon Town), Andy Thompson (Free to Partick Thislte), Patrick Gradley (Free to Gravesend), Chris Plummer (Free to Barnet). Leroy Griffiths, Brett Angell, Karl Connolly, Doudou, Brian Fitzgerald, Lyndon Duncan and Gino Padula (All Released).

Players To Watch: Danny Shittu and Gareth Ainsworth.

Fans Expectations: Expect to finish as Champions.

Season Prediction: Finished 4th last season and missed out in the play-offs. Have not strengthened their squad that much during the closed season and might struggle. 9th.

Rushden & Diamonds

Players In: Rodney Jack (Free from Crew Alexandra).

Players Out: Gary Setchell (Free to Tamworth), Dean Holdsworth (Free to Wimbledon), Scott Partridge (Free to Weymouth), Scott Partridge (Free to Shrewsbury). Adam Sollitt and Mark Peters (Both Released).

Players To Watch: Marcus Bignot, Paul Underwood and Duane Darby.

Fans Expectations: Looking at a Mid-Table finish if they can get their 1st 11 out. But will probably dip into the transfer market if nothing happens.

Season Prediction: Promoted as Champions from Div 3 last Season. Could find it a little hard stepping up, and need a couple of more signings. 17th.

Sheffield Wednesday

Players In: Ola Tidman (Free from Stockport County), Graham Lee and Paul Smith (Both Free from Harlepool Utd).

Players Out: Danny Maddix (Free to Barnet), Ashley Westwood (Free to Northampton Town), Darryl Powell (Free to Colorado), Tony Crane (Free to Grimsby Town). Simon Donnelly, Trond-Egil Soltvedt, Paul Evans David Burrows and Phil O'Donnell (All Released).

Players To Watch: Matthew Hamshaw.

Fans Expectations: Fans don't seem to be too optimistic but would seem happy with a mid-table finish.

Season Prediction: Finished 23rd in Div 1 last Season. Need to strengthen squad after last season, if they don't they could find themselves in the mixer at the bottom. 21st.

Stockport County

Players In: Owen Morrison (Free from Sheffield Utd) and Stuart Barlow (Free from Tranmere).

Players Out: Peter Clark (Free to Northampton Town) and Ola Tidman (Free to Sheffield Wednesday).

Players To Watch: Luke Beckett.

Fans Expectations: Judging by their form from the end of last season they expect a top 10 finish.

Season Prediction: Finished 14th last season. Could do with adding some more to the squad, if not a Mid-Table finish. 14th.

Swindon Town

Players In: Danny Murphy (Free from QPR), Tommy Mooney (Free from Birmingham), Brian Howard (Free from Southampton) Andrew Nicholas (Free from Liverpool) Jonathan Stevenson (Free from Leicester City) and Rhys Evans (Free from Chelsea).

Players Out: Gareth Edds (Free to Bradford), Danny Invincible (Free to Kilmarnock) and Eric Sabin (free to QPR). Paul McAreavey, Bobby Hale, Bryan Smith, Gareth Davies, James Williams, Mark Robinson, Juan Cobian, Neil Ruddock, Adam Willis, Kevin Halliday, Darren Dykes, Keith O'Halloran and Nathan Edwards (All Released).

Players To Watch: Stefani Miglioranzi, Jon Stevenson and Sam Parkin.

Fans Expectations: They are predicting at least 7th or 8th, with a cup run thrown in to boot.

Season Prediction: Finished 10th last Season. With the additions they have made they could very well reach these heights, or higher. 7th.

Tranmere Rovers

Players In: Tyrone Loran (Free from Manchester City).

Players Out: Andy Parkinson (Free to Sheffield Utd), Jason Price (Free to Hull City) and Richard Hinds (Free to Hull City), Karl Dunbar (Free to Connah's Q), Stuart Barlow (Free to Stockport County) and Andy Robinson (Released).

Players To Watch: Iain Hume.

Fans Expectations: Expected to reach the Play-Offs at least.

Season Prediction: Finished 7th last Season. With the addition they might just be competing at the end of the season. 4th.

Wrexham

Players In: Chris Armstrong (Free from Bolton Wanderers), Chris Llewellyn (Free from Norwich City) and Matty Crowell (Free from Southampton).

Players Out: Andy Morrell (Free to Coventry), Lee Trundle (Free to Swansea), Scott Green (Free to Telford), Kristian Rogers (Free to Sheffield Utd). Wayne Phillips, Dan Bennett and Kevin Russell (All Released).

Players To Watch: Carlos Edwards and Paul Edwards.

Fans Expectations: Most would settle for a Mid-Table finish but feel if they can carry on their form from last season have a definite possibility of a place in the Play- Offs.

Season Prediction: Finished 3rd in Div 3 last Season. Looking at the players brought in I feel that Wrexham are going to be serious contenders for promotion next season. 6th.

Wycombe Wanderers

Players In: Charlie Mapes (Free from Berkhamstead Town), Simon Patterson (On Loan from Watford).

Players Out: Martin Taylor (Free to Telford), Martyn Lee (Free to Maidenhead Utd), Paul McCarthy (Free to Oxford Utd). Andrew Baird, Paul Emblem, Carloz Lopez, Leeyon Phelan and Mark Osborn (All Released).

Players To Watch: Jamie McSporran and Danny Senda.

Fans Expectations: They feel that they would just avoid relegation.

Season Prediction: Finished 18th last Season. These could very well do better than they expect, if they can put a decent run in they could finish Mid-Table. 15th.

This is a prediction, so if there are any people who take offence to where I have placed thier team, then tough, that is your problem not mine as these are my opinions and that is what life is about!

Many thanks go to BAWB, KLM and KevinBlythe for thier proof reading and pointing out my many silly mistakes that have been produced.

And finally, my thanks go to the following for their help in compiling this extensive piece: andysith, Familystand, Cherry_1, Stevosmit, JoshBHA, scott5, BCFC_Dan, Slack_Pie, maddogoafc, pilgrimgrunge, diamonddoogie, HattersMatters_staff, planetbedlam, RexHam, Baker_WSAB, seasidersUP, E17hoop, LincolnR, shittuforengland, sleepingminnow Mr_Whalebelly and Neil Barrett.

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