League One 09/10

There are some big names lining up in League One. We look at the prospects for the season.

Skysports.com looks at the prospects for all 24 clubs in League One

Five years ago Norwich, Charlton and Southampton were all preparing for a season in the Premier League. But this time around, the trio are facing up to trips to Brentford, Exeter et al after all were relegated to Coca-Cola League One last season. It is a new experience for most supporters of all three clubs - you have to go back to 1960 for the last time the Canaries and the Saints graced the third tier, while the Addicks are there for the first time since 1981. But all three only need to look at the experience of Leeds to realise they are in for a tough time. Skysports.com takes a look at the prospects for all 24 clubs in League One

BRENTFORD

Manager: Andy Scott Position last season: League Two champions Ground: Griffin Park Capacity: 12,400 Players in: Danny Foster (Dagenham, free), Ben Strevens (Dagenham, free), Sam Saunders (Dagenham, free), Leon Legge (Tonbridge Angels, undisclosed), Myles Weston (Notts County, tribunal), Lewis Price (Derby, loan), Alan Bennett (Reading, free) Players out: Craig Dobson (released), Glenn Poole (released), Brett Johnson (AFC Wimbledon, free), Adam Newton (Luton, free), Gary Smith (Darlington, free), Seb Brown (released), John Halls (Aldershot, free), Darren Powell (released), Craig Pead (released) Key man: Mark Phillips Chances: Will kick off full of confidence after last season's title win but the step up will not be easy. Much will depend, again, on Andy Scott's success in the transfer market. Skysports.com prediction: 21st Sky Bet odds for title: 25/1

BRIGHTON

Manager: Russell Slade Position last season: 16th Ground: Withdean Stadium Capacity: 8,850 Players in: Gary Dicker (Stockport, undisclosed), James Tunnicliffe (Stockport, undisclosed), Andrew Crofts (Gillingham, free), Graeme Smith (Motherwell, free), Mark Wright (MK Dons, free), Liam Dickinson (Derby, undisclosed), Matt Thornhill (Nottingham Forest, loan) Players out: Tommy Fraser (Port Vale, free), Doug Loft (Port Vale, free), Kerry Mayo (released), Adam Hinshelwood (Aldershot, free), John Sullivan (Millwall, free), Jake Robinson (Shrewsbury, free), Chris Birchall (LA Galaxy, free), Seb Carole (released), Jason Jarrett (released), Sam Gargan (released), Kane Louis (released), Andy Pearson (released), Dan Royce (released), Kane Willis (released), Jonny Dixon (released), Joel Lynch (Nottingham Forest, £200,000) Key man: Gary Dicker Chances: Russell Slade masterminded last season's 'Great Escape' and is now building a squad that will be looking to steer well clear of trouble and possibly get back among the play-off chasers. Prediction: 9th Sky Bet odds: 14/1

BRISTOL ROVERS

Manager: Paul Trollope Position last season: 11th Ground: Memorial Ground Capacity: 11,916 Players in: Carl Regan (MK Dons, free), Dominic Blizzard (Stockport, undisclosed) Players out: Ryan Green (Hereford, free), Craig Hinton (Northampton, free), Craig Disley (Shrewsbury, free), Joe Jacobson (Oldham, free), Richard Walker (Burton, free) Key man: Rickie Lambert Chances: After comfortably finishing in mid-table last season, the Pirates have done little in the transfer market to suggest they are capable of improving on that this season. But if Rickie Lambert can reproduce his form from the last campaign alongside Jo Kuffour, Paul Trollope's men will have one of the most prolific strike pairings in the division and should be in mid-table once again. Prediction: 12th Sky Bet odds: 25/1

CARLISLE

Manager: Greg Abbott Position last season: 20th Ground: Brunton Park Capacity: 16,982 Players in: Gavin Rothery (unattached, free), Adam Collin (Workington, undisclosed), Matty Robson (Hartlepool, free), Lenny Pidgeley (Millwall, free), Tom Taiwo (Chelsea, loan) Players out: Chris Lumsdon (Darlington, free), Lewis Neal (Shrewsbury, free), Luke Joyce (Accrington, free), Jeff Smith (Darlington, free), Chris Howarth (released), Danny Carlton (Bury, free), Danny Graham (Watford, undisclosed), Ben Williams (Colchester, undisclosed), Josh Gowling (Gillingham, loan) Key man: Graham Kavanagh Chances: The Cumbrians avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season and they look set for another tough campaign this time round. Veteran midfielder Graham Kavanagh will be a key player once again and, although striker Danny Graham has left the club for Watford, they should have just enough to avoid the drop. Prediction: 18th Sky Bet odds: 33/1

CHARLTON

Manager: Phil Parkinson Position last season: 24th in Championship Ground: The Valley Capacity: 27,111 Players in: Miguel Angel Llera (MK Dons, free), Frazer Richardson (Leeds, free) Players out: Harry Lee (released), Darren Ambrose (Crystal Palace, free), Svetoslav Todorov (released), Nicky Weaver (released), Aswad Thomas (Woking, free), Harry Arter (Woking, free), Rashid Yussuff (released), Mark Hudson (Cardiff, £1.075m), Josh Wright (Scunthorpe, free), Zheng Zhi (released) Key man: Jonjo Shelvey Chances: The heady Premier League days seem light years ago and, with a much-changed squad and uncertainty surrounding both the club's finances and manager Phil Parkinson's future, there seems little chance of bouncing back to the Championship straight away. Prediction: 8th Sky Bet odds: 8/1

COLCHESTER

Manager: Paul Lambert Position last season: 12th Ground: Weston Homes Community Stadium Capacity: 10,000 Players in: Ashley Vincent (Cheltenham, undisclosed), David Fox (Blackpool, free), Magnus Okuonghae (Dagenham, undisclosed), Lee Beevers (Lincoln, free), Ben Williams (Carlisle, undisclosed), Gary Holt (Wycombe, free), Joel Thomas (Hamilton, £125,000) Players out: Sunday Wasiu (released), Mark Yeates (Middlesbrough, undisclosed), Dean Gerken (Bristol City, undisclosed), Chris Coyne (Perth Glory, free), John White (Southend, loan), Matt Heath (Southend, loan) Key man: Dean Hammond Chances: Paul Lambert turned the Us from relegation candidates to play-off chasers last season until a late dip but a genuine challenge from the Essex boys beckons this term. Prediction: 6th Sky Bet odds: 16/1

EXETER

Manager: Paul Tisdale Position last season: 2nd in League Two Ground: St James Park Capacity: 9,036 Players in: Scott Golbourne (Reading, free), Barry Corr (Swindon, free), Joe Burnell (Oxford, free), Alex Russell (Cheltenham, free), James Dunne (Arsenal, free), Richard Duffy (Millwall, free), Troy Archibald-Henville (Tottenham, loan), James Norwood (Eastbourne Town, free) Players out: Steve Basham (released), Jack Obersteller (released), Nick Jordan (released), Ronnie Bull (released), Fred Murray (released), Dean Moxey (Derby, £300,000), Matt Gill (Norwich, free) Key man: Adam Stansfield Chances: Two successive promotions have brought the feelgood factor to St James Park but the loss of Matt Gill and Dean Moxey will be big for the Grecians and a season of struggle surely awaits. Prediction: 24th. Sky Bet odds: 66/1

GILLINGHAM

Manager: Mark Stimson Position last season: 5th in League Two (promoted via play-offs) Ground: Priestfield Stadium Capacity: 11,440 Players in: Kevin Maher (Oldham, free), Chris Palmer (Walsall, free), Josh Gowling (Carlisle, loan) Players out: Nicky Southall (Dover, free), Gary Mulligan (Northampton, free), Andrew Crofts (Brighton, free), Sean Clohessy (Salisbury, free), Charlie Howard (released), Tayler Thomas (released), Chris Kiely (released), Albert Jarrett (Barnet, free) Key man: Andy Barcham Chances: Back in League One after a season away, the Gills will hope to surprise a few people this season. A push for the play-offs looks just beyond them but they should be too good to avoid a relegation battle. Prediction: 10th Sky Bet odds: 50/1

HARTLEPOOL

Manager: Chris Turner Position last season: 19th Ground: Victoria Park Capacity: 7,787 Players in: Adam Boyd (Leyton Orient, undisclosed), Leon McSweeney (Stockport, free), Peter Hartley (Sunderland, free), Neil Austin (Darlington, free), Scott Flinders (Crystal Palace, free), Jon-Andre Fredriksen (Sarpsborg, free), Denis Behan (Cork City, undisclosed) Players out: Matty Robson (Carlisle, free), Jamie McCunnie (released), Arran Lee-Barrett (released), Jan Budtz (released), Joe Tait (released), Martin Young (released), Michael Nelson (Norwich, free), Joel Porter (Gold Coast United, free) Key man: Adam Boyd Chances: Were too close to the drop zone for comfort last season and stayed up on the final day despite a 4-1 hammering at Bristol Rovers. The return of Adam Boyd will lift spirits severely dampened by the departure of Joel Porter but it could be a long season for Pools. Prediction: 16th Sky Bet odds: 50/1

HUDDERSFIELD

Manager: Lee Clark Position last season: 9th Ground: The Galpharm Stadium Capacity: 24,500 Players in: Antony Kay (Tranmere, free), Peter Clarke (Southend, free), Robbie Simpson (Coventry, undisclosed), Lee Peltier (Yeovil, free), Theo Robinson (Watford, undisclosed), Jordan Rhodes (Ipswich, undisclosed) Players out: Jon Worthington (Oldham, free), Dominik Werling (released), Dan Codman (released), Malvin Kamara (released), Daniel Broadbent (released), Danny Cadamarteri (Dundee United, free), Andy Holdsworth (Oldham, free), Ian Craney (Morecambe, loan), Phil Jevons (Morecambe, loan), Keigan Parker (Oldham, free), Simon Eastwood (Bradford, loan) Key man: Michael Collins Chances: Chairman Dean Hoyle has made no secret of his desire for Championship football at the Galpharm Stadium and, after handing the equally-ambitious Lee Clark his first job as manager, he has provided the finances for Town to assemble an impressive-looking squad that will take some beating. Prediction: 1st Sky Bet odds: 10/1

LEEDS UNITED

Manager: Simon Grayson Position last season: 4th Ground: Elland Road Capacity: 39,450 Players in: Jason Crowe (Northampton, free), Shane Higgs (Cheltenham, free), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester, free) Players out: Jonathan Douglas (Swindon, free), David Lucas (Swindon, free), Matthew Edwards (Rochdale, free), Peter Sweeney (Grimsby, free), Frazer Richardson (Charlton, free) Key man: Robert Snodgrass Chances: Leeds have targeted a top-two finish after the play-off disappointment in May but cannot afford the kind of slip-ups against the smaller clubs that prevented them from a sustained automatic promotion challenge last season. Prediction: 2nd Sky Bet odds: 5/2

LEYTON ORIENT

Manager: Geraint Williams Position last season: 14th Ground: Brisbane Road Capacity: 9,271 Players in: Scott McGleish (Wycombe, free), Ben Chorley (Tranmere, free), Adrian Patulea (Lincoln, undisclosed), Jimmy Smith (Chelsea, free), James Scowcroft (Crystal Palace, free) Players out: Adam Boyd (Hartlepool, undisclosed), Alton Thelwell (released), Wayne Gray (released), Paul Terry (released), Brian Saah (released), Danny Granville (released), Bradley Gray (Salisbury, free), Aiden Palmer (released), Solomon Shields (released) Key man: Adrian Patulea Chances: The Os should have enough about them to steer clear of the drop but notions of a play-off challenge are fanciful with the limited resources available to Geraint Williams. Prediction: 17th Sky Bet odds: 50/1

MILLWALL

Manager: Kenny Jackett Position last season: 5th Ground: The Den Capacity: 20,146 Players in: Steve Morison (Stevenage, £130,000), John Sullivan (Brighton, free), Jason Price (Doncaster, free) Players out: Ahmet Brkovic (released), Gary Bowes (released), Richard Duffy (Exeter, free), Darren Ebsworth (released), Adrian Forbes (Grimsby, free), Lenny Pidgeley (Carlisle, free), Danny Spiller (released), Lyle Taylor (released), Laurie Walker (released), Preston Edwards (released) Key man: Tony Craig Chances: The Lions were pipped by Scunthorpe in last season's play-off final but if Kenny Jackett can keep hold of most of his key men they will be there or thereabouts once more. Prediction: 4th Sky Bet odds: 14/1

MK DONS

Manager: Paul Ince Position last season: 3rd Ground: stadium:mk Capacity: 22,000 Players in: Danny Woodards (Crewe, free), Jabo Ibehre (Walsall, free), Stephen Gleeson (Wolves, undisclosed), David McCracken (Wycombe, free), Jermaine Easter (Plymouth, undisclosed), Stuart Searle (Watford, free), Lewis Gobern (Wolves, free), Richie Partridge (Chester, free), Mark Carrington (Crewe, free) Players out: Tore Andre Flo (released), Ali Gerba (Toronto FC, free), Alan Navarro (released), Flavien Belson (released), Nathan Abbey (released), Miguel Angel Llera (Charlton, free), Carl Regan (Bristol Rovers, free), Mark Wright (Brighton, free) Key man: Peter Leven Chances: The hangover from last season's play-off misery has already been lifted by the return of Paul Ince and the Dons will go into the campaign full of confidence. However, League One should be a tougher proposition this time around but a play-off place could be in their reach again. Prediction: 5th Sky Bet odds: 10/1

NORWICH

Manager: Bryan Gunn Position last season: 22nd in Championship Ground: Carrow Road Capacity: 26,034 Players in: Matt Gill (Exeter, free), Owain Tudur Jones (Swansea, undisclosed), Michael Nelson (Hartlepool, free), Michael Theoklitos (Melbourne Victory, free), Stephen Hughes (Motherwell, free), Paul McVeigh (Luton, free), Simon Whaley (Preston, undisclosed), Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Ben Alnwick (Tottenham, loan), Grant Holt (Shrewsbury, undisclosed), Jens Berthel Askou (Kasimpasa, free), Goran Maric (Celta Vigo, free) Players out: David Marshall (Cardiff, undisclosed), Lee Croft (Derby, free), Sammy Clingan (Coventry, undisclosed), Stuart Nelson (Aberdeen, free) Key man: Wes Hoolahan Chances: Club legend Bryan Gunn will be desperate to return to the Championship at the first attempt and the sheer number of supporters at Carrow Road should stand them in good stead. However, Leeds will be the first to testify that bouncing straight back is not always that easy. Jamie Cureton, underused last season, should still find the net at this level. Prediction: 3rd Sky Bet odds: 7/1

OLDHAM ATHLETIC

Manager: Dave Penney Position last season: 10th Ground: Boundary Park Capacity: 10,850 Players in: Rob Purdie (Darlington, free), Jon Worthington (Huddersfield, free), Joe Jacobson (Bristol Rovers, free), Pawel Abbott (Darlington, undisclosed), Dean Furman (Rangers, free), Dean Brill (Luton, free), Andy Holdsworth (Huddersfield, free), Keigan Parker (Huddersfield, free), Rene Steer (Arsenal, free), Phil Ojapah (AFC Liverpool, free) Players out: JP Kalala (released), Lee Hughes (Notts County, free), Kevin Maher (Gillingham, free), Mark Crossley (Chesterfield, free), Andy Liddell (released), Stefan Stam (Yeovil, free), Mark Allott (Tranmere, free), Greg Fleming (Dunfermline, loan) Key man: Pawel Abbott Chances: New Latics boss Dave Penney knows his way around the lower leagues and a profitable summer recruitment drive has given his squad an impressive look. He has strengthened in all departments and a play-off challenge beckons at Boundary Park. Prediction: 11th Sky Bet odds: 25/1

SOUTHAMPTON

Manager: Alan Pardew Position last season: 23rd in Championship Ground: St Mary's Capacity: 32,689 Players in: Dan Harding (Ipswich, free) Players out: Nathan Dyer (Swansea, £400,000), David McGoldrick (Nottm Forest, £1million), Andrew Surman (Wolves, £1.2million), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Plymouth, free), Jason Euell (Blackpool, free), Rudi Skacel (released), Ryan Smith (released), Romain Gasmi (released), Jamie Hatch (released), Jeffrey Imudia (released), Liam Hogan (released), Michel Dolinajec (released), Lukas Stiklakis (released), Stern John (Crystal Palace, free) Key man: Kelvin Davis Chances: Alan Pardew is back in management eight months after his Charlton misery. A 10-point penalty looks likely to prevent him from mounting an immediate promotion challenge but, following their recent brush with liquidation, Saints are just happy to be here. Prediction: 15th Sky Bet odds: 25/1

SOUTHEND

Manager: Steve Tilson Position last season: 8th Ground: Roots Hall Capacity: 12,168 Players in: Lee Sawyer (Chelsea, loan), John White (Colchester, loan), Matt Heath (Colchester, loan) Players out: Charles Ademeno (Crawley, free), Peggy Lokando (released), Jamie Forshaw (Ebbsfleet, free), Luke Thurlbourne (released), Rhys Henry (released), Davis Abbey (released), Dan Harvey (released), Peter Clarke (Huddersfield, free), Clark Masters (Aldershot, free), James Lindie (Ebbsfleet, free) Key man: Alex Revell Chances: The Shrimpers narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season but the departure of commanding central defender Peter Clarke to Huddersfield was a major blow over the summer and they could find themselves battling at the other end of the table this time round. Prediction: 19th

STOCKPORT

Manager: Gary Ablett Position last season: 18th Ground: Edgeley Park Capacity: 10,812 Players in: Paul Gerrard (free) Players out: Leon McSweeney (Hartlepool, free), Tommy Rowe (Peterborough, undisclosed), Gary Dicker (Brighton, undisclosed), James Tunnicliffe (Brighton, undisclosed), Dominic Blizzard (Bristol Rovers, undisclosed) Key man: Owain fon Williams Chances: Mere survival would surely represent success for new boss Gary Ablett after County's flirtation with oblivion during the summer and the loss of several key players. Ablett will look to the young talent at his disposal but it may not be enough to prevent relegation. Prediction: 23rd Sky Bet odds: 125/1

SWINDON

Manager: Danny Wilson Position last season: 15th Ground: The County Ground Capacity: 14,800 Players in: Gordon Greer (Doncaster, free), David Lucas (Leeds, free), Alan O'Brien (Hibernian, free), Jonathan Douglas (Leeds, free), Scott Cuthbert (Celtic, undisclosed) Players out: Peter Brezovan (released), Chris Allen (released), Barry Corr (Exeter, free), Ben Joyce (Torquay, free), Lilian Nalis (CA Bastia, free), Michael Pook (Cheltenham, free), Hamdi Razak (released), Jack Smith (released), Blair Sturrock (released), Jamie Vincent (released), Tom Evans (released), Jake Hyde (Barnet, free), Sam Morris (released), Simon Cox (West Brom, £1.9million). Key man: Jonathan Douglas Chances: Danny Wilson has finally got Swindon marching in the right direction, his organisational skills along with the introduction of players like Jonathan Douglas will certainly put the club in the mix. But it remains to be seen how they will cope with the loss of star striker Simon Cox. Prediction: 7th Sky Bet odds: 50/1

TRANMERE ROVERS

Manager: John Barnes Position last season: 7th Ground: Prenton Park Capacity: 16,567 Players in: Mark Allott (Oldham, free), Paul McLaren (Bradford, free), John Welsh (Hull, free), Luke Daniels (West Brom, loan), Shaleum Logan (Manchester City, loan) Players out: Edrissa Sonko (released), Adnan Ahmed (Ferencvaros, free), Luke Waterfall (released), Danny Holmes (released), Antony Kay (Huddersfield, free), John Achterberg (retired), Ben Chorley (Leyton Orient, free), Stephen Jennings (Motherwell, free), Andy Taylor (Sheffield United, undisclosed), Mark Allott (Chesterfield, free) Key man: Alan Mahon Chances: New Tranmere boss John Barnes faced a mountainous to rebuild his squad after a mass exodus over the summer but his new recruits offer reason for optimism. Alan Mahon, John Welsh and Paul McLaren can make a big impression at this level and must prove it. Prediction: 13th Sky Bet odds: 25/1

WALSALL

Manager: Chris Hutchings Position last season: 13th Ground: Banks's Stadium Capacity: 11,230 Players in: Mark Hughes (Northampton, free), Steve Jones (Burnley, free), Josh O'Keefe (Blackburn, free), Sam Parkin (Luton, free), Peter Till (Grimsby, free) Players out: Michael Ricketts (released), Stephen Hughes (released), Hassan Bacchus (released), Paul Boertien (Burton, free), Jabo Ibehre (MK Dons, free), Anthony Gerrard (Cardiff, undisclosed), Chris Palmer (Gillingham, free) Key man: Troy Deeney Chances: The Saddlers have lost some experienced players this summer and that could prove crucial. They have got enough about them to survive in League One but whether they have enough quality to make an impression remains to be seen. Troy Deeney's goals will make a difference. Prediction: 20th Sky Bet odds: 50/1

WYCOMBE WANDERERS

Manager: Peter Taylor Position last season: 3rd in League Two Ground: Adams Park Capacity: 10,000 Players in: Lewis Montrose (Wigan, free), Joe Cobb (Leicester, free), Chris Westwood (Peterborough, free), Michael Duberry (Reading, free), Stuart Green (Blackpool, free), Ian Westlake (Leeds, free) Players out: Scott McGleish (Leyton Orient, free), Will Antwi (Dagenham, free), Magno Vieira (released), Robbie Price (released), Leon Crooks (released), Calum Botham (released), Darrell Ellams (released), Scott Shulton (released), Jamie Turley (Ebbsfleet, free), Gary Holt (Colchester, free), David McCracken (MK Dons, free) Key man: Tommy Doherty Chances: Nearly blew promotion last season after opening up a huge early lead. The loss of captain David McCracken to the MK Dons has been countered by the signing of Michael Duberry but the squad looks light of goals. Prediction: 14th Sky Bet odds: 25/1

YEOVIL

Manager: Terry Skiverton Position last season: 17th Ground: Huish Park Capacity: 9,665 Players in: Danny Hutchins (Tottenham, free), Stefan Stam (Oldham, free), Scott Murray (Bristol City, free), Alex McCarthy (Reading, loan), Dean Bowditch (Ipswich, free), Sam Williams (Aston Villa, free) Players out: Aaron Brown (released), Rob Fitzgerald (released), Jordan Street (released), Lee Peltier (Huddersfield, free), Paul Warne (Rotherham, free), Luke Rodgers (Notts County, free) Key man: Gary Roberts Chances: Club legend Terry Skiverton managed to keep the Glovers up last season but the task looks even tougher this time around. The squad looks alarmingly short on firepower and survival may depend on how well Skiverton can use the loan market. Prediction: 22nd Sky Bet odds: 80/1