2003/4 Division 2 Preview - Part 4

By Albatross
August 7 2003

The final part of Pools Online's Season Preview covers the remaining six teams in Division 2 - Stockport, Swindon, Tranmere, Wrexham, Wycombe, and of course Hartlepool United. There's also a summary of who I think is going where....

Stockport County

Last Season: 14th
Departures: Peter Clark, Haydn Eames, Ryan Elderton, Glynn Hancock, Anthony Kielthy, Michael Ogden, Jonathan Scragg, Andy Thomas, Ola Tidman, Gareth Walsh, Peter Wild
Arrivals: Stuart Barlow, Owen Morrison
On the Pitch: 14th place saw Stockport at least halt their slide after an abysmal season saw them relegated from Div1 the year before.
Off the Pitch: Stockport have been sold to the man behind Sale Sharks Rugby Union; however, signs of money forthcoming for new players has been conspicuous by its absence.
The Boss Man: Carlton Palmer is unlikely to get the best of receptions at Pools; and although it wasn't a terrible season last year, he'll be expected to get Stockport going in the right direction this time.
Watch out for: Provided he's not sold, Luke Beckett will once again be County's main danger after netting 29 times last season. Stuart Barlow will also be aiming for double figures.
Prediction: Mid-table for the Hatters.

Swindon Town

Last Season: 10th
Departures: Darren Dykes, Gareth Edds, Nathan Edwards, Kevin Halliday, Danny Invincible, Eric Sabin, Adam Willis
Arrivals: Rhys Evans, Brian Howard, Sammy Igoe, Tommy Mooney, Danny Murphy, Andrew Nicholas, Grant Smith, Jon Stevenson, Adrian Viveash
On the Pitch: 10th was something of an achievment after previous struggles, and with a whole raft of new signings they'd surely be looking to go higher. However it may take them time to gel.
Off the Pitch: A recent scare about a possible winding up order averted, Town have been concentrating on the playing side over the summer.
The Boss Man: Andy King has done a good job since coming in, and will be hoping to progress further.
Watch out for: Sam Parkin hit the target more than 25 times last year, and Town will be hoping recent signing Tommy Mooney rediscovers his shooting boots.
Prediction: Outsiders for the playoffs, the top half is a more likely aim though.

Tranmere Rovers

Last Season: 7th
Departures: Stuart Barlow, Karl Dunbar, Richard Hinds, Andy Parkinson, Jason Price, Andy Robinson
Arrivals: Tyrone Loran
On the Pitch: Tranmere may have finished 7th, but their points total would normally have been enough to see them challenging for automatic promotion. The players that have left would have been unlikely to be key members of the squad, and use of the loan system - 9 players came in last season - should help them plug any holes.
Off the Pitch: Nothing much to report at Prenton Park.
The Boss Man: Ray Mathias took a team that was going nowhere last season and put them on the verge of the promotion race; this time he'll be looking to go further.
Watch out for: Simon Haworth notched more than 20 times last season and should prove a real handful.
Prediction: I can see Tranny challenging for automatic promotion this season.

Wrexham

Last Season: 3rd in Div3
Departures: Scott Green, Andy Morrell, Kristian Roberts, Kevin Russell, Lee Trundle
Arrivals: Chris Armstrong, Matt Crowell, Chris Llewellyn
On the Pitch: A good late run saw Wrexham claim third spot - and almost overhaul Pools in the process. However, with 35 goal Andy Morrell leaving for Coventry and Lee Trundle on his way as well, the signs look a little ominous.
Off the Pitch: Morrell's departure was almost inevitable, but Trundle's decision to join Swansea - a division lower - has left a few people disgruntled. However, it's very much a sign that the club is determined to live within its means.
The Boss Man: The experienced Denis "Stigma" Smith won Manager of the Year last season; he will want to keep things ticking over this year without risking the drop.
Watch out for: Chris Armstrong needs to discover some form, and the Dragons will be hoping Lee Jones also gets a few; look out too for Carlos Edwards coming in from the wing.
Prediction: Safe, but lower part of the table as they struggle to replace Morrell's goals.

Wycombe Wanderers

Last Season: 18th
Departures: Martyn Lee, Paul McCarthy, Mark Osborn, Martin Taylor
Arrivals: Charlie Mapes, Simon Patterson (Loan)
On the Pitch: Just about safe last season, but this one may be tougher; lacking a regular goalscorer, Wycombe are likely to be up against it again.
Off the Pitch: Money is tight, and Wycombe found one way of getting some: the stadium is now sponsored by a company called Causeway. However, this angered many fans, as the ground had been originally named Adams Park in the memory of their sometime Patron who had secured the club's future back in the late 40s.
The Boss Man: Lawrie Sanchez was once a member of the Crazy Gang, scoring their goal in the Cup Final, and his cup exploits with Wanderers as a manager saw him in the headlines again. Unless things improve on the pitch though, he is likely to find himself under pressure by the time the FA Cup comes round again.
Watch out for: No-one even got close to double figures last season; Sean Devine managed eight before going to Exeter. Leading scorer in the league was Craig Faulconbridge with just six.
Prediction: A season of struggle and relegation for the Chairboys.

Hartlepool United

Last Season: 2nd in Div3
Departures: Graeme Lee, James Sharp, Gordon Simms, Paul Smith, Gordon Watson, Tommy Widdrington
Arrivals: Marco Gabbiadini, Andrew Jordan, Michael Nelson, Paul Robinson
On the Pitch: The finish to last season was painful, knowing that we should have won the title by Easter and then losing out, and then we lost two or three key players. However the nucleus of the squad is still there, we've added some interesting names with more possibly still to come, and the squad is certainly looking at least as strong as last season.
Off the Pitch: The shock departure of Mike Newell remains shrouded in mystery; however Neale Cooper impresses me more and more as time goes by.
The Boss Man: Cooper has been saying all the right things, and while we may still be uncertain what tactics he's going to employ I see no reason to lack confidence in him.
Watch out for: This is a big season for Eifion Williams, and also Paul Robinson. Gabbs may be getting on but knows how to find the net, and Ritchie will be aiming for double figures again as well.
Prediction: Safety, comfortably. Lower mid-table is my guess, and for our first season at a higher level for ten years that would have to be regarded as a decent showing.

Summary
Champions: Bristol City
Promoted: Tranmere Rovers or Sheffield Wednesday
Playoffs: Tranmere Rovers or Sheffield Wednesday, Queens Park Rangers, Plymouth Argyle and Brighton and Hove Albion
Relegated: Chesterfield, Oldham Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers and Barnsley

Let Battle Commence!