2004/5 Season Preview: Part 4

By Albatross
January 12 2005

The final part of Pools Online's look ahead to the 2004/5 season is here - and we look at Swindon Town, Torquay United, Tranmere Rovers, Walsall, Wrexham, and finally of course Hartlepool United. There's also a summary of who I think will be going up and down - do you agree?

Swindon Town Last Season: 5th
Departures: Dave Bampton, Bart Griemink, Ben Martin, Tommy Mooney, Jon Stevenson
Arrivals: Jerel Ifil
On the Pitch: Beaten in the Playoffs by Brighton, Swindon will look for more of the same this year - despite the loss of Tommy Mooney.
Off the Pitch: The search for a site for a new ground - and the local council's rejection of the club's first choice - has been the main thing exercising the minds of the Swindon faithful.
The Boss Man: Andy King will want to continue where he left off last season - and maybe even take a step further.
Watch out for: Mooney may be gone, but Sam Parkin is still around - and Rory Fallon looked pretty useful at the end of the season as well.
Prediction: They could well be the team to beat - even without Mooney. 1st.

Torquay United Last Season: 3rd in Div3 (Promoted)
Departures: James Benefield, Joe Broad, Scott Corderoy, David Graham, Reuben Hazell, Dean Stevens, Kevin Willis, David Woozley
Arrivals: Adebayo Akinfenwa, Bertrand Bossu (Loan), Bruno Meirelles, Gareth Owen (Loan), Martin Phillips, Matt Villis (Loan)
On the Pitch: Promotion has been a long time coming for Torquay after more often struggling in recent years - the question is, can they stay in Division 2 having got here?
Off the Pitch: The sale of Graham brought in some welcome revenue - but Chairman Mike Bateson is being careful to preach the values of prudence and living within means as the way forward for the Gulls.
The Boss Man: Leroy Rosenior is fast becoming the next big talent in managerial circles - if they start well, Torquay may struggle to hold onto him.
Watch out for: Jonathan Osei Kuffour reached double figures last season; together with Akinfenwa they boast the strike force most likely to give the commentators nightmares, if not opposition defences!
Prediction: A swift return to the basement. 23rd.

Tranmere Rovers Last Season: 8th
Departures: Graham Allen, Sean Connelly, Alex Hay, Jamie McGuire, Mickey Mellon, Shane Nicholson, Tommy Rooney
Arrivals: Michael Jackson, Jason McAteer, Mark Rankine, Theodore Whitmore, Calvin Zola
On the Pitch: A poor start and then a superb finish for Tranmere - for the second year running. If they could play as well all the time they'd walk the division....
Off the Pitch: It's all been about the signings at Tranmere this summer.
The Boss Man: Brian Little is experienced and respected throughout the game.
Watch out for: Eugene Dadi scored plenty last season, while Calvin Zola did OK at Oldham.
Prediction: A together team and an experienced manager? That'll be the runners-up then. 2nd.

Walsall Last Season: 22nd in Div1 (Relegated)
Departures: Andy Bishop, Lee Bradbury, Craig Burley, Gavin Caines, Matt Carbon, Aaron Kerr, Pedro Miguel Matias, Andy Petterson, Paul Ritchie, Vinny Samways, Nicholas Smith, Jim Walker
Arrivals: Joe Broad, Kofi Dakinah, Mark Kinsella, Richard McKinney, Iffy Onuora, Mark Paston, Michael Standing
On the Pitch: Walsall considered themselves very unlucky to go down last season, and look best equipped of the relegated sides in terms of challenging at the top.
Off the Pitch: The appointment of Merson has been the main talking point at the Bescot.
The Boss Man: Paul Merson has been (and may still be) a quality player, but seems a bit unlikely as a manager. He's managed to attract the likes of Kinsella though, and might yet prove himself.
Watch out for: Jorge Leitao may be the man to keep an eye on - and Merson himself if he plays regularly.
Prediction: Should be there or thereabouts. 5th.

Wrexham Last Season: 13th
Departures: Paul Barrett, Paul Edwards, Shaun Holmes, Lee Jones, Jim McNulty, Steve Thomas, Paul Whitfield
Arrivals: Matt Baker, Dean Bennett, Andy Holt, Alex Smith, Danny Williams
On the Pitch: A respectable finish for Wrexham, and they even flirted with the Playoffs for a spell. However, this season may prove tougher.
Off the Pitch: With the Racecourse - and the future of the club - under threat, it's a worrying time for Wrexham fans.
The Boss Man: Denis Smith has done a good job at Wrexham on limited resources.
Watch out for: Hector Sam was the only player to reach double figures last season; Chris Llewellyn was next best with eight. Chris Armstrong was a disappointment - can he turn things around?
Prediction: Goals hard to come by, and a struggle. 20th.

Hartlepool United Last Season: 6th
Departures: Steven Carson, Jermaine Easter, Mark Robinson, Paul Robinson, Scott Walker, Anthony Williams
Arrivals: Jack Ross
On the Pitch: Pools exceeded almost every prediction by gatecrashing the playoffs; can essentially the same squad do it again?
Off the Pitch: The lack of money spent on the playing side - despite new strips, sponsors, cup income and increased ticket prices - has raised some debate.
The Boss Man: Neale Cooper is rapidly becoming our most popular manager for years; how long though before other clubs come a-calling?
Watch out for: Adam Boyd was on fire at the end of the season - can he continue? Eifion Williams may well be his regular partner, and Joel Porter will be hoping to show us what he can do.
Prediction: What's a good season after last year? Playoffs are I think a realistic aim - Pools to scrape in again in 6th.

Summary
Champions: Swindon Town
Promoted: Tranmere Rovers
Playoffs: Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, Walsall and Hartlepool United
Relegated: Chesterfield, Peterborough, Torquay United and MK Dons

Agree? Disagree? Could you do better? Why not try and beat Albatross in the Pools Online Prediction League - see the Menu on the left!