THE BEST IS YET TO COME! WE’RE ALL SET FOR A THRILLING RIDE...
SO HERE WE GO AGAIN! NLP ON PAGE 26-27 THE TEAM SERVE UP THEIR FOR THE COMING PREDICTIONS I SEASON, BUT I THOUGHT IN THERE FIRST WOULD GET YOU MINE. I AM AND OFFER OUT HERE, STICKING MY NECK IS GOING BUT WE THINK THIS MOST COMPETITIVE TO BE THE A YEAR. SEASON FOR MANY IN... STRAP YOURSELVES
WHO’S GOING TO BE BATTLING IT OUT FOR PROMOTION?
Salford City have the muscle and firepower – on the pitch and in the boardroom – to take control. The club is being run by some fairly ruthless football people who have a clear eye on what they need to do – they will be going for the kill this season! I like what has been going on at Hartlepool. Matthew Bates has recruited well and the signing of Liam Noble is one of the best of the summer. But I also think Leyton Orient, led by the astute Justin Edinburgh, will be well served in their second season in the National League. And the likes of relegated Barnet and Chesterfield will make things pretty tasty at the top. But it’s Salford for me.
SURPRISE PACKAGE?
I’m not sure there is one. Last season Sutton United and Boreham Wood kept the big guns on their toes right to the very end, but this season, if a side is up there challenging they are doing so on merit. I’m not sure Sutton will be as strong as they were last term, and likewise it will be tough for Wood to kick on – although both are capable. Ebbsfleet, brilliantly led by Daryl McMahon, will be pushing the established sides all the way. But Nothing really surprises me in this league.
PLAYER TO LOOK OUT FOR?
I have already mentioned him, but Liam Noble at Hartlepool sticks out for me. Two seasons ago, when Forest Green Rovers marched to the play-offs and promotion, Noble was the stand-out player in a side littered with big names. Box to box with an eye for goal, Noble’s game-management is what sets him apart and he is always willing to muck in and do the dirty work. He’s top class. I have always been a fan of Danny Lloyd. He stood out at Stockport and he has proven he can score goals at a higher level. Salford have landed a real coup there. Meanwhile, it’s not just about the goal-scorers and Liam Hogan will be crucial to the Ammies’ defence.
CLUB YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO VISITING?
I didn’t get out to Leyton Orient last year and I feel the place will be buzzing for this campaign – so Brisbane Road is on my bucket list. But I would also like to get up north and take a look at Harrogate Town. They look a good unit and could be challenging. Then again, I am a creature of home comforts and I live just ten minutes away from Aldershot, and as the winter months descend there are few better places than a bouncing midweek Recreational Ground.
WHO DO YOU FANCY IN NATIONAL NORTH AND SOUTH?
In the North, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have made some great signings at Chester and boy, do they know how to win. Chester was a miserable place to be last season, but the bounce is back at the Deva – so I expect them to challenge because everyone will buy into what Bern and Jonno are about.
But there will be a number of challenges. Brackley look decent and have one of the very best managers in Kevin Wilkin – they have a platform to build on with some very underrated players. As do Stockport County and Chorley, while Kidderminster will be mixing it at the top, for sure. But Hereford must be taken as serious contenders. Peter Beadle may say his Bulls are not ready for the challenge but he’s fooling no-one. That clubs only deals in promotion races. The South seems more settled, and you have to take Billericay seriously purely because they have an owner who will not settle for second best and will just go out and buy whatever it takes to get his club over the line. That said, you need to be canny and this could be Ricay’s downfall. Woking, led by the crafty Alan Dowson, will be strong and have signalled their intentions with a number of high-profile signings, while Hampton & Richmond Borough are no slouches come the business end of the season.