LEAGUE TWO
Managers from France, Italy and Tunisia – plus the Football League’s longest-serving gaffer – collide to test their credentials in the unpredictable fourth tier
Our fan files insist Salford can expect a warm Football League welcome
With four promotion places and just two relegation slots, it’s twice as easy to get out of League Two via the helicopter pad than the sewer-pipe – but that doesn’t mean it’s simple to clamber out of what’s always a fascinating division.
The four teams relegated into it from League One – Walsall, Bradford, Scunthorpe and Plymouth – appear in decent shape and are marshalled by Darrell Clarke, Gary Bowyer, Paul Hurst and Ryan Lowe respectively. Each man can point to an impressive CV and success at this level.
Nearly-men Mansfield have promoted from within, hoping academy manager John Dempster is the man to provide the elevation their ambitious owners seek. Speaking of ambitious owners, Salford’s Class of ’92 group have Graham Alexander at the wheel for their debut League campaign. Leyton Orient, a club well accustomed to being in the Football League, are back after a short absence in non-league – led by Ross Embleton after the sad passing of Justin Edinburgh.
Another ‘young’ Football League club, Forest Green, will look to pass and move their way to promotion under Mark Cooper after missing out in the play-offs. Beaten finalists Newport have local hero Mike Flynn (right) in charge, and after a miracle survival and two giant-killing cup runs, promotion is next on his list.
Richie Wellens’ high-pressing approach was notable enough to earn its own moniker, and ‘Wellensball’ should lead to entertaining encounters at Swindon’s County Ground. John Mcgreal’s Colchester have much work to do after losing two of their homegrown stars, Frankie Kent and Sammie Szmodics, earlier in the summer. Exeter need more staying power this season under popular rookie manager Matt Taylor.
David Artell’s Crewe, the leading youth development club at this level – would have won the league last season if it had started on Christmas Day. If they can start strong, and work on that away form, they could be a surprise. Expect Stephen Pressley’s Carlisle to be entertaining and unpredictable, while their former boss Keith Curle, now at Northampton and active in the transfer market, is cobbling together a possible promotion-contending squad. Arguably the biggest character at this level, Tunisian former Stevenage striker Dino Maamria, did a fine job back at Broadhall Way last season and will have them tough to beat.
There’s plenty of good feeling at Cheltenham, too, where the fans are impressed with Michael Duff and the improvement shown under his management. For John Askey at Port Vale and Cambridge gaffer Colin Calderwood, the objective is the same: score more goals. The division’s two lowest-scoring sides last season avoided relegation but must improve fast.
French manager Laurent Banide is the latest man through the revolving door at Oldham, with the Latics being tipped for a difficult season along with Gabriele Cioffi’s Crawley, who lost half of their matches last season. Michael Jolley continues to bring in leftfield signings to Grimsby, and it’s likely to be tough for two teams with the Football League’s lowest budgets.
Jim Bentley’s Morecambe are used to being tipped for relegation as they enter their 13th season at this level, while Sol Campbell’s Macclesfield have financial battles off the field that threaten to undermine his work on it. Still, at least there’s only two drop slots...