13-year old Kyle Kennealey is a local writer hoping for a big future in the industry. He writes like a pro and his knowledge is already better than most I know, maybe even me!
Here, he offers his 1-24 prediction for League Two, including his reasoning behind each pick. Enjoy.
NOTTS COUNTY-1st (C)
Kevin Nolan’s side will be hoping they can emulate the first half of the season where they were in the automatic promotion spots rather than when they lost consistency until May. Their recruitment has been impressive in the attacking department, adding Kane Hemmings and Kristian Dennis, two strikers who can find the net with consistency. It should be success this time around for the Nottingham outfit.
MK DONS-2nd (P)
For a side who were experiencing Championship football just a few years ago, it will come as a disappointment to their fans that they are in League Two this season. The Dons raided losing play-off finalists Exeter City, bringing in Harley, Moore-Taylor, and Simpson all of which know the division extremely well. Them, along with players like Kieran Agard, are among the reasons why the new Exeter boys won’t be experiencing the heartbreak of the play-offs once again.
LINCOLN-3rd (P)
After falling short in the Play-offs last time around, Lincoln will be hoping for more of the same. One area that was key to improve was the attacking department when the goals dried up, Akinde and Andrade will answer that criticism. Finding a replacement for Woodyard was always going to be difficult but Notts County captain O’Connor may just be their man. These are exciting times to be a Lincoln City fan.
MANSFIELD-4th (P)
The Stag’s were hit by a downward spiral of results once then manager Steve Evans had departed for Peterborough but with a full summer to digest their downfall, David Flitcroft will be hoping he can rally his troops to success this time around. Keeping top goal-scorer Danny Rose and adding in the striking department in young Tyler Walker on loan from Nottingham
Forest is a sign that Mansfield mean business. As do their pre-season results, defeating a new look Derby side and if that has any indication of how their season will unfold, the Stags have enough to make the play-offs, and in a one-off game they can defeat anyone.
NORTHAMPTON-5th
The Cobblers had a dismal 2017/18 campaign but with a new manager in Dean Austin and a fresh start in a division they are fresh from winning in 2015/16. They have yo-yoed between the third and fourth division since the turn of century, lacking consistency which they will certainly need if success is to come. Promotion this this time around may prove a bridge too far although there have been many greater surprises in the EFL, it will be a season of stability this time around to build on in the next campaign.
BURY-6th
It’s a time of transition for Ryan Lowe’s Shakers side after a miserable 2017/18 campaign saw them finish bottom of League One and thus ended their three-year spell in the third tier. The Shakers transfer business was very sturdy, bringing in experience across the field in Tom Miller and Nicky Adams on free transfers from Carlisle as well as youth in the form of Dom Telford from Stoke’s U23’s side. If pre-season is anything to go by which saw both Everton and Liverpool thwarted and a win against Chester, then Bury’s fans may be enjoying some success in the near future.
CAMBRIDGE-7th
If the same Cambridge side that turned up in the second half of the campaign can replicate that kind of form for the whole season, then the U’s will be a dark horse for the play-offs.
SWINDON-8th
It was so near yet so far for Swindon last season and with losing Flitcroft at a pivotal stage, some would say Swindon have it in them to reach the play-offs this time around. It will be fine margins that will decide their new look side’s destiny this time around.
NEWPORT-9th
Newport’s FA Cup exploits last season were very impressive and if they can bring those type of performances into the league, they should be a side to fear. With additions like Marsh-Brown who has the boots of Nouble to fill, the Welsh outfit will make slight progress.
EXETER-10th
Wembley hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Exeter in recent times and new manager Matt Taylor has big boots to fill from Tisdale. Departures have been outweighed by incomings and that is the reason for Exeter’s predicted drop-in positing.
OLDHAM-11th
It’s been inevitable for a few seasons that Oldham were on the verge of dropping into the fourth tier and they may have a tougher job than expected in order to get back into League One.
TRANMERE-12th
Rovers are back in the EFL after defeating Boreham Wood in the play-off final and are here to stay after a couple of near misses. If they can get James Norwood firing like Andy Cook, then Tranmere can look forward to a top half return.
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