By Tony Alvarez
Following Saturdays somewhat embarrassing loss at the hands of Cheltenham Town, Dagenham and Redbridge sit bottom of League Two and look in real danger of dropping out of the Football League.
The Daggers are three points off safety albeit with a game in hand however with their inferior goal difference largely due to Saturdays defeat the gap more resembles four points than three.
By Tony Alvarez & Laurie Fitzgerald
It’s been a summer of restlessness for many football fans, with no World Cup or European Championships to fill the void, and many of us having to spend more time with our loved ones!
But fear not, because on Saturday the football season is officially back underway as the three divisions of the Football League kick-off.
You may of seen yesterdays article previewing the Npower Championship, today is the turn of League One. League Two will follow tomorrow.
Which signings have impressed you this summer?
Laurie: It may only be a loan deal, but Clarke Carlisle could prove to be an excellent addition at this level, and will be a big boost forPreston after a string of departures following their relegation. Jonathan Douglas is another shrewd purchase, he could help push Brentford up another level despite a disappointing campaign last year forSwindon. Special mention also for the hugely-talented Danny Green, who joined Charlton from Dagenham & Redbridge this summer.
Tony: ClarkeCarlisle whilst not being the greatest player has a huge amount of experience in tougher leagues, this could provide vital throughout the season. Similarly the loan signing of Graham Alexander legs may not be all there but when he is out on the pitch he provides experience that many players in the division cant.
I also have to agree with Laurie Danny Green could prove to be a big signing for Charlton although he could struggle to have the same impact he did at Dagenham and Redbridge as he is now in a “bigger pond”
Who will be the favourites for automatic promotion?
Laurie: I think it all depends on howHuddersfield bounce back from their play-off disappointment at Old Trafford in May. They have the strongest squad in the division despite the loss of Anthony Pilkington, and if they avoid a hangover from their defeat toPeterborough then they’re the team to beat. The twoSheffield sides should also be in contention, especially with experienced managers at the helm in Gary Megson and Danny Wilson.
Tony: I can’t see passedHuddersfield, they have been unlucky for a few years in a now and I think this is there year to shine. I feel as a whole League One is weaker this year, ifHuddersfield can re produce last seasons form they will be promoted.
I wrote an article last week stating that I fancy Sheffield United to bounce straight back, this was met with disbelief from their fans who cant see them performing at all, I put this down to the fans still being disappointed from last terms performances however I still see them being there or there abouts.
Who could be this season’s dark horses?
Laurie: Charlton could prove to be a force, but it’s a case of wait and see as they’ve had a major overhaul to their squad this summer. Don’t underestimate the power of confidence; althoughStevenage probably won’t be in the shake-up for promotion, they could ruffle a few feathers if they build on their back-to-back promotions.
Tony: Laurie hit the nail on the head with Charlton its hard to predict anything for them as they will be a bit of an unknown quantity.
I personally think Wycombe could hurt a few sides they have a nice blend of ability and experience and have a side capable of goals; they also have a good manager in Gary Waddock. They won’t win the title I predict a mid table finish but they could hurt some teams.
SimilarlyColchesterwont win anything but they could cause teams trouble because everyone hates to play them they play an awkward style of Football which will catch sides out.
Who could struggle?
Laurie: Walsall pulled off a minor miracle in staying up after seemingly being cut adrift last season. But their limited resources means it could be another difficult campaign for Dean Smith’s men.Hartlepool and Yeovil could also find themselves at the wrong end of the table.
Tony: I don’t want to be boring and predictable but I’m going to have to agree with Laurie, the bookmakers agree with us too, I think the 4th relegation spot will be taken by Tranmere they seem to have a wobble every year and this time round it could cost them dearly.
Who could be the player of the season?
Laurie: When you look at the best players in the division, then one player that can really stand out isPreston’s Iain Hume. He’s a very good striker, and can open up teams with his vision. If he gets back to his best form then he could be a real inspiration for the Lilywhites.
Tony: Despite there relegation I was very impressed withPreston’s Adam Barton last term and I think he could set the division alight and earn himself a big move.
There talk of him leaving but should he hang around Ched Evans will have a huge impact on the whole division, in stages he can do everything, given the slightly lower level of ability of the players he will be facing this term he could be on the perfect stage to display his talents.
Which young player should we look out for?
Laurie: It’s a shame that there have been a few bright prospects depart League One either one way or the other this summer in the likes of Dale Jennings, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson. ButHuddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes has shown a real eye for goal despite only being 21. He could play a major part in their promotion push.
Tony: Rochdale have recently signed goalkeeper Jake Kean on loan from Blackburn, many have commented that he has anEngland future, this could be the year for him to display his talents.
Of course Jordan Rhodes is a prospect and could impress but he isn’t an unknown quantity and that could count against him.
At the start of last season I had a bet with a friend, before a ball was kicked we both wrote down how we thought the League table would finish we put £1 a place on, despite priding myself on my Football knowledge I only got one correct, lets see if I fare better this term.
Laurie’s Predicted final League One table
1.HuddersfieldTown
2.SheffieldWednesday
3.SheffieldUnited
5.PrestonNorth End
6. MK Dons
7.Scunthorpe
8. Brentford
9.Bournemouth
10. Leyton Orient
11.ColchesterUnited
12.Carlisle
13.Rochdale
14.NottsCounty
15.Exeter
16.Chesterfield
17.Stevenage
18. Tranmere
19. Bury
20.Oldham
21.Walsall
22. Wycombe
23.Hartlepool
24. Yeovil
Tony’s predicted final League One table:
Dean Smith has helped give Walsall a chance of survival today
By Laurie Fitzgerald
As we go into the final weekend of the Football League, there is one main issue that needs to be resolved in League One.
Southampton are all but assured of joining Brighton in automatic promotion, while the four play-off sides have been decided.
Therefore, the big question that still needs answering is who will join Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle in relegation to League Two?
Bristol Rovers are all but guaranteed to join them as they would need a 16-goal swing to go in their favour.
So it seems that that it is the final relegation spot that three teams will be trying to avoid: Dagenham & Redbridge, Walsall and Notts County.
It’s the Daggers that currently occupy that dreaded 21st place, a point adrift of Walsall and two behind County, but with a better goal difference than both rivals.
Dag & Red face a difficult trip to London Road to take on the entertainers of the division in Peterborough.
However, Walsall face an even tougher trip to St.Mary’s as Nigel Adkins‘ Saints side still need a point to make mathematically sure of Championship football being secured next season.
Meanwhile, the Magpies are the only ones of the threatened trio to have a home match, although that doesn’t make the task easier as they face champions Brighton at Meadow Lane.
For all three, having the chance to stay in the division seemed almost impossible at the turn of the year.
The Saddlers sacked manager Chris Hutchings a few days into 2011 with the club bottom of the league, with Head of Youth Dean Smith taking the reins.
County had already sacked their manager Craig Short, with Paul Ince brought in to try and guide the side up the table.
While at Victoria Road, having performed miracles in guiding the Daggers to the third tier of English football, boss John Still had to produce another one in keeping them there as they found themselves rooted in the bottom four.
All three managers had differing fortunes; despite a seven-match unbeaten run in the league, County slipped back into relegation danger, and Ince was given his marching orders.
The Daggers went on a six-match spell without defeat themselves in March, with crucial wins over Bristol Rovers, Colchester and Charlton.
The Saddlers seemed doomed until Smith picked up an emphatic first win in charge, beating Rovers 6-1 at the end of January.
Since then, they have suffered just five defeats from their last 19 matches, turning them from relegation fodder to being in control of their own fate on the final day.
It seems almost too tight to predict, and as these three sides have experienced roller-coaster campaigns already, having more twists and turns in their final 90 minutes is almost inevitable.
So what do you think? Who will survive on the final day? Will Walsall pull off a great escape? Will the Daggers stay up in their first season at this level? Can County do enough to secure safety? Let us know your thoughts.
By Tony Alvarez
A look at the league 1 table will show Dagenham and Redbridge sitting one place outside the relegation zone with games in hand on every one of the sides below them, but things were oh so different as little as 2 months ago.
At the end of January the Daggers were bottom of the league; they had 21 points from 24 games and were 2 points adrift from the nearest side and 9 points off a position of safety.
Sections of the media and even some of their own fans were writing them off and preparing for life in back in League 2 but since the start of February their form has been impressive and would have been befitting of a play off chasing side.
The Daggers club have picked up 19 points in 11 games, had this form been season long after 44 games the club would have 76 points with 2 games of the season to go, which would comfortably put the side in the play off places and battling for automatic promotion.
Despite the club currently being outside the relegation zone and the form of late being outstanding no one at the club is counting their chickens and aware that if their form takes another turn for the worse they could find themselves back in league 2, what’s more is although they will not fear anyone a the moment the fixture list sees them with some tricky ties.
Tomorrow sees them hosting under achievers Sheffield Wednesday and then a visit of league leaders Brighton, then a long trip to Exeter is followed by hosting the free scoring Peterborough and then on paper their easiest fixture in this period 17th placed Notts County.
This isn’t a sign of things getting any easier following their match against County they visit league leaders Brighton the second time they will play them in the space of 2 weeks.
They go on to have some more tricky fixtures and only find themselves up against a side below them in Plymouth, in light of these tricky fixtures and what the club will she as the clichéd “cup finals” Dagenham boss has reinforced his squad with the signing of West Ham youngster Oliver Lee.
Despite being a midfielder the Daggers faithful will hope that he may be able to bring some goals to the side should he get a chance as they have had problems infront of goal this season, this is highlighted by the fact that top scorer is midfielder Danny Green with only 8 goals, Jon Nurse is the clubs most prolific striker with just 7 goals, Marvin Morgan was brought in on loan from Aldershot in January to try and amend this problem but has failed to hit the target despite taking part either as a starter or a sub in 12 games.
I personally think Dagenham will stay up they seem to have a pluckiness and a refusal to be beaten that just doesn’t exist in the clubs around them, however if they have some poor results in their tough looking upcoming fixtures it could affect their confidence and damage their spirit, due to this I can see it going right down to the last few games.
What are your thoughts? Will the Daggers survive? What has their recent upturn in form been down to? Will the lack of goals damage their quest for safety? Will the loan signing of Oliver Lee make a difference? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts
