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Our League Two Predictions 22/23 - Part One
Tuesday, 26th Jul 2022 21:02 by Chaff/AtThePeake

We might not be as reputable as NotTheTop20, or Gabriel Sutton but myself and AtThePeake thought we’d have a go at doing our League Two predictions. No countdown or "coming soon", the first part is now online.

*Disclaimer* - This is nothing more than two Dale fans’ opinions based on probably not a great deal. Anyone kicking off with these will be ignored, and probably laughed at.

AFC WIMBLEDON

Chaff — 13th

I think it’s always difficult to predict the teams that are coming down but looking at Wimbledon’s recruitment, I don’t see them pulling up any massive trees and looking likely to go straight back up. The have lost their top goalscorer from last season in Jack Rudoni to Huddersfield and replaced him with Kyle Hudlin on loan from Huddersfield who is certainly a huge presence at 6’9 but only scored 4 goals from 23 games last season at Solihill in the National League and he only started 5 of those 23. They have brought in vastly experienced defenders Alex Pearce and Chris Gunter.

AtThePeake — 14th

While Wimbledon have toiled in the lower reaches of League One for some time, their fans will be hoping for some respite in League Two, particularly after going so long without a win last term before relegation was confirmed. They have once again lost key players like Jack Rudoni and Ben Heneghan, but I like the hire of Johnnie Jackson, the experienced Alex Pearce and Chris Gunter will improve the backline and the two loan signings they've made in Kyle Hudlin and Paris Maghoma are certainly eye-catching ones too. They'll do enough to steer clear of the relegation battle.

BARROW

Chaff — 20th

I predict another tough season for Barrow. I do think they’ve made a good managerial appointment in Pete Wild, previously linked with the Rochdale job and he’s brought in a couple of players from Wild’s former club Halifax in their top scorer Billy Waters and Tyrell Warren among others and they’ve brought in Sam McClelland on loan from Chelsea as a replacement for Matty Platt who left to join Bradford this summer. Not sure the squad is strong enough for anything more than a relegation battle.

AtThePeake — 20th

Although I think Pete Wild is a terrific hire for Barrow, I'm not sure they have the quality to really pull away from the lower reaches of the table this season. Wild's former Halifax charges England Tyrell Warren and Billy Waters have been tasked with taking the step up, but the latter will need to hit the ground running as it seems the Bluebirds are lacking in goals. Wild's management will do enough to keep them up, but he may need more time to build a strong enough squad to push higher up the table.

BRADFORD CITY

Chaff — 1st (Champions)

A bold prediction for a club that are always backed to do much better than they actually do. A bit like Salford! That said, they now have Mark Hughes in charge and their recruitment have been vast and a lot of it was done very quick in the window too. Vadaine Oliver is an impressive signing at this level, and I expect him to be a huge threat for them. Richie Smallwood was an eye-opening signing as well along with Matty Platt, Romoney Crichlow on loan from Huddersfield, Harry Chapman from Blackburn and the exciting Jake Young from Forest Green. I just think they have what it takes to go all the way this season.

AtThePeake — 7th

Bradford are always priced too low by the bookmakers due to the sheer size of their fanbase, but they flattered to deceive last year under Derek Adams who knows this league very well - so how are they expected to fare better under Mark Hughes, who frankly doesn't? Their transfer business has been impressive, and they appear to have added a solid blend of youth and experience - but it seems impressive every summer and they always seem to flatter to deceive. I'm not falling into the trap again.

CARLISLE UNITED

Chaff — 21st

I know Paul Simpson did well for a spell last season and kept Carlisle up when they looked in deep trouble, but I just don’t think he’s a good manager at all. They’ve brought in Ryan Edmondson from Leeds who is decent at this level but other than that, I’m not sure they’re strong enough for anything other than another relegation battle.

AtThePeake — 19th

I fear that Carlisle's resurgence under Paul Simpson at the end of last season was a case of right man at the right time and that the former Dale boss may not be a great long-term option for a second spell at Brunton Park. Their squad looks very low on numbers at the moment and while none of the players that have left will be a particular miss (aside perhaps from Joe Riley who has joined Walsall), it's not as if the new arrivals or players that remain fill you with confidence that the Cumbrians can kick on this term.

COLCHESTER UNITED

Chaff — 22nd

I see a real struggle for Colchester this season, their squad doesn’t look strong at all to me and that includes Alex Newby who we all know has talent but possibly isn’t the right sort of player for a relegation scrap. That might be being unfair but I see them struggling.

AtThePeake — 23rd

Colchester will have to rely heavily on their core of experienced former Ipswich players again this season, but if the likes of Luke Chambers and Cole Skuse find their legs can't carry them through anymore, they'll be in trouble. They've lost star man Brendan Wiredu to Fleetwood and furthermore, there are question marks over Wayne Brown's suitability for the top job at this level, even if he did lead them away from relegation last term. I expect them to really struggle.

CRAWLEY TOWN

Chaff — 12th

This is probably the most difficult one to predict, I think. They’ve gone all crypto with new owners so God only knows how that will turn out, but the recruitment looks impressive on paper with League Two top goalscorer last season Dom Telford inexplicably coming in from Newport for a start. A lot of pressure on his shoulders but at the other end of the pitch, they’ve brought in Dion Conroy from Swindon who I really like too. James Balagizi is a youngster on loan from Liverpool who they will be looking at to be their creative spark. I can’t predict this one, so I’ve gone bang down the middle.

AtThePeake — 11th

Crawley are possibly the hardest team to call for this season. While I am pretty certain their crypto-bro owners will eventually send them on a path to destruction, I suspect it might not happen as early as year one. Kevin Betsy looks like a progressive managerial hire while Dion Conroy, Brandon Mason and particularly Dom Telford are terrific additions - but you worry about those calling the shots at the very top if the Red Devils start to look like they aren't going to reach the high expectations that will surely be placed on them from the get-go.

Photo: Action Images



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