After 9 games

Going here again?
By Nathan Jackson
September 29 2003

It's a bit delayed but here it is, the review to the start of the season and where I see everyone finishing this season. Predictions include the championship going to Wales and conference football finally going to Cumbria.

Boston got off to a good start not losing in their first 3 games, but that run soon came to an end and the run of defeats started again. They haven't made any major signings over the summer and are struggling like most people predicted. However, they are still too good for relegation but will only finish a few points and places above the relegation zone.

Bristol Rovers have had a suprise start to the season. After 3 years of struggling in Divisions 2 and 3, they finally appear to have assembled a squad that has a chance of a playoff place. However, I reckon the added pressure from the fans after so long of struggling will see them achieve a respectable, lower-top half of the table posistion.

Bury, as predicted, are struggling after the playoffs. They have won only 3 games, against Kidderminster, City and Huddersfield. After letting their main striker go in the summer, they are widely expected to struggle this season although they will avoid relegation. Will most likely gain a lower-mid table place.

Cambridge are a team that are starting the season much like the last, they currently lay just outside the playoff places and have an effective mix of hoofing and passing it around. However, this season will seem like deja vu when they go on a bad run around Christmas, which will effectivly end a realistcic hope of a playoff place.

Carlisle finally seem to be doomed for relegation, they have had improved results over the past few weeks under Paul Simpson but a team of conference quality players will more than likely be there next season.

Cheltenham are making a slow start to the season. Tipped for the playoffs after being very successful in the 3 years they were in Division 3 before getting promoted. However, they have an extremly leaky defence. In the 9 games so far, they have conceeded 3, three times and 4 goals, once. That sort of defence will more than likely not be able to sustain a reasonable attempt at a playoff place and mid-table seems inevitable.

Darlington have got off to an inconsistant start. They have had good form in their new stadium but form away from home has been atrocious. In fact, only 2 points from 5 away games. Like many other teams with a new stadium, a good home record will be more than likely but their away form will keep them down in the midtable.

Doncaster have got off to a respectable start in their first year back. However, recent results have put a tarnish on their 4 game unbeaten run at the start of the season. A high midtable posistion is not beyond them but that's as high as I can see them going.

Huddersfield are turning out to be the flops of the division this season. Many tipped them to be dominating the league by now but only 10 points from the opening 9 games seem them getting dangerously close to the relegation zone. A low mid table finish for the Town, but should relegation occur, they will almost certainly become extinct due to the significant decrease in the attendances.

Hull finally seem to be pushing for promotion. They have hit consistancy which has been a major stumbling block in the past. This time last season, they lay 23rd, in the relegation zone with only 2 wins from their opening 9 games, this season (so far), they lay 2nd after only one defeat. A struggle around Christmas time will probably happen but they should rectify this and gain automatic promoted to Division 2.

Kidderminster are struggling, after winning their first 2 games, everyone thought they might be good enough for automatic promotion but a run of 7 games without might just be good enough, for relegation. However, goals from the caravan man will be enough to see them stay up, barely.

Leyton Orient have started incredibly poorly. Infact, they have only won one of their opening 9 games, having drawn 4 however, it sees them lay 1 place above the relegation zone but with form like that, how long will it be before they are in the relegation zone and fighting for their lives?

Lincoln had a very slow start, moving into the relegation zone in Division 3 since the first time since relegation from Divison 2. However, results have suddenly improved and the best defence in the division is again proving it having only let in 5 goals in 9 goals. The only two teams that come close to that are Oxford and Doncaster who have both conceded 6 goals so far. If City maintain the form they have suddenly embarked on, a playoff place will be a realistic target, or possibly higher.

Surprise surprise, Macclesfield are struggling, infact, they have also only won 1 game so far, thrashing new boys Yeovil, 4-1 at home. They have only lost 4 games however but will similar form of 1 win, 5 draws and 4 wins over 9 games throughout the season, will probably just see them survive, barely.

Mansfield have made the start people expected of them and currently sit in the playoffs but are letting in silly goals at silly times. Their discipline has also been very very poor which will see them lose vital players at vital times. A finish just outside the playoffs is probably the best they can hope for.

Northampton have made a good start to division 3 life although their form has been a bit dodgy. They have won and lost 4. 3 of the 4 games they have won have been against very poor teams, Darlington, Carlisle and Doncaster. As they face bigger and better teams, a significant slide down the table will be likely resulting in a very low midtable finish.

Oxford have made a very impressive start to the season although a very boring one, the only team I’ve ever seen that quite literally puts 10 men behind the ball once they go ahead. They are drawing too many games to win the title but should still maintain a good enough challenge for the playoffs at least.

Rochdale have ex-Imps manager, Alan Buckley as manager and he has made a similar start to the one he did at Lincoln, City stayed mid-table for the majority of the season whilst he was incharge but collapsed at the end, finish near bottom. I see a similar fate for Rochdale although they will be perfectly safe from relegation as the teams at the bottom are too poor for a team of Rochdale’s quality to catch them.

Same old Scunthorpe, are aiming for a playoff place as usual but can’t see them getting it.

Southend, as usual, are the non-draw specialist, in fact, if you add together the draws of this season and last, you get to a massive 4. They also have poor penalty takers which will get rid of the vital goals and a long season is ahead for the Southenders.

Swansea are the team to beat at the minute. They are very hard to beat when they’re away and seemingly impossible to beat at home, winning every single home game by far scoring at least 2 goals in each home game. If they maintain this form then the championship will be heading for Wales.

Torquay are having a déjà vu season and will most likely do what they did last season and collapse near the end.

Yeovil have made an excellent start to the season and currently lay in 3rd place where I can personally see them staying all season long due to a good mix of a potent attack and a good defence.

York are collapsing after an impressive start and will more than likely fall into midtable mediocrity.