New Season Tips - Part 2

Article by Jon Vine

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This is the second part to my new season tips series of articles. This time I will look at a League One side looking to build on a promising second half of last season, a Championship striker who will be battling it out for the Golden Boot, and a League 2 side who look to be in serious danger of dropping out of the football league.

Bristol City to be Promoted from League One – 10/3 w. Boyle Sports, 5/2 w. Coral & Ladbrokes.

Following their relegation from the Championship in 2013, Bristol City would have been hoping to bounce straight back to England’s second tier at the first attempt. However, by the end of November they found themselves in the League One relegation zone, with only two wins from 18 games.

Changes had to be made. Steve Cotterill, who came in to replace Sean O’Driscoll, was quick to move in the transfer market, getting rid of some of the older players to make room for exciting youngsters and some good loan signings.

By the end of the campaign, City finished in 11th place, losing only seven of their final 29 games, five of which came against the top four teams in the division.

Cotterill has been busy in this transfer window too. Senior players who have been at the club for years, like Marvin Elliott and Liam Fontaine have moved on. Former Arsenal youngster Luke Freeman has been brought in from Stevenage to bolster The Robins attack, Korey Smith has come in from Oldham to add some metal to their central midfield, Luke Ayling and Mark Little have also been recruited to add competition to the full back positions.

It was crucial that last season’s top scorers, Sam Baldock and Jay Emmanuel Thomas, stayed at Ashton Gate for at least another season, which looks like it’s going to happen. They formed a formidable attacking partnership last season, scoring 30 league goals between them.

If they can carry on where they left off last season, and help the new player settle as quickly as possible, then I have no doubt they will be pushing for a top two finish come the end of the season.

Jordan Rhodes to be Top Scorer in The Championship – 8/1 w. Bet Victor.

After a prolific last few seasons with both Blackburn and Huddersfield, Rhodes has linked with a move to the Premier League during the last three or four transfer windows. Rovers were quick to end that speculation this summer and Rhodes has put pen to paper on a new contract, which will keep him at the club until 2019.

With the pressure of impressing possible suitors off his shoulders, Rovers have moved in the transfer window to take some of the goal scoring pressure off his shoulders too. Rudy Gestede, who Rhodes combined well with during his loan spell at the club last season, has been signed on a permanent contract. Luke Varney and Chris Brown have also been brought in by Gary Bowyer to provide some attacking cover.

But Rhodes will still be the main man up front for Rovers. Bowyer will be hoping that the creative talents of David Dunn, Ben Marshall and Tom Cairney can provide Rhodes with plenty of opportunities, as he will be relying on his goals to propel his side towards the promotion places.

Accrington Stanley to be Relegated from League 2 – 13/2 w. SkyBet.

James Beattie’s first season as a club manager didn’t begin too well at Accrington. For the majority of last season they were scraping around at the bottom of the table, struggling for points and confidence. However, some inspired loan signings came to Stanley’s aid, and Beattie’s side managed to drag themselves away from the relegation zone, eventually finishing seven points clear of Bristol Rovers and Torquay.

It was imperative that Accrington strengthened their squad early in this summer’s transfer window, to allow the new players to settle into the squad and enjoy a good pre-season together as a team. But with only weeks to go before the start of the new season, Beattie has only managed to recruit one new player, Adam Buxton, a 22 year old defender who made 11 appearances whilst on loan at the Crown Ground last season.

With both the newly promoted clubs looking strong and other teams, who finished around Stanley last season, strengthening in key positions, this season looks bleak for the Accrington faithful.

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