Last season saw some big clubs promoted from League One as Brighton, Southampton and Peterborough all secured promotion from England's third tier. The League One campaign was also successful for surprise packages Leyton Orient, Exeter and Bournemouth who all exceeded pre-season expectations by finishing in the top half. So what can we expect this time around?
There is no doubt that this season's League One will include some of the biggest names in English football, the most notable being both Sheffield sides, Wednesday and United who will play in England's third tier together for the first time. Other sides such as Huddersfield, Charlton (below) and Tranmere all have previous Premier League history and will no doubt believe they should be playing a higher level.
For me the promotion favorites will be last season beaten Play-Off finalists Huddersfield Town. The Terriers have a superb manager in place in the shape of Lee Clarke (former Newcastle midfielder) and with the likes of Danny Cadermateri and Anthony Kay already in their squad and the signings of Liam Cooper from Hull and Oscar Gobern from Southampton, you would expect Clarke's men to be in the running again.
I would also expect to see both the Sheffield clubs fighting out at the top, the fact that Danny Wilson (former Wednesday manager) was appointed manager of Sheffield United after the end of last season just adds to an already intriguing battle at the heart of Yorkshire.
Every year each divisions seems to have a surprise package and this years I think will be Chesterfield. After gaining promotion from League Two last season, momentum will be strong and morale still high in the camp, they also have an excellent record still at their new home 'B2 Net stadium'.
The relegation race from League One will be tight and I think my predictions for the drop will cause a bit of a shock. The first club I see falling through the trapdoor is Scunthorpe United. After being relegated from the Championship last season I think boss Alan Knill will have a job to keep his side from suffering a double relegation in two seasons.
Other clubs I can see struggling this season include last seasons surprise package Leyton Orient as well as others such as Yeovil, Stevanage, Notts County and Rochdale.
Predictions for League One 2011/2012 season:
Champions: Huddersfield Town
Promoted: Charlton Athletic
Play-offs: Sheff Wed, Sheff Utd, Carlisle, Colchester
Relegated: Scunthorpe, Rochdale, Stevenage, Yeovil
What do you think? Do you agree? How would you feel if your club appointed a former boss of a fierce rival as Sheffield United have done?
As always let me know.
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