Brighton
Manager: Micky Adams (May 2008).
Last Season: 7th
In: Colin Hawkins (Coventry, F), Kevin McLeod (Colchester, F), Adam Virgo (Celtic, F), David Livermore (Hull, F),
Out: Sam Rents (Crawley, F), Guy Butters (Havant, F), Kerry Mayo, Garry Hart, Shane McFaul, David Martot, Paul Reid, Sonny Cobbs, Lloyd Skinner and Chris Winterton (Released).
Strengths: Nicky Forster and Glenn Murray. Evergreen forward Forster plundered 15 goals in League I last season while Murray averages nearly a goal every two games since joining the club in January.
Weaknesses: The Seagulls only scored 21 goals on their travels during the 2007/08 campaign.
Prediction: Expect Brighton to challenge at the top end of the table. Odds: 20/1
BRISTOL ROVERS
Manager: Paul Trollope (Sept 2005).
Last Season: 16th.
In: Jeff Hughes (Crystal Palace, Undisclosed), Darryl Duffy (Swansea, £100,000).
Out: Richard Walker (Shrewsbury, Season-Long Loan), Lewis Haldane (Oxford, Season-Long Loan), Chris Carruthers (Oxford, F), Sammy Igoe (Released).
Strengths: New signing Duffy should provide a healthy supply of goals.
Weaknesses: Won just five home games in the 2007/08 campaign.
Prediction: Mid-table. Odds: 33/1.
CARLISLE UNITED
Manager: John Ward (Oct 2007).
Last Season: 4th
In: Josh Gowling (Bournemouth, F), Ben Williams (Crewe, F), Michael Bridges (Hull, Season-Long Loan)
Out: Kieren Westwood (Coventry, £400,000), Paul Arnison (Bradford, F), Steve Hindmarch (Shrewsbury, F), Joe Garner (Nottingham Forest, £1.14m), Zigor Aranalde, Grant Carson, Adam Bradley and Neale McDermott (Released).
Strengths: Brunton Park. Carlisle boasted the best home record in the division (17 wins) last time around.
Weaknesses: Losing inspirational duo Westwood and Garner.
Prediction: Will struggle to overcome mental scars inflicted by Leeds in the play-offs in May. Top ten. Odds: 16/1.
CHELTENHAM TOWN
Manager: Keith Downing (Oct 2007).
Last Season: 19th.
In: Alex Russell (Bristol City, F).
Out: Steven Gillespie (Colchester, £400,000), Adam Connolly, Sam Foley, Michael Wylde and Craid Read (Released).
Strengths: Experienced League I campaigners in former Town ace Craig Armstrong, John Finnigan and new signing Russell.
Weaknesses: Small squad, fragile defence and goal-shy attack.
Prediction: Relegation Odds: 80/1.
COLCHESTER UNITED
Manager: Geraint Williams (July 2006).
Last Season: 24th in Championship.
In: Matt Heath (Leeds, F), Matt Lockwood (Nottingham Forest, Undisclosed), Paul Reid (Barnsley, F), Steven Gillespie (Cheltenham, £400,000), David Perkins (Rochdale, Undisclosed).
Out: Kevin McLeod (Brighton, F), Danny Granville (Leyton Orient, F), Karl Duguid (Plymouth, Undisclosed), Jamie Guy (Oxford, Season-Long Loan), Kevin Lisbie (Ipswich, Undisclosed), Kevin Watson, Luke Guttridge, Tom De Vaux and Tom Webb (Released), Teddy Sheringham and Aidan Davison (Retired).
Strengths: Hot-property goalkeeper Dean Gerken, midfield enforcer Perkins and livewire forward Clive Platt.
Weaknesses: Used to losing having recorded only seven wins from 46 games in the Championship.
Prediction: Have all the ingredients to be major contenders for the League I crown. Odds: 20/1
CREWE ALEXANDRA
Manager: Steve Holland (May 2007).
Last Season: 20th.
In: Adam Legzdins (Birmingham, F), Joel Grant (Aldershot, £130,000), Steve Collis (Southend, F), Calvin Zola (Tranmere, £200,000), Jake Livermore (Tottenham, Six-Month Loan), Anthony Elding (Leeds, Undisclosed).
Out: Nicky Maynard (Bristol C, £2.25m), Ben Williams (Carlisle, F), Ryan Lowe (Chester, F), Owain Fon Williams (Stockport, Tribunal).
Strengths: An unerring ability to develop youngsters into top-class footballers.
Weaknesses: Rely too heavily on dynamic striker Nicky Maynard, and he’s now left the club.
Prediction: Another tough year ahead. Odds: 66/1
HARTLEPOOL UNITED
Manager: Danny Wilson (June 2006).
Last Season: 15th.
In: Alan Power (Nottingham Forest, F), Ritchie Jones (Manchester United, F), Mark Cook (Newcastle, F).
Out: Scott Allison, Robbie Elliott, Ali Gibb, Tom Haigh, Michael Rae and Stephen Turnbull (Released).
Strengths: James Brown and Andy Monkhouse offer plenty of creativity and endeavour on the flanks while Jones’ arrival bolsters options in the middle of the park.
Weaknesses: Lost 22 league games last year.
Prediction: Destined to finish in bottom half. Odds: 33/1
HEREFORD UNITED
Manager: Graham Turner (Aug 1995).
Last Season: 3rd in League II.
In: Matty Done (Wrexham, Undisclosed), Garry Breen (Manchester City, Undisclosed), Nick Jordon (Portsmouth, F), Bradley Hudson-Odoi (Fulham, F), Toumani Diagouraga (Watford, F), Darren Randolph (Charlton, Season-Long Loan), Robbie Threlfall (Liverpool, Six-Month Loan), Craig Samson (Dundee, F).
Out: Michael Ingham (York, F), John McCombe (Port Vale, F), Wayne Brown (Bury, Undisclosed), Trevor Benjamin, Ryan Esson, Jordon Fitzpatrick and Marcus Palmer (Released).
Strengths: Have the nucleus of a decent squad, with Karl Broadhurst and Breen set to flourish.
Weaknesses: Big turnover of players at Edgar Street may mean a slow start for Turner’s men.
Prediction: Top 10 material. Odds: 40/1
TOWN
Manager: Stan Ternent (May 2008).
Last Season: 10th.
In: Keigan Parker and Mike Flynn (Blackpool, F), Jim Goodwin and Andy Butler (Scunthorpe, F), Chris Lucketti (Sheffield United, F), Gary Roberts (Ipswich, £250,000).
Out: Rob Page (Chesterfield, F), Danny Schofield (Yeovil, F), Chris Brandon (Bradford, F), Frank Sinclair (Lincoln, F), Matt Young (Harrogate T, F), Lucas Akins (Hamilton, F), Danny Racchi (Bury F), Aaron Hardy, Luke Malcher and Mitchell Bailey (Released).
Strengths: Will be supported by more than 16,000 fans at the Galpharm in the club’s centenary season.
Weaknesses: Scoring goals. No player cracked double figures in the league last term.
Prediction: Play-off push. Odds: 16/1
LEEDS UNITED
Manager: Gary McAllister (Jan 2008).
Last Season: 5th.
In: Andy Robinson (Swansea, F), Alan Sheehan (Leicester, Undisclosed), Enoch Showunmi (Bristol City, F), Robert Snodgrass (Livingston, Undisclosed).
Out: Matt Heath (Colchester, F), Leon Constantine (Northampton, F), Tom Ameobi (Doncaster, F), Anthony Elding (Crewe, Undisclosed), Darren Kenton (Released), Alan Thompson (Retired).
Strengths: In Jonathan Howson and Jermaine Beckford, Leeds have two of the best players outside the Championship.
Weaknesses: Although Robinson has been added to United’s playing roster, McAlister’s team still look short of width and guile in midfield.
Prediction: Automatic promotion beckons. Odds: 3/1 favs
LEICESTER CITY
Manager: Nigel Pearson (June 2008).
Last Season: 22nd in Championship.
In: Harry Worley (Chelsea, F), Michael Morrison (Cambridge, Undisclosed), Lloyd Dyer (MK Dons, F), Nicky Adams (Bury, Undisclosed), Aleksander Tunchev (CSKA Moscow, Undisclosed), Kerrea Gilbert (Arsenal, Season-Long Loan), Jack Hobbs (Liverpool, Season-Long Loan).
Out: Gareth McAuley (Ipswich, Undisclosed), Richard Stearman (Wolves, Undisclosed), Iain Hume (Barnsley, £1.2m), Alan Sheehan (Leeds, Undisclosed), Louis Dodds (Port Vale, Undisclosed).
Strengths: Every department.
Weaknesses: Milan Mandaric. The chairman has appointed six managers in 15 months so there will be no honeymoon period for Pearson to get settled into the job, as instant success will be required.
Prediction: A swift return to the Championship could be on the cards. Odds: 5/1
LEYTON ORIENT
Manager: Martin Ling (Sep 2003).
Last Season: 14th.
In: Danny Granville (Colchester, F), Ryan Jarvis and Andrew Cave-Brown (Norwich, F), Jamie Jones (Everton, F), Simon Dawkins (Tottenham, Six-Month Loan).
Out: Clayton Fortune (Darlington, F), Jabo Ibehre (Walsall, F), Wayne Cordon, Sam Oji, Efe Echanomi and Raphael Sylvester (Released).
Strengths: Two under-rated attackers in Adam Boyd and Wayne Gray.
Weaknesses: Need more contributions from the midfield and defensive areas to finish higher in the table.
Prediction: Bottom half placing. Odds: 40/1
MILLWALL
Manager: Kenny Jackett (Nov 2007).
Last Season: 17th.
In: Ashley Grimes (Manchester City, F), David Forde (Cardiff, F), Nadjim Abdou (Plymouth, F), Tony Craig (Crystal Palace, Undisclosed).
Out: Tom Brighton (St Mirren, F), Gavin Grant (Wycombe, F), Chris Zebroski (Wycombe, £20,000), Bas Savage (Tranmere, F).
Strengths: Jackett has seasoned professionals at his disposal in Dave Brammer and Neil Harris.
Weaknesses: Only bottom club Luton scored fewer goals away from home than the Lions last term.
Prediction: Consolidation. Odds: 33/1
MILTON KEYNES DONS
Manager: Roberto Di Matteo (July 2008).
Last Season: Champions of League II.
In: Peter Leven (Chesterfield, F), Florian Sturm (FC Vaduz, F).
Out: Gareth Edds (Tranmere, F), Lloyd Dyer (Leicester, F), Mustapha Carayol (Torquay, Undisclosed), Colin Cameron (Dundee, F), Matt Carbon, Sam Collins, Kieran Murphy and Drewe Broughton (Released).
Strengths: Danny Swailes and Sean O’Hanlon were revelations at the back in the Dons historic title triumph, as they marshalled a backline that conceded a paltry 37 goals.
Weaknesses: Star midfielder Keith Andrew’s future remains uncertain while doubts linger over Di Matteo’s managerial credentials.
Prediction: Have the financial backing to be there or thereabouts. Odds: 11/1
NORTHAMPTON
Manager: Stuart Gray (Jan 2007).
Last Season: 9th.
In: Liam Davis (Coventry, F), Abdul Osman (Gretna, F), Leon Constantine (Leeds, F).
Out: Mark Haines (Grays, F), Joe Burnell (Oxford, F), Poul Hubertz (Released).
Strengths: A lethal strikeforce in Adebayo Akinfenwa and Constantine.
Weaknesses: A young and inexperienced squad.
Prediction: Will do well to emulate last season’s performance. Odds: 33/1
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Manager: John Sheridan (June 2006).
Last Season: 8th.
In: Kieran Lee (Manchester United, F), Greg Fleming (Gretna, F), Chris O’Grady (Rotherham, Undisclosed), Dale Stephens (Bury, Tribunal), Danny Whitaker (Port Vale, F), David Williams (Manchester United, F), Kevin Maher (Southend, F).
Out: Gary McDonald (Aberdeen, F), Michael Ricketts (Walsall, F), Ashley Kelly and Michael Pearson (Released).
Strengths: Have competition for places after Sheridan’s summer shopping.
Weaknesses: Losing influential midfielder McDonald to Aberdeen is a major blow to Oldham’s midfield balance.
Prediction: Contenders for promotion. Odds: 25/1
PETERBOROUGH UTD
Manager: Darren Ferguson (Jan 2007).
Last Season: Runners-up in League II.
In: Scott Rendell (Cambridge, Undisclosed), Russell Martin (Wycombe, Tribunal), Mark Jones (Wrexham, F), Sergio Torres (Wycombe, £150,000).
Out: Adam Newton (Brentford, F), Rene Howe (Morecambe, Season Long Loan).
Strengths: England call-up Joe Lewis and goal-machine Aaron McLean.
Weaknesses: Expectations have risen at London Road and Ferguson is under pressure to steer the club into the Championship at the first attempt.
Prediction: Dark horses for automatic promotion. Odds: 9/1
SCUNTHORPE UTD
Manager: Nigel Adkins (Nov 2006).
Last Season: 23rd in Championship.
In: Garry Thompson (Morecambe, F), Kenny Milne (Falkirk, Undisclosed), Gary Hooper (Southend, £125,000), Michael Lea (Manchester United, F).
Out: Jim Goodwin and Andy Butler (Huddersfield, F), Martin Paterson (Burnley, £1m), Daniel McBreen (York, F).
Strengths: Paul Hayes, Kevan Hurst and summer buy Hooper will inject plenty of pace and trickery into Scunthorpe’s forward forays.
Weaknesses: It’s difficult to see who will hit 20 goals now that Paterson has gone.
Prediction: Might fall short of play-offs. Odds: 25/1
SOUTHEND UTD
Manager: Steve Tilson (Nov 2003).
Last Season: 6th.
In: Steve Mildenhall (Yeovil, F), Osei Sankofa (Charlton, F), Paul Furlong (Luton, F), Ian Joyce (Watford, F).
Out: Zoltan Liptak (Ujpest FC, £60,000), Mark Gower (Swansea, F), Steve Collis (Crewe, F), Darryl Flahavan (Crystal Palace, F), Charlie McDonald (Brentford, Undisclosed), Gary Hooper (Scunthorpe, £125,000), Kevin Maher (Oldham, F).
Strengths: Only Leeds and champions Swansea bagged more wins on their travels than Southend (10) last season.
Weaknesses: Tilson’s team leaked 35 goals away from Roots Hall last year, comfortably the worst record in the top eight.
Prediction: Vying for top-six finish. Odds: 20/1
STOCKPORT COUNTY
Manager: Jim Gannon (Jan 2006).
Last Season: League II Play-off Winners.
In: Johnny Mullins (Mansfield, Undisclosed), Owain Fon Williams (Crewe, Tribunal), Peter Thompson (Linfield, £100,000), Carl Baker (Morecambe, £175,000).
Out: Ashley Williams (Swansea, Undisclosed), David Poole, Adam Griffin and Adam Proudlock (Darlington, F), Liam Dickinson (Derby, £750,000), Chris Adamson, Dan Ellis, Chris Coward, Craig Flowers and Amari Morgan-Smith (Released).
Strengths: Burgeoning talents Anthony Pilkington and Tommy Rowe will blossom in League I.
Weaknesses: Selling Dickinson is a blow and his replacement, Thompson, has no track record in English football.
Prediction: Outside bet to make play-offs. Odds: 50/1
SWINDON TOWN
Manager: Maurice Malpas (Jan 2008).
Last Season: 13th.
In: Kevin Amankwaah (Swansea, F).
Out: Chris Blackburn (Aldershot, F), Sofiane Zaaboub (Walsall, F), Michael Comminges (Cardiff, Undisclosed).
Strengths: Former Reading starlet Simon Cox will continue to be a valuable source of goals.
Weaknesses: Attracting players to the City Ground.
Prediction: Face a battle against the drop. Odds: 33/1
TRANMERE ROVERS
Manager: Ronnie Moore (June 2006).
Last Season: 11th.
In: Gareth Edds (MK Dons, F), Edrissa Sonko (Walsall, F), Bas Savage (Millwall, F), George O’Callaghan (Cork City, F), Luke Waterfall (Barnsley, F), Godwin Antwi (Liverpool, Six-Month Loan).
Out: Steve Davies (Derby, Tribunal), Robbie Stockdale (Grimsby, F), Calvin Zola (Crewe, £200,000), Shane Cansdell-Sheriff (Shrewsbury, F), Paul McLaren (Bradford, F), John Mullin, Michael Jones and Michael Johnston (Released).
Strengths: Chris Shuker and Chris Greenacre.
Weaknesses: Moore needs to remedy Rovers’ travel sickness. His side only won five games on the road last season.
Prediction: Will fall fractionally short of play-offs. Odds: 22/1
WALSALL
Manager: Jimmy Mullen (April 2008).
Last Season: 12th.
In: Stephen Roberts (Doncaster, F), Jabo Ibehre (Leyton Orient, F), Dwayne Mattis (Barnsley, F), Sofiane Zaaboub (Swindon, F), Michael Ricketts (Oldham, F).
Out: Edrissa Sonko (Tranmere, F), Darren Wrack (Kettering, F), Ian Roper, Tommy Mooney, Michael Dobson, Bertrand Bossu, David McDermott, Alassane N’Dour and Stefan Moore (Released).
Strengths: Excellent shot-stopper in Clayton Ince and ex- Town player Mattis will bring some much-needed industry to the midfield.
Weaknesses: Where will the goals come from? Mooney was the only player to break double figures last term.
Prediction: Could be sucked into the relegation quicksand. Odds: 40/1
YEOVIL TOWN
Manager: Russell Slade (June 2006).
Last Season: 18th.
In: Danny Schofield (Huddersfield, F), Kieran Murtagh (Fisher, F), Darren Way (Swansea, £50,000).
Out: Ishmael Welsh (Grays, F), Mark Lynch (Rotherham, F), Steve Mildenhall (Southend, F), Anthony Barry (Chester, F), Marvin Williams (Brentford, Undisclosed), Marcus Stewart (Exeter, F).
Strengths: Terry Skiverton’s leadership qualities at the back should not be under-estimated along with Lloyd Owusu’s physical presence up front.
Weaknesses: Long-serving Town stalwart Schofield and Paul Warne will need to chip in with goals for club to stay up.
Prediction: Could go down. Odds: 50/1
