Capello scores an Owen-goal

So, Capello's squad for the qualifiers - interesting stuff to say the least. People seem shocked about the inclusion of Jimmy Bullard, and the omission of a certain Michael Owen. I have to agree on both parts, though the inclusion of Bullard is one that pleases me.

He's in form, enthusiastic, and he'll care a hell of a lot more than most about putting on an England shirt than the likes of Frank 'Where's my next £120,000 contract' Lampard. It's a shame it took so many 'Big Four' midfielders getting injured for him to get his call up, which has come a few years too soon in my opinion.

However, Owen should be in there with him, purely for being the best natural goalscorer we have at our disposal the moment. And where's Dean Ashton, a man in form and scoring goals for West Ham? The lack of fire-power in the squad is just scary, and might count against us in Zagreb. We shall see.

Let's just hope Lampard actually shows some urgency for a change, and Beckham makes way for Bentley.

Then again, I'm not the manager, am I?

Hope springs eternal..

I had a conversation with someone the other day, who said he was completely disillusioned with football, and its overpaid, pampered stars. The Olympics had put them to shame, he said. Football was losing its identity.

I had to agree.

So the last place I thought I'd see something to change my mind is the Champions League draw, a tournament that epitomises much that is wrong with the modern game.

CFR Cluj. Ever heard of them? I certainly hadnt, but given their placing in Group A, alongside the likes of European superheavyweights such as Chelsea, AS Roma, and Bordeaux, I decided to give them a look.

And what they have achieved is quite remarkable.

Untin 2005, Cluj generally found themselves around the 2nd and 3rd tiers of Romanian Football. But in 2005, things changed, with their first promotion to the top division since 1976. And that heralded big changes.

Their first European adventure followed, with entry into the much alligned Intertoto Cup. And what an adventure it was, with Cluj defeating the likes of Atletico Bilbao and St Etienne on their way to the final, only to bravely lose to Lens.

The following season, Cluj went for the domestic title. To do so, they brought in foreign players to play alongside their homegrown stars - a policy now common-place in England. But in Romania, it was relatively unheard of. A partnership with Benfica from Portugal also followed.

It paid dividends.

Cluj eventually won a domestic double, though it went right to wire, on the final day. Both Dinamo and Steaua Bucharest came close, but Cluj were the victors. And three days later, Cluj won the Romanian cup.

The Romanian top division had been dominated by both clubs from Bucharest for 17 years, making it all the remarkable for Cluj to come in and take the title.

The Champions League now awaits Cluj, and there was a time where no-one could have predicted that. Only six years ago, Cluj were in the third tier of English football.

And in terms of Uefa's European coefficent points from the last five seasons - Cluj have the lowest amount in the competition, compared to Chelsea, who have the highest. That promises to be a fascinating match.

Can you imagine any teams from the lower echlons of Championship, or beyond the 'Big Four', for that matter, doing anything similar to Cluj? Not without a sugar daddy behind them. And thats the saddest thing of all - money now dominates football, just look at the rise of Chelsea. QPR wont be far behind them, you feel, but only because of the money behind them.

You can't see Nottingham Forest, a club with great history and traditions, making any great strides. They just dont have the financial clout to compete.

But the rise of CFR Cluj does give some hope - even if it is outside of England.

Some magic Beijing Moments..

With the dust now settled, it's time to look back at what was a fantastic Olympic games, from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Starting on a positive note, and the two defining moments of the games in my eyes. Firstly, Usain Bolt, the man who proved that lightning can indeed strike twice by winning the 100m and 200m sprints with such relative ease, and breaking two world records in the process. Simply mesmerising stuff from the Jamaican, who now has the athletics world at his feet. And he did it with a smile, too.

And what about Michael Phelps? To peak once at the Olympic is hard enough, but to peak eight times is nothing short of amazing. A tremendous show of strength, determination and endurance from an incredible sportsman. Can anyone beat his haul of eight gold medals?

On a British note it was a games to remember, with a record medal haul of 47 medals, our best performance in 100 years.

Chris Hoy showed his mental and physical strength to win three gold medals in the cycling, a remarkable achievement and a just reward for his dedication throughout the years. Hoy was truly unstoppable, but credit must go to the whole British cycling team for their sheer dominance.

Rebecca Adlington suprised us all and became the new golden girl of British Athletics, with two unexpected gold medals in the swimming pool, something never to have been done before by a British swimmer. Her performance in the 800m was extrodinary, and she did it with such refreshing modesty, too. With Adlington and Jo Jackson at the forefront, British swimming is looking in good health.

And how about the inspirational Louis Smith? His switch to a riskier routine paid dividends in the gymnastics final, and the young gymnast can be proud of his bronze medal. Hopefully his success will be the inspiration for many, in a sport that needs funding and interest desperately.

Expectations will now be high for London 2012, and rightly so.

There were, of course, a few lows.

The Badminton pairing of Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson gave us joy and despair in a matter of days. After a gutsy display to beat the much-fancied Chinese pairing of Gao Ling and Zheng Bo, the British pairing ran out of steam in the quarter finals and eventually lost to the Korean pairing of Yongdae Lee and Hyojung Lee in an emotional contest that saw Emms retire after the match.

And after some scandalous judging, Aaron Cook was cruely denied a bronze medal in his 80kg repechage bout against China's Zhu Guo. Despite clearly landing a head-kick, Cook was denied the medal his performance deserved.

After carrying 1.3 billion people's hopes on his shoulders, Liu Xiang pulled out of the 110m hurldles in what was billed as the event of the games. Xiang tried his hardest to continue, but the pain was eventually too much. A country mourned, and Xiang himself was inconsolable. Heartbreaking stuff.

And though it seemed like a low point at the time, in hindsight the disqualification of Ukrainian heptathlete Liudmyla Blonska could be seen as a definate highlight, with the renowned drugs cheat not only having her silver medal taken away, but her athletics career as well. Justice has now been done.

All in all, the Olympics captivated us all, with its drama, suspense, and purity.

Footballers, take note, because *this* is what Sport is really about. It's not the £120,000 a week contracts, but doing it through pure hard work, through love of the sport.

Our overpaid and pampered England stars could learn a lot from our Olympic heroes, that's for sure.

Spare a thought for Chester City..

From the crazy stewardship of Terry Smith to the current turbulent ownership of Steven Vaughan, things are never dull at Chester City.

They've been through it all, from relegations to administrations, to mad Chairmen coming and going, and owners sons consistently getting games despite their lack of ability, to the fury of the fans.

And now its happening again - on and off the pitch!

It all started at Victoria Road on the opening day. I love the opening day personally, a day where even the most cynical of fans can be optimistic about their teams chances. No matter how bad things were last season, this represents a fresh start, a new dawn, a new era even.

Unfortunately, it didnt take long for any Chester fans early optimism to turn into despair, after suffering the indignity of losing to everyone's favourite tinpot outfit, Dagenham and Redbridge, by six goals to nil. Not the greatest of starts.

Still, they had the chance to make amends a few days later, facing the might of Leeds United, live on the telly in the Carling Cup. Could a cup upset be on the cards?

No. After yet more schoolboy defending that really had to be seen to be believed, Chester went down 5-2. But at least they won the second half.

There were reports of dressing room bust-ups in that game, and those reports were proven to be correct. Asssistant manager Huw Griffiths was given the boot for his part in the fracas, and suddenly, things werent looking good, less than a week into the new season.

Despite all of this, there was another fixture to be played. Needing to stop the rot, Chester went down again, 2-0 at home to Wycombe Wanderers. A more credible scoreline, yes, but still no points on the board for the Blues, and no goals.

It's no suprise seeing Chester in a spell of bad form, in fact it's pretty common place - it just usually occurs in the second half of the season, after a storming start that has fans dreaming of the playoffs. But at the moment, Chester find themselves sitting pretty at the bottom of the League, with no points, no goals, and 8 goals conceded. Could things get any worse?

Well yes, actually.

Enter Mark Wright.

The same Mark Wright who managed to get himself sacked from Chester for an alleged affair with a fellow player's wife. The same Mark Wright who was shown the door by Peterborough for alleged racial abuse. The same Mark Wright who shown current Chester striker Ryan Lowe the door for attitude problems in 2006.

A popular appointment all-round then.

Wright wants to invest apparantly, seeing potential in the club's training facilaties and development opportunities in the Deva Stadium. But surely he wont be too far away from team affairs, and that could only mean trouble for Chester City.

Of course, this might be all pie in the sky. Stephen Vaughan does have a reputation for talking nonsense, among other things.

But with Wright possibly on board for a third stint at the club, the in-form Rotherham United next up for Chester, and the current apathy being shown to the board, things are certainly looking bleak at the Deva Stadium.

Was it really that bad?

So there we have it. Another England performance, and another total overreaction from the National press. Standard really.

Same old England, they say. No progress, no hope.

Well, if last night wasn't progress (albiet slow and steady progress) - then what is?

Cast your minds back to *that* Croatia game in April. Remember how bad we were then? The game where we couldnt string two passes together, and we struggled to cope with any kind of movement and technical play? We had no clue then, and things were looking rather bleak under the reign of McClown.

However, in my opinion, last night was a step in the right direction.

We passed the ball pretty well, and there was some movement off the ball. Players werent going missing, they werent scared - they actually wanted the ball. We had some good efforts on goal as well, more than the Czechs - as the stats show.

But more importantly, the team had balance, and although we were undone a few times by a very good counter-attacking side, for the most part I felt we defended well.

And what about the spirit? The last minute equalizer undoubtedly shown the character in the camp at the moment, even if it did only salvage a draw.

Concerns? I have a few. Lampard offered nothing for me - just sideways passes in the centre-circle. When did he ever get forward like he does for Chelsea? And while Beckham's range of passing and crossing cannot be questioned, he just cant get beyond his full-back - Bentley managed it so much more in his brief cameo, and provided some decent crosses in the box as well. Joe Cole and Bentley to come in for Becks and Lampard, please.

And then there's the John Terry issue. When Terry got the captaincy, I didnt know whether to laugh or cry. The fact that Terry and his Chelsea mates basically forced the new 'Respect - Get On With The Game' campaign shows that he shouldn't be leading our country.

What next? Joey Barton supports World Peace?

But back onto the game.

What exactly gives us the god-given right to be beating the Czech Republic anyway? Because we're England? Nonsense. They're a good side in their own right, and probably a better side than us at the moment.

The sooner we start being more realistic with our chances and expectations, the better. We're not world beaters by any means, but we're going in the right direction.

Gulls just not good enough..

They say revenge is a dish best served cold.

Well, there was no revenge on the agenda for Torquay United last night, as they went down 2-0 at home to FA Trophy conquerours Ebbsfleet United on a cold, wet night at Plainmoor.

And it could have been worse.

Make no mistake, this was an inept a performance as Gulls fans have seen at Plainmoor in a long time. The Gulls were second best in every department.

Defensively a total shambles. Lightweight in midfield. And all too predictable in attack.

But the biggest concern of all was the lack of passion from the Gulls players.

United lined up with one enforced change from last week, with the injured Lee Hodges making way for Kevin Nicholson on the left side of defence. Elliot Benyon kept his place in attack after an impressive showing against Woking, and after a slight injury scare, Michael Poke started in goal.

It was a fairly quiet opening period, with both teams adjusting to the strong winds. The ball was certainly moving more quickly than it should, with Michael Poke's early goal kicks causing slight concern in the Ebbsfleet goal.

The first chance came to Ebbsfleet however. United failed to deal with a corner properly, but Luke Moore's early effort was deflected into the side netting.

Much like last week, the visitors were taking control of the match. Ebbsfleet were looking dangerous on the break, and more assured in possession.

And it wasnt long before they turned their dominance into goals, with a great individual effort from the impressive Moore on 26 minutes.

After dealing with a Gulls corner comfortably, Moore picked the ball up on the left-hand side and ran at the United defenders, who continued to back off the front-man. Moore then cut inside the United area, and drove a shot past Poke's near post to put Ebbsfleet 1-0 up.

Once again United needed to do it the hard way, and come from behind to salvage something from the game.

And minutes later they went some way towards doing so, with their first effort of the match.

Lee Mansell's free kick was only half-cleared by the Ebbsfleet defence, and Chris Todd seized upon a half chance, hitting a low shot on the turn that was tipped around the post by Ebbsfleet keeper Lance Cronin for a corner.

Unfortunately, that's as good as it got for the Gulls as the rain began to pour.

Fleet centre-back Jon McCarthy was booked for holding back Benyon as the half drew to a close, but otherwise, Ebbsfleet saw the half out comfortably.

Once again, a minority of Gulls fans had shown their disapproval at the half time whistle. Improvement was needed.

Record appearance holder Kevin Hill was introduced to the crowd at half-time, recieving an award for his 474 appearances for Torquay. How the Gulls could have done with Hill's passion and urgency now.

The second half kicked off with the wind now behind Ebbsfleet, as they looked to put the result beyond doubt.

First blood in the second half went to Torquay, as Benyon found space in a rare moment of panic in the otherwise strong Ebbsfleet defence, but his shot was saved comfortably by Cronin.

The ball was starting to bypass the midfield, as the Gulls looked towards a more direct approach - an approach the big Ebbsfleet defenders had little trouble in dealing with.

And wingers Danny Stevens and Wayne Carlisle were shown increasingly little of the ball.

After an hour or so, manager Paul Buckle made three changes at once. Stevens and Benyon made way for Mustafa Carayol and Matt Green, and in an enforced change, Chris Todd went off for Chris Robertson.

It seemed like an act of desperation, a last throw of the dice if you will.

Ebbsfleet responded in kind moments later, replacing Ricky Shakes with John Akinde, the chief tormentor of the Gulls at Wembley a matter of months ago.

And this change proved to be inspired, as Akinde made it 2-0 after some shambolic defending from the Gulls.

A long ball sent Chris Hargreaves, who had a torrid evening, running back towards goal, and Michael Poke running towards the ball. After much indecision, neither player dealt with the danger, and Akinde swooped in to slot the ball past the onrushing Poke to make it 2-0 on 78 minutes.

The goal just about summed up Torquay's evening.

And Ebbsfleet nearly produced a third goal, only for Stacy Long to shoot straight at Poke from close-range, after more good work from Akinde who was proving to be a handful.

Torquay were looking devoid of any confidence now, and never looked likely to make amends as the game drew to a close.

Ebbsfleet saw the match out comfortably, and were worthy winners. It was a great away performance, all credit to them.

For the Gulls, its back to the drawing board.

Kelly's best just isn't enough..

With the absense of World and Olympic heptathlon champion Carolina Kluft in this year's Olympics, many expected big things from our very own Kelly Sotherton in the Heptathlon.

And rightly so. After Bronze in Athens, Commonwealth gold already in her grasp and some much needed improvement in the Javelin event, Sotherton was feeling good about her chances. This could be her year, said the always outspoken Sotherton. She wasnt going for the experience, not to make up the numbers. She was going to Beijing to win.

Kluft herself had even said so, tipping Sotherton to win.

Unfortunately, those predictions proved to be wide of the mark, as despite beating her score from the World Championships last year, and coming only 30 points short of her best score ever, Sotherton eventually finished in a disappointing fifth.

Always a strong runner, Sotherton has always struggled on the more technical events of the Heptathlon. And that proved to be the case once again.

Despite obvious improvements in the Javelin, it proved to be her downfall once again, with a personal best throw of 37.66m only doing enough to keep her in fifth place.

And things continued in the same vein in the Shotput, with a 14th place finish setting the rot Kelly now found herself in.

And more suprisingly, Sotherton's long jump let her down as well, with a jump of 6.33m well below her personal best. A score that was especially disappointing in an event where Kelly is usually strong.

Things improved in the running events, with five personal bests to speak of in the 200m, 800m, and Hurdles. There were five personal bests overall. But it wasnt enough. The damage had already been done. And Sotherton knew it, cutting a forlorn figure on the track. Her chances of Olympic gold had evaporated - and she knew it.

With all this being said, for Sotherton to even be at the Olympics was an achievement in itself. Only 3 months previously Sotherton was suffering from kidney failure, and this was her first Heptathlon event since the World Championships last summer. These factors may have contributed to her downfall.

So what next for Sotherton? The World Championships begin next year, with Sotherton vowing to continue until then at the very least.

Consistency is needed across the board if Sotherton is to prosper there, however.

Tinpot-tastic!

After the most uninspiring pre-season ever, its Dagenham and Redbridge who find themselves sitting pretty at the top of League Two, leaving heavyweights like Darlington and Bradford trailing in their wake.

Now, I say uninspiring, because that's exactly what it was. The signings were limited to Mark Nwokeji from Staines Town, and defender Mark Arber from Stevenage.

Hardly ground-breaking signings to wet the fans appetite for the new season.

Yet here they are, top of the pile.

Now, dont get me wrong. I dont *mind* Dagenham, far from it in fact. They're a decent club, fairly well run, good manager, etc etc.

They're just a bit..well, tinpot. I struggle to take them seriously.

It's like seeing a Republican in an abortion clinic, or a Manchester United fan in Manchester.

Completely out of place. It just isnt right, somehow.

And that's the sheer beauty of seeing them at the top of League Two.

But surely some kind of dope test is in order at Victoria Road? Even at this early stage?

Sure, the 6-0 defeat of Chester isnt much to shout about, when you consider the turmoil Chester find themselves in even at this early stage (who according to reports, may have the Quinn Reaper himself to contend with soon - god help them!)

But comprehensively defeating promotion contenders Lincoln City 3-1 in their own backyard? That's impressive.

As are the early season stats. Nine goals, only one conceded. 6 points out of 6. A 100% record.

Ok, it's only 2 games in, and it probably wont last long...but so what? Dagenham's early form has certainly put a smile on my face. It's what the Lower Leagues are all about.

The promotion push starts NOW!

Bolt produces yet another magic moment..

Well that was a bit special, wasnt it?

Thumping his chest as he crossed the 100m line, Usain Bolt produced yet another truly special moment to light up this 2008 Olympic games.

In only his 9th 100m race, Bolt's start was pretty unspectacular. But this is to be expected, due to his gangly height, at 6'5 to be exact. But as soon as Bolt got motoring after the first 20m, he was uncatchable. No-one could even get near him. And he could have went even faster, had he not decided to showboat in the final stretch. A scary thought.

But take nothing away from Bolt. This was his moment.

It truly was remarkable stuff, in a race where winning margins are usually very slender, by the hundreths of seconds. But this young Jamaican has ripped up the form book, and marked a new era in sprinting.

Even Michael Johnson seems in awe of him, calling it the "greatest 100m performance of all time"

And who could argue with that?

United ride their luck..

They say the sign of a good, successful team is one who can play badly, yet still win.

More performances like tonight however, and Torquay United can kiss their promotion dreams goodbye.

Make no mistake, this was a hard-fought win - and a game United could so easily have lost.

Torquay rode their luck on numerous occassions, and Woking can count themselves desperately unlucky to not get anything from the game. Relegation candidates? Far from it.

United lined up unchanged from Saturday at Histon - a game which they dominated from start to finish only to throw it away in the dying minutes. And they started brightly, with a Tim Sills header floating just over the bar after good work from Lee Hodges on the left hand side. It proved to be his only contribution of the evening however, as he was taken off injured.

From then on however, it was all Woking.

The Cards began to dominate proceedings, with some swift passing and movement. Torquay just couldnt get near them. And they almost got their just rewards on the twenty minute mark, after a swift counter attack, only for Marum to hit the post after shooting across the goalmouth with Michael Poke stranded.

The scare seemed to wake the Gulls up somewhat, with the lively Elliot Benyon having a long range drive saved comfortably by Worner in the Woking goal. The Gulls were looking rushed in possession however. Simple mistakes were being made. The crowd was getting restless.

On the contrary, Woking were growing in confidence. And eventually, they got the goal their first-half performance deserved. And what a goal it was.

A needless foul by Chris Hargreaves gave Woking a free-kick in a dangerous area, and Guiseppe Sole took full advantage with a fantastic curling effort that left Poke grasping thin air.

It was a strike worthy of any game, at any level. You could only stand and admire it.

With the half-time whistle fast approaching, United searched in vain for an equalizer. Some good interplay from Lee Mansell and the busy Tyrone Thompson almost paid dividends, only for Mansell's cross to flash across goal and evade both Benyon and Sills.

Nicky Wroe also saw himself booked on the stroke of half time, in an act of frustration more than anything. And he wasnt the only one as the half time whistle blew. A smattering of boos could be heard around Plainmoor. They expected better.

The second half began in the same vain as the first, with Woking in the ascendancy and almost taking a two goal advantage. A cross left Marum unmarked, as his shot brushed against the side netting when it seemed easier to score. Another major let off for the Gulls.

And they were to be let off again, as a free header from Miles was acrobatically tipped over from Poke. Torquay were running out of lives - and fast.

On the ropes and looking vulnerable, changes had to be made to salvage something from the game. And sure enough, the ineffective Danny Stevens made way for Mustafa Carayol, making his home debut.

It proved to be an inspired change.

Minutes later United equalized on 60 minutes, through Elliot Benyon. Some good work from Thompson gave Benyon the chance to turn his man, before unleashing an unstoppable drive past Worner in the Woking goal from 20 yards out.

It was the least Benyon deserved, after some tireless running all evening. His hard work in pre-season is starting to pay dividends, and who would deny him a run in the side now?

With the goal, United began to look more dangerous. No longer nervy in possession, they now had options in possession, with Carayol and Wayne Carlisle providing decent outlets for the Gulls attack.

And it was Carayol's cross which nearly provided the lead, only for Sills to head just over once again.

Now the dominant force, United began to break forward in numbers, searching for that winning goal. And they should have had a penalty on the 80 minute mark, with Benyon clearly shoved to the ground after a great pass from Wroe, only for the referee to wave play on.

The United players were incredulous, and rightly so. But they didnt let their heads drop, and eventually, got their just reward.

It came from more good work from Benyon, who well deserved his man of the match award, as he released Wayne Carlisle on the right, who cut inside and finished emphatically into the roof of the net on 82 minutes.

It was joy for the Gulls, but they still had work to do. Only goal-line clearances from Hargreaves and Kevin Nicholson saved their blushes, as they clung on to their lead desperately.

There was still time for Sills to make the points safe, after being put clear by Carlisle, only for the striker to take too much time with the goal at his mercy, and eventually see the ball cleared for a corner.

United did hang on however, to the relief of the fans and players alike.

This was a tougher test than many anticipated, and United can certainly count themselves lucky to win the game.

After playing so well and only drawing against Histon, United rode their luck tonight, yet picked up the three points.

Football has a funny way of working like that.

Swimming takes centre stage..

The joy of the Olympic games is that certain sports can catch your eye - but not necessarily the ones you expect, however.

Take the swimming for example. It's been gripping stuff, with this morning in particular giving way to some sensational drama.

Firstly, Rebecca Adlington and Jo Jackson's remarkable performance for Great Britain in the 400m freestyle final, which gave them gold and bronze medals respectively. Both women raced superbly and got their tactics spot on, with both women timing their late surges on the final turn to perfection, in what was a thrilling final 50 metres.

The significance of this victory is huge for British swimming, with Adlington becoming the first British woman to claim gold in the pool since Anita Lonsbrough won the 200m breaststroke in 1960.

And what's more, she's only 19.

And Jackson's bronze has ensured that Britain have beaten their medal haul from Athens 2004, in just one race. Exciting times could lie ahead for British swimming.

Terrific stuff indeed from the pairing, but there was more to come, in what can only be described as a true classic race.

It was Michael Phelps' second stop on his quest for 8 gold medals, and for once, he wasnt totally in charge of his own destiny. It was the Men's 4x100m freestyle relay, and it was up to his American team-mates to keep his dream alive.

They didnt disappoint.

In a phenomenal race, there were many twists and turns, but coming into the last stretch - the French team were leading, with the fastest swimmer in the world this year, Alain Bernard, a couple of metres in front.

Had Phelps's dream died, before it had really begun?

Enter 32 year old Jason Lezak, the oldest swimmer at the games, who somehow managed to pull it back in the final few metres, and grab the gold in the tightest of finishes. It was fingertip stuff. But the Americans had done it.

An amazing final, where the world record was smashed, and Phelps' amazing dream stayed alive. Just.

Who would bet against this extrodinary sportsman grabbing all 8 golds?

L2 Preview..

With the season kicking off in a matter of days, its now time to preview my personal favourite league.

I mean, you have Rochdale, who are approaching their 34th year in the 'Rochdale division'. Will this be the year they finally leave L2, one way or another? The loss of David Perkins to Colchester will hurt them, but they've invested wisely otherwise, with the signings of experienced players such as Ciaran Toner and Jon Shaw, and their attacking brand of football is always refreshing to see. So close yet so far last season, lets hope they do it this time round and there's no playoff final hangover. If there's anyone I wouldnt begrudge promotion to, its Keith Hill's men.

In terms of time spent in L2, Darlington arent far behind of course, and in a shock twist...havent spent a lot of money! That's right, the Quakers budget has actually been cut significantly this season, which makes a change. However, with Dave Penney in charge, they'll be right up there..even if he isnt used to working with a moderate budget. Pawel Abbott is a potential match winner in his own right when kept fit, and Steven Foster was arguably the best defender in the division last season. Both players will be key for the Quakers.

Who else will be the moneybags of the division, though? That mantra has seemingly moved to Bradford City, who are of course far too big for this league. Obviously. They're a massive club, they used to be in the Premiership once you know. But in all seriousness, after a season of massive underachievement last season, the pressure is now on for Stuart McCall to deliver, or he'll be picking up his P45. The clearout at Valley Parade was massive, with lots of players released to make way for new blood. Experienced pro's have been added to the Bradford ranks, with Chris Brandon, Graham Lee, and Paul Arnison all signed up. All 3 players have won promotion from L2 before, and their experience will surely be key. The bookies favourites for promotion, and with 10,000+ crowds - all eyes will be on Bradford City to deliver.

Speaking of delusions of grandeur, what about Bury? Every summer its the same with their fans - "we're going to win promotion, this is our year, we won the FA Cup once"...etc etc. Well this year, it could be. The paralells with Rochdale (before their playoff season) are scary, changing manager to a local hero, finishing the season strongly with a young side, and playing good attacking football. And they've even kept hold of Andy Bishop, who surely needs a dope test for staying at Gigg Lane for so long.

Shrewsbury arent far behind Bradford in the moneybags stakes, and for my money (ha, see what I did there?) - are the team to beat. With the young and talented Paul Simpson in charge, who has won this league before with Carlisle, Shrewsbury look strong enough to put last season's disappointment behind them. Grant Holt and Richard Walker are good strikers who know where the back of the net is, and will guarantee goals at this level, probably to be supplied by the classy Ben Davies and clever Mark Pugh in midfield. And at the other end, the experienced Michael Jackson and the underrated Kelvin Langmead will shore things up at the back. Strong all over the park, with a good spine to the team, I fancy Shrewsbury to take the title.

Their challengers? Well the aforementioned Rochdale and Darlington will look to kick on from last season, and Wycombe will be looking to improve on their playoff finish, though the signing of Barnet comedy reject and non-league superstar Magno Vieira will probably go no way towards doing so. Other signings have been more impressive however, and the enigma that is Leon Knight will always score goals at this level (that's if he's not asking for a transfer request, which at time of print, it looks like he has done!), along with the experienced Scott McGleish, who like a good wine has improved with age. With the experienced Peter Taylor at the helm, Wycombe will be in and around the top 6 once again.

I like the look of Chesterfield as well. If Lester continues to bang them in, and they can keep the pacy and exciting Jamie Ward - they'll certainly be a threat. The loss of Peter Leven to Franchise FC will hurt the Spireites, but the additions of Robert Page and Kevin Austin will give Chesterfield some much needed experience at the back. Consistency is the key for Chesterfield this season, a lack of it cost them a playoff place last season.

The relegated sides from L1, honestly, have never looked weaker. Luton and Bournemouth are in a bit of a state financially, with the former looking to just stay alive. Bournemouth could be thereabouts, should they continue with last season's excellent end of season form, but I feel a season of consolidation is more likely. They need to sort themselves out off the field before even entertaining thoughts about promotion.

Port Vale could mount a challenge, and of the 4, look the most likely to do so. Lee Sinnott looks like a competent manager, and has had great success in non-league with Farsley Celtic, with 3 promotions in 4 seasons. It was a case of damage limitation for Sinnott last season, with the club pretty much doomed as soon as he took over, and the job really starts now. At Gillingham the situation is quite similar, though Mark Stimson had a lot more time to try and salvage Gillingham's season, and failed to do so. A good start is crucial for both managers if they're to mount a promotion challenge, and a scouting network outside the non-league would help. There's a big gap between the BSP and L1, you know.

The 2 promoted teams are obviously rubbish. And will probably get relegated on account of being rubbish.

Oh..you wanted a serious prediction. Well honestly, they'll both be fine. Both teams got promoted playing good football, which will stand them in good stead in the less physical L2, and have enough momentum and big enough fanbases to get to the dreaded 50 points. Out of the two, I can see Aldershot maybe suprising a few people, after years in the wilderness. They have a young hungry squad, and pace is their main asset - they have it in abundance, and they could spring a few shocks next season, with teams pushing high up the park not knowing what to expect. Their passionate crowds are always guaranteed to get behind them too. Who's to bet against back to back promotions for the Shots? Stranger things have happened.

As for Exeter, well, Marcus Stewart could be the signing of the summer in my eyes. He may have lost that yard of pace, but his brain is as quick as ever. Like Aldershot, after years out of the league, Exeter wont want to lose their newly aqquired league status too quickly, and I cant see them doing so. One thing though - Tisdale? Ditch the ridiculous suits mate.

What about the darkhorses? Well thats easy - Lincoln City. They have the 3 things I look out for when looking for potential darkhorses. Experienced manager? The instantly likeable Peter Jackson, who took over last season to save the Imps from the dreaded drop. He has won promotion from this league before, lets not forget, with Huddersfield Town, and before his treatment for cancer last season, Lincoln were perhaps on course for a playoff place. Proven goalscorer? A certain David Graham, who if kept off the booze and fags, (and Jackson has done so before) will piss all over this division. He's that good. And he'll have the young and impressive Lee Frecklington to provide the assists, who is surely due a big move soon, along with Stefan Oakes, who has as good a left foot as you're likely to see in the division. And finally, momentum being carried over from last season? Yep, despite the absense of Jackson, Lincoln finished the season in fine form under the guidence of Iffy Inoira. All that, throw in some strong aquisitions in the summer, and you have the recipe for success. Oh yes, this is Lincoln's year, I can feel it.

Another dark horse? How about Alan Buckley's Grimsby Town? In his 3rd spell at the club, Buckley is proving to have the midas touch once again, after guiding the Mariners to safety in L2, and then to Wembley last season in the JPT. With the right blend of youth and experience, a conscious effort to play good football, and some strong summer additions - Chris Llewennan and Robbie Stockdale in particular, Grimsby could be one to watch next season, though the lack of a natural goalscorer could count against them. Away fans certainly wont relish going there on a cold Tuesday night, anyway.

There is, of course, the relegation battle to discuss. One spot will no doubt go to Luton Town, who are in total and utter disarray. The 30 point deduction on the Hatters is harsh, undeserved, and will ultimately seal their fate before the season begins. With no money, no prospects, and a paper thin squad, its desperate times indeed for Luton. Cometh the man, cometh the Drewe, perhaps?

But what about the other spot? Accrington Stanley look like the obvious suspect, with a lack of dealing in the transfer market, and a poor squad to boot. Their crowds are consistently low, and it will be another season of struggle for the Stanley I feel. After punching above their weight for so long, it might be time for Accrington to drop. And you know what, it might be for the best. A team like Accrington just cant sustain League football, simple as that.

Dagenham and Barnet could also struggle. Like Accrington, both teams havent made any great moves in the transfer market, and both find themselves at the wrong end of the budget scale, with a lack of money and poor crowds. Their saving graces could be the astute management of John Still and Paul Fairclough, who I rate very highly indeed. Let's hope so in Barnet's case anyway, a team with a fantastic set of fans, a great breeding ground for young players to ply their trade, and the odd comedy player (see: Anthony Charles, Liam Hatch, Cliff Inakurang, and Magno Vieira..)

Bournemouth and Rotherham could also be sound bets to struggle, depending on the severity of their impending points deductions. It would be a great shame if the relegation battle was settled in such a way, but that's just the way of modern football these days, especially in the lower leagues. No-one ever looks out for the smaller clubs, do they?

And of course, Chester City. If there's one thing that stays true in L2, its a Chester City season. A season that will promise so much until Christmas, when a scandal rocks the club, and the team plummets down the table, only to scrape to the 50 point mark. I dont expect anything less this season, and I dont think Chester fans expect anything less, such is their inability to get excited about any kind of good start.

But what about the others? Well, fans of Brentford, Macclesfield, Morecambe, Notts County, and Rotherham - its mid-table mediocrity for you...I think. But look on the bright side, you could be off to Histon and Lewes this season...

--

Champions: Shrewsbury

Promoted: Lincoln, Bradford

Playoffs: Darlington, Rochdale, Bury, Aldershot

Relegated: Accrington Stanley, Luton

BSP Preview..

Oh yes. No ego's or pampered stars in this league, just tinpot grounds and long ball football. And I wouldnt have it any other way.

First up, it has to be the Gulls - the most televised team in the country (outside the top flight), I'll have you know. All bias aside, I honestly see us as one of the favourites, if not the outright favourites. Improvements have been made in the right areas, with lots more strength in depth at our disposal, and the summer signings have been of the highest standard. A more expansive style of play has also been promised, which gives us more options. However, it certainly wont be easy. Expectation will be higher, and a good start will be key for us - we cant afford to be suffering from any hangover. Despite all this, I'll stick my neck out and say Champions. That's not to say we wont be short of challengers..

Stevenage will be right up there in my opinion. Love him or hate him (and most lean towards the latter) - Graham Westley is a good manager in the BSP, though it will be interesting to see if he's learnt his mistakes from last time at Broadhall Way. They've spent a bit of money - most of it wisely, on players that are experienced at this level. And importantly, they've kept hold of Steve Morison, who is a class act. The set up at Stevenage has always been in place for the Football League, will this be the year they get their act together and get promoted?

Rushden are also looking good, though where they've got the money from with their crowds and budget I'll never know. Sounds like a shit or bust situation up there, they really have gambled for promotion. But again, an experienced manager at the helm in Gary Hill, and a very potent strikeforce in Clare and Phillips. The good times could be returning at Nene Park, though I do wonder about the consequences if things dont go according to plan. They certainly wont be getting my sympathy if things go wrong.

Oxford? Certainly underachieved last year, and with their crowds, budget, and fresh ambition you have to fancy them. They've made some good signings so far - perfect examples of biding your time to get the targets you really want, instead of rushing into the market. They've always been defensively sound, with a great record last season, and if they can add goals to the equation then they will be a big threat. Signings like Lewis Haldane and James Constable suggest they will do so. Two of the best bits of business from the whole summer, in my opinion.

The two relegated sides are two interesting cases in my view. Wrexham will be there or thereabouts with the the wily Brian Little in charge, the only manager currently managing in the BSP to have achieved promotion from the division. His experience and contacts from around the divisions could be key. The squad looks strong, and I can see Little getting the best out of them with a clean slate from last season. They even have the journeymantastic Jefferson Louis to call upon, which is great news for everyone concerned.

Mansfield have finally sorted their off-field problems, at long last. However, with a new squad effectively being built from scratch, promotion may be beyond them. Billy McEwen will steady the ship at Field Mill, but its a case of too much, too soon for Mansfield. A season of transition I think. But on the brightside, at least they're not called Harchester United.

Last season's nearly men then. NCBA (That's Nigel Clough's Burton Albion..god forbid you dont mention them both together!) havent done enough in the market for me. Key players such as Daryl Clare and Mark Greaves have left, with no replacements in the pipeline. Playoffs at best, and the same for Cambridge who have made too many changes in a short space of time. Continuinity is key, and Cambridge lack it right now. They also lack a good manager it seems, after Jimmy Quinn was scandalously sacked, despite guiding the U's to Wembley.

For a darkhorse, as much as I dont like him, Steve Evans has made some shrewd signings indeed for Crawley Town, and has even managed to keep the impressive Jamie Cook around as well. With no point deduction hampering their progress this time around, Crawley could be around the playoffs if they stay consistent, as on their day they can beat anyone. It's just not their day often enough. They're the team everyone loves to hate, and Evans will no doubt use it to their advantage, with his 'everyone's against us mentality.

And I rate Liam Daish so highly that Ebbsfleet could indeed be in line for a playoff spot. The talented Daish and his squad will look to build on their FA Trophy win from last season and keep the thousands upon thousands of owners happy. John Akinde will be key to their hopes, providing they can keep hold of him, with Peterborough apparantly interested. One thing's for sure, if Daish isnt picking the team, he'll be out of Stonebridge Road. He doesnt suffer fools gladly.

Forest Green are another team I feel could mount a challenge, though the losses of key players such as top scorer Stuart Fleetwood and skipper Michael Brough will no doubt hurt them. Rovers' squad still possesses a lot of genuine quality however, with a healthy mix of youth and experience. And with Jim Harvey in charge, you're always guaranteed good, progressive football. A great example of how to run a club within your means, and still be successful. Other clubs in the division should take note.

Grays Athletic are looking to do a Hereford. No, they're not loaning players left right and centre, Chairman Mick Woodward has took over the managers job, ala Graham Turner. With the squad at his disposal, a playoff challenge isnt beyond the relms of possibility, though Woodward's lack of management experience may work against him, though he didnt do too badly last season.

What about the new boys? Kettering Town could ruffle a few feathers, after breaking numerous records in the Conference North last season. Their squad is packed with familiar names such as Darren Wrack and Lee Harper, and they'll be looking to do more than just survive.

Barrow are a team that buck the trend somewhat, with a management duo that is actually rather successful. Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison have worked in tandem to great effect so far for Barrow, and I can see their success continuing. With some solid signings so far, I expect Barrow to stay up, despite their reluctance to go full-time.

Despite winning the BSS last season, Lewes parted company with then manager Steve King, and in turn most of their squad. Does anything suprise you in Football any more? The fans discontent is increasing, with boycotts being considered. A big gamble for Lewes, which I believe wont pay off. A tough season could await The Rooks, and the same could be said for Eastbourne Boro, though their mean defence could prove otherwise, with 20 clean sheets last season. The BSP is a different prospect altogether though, and Eastbourne's defence will need to produce similar results next season.

Other strugglers will surely include Altrincham, who gained their third repreive from relegation in a row last season due to other clubs financial difficulties. Some would say this is lucky, I'd say it's smart and prudent on the part of Altrincham. Fair play to them for running their club properly, unlike others.

And no doubt Northwich Victoria will struggle, with unpaid tax bills not helping their cause whatsoever. Off field troubles never help matters on the field, and the goals of Lee Steele will be key for them once again if they are to survive. Another miracle act from Dino Maamria may be required, with the Tunisian pulling off the impossible to keep the Vics up last season.

I dont like Woking's chances either. The appointment of Kim Grant is certainly an interesting one, with Woking looking towards a new approach, with directors of football and all. Drastic change like this is always risky, and with talisman Marvin Morgan departing for Aldershot, things dont look good for the Cards.

As for the others, I expect them to be fine. Not good enough to mount a challenge, but too good to struggle. Now watch the likes of Kidderminster go ahead and rip up the form book..

--
Champions: Torquay
Playoffs: Oxford, Wrexham, Stevenage, Grays
Relegated: Northwich, Lewes, Woking, Altrincham

A new dawn for English Cricket..

As one era ends, another begins.

After leading with integrity and drive throughout his tenure, a tearful Michael Vaughan resigned as England captain on Sunday, admitting that things had quite simply taken their toll.

Vaughan had put his heart and soul into it for five years, but the job had consumed him for too long. He can leave with his head held high as the most successful England captain of all time, and will always be held in high regard. He will no doubt be remembered for the fantastic Ashes win of 2005, among other achievements.

It was, however, time to go.

Clearly Vaughan was struggling for form and confidence, and as captain, this rubs off on the rest of the team. How can players take advice and follow orders from a player who is unable to perform himself? It undermines everything. The burden had become too much for Vaughan, so he quit with dignity, rather than prolonging the agony.

Tactically, he was astute as they come, and as a man, he was a class act. But most of all, he had respect. He will be missed. Hopefully he can rekindle the form that made him so feared as a batsman in 2003, when he was ranked as the best in the world.

But was the appointment of Kevin Pietersen a good one? Probably not, in my eyes.

The demands of the captiancy could well restrict Pietersen, who is undoubtedbly at his best when unshackled and free. And does Pietersen have the temperament to lead? Has he any experience in leading? The appointment of Pietersen is definately a gamble, a gamble that certainly proved to be disastarous when Andrew Flintoff was given the role, with whom the pressures of the job became too much.

My personal preference would have been Andrew Strauss, who captained the side against Pakistan two summers ago and did himself no harm at all. With his maturity and experience, Strauss looked the ideal choice for many - apart from the ECB themselves.

Captaining England could make or break Kevin Pietersen. Let's hope it doesnt all end in tears, though if Sunday is anything to go by, it almost certainly will.

On the cusp of greatness..

It's been a good week for Andy Murray. Not only has he claimed the biggest win of his career so far, after beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the Cincinnatti Masters, but he has also claimed 6th place in the tennis rankings, his highest position to date. And with the Olympics and US Open to come, who would bet against Murray making even greater strides?

Where David Ferrer and Nikolay Davydenko have stalled and struggled, Murray has found some form - and then some. He has improved his best showings this year at the French Open (third round) and Wimbledon (quarter-finals) and on route to his Masters win, Murray defeated the likes of Carlos Moya and Ivo Karlovic - in sweltering heat no less. But beating Djokovic twice in two weeks was the true statement of intent from the young Scotsman.

You see, Murray is in the form of his life right now, and it is at the hard-courts where Murray can really prosper. His game is so intellegent, with a variety of shots, and he used all of this to his advantage against Djokovic, who in his own right, is a fantastic player.

But it's not just on the tennis courts where Murray has proved himself to be intelligent. His set up off the court has proved to be equally fruitful, with many people doubting if it could work. Those doubts have now surely receeded, with Murray looking more relaxed and content than he ever has, on and off the court.

Now Murray needs to do this on a consistent basis. A Masters event is a start, but a Slam is required if Murray is to truly realise his potential. The ball is in his court..

A squad in review..

Torquay United Squad Review:

Manager: Paul Buckle

A surprise choice for the job last year, Bucks suprised us all and probably exceeded expectations in his first season. A strong team spirit and work ethic was the secret for our success last season, as well as some very impressive signings. However, at times he proved himself to be tactically naive, relying too much on the long ball with no plan B in place. Yes, he made mistakes, all young managers do - this is his chance to make up for them.

Goalkeepers:

GK: Martin Rice:

A number one keeper he certainly aint. A competant enough shot stopper, but thats where the praise ends for me. Nervous on crosses, and his decision making leaves a lot to be desired at times, with the defence not knowing if he's coming or going. Hardly inspires confidence in his defence, or the fans. Made 12 appearances last season, mostly as back-up.

GK: Michael Poke:

Surely the number one keeper. Confident and assured between the sticks, and no obvious weakness in his game -Poke is the keeper we were crying out for all of last season. It's a position where you need consistency and continuinity and Poke will give us that. Hopefully the recall clause wont kick in at a critical stage of the season. Played 6 times last season, a time where we broke the record for consecutive clean sheets.

Overall, we're pretty strong in this area. Rice wont pull up any trees, but on his day is a decent back-up. Poke on the otherhand is the solid goalkeeper we've been crying out for since Andy Marriott left in 2004. As long as Southampton don't recall him (and they shouldnt need to, with 3 keepers ahead of him) - we're fine in this area.

Defenders:

DL: Kevin Nicholson
Surely the best left-back in non league. Defensively sound, good energy levels, and dangerous going forward with a terrific left foot. Once again his set-pieces will be critical, so many goals came from Nicho's sweet left foot last season. A regular last season, with 48 appearances to his name.

DC: Chris Todd
For me, the first name on the team sheet. Brave, strong and uncompromising, Toddy (wow, he doesnt sound so tough with a name like that..) leads by example, and chips in with the odd goal - 8 in total last season. Not bad for a centre-half. 44 appearances to his name last season.

DC: Steve Woods
Experienced, and a decent reader of the game, but his lack of pace seems him caught out all too often these days. Also likes to try the odd hollywood pass from his own half all too often, which inevitably ends up in the Popular Stand. His best days are behind him I feel, unless deployed in a back 5 where his weaknesses can be covered. Played 23 times last season before injury stopped his season early.

DC: Chris Robertson
Transfer listed, and I have no clue as to why. At 6'3 and with a fantastic leap behind him, has all the attributes to be a good centre-back, but constantly found himself played out of position at right-back last season, despite his lack of pace and mobility for that position. If played in his right position, would be a great asset in my opinion, but it isnt up to me. Played 25 times last season, mostly in the first half of the season.

DC: Mark Ellis
Young, raw...but the talent is there. Saw glimpses of it last season with some assured displays, despite his lack of experience. Still has a lot to learn however, in terms of positional sense and concentration for the full 90 minutes. The fact he's a former Grecian matters not - Ellis is a top prospect for the future. Played 23 times on loan from Bolton last season, and impressed enough to be signed permanently.

DC/MC: Chris Hargreaves
No, I havent got this wrong, he really is a centre-back now..according to Bucks anyway. Is strong in the tackle and good in the air, but it's his distribution which pleases Bucks the most, with his left foot able to pass the ball out of defence. All well and good, but he's never really played in defence. A big gamble for me. Played 40 times last season in midfield, incredible for a 36 year old, and scooped both player of the year awards.

DR: Lee Mansell
As hardworking as they come. Primarilly a midfield player, but Manse will play anywhere and give his all. Made the right-back spot his own at the end of last season with some solid performances, showing a willingness to get forward but also staying disiplined with regards to his defensive duties. After playing 36 times last season in a variety of positions, was wanted by some FL clubs, but signed a new deal here.

Relatively well covered here, but the lack of pace at the back concerns me. We like to play a high line and impose ourselves on teams, and as a result we tend to get caught out with the ball over the top. Also a lack of cover on the right hand side, with not an out and out right-back in sight. There is some genuine quality on the left side of defence though, with Nicho and Hodges two great options for that spot. And the less said about the Hargreaves experiment, the better..

Midfielders:

ML: Mustafa Carayol
Pacy, an eye for goal. and full of tricks, Carayol is a great prospect. Paul Ince took him to Macclesfield and the Dongs, so there's clearly something about him. Has had a very impressive pre-season, and will be pushing for the starting berth on the left hand side. Has Chris Zebroski's 30 goal a season shoes to fill though, so no pressure on the lad. Had a short loan spell at Crawley last year, with 2 goals in 13 games.

ML/MR: Wayne Carlisle
Well travelled versatile winger who is comfortable across the midfield. A clever player who is comfortable on the ball, and scores the odd goal. Hopefully his injury problems are behind him - if so, we have a gem of a player for this level. Turned down a new 1 year contract at Exeter to sign a 2 year deal here, after 34 appearances and 4 goals last season for the Grecians.

ML/MC/DL: Lee Hodges
Versatile player with lots of experience in the higher higher leagues. At 35, his knowhow and experience will be vital to our younger players. A true unsung hero who can always be relied upon. Played 27 times at Championship level last season for Plymouth.

MC/DC: Michael Brough
Versatile player who was FGR's captain last season, mostly playing in defence, but is equally comfortable in midfield. A cult hero at the New Lane, Brough is tenacious in the tackle and fully committed to the cause. A mainstay of Rovers' team last season with 31 appearances.

MC/MR/FC: Tyrone Thompson
Arguably the most impressive new signing of the summer, if pre-season is anything to go by. An athletic player, with lots of stamina and pace, but is also productive with the ball. Very much an all action midfield player who likes to get from box to box, Tyrone made 42 appearances at Crawley last season.

MC: Nicky Wroe
Comfortable on the ball, likes to get forward, scores goals from midfield...where was he last season? With a change in style promised, Wroe could flourish if given the license to get forward. Has a habit of going missing in the tougher games, however. Scored 10 in 27 starts for York last season, and was signed for (rumoured) £17.5k.

MC: Steve Adams
The forgotten man. An intelligent midfielder who likes to drop deep and spread the play, but there are doubts over his fitness, and if he can cope with the physical side of the BSP. In my mind, he's a class player, but people think just because he doesnt run around like a headless chicken, he's not trying. It's called positional sense. Signed in January, and made 13 appearances. May have a big part to play this season.

MR/ML: Danny Stevens
A true fans favourite. In terms of skill and technique, he's light years ahead of the rest of the squad, but his lack of height (5'1) and physical presense lets him down. The ultimate impact sub, who with 20 minutes left scares the life out of defenders with his pace and trickery. Made 28 appearances last season, and scored 4 goals.

Honestly, it's like a completely different midfield from last term. As I mentioned, a more expansive style of play has indeed been promised, with more emphasis on keeping the ball on the floor, and creating chances. And the players signed all compliment that. We're certainly stronger than last season in this department, with many of our back-ups able to walk into most other XI's at this level. Keeping them all happy may be a problem - but a good problem to have. I just hope we dont sacrifice too much substance for style.

Attackers:

FC: Tim Sills
A good old fashioned centre-forward. Good in the air, holds it up well, and can finish. It's just a lack of pace that's the problem, hence his failures in the FL. At this level he is dangerous however, 20 goals in 45 appearances last season proves that fact.

FC: Matt Green
Lighting quick with great off the ball movement..but will his knee hold up? Oxford fans dont seem to think so, despite trying to sign the apparant crock themselves. Sour grapes anyone? But if kept fit, his 10 goals in 16 starts last season for Oxford would indicate we have a hell of a player on our hands, though he's yet to score in pre-season.

FC: Roscoe D'Sane
Pfft. I have no idea why he was kept on. Shown nothing to me last season, none of this electric pace or deadly finishing I heard about. In fairness to him, struggled for fitness a bit, so has a fresh start now..maybe to rekindle the old Shots partnership with Sills? The jury is still out for me. Scored 3 goals in 14 starts last season, joining from Accrington Stanley.

FC: Elliot Benyon
The best natural finisher we have at the club. Unfortunately, a lack of physical presense lets him down, as the big burly centre-halfs tend to dominate him. In pre-season he seems to be working very hard indeed, showing some new found strength, and is scoring a few goals. A point to prove perhaps? Scored 5 in 22 appearances last season, mostly as sub.

The loss of Super Lee will certainly hurt us, but the addition of Green looks a good one on paper. The emergence of Benyon from the cold is also pleasing, he's really hit the ground running in pre-season. Overall there's more than enough goals here in my opinion, with lots of different options.

Best XI (in my opinion)
---------------------------------Poke---------------------------------
Mansell----------------Todd-----------Ellis----------------------Nicho
Carlisle----------------Thompson-----Wroe----------------------Carayol
--------------------------Sills----------Green--------------------------

Final verdict? Promotion. Nothing less will do this season, and I have every confidence that we will achieve that aim. A good start is vital - we cant afford to be suffering from any kind of hangover, we really need to hit the ground running. We've strengthened where we needed to, and the squad has so much more depth now - I'd even go as far to say we have the strongest squad in the league. There are some concerns, mainly in the defensive area, but going forward we look a real force.

Champions.