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Football betting: League Two 2010/11 runners and riders
YEP betting columnist Andy Taylor looks at the runners and riders in npower League Two.
1. Rotherham
(12/1 – last season finished 5th)
The Millers will make up for last term's Wembley heartache by blasting out of the stalls in front and staying there. A very solid outfit, a brilliant boss in Ronnie Moore and a superb finisher in Adam Le Fondre. They will be champions with a bit to spare.
Star man: Adam Le Fondre
2. Bradford City
(10/1 – 14th)
City's still massive fanbase are getting fed up of the basement division but they should be able to wave it goodbye come May with Peter Taylor getting stuck into his contacts book to bring in plenty of fresh and talented footballers. Runners-up spot beckons.
Star man: Robbie Threlfall
3. Barnet
(100/1 – 21st)
I wouldn't put anybody off throwing a few quid in the direction of the north London mob at frankly insulting prices with incoming gaffer Mark Stimson bringing with him a mighty new broom. Already they have 10 new faces at Underhill and some decent quality among them.
Star man: Glen Southam
4. Wycombe Wand
(12/1 – relegated from League 1)
After being disappointingly relegated last season, manager Gary Waddock has attempted to freshen things up by bringing in a real mix of precocious talent and older heads. They are a good side that will benefit from Jon-Paul Pittman's goals – play-off candidates.
Star man: Jon-Paul Pittman
5. Burton Albion
(28/1 – 13th)
Albion tend to score a fortune, but leak as many and the summer captures of Darren Moore and Nathan Stanton make real sense. As a result they could sneak into the play-offs.
Star man: Shaun Harrad
6. Aldershot Town
(14/1 favourites – 6th)
Finished like a steam train last season only to be outclassed by Rotherham in play-off semis. Looks like they'll get a chance to redeem themselves this time though with new mananger Kevin Dillon assembling a decent enough squad.
Star man: Luke Guttridge
7. Morecambe
(16/1 – 4th)
They were a joke entry in last season's play-offs with Dagenham putting six past them in the semi-final first leg. They might get a chance to make amends though with Phil Jevons a very good signing from Huddersfield.
Star man: Phil Jevons
8. Northampton Tn
(14/1 – 11th)
It's been going the wrong way for a couple of years now and it's very difficult in a game where momentum counts for everything. Ian Sampson's giving it his best though and the signing of Darlington striker Tadgh Purcell will help matters.
Star man: Liam Davies
9. Gillingham
(9/1 favourites – relegated from League 1)
I was surprised to see the Gills priced up as favourites. Local legend Andy Hessenthaler is back at the helm, but has no magic wand and little in the way of budget judging by low grade acquisitions. They'll be in the top half without pulling up any trees.
Star man: Dennis Oli
10.Chesterfield
(14/1 – 8th)
A new stadium, but that apart it's same old, same old with nothing in the way of additions likely to turn things around to such a degree that they end up being successful at the business end.
Starman: Jack Lester
11. Port Vale
(16/1 – 10th)
Vale are a much-of-a-muchness outfit that will win enough games to stay out of trouble, but never sufficiently to trouble the front runners. Sean Rigg and Justin Richards are good acquisitions and joint contributions look set to keep them in the top half.
Star man: Justin Richards
12. Bury
(16/1 – 9th)
The Shakers are strong up front with Danny Carlton leading the line and recent recruit Peter Sweeney adds a touch of arrogance to proceedings in the middle of the park. Look light at the back though and that's why mid-table is as good as it gets for Alan Knill's charges.
Star man: Danny Carlton
13. Oxford United
(14/1 – promoted from Blue Square Premier)
United are a big club taking its first step back after achieving promotion back from the Blue Square Premier last season and boss Chris Wilder has surprised many by ripping up and starting again. It could take time for the team to blend as a consequence, but they still possess enough ability in the new ranks to ease themselves in gently.
Star man: Alfie Potter
14. Stevenage
(14/1 – promoted from Blue Square Premier)
They've dropped Borough off their name and that's about the biggest news coming out of the Hertfordshire club this summer.
A low key arrival into the Football League and Graham Westley, though not a magician, will definitely be able to keep them respectable all year.
Star man: Stacy Long
15. Shrewsbury Tn
(16/1 – 12th)
Graham Turner returns to his former club, but while strengthening the side numbers-wise it's debatable whether he's improved the quality. One step forward – two steps back.
Star man: Matt Harrold
16. Torquay United
(25/1 – 17th)
The sudden death of director Paul Bristow overshadowed everything at Torquay though the side were magnificent in paying tribute by beating Plymouth comprehensively in their first game after. It's doubtful they will maintain that level, but with a good mix of youth and experience the Gulls can finish comfortably mid-table.
Star man: Lee Mansell
17. Lincoln City
(28/1 – 20th)
City will surely be a touch better than last season with some decent signings giving the squad a much more balanced look. Drewe Broughton in particular adds a touch of nous to the team and his goals should be able to keep the Red Imps away from the foot of the table.
Star man: Drewe Broughton
18. Southend United
(28/1– relegated from League 1)
All United's energies have been taken up this summer fighting HMRC winding up order and they are still not completely out of the woods. Paul Sturrock has taken over at the helm and straight away has found out how difficult it is to work on a shoe string – they might just be able to use his experience to steer clear of bottom though.
Star man: Steve Mildenhall
19. Crewe Alexandra
(25/1 – 18th)
The prolific feeder club have done it again with John Brayford and James Bailey moving to Derby in a deal said to be worth 1m. Great business, but it leaves them desperately short of quality in key positions and ensures that a place in the bottom half beckons.
Star man: Bryon Moore
20. Hereford United
(33/1 – 16th)
With Graham Turner's regime exiting stage left, United immediately turned to ex-Barnsley boss Simon Davey to steer the ship. It's a difficult task this one though with only eight players on the books when he took over and the full budget going on improvements to the stadium. Twentieth will be as good as it gets.
Star man: O'Neil Thompson 21. Cheltenham Tn
(50/1 – 22nd)
Town's chances of a top-half finish? Virtually non-existent. A moderate side that will struggle to do anything other than avoid relegation.
Star man: Andy Gallinagh
22. Stockport C'nty
(40/1 – relegated from League 1)
A very brittle squad, but recently appointed manager Paul Simpson has stated he will move heaven and earth to get it right at a club where things turned from poor to shambolic last season. And get it right he will as they should just manage to avoid the drop.
Star man: Paul Huntington
23. Macclesfield Tn
(50/1 – 19th)
With small crowds the order of the day and little money coming in as a consequence, it's no surprise to see Gary Simpson attempt to cobble together a team on the cheap. It won't work this time around mind – they are doomed.
Star man: Emile Sinclair
24. Accrington Stanley
(100/1 –15th)
Accrington Stanley – who are they? That's what football league fans will be asking after the end of the season with a side choc full of low budget, low quality journeymen. They are sure to make the drop this time.
Star man: Sean Hessey
Ends
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