Issue 0

BLACK & WHITE the new Notts County fanzine

#0 - AUG ‘12 - £0

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

2012/13 SEASON REVIEW

Our 23 nPowerBLACKL&eague One opponents profiled WHITE PAGE 1

INTRODUCTION Hello and welcome to the online exlusive 0th edition of Black & White.

The content of this issue was always intended to be one of the main features of the first hard copy edition of the fanzine.

Print deadlines (both timelines and (page count) sadly dicatated that it just wasn’t to be though - so i’ve put this “trial” edition together to give people a taster of what’s to come with Black & White, and more importantly so that the fantastic content produced by a supporter from each of the other 23 nPower League One sides still has a way of getting out there.

In the digital age we live

in, the chances are it’ll now reach even more people though so i’m not going to complain about that! Feel free to send this between as many friends as you wish, in it’s .pdf format it’ll be readable on tablets, mobile phones and computers anyway.

Before I continue I want to say thank you to all of the supporters who gave up some of their time to contribute their submissions.

Similarly, I can’t quite believed we’ve already amassed 45 paid for subscribers so far. That 45 people have the confidence in the project to part with their cash before seeing even a preview is pretty

WITH THANKS

Full subscription details are on the very last page of this file. Thanks for reading, I hope you’ll like what we’ve put on offer.

Stu

CONTENTS

A very special thanks to Richard at Machine Browser for making this all possible! And as ever my matchday chauffeur Sean Redgate. Ralph Shepherd at Notts for putting the Judgey interview together too in issue #1!

The people behind our first issue next week, including in no particular order of importance or brillance: Luke Williamson, Ian Marsden, Andrew Dennis, Darren Patterson, Paul Smith, Michael Johnson, Jacob Daniel and Sean Redgate. Each of you helped exceed all expectations that I dared have for the first edition!

Then there’s the supporters who have helped with the season preview - in no particular of order of how much I like their club (in 22 of 23 cases): Stuart Tarrant, Smiffy, James Bentley, John McGee, Dave Burch, Neil Allison, Jay Baldwin, Ben Barrett, Matt Withers, Jason Derrick, John Mason, Andy Brown, Jason Hammon, Craig Worswick, Benedict West, Carl Matthews, Max Bell, Ian Rands, Andrew Harding, Daniel Speller, Bescot Banter, Sam Robinson And Alan Judge. ALWAYS Alan Judge.

DISCLAIMER

amazing as far as i’m concerned, so thank you!

Issue #1, out next week (subscribers get their copy a good few days earlier) has a ton of articles inside from some great, talented writers. Plus there’s the first of Michael Johnson’s regular column about his days at Notts, an interview with Clifton singer Jake Bugg, and an exclusive piece with Alan Judge ahead of the new season - talking about his Notts career so far and his hopes for the foreseeable future.

2012/13 Season Preview ..................... 02 Bournemouth, Bury, Brentford, Carlisle .. 04 Colchester ......................................... 05 Coventry, Crawley ............................... 06 Crewe, Doncaster Rovers, Hartlepool ...... 07 Leyton Orient, MK Dons ........................ 08 Oldham, Portsmouth ............................ 09 PNE, Scunthorpe, Sheffield United .......... 10 Shrewsbury Town, Stevenage ............... 11 Swindon Town .................................... 12 Tranmere, Walsall ................................ 13 Yeovil Town ......................................... 14

The Black & White is an independent release produced by fans and as such has no official affiliation with Notts County Football Club. The views in each publication reflect those of the individual contributors themselves.

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 2

WHAT AWAITS IN 2012/13?

Here we go again! Another nine month slog towards glory or failure.

Hopefully League One will be more of a level playing field now we’ve seen the back of Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and play-off victors Huddersfield. Is anyone likely to miss them? Highly doubtful!

You would say right off the bat that that in itself offers cause for optimism amongst so many clubs in the division as well as Notts.

In their place, we now have Doncaster Rovers, Coventry City and Portsmouth clubs riddled with off-field uncertainty who will do well possibly to just consolidate.

Plymouth and Scunthorpe United have shown in the last two seasons how tough a division this can be coming down from the Championship.

Swindon Town have shopped wisely in the close season, looking to make a bigger impact in their first years in the third tier. those who have come before them. Last season saw Chesterfield sent down having been promoted the season before - a fate we ourselves only narrowly avoided the season before. Similarly busy have been Preston - with signings in double figures before the player’s contracts had even

expired at their previous sides. Without question Westley is hoping to emulate the achievements of Charlton Athletic this season, who lets face it are more than likely to be the exception than the rule.

Stevenage are bouncing back from their play-off semi-final disappointment having lost a number of key components to their charge last year. They proved enough times last year that they’re not a side to be taken lightly. And MK Dons will rightly look at this season as their best chance yet to get into English football’s second tier.

Over the next few pages are the thoughts of supporters from all other 23 nPower League One clubs this season on both their pre-seasons, and their thoughts on the year ahead.

For the full low-down on Notts, be sure to check out issue #1 next week - subscription details on the last page of this file!

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 3

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

To be perfectly honest, most AFCB fans really have no idea how this season is going to pan out. It’s a totally new era at Dean Court, with loads of favourites leaving and quite a few new faces coming in.

When Paul Groves was appointed manager at the end of last season, I think most of us were pretty underwhelmed.

However, he has made some impressive signings so far, with Frank Demouge from Dutch side Utrecht and Eunan O’Kane from Torquay being an impressive prospect. Addison from Derby is also a solid signing in defence and Grabban from Rotherham could be exciting.

Old faces also seem to be reappearing too with Josh McQuoid and Richard Hughes coming back to the fold.

McQuoid seemed to struggle at Millwall, but has definitely found his shooting boots again, if pre-season is anything to go by. With an unprecedented abundance of strikers this season, it’s going to be interesting. Attack seems to be the ethos of the current management. Can’t say I can argue with that.

Really looking forward to the season again. Just hope that Eddie Mitchell, our laughing stock of a chairman last season, keeps out of the news and it’s our usual footballing style that writes the headlines.

Stuart Tarrant @StuartTarrant

BRENTFORD

Pre season for the Bees was a lot more fun than normal, due to an unbeaten 3 game German tour with between 100-150 happy Brentford fans attending each game, which saw the squad experiment with new systems and trial players.

New signing Farid El Alagui scored twice on tour and is the focus for the main buzz amongst Bees. The former Falkirk striker scored 28 times last sdeason including 2 against Rangers. Other signings include the capture of two recent loanees from Premiership clubs, midfielder Adam Forshaw from Everton and Centre Back Harlee Dean from Southampton. Left sided defender Tony Craig has also come to Griffin Park from Millwall as is expected to be captain this season.

These players definately give

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 4

us an extra edge this year.

As ever the fans dream of promotion to the 2nd tier, something only acheived once in 50 years by Brentford.

Realistically our hope is the play offs but Rosler will need to compliment his squad with some quality loanees to ensure the play off bid does not falter.

Another striker, a wide player and a left back are expected to sign in the coming week.

Smiffy

clubwebsite.co.uk/ beesottedfc1001/106345/

BURY

Bury sadly weren’t able to submit a preview in time, but be sure to follow them throughout the season via the following: James Bentley

aseasonwithbury.blogspot.com

CARLISLE UNITED

How else to start a Carlisle preview in a Notts fanzine than to tackle the ‘Z’ word? It is, after all, the big story of the summer at both our clubs and the Ivorian is ‘L’élephant’ (it’s a pun, sod off) in the room. Firstly, Notts have got a potential game changer on their hands. Zoko is unquestionably one of the most talented

players to ever wear a Carlisle shirt – a quicksilver enigma with the ability to control the ball in a fashion most of us could only manage with one of those ankle tie training kits. But that’s only half the story – he had a tendency to drift in away games, particularly on muddy pitches where stepovers didn’t work and the noise you’ve heard about him needing cotton wool wrapping is all true – fingers crossed for you that Keith Curle puts the hard work in.

Are we bitter? I’d say we are, but fairly so. Given summer rumblings it looks like both Carlisle and Notts will be in the shake up this year – it doesn’t look like the Championship move Francois said he craved.

But we wish him well – he really was a treat to watch on his day.

So, what of Carlisle’s summer?

We’ve made three new signings – one you already know about, but Mike Edwards looks like the ‘defensive organiser’ we’ve craved since James Chester’s brief turn on loan from Man U. Danny Cadamarteri will bring a lot of smarts to the dressing room and has really turned heads of a few doubters with a livewire pre-season.

Alessio Bugno is more of an unknown – an Italian left back who shares an agent with your new terrace hero – he looks set to take Francois’s place in Cumbrian imaginations. A high stepping tyro he comes from a great sporting heritage (Dad Gianni is a legend of the world of cycling) and his name fits in with a favourite Brunton chant – ‘Bugno, there’s no limit’ – you might even hear that one at the County Ground too.

The big story of pre-season has been the emergence of young talent – goalkeeper Mark Gillespie and utility man Brad Potts look on the verge if starting the season in the team ahead of experienced incumbents and striker Mark Beck’s 7 goals show promise, though he’s probably a little shy of immediate impact. It looks

like being Carlisle’s strongest crop since the mid 90s boon years of Dobie, Delap and Jansen.

As for what the season holds?

Our midfield three of Chantler, Berrett and Noble looks set to be the division’s best, the defence looks more solid but we may struggle for goals. A lot depends on the superhuman magician Lee Miller but if he stays fit, and we carry a fair wind, we should be in the play off mix at least.

John McGee keithmincher.com

COLCHESTER UNITED

There have been a few changes at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this Summer. Player of the Year Kayode Odejayi, goalkeeper Ben Williams, club record signing Steven Gillespie, midfield man Lloyd James and winger Ashley Vincent all left the club for pastures new this summer. The summer window saw U’s boss John Ward recruit the services of ex Brentford midfielder Marcus Bean, striker Freddie Sears and experienced front-man Clinton Morrison all on free transfers. Former England under 18 international full back, Jackson Ramm and midfielder Merrick JamesLewis have both joined the club on free transfers after being released by Blackburn and Southend, however both will mostly utilised in the U21 squad and looking to push for the first team.

The biggest coup was re-signing of Magnus Okuonghae after the big centre half initially turned down a new deal with the U’s.

I am particularly excited about the emergence of midfielder Alex Gilbey and forward/ midfielder Drey Wright, son of former Leeds and Ipswich Town midfielder Jermaine Wright.

I do feel another season of mid table obscurity once again beckons for the U’s however.

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 5

The playoffs are a possibility should everything click into place, but I think we lack that little bit of extra quality to be a top six side. John Ward’s preference is the 4-3-3 formation and playing a nice passing style of football and I do think he has made some clever signings to compliment the system he wishes to use.

One thing I hope does improve next season is our home form as we were not particularly brilliant in front of our own fans, which saw a decline in attendances. Ward has also not had the best of records when it comes to signing centre forwards permanently, with Freddie Sears and Clinton Morrison being the first permanent strikers to sign for Colchester in Ward’s two-year tenure in Essex.

On paper we have quite a decent squad for your average League One side. Mark Cousins will be the new number one ‘keeper after Williams’ departure and I feel it is about time he was given a chance. He has started the last two seasons after Williams was out through injury & illness and rarely let us down.

The addition of Marcus Bean gives us some much needed pace in the centre of the park and I was quite pleased to see him come here as he is one player that always performed well against us. Not necessarily a great player technique wise, but one you know will always put the effort in and at Colchester that is usually appreciated just as much as ability. I’m hopeful John-Joe O’Toole can put his injury woes past him. The former Watford midfielder has never kicked on after a promising start with the Hornets and has had a rather stop start career in Essex.

He signed a new deal in the summer and hopefully he can remain injury free and have a decent season.

Dave Burch

unofficialcolchesterunited. wordpress.com

COVENTRY CITY

Well, it all started so promisingly with a flurry of replacements for the guys who’d left, followed by some emphatic pre-season results (admittedly against tiny teams). Since then, the positivity has halted somewhat thanks to a run of pre-season defeats, coupled with a disturbing impotence in attacking areas. More often than not, you won’t find much discontent from the fans in pre-season, but when you’re spanked against one of your neighbours from non-league, it’s a tough one to swallow at any stage of the season. In what was supposed to be our resurrection campaign, an upand-down pre-season has left us all a little puzzled about how to feel coming into these opening games.

He may not be the most fashionable of our players, or a new signing, but I’m certainly eager to see how young midfielder Conor Thomas grows this season. As I write this, our central midfield area is looking particularly sparse.

Thomas was thrust into the fold last season following a brief spell at Liverpool the year before. He’s a tall and cultured player, and while known to look a little shaky in games during the previous campaign, when he felt confident, the difference in him was huge. He’s likely to be one of the main men in the central of the park – he’s got the attributes, it’s going to be fascinating to see if he can rise to the mental challenge that League One is going to present.

We need some success.

Forgetting the despicable lack of support from the owners for a second, last season was pretty woeful in its own right.

The table will tell you that the relegation was comprehensive, but it really shouldn’t have been the case. The fight to stay up was thrown away in the final couple of weeks thanks to the tamest completion of campaign you will ever see. So this year,

there’s been quite a shuffle in the squad and on the dugout, with new faces and coaches attempting to rid the club of its perennial “waste of space” tag.

We’re new to this league, and as naïve as it sounds, we need to show some arrogance for the first time in our lives. With our attractive stadium, you’d imagine most teams will see us as a bit of a scalp – that doesn’t bode well, but we need to assert ourselves.

In terms of challengers for promotion, Sheffield Utd were desperately unlucky to miss out last season, but I get the feeling they won’t make the same mistake this time around.

The intrigue surrounding Paolo Di Canio’s lunacy at Swindon remains; he’s so bloody driven I find it hard to believe the man will allow them to fail.

Our fellow League One new boys Portsmouth are having a horrible time of it, and if they do manage to survive their financial woes, there’s very little they’re going to be able to do to survive the league.

Neil Allison

skybluesblog.co.uk

CRAWLEY TOWN

To start Crawley Town required some alterations to the 2011/12 with both managerial and players coming and going. We let go a number of players such as Ben Smith, Dean Howell and Pablo Mills. However, we had a huge signing in the name of Sean O’Driscoll and his background staff from former championship side Doncaster Rovers.

Crawley signed a few players to start the season, with the likes of Paul Jones (GK), Matt Sadler (LB), Mark Connolly (RB/CD), Nicky Adams (ATT-MID) and Shaun Cooper (CD/CEN-MID).

These players I am sure that can make an immediate impact to Crawley come August 18th. A couple of youth squad members also signed on professional contracts.

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 6

Pre-season has gone really well for having played seven so far, winning five of them with impressive results against strong Peterborough and Millwall sides. The losses came to a decent Charlton side – despite an impressive display from our lads, but we lost 1-0 to a free kick that could have been avoided.

After Crawley’s third friendly against Woking our newly signed manager had received an offer from Nottingham Forest and accepted within hours. The decision was not taken easily at first by Crawley fans but who can blame him with such a strong club as Forest wanting you.. The lads are playing the ball on the deck with short sharp triangles and ball to feet rather than the ‘Steve Evans’ long ball game that Crawley were used to before. I believe the fans would have appreciated the way O’Driscoll got us to play football in such a short time.

With him gone it was left down to Craig Brewster and Football Director Steve Coppell to guide the club through pre season whilst backroom directors hunt for O’Driscoll’s replacement.

Brewster and Coppell have been fantastic as far as squad rotation and getting the players fit for the up and coming season is concerned.

With the likes of Gary Alexander, Billy Smith, Kyle McFadzean, Danny Bulman and David Hunt added with the new signings, Town have really looked professional and fit.

Gary Alexander looks to be the new club captain as he has worn the armband in all friendlies he has started. They really seem up for the new season coming and we as fans are looking forward to seeing how we fare in League 1. Realistically I think Crawley could find it tough in League One but I also think we will shake a few sides up with the football that we are now playing. If we manage to maintain our professional

have so far, we could expect to finish mid table. Anything more will be a bonus!

Jay Baldwin @pwrrcorporal

CREWE ALEXANDRA

Last season saw an almighty turnaround for Crewe Alexandra – from losing the first four games to a play-off final win. To put that into context, no League Two club has lost the first four and stayed up before.

The change in fortune coincided with a switch in management, Dario Gradi moving back upstairs to give way to his assistant, Steve Davis.

Davis immediately sparked a revolution, beginning with the players’ breakfasts.

The Wembley win was the 19th game in a row unbeaten, a club record. That much of that was driven by the mercurial Nick Powell – since sold to Manchester United for a clubsustaining fee – is true.

But in true Crewe style, another young starlet falls off the conveyor belt. Max Clayton carries much of the hopes of fans with great expectations of League One life.

Matt Withers @mattwithers

DONCASTER ROVERS

On the whole, our preseason has been quite promising really. Our first preseason challenge came in the shape of Cleethorpes Town, which really highlighted our lack of strength in depth with Saunders and assistant Carey making up the bench along with goalkeeping coach, Lee Butler. This gave us our first real glimpses of the youngsters recently signed as professionals, and although the opposition was rather weak, they looked in good shape. It was a little concerning that two goals were conceded, although the first year pro between the sticks could perhaps be

forgiven for rustiness. Along with this, we looked good and played flawless football at times, passing the ball round dominantly.

Three days later came Grimsby Town. Again, we played well against weak opposition, and again passed them off the park, this time with a few new faces in the shape of Robbie Blake and David Cotterill. Disappointed to go from 3-0 to letting in two again, but that’s the nature of preseason. Next up – Bradford Park Avenue. Concerning that we failed to beat a side so low down in the pyramid, although it was encouraging that we fought back from two goals down and played some excellent stuff on the (rather ragged) deck.

Against Rotheham (2-1 loss), we did struggle to cope with their midfield, only getting into the game in 10 minute spells.

Frustrating display really, as we could have won it if only for better finishing at the end.

As for the Yorkshire home triple header: we did very well in keeping Sheffield Wednesday (0-0) at bay for the whole game, with young defenders Wakefield and Husband stepping up to the mark, along with trialist Paul Quinn, impressing fans and management; against Hull (3-1 win), we managed to boss the entire second half after a poor first, which was more than encouraging, having beaten and toyed with strong Championship opposition; finally came Barnsley (2-2), and like the previous friendlies, we played well all round and only due to having to play a midfielder at centre back did we fall behind.

Blake seems in need of shedding a few pounds but looks very handy and should do well for us. Cotterill is very frustrating. Obvious class and talent but his head seems to drop easily, so Saunders will certainly have to motivate him well to get him to perform consistently. Quinn also looks very solid, and should fit into

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the defence nicely – good going forward too, which is a plus with the likes of Coppinger on the right wing. Jamie McCombe should do well looking at previous spells in League One, adding more strength to our previously shaky defence. All in all, I think we can finish in the top half of the league, perhaps more depending on who comes in during the next week or so.

We’ll (probably/hopefully – delete as necessary) win a few more than last year too!

Jason Derrick @JAD_rfc

HARTLEPOOL UTD

Hands up Pools fans, who is expecting a big season? I think the general feeling amongst fans this season is we would like a big improvement having spent the last two loitering towards the foot of the League 1 table. Hopefully things are going to change as Neale Cooper will begin his first full season in charge.

So far this summer we have seen a fair bit more transfer activity than normal. Neale wanting to stamp his authority on the team, decided he was going to axe the players he felt he no longer needed and who could no longer do a job for us. The senior players to head the list for release included Adam Boyd, James Brown and Nolberto Solano. Perhaps the biggest shock of all was allowing Gary Liddle to leave.

Cooper obviously feeling the need for change and thinking he had been coasting in our midfield for too long.

The players brought into the side however, have added a lot more quality to the side.

Ritchie Humphrey’s has been retained, Jonathan Franks has been snapped up on a free and Simon Walton has been brought in from Plymouth. Perhaps the most significant signing though is the return of beloved Pools striker Steve Howard.

Turning down the opportunity

to remain in the Championship by a number of clubs after his signature, we were the ones who ended up securing his services. I know fans are chomping at the bit to see him put back on the Pools shirt he once wore before.

Looking at the way pre season has gone, it has been a mixed turn of events so far. The away tour of Holland didn’t go quite so well with us losing both games against Dutch opponents. Since back on English soil though, results have picked up with the squad working hard in pre season training and looking a lot fitter.

A win over Sunderland at Home and two good draws against championship opposition in Hull City have left the fans looking forward to the new season with high expectation.

The league this year looks very strong though. Pools generally tend to start the season well but tail off towards the end. As for the other clubs, Sheffield United are going to strong again combined with a few other sides like Doncaster, MK Dons, Carlisle and Swindon. If Pools can compete with a few of these types of teams with the bigger budgets then we should be well on the way to success.

Hopes for the season. Well, I think the club can benefit from a few more signings yet.

Perhaps another striker as we have struggled to score in the past and even another wide player to provide that bit more width to the side. All you can ask for is a steady season and one where we can perhaps finish higher up the table than in recent years.

John Mason poolstalk.blogspot.co.uk

LEYTON ORIENT

We did everything possible in our

attempts to get relegated last season, relying in the end on Notts County at Wycombe 4-3. Russell Slade entered the off season clinging onto his

job for dear life following our collapse and narrow escape.

Fans feelings are mixed with many thinking he deserves loyalty after a 7th place finish in the 2010/2011 season and great FA Cup run. Others feel his tactical ineptitude and poor signings mean he should have gone though.

Slade is now in unknown territory with the Orient faithful; no club has really held on to him in a management capacity for 3 seasons or more before (he’s either quit or been released), so it really is a make or break season for Slade and nobody know what to expect. Our playing staff has seen a massive turnover with established players like Matt Spring leaving, as well as young prospects like winger George Porter who left for Burnley.

Many wanted Campbell-Ryce to stay, but he instead.

New signings have been less “star-studded” than the previous season, and the wage bill has clearly been reduced and it’s also likely that Ben Chorley will also be leaving before the season begins.

Maybe the most worrying factor is the fact that top scorer from last season, Kevin Lisbie hasn’t been offered a new contract with only a year to go. Ryan Brunt, on a 6 month loan from Stoke looks strong and has promise, but still looks raw and Symes has failed to impress.

Only David Mooney has looked purposeful in pre-season with Mooney, but overall we’re struggling to score. Midfield needs work with Smith, Cox and new signing Griffith failing to inspire confidence, although Moses Odubajo has carried on where he left off last season, looking relaxed and capable.

Defence looks the most settled, with Clarke and Cuthbert looking imperious in central defence, while it’s hard to call the full backs (other than to say that I hope Slade now realises that speedy young winger Moses Odubajo cannot play as

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a right wing back as he just cannot defend!)

Hopes for the season ahead?

The last two seasons under Russell Slade have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous, so O’s fans would happily settle for mid-table and be delirious if we could sneak into the top half. Much will depend on how well the players gel. With such a high turnover, there are challenges, although these signings have the potential to form a better team compared to the high profile individuals from last season (such as Jamie Cureton). Greater harmony in the camp will benefit Orient this year, with several protagonists leaving the club.

Andy Brown wearegoingup.co.uk

MK DONS

MK Dons fans are hoping that this might be the season that

the club get it together and win promotion, following two consecutive years of play-off disappointment.

Last season we probably missed out on automatic promotion through an inability to field a stable defence. The right back position has often been a problem and each time a loan signing appeared to resolve the issue (Adam Smith & James Tavernier) they were recalled or injured. For this year we’ve signed right back Jon Otsemobor from Sheffield Wednesday on a 2yr deal.

There are some talented players at the club, but the defence issue has often meant that key players had to drop back and play out of position; Stephen Gleeson being the best example of this. He is championship quality and when supported by a robust unit behind him can wreak havoc with the opposition and makes the team tick.

A lack of discipline will also need to be addressed as needless yellow and red cards have

made the situation worse and certainly cost us points. This improvement needs to be led from the front with the young scouse manager ‘Carl Robinson’ improving his own discipline on the sidelines. It remains to be seen what effect the addition of Mick Harford & Ian Right to his back room staff will have in this regard!

Goals come from all over the team, although the sale of Sammy Baldock to West Ham at the start of last season meant that the proverbial ‘20 goal striker’ that you generally need to get promoted did not materialise. Several strikers have been on loan in recent weeks and finally Ryan Lowe has signed a 2 yr deal. At 34, age is not on his side but promotion this year would be his 3rd in row and his goals to game ratio is impressive.

The chairman is talking up a good year and believes the opposition might not be quite as strong as in recent seasons.

If Otsemobor fills the gap in defence, the discipline improves and one of our 5 strikers can deliver 20 goals we won’t be too far away.

Jason Hammon website

OLDHAM

Paul Dickov takes his Oldham Athletic team into a third season admist growing optimism.

After two decidedly average seasons, the Scot, in his debut managerial job since his playing retirement, is building a squad that may yet surprise during 2012/13.

Following two impressive victories over the Football League’s newcomers York City (2-0) and Fleetwood Town (3-1), Dickov oversaw a memorable 2-1 win against his former club and Champions of England Manchester City.

Within

this

latest

ensemble

is Robbie Simpson, who has scored four goals during preseason. Simpson, who signed a one-year contract after a disappointing spell with Huddersfield Town, will play behind a main striker and could prove to be an exceptional acquisition.

His impressive loan spell endeared him to the Boundary Park faithful and his confidence is growing.

Trevor Birch, set a deadline of August 10th for the lot to leave, otherwise the club gets liquidated. This has been played out publicly – particularly with panto villain Tal Ben Haim who’s the last one left to go. It’s been yet another few months of becoming acquainted with company insolvency law rather than looking at potential signings.

Perhaps Dickov’s greatest act of persuasion was to bring Lee Croft back to Boundary Park, seven years after excelling during a short loan spell. The Derby County winger looked set to rejoin St Johnstone, where he impressed on loan last season, but a late swoop from Dickov was timed to perfection.

He will join a midfield that is more than realistically amongst the best balanced in League One. It is balanced, combative and now creative.

Somehow, amid all this, Michael Appleton has had to bring together a motley crew of promoted youth players, triallists, and even first team coach Ashley Westwood to complete pre-season friendlies.

Of course, we can’t sign any of the triallists who impress, due to an embargo, so currently their performances are doing nothing more than putting them in the shop window for others.

Captain Dean Furman forged a strong relationship with James Wesolowski last season, who Dickov was also able to convince to sign on for 12/13, and combined with Croft the middle of the side looks the strongest area of the team.

Following a disappointing 16th place finish in League One last term, Paul Dickov is under pressure to drag Oldham into the top half of the table. Much of last season’s woes were due to a crippling injury crisis after the festive period and gaps could only be plugged with inexperience and naivety.

At present, the squad remains shallow, but should Dickov impress again in the transfer market Oldham may head into the new campaign as an unexpected force worthy of a top-six finish.

Craig Worswick @Craig_Worswick

PORTSMOUTH

It says it all that we’ve spent summer trying to get rid of our entire squad. The administrator,

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 9

Ah, those pre-season friendlies.

We were thrashed 4-0 by Gibraltar and 5-1 by Brighton – not particularly surprising, but demoralising nonetheless.

Somehow we mustered a decent performance against Aldershot to win 1-0, before miraculously beating a strong Bolton side 3-0 (I don’t really understand how this happened, to be honest). If we can sign some of these triallists, we might have a team in a week’s time. If Appleton can build some tenacious team spirit, we might even be competitive (despite starting the season bottom of League One on -10 points). We’ll probably be relegated this season. We may well be liquidated. There are currently two offers on the table for the club: from alleged asset-stripper Balram Chainrai, and from the fans via the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust. My hope for the season is survival – or if it has to be liquidation, I’d long for a quick end to it all rather than delaying the inevitable for even longer.

I just want Portsmouth to exist.

Benedict West @OscarBoothby

PRESTON NORTH END

Turn back the clock 12 months and PNE were amongst the favourites to bounce straight back to the Championship at the first attempt.

What happened over the course of last season though, made even the most loyal North End fan extremely disappointed! A change of manager, change of chairman, alleged leaking of tactics by players and strained player/manager relations all contributed to a season of turmoil.The coming season sees a brand new North End squad.

Manager Graham Westley (who still divides opinion amongst the North End faithful) has overseen a huge overhaul of players during the close season.

Only goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann and defender Bailey Wright remain from before Westley arrived in January.

Thirteen new players have arrived over the summer so far. The signings are in the main, physically strong and possess strong leadership characteristics. The signings of Scott Laird and John Mousiniho arrive from Stevenage to give Westley some familiar faces.

Lee Trundle was a surprise signing following a successful trial but his luck was to desert him after a knee injury sustained in a friendly will keep him out for four months. North End fans are eagerly awaiting attacking reinforcements with Peter Ridsdale promising money to be spent on a recognised goalscorer.

So far the friendlies have been mixed in terms of results but the latest fixture against AEK Athens brought a 1-0 win and a much improved display. It’s fair to say North End supporters will have high expectancy levels as we seek to return to the Championship. However, last seasons poor form coupled with a brand new squad will leave supporters in a bit of a dilemma over what to expect. If we can get a proven goalscorer in, then play offs could be within our

reach. Without, then mid-table for me.

Carl Matthews @MaddyPNE

SCUNTHORPE UTD

The Iron’s pre-season preparations have been unusually varied and well-organised, with our arrangements ranging from a tour of the Republic of Ireland, (a welcome variance for myself and other attendees!), to friendlies against the likes of Manchester United Reserves, Middlesbrough - and the usual smattering of disappointing performances against local non-league sides.

More worrying is the fact that, at the time of writing, Scunny have not managed to master scoring more than 1 goal a game in any of our pre-season games: which is only serving to consolidate all fans’ worries about our lack of goals, despite the signing of Mike Grella up top from Leeds. Unless the longpromised forward loan addition is the best thing since sliced bread or something suddenly clicks - our real lack of goals will make anything other than mid-table impossible.

At time of writing, the 3 defenders of Christian Ribeiro, Callum Kennedy and David Mirfin have been the only other signings for us thus far - with all greeted positively: and with the return of the latter for his 3rd spell with the Iron on a free transfer from Watford, a real positive step for any defensive strength we hope to take into the new season. But we still badly lack depth at the back - with the first 2 our only full-backs. Another couple of defenders are desperately needed. Eddie Nolan: all is forgiven!

In conclusion, I believe that Scunthorpe United are just about ready for the coming of the new League One season, (Away to Crawley on August

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18th), but expectations have to be reasonable - and signings made just to ensure the most basic defensive depth. Midtable at best, but if we can start anything like reasonably - last season’s long flirtation with relegation should be avoided at least. Given the summer’s considerable budget slashing: this is no mean achievement.

I just wish we still had Cliff Byrne, released inexplicably after 9 great years: with plenty left in his tank.

I’m sure the coming season will be another mix of highs and lows for all of us Scunny fans - but if it’s comparatively anything other than mediocre: I’ll be surprised... How boring eh?

Max Bell wearegoingup.co.uk/category/ scunthorpe-united/ @UseTheLeftWing

SHEFFIELD UNITED

It has been a strange summer of ups and downs for Blades fans.

Off the pitch there is ominous silence over the club’s financial situation, with a battle to make the League One wage cap, up to two thirds of back office staff facing redundancy and a recent announcement that the football club fixed assets (stadium and academy) are being transferred to the plc – majority owned by major shareholder (and creditor) Kevin McCabe - to “attract investors”.

In terms of playing squad, the loss of right-back Matt Lowton is significant and the worry remains that we will lose our other great youngster Harry Maguire before the season starts.

Having said that, Tony McMahon will provide experience and similar forward thrust to Lowton in the right back position so his loss may not be as painful as feared.

Although the sale of promising youngsters give a boost to the Profit & Loss account, they do little to address the wage issue and with Stephen,

Nick Montgomery and Richard Cresswell all on five figure weekly salaries, you would expect that at least one of these will leave as well. That player will most probably be Quinn, a player who divides opinion amongst fans, but was a key contributor in terms of goals and assists last season.

The acceptance of a new contract offer made to midfielder Kevin McDonald is probably one of the best signings in League One this summer. McDonald was the fulcrum around which our whole way of playing was positioned. His absence through injury in the latter part of the season saw United hit a difficult patch and lack the fluency of our passing game which had held us in such good stead.

The failure of Lee Williamson to agree a new deal leaves us short of attacking threat. Our second highest goal-scorer last season, his goal threat will be missed, particularly in the absence of Ched Evans.

Although signings have been made; Manchester United youngster John Cofie remains in the raw talent – but untested category, whilst Shaun Miller ex of Crewe, ticks the talented but lost his way box. Will Danny Wilson be the man to get the best out of them alongside experienced front men in Cresswell and Porter?

This is a difficult second season for Wilson. We didn’t lose players last summer, as expected, and Wilson (along with a drop in division) finally brought out the goal-scoring capability of Ched Evans. A play off final would have been taken by the fans, if offered at the start of the season, but losing second place so late on to Wednesday and then the most awful shootout denouement will take some bouncing back from.

With everything else going on at the club, the pressure is on Danny as much as it was last season – just in a different way.

In our favour is the fact that I think the division is weaker.

Those coming down have their problems and of those coming up, I can only really see Swindon threatening.

It could be a tight fight for promotion, come May 2013.

I would expect United (like County) to be challenging, even without the fire power of last season. Then again it could be any two from ten for automatic, just don’t treat us as the favourites like so many of the bookmakers are.

Ian Rands aunitedview.blogspot.com

SHREWSBURY TOWN

It’s been a summer of change bordering on drastic on for Shrewsbury Town.

All of the out-of-contract players departed for pastures new and Graham Turner had the task of rebuilding for life in a higher tier. Last season’s defensive partnership (Ian Sharps and Shane Cansdell-Sheriff), both senior goalkeepers (Chris Neal and Ben Smith) and important attacking components of the team (Nicky Wroe and James Collins) all moving on meant that the rebuilding would be extensive. It was clearly far more extensive than Turner had hoped with a total of ten new faces introduced to pre-season training.

After the positive experience of the RAF Shawbury camp last season, Shrewsbury returned to Turner’s favourite pre-season hangout for the typical relentless fitness regime. The first fixture with a paying audience was a non-descript 0-0 draw away at Evesham. The home fixtures against bigger clubs Birmingham City, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers were going to offer much better looks at how the squad was setting up for the challenge of League 1.

Results have been mixed but there’s been plenty of evidence for optimism for the new season. While there’s a question mark over Ryan Doble

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(possibly another headless chicken runner up front), the new arrivals have impressed to various degrees.

The additions of Asa Hall and Luke Summerfield mean that it looks as if rather than a weakness, the centre of the Shrews midfield will be a strong point in the squad. Their performances, combined with even more impressive displays from Rob Purdie and Michael Hector, have bolstered belief that the Shrews just might aim a little higher than avoiding relegation.

While it is a shame that the squad who achieved promotion last season won’t have the chance to be tested in League 1, the supporters trust Turner.

It looks as if mid-table will be the likely finish for the Shrews for the coming season but I for one am optimistic that we just might surprise a few this season. It’s been mentioned more than enough by plenty looking at what Turner’s team can do this season but here’s a small history lesson with what Turner did for Wolves in the 1980s. In his first season, they lost out in the play-offs and in his second season he guided them to promotion. His third season saw a second successive promotion. It’s not my place to say history will repeat itself and in all honesty it’s probably more a case of looking for something historical to let the dream have a mild basis but this is what pre-season is for: optimistic dreams.

Andrew Harding andrewcharding.com

STEVENAGE

New season, new squad and with that, new ambitions. Last season surpassed any fan’s wildest dreams and with times a’ changing, there’s plenty of reasons to look forward to the new season. With fifteen squad players leaving the club most notably; Michael Bostwick to Peterborough United and Lawrie Wilson to last season’s champions Charlton Athletic

there were reasons to believe that the squad had been torn apart, the spirit that was so strong and present last season lost, and that Stevenage’s ambitions for the season would be to try and survive. However, with the arrival of twelve new players all with varying degrees of experience across the game, there’s certainly an air of optimism around the club.

Pre-season, to the eye of an outsider would appear very so-so. Three wins, four draws and three losses and with two games left to go (at the time of writing), the form book isn’t inspiring. However, remembering that it is still only pre-season and with players coming and going on trial, it’s fair to say that the team is still at an experimental stage.

With Tottenham Hotspur being the most notable pre-season opponent, it’s fair to judge the team’s performance against them. It’s safe to say that the defensive shackles that were so evident last season had been somewhat, released and for the first half at least, freeflowing football was being played and the new midfield (James Dunne, Luke Freeman, Filipe Morais & Anthony Grant) looked solid. Marcus Haber provided a threatening outlook up front with Morais, Nicky Ajose (trialist) and Freeman playing just in behind. The recent signing of Lucas Akins indicates that Gary Smith may look to use two strikers up front however with Akins also being able to play as a wide man; it’s certainly possible that Smith may look to use the 4-2-3-1 this season. With Smith recently saying he was looking to add two more players to the squad before the start of the season (Akins being one of them) it’s safe to say that Smith expects at least another player to be added however the position he looks to strengthen in remains unclear with Agyemang yet again making the bench for the 1-1 draw against Peterborough United and rumours circulating he’s been offered a deal,

he could well be the second and possibly final signing.

So onto the expectations for the upcoming season, having surpassed all expectations set last season, I, the rest of the fans and the club will be hoping that the dreaded second season syndrome doesn’t come into effect. With over half the squad leaving and the style of play seemingly changing during pre-season, teams will have to re-adjust to the new style of play. Having been caught out on occasions during last season when being deemed “too physical” the departure of Bostwick has meant that the midfield has lost some of its industrialness however, in the form of Dunne there’s still an element of physical presence within the midfield. And Tansey, Morais and Grant have added flair to the midfield and the wonderful talent of Freeman (who signed from Arsenal last season) will be looking to improve on his somewhat impressive first season for the club (pre-season form certainly suggests he will after a stunning performance against Peterborough).

Having managed (at the time of writing) to keep the solid centre back partnership of Mark Roberts and Jon Ashton together, the core of the team still remains strong – metaphorically and literally.

Expectations with such a new squad are to again, take each game as it comes and to secure survival in English football’s third tier for a second time.

Once survival is secured, I’m sure each game will again, be taken one at a time to ultimately secure a top ten finish anything above that will be – again - deemed as a huge success. Defence last season was ultimately the key to our success – Stevenage dropped 8 points from winning positions in League One last season, less than any other team. However, it is evident from pre-season that the ethos of the side has changed somewhat. Keeping BLACK & WHITE PAGE 12

the defence strong is something that appears to come naturally however on many occasions last season it was a lack of creativity in the middle of the pack and to an extent, the lack of a prolific target man that saw Stevenage from the 19th Feb – 14th April gain one win in 16 games. The introduction of a new look midfield has turned us into an efficient passing side that looks to be able to create chances at every opportunity and with the formation looking to be 4-1-2-3-1 – there is still a strong core to the side.

All in all, new squad, new ambitions. There’s no doubt it’ll take the squad a while to gel and theoretically that’s what pre-season’s for however, it’s impossible to replicate the pressure and therefore desire to win in such games. I expect the first proper sign as to how we’ll fare this season will be on the 14th of August in the Capital One Cup game against AFC Wimbledon. As always I’m optimistic and hopefully the good times continue to roll.

Daniel Speller @Daniel_Speller

SWINDON TOWN

After destroying League Two, many expect Swindon Town will be ready to mount a serious automatic promotion challenge, it would be nice if football was that simple...

New arrivals in the form of Navaro, Miller, ArchibaldHenville, Roberts, McEveley, Collins and Williams all have vital League One experience.

Adding these to the best of 11/12 formed by the backbone of Caddis, Ritchie, Foderingham and Benson is a formidable side on paper, but susceptible in defence and without a proven 20 plus a season clinical finisher.

Pre-season fortunately hasn’t been the whirlwind of 12 months ago. Di Canio has matured and is better prepared, which

bodes well considering what he delivered last year after being thrown in at the deep end.

With a 3 year target of Championship football and Di Canio committed - through a contract extension - to that period, 2012/13 is a season of transition with a top ten finish and plenty of headlines a certainty.

Ron Smith thewashbag.com

TRANMERE ROVERS

Pre-season began with four games against local non-league opposition; two wins and two draws. They were satisfactory, our profligacy in front of goal not so. It is obvious that we need a goalscorer as well as a targetman after the surprise and slightly disappointing retirement of Ben Burgess, who only joined the club in June. It is likely that we will have replaced Burgess with ex-Leyton Orient striker Jonathan Tehoue, who has impressed during a trial spell with the club.

Other signings include striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, whose name is more impressive than his goalscoring record of roughly a goal every 7 games; Jason Mooney, a 6ft 9 goalkeeper who will provide good back-up for our Welsh international goalkeeper Owain fon Williams; Danny Harrison, who has returned to the club a better midfielder than when he left to join Rotherham; Paul Black arrives from Oldham to provide good competition for the left-back spot with Zoumana Bakayogo; Liam Palmer has also come to Prenton Park on loan from Sheffield Wednesday for six months with not a bad word said about him from the Owls fans; Joe Thompson has come in for an undisclosed fee from Rochdale to add some width to the midfield; Jake Cassidy has returned on loan from Wolves for six months to potentially be the solution to our goalscoring needs; Abdulai Bell-Baggie

had a successful trial spell and signed a one-year contract after leaving Conference South side Salisbury City.

As per usual we had a number of trialists. Unsurprisingly, most of whom such as Liam Chilvers, didn’t cut the mustard and were promptly moved on. The odd one or two were considered good enough to keep on such as the goalkeeper Mooney, BellBaggie and potentially, Tehoue.

James Wallace has arrived from Everton for an undisclosed fee following his loan spell last season and has immediately been made captain by Ronnie Moore, which suggests that he has great faith in the midfielder, who turned down offers from Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth to join us. In years gone by we have not had many goals from midfield but I feel that Wallace has at least 10 goals in him for the forthcoming season and I hope to be proved right.

The brilliantly-named Max Power could make this his breakthrough year in the centre of midfield, potentially alongside Wallace. He’s highlyregarded by the academy staff who’ve seen the likes of Ryan Taylor, Jason Koumas and Iain Hume pass through our youth system so they have an eye for a good player.

For the last three seasons we’ve been involved in the relegation battle so it’d be nice to have a year off from that! Other than that I think a top half finish would be realistic with a playoff push not out of the question given how open the league will be this year. Our home form is generally strong; we’ve not lost in our last 25 home league games under Ronnie Moore so hopefully that will continue this year to give ourselves a platform upon which to build.

I think this is as weak as we’ve seen League One for a long time. On paper, there aren’t many teams who stand out BLACK & WHITE PAGE 13

whereas, in recent years, you could see who’d be up at the top challenging for promotion i.e Leeds, Norwich, Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and the like. This year, it’s fairly open and there are no obvious contenders; it’s a chance for an unfancied team to have a serious crack at promotion. My top six, in no particular order, at the time of writing, would be Swindon, Brentford, Notts County, MK Dons, Bournemouth and Coventry; my bottom four, again in no particular order, would be Crewe, Oldham, Leyton Orient and Portsmouth.

Sam Robinson liquidfooty.wordpress.com

WALSALL

The summer has seen major change at The Banks’s Stadium, more than fifteen players have been shipped out in favour of a blend of youth and experience, out went defenders Olly Lancashire, Lee Beevers, Darryl Westlake, Manny Smith and last seasons Players’ Player of the Season Mat Sadler, along with midfielders Kevan Hurst, Anton Peterlin, Alex Nicholls and fans favourite Emmy Ledesma, and veteran striker Jon Macken.

In, so far, we have, ExRochdale defender Dean Holden, Ex-Wolves prospect Ashley Hemmings, last season’s loan star Florent Cuvelier, former West Bromwich Albion defender Paul Downing, exDoncaster Rovers midfielder James Baxendale and former Manchester United reserves striker Febian Brandy.

Clearly there is still much rebuilding to do, but the steps taken so far are relatively positive, but we are lacking in much experience, a situation that must be addressed.

The Saddlers pre-season has been the usual anticipation, positivity, followed by disappointment, the team have concentrated on mostly fitness and conditioning based

games versus our lower league locals, so far we have travelled to Pelsall Villa, AFC Telford United, Kidderminster Harriers, Redditch United, and Burton Albion, along with the traditional home visit by rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, regardless of results the squad has benefited from the increase in fitness and the opportunity to try out various tactical options.

Put simply the supporters want a play-off push, the Saddlers faithful are hungry for success. After two long seasons of battling relegation, supporters want the taste of success, however, in reality, we’d all be very happy with mid-table mediocrity, anything that doesn’t involve a final day miracle would be a nice building block for the future.

Bescot Banter BescotBanter.net

YEOVIL TOWN

It is possible to sum up Yeovil Town’s preseason in just the one word. Unbeaten. That feels quite good to say, there won’t be a mass of clubs able to say that and it could be easy to get carried away by it. I myself, have been guilty of a few lighthearted tweets suggesting

the Glovers might be on for the title, promotion or even a bit of world domination - but there is a slightly more realistic outcome to the pre-season.

The sides we have played, with the exception of Stoke and maybe Exeter, would all fall under the category of teams we should be beating; Bristol Rovers, Plymouth and Newport are probably the best of those sides, but Llanelli, Hereford and Dorchester were more for fitness and integrating the squad. But, the preparation has been thought out carefully to allow for some confidence building some clean sheets and some goals as well as the physical tests. The reports and views of those who have attended have all suggested that the quality of football being played is certainly a positive and that the squad seems to be adaptable and versatile to each game’s situation.

Pre-season for Yeovil has previously been about the turnover of 100% of the playing staff, with fans crying out for consistency we have finally seen contracts signed and players brought in on permanent deals.

Luke Ayling, Ed Upson and

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Dom Blizzard are all staying put when fans thought they’d be off, Marek Stech is back from his loan last season and becomes the club’s first permanent first choice stopper since Steve Mildenhall in 2007. In my opinion we’ve lacked some experience and nous in recent seasons and the additions of Jamie Mcallister and James Hayter should fill that void.

So, to sum up the ‘P’ word of promotion has been muted by some but if truth be told, it’s another one, progression that is probably more important.

We have a starting XI that will be able to match anyone in the league, but the squad remains thin and the budget is very tight.

Can a total of 17 or 18 full time pros pull out 46 games of quality to mix it with the MK Dons and Sheffield Uniteds?

Maybe not, but the top half isn’t out of the question and if anyone knows how to get the best out of this group it’s Gary Johnson.

Cautious optimism is the order of the day for those in green and white.

Ben Barrett @benbarrett10

IN ISSUE 1 - OUT NOW!!

The 2011/12 Season Review Looking back at last season’s campaign - taking in Carlisle, Turin, Sutton and eventual 7th-place disappointment.

The Fans v Players The first part in a behind the scenes look at least year’s Notts County v versus players match masterminded by Martin Allen.

Alan Judge interview A quick chat with last year’s player of the season looking ahead to the new year with a few highlights from the last 12 months.

dissection of the club’s preseason preparations from Andrew Dennis.

Jake Bugg interview Darren Patterson caught up with the 18-year-old singer/ songwriter from Clifton ahead of the release of his debut album.

The New Kids On Our Block Assessments of the new signings made through the Summer - by supporters from their former clubs.

Euro 2012 Luke Williamson looks back on the first of the Summer’s football tournaments.

Kicking And Screaming Notts County Mad’s Jacob Daniel looks at how Keith Curle’s tactics are dragging the club into the modern age without many people realising it.

The

Is This The Real FA Cup?

Reality

Check

A

A look at the sad actions of Budweiser and The FA to allow Wembley FC to be used as a marketing ploy.

Twitter & Notts County Fresh from London 2012, Paul Smith offers his views on the influence of social media and how Notts County’s players are using it.

Finding The Balance Questioning the relevance of what actually happens in pre-season games - or training sessions as they probably should be regarded.

We’ve Got Johnno At The Back! Notts legend Michael Johnson has agreed to write a regular column about his days at the club - starting in issue 1 with his days as a YTS trainee.

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