Coca Cola League one - Review of 2004/2005 Season

Coca Cola League one

BARNSLEY 13th: (Last season 12th)

Barnsley brought in enough players for an entirely new team last summer, but many of them failed to live up to expectations this season.

Despite a run of four wins just before Christmas, the Tykes were never serious play-off contenders, and boss Paul Hart eventually lost his job in March.

Results improved slightly under caretaker Andy Ritchie, but there is much work for the new manager to do.

VERDICT: An under-achieving season from a squad with undoubted talent.



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BLACKPOOL 16th: (Last seson 14th)

Rookie boss Colin Hendry had a baptism of fire as Blackpool took just two points from their first seven games.

But an impressive run of results, which included just one defeat between mid-January and mid-March, saw them finish well clear of trouble.

Despite losing Scott Taylor to Plymouth in December, Keigan Parker emerged as a bright young talent in attack, while Keith Southern impressed in midfield.

VERDICT: A great second half to the season for an improving side.



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BOURNEMOUTH 8th: (Last season 9th)

The Cherries occupied a play-off spot for much of the campaign - but the top six again eluded boss Sean O'Driscoll's side as injuries came at crucial times.

Hot-shot James Hayter missed two months in mid-season, while they lost most of their defence, including star left-back Warren Cummings, in the spring.

They also struggled to win at home in the last months of the season, despite a run of six wins away from Dean Court.

VERDICT: Missed the play-offs by one point - will hope for better next term.



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BRADFORD CITY 11th: (Last season 23rd D1)

This was always likely to be a season of consolidation for Bradford, whose second spell in administration ended in December with Julian Rhodes' takeover.

City did flirt with the play-offs after a run of five wins in October - but then went four months without a home win, despite some good away results.

Dean Windass, now 36, hit 28 goals but the Bantams have been clearing out some of their older players for next season.

VERDICT: Encouraging signs for their 2005/06 campaign from Todd's side.



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BRENTFORD 4th: (Last season 17th)

Manager Martin Allen is a hero to the Brentford supporters after transforming last season's relegation-threatened side into promotion contenders.

The Bees surprised many teams this year - although incredibly, they finished fourth with a negative goal difference.

Goals were a particular problem away from home, but the team spirit which took them to the FA Cup fifth round could serve them well in the play-offs.

VERDICT: Exceeded expectations by finishing in the top six.



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BRISTOL CITY 7th: (Last season 3rd)

Bristol City's fans will be left frustrated after an inconsistent season saw them miss out on the play-offs.

New boss Brian Tinnion did not have a smooth baptism - and Ashton Gate was no longer a fortress, with City winning just nine of their 23 home games.

But 29-goal Leroy Lita formed a good partnership with new boy Steve Brooker up front, although Lita will generate plenty of summer transfer speculation.

VERDICT: Disappointing - but should do better next term if they can keep Lita.



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CHESTERFIELD 17th: (Last season 20th)

After avoiding relegation on the final day of 2003/04, Chesterfield can be pleased after achieving their highest league finish for six years.

They even threatened a play-off charge for the first half of the season, before fading somewhat after Christmas.

Boss Roy McFarland does not have the biggest of squads, but he used the loan market well and recruited impressive young players like Alex Bailey.

VERDICT: Good work from the improving Spireites, despite their late slump.



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COLCHESTER UNITED 15th: (Last season 11th)

Colchester will be disappointed not to have improved on last season - but were deprived of key players like Kem Izzet for long spells through injury.

Boss Phil Parkinson has an eye for a player and has picked up some bargains, such as ex-Blackburn man Neil Danns.

But the U's are always in danger of losing their best players to wealthier clubs - such as Wayne Andrews in the autumn and Craig Fagan in February.

VERDICT: Despite two good Cup runs, an inconsistent season at Layer Road.



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DONCASTER ROVERS 10th: (Last season 1st D3)

After back-to-back promotions in their two previous seasons, 2004/05 must have felt like an anti-climax for Doncaster.

But Rovers can be proud of the progress they have made on and off the field - with tricky winger Michael McIndoe having another good season.

They only finished five points shy of the play-offs, and with the planned new stadium on the horizon, things are looking up for Dave Penney's side.

VERDICT: Steady progress for Doncaster, who can expect even better next term.



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HARTLEPOOL UNITED 6th: (Last season 6th)

It was a season of two halves for Pools, who nevertheless booked their fifth play-off campaign in six years.

They won 12 of their first 14 home games and looked well-placed - but then only managed 10 more points from their last nine games at Victoria Park.

The departure of boss Neale Cooper three days before the season's end was a shock, but 27-goal striker Adam Boyd could be key to their play-off chances.

VERDICT: An inconsistent second half to the season - but don't write them off.



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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 9th: (Last season 4th D3)

Having come up through the play-offs, Huddersfield can be well pleased with their return to this division.

A late surge in form came just too late for a play-off spot, but finishing just one point off the top six can be judged a success for manager Peter Jackson.

Pawel Abbott took the headlines with 27 goals, but Andy Booth also chipped in while loanee Luke Beckett's seven goals in six games came at a crucial time.

VERDICT: Jackson has put together a young side which should improve.



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HULL CITY 2nd: (Last season 2nd D3)

With a stadium and financial resources to be envied by most teams below the Premiership, Hull recorded their second successive promotion in 2004/05.

Nick Barmby's high-profile return home proved a success, but Northern Ireland winger Stuart Elliott stole the show with 29 goals for Peter Taylor's side.

Craig Fagan's signing in February also proved a key purchase at a vital time.

VERDICT: A virtually impregnable home record was key to their success - with strength in depth also playing a part.



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LUTON TOWN 1st: (Last season 10th)

After getting off to a flier with nine wins from their first 11 games, Luton swept all before them to win the title.

A miserly defence, a talented midfield marshalled by skipper Kevin Nicholls and the goals of target man Steve Howard proved an awesome combination.

Mike Newell's men also remained largely injury-free - with 10 players starting 37 or more league games - and fielding a settled side paid big dividends.

VERDICT: An unqualified success story - Newell's side are worthy champions.



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MILTON KEYNES DONS 20th: (Last season 24th D1)

With a new name, badge and colours, little now remains of Milton Keynes Dons' former incarnation as Wimbledon.

They started the new season as badly as they had finished 2003/04 - and looked set for another relegation until new boss Danny Wilson steadied the ship.

Goalkeeper Matt Baker, who joined from Wrexham just after Wilson's arrival, was a key signing - while Gareth Edds scored some priceless goals late on.

VERDICT: A season-long struggle - only saved with a late goal on the last day.



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OLDHAM ATHLETIC 19th: (Last season 15th)

Oldham fans can look back on 2004/05 as the season they knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup - but there was precious little else to celebrate.

Having battled on during the autumn, manager Brian Talbot lost his job in February after a run of seven defeats.

Results improved under new boss Ronnie Moore thanks to the goals of on-loan Luke Beckett, but they were not safe from relegation until the final day.

VERDICT: More overhaul work is needed if Oldham are to improve next term.



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PETERBOROUGH UNITED 23rd: (Last season 18th)

Peterborough's five-year reign at this level has ended after a year of struggle, in which they failed to record back-to-back wins all season.

Despite using 36 players, goals remained a problem and only Callum Willock broke into double figures.

Reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup was one of the only bright points - and owner-manager Barry Fry has decided to step down as team boss in the summer.

VERDICT: After a disappointing 2004/05, much will depend on the new manager.



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PORT VALE 18th: (Last season 7th)

Vale were unable to repeat their form of 2003/04 after losing the prolific Steve McPhee last summer, and were among the lowest scorers in League One.

Their attack was also weakened by the sale of Steve Brooker to Bristol City, leaving them having to rely on Lee Matthews and Billy Paynter for goals.

But boss Martin Foyle has recognised that he must bring in some new players this summer if Vale are to progress.

VERDICT: Avoided the drop - but the lack of a cutting edge is a worry.



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SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 5th: (Last season 16th)

After a disappointing start to the campaign, Wednesday replaced boss Chris Turner with Paul Sturrock, and the Scot was the catalyst to their revival.

Exactly half of the Owls' 72 points were won away from home - with no side bettering their 43 goals on the road.

Their play-off bid stuttered when injuries, to notably top scorer Steven MacLean, began to bite - but they can enter the play-offs with optimism.

VERDICT: A better season - but the Owls fans will expect victory at Cardiff.



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STOCKPORT COUNTY 24th: (Last season 19th)

Stockport had a wretched season under both Sammy McIlroy and his successor as manager, Chris Turner.

County had made five new signings last summer - but four of those players had already been sold by the time their relegation was confirmed in April.

With the Supporters' Trust taking control of the club next season, their long-suffering fans will hope to restore some pride in League Two.

VERDICT: A season to forget - a fresh start is well overdue for the Hatters.



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SWINDON TOWN 12th: (Last season 5th)

Swindon were unable to repeat last term's play-off push, and their season was effectively over well before May.

Striker Sam Parkin's 24 goals ensured a top-half finish, but he received little support although midfielder Grant Smith caught the eye with a 10-goal haul.

Manager Andy King again used the loan market well, but the Robins struggled to win away from home - while off-field financial problems did not help them.

VERDICT: A below-par finish for King, who may have to rebuild this summer.



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TORQUAY UNITED 21st: (Last season 3rd D3)

Torquay will be sorry to slip straight back into the bottom division after a season in which boss Leroy Rosenior made the best of his limited resources.

The signing of striker Leon Constantine from fellow strugglers Peterborough was good business for the Devon side.

But after reaching the brink of survival with four wins in April, the one combination of final-day results that could have sunk the Gulls did so.

VERDICT: A sad end to the season - but they will rebuild for next term.



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TRANMERE ROVERS 3rd: (Last season 8th)

Tranmere kept up their late-season momentum from 2003/04 for most of the campaign, but eventually lost touch with front-runners Luton and Hull.

However, they have looked the most assured of all the play-off contenders and must be favourites to go up.

While defender Ryan Taylor caught the eye and made the PFA team of the year, Jason McAteer anchored the midfield and Iain Hume was a livewire up front.

VERDICT: Shrewd boss Brian Little's play-off experience could be vital.



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WALSALL 14th: (Last season 22nd D1)

Walsall will have hoped for better than the wildly inconsistent season they endured since dropping into League One.

The Saddlers only won two of their first 11 games, before player-boss Paul Merson engineered some respectability.

Six defeats in March even threatened to drag them into the relegation scrap - but four signings before deadline day, notably Julian Joachim, kept them up.

VERDICT: Merson will not be satisfied with a bottom-half finish, and must rebuild the side for next season.



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WREXHAM 22nd: (Last season 13th)

Losing Carlos Edwards for half the season to a long-term injury, before a ball had been kicked, was a big blow.

But that was nothing compared to the off-field turmoil over the future of the club, which saw them deducted 10 points for going into administration.

Victory in the LDV final - and the arrival of Basque hot-shot Juan Ugarte - were the high points of a barren season which ended in relegation.

VERDICT: The fans will be happy just to start 2005/06 in one piece.