The npower League One is experiencing one of its best seasons. Attendances are up, the goals are raining in, and with sides who are attractive to watch leading the way such as Charlton and Huddersfield the quality is a bit special too. David Triggs takes us through the teams….
Team: Bournemouth
Home Ground: Dean Court
Nickname: The Cherries
Key Player: Top scorer Mark Pugh has been ever-present for the Cherries this season. The former Shrewsbury winger has notched an impressive 10 goals and is attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs.
Predicted Finish: I can see them just missing out on the play-offs, so I’ll go 7th
Team: Brentford
Home Ground: Griffin Park
Nickname: The Bees
Key Player: Sam Saunders. The former Dagenham & Redbridge man has set League 1 alight this season with his 7 goals. Like Pugh, he’s also attracted interest from a number of big clubs.
Predicted Finish: Like Bournemouth, I can see them just slipping off. I’ll go for 8th
Team: Bury
Home Ground: Gigg Lane
Nickname: The Shakers
Key Player: Peter Sweeney. The Centre Midfielder has really come into his own; his wide-range of passing has unlocked defences, and is a real one-to-watch for The Shakers.
Predicted Finish: 13th
Team: Carlisle United
Home Ground: Brunton Park
Nickname: The Blues
Key Player: Francois Zoko, The Striker has netted an impressive 6 goals in his last 6 games for Carlisle before Saturday.
Predicted Finish: Can see them scraping a play-off spot, 6th
Team: Charlton Athletic
Home Ground: The Valley
Nickname: The Addicks
Key Player: Bradley Wright-Phillips. The former Manchester City striker has been banging them in for fun in League 1, and could well be a shoe in for the golden boot.
Predicted Finish: 1st
Team: Chesterfield
Home Ground: B2Net Stadium.
Nickname: The Spireites
Key Player: Leon Clarke, the on loan Swindon man is The Spirites top scorer so far this season, and is an excellent finisher in front of goal.
Predicted Finish: 23rd. Sorry Chesterfield fans.
Bury's Gigg Lane: cracking atmosphere, great pies and good football. What more do you want?
Team: Colchester United
Home Ground: Weston Homes Commuinty Stadium
Nickname: The U’s
Key Player: Anthony Wordsworth, another Midfielder who likes to get himself on the score-sheet. The U’s wide man has notched 9 so far this season, and is definitely one to watch.
Predicted Finish: I’ll say 11th, a comfortable mid-table team, but they do get some odd results.
Team: Exeter City
Home Ground: St. James’ Park. (No, not that one.)
Nickname: The Grecians
Key Player: Daniel Nardiello, The Manchester United youth product is their top scorer this season with 8 goals, and you can see a comedy incident involving him whilst at Bury here
Predicted Finish: 21st
Team: Hartlepool United
Home Ground: Victoria Park
Nickname: The Pools
Key Player: Gary Liddle. The influential skipper has been ever present for Hartlepool this season, and the Centre-Back was an integral part of the team that rocketed up the league at the start of the season.
Predicted Finish: 18th
Team: Huddersfield Town
Home Ground: Galpharm Stadium
Nickname: The Terriers
Key Player: Jordan Rhodes. With a staggering 26 goals already this season, Rhodes has been a target for a vast number of Premier League clubs, no surprise really.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Team: Leyton Orient
Home Ground: Matchroom Stadium
Nickname: The Os
Key Player: Kevin Lisbie. Russell Slade’s team is packed with experience, not least from this former top flight striker. His guile has proved to be invaluable.
Predicted Finish: 16th
Team: MK Dons
Home Ground: Stadium:MK
Nickname: The Dons.
Key Player: Charlie Macdonald, brought in in the summer from Brentford to replace Sam Baldock, and he’s scored 9 goals so far for the Dons.
Predicted Finish: 5th
Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes has been tearing apart League One defences this term.
Team: Notts County
Home Ground: Meadow Lane
Nickname: The Magpies
Key Player: Lee Hughes, The former West Brom striker, has been prolific for County since joining in 2009, and has continued his impressive scoring rate, with 9 so far this year.
Predicted Finish: 10th
Team: Oldham Athletic
Home Ground: Boundary Park
Nickname: The Latics
Key Player: Shefqi Kuqi. The former Blackburn man has scored 13 so far in all competitions and the Finnish striker has put in some very impressive performances for the Latics thus far.
Predicted Finish: 19th
Team: Preston North End
Home Ground: Deepdale
Nickname: The Lilywhites
Key Player: Neil Mellor. The former Liverpool striker is tipped as one of the best in the league on his day and has scored 9 so far in an injury-hit season.
Predicted Finish: 12th
Team: Rochdale
Home Ground: Spotland
Nickname: The Dale
Key Player: Gary Jones. The ‘Dale skipper has got over 500 appearances in the blue of Rochdale and his influential style of play has seen him score 5 goals so far this season.
Predicted Finish: 22nd
Team: Scunthorpe United
Home Ground: Glanford Park
Nickname: The Iron
Key Player: The Scunthorpe winger had notched 9 so far this season, and frequently comes up with late goals to salvage important points for Alan Knill’s men, an extremely good player.
Predicted Finish: 20th
Team: Sheffield United
Home Ground: Bramall Lane
Nickname: The Blades
Key Player: Ched Evans, the former Man City striker has scored 18 goals so far in all competitions, and looks a fantastic player at this level.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
The Blades' 'Super' Ched Evans has found his feet at this level.
Team: Sheffield Wednesday
Home Ground: Hillsborough
Nickname: The Owls
Key Player: Gary Madine. The ex-Carlisle man has been scoring goals for fun for Wednesday so far, even with the injuries and suspension he’s received scoring 12 goals.
Predicted Finish: 4th
Team: Stevenage
Home Ground: Broadhall Way
Nickname: The Boro
Key Player: Scott Laird. The Left-Back is the set-piece specialist for Boro and is a consistent performer having risen up the leagues with Stevenage.
Predicted Finish: 9th
Team: Tranmere Rovers
Home Ground: Prenton Park
Nickname: The Rovers
Key Player: Joss Labadie. The Tranmere Striker signed a 2 year deal in the summer and has been in good form this season and is the Rovers leading scorer with 4 goals.
Predicted Finish: 17th
Team: Walsall
Home Ground: The Bescot Stadium
Nickname: The Saddlers
Key Player: Jon Macken. The former Manchester City and Preston striker has scored 6 goals so far this season for Walsall.
Predicted Finish: 14th. Can see them finishing strongly.
Team: Wycombe Wanderers
Home Ground: Adams Park
Nickname: The Chairboys
Key Player: Gareth Beavon. The Journeyman Striker is Wycombe’s leading scorer this season having scored an impressive 13 goals.
Predicted finish: 24th.
Team: Yeovil Town.
Home Ground: Huish Park
Nickname: The Glovers
Key Player: Kieran Agard. The Yeovil front man has scored 4 goals so far in the league having signed for The Glovers in the summer.
Predicted Finish: 15th
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