2012/13 League 2 preview
BURTON ALBION
Position last season: 17th
Players in: Marcus Holness (Rochdale, free), Ross Atkins (Derby, loan), Lee Bell (Crewe Alexandra, free), Dean Lyness (Kidderminster, free), Zander Diamond (Oldham, free), Damien McCrory (Dag & Red, free), Robbie Weir (Tranmere, free)
Players out: Andres Gurrieri (Plymouth Argyle, free), Adam Bolder (Harrogate Town, free), Patrick Ada (Ebbsfleet Utd, free), James Wren (Tamworth, free), Greg Pearson (Grimsby Town, free), Danny Blanchett (York City, free), Ryan Austin (Kidderminster, free), Tony James (Newport County, free)
Title odds: 66/1
Key man: Matty Palmer
Chances: Perennial relegation candidates, Burton are once again being tipped for the drop by the bookies. Not short of goals, it will be at the back which could decide their fate. Matty Palmer is considered the most skilful player in the squad and will be expected to have more of an influence on the side this season.
CHESTERFIELD
Position last season: 22nd (League 2)
Players in: Sam Togwell (Scunthorpe Utd, free), Sam Hird (Doncaster Rovers, free), Marc Richards (Port Vale, free), Richard O'Donnell (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Terrell Forbes (Leyton Orient, free)
Players out: Simon Ford (Grimsby Town, free), Greg Fleming (Grimsby Town, free), Aaron Downes (Torquay, free), Dan Gray (Lincoln, free), Derek Niven (Grimsby Town, free), Jamie Lowry (Plymouth Argyle, free), Gregor Robertson (Crewe Alexandra, free), Jimmy Juan (FC Chamois, free), Noel Mendy (Hansa Rostock, free)
Title odds: 12/1
Key man: Jordan Bowery
Chances: After the disappointment of relegation last season, there has been the expected upheaval of the squad. The squad is a lot less bloated this time round and the recruitment of a proven goalscorer in Marc Richards will be key to their hopes of bouncing back at the first time of asking. But Jordan Bowery looked impressive last season (one of the few players to emerge with any credit) and his pace and power could be crucial to their hopes.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Position last season: 20th
Players in: David Artell (Crewe, free), Henoc Mukendi (Liverpool, free), Joe Widdowson (Rochdale, free), Chris Hackett (Milwall, free), Ishmel Demontagnac (Notts County, free), Alex Nicholls (Walsall, free), Clive Platt (Coventry, free)
Players out: Ryan Gilligan (Ostersunds, free), Freddy Hall (Toronto, free), Arron Davies (Exeter, free), Byron Webster (Yeovil, free), Lewis Young (Yeovil, free), Michael Jacobs (Derby County, £554,000), Jason Crowe (Corby, free), Andy Holt (Corby, free)
Title odds: 20/1
Key man: Lewis Wilson
Chances: Like Chesterfield, Northampton Town have thinned their squad out considerably under the eyes of Aidy Boothroyd. Hackett should provide some pace going forward but the side could still struggle especially with the loss of Michael Jacob to Derby County. Expect a flirt with relegation.
PORT VALE
Position last season: 12th
Players in: Richard Duffy (Exeter City, free), Chris Neal (Shrewsbury Town, free), Ashley Vincent (Colchester United, free), Jennison Myrie-Williams (Stevenage, free), Darren Murphy (Stevenage, free), Ben Williamson (Hyde, free)
Players out: Chris Martin (Telford Utd, free), Paul Marshall (Halifax, free), Marc Richards (Chesterfield, free), Anthony Griffith (Leyton Orient, free), Sean Rigg (Oxford Utd, free), Lee Collins (Barnsley, free)
Title odds: 33/1
Key man: Jennison Myrie-Williams
Chances: Summer transfers have been overshadowed by events off the pitch. Keith Ryder's bid to take over the club still hasn't happened. The club have also angered fans by bizarrely trying to hold friendlies behind closed doors. The loss of Marc Richards means Port Vale could struggle for goals in what could be a fairly glum season.