Generally, when I write about football, I’m only opening myself up to criticism from one or two sets of fans. Today, I’m putting my head in the stocks for 24 of them. After a season of immense drama, we’ve witnessed Burton Albion, for several years the bridesmaids – achieve promotion in sumptuous style. Wycombe Wanderers have had perhaps the league’s most impressive resurgence, but were pipped to promotion by Phil Brown’s resilient Southend United. And, whilst Cheltenham Town were always candidates for the drop, the tumultuous off-field issues at Prenton Park have seen Tranmere Rovers shocking descent into non-league football. So, plenty to reflect on!
Whilst the report card will obviously take into account placing, points, promotions and relegations, I’ll also be factoring in whether a club has been overperforming or underperforming for the size of the club’s budget, its fanbase and recent history as well as the style of football each team plays. So, shall we crack on?
Stanley’s nine consecutive years in the Football League have seen them establish themselves as a solid but unthreatening League Two outfit, and a leaky defence (conceding 77 goals in their 46 games) has meant that the threat of relegation, whilst distant, has been there for much of the season. Stanley started the season very slowly, but picked up somewhat after John Coleman’s return as manager in mid-September. Considering the club has a notoriously slim budget, and the Football League’s lowest average attendance, – 1,478 – Stanley are doing well to compete at this level.
AFC Wimbledon: C-
Throughout the League Two campaign, the Dons were a model of inconsistency, never winning or losing more than two league games in succession. Avoidable home losses against Carlisle, Mansfield and even pre-Moore Hartlepool will rankle most, and defeats to sides in the table’s lower echelons was a recurring theme for the Dons. There were good days, including a 4-1 demolition of Exeter City, and the irrepressible Ade Akinfenwa lit up Kingsmeadow on more than a few occasions, but this Dons squad should be achieving better than a 15th placed finish.
Burton Albion: A+
As with their promotion season from the Conference Premier, Burton lost their manager to a more illustrious suitor, but the exit of talented young gaffer Gary Rowett to Birmingham City didn’t seem to hamper the club’s fortunes – in fact, quite the opposite. Better known as an early noughties Premier League goal-machine, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink gave his managerial reputation a huge boost as the guided the club to promotion as League Two champions, and as the division’s highest scorers. An exciting, attractive side with a charismatic manager. It’s hard not to like Burton.
