Cheltenham Town Yes, they were in the play-off mix around Christmas time, and only a deflected fortuitous goal from Tom Bradshaw stopped them taking all three points at the divisionâs Big Guns, Shrewsbury. But unfortunately it triggered a mass collapse and in the end survival was only assured on the penultimate day of the season despite a home loss to the aforementioned. Mark Yatesâ stock took a nosedive along with the Robinsâ form and now they will have to be quicker out of the blocks than those at the nearby racecourse to keep the knives from the door. Trouble is, the impressive Wes Thomas has been poached by greedy Crawley Town (he hit 18 in the League) and without the #9 Cheltenham look near toothless up front. But keep an eye on Gloucestshireâs sole Football League representative. Chairman Paul Baker has decided that as opposed to a groundshare with 2-Divisions-Below Gloucester City, the club are hoping to build a stadium attached to the nearby racecourse. Expect an interesting year or two. Prediction: Sitting pretty in 17th Crawley Town The big boys. The heavyweights. The overspenders. The fancied. The Prima Donnas? Whatever you wish to call them, make no mistake: Crawley mean business on this, their first time venturing into League Football. The âManchester City of the Conferenceâ they are no longer(they actually won something as well, further distancing themselves from the nickname!) but should not-everyoneâs-cup-of-tea manager Steve Evans require it, there will be monstrous transfer kitty available to help his realise his aim of League One. No excuse for any further tax evasion then, for the non-league guru. Not that fresh faces will be desperately needed- although The Red Devilsâ (reminding you of a different North-Western superpower) have a talented squad, itâs hard not to jump on the bandwagon lauding Matt Tubbs for a 37-goal waltz through the Conference Premier. He cost Evans and friends £70,000 but could soon be worth ten times that. In come Tyrone Barnett and Wes Thomas(from Macclesfield and Cheltenham respectively) to further bolster the frontline. Prediction: Matt Tubbs adding the League Two golden boot to his creaking mantelpiece 2nd Crewe Alexandra The question has yet to be answered: have The Railwaymen really made any progress during the latest instalment of Dario Gradiâs 28 year love-affair with the small Cheshire outfit. Plucky Alexâs 49-goal combo of Shaun Miller and Clayton Donaldson propelled them into the top three for a period in 2010/11, but they fell by the wayside, and losing the out of-contract latter to Brentford weakens them further. The common conception at Gresty Road was that of a team who could play some lovely-jubbly stuff when they felt like it, but were undone by abysmal defending, despite the signing of sturdy David Artell from Morecambe. This wasnât helped by a Schoolboy error by Gradi himself- following the early promise of young shot-stopper Rhys Taylor(signed on loan) from Chelsea, the Anglo-Italian signed a deal agreeing to play the Welsh youngster all season, fitness permitting. As the 21-year oldâs form dipped, the Crewe backline wobbled even further and to top it all off Gradi wasnât even able to call on the experienced Steve Phillips to usurp Taylor in goal. At least he wonât do it again. Prediction: Until they learn to defend, how will they climb the league? 18th
