• Nigel Adkins has been given the Tranmere job on a permanent basis signing until the end of the 25/26 season. Continue the discussion here.

League Two 2021-22

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It is very difficult to make predictions about next season until the various squads are assembled, but who do we think the main promotion challengers will be ? At this early stage, I would say it is the following:

Mansfield - large budget and a very good, experienced manager in Nigel Clough
Bradford - large club for the level and likely to have a decent manager in Derek Adams
£alford - does not require any explanation, but hopefully they continue to underachieve
Exeter - very attractive side and always there or thereabouts
Forest Green - substantial budget, although their rookie manager is a bit of an unknown
Newport - will always be competitive as long as Flynn remains there
Port Vale - very good manager in Darryl Clarke and stable ownership
Orient - experienced manager in Kenny Jackett
Bristol Rovers - a large club for the level, but with the Crazy Gang in charge they might underachieve
Stockport (if promoted) - very large budget and a club on the rise

Tranmere (we hope)

I would have expected to add Swindon to the list, but they seem a basket case at the moment. No doubt there will be a few surprise packages as well.
 
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I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t do better than this season. We are lucky that Micky seems to thrive on pressure.
 

bigmart

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It's very hard to say especially at this early stage, just look at this season don't think many tipped Cheltenham Cambridge or morecambe to go up.
 
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It's very hard to say especially at this early stage, just look at this season don't think many tipped Cheltenham Cambridge or morecambe to go up.
True, but I think a lot of that was down to the salary cap, which has now been removed. I would expect the bigger / higher spending clubs to perform better next season.
 

Ian

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I would say Forest Green, Exeter, Salford and Newport.
 

Sparky

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I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t do better than this season. We are lucky that Micky seems to thrive on pressure.

a lot will depend on how easy it is to rebuild a squad. When we got out of the national league we went into league two with an established core e.g Nors, Jennings, Harris, McNulty, Banks, Scottie and Rides etc.

We don’t have that now and Micky is starting from scratch. It will take a certain amount of gambling to bring in players who can be effective and gel as a team and not be as we had under Hill a bunch of decent players but who didn’t have the desire to do all they could for the club. Brabin had to rebuild in the national league and that didn’t happen over night so people must be patient
 

Ian

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Yes, patience is needed but won’t be given by many supporters. I am confident Micky will recruit well and has enough time to build a decent squad.

I know it’s a bit of a joke that we do not have any players left, but how many do we actually have that are still in contract?
 

bigmart

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Yes, patience is needed but won’t be given by many supporters. I am confident Micky will recruit well and has enough time to build a decent squad.

I know it’s a bit of a joke that we do not have any players left, but how many do we actually have that are still in contract?
4 who are Davies, Macdonald, Spearing and Jolley.
 
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I expect about half a dozen of the out of contract players to be offered and to accept new deals, but finding the rest of the squad will mean a busy summer of recruitment.
 

ADD

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I would definitely add Khan to that mix - think he is a MM sort of player as so versatile. I would also keep Burton - for me from what little we saw he looked equally as talented as Jolley and will be on very little money.
 
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For me most can still go, Clarke, Woolery and probably Ridehalgh at a push Morris the rest no thanks.
Agree with ADD about Khan. He had a good season and versatility can be useful. I’d also keep Joe Murphy who stood in well for Scott.

Who gets offered a deal may depend on how much budget there is. For example, can we afford better than the likes of Lewis and Monthe?
 

bigmart

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I would definitely add Khan to that mix - think he is a MM sort of player as so versatile. I would also keep Burton - for me from what little we saw he looked equally as talented as Jolley and will be on very little money.
As long as doesn't play right back
 

bigmart

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Agree with ADD about Khan. He had a good season and versatility can be useful. I’d also keep Joe Murphy who stood in well for Scott.

Who gets offered a deal may depend on how much budget there is. For example, can we afford better than the likes of Lewis and Monthe?
Our budget won't be an issue, I think manny will ho back down south, Lewis not for mr
 

Ian

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Yes agreed. Like Mellon says we need players that are going to play for the shirt and can cope with the responsibility.
 

bigmart

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I didn't mention burton as like the other 1st year pros I'm not sure if we will keep any or if any are good enough as not seen enough to judge
 
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