Southampton season preview
By Andy Clarke (Sky Sports)
This is sure to be an intriguing season at Southampton after a busy summer in both the boardroom and the transfer market.
Harry Redknapp proved at Portsmouth that he has the qualities to win promotion from this level, but he also showed that he would not tolerate any undue influence from above when Velimir Zajec was brought in as director of football.
Sir Clive Woodward's role at Saints is similar, although not the same, and has led to speculation that Redknapp would walk away from St Mary's.
However, Redknapp has been busy clearing some of the dead wood - and much of the quality - from the team which was relegated from the Premiership and has made some space in the budget for new signings.
As the season approaches his squad looks a little thin, but the addition of Dennis Wise and the return of Michael Svensson after injury should bring some much-needed steel and determination.
An error-ridden defence undid much of the good work done by the departed Peter Crouch and, to a lesser extent, Kevin Phillips, but Svensson should help to make Saints a stronger defensive unit.
Redknapp is keenly aware, however, that without his three top scorers from last season he must bring in a proven goalscorer if he is to have any chance of taking the club up.
Dexter Blackstock and Kenwyne Jones are both excellent prospects, but Ricardo Fuller's fitness is questionable and Brett Ormerod is very hit and miss.
PREDICTED POSITION: 6th
STAR MAN: Nigel Quashie
ONE TO WATCH: Kenwyne Jones
SKYBET ODDS: 7/1
INS: Dennis Wise (Millwall), Darren Powell (Crystal Palace), Tomasz Hajto (Nurnberg), Ricardo Fuller (Portsmouth)
OUTS: Jelle van Damme (Werder Bremen, loan), Olivier Bernard (released), Kevin Phillips (Aston Villa), Jason Dodd (Brighton), Andreas Jakobsson (Helsingborg), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Paul Telfer (Celtic), Jo Tessem (Lyn Oslo), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg)
League One preview
By Graeme Bailey (Sky Sports)
Port Vale:
A season of struggle looks likely in the Potteries but the experience of all four of Martin Foyle's summer signings could be crucial. Hector Sam could very well revel in the move to Vale Park and much will be expected of him, although international colleague Chris Birchall could be the man to keep an eye on this season.
PREDICTED POSITION: 19th
STAR MAN: Hector Sam
ONE TO WATCH: Chris Birchall
SKYBET ODDS: 50/1
INS: Michael Bell (Bristol City), Hector Sam (Wrexham), Tony Dinning (Bristol City), Danny Sonner (Peterborough)
OUTS: Joseph Anyon (Out of Contract), Daniel Holmes (Out of Contract), Andy Porter (Out of Contract), Tommy Widdrington (Out of Contract), Dave Hibbert (Preston), Ian Armstrong (Out of Contract), Ryan Brown (Out of Contract), Simon Eldershaw (Out of Contract), Christian Hanson (Out of Contract), Levi Reid (Out of Contract)
Swindon:
Not many teams will feel the loss of their star man as much as Swindon following the loss of their main striker Sam Parkin. Andy King has invested in new players with both experience and youth coming into the club, but there is no denying the squad looks weaker than last season - although former Bolton pair Charlie Comyn-Platt and Ricky Shakes could make a real impact.
PREDICTED POSITION: 14th
STAR MAN: Jamie Cureton
ONE TO WATCH: Charlie Comyn-Platt
SKYBET ODDS: 25/1
INS: Nicky Nicolau (Southend), Gareth Whalley (Wigan), Charlie Comyn-Platt (Bolton), Jack Smith (Watford), Jamie Cureton (QPR), Tony Thorpe (QPR), Ricky Shakes (Bolton), Patrick Collins (Sheffield Wednesday)
OUTS: David Duke (Darlington), Sammy Igoe (Millwall), Steve Robinson (Lincoln), Brian Howard (Barnsley), Matthew Hewlett (Torquay), Sam Parkin (Ipswich), Grant Smith (Bristol City)
