Three Is A Magic Number?

As Bristol Rovers appoint Stuart Campbell as their third manager of the season, Nobes looks at how other sides who went through as many bosses during a campaign fared.

Dave Penney has been shown the exit by Bristol Rovers after two months

When Dave Penney reflects on his managerial career, it will include a tale of two Rovers. At the first, Doncaster, he established his reputation as a promising young coach.

He led Donny back into the Football League in 2003 before taking them to the League Two title a year later. He then consolidated the Yorkshire side in the third tier.

At Bristol Rovers, however, he hardly had time to get his feet under the desk. The 46-year-old took charge of just 13 matches at the Memorial Stadium as he struggled to turn around the League One outfit's fortunes.

Just two wins and nine defeats - conceding 28 goals along the way - later and the Gas had shown him the door, handing senior player Stuart Campbell the job until the end of the term.

He began his reign with a 1-0 win at Tranmere in midweek, taking the West Country outfit to within a couple of points of safety.

Not that having three different managers during the campaign is an ideal scenario. It paints a picture of instability and panic, pinning blame on one man rather than looking at collective responsibility.

Rovers are banking on their latest switch making the difference though, but what do the history books tell us about sides going through three different bosses in just one season?


Exeter City 2002/3

He now drives a milk tanker around Devon but, at the start of the 2002/3 season, John Cornforth [pictured] was in charge at Exeter.

As boss at St James Park though, he failed to deliver, and was removed from his position at the start of October.

The Grecians, just three points above the drop zone, turned to rookie Neil McNab.

However, the Scot managed just three wins from 20 games and with City rock bottom at the beginning of March he was axed.

Former Preston boss Gary Peters was drafted in for the last 13 games to try and save the Grecians.

Result: Despite collecting 20 points under Peters, City ended up 23rd, just a single point off safety, and were relegated to the Conference.



Northampton Town 2002/3

Cobblers had only narrowly avoided the drop the previous year - when they had turned to Kevan Broadhurst to replace Kevin Wilson.

However, the boot was on the other foot a season later, when Broadhurst was given the push and in came former England international Terry Fenwick [pictured].

His reign lasted just seven games though - five losses and two draws - dumping Town to a point off the bottom of League One.

Chief Scout Martin Wilkinson then assumed control for the last 13 matches of the season.

Result: Wilkinson hardly fared any better. Cobblers finished bottom of the division, a full 11 points from safety.



Macclesfield Town 2003/4

Macc began the season under the stewardship of David Moss, but after a third of the campaign found themselves only out of the drop zone on goal difference.

In came club legend and assistant boss John Askey into the top job.

However, he struggled to lift the Cheshire side out of relegation danger.

With seven games of the season remaining, and the Silkmen three points adrift of safety, he was moved back down to assist veteran manager Brian Horton [pictured].

Result: Collecting 13 points from 21, the experienced hand of Horton ensured Macc beat the drop comfortably in the end.



Millwall 2005/6

The Lions had already got through one manager before pre season had even ended.

Steve Claridge was swiftly removed after 36 days over concerns about his managerial style and the club's prospects for the season.

Ex-Wolves boss Colin Lee was drafted in, but Millwall struggled towards the bottom.

When he left just before Christmas the club were bottom of the Championship and five points from safety.

His assistant, and former Lions player, David Tuttle [pictured] then took over the reins with more than half the season to keep them up.

Result: That worrying pre-season proved correct, with Millwall finishing the season second bottom, and relegated with two games of the season still to play.



Torquay United 2006/7

Only a late great escape had saved the Gulls from relegation to the Conference in the previous campaign.

It had been engineered by Ian Atkins, who led the side into the new season.

However, a bright start soon evaporated and he was given the boot by new owner Chris Roberts with United just outside the bottom two.

Roberts hired former Czech Republic international Lubos Kubik to take over, but his disastrous reign saw the Devonians collect just a single win from 12 matches.

By the time Keith Curle [pictured] took over in February, Torquay were rock bottom and five shy of safety.

Result: Curle guided the side to two wins from 15 as they crashed to a dismal relegation to the Conference.



Leicester City 2007/8

Milan Mandaric hailed the summer appointment of Martin Allen [pictured] at the Foxes - then parted company with him after just three games.

Next up was Gary Megson, but it was roles reversed when Megson walked out on the club after just 40 days to join Bolton.

Mandaric then turned to Plymouth's Ian Holloway to bring some much needed stability.

With more than 30 games of the campaign remaining he was charged with guiding the club up the league table.

Result: Only he didn't. The goal-shy Foxes were permanently staving off the drop until, on the final day, slipping into the bottom three and being relegated.



Bournemouth 2008/9

A ten point deduction had resulted in Kevin Bond's men being relegated to League Two in 2008.

They then had the daunting prospect of beginning the season on minus 18 points.

Failure to win in their first four games saw him axed and ex-Cherries striker Jimmy Quinn being brought in to win their fight against the drop.

By the end of 2008, although back in positive numbers, they still sat seven points adrift of third bottom with half of the season remaining.

Popular former player and Quinn's assistant Eddie Howe [pictured] was thrown into a baptism of fire to keep the Dorset side up.

Result: The rest is history. The 29-year-old rookie garnered 39 points in the second half of the campaign as Bournemouth comfortably stayed up in the end.



Queens Park Rangers 2009/10

The revolving door was in full spin at Loftus Road as Rangers kept up their extraordinary managerial turnover last term.

Jim Magilton [pictured] began the campaign, with the Rs picking up after a slow start to be in contention for the play offs.

An alleged dressing room bust up saw Magilton leave and Paul Hart in as his replacement.

Hart's reign lasted just four matches though before he resigned.

Caretaker Mick Harford presided over Rangers slumping into the bottom five and were just three points above the drop zone when Neil Warnock was appointed.

Result: The outspoken Yorkshireman quickly turned things around in West London, and QPR ended up in 13th - well clear of any relegation danger.



Peterborough United 2009/10

Posh had just won back-to-back promotions into the Championship under Darren Ferguson's management.

A poor start that saw them bottom after 16 games led to the Scot being fired.

He was followed by Kettering boss Mark Cooper, [pictured] plucked from the Non Leagues.

His nightmare tenure only produced one win from 12, and he was given the push in January.

Jim Gannon was the next in the hot seat but, despite a relatively productive spell, he turned down the chance to stay on at London Road.

Result: Gannon's final game saw Peterborough condemned to relegation and Gary Johnson took over for the last four matches of the season.



Notts County 2009/10

Big-spending County were everyone's tips for the League Two title last term.

An inconsistent start saw the club's ambitious owners axe Ian McParland with the club only in the play offs.

They brought in Swede Hans Backe, [pictured] a close friend of Director of Football Sven-Goran Eriksson.

However, after a similarly erratic tenure, he was gone by the time the club's ownership fell through and a new regime turned to Steve Cotterill.

Result: Cotterill picked up the pieces, got the best squad in the division to play to their maximum, and an incredible late run took them to the predicted title.


Sheffield United 2010/11

Like Rovers, United are onto their third manager of the campaign.

The early sacking of Kevin Blackwell [pictured] was then followed by a four-month spell at the helm by Gary Speed.

When he quit for Wales though, they turned to Port Vale boss and proud Sheffielder Micky Adams.

He has struggled to turn around the club's fortunes though, and they currently look likely to be relegated to League One.

The Gas will hope to not suffer a similar fate.

Let Me Hear Your Trumpets Ringing Out

Nobes salutes some of the clubs and managers who, despite staying out of the spotlight this season, deserve recognition.

Barnsley boss Mark Robins has overseen a year of progress at Oakwell

They say no news is good news. Find that your club is constantly overlooked and fails to grab the national media's attention, and you can count on that being because things are ticking along just nicely.

No manager being sacked and, although not involved in the race for promotion, there's no relegation battle to be fought either.

It's all too easy to gloss over such clubs and the work of their managers. However, they are often the bosses who consistently do the best jobs without receiving the recognition they merit.

Take Barnsley's Mark Robins, for example. When the Reds turned to the 41-year-old last term, they found themselves struggling at the foot of the table after a poor start to the campaign.

However, the former Rotherham manager soon turned things around and, at one point in the spring, the Oakwell outfit were even on the cusp of the play offs.

A late dip in form eventually saw them finish 18th in a congested mid-table. However, he has built on that first season with a term of solid progression and development.

Saturday's 4-1 defeat to resurgent Leicester left the Tykes in 13th, a full 13 points clear of the bottom three. Also, since a 4-0 loss at QPR on the opening weekend, they haven't dropped lower than 18th all term.

For a club who fought the drop for three successive seasons under his predecessor, Simon Davey, it's clear that Robins has moved the team on to another level.

Not that he's had the greatest resources available to him. Indeed, Barnsley are outperforming sides with higher wage bills who have spent more, and that is testament to the manager.

Coaxing consistently fine performances, as well as goals, from winger Adam Hammill also earned the club £4 million from Woverhampton Wanderers in the January transfer window as they sought to secure his services.

He will undoubtedly be a loss to the Reds for the remainder of the season, but they were quick to replace his goal threat with the signing of Bristol City striker Danny Haynes.

The summer captures of centre half Jason Shackell and Serbian midfielder Goran Lovre have also been astute moves, and Garry O'Connor from Birmingham is a proven forward in the Championship.

Robins, who notably had to overcome financial problems, points deductions, and a temporary home when in charge at Rotherham, is proving himself to be a young manager of increasing capability - who gets the best out of what he has available.

Not that he's the only one. Indeed, across South Yorkshire, Sean O'Driscoll continues to establish Doncaster in the second tier, as well as furthering their reputation as purveyors and protectors of the beautiful game.

It's earned the boss himself admirers - he was strongly linked with the Sheffield United job over Christmas. Perhaps that has proved a distraction, with Rovers losing four of their last five games to drop to 15th.

However, they still remain secure in the middle of the table, which is no mean feat for a side on modest resources with some of the smallest attendances in the Championship.

It is also a sign of the job the Irishman performs at the Keepmoat that pundits were all confident that Rovers wouldn't figure in the fight for survival at the bottom.

Although not advocating the same footballing principles as O'Driscoll, Millwall boss Kenny Jackett also deserves praise for the way his side have adapted to life in the second tier.

Kenny Jackett is ensuring promoted Millwall make a bright return to the Championship

I spoke after their opening day 3-0 win at Bristol City that the Lions were in good hands under Jackett's guidance. A hard-working pragmatist, opposition managers always speak in glowing terms about his team's endeavour and the danger they pose.

While they may not be the prettiest team to watch in the Championship, they also don't have the money of some of their rivals. Fine recent form has even propelled them up to 7th - albeit having played more games than some of the sides around them.

However, successive promotions aren't out of the question should the London side repeat their exploits of 2002 in qualifying for the play offs the season after coming up from the third tier.

It is a tier itself which is home, too, to managers quietly and efficiently going about their business.

Take Exeter City's Paul Tisdale, a manager who has rejected offers from other clubs to remain in Devon.

The Grecians are one of the smallest clubs in League One, but Tisdale has stayed loyal to them to help further his managerial education while competing against most illustrious opponents.

After a last gasp escape from relegation on the final day last season, City have held a place in mid table since August.

Not only that, but he guided them through to the regional final of the JPT this season - the run ending with an aggregate defeat to Brentford over two legs to deny them an appearance at Wembley.

They also continue to play the brand of fluid passing football which the manager has implemented since their days in the Conference. It's the mix of style and substance on a limited budget that so often eludes other bosses.

Keith Hill is not one of them though. The Rochdale supremo wrote his name into the Lancashire outfit's history books when promotion last term ended more than 35 years spent in the basement division.

However, after a poor sequence of results at the end of last season, allied with a difficult time in the summer transfer market, Dale fans were concerned their stay in League One would be a brief one.

They currently sit in 9th though, and continue to adhere to playing the game the right way.

The boss has also shown great character and nerve to turn around a worrying slide down the table from the dizzy heights of 4th to just above the drop zone in 18th. Even if Dale do end up in the bottom half, they have been one of the season's surprise packages.

As have Milton Keynes Dons. Indeed, naming the then 29-year-old Karl Robinson as manager last summer was a surprise in itself.

The youngest manager in the Football League was also taking over at a tricky time in the short history of the club. Paul Ince brought an end to his second spell at stadium:mk last season citing budget cuts and differing ambitions for his departure.

It appeared as though the ambitious Dons, who reached the play offs in 2009, would now have to scale back their dreams. However, Robinson has them competing once again for the top six.

To be doing so in his first job, as well as outperforming Ince despite less money to work with, is an achievement which should not be overlooked. You may not like the Dons, but the manager deserves some kudos.

The experienced Paul Sturrock is giving a masterclass in crisis management at Southend

While they profit under the leadership of a rookie, it's an experienced pro who is once again proving his worth in League Two at Southend United.

The Shrimpers went close to going out of business during the summer after relegation from League One, and a transfer embargo was only lifted days before they kicked off their season against fellow financially-troubled Stockport.

However, unlike the currently flailing Hatters, United boss Paul Sturrock used his many years in the game, as well as his various contacts, to fashion together a team that, while quickly assembled, currently sit just three points off the top seven.

It's no mean feat to bring a large collection of players in all at the same time and gel them into an effective and winning unit in a matter of months.

While promotion via the play offs may well prove beyond them this term, the Scot, who has previously guided both Plymouth and Swindon out of League Two, will be a good bet to lead the side from the Essex coast up next season.

Down on the South Coast, another boss who consistently does his job well - without receiving the recognition he deserves - is Torquay United's Paul Buckle.

During their time in the Conference he guided the Gulls to Wembley on three occasions - including winning the play off final in 2009 to return to the Football League.

Last season, he established them back in League Two and the Devonians have kicked on from there, comfortably sitting in mid table and earlier in the campaign went nearly 1000 minutes without conceding a goal.

It's not just their league form which should be praised though, but their recent record in the FA Cup also tells the tale of a manager who treats the competition with respect - not afraid to progress at the cost of not playing in the league.

They've reached the third round in three of the last four seasons, twice making the fourth round, and claimed the scalps of Blackpool and Coventry along the way.

Buckle has also earned praise for the way he conducts himself, including the dignified manner in which he dealt with their disappointing FA Cup exit amid the antics of Crawley last month. No surprise bigger clubs are already sniffing around the 40-year-old.

It's a mystery why John Coleman continues to be overlooked for positions though. There is arguably no manager in the Football League who so regularly gets his side to punch above their weight than the Accrington Stanley boss.

No club in the Football League attracts smaller crowds or works with an inferior budget than the Lancashire outfit. However, they are well on their way to securing a sixth successive year in League Two.

Coleman is the architect behind it and, although he can sometimes let his passion overtake him, it is impossible not to admire his achievements and longevity at the Crown Ground.

Basement division rivals Lincoln were rumoured to be interested in the Liverpudlian earlier in the campaign, but he eventually signed a new deal to remain with Stanley.

While it would be a wrench to leave the club after 12 years though, it is remarkable that more clubs haven't tested his loyalty by giving him the chance to prove what he can do at a bigger club with greater resources.

If only he could afford a bigger trumpet.

Return Of The Mick

With Mick Wadsworth confirmed as Hartlepool boss until the end of the season, Nobes looks at other managers who've made a return to the game after a long absence.

Mick Wadsworth was last in charge of a League club back in 2003

The longer you're gone, the harder it is to return. So goes the theory when it comes to football management.

Stay on the sidelines rather than the touchline, and you'll soon disappear altogether - doomed to some kind of coaching or scouting role or, even worse, a TV pundit.

However, seven years after leaving his last League manager's job at Huddersfield - albeit he had a brief spell in charge at Non League Chester - Mick Wadsworth is back in management at Hartlepool.

After a successful spell as caretaker following the resignation of Chris Turner, the 60-year-old has been handed the reins until the end of the season with the, long-overdue realistic, brief of keeping Pools in League One.

It's an unexpected opportunity for the Yorkshireman, who has never managed to follow up initial success at Carlisle in the '90s at the likes of Colchester, Oldham, and Scarborough.

However, he's not the only manager to make a return after time away. Here's my top-10 rundown of some of football's returnees - and how successful they were on their comeback.


10. Nigel Spackman

Spackman was fired from his job at Barnsley in 2001 with the Reds struggling towards the foot of the Championship.

He spent the next five years working as a TV pundit but, in 2006, was the surprise choice as new boss at Millwall.

The Lions had been relegated to League One and Spackman rebuilt the squad during the summer.

A slow start saw the 49-year-old sacked with the Londoners near the foot of the table.

Verdict: A long time out of the game was followed by a brief and hugely unsuccessful return to the dugout. Best to stick to the TV studio in the future.


9. Gary Peters

The Londoner led the renaissance of Preston North End when the Lancashire club had been toiling in the basement division.

However, he was exiled from management for five years after leaving Deepdale in 1998.

On his return he walked into the mess at Exeter City - fighting for survival in the Football League.

Despite an almost miraculous end of season run, he was unable to save the Grecians from the drop and departed weeks later.

Verdict: Did extremely well to almost save Exeter and then went on to guide Shrewsbury to within 90 minutes of League One in 2007 before being harshly sacked soon after. A proven lower league manager.


8. Bryan Hamilton

After ending a second spell in charge at Wigan in 1993, Hamilton took over as national team manager of Northern Ireland.

He spent four years in that role and was out of the game for another couple until gaining a surprise return at Norwich in 2000.

The Canaries were struggling in the Championship and Hamilton steadied the ship. However, before the end of the year he had resigned his position.

Verdict: Instantly forgettable return to club management following an undistinguished spell in the international game. Management days are well behind now, which is why he's working in the media.


7. Gary Johnson

Johnson earned his reputation leading Yeovil from the Conference to League One at the start of the last decade.

However, he had first sampled League management at Cambridge United before departing in 1995.

After a brief spell at Kettering he then moved abroad - taking charge of the Latvian national team and laying the foundations that saw them qualify for Euro 2004.

He returned to England at Yeovil in 2001, winning promotion with them in 2003 - and managing in the League again a full eight years after his last crack.

Verdict: The time away worked. He thrived on his return and after leaving Yeovil he subsequently guided Bristol City to promotion from League One and the Championship play off final. Now at Peterborough.


6. Kenny Jackett

First as a player and then later a coach, Jackett served under Graham Taylor at Watford before assuming the top job in 1996.

However, a poor League One campaign saw him relegated back to Taylor's assistant and he later had a spell as Ian Holloway's right hand man at QPR.

He returned to try his hand as the main man at Swansea in 2004 - and took the Welsh club to promotion in his first full season.

Twelve months later, he secured the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and only a penalty shoot out in the League One play off final prevented the Swans from making it successive promotions.

Verdict: Watching Millwall, it's not hard to see the influence of Taylor and Holloway on Jackett's style. However, he has proved successful in guiding both the Lions and Swansea to promotion as a manager. Deserves respect.


5. Brian Talbot

Talbot began the 1991/2 campaign as Aldershot boss - he was gone after a few months, and the club were as well not long after.

After time overseas in Malta he returned home to join the coaching staff at ambitious Rushden & Diamonds - eventually becoming manager in 1999.

Maybe it was those eight years away, or maybe it was the ridiculous money being spent, but he led Diamonds into the Football League in 2001 and two years later they were in the third tier.

Verdict: It was the money. Talbot's subsequent struggles at Oldham and Oxford were more illustrative of his managerial capabilities. In truth, he landed on his feet gaining the Rushden job when he did.


4. Nigel Pearson

Along with the help of one Jimmy Glass, Pearson helped rescue Carlisle from relegation to the Conference in 1999.

However, he didn't stay on at Brunton Park and instead spent the next nine years on the coaching staff at the likes of Stoke, West Brom, and Newcastle.

Once his next managerial role came along though - he once again found himself in a relegation scrap.

However, a final day escape act at Southampton in 2008 proved he hadn't lost his skills in brinkmanship.

Verdict: Left Saints that summer and then took Leicester to League One glory followed by the Championship play offs last season. Now at Hull, he seems to have benefited from learning his trade as an assistant.


3. John Barnes

Okay, I'll hold my hands up, Tranmere's appointment of Barnes last summer was not technically a Football League management return.

However, any chance to recount that hilarious decision - as well his legendary Soccer AM/MW status - must be taken.

Barnes was, of course, installed as part of a dream managerial ticket alongside Kenny Dalglish at Glasgow Celtic in 1999.

It turned into more of a nightmare, albeit a short-lived one. Much like his time at Prenton Park nine years later.

Verdict: First place in the 2008 Caribbean Championships as Jamaica coach will, you feel, always be the pinnacle of Barnes's managerial career. Tranmere's gamble was always doomed to fail - they were lucky it didn't cost them their League One spot.


2. Paul Hart

The proverbial London Bus boss, at one point Hart had to wait a full decade between managerial jobs but then got through three just last season.

Hart was fired from basement division Chesterfield in 1991 and reverted to youth team football at Leeds and then Nottingham Forest.

He got his chance at the top job at the City Ground in 2001 after the departure of David Platt and, after a slow start, guided Forest to the Championship play offs in 2003.

There, they lost to Sheffield United, and a dreadful sequence of results that left them fighting relegation the next season saw him dismissed.

Verdict: After Forest came Barnsley, then Rushden, then Portsmouth, QPR, and finally Crystal Palace. Hart has the dubious honour of being sacked from a club in each of the top five tiers. Best to stick to bringing through the youngsters.


1. Richard Money

When Richard Money left his job as Scunthorpe boss in 1994 he still had a full head of hair.

In-between then and his return to English football in 2006 at Walsall it had mostly gone.

Those 12 years away saw him work at Aston Villa and Coventry before moving abroad to Sweden and then Australia.

His appointment at the Saddlers was out of the blue - but, thanks to a resolute defence, he led the Black Country outfit to the League Two title in his first season.

Verdict: A stunning return to League management. More than a decade away, but Money instantly turned around Walsall's fortunes. Now at the helm of Conference side Luton, where he is once again plotting a promotion push.

Top Of The Flops

With Gordon Strachan resigning as Middlesbrough boss following a disastrous start to the season, Nobes looks at pre-season favourites of the past who failed to live up to expectations.

Things went badly wrong for Gordon Strachan at the Riverside

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by Middlesbrough, most bookies favourites for the Championship title, struggling towards the start of the season. After all, they received the ultimate kiss of death when even the Soccer AM/MW backed them.

Gordon Strachan should have been preparing to pack his bags there and then - and I'm reliably informed he frequents the site often. He'll have even more time to do so now.

Granted, there's still plenty of time for things to turn around at the Riverside - but failure to do so and, after some heavy summer spending, this Teessiders team will go down in history as one of the game's biggest flops.

Not that they're the first team to fail to live up to such huge pre-season hype though. Here's my rundown of the Top Ten Flops of recent seasons.


10. Millwall - 2006/7

After relegation from the Championship the previous season, the Lions overhauled their squad - investing good money into bouncing back at the first attempt.

Alas though, they decided to hire Nigel Spackman as their manager, and he continued his woeful managerial record at the start of the campaign.

The Londoners collected just five points from their opening ten games, earning Spackman the boot and replacement Willie Donachie having to pull them out of the mire.

They ended up 10th, way short of even a spot in the play offs.


9. Oxford United - 2001/2

There was an air of gloom around Oxford United in 2001 - the club had ended their time at Manor Ground with relegation from the third tier.

Step forward former Oxen player, local boy done good, and ex-England international - Mark Wright. He had impressed in his first manager's job at Southport and seemed like the man to get Oxford moving again.

He wasn't. The squad looked strong, vastly experienced, and well capable of challenging at the right end.

With 19 games played and sitting just three points off the bottom, Wright - already suspended by the FA after alleged racist comments to a match day official - resigned.

Successor Ian Atkins inherited a shambles of a squad which ended up a pitiful 21st with just 47 points to their name.


8. Hull City - 2002/3

Tigers Tigers burning bright. The future looked optimistic for Hull in the summer of 2002.

Their money troubles behind them, a new ground on the way, and a big name manager proven in the lower leagues.

Everyone was tipping City to finally realise their potential. However, things didn't quite go according to plan for Jan Molby.

The Tigers registered just 12 points from their first 12 games and a loss at Kidderminster - the club Molby had walked out on months earlier to join Hull - saw his reign brought to a quick end.

Peter Taylor assumed control, but even he failed to turn around their fortunes. Despite resources the envy of the rest of the division, they ended the season in 13th.


7. Leeds United - 2006/7

Leeds had ended the previous campaign as losing play off finalists to Watford. Hopes were high that Kevin Blackwell's side could now go one better.

Perhaps it was a reaction to their close miss a few months earlier, but the Yorkshire side got off to a miserable start and the manager was fired after just eight games.

He left United in the bottom three, but with enough time and a squad more than capable of getting themselves out of trouble.

So you'd think. Replacement Dennis Wise failed to get the most out a team that had come to within 90 minutes of the Premier League and Leeds dropped out of the division with a whimper having entered administration.


6. Sheffield Wednesday - 2003/4

How the mighty had fallen. Wednesday had been a staple of the top flight during the previous decade, but fell down to League One in 2003.

Boss Chris Turner revamped his squad - aiming to steer his home town club back up at the first attempt.

They almost did make it out of League One - but at the wrong end. The Owls ended up 16th - just three points above the relegation zone and a place in the basement division.

Financially troubled off the pitch, perhaps, but Wednesday's squad's toiling and finishing below the likes of Wrexham and Hartlepool was embarrassing.


5. Bradford City - 2007-10

Still flopping. The pre-season choice for League Two winners of every national newspaper for the past four seasons, City continue to disappoint.

They were relegated to the basement division in 2007, promptly installed legend Stuart McCall as manager, and sold 13,000 season tickets on the cheap.

McCall failed to get them even challenging for the top seven for two-and-a-half years before Peter Taylor was appointed his successor.

Last season's positive end has been followed by a dreadful start this term though - they currently sit in 19th. Still time to turn it around and avoid another flop.


4. Ipswich Town - 2009/10

Resources. Check. Money invested. Check. Decent crowds. Check. Proven manager at this level. Check.

Everything seemed set up for Ipswich last season. How they could fail to challenge now Roy Keane was manager?

How? Try not recording a win in their first 14 games - a run which left them bottom of the table.

Albeit there were plenty of draws in that run - which saw Keane avoid an early axe - but Town fans were not getting value for considerable money.

The Suffolk outfit ended the campaign in 15th - well short of a place in the top six, which had been the minimum requirement.


3. Nottingham Forest - 2005/6

Forest made history in 2005 when they became the first winner of the European Cup to drop into their country's third tier of domestic football.

Their embarrassment didn't stop there though. Despite the lower league experience of manager Gary Megson, Forest failed to get to grips with life in League One.

When Megson was eventually sacked - they sat just four points shy of the bottom four and a possible second successive relegation.

Ultimately, a late rally at the end of the term saw them just miss out on a place in the play offs. A talented squad had made a complete meal of the season though.


2. Coventry City - 2001/2

He may yet get onto a future list with Boro but, for now, Gordon Strachan will have to make do with this failure at Coventry.

The Warwickshire side had just been relegated from the top flight under the Scot after over 30 years amongst the country's elite.

However, they were determined to bounce back immediately - ambition illustrated by the £5 million signing of West Brom striker Lee Hughes.

Three losses in their first five games saw Strachan dismissed though, and replacement Roland Nilsson was unable to coax any consistency out of one of the division's strongest squads.

An end of season 11th place was well below-par, particularly as a Hughes-less West Brom went on to gain promotion.


1. Bristol Rovers - 2001/2

You could probably excuse Rovers for still being in a state of shock when they began their League Two campaign in 2001.

Just 12 months after finishing 7th in the third tier, they had been relegated down to the basement division. Unthinkable.

Still, at least they had retained a strong squad - including promising striker Nathan Ellington. At least they would walk all over opponents and gain promotion with ex-Spurs boss and club legend Gerry Francis in charge.

How wrong they were. Francis was a flop, and the Gas ended the campaign in 23rd - second bottom of the entire 92 club and the lowest position in the club's entire history.

Had they done the same 12 months later, they would have been relegated into the Conference. Rovers got lucky.

Lions Pride of Promoted Trio

After the opening weekend of the Championship, Nobes salutes Millwall - the only one of the promoted sides to win.

Danny Schofield celebrates his goal for Millwall against Bristol City

Amid all the talk about promoted duo Norwich and Leeds, the return of Millwall to the second tier after four years away was largely overshadowed in the build-up to the new season.

You fancy that's exactly how Lions boss Kenny Jackett would have wanted it though.

While Norwich and Leeds were given live television coverage of their opening games, Millwall's game at Bristol City attracted like attention.

Indeed, any talk about the game at Ashton Gate revolved more around City's summer capture of England's World Cup keeper, David James, than the Londonder's own Championship return.

Come full time, and the story was indeed of James's debut - beaten three times as Millwall racked up an impressive opening day victory in the Westcountry.

With Norwich and Leeds both going down to defeats to Watford and Derby respectively, it meant the club from the Capital were the only one of the promoted trio to get something from their first game.

One could argue, too, that it was the Lions who had the most difficult opening assignment of all three. Not only were they forced to travel, they were also pitted against a team who finished above both Watford and Derby last term.

It might well just be the first of a few surprises Jackett's side hand out over the course of the season though, as they aim to establish themselves back in the second tier of English football.

Millwall are a team as uncompromising on the field of play as their notoriously partisan fans are in the stand of their Den ground. Anyone seeking to beat them will have to match a side whose tempo and work ethic is key to their success.

These Lions aren't afraid to go into battle - pressurising opponents from the off, and using a direct style which immediately puts their opponents on the back foot.

In Jackett, too, they have a manager and coach whose attention to detail and work on the training ground is well known in the lower leagues.

It was no surprise that their winner in last season's play off final came courtesy of a corner - Jackett works on set pieces religiously on the training ground.

It was also typical of his ability to organise a side that saw Millwall have the tightest defence in League One last term. Just 44 goals - including a miserly 15 on home soil - were leaked in 2009/10.

However, it's not as though the 48-year-old is doing anything radical down in South London. Instead, an emphasis on the getting the basics right has been key to his success as a manager.

In 2005, he achieved promotion from League Two with Swansea in his first full season as a manager.

On that occasion, the Welsh side conceded just 43 goals over the course of the campaign as he constructed a compact, deep-lying, rearguard that gave them the platform from which to build.

He almost took the Swans to successive promotions 12 months later, too, as they were only beaten in the play off final by Barnsley on penalties.

After victory at the same stage over Swindon in May, he now has the chance to put his methods into practice at a higher level.

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett has a reputation for being an excellent coach

Jackett should receive much praise for his team's success at Ashton Gate at the weekend. In stark contrast to both Leeds and Norwich, the team he put out was largely the same as the one that brought them success last season.

Only striker Kevin Lisbie and on-loan midfielder Darren Carter were new to the set-up.

The defence in particular had a settled look about it and was rarely troubled by their opponents - albeit Robins boss Steve Coppell was missing some of his key attacking players.

That continuity contrasts hugely with both of the other promoted sides.

Norwich started with six new signings, and their sloppy start - finding themselves 2-0 down in the first half an hour - could arguably be put down to a slightly disjointed team trying to find their way.

Leeds, too, took to the field against Derby with a back four including three summer signings and a new keeper.

The number of times they were opened up by a fluid Rams attack suggested this was a backline not used to playing with one another - and the Elland Road side paid for it.

Of course, some of those changes were enforced on their respective managers Paul Lambert and Simon Grayson, but it perhaps lends argument to the thought that throwing too many new players in at the same time is a dangerous game.

Only so much preparation and understanding can be garnered in a few weeks of pre-season training and friendlies. It is only through regular competitive action that partnerships all over the pitch begin to gel and come together.

The lack of rhythm to Leeds' attacks was evidence of this as new wide men Lloyd Sam and Sanchez Watt struggled to really get into the game - not used to playing in the 4-3-3 formation Grayson selected.

Perhaps Millwall's success was to be expected therefore. A settled line-up, with players comfortable in their roles and used to playing with one another, producing a ruthless performance to see off their opponents.

Indeed, two of their goals came from centre halves Darren Ward and Paul Robinson from dead ball situations. With the work put into them by Jackett, that's probably not the last time those particular players will chip in with goals at the other end of the field.

They ensured their team got off to a flying start, however, which could go a long way to preserving the 16-year tradition of the League One play off winners avoiding relegation in their first season.

Of course, it is always folly to read too much into the opening day of the season. Millwall will face difficult challenges ahead and may well require strengthening as the season wears on.

Both Lambert and Grayson, two talented young managers in their own right, should see their summer recruitment policies pay off and enjoy successful seasons with their clubs as well.

However, his experience and pragmatism ensured Round One belonged to Jackett.

Every Loser Wins

Ahead of Saturday's League One Play Off Final, Nobes looks at two managers who have a chance of redemption at Wembley.

Kenny Jackett has taken Millwall to successive League One play-off finals

As Swindon Town and Millwall prepare to fight over the last place in next season's Championship, only one thing can be certain.

Come full time, one of Town manager Danny Wilson or Lions boss Kenny Jackett will have ended his personal play-off nightmare.

In some ways, the two couldn't be further apart. One was once rated as one of the brightest young managers in the game, the other has stepped out of the shadows in recent years to show he is a fine manager in his own right.

Both, however, are united in having suffered play-off misery in League One in the past. This weekend however, one of the bridesmaids will finally get the chance to be the bride.

For the Swindon boss, it will signal the recovery of a career which never fulfilled its early promise. In 1997, Wilson brought top flight football to Barnsley for the first time in their 110 year history.

However, he was unable to keep them in the Premier League and, after an unsuccessful spell at Sheffield Wednesday ended in similar fashion, he was cast from the highest echelons of English football.

It was at League One Bristol City where he chose to resurrect his fortunes a few months later. In four seasons at Ashton Gate he twice led the Robins to 3rd place and the play-offs.

However, in 2003 they lost out to Severnside rivals Cardiff in the semi finals, and 12 months later were 1-0 losers to Brighton in the final. On both occasions, City had come so close to automatic promotion only to fail in the end of season lottery.

He left the club to take on the challenge of the newly formed MK Dons - but suffered relegation to the basement division in 2006. However, a year later he was celebrating promotion to League One with Hartlepool.

The decision to end his reign with Pools in 2008 because the side had 'slipped into the bottom half of the table' looks all the more baffling considering they only narrowly avoided the drop this term.

Now at the County Ground he is 90 minutes away from restoring his reputation - and having another crack at the higher end of the Football League.

It is a chance the 50-year-old probably thought wouldn't take this long. He has always had a reputation for producing sides that are attractive to watch and play positive, attacking football.

Swindon have more than lived up to that reputation this term too - finding the back of net on 73 occasions, although they have also leaked 57 at the back.

It was that positive approach which served them so well in the second leg of their play off semi with Charlton. Wilson made a tactical change to take off top scorer Billy Paynter, and released the rest of his side to chase the goal they required to level the tie.

The decision paid off handsomely, and an assured display from the penalty spot in a shoot out booked them their place at Wembley.

The dignified manner in which Wilson consoled the home players - particularly captain Nicky Bailey whose penalty miss proved so costly - was a sign of a man who knew the pain they were suffering all too well.

Danny Wilson has been managing in the lower divisions for the past decade

It's also a pain that his opposite number at Wembley on Saturday afternoon has felt as recently as last year. Kenny Jackett's Millwall are making their second successive appearance in the League One play-off final.

Twelve months ago, they threw away a 2-1 lead in the last 20 minutes to succumb to Scunthorpe. It is to everyone's credit at the Den that they have bounced back from that disappointment so well this term.

It was not the case for Jackett at his previous club. He took Swansea to promotion from League Two in his first full season in charge in 2005.

A year later, and the Welsh club were on the brink of successive elevations having seen off Brentford in the play-off semis and heading into the final.

However, the Swans surrendered a 2-1 advantage against Barnsley and eventually lost on spot kicks to the Yorkshire side. Less than a year later, and he had left the Liberty Stadium after a poor run of form.

Prior to Swansea, the 48-year-old spent many years as an assistant, first to Graham Taylor at Watford and then as Ian Holloway's number two at QPR.

It was at Rangers where he first suffered play-off misery, losing to Cardiff in extra time at the Millennium Stadium in the 2003 League One final.

Since going it alone though, his success with Swansea and now Millwall has helped Jackett forge a reputation as an up-and-coming manager in the lower leagues.

His sides are always well organised and prepared, boasting a tight defence. While Millwall's direct style is not always the easiest on the eye, their high tempo game cannot be accused of being negative.

Indeed, despite being away from home, they were not afraid of taking the game to opponents Huddersfield in the first leg of their play off semi final. Had a couple of refereeing decisions gone their way, they would have taken a lead from the Galpharm.

As it was, the ease with which they contained their free-scoring opponents in the second leg while being ruthless at the other end was testament to the work that Jackett has done on the training ground.

Promotion on Saturday would present the Lions boss with the opportunity to prove his worth at a higher level. Failure, and clubs already in the Championship could do much worse than to give him his break.

However, failure won't be on his, or Wilson's mind this weekend. They've had more than enough of that in the play-offs already. For one of them - their time has finally come.

League One Play Off Final: Preview

League One Play Off Final

Millwall vs. Swindon Town

Saturday May 29, 15:00, Wembley

A place back in the Championship awaits one of Millwall and Swindon this Saturday as Wembley witnesses a classic clash of cultures.

One's badge is that of a roaring Lion, the other has images of a steam train and a little robin. You get the feeling Millwall could eat their opponents alive.

Indeed, I actually don't think you could find two more dissimilar clubs.

In the blue corner Millwall - a club rooted in the London Docking industry and notorious for their partisan fans who can always ensure a cold welcome to away fans at their New Den ground.

In the red corner, Swindon, famous for trains and roundabouts, and being twinned with Disneyland. In the north east of rural Wiltshire, are they Westcountry bumpkins or Thames Valley commuters? Maybe both.

The two teams are also very different in their style.

Kenny Jackett's Lions - a physical and imposing opponent. No quarter asked and none given. If you're not up for the fight against Millwall, then you're unlikely to get anything from the game.

Resolute at the back, pragmatic in their play, they're not afraid to bombard their opponents with a succession of well drilled set pieces and high balls up front to their dangerous attacking duo of Neil Harris and Steve Morison.

Swindon, as is the way of their manager Danny Wilson, preach the message of good football.

They never waive from a belief in playing the game the right way - they might find Wembley's expansive, if not smooth, pitch to their liking.

Where the Robins are, you can be sure of goals too - at both ends. Strikers Billy Paynter and Charlie Austin have both been in red hot form to fire Town to Saturday's final.

Millwall took four points off Swindon Town during the regular League One season

They'll be in for a tough time against Millwall though. The Lions had the joint-best defensive record in League One this term, and comfortably saw off Huddersfield in the semis without conceding.

Jackett's side have also been here before - just 12 months previously in fact - where they were 3-2 losers to Scunthorpe.

If experience counts then, finally, at the fifth time of asking, Millwall will emerge victorious from a play-off campaign.

Or will Wembley simply bring back bad memories? As with last May's match, the Londonders will again start favourites - albeit slight ones - particularly after defeating Swindon 3-2 on the final day of the regular season.

A high-scoring match that day, I don't envisage Saturday going along the same lines. Both sides know there's simply too much at stake.

With both having benefited from financial backing, they will be hopeful a win will be the gateway to establishing them back in the second tier of English football.

Swindon haven't been there in ten years, Millwall dropped out of the Championship more recently - in 2006. Life in the third tier has generally not been kind to two sides who regularly competed for the top flight 20 years ago.

Who will have the opportunity of competing in the Championship next term though?

Part of me thinks that things have clicked for Swindon this season, they weren't one of the pre-season favourites, but their penalty win over Charlton in the semis shows that fate is on their side.

However, only one side - Leicester in the early '90s - have lost play-off finals in successive seasons. Usually, a side triumphs second time around, so it's unlikely Millwall will lose again.

It wouldn't surprise me to see it go into extra time, but I'll go for Millwall to edge it. Although they probably won't.

Nobes' Prediction: Millwall 2 Swindon Town 1

League One Play Offs: Ties Preview

After looking at the four teams involved earlier in the week, Nobes preview the League One play-off ties.




Millwall vs. Huddersfield Town

First leg: Saturday May 15, 12:15, Galpharm Stadium
Second leg: Tuesday May 18, 19:45, New Den


Form (last six games):

Millwall: WLWLDW
Huddersfield Town: LWWWWL

Previous meetings:

Huddersfield Town 1-0 Millwall, April 16, Galpharm Stadium
Millwall 3-1 Huddersfield Town, September 19, New Den

The tie:

Both Millwall and Huddersfield have proud home records that have been the bedrock of their success this season. Each team have lost just once at home all term.

It's no surprise therefore that, in the two games between the sides during the regular season, the home side came out on top.

The same may well happen during the course of the play-offs. This could even come down to who wins their home match by the largest margin - bearing in mind that away goals don't count.

While they may share a similar home record, the two play in very different styles. Millwall are more pragmatic and tactical, Huddersfield exuberant and expansive.

The Lions are certainly the more experienced of the sides as well, and, along with having home advantage in the second leg, must be favourites to go through.

Prediction: Millwall




Charlton Athletic vs. Swindon Town

First leg: Friday May 14, 19:45, County Ground
Second leg: Monday May 17, 19:45, The Valley

Form (last six games):

Charlton Athletic: WWDLWL
Swindon Town: LWDDDD

Previous meetings:

Swindon Town 1-1 Charlton Athletic, February 6, County Ground
Charlton Athletic 2-2 Swindon Town, December 26, The Valley

The tie:

Two draws between the two teams who, in their respective 46 games, lost just eight matches each this season.

This play-off tie has all the hallmarks of one that could go all the way to penalties.

Swindon's recent form has not been good, although they have still proved difficult to beat. They will want to take a lead to The Valley though, which they will feel they can protect in the second leg.

That could actually lead to a more open first leg and one team going into the return leg with an advantage to protect.

Swindon, rather than Charlton, are more likely to be that side, and having home advantage first could actually work in their favour.

Prediction: Swindon Town

League One Play Offs: Teams Preview

The League One play-offs kick off this weekend as four sides battle to join Norwich and Leeds in next term's Championship.

A dramatic final day eventually confirmed Millwall will face Huddersfield and Charlton and Swindon will meet one another.

Nobes takes a look at the four teams involved.


Final top of the table:

.............................P.....GD.....PTS
1. Norwich..............46.....42......95
2. Leeds.................46.....33......86
--------------------------------------------
3. Millwall...............46.....32......85
4. Charlton.............46......23......84
5. Swindon.............46......16......82
6. Huddersfield.......46......26......80
--------------------------------------------
7. Southampton......46......38......73



Millwall






Story of the season:

Millwall were slow starters to the campaign after losing in last May's play-off final.

However, the Lions got things together in the New Year - putting together a run of just one defeat in 18 games in 2010.

That saw them in contention for an automatic promotion position as Leeds stumbled, but two defeats in their last four meant they eventually had to settle for 3rd.

Manager:

Kenny Jackett is aiming to avoid a third loss in the League One play-off final. As well as last year's final with Millwall, the 48-year-old's Swansea team lost to Barnsley in the 2006 final.

A highly-rated coach who has worked with Graham Taylor and Ian Holloway, Jackett has a reputation for building teams who are high on organisation and defensive strength.

Has taken Millwall to a second consecutive play-off finish since his appointment in 2007.

Strength:

That organisation at the back helped the Lions to the joint-best defensive record in League One this season. Just 44 goals were leaked in 46 games.

They also boasted the best home record in the division - unbeaten in 14, just one defeat all season, the fewest goals leaked, and 56 points collected.

Last year's failure has also given them good experience.

Weakness:

The Lions have shown a greater vulnerability on the road this term compared to their form at the New Den.

They failed to score in recent defeats at Tranmere and play-off opponents Huddersfield and had the worst scoring record away from home in the top six.

Their poor play-off record could also be a burden on the players - especially those with memories of last season's disappointment.

Key players:

A summer signing from Non League Stevenage, forward Steve Morison [left] has been a revelation for Jackett's men. He's notched 22 goals and been a key member of their promotion challenge.

Experienced striker Neil Harris - who won this division with the Lions in 2001 - has also been a important, scoring 18 goals in total.

Keeper David Forde has continued to establish his reputation as one of the best custodians in the lower divisions and has kept 16 clean sheets this term.


Play-off history:

This is Millwall's fifth appearance in the play-offs, and they've yet to win promotion via them.

Their first experience was in the Championship play-offs in 1991 where Bruce Rioch's men lost out to Brighton in the semis. Three years later, and under Mick McCarthy, they fell at the same hurdle - this time to Derby.

Their next taste of the end of season lottery was in 2000. Joint-bosses Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary saw their Lions side beaten by Wigan in the League One play-off semis.

Finally, last year, they did manage to reach the play-off final. Jackett's men saw off Leeds over two legs, but threw away a 2-1 lead to lose to Scunthorpe at Wembley.

Championship pedigree:

It's twenty years since Millwall were relegated from the top flight of English football. Since then they've spent the majority of their time in the Championship.

That included top six finishes on three occasions, and generally solid mid table finishes. but have slipped down to League One




Charlton Athletic






Story of the season:

Raced out of the blocks. The Addicks won their opening six games and lost just one of their first 14 matches to keep pace with table topping Leeds.

Charlton held down a place in the top two for the first half of the season before a rocky start to 2010 saw them slip away.

However, they recovered and were in top two contention going into the final day, ultimately ending up in 4th.

Manager:

Phil Parkinson has experience of promotion from this division - having gone up automatically with Colchester in 2006.

That was the high point of what has been a mixed managerial record. He endured a tough few months at Hull before being sacked and couldn't prevent Charlton's relegation last year.

However, has fashioned an Athletic team who have proved very resilient this term as well as playing positive, attacking football.

Strength:

No side lost fewer games than the Addicks - just eight of their 46 matches. That always gives them a chance going into two play-off matches.

They also have the best away record of the teams in the play-offs, which will give them comfort they can go away from home and bring a result back to The Valley for the second leg.

Weakness:

There's probably the greatest sense of expectation, and therefore pressure, on the former Premier League team. They really need to bounce back from last season's relegation.

That could lead to a nervous atmosphere in the second leg in front of their own fans. Charlton have lost more home games than any other of their play-off rivals.

Key players:

Midfielder Nicky Bailey has been at the heart of Charlton's good play this term. He's scored 13 from the centre of the park and needs to be contained.

Experienced former Premier League striker Deon Burton has scored a similar total. He remains a dangerous attacking outlet.

Young keeper Darren Randolph has recently forced his way into the first team and made some key saves during the run-in.



Play-off history:

The Addicks have only featured once before in the play-offs, in 1998, winning promotion from the Championship in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Having seen off Ipswich over two legs in the semis, they faced Sunderland in the final at Wembley.

The two teams played out a rollercoaster 4-4 draw. Eventually, after extra time, the game went to penalties where Athletic triumphed 7-6.

Championship pedigree:

Charlton were Premier League regulars during the last decade, spending eight out of nine seasons in the top flight between 1998 and 2007.

When they weren't mixing it with the big boys, they were solidly in the second tier.

However, they were relegated from the Championship last season - ending a run of almost 30 years outside the bottom two tiers of the Football League.




Swindon Town






Story of the season:

An inconsistent beginning to the campaign, Swindon were on the fringes of the top six before stringing together a 13-match unbeaten run at the turn of the year.

That put that firmly in play-off contention and another unbeaten run of six saw them force their way into the automatic promotion places.

However, just one win in their remaining six games meant they had to settle for 4th.

Manager:

The vastly experienced Danny Wilson has been the mastermind behind Town's top six challenge.

With some astute summer signings and a commitment to playing the attractive brand of football that is his trademark, Swindon have been a surprise challenger at the very top.

He took Bristol City into the League One play-offs twice, once losing in the semi final and once in the final.

Strength:

Swindon's eight defeats means that, along with play-off opponents Charlton, they were the hardest team to beat in the division.

Their record against the top teams is also good. They lost just one of their six games against the other three play-off teams, held Norwich, and beat Leeds 3-0 twice.

The experience of Wilson in play-off situations may also work in their favour.

Weakness:

Swindon have the leakiest defence of any of the top six teams, as well as the smallest goal difference.

Their end of season form was also not clever - they failed to capitalise on a favourable run-in against teams they should have beaten.

Despite his experience in them, too, the manager has never managed to get a team promoted via the play-offs.

Key players:

Billy Paynter has been a revelation for the Robins this season - scoring 29 goals in all competitions. His goals could again be vital.

As could those of strike partner Charlie Austin [left]. The find of the season - the former Poole Town forward has scored 19 in his League One debut campaign.

Wide man Jon-Paul McGovern has been a vital creative influence and has experience of winning the League One play-offs with Sheffield Wednesday.



Play-off history:

Swindon have appeared in the play-offs on numerous occasions. They won promotion from the third tier play-offs in 1987 under Lou Macari.

In 1989, they missed out on promotion to the top flight after losing in the play-off semis to Crystal Palace.

Twelve months later, despite beating Sunderland in the play-off final, they were denied promotion due to financial irregularities.

They made up for that disappointment by winning the Championship play-offs in 1993 after Glenn Hoddle's side's thrilling 4-3 final win over Leicester.

Their most recent appearance came in the League One play-offs in 2004 under Andy King. However, they lost out to eventual winners Brighton in the semis.

Championship pedigree:

Promotion to the Championship would end a decade spent outside the top two tiers following relegation in 2000.

That followed a successful period in the '90s where they spent a season in the top flight and, despite relegation from the Championship in 1995, they immediately bounced back as third tier winners.





Huddersfield Town





Story of the season:

Strongly tipped before a ball had been kicked, Huddersfield began with a bang and were firmly in the top six throughout the first few months.

That good form continued until three successive defeats at the start of March left them five points off the play-offs with ten games to go.

Six wins and a draw later, and they had secured their spot in the play-offs with two games to spare. A last day loss at Exeter saw them end up 6th.

Manager:

Rookie Lee Clark joined the club in 2008 and is in his first managerial job at the Galpharm Stadium.

The former Norwich coach has been backed in the transfer market and recruited several impressive young players during the summer.

Has encouraged his team to play in an adventurous, enterprising style that has led to plenty of goals at both ends.

Strength:

The Terriers are an attacking force to be reckoned with. Only Champions Norwich and Southampton scored more goals than Town's 82.

They scored more goals at home than any other side, and lost just once at the Galpharm - to Norwich - all season.

Having looked like they had blown their chance a couple of months back, Huddersfield also come into the play-offs happy to be there and in good form. Their young team has nothing to fear.

Weakness:

In contrast to their home form, Huddersfield's away record is the weakest of the top six. They lost 11 of their 23 games, conceding more than away other team.

This is also a very young and largely inexperienced team, and Clark is similarly a managerial novice. Will they be able to handle the situation?

The truth is also that, had Southampton not been deducted ten points, Huddersfield wouldn't be competing in the play-offs.

Key players:

Unsurprisingly for such an attacking team, the form of top scorer Jordan Rhodes [left] will be key for Town. He's found the back of net 23 times this term.

Left winger Gary Roberts is a threat from the wide positions with his pace and direct running. He's also chipped in with nine goals.

Young keeper Alex Smithies is always likely to be busy in such an attacking team. His performances have reportedly caught the eye of Premier League scouts.



Play-off history:

Huddersfield have competed in the play-offs on five occasions - emerging as winners twice.

Their first taste of the end of season lottery was in 1992, where they were beaten by Peterborough in the League One semis.

However, they were victors against Bristol Rovers in the 1995 play-off final to earn promotion to the Championship.

Their next play-off experience was in 2002, where Lou Macari's Town were beaten by Brentford in the League One semis.

They were more successful in the 2004 League Two play-offs. Under Peter Jackson they saw off Lincoln in the semis and beat Mansfield on penalties in the final to win promotion.

Two years later, and Jackson's men lost out in the League One play-offs to county rivals Barnsley in the semi finals.

Championship pedigree:

Huddersfield were relegated on the final day of the Championship season in 2001. That ended a run of six consecutive seasons in the second tier.

Since then they've plummeted all the way down to the basement division - although they instantly bounced back.