Notts County - 08/09 19th, Bookies 6/1 1st - In the space of six weeks they've gone from offering Kettering winger Craig Westcarr a reduction in wages in exchange for another stab at League football to handing Sven £2million a season to smile and wave. Whether they deserve the bookies' favourites tag is debatable when they will be operating with last season's indifferent squad, though the arrivals of playmaker Ben Davies, and strikers Lee Hughes and Karl Hawley have certainly got the locals looking at the other end of the table.
Port Vale - 08/09 18th, Bookies 39/1 17th - With new boss Micky Adams' budget pretty much already spent before he arrived, he has been unable to make the signings he has wanted. Ex-Brighton pair Doug Loft and Tommy Fraser have been joined by former Morecambe regular Adam Yates. Up front they appear thin on the ground thanks to a squad that seems very overstuffed with defenders. Adams will need to offload a couple to shuffle the pack further and that is likely to mean a season of frustration - again.
Rochdale - 08/09 6th, Bookies 20/1 9th= - Even the Spotland regulars call it the Rochdale Division, such is the length of time they've been stuck in League Two. Boss Keith Hill has come as close as any to getting them into the promised land, and only minor tinkering has been done to the squad in the close season. Dale are unusual in not really having any turely outstanding performers, with even 18 goal striker Adam Le Fondre used as much as a sub as he is a starter as Hill gets the best out of his squad rather than individuals.
Rotherham - 08/09 14th, Bookies 8/1 2nd - A comfortable play-off position would have been theirs last season but for the points deduction. Another good run is expected this term, with the only spanner in the works likely to be the loss of striker Reuben Reid. Ex-Crewe man Tom Pope arrives with a £150,000 price tag to justify and the boots of a 19 goal striker to fill. He scored ten in a bit-part for Crewe last term, and could well be up to the job.
Shrewsbury - 08/09 7th, Bookies 14/1 3rd= - Often derided last season as a one man team, even their own fans were deeply concerned when Grant Holt wasn't on the team sheet. Now he's gone for good, and chief string puller Ben Davies and wideman Chris Humphrey have also departed for greener grass. New arrival Nathan Elder has ability, but he hasn't scored in 2009 and his League record of 12 goals in 66 games is nowhere near Holt's standard.
Torquay - 08/09 Conf 4th(p), Bookies 28/1 11th= - A quick return to the bright lights of League Two is likely to offer a quick return to mid table anonymity for the Gulls. One of the more exciting teams during the second half of the Conference season last term has seen the addition of Conference hot shot Scott Rendell added to the line up. But both Rendell and ex-Bull Tim Sills will have to do something neither has done and prove themselves in League football if the Gulls are to gain a quick progression up the ladder.