Northampton - 09/10 11th, Bookies 14/1 5th= - Had a half-season containing just two losses, but sandwiched that with a dismal start and finish. Didn't concede too many last season, but their goalscoring wasn't great either. A fit Steve Guinan and the arrival of Tadgh Purcell should get them somewhere close, although it's been a case of one-in one-out and the overall squad isn't that much improved on last term.
Oxford - 09/10 3rd(p), Bookies 16/1 7th= - The U's return to the League after a four year absence with a relatively young squad. Most of their summer signings have little or no League experience, with veterans Chris Hargreaves and Billy Turley departed, and they've named striker James Constable as captain. 50 goals in the last two Conference seasons, but he's another forward to have previously struggled in the League. If they hit the ground running, they could be onto a winner.
Port Vale - 09/10 10th, Bookies 16/1 7th= - After recording multiple six-figure losses, the Valiants have limited their on-field spending largely to securing last season's loanees and any further recruitment will depend on the strength of their gates and any new investment. They are likely to be there or thereabouts, but they needed a regular partner to 19 goal Marc Richards and they don't appear to have found one.
Rotherham - 09/10 5th, Bookies 12/1 4th - If they keep Adam Le Fondre, they'll be an automatic promotion shout. Without him, they'd be lucky to make the play-offs. He scored almost half of their goals last term, and they only scored one more than the Bulls in finishing fifth thanks to their frugal defence. If they can get £150,000 signing Tom Pope fit and firing alongside him they could be unbeatable.
Shrewsbury - 09/10 12th, Bookies 16/1 7th= - Near consistent underachievers over the last ten years, the pressure will be on veteran Graham Turner to deliver the goods. The defence and midfield seem to be in good order, but doubts remain over the strikers at the Meadow. None of their front line scored more than six times last season, a stat that continues to worry all but the rose-tinted Shrews fans.