gillsalltheway: The season so far...

We are reaching the half way point of the season and its time to review each club in the division and their performances so far in my view.

Started the season very well and currently sit just outside the playoff places. They will be looking to continue their good form into the second half of the season.

CD’S verdict: Barnsley will be in the playoffs at the end of the season just as was predicted at the start of the season.

Having an awful season so far with managerial changes part way through the season, which still have not improved things for the struggling League One outfit. They currently sit in the relegation zone and will be hoping that they can put a run of results together and move up the table.

CD’S verdict: Blackpool will be looking for a mid table finish however there current poor form would indicate they will do well to avoid relegation to League Two.

Had a good start to the season and are proving tough opponents for anyone who comes up against them. As they would have expected they are in or around the playoff shake up at the midway point of the season.

CD’S verdict: If they can maintain their current form there is no reason why at the end of the season they could not be in the playoff shake up. However as this league is so tight they could easily slip down the league with a few bad results.

Having a good season so far and with the tireless but ageing legs of Dean Windass still doing the job up front. It looks as if Bradford could be a team looking for the coveted playoff spot at the end of the season. They are currently sitting just inside the top half of the table hoping to use this as a springboard for the rest of the season.

CD’S verdict: They should be there or close at the end of the season as they are a difficult team to beat and score many goals. They look to be maintaining the form that had them down as promotion contenders at the beginning of the season.

Having a fantastic season under the watchful eye of one of the English games hottest prospects Martin Allen. He is working wonders with a team on a shoe string budget. Proving it doesn’t matter how many millions you have to spend it’s about organisation and team spirit.

CD’S verdict: Brentford will I have no doubt be in the playoff places at the end of the season unless they lose Martin Allen to a Championship side during the season.

Not living up to the status of being second favourites for promotion this season and are looking more like candidates for relegation. They are however under somewhat of a mini revival since the start of December picking up good results home and away.

CD’S verdict: Bristol City will be happy with a mid table finish but it looks as though it is going to be a long hard battle to avoid relegation for the rest of the season.

Exceeding everyone’s preseason predictions as they are occupying the last of the playoff places after a successful start to the season. At the beginning of the season they were expected to flirt with relegation, this looks impossible now.

CD’S verdict: Chesterfield will be hoping to be in the playoff shake up at the end of the season; however with the league being so close it is likely that they could finish in mid table.

Like Chesterfield, they are exceeding all expectations and are sitting just behind the front top three in the League. This is completely against all pre season predictions of a possible relegation fight for this season.

CD’S verdict: I think Colchester are most likely to finish in a comfortable mid table position after flirting with the playoff places for most of the season.

Are having a good season, not necessarily in the league over the last few weeks, but they certainly had a good cup run accounting for a few good premiership sides. However this can have a detrimental effect on your league form and in the last few games it has suffered because of this. Doncaster are now in the lower reached of mid table hoping that the New Year brings some better results.

CD’S verdict: I expect Doncaster to finish in or around the mid table positions at the end of the season. If they had not had such a good cup run they may be in a better league position.

Pre season predictions had the Gills as one of the favourites for promotion this has not proved to be the case after a promising start to the season they fell away for a time. Now under the watchful eye of Ronnie Jepson they have looked a changed team especially at home hopefully he can fix the away form to and we will have a better second half to the season.

CD’S verdict: Anything above the relegation zone after our form during the season will be a successful season. However many fans are now optimistic of more after seeing improved performances under Ronnie Jepson.

Going through a transition phase after losing their manager at the end of last season. Their form so far this season has been patchy and as a result they are in the bottom half of the league but are looking for a good second half of the season.

CD’S verdict: I fully expect Hartlepool to be in or around the lower half of league one until they get their better quality players back, only then can they look to move on up the league.

Having a fantastic season and if they can maintain their current form they will be looking at promotion back into the Promised Land of the Championship after a lengthy absence.

CD’S verdict: In my opinion I can see Huddersfield gaining promotion to the Championship at the end of this season.

After a terrible run of results especially over the festive season MK Dons now sit bottom of the League. They are going to struggle to keep hold of Izale Mcleod in the January transfer window because of this.

CD’S verdict: If Milton Keynes Dons can keep hold of Izale Mcleod until the end of the season at least I can see them staying up at the end of the season. However if he is sold in January I think they will struggle to find the goals to keep them up this season.

After relegation from the Championship Forest were made favourites to win the league. However they made a terrible start to the season and briefly flirting with the relegation places before finding some form and moving on up the league to be just outside the playoff places.

CD’S verdict: It is unlikely that Forest will win the league due to the inconsistency they have shown this season. However they should be able to achieve a playoff place, providing they do not suffer a mid or end of season blip.

So far Oldham’s season can be considered a success as they were expected to battle bravely against relegation but are so far sitting in the top half of the table. After a fairly successful festive season Oldham now find themselves just outside the playoff places and hoping to build on this as the season progresses.

CD’S verdict: If they can keep hold of Ronnie Moore then they will finish in a lower mid table position, however if he moves back to Rotherham then its possible Oldham could be the team that goes into freefall.

Port Vale are having a season that is consistent to that of last season as they are in a marginally better league position. They are proving to be a consistent side and one that is well organised and have some good players that can punish any team in the league on their day.

CD’S verdict: I think Port Vale will finish the season in a lower mid table position this season, eventually in a position not to dissimilar to last season

The third of the relegated teams last season from the Championship; they are also struggling badly and have sacked yet another manager which does not bode well for the struggling team.

CD’S verdict: I can only see one out come for Rotherham this season and that is Relegation to League Two, they are in freefall at the moment and can not seem to put a decent run of results together.

After promotion from League Two last season Scunthorpe’s season so far can ultimately be seen as a good one. As they are not fighting a relegation battle as many expected they are hovering around the lower reaches of the league but are pushing towards the mid table positions and the top half of the league.

CD’S verdict: A run of bad results can see Scunthorpe dragged into a relegation battle; the league is so close this season that anyone can improve their league position on a good day.

Another of the promoted teams from League two last season and again they are exceeding all pre season expectations. They had an excellent start to the season working their way to the top of the league. However in recent weeks they have started to have a slight mid season wobble, fans will be hoping that it is just a wobble and not the start of a fall down the league. However a good festive period has seen them jump back to the top of the League and they will be hoping that they are still there at the end of the season.

CD’S verdict: I fully expect Southend to stay in the top half of the table for the rest of the season and I am sure that they will make the playoffs at the end of the season if their current form continues.

The third team promoted team from League two last time around and look like they could make it back to back promotions as they sit top of League one this season. Many people have been shocked as to how well they have adapted to life in the higher leagues, but their style of play certainly seems to suite League one football.

CD’S verdict: I believe that Swansea will realise their dream and win automatic promotion to the Championship at the end of the season and the way they have been playing it’s no more than they deserve.

Struggling this season and under the guidance of ex Gill Iffy Onuora they will be hoping to turn the corner and put a good run of results and move out of the relegation zone.

CD’S verdict: Unfortunately I expect Swindon to be relegated to League Two as I can not see a turn around in their run of results. League Two however will be the ideal league for Iffy Onuora to cut his managerial teeth in.

Early season predictions of Champions looks a little far fetched as they are having a disastrous season. Their manager is clinging to his job by his finger nails and is likely to be the next managerial casualty in League one.

CD’S verdict: Unfortunately unless Tranmere have a change of manager now it could be too late for them to preserve their status in this league and they are likely to be relegated at the end of the season.

Look on course to finish in a similar position to that of last season - in mid table. They are a little inconsistent with results which is the main reason that they are in a mid table position, if they can improve on this they can move on up the league.

CD’S verdict: Walsall look like they will again finish in mid table and this will be considered another season of consolidation before they try to challenge for the playoffs next season.

The fourth and final team to be promoted from League two last season and were tipped to be the surprise team of the division. However they lost their manager early in the season and have not really recovered from this and are therefore fighting a relegation battle.

CD’S verdict: Yeovil should be good enough to finish just above the relegation zone this season and will look to build for a better season next season.

All that remains is for me to say good luck to all the teams for the rest of the season and Up the Gills!!