"Take a bow son!!!" - Football season 2008/9 previews!

Ok…so Andy Gray doesn’t commentate on League Two games, much less would he utter such dramatic phrases for any of the typically bumbling goals we score, but the mighty Rochdale’s season has now begun and that calls for a nifty preview blog!

Last season, an amazing latter half of the season, saw the Dale reach the playoff final where we were, quite frankly, p0wned but a fearsome (for League Two anyway) strike duo. So what’s in store this season?

Well one things for sure, like most teams in L2 this season, the fear of relegation is that much more lukewarm, thanks to the triple whammy of points deductions. Rotherham, Bournemouth (n.b. Seth Rogan’s team “Bourne-mouth?”) and Luton have all been punished and will all start the season in the negative. This kind of cushion is a weight off my mind, despite the Dale’s quality surely meaning they’re nowhere near the rear end of the season come May 2009. On the other hand, look at Leeds, a deduction could be the kick up the arse these teams need for a huge surge up the table.

Summer transfer news?

We missed David Perkins in the final last season, and now he’s gone all together! Hopefully signing Jon Shaw from Halifax will bag plenty of goals along with last season’s top scorer for Rochdale, Adam Le Fondre.

My prediction this season?

With Keith Hill in charge, I do have faith and think 2nd place, automatic promotion could be in sights. Could I handle another day at Wembley? Sure, but we have to be a lot more solid across the park and not rely on the legend that is Gary Jones giving 1200% in every position going.

This week sees the first league home game of the season, and it’s only against local rivals, Bury. Given the result of our last local derby (you’re coming straight back down Stockport!) the Dale will be out to regain local pride. I’m delighted to be heading down for the game, in a season I hope to catch at least 10 home games.

Some league called the...Premier League?

As for the big stuff, I think Chelsea will come back and win the Premiership. Scolari is an incredible manager and you can already sense a more excited and confident collective at Stamford Bridge. Manchester Utd will push them the whole way, while I do believe Liverpool will keep in step until very late on in the campaign. As for the bottom? You really can’t see any of those teams promoted staying up can you? Windass and all, Hull will be rock bottom.