Reaching a Cup final before the start of your first season is pretty impressive and while hopefully it is a sign of things to come for Ian Atkins, on the other hand we know only too well from the anti-climaxes of recent years that it could be all downhill from here. Although we just fell short of adding the Isle of Man Steam Packet Festival Trophy to our Watney Cup of 1972, the fact that we knocked out teams from the league above us was encouraging. Another year on and we have yet another batch of new recruits to get used to, with only a handful surviving from the Graydon era. Prolific goalscorer Jamie Forrester and Welsh international Paul Trollope are players that most fans will have heard of, while the flame-haired Craig Disley had a cracking game against us at the Mem for Mansfield last season. From what I have seen, there appears to be decent cover for all positions and it seems we have a very strong squad. There are no heavyweights in League Two this season and I do not fancy any of the relegated sides to fare that well. Boston have made some decent signings and should have a crack at promotion, Yeovil have shaken up their personnel and could be up there, with Chester hoping to follow Doncaster to successive promotions. Rovers ought to improve on last year's final position of 15th and I reckon we will finish well inside the top ten. © Chris Chappell - July 2004 Back to Index