BOOKMAKERS have shied away from pricing up an ante-post market for the new-look Welsh Premier, so here's our guide to the 12 clubs in contention.
  ABERYSTWYTH TOWN
JUST failed to qualify for Europe last season but may find things more difficult this time around after losing leading scorer Luke Bowen, who has returned to Port Talbot. An interesting blend of youth and experience which includes two former Everton youngsters and should give Black & Greens' fans a run for their money.
IN Steff Edwards, Ricky Evans, Michael Howard, James McCarten, Conall Murtagh, Lewis Codling, Craig Williams.
OUT Luke Bowen, Andy Evans, Robert Evans, Dave Roberts.
MANAGER Alan Morgan LAST SEASON 4th PREDICTION Play-offs
KEY PLAYER Luke Sherbon ONE TO WATCH Lewis Codling. |
  AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON
Claimed a coveted place in Super 12 and are ambitious for more success on and off the field. Well-organised at the back and in midfield, but much may depend on whether promising young striker Jake Cassidy moves on to a club in the English system, after the club's two leading goal scorers were released in the close season.
IN Jake Cassidy, Leon Clowes, Richard Dorman, Callum Hawthorne, Andy Moran.
OUT Marc Lloyd Williams, James McIntosh.
MANAGER Craig Harrison LAST SEASON 7th PREDICTION Play-offs
KEY PLAYER Danny Desormeaux ONE TO WATCH Jake Cassidy. |
  BALA TOWN
Punched above their weight and just made the cut after an excellent first season in the top flight, but could struggle to reach the play-offs this time around, despite adding another former Wrexham player Mark Jones to last season's acquisition Danny Williams. Manager Colin Caton has turned to new boy Chris Mason up-front after finding goals at a premium last season.
IN Mark Jones, Shaun Kennedy, Chris Mason, Rob Evans.
OUT Warren Duckett, Ricky Evans, Mark Harris, John Toner.
MANAGER Colin Caton LAST SEASON 11th PREDICTION Bottom five
KEY PLAYER Danny Williams ONE TO WATCH Mark Jones. |
  BANGOR CITY
City have relied on indomitable team spirit to claim the Welsh Cup for the past three seasons, but have failed to find sufficient consistency in the league to break into the top three. The loss of Lee Hunt and Chris Sharp could be compensated by the return to fitness of Les Davies, who missed most of last season, alongside the prolific Jamie Reed and new boy Chris Jones.
IN Alan Bull, Chris Jones.
OUT Lee Hunt, Ashley Stott.
MANAGER Nev Powell LAST SEASON 5th PREDICTION Play-offs
KEY PLAYER Michael Johnston ONE TO WATCH Chris Jones. |
  CARMARTHEN TOWN
Scraped into the new-look league and new manager Tomi Morgan has been forced to dip into the transfer market after the departure of five key players at the end of last season, including influential midfielders Paul Fowler, Nicky Palmer and Kris Thomas. Could well struggle with goal scorers Danny Thomas and Craig Hughes also gone through the Richmond Park exit.
IN Gary Bansor, Lee Bevan, Kevin Davies, Andy Evans, Craig Frater, Nick Harrhy, Kristian James, Lee Jenkins, Stephen Evans, Corey Thomas.
OUT Paul Fowler, Craig Hughes, Nicky Palmer, Danny Thomas, Kris Thomas.
MANAGER Tomi Morgan LAST SEASON 10th PREDICTION Bottom five
KEY PLAYER Sacha Walters ONE TO WATCH Craig Frater. |
  HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY
Will find it hard to compete against some of the bigger spending clubs in the league, but manager Derek Brazil has excelled at combining youth with experience and the New Bridge Meadow is always a hard place to claim away points. Midfielder Neil Thomas is a key signing in the heart of midfield while young Steffan Williams is an exciting prospect.
IN Richard Evans, Lee Jarman, Danny Thomas, Neil Thomas.
OUT Tom Billing, Nicky Woodrow.
MANAGER Derek Brazil LAST SEASON 12th PREDICTION Bottom five
KEY PLAYER Neil Thomas ONE TO WATCH Steffan Williams. |
  LLANELLI AFC
Took last season's title race to the wire, but manager Andy Legg has been forced by financial constraints to elect for youth over experience in some departments and his reshaped side may find it harder this time around. Goal machine Rhys Griffiths is likely to be the main man once again, but relying on Legg's long throws may be a thing of the past.
IN Martyn Giles, Chris Llewellyn, Kris Thomas.
OUT Stephen Evans, Michael Howard, Lee Jarman, Craig Jones, Craig Morris, Andrew Mumford, Owain Warlow.
MANAGER Andy Legg LAST SEASON 2nd PREDICTION Play-offs
KEY PLAYER Rhys Griffiths ONE TO WATCH Jordan Follows. |
  NEATH FC
The pressure will be on manager Andy Dyer after a summer of high-profile signings by the league's big spenders. Nothing less than an automatic European place will be regarded as adequate reward, with much expected from Trundle, Llewellyn, O'Leary and Co, but the title may be a bridge too far this time as the new arrivals take time to gel.
IN Chad Bond, Paul Cochlin, Luke Cummings, Andrew Fairbairn, Paul Fowler, Craig Hughes, Chris Jones, Craig Morris, Kris O'Leary, Lee Trundle.
OUT Carlos Castan, Sean Cronin, Dale Evans, Chris Llewellyn, Rob Spendiff, Anthony Williams.
MANAGER Andy Dyer LAST SEASON 9th PREDICTION Runners-up
KEY PLAYER Lee Trundle ONE TO WATCH Chad Bond. |
  NEWTOWN AFC
Only qualified because of Rhyl's demotion and new coach Andy Cale will need all his guile and experience to keep top flight football at Latham Park with one of the lowest budgets in the league. The Robins look to have the capability to defend, but scoring goals is likely to be the main problem with much depending on the form of the experienced Paul Roberts and new striker Tom Ward.
IN Matthew Driscoll, Chris Hartland, Lee Hartshorn, Paul Keddle, Dave Roberts, Shane Sutton, Tom Ward.
OUT Damien Daniels, Jack Hughes, Neil Mitchell, Ross Stephens, Craig Williams.
MANAGER Andy Cale LAST SEASON 13th PREDICTION Bottom five
KEY PLAYER Gavin Cadwallader ONE TO WATCH Callum Wright. |
  PORT TALBOT TOWN
Much is expected from the Steelmen after enjoying their best-ever season and the return of Luke Bowen is a boost, but manager Mark Jones has lost key midfielders Neil Thomas and Scott Barrow in the close season and a repeat performance will be difficult, although new signings Nathan Cotterrall and Nicky Palmer bring tons of class and experience to the midfield.
IN Luke Bowen, Nathan Cotterrall, Kye Edwards, Craig Jones, Nicky Palmer.
OUT Gary Bansor, Scott Barrow, Neil Thomas.
MANAGER Mark Jones LAST SEASON 3rd PREDICTION Play-offs
KEY PLAYER Liam McCreesh ONE TO WATCH Craig Jones. |
  PRESTATYN TOWN
Defied long odds to claim a place in the "Super 12" and have added influential midfielder Ross Stephens to their ranks along with prolific marksman Lee Hunt. His goals will be needed and the Seasiders also need to improve on their goals against tally if they are to build-on last season's excellent finishing position.
IN Lee Hunt, Ross Stephens.
OUT Andy Moran.
MANAGER Neil Gibson LAST SEASON 8th PREDICTION Bottom five
KEY PLAYER Ross Stephens ONE TO WATCH Mike Parker. |
  THE NEW SAINTS
Little has changed in the playing squad as the Saints bid to retain their title, but the acquisition of Matty Williams is already proving a shrewd move. A full season from Chris Sharp could well deliver enough goals to provide another season of silverware at Park Hall, if European commitments and exertions don't take their toll.
IN Matty Williams, Connell Rawlinson.
OUT Steve Abbott, Conall Murtagh.
MANAGER Mike Davies LAST SEASON Champions PREDICTION Champions
KEY PLAYER Scott Ruscoe ONE TO WATCH Craig Jones. |
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