By Albatross
August 2 2005

The third quartet of Hartlepool United's rivals to be previewed ahead of the 2005/6 season are Doncaster Rovers, Gillingham, Huddersfield Town and MK Dons. Who's in, who's out, and what's been going on over the close season?

Doncaster Rovers Last Season: 10th
In: Jan Budtz, Paul Heffernan, Phil McGuire, Tonny Nielson, Sean Thornton
Out: John Doolan, Guy Ipoua
Shake it all about: John Ryan's cheque book is seeing plenty of action: Sean Thornton and Paul Heffernan cost around £400K between them, and with other arrivals and a new stadium in progress to boot Donny fans are understandably brimming with confidence.
Manager: Dave Penney
Doncaster looked very good last season when they played Pools, and are looking even stronger now. They also have the sort of backer that will allow Penney to add to his squad if necessary. I expect them to be in contention for the very top.
Predicted Finish: 1st

Gillingham Last Season: 22nd in Division 1 (Relegated)
In: Tony Bullock, Danny Jackman, Tom Williams
Out: Barry Ashby, Dean Beckwith, Bertrand Bossu, John Hills, Nyron Nosworthy, Mamady Sidibe, Paul Smith, Nicky Southall
Shake it all about: Far from a happy ship at Priestfield - several players have left, including the long-serving Barry Ashby amid claims of asking too much money and counter-claims that a contract was never even offered. Former Pools boss Cooper has a hard task if he wants to create a good team spirit when players such as Darius Henderson are handing in transfer requests.
Manager: Neale Cooper
Only just relegated, even with a number of departures Gillingham still have some quality players avaialable. However I can't see them getting it together enough to challenge at the top of the table.
Predicted Finish: 16th

Huddersfield Town Last Season: 9th
In: Mark Hudson, Martin McIntosh, Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Out: Akpo Sodje
Shake it all about: Confidence is high for the Terriers Fans, many of whom seem to be expecting a challenge for automatic promotion.
Manager: Peter Jackson
A superb finish to last season lifted them to the edge of the playoff race, and the squad looks a little stronger to boot. If the prolific Pawel Abbott can stay fit and continue his good form then they are certainly in with a chance of the top 6. The arrival of Taylor-Fletcher should provide Abbott with some good extra support.
Predicted Finish: 7th

MK Dons Last Season: 20th
In: Paul Mitchell, Craig Morgan, Aaron Wilbraham
Out: Paul Heald, Laurent Herve, Jamie Mackie, Harry Ntimban-Zeh, Michel Pensee-Bilong, Allan Smart, Mark Williams
Shake it all about: The unloved Franchise remain the club that many football fans would love to see fail - me included. Those that follow the club seem to have been most exercised by the lack of merchandise in the club shop, and the reduction in squad size - although a recent spoof about signing Lee Trundle got them briefly excited.
Manager: Danny Wilson
Surviving on the last day last time round thanks in part to Torquay shooting themselves in the foot, they improved towards the end of the season and sadly I feel they will survive a fraction more comfortably this time round.
Predicted Finish: 19th