Strengths: Being able to come through the extremely difficult period following the death of manager Keith Alexander in March. Simpson will be hoping to build on the positive legacy and presence that Alexander left at the club.
Weaknesses: The lack of quality players showed last season with some heavy defeats. Many players in the squad lack the experience of playing in League Two.
Key man: Forward Ricky Sappleton scored seven goals last season and will be looking to build on this after missing the end of the campaign through injury.
Last season: Fourth, lost in play-off semi-finals.
Strengths: Morecambe have a pretty potent attack and are always likely to score in a game, especially from set pieces where Craig Stanley's deliveries are always dangerous.
Weaknesses: There is a lack of pace throughout the side, which is made all the more obvious when teams run at them.
Key man: Striker Phil Jevons scored 18 league goals last season and the Shrimps will need him to repeat that type of form this time around.
Strengths: The Cobblers defence, built around Dean Beckwith and John Johnson, looks strong, while Kevin Thornton has the guile and Liam Davis the pace to cause the opposition problems from midfield.
Weaknesses: Nobody on the Cobblers books scored more than 11 times last season, so goals may be a problem. New signing Tadhg Purcell, who scored nine goals in 22 games at Darlington last term, will need to step up to the mark.
Key man: Northampton will need Thornton to avoid injury and suspension in order to pull the strings in midfield.
Last season: Third in Blue Square Premier, promoted via play-offs.
Strengths: Oxford will be a threat going forward, with striker James Constable having the potential to be one of the league's top scorers.
Weaknesses: Several of Oxford's players have not had a prolonged run in the Football League.
Key Man: Striker James Constable is preparing for his first full season in the Football League. How he makes the step up will have a major impact on how Oxford perform.
Strengths: Vale are mean in defence and showed in the latter stages of last season that they could score enough goals to be promotion contenders.
Weaknesses: Eight home wins last term was nowhere near enough and goals from midfield were also scarce, although new signing Gary Roberts could change that.
Key man: Marc Richards scored 23 times last season and Vale will need more goals from their vice-captain if they are to mount a promotion challenge.
Last season: Fifth in League Two, beaten in play-off final.
Strengths: The Millers have an ambitious chairman in Tony Stewart, while striker Adam Le Fondre is one of the best at this level.
Weaknesses: Playing at the Don Valley Stadium gives Rotherham little home advantage with the poor state of the pitch and their average attendance dwarfed by the 20,000 empty seats.
Key man: Le Fondre. The diminutive frontman should get his share of goals but will need some help if the Millers are to win automatic promotion.
Reporting by Emlyn Begley, Zaffar Iqbal, BBC Radio Lancashire's Derek Quinn, BBC Radio Stoke's Phil Cartwright, BBC Radio Northampton's Tim Oglethorpe and BBC Radio Sheffield's Seth Bennett.
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