Johnson ready for battle

By Chris Bevan

Johnson has been in charge at Huish Park since June 2001 Latest news from League Two

Yeovil boss Gary Johnson is under no illusions about the difficulty of escaping from League Two.

In what is traditionally the most open of England's four professional divisions, around 15 clubs have a realistic chance of promotion.

Last season, in their first ever League campaign, the Glovers missed out on a play-off place by goal difference after challenging strongly throughout.

But Johnson knows going close last time is no guarantee of success now.

"We believe we've bought in players that improve us slightly, and improve our squad," he told BBC Sport.

"But that doesn't necessarily mean we're going to do better than last year because there's some good teams in our division and you need that little bit of lady luck.

There's a gulf between the top of the Championship and the Premiership but at our level it's all very much tighter Gary Johnson

"We've just got to try to progress.

"We don't make any major predictions about what we're going to do, we just want to improve every year."

Johnson believes there are plenty of teams capable of mounting a challenge to reach the play-offs at least.

"Along with Northampton, we're one of the favourites, but I don't think it makes much difference - there's always a few teams that come out of the pack," he added.

"This year the division will be even tighter, for the simple reason that last year you could put your house on Hull and Huddersfield going up, and they did.

"Northampton should have done, but had a bad start - they will challenge from the off this time.

"A couple of good teams have come up too in Chester and Shrewsbury.

"If you win any League and move up a division, generally you can hold your own in the next League up.

JOHNSON'S TEAMS TO WATCH Northampton Town Cobblers news Chester City City news Shrewsbury Town Shrews news Wycombe Wanderers Wanderers news Boston United Pilgrims news

"There's a gulf between the top of the Championship and the Premiership but at our level it's all very much tighter."

Of the relegated clubs, Johnson feels Notts County and Wycombe are best-equipped to make an immediate return.

"Tony Adams will be looking to bounce straight back and Wycombe will be a dangerous team.

"They're in a good location, just outside London. So there's a lot of chimney pots around and a lot of players like to stay near their roots.

"Due to their location they have an easier time trying to attract players than we do for instance."

Aside from Adams, another former England international with something to prove in the League's basement is Paul Gascoigne.

The 37-year-old has joined Boston as player-coach and Johnson feels his presence could be good for the division.

Even at 37 Gazza will still pull the crowds in League Two

"I wouldn't have thought Boston would have taken him on if he didn't have anything to offer.

"It would be a big risk bringing him in if he's not going to do anything more than put bums on seats.

"But it would be fantastic if we end up playing against him when we face Boston at our place three games into the season. There would be fantastic interest in that.

"I hope he does well enough for them to keep him, and for them to put him in their side against us."

There will be much to contend with over the next few months, so it is hardly surprising that Johnson feels the key to success is getting off to a flying start.

"You need to get to the top of the League pretty early. That gives everyone confidence - your players, supporters - and obviously your board members," he said.

"Some teams get dragged down quite early on and then it's a different battle for the rest of the season - fighting in the relegation group.

"It will be very tight at the top so we're going to have to pick up as many points as we can nice and early.

"After 10 games or so you get a general idea of who is going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."