The new League One season is nearly upon us and EFL pundit Gab Sutton shares his 2023/24 season preview, complete with his 1-24 predictions.
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If Richard Hughes succeeds Fratton Park, he’ll enhance his reputation as one of the most exciting Sporting Directors in English football.
Instrumental behind Forest Green’s 2021-22 League Two title win, Hughes has made some left-field calls since arriving at Portsmouth in September, firstly to appoint John Mousinho as Head Coach.
In January, Mousinho was still registered as a player at Oxford, responsible only for coaching set pieces, and to give the then 36-year-old his first opportunity as a number one was a bold call, to say the least.
Hughes’ bravery looks to have paid off, though, even if 39 points from 23 wasn’t enough to haul Pompey into the Play-Offs.
Mousinho looks an outstanding communicator, so if he can deliver Play-Off form straight from jumping aboard this management raft cold, what he could do after a summer to find his sea legs?
They’re not the only thing he’s found: 11 new additions arrive at Fratton Park, in a change of direction from dependence on both experience under Kenny Jackett, and loans under Danny Cowley.
Now, the central theme is peak-age performers who have shown huge potential previously, but not yet been able to fulfil it.
Assured defender Regan Poole, 6’3” centre-back Conor Shaughnessy, attacking left wing-back Jack Sparkes and technical midfielder Ben Stevenson, plus direct wide forwards Gavin Whyte and Anthony Scully, born either side of the Irish border, all hitch up in PO4.
Portsmouth back themselves to identity the reasons for these players not enjoying linear progression in early 20s, then create cultural, stylistic or fitness-based conditions to minimize those obstacles.
Crucially, they also retain a reliable core in right-backs Zak Swanson and Joe Rafferty, left-sided defenders Ryley Towler and Connor Ogilvie, experienced controller Marlon Pack, energetic midfielder Joe Morrell, magician Tom Lowery, and focal point Colby Bishop.
Pompey have also invested in talent, adding Terry Devlin and Christian Saydee, exuberant pressers in midfield and attack respectively, as well as loaning Abu Kamara from Norwich – the poacher bagged 13 in 15 PL2 encounters.
Elsewhere, watch out for Kusini Yengi – he could be the League One Henry!
Excitement is building, Mousinho is coming at management from a fresh angle, and the fact Portsmouth haven’t gone for known quantities almost makes them more dangerous.
Sharon Brittan and Ian Evatt are the figureheads for arguably the most exciting time for Bolton Wanderers since the Sam Allardyce era.
Chair Brittan has brought integrity, transparency and business savvy to the club Football Ventures bought in 2019, likewise CEO Neil Hart, while Evatt has done a wonderful job in the dugout over the last three years.
Since the former defender took charge, the Trotters won promotion from League Two, achieved a ninth-place League One finish the following season, before reaching the Play-Offs last year, albeit losing the Semi-Final to Barnsley.
It’s been a smooth trajectory for Wanderers: not incomparable, dare we say, with those of last season’s Championship Play-Off Finalists.
The Lancashire club have a proven spine of top third-tier performers, in defenders Ricardo Santos and George Johnston, midfielder Aaron Morley and striker Dion Charles.
A strong and uncompromising defender, Santos missed parts of 2022-23 through pneumonia but is hoped to be fit to be an ever-present this time around, alongside Johnston, while Charles doesn’t stop running.
Morley, meanwhile, has been converted by Evatt from a classy, graceful controller who could be overwhelmed in certain phases, to almost the complete midfielder who’s only missing goals in his game.
The former Rochdale man could be set to boss League One, as Wanderers look to go one better in a weakened league.
Goalkeeper Nathan Baxter is a potential asset and looks an excellent signing on a free from Chelsea, after the loss of James Trafford, so the big question is whether the other of last season’s star loanees, Conor Bradley, can be replaced.
If Cogley and the other right wing-back who comes in step up to the mantle, there’ll be few reasons to doubt Wanderers, who after a reported four further additions, will have enviable depth across the park.
Bolton have progressed in each of their last three seasons, and a continuation of that trend would mean only one thing.
For all the disappointment at missing out on the Play-Offs last season, having spied the automatic promotion spots in February, the reality is Derby may not have been ready for a Championship return.
David Clowes was a reluctant hero, taking over his boyhood club last summer when nobody else would, and the backlog of issues from the Mel Morris era means the club is still healing in so many areas.
The timing of the takeover meant recruitment was rushed, and while the Rams could attract experienced Championship players, they left themselves with an imbalanced squad, something they couldn’t rectify in January.
It was one thing having the individual quality of Conor Hourihane, David McGoldrick and others, but the absence of natural full-backs, right-footed balance, understudies to deep-lying playmaker Max Bird, and competition for James Collins up top, made the system feel jagged and awkward.
In that sense, was a credit to manager Paul Warne that he led the team into automatic promotion at one stage, with those square pegs in round holes, even if ultimately they dropped out of the top six.
Plus, 2022’s recruitment was for a possession-based coach in Liam Rosenior, when Warne likes a direct style with heavy emphasis on fitness.
Last year, the three-time League One promotion winner had to adapt to the personnel he had in-season, whereas this time not only has he had a full pre-season to implement his regime, but the recruitment has also been tailored towards him.
Goalkeeper Josh Vickers signs from Rotherham to compete with Joe Wildsmith, Curtis Nelson will bring pace to a back-line that was lacking it at times last season, while Sonny Bradley will offer organisational nous to central defence.
Meanwhile, reliable right-sider Joe Ward provides tactical balance and top-notch deliveries, as does athletic left-back Callum Elder, while Washington brings an excellent work rate up top, enabling the gaffer to switch to his favoured 3-5-2.
With these solutions, however, comes greater pressure. A top two challenge is expected. A top six finish is the bare minimum. What’s demanded is new territory for Warne.
In theory, the 50-year-old should handle that pressure, having won promotion from this level three times before, but his motivational style is arguably more suited to galvanizing people who are doubted.
Warne doesn’t always believe in himself to the extent his record suggests he should, and may struggle to fully deliver on expectation.
Charlton fans have been scarred by a decade of upstairs unrest.
Each time the Addicks have had what looked on paper an opportunity to turn a new leaf, the other leaf hasn’t given them new beginnings, only a different form of chaos and disruption.
With not a great deal known about consortium SE7 Partners, other than Charlie Methven’s David Brent-esque clip on the Netflix documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die, supporters understandably find it hard to get excited about new ownership, not wanting a repeat of what’s gone before.
That’s not to say that the Valley is devoid of optimism: since Dean Holden took charge, the South Londoners have found top 10 form, and with the league ostensibly weakened, it won’t take much to hit the standards to challenge.
Charlton have a strong core, too, of physical defender Michael Hector, tenacious destroyer George Dobson, creator Scott Fraser and powerful striker Miles Leaburn, though the latter will miss the start of the campaign.
Holden has been able to add to that core, too, with the additions of goalkeeper Harry Isted, who impressed at Barnsley last season, midfielder Panutche Camara, and forward Alfie May.
An outstanding physical specimen with a relentless mentality, Camara should form an excellent understanding with destroyer George Dobson and creator Scott Fraser: all three are proven at this level and could be one of the best trio’s in the league.
May, meanwhile, is persistent, has great link-up play and is capable of the spectacular, having scored 20+ goals in his last two League One seasons, in a Cheltenham team that doesn’t have the same creativity.
As well as Fraser, the Addicks also possess League One specialist Jack Payne, super-sub Chuks Aneke, and speedy winger Corey Blackett-Taylor, who will at least be handy options off the bench.
On the other hand, the South Londoners only have one defender in Hector who’s expected to perform among the best in this league, they have a hit-and-miss set of centre-backs and have negligible depth in full-back positions.
With the right final additions, Holden and the players are strong enough to deliver a promotion push, even if structural question marks remain.
“I tried as hard as possible to find somebody other than Neil,” said owner Simon Sadler in his first words on Critchley’s reappointment as Head Coach, “but we just kept coming back to him.”
Sadler was half-joking, and Critchley himself couldn’t suppress his own wry amusement, yet there was clearly some truth behind the jest, as the club found their man to lead the response to last season’s relegation to League One.
The former Liverpool Under-23s coach guided the Tangerines to promotion from this level in 2020-21 with an aggressive, intelligently co-ordinated, high-octane style, and steered them to a comfortable 16th-placed Championship finish, but what followed was an acrimonious departure.
There had been certain aspects of Critchley’s exit for Aston Villa which were hard for natives to take, and some questioned how much of the boss’ passionate, fist-pumping, crowd-pleasing conduct had been truly heartfelt.
That may well have been unfair, but either way trust has been eroded, so there are potentially awkward political dynamics for Critchley to navigate: naturally, those dynamics become less awkward if results are favourable.
Those early weeks are key, then, so it’s no surprise the club has gone for experienced, reliable League One operators in the market, adding aerial centre-back Matt Pennington, all-action midfielder Oli Norburn in midfield, and springy striker Kyle Joseph.
In terms of existing personnel, talented goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw, confident defender Marvin Ekpiteta, utility man Callum Connolly, and pressing forward Shayne Lavery have thrived under Critchley before, and will be out to do so again.
Right-back Andy Lyons, meanwhile, was one of the Pool’s better players in the Championship last season, and having won PFAI Players’ Young POTY in 2022, could go well in League One.
Ultimately, Critchley has proven to be one of the best managers in this league previously, and if old wounds can be repaired early on, a promotion push could be on the cards.
Since Lincoln were promoted to League One in 2019, they’ve achieved two top half finishes in four seasons, including one Play-Off campaign, and an average position of 12th.
With no serious dices with the drop in that time, the Imps look every inch an established League One club which, considering the previous decade held six years of non-league football, is extraordinary progress.
City have sturdy foundations, both off the field – with stability provided by Chair Clive Nates, CEO Liam Scully and Director of Football Jez George, who have made them one of the smartest clubs in the league – and on it.
Thanks to Head Coach Mark Kennedy’s organisational nous, Lincoln conceded just 47 league goals last season, the same number as champions Plymouth Argyle.
Sean Roughan showed incredible potential at left-back, Adam Jackson was imperious when fit, likewise his fellow centre-back Paudie O’Connor, who put his head in where it hurt every time.
O’Connor, right-sided defender Regan Poole and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth were pillars of consistency, missing only seven league games between them, but the latter two depart.
Rushworth is replaced by Lukas Jensen, who will be an imposing presence at 6’6” but comes in off the back of a tough season at Accrington Stanley, while Poole is yet to be replaced directly.
On paper, the major exits are concerning, but the hope would be that their replacements naturally grow into the roles, through coming into such a well-drilled unit.
That tight unit saw the Imps pull off shocks in League One last season, losing only three in 12 against top six opposition, with victories over Derby, Ipswich, Barnsley and champions Plymouth Argyle, conceding the same number of goals, 47, as the latter.
This season’s aim, therefore, will be to keep the defensive resolve that made them such a dangerous underdog, whilst finding new ways of opening teams up.
Key to that process will be Ethan Erhahon, who brings a touch of class and composure in midfield – the Scot’s excellent decision-making should complement rangy box-to-box man Ali Smith, who signs from Sutton.
If Lincoln can add a ball-playing defender like reported Jesse Debrah, with Lewis Montsma injured, it would go a long way to balancing the no-nonsense qualities of Jackson and O’Connor – and who knows how big a season 20-year-old left-sided defender Sean Roughan could have.
Ben House is one of the most creative forwards in the league, and will link up with goalscorer Tyler Walker, who joins from Coventry, and attacking midfielder Danny Mandriou, of whom big things are hoped after the rest scheduling denied him last summer.
League One looks inviting for underdogs this season, and Lincoln were the ones who most relished that tag last year…
Perhaps unusually for a club that’s just finished 19th, hopes are high at Oxford.
The Yellows massively underachieved last season, with a squad that was capable, on paper, of far more, having accomplished back-to-back Play-Off finishes prior to 2021-22’s 76-point haul, with which they were unfortunate to miss out.
The U’s hope 2022-23’s drop-off was an anomaly, one Karl Robinson paid for with his job before Liam Manning steered the Yellows to safety after taking charge in March.
Manning is out to emulate the strong promotion challenge he oversaw at MK Dons in 2021-22, rather than the following year’s relegation campaign, but will have learnt more from the latter than the former.
Some of the U’s optimism, though, stems from a revised recruitment process, which looks smarter and more collaborative than last summer, especially after highly-rated analyst Ed Waldron returned to the club from Bordeaux.
This new process has already borne fruit with the addition of Ruben Rodrigues from Notts County: only Kevin de Bruyne averaged more creative passes last season in England’s top five leagues than the Portuguese attacking midfielder.
Jordan Thorniley and Josh McEachran bring a steadying intelligence, too, in defence and midfield, while James Beadle’s distribution could be key to style, after the goalkeeper joined on loan from Brighton.
In terms of remaining personnel, left-sided defender Ciaron Brown is top six-capable, likewise dynamo Cameron Brannagan, destroyer Alex Gorrin and delightful technician Marcus McGuane in midfield.
Plus, Oxford have the best crop of talent they’ve had coming through in some time, after individualistic Tyler Goodrham and the aggressive Gatlin O’Donkor caught the eye in forward positions last year.
Some form of progress feels inevitable – and with the right finishing touches, it could be meteoric in nature.
Often, appointing a club legend as a manager can come with scepticism, especially when they don’t have a proven track record beyond playing – but Wycombe and Matt Bloomfield feel a little different.
The Chairboys had Gareth Ainsworth in charge for 11 years, and anyone coming in cold to replace the club’s greatest ever manager risked being something of a fairytale step-father figure, and in that respect it made sense to appoint an already revered figure.
On the other hand, Bloomfield’s 19 years as a player at Adams Park reveal little about his touchline capabilities, and his first year in management has been mixed.
Bloomfield helped Colchester stay up, assisted by January investment, while four wins in 15 at the end of last season at Wycombe was perhaps a little disappointing, for a Play-Off chasing side that had just won eight in 10 at the end of Ainsworth’s tenure.
The former midfielder attempted to evolve the style in that period, and while there were flashes of what’s possible like the performance in the 1-0 defeat to Barnsley, the squad wasn’t equipped to retain consistency under stylistic transition.
This time around, however, Bloomfield has had a bigger window to get his ideas across and recruit for his methods: he appears to have struck the balance.
Luke Leahy, on a free from Shrewsbury, is more of a quintessential Wanderers midfielder, bringing leadership and tenacity in the middle of the park, but the real stand-out capture is Kian Breckin, on-loan from Manchester City.
The attacking midfielder played a key role in back-to-back Under-18s Premier League title-winning seasons before joining the EDS last season, helping them win the PL2 as a stand-out performer.
Offering strength, intelligence and close control, Breckin could be one of the signings of the season if he can even show glimpses of the form that saw him once courted by Barcelona.
The 19-year-old will be nurtured by stable core of consummate professionals, led by Leahy, midfield terrier Josh Scowen, athletic defender Jack Grimmer and springy utility man David Wheeler.
Kane Vincent-Young and Harry Boyes strengthen the full-back areas, Max Stryjek is an excellent shot-stopper – and could Tjay de Barr and Brandon Hanlan build on the attacking understanding they hinted at last season?
This will be a season of partial transition for Wanderers, but they have plenty going for them and could still challenge in an open league.
Had Michael Duff stayed on as manager for this season, after leading the club to the Play-Off Final last year, Barnsley could have been confident of another promotion push.
Instead, Duff’s departure for Swansea leaves matters a little more up in the air, with Mads Andersen leaving for Luton, and uncertainty over fellow star defender Liam Kitching, while key loanees Harry Isted and Bobby Thomas haven’t been retained.
It’s not as if the Reds’ squad has been decimated, and the new contract for League One’s top midfielder, Luca Connell, is excellent news, but it’s significantly weakened.
And, the team’s main strengths last season were in clear patterns of play, combinations, partnerships and units across the park, all of which stemmed from the standard of coaching – and that’s slightly more in doubt.
Duff was a known quantity in the EFL, having worked wonders at Cheltenham as well as Oakwell, whereas replacement Neill Collins has to prove himself after flying across the pond, following five years at Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Collins had success with Rowdies, winning USL Championship Coach of the Year in 2021, but the question is whether he’ll offer the required continuity after such a positive season last year – though pre-season indications are, crucially, that he’ll stick with the 3-5-2.
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts joins on loan from Middlesbrough, hoping to replicate the sumptuous form he enjoyed in League Two with Northampton in 2021-22.
The defensive voids, meanwhile, could be filled by two from well-rounded Kacper Łopata, who joins from Woking, and aerial specialists Conor McCarthy and Robbie Cundy – but Łopata is stepping up two leagues, McCarthy has had injury issues, and Cundy is yet to convince.
Elsewhere, athlete Jordan Williams and delivery specialist Nicky Cadden remain, and Tarn’s wing-backs could be crucial.
Cadden’s left-sided combination with Kitching or his replacement and midfielder Herbie Kane – great on either foot – looks vital once again, likewise Williams’ right-sided relationship with midfielder Adam Phillips, who is out to better last season’s 10-goal haul.
James Norwood and Devante Cole lead the line brilliantly, yet even they managed a fair but improvable 27 goals between them in a highly creative side.
As such, it’s down to Max Watters – if he returns as expected – to replicate his 2020-21 hot streak in League Two at Crawley after a quiet couple of years.
Another goalscorer is essential, though, to offsetting a likely defensive drop-off in what could be a tough season, hinging on whether key men can be replaced, and Collins can live up to his predecessor’s lofty standards.
After 2018’s relegation from the Championship concluded the glory era of the mid-2010s, underdog specialists Burton spent four years hoping heroes of the past could rekindle their sparkle.
Nigel Clough and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink did ok in tough circumstances – the former overseeing a memorable EFL Cup run, the latter a great escape – but the magic fizzled out, understandably, as a humble fanbase half-accepted regression.
Bottom of the table seven games into last season, with a mere point to their name, Burton needed a new managerial hero: step forward, Dino Maamria.
The passionate Tunisian breathed fresh life into the club after taking the number one gig, as his energy and zest made everything feel so much more connected, while his attention to detail has made the Brewers a better-rounded team.
In 2021-22, most teams who avoided mistakes and defended their box well would invariably stop the stodgy, one-paced side, but the 2022-23 outfit was harder to predict and so much more creative.
Bobby Kamwa’s dribbling, Terry Taylor’s control and Deji Oshilaja’s box-to-box bursts were only three of many angles of attack, and that was before the January additions improved things further – despite the loss of star striker, Victor Adeboyejo.
The signings of goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray, defender Jasper Moon, left wing-back Zac Ashworth, creator Mark Helm and striker Dale Taylor contributed immensely to a stunning second half of the campaign, with 10 wins in the final 20 hauling Burton to a glorious 15th-placed finish.
Maamria has had to recruit smartly once again, with some of the above now departed – though Moon rejoins permanently from Barnsley – and adding firepower was crucial.
Cole Stockton was League One’s joint-third top goalscorer for Morecambe in 2021-22, and Josh Gordon, League Two’s joint-sixth for Barrow last year: if both hit form, it’ll go a long way.
Helm could forge a nicely-blended midfield with the dynamic Kegs Chauke and controller Rekeem Harper, who join the Brewers along with Jake Caprice and Steve Seddon, two aggressive, attacking wing-backs.
Jamal Blackman, meanwhile, looks a great addition between the sticks for Maamria’s side, while 6’4” defender Ryan Sweeney is out to repeat the form that got him in the Scottish Championship Team of the Year at Dundee last season.
The key to it all, though, will be Maamria, and with recruitment looking strong in a league that appears to have room for an underdog to flourish, his side could be the surprise package.
Over the last 18 months, Bristol Rovers have used the loan market impeccably.
A young, vibrant side surged from the bottom half of League Two to automatic promotion in 2021-22 thanks to outstanding January business, before a respectable 17th-place finish in their maiden League One campaign.
While lower midtable was acceptable last season, though, boss Joey Barton has been keen to assert that it won’t be in this one: further progression is expected.
Key to that will be rebalancing the squad’s age profile, and while fresh exuberance has been key to their intense, high-line strategy, an extra wise head or two would go a long way to ironing out last year’s defensive vulnerabilities.
As such, Grant Ward staying on is great news for the Gas – the 28-year-old consistently does the simple things well in midfield – and the signing of James Wilson could make a real difference.
Ipswich’s 2020-21 Player of the Year has been a regular part of a Plymouth Argyle side that have conceded just over a goal a game across the last two League One seasons, and his organisational nous looks exactly what was required.
Luke Thomas, meanwhile, brings ball-carrying energy, and only left promotion hopefuls Barnsley through bad formational fit rather than ability, and could easily become one of the league’s top performers in the right system.
If key man Aaron Collins stays, the right 4-5 loans in the remainder of the window would give the Gas a good XI, and a competitive 18, but either way they’ll be vulnerable to an injury crisis which would undermine their chances.
Top half looks likely, and a top six tilt is possible if they pick their loans wisely once again.
Even with a manager of Steve Evans’ calibre, Stevenage weren’t expecting to have the season they had in 2022-23, which will go down as one of the greatest in the club’s history.
After three consecutive bottom half finishes, including a fluke reprieve in 2019-20, supporters anticipated a modest form of progress, yet instead a senior player turnover of 13 incomings and departures apiece yielded an instant transformation.
Nine of the players who came in last summer were roaring successes, none more so than mentality monster Carl Piergianni who, a year after relegation with Oldham, produced one of the greatest ever seasons produced from a League Two centre-back.
Goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, defender Dan Sweeney, midfield ball-carrier Jordan Roberts and right wing-back Kane Smith had outstanding seasons, too, and all four stay on for the challenge of League One.
Evans’ side will attack that challenge with the same, compact, direct 5-3-2 system, making them a devilishly hard team to win consecutive duels against, let alone score past.
Nonetheless, last season’s January recruit, Jake Forster-Caskey, stays on to provide a touch of class in midfield, and look after the ball to give his team some oxygen.
Also bringing quality are Nick Freeman, Ben and Louis Thompson, who arrive with Championship experience from Wycombe, Peterborough and Portsmouth respectively.
Louis’ brother Nathan, and left wing-back Dan Butler will strengthen the defence after themselves arriving from Posh; the former will compete with Sweeney to play on the right of the back-three, while the latter is a more refined version of the departed Max Clark.
As such, only two question marks remain: the first lies up top, as Boro seek a marquee centre-forward after Luke Norris was released and Danny Rose departed for Grimsby, bearing in mind Josh March and Jamie Reid are unproven at this level.
The second is whether they can add fresh energy to a squad that’s now high on experience and proven quality, but may need an injection of youthful exuberance to strike the balance.
Stevenage have more than enough to stabilize at this level, and with the right finishing touches, even a top half finish could be within their grasp.
It seems counter-intuitive to see Peterborough begin a season in League One without a burning ambition.
Owner Darragh MacAnthony so often talks up his team’s chances in August, and manager Darren Ferguson has won four promotions with the Posh across his three previous stints, so in most circumstances they would expect to at least finish in the top six, especially having done so last season.
This year, though, is a little different, and with mild financial concerns, noises are of a shift towards a more sustainable model as the club is hoping for a Play-Off push, more than it’s expecting a top two tilt.
MacAnthony’s policy is to transfer list players once they reach the final year of their contract, so the squad going into the remaining three pre-season friendlies may look very different to the one that begins September.
Uncertainty lingers over the future of defenders Josh Knight and Frankie Kent, and front-man Jonson Clarke-Harris, who top-scored with 26 league goals last season.
Sales of Clarke-Harris, and talented, ball-playing defender Ronnie Edwards, the club’s biggest asset,
Would bring clarity and free up room in the budget to strengthen a squad that’s already lost six key players, including loans, since that Play-Off 2nd leg collapse at Hillsborough.
The Posh haven’t addressed a key vulnerability from last season, though, which was the lack of aerial dominance in defence – Romoney Crichlow will bring ground-duel aggression and ball-playing talent, after signing from Huddersfield, but not that.
Archie Collins, though, looks a fine addition, as MacAnthony showed savvy in the market to poach the creative midfielder from Exeter for a six-figure settlement, with the creative midfielder out of contract.
Ferguson will hope Collins can pick out Ryan De Havilland, plucked from Barnet: the forward-thinking midfielder makes lots of good runs, and the hope is better quality players can spot them than the ones he was working with at The Hive.
Elsewhere, Peter Kioso will bring athleticism at right-back after joining on loan from Rotherham, so recruitment so far has been better than it could have been.
Financial concerns, though, have denied Peterborough the chance to build on the momentum generated by 10 wins in their final 16 league games of last season, and uncertainty over key figures is far from ideal.
It’s back to League One for Wigan, and in many ways back to square one.
A skeleton staff led by Leam Richardson fought gallantly in adversity to keep oxygen in Latics’ lungs in 2020-21, and retain the club’s status at this level, before a takeover gave them new investment and fresh hope that inspired the title win the following season.
Unfortunately, Talal Al Hammad couldn’t deliver on promises of financial sustainability and after a year of difficulty in paying bills and wages, the club was relegated, landing them right back where they started three years ago.
The good news is this season might not quite be arduous as 2020-21, despite the 8-point deduction, as mid-June’s takeover from a consortium led by billionaire Mike Danson has stabilized matters.
The subsequent lack of communication leaves a couple of unanswered questions, at the time of writing, but they are over the finer details rather than an existential threat.
As such, it’s business as usual for Shaun Maloney, who galvanized the club in adversity last season in a way not dissimilar to Richardson, steadying the back-line.
When the ‘Tics legend took charge, the team had the worst defensive record in the Championship with 49 goals shipped in 28, but from that point they had the fifth-best, conceding 16 in 18 – an astonishing 49% improvement.
Jack Whatmough will be key to retaining that form in League One, if he stays, likewise fellow centre-back Liam Morrison, who joins on loan from Bayern Munich.
With an initial deficit to erode, that solidity could be crucial to Wigan consistently ticking over the points required to gradually clamber away from safety.
It’s not a great squad, though, even if forward Callum Lang picks up where he left off in 2021-22, and attack-minded midfielder James Balagizi stars on loan from Liverpool.
What’s in the club’s favour, though, is firstly that much of the squad they will finish the window with have trained together across pre-season, and secondly a fantastic crop of youth coming through.
Talented goalkeeper Sam Tickle could be number one this season, while chip-off-block James Carragher, assured midfielder Baba Adeeko, flying wing-back Luke Brennan, Academy POTY Jack Riley, plus poachers Chris Sze and Josh Stones are all vying to catch Maloney’s eye.
It’s likelier that 2023-24 will be remembered, though, for two or three of the above shooting through the pack to become first-team regulars, than anything groundbreaking achieved on the pitch.
In Richie Wellens’ three previous stints in League One – at Oldham, Swindon and Doncaster – he was at chaotically run clubs that didn’t have the structural or financial tools to compete.
The driven Mancunian has proven his credentials in League Two, though, winning titles with Swindon and Leyton Orient, where he now feels he has the wherewithal to thrive at this level.
Backed by Nigel Travis, the O’s will have a fair budget that gives Wellens’ side a chance of holding their own, and are sensibly run upstairs by Vice-Chair Kent Teague, Director Matt Porter, Chief Executive Mark Devlin, Director of Football Martin Ling and others.
That’s not to say the East Londoners haven’t got challenges to overcome, though, losing two of their three top performers from last season, goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux and wide forward Paul Smyth, to Burnley and QPR respectively.
The good news for Wellens is that the other, Idris El Mizouni, returns on loan from Ipswich to bring ball-carrying brilliance to a midfield that looks a clear area of strength, after the signings of forward-thinker Max Sanders and dynamo Ethan Galbraith, with grizzled veteran Darren Pratley and graceful creator George Moncur also in the mix.
Dependable full-backs Tom James and Rob Hunt should step up, seeing as both are intelligent and technical enough to invert themselves as Wellens intends, while the balletic talents of Jayden Sweeney could catch the eye.
In central defence, organiser Omar Beckles has previous at this level before and although partner Dan Happe doesn’t, he does have growth potential at 24 after starring in the league below last season, prior to injury.
If two of James, Hunt and Sweeney, plus both Beckles and Happe stay fit, Orient should be able to reproduce echoes of the defensive form that saw them, quite astonishingly, keep clean sheets more often than not last season.
The O’s scored more than twice on just four occasions in 2022-23, but questions in attack have been addressed, somewhat, with the signings of strikers Dan Agyei and Joe Pigott.
The athletic Agyei looks a great addition and, after spearheading a drab Crewe side admirably last season whilst somehow hitting 16 goals, the 26-year-old should hit double figures with the step up.
Pigott will also bring goalscoring instincts, having hit 20 in League One for Wimbledon in 2020-21, as well as a deft touch – the 6’1” link-up forward has previously been held back by being pigeonholed as a target man, but Wellens is aware that’s not his game.
There are players who might find this level a bit of a stretch, especially out wide, but it’s a more manageable league than previously, so midtable awaits if the right final additions come in.
Concerns over the running of the club from owners Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li have seen supporters set up a protest movement called Sell Before We Dai, which has grown rapidly in momentum.
Natives are calling for Yongge to sell up, after six years of negligible communication, an agent-led recruitment strategy, and financial mismanagement.
A prolonged series of mistakes has taken the Royals from Championship Play-Off Finalists of 2017, to an awkward-looking 2023-24 season in League One, in which consolidation appears the most realistic target.
Reading have a high-pedigree group in right-back and captain Andy Yiadom, stalwart defender Toms Holmes and McIntyre, former England target man Andy Carroll – and who knows what midfielder Ovie Ejaria could do at this level if he turns up?
Plus, quality has been added in Lewis Wing, who loves an incisive reverse pass, and chose Berkshire over West London this summer, declining a move to QPR.
Elsewhere, forwards Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith are hoping to put a tough 2022-23 season at Cambridge behind them: the former is agile and creative, while the latter can be a mobile goal threat when he puts the effort in.
Perhaps, the most exciting signing yet of the summer is that of Wales Under-21s prodigy, Charlie Savage.
While more technical than famous father Robbie, Savage has an excellent attitude and a fantastic engine, which saw him cover 12 kilometres for Forest Green, when they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in March.
These signings indicate the wheels are turning, so Reading might end the window with a squad that’s top half standard on paper.
Offsetting the likely individual quality, though, will be the lack of team cohesion from a chaotic summer of disrupted preparation, and a club disconnected from it’s supporters.
Plus, while pre-season results have to be taken with a bucket of salt, defeats to nil to Wimbledon and Sutton don’t exactly fill supporters with confidence…
Exeter like to avoid upheaval, by keeping a low squad turnover – and having appointed just three managers in the last 19 years – but some form of change was inevitable this summer.
On-loan star Jay Stansfield has gone back to Fulham, key men Archie Collins and Josh Key were out-of-contract and have departed for Peterborough and Swansea respectively, while defender Alex Hartridge and striker Sam Nombe may yet attract interest.
Outsiders could be forgiven for fearing a similar drop-off to Crewe, who went from finishing in the top half in 2020-21 to bottom of the league the following season after losing numerous star performers for scant remuneration.
Comparatively, however, what City have in their favour is two things: firstly, the high-end contacts of boss Gary Caldwell, who has worked at Celtic, Newcastle and Manchester City in different capacities, as well as the nous of Head of Recruitment Marcus Flitcroft, who has played a huge part in the club’s rise.
It was always going to be difficult to fill all the voids, pound-for-pound, in permanent signings on a low budget, so the loan market is critical for the Grecians this year, and the club might just have delivered.
Diminutive right wing-back Dion Rankine looks agile yet explosive, and strong on both feet, making him an incredibly exciting signing who could even be a short-term upgrade on Key.
All-action midfielder Ryan Trevitt, meanwhile, has just been given a three-year contract by one of the smartest clubs in the country in Brentford, and could be ready to make an impression in Collins’ void.
Viljami Sinisalo, meanwhile, was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his age in Europe in 2021 and, now 21, he remains extremely highly-rated by Aston Villa and Finland, having made his international senior debut this year.
In terms of permanent additions, Jack Aitchison arrives from Motherwell, and is set to provide the grace, skill and craft the team missed in the number 10 spot in the second half of last season.
Incomings strengthen City’s best XI, which already includes exciting wing-back Demetri Mitchell and athletic striker Sam Nombe, if he stays, while the uncompromising Cheick Diabate returns to fitness to add competition for defenders Pierce Sweeney, Will Aimson and Alex Hartridge.
This season will bring challenges, and a drop into the dogfight is a danger, but if the loans catch fire as intended, they could turn an awkward-looking campaign into one of fun.
Last season was by far the hardest of Mark Bonner’s tenure as Cambridge boss and, after a final day survival, perhaps the one providing the biggest learning curve.
The U’s massively exceeded expectation in Bonner’s first two seasons at the helm, winning promotion from League Two then achieving a safe midtable finish in League One, but now he knows he can deliver under pressure.
The CB5 outfit started last season strongly with five wins in 10, but Bonner’s talks with the Rotherham job became public and when he did a late U-Turn, form suffered with three wins in 27 between October and March as the heat ramped up.
Performances had picked up though from January, when midfielder Conor McGrandles came in along with defenders Michael Morrison and Ryan Bennett, and wing-back Liam Bennett was recalled from Walsall – each made an impact, and only McGrandles won’t remain for 2023-24.
Cambridge were typically on the wrong side of fine margins for two months, but April’s 2-0 victory at Port Vale inspired fresh belief that tipped momentum their way, as a run of five wins in the final nine carried the U’s to safety.
With 10 players released, though, Bonner is under no illusions that a big rebuild is required, signing goalkeeper Jack Stevens, left-back Danny Andrew, anchor man Jordan Cousins and striker Gassan Ahadme.
Stevens and Andrew have work to do to recapture form from a couple of years ago, but Cousins is a solid addition, if he can stay fit, and Ahadme – athletic, aggressive and potent – looks an excellent pickup from Ipswich.
Ahadme could have a huge say, along with midfielders Paul Digby and Adam May plus forward Jack Lankester: Digby is Mr Consistent, May is a driven, goalscoring threat when fit, while Lankester’s left foot could cause havoc.
Elsewhere, Jubril Okedina and Zeno Ibsen Rossi were trending upwards last summer, and the talented defenders should by no means be written off after a 12-month period that hasn’t quite gone to plan.
This remains a bottom four squad pound for pound, but Bonner deserves faith for his achievements over the last three years, and the long-serving boss’ calming leadership qualities will be essential to ensuring a season smoother than the last.
It’s been a brave change of strategy, this summer, for Shrewsbury.
Steve Cotterill had done an excellent job at Croud Meadow, on paper, keeping the club up comfortably after taking charge midway through 2020-21, before leading them to safe 18th-placed finish the following season, and a top half finish last term.
Safety is Salop’s modus operandi at this level, so to dismiss a manager who consistently provided it might seem a little foolhardy.
On the other hand, there are aspects of Cotterill’s methods that are somewhat old-fashioned, including the control he likes to have on operational matters, and the club saw a need to evolve.
As such, a Director of Football has been appointed for the first time in their history, with Micky Moore poached after a successful stint at Cheltenham, so new Head Coach Matt Taylor’s remit will be kept largely to the grass.
The hope is that Taylor’s smoother style – both in terms of man management and playing identity – will coax the best out his players, and that Tom Bayliss, Aiden O’Brien and Daniel Udoh will link up nicely.
Bayliss was Salop’s most creative player last season, before ironically losing his place to Crystal Palace loanee Killian Phillips, and always produced flashes of advanced vision, even in a system that wasn’t always built to maximize those strengths.
If, as expected, the Shrews can enjoy a higher volume of final third entries under Taylor, there’s every chance Bayliss reaps the benefits – don’t forget Preston North End paid £2M for this lad in 2019, when already stacked with midfielders.
Salop’s 3-5-2 shape can morph into a 3-4-2-1 when Bayliss pushes into a right-sided #10 position and O’Brien drops into the left-sided equivalent, allowing the duo to combine between the lines, with Udoh stretching them.
To make that work consistently, though, the Shrews will need their attacking wing-backs on form, and while they have lots of options, there’s doubts over everyone.
On the right, Elliott Bennett is unlikely to stretch things, despite being capable of a good delivery, Tunmise Sobowale is stepping up from the Irish second-tier and, like Luton loanee Elliot Thorpe, is an unknown quantity.
On the left, George Nurse is just coming back from a long-term injury and can’t be expected to do too much early on, while Jordan Shipley is a midfielder by trade.
Imperfections in those areas could hold Shrewsbury back, likewise the loss of defender Matt Pennington and midfielder Luke Leahy, with the star performers leaving for League One rivals Blackpool and Wycombe respectively.
As such, defensive lynchpin Chey Dunkley takes on greater importance as one of the few remaining big-hitters in this squad, in what appears a season of transition.
Shrewsbury are unlikely to challenge for the Play-Offs after a summer of change, so it’s a case of building some foundations for future campaigns.
Evolve the style, blood younger players and get this new model up-and-running and this season can be classed a success, as long as they hit that 50-point mark in the process.
You’d be hard-pushed to find a manager in English football who has made a bigger impact on their club in the last two years than Paul Simpson.
Sometimes a club relying so heavily on one person can be unhealthy, and Carlisle won’t want to rely on ‘Simmo’ to the same extent forever, so perhaps the greatest compliment will come when the club thrives with him no longer there.
There’s no question, though, that the United legend’s return was exactly what the club needed, to say the least, with the iconic figure saving them from relegation in 2021-22 before Play-Off success last season, his third promotion across two spells with the club.
With ex-player sell-on fees likely this summer, the Cumbrians’ board will soon be able to pay off Purepay Ltd’s loan, which will be a crucial aspect of truly leaving their recent past behind them.
Huge structural strides have been made in the last two years, though, thanks to the work of Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens and many others meaning, off the pitch, the club looks better prepared for this level than it would have been had they gone up in the promotion pushes of 2016-17 or 2020-21.
Carlisle’s chances are helped, massively, by retaining rapidly developing left-back Jack Armer, dynamic midfielder Owen Moxon – watch out for his killer balls – externally underrated forward Ryan Edmondson, and Jon Mellish.
Also part of the central core are deep-lying midfielder Callum Guy and right-sider Jordan Gibson, both of whom look far better rounded under Simpson.
The loss of Morgan Feeney in central defence is manageable, if Charlton recruit Sam Lavelle stays fit, while midfielder Alfie McCalmont is hoping to live up to the hype that saw him mooted as the heir to Kalvin Phillips’ throne at Leeds.
Most importantly, there’s now a buzz around Carlisle, who with Simmo in charge will have enough to beat the drop – and they might just bloody a few noses along the way.
For a club that’s had a great two years on paper, trust remains a commodity at Port Vale that seems surprisingly scarce on first inspection.
After a bleak Norman Smurthwaite era, the club turned a new leaf under new owners Kevin and Carol Shanahan, finding off-field stability before winning promotion in 2021-22 and attaining relatively comfortable safety last season, but some of the goodwill was eroded when Darrell Clarke was sacked.
Clarke was a revered figure at Vale Park, the most popular manager since John Rudge, having represented the people of Burslem: blunt, brisk and intuitive.
The exact characteristics that made Clarke a hit with natives, though, were the same ones that saw relations with the Shanahans strain, especially when he went public on his belief that January had been a poor transfer window, contrary to company line.
The conversation around the decision on Clarke is nuanced and sensitive, yet perhaps the more questionable call was the one to replace him with his assistant, Andy Crosby.
The Shanahans would argue it made sense to go internal after a successful period, but Crosby has neither a proven managerial track record nor esteemed coaching pedigree – so was he the best candidate with whom to go toe-to-toe with the best managers in the league?
The good news for the former Northern Ireland Under-21s coach is that this summer’s recruitment looks more promising than it has been in the previous two windows, with 10 additions coming in, six of which improving the first XI.
Star shot stopper Connor Ripley, aggressive defenders Alex Iacovitti and Kofi Balmer, fan favourite Mitch Clark, technical wing-back Conor Grant and potential Sheffield United captain Oliver Arblaster all hitch up in Burslem, Balmer and midfielder Arblaster on loan.
Goalkeeping, defensive, wing-back and midfield units all look strengthened, as Vale intend to solidify after shipping 71 goals last season: their defensive record should be stronger.
On the other hand, there haven’t been any additions by late-July that improve the Valiants in attack, where there’s limited confidence in Gavin Massey, and Ellis Harrison had signed to work with Crosby’s predecessor.
Clarke fostered a togetherness about the club which was huge in what they were able to accomplish, and the question is whether that will still be there to the same extent in his absence.
The sense of togetherness hasn’t gone – Crosby is popular with the players and has some credit in the bank with fans – but it may be compromised slightly.
Fail to add well in forward areas and a struggle could be in store…
2022-23 looked one of Cheltenham’s hardest ever seasons in prospect, so for the club to climb to a safe, 16th-placed finish and end up nine points clear of safety, they merit immense credit.
When the Robins took points, they often deserved them and 38 of their 46 league showings were a 6+/10 performance, occasionally up to an 8-9, such as the wins over Bolton at home and Charlton away.
In the other eight, however, they didn’t turn up at all, and 10 full-blown no-shows including the cup exits weren’t easy for supporters to stomach.
As such, there were periods of restlessness for the Robins to negotiate, and having the individual quality of Alfie May was an enormous factor in ensuring that the competitive performances yielded points.
May has now departed, so Town might have more encounters in which they play well without getting their rewards, therefore they’ll have to keep no-shows to a minimum.
It’s plausible that the synergy of Cheltenham’s attack will be smoother with Aidan Keena, similar stylistically to May, paired instead with powerful running hold-up man Rob Street, who brings different qualities into the equilibrium, even though they’ve lost someone better individually than both.
Town could create more chances with the current front-two, but not take as many of them: that trade-off may work out favourably, but is likelier to be a net loss.
Elsewhere, defender Caleb Taylor is back at West Brom, leaving the Robins reliant on a core of seven who are definitely up to the level:
Goalkeeper Luke Southwood, who returns from Reading, cultured left centre-back Lewis Freestone, experienced midfielder Liam Sercombe, ball-winner Elliot Bonds, Street, and Keena will be the ones to lean on, along with agile left wing-back Will Ferry, the one to watch.
If that strong septet stay fit and fresh, the Cotswold club might stay up again – yet there’s questions elsewhere.
Is skipper Sean Long League One standard? Can veteran Curtis Davies cut it at 38? Who replaces Sercombe when jaded? Can right wing-back Liam Smith put a tough final season at Dundee United behind him? Can James Olayinka fill the creative midfield void alone?
A couple may be answered in recruitment, then there’s manager Wade Elliott.
The 44-year-old ultimately excelled last season in unenviable circumstances, but is still to convince in certain aspects, and while he rightly take plaudits now, they weren’t uniformly offered by natives at points of the previous campaign.
Then, his side delivered when they needed to lighten a semi-fractious mood, but it won’t take much for things to tip the other way this time around.
Without discrediting the achievements of Leyton Orient, Stevenage or Carlisle, all incredibly impressive for different reasons, Northampton’s promotion from League Two last season was arguably the most commendable of the lot.
Firstly, the Cobblers were facing the psychological burden of missing out in such unfortunate circumstances the year before, falling short on as narrow a margin as goals scored, and the lingering doubts as to whether lightening would strike twice right up until another tense, final day showdown.
Secondly, the injury crisis in which the list of absentees was so often double-figured, especially in the second half of the campaign, when manager Jon Brady would have loved to have met the high-pressure moments with a more trusted template.
And yet, in such testing circumstances that stretched the management team’s adaptability to the nth degree, Brady, assistant Colin Calderwood and first team coach Marc Richards, somehow, found a way.
Their pragmatism will come in useful in League One, a level the club have struggled to negotiate in recent history, but a more spacious treatment room is a must if they’re to break that trend in 2023-24.
As such, availability was a clear factor in recruitment criteria, when left-footed defenders Manny Monthe and Patrick Brough were poached from Walsall and Barrow respectively, having started 86% of league games between them over the previous two campaigns.
An imposing aerial presence, centre-back Monthe is strong in one-on-one defending, while Brough is a solid, dependable wing-back with the stamina to pop up in the final third for a late cutback.
Nonetheless, there remains big questions over the Cobblers, the most obvious being whether the squad is good enough for League One, objectively, outside goalkeeper Lee Burge, centre-backs Jon Guthrie and Sam Sherring, all-action midfielder Jack Sowerby, creator Mitch Pinnock and top marksman Sam Hoskins.
The go-to core extends further if left-back Ali Koiki and midfielder Shaun McWilliams stay fit, but both have had ups-and-downs – and while this quote may end up coming back to bite, it’s hard to say with overwhelming confidence that Louis Appéré is a League One centre-forward.
Brady confirmed in mid-July that just nine players had been out on the pitch for pre-season training, so the adaptable Aussie will have to stretch his troubleshooting capacity once again.
You can only do that to the same extent for so long, though, and if bringing in quality is proving difficult, this could be a slog…
This summer has confirmed an uncomfortable reality for Fleetwood.
Owner and former chairman, Andy Pilley, has been jailed for 13 years for an alleged multi-million-pound fraud.
Pilley was convicted for allegedly duping firms into excessively expensive energy contracts, mis-selling gas and electricity deals, and found guilty of two counts of running a business with the intention of defrauding creditors.
The 53-year-old’s reported victims are alleged to include small businesses, and even charities for children and the disabled.
The discomfort comes from the fact that Pilley was, and to some still is, a father figure of the club, having led them to six promotions in 10 seasons, then to nine years of third-tier football, which would not have been possible without his substantial investment in players, infrastructure and community.
Outwardly, the wider fanbase offers a different perspective to this one on the issue, with most of the Cod Army being relaxed about the season ahead, despite the news on Pilley.
Practical disruption looks minimal, seeing as the club had known about this possibility for 12 months, and long-serving Chief Executive Steve Curwood provides continuity as acting Chair, claiming it’s business as usual.
On the surface, that’s true – barring the unlikelihood of EFL sanctions, or club finances getting in some way entangled.
And yet, the revelation that everything the club has achieved over the last 19 years has been based on money that was unethically and perhaps illegally obtained, surely hurts everyone connected on some level, even if that isn’t freely acknowledged just yet.
Clubs at this level function best when they have a sense of purpose, a cause that’s bigger than themselves, and a clear grasp of their “why” yet, for Fleetwood, those things are slightly compromised right now.
Politics aside, 13th to relegation would mean a big drop-off on paper, to say they’ve not lost any key players, but the Trawlermen relied heavily last season on goalkeeper Jay Lynch, who won Players’ and Supporters POTY.
While the 30-year-old may repeat what was by far the best season of his career, a drop-off is likelier, which would have implications, while having an immobile target man in Jayden Stockley up top can limit what they’re able to do against the ball.
Fleetwood could still make something of their season if defenders Shaun Rooney and Josh Earl operate at their best, along with skipper Josh Vela and nippy poacher Jack Marriott, but there’s a grey cloud looming over the club.
It doesn’t feel as though that cloud’s existence is fully processed in some quarters, which could prove an unhealthy dynamic.
