The new League Two 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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One of the most iconic National League photos was of Luke Williams lifting the Play-Off winners trophy above his head, looking to the skies, as if celebrating with the late Jason Turner.
The Notts County chief executive had been an integral part of the club’s journey back on track after an era of chaos and instability, but sadly passed away in March: taken far too young at the age of 50.
Turner’s legacy lives on at Meadow Lane, and making him proud is a driving motivation for the ‘Pies pursuit of back-to-back promotions, after reclaiming proud status as the world’s oldest (and newest) Football League club.
Williams was key to that accomplishment, bringing advanced tactical ideas but also the human skills to get people buying into them, none more so than Macaulay Langstaff.
The 26-year-old scored an astonishing 42 league goals last season (all non-penalty), the most in a National League campaign, and County intend to keep their star man, after losing Ruben Rodrigues to Oxford.
Rodrigues was a huge part of what Notts County achieved, but his exit wasn’t a concern after the statement signing of David McGoldrick from Derby, as the 35-year-old returns to Meadow Lane, where he last played in 2004.
McGoldrick was one of the best players in League One last season and could be a delight to watch at this level, only being attainable due to logistical circumstance.
The attacking midfielder has recent Championship experience and so does Dan Crowley, another inventive, quick-thinker, who impressed in League One with Morecambe in the second half of last season.
Throw in the form of Sam Austin, who established an excellent pairing with Adam Chicksen last season, and the two number 10 positions in Luke Williams’ tactically exquisite 3-4-2-1 system look a real strong point.
Another is the midfield, where John Bostock consistently threads passes through the eye of a needle, and where Matty Palmer covers every blade of grass whilst inexplicably making that look effortless.
Penetration comes from Aaron Nemane, a true livewire at right wing-back, while Adam Chicksen is more of a steadying presence on the left, relying more on link-up play with his corresponding #10, and wide centre-back Kyle Cameron.
The Magpies’ patterns of play will be a delight to watch, and they’ll be ferocious in the press, so it’s just a matter of whether Sam Slocombe or Aidan Stone can find form between the sticks, and Aden Baldwin can stay fit to bring recovery pace to their defensive high line.
An outstanding box midfield, a prolific goalscorer, a phenomenal coach, and a team that’s used to winning: this could be special…
Dave Challinor has won an impressive six promotions in his 13-year managerial career, but still awaits his first in the EFL, after last season’s Play-Off Final defeat to Carlisle.
‘Chally’ will be determined to tick off that milestone but, having briefly managed Hartlepool who weren’t up to League Two standards behind the scenes, he now has the platform, structure and backing to show his true capabilities.
Owner Mark Stott has given the club significant funding to achieve 2021-22’s National League title win, then attack League Two last season and challenge for the automatic promotion spots.
The Hatters stuttered early on as wasteful finishing and individual errors held them back, but after just four defeats in the last 33 league games, they’ll be looking to extrapolate that consistency over a full campaign.
In their attempts to do so, County have retained stalwart shot-stopper Ben Hinchliffe, dominant centre-back Fraser Horsfall, versatile defender Akil Wright, energetic midfielders Ryan Croasdale and Will Collar, athletic wing-backs Kyle Knoyle and Ryan Rydel, plus strikers Paddy Madden and Kyle Wootton.
With that, Stockport already have a reliable core, and an appealing array of qualities up top: Madden’s ability to drop in and combine with midfield, Wootton’s physicality and aerial prowess, when the target man returns in October, and Isaac Olaofe’s explosive unpredictability.
One more striker will come in, with Jack Stretton out for the season, giving Challinor the luxury of being able to give opponents different things to think about, without compromising the core identity.
The Hatters are not afraid to play the ball forward early, with quality and precision, often into Wootton, and from that platform they can play.
County like their wing-backs to press high up the pitch, and either put in an early delivery, or recycle to Collar and Croasdale in midfield then build more patiently.
That template has enabled Challinor’s side to dominate play in many of their games, though they’ve at times missed a sprinkling of magic to unlock doors, which they’re hoping Nick Powell can provide, as the club’s marquee summer signing.
When Powell last operated at this level, 11 years ago, his brilliance for Crewe earnt them promotion, and him, a move to Manchester United.
The attacking midfielder has flattered to deceive at higher levels, but his individual quality is undoubted, and could make him that one final ingredient Stockport need to finish the job.
It could also be a kick up the proverbial for Antoni Sarcevic, after the five-time League Two promotion-winner didn’t do himself justice last year.
A more charged pre-season including a Bergkamp-esque finish at Chester suggests Sarcevic won’t be content to simply applaud Powell from the bench.
There’s been clear progress for Grimsby, under the ownership of Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit.
Transparent, level-headed owners with local roots, the duo have re-enthused the fanbase and it’s shown on the pitch, as 2021-22’s promotion from the National League was backed up by last season’s success.
Not only did the Mariners achieve a top half finish – the club’s highest since 2005-06 – they also reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, becoming the first team in the competition’s history (First Round onwards) to beat five teams from a higher league in a single campaign.
Town’s cup story captured the imagination of the country, and now it’s a case of translating cup heroics into league consistency.
Whilst keen to protect the spirit and togetherness that allowed his side to conquer the former, Paul Hurst is aware the latter will require different skills, as such 14 senior players depart Blundell Park, including loans, and 10 come in.
Of those, talented on-loan goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright, plus intelligent right-sider Toby Mullarkey and wiry utility man Harvey Rodgers strengthen the rear-guard, which still has physical right-back Michee Efete, energetic left-back Anthony Glennon, and reliable centre-back Niall Maher.
Plus, springy Danny Rose looks a great addition up top: Grimsby were aggressive against the ball last season, and that was largely with a 35-year-old target man in Ryan Taylor, whereas Rose’s relentless work rate could make them an even more ferocious opponent.
Elsewhere, wide forward Charles Vernam hasn’t found consistency at this level, yet, but the 26-year-old has shown flashes when fit, both at Bradford, and in his previous stint in Cleethorpes, so may catch fire somewhere he’s appreciated.
The pick of the signings, though, is Kamil Conteh, who shields and retains the ball far better than anyone else the Mariners have in their midfield options, despite the rise of Evan Khouri.
Harry Clifton has incredible stamina, and will be a key part of Hurst’s plans though not from the central hub, Gavan Holohan is capable but inconsistent, Alex Hunt is technical but lightweight, while Kieran Green’s remit should be limited to ball-winning.
Conteh’s arrival, though, could have a ripple effect on the rest of midfield and even the team, because Grimsby will always have somebody brave enough to want the ball, strong enough to hold opponents off and intelligent enough to know what the game needs.
The press-resistant Sierra Leonean could play a huge part in converting Grimsby from solid outsiders into a serious force.