LEAGUE ONE 2020-21
Several teams start the new campaign as particularly unhappy bunnies, while other fallen giants lick wounds. But this is no place for moping...
Controversy and uncertainty have blighted League One this summer. Though finally restored to its full 24- team quota after Bury’s expulsion last season, deductions and disgruntlement have arguably trumped pre- season excitement.
None of the three relegated Championship sides return to this level in rude health. For Hull, fan unrest and an alarming run of one win from their last 20 league games last season leaves little reason for optimism on Humberside. Wigan were a mid- table side last season, meanwhile, but administration has dumped them back in League One shorn of boss Paul Cook. They’re not the only aggrieved side: Charlton are livid that Sheffield Wednesday’s own 12- point docking was suspended to this season, sending them down instead. Adding to their feud with the EFL over the latter’s refusal to ratify a second takeover in 12 months, hopes of ending debilitating boardroom chaos at The Valley have proved to be short- lived.
In recent years, League One has become a resting place for sleeping giants. One season at this level is too many for Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich, but all three were miffed by last season’s early curtailment and subsequent settlement. All must improve this term, however, and anything other than leading roles will not suffice.
The same goes for Peterborough. Ambition can often exceed their ability, but last season’s break could not have come at a worse time for Posh, who looked set for an automatic push but ended up watching the play- offs at home. At least they didn’t endure the angst: Karl Robinson’s Oxford were defeated play- off finalists against Wycombe, and inquisitive eyes will monitor their resolve after heartbreak. The permanent signing of prodigal son Matty Taylor, though, has U’s dreaming big again. Fleetwood were the other side conquered in July’s play- offs, and Joey Barton’s troops head into the new campaign with a burning desire to right such wrongs.
A clutch of clubs would love to emulate Wycombe – only three points above relegation in 2018- 19 – and fantasise of similarly unlikely leaps. Accrington Stanley, Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons will each want to banish 2019- 20 into dark recesses.
Coventry and Rotherham went up alongside Wycombe, which was telling: each serve as good examples of where clever recruitment, a clear playing style and talented coach can get you. The likes of Lincoln, Blackpool, Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers are all trying to follow that brainy blueprint.
In Darren Moore and Steve Evans, meanwhile, Doncaster and Gillingham have managers who won’t settle for anything less than a challenge towards the top; Burton, though, may have to adjust their usual high standards as last season’s skipper Jake Buxton replaces Nigel Clough for his rookie season as boss.
That leaves the four promoted clubs from League Two: Swindon, Plymouth, Crewe and Northampton. None of their bright managers – Richie Wellens, Ryan Lowe, David Artell and Keith Curle, respectively – will see their distant futures at this level; each will hope to be more Luton 2018- 19 than MK Dons 2019- 20.
Despite the uncertain circumstances that have preceded the restart, such reliable unreliability on the pitch is what makes English football’s third tier so charming. We all like surprises...
“NONE OF THE RELEGATED SIDES RETURN TO THIS LEVEL IN RUDE HEALTH; CHARLTON ARE LIVID”