LEAGUE TWO

Coronavirus has made life even harder for clubs down at the foot of the Football League, but bright young bosses make for justified optimism

Previewing a season like no other, we have to begin with the reasons why England’s magnificent fourth tier is shrouded in uncertainty and concern.

Many clubs have released first- team players they would have otherwise liked to keep due to financial anxieties which linger. How long can they afford to play behind closed doors? On average, 40 per cent of a League Two side’s income comes on matchday. Add the potential cost of regular coronavirus testing, and the strain on those who own clubs to foot the bill for losses increases. Some may not be able to last.

Despite it all, the return of Actual League Two Football will provide relief for many – and from an on- pitch perspective, the division is as fascinating as ever. Last season, three teams were automatically promoted by playing exciting and attacking football, each with a different tactical system. Young bosses such as Richie Wellens, Ryan Lowe, David Artell and Matt Taylor were among the top five last season – all with less than three years of experience in a dugout.

So how do you even begin to predict the fate of those who go into this year with similarly greenhorn gaffers? There are many: Mike Jackson at Tranmere, Colchester’s Steve Ball, Mark Bonner at Cambridge, plus Ross Embleton of Leyton Orient and Carlisle’s Chris Beech – each looking to stamp their imprint and make a difference. Perhaps inexperience is less of a handicap than previously assumed at this level.

A group of teams have caught the eye with their strong early transfer activity. Salford and Mansfield’s financial muscle has been evident again, Bolton got started early in building a team for fans to be proud of after three horrendous years, while Bradford also wasted no time editing an underperforming squad.

There are also a handful of sides who, due to poor organisation ( Oldham) or virus anxiety ( Tranmere), left it late to start crafting their squads. In some cases, like at Scunthorpe and Southend, even hiring a manager for the new campaign was delayed.

But it could be worse: the EFL won their appeal to deduct Macclesfield ( more) points, giving Stevenage a late reprieve despite their horrendous campaign of just three wins from 36 matches in 2019- 20.

Sides with better hopes include Port Vale, Grimsby and Crawley, who finished well last term and will hope such form carries over the six- month gap. Also more hopeful this time are Walsall and potentially even Morecambe, with the relatively ‘ settled’ nature of their squads giving them both early advantages.

Cheltenham and Exeter were among an arbitrary top five for most of last season, but narrowly missed out on automatic promotion and then fell victim to Northampton’s wrecking ball in the play- offs. Forest

Green and Newport made the top seven in 2018- 19, but dropped off spectacularly last season after bright starts. Mark Cooper and Mike Flynn have tough jobs getting their respective clubs back in the mix again.

Finally, League Two welcomes promoted Barrow and Harrogate. Hugely impressive in their rises from the fifth tier, they also have history on their side: no club has ever dropped in the season immediately following National League promotion. Barrow, however, don’t have the man who brought them to this level – and that could prove decisive.

“In SOME CASES, LIKE AT SCUNTHORPE AND SOUTHEND, EVEN HIRING A BOSS FOR THE NEW SEASON WAS DELAYED”