How early promotion favourites have fared in the season so far...
Sunderland have made a promising start to the 2021/22 campaign after winning six of their first eight league games – but how have the division’s other pre-season favourites fared?
We’ve taken a look at the teams tipped for promotion before a ball was kicked, and what has happened since…
Ipswich Town
Pre-season promotion odds:9/4Currentposition:21st
There was always going to be pressure on Town boss Paul Cook after the club made 19 new signings this summer.
Their start couldn’t have been much worse as the Tractor Boys failed to win any of their first six league games, which included a 5-2 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers.
While Ipswich have taken four points from their last two games, beating Lincoln City and drawing with Sheffield Wednesday, Cook will face more scrutiny if results don’t improve quickly.
Sheffield Wednesday
Pre-season promotion odds:3/1Currentposition:11th
After a promising start, Wednesday have now gone four league games without a win. Individual mistakes have proved costly for Darren Moore’s side in recent weeks, buttheWednesdaybosshasreiteratedhe’sbeenpleasedwith the team’s performances.
NewstrikerSaidoBerahino scoredhisfirstgoalfortheclub in a 1-1 draw against Shrewsbury Town earlier this month.
Charlton Athletic
Pre-season promotion odds: 7/2 Current position: 22nd
Addicks boss Nigel Adkins is usually an upbeat character, yetthere’snogettingawayfrom the fact his side have made a dismal start to this season.
While Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Portsmouth was slightly more encouraging, patience will start to wear thin among supporters if Charlton don’t
improve soon. After making 11 new signings over the summer,oneleaguewininninehas dampenedexpectationsatThe Valley.
Wigan Athletic
Pre-season promotion odds: 7/2 Current position: 1st
The early pacesetters. Following their 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on the opening day of theseason,LeamRichardson’s side have taken 19 points from
21 available.
Charlie Wyke has scored three goals in his last two games, while Will Keane (four league goals) and Callum Lang (three) have also chipped in.
Lincoln City
Pre-season promotion odds:4/1Currentposition:17th
Last season’s play-off finalists made good use of the loan market last season but have struggled to replicate that to the same extent this term.
Anthony Scully has provided a regular supply of goals, scoring six times in League One, yet Michael Appleton’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in the league this term.
Portsmouth
Pre-season promotion odds:4/1Currentposition:10th
Pompey’s decent start to the campaign was built on their solid defence, as Danny
Cowley’s men took 10 points fromtheirfirstfourgamesand didn’t concede a goal.
Since then, Portsmouth have gone five games without awin,whiletheirlackofaregular goalscorer has been as concerning as the goals they have conceded. Cowley’s men have scored first in their last two matches but ended up drawing 2-2 against both Plymouth Argyle and Charlton.