In recent seasons there has been a standout candidate or two with top spot in their sights. This time the fight for the automatic places looks more varied. MK Dons finished fourth three months ago before losing to Crawley in the playoffs and they look eager to avoid the same fate. They signed two players who were promoted with the Red Devils – Liam Kelly and Laurence Maguire – and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans has arrived from Stockport to add further knowledge of how to get out of the division.
Of the relegated teams Port Vale have made some smart acquisitions, bringing in the goalkeeper Ben Amos, Jayden Stockley, Ryan Croasdale and Ronan Curtis to give them the best chance of returning at the first time of asking. Fleetwood, under the direction of Charlie Adam, had a promising end to their relegation campaign and the Scot will be eager to prove himself.
Bradford are another who believe signing those who went up in May can inspire the same result, bringing in Antoni Sarcevic and Niall Byrne from Stockport. They have the biggest ground in the league by a distance but have underachieved in recent seasons, although with Graham Alexander at the helm they have someone who knows how to win promotion from this division. Two seasons ago, Carlisle made it into the third tier via the playoffs and despite a disappointing campaign in League One, finishing bottom with a meagre 30 points, they are up for the challenge once more, aided by the return of the striker Charlie Wyke.
Gillingham are another potential candidate for the automatic spots. Mark Bonner was appointed in May after a lengthy and successful spell in charge at Cambridge United. Nevitt and Aaron Rowe have joined to add some attacking thrust at a club desperate to move back up the divisions.
Playoff hopefuls
Crewe had the disappointment of losing at Wembley followed by a summer of key players heading off to pastures new. Luke Offord, Elliott Nevitt, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Rio Adebisi have departed, leaving a rebuilding job for Lee Bell. Doncaster fell in the playoffs but have made the notable signing of Billy Sharp to add goals and plenty of knowhow. There is a new manager in charge at Barrow after Stephen Clemence was appointed with the hope of going better than eighth. Salford disappointed last season but Karl Robinson has a full summer under his belt as manager and plenty of quality within the squad, to which he has added Cole Stockton and Ben Woodburn, who knows the manager from time together at Oxford.
Like Wrexham last season, Chesterfield have momentum after winning the National League and have added Paddy Madden to their forward line after he captained Stockport to the title, scoring 17 league goals along the way. Wimbledon finished 10th last season after struggling the campaign before and look to be on an upward trajectory, as do Walsall.
Notts County lost their talisman Macaulay Langstaff over the summer but feel a tilt at the top seven is possible. John Coleman and Accrington are no more, leaving John Doolan as the man tasked with forming a competitive side, but he lost Jack Nolan and Tommy Leigh to the promotion hopefuls Gillingham and MK Dons respectively.
Colchester survived by the skin of their teeth last time around and Danny Cowley’s decision to bring in more experienced players, in addition to those with potential, should bring a greater balance and they could ruffle some feathers. Cheltenham have required an overhaul after relegation and the departure of the manager, Darrell Clarke, has made life harder for the Robins. Harrogate’s small ground generally prompts predictions that they will be near the foot of the table but they finished 13th last season and could be a surprise package, alongside Tranmere.
Relegation candidates
It has been a summer of upheaval at Morecambe, who have essentially needed to bring in a new squad, and it will be interesting to see how quickly they come together. Newport are another club in flux, replacing Graham Coughlan with the Portuguese coach Nélson Jardim, and have put an emphasis on recruiting younger players as the club change direction. The newcomers Bromley won the National League playoffs and will need to adapt, while Grimsby are likely to find things hard once again. Mark Kennedy is the new man in charge at Swindon, who have kept head above the water in recent times amid uncertainty.
Three to watch
Samson Tovide, Colchester, 20 After an injury-hit season, the forward’s fitness will be critical if he is to progress in the way admirers predict. He brings physicality and aggression with the addition of clever movement in and around the box, where he comes alive as a poacher. Tovide is seen as eager to learn and improve, making him an ideal candidate at a club producing promising youngsters.
Joel Tabiner, Crewe, 20 Another for whom injuries have caused problems but his qualities indicate he will be the next player from Crewe’s academy to bring in a healthy profit, as long as he can get a run of games. The creative midfielder is highly rated within the Football League and clubs higher up have taken notice of his ability on the ball and eye for a pass.
Harrison Minturn, Swindon, 20 The centre-back has offered promise in recent seasons and, although not the finished article, the potential is there. He likes to dribble out of the back and take the ball forward when he can but is yet to hone his passing skills. Minturn is intelligent on the pitch, has good positioning and is good in one-v-ones.
