In the past few seasons, one or two teams have usually emerged as frontrunners vying for the top position. However, this year’s race for automatic promotion appears to be more competitive. MK Dons ended up in fourth place three months ago, only to be eliminated by Crawley in the playoffs, and they seem determined to not repeat that outcome. They’ve brought in two players who were part of the Red Devils’ promotion – Liam Kelly and Laurence Maguire – and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans joins from Stockport, adding valuable experience in escaping the division.
Among the teams that were relegated, Port Vale has made astute signings, acquiring goalkeeper Ben Amos along with players Jayden Stockley, Ryan Croasdale, and Ronan Curtis to maximize their chances of bouncing back immediately. Fleetwood, led by Charlie Adam, ended their relegation season on a positive note, and the Scottish manager is keen to demonstrate his capabilities.
Bradford is another club that believes signing players from the previous May can replicate success, having added Antoni Sarcevic and Niall Byrne from Stockport. They possess one of the largest stadiums in the league but have underperformed in recent years. However, with Graham Alexander at the controls, they have a leader familiar with the promotion challenge. Two seasons ago, Carlisle secured their spot in the third tier via the playoffs, and despite a lackluster campaign in League One that saw them finish last with only 30 points, they are ready to take on new challenges, bolstered by the return of striker Charlie Wyke.
Gillingham is another contender for the automatic ascent. Mark Bonner took charge in May following a robust spell at Cambridge United. Adding Nevitt and Aaron Rowe has brought fresh attacking power to a club eager to ascend the leagues.
Playoff hopefuls
Crewe faced the disappointment of losing at Wembley, followed by a summer exodus of key players. Luke Offord, Elliott Nevitt, Courtney Baker-Richardson, and Rio Adebisi have all moved on, leaving Lee Bell with a significant rebuilding task. Doncaster, having fallen in the playoffs, have made a major signing in Billy Sharp to enhance their goal-scoring potential and experience. With a new manager at the helm, Barrow hopes to surpass their eighth-place finish under Stephen Clemence. Salford had a disappointing last season, but with Karl Robinson now fully settled as manager and having added Cole Stockton and Ben Woodburn—who has history with him from Oxford—the squad now has considerable quality.
Chesterfield comes into this season with momentum after winning the National League and has boosted their forward options with the addition of Paddy Madden, who previously captained Stockport to the title with 17 league goals. Meanwhile, Wimbledon finished 10th last season after a difficult prior campaign and seem to be on an upward path, similar to Walsall.
Notts County might be targeting a top-seven finish despite losing their key player Macaulay Langstaff over the summer. Following the departure of John Coleman, Accrington entrusted the rebuilding of their competitive squad to John Doolan, who has already seen Jack Nolan and Tommy Leigh depart to promotion contenders Gillingham and MK Dons respectively.
Colchester narrowly escaped relegation last season, and Danny Cowley’s strategy of integrating more experienced players alongside emerging talent could yield positive results. Cheltenham, needing a revamp after relegation and the exit of manager Darrell Clarke, are facing tough times. Despite expectations of them struggling due to their small ground, Harrogate surprisingly finished 13th last season and could emerge as a dark horse, alongside Tranmere.
Relegation candidates
This summer has witnessed significant upheaval at Morecambe, which has mostly required a complete overhaul of their squad, making it intriguing to observe their cohesion moving forward. Newport is also undergoing changes, transitioning from Graham Coughlan to Portuguese coach Nélson Jardim while focusing on younger player acquisitions. The new entrants, Bromley, recently triumphed in the National League playoffs and will need to adjust quickly, while Grimsby may face another challenging season. Swindon welcomes Mark Kennedy as their new manager during uncertain times, striving to maintain stability.
Three to watch
Samson Tovide, Colchester, 20 After battling injuries last season, his fitness will be vital for his anticipated growth. Tovide possesses a combination of physicality and aggression, complemented by clever box movements that make him a potent poacher. He is eager to learn and progress, marking him as a potential standout at a club renowned for developing promising talent.
Joel Tabiner, Crewe, 20 Like Tovide, injuries have hindered his development; however, his skill set suggests he may become a valuable asset for Crewe’s academy, provided he secures consistent playing time. The creative midfielder is well-regarded within the Football League, attracting interest from clubs higher up due to his playmaking ability.
Harrison Minturn, Swindon, 20 The centre-back has displayed promise in previous seasons and, although still developing, possesses significant potential. He has the ability to dribble out from the back and move the ball forward, yet is still refining his passing skills. Minturn shows good football intelligence, positioning, and is effective in one-on-one situations.
