By SAM BUNCE
The third tier of English football will be home to some fiercely competitive action heading into the new season, with a plethora of League One sides vying for the coveted promotion and play-off places that are up for grabs.
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Here, the Football League Paper will predict and analyse each club's chances and league position.
Barnsley
The Tykes have their eyes on promotion after being beaten last term by Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the dying seconds of extra time at Wembley. Their chances are looking favourable to secure promotion after the club turned to Neill Collins, who carries four valuable years of experience managing in the USA, to compliment an accomplished playing career.
Prediction: 2nd
A second stint has been granted to Neil Critchley as he sets his sights on replicating his first tenure under The Tangerines, when his side were promoted to the Championship via the play-offs in 2020/21. The worst defensive record in the Football League's second tier in their relegation campaign last season is something crucial to ameliorate in League One.
Prediction: 4th
Minority owner and current manager at Bolton, Ian Evatt, in his first season in charge, managed to record Bolton's lowest ever league position and overall standing in their history, after the club was cemented for so many years in the Premier League. A defeat to Barnsley in the play-off semi-finals last season was gut-wrenching, but promise is certainly building with Dan Nlundulu re-signing from Southampton, among several new contract extensions.
Prediction: 3rd
Bristol Rovers
Former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has had his managerial contract extended until 2026 to steer the ship of The Pirates up the League One table. George Friend and James Wilson are both senior additions arriving from Championship sides as the Memorial Stadium will host a blooming Barnsley side in their second fixture of the campaign.
Prediction: 11th
Burton Albion
Tunisian manager Dino Maamria, following his spell as assistant coach to Jimmy Floyd Hasslebank for the Brewers', will attempt to advance Burton in their sixth attempt of escape from the third tier of English football. The effect of an exodus of 10 players after a 15th place finish last time out has been somewhat reversed by the arrivals of Mason Bennett, Rekeem Harper and Kgaoelo Chauke, yet the squad still lacks quality depth to climb.
Prediction: 19th
Cambridge United
Nine players have departed the Abbey Stadium so far this summer including Sam Smith, whose instrumental goalscoring contributions rescued Cambridge on the final day and throughout the 2022/23 season. The strong youth setup seems to be at the heart of their plans, which may lack the vital experience possessed by their competitors this season.
Prediction: 20th
Carlisle United
Paul Simpson is staying for his second term at his childhood club that he led to Wembley glory against Stockport at their 9th roll of the dice to be promoted to League One. The newcomers have lost talisman Christian Dennis to Tranmere whilst the reinforcements of Ben Barclay and Sam Lavelle may not be sufficient to avoid another drop.
Prediction: 22nd
Charlton Athletic
The South London outfit have made two key deals so far this window with League One veteran Lloyd Jones and Alfie May coming in. Dean Holder was made manager at the end of 2022 and is aiming to push for a play-off place coming off the back of a continued mix bag of results since his arrival, with his work with the squad judged solely in the run-in of last season.
Prediction: 8th
Cheltenham Town
The Robins' most noteworthy addition would be 38-year-old former Derby captain Curtis Davies, as they attempt to negate the many releases they have made over the summer. Wade Elliot will have to embark on the mission to stray them away from the relegation battle so that the momentous triumph of a League Two title in 2021, which he contributed towards in a less senior coaching role, is still noteworthy.
Prediction: 24th
A transfer embargo was lifted from Derby last year and since then, a multitude of signings have been brought in. Last season's final day defeat at Hillsborough in meant The Rams missed out on a play-off tie with boss Paul Warne articulating that last season was “a failure”, and they seem to be in a determined position to bounce back.
Prediction: 1st
Exeter City
Respectably, Exeter attained a mid-table finish last season, and they have signed Dion Rankine and Jack Aitchinson from Motherwell as they strive for conitnued stability in the division.
Prediction: 14th
Fleetwood Town
The owner's resignation and jail sentence of 13 years after being convicted of fraud will not divert attention from The Fishermen's task to stay in League One.
Prediction: 21st
Leyton Orient
Mancunian Richie Wellens has brought stardom to the London side with their highest average attendance for more than 40 years last campaign. 91 points as champions was a remarkable feat along with only 34 goals conceded, the best across the Football League. Max Sanders and Ethan Galbraith are the significant signings thus far as the club seeks to persist with its successes.
Prediction: 15th
Lincoln City
“The lads have done about 80km” is Mark Kennedy's outline of his rigorous pre-season training camp for the Imps. More recruitment has been made in Lincolnshire on top of the Irish loanees introduced, which will be important to increase their standing in the table.
Prediction: 16th
Northampton Town
Northampton have been granted permission to finish their half built east stand as the Cobblers aim north to the Championship. Only three signings have been made including Kieron Bowie extending his loan from Fulham, while the flourishing Sam Hoskins' goalscoring tallies will be critical to maintain for Jon Brady's side that was promoted to League One placing third.
Prediction: 17th
Oxford United
There were glimpses of hope and improvement from the Oxford side under their new boss Liam Manning to avoid the drop in the tight battle last season. Five squad players were released from the club, but Mark Harris and Ruben Rodrigues both add depth to Manning's selections together with right back Fin Stevens on loan from Brentford.
Prediction: 10th
Peterborough United
Darren Ferguson is on the quest for promotion on his third return to the London Road Stadium after their unfortunate shootout loss to Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off semi-finals. The Posh also lost a trio of players to Stevenage, but they successfully obtained Archie Collins and Romoney Crichlow to boost a second chance to play at Wembley.
Prediction: 7th
Port Vale
It has been a flooded transfer market for The Valiants in a bid to be “the fittest team in League One” as proposed by Andy Crosby. He was confirmed as the permanent manager towards the end of last season when they finished 18th with relegation right beneath their feet. The players with experience and youthfulness will have to gel to make the project a success at Vale Park.
Prediction: 12th
Portsmouth
John Mousinho continues in his first managerial post after he halted his playing career at fellow League One club Oxford United. His appointment in January of this year by chief executive Andrew Cullen proved to be a pleasant surprise as they climbed from 15th to 8th edging towards the possibility of play-offs. A complete absence of loan transfers and, instead, opting for committed assets like Gavin Whyte and Anthony Scully will elevate Pompey.
Prediction: 5th
Ex-Southampton manager Ruben Selles will be in charge for the upcoming season following a below par spell against the punishing competition of the Premier League. With their transfer embargo only just lifted on top of a worsening financial crisis, the vital experience of Championship players and a top flight coach will be imperative for The Royals.
Prediction: 6th
Shrewsbury Town
Matthew Taylor, alongside Marcus Bigot as assistant head coach, will be the new duo introduced to New Meadow. Elliot Thorpe joins the squad on loan from Luton, while Carl Winchester and Morgan Feeney also sign. Off the back of their best finish in League One since 2017/18, their further growth amongst the vast competition will be a tough task.
Prediction: 13th
Stevenage
An eclectic array of additions has been made in Hertfordshire, including business with Peterborough and signing of Ben, Nathan and Louis Thompson. Their first League One campaign for a decade will prove a difficulty for Steve Evans to tackle, despite their admirable recent promotion from League Two.
Prediction: 23rd
Wycombe Wanderers
Matt Bloomfield will encourage his players to wear their hearts on their sleeves as his 20 years of playing for the Chairboys will hopefully shine through. Adams Park will be a new venue for Kian Breckin from Manchester City's formidable U21 side and 36-year-old Richard Keogh, who was released by Ipswich, bringing a great mix of quality to an encouraging Wycombe system.
Prediction: 9th
Shaun Maloney will be hoping to rectify a disappointing relegation last season, still in the early days of his managerial career. The ping pong between Championship and League One has been a frustrating occurrence since the Latics' drop from the Premier League in 2012/13, as Matt Smith from Arsenal and Liam Morrison from Bayern Munich II will look to apply the high level standards needed to stay up.
Prediction: 18th
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