ROTHERHAM UNITED
Last season: 22nd in the Championship (relegated)
P46 W8 D16 L22 F52 A83 Pts40
Average attendance: 9,880
Chairman: Tony Stewart OBE, 73 (appointed May 2008)
Manager: Paul Warne, 46 (appointed November 2016 as caretaker, April 2017 permanently)
Paul Warne’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (12):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (4):
Semi Ajayi, 25 (West Bromwich Albion)
Dominic Ball, 23 (Queens Park Rangers)
Ben Purrington, 23 (Charlton Athletic)
Emmanuel Onariase, 22 (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Midfielders (7):
Darren Potter, 34 (Tranmere Rovers)
Jon Taylor, 27
Joe Newell, 26 (Hibernian)
Anthony Forde, 25 (Oxford United)
Ryan Williams, 25 (Portsmouth)
Will Vaulks, 25 (Cardiff City)
Alex Bray, 24 (Hereford)
Forwards (1):
David Ball, 29 (Wellington Phoenix – New Zealand)
Players in (9):
Goalkeepers (1):
Daniel Iverson, 22 (Leicester City – season loan)
Defenders (2):
Trevor Clarke, 21 (Shamrock Rovers)
Matthew Olosunde, 21 (Manchester United)
Midfielders (4):
Shaun MacDonald, 31 (Wigan Athletic)
Jamie Lindsay, 23 (Ross County)
Dan Barlaser, 22 (Newcastle United – season loan)
Julien Lamy, 19 (Stade Plabennécois – France)
Forwards (2):
Freddie Ladapo, 26 (Plymouth Argyle)
Carlton Morris, 23 (Norwich City – season loan)
Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 22
Player of the Season 2018-19: Michael Smith, 27 (striker)
One to watch: Freddie Ladapo, 26 (striker)
Season ticket sales: 5,800
Ground capacity: 12,021
Visiting supporter capacity: 2,500 (all seated)
Pre-season:
P7 W3 D3 L1 F20 A9
6/7 Parkgate A 7-0
10/7 Werder Bremen II N 2-2 (played in Barsinghausen)
14/7 1. FC Magdeburg N 1-2 (played at Elmstadion, Schöningen)
17/7 Bradford Park Avenue A 5-1
20/7 Chesterfield A 2-1
23/7 WEST BROMWICH ALBION H 1-1
27/7 LEICESTER CITY H 2-2
Commentary:
Paul Warne has an interesting record as Rotherham manager, with two relegations and a promotion in his three seasons to date. Warne took Rotherham straight back up to the Championship in 2018 but was unable to prevent immediate relegation back to the third tier in May. That promotion suggests he has the ability and knowledge of League One to mount a serious challenge again this year.
Warne is another League One manager looking to work with a first-team squad of twenty plus a handful of loans to ensure cover in every position. There has been quite a turnover on the playing side – only eight players remain from the squad that won promotion to the Championship in 2018. His task was made significantly harder during the summer as a wave of key players rejected contract offers to move elsewhere. Wingers Joe Newell, Jon Taylor and Anthony Forde all departed, while Richie Towell returned to his parent club Brighton at the end of his loan. David Ball headed to New Zealand after a season out on loan, and Will Vaulks was sold to Cardiff for good money, believed to be a Rotherham club record. Ryan Williams also departed for Portsmouth, leaving Warne with the task of having to essentially rebuild his midfield.
One reason why Rotherham were relegated was the lack of an effective striker – they scored only 52 goals last season. To make matters worse, defender-cum-midfielder Semi Ajayi finished joint top scorer with just eight, and he has also been sold. More goals will certainly be required, and the money received for Will Vaulks was immediately reinvested in the team with the club-record signing of striker Freddie Ladapo from relegated Plymouth. USA international right-back Matthew Olosunde from Manchester United could prove an astute signing, while the new midfield will be built around the experienced Shaun MacDonald, holder of a record number of caps for Wales U21.
Rotherham headed to a pre-season training camp in Germany in July and played a couple of notable friendlies against quality opposition. Back home, Warne’s attention to detail extended to the cancellation of a pre-season friendly at Farsley because he felt the poor state of the pitch could potentially injure the players. Season ticket prices were held for the seventh season in a row which has ensured sales of around 6,000 despite relegation. Rotherham bounced straight back to the Championship after relegation two seasons ago and will be confident of a repeat, although those summer departures could prove the difference between success and failure.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 10/3 (joint fourth favourites)
Prediction: Unsuccessful play-off bid.
SHREWSBURY TOWN
Last season: 18th
P46 W12 D16 L18 F51 A59 Pts52
Average attendance: 6,407
Chairman: Roland Wycherley, 68 (appointed July 1996)
Manager: Sam Ricketts, 37 (appointed December 2018)
Sam Ricketts’ managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (13):
Goalkeepers (2):
Steve Arnold, 29 (Northampton Town)
Reice Charles-Cook, 25
Defenders (4):
Mat Sadler, 34 (Walsall)
James Bolton, 24 (Portsmouth)
Ryan Haynes, 23 (Newport County)
Christos Shelis, 19 (APOEL Nicosia – Cyprus)
Midfielders (4):
Doug Loft, 32 (Billericay Town)
Sam Jones, 27 (Harrogate Town)
Alex Gilliead, 23 (Scunthorpe United)
George Hughes, 20 (Airbus UK Broughton)
Forwards (3):
Aaron Amadi-Holloway, 26 (Brisbane Roar – Australia)
Lee Angol, 24 (Leyton Orient)
John McAtee, 20 (Scunthorpe United)
Players in (9):
Goalkeepers (2):
Joe Murphy, 37 (Bury)
Max O’Leary, 22 (Bristol City – season loan)
Defenders (4):
Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 26 (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Aaron Pierre, 26 (Northampton Town)
Donald Love, 24 (Sunderland)
Ryan Giles, 19 (Wolverhampton Wanderers – season loan)
Midfielders (1):
Luke McCormick, 20 (Chelsea – season loan)
Forwards (2):
Steve Morison, 35 (Millwall – season loan)
Daniel Udoh, 22 (AFC Telford United)
Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 26
Number of players in squad: 31
Player of the Season 2018-19: Greg Docherty, 22 (central midfield – on loan from Glasgow Rangers)
One to watch: Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 26 (centre half)
Season ticket sales: 3,200
Ground capacity: 9,875
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,796 (all seated)
Pre-season:
P5 W1 D1 L3 F4 A7
9/7 Sheffield Wednesday N 0-2 (played at Estádio da Nora, Ferreiras)
17/7 Newport County N 0-1 (played at Ludlow FC)
21/7 ASTON VILLA H 0-1
23/7 Cheltenham Town A 2-2
27/7 DUNDEE UNITED H 2-1
Commentary:
After a Checkatrade Trophy final and a play-off final in 2017-18, last season proved a huge anticlimax for Shrewsbury. With manager Paul Hurst away to an ill-fated spell in charge at Ipswich, the anticipated promotion push did not materialise under his replacement John Askey, who lasted less than six months. At the end of a fine career as a player, Welsh international Sam Ricketts came in and just about kept the Shrews in League One. Ricketts now goes into his first full season as an EFL manager with something of a rebuilding job on his hands.
The close season went far from smoothly as a number of players declined contract offers and others were sold in mid-contract. Thirteen players have gone, while midfielder Anthony Grant has been banished to train with the youth team this season ‘for in-house reasons’. All of that is by no means a bad thing, as Ricketts now has an opportunity to build his own squad with his own methodology. Shrewsbury were another side who failed to trouble the scorers very often last season, totalling just 51. Ricketts has added experienced striker Steve Morison on loan from Millwall, although he may not be a regular starter at 36. Former Crewe striker Daniel Udoh returns to the EFL after scoring 26 goals for AFC Telford United in National League North last season, but three divisions is a huge step up. At the back, Ethan Ebanks-Landell will be hoping to revive his career after spending the last two seasons out on loan from Wolves, and former Scotland U21 right back Donald Love will be hoping for something similar after making only four appearances for Sunderland last season.
Ricketts has stated his intention to change the style of play this season and used his pre-season schedule to work on options. The budget was boosted by an attendance of over 9,000 for the pre-season defeat to Aston Villa, although the pre-season campaign did not go exactly to plan. Further to failing to score in the first three games, midfielder Oliver Norburn and new goalkeeper Joe Murphy both picked up injuries which will see them miss the opening month or so of the season. On the positive side, Ricketts has room in his squad for additions, so expect to see further changes with a month of the transfer window remaining.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 14/1
Prediction: Lower mid-table.
SOUTHEND UNITED
Last season: 19th
P46 W14 D8 L24 F55 A68 Pts50
Average attendance: 6,992
Chairman/owner: Ron Martin, 66 (appointed July 2000)
Manager: Kevin Bond, 62 (appointed April 2019 as caretaker, May 2019 permanently)
Kevin Bond’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included. Includes two spells as manager of Hong Kong Pegasus between 2016 and 2017.
Players out (11):
Goalkeepers (2):
Ted Smith, 23 (on trial with Tottenham Hotspur)
Josh Bexon, 21
Defenders (5):
Michael Turner, 35
Ben Coker, 30 (on trial with Lincoln City)
Stephen Hendrie, 24
Joe Mackenzie, 20
Dan Humphreys, 19 (Canvey Island)
Midfielders (2):
Renei Batlokwa, 21
Sewa Marah, 19
Forwards (2):
Amadou Ba, 21
Norman Wabo, 21 (on trial at Dartford)
Players in (3):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (1):
Nathan Ralph, 26 (Dundee)
Midfielders (1):
Mark Milligan, 33 (Hibernian)
Forwards (1):
Brandon Goodship, 24 (Weymouth)
Average age of players out: 23
Average age of players in: 28
Number of players in squad: 26
Player of the Season 2018-19: Simon Cox, 32 (striker)
One to watch: Mark Milligan, 33 (defensive midfielder)
Season ticket sales: 3,400
Ground capacity: 12,392
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,200 (all seated – may be extended up to 2,000)
Pre-season:
P7 W2 D3 L2 F10 A11
6/7 Reading A 0-2
9/7 Billericay Town A 3-2
12/7 Weymouth A 2-2
17/7 Exeter City A 1-2
20/7 Dagenham & Redbridge A 1-1
24/7 MILLWALL H 2-1
26/7 Gillingham A 1-1
Commentary:
Southend United owe their presence in this season’s League One to the narrowest of narrow squeaks: a goal four minutes from time against promotion-chasing Sunderland on the final day was enough to keep them up on goal difference. Harry Redknapp’s right-hand man Kevin Bond, who was initially appointed from 2 April to the end of the season, has been given the job on a permanent basis after winning two of the last three games to survive.
He could breathe again, but not for long. Bond has a big job on his hands to sort through one of the larger squads in League One, and a good number have gone already. A dozen players left Roots Hall during the summer including injured left-back Ben Coker, who has been linked with Lincoln on his own Twitter account. Replacements have been slow to arrive, with Australia captain Mark Milligan the best of the lot so far. Despite having 79 caps to his name, Milligan has never played in England before at the age of almost 34 and will captain the side this season. Striker Brandon Goodship joins after scoring 77 goals in 97 games for Weymouth including five hat-tricks, and could prove the bargain of the season if he can make the four-division step-up from the Southern League Premier. Lincoln FA Cup hero Theo Robinson remains at Southend after rumours of a move away during the summer and scored twice against Championship Millwall in pre-season.
Southend bucked the modern trend of overseas warm-weather training camps with a five-day trip to Dorset in July. It will be interesting to see how vastly experienced coach and assistant manager Kevin Bond gets on in his own right. His only real attempt at management so far was against an impossible backdrop of financial restrictions and points deductions at Bournemouth more than a decade ago, and he will be very keen to make his mark as his own man. It remains to be seen how much he knows about League One after years in the Premier League, but it all makes for an interesting season at Roots Hall.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 16/1 (joint third favourites for relegation)
Prediction: Relegation unless Bond adds some more quality to his squad.
SUNDERLAND
Last season: 5th (lost in play-off final)
P46 W22 D19 L5 F80 A47 Pts85
Average attendance: 32,157 (highest in League One)
Chairman/owner: Stewart Donald, 44 (appointed May 2018)
Manager: Jack Ross, 43 (appointed May 2018)
Jack Ross’ managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (10):
Goalkeepers (2):
Robbin Ruiter, 32 (PSV Eindhoven – Holland)
Max Stryjek, 23 (Eastleigh)
Defenders (6):
Lamine Koné, 30 (RC Strasbourg Alsace – France)
Bryan Oviedo, 29 (FC Copenhagen – Denmark)
Adam Matthews, 27
Reece James, 25 (Doncaster Rovers)
Donald Love, 24 (Shrewsbury Town)
Jacob Young, 19 (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – Germany)
Midfielders (2):
Lee Cattermole, 31
Luke Molyneux, 21 (Hartlepool United)
Forwards (0):
Players in (5):
Goalkeepers (1):
Lee Burge, 26 (Coventry City)
Defenders (2):
Conor McLaughlin, 28 (Millwall)
Jordan Willis, 24 (Coventry City)
Midfielders (1):
George Dobson, 21 (Walsall)
Forwards (1):
Marc McNulty, 26 (Reading – season loan)
Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 25
Player of the Season 2018-19: Aiden McGeady, 33 (winger)
One to watch: Will Grigg, 28 (striker)
Season ticket sales: 23,800
Ground capacity: 49,000
Visiting supporter capacity: 3,000
Pre-season:
P4 W1 D1 L2 F2 A2
11/7 South Shields A 2-0
18/7 Benfica B N 0-0 (played at Estádio Municipal de Albufeira)
20/7 Belenenses N 0-1 (played at Estádio Municipal de Albufeira)
27/7 SC HEERENVEEN H 0-1
Commentary:
A little over two years ago, Lincoln City and Tranmere Rovers were locked in a battle to get out of the National League while Sunderland were trying desperately not to be relegated from the golden goose that is the Premier League; that was a gap of four divisions, yet this season they will all meet as equals. If that does not bring the changing face of football fortune into sharp focus, nothing ever will.
Sunderland lost just nine of their sixty-one games last season, yet find themselves confined to the third tier for a second year. Furthermore, their total of 85 points was a ridiculous number only to finish fifth, and was actually equivalent to that of League Two champions Lincoln. Their season came to be defined by two trips to Wembley in fifty-seven days with defeats in both the Checkatrade Trophy final and the play-off final. Support continued to be excellent with an increase of 16% despite relegation, and a better season could even see the Stadium of Light close to selling out.
Manager Jack Ross was given a very public vote of confidence by owner Stewart Donald at the end of May, although on a couple of occasions Donald has also referred to a target of a hundred points this season. That is a very tall order for any manager at any club, but is indicative of the desire and perhaps the necessity of taking the club back to the Championship as soon as possible. The majority of the Premier League legacy players have now gone, with six more departing during the summer. Only George Honeyman, Lynden Gooch, Aiden McGeady and Duncan Watmore remain from the 2016-17 relegation squad.
Sunderland followed a unique pre-season schedule, facing three European sides and only one from England. Only two goals were scored in those four games, both of which came against Northern Premier League side South Shields. Two of the games were held during their warm-weather training camp in Portugal, although they were both open to the public. Supporters could even accompany the team to Portugal for three days for the price of £1,750 for a bed in a twin-room or an eye-watering £2,500 for a Billy-no-mates single. That confirms that Sunderland are from a different world to the one inhabited by most clubs in League One, and possibly why they are unlikely to still be there in twelve months’ time.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 11/8 (Favourites)
Prediction: Champions
TRANMERE ROVERS
Last season: 6th in League Two (promoted via the play-offs)
P46 W20 D13 L13 F63 A50 Pts73
Average attendance: 6,667
Chairman: Mark Palios, 66 (appointed August 2014)
Manager: Micky Mellon, 47 (appointed October 2016)
Micky Mellon’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (10):
Goalkeepers (1):
Paddy Wharton, 19 (FC United of Manchester)
Defenders (3):
Steve McNulty, 35 (York City)
Zoumana Bakayogo, 32 (Notts County)
Adam Buxton, 27 (Morecambe)
Midfielders (3):
Jay Harris, 32 (Macclesfield Town)
Ben Tollitt, 24 (Blackpool)
James Devine, 20
Forwards (3):
Chris Dagnall, 33 (on trial with Bury)
James Norwood, 28 (Ipswich Town)
Cole Stockton, 25 (Morecambe)
Players in (8):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (3):
Calum Woods, 32 (Bradford City)
George Ray, 25 (Crewe Alexandra)
Sid Nelson, 23 (Millwall)
Midfielders (3):
Darren Potter, 34 (Rotherham United)
Kieron Morris, 25 (Walsall)
Corey Blackett-Taylor, 21 (Aston Villa)
Forwards (2):
Stefan Payne, 27 (Bristol Rovers)
Jordan Ponticelli, 20 (Coventry City – six-month loan)
Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 26
Number of players in squad: 25
Player of the Season 2018-19: James Norwood, 28 (centre forward)
One to watch: Scott Davies, 32 (goalkeeper)
Season ticket sales: 4,300
Ground capacity: 16,587
Visiting supporter capacity: 2,500 (all seated)
Pre-season:
P5 W0 D1 L4 F1 A13
6/7 Livingston N 1-2 (played at St Andrews, Fife)
11/7 LIVERPOOL H 0-6
20/7 STOKE CITY H 0-2
23/7 Carlisle United A 0-3
27/7 WALSALL H 0-0
Commentary:
Two promotions via the play-offs in successive seasons sees Tranmere back in League One. Reality now bites, and whether the second promotion has come too early is the big question. It is entirely possible to win promotion too soon, and an immediate relegation can kill any momentum stone dead. Whilst a second successive promotion was a fine achievement, Tranmere’s record against the other top-six sides in League Two last season was mediocre with just eleven points taken from twelve games, and that rings a few alarm bells for the higher level. The fact that they were far from impressive in the play-offs also suggested a major overhaul of the squad would be required during the summer.
Fortunately, manager Micky Mellon has been promoted to League One before and has made significant changes. A number of the National League squad have been released including Ben Tollitt, Jay Harris, Adam Buxton and the ageing Steve McNulty, while the one player Mellon wished to keep in the form of striker James Norwood has left for Ipswich. Tranmere were very dependent on Norwood last season, scoring 29 of Tranmere’s 63 league goals; that is almost impossible to replace. Stefan Payne from Bristol Rovers has been brought in, but his record is vastly inferior to Norwood with only sixteen goals to his name in the Football League.
As for the other signings, the versatile Calum Woods will be an asset if he can stay fit, but he has played just 26 games since suffering an anterior and medial ligament injury in July 2016. The experienced Darren Potter has come from Rotherham after missing almost the whole of last season with an Achilles injury. Defender Sid Nelson has signed on a permanent basis from Millwall after a loan period last year, while Crewe captain George Ray completes a new-looking defence. League One stalwart Kieron Morris has arrived from Walsall to cover midfield.
A fourth consecutive pre-season friendly against European champions Liverpool certainly helped to boost the budget, but the 6-0 defeat to a Liverpool second-string would have done little for their confidence. Their entire pre-season schedule did not go well for that matter, scoring only one goal and conceding thirteen. On the surface of it, it is very difficult to see what Tranmere have to keep them in League One, in particular, who is going to score the goals. On the positive side, Micky Mellon has a great record, although not above the fourth tier so far. And there is always the ultimate League One fallback this season: points deductions elsewhere may yet come to their rescue.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 16/1
Prediction: Relegation.
WYCOMBE WANDERERS
Last season: 17th
P46 W14 D11 L21 F55 A67 Pts53
Average attendance: 5,388
Chairman: Trevor Stroud, 64 (appointed May 2017)
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth, 46 (appointed September 2012 as caretaker, November 2012 permanently)
Gareth Ainsworth’s managerial record:
League games only – play-offs and cup games not included.
Players out (8):
Goalkeepers (1):
Yves Ma-Kalambay, 33
Defenders (4):
Marcus Bean, 34 (retired)
Darius Charles, 31
Michael Harriman, 26 (on trial with Lincoln City and Cambridge United)
Jason McCarthy, 23 (Millwall)
Midfielders (1):
Ben Frempah, 24
Forwards (2):
Nathan Tyson, 37 (on trial with Notts County)
Paris Cowan-Hall, 28 (Colchester United)
Players in (9):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (3):
Jack Grimmer, 25 (Coventry City)
Jamie Mascoll, 22 (Charlton Athletic)
Giles Phillips, 22 (Queens Park Rangers – season loan)
Midfielders (3):
David Wheeler, 28 (Queens Park Rangers)
Jacob Gardiner-Smith, 22 (St Albans City)
Alex Pattison, 21 (Middlesbrough)
Forwards (3):
Josh Parker, 28 (Charlton Athletic)
Fred Onyedinma, 22 (Millwall)
Paul Smyth, 21 (Queens Park Rangers – season loan)
Average age of players out: 29
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 23
Player of the Season 2018-19: Jason McCarthy, 23 (centre half)
One to watch: Fred Onyedinma, 22 (striker)
Season ticket sales: Not disclosed
Ground capacity: 10,137
Visiting supporter capacity: 2,000 (all seated – may be extended to 2,350)
Pre-season:
P5 W2 D3 L0 F7 A5
13/7 Barnet A 1-1
16/7 Woking A 3-2
20/7 BRENTFORD H 2-2
23/7 Wealdstone A 1-0
26/7 Maidenhead United A 0-0
Commentary:
“I hope that the fans can appreciate the reality of our situation and that we must cut our cloth accordingly. There are too many stories across the country where clubs are finding themselves in real trouble due to the financial pressures and it’s imperative that we avoid falling into the same situations.”
Those were the words of Wycombe chairman Trevor Stroud on announcing a greatly reduced budget for 2019-20. Hopes of additional investment had not been realised, leading to the release of a tranche of experienced players in May. The fans rallied round to raise over £60,000 for the playing budget through their ‘500 club’, part of which was used to sign midfielder Alex Pattison. Manager Gareth Ainsworth confirmed that he had not expected to make any permanent signings at all, but then the situation changed in July with the addition of American investor Rob Couhig to the club’s management structure. There will be no Abramovich-style bonanza, though. Far from enjoying a deluge of additional investment, Wycombe have simply restored the budget from last season, which at least gives them a fighting chance of staying in League One.
Summer recruitment seemed to come in two phases due to that financial uncertainty. Virtually a whole team of trialists played in the pre-season draw with Barnet, some of whom were quickly signed on permanent deals. Once the budget was restored, Wycombe managed to make some decent signings in late July. David Wheeler looks the pick of the bunch, while young striker Fred Onyedinma returns from Millwall and could prove very effective this season. The QPR connection through manager Ainsworth was clear – three signings came from Loftus Road. Outgoings include Player of the Season Jason McCarthy, who has departed for Millwall as part of the deal for Onyedinma. On the positive side, the average age of the squad has come down significantly. On the negative side, the pre-season schedule was undemanding at best and produced some unconvincing results against mediocre opposition, not helped by the late recruitment.
Gareth Ainsworth claims to have won promotion in 2018 with a mid-table League Two budget and kept Wycombe up in 2019 with a bottom-two League One budget, and it would appear that this season will be little different. Whilst laudable, Wycombe’s approach is far from reflective of the general attitude to finances in the game. This season they will be competing against a number of clubs notorious for financial profligacy, so have Wycombe signed their own relegation warrant within that context?
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 16/1 (joint third favourites for relegation)
Prediction: Relegation battle, should be safe.
end
Vital Lincoln City – League One Season Preview 2019-20 (Part Two):https://t.co/WGb2JXUUoj#MKDons #PUFC #Pompey
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) August 2, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2330142383688660
