Vital Lincoln City – League One Season Preview 2021-22 (Part Two)
The second part of our League One Season Preview focuses on Lincoln City, Milton Keynes Dons, Morecambe, Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth, Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury Town, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, and Wycombe Wanderers.
Did you miss Part One? You can read that HERE!
The article has been published with two pages (6 clubs on each page). To get to the second page, press “Click here for the next six clubs!” at the bottom right of the page!
INTRODUCTION
The information in this preview is complete to 5pm on Monday 9 August 2021.
Managerial data is as accurate as I can make it: it is almost impossible to identify the exact dates managers joined or left minor non-league clubs 25 years ago, and detailed statistical information for minor leagues is not readily available. Online statistics databases have not been used due to the errors they can contain. As the figures are self-compiled, any errors, therefore, are my fault entirely. Firstly, sincere apologies to the subjects; secondly, any errors should be minor and not affect the overall impression; thirdly, it will be more accurate than Wikipedia.
An average points per game figure is given for each manager. To translate that into something more tangible, the table below shows how many points that figure equates to over the course of a 46-game season. Although other factors obviously come into play, it gives an indication of how likely that manager is to be involved in a relegation struggle (under 1.20 PPG), a play-off challenge (above 1.50 PPG needed) or an automatic promotion challenge (above 1.70 PPG needed).
As for the player sections, all permanent transfers in and out are included, as are longer-term loans in. All shorter-term loans in and out and season-long loans out are not included; that is because a player’s departure on loan is unlikely to have any bearing on the performance of his parent club, while short-term loans tend to have minimal impact. Players given their first professional contracts from academy status are not included as new signings. Remember that the transfer window does not close until 31 August, three weeks after the season begins: later signings may be significant.
Under normal circumstances, we would only note the results of standard 90-minute pre-season games. However, many games have not followed that format this summer for obvious reasons; therefore, we have listed every pre-season result designated as a first team friendly.
There is usually a caveat with these Season Previews, and this year it is a significant one. Last season was like no other, creating a set of circumstances that have generated an immeasurable number of variables. The abandonment of the salary cap means open season for financial lunacy once more. I have included a lot of financial information on each club to identify who the lunatics may be.
Finally, bookmakers’ odds are for promotion.
Scotimp, 9/8/2021
LINCOLN CITY
Last season: 5th in League One (lost in play-off final)
P46 W22 D11 L13 F69 A50 Pts77
Chairman: Clive Nates, 63 (appointed June 2018)
Manager: Michael Appleton, 45 (appointed September 2019)
Michael Appleton’s managerial record:
Players out (4):
Goalkeepers (1):
Ethan Ross, 24 (Stockport County)
Defenders ():
Midfielders (3):
Jorge Grant, 26 (Peterborough United)
Harry Anderson, 24 (Bristol Rovers)
Zack Elbouzedi, 23 (AIK – Sweden)
Forwards ():
Players in (7):
Goalkeepers (1):
Josh Griffiths, 19 (West Bromwich Albion – season loan)
Defenders ():
Midfielders (4):
Hakeeb Adelakun, 25 (Bristol City)
Teddy Bishop, 25 (Ipswich Town)
Lasse Sørensen, 21 (Stoke City)
Lewis Fiorini, 19 (Manchester City – season loan)
Forwards (2):
Chris Maguire, 32 (Sunderland)
Dan Nlundulu, 22 (Southampton – season loan)
Average age of players out: 24
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 26
Player of the Season 2020-21: Jorge Grant, 26 (attacking midfielder) no longer with club
One to watch: Tayo Edun, 23 (left-back)
Season ticket sales: 6,400 SOLD OUT
Ground capacity: 10,700
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,000 (all seated – may be extended to 1,900)
Pre-season:
P5 W2 D0 L3 F5 A4
10/7 Reading A 0-1
13/7 Nottingham Forest XI A 1-2 Draper
20/7 Norwich City A 0-1
27/7 Scunthorpe United A 2-0 McGrandles, Bramall
31/7 Salford City A 2-0 Scully (p), Hopper
Commentary: Full Steam Ahead At The LNER
“The market is just so different from last year. We had a few factors which helped us last year. The salary cap had been introduced and people were getting their heads around that. There was a nervousness in the market about what clubs might offer. Whereas this summer, three or four clubs have gone really early and spent really big on wages. It makes players believe that if they wait long enough, they’ll get those offers. So the market is difficult at the moment. We’ve just got to be patient.” – Lincoln director of football Jez George
A first ever League One play-off final plus a Papa John’s Trophy semi-final signalled a successful season for Lincoln, although it could have been so much better. A tranche of long-term injuries to five key players plus two waves of Covid decimated the youngest squad in League One and saw the Imps drop out of the automatic promotion places as the season reached its sharp end. The play-off final was their 61st game of the season and proved one step too far at the end of the compacted schedule. Delivering such an exciting season despite a 40% cut to his playing budget has thrown the spotlight back onto manager Michael Appleton, and the Championship vultures have been circling this summer.
Off the field, Lincoln lost £889,000 in the 2019-20 accounting period, largely the reduction in income from the Covid pandemic and the early curtailment of the season. Despite that loss, the accounts show net assets of £1.73 million, indicating that Lincoln continue to be one of the better run clubs in an increasingly profligate third tier. Support from the directors is a vital factor, provided in the form of equity rather than loans, and around £1.6 million in new investment has been secured in the last three months. Season tickets sold out a month before the start of the season, giving Lincoln some financial headroom as the game seeks to return to normality.
Given the season ticket revenue, summer trading was at a premium at the LNER Stadium. Michael Appleton’s cancer diagnosis in July threatened to disrupt pre-season preparations but Lincoln have added experience in key areas. Having lost the services of star loanee Brennan Johnson and Player of the Season Jorge Grant, Lincoln moved for Danish midfielder Lasse Sørensen from Stoke while Teddy Bishop will be looking to revive his career after several years of injury-hit stagnation at Ipswich. Chris Maguire from Sunderland adds much-needed experience up front and Real Betis target Dan Nlundulu from Southampton provides the significant physical presence that Lincoln lacked last season. Winger Hakeeb Adelakun was one of the best players in the third tier before stepping up to the Championship three years ago.
Whilst becoming known in recent seasons for their progress on the pitch, Lincoln are taking great strides behind the scenes too. The Imps received a financial boost in June when American businessman Harvey Jabara and his family invested in the club, a deal that saw USA soccer legend Landon Donovan join Lincoln as strategic advisor. The pitch at LNER Stadium should be first class after the club spent several hundred thousand pounds on new drainage and a hybrid playing surface, whilst the infrastructure will be improved further next summer with the expansion of the Stacey West Stand to bring the capacity to around the 12,000-mark.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 4/1 joint-sixth favourites
Prediction: Play-offs again
MILTON KEYNES DONS
Last season: 13th
P46 W18 D11 L17 F64 A62 Pts65
Chairman/owner: Pete Winkelman, 63 (appointed March 2004)
Manager: Dean Lewington, 37 (caretaker, appointed August 2021)
Dean Lewington’s managerial record:
Players out (10):
Goalkeepers (1):
Lee Nicholls, 28 (Huddersfield Town)
Defenders (1):
Matthew Sorinola, 20 (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise – Belgium)
Midfielders (4):
Andrew Surman, 34 (retired)
Ben Gladwin, 29 (Swindon Town)
Scott Fraser, 26 (Ipswich Town)
Jordan Houghton, 25 (Plymouth Argyle)
Forwards (4):
Cameron Jerome, 34 (Luton Town)
Kieran Agard, 31
Joe Mason, 30 (Cavalry – Canada)
Sam Nombe, 22 (Exeter City)
Players in (9):
Goalkeepers (1):
Franco Ravizzoli, 23 (Eastbourne Borough)
Defenders (2):
Aden Baldwin, 24 (Bristol City)
Tennai Watson, 24 (Reading)
Midfielders (3):
Ethan Robson, 24 (Blackpool – season loan)
Scott Twine, 22 (Swindon Town)
Josh Martin, 19 (Norwich City – season loan)
Forwards (3):
Mohamed Eisa, 27 (Peterborough United)
Max Watters, 22 (Cardiff City – season loan)
Troy Parrott, 19 (Tottenham Hotspur – season loan)
Average age of players out: 28
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 26
Player of the Season 2020-21: Dean Lewington, 37 (left-back)
One to watch: Harry Darling, 22 (centre-half)
Season ticket sales: not disclosed
Ground capacity: 30,500
Visiting supporter capacity: 3,000 (all seated – may be extended to 8,000)
Pre-season:
P6 W4 D0 L2 F15 A9
13/7 King’s Lynn Town A 3-1 Twine 2, Watters
17/7 Maidenhead United A 3-1 Trialist 2, Bird
21/7 Coventry City (1) N 2-1 Bird, Twine (at SGP)
21/7 Coventry City (2) N 5-0 Watters 2, O’Riley 2, Darling (at SGP)
24/7 Bristol City A 1-3 Bird
28/7 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR H 1-3 Freeman
Commentary: The Door Revolves Again And Again At Stadium MK
“It’s up to us to bring the right people in. It is tough to identify players to play the way that we want to play because not many, at the levels we are looking to recruit from, play this way currently. It can take a little longer for us to find the players we want for that reason.” – former MK Dons manager Russell Martin
At least no one can accuse Russell Martin of not sticking to his guns. Despite attracting ridicule last season for some suicidal passing out from the back, he appeared undaunted in his desire to implement what he curiously saw as a unique style of play. Unfortunately, he also appeared to abandon his principles at the beginning of August by leaving for Swansea after a 5-0 hammering by Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup. Interestingly, that defeat also contained three or four prime examples of what made his MK Dons such an amusing side to watch, so perhaps it is a blessing in disguise that a new manager has an opportunity to correct some obvious failings.
Before his departure for South Wales, Martin oversaw yet another large turnover of players this summer. Four players were released originally, but four players then rejected contract offers before two more were sold for fees. The majority of the ten departures were first team regulars last season, leaving MK to rebuild for the second close season running. The standout signing of the summer was Mohammed Eisa from Peterborough for a substantial fee. Eisa will depend on a solid supply line if he is to repay that investment, but the departure of the outstanding Scott Fraser to Ipswich is far from ideal in that respect. Andrew Surman appears to have retired while Ben Gladwin declined a contract offer in favour of Swindon, so a new engine room was immediately required. The energetic Scott Twine has made a name for himself in League Two in the last twelve months and now has the chance to shine at the higher level while Ethan Robson has good League One experience. Cardiff loanee Max Watters scored goals for fun during a short spell at Crawley a few years ago and will be an unknown quantity in League One.
Whether Martin had substantially improved his side by the time of his departure is open to question. The new manager, whoever that may be, still has room to manoeuvre in terms of squad size. What the new man will not have is time in which to do it as the end of the transfer window approaches.
Off the field, the financial position at MK Dons continues to deteriorate. The club lost another £3.2 million before tax in 2019-20 to take their net liabilities to £13.8 million. Fortunately, the debt is largely due to parent company Stadium MK Group Ltd and will not be called in until the club is able to repay it. Staff costs were 114% of turnover as MK tried to secure as high a finish in League One as possible, and operational costs were high at £8.4 million against a turnover of £4.6 million. The £400,000 compensation received for Russell Martin will obviously come in handy.
Against such losses, it is laudable that MK capped season ticket prices at a maximum of £230 – the equivalent price for iFollow – to attract support to Stadium MK. An attendance of 15,795 for the pre-season friendly against Spurs showed that the interest is there if a successful team can be found, and much will depend on the identity of the new manager. The club’s sporting director Liam Sweeting says they will take their time in order to find the right candidate, but time is also of the essence with the new season already under way.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 11/2
Prediction: Mid-table unless MK find an outstanding manager
MORECAMBE
Last season: 4th in League Two (promoted through play-offs)
P46 W23 D9 L14 F69 A58 Pts78
Owner: Bond Group Investments Ltd
Co-Chairmen: Graham Howse, 56; Rod Taylor, 68 (appointed November 2018)
Manager: Stephen Robinson, 46 (appointed June 2021)
Stephen Robinson‘s managerial record:
Players out (12):
Goalkeepers (1):
Mark Halstead, 30 (Torquay United)
Defenders (3):
Nathaniel Knight-Percival, 34 (Tranmere Rovers)
Harry Davis, 29 (Scunthorpe United)
Stephen Hendrie, 26
Midfielders (4):
Ben Pringle, 33 (Altrincham)
Alex Kenyon, 29 (Scunthorpe United)
Yann Songo’o, 29 (Bradford City)
John O’Sullivan, 27 (Accrington Stanley)
Forwards (4):
A-Jay Leitch-Smith, 31 (on trial with Altrincham)
Jordan Slew, 28 (FC Halifax Town)
Liam McAlinden, 27 (Wrexham)
Carlos Mendes Gomes, 22 (Luton Town)
Players in (15):
Goalkeepers (1):
Jökull Andrésson, 19 (Reading – season loan)
Defenders (5):
Anthony O’Connor, 28 (Bradford City)
Greg Leigh, 26 (Aberdeen)
Ryan Delaney, 24 (Bolton Wanderers)
Ryan Cooney, 21 (Burnley)
Jacob Mensah, 20 (Weymouth)
Midfielders (6):
Wes McDonald, 24 (Walsall)
Shane McLoughlin, 24 (AFC Wimbledon)
Adam Phillips, 23 (Burnley – season loan)
Alfie McCalmont, 21 (Leeds United – season loan)
Callum Jones, 20 (Hull City – season loan)
Josh McPake, 19 (Glasgow Rangers – season loan)
Forwards (3):
Jonathan Obika, 30 (St Mirren)
Arthur Gnahoua, 29 (Bolton Wanderers)
Jonah Ayunga, 24 (Bristol Rovers)
Average age of players out: 28
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 24
Player of the Season 2020-21: Carlos Mendes Gomes, 22 (striker) no longer with club
One to watch: Jonathan Obika, 30 (centre forward)
Season ticket sales: 1,900 (a club record)
Ground capacity: 6,476
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,689 (1,389 standing, 300 seated)
Pre-season:
P6 W2 D2 L2 F11 A6
13/7 Workington A 5-1 Stockton, McCalmont, McDonald, Obika, Trialist
17/7 Chorley A 0-1
20/7 Burnley XI A 1-2 McPake
23/7 Barnsley N 0-0 (at Loughborough University)
27/7 Kendal Town A 4-1 Ayunga 2, Phillips, Mayor
31/7 BLACKPOOL H 1-1 McDonald
Commentary: A Mountain To Climb For Minnows Morecambe
“I’m trying to get two in every position and within our budget it’s difficult, but we’ve managed to do that in a short space of time, people are starting to gel and understand.” – Morecambe manager Stephen Robinson
Morecambe’s promotion to League One through the play-offs was surely one of football’s success stories last season. No one expected Derek Adams’ collection of free transfers to challenge at the right end of the table, and indeed Sky Bet made them favourites to finish bottom. A final position of 22nd in 2019-20 certainly did not suggest a promotion challenge was in the offing, yet four successive wins in December carried Morecambe into the play-off positions where they were to remain for the rest of the season. Tranmere were beaten in the semi-final, and an extra-time penalty by the now departed Carlos Mendes Gomes gave the club promotion to the third tier for the first time in their history.
The challenge of keeping Morecambe in League One will be immense, and it was a challenge that Derek Adams was destined not to take on. Adams’ departure for Bradford in early June was far from ideal although the club moved very quickly in appointing a replacement in former Oldham and Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson. Robinson immediately commenced a drastic overhaul of the playing staff that saw many of the promotion-winning squad move on. One unintended loss was influential midfielder John O’Sullivan who declined a new contract to move to Accrington for a third time, while Yann Songo’o linked up with Derek Adams at Bradford for the fourth time in his career. Top scorer Carlos Mendes Gomes departed for Championship side Luton for an undisclosed fee, but fortunately the Shrimps have held on to his strike partner Cole Stockton.
In terms of arrivals, Robinson has signed a blend of lower league experience alongside some cheaper younger options and the full complement of loans. Nine of the new players have appeared in League One previously, the pick being Jonathan Obika who has over 300 appearances in the Championship, League One and the Scottish Championship for ten different clubs. Unfortunately, Obika will miss the first five months of the season after picking up a serious hamstring injury in a pre-season match. Clever midfielder Adam Phillips did well on loan at Accrington last season while Ryan Delaney and Arthur Gnahoua also won promotion from League Two with Bolton.
With a turnover of less than £3 million and an annual wage bill of around £2 million for their 190 staff (June 2020 accounts), Morecambe can lay genuine claim to being the smallest club in League One. The club made the offer to end all offers when it chose to refund 2020-21 season ticket holders in full and to make no increase to the price for 2021-22 despite promotion. Furthermore, the price of a season ticket for 2021-22 was published on a sliding scale, becoming cheaper according to the total number sold. The club could have done nothing more to attract people to the stadium, and the public responded with the number of season tickets doubling by the middle of July. Exactly what kind of season they will witness is open to question because Morecambe have achieved something entirely unexpected by making it to League One. Reality suggests they are facing a Herculean task to stay there.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 50/1
Prediction: Relegation
OXFORD UNITED
Last season: 6th (lost in play-off semi-final)
P46 W22 D8 L16 F77 A56 Pts74
Chairman/owner: Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth, 58 (appointed February 2018)
Manager: Karl Robinson, 40 (appointed March 2018)
Karl Robinson’s managerial record:
Players out (6):
Goalkeepers ():
Defenders (3):
Josh Ruffels, 27 (Huddersfield Town)
Rob Atkinson, 23 (Bristol City)
Kyran Lofthouse, 20 (Woking)
Midfielders (1):
Sean Clare, 24 (Charlton Athletic)
Forwards (2):
Rob Hall, 27 (on trial with Gillingham)
Dylan Asonganyi, 20 (Maidenhead United)
Players in (7):
Goalkeepers ():
Defenders (3):
Jordan Thorniley, 24 (Blackpool – season loan)
Steve Seddon, 23 (Birmingham City)
Marcus McGuane, 22 (Nottingham Forest)
Midfielders (3):
Ryan Williams, 27 (Portsmouth)
Gavin Whyte, 25 (Cardiff City – season loan)
Nathan Holland, 23 (West Ham United – season loan)
Forwards (1):
Billy Bodin, 29 (Preston North End)
Average age of players out: 23
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 23
Player of the Season 2020-21: Sam Long, 26 (right-back)
One to watch: Matty Taylor, 31 (centre-forward)
Season ticket sales: not disclosed (3,900 in 2020-21)
Ground capacity: 12,500
Visiting supporter capacity: up to 5,000
Pre-season:
P8 W4 D3 L1 F28 A11
16/7 Oxford City A 3-2 Agyei, Taylor, Gorrin
17/7 SALFORD CITY H 6-1 O’Donkor 3, Taylor 2, Smith
20/7 Hayes & Yeading United N 9-0 Taylor 4, Cooper 2, Elechi, Goodrham, Yaw (at Thame United)
21/7 Banbury United A 3-0 O’Donkor, Yaw, Goodrham
28/7 PETERBOROUGH UNITED (1) H 2-2 Forde, Agyei
28/7 PETERBOROUGH UNITED (2) H 2-2 Sykes (p), Winnall
31/7 Bristol Rovers A 2-3 Seddon, Henry
3/8 BARNET H 1-1 Whyte
Commentary: Another Play-Off Challenge To Come From Oxford
“There are teams in our league offering £10,000 a week for defenders and you’re thinking ‘this is ludicrous where this league is going’. We can’t get anywhere near this.” – Oxford United manager Karl Robinson
Despite enjoying an increased budget himself, Karl Robinson bemoaned the fact that some League One clubs were rumoured to be offering wages of £10,000 per week to new signings this summer. Oxford’s own financials suggest they have hardly been averse to offering good contracts in recent years, carrying net liabilities of £13.62m in the June 2020 accounts. That position can only have deteriorated significantly due to Covid losses since those accounts were published, balanced now by some big departures this summer. Defensive duo Rob Atkinson and Josh Ruffels departed to the Championship, leaving Robinson to rebuild his back line as a priority. One notable feature of the 2019-20 accounts was the figure given for profit from disposal of players – an outstanding £5.7 million, helping to turn an operating loss of £2.9 million into a £1.7 million overall profit.
Oxford’s play-off defeat in 2020 suggested another promotion bid was likely last season. However, they had a surprisingly poor start after losing at Lincoln on the opening day and it took them until the middle of December to drag themselves out of the bottom four. Seven successive wins saw them draw well clear of danger, but promotion still seemed unlikely into April. Six wins from their final seven games earned a play-off berth on goal difference, a remarkable achievement considering their disappointing start, but a poor performance at home to Blackpool in the semi-final first leg effectively ended their season.
Summer transfer business had a familiar look to it as four of Oxford’s seven signings to date have played for the club before. As ever, there are some significant names added to the squad with six of the seven arrivals coming from the Championship or above. In terms of defence, last season’s loanee Marcus McGuane has joined permanently from Nottingham Forest while Steve Seddon from Birmingham has previous League One experience with AFC Wimbledon and Portsmouth. Australian international midfielder Ryan Williams returns to Oxford after seven years away, while Gavin Whyte returns on loan two years after leaving the club for Cardiff. Whyte won the League One title last season during a loan spell at Hull. Welsh international striker Billy Bodin will present a challenge for defences this season after spending four seasons in the Championship with Preston.
Oxford’s pre-season schedule was affected by twelve first team players having to self-isolate, although some big wins over a range of local non-league sides proved there were no ill-effects. Matty Taylor notched seven goals in three friendlies and will be the main strike threat alongside newcomer Bodin. Off the field, Oxford’s season ticket renewal offer included price freezes, a pandemic promise and two free cup matches.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 9/2
Prediction: Unsuccessful play-off challenge
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Last season: 18th
P46 W14 D11 L21 F53 A80 Pts53
Chairman/owner: Simon Hallett, 65 (appointed August 2018)
Manager: Ryan Lowe, 42 (appointed June 2019)
Ryan Lowe’s managerial record:
Players out (12):
Goalkeepers (2):
Luke McCormick, 37 (retired)
Jack Ruddy, 23 (Linfield)
Defenders (3):
Gary Sawyer, 36 (retired)
Scott Wootton, 29
Will Aimson, 27 (Bolton Wanderers)
Midfielders (3):
Ben Reeves, 29 (Gillingham)
Lewis Macleod, 27
Jarvis Cleal, 19
Forwards (4):
Byron Moore, 32
Frank Nouble, 29 (Colchester United)
Klaidi Lolos, 20 (Torquay United)
Rubin Wilson, 19 (Bideford)
Players in (8):
Goalkeepers (1):
Callum Burton, 24 (Cambridge United)
Defenders (5):
James Wilson, 32 (Ipswich Town)
James Bolton, 26 (Portsmouth)
Dan Scarr, 26 (Walsall)
Macauley Gillesphey, 25 (Brisbane Roar – Australia)
Brendan Galloway, 25 (Luton Town)
Midfielders (2):
Jordan Houghton, 25 (Milton Keynes Dons)
Ryan Broom, 24 (Peterborough United – season loan)
Forwards ():
Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 26
Number of players in squad: 22
Player of the Season 2020-21: Joe Edwards, 30 (holding midfielder)
One to watch: Luke Jephcott, 21 (centre-forward)
Season ticket sales: 6,000
Ground capacity: 18,200
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,300 (all seated – may be increased to 2,022)
Pre-season:
P8 W3 D2 L3 F18 A7
3/7 Plymouth Parkway A 5-1 Galloway, Hardie (p), Jephcott, Camara, Rutherford
14/7 Saltash United A 7-0 Ennis 2, Hardie 2, Grant, Camara, Shirley
17/7 Bristol Rovers A 1-1 Jephcott (p)
20/7 SWANSEA CITY H 1-2 Hardie
23/7 MIDDLESBROUGH H 1-2 Gillesphey
24/7 Tavistock A 0-0
27/7 BRISTOL CITY H 0-1
31/7 Torquay United A 3-0 Ennis, Camara, Hardie
Commentary: A Necessary Change Of Business Model At Home Park
“Our goal remains financial sustainability and we are not yet there. We forecast continuing losses in the year to June 2022. We can finance those losses from the cash reserves we have built up because of our fans’ generosity, the government’s support scheme and my own cash injection.” – Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett
Having put an estimated £20 million of his own money into Plymouth within the three years of his chairmanship, it is understandable that Simon Hallett is talking about the need for sustainability. The ground has been improved with a £7.7 million refurbishment of the Mayflower Stand, and Hallett now insists that the club must start to pay its own way. The loss of £674,000 in the 2019-20 accounts was due to early curtailment of the season, reduced from a £2.4 million loss the previous year.
Plymouth have a target of being a sustainable Championship club by 2024 and are now almost debt-free after Hallett’s investments were converted to equity. The June 2020 accounts were unusual in that they included an outline plan to achieve that sustainability. Hallett has created a platform on which the club can build, and it is now all about what the team can achieve on the field.
Plymouth started last season in good form after promotion from League Two and sat on the fringes of the play-offs for a time. However, performances slipped to such an extent that points were needed from the final few games to avoid relegation. Only relegated Swindon (89) conceded more goals than Plymouth (80) while only five teams scored fewer goals. That was despite the early season impact of striker Luke Jephcott, whose form fell away so badly that he failed to score in his final 19 games. The final position of eighteenth represented the first time that Ryan Lowe had not won promotion at the end of a full season in management, and it will be interesting to see how he fares with a realistic budget and a poor end of season behind him.
Summer business began with a large number of departures in the retained list, leaving Lowe room for additions with League One quality. The main priority was to fix that generous defence, and Ipswich Town’s Player of the Season and former Imp James Wilson was an early arrival. James Bolton has spent the past four seasons in League One with Shrewsbury and latterly Portsmouth, while goalkeeper Callum Burton won promotion from League Two in May with Cambridge. Plymouth still look heavily dependent on Luke Jephcott for goals at the time of writing, with no new arrivals to balance the four strikers released in the retained list. There is still room in the squad for arrivals before the window closes, so watch this space.
Off the field, Plymouth are now able to take advantage of the commercial opportunities provided by the Mayflower Stand refurbishment. Season ticket sales have been good at 6,000, underwriting a competitive budget for the campaign.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 18/1
Prediction: Bottom eight
PORTSMOUTH
Last season: 8th
P46 W21 D9 L16 F65 A51 Pts72
Chairman/owner: Michael Eisner, 79 (appointed August 2017)
Manager: Danny Cowley, 42 (appointed March 2021)
Danny Cowley’s managerial record:
Players out (13):
Goalkeepers (3):
Craig MacGillivray, 28 (Charlton Athletic)
Duncan Turnbull, 23
Taylor Seymour, 19
Defenders (3):
Charlie Daniels, 34
James Bolton, 26 (Plymouth Argyle)
Jack Whatmough, 24 (Wigan Athletic)
Midfielders (5):
Tom Naylor, 30 (Wigan Athletic)
Ryan Williams, 27 (Oxford United)
Andy Cannon, 25 (Hull City)
Bryn Morris, 25 (Burton Albion)
Ben Close, 24 (Doncaster Rovers)
Forwards (2):
Jordy Hiwula, 26 (Doncaster Rovers)
Alfie Stanley, 20 (on trial with Burnley)
Players in (10):
Goalkeepers (1):
Gavin Bazunu, 19 (Manchester City – season loan)
Defenders (4):
Kieron Freeman, 29 (Swansea City)
Clark Robertson, 27 (Rotherham United)
Connor Ogilvie, 25 (Gillingham)
Liam Vincent, 18 (Bromley)
Midfielders (2):
Shaun Williams, 34 (Millwall)
Ryan Tunnicliffe, 28 (Luton Town)
Forwards (3):
George Hirst, 22 (Leicester City – season loan)
Gassan Ahadme, 20 (Norwich City – season loan)
Jayden Reid, 20 (Birmingham City)
Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 24
Number of players in squad: 23
Player of the Season 2020-21: Craig MacGillivray, 28 (goalkeeper) no longer with club
One to watch: Gassan Ahadme, 20 (centre-forward)
Season ticket sales: 12,000 flexi-tickets, converting to season tickets
Ground capacity: 17,696
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,400 (all seated – may be increased to 2,800)
Pre-season:
P5 W2 D2 L1 F12 A8
7/7 Queens Park Rangers A 1-2 Marquis
10/7 Havant & Waterlooville A 5-2 Ahadme 3, Tunnicliffe, Hackett-Fairchild
20/7 Bristol City A 3-3 Ahadme 2, Francois
24/7 Luton Town A 1-1 Ahadme
31/7 PETERBOROUGH UNITED H 2-0 Tunnicliffe, Curtis
Commentary: Cowley Cunning And Disney Magic At Fratton Park
“What you have to remember is we have players in the building who are taking up a significant amount of that competitive budget. Let me tell you, any manager coming into a club will inherit players. When you talk about budgets it’s not what money you have, it’s ultimately what’s at your disposal, what money you actually have to spend.” – Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley
Whilst he may appear on paper to have lost a few key members of his squad during the summer, Danny Cowley’s comments to the Portsmouth News were far more revealing. Familiarity with Cowley’s modus operandi suggests that he will have ended the summer with exactly the squad he wants regardless of the much-publicised budget cut. All the Cowley hallmarks were there with higher wage earners departing and others under contract being managed out. Tom Naylor and Jack Whatmough departed for big-spending Wigan while Player of the Season Craig MacGillivray headed to promotion rivals Charlton. Midfielders Ben Close and Ryan Williams also joined League One rivals.
Whilst some old favourites have gone, many supporters felt an overhaul of the squad was necessary. Last season’s failure to reach the play-offs was not the expectation, and Kenny Jackett paid the penalty for a disappointing return on investment. Cowley was unable to reverse the decline in time, and Portsmouth enter their fifth season in League One with a new manager and half a new squad.
Pompey have certainly strengthened in defence with the additions of the experienced Kieron Freeman from Swansea and combative Conor Ogilvie from Gillingham, a real Cowley player if ever there was one. Championship experience has been added in midfield through Ryan Tunnicliffe and Shaun Williams who has won promotion from League One before. Striker Gassan Ahadme secured a season’s loan from parent club Norwich after scoring six goals in two-and-a-half games as a trialist, one of the more intriguing summer signings in League One. However, the unfortunate Jayden Reid will not be seen for the foreseeable future after rupturing a cruciate ligament just seven minutes into his first match after signing from Birmingham.
Cowley did not have things all his own way, being significantly outbid by League One rivals for Jayden Stockley and George Edmundson despite deals having been lined up with their agents. Cowley claimed one of those clubs offered twice the money Portsmouth could pay, illustrating the divide between even the bigger clubs in League One.
Pompey took a step forward in terms of infrastructure in June with the acquisition of the freehold for their training ground, surprisingly meaning that they will own their own training ground for the first time in the club’s history. Portsmouth have also commenced a £10 million redevelopment of Fratton Park, funded by the Eisners, that will see extensive renovations of the North and South Stands in addition to a new Milton End.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 10/3 fourth favourites
Prediction: Play-offs
Click HERE for Page Two, featuring Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, Shrewsbury Town, Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, and Wycombe Wanderers.
ROTHERHAM UNITED
Last season: 23rd in the Championship (relegated)
P46 W11 D9 L26 F44 A60 Pts42
Chairman/owner: Tony Stewart OBE, 75 (appointed May 2008)
Manager: Paul Warne, 48 (appointed April 2017)
Paul Warne’s managerial record:
Players out (8):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (4):
Billy Jones, 34
Clark Robertson, 27 (Portsmouth)
Matt Olosunde, 23 (Preston North End)
Trevor Clarke, 23 (Bristol Rovers)
Midfielders (2):
Shaun MacDonald, 33 (Crewe Alexandra)
Matt Crooks, 27 (Middlesbrough)
Forwards (2):
Jamie Proctor, 29 (Port Vale)
Kyle Vassell, 28 (Cheltenham Town)
Players in (5):
Goalkeepers (1):
Josh Chapman, 18 (Sheffield United)
Defenders (1):
Rarmani Edmonds-Green, 22 (Huddersfield Town – season loan)
Midfielders (3):
Shane Ferguson, 30 (Millwall)
Ollie Rathbone, 24 (Rochdale)
Hakeem Odoffin, 23 (Hamilton Academical)
Forwards ():
Average age of players out: 28
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 25
Player of the Season 2020-21: Michael Smith, 29 (centre-forward)
One to watch: Wes Harding, 24 (right-back)
Season ticket sales: 5,100 at 29/7
Ground capacity: 12,021
Visiting supporter capacity: 2,000
Pre-season:
P7 W4 D2 L1 F22 A5
10/7 PARKGATE H 11-0 Ladapo 3, Wiles 2, Smith, Kayode (p), Wood, Miller, Sadlier, Crooks
14/7 III. Keruleti TVE – Hungary A 4-0 Lindsay, Ladapo, Kayode, OG
20/7 Rochdale A 2-2 Ogbene, Ihiekwe
21/7 Harrogate Town A 3-1 Smith 2, Ihiekwe
24/7 Grimsby Town A 1-0 Ihiekwe
27/7 NEWCASTLE UNITED H 1-1 Smith
30/7 MIDDLESBROUGH H 0-1
Commentary: Will It Be Back To The Future Again For Rotherham?
“I feel that when we came back everyone felt a little bit flat after how our season ended. I’ve got the same group of players who know what we expect out of them as people and as footballers.” – Rotherham manager Paul Warne
And so the perennial Rotherham United yo-yo returns to League One after a year away. The Millers have changed divisions in recent seasons at a rate that would leave Marty McFly blinking in wonder: too good for League One, yet unable to make the step up to the Championship. Much of that is due to the financial disparity, with the Championship cited by football analysts as the most difficult division in which to compete. Rotherham are not renowned as big spenders, so presumably they will be better placed financially than many League One rivals. Profit and loss has followed promotion and relegation in recent seasons, underpinned by a good record of player development and sales. Net liabilities stand at just £64,000 at the end of the 2019-20 accounting year, with regular injections of capital and the furlough scheme ensuring the club remains on an even keel during the pandemic.
Half a dozen squad players were released at the end of the season as Rotherham looked to reduce the wage bill after relegation. Two unwanted departures were influential midfielder Matt Crooks to Middlesbrough for a substantial fee and American right-back Matt Olosunde, who rejected a new contract in favour of remaining in the Championship with Preston. Star signing is Shane Ferguson, a Northern Ireland legend with ten years in the Premier League and Championship behind him. Ollie Rathbone had plenty of admirers despite Rochdale’s relegation last season and Hakeem Odoffin from Hamilton completes an impressive new midfield. Just five new players have arrived at New York Stadium at the time of writing, suggesting that Paul Warne has further irons in the fire yet.
Season ticket numbers remain remarkably consistent from year to year at around 6,000 despite the promotion and relegation rollercoaster. The Millers have experienced five seasons like no other under Paul Warne – relegated, promoted, relegated, promoted, relegated – and it would not usually take a betting man to determine what this season holds for them. However, there are some big names in League One with no fewer than seven former Premier League clubs aiming to rebound as quickly as possible. Spending has reached new heights at clubs with new ownership, meaning that Rotherham may not have things their own way this time. Bookmakers are already predicting that those seven former Premiership clubs will fill the top seven places in League One this season, but will Rotherham be one of the challengers all the same? If anyone knows how to escape League One, it is Paul Warne – watch this space.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 7/2 fifth favourites
Prediction: Unsuccessful play-off challenge
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Last season: 24th in the Championship (including a 6-point deduction)
P46 W12 D11 L23 F40 A61 Pts41
Chairman/owner: Dejphon Chansiri, 53 (appointed February 2015)
Manager: Darren Moore, 47 (appointed March 2021)
Darren Moore’s managerial record:
Players out (13):
Goalkeepers (1):
Keiren Westwood, 36
Defenders (6):
Tom Lees, 30 (Huddersfield Town)
Julian Börner, 30 (Hannover 96 – Germany)
Moses Odubajo, 28 (Queens Park Rangers)
Joost van Aken, 27 (Zulte Waregem – Belgium)
Matt Penney, 23 (Ipswich Town)
Osaze Urhoghide, 21 (Glasgow Celtic)
Midfielders (4):
Kadeem Harris, 28 (on trial with Reading)
Joey Pelupessy, 28 (Giresunspor – Turkey)
Adam Reach, 28 (West Bromwich Albion)
Liam Shaw, 20 (Glasgow Celtic)
Forwards (2):
Jordan Rhodes, 31 (Huddersfield Town)
Elias Kachunga, 29 (Bolton Wanderers)
Players in (12):
Goalkeepers (1):
Bailey Peacock-Farrell, 24 (Burnley – season loan)
Defenders (3):
Jack Hunt, 30 (Bristol City)
Jaden Brown, 22 (Huddersfield Town)
Lewis Gibson, 21 (Everton – season loan)
Midfielders (5):
Marvin Johnson, 30 (Middlesbrough)
Lewis Wing, 26 (Middlesbrough – season loan)
George Byers, 25 (Swansea City)
Olamide Shodipo, 24 (Queens Park Rangers – season loan)
Dennis Adeniran, 22 (Everton)
Forwards (3):
Lee Gregory, 32 (Stoke City)
Florian Kamberi, 26 (St Gallen – Switzerland – season loan)
Theo Corbeanu, 19 (Wolverhampton Wanderers – season loan)
Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 26
Player of the Season 2020-21: Barry Bannan, 31 (central midfielder)
One to watch: Barry Bannan, 31 (central midfielder)
Season ticket sales: not disclosed
Ground capacity: 34,835 current safety limit
Visiting supporter capacity: 4,700
Pre-season:
P6 W3 D0 L3 F6 A8
7/7 Glasgow Celtic N 1-3 Windass (at Dragon Park, Newport)
10/7 Chester A 2-0 Windass, Adedoyin
13/7 Alfreton Town A 1-0 Green
17/7 Barnsley A 0-2
20/7 West Bromwich Albion A 0-2
27/7 Port Vale A 2-1 Iorfa, Dele-Bashiru
Commentary: Chansiri Takes A Different Course
After a couple of seasons flirting with the Championship trapdoor, Sheffield Wednesday finally dropped through it in May. The Owls may claim they were only relegated due to their six-point deduction for breaking financial rules (reduced from twelve on appeal), although practically everyone else will claim they should have been relegated twelve months earlier instead of receiving what eventually proved to be no more than a stay of execution. Whatever the facts may be, the four-time League champions are back in the third tier for the first time since 2012.
Owner and chairman Dejphon Chansiri recently stated his belief that it is impossible to challenge for promotion to the Premier League without breaching FFP rules. Chansiri also reiterated his intention to make the club sustainable after publication of the club’s 2019-20 accounts in July. A wage bill of £33.5 million and a loss of £24 million after player sales are substantial numbers for a club with a turnover of £21 million, and Wednesday have no option but to reduce that outlay further. A sum of £3 million had already been shaved off the wage bill for 2020-21, but the result was still relegation to League One.
Starting the new season with net liabilities of £32.4 million is not the soundest of platforms on which to build a promotion challenge. Delays in paying refunds on season tickets due to cashflow problems hit the headlines this summer, as did rumours of players threatening to walk out on their contracts after not being paid. The Owls began the summer under a transfer embargo, which was eventually lifted once wage arrears were paid and those overdue accounts submitted in line with EFL rules. However, Wednesday were forced to comb the market for free transfers and low-cost loans, suggesting that an immediate return to the second tier may not be a given.
As far as squad changes are concerned, several of the higher wage-earners were allowed to leave during the summer as Wednesday attempted to reduce their FFP liability. Stalwarts Kieren Westwood, Tom Lees, Adam Reach, Jordan Rhodes and Joost van Aken were released in May while Julian Börner was sold to Hamburg to raise transfer funds. Osaze Urhoghide and Liam Shaw both rejected contract offers to join Celtic, leaving manager Moore to effectively source a new team in the space of a few short months. Star signing is probably right-back Jack Hunt who returns to Hillsborough after three years with Bristol City. Wednesday are believed to have paid a significant fee for the loan of goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell from Burnley, while midfield trio Lewis Wing, George Byers and Marvin Johnson bring extensive experience from the Championship. Striker Lee Gregory has a promotion from League One already on his cv, and there are sure to be more arrivals before the transfer window euphemistically slams shut on 31 August.
Darren Moore forecasts that Barry Bannan will rip up League One this season, and he is probably right: think Aiden McGeady, but with more pace and bite. Surprisingly, it is already twenty-one years since Wednesday’s Premier League days came to an end. Relegation to the third tier has often provided a springboard for bigger clubs to return to the top-flight, although this is Wednesday’s third visit to League One since their distant days in the Premier League. Chairman Chansiri’s new-found desire to run the club properly may restrict its ability to buy its way back to the Championship, but Sheffield Wednesday is a fish out of water in League One. One of seven, in fact.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 3/1 third favourites
Prediction: Automatic promotion
SHREWSBURY TOWN
Last season: 17th
P46 W13 D15 L18 F50 A57 Pts54
Chairman/owner: Roland Wycherley, 80 (appointed July 1996)
Manager: Steve Cotterill, 57 (appointed November 2020)
Steve Cotterill‘s managerial record:
Players out (11):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (4):
Scott Golbourne, 33 (retired)
Donald Love, 26
Ryan Sears, 22 (Grimsby Town)
Ro-Shaun Williams, 22 (Doncaster Rovers)
Midfielders (5):
David Edwards, 35 (Bala Town)
Sean Goss, 25 (on trial with Portsmouth)
Brad Walker, 25 (Port Vale)
Ryan Barnett, 21 (Solihull Moors)
James Rowland, 19 (Newtown)
Forwards (2):
Leon Clarke, 36
Curtis Main, 29 (St Mirren)
Players in (5):
Goalkeepers (1):
Marko Maroši, 27 (Coventry City)
Defenders (2):
Luke Leahy, 28 (Bristol Rovers)
George Nurse, 22 (Bristol City)
Midfielders (1):
Elliott Bennett, 32 (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards (1):
Ryan Bowman, 29 (Exeter City)
Average age of players out: 27
Average age of players in: 28
Number of players in squad: 21
Player of the Season 2020-21: Josh Vela, 27 (central midfielder)
One to watch: Luke Leahy, 28 (left-back)
Season ticket sales: 3,000
Ground capacity: 9,875
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,796 (all seated)
Pre-season:
P3 W3 D0 L0 F7 A3
13/7 AFC Telford United A 3-2 Bowman 2, Udoh
20/7 Hereford A 2-1 Whalley, Udoh
31/7 Exeter City A 2-0 Udoh 2
Commentary: Cotterill Proves That Shankly Was Wrong
“I got up one Sunday morning and I thought ‘I need to go back in’. I remember walking into the hospital, going through the doors and turning back round, looking out and thinking ‘I am going to see you again’”. – Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill
Possibly the biggest news of the summer in League One was the return of Shrews manager Steve Cotterill after his seven-month battle with long Covid. Fifty days in hospital left Cotterill literally unable to lift a kettle, yet he somehow found the strength and commitment to manage his new side remotely. The fact that Shrewsbury avoided the drop at the end of the season is testament to his powers of determination, his obvious ability as a manager and to the presence of an effective backroom team. All things considered, it may well have been the achievement of the season in League One and certainly knocks Bill Shankly’s legendary piece of idiocy into a cocked hat.
Returning to more mundane matters, Shrewsbury recently announced a loss of £723,000 for the 2019-20 financial year including three months of Covid losses. CEO Brian Caldwell has sounded an early warning regarding the accounts for 2020-21, suggesting that a season of belt-tightening and possible struggle is about to unfold at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
At the same time, manager Cotterill has initiated a minor revolution including changing the playing strip and a major overhaul of the playing staff. Eleven players departed at the end of last season, essentially the remnants of the squad he inherited in November 2020. At the time of writing, incomings have been few and far between. The standout signing appears to be Ryan Bowman, who has scored plenty of goals in the lower reaches of the EFL and the National League. Shrewsbury only managed 50 goals in 2020-21, a common feature in recent seasons. Elliott Bennett adds great experience in midfield, having spent the majority of his career in the Premier League and Championship. Interestingly, Shrewsbury appear to believe that Luke Leahy from relegated Bristol Rovers is a goalscoring defender with ten last season, but are they aware that five were penalties?
Ultimately, the squad looks short of quality and experience as it stands – Shrewsbury’s 3,000 season ticket holders will be hoping for some significant transfer activity before the window closes.
As for close season activity, Shrewsbury completed a very sparse pre-season schedule with just three friendlies, only one of which came from the EFL. Having initiated a move towards safe standing last season, Shrewsbury have recently implemented socially-distanced seating areas within the stadium to encourage supporters back to the ground.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 18/1
Prediction: Relegation
SUNDERLAND
Last season: 4th (lost in play-off semi-final)
P46 W20 D17 L9 F70 A42 Pts77
Chairman/owner: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, 23 (appointed February 2021)
Manager: Lee Johnson, 40 (appointed December 2020)
Lee Johnson’s managerial record:
Players out (9):
Goalkeepers (1):
Remi Matthews, 27 (Crystal Palace)
Defenders (2):
Conor McLaughlin, 30
Callum McFadzean, 27 (Crewe Alexandra)
Midfielders (5):
Grant Leadbitter, 35 (retired)
Chris Maguire, 32 (Lincoln City)
Max Power, 28 (Wigan Athletic)
Josh Scowen, 28 (Wycombe Wanderers)
George Dobson, 23 (Charlton Athletic)
Forwards (1):
Charlie Wyke, 28 (Wigan Athletic)
Denver Hume offered new contract
Players in (3):
Goalkeepers (0):
Defenders (1):
Callum Doyle, 17 (Manchester City – season loan)
Midfielders (2):
Corry Evans, 31 (Blackburn Rovers)
Alex Pritchard, 28 (Huddersfield Town)
Forwards ():
Average age of players out: 29
Average age of players in: 25
Number of players in squad: 21
Player of the Season 2020-21: Charlie Wyke, 28 (centre forward) no longer with club
One to watch: Callum Doyle, 17 (centre half)
Season ticket sales: not disclosed
Ground capacity: 49,000 (highest in League One)
Visiting supporter capacity: 3,000 (all seated)
Pre-season:
P6 W3 D3 L0 F11 A4
3/7 Spennymoor Town A 2-2 O’Brien, Taylor
17/7 Heart of Midlothian A 2-0 McGeady 2
21/7 York City A 1-1 Neil
24/7 Harrogate Town A 4-0 Embleton 2, Winchester, Taylor
27/7 Tranmere Rovers A 0-0
30/7 HULL CITY H 2-1 Stewart, Grigg
Commentary: A Fourth Year In League One Is Four Too Many For Sunderland
“We always want two for every position, and the plan is always to go in with probably 20 senior players and maybe four of the better younger ones to supplement that.” – Sunderland manager Lee Johnson
For a club of such magnitude, a squad of twenty senior professionals seems unlikely. Expectation is as high as ever on Wearside, although rumours of a budget cut was the last thing fans expected to hear from new billionaire owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. Quite what state Sunderland’s finances are in at any given time has been difficult to establish in recent years. Huge losses incurred during the ownership of Ellis Short were eradicated when Short either capitalised or wrote off over £170 million ahead of the sale to Stewart Donald in 2018. However, that was far from being the end of their problems.
Relegation from the Premier League to League One in successive seasons created a massive drop in income while salary liabilities reduced more slowly as players on high wages were moved out of the club. Turnover reduced from £58.7 million to £29.1 million during the 2019-20 accounting year, while operating expenses reduced more slowly during the same period from £46.3 million to £29.7 million. Wages reduced from £23.5 million to £14.5 million as television income fell drastically from £39.9 million to £17.1 million. The same accounts show net assets of just £4.2 million. At least the club knows that a return to full crowds this season can only improve the financial outlook now that the blood-letting is finally over. The final parachute payment of £15.5 million was received during 2019-20, meaning the club now has to stand on its own two feet. The sale of the club to Louis-Dreyfus in February 2021 may signify a fresh start financially for Sunderland although infrastructure costs remain very high for a League One club.
Returning to onfield matters, Sunderland notably released a lot of experience during the summer, the nine departures having an average age of almost 30. Interestingly, most of the players released have joined League One promotion rivals. Thirty-goal Charlie Wyke has joined Max Power at big-spenders Wigan, and Wyke’s goals will have to be replaced. Chris Maguire has gone to play-off opponents Lincoln, while Josh Scowen and George Dobson were snapped up by Wycombe and Charlton respectively. Topping the lot was goalkeeper Remi Matthews who was picked up by Premier League Crystal Palace.
Whatever state their finances may be in currently, Sunderland are believed to have made a number of big offers for players including £1.3 million for a Premier League player and a further £600,000 for one from the Championship. At the same time, Sunderland are rumoured to have been outbid by other League One clubs. Arrivals have been few and far between as a result although they have been of high quality. Corry Evans (brother of Jonny) has 65 caps for Northern Ireland to his name while former England U21 star Alex Pritchard is a big signing for League One; those two signings already give a new dimension to a notoriously static midfield. The most interesting signing is 17-year-old Callum Doyle on loan from Manchester City who has already impressed in pre-season. Despite his claim of having twenty professionals this season, watch this space – Lee Johnson is sure to be improving his squad further ahead of the transfer deadline.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 7/4 favourites
Prediction: Play-offs
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Last season: 20th
P46 W13 D9 L24 F54 A77 Pts48
Owner: Phoenix 2021 Ltd
Chairman: Talal Mubarak Al Hammad, 33 (appointed February 2021)
Manager: Leam Richardson, 41 (appointed November 2020)
Leam Richardson’s managerial record:
Players out (11):
Goalkeepers (1):
Owen Evans, 24 (Cheltenham Town)
Defenders (1):
Corey Whelan, 23 (Carlisle United)
Midfielders (6):
Dan Gardner, 31 (on trial with Doncaster Rovers)
Lee Evans, 27 (Ipswich Town)
Viv Solomon-Otabor, 25
Alex Perry, 23 (Scunthorpe United)
Chris Merrie, 22 (Tranmere Rovers)
Sean McGurk, 18 (Leeds United)
Forwards (3):
Zach Clough, 26 (Carlisle United)
Joe Dodoo, 26
Kyle Joseph, 19 (Swansea City)
Players in (10):
Goalkeepers (1):
Ben Amos, 31 (Charlton Athletic)
Defenders (2):
Jack Whatmough, 24 (Portsmouth)
Kell Watts, 21 (Newcastle United – season loan)
Midfielders (5):
Tom Naylor, 30 (Portsmouth)
Max Power, 28 (Sunderland)
Jordan Cousins, 27 (Stoke City)
Gwion Edwards, 27 (Ipswich Town)
Jordan Jones, 26 (Glasgow Rangers)
Forwards (2):
Charlie Wyke, 28 (Sunderland)
Stephen Humphrys, 23 (Rochdale)
Average age of players out: 26
Average age of players in: 27
Number of players in squad: 20
Player of the Season 2020-21: not known
One to watch: Charlie Wyke, 28 (centre-forward)
Season ticket sales: 5,800
Ground capacity: 25,133
Visiting supporter capacity: 4,800 (all seated)
Pre-season:
P5 W5 D0 L0 F11 A5
17/7 Oldham Athletic A 2-1 Edwards, Lang
20/7 AFC Fylde A 1-0 Humphrys
23/7 Bootle A 3-1 Aasgaard, Naylor, Lang
27/7 STOKE CITY H 2-1 Lang, Humphrys
30/7 PRESTON NORTH END H 3-2 Keane, Humphrys, Lang
Commentary: Back To ‘Normal’ At DW
“We’re working to a strict budget at the moment, one we believe will be competitive in this division. The ownership group, and the board, have settled on a budget for players coming in. And we believe, within that figure, we will be able to put together a competitive team for this level. Will it be one that is strong enough to compete for promotion? I think that depends on how quickly it all gels together. There’s certainly no ‘get rich quick’ approach to what we’re trying to do here.” – Wigan CEO Mal Brannigan
It is hard to believe it is only a year since former Premier Leaguers Wigan Athletic were £46 million in debt and facing the prospect of oblivion. Fans protested that theirs was a well-run club despite the truly incredible mountain of debt and prayed for another rich sugar daddy to come along and stop the slide back to non-league football. It did not sound very feasible. Any new owner – if anyone at all could be found to take the rescue on – would surely run the club along proper lines of trading and avoid repeating the errors of the recent past.
Well, a new owner was found, the debts have been eradicated with an offer of 25 pence in the pound to non-football creditors, and it appears to be business as usual under Phoenix 2021. CEO Mal Brannigan believes it will take time to recover, but rumours of eyewatering contracts emerged during the summer as Wigan hoovered up some of the best League One has to offer. Thirty-goal Charlie Wyke joined from Sunderland, citing Wigan’s ambition as his motivation rather than the large signing-on fee and alleged £10,000-per-week contract he had been offered. The most eye-catching signing of all was that of Jordan Cousins from Stoke, although Wigan should have one of the best midfields in the division with no fewer than five high quality arrivals. Jordan Jones impressed while on loan at Sunderland last season, where he played alongside another new Wigan arrival in Max Power. The supply line to newcomers Charlie Wyke (also from Sunderland) and Stephen Humphrys should see Wigan score plenty of goals. Their Achilles’ heel at this point could be the defence, which remains largely unaltered from last season at the time of writing. Wigan’s desire to sign the cream from other League One clubs even extended to their kit man, taking Naz Ali from Accrington.
There were also a number of departures to balance the arrivals including Joe Dodoo and Viv Solomon-Otabor, who eventually rejected contract offers. Given the number and nature of the arrivals, it is perhaps unsurprising that they chose to move elsewhere. Expensive high-profile signings do not guarantee success of course, and the recent history of League One is littered with moneyed big clubs who found escaping the division far tougher than they imagined.
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 4/1 joint-sixth favourites
Prediction: Unsuccessful play-off challenge unless they fix that defence
WYCOMBE WANDERERS
Last season: 22nd in the Championship (relegated)
P46 W11 D10 L25 F39 A69 Pts43
Chairman/owner: Rob Couhig, 72 (appointed February 2020)
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth, 48 (appointed November 2012)
Gareth Ainsworth’s managerial record:
Players out (8):
Goalkeepers (2):
Ryan Allsop, 29 (on trial with Derby County)
Cameron Yates, 22
Defenders (2):
Darius Charles, 33 (AFC Wimbledon)
Giles Phillips, 24 (Aldershot Town)
Midfielders (2):
Fred Onyedinma, 24 (Luton Town)
Alex Pattison, 23 (Harrogate Town)
Forwards (2):
Uche Ikpeazu, 26 (Middlesbrough)
Andron Georgiou, 21
Players in (9):
Goalkeepers (2):
Adam Przybeck, 21 (Ipswich Town)
Tyla Dickinson, 20 (Queens Park Rangers)
Defenders (2):
Max Ram, 20 (Stratford Town)
Jack Wakely, 20 (Chelsea)
Midfielders (3):
Josh Scowen, 28 (Sunderland)
Sullay Kaikai, 25 (Blackpool)
Olly Pendlebury, 19 (Reading)
Forwards (2):
Sam Vokes, 31 (Stoke City)
Tjay De Barr, 21 (Lincoln Red Imps – Gibraltar)
Average age of players out: 25
Average age of players in: 23
Number of players in squad: 32
Player of the Season 2020-21: Josh Knight, 23 (centre-half)
One to watch: Sullay Kaikai, 25 (winger)
Season ticket sales: 2,100
Ground capacity: 9,448
Visiting supporter capacity: 1,800
Pre-season:
P2 W2 D0 L0 F2 A0
17/7 Stevenage N 1-0 Kashket
28/7 LEICESTER CITY H 1-0 Horgan
Commentary: Time To Regroup For Wycombe
“It’s brilliant that people might see us as a top-end League 1 or Championship side because that’s what I see this club as. Rob (Couhig, chairman) is investing into the training ground and looking at new venues, the stadium is going to be much more modern, and I’m going to have the best squad I’ve had in my tenure.” – Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth
Much has been written about Wycombe’s direct style of play, attracting criticism from football supporters in three different divisions in the space of four seasons. That is also a reflection of how successful Gareth Ainsworth’s tactics have been, although they were tagged the luckiest club in football after what many saw as an unjustified promotion to the Championship in 2020. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the EFL’s approach at that point, Wycombe’s Championship adventure is over after a solitary season, and the task is now to regroup for a possible promotion bid. A legal challenge to Derby County’s perceived reprieve from relegation has not materialised, although chairman Rob Couhig has raised the possibility of suing Derby for what he unequivocally called cheating.
On the positive side, Ainsworth believes he will have the best squad at Wycombe since he arrived in 2012. The remnants of Championship funding may help towards that, although the legacy of Championship wages has also proved a hindrance to relegated clubs. Fred Onyedinma to Luton and Uche Ikpeazu to Middlesbrough were big losses during the summer; ex-Imp Ryan Allsop was surprisingly released, although he may also be staying in the second tier with bête noire Derby.
New signings include midfielders Josh Scowen and Sullay Kaikai who both enjoyed promotion challenges in League One last season with Sunderland and Blackpool respectively. Late July saw the eye-catching signing of striker Sam Vokes, and it will be interesting to see whether life in the third tier can reignite the form that saw him win 64 caps for Wales in his prime. The rest of Ainsworth’s signings have an eclectic look about them, a fascinating collection from Stratford Town, Lincoln Red Imps and various development squads. Perhaps the most significant signature was that of 39-year-old Adebayo Akinfenwa, who will continue his 755-game career for another year.
The prize for the least challenging (and possibly the most boring) pre-season schedule must go to Wycombe for playing just two matches against League Two Stevenage and FA Cup winners Leicester. The lack of activity suggests that Ainsworth is confident that his players are capable of hitting the ground running despite an almost total lack of game time
At the bookies (Sky Bet): 9/2
Prediction: Mid-table
Acknowledgements
The information and quotations given in this article have been drawn from a multitude of sources, as follows: the websites of all 24 League One clubs; fansites; BBC; EFL; The Price of Football; Sky Bet; Companies House; and a range of local newspapers including Derby Telegraph, Doncaster Free Press, East Anglian Daily Times, Gloucestershire Live, Lincolnshire Live, Oxford Mail, Plymouth Herald, Portsmouth News, Sheffield Star, Sunderland Echo, and Wigan Today.
End
Writer: Scotimp
Vital Lincoln City – League One Season Preview 2021-22:
Part Two:https://t.co/EKdZqrE0aC#Pompey #SWFC #SAFC
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) August 13, 2021