LEAGUE On E
58 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwoAs the Cowley brothers look to continue Lincoln’s
rise up the leagues, the pressure’s on Sunderland
boss Jack Ross to shake off their Wembley miseryLeague One looks a curious case, with 12 of the
participating clubs engulfed in a relegation battle
well into the previous campaign.
In 2018-19, English football’s third tier was defined
by its extraordinary tussle to beat the drop, which saw
12th place hovering three points above the trapdoor
as late as mid-March.
If we add relegated Bolton, Rotherham and Ipswich
to those that eventually retained their status, it’s fair
to say that half of League One will be looking to move
on from disappointing seasons.
As ever, the bookies’ list of favourites is made up of
some fallen giants down on their luck.
Many predicted that Mick McCarthy’s departure from
the dugout spelt trouble for Ipswich, but the Tractor
Boys can take plenty of inspiration from Southampton,
Sheffield United, Wolves, Huddersfield, Brighton and
Norwich, who have all springboarded back from this
division up to the Premier League in the last 10 years.Under Jack Ross, Sunderland managed to finish
fifth in a four-horse race before falling to Charlton in
the 94th minute at Wembley. The pressure will be on
the Scot to improve both the football and the results
early on, otherwise the passionate Mackem faithful
will be sure to voice their displeasure. After all, this
was supposed to be a one-year stay in League One.
Other promotion hopefuls include Rotherham and
Peterborough, the latter having been typically busy
in the transfer market – but despite constantly lofty
ambitions, the Posh haven’t finished better than 9th
in any of their previous four campaigns.
A mid-season slump derailed Portsmouth’s title
charge, but it’s hard to see them far from the top this
time around with Kenny Jackett at the helm.
Of the chasing pack, the most intriguing may well
be Lincoln, who have managed to retain the services
of the Cowley brothers (below right) despite admirers
from all corners of the country.The same was once said of Karl Robinson, who now
needs his Oxford team to walk the walk for a manager
who seemingly never stops talking the talk.
League One often acts as purgatory for managers,
but Simon Grayson knows more than most how to
clamber out of it, and his return to reborn Blackpool
looks a potentially interesting one.
As for the scrap at the bottom, it would take a brave
man to predict with any conviction, but it could be
a tough league to be relegated from should Bolton
and Bury’s (lack of) fortunes hobble survival chances.
The old Red Rose rivals’ most important battles seem
to be off the pitch: the former will start the season on
at least -12 points after entering administration, while
Bury’s own off-field issues cost them manager Ryan
Lowe and many key players pretty much before their
promotion champagne had gone flat.
All of Wycombe, AFC Wimbledon, Accrington and
Rochdale will see their budgets dwarfed by others in
the league, and seem the likely ones to be looking
over their shoulders later on in the season.
As ever, there will be plenty of drama and stories to
keep an eye on in the enigmatic third tier of English
football, and we haven’t even mentioned Joey Barton.