League One 2024/25

Briston_Addick said:

redman said:

when are the fixtures out? 

letthegoodtimesroll said:

Callumcafc said:

Birmingham on the verge of appointing Alex Neil as their new manager.

MarcusH26 said:

Wasn't Neil a contender when NJ was appointed - might have even been interviewed? 

throughthickandthin said:

The Prince-e-Paul said:

swords_alive said:

8 or 9 new grounds there for me potentially.
How long since we played Mansfield- 1974?

My first ever game was at Mansfield 77-78 I think. I believe it was 3-0 to us. I am reliably informed that I spent most of the game staring up at people's faces (wondering, "Is this what I've got to look forward to for the rest of my days").

Was anyone else there that day? 

I was there, 16 at the time.

Remember George Shipperly scoring a bullet header from the corner for number three right in front of the traveling fans. Didn't go down well with the locals who came round to say hello, but thought better of it when they arrived.

All in all a stress free day out, most unusual for any Charlton away game. From memory I would say around 250 were there

bolloxbolder said:

throughthickandthin said:

The Prince-e-Paul said:

swords_alive said:

8 or 9 new grounds there for me potentially.
How long since we played Mansfield- 1974?

My first ever game was at Mansfield 77-78 I think. I believe it was 3-0 to us. I am reliably informed that I spent most of the game staring up at people's faces (wondering, "Is this what I've got to look forward to for the rest of my days").

Was anyone else there that day? 

I was there, 16 at the time.

Remember George Shipperly scoring a bullet header from the corner for number three right in front of the traveling fans. Didn't go down well with the locals who came round to say hello, but thought better of it when they arrived.

All in all a stress free day out, most unusual for any Charlton away game. From memory I would say around 250 were there

David Shipperley

DyerConsequences said:

Not sure how genuine this is, but it's being reported in a few places:

https://x.com/secondtierpod/status/1805211477470842962

Birmingham apparently asked for their game against Wrexham to take place in the USA. The request was rejected.

DyerConsequences said:

Not sure how genuine this is, but it's being reported in a few places:

https://x.com/secondtierpod/status/1805211477470842962

Birmingham apparently asked for their game against Wrexham to take place in the USA. The request was rejected.

throughthickandthin said:

The Prince-e-Paul said:

swords_alive said:

8 or 9 new grounds there for me potentially.
How long since we played Mansfield- 1974?

My first ever game was at Mansfield 77-78 I think. I believe it was 3-0 to us. I am reliably informed that I spent most of the game staring up at people's faces (wondering, "Is this what I've got to look forward to for the rest of my days").

Was anyone else there that day? 

I was there, 16 at the time.

Remember George Shipperly scoring a bullet header from the corner for number three right in front of the traveling fans. Didn't go down well with the locals who came round to say hello, but thought better of it when they arrived.

All in all a stress free day out, most unusual for any Charlton away game. From memory I would say around 250 were there

With the season kicking off on Friday I thought it might be useful to do a bit of a preview on our opposition this season for those that are maybe less aware of the other sides in the division, and what has happened over the summer.

I'm putting together a preview of each of the other 23 teams, let me know if you think these are useful, or if no one is interested.

My plan is to try and get them all finished before the Friday game kicks off, if people would like to see them. First up is:

Barnsley

Last Season: 6th

Manager: Darrell Clarke. Clarke was appointed manager this summer to try and get Barnsley promoted. Clarke took over at Cheltenham last season with the side looking certain for relegation. He somehow managed to rally them and took it to the final game of the season before their fate was finally sealed. Clarke has spent the majority of his managerial career at the bottom end of League One or lower. He does though have 4 promotions in his managerial career, 2 at Salisbury and 2 at Bristol Rovers. Overall win percentage: 42.8%.

Players in: Conor Hourihane - Derby (Free), Marc Roberts - Birmingham (Free), Jackson Smith - Walsall (Undisclosed), Matthew Craig - Tottenham (Loan), Georgie Gent - Blackburn (Undisclosed)

Key Players Out: Herbie Kane – Huddersfield, Jordan Williams – Portsmouth, Devante Cole – West Brom, Nicky Cadden – Unattached.

3 players to watch: Adam Phillips, 11 league goals last season, with the goals they’ve lost Barnsley need a similar return from him this year if they’re going to challenge. Sam Cosgrove, right now Cosgrove seems to be the number 1 Striker at Oakwell, and if that’s the case Cosgrove will need to find his scoring boots. Unfortunately for him and Barnsley he only managed to score 3 in 32 league games last season. Will being the number 1 with no Cole and John McAtee around give him the confidence to start scoring? Matthew Craig, possibly a controversial one, but Craig is highly rated, though with not much experience. Did well at the end of last season on loan at Doncaster, could he help fill the gap of Herbie Kane? Barnsley will be hoping so.

Player you might not have heard of to keep an eye on: Fabio Jalo (Winger/Forward), only 18 years of age, but with 31 league and cup appearances and 4 goals already to his name. With limited attacking options after the summer departures Jalo could be in store for a breakout season.

Summary: After sacking their manager just before the end of last season Barnsley scrapped into the playoffs before being eliminated in the semi-finals. Darrell Clarke was appointed in the summer, and after losing a number of key players from last season, it looked like a rebuild was in order. Their recruitment so far has been uninspiring, though it seems Barnsley fans on the whole think playoffs this year is still possible.

Defensively Barnsley should be solid, they have plenty of experience with the likes of Marc Roberts coming back. Georgie Gent could be a decent replacement for Jordan Williams, and despite Kane’s departure they should be okay in the middle of the pitch.

The questions are upfront, with Cole, and Kane going and John McAtee’s loan finishing the only player that scored more than 3 league goals last season for Barnsley that is still around is Midfielder Adam Phillips. With no attacking arrivals as of yet, expect that to be an area the Tykes focus on improving before the end of the window. Otherwise expect Barnsley to be hard to beat but with a lack of threat of their own.

Birmingham

Last Season: 22nd in the Championship (Relegated)

Manager: Chris Davies. Davies was appointed this summer with the aim of getting Birmingham straight back into the Championship. Davies retired as a player at 19, and went into coaching. Davies has spent the majority of his time working under Brendan Rodgers. This is his first managerial role. Overall win percentage: 0%.

Players in: Ryan Allsop - Hull (Undisclosed), Bailey Peacock-Farrell - Burnley (Undisclosed), Alfie May - Charlton (Undisclosed), Emil Hansson - Heracles (Undisclosed), Alex Cochrane - Hearts (Undisclosed), Willum Thor Willumsson - Go Ahead Eagles (Undisclosed), Christoph Klarer - Darmstadt (Undisclosed), Marc Leonard - Brighton (Undisclosed), Luke Harris – Fulham (Loan)

Key Players Out: Ivan Sunjic – Pafos FC, John Ruddy – Newcastle, Marc Roberts - Barnsley

3 players to watch: Willium Thor Willumsson, 15 goals over the past 2 Eredivisie  seasons Willumsson could be an absolute cheat code behind the front 2 if he adapts well to English football. Christoph Klarer, with 30 games in the Bundesliga last season Klarer is strong, physical and should adapt well to League One. He should help Birmingham to plenty of clean sheets. Jordan James, despite all the new arrivals James could be crucial if he stays. One of their own having come  through the youth academy at Birmingham James was one of the bright lights last season in a poor year, 47 games and 8 goals, if James stays he should be one of the best Midfielders in the division.

Player you might not have heard of to keep an eye on: Romelle Donovan (Attacking Midfielder/Forward), with all the new recruits younger players might struggle to get minutes in this team. I’ve picked out Donovan who is only 17, but already has 10 appearances for the first team. Is an England under 18 international, and although will probably be limited to sub appearances early on, might see more game time as the season progresses.

Summary: Big spending Birmingham probably without question have a better squad now than they did last season. They haven’t lost a great deal from last season’s squad, although there is obviously time for that to change, and Juninho Bacuna is one of the players that looks likely to leave.

Birmingham have certainly strengthened the spine of their team with 2 Goalkeepers that should probably be in the Championship in Allsop and Peacock-Farrell, Centre-Back Christoph Klarer played 30 times in the Bundesliga last season, whilst Willum Thor Willumsson has scored 15 goals from Midfield in the Dutch top flight over the past 2 seasons. Up Front Birmingham should score plenty with some guy called Alfie May, and rumours of Jay Stansfield returning.

Defensively with Klarer and Alex Cochrane joining the likes of Dion Sanderson and Ethan Laird they should be solid. The biggest questions are probably around the manager, will the unproven Davies be able to get the best out of the best squad League One may have ever seen.

Bristol Rovers

Last Season: 15th

Manager: Matt Taylor. Taylor started his managerial career at Exeter, guiding them to promotion to League One. Taylor then spent a year at Rotherham, guiding them to safety after taking over, before being sacked with the club in the relegation zone the following season. Taylor took over at Bristol Rovers in December 2023. Overall win percentage: 38.22%.

Players in: Isaac Hutchinson - Walsall (Undisclosed), Clinton Mola - Reading (Free), Ruel Sotiriou - Leyton Orient (Undisclosed), Dan Ellison - Chippenham (Undisclosed), Bryant Bilongo - Middlesbrough (Undisclosed), Joel Senior - Morecambe (Undisclosed), Taylor Moore - Valenciennes (Free), Michael Forbes - West Ham (Loan), Josh Griffiths - West Brom (Loan), Jamie Lindsay - Rotherham (Free), Promise Omochore - Fleetwood (Undisclosed), Jake Garrett - Blackburn (Loan)

Key Players Out: Anthony Evans – Huddersfield, John Marquis - Shrewsbury

3 players to watch: Promise Omochore, signed from Fleetwood, he is Rovers big summer acquisition. Rovers will be hoping he can help score the goals to move them up the table. He managed 13 in 73 from Fleetwood in 2 years, and The Gas will be hoping he can improve on that. Isaac Hutchinson, has spent most of his career at League Two, but with the departure of Anthony Evans, Rovers need someone to replace his goals. With 15 for Walsall last season Hutchinson could be that man. Taylor Moore, Moore previously was at Bristol City before a spell in France. Has plenty of experience and should be a solid signing at the heart of the defence.

Player you might not have heard of to keep an eye on: Kofi Shaw (Midfielder) made his debut at the end of last season, is only 16, but has been part of the pre-season first team squad. Probably not going to be starting regularly any time soon, but should get some opportunities, especially as the season progresses.

Summary: Permanent wise Rovers have not lost a great deal, but the players they had on loan last season have gone, and they are the ones Rovers have been trying to replace. In terms of signings, they’ve been one of the most active with 12 through the door so far. Most of whom have come from other Football League sides.

Chris Martin was their top scorer with 16 overall, but he is now 35. Omochore is the man they’ve invested in to score the goals they’ll need if they want to improve this season. Jake Garrett (28 Apps for Blackburn last season) and Taylor Moore are good acquisitions and Rovers should be better than last season. A lot will depend on the goals of Martin, Omochore and Hutchinson though to decide exactly how much they improve.

Burton

Last Season: 20th

Manager: Mark Robinson. After 18 years coaching at Wimbledon Robinson became head coach in January 2021. He guided them to safety that season, and then at the start of the following season they started off well. However the form dropped off and they went 20 games without a win. Robinson was sacked and Wimbledon went on to get relegated. He then became the Head Coach of the Chelsea Development squad for 2 years before being appointed Burton Manager this summer. Overall win percentage: 25%.

Players in: Elliot Watt - Salford (Free), Geraldo Bajrami - Notts County (Free), Tomas Kalinauskas - Den Bosch (Free), Jason Sraha - Shrewsbury (Undisclosed), Ben Whitfield - Barrow (Free), Julian Larson - Nottingham Forest (Undisclosed), Charlie Webster - Chelsea (Undisclosed), Alex Bannon - Queens Park (Undisclosed), Udoka Goodwin-Malife - Swindon (Undisclosed), Danilo Orsi - Crawley (Undisclosed), Rumarn Burrell - Cove Rangers (Free), Dylan Williams- Chelsea (Loan), Billy Bodin - Oxford (Free), Jack Armer - Carlisle (Undisclosed), Jack Hazlehurst - Chorley (Undisclosed), Jack Cooper-Love - Elfsborg (Undisclosed), Ivan Inzoudine - FC Chambly Oise - (Undisclosed), Nick Akoto - South Georgia Tormenta FC (Undisclosed), Terence Vancooten - Stevenage (Undisclosed), Harry Isted - Charlton (Undisclosed)

Key Players Out: Joe Powell – Rotherham, Deji Oshilaja – Mansfield, Sam Hughes – Stockport, Mark Helm - Fleetwood

3 players to watch: Danilo Orsi, when Crawley signed Orsi from Grimsby after 4 goals in 32 games even they probably weren’t expecting him to suddenly score 25 in 50. That earned him this move to Burton. Was Orsi’s season last year a one off, or has he just his prime? At 28 Orsi certainly took his time to develop, can he score the goals to make sure Burton aren’t in a relegation battle this season? Terence Vancooten, signed for reportedly £500K Vancooten had been at Stevenage for a number of years, the big central defender has now joined Burton with the aim of improving the Brewers defence. Charlie Webster, the most promising of the youngsters they’ve signed. Webster played 13 games in the Eredivisie last season on loan from Chelsea. Now signed permanently by Burton, even at only 20 years of age he could be one of their best players.

Player you might not have heard of to keep an eye on: Dylan Williams (Left Back), another youngster from Chelsea, this one on loan. Played 8 games for Derby in 2021/22 before being signed by Chelsea. Looks likely to be the starting left back at the start of the season. Has a big opportunity to have a breakthrough year.

Summary: New owners took over Burton this summer, they have a new manager in Robinson, and almost an entire new squad. 20 players in so far, and there could be more to follow.

The new players in are a mixture of players you’ve probably never heard of, players that have done okay at League Two level, and some potentially promising youngsters.

Feels like this season could go one of two ways, they’ve thrown so many signings in that some of them are absolute masterstrokes and they push for the top half. Or, it’s a complete mess, the lack of strategy behind the signings is shown up and they find themselves fighting for survival.