The League One season preview 2023/24 is especially intriguing, because no division has been tougher than this one in recent times – the likes of Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland all needed years to get out of it. Now they’ve gone, will it be any easier? Don’t bet on it…
In recent years, the division has become the EFL’s ultimate test of character. Plymouth Argyle missed out on the play-offs with as many as 80 points in 2021/22, but bounced back emphatically to win the title last term, combining with Ipswich to deny Sheffield Wednesday a top-two berth, even though the Owls finished on 96. Brutal.
Instead of going up comfortably, the Owls had to overturn the biggest first-leg deficit in play-off semi-final history, before Josh Windass’ 123rd-minute winner at Wembley completed the mission.
It shows that the path to the Championship is gruelling and unforgiving – so who can stay the course? Having gone very close last year, Bolton look as well equipped as any: the Trotters made early signals of their intent to spend this summer, to add to an already healthy squad, and they’ve retained manager Ian Evatt, who only knows success.
No such luck for Barnsley, who lost gaffer Michael Duff, but if they keep squad turnover to a minimum, they can challenge after play-off final heartbreak. Also beaten in last term’s coda were Peterborough, for whom Darren Ferguson stays on, targeting an astonishing fifth promotion with one club.
The Posh, though, have lost star midfielder Jack Taylor to Ipswich, plus reliable right-sider Joe Ward to Derby – the Rams missed out on the top six last season, but can prepare more smoothly this time around, without the takeover uncertainty of 12 months ago.
Portsmouth have one of the EFL’s top sporting directors in Richard Hughes. He’ll hope boss John Mousinho can repay a show of faith to poach the rookie from his role as player-coach at Oxford in January. The Yellows, themselves, have a revamped recruitment strategy, and with the exciting addition of Ruben Rodrigues should improve drastically on last season’s disappointing 19th-place finish.
Expectations are more guarded for two of the teams coming down, as Wigan and Reading require huge rebuilds. Blackpool have more hope after reappointing their 2020/21 promotion-winning boss, Neil Critchley.
Coming up are Leyton Orient, where Richie Wellens won his second League Two title. Following the O’s are Steve Evans’ solid Stevenage, along with Carlisle and Northampton, where respective bosses Paul Simpson and Jon Brady guided their sides up through chronic injury crises.
Those three could be in the dogfight with Cambridge, who needed five wins from the final nine games to stay up last season, so club legend Mark Bonner must get this rebuild right.
It’s been a turbulent summer for Fleetwood and a turbulent decade for Charlton, where boss Dean Holden needs the space to do the job, after last term’s 10th-placed finish. Burton and Cheltenham were delighted with lower mid-table outcomes, as were newly promoted Exeter and Bristol Rovers: with key men departing all four, more savvy recruitment is essential to avoiding a season in the mire.
If they need inspiration, look no further than Lincoln and Shrewsbury, now established in League One. Yet the Shrews’ fate this campaign will depend on how former Walsall manager Matt Taylor replaces Steve Cotterill at New Meadow.
It could be a tough year for Port Vale, who may rue last season’s call to part company with the revered Darrell Clarke. Another club legend was replaced at Wycombe – Gareth Ainsworth left in February – so it’s down to Matt Bloomfield to write the next chapter at Adams Park. Could it be as thrilling as the last?
Bloomfield and his counterparts know that League One can be relentlessly unforgiving, but while Argyle and Wednesday were hard done by at times, both now have their prize, and therein lies the lesson.
This season’s third tier might not be as fearsome, but it is almost designed to knock clubs and coaches off course. Those who stay measured throughout this test of character will eventually get their A*.
League One 2023/24 season preview
Barnsley
How the Tykes will overcome heartbreak from last term
Barnsley finished fourth in League One last season. They reached the play-off final, but lost to Sheffield Wednesday after Josh Windass scored in the 123rd minute of the game.
Blackpool
Why there's huge pressure at Bloomfield Road
Blackpool finished 23rd in the Championship last time out, confirming their relegation to the third tier of English football.
Bolton Wanderers
Why promotion is the only thing that matters
Bolton reached the play-offs last term after finishing fifth in the regular season, but couldn't find their way past Barnsley in the semi-finals. They did beat Plymouth 4-0 in the Papa Johns Trophy final, though.
Bristol Rovers
Why Joey Barton is demanding progress
Bristol Rovers had to settle for 17th place in League One in 2022/23, and Joey Barton has set the club the target of reaching the Championship within the next couple of years.
Burton Albion
Are the Brewers hoping to consolidate?
A 15th-place finish looks better than last season ultimately was for Burton, and fans will be hoping for a little less drama this time around.
Cambridge United
Are Cambridge destined for another relegation scrap?
Losing top scorer Sam Smith, who bagged 14 times last campaign as Cambridge finished 20th, indicates it could be a difficult season for United.
Carlisle United
How Carlisle plan on staying in League One
Carlisle earned promotion to League One via the play-offs, after beating Bradford and Stockport County. They finished fifth in the regular season.
Charlton Athletic
Do the Addicks have enough to reach the play-offs?
A 10th-place finish placated Charlton fans, but they're demanding a lot more in the new season. They did reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup, though.
Cheltenham Town
Do the Robins have enough to stay up?
Cheltenham stayed up in League One last season relatively comfortably, finishing 16th. They've lost top scorer Alfie May, who bagged 22 times for them, though.
Derby County
Why the Rams are confident of promotion
Derby agonisingly lost out on the play-offs on the final day of last season, finishing seventh. Manager Paul Warne has been promoted three times before from League One, and he's aiming for the same once again.
Exeter City
Will the Grecians be League One's surprise package?
Exeter consolidated in the third tier last season, finishing 14th and picking up some strong results along the way. 2023/24 could be more of the same for City.
Fleetwood Town
Why off-field controversy won't affect on-field performances
While owner Andy Pilley has been sentenced for fraud, Fleetwood will be expecting another mid-table finish after coming 13 in League One last time out.
Leyton Orient
Why Orient are confident of a mid-table finish
Last season was a dream for Leyton Orient, as they walked League Two as champions. Though they aren't expecting back-to-back promotions, Orient could cause some upsets in the third tier.
Lincoln City
Lincoln are looking for progress in the new season, after finishing 11th in 2022/23. They're not as strong on paper as other sides in the division, though, so they could just miss out on the play-offs.
Northampton Town
Why survival is the only thing that matters
Getting promoted from League Two by finishing third saw the Cobblers return to League One, but fans know it'll be a lot more difficult continuing their form in a new tier.
Oxford United
How Oxford plan to forget last term's woes
Oxford were fighting for survival last season, scraping 19th place in the process. Things are looking up at the Kassam Stadium now, though.
Peterborough United
Will Posh be able to recover from play-off heartbreak?
Peterborough's 2022/23 season ended in the cruellest of ways: 4-0 up in their League One play-off first-leg tie with Sheffield Wednesday, Posh conceded four at Hillsborough then lost the penalty shootout to forego a trip to Wembley.
Portsmouth
Why this is finally the year Pompey gain promotion
As they enter their sixth consecutive season in League One, Portsmouth need to improve on their 8th-place finish last time out. Play-offs should be the minimum expectation.
Port Vale
Are Vale destined for the drop as budgets are reduced?
Port Vale finished 18th last season - in the new campaign, it could be much more of the same. There's a new manager at the helm, though that doesn't necessarily signal improvements.
Reading
Why the Royals will have to rebuild before dreaming of promotion
Coming 22nd in the Championship, following a points deduction, meant Reading drop into the third tier for the first time since 2022. They aren't expected to bounce straight back, either.
Shrewsbury Town
Can the Shrews secure another impressive top-half finish?
Fan-favourite Steve Cotterill has departed the club, despite leading them to 12th in the League One table last term. Matt Taylor has taken the manager's job as a result.
Stevenage
How Boro plan to build on their League Two promotion
Steve Evans impressively earned promotion with Stevenage from League Two last season, pushing Leyton Orient for the majority of the campaign.
Wigan Athletic
How the Latics will recover after starting with a points deduction
Wigan will start the League One season with -8 points, after a failure to make salary payments in the last couple of months. While they finished bottom of the Championship, things are more positive now there's new owners.
Wycombe Wanderers
Will Wycombe be a play-off contender this campaign?
Wycombe came 9th last season, falling away from the play-offs in the latter stages. They should compete again, but a Championship return seems unlikely.
Season previews for the Premier League, League One and League Two are all available HERE
Subscribe to FourFourTwo today! Guarantee the finest football stories and interviews dropping on your doorstep every month
The FourFourTwo Season Preview issue is available in shops now. Click here to order yours with free delivery
