Automatic promotion contenders
The fourth tier just got a lot more glamorous. Yes, here come the feathery touches of Nick Powell, the former Manchester United midfielder who has spent much of the past five years making the Championship look too easy, and Dan Crowley, famously described by Arsène Wenger as a special talent, who have pitched up at ambitious Stockport County and Notts County respectively.
And then of course there are Wrexham, fresh from a pre-season trip to the US, who are back at this level for the first time in 15 years. Given the way they dispatched teams in non-league, Wrexham look ready to hit the ground running, though Paul Mullin, who ended up with the Golden Boot the last time he was in this division, could miss the start with a punctured lung. The defenders Ben Tozer and Will Boyle won the League Two title with Cheltenham two years ago, while Ben Foster staying on in goal is a major coup.
Wrexham may be the team on everyone’s lips but Stockport, playoff finalists last season, have created their own All Stars under the former defender Dave Challinor, with Powell joining Paddy Madden, Callum Camps, Kyle Wootton and Antoni Sarcevic, who showed his class with a Bergkamp-esque goal in pre-season. Notts County, for whom the former Kidderminster midfielder Sam Austin is a key performer, would have walked the National League were it not for Wrexham and also appear ready to take the step up in their stride. David McGoldrick has made a welcome but surprise return and they also are not short of league pedigree.
Salford City offer a note of caution to the league’s new big-hitters, after a fourth successive top-seven finish without promotion. Ibou Touray has departed for Stockport, Jason Lowe for Port Vale and Elliot Simões for Saudi Arabia, but Neil Wood’s side can expect to mix it towards the top. The same goes for Mark Hughes’s Bradford City, who also reached the playoffs last time. It remains to be seen whether they will thrive or crumble under the weight of expectation but both may again be outmuscled.
Playoff hopefuls
Optimism also abounds at Gillingham, whose American owner, Brad Galinson, recently revealed the club declined to star in a fly-on-the-wall series. Jonny Williams and Scott Malone add great experience together with Timothée Dieng, one of five January arrivals, and Neil Harris has the tools to mount a promotion challenge. Mansfield Town missed out on the playoffs by a single goal last season, while Doncaster Rovers, reinvigorated by the return of Grant McCann in the dugout, can also threaten.
MK Dons may be the best-placed of the relegated clubs to jump back at the first attempt. Graham Alexander, who Gary Neville says he should never have sacked at Salford, whom Alexander led into the Football League, has also won promotion from this division. Accrington suffered their first relegation since 1999 and while the club have had to cut their cloth, it would be foolish to overlook their ability to compete under John Coleman. Forest Green’s new head coach, Dave Horseman, at the other end of his career, plans to implement a high-pressing formula inspired by Ralph Hasenhüttl, whom he observed at close quarters at Southampton, but after a summer of headlines – from Duncan Ferguson’s exit to the appointment of Hannah Dingley – they are playing catch-up. Automatic promotion is the aim; Matty Stevens and the returning Matty Taylor should guarantee goals.
The strength of the league may hinder the hopes of upwardly mobile Barrow and Swindon of taking the next step. Tranmere have changed approach by appointing Nigel Adkins as technical director to work with manager Ian Dawes and his assistant Neil Danns. The arrivals of Kristian Dennis and Luke Norris, who scored 30 goals between them in this division last season, could propel them into contention. Elsewhere, lots of player turnover at Grimsby Town may work to Paul Hurst’s advantage.
Relegation candidates
Plenty could find the going tough given the financial clout of the fancied sides, even if none of Wrexham, Stockport or Notts County were in the Football League 15 months ago. Sutton United ended last season on an 11-game winless streak and despite a huge turnover of players anything more than a fight to stay up looks a big ask, though the arrival of Omari Patrick from Carlisle is a notable signing. Mat Sadler and Johnnie Jackson have points to prove at Walsall and AFC Wimbledon, neither of whom are blessed with rich squads, but the former will be galvanised by the return of Danny Johnson on a permanent deal. Crawley Town may also be swimming against the tide again after circling the drain last season.
Colchester are yet to address their issues in attack – only Gillingham scored fewer in the division – while Harrogate Town leaked too many goals last season, though they have added Crewe’s player of the year, Rod McDonald, to shore up the defence. Crewe have replaced him with the former Newport captain Mickey Demetriou but talisman Dan Agyei has departed. This is Harrogate’s fourth season at the level but after successive 19th-placed finishes they are likely to again be peering over their shoulder. Morecambe would likely accept survival given their off-field uncertainty but Derek Adams is a diligent operator. Graham Coughlan lifted Newport last October but needs a series of frees, including former academy youngster Nathan Wood from Penybont, to shine.
Three youngsters to watch
Kiban Rai, Newport County, 18 The son of a Gurkha, Rai recently became the first male player of Nepalese heritage to secure a professional contract in the top four tiers. The Brecon-born attacking midfielder or striker, who joined after a successful trial two years ago, hopes to fly the flag for South Asian footballers in the British game and harbours hopes of representing Wales. Made his Newport debut in March and first league start on the final day of last season against Crewe.
Matus Holicek, Crewe Alexandra, 18 Nominated in April for the League Two apprentice of the season award, Holicek is regarded one of Crewe’s most exciting academy products in recent times. The attacking midfielder, who joined aged nine, is at home as a No 10 and models his game on Kevin De Bruyne. Lee Bell, the Crewe manager who was previously Holicek’s under-11s coach, handed him his first league appearance against Northampton in March. Capped by Slovakia at youth level.
Max Cleworth, Wrexham, 20 While much of the focus is on Hollywood owners and eye-catching signings, Cleworth is a young defender who has more than held his own. Competition will be fiercer than ever but the centre-back, who joined aged 12, was a fixture in the squad en route to promotion. Wrexham’s players toasted the National League title on an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas in May – but casinos and nightclubs were off-limits for Cleworth owing to his age.
