Hello! I'm back, which can only mean one thing...it's that time of the year again. The time when football fans regain their normal lives. Football is back!
This year, League One has got spicier than ever, with the addition of Wolverhampton Wanderers who, not long ago, were a Premier League side, and Bristol City. Ahead of Saturday's big kick off, here's my analysis of the promotion contenders, the relegation candidates, and the team who could spring a few surprises come what May!
PROMOTION CANDIDATES
"Embarrassing", "calamitous", "worst season in years"; just some of the ways Wolverhampton Wanderers' Championship campaign was described by fans. However, it's not hard to see why Kenny Jackett has swapped life in South London for the West Midlands. There's plenty of positives for the club. Jackett has cut down the squad size and has a flock of talented youngsters - including Scottish ace Leigh Griffiths - to take the men from Molineux forwards in League One. Wolves have a manager who has experience of promotion, and a squad with enough quality to achieve this goal. Title challengers, no doubt.
For Peterborough United, League One in no unknown territory, having fluctuated between the second and third tier for a number of years. With the experience of getting out of the league, and a passionate manager, 'Boro should be up there come the end of the season.
Bristol City began preparing for third tier football during April as relegation was confirmed with three games remaining of the season. This extra time to build has allowed City to make numerous changed to the squad. These changed could be key to a promotion challenge.
Brentford have made plenty of signings and there is no doubt that we shall see the Bees near the top of the table at the end of the season. Where though? That's difficult. They've proven themselves in the play offs, and have been close to automatic promotion before, so its hard to tell. The signings of Will Grigg, Javi Venta, Conor McAleny and Martin Filio prove Brentford's intention of promotion.
After five consecutive years in the third tier, and having never been any higher, MK Dons will look to finally gain promotion to the Championship. Towards the end of the last campaign, Dons came back strongly from a poor festive period. In contrast to this, Sheffield United fell away towards the end of the last campaign. A change of manager, and numerous signings, however, should give the Blades a shot of a bounce back to the Championship following heartbreak in the last two play off attempts.
RELEGATION BATTLERS
Favourites for relegation this season are Colchester United, who are likely to struggle at the wrong end of the table. A small and inexperienced playing squad could see the downfall of Shrewsbury Town this season. A lack of investment may lead to a return to the fourth tier.
The surprise relegation candidates this season could be the ill-fated Sky Blues, Coventry City. Fans face a 70 mile round-trip for fans next season to watch the Sky Blues as they play 'home' games at Northampton's Sixfields after financial problems forced their eviction from the Ricoh Arena. Along with the destined low crowds*, this could spell trouble for financially stricken Coventry.
*at time of writing a reported 210 season tickets had been sold.
Walsall have become victims of their own success after a surge up the table towards the end of last season. This success has led to the departure of highly rated Will Grigg to Brentford and Jamie Paterson to Nottingham Forest, both of whom were key figures for the Saddlers. Failure to replace the gallant strike force may spell relegation.
A last minute winner at home to Crawley Town saw Oldham Athletic survive on the penultimate day of the 2012/13 season. It has been a season of comings and goings at the Latics, as star striker Matt Smith departed for Leeds United and 7 others released. Jean-Yves M'voto left for Barnsley and Dean Furman opted to join former manager Paul Dickov at Doncaster Rovers. The loss of so many key players could hinder Athletic's chances of survival but young gaffer Lee Johnson may make a few acquisitions before the transfer window shuts.
A disastrous end to the last campaign saw Tranmere Rovers in freefall. Despite the signing of Ryan Lowe from MK Dons, Rovers are likely to be in the bottom quarter of the table. Of the four promoted sides, Gillingham look the most likely to struggle, with little transfer activity over the summer period leaving manager Martin Allen with a thin squad.
THE TEAM TO WATCH
My team to watch this season is Bradford City. After a glorious 2012/13 campaign, which saw two Wembley appearances in the Play Off Final and League Cup Final, City return to League One after a six year absence, and are on the crest of a wave. The Bantams have shown intention to be successful with the signing of former Swindon man Raffael De Vita and Watford winger Mark Yeates on Bosman transfers. Play offs are certainly not out of question for the Yorkshire outfit, made possible by the funds earned from the outstanding cup run of last year. City have also retained fans favourite Gary Jones, James Hanson, and prolific Bermudan striker Nahki Wells, key to City's recent success. The momentum from the previous campaign should provide Bradford with a healthy string of results in the third tier. With ever improving support, the Claret & Amber army could be the ones to surprise a few this season.
