The Voice: BantamTalk League Two Preview (20 Days Out)

Accrington Stanley:

22/23 Finish: 23rd in League One (RELEGATED)

Spoiler

There have been minimal changes at Accrington Stanley, as they appear to adopt a budget-friendly approach to the Summer transfer window. While the club have sold injury-blighted Mo Sangare to Livingston and seen Harvey Rodgers turn down a contract at the club in order to join League Two rivals Grimsby Town, the majority of those leaving the Wham Stadium were released by John Coleman at the end of last season. Veteran defender Michael Nottingham will need replacing, while right back Mitch Clark has already found employment with League One Port Vale following his departure.

So far, only 1 player has arrived at Accrington, in the form of Norwich City loanee Brad Hills. The 19 year old was deemed good enough for an extension at Carrow Road, but not ready for a first team place. Stanley fans will be hoping Coleman has brought in a young diamond, but expect more work to be done in the coming weeks as John Coleman highlights the defence and forward lines as being in need of reinforcements.

In terms of those reinforcements, Coleman has commented that his squad started the Summer over budget for the coming season, and has implied the club will 'have to get the loans right'. With a young squad already in place, that could limit Accrington's ability to bounce back this season – but the wily Coleman will still have a few tricks up his sleeve, and has thus far been able to retain last season's top scorer Tommy Leigh (7), although Aaron Pressley (6) has returned to Brentford following last season's loan.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 15th

AFC Wimbledon:

22/23 Finish: 21st in League Two

Spoiler

AFC Wimbledon's form dropped off a cliff in the second half of last season, with just 1 win in their last 19 games. Understandably then, pressure began to mount on manager Johnnie Jackson, but having lost key players Ayoub Assal and Ryley Towler in January, Jackson was able to stand firm and receive the backing of the Wimbledon board.

That backing will not count for much if Wimbledon are slow out of the blocks this season, but Jackson will be hoping the introductions of James Tilley from Crawley Town and Armani Little from Forest Green Rovers can give them a boost – both players signing for undisclosed fees. Little was part of the AFC Wimbledon set up in the second half of last season having signed on loan, but was unable to prevent a slide down the table. Former Bantams duo Jake Reeves and Alex Bass also enter the fray, Reeves joining after being released by promoted side Stevenage, while Bass signs on a season long loan from Sunderland.

On the downside for AFC Wimbledon, the departures of 9 goal midfielder Ethan Chislett for League One Port Vale, and the retirement of Chris Gunter will be a blow. At least top scorer Ali Al-Hamadi (10) and joint second top scorer Josh Davison (9) remain in the building – but strength in depth currently looks an issue, with no fewer than 12 players aged 21 or under.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 20th

Barrow

22/23 Finish: 9th in League Two

Spoiler

Pete Wild had a lot of admirers coming in to his first season at Barrow, and finishing 9th is a tremendous achievement. A small squad, however, has only gotten smaller so far, and the loss of talented players like last season's top scorer Josh Gordon (15) and highly-touted defender Patrick Brough are significant blows. What's more, in March last season, Billy Waters (9) departed for Wrexham on an undisclosed fee, leaving a huge gap up front.

Former Bantam Jamie Proctor will be hoping to full that breach, as he comes in alongside Courtney Duffus on a free transfer. Former Arsenal trainee Mazeed Ogungbo could be an astute signing, having played 23 times for Crawley Town last season, and he joins former Halifax Town midfielder Kian Spence in coming in for an undisclosed fee. Highly experienced attacking midfielder David Worrall also comes in, and will replace ex-Leeds flop Jordan Stevens.

If Wild is to achieve another top half finish, it will be another inspired achievement – but the odds look stacked against him. Losing both his top two goalscorers is a crippling blow, and while the workmanlike Jamie Proctor will certainly lend some experience up top, Josh Gordon was a completely different type of player. At the back, it will be much the same with Paul Farman and Niall Canavan remaining in position, while key midfielders Ben Whitfield and Josh Kay also remain in place. Harrison Neal, meanwhile, returned to Sheffield United having made 45 league appearances on loan.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 14th

Bradford City

22/23 Finish: 6th in League Two

Spoiler

Mark Hughes' squad could probably still use a trim, despite significantly more outgoings than incomings this Summer. Veteran midfielder Kevin McDonald arrives from Exeter City replacing fellow stalwart Adam Clayton, while Alex Pattison and Tyler Smith look to be the eye-catching attacking captures from Harrogate Town and Hull City respectively. 6'4 Ash Taylor, the same height as McDonald, will provide both offensive and defensive duties in terms of set pieces, while Clarke Oduor may be the outlier of the group. Right back Daniel Oyegoke joins from Brentford and will compete with Brad Halliday and Luke Hendrie for that same position, again illustrating the bloated nature of a squad that could use a little pruning.

That said, Matty Foulds, Abo Eisa, Yann Songo'o and Oscar Threlkeld have all left the club after failing to impress in the 22/23 season, while the incoming players look significantly more attacking in nature, perhaps outlining Hughes' dissatisfaction with the firepower available to him last season.

Retaining top scorer Andy Cook (28) is a tremendous achievement, but the likes of loanees Scott Banks and Tyreik Wright (who only played half a season) look particularly tough to replace like-for-like. That wingers have not been high on the priority list for Hughes suggests a change in formation, but the Bantams will still have the likes of Osadebe, Oduor and (eventually) Harry Chapman to call upon. Alex Pattison can also be fielded out wide.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 3rd

Colchester United

22/23 Finish: 20th in League Two

Spoiler

With the departure of Alan Judge, Emyr Huws, Freddie Sears, Cole Skuse (retired), Tommy Smith, and Luke Chambers, the 'old guard' are effectively gone – and without achieving a great deal of success. That brings the average age of the squad down significantly, with (somewhat disconcertingly) their oldest registered midfielder being just 23 years of age – though Arthur Read has little experience compared to 22 year old Noah Chilvers.

Without significant improvement to what already looks a sizeable squad, Colchester United's young side might struggle for leadership. Ellis Iandolo, joining from Swindon Town, will cover the left back spot, and John Akinde and Tom Hopper have bags of experience up front, but losing talented 23 year old midfielder Ossama Ashley to rivals Salford City is another worrying omen.

There's still plenty of time for Colchester United to fill some of those gaps left by former big players, but as yet there has been more talk than action considering Colchester's rampant transfer activity in the last January window. Ben Garner will need to get cracking soon, and while he did make Colchester United harder to beat after taking over in March, just 3 wins from 11 doesn't bode massively well.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 16th

Crawley Town

22/23 Finish: 22nd in League Two

Spoiler

Crawley Town's American owners displayed a startling level of naivety when they finally got their wish of taking over a League Two club, and their dismal performance last season will have done little to ingratiate them with the fans. Now, losing James Tilley to AFC Wimbledon, and Jack Powell to Crewe Alexandra, they already look to be struggling to replace quality with quality. Veteran midfielders Anthony Grant and Jordon Mutch will both need replacing, and while the club have retained star players Jake Hessenthaler and Dom Telford, the arrivals of Danilo Orsi from Grimsby Town and Liam Kelly from Rochdale scarcely look enough to avoid another relegation scrap.

At least the managerial merry-go-round might grind to a halt, though, with former Swindon Town boss Scott Lindsey coming in with a glowing review as a coach despite not achieving much thus far as a gaffer.

It looks like it could be a long, hard season for the Red Devils, and expect more acrimony between the fans of Crawley Town and owners WAGMI United, who appear to be lacking in either the expertise or skill to run a club of Crawley's stature.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 24th

Crewe Alexandra

22/23 Finish: 13th in League Two

Spoiler

There's no getting away from the disappointment and ramifications of losing top scorer Dan Agyei (16) to Leyton Orient, but Crewe have been a resourceful side in recent years and will look to lean heavily into the loan market for young talent. While Lee Bell had sought to have the majority of his squad together before the start of preseason training, it doesn't look like Crewe were able to achieve that goal despite the impressive signings of Jack Powell from Crawley Town, Ryan Cooney from Morecambe, and Shilow Tracey from Cambridge United.

Centre back Rod McDonald, who declined an offer of a contract extension in order to sign for Harrogate Town, will be chief among those to replace, but it's that Agyei-shaped hole that will be toughest to fill. When the loan signings start to flow, we'll have a better idea of the shape of Lee Bell's side, but at the moment they're a little light on numbers and experience, and could struggle to replicate last season's feat of 13th place.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 17th

 

Doncaster Rovers

22/23 Finish: 18th in League Two

Spoiler

Doncaster Rovers had a nightmare end to the 22/23 season, losing 8 of their last 11 fixtures, and picking up just 5 points from a possible 33. In truth, their poor form ran for longer than that, too, with the decision to replace manager Gary McSheffrey with Danny Schofield proving poorly judged. More promisingly, then, is the appointment of Grant McCann to lead the club for the 23/24 season, returning to the club which he led to the League One play offs just 5 short seasons ago.

Former chairman John Ryan has been vocal in his criticisms of current chairman David Blunt, and has hinted at a possible return to the club – but that has yet to materialise. Still, under Grant McCann they are now in possession of a manager with real credibility know-how. The club have already brought in veteran defender Richard Wood from Rotherham United, though at 38 it remains to be seen if he's still the leader he once was. Goalkeeper Ian Lawlor returns to the club after a spell at Dundee, while Joe Ironside and George Broadbent look to be the club's biggest investments.

Centre forward Ironside, in particular, looks to be a good signing having netted 14 times in consecutive seasons while helping Cambridge United into (and establishing themselves in) League One. These changes are likely to go some way to turning Doncaster's fortunes around, but it might be one season too soon for an attack on the play off picture. Expect McCann to drive them into the top half in any event.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 10th

Forest Green Rovers

22/23 Finish: 24th in League One (RELEGATED)

Spoiler

Forest Green Rovers return to League Two after a single season, unable to come close to their success the prior season when they won League Two ahead of Exeter City and Bristol Rovers. Forest Green did lose a number of key players ahead of the 22/23 season and despite their best efforts, FGR failed to replace the likes of Kane Wilson, Ebou Adams, and Nicky Cadden.

This season, Forest Green Rovers have had fewer of their players on the radars of other sides, although goalkeeper Ross Doohan (Aberdeen) and midfielder Armani Little (AFC Wimbledon) have both commanded fees. Of the squad out of contract, only 1 player was offered new terms (Udoka Godwin-Malife), while 10 departed, including centre back Baily Cargill and goalkeeper Luke McGee, as well as former Sunderland midfielder Dylan McGeouch and ex-Coventry centre-mid Ben Stevenson.

A rebuild, then, under brand new coach David Horseman, formerly of Southampton B, who takes over from Hannah Dingley, the first woman in history to be placed in charge of an EFL side. It's a bold strategy from a bold owner in Dale Vince, who has already attracted the likes of strapping centre back Ryan Innis, Middlesbrough goalkeeper Luke Daniels, veteran forward Matty Taylor, and ex-Brighton midfielder Teddy Jenks.

Ever the optimist, Vince's Forest Green Rovers might not bounce back as strongly as they would hope, but with a few more signings should be more than competitive in the coming season when compared to some of the sides in seemingly less promising situations.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 13th

Gillingham

22/23 Finish: 17th in League Two

Spoiler

Big-spending Gillingham made a few quality additions in January 2023 that saw them steer well clear of a relegation battle in the end. In fact, Gillingham won 12 of their last 23 fixtures, losing just 6 games during that impressive recovery. Wealthy owner Brad Galinson has continued to make impressive signings, beating Bradford City to the capture of ex-Swindon Town man Johnny Williams, while Max Clark and Johnny Masterson arrive from QPR and Stevenage respectively.

That said, Gillingham lost out on star midfielder Alex MacDonald, who opted to take his talents to newly promoted League One outfit Stevenage, despite being runner up for Gillingham's Player of the Season prize. His creativity will be missed even at 33 years of age, but with Tim Dieng and George Lapslie both making a big difference in the second half of the season, Gillingham should be just fine without him.

Neil Harris has said himself that he favours value as well as quality, so while there might be one or two still to come in, expect a high calibre of player – though in truth the Gills already look well stocked all across the pitch. They will compete this year, though they still lack a goalscorer which, if left unaddressed, will hinder their progress, particularly in search of an automatic promotion spot.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 7th

Grimsby Town

22/23 Finish: 11th in League Two

Spoiler

Paul Hurst has crafted Grimsby Town into a very competitive League Two side, having guided them back from the National League Premier. Their finish of 11th place in League Two seems to be a slightly overlooked achievement, perhaps because of the 13 point gap between the top 8 and the rest of the division. Still, Hurst has been busy in the transfer market this Summer, having lost Danilo Orsi to Crawley Town, as well as keeper Max Crocombe to Burton Albion.

A bid to replace experienced players like Ryan Taylor, Sean Scannell and Shaun Pearson has seen Hurst bring in Stevenage forward Danny Rose, Shrewsbury winger Rekeil Pyke, as well as ex-Bradford City duo Charles Vernam and Abo Eisa. Kamil Conteh, signed from Middlesbrough after a Player of the Season-winning season at Gateshead, is a potentially interesting signing, while goalkeeper Jake Eastwood will look to establish himself as the Grimsby Town number one for the next couple of years.

Keeping their new look front line fit will be key for Grimsby Town next season – do that, and they look to have the players capable of causing real problems for defences up and down the division.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 7th

Harrogate Town

22/23 Finish: 19th in League Two

Spoiler

After a rocky first half of the season, Harrogate Town adapted, becoming tougher to beat. This made them draw specialists in the second half of the season, but at least they weren't losing as often. Simon Weaver still has plenty of work to do, and that has been reflected in the transfer market activity that has been remarkably ambitious for the North Yorkshire club.

Stalwart defender Rory McArdle retired to take up a coaching role at the club, while star midfielder Alex Pattison opted to turn down a contract extension to sign for Bradford City. In terms of incomings, Matty Foulds made the opposite switch from the Bantams turning his loan move into a permanent transfer, while Matty Daly did the same after his release by Huddersfield Town. Promising winger James Daly arrives from Woking, while Liam Gibson arrives from Morecambe after making 43 appearances in League One. Impressively, Dean Cornelius was attracted from SPL outfit Motherwell despite the 'Well offering terms following a break out season, and Abraham Odoh arrives from relegated Rochdale to continue the Sulphurites recruitment of promising young players. Rod McDonald might be the most impressive capture of the bunch, however, replacing McArdle after coming in from Crewe Alexandra.

Last season's top scorer Luke Armstrong (16) has opted to stay in North Yorkshire, and other than Pattison leaving, most of the squad has been kept together. That should bode a little better for Harrogate, who might just have enough to sneak in to the top half this season against all expectations – but only if they can turn a few of those draws into wins. The fact Harrogate lost just 4 times since January seems to have evaded oddsmakers.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 12th

Mansfield Town

22/23 Finish: 8th in League Two

Spoiler

2 defeats in their last 3 matches cost Mansfield Town a chance in the play offs, with both Leyton Orient and Harrogate Town putting their promotion dreams to the sword. Victory at Colchester United was not enough, and so The Stags must go again.

Nigel Clough has seen Danny Johnson turn a productive loan spell at Walsall into a permanent situation, but other than that, Clough has lost next to nothing in terms of the quality of his squad. In come experienced centre back Baily Cargill from Forest Green Rovers, while striker Will Swan has turned a loan from Nottingham Forest into a permanent deal after a 10 goal haul. Welsh full back Aaron Lewis turned down the opportunity to stay at Newport County to link up with Mansfield, while goalkeeper Christy Pym also makes his loan move from Peterborough United permanent. Defender George Williams rounds out the incomings to date, with Nigel Clough likely to be happy with his squad 'as is'.

Stability will be a big factor for Mansfield Town this season, though the tetchiness surrounding the end to their 22/23 season could provide a temporary hangover. Expect Mansfield to be there or thereabouts once again.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 8th

 

MK Dons

22/23 Finish: 21st in League One (RELEGATED)

Spoiler

The final club to be relegated from League One, MK Dons actually ended the season with just 2 defeats in 11 games. That they won just 3 during that time and kept drawing ultimately cost them, with Cambridge United sneaking ahead on the last game of the season.

Predictably, MK Dons have seen several departures, but top scorer Mo Eisa (11) remains. Will Grigg (5) has opted to drop down to the National League Premier with Chesterfield, leaving MK Dons with a shortage of proven goalscorers, something that has still not been addressed by manager Graham Alexander. Winger Dan Kemp returns to the club after an impressive loan spell at relegated Hartlepool United and could be a key player for the Dons this season, as they look to make the most out of a pacey forward line.

Alex Gilbey is a quality player in the middle of the park having signed from Charlton Athletic and having enjoyed promotion with Stevenage on loan last season, but the Dons defence looks a little light on numbers despite quite a bit of talent at the back. At 39, Dean Lewington is likely coming to the end of a fantastic career, in which he has played 765 games for the MK Dons. Cameron Norman, a near-ever present for Newport County last season, is one of their new defensive signatures.

Expect them to challenge for the play offs.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 6th

Morecambe

22/23 Finish: 22nd in League One (RELEGATED)

Spoiler

Derek Adams looks hard pressed to repeat his miracle-on-a-budget feat of 20/21 season, and currently look like they'll be relying more on guts and hard work than ability. Adams has already re-signed former players Yann Songo'o and Jordan Slew, neither of whom have pulled up trees since the Morecambe promotion season, and capturing lightning in a bottle a second time seems unlikely.

Charlie Brown and Michael Mellon will both be looking to make a name for themselves, while JJ McKiernan comes in off a season at non-league Eastleigh. Goalkeeper Stuart Moore comes in as a career number 2, while Joel Senior (Carlisle), Cammy Smith (Partick Thistle), and Chris Stokes (Kilmarnock) are all prototypical 'players that need a chance'-style signings.

More players will have to come in before a proper assessment can be given, but at the moment, it's hard to envision Morecambe as anything other than also-rans. Hard to beat, but unspectacular.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 18th

Newport County

22/23 Finish: 15th in League Two

Spoiler

Newport County did start to show some improvement late last season under Graham Coughlan, and Harry Charsley was a welcome addition in midfield. The focus of the Summer has been one of continuous improvement for Newport, with no fewer than 7 players offered new terms. Stalwart midfielder Matty Dolan left the club, alongside the likes of Robbie Wilmott and Lewis Collins, while Bryn Morris (Grimsby), Kyle Jameson (Tranmere) and Shane McLoughlin (Salford) have all come in to bolster the midfield and defensive areas.

Omar Bogle (17) was the runaway lead scorer for Newport County and remains at the club, though key defender Cameron Norman has departed for the MK Dons. A one man front line, Bogle will be hoping to repeat easily his most successful season since 2016/17, but if he falls short of last season's form, Newport County look to have very little else to fall back on.

Expect more of the same from Newport, though stability alone likely won't make up for some of the shortfalls of last season – and the wheels could still come off in spite of Coughlan's coaching ability.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 19th

Notts County

22/23 Finish: 2nd in National League Premier (PROMOTED)

Spoiler

42 goal Macauley Langstaff had been attracting interest from the Championship, though was considered 'too big of a risk' for Ipswich Town – but that might change if he can prove himself capable at League Two level. That's not always as straight forward as it seems, though, as Stockport's Paddy Madden saw his goal tally cut from 25 (NPL) to 11 (L2) last season. Second top scorer Ruben Rodrigues (18) has departed for Oxford United, while Cedwyn Scott (15) and Adam Chicksen (10) remain at the club.

But it won't be just last season's stand out players that League Two teams will have to watch out for. Veteran hitman David McGoldrick scored 22 goals in League One last season for Derby County, before turning down the Rams' newest contract offer in favour of Notts County. He will likely be a huge handful for every defence at this level, while ex-Sutton United winger Will Randall also knows where the goal is. Jodi Jones and Dan Crowley round out the signings thus far, on an already impressive squad.

One of the early favourites to come in and bully the division, something tells me it won't be as easy as expected. Again, as Stockport County found out early last season before embarking on a near-automatic promotion winning run of form, adapting can be harder than expected. On that basis, Notts County's admirers must just be surprised if they don't immediately run through the opposition in a tough set of early fixtures that see them face 4 recently relegated League One sides in their first 9 games!

23/24 Predicted Finish: 4th

Salford City

22/23 Finish: 7th in League Two

Spoiler

Perennial favourites Salford City suffered a setback this summer when talented left back Ibou Touray chose to join League Two rivals Stockport County despite a contract offer being on the table, prompting the Ammies to go out and sign Luke Garbutt as a replacement. He joins goalkeeper Alex Cairns, who signs on a permanent from Fleetwood Town, as well as sought after midfielder Ossama Ashley from Colchester United.

Going the other way, Salford have been ruthless in trimming off some of the fat from their squad, while retaining top goalscorers Callum Hendry (12), Conor McAleny (11), Matt Smith (10) and Matty Lund (7). Also retained despite heavy interest from elsewhere has been Luke Bolton (6) in what could be a little changed squad for the first time in a few years. Playmaker Elliott Watt will be familiar to Bradford City fans and he will look to make the side tick again, but the main question is whether manager Neil Wood can get more out of his squad this time around?

It's all felt remarkably quiet, and while that could be a positive departure from the circus acts like Louie Barry's unveiling last season, it could also be a sign of decreasing ambitions – or is that just imagination?

One thing is for sure, until Salford City can land upon a truly successful manager and stick with them, they could be in for another disappointment yet.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 9th

Stockport County

22/23 Finish: 4th in League Two

Spoiler

With few serious outgoings, Stockport's 3 signings so far in the Summer window look like phenomenal additions.

Ibou Touray, a near ever-present for play off rivals Salford City last season, is an inspired coup. Billy Chadwick, a young forward signed from Hull City netted 11 times in non-league last season and will be sound back up to all of last season's top scorers (all retained) in Kyle Wootton (14), Paddy Madden (10), and midfielder Will Collar (10), but it is Nick Powell that looks an extremely high quality signing.

A goalscoring midfielder, Powell has not played at this level since his break out season in 2011/12 for Crewe Alexandra – when he scored 14 goals. The last time he played outside the Championship, he competed for League One Wigan Athletic – when he scored 15 goals. Even at Championship level Powell has registered hauls of 13, 8, 7, and 6 (twice). Last season was Powell's least effective in years, yet he still netted 4 times in the Championship, and 'turned down Saudi Arabia money' to stay in England.

Whether Nick Powell can rip through League Two, or whether this signing is a sign of him slowing down despite being just 29 years of age, is a key question: but given the talent surrounding him at Stockport County, it probably won't be make or break for the Hatters in any event. With Antoni Sarcevic, Will Collar, Callum Camps, and the aforementioned Wootton and Madden ready to go one better than 4th place, it's hard to look past Stockport County this season.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 1st

 

Sutton United

22/23 Finish: 14th in League Two

Spoiler

Sutton United really fell apart at the end of last season, but still survived comfortably after an impressive February period. No wins in 11, just 4 points from 33, and multiple 4-1 defeats saw Matt Gray's men seemingly throw in the towel and limp across the finishing line in 14th place. There's little comfort to be drawn from the Summer transfer window so far, either, despite the arrivals of Harry Smith and Craig Clay from Leyton Orient.

The majority of Sutton United's transfer business looks 'non league ready', with hulking 6'6 defender Omar Sowunmi coming in from Bromley, and goalkeeper Steve Arnold coming in from Southend United.

Meanwhile, Enzio Boldewijn and Alistair Smith have both rejected new deals to head to Eastleigh and Lincoln City respectively, while some of the names on the released list (Will Randall and Omar Bugiel) have been important players for Sutton United in recent years. Matt Gray's business may be driven by economics or otherwise, but his Sutton side currently look weaker for it.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 23rd

Swindon Town

22/23 Finish: 10th in League Two

Spoiler

Swindon Town's poor finish to the 22/23 campaign has illicited yet another change in manager, as Jody Morris departs and Michael Flynn steps in.

Unfortunately, Michael Flynn had to come out last week and attempt to explain away the lack of transfer activity this Summer, with just 1 new face – 21 year old goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney on loan from QPR. On the plus side, perhaps, 17 players have been retained from the 22/23 season, but that might not be looked upon too kindly by fans who witnessed Swindon losing 6 of their final 10 games.

Bemoaning agent fees and wages does not paint a particularly optimistic picture, and while plenty of players will still be available at the business end of the transfer window, a sense of doom and gloom could envelop the County Ground before too long.

With Johnny Williams having departed for Gillingham and Ellis Iandolo out for Colchester United, fresh faces are already urgently required – especially with ever-present goalkeeper Sol Brynn no longer in the building after his loan spell...

23/24 Predicted Finish: 21st

Tranmere Rovers

22/23 Finish: 12th in League Two

Spoiler

Tranmere Rovers failed to hit any kind of consistent form last season, but still finished in the top half. Their top scorer, midfielder Josh Hawkes (10) remains in place, as does Kane Hemmings (8), while Luke Norris and Kristian Dennis look like very shrewd signings indeed in terms of addressing a shortfall in goalscorers.

Dennis, who hit 20 for Carlisle United in a promotion season (mostly in the first half of the season), has real potential at this level, while Luke Norris has hit double figures in back-to-back seasons for Stevenage and also achieved promotion last season. If either can hit that sort of form again, Tranmere Rovers will be all the better for it.

That said, Josh Dacres-Cogley (departed for Bolton) will be a big miss at the back, and some of the other transfer business looks like much-of-a-muchness. Expect something similar.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 11th

Walsall

22/23 Finish: 16th in League Two

Spoiler

Another club that finished last season on dreadful form, Walsall won just 2 games in 2023. This appalling form was not predicated on a poor defence, as they still conceded fewer than 50 goals, but a turgid run in front of goal and an inability to kill games off saw them slipping ever further down the league table.

Mat Sadler is the new manager, a largely untested figure taking over after Michael Flynn's disappointing season in charge of the Saddlers, and side from landing Danny Johnson (last season's top scorer with 12 goals), and the retention of Isaac Hutchinson (7), his work to replace experienced players like Liam Kinsella, Peter Clarke, Manny Monthe (departed for Northampton Town) and Conor Wilkinson (gone to Motherwell), remains ongoing.

Priestley Farquharson, Chris Hussey and Douglas James-Taylor don't look like enough at this stage for anything but a rough season for Walsall.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 22nd

Wrexham

22/23 Finish: 1st in National League Premier (PROMOTED)

Spoiler

Wrexham's giant squad is perhaps one reason the club have signed so few players this Summer, but another good reason available to them is the strength of their team. Paul Mullin is a fantastic, proven player at this level. Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee, Ben Tozer, and Luke Young are all more than capable of great things, and Billy Waters – a mid-March signing (a curiosity of the non league structure) has yet to show his worth at the Welsh club – but likely will this season.

Will Boyle is the first signing of the Summer, joining from Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee. A combative centre back, Boyle made his name in League Two and League One with Cheltenham Town, before joining The Terriers on a free transfer – now he drops back down to a level he will be more than comfortable with. It's an astute signing, and if more follow, Wrexham will once again be very tough to beat indeed.

But let's forget that Wrexham haven't had it all their own way across two spectacular National League seasons, and in such a competitive division, they could prove second best once again.

23/24 Predicted Finish: 2nd

PREDICTED FINAL LEAGUE TABLE (based on current transfers and squad information):

1. Stockport County
2. Wrexham
3. Bradford City
4. Notts County
5. Gillingham
6. MK Dons
7. Grimsby Town
8. Mansfield Town
9. Salford City
10. Doncaster Rovers
11. Tranmere Rovers
12. Harrogate Town
13. Forest Green Rovers
14. Barrow
15. Accrington Stanley
16. Colchester United
17. Crewe Alexandra
18. Morecambe
19. Newport County
20. AFC Wimbledon
21. Swindon Town
22. Walsall
23. Sutton United
24. Crawley Town