League One is a difficult one to call this year with no team really standing out as being an obvious choice for promotion.
I suppose the obvious one to go for would be Sunderland who are really too big to be down at this level theoretically but as plenty before them have discovered, size is no guarantee of success at this level and with a manager untried in the English game in Jack Ross and most of this summer's incoming transfer business being based around freebies, it could very easily go wrong for them. Nevertheless, I'm going to tip them for the title just because there aren't any other teams who leap out as obvious choices. Lazy reason I know...
Looking at the other relegated sides, Burton or Barnsley could realistically sneak back up to the Championship at the first attempt - the former were relegated despite a good late run which very nearly took them to safety and have a manager in Nigel Clough with a good track record of getting out of this division and the latter have had a clearout following their demise last season and if the new signings gel quickly they should be up there. My choice for the other automatic promotion spot is going to be Scunthorpe though who powered into the top six on the back of a good late run last season and have kept the majority of their squad intact. With the division looking a bit weaker this year, the omens could be good for the Iron
Of the other losing play-off teams, Shrewsbury's shock run to third in the table unfortunately attracted the attention of clubs with bigger money and they've lost not only manager Paul Hurst to Ipswich but also several key squad players as well meaning I can't see them challenging this time out. Charlton could potentially challenge but with no new manager still in place (Lee Bowyer is currently doing the job on a caretaker basis while the takeover saga continues to rumble on at the Valley), I think the play-offs again may be the best they can hope for unless the fiasco off the field is sorted out quickly.
Looking at dark horses, Portsmouth only just missed the play-offs last season and a weaker division this time out could well see Pompey going one better this time out while Southend were a team transformed under Chris Powell and could be a good outside shot for a top six place. Peterborough always seem to be thereabouts rather than there but if they can finally find the consistency they've been lacking the last couple of years then they could sneak a top six place. Luton looked impressive during their promotion from League Two last season and will be looking to kick on this time out while Karl Robinson at Oxford will be looking to rebuild his reputation after a lacklustre stint at Charlton last season. The U's have made some promising signings and could be dark horses while Coventry are the sort of side who really should be challenging due to their size but may be happy to settle for mid-table consolidation after a bruising promotion campaign from the bottom flight last season.
For clubs like Doncaster and Plymouth, their resources mean that the potential is always there for a promotion push if they can get the momentum going but it very much depends on the stars aligning the way they did for Shrewsbury last season. Fleetwood are the great unknown quantity of this division with the intelligent but temperamental Joey Barton getting his first shot at management with the Lancastrians. This is one I could see going either way - if Barton takes to management well (and Ched Evans finally rediscovers the goalscoring touch that's pretty much deserted him in recent years) then they could be an outside bet for the play-offs but if his temper gets the better of him, they could struggle.
Bristol Rovers have sat comfortably in mid-table since returning to the third tier a couple of years ago and there's no reason to suggest this season won't be more of the same while Bradford's promotion push fell apart alarmingly after the new year and the appointment of Simon Grayson as manager did little to stop the rot. Grayson has now gone with the inexperienced Michael Collins succeeding him in the manager's chair and top scorer Charlie Wyke leaving for Sunderland - a good start is vital here or City could end up struggling.
Other potential strugglers include Accrington and Wycombe, both of whom will be hoping the team spirit that saw them get promotion from League Two last season will help them stay afloat this time out and Gillingham who've been slowly creeping nearer and nearer to the trapdoor in recent years.
My tips for the drop though are Blackpool, who may find themselves victims of a tougher looking lower half of the table this year, Rochdale who only just sneaked home at the death last time out and will do well to do so again plus Wimbledon and Walsall who were both in a dogfight last season and have seen their squads raided by bigger clubs over the summer. A good start is essential for all of them if they hope to survive this season.
FINAL TABLE
1. Sunderland
2. Scunthorpe United
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3. Burton Albion
4. Barnsley
5. Portsmouth
6. Southend United
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7. Charlton Athletic
8. Peterborough United
9. Luton Town
10. Oxford United
11. Coventry City
12. Plymouth Argyle
13. Doncaster Rovers
14. Shrewsbury Town
15. Fleetwood Town
16. Bristol Rovers
17. Bradford City
18. Accrington Stanley
19. Gillingham
20. Wycombe Wanderers
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21. Blackpool
22. Rochdale
23. Wimbledon
24. Walsall
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