LEAGUE TWO 2020-21

Aug 26, 2020 37 minutes

Previewing a season like no other, we have to begin with the reasons why England’s magnificent fourth tier is shrouded in uncertainty and concern.

Many clubs have released first-team players they would have otherwise liked to keep due to financial anxieties which linger. How long can they afford to play behind closed doors? On average, 40 per cent of a League Two side’s income comes on matchday. Add the potential cost of regular coronavirus testing, and the strain on those who own clubs to foot the bill for losses increases. Some may not be able to last.

Despite it all, the return of Actual League Two Football will provide relief for many – and from an on-pitch perspective, the division is as fascinating as ever. Last season, three teams were automatically promoted by playing exciting and attacking football, each with a different tactical system. Young bosses such as Richie Wellens, Ryan Lowe, David Artell and Matt Taylor were among the top five last season – all with less than three years of experience in a dugout.

So how do you even begin to predict the fate of those who go into this year with similarly greenhorn gaffers? There are many: Mike Jackson at Tranmere, Colchester’s Steve Ball, Mark Bonner at Cambridge, plus Ross Embleton of Leyton Orient and Carlisle’s Chris Beech – each looking to stamp their imprint and make a difference. Perhaps inexperience is less of a handicap than previously assumed at this level.

A group of teams have caught the eye with their strong early transfer activity. Salford and Mansfield’s financial muscle has been evident again, Bolton got started early in building a team for fans to be proud of after three horrendous years, while Bradford also wasted no time editing an underperforming squad.

There are also a handful of sides who, due to poor organisation (Oldham) or virus anxiety (Tranmere), left it late to start crafting their squads. In some cases, like at Scunthorpe and Southend, even hiring a manager for the new campaign was delayed.

But it could be worse: the EFL won their appeal to deduct Macclesfield (more) points, giving Stevenage a late reprieve despite their horrendous campaign of just three wins from 36 matches in 2019-20.

Sides with better hopes include Port Vale, Grimsby and Crawley, who finished well last term and will hope such form carries over the six-month gap. Also more hopeful this time are Walsall and potentially even Morecambe, with the relatively ‘settled’ nature of their squads giving them both early advantages.

“IN SOME CASES, LIKE AT SCUNTHORPE AND SOUTHEND, EVEN HIRING A BOSS FOR THE NEW SEASON WAS DELAYED”

Cheltenham and Exeter were among an arbitrary top five for most of last season, but narrowly missed out on automatic promotion and then fell victim to Northampton’s wrecking ball in the play-offs. Forest Green and Newport made the top seven in 2018-19, but dropped off spectacularly last season after bright starts. Mark Cooper and Mike Flynn have tough jobs getting their respective clubs back in the mix again.

Finally, League Two welcomes promoted Barrow and Harrogate. Hugely impressive in their rises from the fifth tier, they also have history on their side: no club has ever dropped in the season immediately following National League promotion. Barrow, however, don’t have the man who brought them to this level – and that could prove decisive.

BARROW

LAST SEASON

NATIONAL LEAGUE 1st FA CUP 4QR FA TROPHY Third Round TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Scott Quigley (above, 20)

FAN FILE

WILL METCALFE @thewillmetcalfe

The big talking point among the fans is our return to the Football League! We were voted out of it for Hereford in 1972 and it’s been a long old slog to get back there.

This season will be different to last because there’s a new face in the dugout. David Dunn is a name the fans know, so it will be interesting.

I won’t be happy unless we stay up. It will be extremely tough, no doubt about it, but if we can pull it off then it will mean everything.

Our most underrated player is no one, because the whole squad has overachieved. Ian Evatt, our former manager, pulled off miracles.

The player I’d happily drive to another club is no one – although in the past I’d have been happy to commandeer the team bus and drop them all off one by one.

The opposition player I secretly admire is Eoin Doyle, who proved formidable at Swindon. I’m hoping his form doesn’t continue at Bolton.

The pantomime villain will be Evatt, who has taken over at Bolton. He did great things for this club, but there is perhaps a feeling that he bailed for a job which will soon turn out to be dreadful.

Save the date for Barrow vs Carlisle – a Cumbrian derby!

The best Barrow social media account is @BarrowAFC, the official club account. It genuinely gives you a feel of how grassroots we are.

Did you know that a Merseyside gangster called Curtis Warren once claimed to have acquired our Holker Street ground from a former owner. Soon after, the club disintegrated. It’s been a long road back.

Our key player will be not just one individual – the whole squad is going to be vital this season.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that we’re very excited. Everyone is looking forward to seeing what Dunn [below] brings. But we’re frustrated that Evatt left – especially for Bolton.

If he left, he should be replaced by someone with proven experience at building a squad who can achieve consistent results.

We’ll finish 16th.

FFT VERDICT 23^RD

How much of Barrow’s shock title win was down to Ian Evatt, and has the ‘Barrowcelona’ moniker left with him? David Dunn, having struggled at Oldham in his only previous permanent managerial role, will find it tough to replace the promotion-winning gaffer.