Such is the draw of the play-offs, few teams will start the League One season with the aim of staying up. Even the division’s minnows dream of promotion by sneaking into the top six, knowing a late burst of form can send them flying up the table.
However, there are plenty of teams who on rational reflection will line-up on 7th August for the season curtain-raiser with slightly more realistic ambitions for the campaign ahead. Dagenham and Redbridge, in the third tier of English football for the first time in their brief history, are one such team who should consider survival as a major achievement.
The Daggers know all about the glory of the play-offs after being promoted from League Two despite finishing seventh, but John Still’s outfit will be more concerned with a relegation battle this time around. League one betting has them down as one of the favourites to go down, after all.
They will be visiting some grand stadiums and big spending clubs, but the east Londoners will not be overawed and a rock bottom finish is not guaranteed.
Notts County conquered League Two betting last term, finishing 10 points clear of Bournemouth with a goal difference of +65. Despite the loss of Steve Cotterill and Kasper Schmeichel County should have no relegation concerns under the stewardship of former player Craig Short.
Bournemouth and Rochdale, separated by one point last season in League Two will struggle more, but in Brett Pitman and Chris O’Grady they have goalscorers who can flourish at this higher level, although Bournemouth were too reliant on Pitman last term, scoring only 61 goals in 46 matches.
Six teams finished within three points of the League One relegation zone last season and each of these will again be vulnerable. Leyton Orient have done well to stay in League One for four seasons after more than a decade in the bottom tier of the league structure and manager Russell Slade, new to the job late last season, needs a good start if they are to prosper. Yeovil Town and Exeter City might also be fighting particularly long relegation battles this year.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Recent Comments