The continued concern about Covid, playing in front of empty stadia and the most hectic schedule of matches fans can remember are a combination of issues never experienced before.
Big squads and luck with injuries are going to be key as will business done in the January transfer window, with the squad salary cap another unique problem for League One clubs.
The Peterborough Telegraph has assessed the state of play of the clubs in the top half of the table, but don’t rule out Blackpool who are currently 13th, but looked a top side when they won at Posh in November. The Seasiders were the only team to win a League One match at London Road in 2020.
Lincoln City, Saturday’s (January 9) Posh opponents, have established a gap at the top, but there are just nine points between second placed Hull City and Oxford United who are 12th.
Posh co-owner Dr Jason Neale remains confident his club will previal. He said in response to a PT request for League One promotion tips: ‘Same as on day one. Three from PUFC, Pompey, Hull and Ipswich. With a frequent League One manager of the month, a deep squad, the emergence of 4 Academy players and the return of Ricky-Jade Jones, the fastest forward in football, I think Posh can do it.”
The PT also make their own predictions here...
1.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY. Current position: 8th. Predicted finish: 12th. On the surface Accrington look well-placed for a promotion push. They’d be third if points per game was applied to the table now. But Accrington’s lofty position owes much to the fact that, since beating a depleted Posh side on the opening day of the season, they’ve barely played against top opposition. Accrington have yet to play Hull, Portsmouth, Doncaster or Charlton and with fixtures coming thick and fast from now on, their smallish squad will be tested to the full. It wouldn’t be the greatest surprise to see Stanley drop into the bottom half of a congested table which is not to decry the fabulous job performed again by manager John Coleman (pictured) who made some astute loan signings in the summer to cover for the loss of gifted wide player Jordan Clark.
2.
CREWE ALEXANDRA. Current position: 9th. Predicted finish: 11th. Crewe have been a delight this season with their traditional style of attractive football. Whether or not they can keep it up when three games every eight days becomes the norm is another matter. They need to keep hold of the gifted Charlie Kirk (pictured, left) to have any chance and interest him in January is inevitable.
3.
FLEETWOOD TOWN. Current position: 10th. Predicted finish: 10th. The loss of manager Joey Barton this week was a shock, although stories of squad dissatisfaction with his methods soon surfaced so the Cod Army could well see a bounce in form. They have the players to make a strong push for the play-offs, in particular free-scoring midfielder Callum Camps (pictured left), but others look better equipped for the challenge.
4.
IPSWICH TOWN. Current position: 7th. Predicted finish: 9th. Arguably the club with most to gain from an enforced break given the horrific run of injuries which has blighted their season from day one. In a tale not exactly unfamiliar to Posh fans, Gwion Edwards (pictured) was on fire early on, but then picked up a muscle injury. Ipswich have kept in touch at the top thanks to a happy knack of beating the clubs at the lower end of the division, but there should be concerns about a lack of quality up top even allowing for the return from injury of one-time Posh target Kayden Jackson. Ipswich recruitment in the summer didn’t excite, but they could make an early move in the January transfer window with Barnsley’s attacking Luke Thomas on the club’s radar. Thomas has played well on loan for Coventry City at this level so his arrival would be a boost at Portman Road.