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...
9.
HULL CITY. Current position: 2nd. Predicted finish: 4th. A recent Covid-enforced break worked in Hull’s favour as they snapped a three-game losing streak with a comfortable win over promotion rivals Charlton last weekend. That was a welcome win for the Tigers who had been accused of coming unstuck when they faced the better sides. Fleetwood, Posh, and most recently Portsmouth, had all got the better of a side who set the early pace in League One. Manager Grant McCann refreshed a relegated squad impressively in the summer, but their football can be slow and predictable. However, Hull’s first-choice starting line-up is as good as most in the third tier with the likes of George Honeyman, Greg Docherty and Mallik Wilks (pictured, left) all very decent for this level. Goals from burly strikers Josh Magennis and Tom Eaves can’t be guaranteed though
10.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC. Current position: 6th. Predicted finish: 3rd. The Londoners did well to keep hold of promising young manager Lee Bowyer (pictured) after a relegation from the Championship which was little to do with his efforts. A much better (and cash-rich) owner was always going to be key to a quick return to the second tier and Charlton have that now. If money is available in January and it’s spent wisely, Charlton could take some stopping in the second half of the season. The nucleus of a good squad is present at the Valley, but they need to improve their form against the division’s lesser lights to make a concerted promotion push. Charlton have been beaten by MK Dons and Burton Albion and dropped points against Gillingham and Shrewsbury since the middle of November. The Addicks also haven’t kept a clean sheet since winning at Ipswich on November 28.
11.
SUNDERLAND. Current position: 11th. Predicted finish: 2nd. I always felt a new owner and a change of manager would be needed for Sunderland to even finish in the top six this season. The tactical straitjacket imposed by Phil Parkinson was never going to go down well among the club’s fanatical fanbase, while owner Stewart Donald was exposed as a boardroom lightweight by a behind the scenes documentary. Both are gone now and in Lee Johnson (pictured) Sunderland have delivered a massive managerial upgrade. If the (very young) new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus backs Johnson in the transfer market this January then expect the Wearsiders to storm up the table and threaten the top two. With the right leadership they will surely leave League One behind soon. They have enough games left to make it happen this season.
12.
PORTSMOUTH. Current position: 3rd. Predicted finish: 1st. Pompey started the season so slowly manager Kenny Jackett’s position quickly became the subject of speculation. But their easy 2-0 win over Posh at Fratton Park last month suggested Jackett, who is in the last year of his contract, has finally moulded his team into perfect shape. They were efficient and supremely well organised rather than a joy to watch against Posh, but they ran all over Darren Ferguson’s side and if that sort of performance is repeated enough it will be tough to stop them finishing in the top two in a substandard year. Pompey have flopped in the play-off semi-finals in each of the last two seasons, but moving John Marquis (pictured, left) into a more advanced position has given them far more of a goal threat. They are the joint top scorers (with Doncaster) in the division with 32 goals.