It’s the toughest season to predict as the biggest clubs don’t appear to have recruited well, while the smaller clubs will be relying more heavily than usual on loan players given the perilous state of finances in the lower divisions.
Posh seem well equipped to go well again if they can replace Ivan Toney adequately, but how well?
Here is my predicted finishing order for the 2020-21 season.
5.
20th SWINDON TOWN: They won the League Two title on the back of Eoin Doyle’s goals and Keshi Anderson’s creativity and both have left the club so there’s a struggle ahead at the County Ground. Brett Pitman (pictured) is a strong signing, but he’ll need to be Messi-like to inspire this squad. All the sides that came up look set to struggle. Photo: Hilsea Portsmouth
6.
19th PLYMOUTH ARGYLE: Worryingly for Argyle a couple of major players in last season’s successful League Two promotion push were quick to depart in the summer and the replacements look pretty ordinary, apart from ex-Posh midfielder George Cooper (pictured) obviously. I reckon they’ll just about have enough to stay out of the bottom four though. Photo: Midlands
7.
18th NORTHAMPTON TOWN: Won a fortunate promotion on a pandemic and set pieces and they’ve now lost their long throw specialist so goals could be rarer than entertainment at Sixfields this season. Their chances of survival could depend on a fast start, the fitness of Nicky Adams and the incompetence of others. And this season that could be enough for Keith Curle's (pictured) men. Photo: Midlands
8.
17th DONCASTER ROVERS: They’ve done better than they should have done in the last two seasons because relying on loan signings is a very dangerous practice. It seems they are going down that route again and it won’t be third time lucky for Darrem Moore's (pictured) team. Posh chances of ending a run of miserable results against Rovers should be helped by ex-player Kieran Sadlier’s move to the Championship. Photo: Midlands