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.
13.
12th GILLINGHAM: Former Posh boss Steve Evans (pictured) got the most out of a limited squad last season and he’s operating in similar circumstances again. Naturally there have been more comings and goings at Priestfield than at Waterloo Station and a couple may come off. Photo: Midlands
14.
11th LINCOLN CITY: Manager Michael Appleton has been busier than Piers Morgan’s Twitter account this summer as he attempts to build a squad that will challenge for promotion. He’s probably failed although the arrivals of Liam Bridcutt and Callum Morton (pictured) suggests an entertaining, pure style in direct contrast to the successful style of the Cowley brothers. Photo: Midlands
15.
10th BRISTOL ROVERS: A club whose confidence appears to be based on multiple signings, but ex-Posh skipper Jack Baldwin (pictured) will need to remember why he was once compared to Alan Hansen for Rovers to challenge. Losing star striker Jonson Clarke-Harris to a bigger and better club won’t help. Photo: Midlands
16.
9th: IPSWICH TOWN: A major disappointment last season and, although they’ll at least know what to expect this time around, they still don’t seem to be able to recognise good League One players. The signings they have made look weak to me and under a stubborn manager in Paul Lambert (pictured with Darrem Ferguson) the Tractor Boys could again be ploughing a mid-table furrow. Photo: Midlands