EFL Predictions 24/25: League Two
The final member of the crazy gang that is the EFL, is League Two. The gateway to the league to the EFL is always the hardest to predict, with stories like Crawley Town’s relegation favourites to play-off promotion, Forest Green Rovers double drop and the continuation of Wrexham’s upward trajectory being just a few that have occurred in the fourth tier of English football.
Chesterfield and Bromley will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned Wrexham and Stockport County, whilst the likes of Cheltenham Town, Port Vale, Carlisle United and Fleetwood Town will be looking to avoid the dreaded double drop and bounce back at the first attempt.
Here are my picks for the automatic promotion spots, play-offs and the relegation bottom three.
Automatic Promotion Places
1. MK Dons
2. Doncaster Rovers
3. Bradford City
MK Dons take home the League Two title after their play-off disappointment against Crawley season. Mike Williamson has kept hold of the core of his team from last season, and in recruitment the side have added quality on quality. Tom Carroll, Luke Offord, Joe Pritchard could all be playing at a higher level, and Liam Kelly and Laurence Maguire were integral to Crawley getting promoted last year.
Max Dean’s goals will be hard to replace but the squad is up there with the best in the division, and Williamson has shown he can get a side playing good football. Easily make the automatics in 24/25.
Following MK is another team that got embarrassed in the play-offs, Doncaster Rovers. Grant McCann’s team was the form team towards the end of last season, and whilst a host of loan players have been and gone, the squad is still very strong. Luke Molyneux is still among the league’s best, Jordan Gibson played well at Carlisle in the division above last campaign, and despite his age, Billy Sharp guarantees goals. A good squad, with McCanns track record, this Rovers side will push the best.
Is it finally Bradford City’s year? I think so. A squad that has got younger as the summer has gone on and got better for it, guided by Graham Alexander, could be one of the best in the league. Goals should not be a problem for the Bantams with a young forward pairing of Bobby Pointon and Calum Kavanagh, not to forget Andy Cook is still in the squad. Sam Walker is a more than capable keeper, and Sam Stubbs is among the best defenders at this level alongside two promotion winners in Antoni Sarcevic and Neill Byrne. There really isn’t a better chance for City to get out of League Two, the only thing that could get in the way, is well, themselves.
The Play-offs
4. Chesterfield
5. Port Vale
6. Gillingham
7. Salford City
Paul Cook guided Chesterfield back to the EFL, and he’ll be helping them push the big boys this season. Chesterfield come into the division with a squad that is already the quality of this level, with Will Grigg, Ollie Banks and Tom Naylor, all playing a lot of games at this level before. The additions of Paddy Madden and Chey Dunkley are incredibly smart. A strong squad, strong manager, they make the play-offs.
Port Vale are the only team that dropped down last season that I believe really have a chance at going back up. Darren Moore has managed to keep hold of a strong core, that should be able to push the team at the top of the table. Conor Ripley, Jason Lowe and Ronan Curtis could all play at a higher level and the signing of Championship level George Byers is outstanding.
A changing summer has left Gillingham in a much better position than when it started. Mark Bonner is an excellent manager who has excelled at this level before. The squad as a whole seems ten times more settled than it has done since they were relegated. The addition of Jack Nolan is the most exciting bit of business Gillingham have done and he could be integral to them being near the top of the table.
Salford City were in a relegation scrap last year, but it’s all change this time, as Karl Robinson looks to elevate his side. Matt Smith, who provided all the goals last year, is gone, but Cole Stockton is in, along with Jon Taylor, James Chester and Ben Woodburn, all really capable players who should suit Robinsons style more. Certainly, a lot more to be excited about and a squad that should at least make a run for the play-offs.
The Relegations Places
23. Cheltenham Town
24. Accrington Stanley
I am tipping Cheltenham Town to follow in the footsteps of Forest Green, and fall into that double drop. Cheltenham seem like a team that are in a serious rot, and Michael Flynn does not seem like the manager to get them out of it. Both George Miller and Ryan Bowman seem like uninspiring signings, neither having an incredible record and the squad feels light on true grit, and quality for the level. Given the managerial chose, low budget and turnover of players, along with the general feel of the club, they look as thought they could really spiral. A tough year for Cheltenham one way or another.
I have mentioned a lot about time running out in some of my predictions, and that’s exactly what it feels like with Accrington Stanley. Last season, Andy Holt made the decision to remove long-standing manager, John Coleman, and since then the trouble that surrounds Stanley, has not gone away. The budget is as small as ever, the squad has lost a lot of quality, and it just feels time for Accrington. The only shining light, is the signings of Kelsey Mooney and Jimmy Knowles form non-league Boston United, who could be real gems, but are more likely to flourish in a years’ time, in the National League.
There are more teams to worry about in League Two than truly love. Morecambe and Newport County have both had big squad turnovers and could fall close but have good managers and some quality in there. Another team is Harrogate Town, but they are an incredibly hard team to judge, who look like, based on quality alone, will cut it close, but be okay.
