League One has delivered a fairly consistent top half over the past few seasons with an element of ease in terms of predicting where teams will finish.
If this promoted quartet was a band they would have arguably finished previous League One concerts half-way through with either booing, tomatoes, or both!
These newly promoted teams will consider they have a point to prove compared to previous seasons in League One. It is accurate to say, my expectations are low; should they be?
Survival in this league for these teams will likely depend on their attempts to beat each other and the occasional other team. Best of luck, and luck will definitely be required!
Doncaster Rovers: Donning The Best Chance Of EFL League One Survival
Winning League 2 is no mean feat, and winning games in League One for Doncaster was not their forte before their ill-fated return to League 2 in 2021/2022. This time around, Rovers will need to be on top form to in order to hold a place in League One for the 2026/27 season.
Donning enthusiasm and flair for the fans, their busy summer transfer window is a cause for optimism. Signing League One experience in Matty Pearson and Brandon Hanlan, with Damola Ajayi on loan via Spurs hints towards attacking formations.
Will the transfer strategy produce consistent 3 points for Donny?
The run-in practically starts in March with Blackpool and Lincoln at home. Major contests loom in April against Mansfield and Northampton. This will not be easy, but not impossible.
I expect a determined showing from Doncaster retaining their League 1 status, just.
Port Vale: Valiant Attempt Likely With Relegation Encounters
Port Vale players recently expressed hopes to play Bolton Wanderers on the first day of the season. The fixture genie presumably laughed, and has whisked them away to Rotherham United coupled with a challenging August.
It might not be a fixture genie, because there is no fixture genie, but it is a stern test to start. Does this make you want a fixture list coefficient; I’m not so sure.
Their growing list of signings are youthful, Ruari Paton, a forward player returning from his loan at Dundee United and Rico Richards on loan from Aston Villa are players with a point to prove. New signings; Liam Gordon, Jordan Shipley, and Jordan Gabriel will all have the chance to play against former clubs. A massive reason to score for all three.
There will be little love shared on Valentines Day for Vale with a trip to Doncaster, followed by a long journey to Stevenage on 17th February at 7.45pm. If you travel to both of those games, you deserve to win the lottery and win your 100,000 to 1 accumulator.
The season concludes at home to Lincoln City, it could be a positive final day escape from relegation but I doubt it.
Bradford: Nocturnal Visions Of Relegation Cuckooing
Arguably, Bradford City got promoted in only a way Bradford City could get promoted. An Antoni Sarcevic (arguably own goal) shot rolling into the net to send Bantams fans into limbs. The scenes that followed were ones that most football fans dream of.
Bradford fans are familiar with League One and will also host season ticket holders in their numbers for their first third tier season since the 2018/19 season.
This is because over 14,000 season tickets have been sold at Valley Parade for next season; a congratulatory nod of appreciation from all League One fans should be afforded both for the sheer numbers and the point of affordable football for the normal person.
The Bantams have opted for players aged 30 and over mostly. This is a decision which could be costly. Pennington, Touray and Power have struggled to find consistent success, but fans will hope Max Power leads the goalscoring authority alongside the return of Andy Cook in autumn.
A fixture list is not always a pre-cursor to a doomed or amazing season, but it might be for the Bantams. Fans will need to hope for Christmas cheer with home wins against Wigan and Port Vale. Maybe, it’s just a Bantams thing?
The final three games; Barnsley away, Bolton at home and Exeter away. To put it lightly, their season will be a nail biter from start to finish and Bradford fans should strap themselves in for a rollercoaster of a journey.
AFC Wimbledon: Relegation Candidate – Application Received Without Consent
AFC Wimbledon return via a play-off final win which may not have been the most inspiring game of football. However, to steal promotion from Walsall does offer a certain sweetness for the season ahead.
Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road will host the first game of the EFL League One season at 8pm on Friday 1st August. TV broadcasters relish matches like this; while fans start to wonder if they influence this. A round trip exceeding 80 miles, on a Friday night, a point or more would cure any hangover.
Fans may also not be feeling the love in February. Barnsley away at 3pm and an evening date with Cardiff City away in the space of 3 days. That is over 550 miles from AFC Wimbledon’s ground across all three matches. Gavin & Stacey fans could hop on a tour in Barry after the Cardiff City game. If, of course, love is in the air!
New signings are starting slowly, and possibly players are conscious of their 5th place finish in League Two. The Dons only scored 56 goals last season, the second lowest in the top half, with others reaching towards 65 or higher.
However, with only 35 goals conceded, the Dons were officially the best defence in the English fourth tier last season.
Horses for courses as they say! A tough season ahead. Our advice? Try to enjoy it!
Do You Think They Stand A Chance In EFL League One?
Although my expectations are low, to say the least, your opinion may be different. Tell me how you think the four promoted sides will get on in the comments below!
