5 League One RABs to Look Out For

Sheffield Wednesday were in the running for an automatic promotion spot, with a very impressive second half of the season, tallying the most points in the league in the final 16 games of the campaign, losing only three times in that time span, making them likely to be contending for an automatic promotion spot.

Barnsley fans have been put through a lot of emotions the past couple of seasons, going from a spot in the play-offs in the 20/21 season, to being relegated and finishing bottom of the Championship last season, but if they can regain some of the form that saw them nearly reach the play-off final under Valerien Ismael, they could be in contention to gain promotion back to the Championship.

The best three teams in the second half of last season were MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton, however, MK Dons and Sheffield Wednesday fell short in the playoffs and Bolton failed to reach the playoffs, but if the they are able to carry over their league form from the second half of last season, it would give them all great chances to finish inside the top six.

Peterborough were promoted into the Championship two seasons ago, but the step up in competition was too much for the Royals as they were relegated back down to League One, but they showed only two seasons ago they have enough quality to easily place themselves in an automatic promotion spot, giving them good hope they can at minimum place themselves in the top six this season.

Two seasons ago when Peterborough finished second in League One and were automatically promoted into the Championship, they scored the most goals in the league, totalling 83 goals and they still have their top scorer from that season, Jonson Clarke-Harris, who definitely has the attributes to repeat his 31 goal season from two seasons ago.

Sheffield Wednesday had the fourth-best attack in the league over the whole of last season, but in the second half of the season, they were free-scoring, netting 47 goals in the last 23 games of the season, which if they carry on into next season, could easily see them beat the 75 goal mark.

Ipswich were much improved in the second half of last season under new boss Kieran McKenna and he massively improved their defence, conceding only 12 goals in their final 23 league games, but their attack still needs to be improved, scoring nine fewer goals in the second half of the season, but if they are able to find the right balance, the goals could come back and 65 goals is a realistic target for the Tractor Boys.

As mentioned above, Wednesday will be expected to compete for promotion and are the bookmakers’ favourites to win the division following the signings of Smith and Ihiekwe from Rotherham, as well as the acquisitions of David Stockdale, Reece James, Will Vaulks and Akin Famewo.

The Owls finished seven points shy of title winners Wigan Athletic last season and could make the step up to push for the title themselves.

Meanwhile, Peterborough were promoted from League One as recently as 2020/21 and have managed to retain the majority of their squad from the Championship whilst adding the likes of Ben Thompson, David Ajboye and Hector Kyprianou to their ranks on a permanent basis, as well as loaning in goalkeeper duo Harvey Cartwright and Lucas Bergstrom from Hull City and Chelsea.

Although they finished in 14th last season, perhaps Cambridge United could be a candidate for the relegation places having made minimal changes to their squad ahead of the upcoming campaign. The U’s saw the likes of Jack Iredale and Wes Hoolahan leave this summer, whilst adding Brandon Haunstrup of Kilmarnock, James Holden from Reading, as well as Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Saikou Janneh from Bournemouth and Bristol City.

Sheffield Wednesday have a great chance of finishing in the top two after being one of the best teams to end last season, however, Ipswich will have to be much improved to gain automatic promotion but their defence under McKenna could give them a chance to have high hopes next season with it leading him to only four losses in the twenty three games under his management last season.

Any newly promoted team can have struggles in a new division, and Port Vale and Forest Green could potentially face that, with Forest Green losing manager Rob Edwards, who guided them to a great title win.

While Port Vale are facing a first season back in League One since the 16/17 season, and could struggle after struggling in League Two until this season, where they made their way through the playoffs, whereas Morecambe had the worst defence in the league last season, and if their attack doesn’t hold up to plug their defensive issues, they could find themselves closer to the relegation battle next season.