League Two Relegation Odds

The Bluebirds have had a tough start to their EFL journey since getting promoted two seasons ago under Ian Evatt. Evatt, David Dunn, Michael Jolley, Rob Kelly, Mark Cooper and Phil Brown have all been and gone from the Barrow dugout but they will be hoping that they’ve finally found a manager resembling the quality of the latter.

Pete Wild was appointed after he guided Halifax to a 4th placed finish in the National League last season. He’s a manager who has been long admired by suitors in the football league for his consistent overachievement with a limited budget.

The Cumbrians will be hoping that they have not only discovered a hidden gem of a manager but also that they can uncover some in the transfer market. Tyrell Warren and Billy Waters have both joined from Halifax alongside experienced football league players, George Ray, Sam Foley and Richie Bennett.

Despite being favourites for relegation, we expect Pete Wild to lead his side to their best season in the EFL so far.

Harrogate Town started last season brilliantly with them looking like serious promotion contenders at the halfway point of the season. However, a drab second half meant they finished 19th in their second-ever Football League season.

The Sulphurites will drastically need to improve their defensive record as only Scunthorpe conceded more than their total of 75 last season.

Long-term manager Simon Weaver has set his sights on improving his squad which has largely relied on the players that secured promotion three years ago. Perhaps the most impressive signing is Joe Mattock who has signed from Rotherham United and will play on the left side of the defence.

Stephen Dooley and Miles Welch-Hayes have joined from Rochdale and Colchester respectively but there is almost certainly work to do, with 10 players leaving this summer.

It’s another new manager for Pool with Paul Hartley joining from Scottish side, Cove Rangers. Hartley has five promotions on his CV with Cove, Dundee and Alloa Athletic and the North East fan base will be hoping that he can replicate his success in the English Football League.

Consolidation will have been the objective at the start of last season and that was comfortably achieved in 17th place despite Dave Challinor leaving to become the new Stockport boss midway through the season.

Hartley has been using his contacts from up North as he’s brought in Euan Murray, Reghan Tumilty, Jake Hastie and Mouhamed Niang from Kilmarnock, Raith Rovers, Rangers and Partick Thistle respectively.

Last season was a campaign of stabilisation for Dale with off-the-pitch affairs taking priority. With those problems seemingly sorted, the supporters' outlook on the season ahead is much more positive than before.

Robbie Stockdale is entering his second season in charge and he has set out early to bring in some proven lower league pros. Despite being 35 years old, Toumani Diagouraga looks like an astute signing to bring some experience and fight to a midfield lacking the combative nature to succeed in the lower leagues.

Richard O’Donnell has been trusted with the number one spot, whilst Ethan Ebanks Landell and Cameron John are expected to improve Dale’s defensive record of 59 goals conceded last season. Devante Rodney has joined from Walsall too with Stockdale hoping to get the best out of the 24-year-old.

Last season was a rocky ride for Carlisle. With expectations high at the start of the season, they were soon quickly dampened as Chris Beech lost his job with the Blues hovering just above the relegation zone in October.

Fortunes didn’t improve under Keith Millen who lost his job in February but in a story that Hollywood would be proud of, the returning Paul Simpson revitalised their campaign to comfortably stave off relegation.

Simpson has quickly reacted to try and lower the age of the Cumbrians playing squad with 21-year-olds, Ryan Edmondson and Sonny Hilton joining from Leeds and Fulham.

However, they will need to replace the quality of Dynel Simeu who has returned to Southampton after his standout loan performances last season at Brunton Park.

Another club and another team that seemingly played managerial bingo last season with Alex Revell, Paul Tisdale and Steve Evans all spending time in the Lamex dugout.

It is Evans who is tasked with the role of turning around Stevenage’s fortunes after a season of struggle. He has used his contacts ridiculously well though, to bring in some serious quality so far.

Aaron Chapman was one of the more trusted League One goalkeepers last season with Gillingham but will be competing with Taye Ashby-Hammond who has joined on loan from Fulham after spending last season with Boreham Wood.

Micheal Bostwick, Dan Sweeney and Carl Piergianni will compete for the centre-back spots whilst Danny Rose will be expected to lead the line after joining from Northampton Town.

Colchester United Odds: 6/1

Crawley Town Odds: 6/1

Crewe Alexandra Odds: 8/1

Grimsby Town Odds: 9/1

Newport County Odds: 10/1

Sutton United Odds: 10/1