League One 2024/25 Preview: Part Four

Mansfield, Northampton, Peterborough, Reading

Here’s part four of our League One season preview series as we gear up for 2024/25. As with the previous four parts (all available to read if you head to our homepage), it’s a tale of mixed fortunes and disparate aims for these four clubs.

Newly-promoted Mansfield (finally back in the third tier after about the millionth time of asking it seems) are an interesting one to call with many fancying them to be flirting with the relegation spots. Northampton face the Difficult Second Season Syndrome™️. Posh are, annoyingly, always good. And Reading have a really decent squad but still with the constant cloud of a transfer embargo and a protracted takeover process to get them out of it hanging over them.

Thanks again to everyone who took part in this preview. Subscribe below to make sure all of our posts land directly in your inbox.

Note: these answers have been collated over the past few weeks, so in certain places they may be slightly out of date.

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Mansfield Town

By Craig from Mansfield Matters

Could you give us a quick summary of your 23/24 season?

A great campaign that we won’t forget for a very long time, but certainly one that we look at as a continuation of the previous season where we built so much momentum but missed out on a play off spot by one goal! 23-24 was a joy, we play some really good stuff from the very start and we’re all so proud & delighted to finally see a Mansfield side actually get over the line, rather than play so well and then bottle it.

How have you rated your summer business so far?

Shrewd. All quality signings with experience at L1 or higher and we’ve not paid a single penny. We’ve only really lost three players who got us promoted: one released because of injuries, another a loanee & the third sold for a fee. So we’ve kept the core of what’s taken us this far, not spent a penny and added a few quid to the pot. Happy days. We still need two more in my opinion but I’ve faith in Clough to deliver.

What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?

We need a centre back to cover until Alfie Kilgour is fully fit and probably could do with another natural right back. Other than that, I think we’re probably short of a striker but that’s it.

Which of your players are you most excited to see play for you next season?

New signing Keanu Baccus comes with some exciting hype so hopefully he’ll live up to that. Hopefully Davis Keillor-Dunn can work with Lee Gregory too and shock a few people

What’s the general opinion on the manager?

Club legend, no doubt about it. Some perhaps think his football is a bit dull and slow, but it’s successful and that’s all we care about. It’ll be tough when he decides to move onto retirement. I don’t see the owners sacking him, nor do I see him doing a Steve Evans and leaving for somewhere else.

What sort of season are fans hoping to have?

We’re under no illusion, it will be a tough campaign, but we know what we’re capable of and if we can find some momentum we may have a stable mid-table finish.

Realistically, if you had to give me a position you think you’ll finish in, what would it be and why?

16th will probably be about right but I wouldn’t right us off pushing for the top half. We’ve got a strong squad blended with experienced players, hungry youngsters and adaptability to play in a number of ways. Some teams will underestimate us I think.

Who are your early predictions for promotion and relegation?

Birmingham will probably win it, annoyingly big Steve and Rotherham will be up there too. Relegation wise, I don’t see Crawley pulling up any trees and they’ll go straight back down, Burton are probably due to drop too.

For anyone who’s never been, can you tell us one unique thing about your stadium?

There’s debates about it being the oldest professional stadium, usually I’d say there’s a stand hidden behind a massively ugly advertising board, but that’s been ripped down and said stand is being redeveloped and should be open before Christmas.

Finally, no offence taken, how many points are you expecting you’ll take off Cambridge in our fixtures?

I think we’ll take 4, a win at ours and a draw at yours. I’m looking forward to visiting again. Good luck for the season ahead!

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Northampton Town

By Danny from It’s All Cobblers To Me

Could you give us a quick summary of your 23/24 season?

A mid-table finish in our first season back in League One is not to be sniffed at and fourteenth was just about right based on the whole campaign. We went through patches of form that kept us afloat and were in the top half until very late in the season, where a slight dip dropped us down a little. We were all happy to never really have flirted with the bottom four at all, though!

How have you rated your summer business so far?

It was slow at first but there’s been six signings in the last couple of weeks that look promising. James Wilson is an experienced striker at this level and, if kept fit, should be a decent signing. Callum Morton is back, having shot us to promotion in the season that ended with an empty Wembley Playoff Final win and Cameron McGeehan looks a shrewd pick up from Colchester United. Jack Baldwin brings experience to our back line and Tom Eaves is a striker who has completely different strengths to the rest of the group of forwards on board.

What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?

We’re still missing a quality replacement for Marc Leonard, who was outstanding on loan from Brighton over the last two seasons. He’ll be sorely missed and we could well dip back into the loan market again for someone who can replicate that role.

Which of your players are you most excited to see play for you next season?

I’m intrigued by Eaves’ signing. He’s always been a nuisance at this level and gives us a completely new option up front. McGeehan is one who comes with rave reviews so I’m excited to see how he does in League One.

What’s the general opinion on the manager?

Almost universally positive. Jon Brady has consistently produced Cobblers sides that punch above their weight and he gets every ounce out of his players. He’s passionate on the sidelines and will wind up the fourth official on match days, but he’s a good man who we’re delighted to have still in place.

What sort of season are fans hoping to have?

It’s going to be a difficult season with some of the big money coming into the league from the likes of Birmingham, Wrexham and Stockport as well as clubs who will be looking to go again and will spend big to try to do so. I think most are hoping for similar to last time and if we can finish in the same position that will, in some ways, be seen as progress.

Realistically, if you had to give me a position you think you’ll finish in, what would it be and why?

14th again - as mentioned, I’d take it and I think we can do that based on what we’ve brought in so far.

Who are your early predictions for promotion and relegation?

It’s always really hard to do this at the start of the season but Birmingham have to get promoted given all they’re spending so I’ll go for them and Bolton to go up with Charlton winning the playoffs. To go down, I’ll go with Crawley, Shrewsbury, Mansfield and a long shot of Stevenage completely losing their way without Steve Evans!

For anyone who’s never been, can you tell us one unique thing about your stadium?

It’s still in the (long) process of regaining the East Stand after a huge saga under previous owners. The stand is finally getting rebuilt and should hopefully be back in full working order soon!

Finally, no offence taken, how many points are you expecting you’ll take off Cambridge in our fixtures?

I’ll go with 4!

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Peterborough United

By Charlie from Up The Poshcast

Could you give us a quick summary of your 23/24 season?

From smacking both of our rivals for five at London Road, to winning the Bristol Street Motors Trophy at Wembley, Posh fans made memories for life in 2023/24. We had the youngest squad in the league, and played a brave, ambitious style of football which worked perfectly. We were in the automatic promotion spots at Christmas, and looked like one of the favourites to go up in January. Unfortunately, a turbulent February halted our automatic promotion charge. We missed way too many chances across the season, not least in the playoff semifinal against Oxford United in which we were beaten 2-1 on aggregate. Overall, it was a season that deserved more than just the BSM Trophy, however it was one to be proud of.

How have you rated your summer business so far?

It’s been a tough transfer window. Ephron Mason-Clark officially completed his £4,150,000 move to Coventry City, Ronnie Edwards finally got his Premier League move to Southampton for £3,000,000, and Harrison Burrows has moved to Sheffield United for a reported £3.5-4,000,000. In addition to this, Josh Knight left as a free agent, and Jadel Katongo’s loan from Manchester City ended.

These players were the spine of last season’s team, however this also presents us an opportunity to splash some cash. We have brought in young League Two stars Abraham Odoh from Harrogate Town and Rio Adebisi from Crewe Alexandra for the left-hand side. As usual, Peterborough United have raided non-league, beating lots of opposition for Altrincham winger Chris Conn-Clarke, who notched 35 goal contributions last term. The most exciting signing though is George Nevett, a Rolls Royce central defender from Rochdale who was subject to Premier League interest. We have a lot of work to do, but we’re slowly getting there in terms of building a new squad.

What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?

We still need two central defenders as we only currently have one viable option. We have one right-back, and he is an academy player so a signing in that position is essential. There is a distinct lack of depth in midfield, so a signing there may be looked at.

Which of your players are you most excited to see play for you next season?

Malik Mothersille was signed last summer from Chelsea, but couldn’t feature a massive amount last season due to some fitness issues. He’s had a full pre-season under his belt now though and looks very sharp. Freshly awarded the #7 shirt, he will be an absolute handful, and is appearing as an early candidate to be the main man this campaign.

What’s the general opinion on the manager?

Nobody can do League One better than Darren Ferguson. It may be jeered at that he is in his fifth term (technically) at the football club, however there is nobody better to get a tune out of these raw young talents. Fergie has got us promoted from League One before on numerous occasions, and I think history may repeat itself sooner rather than later.

What sort of season are fans hoping to have?

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony has stated that the aim for this season is automatic promotion, and we have no reason not to trust that, so hopefully a very good one!

Realistically, if you had to give me a position you think you’ll finish in, what would it be and why?

I think we’ll be right up there. There is so much talent already within our ranks, and we are set to add to it as well. It will be dynamic, excellent football which I think may set us apart from other clubs. I think we will by vying for an automatic promotion spot, and I predict that we will get it. Second place.

Who are your early predictions for promotion and relegation?

Up: Birmingham City – SO much money spent, and a club with huge ambition, Peterborough United, Rotherham United – Steve Evans has put together such a strong squad.

Down: Crawley Town – seriously, what are they doing selling all of their best players?, Northampton Town – Just a bit too much for them to stay up in such a tough league, Exeter City – weak underbelly, Cambridge United – rode their luck two years in a row now, and a much stronger league in terms of the bottom half.

For anyone who’s never been, can you tell us one unique thing about your stadium?

Next season, we will be experimenting with having fans behind both goals on a permanent basis to hopefully create a better atmosphere at home.

Finally, no offence taken, how many points are you expecting you’ll take off Cambridge in our fixtures?

Last season was just so easy. Think we will beat you easily at London Road again, don’t think your players can handle the barrage of attacking football in an atmosphere like that. At the Abbey, if we play at our best we will beat you every single time, will be closer than the London Road game, but still see Posh winning. After all, Cambridgeshire is blue, and I fully expect Posh to be coming away with six points from the two meetings again.

Note from the editor: this was tough to publish. But thanks anyway, Charlie. Mate.

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Reading FC

By Dave from Elm Park Royals

Could you give us a quick summary of your 23/24 season

A poor start as a result of a points deduction prior to the season and another early on, and the financial hellscape we’ve been in for a while now meaning that signings were done late, and securing a manager was completed well into late preseason.

Adjusting to new arrivals, a new league, and a new manager with a style that we initially couldn’t play or didn’t suit (delete as applicable depending on the match) left us in a perilous position by November, and ultimately 6 points were deducted over the course of the season.

The quality of several players combined with some adjustments from the manager on his formation and tactics turned things around and in the end, we stayed up reasonably comfortably despite dire predictions.

How have you rated your summer business so far?

Nothing to rate! Save for a flurry of contracts for academy players and new deals for promising younger first team squad players already with us, we’ve done nothing yet this summer. We remain under fee restriction for new transfers this window, the deal for new ownership is still not complete (with current owner not funding us), so may be a lean summer in terms of recruitment.

What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?

An out and out left back. We’ve had a few players fill in admirably, but there’s no recognised senior left back available.

Goalkeeper is another position that isn’t quite where we would want it to be. Button and Pereira are up against each other for the number 1 spot, neither fill us with a supreme amount of confidence. Boyce-Clarke the presumptive next in line still hasn’t been given much of a run out.

Could use some more depth in a few areas but that’s the glaring gaps for me.

Which of your players are you most excited to see play for you next season?

Wing is a special player, can’t wait to see him back out there. Knibbs and Smith also very good, with Azeez (if he stays) another I hope we see the best of again this season. Abrefa just signed a new deal, young promising right back, hope to see him emerge as Yiadom’s long term successor as the season progresses.

In midfield, interested to see what Craig, Savage and Camara contribute as each showed plenty to like last time out. I’m also very keen to see the reprised partnership of Mbengue and Bindon in central defence, a real bright spot of last season.

What’s the general opinion of the manager?

He’s won the majority of the fanbase over and the current view is that we have a good manager, especially at this level - especially if he’s not hamstrung by points deductions, financial mismanagement and transfer restrictions.

What sort of season are fans hoping to have?

I’ve heard a range of expectations from different fans but a general average would probably be “top 10 finish on the field, increased stability off it”

We’d love to see the club back in the second tier but done in a sustainable way that won’t see us back in trouble a few seasons down the line. Building towards real progress is my hope.

Realistically, if you had to give me a position you think you’ll finish in, what would it be and why?

9th. Even without reinforcements, I think we’ve got a squad that can be decently competitive in the league. Playoffs feel a step too far in our current state, but expectations of a top 10 finish do feel realistic when weighing up who we have, how we play, and the other teams in the league this season.

Who are your early predictions for promotion and relegation?

Bolton and Birmingham to go up, would be my most likely expectation. Remaining promotion spot, not so sure at this stage.

I think both Stockport and Wrexham will have enough to stay up, and Shrewsbury may struggle again this season.

For anyone who’s never been, can you tell us one unique thing about your stadium?

Not sure if it counts, but you can walk to it from town. While it’s out in the sticks compared to a traditional ground, if the weather is decent and you’re ok with the distance, the 35-45 minute stroll along the canal footpaths to ultimately take you under the A33 and up to the stadium is surprisingly pleasant. You pick up the path by the water across Bridge Street from Wagamamas in the Oracle.

Finally, no offence taken, how many points are you expecting you’ll take off Cambridge in our fixtures?

4.⁠ ⁠I think we’ll get the better of you at our place and you’ll take a point off us at yours on New Year’s Day.