League Two 2025/26 Preview: Part Two
Chesterfield, Colchester United, Crawley Town, Crewe Alex, Fleetwood, Gillingham
Welcome to Part Two of our League Two preview series, where we’ve asked fellow podcasters from every club in the division to answer a few questions about their summer, squads and expectations for the season. Today we’ve got a serious promotion challenger, a fellow freshly relegated side, and a few that could go either way.
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Note: these answers have been collated over the past few weeks, so in certain places they may be slightly out of date.
Chesterfield FC
Could you give us a quick summary of your 24/25 season?
Last season was riddled with injuries for the Spireites. This gave us some very inconsistent parts of the season, however we did have a very strong finish to the season and a good return to League football from the National League. We have brilliant owners in place and a wonderfully run club and everything seems to be pointing in the right direction.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
We are delighted with the current recruitment. Dilan Markanday was a key player for us until he was recalled from his loan in January. Ryan Stirk looks like he could also be very important to us this season.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
We still need a bit of youthful cover at centre back. A couple of decent loans should complete a very good squad.
Who are your key players for the new season?
We have a very strong forward line with Will Grigg supported by Armando Dobra and Dilan Markanday who will be two of the best players in League Two.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
Chesterfield fans absolutely love Paul Cook. We have had huge success with him in the past and Chesterfield fans wouldn't want any other manager in charge.
What sort of season are you expecting to have, and what position do you think you’ll finish in?
Promotion is what we are preparing for, top three is hopefully in our sights this season.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting we might do back in League 2?
You have a strong manager in Neil Harris who has a hard to beat style. We are also very aware about getting on a slide down the leagues which saw us fall from a team in the upper reaches of League One all the way down to the bottom end of the National League. It'll be an important season for Cambridge to bounce back from relegation and bring back winning ways sooner rather than later.
Colchester United
Could you give us a quick summary of your 24/25 season?
It took a while to bed in, we made a few signings and needed the first few months to find the right combinations at the back and gel as a team. Into the new year we picked up form fast and were really strong going into the run in. Ultimately injuries led to us losing steam and we fell out of the play off places. Overall fans were happy with the marked improvement from the seasons prior.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
Takeover rumours contributed to quite an uneasy start to the summer. Fans were dreaming of a Wrexham style fairytale (with some fearing a Carlisle style nightmare). Ultimately the takeover was unsuccessful which brought fans firmly back down to earth. The signings have been strong - Dominic Gape seems like a sensible addition to the midfield and Ben Perry was rumoured to be sought after by some League 1 sides. Goodwin and Williams seem to be potential replacements for if (when) Tovide moves on. Jack Tucker was another sensible addition to the back line. Fans are hoping for Lyle Taylor to sign on for another year but last season’s injury seems to be worse than first expected, plus he’s 35.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
I think we’re still short at the back. I think a centre back being brought in from the loan market and a right back will be the key areas to fill.
Who are your key players for the new season?
Key players for Colchester I think will be Jack Payne and Owura Edwards. One of the new signings could well make an impact but I will reserve judgment on them for the time being.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
The Cowley brothers have changed the club. The atmosphere around the club has been quite negative over recent years but the Cowleys have come in and have been a breath of fresh air. Performances on the pitch have improved and the engagement off of it has also.
What sort of season are you expecting to have, and what position do you think you’ll finish in?
I think we’ve kept the core of a successful squad together. With an addition or two I think we’ll be well equipped to sneak into the play offs.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting we might do back in League 2?
I think Cambridge will compete this season. The signing of Ball is a huge statement of intent – someone who has experienced promotions elsewhere at a higher level. The signings of Purrington and Bradshaw look like tidy bits of business too. I think Cambridge will start with some mixed results but things will click towards the back end of the season and they’ll be well in the promotion race.
Crawley Town
Could you give us a quick summary of your 24/25 season?
It was a poor season after getting relegated from League One. Had there of been a couple of more games or had Scott Lindsay come back a few games earlier, we could’ve been fine.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
It has been good actually – which is unusual! We haven’t got rid of too many players over the summer which I think helps. Those we have got rid of have gone on to bigger and better things (except Hepburn-Murphy who has gone to MK!). We have brought in some exciting players like McKirdy, Cashman, and Dion Pereira. It seems like a very attacking team.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
We are probably missing a defender just in case of injuries.
Who are your key players for the new season?
I think Jay Williams will be key, he’s our general and a unit in the middle of the park. However, he is recovering from an injury and so hopefully that won’t affect him too much.
I also think Charlie Barker will be crucial to our success. He came from Wealdstone and since he found his place in the starting XI has really cemented his role in the club. There have been rumours that he will be leaving but thankfully, that hasn’t happened …yet!
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
Scott Lindsay… love the guy! Hopefully he can work his magic and give the Crawley fans another season to remember.
What sort of season are you expecting to have, and what position do you think you’ll finish in?
I am fairly positive and I think we will have a good season. If we were to get into the play offs, I will be happy! For once though, I don’t think we are favourites for relegation.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting we might do back in League 2?
With both of us getting relegated from League One, I think the key is to stop the downwards spiral and ensure a strong mid table finish.
Crewe Alexandra
Could you give us a quick summary of your 24/25 season?
First half good, second half terrible. We were in the playoffs for most of the first half, possibly looking at pushing onto the automatics but fell away horribly and ended up mid table.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
Disconcertingly quiet. We let a lot of players go last summer, either permanent deals or loans returning. As yet we haven't replaced them with the same numbers. Josh March is a new forward and is scoring goals in preseason and there is some excitement over left back Reece Hutchinson as well
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
Probably everywhere could do with a bit of depth to be honest. I think we're currently without a proper right back. We have Lewis Billington who can play there but is more of a centre half. We also need some forward players.
Who are your key players for the new season?
The easy answer is Mickey, only been at the club 2 years but a firm fans’ favourite. I have high hopes for Matus Holicek though. The latest academy player to come through and looks the real deal.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
For the first time I'd say it's mixed, he had won the firm backing of the fans after taking us to Wembley in his first full season, but by the end of last season's dire run in there was murmurings of discontent. We're a loyal bunch though normally, so he'll have time again this season, I'd have thought.
What sort of season are you expecting to have, and what position do you think you’ll finish in?
As it stands I'm not confident, I think we're at best standing still, at worst going backwards. I think we have a worse squad than last year's that finished mid table. So, because I like to be positive, I'll say around mid table.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting we might do back in League 2?
League 2 is impossible to call from the outset. Anybody is capable of bouncing back up, but then there's always Carlisle to look at too. I'd be surprised if Cambridge weren’t up there at the end of the season, but as I said I wouldn't be too surprised with the way the league works.
Fleetwood Town
By Knappers
Could you give us a quick summary of your 24/25 season?
Last season was an up-and-down season to say the least. We never really got going but after Christmas we only lost back-to-back games once. We were hard to beat but sometimes hard to watch, we did lack a lot of creativity however key players out in key areas was a big factor for that. Overall though a positive season, just not very exciting! But sometimes after relegation all you want is a nice calm season.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
The summer has been quite quiet but productive. We’ve been able to get four players in all permanently and in areas that we needed. We’ve been able to shift some of the players that wanted to go and by doing so we’ve freshened up the squad. I still feel we need another two or three bodies, once we’ve got that we’ll know a lot more about this group.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
For me, I still think we need another right back, and a couple of wingers to give us an option. As I said we lack creativity in the wingers area and lack serious pace, we really only have one winger at the football club and last season he was predominantly used as a centre forward. So that for me is crucial. And maybe potentially another attacking midfielder if we’re being picky.
Who are your key players for the new season?
James Norwood coming in will add experience and hopefully he will add goals to this group. Also I’d say Matty Virtue who scored 9 last season
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
I think quite positive and we quite like him, however still work to be done and we still need to see the evidence of a Pete Wild side. Hopefully we’re closer to this than we were last season.
What sort of season are you expecting to have, and what position do you think you’ll finish in?
Hopefully a bit more exciting than last season where we’re chasing a playoff spot and we have something to play for in the second half of the season. Last season felt very ‘season done’ from January onwards. Injuries didn’t help that, but I believe Fleetwood can get into the top half this season.
And finally, what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting we might do back in League 2?
I think Cambridge will get back to winning games of football, they’ve only won something like 35 games of football in the league in the last three seasons and that’s just simply not good enough and the feel good factor around the club has vanished. However it started to come back towards the end of last season, with hope and optimism for this season I feel you will be aiming for a top half finish this season and trying to get into the playoff spots.
Gillingham FC
Could you give us a quick summary of your 24/25 season?
Started really well to be top at the end of September and ended really well with a nine game unbeaten run, it’s just a shame the five months in the middle of that were absolutely rubbish.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
Not as busy as plenty imagined. Andy Smith has returned permanently and we’re added forwards Sam Vokes & Seb Palmer-Houlden, but I think the concern is there hasn’t (yet) been enough changes to a squad that ended 17th last season. Only time will tell though.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
Goals have been an issue for the last few seasons dating back to our relegation in 2021/22, so it will continue to be talked about until the rectify it.
Who are your key players for the new season?
For the first time in years we have an exciting core of academy players in Gbode and Gale who have already broken into the first team, and worth keeping an eye on Harry Webster.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
I think the general consensus is that if he’s backed with resources and more importantly time then he’ll do well for us. Ainsworth has spoken of a two year plan which is good for me, we need to show progress compared to the last couple of seasons so if that takes a season or two so be it.
What sort of season are you expecting to have, and what position do you think you'll finish?.
I’ve said if we can add 10-15 goals to our tally and remain solid then I’m confident we can be a real threat, but if we continue to struggle in front of goal then another season of obscurity will likely be in store.
What's your outsider view of Cambridge and how do you think we might do back in L2?
I look at teams who come down from League 1 then look at how we fared when we first dropped back down in for the 2022/23 season. I think you’ll be competitive under Neil Harris but at the moment I think the squad is a mid-table one. Have predicted you to end up 13th in my season preview video.