The 26/27 League One Preview: Part One
AFC Wimbledon, Barnsley, Bromley, Blackpool, Bradford and Burton
Set your watches and start the countdown. It’s now just over a week to go until the EFL season kicks off. All the highs and the lows, the celebrations and the commiserations, the glorious Saturdays and the desolate Tuesdays. From sun-soaked afternoons at the Abbey in August to miserable midweek trips in the freezing midwinter rain, we see it all throughout a football season. Strap in.
United will play in English football’s third tier again, having bounced back straight away from a relegation that ended four back-to-back seasons in League One. The EFL’s middle child always produces some of the most interesting narratives from across the pyramid. Leicester City will visit the Abbey for a league fixture this year, 10 years after winning the Premier League. We’ll travel to Burton Albion’s Pirelli stadium but also Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough. It’s a league of contrasts, and while we know which bit of the division we’ll likely occupy, confidence feels fairly high that we can hold our own and start a new journey at this level.
As with each game of football, it takes two to tango. There are 23 other teams who all have their own hopes and dreams, and who all stand in the way of United achieving their goals. To find out more about them, we’ve contacted the very best fan podcasts and websites from teams across the division to answer a few questions that will give us a flavour of what to expect from them. Starting alphabetically this first part features AFC Wimbledon and then all the Bs: Barnsley, Bromley, Blackpool, Bradford, and Burton.
This article is free for everyone to give you a flavour of what you can get from the Coconut Tier. Articles and in-depth features like this are a regular part of UTAS’ website coverage. If you want to read parts 2, 3 and 4 over the next few days, you’ll need to sign up below, and you can enjoy all the other benefits such as extra podcasts and joining the WhatsApp community to keep you as up-to-date as possible on United’s journey in League One this season.
AFC Wimbledon
By Tim Hanson
Could you give us a quick summary of your 25/26 season?
A slightly odd but ultimately successful campaign.
Successful because we survived, which was contrary to expectations based on budgets, bookmakers’ odds and recent evidence (the last three teams promoted through the L2 playoffs all came straight back down). In fact, we didn’t spend a single day in the relegation zone all season.
The odd part comes from the flow of results over the season. There were two excellent runs that saw us pick up 42 points in 21 games (at the start of the season and in Feb/March). But it was only 9 points across the other 25 games. At times I was shocked at how well we were faring, and other times shocked at how badly we were playing. It’s probably not what you’d expect from the solid high-floor/low-ceiling team we’ve generally been under Johnnie Jackson.
I guess the most negative way of looking at the season would be to observe that after a strong start (fuelled by the momentum of promotion), we only picked up 28 points from our last 33 games of the season. That’s a big sample of matches and replicating that PPG over a full season would usually result in relegation.
But I do think there were some mitigating (or at least explanatory) factors. First, the turnaround from achieving promotion to starting the season was incredibly short. There were just 67 days between beating Walsall at Wembley and opening the EFL season away at Luton. That almost certainly caught up with the squad in the latter stages of the season. The gap this time around is a far healthier 105 days. Second, we suffered a horrendous injury crisis at the end of the season – losing Johnson, Lewis, Hippolyte, Tilley, Browne, Bugiel and Stevens – that I think goes a long way to explaining a run of 1 point from 9 games.
And third, recruitment was really not great. Of 13 players to arrive before and during the season, there were probably only three ‘hits’ (Smith, Seddon, Tilley), all of whom had played for us before. It was certainly the least productive year of recruitment since Craig Cope arrived, and I’d hope can be bettered this time.
In isolation, there is scope to think that we can make improvements this time around. But equally, budgetary challenges from last season remain and it looks like a tougher League 1 this time.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
We’ve so far added 6 players: Dan Sweeney (CB), Steven Sessegnon (WB), James Tilley (WB), Zack Nelson (CM), Ollie Harrison (CM), Jayden Stockley (CF). 5 of those are on permanent deals, Harrison (an 18-year-old from Chelsea) the only loan.
They are perhaps not collectively the most eye-catching set of incomings, but I think they are all solid and sensible additions that fill gaps or address weaknesses in the squad. Stockley is probably the one that has got supporters most excited as Wimbledon fans love nothing more than a big target man. Tilley was excellent in his return loan spell last season and could have a big impact. I think Nelson (another loanee) from last season could also do well – especially his appetite to get on the ball and make things happen in the final third.
The new signings come into an already settled squad. We have so far retained 80% of playing minutes from last season, which is a lot (second only to Mansfield in L1). It was especially pleasing that Steve Seddon, our player of the year last season, signed a new deal.
We’ve had some decent performances and results in pre-season and the mood among fans is fairly positive, albeit we know it’ll be a tough season against much better-resourced opponents.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
Not a huge amount. Taking young players likely to be loaned out of the equation, we have about a 21-man squad currently with good cover in most positions. The main exception is at centre back where we only really have three senior CBs and usually play a 352. Other players can fill in, but I’m sure we will look to add at least one more there. We may also add another forward, especially with Matty Stevens out injured for the first couple of months of the season.
It’s possible there may need to be outgoings to make space for the final additions, but no clear idea on who those might be. There are concerns about the level of both our keepers (Bishop and McDonnell) but with both under contract, I’m not sure any changes there are likely.
Who are your key players for the new season?
Marcus Browne – probably our best player. He was reinvented from an attacking midfielder to a centre forward last season and he’s looked far better in his new role. I expect him to stay up front. He scored 14 goals over the season.
Ali Smith – a near ever-present in central midfield over the last two seasons (playing 90 out of a possible 92 league games). Usually plays in the deep lying CM role. Just very consistent and one of our best performers most weeks.
Ryan Johnson – stepped up to L1 with far more ease than most of our fans expected. A solid and calm presence in the centre of defence. Likely to captain the team most weeks this season with Jake Reeves no longer first choice. Also a goal threat – 4 goals last season, joint highest scoring CB in L1.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
Johnnie Jackson is now entering his 5th season in charge and is the EFL’s 7th longest-serving manager. I think he’s done an objectively good job, taking over at a challenging time for the club after League 1 relegation and delivering season-on-season improvement.
That said, I still don’t think he’s universally lauded among Wimbledon fans. Partly that’s about the style of play being attritional and sometimes a tough watch. We’ve rarely looked a well-coached attacking team under Jackson. And partly it’s judging that others deserve more credit for the club’s recent successes (most notably Cope).
Personally, I think such criticism is harsh. Just looking at results, Jackson has delivered well above his budget in at least the last two seasons, and that’s the most important thing he can be judged on. But it’s probably also true that despite what he’s achieved, he’s still not seen as a very ‘exciting’ young manager, demonstrated by never seemingly being linked to any other jobs in all his time at Wimbledon.
One caveat to the ‘attritional’ style point above. There was a spell last season, with everyone fit, where we played the best attacking football I’ve seen since Jackson was appointed. It came at a time when we were struggling and I personally thought we should become even more direct and pragmatic. But Jackson set us out to be more open and expansive – and it worked. That run included putting 4 past Blackpool and 3 past Reading, Barnsley and Bradford. It didn’t last too long (partly as injuries set in) but gave a glimpse that the style under Jackson can potentially evolve and be a bit more exciting, while still delivering results.
What are the expectations this season, and what will be the minimum you’d be happy with?
Given our financial constraints, any form of survival should be considered a success, and I think needs to be the target. We’d probably take 20th now. It will be tough but not unachievable. We’ve retained almost all our best performers from last season and made some good additions – but as I said it does look a stronger L1 this time around.
Give us a predicted finishing position.
18th (being optimistic).
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting the U’s might do back in League 1?
I’m pleased to see Cambridge back in League 1. They (initially) did really well when they were there before, and I think were a good model for smaller clubs coming up. I’m always pleased to see sensibly run clubs do well rather than those that are financially doped beyond their means. Bouncing straight back up (rarely done) is good testament to how well the club is run. I think given the competition in L1 this season, they are likely to be among the strugglers. But with a good manager and wider set up and the momentum of promotion I’d give them a decent chance of surviving. Very few automatically promoted clubs from L2 go straight back down. I’m also looking forward to the away game at the Abbey – always a good day out and not too far to travel.
Barnsley
By Red All Over
Could you give us a quick summary of your 25/26 season?
A disappointing season after finishing 15th. We’ve finished lower each season over the last number of seasons. The worst aspect was that we played boring football & couldn’t stop conceding goals (mainly in the last 15 mins).
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
A big change this summer - the most significant is Daniel Stendel (ex promotion-winningcoach) replaced Connor Hourihane in the dugout. Daniel always plays front-foot, high-press football that we love to see. We’ve signed young, quick, hungry players such as Sam Gale (centre-back from Gillingham), Amani Richards (striker/winger from Leicester), Thyrese Noslin (right back from Telstar), Cameron McGeehan (midfielder from Northampton) plus loans, Mackenzie Kirk (Pompey striker) & Cieran Stickler (Ipswich keeper).
The signs (e.g. last friendly v Lincoln) are very good though we lack “experience”, having sold Adam Phillips to Bradford & released David McGoldrick (now at Mansfield).
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
An experienced striker & CB, plus a left back.
Who are your key players for the new season?
Patrick Kelly, Reyes Cleary (presuming he’s not sold), Sam Gale and Cameron McGeehan.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
The majority of reds fans love Daniel Stendel. His quick, pressing playing style is a joy to watch.
What are the expectations this season, and what will be the minimum you’d be happy with?
I think about 10th place (minimum) but hope for higher.
Give us a predicted finishing position.
8th to 10th.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting the U’s might do back in League 1?
I loved your channel (Under the Abbey Stand) & was gutted when you were relegated! I’m glad you’re back & hope you stay in the division & have a great season (but, obviously, finish below us!).
Blackpool
By Jack Fallon
Would you give us a quick summary of your 25/26 season?
Unnecessarily stressful. Blackpool spent a fortune in the summer window but under Steve Bruce endured one of the worst starts in the club’s recent history. Bruce was sacked in October before club legend Ian Evatt took over. A bright start under Evatt was soon derailed by injuries, suspensions and an awful run of form that sparked genuine relegation fears. Six wins from our final seven matches eventually pulled us clear and somehow the Pool finished 13th.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
Keen not to read too much into pre-season (we’ve lost three of five), the biggest concern is injuries. A lack of player availability has blighted the Evatt era, so it’s frustrating to see that continue heading into 2026/27. Making Karoy Anderson’s loan permanent was excellent business, while we’ve added what look to be some decent-looking attacking options too.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
I don’t feel overly confident going into the season with our current backline. We’re still a few players short there, especially given our recent injury and suspension record.
What frustrated me most when things were going wrong last season was the lack of leadership on the pitch, and given we’ve let two of our more experienced players go in the summer, I’d still like to see another three or four signings in that mould before the window shuts.
Who are your key players for the new season?
If fit and available, Fraser Horsfall, Karoy Anderson and Dale Taylor will be at the heart of everything good Blackpool do this season.
We’re well stocked in attacking areas as well. Leighton Clarkson showed flashes of real quality after joining in January, while Pool fans are desperate to see Josh Bowler rediscover the Championship form he produced a few years ago.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
Having won two promotions and playing for the club in the Premier League, Ian Evatt has credit in the bank with most Pool fans.
After a promising start, he came in for plenty of criticism when results dipped, particularly over his reluctance to change the system and some of his selection decisions, although injuries and suspensions didn’t help.
To his credit, he brought in former assistant manager and club hero Steve Thompson around March last season and things started to trend positively.
Evatt is a modern coach who says the right things and clearly cares deeply about the club. Everyone wants it to work because if it does, he’ll cement his place as a bona fide Blackpool legend.
What are the expectations this season, and what will be the minimum you’d be happy with?
We have to improve on last season and I genuinely think we will.
There are plenty of strong sides in League One, but Blackpool should be right in the play-off conversation. Given our history of reaching the play-offs, the top six always seems to be a target to aim for.
After finishing 13th, 9th and 8th in the past three seasons, it would be nice to finally make a proper push. Keeping players fit - something we’ve struggled badly with recently - will be the biggest factor.
Give us a predicted finishing position.
Heart says sixth, head says eighth.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting the U’s might do back in League 1?
I really like the Neil Harris-Mark Bonner combination. There’s a lot of experience there and, crucially, plenty of League One know-how, which is invaluable for a first season back in the division.
Allied with the fact there’s still a fair bit of dross left in League One from last season, I’d like to see the U’s stay up comfortably and spend more time looking up the table than worrying about the bottom four.
I’ve still got a soft spot for Shayne Lavery and I’m almost certain he’ll bag against us this season.
Bradford
By Kate Eveleigh
Could you give us a quick summary of your 25/26 season?
We finished 24/25 on a massive high and to be honest, we were just glad to be back! However, we exceeded all expectations and finished in the playoffs, losing in the semi finals to a very deserving Bolton side.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
We've lost Power and Metcalfe to Wigan and Millwall respectively and they could prove to be big losses. But I think most fans are impressed with the signings (especially in attack) and see them as a general upgrade on last season.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
We still haven't found that defensive midfielder and would be a bit light at wing back if Tyreik Wright or Josh Neufville were missing for any reason.
Who are your key players for the new season?
At the end of last season, we underperformed our xG by some margin, so I'm hoping Beesley and Phillips (who come with great scoring records) can help us out with that.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
He's up there as one of the best we've ever had for most people. He came in at a time when everything felt messy behind the scenes, there was very little bond between the fans and the club and we'd been in League 2 for 4 seasons. He's brought that connection back and he seems to “get” the culture of the club. He's also had some brilliant results along the way.
What are the expectations this season, and what will be the minimum you’d be happy with?
It sounds like we mean business so another playoff campaign would be great but the league seems much stronger this year, so I think we'd be happy with a top half finish.
Give us a predicted finishing position.
8th. I think we'll push for playoffs but ultimately miss out.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting the U’s might do back in League 1?
I must admit to not following Cambridge too closely, but the signings look impressive so hopefully you have enough to do well. Good luck!
Bromley
Could you give us a quick summary of your 25/26 season?
Against all the odds Bromley shocked League Two to win the title. Arguably it was no more than they deserved having been at the top of the table from late December to the end of the season, give or take a few weeks.
It wasn’t a team built on flair but simply being the most brutally efficient team in the league, out-running and hustling most of the league and a never-say-die spirit that got them over the line even when Michael Cheek was ruled out for the rest of the season from March onwards.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
Its been an interesting summer as no less than ten players have come through the door, with more likely to follow. It was always going to be a transitional summer as we said goodbye to players that took us from the National League to League One. The club knew that to survive or consolidate in League One, they would have to upgrade the quality of their players.
There is a sense that everyone signed so far is an upgrade but with such an overhaul, how quickly can they mould to the Bromley DNA/playing style?
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
Kamarl Grant has just signed on loan from Millwall, for his third stint, which may help address the relative inexperience at centre-back. Other than that if we are being greedy a goal-scoring number 10 would be nice.
Who are your key players for the new season?
Goalkeeper - Shamal George
Right Back - Chanse Headman
Centre Back - Deon Woodman, Kamarl Grant (loan)
Left Back - Richard Taylor, Jacob Mendy
Centre Midfield - JJ McKiernan, Kamil Conteh
Winger - Ethon Archer (loan)
Striker - Victor Adeboyejo
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
“10 more years, Andy Woodman,” as the refrain goes. The only surprise at this juncture is that a much bigger club hasn’t gone all-in on Andy Woodman.
Every single season at the football club he has achieved history. How many managers can say that in their career? Long may it continue or until such a point that he is finally poached away.
What are the expectations this season, and what will be the minimum you’d be happy with?
My personal view is that Bromley will finish lower mid-table. However I understand that all bookies and pundits will have Bromley as favourites for relegation - but that was the case in our first season in League Two.
Ultimately all Bromley fans will be happy with any position outside the bottom four.
Give us a predicted finishing position.
14th.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting the U’s might do back in League 1?
I see a lot of Andy Woodman in Neil Harris. It was clear across the two games last season that Cambridge could go toe-to-toe with Bromley both physically and, more importantly, they were better technically.
Like Bromley, a lot will come down to the quality of recruitment and sticking to the DNA. If Cambridge play the same way in League One as they did in League Two they will not get relegated but is that too lowly an expectation?
Burton
By David Wilson-Turner and Anton Williams
Could you give us a quick summary of your 25/26 season?
2025/26 saw another season where the Brewers avoided the drop, cementing a ninth consecutive season in League One, the longest of any current club in the division. It was a less miraculous escape compared to the previous season, with Gary Bowyer’s Brewers being fairly consistent across 46 games, registering a 17th place finish, the highest since 2022-23.
We also unearthed a gem in Shade and started to turn around the squad after the previous season’s interesting recruitment.
How has your summer been, and are fans happy with the signings so far?
The summer has been difficult in all honesty. Just four new signings into the building, with Curtis Tilt, Corey Addai, Matthew Dennis and Gbemi Arubi all arriving. We are still counting the cost of our mammoth splurge of summer signings two years ago, with a lot of departures from the club ranging from released players and free transfers, to the more important losses of Udoka Godwin-Malife and Jake Beesley to Reading and Bradford City respectively. Fans have been generally happy with what has come in so far, but more is needed to finish the squad.
What do you still think you’re missing from your squad?
It’s a thin squad currently! I would suggest we maybe have 12 or 13 of the current 20-man squad who are good enough to play at this level. I feel like we still require five players, and despite the strongest XI looking good enough to compete, we expect that once the injuries start to pile up, we could struggle.
A target man, midfield general and left wing back are currently at the top of the wish list.
Who are your key players for the new season?
Charlie Webster and Tyrese Shade at the time of writing are, surprisingly still at the Pirelli Stadium. Expected interest has come and gone, for now at least, and they remain Burton Albion players. Both had very good seasons with Albion last time out, and I expect if they do stick around, they will do again. Kyran Lofthouse and Kegs Chauke are also two very good assets at Gary Bowyer’s disposal.
It’s going to be a long season again but the ethos the gaffer has brought to the squad could be key if we have any chance of having a good season.
What’s the general opinion on the manager?
I am waiting on the statue to be built following the greatest of escapes we have possibly ever seen at this level in the 2024-25 season. Doomed and destined for the drop upon his arrival in December 2024, he steered us to safety with a game to spare, condemning Cambridge to the drop along the way, and has since built up a base of assets that the club is finally reaping the rewards from. He’s a true gent. Calm, honest and a true fan favourite, the worry is a bigger club could come calling soon and we lose our heartbeat. 2026-27 will represent his biggest challenge yet!
What are the expectations this season, and what will be the minimum you’d be happy with?
The expectation is that it is going to be a long season, but as long as Gary is in charge, I remain hopeful we can do the unthinkable again. It will be a scrap, but I would snap your arm off for 20th right now!
Give us a predicted finishing position.
With the window still open, and our business far from done, it is hard to say at this current stage. If the window shut tomorrow, I would be extremely concerned that we will be 21st to 24th, however, I will stick my neck out and say that we pull it out the bag and finish 19th.
And finally what’s your outsider view of Cambridge, how are you expecting the U’s might do back in League 1?
Could be a tough season for the U’s the same as us. A lot of big sides in League One now and us smaller clubs have an uphill struggle to compete with such big budgets.
Cambridge have built a solid squad with Neil Harris at the helm, and you come back into the division stronger than when you left. Like the Brewers, I think you will be in a scrap down towards the bottom of the table with us, but I think you can bloody a few noses, especially at home.