NTT20's League One Preview: Club-By-Club Cheat Sheet
Get to know League One and see what fans have to say about their teams ahead of the new season.
This is the League One Cheat Sheet — elsewhere on NTT20.COM, we’ve just published an accompanying piece on Fan Sentiment, so do check it out.
The music is about to start. This is a division where recent top-flight clubs jive at the same disco as those who recall bopping in the National League. It’s special. With three promotion opportunities and four relegation spots, there are simply more stakes in League One, and the churn from top to bottom makes for a fiercely unpredictable campaign.
This preview sets the stage for a season that promises drama, surprises, and plenty of reshuffled expectations. Now’s the time to get to know the teams.
Cheat Sheet Explained
Squad Depth Charts:
These are not a representation of every club’s formation, but a way of visualising which teams look well-rounded, or where holes may exist.
We’ve allocated players to roles based on historical precedent, although some positions — especially LCB/RCB or LCM/RCM — refer to foot-preference.
Average Predicted Finish – Compiled from our pre-season survey, in which supporters of each club predicted their final league position.
Watch Out For – A spotlight on a young breakout candidate or underrated talent.
View From the Fans – Hopes, fears and realism, direct from supporters.
League One Preview: Cheat Sheet
Average predicted finish: 18th
Watch out for: Aron Sasu (20) – Winger
View from Dan Pike:
A lot of people are writing off the team because they were promoted via the play-offs. The solid defence from League Two is almost intact going into League One, which will be a great base. The manager knows League One and recruitment has been superb under Craig Cope, so I think that we will have enough to avoid relegation. My only worry is up front, but Orsi and Hackford have just come through the door and look like good options.
Average predicted finish: 7th
Watch out for: Vimal Yoganathan (19) – Central Midfielder
View from Alex Sawyer:
Although results didn’t really improve, I believe there were shoots of optimism at the end of last season under Conor Hourihane. There was a change in formation, away from a 3-5-2 that wasn’t working, to a 4-3-3 that coaxed more from our attacking players. I think the signings made over the summer look decent and make a fair amount of sense. But any improvement is based on faith in a rookie manager and hoping young or returning players make an impact.
Average predicted finish: 6th
Watch out for: Tom Bloxham (21) – Forward
View from a Tangerine:
There’s been big investment in proven League One quality. The top 6 is the expectation from the top of the club. It should be fun to watch at least.
Average predicted finish: 3rd
Watch out for: Sam Inwood (19) – Centre-Back/Left-Back
View from Lee Tennant:
The fanbase will expect instant improvement on a dreadful end to 24/25. There’s been a clear-out and we’re starting to see Schumacher put his own stamp on the squad. Play-offs are the minimum stated ambition; I think we will match that, but probably not better it.
Average predicted finish: 15th
Watch out for: Harry Ibbitson (19) – Striker
View from Tom:
Momentum will be key. If we start the first quarter well, then I can’t see us being dragged towards a relegation battle. If we start poorly, then I can see us being in a relegation battle for a large chunk of the season.
The key will be keeping the quartet of Pattison, Power, Sarcevic and Pointon fit — that is the strongest part of our attacking unit. The worry would be our defence. With the recent additions, I’m not sure anyone really knows what the strongest five will be, which may eat into the season while we try to land on a best XI.
Average predicted finish: 18th
Watch out for: Finn Delap (20) – Centre-Back
View from James:
Obviously, the form at the end of last season was amazing, and we've done well with Amissah and getting JJ McKiernan back, but the signings of Beesley, Sibbick and the rumour of Jordan Rhodes are making even the most optimistic fan question if we're signing the right players. But: in Gary Bowyer we trust.
Average predicted finish: 5th
Watch out for: Dylan Lawlor (19) – Centre-Back
View from Will Phillips:
Big fan of BBM so far, nice to have a manager who knows what he wants to do and seems to have tactical nous. I am slightly concerned that we seemingly have no ‘leaders’ and fewer experienced heads in the squad with Ralls and COD leaving.
The squad should be decent in this league, but I’d love a solid, experienced pro to plus a peppering of loan players. To me, a top 6 finish would be a good achievement.
Average predicted finish: 13th
Watch out for: Will Flint (19) – Defensive Midfielder (On Loan at Gateshead)
View from Ryan Fisher:
Hopefully, this is a season of adjusting back to League One life. A top-half finish and a cup run would be an added bonus, but ultimately, we will be looking to comfortably stay away from the bottom four.
Average predicted finish: 18th
Watch out for: Liam Oakes (18) – Full-Back/Centre Midfield
View from Ben Blyth:
I’m positive and hopeful. However, the model we run means finishing much higher than last season is difficult, although I’d sooner this approach than be a club making yearly losses. Football is eating itself, and we need more clubs to be run properly.
Average predicted finish: 4th
Watch out for: Neo Eccleston (21) – Right-Back
View from Jack Hepworth:
The signings we have made are very strong — especially when you consider that we haven’t spent much and we have let a lot go. The only uncertainty is Lee Grant, who hasn’t managed yet but seems to know what he’s talking about. We’re hoping for another Birmingham situation: a bright yet inexperienced manager with high-quality players to help us through.
Average predicted finish: 7th
Watch out for: Zech Obeiro (20) – Central Midfielder
View from Philip Morgan:
A summer of lots of changes can lead to an inconsistent season, but we’ve started putting together what looks like a solid League One team. A couple more key additions should see us comfortable, but I can’t see us challenging for the play-offs.
Average predicted finish: 11th
Watch out for: Jovon Makama (21) – Right-Winger
View from James Lathlane:
Though I think Lincoln will miss out on the play-offs, our improved attacking depth will give us a good shot. A full season of James Collins, Jovon Makama (who has found his best position on the right wing), and Rob Street back from a successful loan at Doncaster will certainly help.
Average predicted finish: 2nd
Watch out for: Christ Makosso (21) – Centre-Back
View from Adam Shortland:
A big summer of squad churn is not yet complete, but if the majority of the team stays together (and we sign a striker), we should do well. Bloomfield is a promising manager who made a big impact last season.
Average predicted finish: 15th
Watch out for: Owen Mason (21) – Goalkeeper
View from Sam Binch:
Hopefully, a more level campaign where we don’t go from a massive high to a massive low. A slight improvement while avoiding a relegation battle would do the trick.
Average predicted finish: 16th
Watch out for: Kamarai Swyer (22) – Winger/Attacking Midfielder
View from Becky:
We are always favourites for relegation — I don’t think that will ever change. And yes, we have lost some important players such as Pinnock and McGowan. At the same time, we have made a fair few strong signings. I am hopeful we will sign a few more attacking options, probably on loan.
I think we will avoid relegation. I’m always optimistic, and I think mid-table would be a big achievement for Cobblers this season.
Average predicted finish: 12th
Watch out for: Harley Mills (19) – Left-Back
View from Neil H:
There does seem to be a genuine improvement in mood around the club this season, and the new arrivals look potentially exciting. But it’s easy to see a repeat of last season, especially with Poku et al leaving. They’re big shoes to fill, even if attitudes around the place should be better now that those in the final years of their deals have been moved on. Improvement on last season is hoped for and needed, but as we were 18th last season, the bar is low.
Average predicted finish: 6th
Watch out for: Caleb Roberts (19) – Defensive Midfielder and Freddie Issaka (18) – Winger
View from Ben James:
Hard to predict. A really good managerial appointment in amongst an otherwise turbulent summer. Huge turnover within the squad, with a lot of quality and experience departing and being replaced by high-potential younger players.
Some really solid additions in Brendan Wiredu and Jamie Paterson, as well as a potential star player in Xavier Amaechi, who has looked a class above in pre-season so far.
The squad is still short of some top League One pedigree and desperately needs a “marquee” signing in the No.9 position to replace Bundu and Hardie. Flirting with the play-offs seems like a realistic goal at this stage, but the general sentiment among fans is that it won’t be any better than that.
Average predicted finish: 15th
Watch out for: Rhys Walters (19) – Central Midfielder
View from Nathan Shapland:
While the summer business has been steady rather than anything standout so far, I believe the existing squad is much more ready for League One than last time. It will be a tough but, ultimately, perfectly fine season.
Average predicted finish: 8th
Watch out for: Michael Stickland (21) – Centre-Back
View from James Bucknall:
Reading fans and players are struggling to adjust to life after a billionaire owner paying (or should I say not paying!) a lavish wage bill. Despite the new additions and the retention of a Championship-class goalkeeper and midfielder, the anxiety of the fans and the manager surrounds the lack of attacking players. We should be a top-half team, but short of goal threat, the play-offs look far away.
Average predicted finish: 12th
Watch out for: Ciaran McGuckin (21) – Striker & Lenny Agbaire (20) – Centre-Back
View from Matt Lax:
2025/26 feels like it will be a ‘building year’ for Rotherham United. After two poor seasons, we need to put some building blocks in place to get back to our roots, and hopefully, Hamshaw is the man for that. There are too many unknowns to be confident about which end of the table we’ll be closest to, so I expect it will be similar to last year, with more of a push next.
Average predicted finish: 12th
Watch out for: Ryan Doherty (16) – Central Midfielder
View from Aiden Cheevers:
I'm optimistic about an improvement being made, albeit goalscoring could still be an issue. Adding quality to wide areas with the likes of Chem Campbell and Phoenix Patterson, and Jordan Houghton in the centre of midfield should see better results this season.
I don't think we'll have enough to challenge for the play-offs, but a top-half finish isn't out of the question at all.
Average predicted finish: 4th
Watch out for: Benony Andresson (19) – Striker
View from Vicky S:
I’m confident that we can find a few more signings to strengthen what we have without panic-buying (and lo: Nathan Lowe). The team ethic is always our strength, and whilst many see us as little old County, the leadership of Challinor and the coaching staff make us organised and hard to beat.
Average predicted finish: 6th
Watch out for: K’Marni Miller (19) – Left-Back
View from Liam:
Last year, we had the third-best defence in League One behind Birmingham and Wrexham, but we had absolutely nothing in attack. This year, with Saydee, Mullin, Costelloe and likely one other striker — in addition to new additions Fraser Murray (Kilmarnock) and Callum Wright (Plymouth) — all under the stewardship of Ryan Lowe, I think we will add goals to our solid foundations.
Average predicted finish: 6th
Watch out for: Mikki van Sas (21) – Goalkeeper
View from Stewart Boyle:
Wycombe are in a strange place of actually spending significant money on transfer fees. Can the ambition of the summer be met with execution on the pitch?
With a lot of new players under an untested coach, the challenge will be to have a unified understanding of what is wanted in the plan, then execute it and get the season going quickly. If that can be done, then it could be a great season for the club.
Huge thanks to everyone who filled in the survey – your input and knowledge shaped all of our 25/26 preview content. And big love to the NTT20 Squad for your constant support.