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Barrow
National League champions Barrow finally claimed a place back in the Football League after years of exile, having been cruelly voted out in 1972. The Bluebirds gained many plaudits for their passing and possession style under Ian Evatt, although the latter has now moved on to manage Bolton. David Dunn has now taken the reigns, tasked with maintaining Barrow’s attractive style as well as their League Two status.
Transfers
Barrow kicked things off relatively early in the transfer window on the 20th July, with three signings in one day starting off with attacker Luke James from Hartlepool. This was followed by the experienced Mike Jones from fellow Cumbrians Carlisle, who should be an excellent addition for the Bluebirds. It certainly looks like Barrow mean business upon their return to the fourth tier, with defender Matty Platt returning from Blackburn – this time on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee rather than on loan. The Bluebirds have also added former Manchester United youngster Callum Gribbin as well as Tom Beadling and Bobby Burns making the trip south from Scotland. Aside from manager Evatt, their most significant departure is John Rooney for an undisclosed fee to Stockport. The midfielder was a key part of Barrow’s promotion winning side, scoring 17 goals last season.
Key Players
Scott Quigley managed 20 goals in the National League last season and despite having the frame of a target man, showed himself to also be an elegant forward. He has penned a new three year deal and will be looking to prove himself in the EFL after previously unsuccessful stints with Blackpool and Port Vale. Matty Platt looks to be a key arrival at the back, and the Bluebirds will be hopeful that Callum Gribbin can fulfil some of the promise he showed as youngster to help fill the attacking midfield gap left by John Rooney.
Targets
Target number one will, of course, be to stay up. But given what looks to be some good transfer business, the Bluebirds could well surprise a few should David Dunn manage to successfully carry on Evatt’s mantra.
Bolton Wanderers
The last few years would rather be forgotten by most Bolton fans. Financial disaster and relegation from the Championship, before the calamity of last season with points deductions and another relegation down to League Two. Wanderers even had to field teams of youth players at the start of the season while they assembled a first team squad. Now in League Two though, it looks as if Bolton will be wanting to bounce back at the first attempt.
Transfers
It’s been a big summer for Bolton, with 17 players being released by the club. There have been plenty of arrivals though (14 so far), as the Greater Manchester side go through a complete overhaul. The most notable have arguably been the first two, with Eoin Doyle joining after rejecting a deal from newly promoted Swindon. The Irish marksman notched 25 goals for the Robins last season, just two less than Bolton’s entire team. His arrival was followed shortly by the announcement of Antonio Sarcevic – also on a free transfer – moving back north from Plymouth. The attacking midfielder was another promotion winner last season, excelling for Ryan Lowe’s Argyle side. Other notable signings include striker Nathan Delfouneso from Blackpool, full back Gethin Jones from Carlisle and vastly experienced defender Alex Baptiste, who actually played alongside Ian Evatt at Blackpool. Wanderers have also looked to the National League for recruitment as well, with defenders Ricardo Santos and Liam Gordon signed from Barnet and Dagenham respectively.
Key Players
With the squad having basically had the refresh button hit on it, Bolton’s key men this season will likely be their big name arrivals. There will be hope Doyle can reproduce his goalscoring form from last season, and that Sarcevic will uphold his reputation as a fine player at the level. Baptiste will also play a key role in defence, and a partnership with Santos at the back could show some promise.
Targets
The calibre of some of the players recruited by Bolton show one clear aim: automatic promotion back to League One, and preferably the title thrown in their for good measure. And if manager Evatt can replicate the kind of football he produced at Barrow for Bolton, then there’s no reason why they can’t achieve that.
Bradford City
After a big spend last summer, Bradford will have been disappointed to miss out on the playoffs last season. Gary Bowyer angered fans with a direct style of football, before being replaced by club legend Stuart McCall in February. The Scotsman will now once again be tasked with taking the Bantams back up to League One.
Transfers
Bradford have let 11 players go this window, with some notable departures including Shay McCartan, Hope Akpan and more recently James Vaughan to Tranmere. City have replaced them with five signings to date as it seems McCall is looking to better streamline his squad. Midfielder Elliot Watt looks to be a key signing, arriving for an undisclosed fee from Wolves after a promising loan spell with Carlisle last season. He is joined in midfield by Callum Cooke on a free from Peterborough, who impressed for the Bantams also during a loan spell last season. Levi Sutton looks to be another solid acquisition in defensive midfield, with the services of winger Dylan Mottley-Henry re-acquired after his initial release in April. Attacking midfielder Billy Clarke also rejoins the club, having previously featured for the Bantams in League One.
Key Players
Watt looks to be a promising acquisition and could be important for the Bantams this season. They will be hoping he can fulfil the price tag they have put on him. Cooke in midfield will also be an important player as well, with Lee Novak up top as well as the experienced Clayton Donaldson. In defence, another solid season from Ben Richards-Everton will also be important for the Bantams mounting a promotion charge.
Targets
After missing out last season, Bradford will be keen push for promotion back to League One this season. They’ve made some good acquisitions so far should they strengthen a couple more key areas, should be in with a decent shout of at least the top seven.
Cambridge United
After a flirt with relegation the the 2018/19 season, Cambridge will have been glad to have generally kept away from any kind of dog fight during last season. They finished 16th – a stable mid table spot which they have achieved for pretty much every season since they’ve been back in the EFL. Outside hopes of a playoff run will likely be lingering at the Abbey Stadium, however.
Transfers
Cambridge released nine players in April, in keeping with many clubs COVID-enforced player exodus. They have also lost attacking midfielder George Maris to Mansfield more recently. There have been some promising incomings, though, such as the arrival of Paul Mullin from Tranmere after impressing during a loan spell. The U’s have also picked up striker Joe Ironside and midfielder Paul Digby from Macclesfield and Stevenage respectively. They have also landed Robbie Cundy on loan from Bristol City after the young defender had a good loan spell last season with Torquay in the National League. Their most notable signing, however, must surely be Wes Hoolahan. The former Republic of Ireland midfielder – who has spent most of his career with Norwich in the Championship and Premier League – joins United having spent a season in Australia with Newcastle Jets, having previously been linked with the U’s last summer.
Key Players
After releasing several important players such as Reggie Lambe, Paul Lewis and George Taft, Cambridge will likely be looking to their new signings to push them on this season. Forward Mullin looks to have been a shrewd acquisition by Cambridge, especially considering his promotion success with Tranmere previously. Digby also looks to have been a good acquisition in the middle of the park, despite Stevenage’s struggles last season. Hoolahan could be a massive player if he can showcase some of his higher level quality, although at 38 years old it is yet to be seen whether he will still have the legs to compete on the pitch.
Targets
The U’s could do with a few more players through the door to beef up their squad, and if they do this they will likely be looking at another solid mid table finish. They have some quality in the side going forward with the likes of Hoolahan and Mullin, but they may need more in defence should they wish to progress higher in the table.
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