EFL League One Preview 2020/21 – Lincoln City, Milton Keynes Dons, Northampton Town and Oxford United

Our League One previews continue as we analyse the potential fortunes of Lincoln City, Milton Keynes Dons, Northampton Town and Oxford United.

Lincoln City

The Imps’ first season back in the third tier was one full of mixed emotions. They made a blistering start to the campaign, which saw them in the top six after seven games, but that was immediately followed by their manager Danny Cowley and his brother and assistant Nicky departing for Championship side Huddersfield Town. Ending a successful and memorable three years with the club.

Former Oxford United boss Michael Appleton took over at Sincil Bank and although they couldn’t replicate their early season form, they still finished 16th place, after the season was curtailed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

But after a six-month wait, they finally return to action. It’s a tricky start though for Lincoln, they travel to newly promoted Crewe on the opening weekend, with an away game at MK Dons sandwiched between home games against a relegated Charlton Athletic side and play-off finalists Oxford United.

Transfers

There have a number of players who have left Lincoln this summer, including the defensive pairing of Michael Bostwick and Neal Eardley, who have moved to Burton Albion. Jack Payne has departed for Swindon Town, Cian Bolger has moved to Northampton for an undisclosed fee, as well as, Jason Shackell, Lee Frecklington, Akeem Hinds, Jamie McCombe, Alan Sheehan, Josh Vickers and Grant Sheehan, who have also been released.

At the same time, we have also a lot of names in their place at Sincil Bank. Liam Bridcutt has made his move from Nottingham Forest permanent, following his loan spell at the club last season. Lewis Montsma arrives from Dutch Second Division side FC Dodrecht, the MK Dons duo of Joe Walsh and Conor McGrandles have also signed for the club. James Jones has also joined from Crewe, meaning the opening day clash at the Alexandra Stadium could see the Scot start in Lincoln colours.

Theo Archibald has joined from National League side Macclesfield Town, goalkeeper Ethan Ross has moved from League Two outfits Colchester United and they also completed the signing of Hibernian centre-back Adam Jackson for an undisclosed fee. West Brom duo Callum Morton and Alex Palmer, as well as Tottenham Hotspur’s Timothy Eyoma have all joined Lincoln on loan.

Key Players

Midfielders Harry Anderson and Jorge Grant were both important players for the Imps last season. The pair were directly involved in 21 of Lincoln’s goals in all competitions and could prove crucial once again in the upcoming campaign.

Youth Prospects

Anthony Scully could be someone to look out for in the new season. The former West Ham youngster looks a promising player. He was the joint top scorer in the U23 Premier League second division with 12 goals, which helped fire the Hammers to the top-flight of the development league. His performances earned him a move to Sincil Bank last January, where he has really made an impact, making one assist and scoring twice.

Callum Morton could also be a youngster who makes an impact at Lincoln. The 20-year-old is known for his heroics at Northampton Town last season where eight goals in 12 games helped the Cobblers win the League Two playoffs.

Prediction

Of course, the main target for Lincoln City in the upcoming campaign will be to avoid relegation to League Two. With the signings they have made, on top with the squad that the Imps already have, you would expect them to be stay up and possibly improve on last season’s finish of 16th.

Milton Keynes Dons

 

Like Lincoln, MK Dons had also been promoted from League Two last season. It was tough return to life back in the third tier for the Buckinghamshire side, after winning four of their opening seven games, they then endured a 12-game winless run which cost Paul Tisdale his job.

Dons defender Russell Martin took over from Tisdale and stopped the rot in form. They accumulated 23 points from their next 18 games which helped them avoid an instant relegation from League One.

Martin begins his first full season as the club’s manager away at Doncaster Rovers, a game followed by Lincoln at Stadium MK on September 19 and then an away trip to the division’s new boys Crewe Alexandra to wrap up September.

Transfers

There have been a few arrivals at the Stadium MK this transfer window. Ayr United’s Daniel Harvie has moved south of the border for an undisclosed fee. Manager Russell Martin has delved into his old club Norwich and has brought in Carlton Morris and Louis Thompson, who both spent last season on loan at the club. Lasse Sorenson has come in on loan from Stoke City, and they have also acquired the experienced head of Richard Keogh, who has been unattached since his sacking from Derby County last autumn.

A number of players have left the club too, including Jordan Bowery, who has left for Mansfield, Ben Reeves who has become a free agent, Joe Walsh and Lewis McGrandles, who have moved to Lincoln City, as well as Alex Gibley who has moved to Charlton Athletic and Dylan Asonganyi who has joined Oxford. But MK Dons’ biggest loss will no doubt be Rhys Healey, last season’s top scorer has moved to French side Toulouse.

Key Players

Richard Keogh should have an impact for Russell Martin’s team. At 33 years of age the centre-back undoubtedly brings a huge amount of experience, having spent the last ten years as a Championship player with Derby County and Coventry City, as well 26 caps for the Republic of Ireland and a stint in the third tier with Carlisle United. He is a player who will bring quality to the defence, as well as the team.

Joe Mason could also be important, having been restricted to just 13 appearances in League One last season because of injury, he was originally released by the Dons. But the former Cardiff man has re-signed for the club, who will be hoping can feature a lot more in the new season.

Youth Prospects

It was a somewhat of a breakthrough season for Sam Nombe last season. The forward made 25 appearances for MK Dons in all competitions, scoring five times with two of them coming in League One. Could the 21-year-old improve on that tally in the upcoming campaign?

Stoke City’s youngster Lasse Sorenson could also be one to look out for this season. His performances for the Potters’ development squad earnt him a place in the first-team, making six appearances in the Championship, two of which Sorenson started.

Prediction

Losing Rhys Healey will be a big blow for the Dons. Despite an injury hit campaign he still picked up 11 goals from the 19 league games he played, which ultimately kept the Dons in the division. It could be another tough season for Russell Martin’s side who could be one of the sides in the relegation dogfight.

Northampton Town

 

After a disappointing start to last season, very few were expecting Northampton Town to win promotion to the third tier. It was so frustrating that one fan decided to throw his season ticket at manager Keith Curle, refusing to watch his side until the former Manchester City defender was sacked.

But the Cobblers eventually found their feet in League Two and would go on to qualify for the playoffs. They defeated Cheltenham Town in the semi-finals, overturning the Robins’ 2-0 lead from the first leg and then went on to beat Exeter City 4-0 in the final at Wembley, securing their promotion to the third tier at the second time of asking.

Northampton have a mixed start to the League One campaign, their opening game is a home game against AFC Wimbledon on September 12, that’s followed by a trip to Shrewsbury Town with Hull City at Sixfields concluding September.

Transfers

There have numerous departures from Sixfields this summer. Most notably ,David Cornell who has signed for Ipswich Town, Vadaine Oliver who has joined Gillingham and of course Cobblers’ captain Charlie Goode, who left for Championship playoff finalists Brentford for £1.5 Million.

Regardless, there have been a lot of acquisitions for the League One new boys. In return for Goode, Brentford have sent Luka Racic to Northampton for a season-long loan. The club has also brought in goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell from Derby County on a loan deal, as well as Blackpool’s Joe Nuttall.

In terms of permanent signings, the Cobblers have completed the signings of Christopher Missilou from Oldham Athletic, Joseph Mills from Forest Green Rovers, Fraser Horsfall from Macclesfield, Cian Bolger from Lincoln, Benny Ashley-Seal from Wolves and Ricky Korboa from non-league side Carshalton Athletic..

Key Player

Nicky Adams was the catalyst in Northampton’s promotion success last season. The winger picked up 17 assists for his side in 2019/20, which is second only to that of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who picked up 21 in English football. Though he is approaching his 34th Birthday, he could still have the ability to pull it off in League One.

Sam Hoskins was the club’s top scorer last season with 12 goals, and his goals could be crucial for Northampton as they look to avoid an instant relegation to League Two.

New signing Joseph Mills could also prove key too, the ex-Forest Green Rovers man has the ability to play as both a left-back and a left midfielder. His attacking threat is backed up by the fact he scored seven times in League Two last season and made six assists too.

Youth Prospects

Centre-Back Luca Racic looks an exciting prospect for Northampton. He featured on a few occasions for Brentford last season, scoring one goal for the Bees in the Championship. The Danish defender is highly regarded by his parent club, which is reinforced by the fact he signed a long-term contract with Brentford in October of last year. With Goode departing Sixfields, Racic could be the rock in the Cobblers’ defence.

Prediction

The Cobblers are tipped as one of the favourites for relegation this season, and as one of League One’s newcomers you could understand why. But Keith Curle’s men were renown for playing a direct style of play last season which although it wasn’t favourable, it worked. They still need a few more players though, in particular a centre-back and a right-back, but if they can get that the Cobblers could be looking good for survival.

Oxford United

 

It was a bad end to a great season for Oxford United. Five consecutive wins before the season was suspended – and eventually curtailed – helped the Us to a fourth-placed finish in League One. Also guaranteeing themselves a place in the playoffs.

They overcame Portsmouth on penalties in the semi-finals to set them up for a Wembley date with Wycombe Wanderers. Sadly, for the Us, they were beaten 2-1 in the play-off final, denying them a place in the Championship.

But Karl Robinson’s men will be hoping to get off to a good start to the season. They go to Sincil Bank on the opening weekend of the season, that’s then followed by a tough game against Sunderland at the Kassam Stadium and then an away trip at Gillingham to round off September.

Transfers

Oxford have brought in seven players this window, five of them are permanent signings. These are Sean Clare from Hearts, Derek Osei from French side Brest, Northern Irish winger Joel Cooper from Linfield, Dylan Asonganyi from MK Dons and also Bristol City’s Matty Taylor, who spent last season on loan at the club.

The Us have also brought in two players on loan, that includes Marcus McGuane from Nottingham Forest as well as Liam Kelly from Dutch giants Feyenoord. There have been two first team departures so far, striker Jamie Mackie retired at the end of last season, while Us’ captain Rob Dickie has moved to Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

Key Players

Matty Taylor was vitally important for Oxford United last season. The striker was the club’s top scorer, netting 13 goals in 26 league appearances. No doubt manager Karl Robinson is delighted to have Taylor back at the club on a permanent basis.

James Henry was also a peripheral part of the side which reached Wembley, he was directly involved in 21 goals for Oxford last year, scoring 12 goals and making nine assists. Only Peterborough United’s Ivan Toney contributed more than that in League One.

Youth Prospects

Marcus McGuane could be a one to watch for Oxford United in League One, the Forest youngster has been in the youth teams at two of Europe’s biggest clubs, Arsenal and Barcelona.

He has also gained first team experience too, that was at Dutch side Telstar, where he scored once and made three assists in the 14 games. With all he has learnt as a youth player, he could be a signing who brings quality and creativity to their midfield.

Prediction

Though Rob Dickie has left this summer, you still have to say that Oxford have really bolstered their squad ahead of the new season. They have undoubtedly got one of the best squads in League One, with many expecting them to be in around the top six when the season concludes. Automatic promotion might just be out of their hands, but the playoffs looks a realistic bet for Karl Robinson’s side.

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