The English Football League season kicks off on Friday with a compelling fixture: Luton Town versus AFC Wimbledon. Just two seasons ago, Luton was a Premier League club, but after consecutive relegations, they now find themselves in League One. In contrast, AFC Wimbledon earned their place in League One by winning the League Two playoffs last season. This opening match, featuring teams on divergent paths, perfectly encapsulates the challenging nature of English lower-league football, where clubs strive to climb out of these divisions.
Comprising three divisions, each with 24 teams, the EFL system is unforgiving; a minor misstep can send prominent clubs into a difficult-to-escape downward spiral. While Sunderland successfully returned to the Premier League, many other historically significant teams, such as Luton Town, Bolton, Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic, and Cardiff City, remain stuck below the Championship, desperate to reclaim their top-flight status. As the new season begins, what are the essential aspects to consider for League One and League Two?
Giants Facing New Challenges
Luton Town isn`t the sole major club relegated to League One; Cardiff City also descended, having managed a mere nine victories last season, the lowest in their division. The Bluebirds have been absent from the Premier League since the 2018-19 campaign, and this season marks another without a Welsh representative in England`s top tier since their drop. Although Swansea City and Wrexham appear closer to Premier League aspirations, Cardiff`s primary goal will be to ensure their stint in League One is brief.
The financial disparity between League One and the Championship is substantial, making extended stays in the lower division potentially detrimental for larger clubs, possibly preventing a return to the top flight. Cardiff must achieve a swift recovery. Although Luton lacks Cardiff`s financial clout, their Premier League parachute payments will soon cease. Even with the infrastructure improvements and investments made during their top-flight tenure, regaining their elite status will be a challenging journey once those funds are gone.
Can Paul Mullin Rebound?
Wrexham icon Paul Mullin, currently on loan at Wigan Athletic and given odds of +2000 for the League One Golden Boot, aims for a comeback season. Despite Wrexham`s promotion to the Championship, Mullin`s last campaign was largely hampered by injuries. However, he now has an opportunity to regain his prolific form, following four consecutive seasons (2020-24) where he scored 24 or more goals across different divisions. Although he has historically found League One challenging, a strong showing could put him back in contention at Wrexham or attract interest from other clubs for a permanent move. He faces stiff competition for the Golden Boot from expected top scorers like Alfie May of Huddersfield (+500), Richard Kone from Wycombe (+1200), and James Collins of Lincoln City (+2500), but Mullin`s determination to excel is high.
Who Could Be the Next Wrexham?
While Wrexham`s Hollywood backing allowed them unparalleled spending power to reach the Championship, making direct comparisons to other clubs, aside from those with prior Premier League experience, is difficult. Even their Welsh neighbors, Newport County, lack the financial muscle to compete. Nevertheless, a League One club could still emerge as a significant contender. Blackpool stands out as the division`s biggest spender, notably strengthening their midfield with Jordan Brown and George Honeyman. Under the experienced management of Steve Bruce, who boasts a track record of promotions and top-flight experience, Blackpool is well-positioned to navigate the demands of a lengthy season. While their expenditures might not match Wrexham`s, Blackpool is certainly a team to watch this season.
Will MK Dons Continue Their Decline?
Given their controversial origins as the relocated Wimbledon FC, it`s a significant irony that AFC Wimbledon now sits above Milton Keynes Dons FC in the English football hierarchy. Paul Wayne faces the challenge of guiding MK Dons back up the pyramid with limited funds. Although they reached the Championship in 2015 and have nurtured talents like Dele Alli, their current ambitions heavily rely on Aaron Collins (+500 for the Golden Boot). The Welsh forward, who netted 12 goals for Bolton last season, consistently proves a potent attacking force when fit. In League Two, seizing momentum at the crucial moment can be transformative, offering a pathway to promotion – precisely what MK Dons will be aiming for.
Americans in the EFL
While the Championship features a notable contingent of American players, their presence in League One and League Two is considerably scarcer. Key US players in these divisions include Lynden Gooch at Huddersfield Town, Ethan Horvath with Cardiff City, and Donovan Pines at Barnsley. In contrast to last season, which saw Gaga Slonina at Barnsley and Charlie Kelman excelling for Leyton Orient, it seems improbable that any of the current cohort will feature prominently in the US Men`s National Team plans under Mauricio Pochettino, though surprising developments are always possible. Horvath, with 10 USMNT caps, last appeared for 45 minutes during a Copa America loss to Panama after Matt Turner`s injury. The USMNT`s starting goalkeeper position remains unsettled, but for Horvath to re-enter contention, a return to Championship football would likely be a prerequisite.
