THE Sky Bet League One season kicks off tomorrow, marking the start of a 46-game season which will run through until the last weekend of April 2024.

There’s a sense of a fresh start at Oxford United, with head coach Liam Manning tinkering with the squad and coaching staff as he implements his way of playing.

We’ve dusted off the crystal ball to try and determine where a new look United will end up in the third tier come the end of the campaign.

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The top two

Derby County look the team to beat this season. After missing out on the play-offs by a point, Paul Warne’s side has recruited wisely and added plenty of valuable experience to the team. Six of their seven signings were playing Championship football last season, including former U’s skipper Curtis Nelson.

Bolton Wanderers were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Barnsley, but look just as strong this time around. The additions of Paris Maghoma from Brentford on loan and Carlos Mendes Gomes on a permanent deal from Luton Town look very shrewd.

READ ALSO: Oxford United captain excited to hit refresh button after turbulent season for club

The play-offs

If Peterborough United can put last season’s play-off capitulation against Sheffield Wednesday behind them, expect Darren Ferguson’s side to be up there – they almost always are. Star striker Jonson Clarke-Harris has been transfer listed and is expected to leave before the close of the window, but the Posh have a knack of unearthing goalscoring gems.

Blackpool look the most likely of the relegated sides to go straight back up to the Championship and have been reunited with head coach Neil Critchley, who achieved promotion with the Seasiders in 2021.

Manning’s United have to close the gap from 19th last season, but recruitment this summer appears to be on the money. Josh McEachran, Ruben Rodrigues and Jordan Thorniley are the standout names, and bring both quality and experience to the side.

Charlton Athletic have had arguably the best window of any League One team. Striker Alfie May scored 20 league goals for Cheltenham Town last season, while Ipswich Town midfielder Panutche Camara could be a brilliant loan signing for the Addicks.

The contenders

John Mousinho’s Portsmouth have had an eye-catching window, bringing in 11 new players, including former U’s winger Gavin Whyte. The race for the top six is always close and Pompey may just miss out this season.

Neill Collins has a tough job picking up Barnsley after the double whammy of a play-off final defeat and then loss of influential boss Michael Duff to Swansea City. What Collins has though is on paper one of the best sides in the league, helped by key midfield trio Luca Connell, Herbie Kane and Adam Phillips.

It’s been a promising window for Bristol Rovers, in particular by adding Jevani Brown up front. Rovers’ form was a little erratic last season, but if the defence can be tightened, then the firepower was already there.

Lincoln City, Wycombe Wanderers and Burton Albion have all had positive windows without losing too many key assets. Whether it’s enough to push for a top six spot is another question, and it might be that they are there or thereabouts before fading late in the campaign.

Mid-table

Matters on the pitch could derail Reading’s season before it begins, however the club’s latest transfer embargo was lifted yesterday and the squad – if kept together – contains enough players more than good enough at this level.

Steve Cotterill left Shrewsbury Town in the summer so a new era under Matt Taylor beckons, but a mid-table place looks achievable.

Exeter City have lost a handful of key players this summer, so Gary Caldwell’s leadership will be essential if the Grecians are to steer clear of the relegation battle this season.

Fight against the drop

Cambridge United have lost striker Sam Smith to Reading and centre back Lloyd Jones to Charlton, but Mark Bonner’s signings bring a wealth of crucial experience to the side.

Question marks hang over Fleetwood Town with owner Andy Pilley jailed for fraud last month. However, Scott Brown has a good squad so if off the pitch matters fail to disrupt, then the Cod Army could very much climb a few places.

One troubled club though is Wigan Athletic, who begin the season on minus eight points after failing to pay player wages on time. The upside is that the squad appears good enough to get out of trouble.

Promoted duo Leyton Orient and Stevenage could well finish higher, with a lot depending on how quickly they adapt to the third tier. Orient have a new strike force in Dan Agyei and Joe Pigott, while Steve Evans will get the best and more from his Stevenage side.

Bottom four

Replacing the aforementioned May is a huge task for Cheltenham, and failure to do so could end their stay in League One.

Port Vale embark on a full season without Darrell Clarke, who was sacked in April. Without him, the Valiants could struggle.

Carlisle United and Northampton Town have a big task ensuring they don’t go straight back down. As it stands, that challenge looks tough.

Predicted 2023/24 table

  1. Derby County
  2. Bolton Wanderers
  3. Peterborough United
  4. Blackpool
  5. Oxford United
  6. Charlton Athletic
  7. Portsmouth
  8. Barnsley
  9. Bristol Rovers
  10. Lincoln City
  11. Wycombe Wanderers
  12. Burton Albion
  13. Reading
  14. Shrewsbury Town
  15. Exeter City
  16. Cambridge United
  17. Fleetwood Town
  18. Wigan Athletic
  19. Leyton Orient
  20. Stevenage
  21. Cheltenham Town
  22. Port Vale
  23. Carlisle United
  24. Northampton Town

About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.