League Two prediction: Ins and outs and who finishes where

It’s not just Valley Parade where it’s been all change since the final ball was kicked in May.

Business in League Two has been brisk and keeping track of all the movement has been a challenge in itself.

But here is the definitive list of ins and outs in the division so far – and my prediction of where every team is likely to finish. City are going up this time, surely …

1 NORTHAMPTON

Manager: Jon Brady

Last season: 4th

IN: Ryan Haynes, Lee Burge, Danny Hylton, Ben Fox, Harvey Lintott, Akin Odimayo, Sam Sherring, Tyler Magloire, Kieron Bowie (loan), Marc Leonard (loan).

OUT: Fraser Horsfall (Stockport), Liam Roberts (Middlesbrough), Nicke Kabamba (Barnet), Benny Ashley-Seal (FC KTP), Sid Nelson (Woking), Scott Pollock (Boston), Paul Lewis (Tranmere), Danny Rose (Stevenage), Michael Harriman, Joseph Mills (retired).

Verdict: Nobody in Northampton will ever go to Scunthorpe for their hols after what happened on the last day. Robbed then but boosted by the likes of Luton striker Danny Hylton and Newport’s Ryan Haynes – even if keeper Liam Roberts is a big loss.

2 STOCKPORT

Manager: Dave Challinor

Last season: 1st (National League)

IN: Joe Lewis, Callum Camps, Fraser Horsfall, Akil Wright, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Kyle Wootton, Vitezslav Jaros (loan).

OUT: Jordan Keane (Halifax), Lois Maynard (Oldham), Millenic Alli (Halifax), Ben Whitfield (Barrow), Liam Hogan (Oldham), Joshua Schofield, Jamie Stott (Halifax), Tom Walker (Fylde), Ethan Pye (Gateshead, loan), Ben Barclay (Carlisle, loan), Ethan Ross (York, loan), Alex Reid (Solihull Moors, loan).

Verdict: Great to see the Hatters back in the EFL and they are not just here to make up the numbers. Stockport have shown big ambitions and Callum Camps and Fraser Horsfall look strong additions.

3 BRADFORD CITY

Manager: Mark Hughes

Last season: 14th

IN: Jamie Walker, Harry Lewis, Ryan East, Jake Young, Matty Platt, Colin Doyle, Emmanuel Osadebe, Harry Chapman, Richie Smallwood,Timi Odusina, Brad Halliday, Vadaine Oliver, Romoney Crichlow (loan), Kian Harratt (loan).

OUT: Callum Cooke (Hartlepool), Gareth Evans, Charles Vernam (Lincoln), Richard O’Donnell (Rochdale), Elliot Watt (Salford), Paudie O’Connor (Lincoln), Caolan Lavery, Theo Robinson, Sam Hornby (Colchester), Olivier Sukiennicki, Fiacre Kelleher (Solihull Moors, loan).

Verdict: The Hughes revolution has been pretty breathless and the excitement levels are as high as ever. If City can crack the home form again, then the big-crowd momentum should take them far.

City will be hoping this is the season to put smiles on faces again

4 MANSFIELD

Manager: Nigel Clough

Last season: 7th

IN: Hiram Boateng, Scott Flinders, Owen Mason, Will Swan (loan), Christy Pimm (loan), Riley Harbottle (loan).

OUT: Tyrese Sinclair (Rochdale), Farrend Rawson (Morecambe), Keaton Ward (Kettering), Jaden Charles (Nuneaton), Ryan Burke (Bohemians), Marek Stech, Nathan Caine, Ethan Hill, Josh Scott, Danny Johnson (Walsall, loan).

Verdict: Looked like rabbits in the headlights at Wembley but Nigel Clough’s Stags will surely be up there again. Box-to-box powerhouse Hiram Boateng is a big catch from MK Dons.

5 DONCASTER

Manager: Gary McSheffrey

Last season: 22nd (League One)

IN: James Maxwell, Harrison Biggins, Lee Tomlin, George Miller, Luke Molyneux, Kyle Hurst, Adam Long, Bobby Faulkner, Jack Degruchy, Josh Andrews (loan).

OUT: Ed Williams, Cameron John (Rochdale), Anthony Greaves (York), Branden Horton (Chesterfield), Ben Blythe, Jordy Hiwula (Ross County), John Bostock, Joseph Dodoo, Dan Gardner, Lirak Hasani, Fejiri Okenabirhie (Cambridge).

Verdict: Donny showed signs of life towards the end of their relegation season and Gary McSheffrey has boosted his attacking resources. A consistent George Miller would be a real asset.

6 TRANMERE

Manager: Micky Mellon

Last season: 9th

IN: Jordan Turnbull, Kyle Jameson, Jack Williams, Rhys Hughes, Ethan Bristow, Paul Lewis, Ben Hockenhull, Jon Nolan, Reece McAlear, Ross Doohan, Neill Byrne, Joel Mumbongo, Luke Robinson (loan).

OUT: Sam Foley (Barrow), Peter Clarke (Walsall), Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (Halifax), Jay Spearing, Nathaniel Knight-Percival (Kidderminster), Nicky Maynard, Joe Maguire, Callum McManaman.

Verdict: Plenty of movement from the Wirral after a campaign that fell away. Jordan Turnbull’s addition from Salford will bolster an already-impressive defensive record.

7 SALFORD

Manager: Neil Wood

Last season: 10th

IN: Richard Nartey, Callum Hendry, Elliot Watt, Stevie Mallan, Ryan Leak, Elliot Simoes.

OUT: Jordan Turnbull (Tranmere), Josh Morris (Motherwell), Donald Love (Morecambe), Mo Touray (Marine), Ash Hunter (Morecambe), Luke Burgess (Oldham), Tylor Golden (Halifax), Ian Henderson (Rochdale), Tom Elliott, Matty Willock.

Verdict: The perennial under-achievers, even more so than City given the bottomless budget. Bantams fans will keep a close eye on Elliot Watt’s progress as the Ammies once again try to crack promotion.

Elliot Watt left City in the summer to stay in League Two with Salford

8 LEYTON ORIENT

Manager: Richie Wellens

Last season: 13th

IN: Anthony Georgiou, Theo Archibald, George Moncur, Rob Hunt, Charlie Kelman (loan).

OUT: Hector Kyprianou (Peterborough), Otis Khan (Grimsby), Callum Reilly, Antony Papadopoulos, Matt Young (Wealdstone, loan).

Verdict: George Moncur’s arrival was an eye-catching one as Richie Wellens tries to harness Leyton Orient’s undoubted talent into a genuine promotion challenge.

9 CRAWLEY

Manager: Kevin Betsy

Last season: 12th

IN: Moe Shubbar, Ben Wells, Jayden Davis, Brandon Mason, Dom Telford, Tobi Omole, Corey Addai, Dion Conroy, Travis Johnson, James Balagizi (loan), Davide Rodari (loan), Teddy Jenks (loan).

OUT: Archie Davies (Aldershot), Alex Battle (Tavistock), Jordan Tunnicliffe (Wrexham), Taylor Seymour (Bognor), Henry Burnett (Billericay), Reece Grego-Cox (Woking), Ricardo German, Tyler Frost, Alfie Jones, Glenn Morris (Gillingham, loan).

Verdict: This could go one of two ways under the unorthodox ownership of would-be City suitors WAGMI United. Kevin Betsy has a big reputation from Arsenal under-23s but will what goes on behind the scenes interfere with on the pitch?

10 SWINDON

Manager: Scott Lindsey

Last season: 6th

IN: Oscar Massey, Tomi Adeloye, Jacob Wakeling, Tyrese Shade, Reece Devine, Cian Harries, Angus MacDonald, Tom Clayton, Ronan Darcy, Saidou Khan, Remeao Hutton, Sol Brynn (loan), Ciaran Brennan (loan).

OUT: Mandela Egbo (Charlton), Jack Payne (Charlton), Joe Wollacott (Charlton), Dion Conroy (Crawley), Ryan East (City), Jayden Mitchell-Lawson (Ayr), Akin Odimayo (Northampton), Emmanuel Idem.

Verdict: An exodus of talent to Charlton, led by former boss Ben Garner, has made things tough for the play-off semi-finalists. Captain Dion Conroy also left the County Ground for Crawley.

Swindon lost former Bantam Jack Payne to Ben Garner's Charlton (Image: Thomas Gadd)

11 WALSALL

Manager: Michael Flynn

Last season: 16th

IN: Andy Williams, Isaac Hutchinson, Brandon Comley, Liam Gordon, Joe Riley, Peter Clarke, Oisin McEntee, Adam Przybek, Timmy Abraham, Taylor Allen, Owen Evans, Danny Johnson (loan), Liam Bennett (loan), Flynn Clarke (loan), Douglas James-Taylor (loan).

OUT: Lee Tomlin (Doncaster), Tom Leak (Kidderminster), Joe Willis (Stafford), Jack Rose (Sutton), Emmanuel Osadebe (City), Devante Rodney (Rochdale), Mat Sadler (retired), Rory Holden, Zak Mills, Brendan Kiernan (Grimsby, loan), Rollin Menayese (Hartlepool, loan), Joe Foulkes (Kidderminster, loan).

Verdict: Never write off a Michael Flynn side and the former City skipper has got busy in rejigging his Saddlers squad. One-time Bantam Joe Riley, from Carlisle, is among the many new faces.

12 GILLINGHAM

Manager: Neil Harris

Last season: 21st (League One)

IN: Will Wright, Jordan Green, Dom Jefferies, Scott Kashket, Mikael Mandron, Cheye Alexander, Shaun Williams, Jake Turner, Ashley Maynard-Brewer (loan), Elkan Baggott (loan), Ryan Law (loan), Glenn Morris (loan).

OUT: Ryan Jackson (Cheltenham), Henry Woods (Maidstone), Christian Maghoma (Eastleigh), Harvey Lintott (Northampton), Gerald Sithole (Bolton), Ben Thompson (Peterborough), Vadaine Oliver (City), Aaron Chapman (Stevenage), Jack Tucker (MK Dons), Danny Lloyd, Mustapha Carayol.

Verdict: Neil Harris tore into his squad when they dropped out of League One and has had a big summer clear-out. Target man Mikael Mandron is back as City’s 2017 Wembley tormentor Harris goes for experience with the likes of keeper Glenn Morris also returning from Crawley.

13 WIMBLEDON

Manager: Johnnie Jackson

Last season: 23rd (League One)

IN: Chris Gunter, Alex Pearce, Josh Davison, Kyle Hudlin (loan), Paris Maghoma (loan).

OUT: Jack Rudoni (Huddersfield), Ben Heneghan (Sheff Wed), Cheye Alexander (Gillingham), Corie Andrews (Torquay), Daniel Csoka (Zalaegerszeg), Jack Madlin, Egli Kaja, Derick Osei Yaw, Zaki Oualah.

Verdict: Wales international Chris Gunter is the headline name in Wimbledon’s recruitment on their return to the fourth tier. They need to improve at their new Plough Lane base to have any chance.

14 CREWE

Manager: Alex Morris

Last season: 24th (League One)

IN: Charlie Colkett, Conor Thomas, Kelvin Mellor, Rod McDonald, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Lachlan Brook (loan), Khanya Leshabela (loan).

OUT: Scott Kashket (Gillingham), Chris Porter (Oldham), Travis Johnson (Crawley), Mikael Mandron (Gillingham), Josh Lundstram (Altrincham), Luke Murphy, Madger Gomes, Sam Booth, Will Jaaskelainen.

Verdict: Always difficult to judge Crewe who have made plenty of changes since their awful League One campaign. Kelvin Mellor is back at Alex once again.

15 CARLISLE

Manager: Paul Simpson

Last season: 20th

IN: Thomas Holy, Ryan Edmondson, Owen Moxon, Fin Back (loan), Ben Barclay (loan), Sonny Hilton (loan).

OUT: Tristan Abrahams (Eastleigh), Magnus Norman (Oldham), Joe Riley (Walsall), Mark Howard (Wrexham), Kelvin Mellor (Crewe), Rod McDonald (Crewe), Gime Toure, Manasse Mampala, Danny Devine, Lewis Alessandra.

Verdict: Club legend Paul Simpson has concentrated on making the Cumbrians a lot fitter for the new season. Giant Czech keeper Thomas Holy, linked with City in January, and ex-Leeds striker Ryan Edmondson are the main recruits.

16 NEWPORT

Manager: James Rowberry

Last season: 11th

IN: Offrande Zanzala, Aaron Wildig, Will Evans, Omar Bogle, Declan Drysdale, Sam Bowen, Chanka Zimba (loan), Adam Lewis (loan).

OUT: Padraig Amond (Woking), Dom Telford (Crawley), Ryan Haynes (Northampton), Alex Fisher (Yeovil), Courtney Baker-Richardson (Crewe), Ryan Hillier, Louis Hall, Courtney Senior, Kevin Ellison.

Verdict: Losing Dom Telford to Crawley is a huge blow for the Exiles. James Rowberry has replaced the top scorer with inconsistent talents Offrande Zanzala and Omar Bogle.

17 STEVENAGE

Manager: Steve Evans

Last season: 21st

IN: Michael Bostwick, Dan Sweeney, Max Clark, Jordan Roberts, Kane Smith, Danny Rose, Carl Piergianni, Aaron Chapman, Saxon Earley (loan), Dean Campbell (loan), Taye Ashby-Hammond (loan).

OUT: Laurie Walker (Barnet), Scott Cuthbert (Woking), Luis Fernandez (Hampton & Richmond), Chris Lines (Bath), Charlie Carter (Eastleigh), Ed Upson (Stowmarket), Harry Draper (Biggleswade), James Daly (Woking), Luke O’Neill (Ebsfleet), Ross Marshall (Torquay), Brad Barry, Ben Coker, Luke Prosser, Sacha Bastien.

Verdict: Steve Evans has had a typically frantic summer after last season’s relegation near-miss. Former Salford and Oldham stopper Carl Piergianni will tighten up the back four.

18 GRIMSBY

Manager: Paul Hurst

Last season: 6th (National League)

IN: Danilo Orsi, Anthony Driscoll-Glennon, Niall Maher, Stephen Wearne, Otis Khan, Bryn Morris, Kieran Green, Brendan Kiernan (loan).

OUT: Danny Rose (Darlington), Ben Fox (Northampton), Adam Crookes (York), Lenell John-Lewis (York), Max Wright (Harrogate), Scott Burgess (York), Luke Spokes (Bath), James McKeown, David Longe-King (Dagenham), Erico Sousa, Giles Coke (retired), Luis Adlard.

Verdict: Grimsby stunned the pundits by bouncing straight back from the National League and Paul Hurst’s squad should have enough to avoid another scrap at the bottom.

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver could face a challenging season this time

19 SUTTON

Manager: Matt Gray

Last season: 8th

IN: Jack Rose, Kwame Thomas, Sam Hart, Luke Gambin, Tope Fadahunsi, Tobi Ogundega, Matt Ridley, Josh Neufville (loan).

OUT: Ricky Korboa (Woking), Stuart Nelson (Dover), Kenny Davis (Farnborough), Dean Bouzanis (Reading), David Ajiboye (Peterborough), Richie Bennett (Barrow), Ben Wyatt.

Verdict: The Surrey side were the surprise package last season but losing highly-rated winger David Ajiboye to Peterborough will hit hard. They are likely to struggle second time round.

20 ROCHDALE

Manager: Robbie Stockdale

Last season: 18th

IN: Ian Henderson, Tyrese Sinclair, Richard O’Donnell, Toumani Diagouraga, Cameron John, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Devante Rodney, Femi Seriki (loan), Cieran Slicker (loan).

OUT: Eoghan O’Connell (Charlton), Max Clark (Stevenage), Stephen Dooley (Harrogate), Bradley Wade (Hereford), Joe Dunne (Stafford), Jay Lynch (Fleetwood), Alex Newby (Colchester), Corey O’Keeffe (Forest Green), Conor Grant (MK Dons), Matt Done, Joel Coleman.

Verdict: Richard O’Donnell’s progress will be watched keenly from this side of the Pennines. Dale cult hero Ian Henderson is also back but in the twilight of his career.

21 COLCHESTER

Manager: Wayne Brown

Last season: 15th

IN: Sam Hornby, Alex Newby, Ossama Ashley.

OUT: Miles Welch-Hayes (Harrogate), Brendan Wiredu (Fleetwood), Shamal George (Livingston), Dean Gerken.

Verdict: Sam Hornby made his move permanently as expected but not much else has gone on at the Essex club. It’s shaping up to be another tricky campaign for the U’s.

22 HARROGATE

Manager: Simon Weaver

Last season: 19th

IN: Miles Welch-Hayes, Joe Mattock, Peter Jameson, Max Wright, Kyle Ferguson, Stephen Dooley, Matty Daly (loan), Jaheim Headley (loan), Lewis Richards (loan), Josh Austerfield (loan).

OUT: Aaron Martin (Gateshead), Mark Beck (Darlington), Ryan Fallowfield (York), Nathan Sheron (Oldham), Connor Kirby (Buxton), Danilo Orsi (Grimsby), Simon Power, Joe Leesley, Joe Cracknell, Lewis Page, Lloyd Kerry (retired), Leon Legge.

Verdict: Harrogate have done wonders to establish themselves so far but this could be their most challenging season yet in the EFL. No doubt they will still do the double over City though!

23 BARROW

Manager: Pete Wild

Last season: 22nd

IN: Ben Whitfield, Sam Foley, George Ray, Tyrell Warren, Billy Waters, Solomon Nwabuokei, Richie Bennett, Sam McClelland (loan), Harrison Neal (loan).

OUT: Luke James (York), Offrande Zanzala (Newport), Matty Platt (City), Kgosi Ntlhe (Scunthorpe), Tom Beadling (Western Sydney), George Williams (Boreham Wood), Ollie Banks (Chesterfield), Remeao Hutton (Swindon), Dimitri Sea, Mike Jones.

Verdict: Pete Wild made the jump to League Two after his heroics at Halifax and will relish another underdog role in Cumbria. Recruitment has been busy and Bingley-born winger Ben Whitfield looks a good addition if he can steer clear of injuries.

24 HARTLEPOOL

Manager: Paul Hartley

Last season: 17th

IN: Mikael Ndjoli, Jake Hastie, Euan Murray, Reghan Tumilty, Brody Paterson, Alex Lacey, Callum Cooke, Mouhamed Niang, Josh Umerah, Kyle Letheren, Rollin Menayese (loan), Jack Hamilton (loan).

OUT: Zaine Francis-Angol (Oldham), Luke Molyneux (Doncaster), Gary Liddle (South Shields), Martin Smith (South Shields), Olufela Olomola (Wealdstone), Josh MacDonald (Marske), Timi Odusina (City), Neill Byrne (Tranmere), Omar Bogle (Newport), Reagan Ogle (Scunthorpe).

Verdict: Pools have lost all their big hitters from last season, including Timi Odusina to the Bantams, and new boss Paul Hartley will be up against it. He will be relying on Callum Cooke to deliver more going forward.