RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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League One has some titans joining the fray this season.
Leicester City lifted the Premier League trophy a decade ago but now they return to the third tier for the first time since 2009, while Sheffield Wednesday are back to kick off a new era under brand new ownership.
But with such recent, rich history comes mammoth expectation and for the Foxes in particular, nothing else will do other than promotion.
While for a club like last season's League Two champions Bromley, who have already reached a new height in securing promotion to League One for the first time, the pressure is off.
Could this be another year of the underdogs?
Follow your League One club this 2026-27 season
AFC Wimbledon
Aaron Paul, BBC Radio 5 Live
Manager: Johnnie Jackson
Last season: 19th (just!)
Key outs: Omar Bugiel (Suzhou Dongwu, free)
What are the expectations heading into the season? Keep their heads above water, and keep improving.
What are the major strengths of the team to help them achieve that? Defensively the Dons can be tough to breakdown.
And what are the underlying weaknesses that could hold them back? Far too streaky, runs of wins will almost certainly be followed by a long barren drought.
Who's a player to look out for this season who could be a difference-maker? Marcus Browne - technically brilliant, he's a key man in all good things they do.
Barnsley
Daniel Stendel was reappointed Barnsley boss in May after Conor Hourihane stepped down by mutual consent [Getty Images]
Adam Oxley, BBC Radio Sheffield
Head coach: Daniel Stendel
Last season: 15th
Key ins: Cameron McGeehan (Northampton, free), Sam Gale (Gillingham, undisclosed), Clayton Taylor (Newcastle Jets, undisclosed)
Key outs: David McGoldrick (Mansfield, free), Adam Phillips (Bradford, undisclosed), Eoghan O'Connell (Stockport, free)
Expectations? Daniel Stendel has been a popular choice to replace Conor Hourihane as head coach this summer. The German has returned to Oakwell hoping to repeat the success he achieved in his first spell when he guided the Reds to the Championship in 2018-19.
Promotion feels a long shot.
Barnsley have a limited budget as the owners aim to operate within their means. A top-half finish would feel like a step in the right direction for the Reds, but the fanbase - who have seen their side play in the second tier for the majority of the club's history - will expect the team to be at least knocking on the door of the play-offs.
Strengths? The focus has been on recruiting young, hungry players to Stendel's high-energy, high-pressing game.
Retaining key midfielders in Patrick Kelly, Luca Connell and Reyes Cleary, coupled with the youthful enthusiasm of the club's new signings, the majority of whom are aged 23 and under, will offer hope that Stendel can mould a team to at least cause problems for the more fancied teams in the division.
Weaknesses? The Reds have lost goals and experience this summer with last season's top three scorers David McGoldrick (18), Davis Keillor-Dunn (16) and Adam Phillips (11) all having departed Oakwell.
Returning midfielder Cameron McGeehan, who previously played at Oakwell in Stendel's first spell, is currently the only player in his 30s in the squad, and a lack of a few experienced heads has historically not served Barnsley well.
Difference-maker? Patrick Kelly is likely to be crucial to any success that Barnsley achieve this year. The 21-year-old got better and better throughout his first campaign with the Reds and ended the season as a full Northern Ireland international, scoring his first goal for his country against France just before this summer's World Cup.
Blackpool
Andy Bayes, BBC Radio Lancashire
Manager: Ian Evatt
Last season: 13th
Key ins: Jordan Williams (Portsmouth, loan), Dion Charles (Huddersfield, loan), Ilmari Niskanen (Exeter, free), Karoy Anderson (Charlton, undisclosed), Finley Munroe (Middlesbrough, loan)
Key outs: Ashley Fletcher (Huddersfield, free), James Husband (Doncaster, free)
Expectations? To build on the impressive end to last season, when they climbed away from trouble with six wins from their last seven games. If they can start brightly, expectations may begin to rise, although Ian Evatt is at pains to stress that Blackpool have no right to consider themselves challengers simply because of the size of the club.
Strengths? There are plenty of attacking options, but keeping them fit is an issue straight away. They've got great options in midfield, with Albie Morgan back in action after a long absence to complement the talent already there. Signing Karoy Anderson permanently is a big boost. He impressed last season while on loan.
Weaknesses? Injuries. The centre of defence has taken a big hit, with Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe both missing the start of the campaign following injuries sustained last term. Likewise, the absence of Dale Taylor in the forward line with a hamstring problem is a huge blow.
Blackpool missed far too many players last season, and this year doesn't look much different.
Difference-maker? Josh Bowler. On his day, he is a Championship-level player, but Blackpool now need a level of consistency from him. In a team that plays three at the back, it can be difficult to get the very best out of an out-and-out wide player, but his goal on the opening day at Grimsby will no doubt give him the confidence to find more.
Bradford City
Jamie Raynor, BBC Radio Leeds
Manager: Graham Alexander
Last season: Fourth
Key ins: Jake Beesley (Burton Albion, undisclosed), Adam Phillips (Barnsley, undisclosed), Macaulay Gillesphey (Charlton Athletic, undisclosed), Callum Connolly (Stockport County, free), Jon McCracken (Dundee, free)
Key outs: Jenson Metcalfe (Millwall, undisclosed), Max Power (Wigan Athletic, undisclosed), Sam Walker (Watford, undisclosed), Curtis Tilt (Burton Albion, undisclosed)
Expectations? It will take some going to replicate Bra...
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