With seven or eight matches now played, League One is beginning to take shape.
Some teams, such as Birmingham City, are doing as well as expected. Others, like struggling Cambridge United, are also staying pretty much true to form. However, throughout the division, there are teams that have performed above expectations so far, while others, for want of a better word, have struggled to get off to a good start.
But which teams are too good, and which have been too bad? As our clever title suggests, we’ve picked three that have underperformed and two that have exceeded expectations. It’s still early in the season, with lots of football left to play, but let us know if you agree with our picks.
Bad – Rotherham United
Steve Evans was like a spoiled kid in a toy shop this summer – he bought everything he wanted and did it quickly enough to be home for tea. On paper, his business was excellent, from proven strikers such as Jonson Clarke-Harris to stalwart defenders like Sean Raggett.
If anything, he’s signed too many players, and the early exchanges have not been kind to Evans’ side. He works magic when it comes to galvanizing smaller clubs, but he’s rarely succeeded when given money – Mansfield Town and Peterborough United fans can attest to that.
In truth, the Millers haven’t been as poor as the results suggest, with players like Sam Nombe showing wastefulness in front of goal. Still, they’re certainly not reaching the levels many expected, even at this early stage of the season.
Good – Mansfield Town
Nigel Clough’s side consists mostly of experienced players, and there were questions about their ability to compete in a third tier laden with expensive or exciting young talent. With 36-year-old Lee Gregory leading the line, many felt Mansfield might not have what it takes to push toward the top six.
Despite a humbling at Lincoln, they’ve shown great character. While many expected Stockport and Wrexham to leverage their promotion bounce to move up the table, few anticipated it from Mansfield. They’ve already surprised teams like Barnsley on the opening day, and while two of their four wins have come against likely strugglers (Shrewsbury and Cambridge), Mansfield has managed to put points on the board.
With Crawley, Exeter, Stevenage, and Wigan comprising four of their next five opponents, Mansfield could be knocking on the door of the top six by Halloween.
Bad – Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield started the season at a blistering pace, winning their first four matches in league and cup. They looked like a team capable of pushing for a top-two spot, but since playing Walsall in the League Cup, they’ve lost six out of seven. When they’re good, they’re very good (Bolton away), but when they’re bad, it’s toxic.
Supporters were unimpressed with their surrender at Reading this weekend, and some remarked that players who failed last season are being given ample chances to fail again. There are rumblings of discontent on the terraces, and there’s even a hint of unrest in the boardroom.
Kevin Nagle criticized the team in a tweet after their loss to Doncaster, and Michael Duff had to defend his players in a recent press conference. Nagle has been quiet lately, but it feels like something is coming to a head in West Yorkshire, which might mean a longer stay in the third tier than some anticipated.
Good – Lincoln City
Michael Skubala’s Imps narrowly missed out on a play-off spot last season, which was an overachievement. Lincoln is one of the division’s longest-serving members, a team with a modest budget that lost several key players over the summer, including Lasse Sørensen, Lukas Jensen, and Danny Mandroiu. Some supporters felt they might have replaced like-for-like, but in a division filled with big clubs and million-pound transfers, few expected such a strong start.
They’ve lost just once, and among teams that have played seven matches, only Birmingham, with their multi-million-pound squad, have more points. Skubala’s Imps have had a favorable opening to the season, but they’ve ground out wins and look very hard to beat. They didn’t hit top gear last season until Skubala had been with the players for a few months, and if they improve this season, Lincoln City could go one better than last time and secure a play-off spot.
Much will depend on their ability to compete against the top teams and break down sides that don’t like possession, much like themselves. Their recent game against Wigan, a dour 0-0 draw, highlighted a possible weakness, but with a club record of 13 away games unbeaten, there’s a positive feeling around the LNER Stadium.
Bad – Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers spent big over the summer, with Promise Omechere being a prime example of them investing heavily in the squad. Matt Taylor is a manager with lots of experience in the bottom two divisions, a man who created an Exeter side that impressed many. However, like Evans at Rotherham, that experience and backing have not translated into solid results, and the Gas currently find themselves in the bottom four.
They’ve only won once since the opening day, against fellow strugglers Cambridge, and they’ve played just one of the current top six clubs. That alone is damning, but there are clearly problems on the field.
Their defensive play is poor, and it’s often hard to discern what the club’s game plan is. Many of the summer signings have not risen to the occasion, but they’re on big contracts, which could spell disaster if they get relegated. The same could be said for Burton, another club in the bottom four. Both the Brewers and the Gas are middling sides who spent big hoping to make something of the season, and the weight of expectation is already pressing down.
Taylor needs points, and fast, to avoid becoming the next managerial casualty.
Do you agree with our pciks? Who has impressed you the most this season, and which of the third-tier clubs has really been a letdown? Let us know on social media, or in the comments below.
