Another EFL season is upon us, with Huddersfield Town and Burnley opening the opening weekend on Friday night. With that, it’s time for some pre-season predictions.
The Football League is known for its unpredictability, so here are five potential promotion contenders you might not have thought of.
Millwall
The Lions were pushing for a spot in the championship playoffs last season but ended up six points behind in ninth place. Under Gary Rowett, who has proved a reliable player in the second tier, it was the club’s third straight first-half result.
Rowett took over The Den in October 2019 after a poor eight months at Stoke City. His reputation was rebuilt after fruitful stints in Birmingham City and Derby County.
Millwall’s defense was one of their big assets last season as they were in the play-off places in terms of goals conceded (45 in 46 games).
They were also helped by the sensational performances of Jed Wallace, who regularly provided goals and assists from midfield.
Wallace, who joins West Brom on a free transfer, is a blow to Rowett’s men but Fortuna Sittard’s Zian Flemming looks like a more than suitable replacement.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder scored 12 goals and six assists in the Eredivisie in 2021/22 before joining Millwall for around £2.25m.
Charlie Creswell and Jamie Shackleton are on loan from Leeds United. Benik Afobe and George Honeyman have also signed permanently. Millwall is maximizing its resources and well positioned to get started.
Sunderland
After four long seasons in League One, the Black Cats are finally back in the championship. It was a tough road to get here and they made a lot of bad decisions along the way.
Their 2021/22 season took off following the arrival of Alex Neil in February. Promotion via the play-offs was assured after the so-called ‘Premier League game in all but name’ – the semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday – and the win over Wycombe at Wembley.
Sunderland’s sacking of Lee Johnson in January was seen as a risk, although the appointment of Neil was a surefire hit: a manager with two promotions to his tally (with Hamilton and Norwich City) and a successful three-year tenure at Preston North End.
Neil is rightly regarded as one of the best managers in the Championship and his stewardship is the main reason Sunderland are on this list.
The North East side have also done well in the summer market, signing Arsenal academy product Dan Ballard for over £2million and Jack Clarke permanently from Tottenham.
If the reports are to be believed, Sunderland are now close to signing Everton striker Ellis Simms on loan. He will add competition for Ross Stewart, who features this season after scoring 24 times in League One last year.
Talk of promotion could be a season too soon for Sunderland, who would realistically settle for a year of consolidation. But with quality in the championship not being what it once was, a play-off and subsequent promotion battle may not be off the table.
Swansea City
The Swans are many people’s dark horses heading into the new championship season. And it’s no wonder why.
In Russell Martin they have an inexperienced but progressive young manager who follows ex-boss Roberto Martinez by playing ‘The Swansea City Way’.
After leaving MK Dons, Martin was only able to lead the Welsh side to 15th place in the Championship last season. A finish there next season would likely result in his death, so there’s pressure.
He’s been busy this summer searching MK Dons for their best defender, Harry Darling. Joe Allen has made an emotional return while they have also signed Nathan Wood (Middlesbrough) and Matthew Sorinolo (Union SG).
The £12million sale of Flynn Downes to West Ham should also make for another important signing before the window closes.
Swansea are already well versed in attacking options. Joel Piroe was one of the breakout stars in the Championship last season, scoring 21 goals in his debut season in England. The likes of Olivier Ntcham, Jamie Paterson and Michael Obafemi are proven scorers and creators in this division.
The Swans have finished in the play-off spot twice in the last four years and at home they expect to go one better this time.
Jeopardy is the chain and shot of football and the Premier League screwed it all up
Plymouth-Argyle
Now in League One for a team that endured a roller coaster season in 2021/22. Plymouth got off to an excellent start to the campaign, finishing fourth in December.
Her form had to pique the interest of her boss, Ryan Lowe. That proved to be the case when the Liverpool man was sidelined to Preston ahead of the January transfer window.
His assistant – Steven Schumacher – took on the big job at Home Park. They overcame a midseason slump to renew their promotion push, though they ultimately finished three points outside of the playoff spots.
With Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town, Derby County and Co looking strong – on paper at least – few will have Plymouth on their list of promotion leaders.
In fact, they were at times one of the best teams in League One last season. If there hadn’t been a few wobbles, they would have done well in the auto-ascension struggle.
Ryan Hardie, Conor Grant and Luke Jephcott will be active again. Also, Rotherham United left winger Mickel Miller could easily go under as a newcomer to the league if he stays fit.
Plymouth will remain under the radar compared to some of the big hitters in the division and that will suit them down to the ground. They haven’t competed in the championship since 2010 but are on track to return in the near future.
Sutton United
The USA has been around since 1898, but notably the 2021-22 season was their first in the Football League. They’ve also given their fans a memorable debut year in the EFL.
Matt Gray’s team made it to the finals of the Papa John’s Trophy. They took Rotherham to the wire at Wembley and eventually lost 4-2 after extra time.
The Football League newcomers were undeterred by their league heartbreak as they finished eighth in League Two – just a point behind the play-offs.
A season that could have been for Sutton, but nonetheless one of which they can be mighty proud.
Given their size and their overachievement, it was inevitable that the players would leave this summer. Star winger David Ajiboye is the main departure as Peterborough United landed him from League One for an undisclosed fee.
Reinforcements have come from outside the league in the form of Luke Gambin and Kwame Thomas. Also, Isaac Olaofe, Omar Bugiel and Donovan Wilson will be eager to return to good form in hopes that they will eventually follow in Ajiboye’s footsteps.
League Two is as open a league as any and while Sutton are expected to drop compared to last season, they won’t be ready for that. Gray’s men are just having too much fun; They will attack and aim high. Should that lead to a place in the play-off lottery, like any team, they have the opportunity to reach even more dizzying heights.
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