League One and League Two get their seasons underway on Saturday and there are plenty of clubs with lofty ambitions in 2021-22.
Paul Cook didn’t mince his words towards the end of last season as Ipswich fell painfully short of the play-offs.
The former Wigan and Portsmouth boss promised a rebuild and he has certainly delivered.
Cook’s Ipswich to Reap Rewards of Ambition
Some shrewd signings have been made, with MK Dons creator Scott Fraser and Barnsley forward Conor Chaplin chief among them.
The ambitious American-owned side can be backed at 13/2 to win the League One title.
Sunderland will be in the mix in their first full season under Lee Johnson. It was play-off agony for the second time in three years for the Black Cats last term, but Johnson has experience of success at this level, winning the EFL Trophy last season.
The loss of Charlie Wyke may be felt but the evergreen talent of Aiden McGeady could be crucial to their success.
Portsmouth also have an impressive young manager in Danny Cowley, who, like Johnson, will be embarking on his first full season in charge.
Cowley was outstanding at the helm at Lincoln and has made some smart free transfers
Sunderland are 13/8 to win the title, while Portsmouth are 39/4.
Shrimps to Struggle on Maiden League One Voyage
Morecambe won promotion through the play-offs last season but almost immediately lost their manager Derek Adams to Bradford.
Stephen Robinson has come in but will be working with by far the lowest budget in the league and star player Carlos Mendes Gomes has also departed.
Cambridge have also lost their main man with top goalscorer Paul Mullin deciding to drop down into non-league with Wrexham.
Steve Evans has had much success in the EFL over the years but he is also working under tight conditions and was forced to wave goodbye to star winger Jordan Graham and left-back Connor Ogilvie.
Morecambe and Cambridge can be backed at 11/10 to go down, while Gillingham are 5/2.
Barton to Step on the Gas
The headlines might have been negative during the off-season, but Joey Barton has certainly been backed to bring Bristol Rovers straight back up.
Like Paul Cook, Barton was heavily critical of his squad last season and has made a total rebuild. Players with plenty of experience much higher up the ladder, such as Brett Pitman and Paul Coutts, are in while Aaron Collins shone for Forest Green and could have moved higher up.
Bristol Rovers are 11/1 to win the League Two title.
Salford are expected to challenge given the ambition of their ownership as the wily Gary Bowyer is trusted to be the man to take the big-spenders up.
Bradford have also made a very shrewd appointment in Derek Adams and the fiery Scot could be the tonic they need to get back into the third tier.
Salford are 5/1 to win the title with Bradford 37/4.
Chaotic Swindon to Struggle
Swindon’s future seems to have been secured for now with Clem Morfuni becoming the owner, but 2021/22 looks like it could be a real struggle once more for the relegated Robins.
Ben Garner has a huge task on his hands to arrest their decline and will be working with a thin and inexperienced squad.
"Some of our combination play was excellent. Our counter-press on transitions was very good and our defensive shape. Full credit to the players."
Read Ben Garner's immediate reaction to today's final pre-season friendly against Peterborough.
https://t.co/z7QqiVh645 pic.twitter.com/58qB9hbiAU
— Swindon Town FC (@Official_STFC) July 31, 2021
Scunthorpe narrowly avoided relegation out of the EFL last season and another season of struggle is on the cards for the Iron too, who are also having to cope with a very young squad.
Sutton United won promotion from the National League last season but have never played at this level before and haven’t strengthened their squad too much over the summer.
Swindon are 5/2 to go down, with Scunthorpe available at 3/1 and Sutton 4/1.
*All odds correct at time of writing
