Players to Watch this Season
The 2022/23 League One promises to be one of the most competitive for many years. The third tier is currently occupied by some of the biggest clubs in English football, including Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth. With so many huge clubs in the division, League One has attracted a high calibre of player over the past couple of years. Here we take a look at some of the players to watch this season.
Derby’s young talent
Derby County dropped down from the Sky Bet Championship last season yet despite undergoing a major overhaul of their playing squad, The Rams have retained some of the most exciting prospects seen at Pride Park for some years. The likes of Louis Sibley, Max Bird and Jason Knight now make up the core of Leroy Rosenior’s side and could relish the extra responsibility on their shoulders now.
Cameron Brannagan enjoyed his best ever season at Oxford United in 2021/22 and the Liverpool academy graduate could again be one of the stars of the division this season. Brannagan was named in the PFA Team of the Year for a second time last season thanks to an impressive 14 goals from midfield.
Owls smart double swoop
Michael Smith scored 18 times for Rotherham United last season as The Millers earned promotion to the Sky Bet Championship. However, Smith along with defender, Michael Ihiekwe, opted to move from Rotherham United to Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls are amongst the favourites for promotion this season and the ex-Rotherham United duo could be key for Darren Moore’s side.
Clarke-Harris back with a bang
Jonson Clarke-Harris has previously proved prolific at this level and has kicked off the new campaign with five goals in five matches. Clarke-Harris last played at this level in 2020/21 when he fired Peterborough United to promotion with 31 league goals; the most in the division since Jordan Rhodes scored 36 in 2011/12. If he can score anywhere near that number of goals again this season, Peterborough United have an excellent chance of a second promotion in three years.
Ipswich Town are the bookies’ favourites to win the Sky Bet League One title this season and after five matches, the Tractor Boys currently sit top of the league with 13 points from a possible 15. Marcus Harness swapped Portsmouth for Ipswich Town during the summer and he’s already making an impact at Portman Road. Upon signing for Ipswich, new manager, Kieran McKenna predicted that the 26-year-old is entering his prime years. Three goals in his first five matches for The Tractor Boys has only heightened expectations at Portman Road.
Replacing Scott Twine
Scott Twine won last season’s Player of the Year award after dazzling in his debut season at MK Dons. Despite the Dons’ failure to achieve promotion, Twine was swiftly snapped up by Burnley. MK Dons’ ability to adequately replace their best player is likely to be what makes or breaks their 2022/23 campaign. MK Dons have acquired two excellent prospects on the wing. 20-year-old, Darragh Burns joined from League of Ireland Premier Division outfit, St Patrick’s Athletic.
However, it is the loan capture of Aston Villa youngster, Louie Barry that really excites us. The 19-year-old became the first Englishman to join and play at Barcelona’s esteemed La Masia academy before returning to England in January 2020. Barry enjoyed a successful loan spell at Swindon Town in the second half of the 2021/22 season, scoring six times in 14 league games. Having signed on loan at MK Dons for the entire campaign, 2022/23 could be the season that Louie Barry comes of age.
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