If there is one thing I know about this community, it is how much it loves the third-through-fifth tiers of the English football pyramid. And I know you love it so much that you are willing to block out any sort of other news to focus solely and wholeheartedly on all things Leagues One and below.
EFL League One
Can you believe we’re already four games into the season? I bet Plymouth Argyle can’t. Gosh, what a rough start. Argyle were relegated from the Championship and are already facing a -6 goal differential. That’s pretty dang bad. There are other surprises in the relegation picture including Port Vale, Wycombe, Reading and Peterborough.
For those of you who like chickens, though, maybe now isn’t such a bad time. Bradford City are currently in fourth. And hoddle headquarters will always support a cockerel.
We should also keep tabs on Cardiff and Luton Town, who were also relegated. Too soon to be excited or concerned about other, methinks:
Top Six:
Stevenage (12 Pts, +5 DS)
Cardiff (10 Pts, +5 GD)
Barnsley (10 Pts, +4 GD)
Bradford City (10 Pts, +3 GD)
Huddersfield (9 Pts, +6 GD)
Bottom Four:
Reading (1 Pt, -5 GD)
N’Hampton (1 Pt, -5 GD)
Argyle (0 Pts, -6 GD)
Peterborough (0 Pts, -6 GD)
League Two:
I had to click on three tabs just to get here, so I know very little about what I’m writing right now. But I don’t understand why Salford City aren’t runaway favourites. I thought that, with their backing, they’d be fighting promotion for the EFL Championship. And sure,they’ve be safely in the top half for the past few years, but that’s not good enough for them.
Other than that, I’m keeping eyes on Barnet and Accrington Stanley. Neither are doing well, but are currently safe from relegation. Also they’re four games into a 46-game season. I’m also very interested in Harrogate, but it’s too soon to say where they might land.
Top seven:
Crewe (12 Pts, +8 GD)
Grimsby Town (10 Pts, +5 GD)
Chesterfield (9 Pts, +2 GD)
Salford (9 Pts, +1 GD)
MK Dons (8 Pts, +7 GD)
Gillingham (8 Pts, +3 GD)
Bromley (8 Pts, +3 GD)
Bottom two:
Shewsbury (1 Pt, -9 GD)
Cheltenham (0 Pts, -9 GD)
Vanarama National League: Hoddle HQ will have a little more to say about this tomorrow. But Morecambe haven’t played yet, Rochdale are top, and we all want Scunthorpe to get promoted.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Southern Man, by Neil Young
And now for your links:
Goal: “Wayne Rooney calls for greater anti-racism measures after revealing player ‘cried on his chest’ after being abused during MLS spell with DC United”
BBC: “Arsenal’s ruthless Eze coup shows intent - leaving Spurs stunned”
Jack P-B ($$): “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS counter-suing Tottenham relating to Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move”
And now for your throwback link: