Blades lead Yorkshire clubs’ charge on League One promotion

Andrew Davies is gone from defence, but local lad Nathan Clarke, like Stead formerly of Huddersfield Town, is a more than sufficiently experienced replacement. Bradford have also added extra wide options in Mark Marshall from Port Vale and one-time Liverpool academy product Paul Anderson.

Doncaster Rovers are also worthy of consideration in the promotion race, again at 9/2, as Paul Dickov has pulled off some decent deals. Fellow Scottish duo Gary MacKenzie and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair strengthen the Keepmoat defence considerably, for example.

In attack, Rovers beat the Blades to Swindon Town top scorer Andy Williams, who virtually guarantees goals at this level. Winger Dany N’Guessan, meanwhile, has two third tier promotions to his name, and extensive experience of English football.

While the likes of relegated Millwall, Peterborough United, Rochdale and last term’s beaten play-off finalists Swindon Town will hope to feature in the promotion picture, the only side that looks likely to challenge a Yorkshire clean sweep is Wigan Athletic.

The Latics are admittedly going through some tough times after the glorious days of their Premier League stint, but the strikeforce at novice coach Gary Caldwell’s disposal should fire them right into contention.

At 2/1 for promotion and 6/1 to wrestle the League One title from Sheffield United’s grasp, Wigan have Craig Davies, Will Grigg and Billy McKay to pick from, not forgetting currently injured Grant Holt (who hit 30 goals at this level when he last played at it), and they all are better than the division. Michael Jacobs, a real wide threat for Wolves when they won this league in 2013/14, will be their chief supply line.

It’s a similar story with the defence, as two from Leon Barnett, Craig Morgan (two third tier promotions to his name) and Jason Pearce look to establish an impenetrable partnership at centre half. All that remains to be seen is how Caldwell takes to management at the DW Stadium.

Coral’s prediction: There’s a lot to like about the Latics, but we’re sticking with the Blades to be League One Champions at 9/2.