Football Season Guide

Richie Wellens returns to the club he served with distinction as a midfield playmaker and will be hoping to repeat promotion to the Championship. That was achieved back in 2008 under the guidance of Sean O’Driscoll and the passing style of football is something Wellens has since looked to emulate as a manager. He has something to prove this season after a disappointing 2020/21 season. He jumped ship at crisis club Swindon Town just months after guiding them to the League Two title but was sacked after less than five months at Salford City. He takes over at a club that have endured a miserable 2021 so far. They were challenging at the top of League One before manager Darren Moore jumped ship to take over at Sheffield Wednesday and a downward spiral under caretaker Andy Butler saw them finish in the bottom half of the division. The summer saw the retirement of club stalwart and hero James Coppinger and he is just one of several key players that will need to be replaced. Several influential loanees have returned to their parent clubs whilst the loss of full-backs Brad Halliday and Reece James are big blows. Midfielder Tommy Rowe has returned from Bristol City, whilst Kyle Knoyle is a replacement for Halliday. Arsenal loanee Matt Smith impressed under Wellens at Swindon Town whilst Tiago Cukur will be looking to make his mark after signing on loan from Watford. More additions are expected as Wellens looks to build a squad capable of challenging for a play-off place.