Football Season Guide

Last season marked the end of the despised Dejphon Chansiri’s reign. It was long and painful, with several talented players sold for nowhere near their true value and the departure of popular head coach Danny Rohl. The club were placed into administration in October and would only cancel out the 18-point deduction on the final day of the season. With relegation a certainty from the moment the first ball was kicked, Henrik Pedersen took on the task of head coach, but it was a miserable season, with the only joy coming when a takeover by Arise Capital Partners was confirmed in May. With the EFL using their discretion in not imposing a 15-point deduction for the new season, there has been a real air of optimism and excitement around Hillsborough. This has also followed news of a return for their talismanic midfielder Barry Bannan, following a short interregnum at Millwall. Last season’s team set a new record of 39 league matches without recording a single victory, highlighting a pressing need to strengthen the squad for a promotion push and immediate return to the Championship. The standout signing so far is striker Louie Barry, signed on a permanent deal from Aston Villa, who will be hoping to realise his potential. Another coup is the loan signing of Harry Gray from Yorkshire neighbours Leeds United. Much is expected of the talented 17-year-old striker. Midfielder Callum Slattery was part of the impressive Motherwell side from last season whilst Billy Mitchell makes the move having been a team-mate of Bannan at the Den. There have been a couple of notable departures. Midfielder Svante Ingelsson might have left in January and has now joined Stoke City. The biggest loss is talented young goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who has moved to Premier League Manchester City for a significant fee. Three goalkeepers have been signed to replace him, with Joe Lumley likely to be first-choice following a two-game emergency loan spell last season. After enduring such a trauma, clubs generally need a season or two to recover but time is rare and precious commodity in professional football and questions are already been asked as to whether Pedersen is the right man.