League One is becoming just as competitive as its more prestigious senior division, the Championship.
This season, clubs have been busy in the transfer market, as the likes of Crawley Town, Swindon Town, Shrewsbury Town & Crewe Alexandra aim to make an immediate impact, playing in a higher tier.
Sheffield United, Milton Keynes Dons and Stevenage will be hoping to have forgotten their playoff heartache in May and these three sides will start as favourites for automatic promotion.
Coventry City, Portsmouth and Doncaster Rovers begin life playing at a lower level, although Pompey’s ongoing financial woes mean that they might go bust before a ball has even been kicked.
Total Football’s Simon Wright picks out five of the top League One transfers to have happened so far.
Alan Smith – Newcastle United to Milton Keynes Dons – FREE
Milton Keynes Dons start as bookies favourites this season and with an excellent squad, motivated new backroom additions in Ian Wright and Mick Harford, they have to deliver this season for the Dons fans and their passionate chairman, Pete Winkleman.
Winkleman has signalled his intentions clear in the local press, helped by the signing of ex-England international Alan Smith.
Smith played for the Dons on loan in the second half of last season and had successful spells in the past with Leeds United and Manchester United.
Karl Robinson is one of the brightest young managers in the game today and the signing of Smith signals that after so much previous playoff heartache, it must be automatic promotion this time around.
Clinton Morrison – Sheffield Wednesday to Colchester United – FREE
Colchester United have been struggling for some time since the departure of their former boss, Paul Lambert to Norwich City in 2009.
The signing of 33-year-old Clinton Morrison seems to indicate that they want to make the move back to the Championship, a division they graced for two seasons in the last decade.
During his club career, Morrison (pictured) has scored 168 goals and although it didn’t work out for him at Sheffield Wednesday, he knows the Football League inside out, from his most prolific time, as a Crystal Palace player.
Together with fellow new striker Freddie Sears, Colchester could be a dark horse to watch out for this season.
Miles Addison – Derby County to Bournemouth – UNDISCLOSED
23-year-old Miles Addison has made his move to Bournemouth permanent in the summer, after a successful loan spell for the Cherries last season.
New manager at Dean Court, Paul Groves was a pivotal part in this move happening and for Bournemouth to beat attention off from Championship clubs for Addison’s services, including Barnsley and Hull City; this has to be seen as a coup.
Addison made his professional debut for Derby in April 2006 but was deemed surplus to requirements at Pride Park by Nigel Clough and made 14 appearances for Bournemouth last season.
His move on a nominal fee is one of the higher profile transfers in this division so far.
Kevin Kilbane – Hull City to Coventry City – FREE
Despite reported interest from Barnsley, former Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane has decided to drop down a division and link up with Andy Thorn at Coventry City.
Kilbane, who won 110 caps at international level, has played in the Premier League for Sunderland, Everton and Wigan Athletic.
He is keen to help the youth development at the City of Coventry Stadium and his versatility of being able to play in defence or midfield makes this a perfect signing for the Sky Blues.
Thorn has made some smart signings from Scotland, plus ex-Nice defender Kevin Malaga but Kilbane’s move is the best so far as the proud Midlands side look to bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt.
Robbie Blake – Bolton Wanderers to Doncaster Rovers – FREE
Robbie Blake’s career will probably always be remembered for that spectacular goal for Burnley that beat Manchester United, in the Clarets first home match in the Premier League.
The 36-year-old was released by Bolton Wanderers, following their relegation last season and has signed up with another relegated side, in the form of Doncaster Rovers.
Blake still has the quality to change games and is one of the best at set-pieces in this division.
Dean Saunders is a natural winner and won’t settle for second best. If Blake and fellow new signing, David Cotterill hit top form, promotion is more than likely for Rovers.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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