Innholdsfortegnelse for Season Preview 2024 i FourFourTwo UK

What’s the Spanish for deja vu? Another Euros, another final, another defeat for England. Exactly 1,099 days after I was at Wembley to see England lose on penalties to Italy in 2021, I was in Berlin and this time it was Spain who came out on top – each experience was equally as painful in their own way. Not wanting to dwell on the negatives too much, but you do wonder if England’s male team will ever win a major trophy, or if they’re destined to be nearly men for eternity. The Three Lions didn’t play well for large parts of the tournament, but the way things panned out, it did start to look like the stars were aligning. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. What do you need to get…

“IF THERE’S AN ULTIMATE WAY TO WIN A GAME THEN THAT WAS IT, BUT I DON’T RECOMMEND TRYING IT!” England 1-0 Denmark May 15, 1990 International friendly “When I was a kid growing up in Denmark, one of my biggest dreams was to play at Wembley – it was the ultimate. My first game there was against England, and in between having my afternoon kip and the pre-match meal, I was told Manchester United had put a bid in for me. I went into the game with that in mind, and it was a fantastic experience for me – I think I played well. Getting a taste of Wembley, and understanding that Manchester United actually want you, which was another dream of mine, makes that game very special to me.…

TELL us yours #FFTPREVIEW 01 ANOTHER THRILLING PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE RACE Last season, Manchester City became the first club in the history of England’s top flight to win a fourth consecutive title – but they were pushed all the way. Arsenal were in the battle for top spot on the last day of the season, having edged closer to Pep Guardiola’s side in recent campaigns. Mikel Arteta’s men hope to challenge City again this season, in what could be Guardiola’s last campaign at the Etihad. Pep’s contract is due to expire at the end of the campaign and he has dropped hints that his exit could be drawing near, after six Premier League titles in eight years at the helm. Despite City’s riches, they wouldn’t have been as successful without…

29 ASTON VILLA IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE “Tyrone Mings and I were at the club in the Championship,” grinned an incredulous John McGinn in May. “We got promoted, managed to stay in the league, kept building and now we’ve achieved something we haven’t done for 40 years.” The Scottish midfielder was, of course, referring to Aston Villa’s qualification for this season’s Champions League. Five years after Villa escaped the second tier, they’ll become the 11th different English club to play in the Champions League group stage – their first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition since 1982-83. That campaign ended in a quarter-final exit against eventual finalists Juventus, in a season when Villa were reigning European champions. A season earlier, they had defied all odds to win the European Cup…

Are the ‘Big Six’ a thing of the past? If the 2023-24 Premier League season taught us anything, it’s that nothing is sacred: you can spend £400 million and still miss out on European football. Or you can leave Arsenal under a cloud, return with Aston Villa, and qualify for the Champions League. Indeed, the only constant by which a football fan can set their watch is Manchester City’s annual title parade. Mikel Arteta’s classy Arsenal pushed them close for a second season running – right to the final day this time – but ultimately Pep Guardiola (below) was left resembling Edward G. Robinson’s grizzled poker ace in The Cincinnati Kid, telling young upstart Steve McQueen, “You’re good, kid, but as long as I’m around, you’re second-best.” The big question…

ANOTHER CHANGE IN THE DUGOUT REVEALS A FANBASE AT ODDS WITH THE OWNERS THE PLAN Chelsea have a plan? Since Todd Boehly & Co came along in May 2022, the owners have gone from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter to Frank Lampard to Mauricio Pochettino and now Enzo Maresca as manager. That’s a lot. In that same period, the Blues have shelled out more than £1bn on playing talent, with varying success and little-to-no idea how those shiny new toys align with the various managers’ different philosophies. Everything in SW6 feels incredibly disjointed, and just as it seemed that Pochettino had found something, he left by mutual consent, wanting a bit more say on his squad. Chelsea are in a mess of their own doing, losing ground on their rivals…

THE EUPHORIA HAS WORN OFF AND FANS ON TYNESIDE ARE READY TO GET REAL THE PLAN Establish a midfield system that caters to Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. If Bruno stays, Eddie Howe should build around these three, plus Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. While deep runs in both cups (ideally winning one) are important, European qualification is non-negotiable. To do that, Newcastle must strengthen their goalkeeping options to push Nick Pope and adequately cover themselves if his injury woes continue. A right-sided centre-back at Sven Botman’s level is nearly as important as not picking Dan Burn at left-back any more. A general freshening up of the squad would be welcome, nudging signings from a former era to the exit – Martin Dubravka, Jacob Murphy, even Callum Wilson and…

Has the Championship got weaker? It seems a fair shout, as aspiring contenders breathe a sigh of relief at the league losing the clout of Leicester and Southampton, plus the elite potential of Kieran McKenna at Ipswich. Parachute payments now dictate so much in the Championship that the position of the clubs coming down can greatly determine the state of play. A team relegated from the Premier League has won each of the last four second-tier titles. But whereas last season the fallen trio were all obvious contenders for an instant return (and duly finished 1st, 3rd and 4th), that isn’t the case this time around. Sheffield United’s 2022-23 promotion eased rather than fixed their financial position, and they face a monumental rebuild on and off the pitch. Burnley have…

QUEENS PARK RANGERS LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 18th FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Lyndon Dykes, Ilias Chair (7) FAN FILE CLIVE WHITTINGHAM @LoftForWords Last season was word-for-word how we said it’d be in this preview a year ago, right up to calling the precise time that Gareth Ainsworth would be put out of his – and our – misery. QPR did indeed pivot to ‘Ajax Youth Bot 3.6’, as we put it, and Marti Cifuentes turned around Ainsworth’s Wycombe 2.0 to avoid relegation with games to spare. This season will be different because we have more FFP headroom now that our 2021 overspend has rolled out of our three-year cycle, and because we have a proper manager in charge. The big talking point is will Cifuentes…

CRAWLEY TOWN LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 7th FA CUP First Round LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Danilo Orsi (25) FAN FILE CRAWLEY TOWN @SamJordan87 Last season was absolutely incredible! Going from being relegation favourites to winning promotion on our first ever visit to Wembley [above] will never be topped. The big talking point is whether we can keep any of the gems we signed last summer. Play-off hero Danilo Orsi, scorer of 25 goals last season, has left for Burton; standout defender Will Wright has dropped a division to join Swindon; Liam Kelly, who was superb at Wembley, has joined Laurence Maguire at MK Dons also in League Two; and Klaidi Lolos will be menacing League One defences each week with Bolton instead of Crawley. I’m least looking forward…

ACCRINGTON STANLEY LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 17th FA CUP First Round LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Jack Nolan (17) FAN FILE ADAM SCARBOROUGH Last season was one to forget – no cup run, no real push for promotion, lots of injuries and a controversial change of management. Still, a 19th consecutive Football League season is an achievement for a club of our size. This season will be different because we won’t have a relegation hangover. The big talking point is how we’re starting the season with a different manager for the first time in a decade. Our key player will be Super Shaun Whalley [below]. He turns 37 a few days before our first fixture and is still one of the fittest players at the club. Look…

ALDERSHOT TOWN A poor defensive record cost the Shots a play-off spot and Tommy Widdrington has duly signed goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst from Wealdstone and Chelmsford City’s highly-rated centre-back, Luke Jenkins. Now Aldershot must replace the 40 goals scored by a pair of departing talents in Josh Stokes and Lorent Tolaj, who joined Bristol City and Port Vale respectively. 8TH ALTRINCHAM Although it was expected, the summer departure of star player Chris Conn-Clarke will no doubt be felt by Altrincham after Peterborough United swooped for the non-league star in their usual fashion. But Phil Parkinson is one of the best managers outside of the EFL and Alty, another year into becoming a full-time outfit, will be looking to build on last season’s 4th-placed finish with another promotion push. 5TH BARNET Effervescent…

ABERDEEN LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 7th SCOTTISH CUP SF LEAGUE CUP RU EUROPA LEAGUE Play-off CONFERENCE LEAGUE Group TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Bojan Miovski (26) FAN FILE GLEN SCHREUDER @RTG_PODCAST Last season was a disappointment. Yes, we performed respectably well in Europe and went deep in the domestic cup competitions, but our league form left a lot to be desired. Not even Neil Warnock could turn that around and we finished 7th under Peter Leven. The big talking point is how the new manager, Jimmy Thelin [above], will get on. The Swedish coach, arriving from a six-year spell with Elfsborg, is known for playing an attacking brand of football, so there’s some excitement. Our key player will be Dante Polvara, who shone last season after a loan spell at Charleston Battery…

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 3rd SCOTTISH CUP Semi-final LEAGUE CUP Semi-final CONFERENCE LEAGUE Play-off TOP SCORER Lawrence Shankland (31) FAN FILE ADAM KENNY @perthtopaisley Last season was brilliant, despite a sluggish start. Maybe this season we won’t take until November to wake up and go on an impressive winning run. The big talking point is being back in a European group stage. We struggled to juggle domestic and continental football during the season before last. This season will be different because we’ve pinched players from other clubs in the league who’ve performed well. Our key player will be Lawrence Shankland. Who else? Scoring 25 goals [in all competitions] in 2022-23 was impressive enough as a Hearts centre-forward, but to score another 30 last season was unthinkable. Our most…

Twenty years ago, ‘The Special One’ arrived at Stamford Bridge – as did a very special goalkeeper. Petr Cech had agreed to join Chelsea even before he helped the Czech Republic to the Euro 2004 semi-finals. Under Jose Mourinho, he won the Premier League in each of the next two seasons, on his way to becoming a Chelsea legend and one of the finest shot-stoppers ever seen in England. A fractured skull later threatened to derail his career, but he returned wearing what became his trademark headguard. Having made the penalty saves that won Chelsea an unlikely Champions League crown in 2012, he then crossed London to sign for Arsenal – 13 years after he’d originally been close to joining the Gunners. Football isn’t the only sport at which Cech…

When Northern Irish champs Glenavon were drawn to face Wismut Karl-Marx-Stadt in the 1960-61 European Cup, little did they know that they’d get to fulfil the fixture more than six decades later. A preliminary round tie versus East German opposition gave them a problem: famously, their destination country wasn’t easy to get in or out of. The Berlin Wall was still a year from being built, but Glenavon and Wismut were reciprocally refused visas for the two legs – although UEFA suggested moving it to a neutral venue, Glenavon withdrew due to the higher costs and lower revenue, so the East Germans progressed to the next round. It wasn’t the only withdrawal that year – CCA Bucharest pulled out of a tie with Spartak Hradec Kralove because Czechoslovakia had just…

06 MANCHESTER UNITED’S FIRST FULL SEASON UNDER SIR JIM Manchester United fans rejoiced when, at last, the deal went through. On February 20, British billionaire and lifelong Red Devil Sir Jim Ratcliffe officially acquired an initial 27.7 per cent stake in the club, with footballing operations immediately placed under his control. Yes, supporters preferred a complete sale by the Glazer family, but it was a step in the right direction. “Everyone was really excited when it finally got over the line,” former Manchester United defender Wes Brown tells FFT. “Sir Jim represents a chance for real change after years of stagnation. We’ve not been competing at the very top for far too long.” Flanked by Sir Dave Brailsford, the former British Cycling chief and now INEOS director of sport, Ratcliffe…

40 ANOTHER SEASON OF ANGEBALL Tottenham fans were on cloud nineafter 10 matches last season, top of the table and enjoying their best start toa campaign in the Premier League era. New manager Ange Postecoglou, freshly arrived from treble glory with Celtic, had instilled a high-tempo, attacking blueprint that left one Spurs legend reminiscing about his playing days. “They were great to watch,” Darren Anderton tells FFT. “They were gung-ho and it reminded me of the Ossie Ardiles Spurs team I played in. It was a lot of fun, especially for the forward players. But as we found out back then, it’s difficult to be consistent when playing in such a risky way.” Things began to turn with a 4-1 home loss to Chelsea that saw two players sent off…

WORK WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST Success comes when everyone at a club is on the same page – that goes for transfers, too. Many disputes between managers and chairmen have started over player recruitment – one wants to spend money to improve the team and the other is more cautious with the purse strings. Inevitably, there is potential for friction – even more so when the chairman offers his own opinion on which players to sign. Harry Redknapp found success when his relationship with the club hierarchy was strong – when they trusted him to make judgements on players, rather than contradicting him with their own personal views. “At Tottenham, Daniel Levy never really interfered,” Redknapp tells FFT, remembering a four-year spell at White Hart Lane when he guided the…

You’re Canadian-Irish, the latter through your mother. How much did football feature, growing up? My dad’s side is Scottish-English and my mum’s side is Irish, so childhood was very influenced by those cultures. Football was the main sport to play and watch. My two brothers and I spent our summers playing football and then, once the cold arrived in winter, we’d switch to [ice] hockey. Dad’s influence was the main driver for my love of football. He played himself and shared his joy and passion for it. We used to wake up super early to catch Premier League games on TV in Canada – I was a big Manchester United fan. After playing university football in Canada, you joined Nashville after the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. How did you feel relocating…

You know the story by now: Hollywood owners, big investment, two promotions and a Disney+ documentary now in its third season. For other clubs this century who have ambitiously climbed clear of non-league, the third tier has often proved the point at which harsh realities set in. For Wrexham, having secured back-to-back promotions despite a faltering start in League Two, external expectations are that Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ passion project might ascend to the Championship at the first time of asking. Executive director Humphrey Ker insists Wrexham aren’t taking anything for granted, however. “This year’s going to be challenging, no question,” he tells FourFourTwo ahead of the new campaign. “We’re making trips to teams who have come down, such as Birmingham, and others who did well but didn’t quite…

The Costa Rican goal machine recalls Derby delights, Paulo Di Canio and scoring against Germany at the 2006 World Cup How did your transfer from Costa Rica to England come about, leaving Herediano in 1997 in order to join Derby? A scout spotted me playing in a televised qualifier for France 98: Costa Rica against the USA. He told QPR to sign me. I went over for a few trial matches, scored some goals, but nothing happened. The scout contacted Jim Smith at Derby County instead. They were a Premier League club back then; QPR were a Championship club, and they didn’t want me. I wasn’t sure, but in the end I decided to go to Derby and the rest is history. How was your relationship with Jim Smith, Derby’s…

BLIGHTED BY INJURIES LAST TERM, THE BEES ARE OPTIMISTIC FOR A MORE COMFORTABLE 2024-25 THE PLAN Brentford were blighted by a ludicrous number of long-term injuries last term, so the main objective will be to ease the pressure on the medical team and field their strongest side on a regular basis. New striker Igor Thiago – fresh from 29 goals in all competitions for Club Brugge last season – will likely lead the line, potentially without the in-demand Ivan Toney, while Thomas Frank looks to Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade, Yehor Yarmoliuk and his other young guns to establish themselves as consistent Premier League performers. Inventive attacking set pieces have been a Bees trademark for a while, so whoever replaces Bernardo Cueva – the club’s tactical statistician, who has left for…

A SEVENTH TITLE IN EIGHT YEARS IS THE BARE MINIMUM – THEY WANT THE QUADRUPLE THE PLAN Total domination on all fronts. Such is Manchester City’s Premier League supremacy, a fifth consecutive title – and seventh in eight years – is the bare minimum; the Double, still two trophies shy of the ultimate target. The Champions League is paramount. Arsenal and Liverpool will aim to capitalise on any rare slip-ups, knowing that City’s late-season inevitability is their biggest asset. They last lost a league match on December 6, 2023, equalled a Premier League-record four consecutive away victories having trailed in each, and won their last nine games by an aggregate score of 33-6. Sumptuous choreographed football is a given, but what is Pep Guardiola’s next innovation? Kyle Walker, No.10? Kevin…

BLACKBURN ROVERS LAST SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP 19th FA CUP Fifth Round LEAGUE CUP Fourth Round TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Sammie Szmodics (33) FAN FILE MIKE DELAP @MikeyDelap Last season was nearly a disaster. A campaign that started off in reasonable shape ended in a last-gasp escape from the drop on the final day. The big talking point is whether Venky’s can get around to funding – and, heaven forbid, running – the club to a level that’ll avoid a worse fate. Our key player will be Sir Sammie of Szmodics [above], the league’s best player last season – if he’s still here in August, anyway. Failing that, and in the hope that he stays injury-free, Joe Rankin-Costello will be a key player. Our most underrated player is Sondre Tronstad [below]. Robust…

League One is the Football League division to watch this season. Whereas the appeal of the Championship and League Two is the loss of big hitters, the third tier’s charm is in gaining them. The three teams coming down from the Championship look as strong as the promoted trio they replace, so each of them fancy their chances of righting last season’s wrongs. Huddersfield appointed Michael Duff, arguably the best manager in the league, while Rotherham bagged prolific marksman Jonson Clarke-Harris in their ruthless recruitment drive and Birmingham’s reported £20m budget seems almost alien to this division. Then there are the three clubs who won automatic promotion from League Two, who themselves have the resources to enhance this division and challenge at the summit of it. Wrexham and Stockport can…

READING LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 17th FA CUP Second Round LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith (16) FAN FILE SIMEON PICKUP @TheTilehurstEnd Last season was chaotic but a relief in the end. In spite of an existential crisis that no club should have to experience, we pulled through and secured safety. The big talking point is Dai Yongge. Reading fans have been in a year-long struggle to get rid of him and we can’t wait for the day he’s finally gone. Our entire season – indeed, our long-term future – hinges on a takeover and the buffoon can’t even sell the club properly. We need stability; everything else pales into insignificance. The thing my club really gets right is sticking together during tough times. Reading went…

CREWE ALEXANDRA LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 6th FA CUP Second Round LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER Elliott Nevitt (18) FAN FILE STEVE BENNETT @sargeantbennett Last season was better than we had expected but could have been even better. Wembley is crap when you lose. The big talking point is losing too many players elsewhere, even if it’s in our DNA to produce the replacements ourselves or find cut-price alternatives. Our youngsters, along with a relatively green management team, will have another year under their belts and we are looking upwards, not downwards. I won’t be happy unless we’re fighting for at least a play-off place. Our key player will be Jack Powell. Having the midfielder back following a long-term knee injury will feel like a new signing. Our most…

GET INVOLVED TWEET US USING THE HASHTAG #FFTPREVIEW ARSENAL The Gunners could have ended last season as champions for the first time since 2019 but finished five points adrift of the top two, defeats to Liverpool and West Ham proving costly. WSL record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema has gone, but having a fully fit Leah Williamson and Beth Mead – eight goals and four WSL assists last season – will be huge. Stina Blackstenius will be joined in attack by World Cup-winning Spanish forward Mariona Caldentey as Jonas Eidevall’s side play at least eight league matches at the Emirates. KEY PLAYER Lotte Wubben-Moy FFT VERDICT 1st ASTON VILLA After Carla Ward’s departure following a seventh-placed finish, this summer marks a new era for Villa. New boss Robert de Pauw may have…

RANGERS LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 2nd SCOTTISH CUP RU LEAGUE CUP Winners CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Play-off EUROPA LEAGUE Last 16 TOP SCORER James Tavernier (24) FAN FILE DAVID EDGAR @ibroxrocks Last season was disappointing. After a rotten start and change of manager, we got ourselves back into a promising position, then blew it. The big talking point is the rebuilding of the squad. It should have happened before, but it hasn’t. Our key player will be Mo Diomande. He has bags of potential but needs to start dominating matches. Our most underrated player is Cyriel Dessers, the 29-year-old forward who joined from Cremonese last summer. He hit 22 goals in all competitions, but still leaves you with the impression he could do more. The player I’d happily drive to another club is…

A SUMMER OF FUN FFT’s Berlin-based writer Ed McCambridge sampled a whole host of games at the Euros – it was eventful Doing the Macarena outside a sun-kissed Olympiastadion. Life probably peaked at that moment for the England fans who joined Spanish supporters performing the iconic dance ahead of the Euro 2024 Final. Three hours later, broken-hearted, they’d trudge back down that same street, into the awaiting S-Bahns and off into the night. It was a tournament of wild mood swings for the Three Lions support, experiencing every emotion along the way: frustration, disappointment, cup-launching rage, giddy disbelief, ecstasy and perhaps even an element of shame towards the end, given the abuse hurled at manager Gareth Southgate early in the tournament. FFT got to experience much of that first hand,…

CODY GAKPO MATT KETCHELL DEPUTY EDITOR @ketchell Players like Rodri, Martin Odegaard and Mo Salah will dominate early player of the season conversations, but my prediction is that a breakout year for Cody Gakpo will put him in contention, 18 months after his arrival in England. There are a number of clues that suggest the stars could align for him. Firstly, age. Gakpo turned 25 in May, signalling the beginning of his physical prime as a player. If he wants to be seen as the best in the league this season, he must use his physicality to his advantage more. He’s 6ft 4in, yet has looked weak at times. Winning more 50-50s and aerial duels needs to be high on his list of in-game priorities. Another thing in Gakpo’s favour…

18 EVERTON’S EMOTIONAL FINAL SEASON AT GOODISON Given Everton’s financial issues, dugout changes and unpredictable performances over the past few seasons, it’s tough to guess what might become of the Toffees this term. One thing is certain, however: it will be the club’s last at Goodison Park. After 133 years at their hallowed ground, Everton will move into their new £800m home at Bramley-Moore Dock in 2025-26, having aborted initial plans to relocate midway through this season. Their new digs boast a capacity of nearly 53,000 (up from just shy of 40,000 at Goodison) and are part of a swanky new development including shops, apartments, a gym and more. Fans are hopeful that future revenue from their rehousing could kick-start a successful new era for the club, but that’s not…

There weren’t many times in Alun Armstrong’s career when he upstaged Adriano. Yet as the Ipswich forward left the Portman Road pitch to the home supporters’ adoration, he’d eclipsed not just the Brazilian, but an entire team of superstars. On that November night in 2001, Armstrong was the hero. The Tractor Boys substitute had headed the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Inter, writing his name into Ipswich Town folklore, and giving George Burley’s men a first-leg lead in the UEFA Cup third-round against the Nerazzurri. Sure, Inter would go on to win the second leg 4-1 at San Siro, thanks to Christian Vieri’s hat-trick, but that tie marked the peak of a remarkable two years in East Anglia. “It was surreal,” admits Ipswich fan Craig Finbow, from the…

30 ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR Istanbul clubs dominate Turkish football, but it’s always Galatasaray, Fenerbahce or Besiktas who bag the title. Not since Gunes triumphed in 1938 had another Istanbul outfit won it – until 2020, when Basaksehir clinched top spot, despite crowds of under 2,000 for some matches, even before COVID. KEY MEN With reported links to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Basaksehir recruited both Demba Ba and Robinho. 29 GENT Gent and Genk have won five league titles between them, but almost nobody outside of Belgium knows which club is which. Gent’s only title came in 2015, after they’d finished seventh and 11th the previous two seasons. Even in their title campaign, the Buffalos were runners-up to Club Brugge during the regular season, before winning the play-off. KEY MAN Forward…

In May 2023, Sky Sports agreed a new five-year deal with the Football League to broadcast fixtures, beginning this season. The package will see more than 1,000 matches shown per season: 328 from the Championship, 248 each from Leagues One and Two, all 15 play-off games, all 93 League Cup fixtures and all 127 EFL Trophy ties. That’s a record number of games for any club football agreement in history and an increase of 816 matches per season on Sky’s past EFL offerings. “The deal connects us with every football fan in the country,” Sky Sports director of football, Gary Hughes, tells FFT ahead of 2024-25. “With our Premier League and EFL deals, we have a connection with all 92 clubs. The EFL wanted more of their matches visible, and…

For all its drama, the National League rarely hogs the limelight. But Bromley – once dubbed “the worst team in Britain” by author and diehard fan Dave Roberts in his book-turned-film The Bromley Boys – have given it their best shot lately. From hiring an analyst based on his Football Manager skills to breaking Hollywood hearts, they can’t keep out of the papers – something that has caused manager Andy Woodman bother in the past. After leading the Ravens into the Football League for the first time in their 132-year history, the gaffer spent an hour and a half talking to the media at Wembley post-game. “We’re going overboard tonight,” he beamed, “and do the things they say not to do.” By the time Woodman had finished with the press,…

It only feels like yesterday that the Euros finished, yet here we are, ready to start another domestic campaign. For all of the glitz and glamour that the Euros provided, this is what football is really about for most fans: the 10-month slog that starts and ends in summer via freezing Tuesday nights. There’ll be plenty of ups and downs along the way, but right now every team is level and daring to dream. We assess no fewer than 140 outfits as they prepare for the 2024-25 season. Whoever you follow, enjoy it. WANT MORE? FIND US HERE… FourFourTwo.com @FourFourTwo @FourFourTwoUK FourFourTwo FourFourTwo Editor James Andrew Deputy Editor Matthew Ketchell Designers Anthony Moore, Tom Parrett Sub-Editors Gregg Davies, Huw Davies, Andrew Murray, Jon Crampin Pictures Alamy and Getty Thanks to…

THE CLARET-AND-BLUE FAITHFUL ARE BUZZING AT BEING BACK IN THE EUROPEAN BIG TIME THE PLAN Go fourth and balti pie. Aston Villa have gatecrashed the Champions League elite; their next challenge is to be competitive on Europe’s biggest stage, maintain consistent top-flight brilliance and finally trouble the engravers of those stubbornly elusive domestic cups. No pressure, lads! Since owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens trusted Unai Emery with a total Bodymoor Heath revamp, claret-hued Brummies – bred from birth as pessimists – are experiencing a generational surge in excitement levels following a record 15 home wins in a row. If the powers that be could find a way to improve the perennially disappointing fodder served to the matchday masses inside Villa Park, that really would be fulfilling. Europe’s coming to…

THE MOOD IN SUSSEX IS ONE OF CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM – A YOUNG MANAGER IS ON-BRAND THE PLAN Brighton’s success has been built partly on taking a chance on youth, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the man chosen to succeed Roberto De Zerbi is the youngest permanent head coach in Premier League history. Indeed, he is younger than the Premier League itself. Fabian Hurzeler, who doesn’t turn 32 until February, has been hired to make Brighton more solid at the back without losing too much of the fluidity that made them such a potent attacking threat under De Zerbi. In his fledgling career, Hurzeler has displayed a similar penchant for brave, press-baiting football, something in which his new players are well-versed, but with the best defensive record in the…

THE TEAM AND THE FANS ALIKE NEED EACH OTHER TO KEEP THE MOOD OPTIMISTIC THE PLAN Suffice to say, 2016 feels long ago. The tender warbles of Andrea Bocelli are but whispers in the wind these days – or, more aptly, a worryingly stormy breeze. Eight years, an FA Cup, three European seasons, one Stadio Olimpico semi-final and a pitiful (but, crucially, rectified) relegation later, Leicester’s plan is very simple: survive. The reality is less straightforward. The Foxes will be trying to stay up as a promoted club with a considerable, all-but guaranteed points deduction, to go with a third new manager in as many seasons, uncertainty in the transfer market and a squad that made harder work of Championship glory than casual glances would suggest. Still, such chaos –…

IT’S FEARED THAT ONE OR MORE OF WOLVES’ STARS WILL FOLLOW CAPTAIN MAX KILMAN IN LEAVING THE PLAN Wolves’ 2023-24 brought their lowest finish since promotion, and though they reached the FA Cup quarter-final, defeat there to Coventry effectively ended their season. A self-styled ‘challenger club’, they’ll do well to get near the European positions without signing two strikers for minimal outlay, yet players bought in the £5m to 15m range have generally served them well. The early additions of Braga’s Rodrigo Gomes – 14 goal involvements on loan at Estoril last season – and teenage Brazilian right-back Pedro Lima have already seen them delve into that area again. Those recruits, plus Tommy Doyle’s permanent arrival, excited fans desperate to keep Pedro Neto, Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Joao Gomes,…

LUTON TOWN LAST SEASON PREMIER LEAGUE 18th FA CUP Fifth Round LEAGUE CUP Third Round TOP SCORER Carlton Morris (11) FAN FILE JAMIE CASTLE @oakroadhatter Last season was an emotional rollercoaster. Nobody gave us a chance in the Premier League and we exceeded all expectations, though ultimately it ended in disappointment. This season will be different because the mindset has to change from the outset. After facing disproportionate budgets every week in the Premier League, we go into every game this season on at least a level playing field. Our key player will be Elijah Adebayo, if we can keep him. He reached double figures for top-flight goals from just 16 starts, plus 11 substitute appearances – a great record for a relegated team. Our most underrated player is Amari’i…

BARNSLEY LAST SEASON LEAGUE ONE 6th FA CUP First Round LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Devante Cole (18) FAN FILE CARLO VAN DE WATERING @RedsReport_ Last season was flawed – mistakes off the pitch and not much better on it. The big talking point is whether new boss Darrell Clarke [above] can inject some flair and attacking DNA into the squad. It’ll be nice to see a manager with a plan and specific playing style. I won’t be happy unless we bring in some League One-ready players. Our key player will be a trio. Donovan Pines, Sam Cosgrove and Luca Connell, if we keep hold of him, should establish themselves as the spine of a pressing, attacking Barnsley team. The player I’d happily drive to another club…

After an automatic promotion race dominated by the most predictable of contenders, Crawley’s spellbinding play-off success against the odds gave League Two a refreshing antidote last season. Everyone’s ante-post relegation pick defied their doubters emphatically to join Stockport, Wrexham and Mansfield in League One. With those three out of the picture, yet more inspirational stories become possible in the Football League’s basement tier, where there are currently no promotion favourites boasting an astronomical budget and momentum simultaneously – and simultaneously is the key word. Allow us to explain. Beaten play-off semi-finalists MK Dons and Doncaster are at an advanced stage of establishing a promotion template under Mike Williamson and Grant McCann respectively, but they aren’t financially dominant as such. Gillingham and Carlisle are, and have recruited superbly, but the former…

NEWPORT COUNTY LAST SEASON LEAGUE TWO 18th FA CUP Fourth Round LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER Will Evans (25) FAN FILE JAMIE HARRIS @1912Exiles Last season was a Jekyll and Hyde year. We played well in bursts but ended with a calamitous run of eight defeats. Still, it was all about surviving. The big talking point is the Huw Jenkins takeover. After last summer’s revelation that we were in a financial hole, the Supporters’ Trust voted to hand over majority ownership to the former Swansea supremo. This season will be different because being decimated by injuries crippled us in 2023-24. Plus, Jenkins has parted ways with Graham Coughlan, so we’ll have a new manager, a new style, a new approach to recruitment, and questions about what comes next. I’m…