League Two has had some interesting narratives after the first 14 matchdays and with the fourth tier taking a mini-break due to the FA Cup first round taking place, The Deck picks out the top three players so far.
This feature follows a similar piece on the top three players in League One based on their performances this season.
Three Standout Performers in League Two
Dan Crowley – Notts County
The 27-year-old midfielder has been a key figure as the Magpies sit in an automatic promotion place heading into November. After registering 25 goal involvements in League Two in 2023/24, he has continued that form with three goals and the same number of assists.
Crowley put in two standout performances in wins over Grimsby Town and Bromley. His versatility in playing deep or further forward in a number ten role will be instrumental in Notts County’s promotion push.
The former Birmingham City player has excellent all-around attributes, ranking in the top three at the club for successful tackles and first for key passes. He is an outlet in transition, completing 1.7 dribbles per game, but it is his ability on the ball that makes him stand out.
The former England under-19 international ranks second of all players with more than five appearances in League Two for successful passes and he has an impressive completion rate of over 90%. There is little doubt that Notts County are lucky to have a player of his talent as he would not look out of place higher up the pyramid.
Luke Molyneux – Doncaster Rovers
Rovers’ number seven is on course to beat his best-ever season in terms of goals and assists as he has already equalled half his tally after just 13 league matches. He is a threat in forward areas, constantly takes on defenders and is confident from any range, ranking in the top three in the division for the most shots from outside the box.
The winger is Doncaster Rovers’ greatest threat in attack and although he may need to better pick his moments to take on defenders, no player in League Two can surpass his tally of six goals and three assists. He completed three of his four dribbles and scored in the 2-1 win over Bradford City last time out.
Molyneux is building a productive partnership with Jamie Sterry on the right and Doncaster Rovers are right in the promotion mix, level on points with Notts County in fourth place. Their most impressive result was the 3-2 win at league leaders Port Vale in August, where their right-winger stood out with two goals and an assist.
He scored the opener with a powerful finish on his left foot, before reacting to a rebound to set up Billy Sharp to restore his side’s lead after Port Vale had equalised. Darren Moore’s team could not contain the influential attacker and he caught the defence in behind to score what turned out to be the winner just before the hour-mark, finishing nicely into the corner with his right foot in a display that highlighted all of individual excellence.
Mickey Demetriou – Crewe Alexandra
The 34-year-old is proving that age is only a number as he has been nothing short of sensational for last season’s beaten play-off finalists. The central defender, who scored eight times and provided six assists in an extraordinary campaign in 2023/24, has starred as Crewe Alexandra have lost just one of their last ten matches in League Two.
He was unable to prevent Crewe from being knocked out of the FA Cup by Dagenham & Redbridge this weekend but his calming presence has been the foundation for his side’s impressive recent run of form. His record of 1.8 shots blocked per game is a division high of all players with more than five appearances in League Two and only one player can better his 9.1 aerial duels won per match.
In the last five years, he has been to three League Two play-off finals (two with Newport County) without tasting success. After almost 400 appearances in League Two, the defender has earned the right to be a star player for a club playing in the third tier.