We are now over a third of the way into the League Two season, and despite some very surprising results at the start of the campaign, the league table has started to shape up as many would have expected prior to a ball being kicked.
In this piece, I will be looking at the current race for automatic promotion to League One, in what looks to be a fiercely contested race between a number of sides in 2023/24.
1st – Stockport County 36 Points
Stockport came ever so close to promotion last season, with Wembley heartache against Carlisle United in the playoff final. Dave Challinor has not had everything go his way during his tenure at Edgeley Park, But there is no doubting his ability as a manager, and he has his team playing the way he wants at the moment with County comfortably clear at the top of the table and looking and much more well-rounded unit than they did last season.
Unbeaten since late August and on an incredible 11-game winning streak in the league, fans of other League Two sides will be hoping their form cools off, however, the nature of victories points to long-term success, and it is looking very good for Stockport right now.
2nd – Notts County 30 Points
Luke Williams has shown great courage in the way he has kept his core principles when making the step up in class this campaign. His Notts County side plays a brand of football very rarely seen this low down the pyramid, but apart from a handful of abnormal results, there cannot be any questioning of its success. County striker Macauley Langstaff has continued to score goals, and the addition of David Mcgoldrick has added that much-needed creativity that left the club when Ruben Rodrigues went out the door in the summer.
Albeit second in the table in their first return to the EFL in over 5 years, some Notts fans are becoming increasingly concerned about their growing injury list and lack of squad depth, especially defensively, where they have shipped a number of goals on more than one occasion this season, most notably letting in four at home to rivals Mansfield in Late October. If Williams can find some reinforcements to his squad, as well as tightening things up at the back, then the magpies have a serious shout for back-to-back promotions.
3rd – Wrexham 30 points
Wrexham are the marmite side in possibly the entirety of the EFL at the moment, but even their biggest doubters will be having to admit their success this season has been fruitful. Many of the Welsh clubs’ fans have stated that other Clubs see Wrexham as their Cup final, and therefore raise their game. There have been some crazy games at the racecourse ground such as their defeat to Swindon earlier in the season.
With Paul Mullin now back from a lengthy spell injured at the start of the campaign, and the ever-improving performances of Elliot Lee, the Dragons have a massive chance of promotion. And under the experienced guide of Phil Parkinson, they will no doubt be up and around the top three for the remainder of the season.
4th – Mansfield Town – 29 Points
The Stags have been the perennial Underperformers in recent Seasons, but in this campaign under Nigel Clough, it looks as though he has finally got the squad he desires and there is quality bursting throughout their squad. Midfielder Davis Kiellor-Dunn has arguably been the league’s best player this season, and with 12 goal contributions so far from midfield, has shown that the Stags will not need to rely on a 20-plus goal a season striker, which is not the same case for both Notts County and Wrexham.
Clough is a very well-thought-of and experienced EFL manager, and if he can continue to eke out the performances and results seen in recent weeks from his squad, and if they can avoid their mid-season blip, then Stags fans may finally be able to see their side fulfil preseason hopes and expectations and make it to League One.
5th Crewe Alexandra – 29 Points
Although Many are looking at the automatic promotion battle in League Two as a four-horse race, Crewe Alexandra cannot be written off, and have been the Dark Horse so far this season.
Some very impressive results for Alex this campaign have included wins over Gillingham, Bradford and MK Dons, whilst playing an entertaining and attacking brand of football under rookie manager Lee Bell. At the minute.
The once toxic atmosphere at the railwaymen seems to have turned very positive, and if Bell and his young side of talented players can continue to win points, then there is no reason to say Crewe cannot force their way into automatic contention.
Writer’s View
Overall, the race for Automatic promotion is always going to be interchangeable, especially in League Two, such is the inconsistent nature of many of the sides within it. I think you can say with confidence however that all the sides in the top four will be there or thereabouts come Late April and Early May, and there may be a wildcat such as Crewe thrown in the mix to cause some carnage.