League Two Tips: Weaver can start season with win

“Much is expected of striker Dylan Bahamboula by Oldham fans who can now witness his skills in person. Keith Curle, however, emphasises that the Congolese, who had a recent trial at Middlesbrough, has huge individual talent but needs to develop ‘within the team ethic’.”

Cullen adds credentials to settled Sulphurites

Harrogate 2.47/5 v Rochdale 3.211/5; the draw 3.55/2

The first column of the season comes with a health warning: a flurry of signings for a string of teams could change everything! However, there is something to be said for getting players in early enough to gel and steady management – and Harrogate fit the bill.

Manager Simon Weaver has made it clear his summer “shopping” list only lacks a left-winger – one who can drive at opponents, which seems to be the reason he has rejected two trialists already.

Weaver signed a number of players last January to steady the ship after a tricky start to life in the EFL. This summer he has bedded in seven new players, plus re-signed key faces George Thomson and Jack Muldoon.

Mark Cullen, proficient at Luton and Blackpool, will have his work cut out fighting for a striking role. Muldoon top scored for the Wetherby Road outfit in 2020-21, for the third season running. Thompson was player of the year, taking his goal tally to 30 and assists to 44 in 160 appearances which have helped steer the Sulphurites from Conference North to League Two. But if Cullen represents the calibre of player Harrogate can attract, the trajectory is only up. That winger with added zest would be the gold dust on the cake.

A couple of defenders with experience have also been added, such as Jake Lawlor. Harrogate will look to be hard to beat at home.

Rochdale boss Robbie Stockdale, by contrast, was appointed in July and the hasn’t made huge numbers of signings at Spotland after relegation. Four players age 23 or under, two on loan, doesn’t shout experience. Defenders Sam Graham (Sheffield United) and Max Taylor (Manchester United) are joined by loanees Corey O’Keeffe (Mansfield) and George Broadbent (Sheffield United). The EFL have yet to see evidence of a potential investor’s funds. And when financial stories start to dominate the agenda at a club you can be sure of turbulence.

Opta remind us that Harrogate started their EFL history last season away, at Southend, winning 4-0. I don’t think the margin will be that big, but they are on a roll after a fine first season in the division and can earn victory.

Iron can overcome history and Swindon

Scunthorpe 2.89/5 v Swindon 2.77/4; the draw 3.613/5

Fireworks have clearly flown since Ben Garner became Swindon manager. Kaine Keslar Hayden, the Aston Villa FA Youth Cup captain, is the latest addition. It’s a season-long loan with a recall option.

That’s two teenage strikers on loan in about a week, the other Tyreece Simpson. Ben Gladwin, signed for a fourth time, adds experience in midfield. Keeper Lewis Ward has also been signed – an impressive haul for a club under a transfer embargo who can only sign players for a year.

While Garner has been working his contacts, CEO Rob Angus has announced some sponsors while making an emotional plea for patience this season after a busy summer. August will be hugely busy until the transfer window shuts.

Maybe youth, exuberance or sheer excitement and adrenaline might give them a good start to the season here. But Scunthorpe seem in a more settled place right now, even if I don’t expect them to flourish this season. Abo Eisa, Alex Gilliead and Kevin Van Veen all rejected new deals in the early summer.

Harry Bunn scored a deflected goal in the friendly win at Wimbledon, while Ryan Loft led the Iron’s established contingent. Young keeper Tom Billson impressed. A similar team performance could reap an early three points for Neil Cox‘s side. That will overturn an Opta stat that Swindon have won their last seven opening day games – starting with a 3-1 win over Scunthorpe.

Newport can hold Oldham to a draw

Oldham 2.915/8 v Newport 2.68/5; the draw 3.613/5

Just a few days ago Newport boss Micky Flynn revealed he had had a full and frank chat about things he wasn’t happy about – and clearly whether he was right for the position. That would have been at the end of last season.

I’d imagine he wants to fulfil the potential of promotion as much as anyone now. The Exiles have led League Two at times in his tenure but are best known for their FA Cup runs. An over-reliance on loans was one problem last season, Scott Twine returning to his parent club last January when – or because – he looked a hot prospect.

This year, forward Timmy Abraham, 20, (brother of Chelsea’s Tammy) has signed for a full year loan from Fulham. The best players often get poached, but Flynn will be delighted to have keeper Joe Day return, among several new signings who look experienced.

A trip to Oldham is not an easy opening fixture. By now, the Latics will be built in Keith Curle’s granite image. Top scorer Conor McAleny might have gone (Salford), but Hallam Hope (Swindon) is an able replacement.

Much is expected of striker Dylan Bahamboula by fans who can now witness his skills in person. Curle, however, emphasises that the Congolese, who had a recent trial at Middlesbrough, has huge individual talent but needs to develop “within the team ethic”. The visitors might treasure a draw by the end, especially as they haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven opening day fixtures since returning to the EFL, state Opta.

Newport can hold Oldham to a draw

Stevenage 2.35/4 v Barrow 3.55/2; the draw 3.613/5

A strong second half to last season has to be extended if Stevenage are to put to bed the layers’ anticipation of a relegation struggle. Alex Revell seemed on a hiding to nothing when appointed in February last year. And he did well to survive after a difficult start last year when the club were clearly struggling. They certainly need to reverse a trend of opening day defeats, Opta stating they have won once in 11 seasons.

Few expected them to stay up. Revell and his backroom team pulled things around however after signing a few players in January. Summer signings include right back Bradley Barry who gets a first day chance to face his old side. Jake Reeves has made an impression in pre-season while Jake Taylor (recruited from Exeter) adds huge experience in the division alongside him in central midfield. Tyreece Simpson, 19, adds youth up front on loan from Ipswich.

The hosts face a tough opener against Mark Cooper, a smouldering, intense manager, in his first League Two game in charge of the Bluebirds. Will it be a case of “new manager wins first game”? Maybe, if he can cajole the full potential out of new recruits Ofrande Zanzala (Carlisle) up front and ex-Tranmere centre-back Mark Ellis, among others.

Cooper pulled Forest Green up from non-league to the League Two play-off picture. Chairman Paul Hornby says Barrow’s summer has been like “night and day” compared to last year, with much transfer activity by his experienced manager. No pressure on the new boss to succeed, then. The away side might well start with a win.