Latest news with #PaulWarne
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
League 2 predictions and best bets 2025/26 season
League 2 betting tips: League Two returns this weekend with fans so full of hope ahead of the new season. For many, though, it will be another hard slog, while the extra promotion place at this level gives more teams hope that they will still be in the mix in May. With Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers among those who went up last season, it feels a more level playing field, while the four teams who came down, Crawley Town, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town, feel more suited to this level. All four will be hoping that they can bounce straight back up, but they face some stiff competition throughout the league. League Two betting: Warne to secure another promotion MK Dons are top of the League Two betting odds to be promoted at odds of 10/3 despite finishing 19th in the league last season, just 10 points above Carlisle United, who lost their league status. It will be quite a turnaround if they are promoted just 12 months later, but in Paul Warne, they have a manager who is used to success. He has achieved promotion from League One on four separate occasions, and his arrival at the club in April was a surprise to many, as he signed a four-year deal. He must believe in the direction the club are going, and it would seem from their signings so far that they have big ambitions. New names at the club include experienced midfielder Callum Paterson from Sheffield Wednesday, Will Collar from Stockport County and Derby winger Nathaniel Mendez Laing, who all come with bags of experience from higher levels. They have also paid undisclosed fees for forwards Rushian Hepburn-Murphy from Crawley and Aaron Collins, who scored 19 goals in all competitions for Bolton Wanderers last season. Hepburn-Murphy, who began his career at Aston Villa, also scored 10 goals in League One last season, so they certainly have the firepower and experience to be competing at the top of the table. Chesterfield, who were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Walsall, are second favourites to go up this time around, with football betting sites offering odds of 7/1. Paul Cook has bought in eight new players, including Fulham duo Devan Tanton and Matt Dibley-Dias on season-long loan deals. With that extra automatic promotion place, they are worth a punt with a squad which has a good blend of youth and experience, the quality of Premier League youngsters and a manager who always gets the best out of his players League Two prediction: Colchester to be the dark horses We've already mentioned Chesterfield, and you can get odds of 6/4 on them getting promoted behind MK Dons at 10/11. Third favourite is Notts County, who finished one place and two points above the Spireites last season, with odds of 3/1. They have lost veteran striker David McGoldrick, who scored 17 league goals, after he opted to join Barnsley after failing to agree a new deal at Meadow Lane. They have managed to keep star striker Alassana Jatta, though, who netted 22 goals in all competitions last season, and their success this season will largely depend on the season he has in front of goal. New boss Martin Paterson is relatively inexperienced as a manager with just one brief spell in charge of Burton, but he was assistant to Michael Duff at Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and Barnsley. There is a new look at Meadow Lane with a technical committee that takes charge of everything from recruitment to team selection and tactics - three players were signed when the club was without a manager. This could either be a roaring success or dangerous territory for Paterson if he doesn't get off to a good start. A dark horse for promotion could be Colchester United, who finished 10th last season, just three points off a play-off place. With Danny Cowley in charge, you should never rule them out, after all, he took Lincoln City out of this division in 2019, and he knows what you need to succeed at this level. At odds of 5/1 on betting sites, they're definitely worth considering to go up either automatically or via the play-offs; they just need a better start to the season than they had last time. They won 10 of their last 20 games but won just two of their first 16, which meant they were always trying to play catch-up. League Two tips: The Exiles to be exiled Newport County had a torrid end to last season, losing 10 of their last 16 games and winning just two to plummet down the table and eventually finish third from bottom with just 49 points. It's no surprise, then, to see betting sites having them as favourites for the drop in May at odds of 9/4. They have a new manager in charge, with former Manchester United under-21s coach and assistant manager David Hughes appointed on a two-year contract back in May. He has no managerial experience, but he has used his connections to bring in defender Habeeb Ogunneye from Old Trafford. It looks like being a tough season for the Exiles who could be very much exiled by the EFL come May. League Two tip: The Cheek of it Bromley striker Michael Cheek finished last season as the leading scorer with 26 goals in his 49 appearances, including eight in his last eight games. He netted 25 goals the season before as Bromley were promoted from the National League, and we expect him to be the star man again for Andy Woodman's side. Betting apps are offering 14/1 on him finishing top scorer behind the new MK Dons striker, Aaron Collins, who is the favourite at 6/1. Collins, 28, scored 19 in all competitions last season but just 12 in League One and it was the fifth season in a row he has scored in double figures for the season. League 2 leading scorer prediction: Michael Cheek to finish as League Two top scorer - 14/1 BetVictor Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
League Two 2025-26 preview: the contenders, hopefuls and strugglers
MK Dons finished 19th last season but Paul Warne is a good manager and the club have backed him in the transfer market. Aaron Collins has arrived from Bolton for £800,000, a huge fee in the fourth tier, with Will Collar also joining from Stockport. Of those that have came down into League Two, Bristol Rovers will perhaps be most optimistic of making theirs a short stay. Their manager, Darrell Clarke, knows the division well and has sourced the knowhow of Macauley Southam-Hales and Josh McEachran to complement the talent of Kamil Conteh and the teenager Kofi Shaw. Chesterfield may still be reeling from defeat in the playoffs after winning eight of the final 13 matches of the regular season. On the bright side John Fleck and Will Grigg are still around, while the qualities of Armando Dobra and some smart loan deals could make a notable difference. Notts County also endured playoff upset last season, and then also lost a key source of goals via David McGoldrick's departure to Barnsley. The pressure is on Matthew Dennis to replace him, while the acquisition of Sonny Aljofree on loan from Manchester United seems an intelligent move. Relegation was inevitable for Cambridge, but Neil Harris showed there was light at the end of the tunnel. He has brought greater structure to the team, and with the signings of Dominic Ball and Ben Knight they appear well equipped to challenge at the top. If last season had ended at Christmas, Walsall would now be planning for life in League One, but instead their form fell off a cliff and they ultimately lost in the playoff final. Learning from mistakes will be key for Mat Sadler's men. Momentum is all important in football and Barnet have it after steamrolling the National League. Dean Brennan and his men will not be fearful of anyone in this division, either. Re-signing Matty Young from Sunderland is a huge boost for Salford, especially after Curtis Tilt departed to Bradford. Their co-owner Gary Neville wants the club in the Championship and, while that ambition remans some way off, hope is not entirely lost while Karl Robinson remains in charge. Gareth Ainsworth's track record will also provide Gillingham fans with optimism of fighting for a promotion spot, especially if Bradley Dack can stay fit and Sam Vokes can roll back the years. Crewe are partial to a run of terrible form, seen last season as they won only three of their final 20 league matches to blow their chances of making the playoffs. Lee Bell has clung on to his job and added the veteran striker Louis Moult to his ranks with the aim of adding goals, and consistency, to a full campaign. It is difficult to know what to expect from Crawley. They went through five managers last season before ending up with the one that started in the dugout as they dropped down a division. Plenty of players have been sold over the summer with a number of unattached ones coming in the other way including Kabongo Tshimanga, the 28-year-old earmarked to provide crucial firepower. Finishing 11th was an incredible achievement for Bromley in their first season in the Football League and replicating that would be equally impressive. Grimsby and Colchester just missed out on the playoffs. The former have shown their confidence in their manager, David Artell, by handing him a new three-year deal, while the latter remain under the charge of Danny Cowley who will want his young side to continue their promising evolution. Newport's decision to play passing football should be commended but it has proven an unreliable method for the players there. They also suffered from set pieces last season and this campaign will be a big test for the former Manchester United youth coach David Hughes in his first managerial role. Harrogate know how to keep their head above water and did all of their transfer business very early this summer to give themselves the best chance of staying up. Oldham are back in the Football League and have bought in a lot of players who have played at this level before in a bid to remain in the division. Shrewsbury endured a calamitous 2024-25 League One campaign that ultimately ended in relegation. Michael Appleton has attempted to rectify previous mistakes by bringing in a new spine in the form of Will Boyle, Tom Anderson and Tom Sang and the plan for all concerned should be stopping the rot, rather than looking to achieve an immediate return to League One. Tranmere have been treading water for some time but acquiring the midfielders Richie Smallwood and Jason Lowe should provide their manager, Andy Crosby, with the knowhow to keep them up. Meanwhile over at the Wham Stadium, the story is a familiar one as Accrington desperately work within their means after finishing eight points and two places above the drop zone last season. Their only two permanent signings this summer have come from non-league and it feels like another difficult campaign awaits. Andy Whing has shown promise as a coach but his Barrow squad looks a little shallow for anything other than survival. The former Barrow manager Pete Wild is now at Fleetwood where he will need to cope with the loss of Phoenix Patterson and Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu. Cheltenham do not inspire much confidence either and might be at risk after a slow summer. Matus Holicek, Crewe, 20 Thirty-eight league appearances brought only one goal for the young Slovakian midfielder last season. Given his talents, that is something he will want to improve on this time around. Kelly N'Mai, Salford, 21 The Dutch-born winger moved to England as a child and trialled with Manchester City and Manchester United but eventually joining Salford. He made his debut in League Two as a 17-year-old and while it has taken time for him to flourish he has talent, seen clearly during loan spells at Warrington Rylands and Chester. Botan Ameen, Swindon, 18 The Iraq Under-20 international failed to make the grade at QPR, leading to him swapping west London for Wiltshire in search of a professional career. He quickly settled into his new surroundings, scoring twice to send Manchester United out of the FA Youth Cup to bring his name to wider attention, and the striker's progression has not halted since. Ameen, who turned 18 in April, scored one goal and created two more in 14 games for Ian Holloway's side last season.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Blackett-Taylor confident he can 'get going' for Derby
Winger Corey Blackett-Taylor says the struggles he has endured at Derby County have not robbed him of any 27-year-old has scored just one goal in 25 appearances - of which only 10 have been starts - for the East Midlands club since arriving from Charlton Athletic in January scored more goals and played more league matches in his final six months with Charlton than he has managed since joining Derby 18 months he initially arrived on loan from the Addicks when the Rams were chasing promotion from League One, he came with huge he insists he is still determined to live up to them."Personally, I'm fine with pressure like that," he told BBC Radio Derby."I feel that I've been unfortunate with injuries and I've not been able to fully get going. That has really been on my mind, but I'm definitely confident that it can happen." Blackett-Taylor failed to establish himself in Paul Warne's side after they were promoted to the Championship last season, and a hamstring injury in January meant he did not feature for John Eustace after he took the helm as head coach with 14 matches player describes what he has been through with Derby as "tough not only on my body, but mentally as well".Eustace says Blackett-Taylor has "looked exciting" since returning fully fit for pre-season says proving himself to Eustace after starting life under the head coach on the injury list is a "challenge" he relishes."I always knew that once I got back fit, I'd back myself to show the manager what I'm about to try get back into the team," he said."When he came in last year, he knew that I was injured and he came and spoke to me straightaway and told me that he will do everything he can for me and that he would be patient." Blackett-Taylor has been quick to make an impression now that he is available to play for has scored three goals in as many pre-season friendlies to date, and says he is glad to be "fit and firing" and able to show what he is capable of again."With qualities I have, when I'm playing well, the team plays well," he said."I know that's the kind of role I can have in the team and how important I can be when I'm firing and playing well. That is something I want to do this season."
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
MK Dons sign experienced forward Paterson
Milton Keynes Dons have signed former Sheffield Wednesday forward Callum Paterson on an undisclosed 30-year-old played 186 times in a five-year spell for the Owls, scoring 31 goals, before leaving the Championship club at the end of last helped Wednesday win promotion to the second tier via the League One play-offs in 2023."I met the manager a couple of weeks ago, he shared his plans with me, and he had some great ideas, and I wanted to be a part of it," he told the club website, external."He's got a clear plan and he's a really approachable guy, it makes the difference when you can speak to the manager and he tells you exactly what he wants."The Scotland international started his career at Hearts and went on to score 21 times in 106 appearances for Cardiff City before moving to Hillsborough in 2020."He's a player who's always been a thorn in my side when I've managed teams against him," said MK Dons boss Paul Warne."He's played in numerous positions and can slot in across the front line. He's good in the air, works really hard for the team, and he's a winner, which is what we want at this football club."
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
MK Dons sign Stockport midfielder Collar
Milton Keynes Dons have signed Stockport County midfielder Will Collar after his contract expired at the League One 28-year-old has been a key figure for the Hatters, helping them to two promotions since their non-league is a Brighton youth product who made his senior debut for Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership but left after two seasons to join Stockport, then in the National League, in made 171 appearances for Dave Challinor's team and scored 40 head coach Paul Warne told the club website, external: "He's obviously a fantastic footballer as I think anyone at Stockport County will tell you, but he's also a strong character and has the chance to be a real leader for us in midfield."He scored goals in League One last season in a team that puts a lot of crosses into the box. He can arrive late and get his head on the ball which we'll need."Stockport chief executive Simon Wilson said when the club announced his departure: "He is rightly a man in demand, and we have had to respect that the decision around his next move has to be in the best interest of himself and his family."
