League Two 2022-23 preview: the contenders, hopefuls and strugglers

Bradford have not been shy in showing their ambition but this time everything points towards them living up to their status among the favourites. The appointment of Mark Hughes, whose last job was in the Premier League with Southampton, was a considerable coup in February and he has revamped his squad, bringing in Richie Smallwood, a Championship regular last season, and Harry Chapman, a winger capable of lighting up the division. And that is before you get to the work they have done in weakening their rivals, with Vadaine Oliver and Emmanuel Osadebe arriving from Gillingham and Walsall respectively. Northampton came agonisingly close last season – losing out on goals scored to Bristol Rovers on a barmy final day – but they are poised to go again and Danny Hylton, who scored 21 goals when he was last at this level with Luton four years ago, is among a handful of smart signings who should send them close.

Northampton have had their captain, Fraser Horsfall, poached by big-spending Stockport,who will fancy their chances of successive promotions after an 11-year hiatus from the Football League. Stockport have long been preparing for this eventuality and are not there to make up the numbers. May’s trip to Wembley ended in tears for Mansfield but they can go one better under the savvy Nigel Clough. He has retained the bulk of his squad but knows another slow start – they won two of their first 14 games last season – would hinder such hopes.

Richie Wellens won the title in this division with Swindon, who have been ravaged for their best players, and his Leyton Orient side, which boasts plenty of attacking options, and his former club, Salford City, will both fancy their chances of making the top seven. Salford are yet to