League 1 25/26

[AmberAndy]

Booked our spot here for next season.

This was the level we were at when i first started watching so ive always felt its been something of our natural level despite the fact that its probably the league ive seen us play in least, such is the nature of our travails up and down the leagues since then!

Not sure what to expect at all, we are going to have Parachute payment money, but we havent spent our money at all well since coming into it so im not that sure it will be a help. I also have major concerns about Bloomfield - i can see the expectation being high and if he doesnt start well he will be right under pressure

Think you stand a good chance of going straight back up. Bar Birmingham who bought their way back ( and why not if you have the money) this leagues been bang average at the very best, and won’t improve that much next season. Shame we couldn’t hang on to renew our strange rivalry from years gone by, but we’ve been awful and got what we deserved. Think you’ll have fun down here next season. Pre-season friendly nailed on?

 

[thewwfc]

So Luton confirmed after doing a reverse Ipswich.
Wonder if Alli will stay, he's done well for them since we went there, massive egg on face for Bloomfield though..

Not sure what you mean with the egg on face thing.

It’s all very “ifs buts and maybes” being touted on our forum, but if you mean that he made the wrong choice leaving us, the rumour mill has it that he was pushed rather than jumped.

None of the supposed ITKs will truly front up and tell exactly what they claim to know, but broadly the discussion is around Bloomfield coming in as a “manager” (with full influence on team direction/tactics/signings) and being demoted to “head coach” under a Director of Football, once our new owners came in.

Pointed comments he made upon getting the LTFC job about “being truly wanted” would support that, but as I understand it Luton have a Director of Football too, so who knows.

It seems like he had started to turn Luton round, but just a bit too late. Not sure how patient their fanbase will be though, the summer transfer window is a huge deal for them and if for whatever reason they don’t have confidence in him, I could see them getting rid.

Personally I feel we would have had a chance of going up had he not left us, I’m not saying we were certs by any means as teams had started to figure us out and our form was dipping a little already when he left, but I would rather him in charge than Dodds.

I can appreciate that Wycombe fans have a history with him (having played for us for 10 years) that other clubs don’t though, and so he couldn’t trade on that reserve of goodwill elsewhere.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Not sure what you mean with the egg on face thing.

It’s all very “ifs buts and maybes” being touted on our forum, but if you mean that he made the wrong choice leaving us, the rumour mill has it that he was pushed rather than jumped.

None of the supposed ITKs will truly front up and tell exactly what they claim to know, but broadly the discussion is around Bloomfield coming in as a “manager” (with full influence on team direction/tactics/signings) and being demoted to “head coach” under a Director of Football, once our new owners came in.

Pointed comments he made upon getting the LTFC job about “being truly wanted” would support that, but as I understand it Luton have a Director of Football too, so who knows.

It seems like he had started to turn Luton round, but just a bit too late. Not sure how patient their fanbase will be though, the summer transfer window is a huge deal for them and if for whatever reason they don’t have confidence in him, I could see them getting rid.

Personally I feel we would have had a chance of going up had he not left us, I’m not saying we were certs by any means as teams had started to figure us out and our form was dipping a little already when he left, but I would rather him in charge than Dodds.

I can appreciate that Wycombe fans have a history with him (having played for us for 10 years) that other clubs don’t though, and so he couldn’t trade on that reserve of goodwill elsewhere.

Your comments about him not wanting to work under a DoF are what we have also heard our side. What worries me is that is just not how a modern, forward thinking club is run and it’s a root cause of why Edwards ultimately cracked - he had too much on his plate. Really only Nathan Jones, with his “unique” character and force of will has actually managed to make it work under that structure and Booomfield doesn’t seem to have that strength of personality that he had.

I’d also question if Bloomfield had started to turn it around. What actually happened was he tried his 433 for 6 games which we didn’t win and he reverted to Edwards preferred 352. I credit him for swallowing his pride and binning his approach that wasn’t working, but it doesn’t exactly instill confidence in him. I honestly believe we left Edwards in too long but ultimately if we would have kept him, largely the same situation would have played out, so not really sure of the impact Bloomfield really had.

He has a frankly enormous job on his hands in the summer shipping out deadwood and recreating the side in his image. If he doesn’t get it right, due to how things are run here we will be left with a squad that will be difficult for someone else to pick up

 

[thewwfc]

I’d also question if Bloomfield had started to turn it around. What actually happened was he tried his 433 for 6 games which we didn’t win and he reverted to Edwards preferred 352. I credit him for swallowing his pride and binning his approach that wasn’t working, but it doesn’t exactly instill confidence in him. I honestly believe we left Edwards in too long but ultimately if we would have kept him, largely the same situation would have played out, so not really sure of the impact Bloomfield really had.

Ha! You may have us to blame for the reluctance towards 3 at the back - he tried it with us, having signed players who couldn’t make it work (Richard Keogh being the most obvious offender) and everyone hated it and pointed how shit it was - and after a bad run (and a revitalising January window) he went to a back four and never played 3 at the back again.

But each team and squad is different, oddly we have since gone to a back 3 but now we have the players who can cope.

Anyway like I said, just because he was good for us (after a bad start) doesn’t mean he will suit every club.

 

[FiRTHYY]

Looking forward to Bradford's moronic fans next season

Hello you canttttt!

 

[AdamStag]

So luton and bradford added to the list.

Least i’ll look forward to bradford!

 

[Kenneth E End]

Bugger.

I'm going to be perfectly honest - I had been completely ignoring League 1 this season. Which would appear naive considering the way the middle of the season went, but I always fancied that we'd get it together and get out of the mire. We left it too late in the end, despite being top 3 in the form table in the prior 10 games to yesterday.

I've just done some Sunday morning research because I had little idea what to expect and who is even going to be in there next season. Sounds arrogant, but just being honest!

My initial impression is that there's a real drop-off in quality between the two divisions. Clearly not as pronounced as from the Premier League, but a result of the drop-off in TV money between the two leagues. Please tell me if I'm wrong. We have to (and will) respect this league hugely. It comes across as a graveyard with the likes of Barnsley and Huddersfield not getting back yet.

I was reminded earlier about Wolves who did the same as Luton in 2013. They came back and won League 1 in 2014. So it is of course, very possible, that we do the same, probably with more money.

I ran some numbers earlier in the season - I estimated Luton had a playing budget of close to £50M this season. And got relegated. That takes some doing.

Turnover next season will probably be in the high 40 millions before player sales, but this is the last year of parachute payments. There is a huge drop off coming in 2026. I would expect Luton to have a budget of over £30M, but a big chunk of that would likely be payments owed in prior transfers in the last 1-2 years!

I don't think it's necessarily possible that we have a huge turnover of players. Luton in recent years haven't offered 2 year deals - it would be surprising if more than a handful are out of contract. There is going to need to be some pain here for both player and club.

Remember Luton had 2 English players who scored double figures in the Premier League last season. They are now worth a snip of their previous values. The likes of Doughty (being touted as an outsider for England just over a year ago), Kaminski, Mengi, McGuinness, Aasgaard, even Alli will have offers, but Luton have invested heavily in all these... all those signed since the PL season costing at least low 7 figures. I find it hard to believe many clubs would meet our valuation.

 

[kieran_vale]

Right now a first glance look at the league and you have to think Luton and quite possibly Cardiff are going to be overwhelming favourites to go back up. Certainly add Plymouth to that if they can work the loan market well. Not too sure on other teams not in the L1 playoffs but Readings takeover has to add them to the mix you’d think.

Expect when the bookies odds come out all the promoted sides will be at the bottom. Can’t disagree with that really. Going to be especially tough for whoever wins the playoffs with an even shorter turnaround in terms of retained list and setting a budget for this league. I’m glad we don’t have to deal with all that this time.

 

[thewwfc]

It’s obviously waaaaaaay too early to be doing predictions, but I think there’s plenty of strong contenders for the top half of the table.

Bolton - need a big clearout, but have strong resources and now a decent manager
Barnsley - jury is out big time on the appointment of Hourihane as head coach, but again they are a big, well-funded club at this level
Rotherham - not convinced by the appointment of Hamshaw as gaffer, but if RUFC can regain their yo-yo club skills then who knows?
Hudds - yet another well-resourced club who have badly underperformed, managerial appointment is again key here.
Blackpool - were pretty meh this season, but not far short of the playoffs

Plus whoever doesn’t go up out of the playoff sides - we are the worst of the playoff sides as things stand and I can see Dodds being gone by Xmas unless we start next season strongly.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Hey up all, looking forward to next season and I’m sure we are already looking to strengthen next season

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Bugger.

I'm going to be perfectly honest - I had been completely ignoring League 1 this season. Which would appear naive considering the way the middle of the season went, but I always fancied that we'd get it together and get out of the mire. We left it too late in the end, despite being top 3 in the form table in the prior 10 games to yesterday.

I've just done some Sunday morning research because I had little idea what to expect and who is even going to be in there next season. Sounds arrogant, but just being honest!

My initial impression is that there's a real drop-off in quality between the two divisions. Clearly not as pronounced as from the Premier League, but a result of the drop-off in TV money between the two leagues. Please tell me if I'm wrong. We have to (and will) respect this league hugely. It comes across as a graveyard with the likes of Barnsley and Huddersfield not getting back yet.

I was reminded earlier about Wolves who did the same as Luton in 2013. They came back and won League 1 in 2014. So it is of course, very possible, that we do the same, probably with more money.

I ran some numbers earlier in the season - I estimated Luton had a playing budget of close to £50M this season. And got relegated. That takes some doing.

Turnover next season will probably be in the high 40 millions before player sales, but this is the last year of parachute payments. There is a huge drop off coming in 2026. I would expect Luton to have a budget of over £30M, but a big chunk of that would likely be payments owed in prior transfers in the last 1-2 years!

I don't think it's necessarily possible that we have a huge turnover of players. Luton in recent years haven't offered 2 year deals - it would be surprising if more than a handful are out of contract. There is going to need to be some pain here for both player and club.

Remember Luton had 2 English players who scored double figures in the Premier League last season. They are now worth a snip of their previous values. The likes of Doughty (being touted as an outsider for England just over a year ago), Kaminski, Mengi, McGuinness, Aasgaard, even Alli will have offers, but Luton have invested heavily in all these... all those signed since the PL season costing at least low 7 figures. I find it hard to believe many clubs would meet our valuation.

We will be in danger of going down again if we don’t have a clear out, the money basically means little because we spend so, so poorly.

The poster child for all this is Chong. 4m on a left winger, when we didn’t play with wingers, shoe horn in him into midfield and then wonder why he’s looked poor. Even accepting that he’s been poor regardless of position.

The club needs a director of football to come in before we do anything. Whole playing side has been a disaster area from recruitment, through to medical for 2 seasons now. Even players like Doughty & Adebayo have stagnated, so we aren’t even improving the ones who looked talented

 

[leedsvaliant]

Yeah, I didn't fear Uche quite as much at the end of last season, I'll be honest!

As for Tolaj, fair play, he tried with us but just looked way way off the level. Not doomed to never reach a decent level (like our dear Lofty), to be honest your recovery and bounce back gives us some hope as there are some parralels!

I can't speak for others but we haven't been particularly that good this season. A handful of games where we were quite good but not many opposition will identify us as the best team they played, if any. I'm also unsure how Donny were champions as they didn't look great whenever I saw them.

The difference is that us, them and Bradford had stronger squads than most, so come out on top in tight games.

It'll be better for you as you'll actually win a few games and be one of the stronger teams.

 

[masi51]

Shocking recruitment and a system only Evatt could work out had us on the fringes of the play-offs until his dismissal in January....New Manager kick then give a few a glimmer of hope had us thinking automatic promotion was on in Feb
Awful since then with most of our first 11 injured.
I expect no more than two who finished the season on Saturday to Start in August.......
Moving players on this pre-season will be difficult but Schumacher has yet to put his mark on the squad

 

[masi51]

Bugger.

I'm going to be perfectly honest - I had been completely ignoring League 1 this season. Which would appear naive considering the way the middle of the season went, but I always fancied that we'd get it together and get out of the mire. We left it too late in the end, despite being top 3 in the form table in the prior 10 games to yesterday.

I've just done some Sunday morning research because I had little idea what to expect and who is even going to be in there next season. Sounds arrogant, but just being honest!

My initial impression is that there's a real drop-off in quality between the two divisions. Clearly not as pronounced as from the Premier League, but a result of the drop-off in TV money between the two leagues. Please tell me if I'm wrong. We have to (and will) respect this league hugely. It comes across as a graveyard with the likes of Barnsley and Huddersfield not getting back yet.

I was reminded earlier about Wolves who did the same as Luton in 2013. They came back and won League 1 in 2014. So it is of course, very possible, that we do the same, probably with more money.

I ran some numbers earlier in the season - I estimated Luton had a playing budget of close to £50M this season. And got relegated. That takes some doing.

Turnover next season will probably be in the high 40 millions before player sales, but this is the last year of parachute payments. There is a huge drop off coming in 2026. I would expect Luton to have a budget of over £30M, but a big chunk of that would likely be payments owed in prior transfers in the last 1-2 years!

I don't think it's necessarily possible that we have a huge turnover of players. Luton in recent years haven't offered 2 year deals - it would be surprising if more than a handful are out of contract. There is going to need to be some pain here for both player and club.

Remember Luton had 2 English players who scored double figures in the Premier League last season. They are now worth a snip of their previous values. The likes of Doughty (being touted as an outsider for England just over a year ago), Kaminski, Mengi, McGuinness, Aasgaard, even Alli will have offers, but Luton have invested heavily in all these... all those signed since the PL season costing at least low 7 figures. I find it hard to believe many clubs would meet our valuation.

A little surprised you are so behind with your view of lge1...It was not that long that you played in this league.....The fact that you are now in the last year of parachute money should set alarm bells ringing. Anyone with more than a twelve month contract you will be desperate to move on. Your turnover will double any other team in this league. Anyone with a ongoing contract with wages of 10k a week next May if you do not bounce back will have you spiralling into debt.....I would guess that will be your complete first team squad as it stands.
Your valuation of above said players will plummet you will have no option but to off load every player in your present squad even if you bounce straight up.......your turnover will dip by over half even if you win promotion
You will be left with three or four players on lucrative contracts who wont get any interest from other teams be they be out with long term injuries or nowhere near your first team........these are the players that will kill the club.......Bolton, Wigan, Charlton, Derby ,Reading, Blackpool, Sunderland, Ipswich, Shef Wed are teams that have dropped into this league and struggled financially once the parachute money dries up......And with due respect most if not all those clubs are bigger than Luton...........Maybe a couple of seasons in lge 1/2 will benefit you and get all those players off your books

 

[denzel ecfc]

Hello you canttttt!

Most sides wait until the final whistle to invade the pitch..

 

[Kenneth E End]

A little surprised you are so behind with your view of lge1...It was not that long that you played in this league.....The fact that you are now in the last year of parachute money should set alarm bells ringing. Anyone with more than a twelve month contract you will be desperate to move on. Your turnover will double any other team in this league. Anyone with a ongoing contract with wages of 10k a week next May if you do not bounce back will have you spiralling into debt.....I would guess that will be your complete first team squad as it stands.
Your valuation of above said players will plummet you will have no option but to off load every player in your present squad even if you bounce straight up.......your turnover will dip by over half even if you win promotion
You will be left with three or four players on lucrative contracts who wont get any interest from other teams be they be out with long term injuries or nowhere near your first team........these are the players that will kill the club.......Bolton, Wigan, Charlton, Derby ,Reading, Blackpool, Sunderland, Ipswich, Shef Wed are teams that have dropped into this league and struggled financially once the parachute money dries up......And with due respect most if not all those clubs are bigger than Luton...........Maybe a couple of seasons in lge 1/2 will benefit you and get all those players off your books

Well we have been away for six seasons now!

Honestly, I don't think our fans have the patience to have multiple L1 seasons at the moment. I fear that it may become like our first non-league season, where it became toxic very, very quickly. The club need to hit the ground running.

By no means am I expecting it to be easy - I think a million miles from it.

Clearly finance is going to be a big factor. If we can't get promoted on a £30M budget next season, that'll almost be as bad as getting relegated with a £50M one, but huge chunks of that are going on pre-agreed transfers or on players the club or the fans don't want.