Sky Bet League Two 1-24: Transfer Table

1 – Grimsby Town
All aboard the Blundell Park train; I have been fully suckered in with the business that they have done this summer. Paul Hurst has pulled it out the bag. They needed to add quality in the final third of the pitch; he has added newly-promoted Danny Rose, a player with untapped potential Rekeil Pyke, and returning Charles Vernam who will do much to excite the Town fans. They needed to add in the middle of the park and so have gone out and landed Kamil Conteh after an impressive loan spell with Gateshead last year in the National League; to get him on a permanent deal is particularly impressive. They have sorted out the goalkeeping department with the arrival of two new goalkeepers; local lad Cartwright and former Hurst man Eastwood. They’ve added Toby Mullarkey as well, a player I really rate. They’ve signed quality; it’s now about adding the cherry on top in the remaining weeks of the window!

2 – Doncaster Rovers
What a difference it makes to have a manager and board displaying a bit of ambition. Who would have though Rovers would have the summer they have so far? Joe Ironside is the pick of their deals; a League One player still, and so to attract him into League Two is a coup. Richard Wood, the newly-appointed captain for Rovers, is someone that has been there and done it before and will improve them in terms of organisation and defensive rigidity. Jack Senior was a player I liked at FC Halifax Town; another with leadership experience and will do well at left-back. To land George Broadbent on a permanent deal from Sheffield United is a good bit of business; he has been one of the standouts with Boreham Wood in recent terms and is a decent player. Jamie Sterry is a more than capable right-back, too. They’ve had little financial outlay, added quality in all areas, and there is a real feeling that the ambition is back!

3 – Notts County
Notts County very rarely get it wrong in the transfer department, certainly not under Luke Williams and their current set-up, and they have maintained a strong reputation with a flurry of fantastic finds thus far. The pick of those has to be in the form of David McGoldrick; the Irishman was Derby County’s best players last season and also one of the standout players in League One, and so to attract him to League Two has all the makings of being the best signing of the summer. Dan Crowley may have been relegated with Morecambe, but is a good player and one that will thrive in a Williams system. Aidan Stone had his struggles at Port Vale, but is still a decent keeper and more than capable with his feet. A good window, but they have to add more in key areas; namely, centre-back.

4 – Bradford City
The Bantams’ recruitment last summer was not wholly inspiring in my opinion; strong, but not “wow” worthy. While I don’t they have blown the roof of it this summer, I think that The Bantams have certainly recruited better. They needed a different type of striker to complement Andy Cook; they have got it in the form of Tyler Smith. They needed to strengthen their midfield ranks and add better mobility and end product; the signing of Alex Pattison will go a long way to helping in that regard having been one of the better midfielders at this level for a while. Ash Taylor and Kevin McDonald add to the leadership group, with the experience they have to offer, while Clarke Odour and Daniel Oyegoke are versatile and more youthful to aid an ageing squad. Much better this summer.

5 – Gillingham
Granted, The Gills may not have landed the signing of Alfie May as many said they would, but that in no way downplays the strength of the window which Gillingham have had. Jonny Williams, despite his omission from my “Top 10 Signings” piece is a good player; a Welsh international. Connor Masterton returns to the club and is capable of being one of the better defenders at this level. Max Clark comes off the back of a season with Stevenage where he won promotion to League One, and he will be a more than capable performer that will strengthen them defensively. Only the three additions – granted, they perhaps didn’t have to make a great deal of signings this summer after doing a lot of their work last January – but nonetheless they’ve signed well.

6 – AFC Wimbledon
I sung the praises of AFC Wimbledon last summer and in January for the work that they did on the transfer front, and I find myself once again doing it for their work so far. It has most certainly been a busy summer, that’s for sure. Jake Reeves is the pick of the signings; fresh from promotion with Stevenage. Omar Bugiel is a top target man for the level and will give them more of a platform at the top end of the pitch. Armani Little spent time with The Dons last term and so while his return on a permanent deal is perhaps a move that many expected, it is nonetheless impressive. The captures of former County man Ryan Johnson and current County man Joe Lewis will strengthen the defence after the exit of Aaron Pierre, while Ryan McLean is a prospect. James Tilley is also a proper player and one that I really like. More good work; it’s now time to turn that into results.

7 – Harrogate Town
This summer needed to be a good one for Harrogate Town. And, it has been so far; Simon Weaver will be pleased. The bulk of the work was in strengthening them in a defensive capacity after being a right crock of whotsit at times, but they have done that. Matty Foulds spent time with Town last year and makes his return from Bradford City after a successful loan, Liam Gibson is a steady performer that represents a decent pickup from Morecambe, while Rod McDonald was the standout player for Crewe Alexandra and to land him is a real credit to Weaver’s pull. Likewise, for them to secure the signing of sought after player James Daly is a coup, and I like the addition of Dean Cornelius, someone who has impressed North of the border and will be a good replacement for Alex Pattison. Good stuff.

8 – Walsall
If you had asked me at the start of the summer whether I expected Walsall to be sitting in the top ten for transfers, I would have laughed; their recruitment last summer proved to be a little rash. But, infant boss Mat Sadler has impressed so far. Priestley Farquharson is a brilliant capture; he was one of the standouts for Newport County and someone that many expected to move into League One, and so to prize him off a rival is a coup. The return of Danny Johnson is long overdue, albeit at the same time testament to the patience they have had to land him. Ryan Stirk is another super addition to their squad, someone who impressed with Bromley and was likely inundated with offers; to get him is credit to the work they have done this summer. Chris Hussey is also experienced; by no means the flashiest, but wholly functional. A super start.

9 – MK Dons
I don’t want to go overboard with MK Dons this summer, as many of the EFL pundits – including myself – were suckered into the illusion of MK Dons suddenly being masters of the window. But, they have signed well; let’s put that out there. Craig MacGillivray is a keeper that is very good at the basics and will do well for a Graham Alexander side. The return of former Player of the Year Alex Gilbey will be a welcome sight for Dons fans, especially amid what was likely interest from Stevenage with whom Gilbey won promotion from League Two last term. Cameron Norman did well for Newport County, and so to add him into their defensive set-up will be a clever signing; he can be one of the best right-backs in the division on his day. Do they need to do more? Yes. Will they be satisfied thus far? Equally, yes.

10 – Barrow
I think that Barrow have had a good window, and so the fact that they are so low is not a reflection of the players they have brought in, but merely the strength of what the other sides have brought in as well. Josh Gordon is the notable departure; that is a blow. They have added Jamie Proctor at the top end of the pitch, and he brings experience, and while Courtney Duffus is a capable forward for the level there are concerns over his injury record. There is nice competition at wing-back with the arrival of Junior Tiensia and Kazeed Ogungbo; they are both dynamic, energetic, young players with a bright future ahead of them. The pick of the deals for me sees them strengthen their midfield options; Dean Campbell did well for Stevenage and Kian Spence has been amongst the best talents at National League level for a while. All in all, a good window.

11 – Tranmere Rovers
For striker to have been such a problem area for Rovers in the last few years, the fact they have been able to add two experienced operators with promotions under their belt as recently as last season – in the form of Kristian Dennis and Luke Norris – it’s almost as if any more business doesn’t matter now! New Director of Football Nigel Adkins has pulled a couple of rabbits out of the hat; to land them is impressive. Meanwhile, to bring back Regan Hendry to the club is a masterstroke after impressing on loan from Forest Green Rovers. Luke McGee is a solid goalkeeper for the level as well, and so his arrival gives them better options in net. All in all, they will be satisfied.

12 – Stockport County
Just the three signings so far for The Hatters. They know what they are doing in the transfer market, and so perhaps this is a little low for them. Ibou Touray has been consistently one of the best left-backs in the EFL over the course of the last few years, but will fill in on the left of a back-three most probably and so it is difficult to know how he will perform there. Billy Chadwick is one that will likely go out on loan, albeit after the injury to Stretton, he may have to cut short any loan spells to stick around the first-team. Given the competition that is hotting up, they need more. The standout has been Nick Powell; he is one of the best players on his day and so shoots them up the rankings here.

13 – Mansfield Town
The focus for The Stags this summer has been improving the defence. They have definitely done that. The return of Christy Pym from Peterborough United was perhaps inevitable, but one that will give them a solid base to work from. Bailly Cargill is a player that has been promoted from the division before and is adept centrally or as a conventional left-back. Calum Macdonald is a local lad and is another that knows the division, giving them a good option at left-back; they seem to have got that position sorted. At the other end of the pitch, they have managed to make sure of the return of Will Swan, who impressed for them last season during a loan spell. As such, they’ve retained Swan, and improved their defensive options. Still work to do to remain in the top seven, but it’s a start.

14 – Sutton United
I feel a little sad to have Sutton United as low as they have; I have been impressed with their repost in light of player departures. The exits have been notable; Will Randall, David Ajiboye, Omar Bugiel, Alistair Smith and Enzio Boldewijn. They have added the standout defender in the National League last term in the form of Omar Sowunmi, giving good competition at the back. Christian N’Guessan will be a relative unknown for EFL watchers, but comes of the back of a good campaign with promoted Ebbsfleet. Ryan Jackson is a coup, a player who can and should really be in League One. Harry Smith is the ideal Bugiel replacement, while Craig Clay gives experience. They have rallied well in the face of adversity.

15 – Morecambe
I imagine it just a relief that they have managed to get bodies through the door. And, the odd player of quality, too. JJ McKiernan is a player that will do well; he was good for Eastleigh last year and in my opinion is more than capable of handling the step up. If anyone needed to win the lottery, they wouldn’t have won it by putting all their earnings of Yann Songo’o returning; that would have been low return, and a given under Adams. Joel Senior comes off the back of a promotion with Carlisle United, and is a good right-back. Chris Stokes and Cammy Smith represent useful pickups from North of the border. All in all, I think Adams – who is still unsure of their financial certainty – will be pleased with his work so far.

16 – Crewe Alexandra
A window that has perhaps not hit the headlines, but while I was critical going into the summer, they’ve pleasantly surprised me. Jack Powell is a lovely addition; a useful free transfer and someone who is a well-rounded midfielder that should give them better quality on the ball. Ryan Cooney is a player that I really like, adding versatility. Harvey Davies is a goalkeeper with promise, and should do well. The loss of Dan Agyei is a shame, however, and replacing him in the remaining months will be key. They have also lost Rod McDonald, who was one of the standouts. Some notable exits, but some nice additions all the same.

17 – Salford City
The only real departure of note came in the form of long-serving Ibou Touray. The Ammies went out and added Luke Garbutt to their ranks, and so that is a coup of sorts as a player who has, can and no doubt will play higher. They have also paid money to acquire the services of Ossama Ashley from Colchester United; that came a little out of the blue in my eyes. Have I missed a really good player in the United ranks? Otherwise, the squad is the same. They are no worse off; and, if Ashley performs how Wood says he can, they are at the moment in a better position.

18 – Colchester United
This feels really harsh putting Colchester United as low as 18th when they have signed the second coming of Virgil Van Dijk…sorry, I mean Nico Lawrence. The boy is going to go far, and I think they will love watching him play. Ellis Iandolo is a fairly safe bet given that he has worked with Ben Garner before. All in all, however, I would have personally liked to see them do a little more in the way of transfers to strengthen their squad.

19 – Crawley Town
Crawley Town as high as 19th; this is nose bleed territory. How would I describe their business so far this summer? Controlled, yet with a sprinkling of stupidity. They do not learn their lessons about letting useful players go for free – Jack Powell, James Tilley and Kwesi Appiah have all departed, with the former two joining fellow League Two sides – and their incomings have been…intriguing. Joy Mukena has done well for St Albans City; do I see him as League Two ready? No. Harry Forster is an exciting prospect and will get better with time; reverting him back to being as a winger will do him well. Liam Kelly can be a good player on his day; will they get enough of them. The final note is “STOP LETTING GOOD PLAYERS GO FOR NOTHING”.

20 – Newport County
Been better. Losing Priestley Farquharson is the major blow; one they perhaps saw coming, but nonetheless disappointing. Their incomings have been…uninspiring, but conventionally Coughlan-like. Kyle Jameson is very much in t he mould of Farquharson, and represents an able replacement if they can get him playing to his maximum. Nathan Wood is the latest player to come across from the Welsh leagues. Bryn Morris was let go by Grimsby Town and they didn’t want him. It’s just petering out, isn’t it? Work to do.

21 – Forest Green Rovers
Well, Rovers have most certainly had better summers. New Director of Football has done little in the way of providing clear and stern direction so far; it has been a case of outgoings rather than incomings – both on a transfer and managerial front – and the only two signings that they have brought in are a player in Teddy Jenks who didn’t rip up any trees at Crawley Town, a midfielder in Callum Jones is a relative unknown, and a defender in Ryan Inniss that needs a reset after a tough few months with The Addicks. And, chuck into the mix a change of a manager, a new interim head coach, and you’ve got a right fiasco. Loads of work to do.

22 – Swindon Town
Disappointing. Flynn didn’t get his recruitment right last summer, and it doesn’t look that much better this. The re-signing of Tom Brewitt is the only thing of note to write home about so far, and I wouldn’t even waste the paper and ink to write home about that either. A dismally dull window so far; a mammoth month or so ahead.

23 – Wrexham
Wrexham near the bottom of a list or league table? Not even Wrexham fans can claim that they should be higher. Not a single transfer this summer; admittedly, their work in that department was done last season. The only activity of note was the re-signing of Ben Foster. Other than that, it’s been a case of enjoying their time in the big smoke of the USA.

24 – Accrington Stanley
Ah. Not a single signing through the door so far for John Coleman. Mitch Clark has left for Port Vale, and they have not yet even looked like troubling a transfer klaxon. A worryingly quiet summer so far. Work to do if they are to be competitive.