On Saturday afternoon, League One will resume play with Leyton Orient and Bolton Wanderers playing their first match.
The visitors will want to get over their disappointment of not making the playoffs in 2023–24, while the home team will be aiming to make a run at it.
After losing to Oxford United in the playoff final and finishing second on the last day of 2023–24, Bolton needs to find a way to get back on track.
Ian Evatt called their performance at Wembley their worst of the campaign, and it was hard to argue with such a complete and utterly annihilation of their opponent.
Not that the transfer market has overreacted, but there have been some smart additions made, such as the veteran midfielder Scott Arfield.
On the left, Hungary’s Szabolcs Schon appears to be a promising addition, while Klaidi Lolos, a former standout player for Crawley Town, should enjoy the step up in competition.
Bolton has played a variety of teams in recent weeks, with a 1-1 tie at home against Fiorentina, an Italian powerhouse, being the most noteworthy outcome.
Leyton Orient, meanwhile, enters this season having finished admirably in 11th place during their first season back in the third division.
As long as Richie Wellens keeps up his excellent work at Brisbane Road, perhaps a more determined effort to secure a playoff spot will be made.
There have been several notable arrivals and departures, with Lewis Warrington, a midfielder for Everton, and Sonny Perkins, a forward for Leeds United, maybe the most famous additions.
The first team wrapped up the schedule with a 1-0 victory at Dagenham & Redbridge, but their most well-known preseason victory came early against Hearts.
