Automatic promotion contenders
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.
