Graham McGarry
BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra will be hoping the signing of a number of experienced players this summer will help them to improve on their 12th-placed finish last season in League One.

Under manager David Artell’s leadership Crewe have improved their league position every season.

The team face a tough set of opening fixtures but with youngsters Owen Dale, Luke Offord, Callum Ainley, Charlie Kirk, and Will Jaaskalainen all now having had 12 months' experience of playing at this level there’s plenty of optimism around the club that a push for the play-offs is not beyond them.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield

Andy Butler’s audition for the Doncaster top job didn’t go to plan at the back end of last season with Rovers finishing 14th after long occupying a League One play-off place under Darren Moore, who jumped ship in March to local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Former player Richie Wellens has returned as boss and there have been plenty of playing changes at a club that heavily relied on loans last year. Club legend James Coppinger has finally retired and taken a new role focussing on mental performance, while full-backs Reece James and Brad Halliday have moved to fellow League One sides.

Finances are tight, with Rovers heavily affected by Covid-19, but Wellens has managed some decent business this summer. Former skipper Tommy Rowe is back from Bristol City, Ben Close has signed from Portsmouth, while youngsters Matt Smith and Tiago Cukur have arrived on loan from Premier League sides Arsenal and Watford.

Doncaster will be seeking to regroup in the third tier, with loftier ambitions saved for 2022.

Phil Gittins
BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Getty Images

A season in which Fleetwood Town start as an unknown quantity.

Having taken the reins part-way through last season, Simon Grayson has spent the summer months putting his own stamp on a squad that offers an interesting blend of youth and experience.

Bolstered by the addition of the experienced Tom Clarke, expect the Cod Army to be miserly at the back once again, providing a solid foundation behind arguably the most energetic midfield in the division in Dan Batty, Jordan Rossiter and Callum Camps.

The big question is whether or not they can score enough goals. A burden predominantly placed on the youthful shoulders of Ged Garner and loanees Ryan Edmondson and Callum Morton.

Watch out for the exciting Shayden Morris!

A team under the guidance of Grayson, with four League One promotions on his CV, can never be discounted at this level, but much will depend upon how they start the campaign.

Matt Cole
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Kent

The Gills have had some notable departures over the summer - particularly defender Connor Ogilvie and winger Jordan Graham - but the return of former skipper Max Ehmer and some canny-looking recruitment in midfield gives cause for optimism.

If they can hold on to current captain Kyle Dempsey and talismanic striker Vadaine Oliver this season, there may even be a quiet confidence in the Medway Towns.

Manager Steve Evans has a good record in producing Gillingham sides who are capable of upsetting the “big beasts” of League One on a limited budget, but improving on last season’s 10th place could still depend on his final additions to a small squad, and a bit of luck with injuries.

The return of supporters to Priestfield will help the team’s cause – the roar from the Rainham End often music to home players’ ears, and a deafening distraction for visiting defenders.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

It's been a summer of change at Portman Road, with Ipswich Town's new owners really making their mark during their first transfer window.

Following yet another uninspiring campaign more than 20 players (including loans) have departed, with 10 new faces (at the time of writing, although more are expected) arriving.

Former AFC Wimbledon striker Joe Pigott, ex-Wigan midfielder Lee Evans plus Championship forwards Macauley Bonne and Conor Chaplin are among those who've been attracted.

Manager Paul Cook - a promotion specialist - not only believes he's built a squad with the talent to win games, but also one with the mental strength to deal with the pressure of playing for a club that'll be seen as one of the promotion favourites.

While it could take time for things to fully gel, and there'll undoubtedly be bumps in the road, anything other than a top-six finish will be seen as a failure.

With the EFL season starting this evening, our very own Ian Woodcock has picked out eight things to watch for - from returning fans to veteran managers.

I can almost guarantee you'll learn something from this piece...

Michael Hortin
BBC Radio Lincolnshire

The big question for Lincoln fans is, can the team match last season?

Well they will have to try and do it without many of the key performers who helped Lincoln to last season's play-off final. As a consequence the Imps have had to return to the transfer market, looking for Premier League loan deals and permanent signings that can contribute to the team, and also develop players to sell on.

Among the loan players to watch out for are Southampton striker Dan Nlundulu and Manchester City midfielder Lewis Fiorini. Of the permanent signings there are high hopes that Denmark Under-21 midfielder Lasse Sorenson can make a big impact.

While the club will be looking for a near-repeat of last season, I think a top-half finish would be a sign of success as it would allow the club to continue to build in the right direction on and off the pitch.

Luke Ashmead
BBC Three Counties Radio

MK Dons finished last season on the up. A change of style under manager Russell Martin was really starting to bear fruits. A free-flowing possession-based style of football was a step forward for the Dons and everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.

As I write this, Martin is now the manager of Swansea, taking his entire backroom staff with him, and with just a few days until the side's first league game they are in the hunt for someone new to lead the club.

Whoever does take over will have a ready-made squad to take charge of.

The departures of Cameron Jerome, Matthew Sorinola and Scott Fraser could have put a dent in the depth of the squad but the in-door has swung too.

Scott Twine, Mo Eisa, Aden Baldwin and Tennai Watson have all signed on a permanent basis and with the addition of some decent loan signings the squad seems set.

Now all they need is a manager who can get the best from them and mount a push for the play-offs.

Derek Quinn
BBC Radio Lancashire Sport

Image source, Rex Features

This will be a historic season for Morecambe after they sealed an amazing promotion to League One for the first time in their 101-year history with play-off victory over Newport at Wembley in May.

It has certainly been a busy summer for the Shrimps, who had the lowest budget in League Two last season, after they saw manager Derek Adams leave for Bradford just days after the win with new manager, former Motherwell boss, Stephen Robinson forced to work overtime to bring in a host of new faces in a short period of time.

Robinson has focused on youth with highly-rated youngsters Jokull Andresson, Alfie McCalmont, Josh McPake and Callum Jones joined by Adam Phillips, who returns for his third spell with the club.

The club lost the highly-rated Carlos Mendes-Gomes and player of the year Yann Songo'o but the new manager also did well to secure the services of the experienced Toumani Diagouraga, Cole Stockton, Kelvin Mellor and Aaron Wildig, who may well prove vital to the squad.

There is no doubt with their limited finances that this will be a tough year in a league of big hitters, with an opening day trip to Ipswich quickly followed with a home game against Sheffield Wednesday showing the scale of the challenge ahead.

They will no doubt be tipped to struggle by the bookmakers once again but the club has a huge spirit, a history of overcoming the odds and will be looking to cause a few shocks once again.

Eddie Odhiambo
BBC Radio Oxford

Mix a fan base with equal measure of expectancy and scepticism.

A manager that is box office when displaying his emotion.

Aspirational players that want big-time football.

There is a knowledge that the team has stretched to its capacity and risen to its apparent ceiling. But... there’s a coaching team that can make demands from the powers higher up because resources are expertly utilised. And there’s a conveyer belt of emerging talent. Cameron Brannagan will be a key man to unlock opposition defences.

Guaranteed talk of takeovers, a new stadium and the play-offs again.

Alan Richardson
BBC Radio Devon

Plymouth Argyle will be hoping for a more consistent season if nothing else after a rollercoaster return to League One last time out. The Pilgrims won at Sunderland and took four points off promoted Blackpool as they flirted with the play-offs at one stage but slumps saw them lose six in a row just before Christmas, while they took just one point from their last seven games, including their heaviest home defeat since 1956, as they slipped down the table.

Pilgrims manager Ryan Lowe made no secret of his desire to bring in stronger, more experienced defenders and it’s no coincidence that his first four summer signings were all centre-backs as he looks to shore up at the back.

Only relegated Swindon conceded more goals last season but Argyle looked good going forward and they’ll be hoping top scorer Luke Jephcott can find his shooting boots early – the Wales Under-21 striker came through the ranks at Home Park and was one of the most sought-after players outside the top two divisions as he raced to 18 goals, but hasn’t found the net since early February.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent

For the past three years Portsmouth have been one of the clear favourites for promotion from League One. Not this season.

The budget has been reduced, making it tough for Danny Cowley to rebuild a squad that ultimately failed under Kenny Jackett.

Automatic promotion was the objective for the past few seasons but realistically this year sneaking into the play-offs would represent a good achievement.

One to watch: Gassan Ahadme has scored eight goals in pre-season. It would be a lot to ask a 20 year-old Norwich loanee to fire Pompey to the play-offs but he’s impressed both fellow players and supporters so far.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield

The Rotherham yo-yo lands once again in League One after an incredible five years that have seen two promotions and three relegations under Paul Warne.

The heartbreak of a remarkable final day in the Championship still stings for the Millers, who were minutes away from survival, and despite a tough summer with signings taking time, hopes are high that Rotherham will be in the mix for promotion once again.

Star midfielder Matt Crooks is now at Middlesbrough after an impressive few years at the New York Stadium. Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson is Rotherham’s biggest signing so far, and the club has (for now) managed to retain Viktor Johansson, Angus MacDonald, Michael Ihiekwe, Jamie Lindsay, Dan Barlaser, Freddie Ladapo and Michael Smith as a strong spine from their Championship side.

There are several bigger hitters in League One - historically and financially - but Rotherham will fancy their chances of making the play-offs.

Andy Giddings
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Sheffield

Image source, Getty Images

The Owls will be hoping that many of their financial problems are behind them and the recovery starts now under Darren Moore.

He’s assembled a youthful squad of loans and free transfers that will be expected to be in the congested mix for promotion in League One.

One important factor will be finding a target man type centre forward to lead the line to get the best out of attacking players such as Andre Green, Olamide Shodipo and, when he’s fit again, Josh Windass.

However, the team's talisman will again be midfielder Barry Bannan - arguably the best player in League One. If he ticks so too will Sheffield Wednesday.

James Bond
BBC Radio Shropshire

The focus at Shrewsbury Town has been on manager Steve Cotterill after his long absence due to life-threatening coronavirus complications. But he’s made some useful signings, including the bold acquisition of Everton defender Matthew Pennington, who impressed on his loan period at Shrewsbury last season.

Other strong signings include the experienced Elliott Bennett from Blackburn, the former Bristol Rovers captain Luke Leahy, midfielder David Davis from Birmingham, and goalkeeper Marko Marosi from Coventry.

And striker Ryan Bowman has been given his chance at a higher level after impressing for Exeter in League Two. Dark horses for the play-offs?

Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle's Sunderland commentator

With a new owner, director of football, head of recruitment and Lee Johnson embarking on his first full season in charge at Sunderland, it would be fair to assume fans are upbeat and optimistic ahead of the new season.

However, the loss of 10 players in the summer and a lack of replacements has led to concern.

Pre-season has gone well with the players that Johnson has at his disposal thus far and there are high hopes for home-grown midfielder Elliott Embleton and 17-year-old on-loan Manchester City centre-back Callum Doyle, who have been outstanding, as well as the likes of academy youngster Dan Neil and experienced signing Corry Evans. Alex Pritchard, another experienced signing, has unfortunately missed pre-season with coronavirus.

There is still a lot of work to be done in the transfer window if Sunderland fans are to believe their club can finally win promotion back to the Championship.

Paul Rowley
BBC Radio Manchester

Image source, Rex Features

It’s almost like a new beginning for Wigan. When supporters last attended a league game at the DW Stadium 17 months ago the team were contemplating a mid-table finish in the Championship.

Since then their Far East owners walked away, the club went into administration, were docked 12 points, were relegated, lost most of their squad, and faced extinction.

They were finally rescued by a Bahraini consortium, prompting a late revival by a collection of academy products, loanees and players on short-term contracts to avoid dropping into football’s fourth tier. After such a rollercoaster, you would have thought consolidation would be the Wigan watchword for the forthcoming campaign.

But manager Leam Richardson has been given the financial backing to strengthen his side for a potential promotion push, with eight new signings (at time of writing) and five wins in five in pre-season.

The arrival of Sunderland’s top scorer Charlie Wyke (31 goals last season) and the return of fans’ favourite Max Power after three years on Wearside should ensure the opener at the Stadium of Light is a tasty affair.

Phil Catchpole
BBC Three Counties Radio

Despite a narrow relegation from the Championship the mood is incredibly upbeat at Adams Park. A decent run of form at the end of the lucrative last campaign, and a very prudent approach to running the club, leaves the Chairboys in an excellent position to do well in a strong division.

Despite a couple of key players departing, the squad is very settled and it will draw on the excellent team spirit that has been the cornerstone of the Gareth Ainsworth era. Sam Vokes will be hoping this atmosphere will kickstart his career after a disappointing spell at Stoke City. Chairboys fans are also very excited to see the club developing young players once again, with Anis Mehmeti the one to watch this season.

I expect to see Wycombe finish in the top six this season, their first one with genuine expectation of success for quite some time.

That's League Two done and dusted - each and every club's chances for this season assessed by their BBC local radio commentator or reporter.

Any thoughts? Use #bbcefl on social media to tell us how you think your side will fare.

No time to waste. Onto League One we go...

While many of the EFL's players have had a well-deserved summer rest following a hectic coronavirus-affected 2020-21 season, for a select few their playing time carried on well into the summer as they featured for their national teams.

But how good is your knowledge of the EFL players who played international football this summer?