League One Review: November

Rochdale, Southend and MK continue to struggle

It’s not been a good month for any of these three clubs, with zero wins and 24 goals conceded between them.

Much like ourselves, Southend and MK are clubs that have appointed new bosses, yet failed to receive anything like a bounce from the appointment. Southend, in particular, look as good as relegated already, sitting 11 points from safety with only one win in the entire season - they also lost to non-league Dover Athletic in the FA Cup to make matters worse.

As for Rochdale, their early season’s plaudits seem like a lifetime away and the relegation zone is feeling more magnetic by the minute, as they continue to be sucked into those three spots. Brian Barry-Murphy will be hoping for a change in fortunes over a busy Christmas period.

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Pompey’s revival

After a horrendous start to their League One season, Portsmouth Chairman Michael Eisner seems to be reaping the rewards of remaining patient with struggling manager Kenny Jackett, with Pompey now unbeaten in six.

Ronan Curtis, as irritating as he may be, has been outstanding in the past fortnight after underwhelming Fratton Park for far too long. He ended the month with three goals, whilst key summer signing John Marquis netted two.

Wins over Southend, Rotherham and Rochdale combined with an impressive draw with Oxford United to leave Jackett’s side just two points off the play-offs with crunch clashes at home to Peterborough, Wycombe and Ipswich town to come.

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Ainsworth’s Chairboys continue to dominate

Not many expected it, but surprise package Wycombe Wanderers continue to produce and sit comfortably at the top of the league as we enter the halfway point in this League One season.

Whilst many expected Gareth Ainsworth’s side to drop off after a positive start to the season, the Chairboys continue to defy expectation and look increasingly like the side to chase after going on an incredible eleven game unbeaten run.

Despite a tough November schedule, the Wycombe speed train has shown zero signs of coming off the tracks as they saw off Doncaster Rovers, Tranmere and Shrewsbury Town before picking up a credible draw in their top of the table clash at Ipswich Town.

If Ainsworth’s side continue this form, they’ll be a Championship next term without a shadow of a doubt.

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Rotherham show promotion form

Favourites for an immediate return to the Championship, Paul Warne’s Rotherham appear to finally be showing the form many League One fans had anticipated at the beginning of the campaign.

Former Sunderland target Freddie Ladapo took a little while to get going at the New York Stadium, but has hit four of the Millers nine goals this month, including a brace in their 3-0 win away to Gillingham.

Warne’s side look strong, athletic and powerful and currently sit in fourth.

Millers fan will be confident they can break into the automatic spots over the festive period too, with their next two games against struggling Rochdale and Southend, before a home clash to third-placed Peterborough.

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