It’s that time of the season where the play-offs become the focus of attention, following a long and arduous league season. For one team, they’ll end in triumph, jubilation and promotion, while for the other three; it’ll prove to be another season in League One.
We’ve looked at each side heading into this season’s League One play-offs and their chances of gaining promotion to the Championship for next season.
Semi Final 1: Scunthorpe vs. Millwall
Leg 1: Millwall vs. Scunthorpe – Thursday 4th May
Leg 2: Scunthorpe vs. Millwall – Sunday 7th May
Scunthorpe
Final Position: 3rd (82 points)
Form: LWWWWW
View from the camp: “I’m very excited for the play-offs, but we’ve got to take things a step at a time. It’s very important to go into the play-offs strongly. You want to be winning every game and doing well, and we’ve been doing that, so hopefully it can continue and we can put ourselves in a very strong position.” (Ivan Toney)
Key Man: Murray Wallace: Centre back Wallace arrived from Huddersfield last summer and won three awards at the club’s Player of the Year ceremony. He’s been a key cog at the heart of a defence which has been vital to their success this season. He has started every League One game this season.
Millwall
Final Position: 6th (73 points)
Form: WDWLLW
View from the camp: “We will be full of confidence ahead of the match with Scunthorpe because we have beaten them recently and we’re in good form. To be honest, they will be more worried of us then we are of them. Our league season ended on a high and now it’s about carrying that through to the play-offs and seeing what happens.” (Sean Hutchinson)
Key Man: Lee Gregory: Gregory has scored 17 goals this season in League One as also has play-off experience, after scoring in both legs of last year’s semi-final against Bradford.
Semi Final 2: Fleetwood Town vs. Bradford
Leg 1: Bradford vs. Fleetwood – Thursday 4th May
Leg 2: Fleetwood vs. Bradford – Sunday 7th May
Fleetwood Town
Final Position: 4th (82 points)
Form: WLWWWD
View from the camp: “After 46 games we have 82 points, 31 more than last year. That is a real achievement for the players and staff, and I thank them. Now we have something to look forward to.” (Uwe Rosler)
Key Man: Cian Bolger: The defender has improved significantly under Rosler and picked up a host of awards at the club’s annual awards night. Since making his first start of the season in November, Fleetwood have kept a league-leading 20 clean sheets this season.
Bradford
Final Position: 5th (79 points)
Form: WWWLWD
View from the camp: “This is a great position for us to be in; we have a 50% chance of making it to Wembley. That has been the carrot for the players all season. The message to the players now is simply to go out, grab your dream and make it a reality.” (Stuart McCall)
Key Man: Romain Vincelot: Bradford are one of just two teams in the football league unbeaten at home this season, the other being Tottenham. They’ve conceded just 17 goals at home and this success lies at the feet of defender Vincelot, who’s the lynchpin of the defence.