League Two always attracts a variety of players. Players that have played at a higher level for the majority of their career are sometimes willing to drop down the leagues in hope of adding a League Two winners medal to their collection. League Two also sees lots of young stars at the beginning of their journey, on loan from Championship and Premiership clubs hoping to make a name for themselves.
This has been one of the most exciting League 2 seasons in recent years. Before the season being halted in early March, just five points separated the top 5 in the league; Crewe (1st 69 points), Swindon Town (2nd 69 points), Plymouth Argyle (3rd 68 points), Exeter City (4th 65 points) and Cheltenham Town (5th 64 points). The calculation of PPG would see Swindon leapfrog Crewe into 1st place, with Plymouth staying in 3rd place.
Here is a list of five players that have proved they are too good for League 2 and could certainly hold their own in a higher division.
Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Alex Palmer has proved he is the best keeper in the league this season. At the end of last season young prospect, Mike Cooper was the only ‘keeper on the books at Argyle. New manager Ryan Lowe moved quickly to sign Palmer on loan from West Brom. What a signing that has turned out to be. The 23-year-old has kept 14 clean sheets this season, more than any other ‘keeper. On numerous occasions, Palmer has come to Argyle’s rescue following defensive errors. With a return to League One next season, The Pilgrims will be hoping they can sign Palmer again, either on loan or permanently.
Next up is Exeter City’s, Randell Williams. This has been a breakthrough season in the EFL for Williams who made sporadic appearances whilst playing at Wycombe Wanderers last season, on loan from Watford. Following his release in the summer, City manager Matt Taylor moved quickly to sign Williams. The pacey winger, who has also featured at wing-back for the Grecians, has been at the forefront of everything going forward. Williams has provided 14 assists this season as well as chipping in with five goals – the first of which came in the 4-0 demolition of local rivals Plymouth Argyle. Exeter fans will be hoping his impressive performances continue in the playoffs. If Exeter find themselves in League Two again next season they may struggle in holding on to the winger.
The third player on the list isn’t one that plays for one of the ‘Top 4’ clubs in the league. There have been several players lower down in the league that have put in impressive performances despite not always being on the winning side. Crawley Town winger Bez Lubala has been one of those players. Coming through the Birmingham City youth ranks, Lubala joined Crawley at the start of the 2019/20 season. Lubala has featured 34 times this season and is their joint-highest scorer with 12 goals. In addition to his 12 goals, the winger also has three assists. Lubala signed a two-year deal when he signed and Crawley fans will be hoping he stays at the club until that deal expires.
Returning to players from the ‘Top 4’, Crewe winger Charlie Kirk. The winger has played over 120 times for Crewe since coming through their youth ranks. This season, Kirk has easily been one of the best players in the league, and Crewe has been lucky they have been able to keep Kirk for so long. The winger leads the way with assists in the league this season with 14. On top of his assists, he has also scored seven times for The Railwaymen this season. With promotion all but confirmed for Crewe, it’s a great chance for Kirk to prove he is good enough for League One.
Last up is Swindon Town striker Eoin Doyle. Initially signing on loan from Bradford at the start of the season, Doyle was then signed permanently from The Bantams after he was recalled for a short period. The Irishman has taken League Two by storm this season, with no other player anywhere near his goal tally of 26. Doyle, along with strike partner Jerry Yates has been a formidable force for Swindon this season which has seen them finish 2nd in the league (although they become champions after PPG calculation). Following a run of 10 successive games finding the net, Doyle found himself on 21 goals from 21 games. Doyle has certainly been a class above any other player in the league this season and will be a vital player next season if Swindon wants to have a successful season back in League One.
