With eight former Premier League clubs amongst its numbers, not to mention a who's who of homegrown managerial talent, the 2021-22 League One campaign promises to be one of the toughest in years.
It's a line-up that includes two teams who have won the FA Cup in the 21st century in the form of Portsmouth (2008) and Wigan Athletic (2013) as well as Sunderland who graced the top-flight as recently as 2017.
Competing with these clubs as well as piting his managerial wits against the likes of Lee Johnson (Sunderland), Darren Moore (Sheffield Wednesday), Danny Cowley (Portsmouth), Paul Cook (Ipswich Town), Michael Appleton (Lincoln City), Gareth Ainsworth (Wycombe Wanderers) and Nigel Adkins (Charlton Athletic) is the challenge facing Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe.
However, that's not say that Lowe doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the managers previously listed. Lowe's promotion successes with Bury and Argyle have marked him out as one of the promising young managers in the game. His style of play has also earned him praise from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
After a wildly inconsistent 2020-21, which saw them lose 11 of their last 15 league fixtures, Lowe has moved to bolster his defence with the additions of James Wilson, James Bolton, Macauley Gillesphey and Dan Scarr. With their defensive steel added to the attacking flair of the likes of Joe Edwards, Danny Mayor and Conor Grant in midfield and strikers Niall Ennis, Luke Jephcott and Ryan Hardie, then the Pilgrims' objective of a top half finish should be more than achievable.
Player to watch: Conor Grant
Former Everton youngster Conor Grant enjoyed his most consistent campaign for the Pilgrims in the 2020-21 season since he arrived at Home Park in 2018, following his release by the Toffees. In 33 appearances, Grant scored four goals and chipped in with 12 assists. He has now extended his stay with the Pilgrims until 2023, after signing a new contract in the close season.
Young hopeful: Adam Randell
After spending the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Torquay United, Adam Randell returns to Home Park having helped the Gulls to reach the National League Play-off final and was rewarded for his endeavours with the club's young player of the year award. As one of a number of young prospects on the verge of the Pilgrims' first team, which includes goalkeeper Michael Cooper, left-back Ryan Law and striker Luke Jephcott, Randell appears to have a big future ahead of him.
In: James Wilson (Ipswich Town), James Bolton (Portsmouth, Dan Scarr (Walsall), Macaulay Gillesphey (Brisbane Roar), Brendan Galloway (Unattached), Jordan Houghton (MK Dons), Callum Burton (Cambridge United), Ryan Broom (Peterborough United, season-long loan)
Released: Will Aimson (Bolton Wanderers), Byron Moore, Jarvis Cleal, Rubin Wilson, Scott Wootton, Klaidi Lolos (Torquay United), Frank Nouble (Colchester United), Lewis Macleod, Ben Reeves, Jack Ruddy
