Central back defender Chris Fairclough returned after a year injured, the same situation happened with veteran Forward Garry Birtles[1] "reinforcing" the strikers line.

Meanwhile, Dutch Goalkeeper Hans Segers[2] lost his spot as starter to Steve Sutton and left the club to sign with Stoke City.

In the midfield veteran Ian Bowyer was aided by Neil Webb, Gary Mills and Franz Carr, the line was exhausted after some bright matches (included a 6–2 at Chelsea) [3] due to loss of form through spring and the team collapsed to 8th spot in League.

Veteran Garry Birtles and Nigel Clough[4] completed the starters squad not being aided by an already weaker midfield.

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