In spite of it being unwarranted, this season’s Championship season is bound to be dominated by one team; Newcastle United.
The shock relegation of the Magpies is set to be the focus of attention all season long, and regardless of an uncertain summer the bookies have installed the team as second favourites to win the title.
Coverage has been limited about the rest of the Championship sides, who will be licking their lips at a possible scalp in the North East.
Barnsley:- Simon Davey, maybe down to his FA Cup exploits a year ago, has continued as the main man at Oakwell and after a final day survival scrap the Yorkshire faithful have reason to be worried about this season coming. The summer’s transfer dealings have been all about renewing players contracts, and it’s been a successful one with Luke Steele, Rob Kuzluk and Jon Macken all signing on the dotted line. Macken’s role this season is an important one, with goals always a problem for the Tykes. Returning Ian Hume will be important as well, as the side showed a notable decline after his fractured skull at the hands of Chris Morgan.
Blackpool:- A season that went largely unnoticed throughout the football league saw Blackpool finish a full 10 points above the relegation zone, in a season where they lost their influential manager Simon Grayson. Ian Holloway is the new man, and even though the former QPR manager is a well-spirited man, he needs to begin to produce at Championship level. His dealings in the transfer market won’t exactly strike confidence in the tangerine fans, with Billy Clarke, who spent most of last season in League Two, replacing DJ Campbell. The signing of Charlie Adam is a coup however in a permanent deal for the Scot worth £500,000. The former Rangers man has turned down Champions League football for a relegation battle, one that many onlookers will feel will be unsuccessful.
Bristol City:- Gary Johnson is set for a second tilt at promotion with Bristol City, and having already fallen in a Wembley final before he’ll be keen to secured one of those two elusive automatic promotion spots. City finished a respectable mid-table last season, but a host of signings have seen expectations are soar. The loss of Dele Adebola has been softened by Danny Haynes’ signing, but maybe most importantly is the introduction of Paul Hartley, a hugely experienced midfielder whose come from Celtic. The confusion over Adriano Basso’ future is a worry; with the occasionally clumsy Dean Gurkin set to begin the season in goal. Michael McIndoe is another big loss, but given the money spent Johnson will be aiming for a top six finish.
Cardiff City:- After last season’s disastrous finish to the season, this probably wasn’t ideal timing for the club to move into their new originally named new stadium-the Cardiff City Stadium. New stadiums usually destroy all the intimacy that sides had at their previous grounds, and it would take an ambitious fan to admit that some of the atmosphere won’t be lost from Ninian Park. The side’s trump card was always their hostile home support, but now without that the team might struggle to get close to the play-offs this season. Michael Chopra has returned, but if the expected loss of Ross McCormack and Joe Ledley, who could both sign for Hull, transpires then it could be a long season for the Welsh club.
Coventry City:- Plenty of money was spent and then wasted last summer by Chris Coleman and after overachieving hugely last season, plenty of their quality players have opted to leave the Ricoh Arena. Daniel Fox, Jay Tabb, who left during last season, and Scott Dann have all gone, and after the reckless way Coleman spent money last summer the focus has been towards bringing youth players through to the first team. Lots will be expected of Freddy Eastwood after a disappointing season just gone, but the undoubted star is Aron Gunnarsson, who big throw and big heart provides coal for the engine room of that Coventry mid-field. They should avoid the bottom three-but don’t expect much lea-way after that.
Crystal Palace:- Most had Palace down for a top six finish last season, but the team disappointed to the extent that relegation issues were more apparent than any in the top half of the table. More focus will be on the development of the younger players in the squad, in particularly Nathanial Clyne, whom Neil Warnock has spoken a lot of in the off season. Sam Scannell has the potential to dominate the season at Selhurst Park, and with the addition of Freddy Sears from West Ham on loan, and of Darren Ambrose formerly of Newcastle the team look in good shape to build from finishing in the bottom half last season.
Derby County:- With time bound to be on his side, and lefts face it history as well, Nigel Clough has the perfect opportunity to weave his magic at Pride Park. After inheriting a troubled squad, still reeling after a record winless run and a humiliating relegation from the Premiership, Clough has begun to ring the changes and bring in a number of players from his non-league days. Dean Moxey has joined from Exeter City as have Burton pair Jake Buxton and Saul Denney. Yes these players are far from Championship quality, but their potential seemed enough for Clough to draft them in alongside the likes of Kris Commons and Giles Barnes. Both are key for the Rams this season as is Rob Hulse, whose knack of scoring in the Championship doesn’t seem to be wearing off just yet.
Doncaster Rovers:- Trouble afoot for Doncaster this season, with most of their better players off to find a bigger wage packet Sean O’Driscoll has a bigger task of keeping the side in the Championship than that of last season. Ritchie Wellens is the most high profile departure, but Matt Mills moved to Reading just days before the beginning of the season and he’ll be fondly missed at the back. That leaves plenty of responsibility on the shoulder of Brain Stock. The influential Welshman is the team’s star player after the sale of Wellens, and anything good that Donny do next season, something that could be at a premium, will go through him.
Ipswich Town:- After his Premiership nightmare with Sunderland, Roy Keane has returned to the Championship-the venue of his first managerial success. He’s joined a club who have flattered to deceive since their relegation from the Premiership, Ipswich Town, whose owner Marcus Evans is sure to bankroll any promotion push. Initially Keane has had to deal with a host of departures, Danny Haynes being the most high profile. The front line of Jonathan Walters, Pablo Counago and new signing Tamas Priskin is decent enough, while much will be expected of David Norris after a controversial season. Keane has the foundations of a good side and given his impact at the back end of last season the top six are well in sight.
Leicester City:- How supporters at St Mary’s be rueing the day Nigel Pearson left the south coast. After keeping Saints in the Championship the season before last, the club rid of Pearson as they opted for a ‘total football’ ethic- with painful results. Meanwhile Pearson was working his magic at the Walkers Stadium forming a team that dominated League One and won promotion with 95 points. The team’s formidable spine of Jack Hobbs, who has signed permanently for the Foxes, Matt Oakley and Matty Fryatt will looked to bring them further success this season, and few wouldn’t bet against it. Ritchie Wellens will add some flair to the midfield as well as some goals, but also look out for Danny N’Guessan who won’t be first choice upfront, but is sure to ruffle some feathers are his move from Lincoln City.
Middlesbrough:- Gareth Southgate is living on borrowed time at the Riverside, but with an understanding Chairman in Steve Gibson it’s no surprise he’s been given a season to make up for a disappointing relegation. The obvious problem last season was goals, and the signing of Leroy Lita should rectify that. Lita has good experience at this level with Reading, and he’ll play alongside Alfonso Alves on most occasions, whose four goals last season was a poultry sum after his £12,000,000 transfer from Heerenveen. The loss of Stuart Downing and Ross Turnbull is only a slight concern, with Adam Johnson and Brad Jones ready to step in. With a quality squad at his disposal and time on his side, the team are my favourites to be Champions.
Newcastle United:- With the season beginning this week Newcastle are without a new owner or a permanent manager. They’ve lost Sebastien Bassong, Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen this summer while bringing in not a single new face. Their head coach has taken charge of fewer than 15 matches as a manager, and yet bookies and pundits alike are tipping them for promotion at the first time of asking. Given how little progress the club has made over the summer, and the scarring the squad would have taken after relegation it’s unreasonable to expect automatic success. Hughton is not equipped as a manager to get the side even close to the top six, and in truth the squad is hardly in the best shape either. The fans for once might accept a mid-table finish, as they finally abandon their ridiculously ambitious demands.
Nottingham Forest:- Billy Davies is a veteran of two play-off finals in his managerial career. One with Preston in 2005, and another in 2007 with Derby County. He admitted that after getting Derby promoted after a 1-0 win over West Brom that promotion came at least a season too early. Davies last season took over Nottingham Forest, and after a massive squad re-build in the summer and some decent money spent the club can look forward to a decent push into the top half-but Davies will be wary repeating what he did with Derby during this season with Forest. Yes they’ve brought in some decent players; Dexter Blackstock is bound to score goals, as is Dele Adebola but you might worry about the centre of their defence that shipped 65 goals last season.
Peterborough United:- After being largely bankrolled for the previous two years, Darren Ferguson has his biggest task yet, and it’s one that will really test his metal as the quality manager. Successive promotions, albeit an impressive stat, might have been marred by the financial backing Ferguson Jr had from owner Darragh MacAnthony. This season in a league where the club can’t compete with the money bags of the division it’ll be interesting to see whether Ferguson’s exciting squad can take another league by storm. He’ll have problems keeping any of his three-pronged attack, particularly George Boyd in the transfer window, and after limited activity in the summer their squad does appear to be at the bare bones. A good start can assure they don’t get caught up in a relegation battle.
Plymouth Argyle:- Paul Sturrock guided Plymouth to safety last season, but after more departures in the summer the club are staring down the barrel of a long hard season. Bradley Wright-Philips has signed from Southampton, but an injury will see him miss the beginning of the season. Goals at either end will be problem, and Rory Fallon has the responsibility to find the net while it seems plenty of youth players will be brought in to bolster the squad. Funds haven’t been readily available despite the recent take-over, which will frustrate Sturrock whose been working under financial restrictions since his return.
Preston North-End:- If Owen Coyle had failed in his promotion attempt with Burnley, then Alan Ervine’s job at Preston last season would surely have come under more praise. West Brom saw his talent from afar, before going with Roberto Di Matteo, and that’s sure not to be the last approach the club will receive with Ervine’s services. In terms of the work done to the squad in the off the season the focus was mainly on keeping there prized assets, particularly Sean St Ledge and Jon Parkin, both of which signed new deals. Paul McKenna was a casualty of the squad however, and with only Paul Parry coming in the size of the squad is a problem. For Ervine to reproduce what he did last season would be a miracle, what’s more likely is that he’s tempted away by the glitz of the Premiership, something no-one would begrudge him of.
QPR:- A multi-million pound takeover over a year ago has only brought despair for the fans at Loftus Road, and not the success the owners wished. Three managers have come and gone, and now it’s the turn of Jim Magilton, hardly the name the fans had in mind when promotion is continually talked about. Magilton didn’t have the best of times at Portman Road, finishing in the top half in each season, but never coming close to contesting a play-off spot. Money is predictably around with Alejandro Faurlin signing for £3,000,000 from Instituto and much is expected of the Argentine, but Frenchman Adel Taarabt has looked bright in pre-season and he is set to be Rangers’ star player. Like most teams goals might be a problem after the sale of Dexter Blackstock and the midfielders including Martin Rowlands might be landed with the added responsibility. Magilton will be sacked before Christmas if the owners keep up their crazy trigger-finger policy.
Reading:- I naively wrote Reading off last season in their first season back in the Championship, but after stuttering towards the play-offs they were eventually beaten by Burnley in the two legged play-off semi-final. It was a convincing defeat, and with it Steve Coppell left the club to make way for Brenden Rodgers. The hugely respected coach has come from Watford to try and mastermind promotion, but yet again the side are reeling after their summer sales. Kevin Doyle has finally gone to Wolves as has Marcus Hahnemann. Rodgers will be well received at the Madejski Stadium after introducing a passing game at Watford, something that kept the side in the division. However not replacing your best players is a theme that dominated Reading last year, and its set to have the same impact this season. Play-offs will be to far for them.
Scunthorpe United:- After reaching the play-off by the skin of their teeth Scunthorpe find themselves in a star studded Championship and are ready to showcase their attacking brand of football. Striking duo Gary Hooper and Paul Hayes are sure to cause the league some problems, and with most of the squad still intact Scunthorpe have a decent chance of survival. The flair of Grant McCann and Martin Woolford can also worry a few. Nigel Adkins will be keen to keep the club up this season after previous disappointments after the clubs first promotion. The summer has been quiet for them but the signing of Rob Jones at the back is a decent one.
Sheffield United:- A host of players have left in wake of their play-off final defeat as Kevin Blackwell started to offload the dead wood in the Blades squad. Grey Halford and Kyle McNaughton are the biggest loses, and with those departures, very little has appeared in terms of decent replacements. Kyle Walker has returned on loan from Tottenham after his move to North London, and Ched Evans has left Manchester City for the Steel City. Evans is seen as a vital component of United’s season, but he’s unproven in the Premiership after only occasionally appearances, so he might be undercooked coming into the new season. Rarely do beaten play-off final sides come back and repeat the trick the following season, and don’t expect the same from Kevin Blackwell’s men this season.
Sheffield Wednesday:- Brain Laws has been given ample time at Hillsborough and going into his fourth year in the job, but could be preparing for his toughest to date. For some time he’s be under financial restraints at Wednesday, but crucially for the team on the pitch Marcus Tudgay has been kept on. Many thought he would have to be sold to secure the club’s survival off the pitch but that hasn’t been the case. Darren Purse will help out the defence after his free transfer, and Darren Potter the former Liverpool youngster is another who will bolster the squad. Mid-table would yet again be respectable.
Swansea City:- The emergence of Swansea City’s passing game made many sit and watch all around the country last season. After finishing eighth the club were well set for the play-off push this season. The departure of Roberto Martinez has set expectations back ever so slightly however. The loss of Jason Scotland to Martinez’s new club Wigan is a further blow as well. Paulo Sousa has the task of renewing hope at the Liberty Stadium, but coming into the season without a proper replacement for Scotland is an error. Sousa shouldn’t be rated on his performance at QPR where he was given very little time, but at Swansea a club who have a history of appointing unproven managers he’s likely to get time to turn things around. Unlikely to finish as high as eighth in his first season, but a top half finish should be achievable.
Watford:- Hornets fans finally got what they wanted in the summer with the appointment of Malky Mackay after Brendon Rodgers departed to Reading. Mackay was the fans initial choice after Aidy Boothroyd was sacked, but after Rodgers’ attacking brand of football was introduced the supporters will be disappointed to see him go. Up till now the club have warned off offers for Tommy Smith, but have lost Tamas Priskin to Ipswich. Danny Graham should produce a few goals however in one of few moves made by Mackay in the summer. A relegation battle should ensue, but safety should be achieved.
West Bromich Albion:- Despite just a single season in football management Roberto Di Matteo’s appointment at the Hawthorns has prompted some fans and bookmakers to install the Midlands club as favourites for the Championship this season. Di Matteo took MK Dons to the play-offs only be overcome by Scunthorpe at the semi-final stage. Under Tony Mowbray you would have found it difficult to not back the Baggies for an instant return to the Premiership, but with Di Matteo now at the helm I’m not so sure. Simon Cox, Reuben Reid and possibly Jermaine Beckford are sure to score goals, but the commitment of Paul Robinson is a little suspect and if nothing else a blow to the back four. Robinson said he wouldn’t play for the club if they weren’t in the premiership, and has therefore moved to Bolton for a single year and hopes to re-join the Hawthorns side at the end of the season. Play-offs are make-able, but automatic promotion will take a special effort.
Promoted: Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town
Play-offs: Bristol City, Leicester City, West Bromich Albion, Derby County
Relegated: Blackpool, Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers
Top Scorer: Tamas Priskin
Being Cheeky
12 years ago
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