BARNSLEY
Manager: Keith Hill
Position last season: 21st
Nickname: The Tykes
Ground: Oakwell
Capacity: 23,009
Players in: Lee Collins (Port Vale, undisclosed), Kelvin Etuhu (Portsmouth,
free), Jacob Mellis (Chelsea, free), Mido (Zamalek, free), Ben Alnwick
(Tottenham, free), Toni Silva (Liverpool, free), Tomasz Cywka (Reading, free),
Marlon Harewood (free)
Players out: David Cotterill (Doncaster, free), Jay McEveley (Swindon, free),
Jacob Butterfield (Norwich, undisclosed), Nathan Doyle (Bradford, free),
Alistair Taylor, David Preece and Andy Gray (all released)
Key man: Mido
Chances: Well known forwards Mido and Marlon Harewood have been brought in
by manager Keith Hill in the summer transfer window and on first impressions
seem good signings but with last season’s stars Ricardo Vaz Te and Jacob
Butterfield departing, I see a tough season ahead for The Tykes whose direct
style will play into the hands of most Championship defences.
Prediction: 24th
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Manager: Lee Clark
Position last season: 4th
Nickname: Blues
Ground: St Andrew's
Capacity: 30,009
Players in: Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle, free), David Lucas (Rochdale, free),
Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Darren Ambrose (Crystal Palace,
undisclosed), Ravel Morrison (West Ham, season-long loan), Ben Gordon (Chelsea,
loan)
Players out: Jordon Mutch (Cardiff, undisclosed), Ben Foster (West Brom,
undisclosed), Luke Hubbins (AFC Telford, free), Caleb Folan, Enric Valles, Cian
Hughton and Ashley Sammons (released)
Key man: Chris Burke
Chances: After last season’s play off semi-final heartbreak Birmingham
will be hoping they can have a similar season under new manager Lee Clark. On
reported financial restraints ‘The Brummies’ have done well to keep hold of key
men, Marlon King, Chris Burke, Curtis Davies along with up and coming Nathan
Redmond and Jack Butland. Clark has added ex-Newcastle forward Peter
Lovenkrands who will score a hat-full of goals alongside King, and Darren
Ambrose who has proven at Crystal Palace what an influential attacking
midfielder he can be. Blues’ chances will rely heavily on how consistent
youngsters Butland, Redmond and Ravel Morrison are.
Prediction: 4th
BLACKBURN
Manager: Steve Kean
Position last season: 19th in Premier League
Nickname: Rovers
Ground: Ewood Park
Capacity: 31,154
Players in: Danny Murphy (Fulham, free), Leon Best (Newcastle, £3million),
Nuno Gomes (Braga, free), Fabio Nunes (Portimonense, undisclosed), Paulo Jorge
(FC Porto B, undisclosed), Edinho (Olhanense, £500,000), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham,
£1million), Colin Kazim-Richards (Galatasaray, loan)
Players out: Ayegbeni Yakubu (Guangzhou R&F, undisclosed), Ryan Edwards
(Rochdale, six-month youth loan), Junior Hoilett (QPR, free), Matthew Pearson
(Rochdale, free), Jackson Ramm (Colchester, free), Michel Salgado, Vince
Grella, Zac Aley, Jamie Maclaren and Herold Goulon (all released), Myles
Anderson (Aldershot, loan), Nick Blackman (Sheffield United, undisclosed),
Jordan Slew (Oldham, loan)
Key man: Danny Murphy
Chances: After last season’s well documented tough season on and off the
field, it is almost remarkable that Steve Kean is still in charge at Ewood. If
the Blackburn faithful don’t rate him, the Venky's certainly do. A couple of
decent deals catch the eye in Danny Murphy and ex-Portugal international Nuno
Gomes but the serious pre season injury to new signing Leon Best will be a
massive blow to Rovers’ promotion hopes. The loss of Yakubu and Junior Hoilett
who were influential in the majority of the points Blackburn did pick up in the
Premier League last season, were predicted and in a league which is so competitive,
I can see Rovers just missing out on the play offs this season.
Prediction: 8th
BLACKPOOL
Manager: Ian Holloway
Position last season: 5th
Nickname: The Seasiders, the Tangerines
Ground: Bloomfield Road
Capacity: 16,220 (under development)
Players in: Jake Caprice (Crystal Palace, free), Isaiah Osbourne (Hibernian,
undisclosed), Scott Robertson (Dundee United, free), Tiago Gomes (free), Adda
Djeziri (free), Alberto Noguera (free), James Caton (free)
Players out: Lomana LuaLua (Karabukspor, free), Brett Ormerod (Wrexham, free),
Daniel Bogdanovic and Stephen Husband (released), Matt Hill (Sheffield United,
free), Keith Southern (Huddersfield, undisclosed)
Key man: Tom Ince
Chances: On a tight budget once again, Tangerine fans will be hoping Ian
Holloway has worked his magic finding some unknown gems. He’s been stubborn to
keep hold of influential wingers Ince and Matt Phillips and as everyone knows,
Kevin Phillips will always score goals. Catching teams on the break with their
pace will be their aim again especially away from home. After missing out on
promotion last season to West Ham United in the play off final it will be
difficult to repeat the efforts.
Prediction: 12th
BOLTON
Manager: Owen Coyle
Position last season: 18th in Premier League
Nickname: The Trotters
Ground: Reebok Stadium
Capacity: 28,723
Players in: Keith Andrews (West Brom, free), Matt Mills (Leicester,
undisclosed), Joe McKee (free) Andy Lonergan (Leeds, undisclosed), Benik Afobe
(Arsenal, season-long loan)
Players out: Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham, free), Robbie Blake (Doncaster,
free), Rhys Bennett (Rochdale, free), Tope Obadeyi (Rio Ave, free), Mark
Connolly (Crawley, free), Ivan Klasnic, Gretar Steinsson, Paul Robinson, Sean
Davis, Ricardo Gardner and Dino Fazlic (released), Tom Eckersley (Accrington,
free), Fabrice Muamba (retired)
Key man: Kevin Davies
Chances: With The Trotters having retained most of a Premier League
squad from last term, especially an impressive midfield which could feature the
likes of Chris Eagles and Martin Petrov, Bolton are favourites to win the
Championship and with a good young manager in Owen Coyle I can see why. Zat
Knight at the back will be suited to The Championship while the signing of Matt
Mills is solid. England under 19 international Benik Afobe is unproven yet
promising and Keith Andrews is a cracking signing. Champions for me.
Prediction: 1st
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Manager: Gus Poyet
Position last season: 10th
Nickname: The Seagulls
Ground: American Express Community Stadium
Capacity: 22,374
Players in: Tomasz Kuszczak (Manchester United, free), Bruno Saltor (Valencia,
free), Wayne Bridge (Manchester City, loan), Andrew Crofts (Norwich,
undisclosed)
Players out: Alan Navarro (Swindon, free), Michael Poke (Torquay, free), David
Gonzalez and Leon Redwood (both released)
Key man: Vicente
Chances: One of the best passing teams in the division are going to have a
good chance of promotion this season. If Spaniard Vicente plays more of a role
this season and produces some of the magic he showed in glimpses last campaign,
Albion fans could be in for a treat. Poyet has brought in Wayne Bridge on loan
from Manchester City to stable the left back slot whilst Andrew Crofts was
successful in Norwich’s promotion a couple of seasons ago.
Prediction: 5th
BRISTOL CITY
Manager: Derek McInnes
Position last season: 20th
Nickname: The Robins
Ground: Ashton Gate
Capacity: 21,497
Players in: Jody Morris (St Johnstone, free), Paul Anderson (Nottingham
Forest, free), Tom Heaton (Cardiff, free), Mark Wilson (Celtic, free) Greg
Cunningham (Manchester City, free)
Players out: Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Notts County, free), Jamie McAllister
(Yeovil, free), David James, David Clarkson, Christian Ribeiro, Marlon Jackson,
Danny Ball and Henry Muggeridge (all released)
Key man: Albert Adomah
Chances: After taking the reins from unsuccessful manager Keith Millen in
October, Derek McInnes did his job of keeping City in the Championship last
campaign. He will be hoping for an improvement of last seasons finish of 20th and
with the impressive signings of Tom Heaton, Mark Wilson and Greg Cunningham to
steady the ship at the back and this should work. Fighting off interest for
influential winger Albert Adomah was key but having not yet signed the pacey
striker needed to replace Nicky Maynard, and the centre back needed to partner
Liam Fontaine, The Robins will be hoping to do some more business before 31st August.
If they do, they should have a comfortable, mid-tabled season.
Prediction: 17th
BURNLEY
Manager: Eddie Howe
Position last season: 13th
Nickname: The Clarets
Ground: Turf Moor
Capacity: 22,546
Players in: Luke O'Neill (Mansfield, undisclosed), George Porter (Leyton
Orient, free), Jason Shackell (Derby, undisclosed), Joseph Mills (Reading,
season-long loan), Sam Vokes (Wolves, undisclosed), Brian Stock (Doncaster,
undisclosed)
Players out: Jay Rodriguez (Southampton, undisclosed), Andre Amougou, Clarke
Carlisle, Brian
Easton, Alex-Ray Harvey, Joe McKee, Dominic Knowles, Neil Yadolahi,
David Lynch and Ross Wilson (all released), Joe Jackson and Tom Anderson (both
AFC Barrow, loan).
Key man: Charlie Austin
Chances: Having yet to really replace top scorer Jay Rodriguez, I fancy
Burnley to struggle a little this season. They’ll be a lot of pressure on
Charlie Austin to provide the goals and he’ll require Eddie Howe's
youthful squad to provide him with enough chances to do so. The Clarets could
do with spending some of that £7m received for Rodriguez on a couple more
additions before the end of the transfer window if they are to be considered as
an outsider for the play offs.
Prediction: 18th
CARDIFF
Manager: Malky Mackay
Position last season: 6th
Nickname: The Bluebirds
Ground: Cardiff City Stadium
Capacity: 26,828
Players in: Joe Lewis (Peterborough, free), Jordon Mutch (Birmingham,
undisclosed), Kim Bokyung (Cerezo Osaka, undisclosed), Heidar Helguson (QPR,
undisclosed), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool, free)
Players out: Aaron Wildig (Shrewsbury, free), Tom Heaton, Lee Naylor, Paul
Quinn, Jon Meades, Alex Evans and Jordan Santiago (all released), Anthony
Gerrard (Huddersfield, £350,000)
Key man: Peter Whittingham
Chances: After the most defying summer in Cardiff City Football Club’s
history, an interesting season, to say the least, is ahead. Having ditched
their traditional blue kit and making an eye opening change to red, The
Bluebird’s (yes, still) fans expect. After missing out on promotion to the
Premier League by a matter of a few points once again, manager Malky Mackay has
again improved the already strong squad. Local hero Craig Bellamy has once
again joined his boyhood club and impressive signings Jordan Mutch, Heidar
Helguson and Slovenian internation Kim Bokyung provide pressure on the Welsh
club to succeed this time round.
Prediction: 11th
CHARLTON
Manager: Chris Powell
Position last season: 1st in League One
Nickname: The Addicks
Ground: The Valley
Capacity: 27,111
Players in: Lawrie Wilson (Stevenage, undisclosed), Jordan Cook (Sunderland,
free), Slaim Kerkar (Rangers, free)
Players out: Gary Doherty (Wycombe, free), Freddie Warren (Barnet, free), Jason
Euell, Mikel Alonso and Tosan Popo (all released)
Key man: Johnnie Jackson
Chances: Chris Powell looks to be giving his team who took League One by
storm last season, a real chance to prove themselves at a higher level this
time around. A quiet summer will make the players feel good about
themselves and the momentum that is so crucial in this league will prove
dividends in a successful season at The Valley.
Prediction: 20th
CRYSTAL PALACE
Manager: Dougie Freedman
Position last season: 17th
Nickname: The Eagles
Ground: Selhurst Park
Capacity: 26,309
Players in: Joel Ward (Portsmouth, £400,000), Aaron Martin (Southampton,
season-long loan), Aaron Wilbraham (Norwich, free), Peter Ramage (free)
Players out: Anthony Gardner (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Sean Scannell
(Huddersfield, undisclosed), Darren Ambrose (Birmingham, undisclosed), Lee
Hills (Stevenage, free), Calvin Andrew, Nathaniel Pinney, Jake Caprice and
Charlie Holness (all released), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton, undisclosed)
Key man: Wilfried Zaha
Chances: With limited funds being made available by the Palace board for
manager Dougie Freedman and having to cash in on top players in Darren Ambrose,
Sean Scannell and Nathanial Clyne, a tough season follows for The Eagles. They
will be relying heavily on both their usually stubborn defence but also
Wilfried Zaha to supply the goods and they’ll certainly need him to be near to
top of the goalscoring charts if they wish to survive.
Prediction: 22nd
DERBY
Manager: Nigel Clough
Position last season: 12th
Nickname: The Rams
Ground: Pride Park
Capacity: 33,597
Players in: Michael Jacobs (Northampton, undisclosed compensation), Paul
Coutts (Preston,
undisclosed), Richard Keogh (Coventry, undisclosed), James O'Connor
(Doncaster, undisclosed),
Michael Hoganson (Newcastle, released)
Players out: Paul Green (Leeds, free), James Severn (Scunthorpe, free), Chris
Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Lee Croft (Oldham, season-long loan),
Miles Addison (Bournemouth, undisclosed), Jason Shackell (Burnley,
undisclosed), Callum Ball (Coventry, season-long loan)
Key man: Steven Davies
Chances: Nigel Clough will once again be relying on Steven Davies (if
he isn’t sold before deadline day) to fire them to success this season. He’s
managed to sign Richard Keogh from Coventry City to tighten up his defence and
will be hoping his young midfielders can keep his side in a comfortable
position once again.
Prediction: 19th
HUDDERSFIELD
Manager: Simon Grayson
Position last season: 4th
Nickname: The Terriers
Ground: Galpharm Stadium
Capacity: 24,500
Players in: Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Paul Dixon (free,
Dundee United), Oliver Norwood (Manchester United, free), Adam Clayton (Leeds,
undisclosed), Joel Lynch (Nottingham Forest, free), Anthony Gerrard (Cardiff,
£350,000), Keith Southern (Blackpool, undisclosed)
Players out: Danny Cadamarteri (Carlisle, free), Tommy Miller (Swindon, free),
Gary Roberts (Swindon, free), Nathan Clarke (Leyton Orient, free), Aidan
Chippendale (Accrington, free), Gary Naysmith, Greg Pearson and Simon Thomas
(all released), Anthony Kay (MK Dons, free)
Key man: Jordan Rhodes
Chances: After promotion via the play offs last season, manager Simon Grayson has
put together a very strong squad for this campaign. With Sean Scannell, Adam
Clayton, Joel Lynch, Anthony Gerrard and Keith Southern all coming through the
doors at the Galpharm this summer and Jordan Rhodes still on their books (just)
they’ll have an impressive season.
Prediction: 13th
HULL CITY
Manager: Steve Bruce
Position last season: 8th
Nickname: The Tigers
Ground: KC Stadium
Capacity: 25,586
Players in: Eldin Jakupovic (Aris, released), Ben Amos (Manchester United,
season-long loan), Nick Proschwitz (SC Paderborn, £2.5million), Abdoulaye Faye
(West Ham, free), Sone Aluko (Rangers, free), Alex Bruce (Leeds, free)
Players out: Will Atkinson (Bradford, free), Kevin Kilbane (Coventry, free),
Mark Cullen (Bury, loan)
Key man: Robert Koren
Chances: Abdoulaye Faye and Sone Aluko are exciting signings for Tigers’
fans who have managed to keep hold of key player Robert Koren. New manager
Steve Bruce has all the experience and knowledge to fire Hull to promotion this
time around but I expect other clubs to prove just too much for the Yorkshire
team.
Prediction: 14th
IPSWICH
Manager: Paul Jewell
Position last season: 15th
Nickname: The Tractor Boys
Ground: Portman Road
Capacity: 30,311
Players in: Elliott Hewitt (Macclesfield, undisclosed), Luke Chambers
(Nottingham Forest, free), Scott Loach (Watford, undisclosed)
undisclosed)
Players out: Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough, free), Richard
Wright (Preston, free), Lee Bowyer, Ibrahima Sonko and Cody Cropper (all
released), Mark Kennedy (retired)
free), Richard
Wright (Preston, free), Lee Bowyer, Ibrahima Sonko and Cody Cropper (all
released), Mark Kennedy (retired)
Key man: Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
Chances: Paul Jewell has hardly changed his squad this summer and
believes his side have enough to improve on last season’s performance. Forwards
Michael Chopra and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will provide the firepower once again.
Grant Leadbitter joining Middlebrough will be a slight blow but I see another
mid-table finish on the horizon for The Tractor Boys.
Prediction: 15th
LEEDS
Manager: Neil Warnock
Position last season: 14th
Nickname: The Whites
Ground: Elland Road
Capacity: 37,697
Players in: Jason Pearce (Portsmouth, £500,000), Adam Drury (Norwich, free),
Paul Green (Derby, free), Paddy Kenny (QPR, £500,000), Andy Gray (Barnsley,
free), Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth, free), Luke Varney (Portsmouth, free), David
Norris (Portsmouth, free), Lee Peltier (Leicester, undisclosed), Rodolph Austin
(SK Brann, free), El Hadji Diouf (free)
Players out: Maik Taylor (Millwall, free), Lloyd Sam, Mikael Forssell and Danny
Webber (all released), Adam Clayton (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Andy Lonergan
(Bolton, undisclosed), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich, £3million), Alex Bruce (Hull,
free), Billy Paynter (Doncaster, undisclosed)
Key man: Ross McCormack
Chances: Neil Warnock has always challenged for promotion, whichever club
he has managed in this division. Despite the loss of captain Robert Snodgrass
and fellow midfielder Adam Clayton, signings like Lee Peltier, Rodolph Austin
and Luke Varney will provide Leeds with lots of options to support star man
Ross McCormack. If Warnock can tighten up last season’s leaky defence, they’ll
have a real chance.
Prediction: 6th
LEICESTER
Manager: Nigel Pearson
Position last season: 9th
Nickname: The Foxes
Ground: King Power Stadium
Capacity: 32,262
Players in: Ritchie de Laet and Matty James (Manchester United, undisclosed),
Jamie Vardy (Fleetwood, £1million), Marko Futacs (Portsmouth, undisclosed
compensation), Zak Whitbread (Norwich, free), Anthony Knockaert (Guingamp,
undisclosed)
Players out: Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor, undisclosed), Oliver Norburn (Bristol
Rovers, free), John Pantsil, Steve Howard, Elliott Chamberlain, Matt Oakley,
Aleksandar Tunchev, Darius Vassell and Franck Moussa (all released), Matt Mills
(Bolton, undisclosed), Chris Weale (Shrewsbury, free), Lee Peltier (Leeds,
undisclosed)
Key man: Neil Danns
Chances: Having spent well once again, but this time in a more reasonable
proportion, Leicester will compete at the right end of the table. Zak Whitbread
could prove to be a good bit of business at the back to add to an already
strong squad who now won’t have to endure that “gelling” period. Expect Neil
Danns to have another top season.
Prediction: 3rd
MIDDLESBROUGH
Manager: Tony Mowbray
Position last season: 7th
Nickname: Boro
Ground: Riverside Stadium
Capacity: 34,988
Players in: Grant Leadbitter (Ipswich, free), Stuart Parnaby (unattached),
Emanuel Ledesma (Walsall, free), George Friend (Doncaster, undisclosed),
Christian Burgess (Arsenal, free), Jonathan Woodgate (Stoke, free), Mustapha
Carayol (Bristol Rovers, undisclosed), Jayson Leutwiler (free)
Players out: Barry Robson (Vancouver Whitecaps, free), Jonathan Franks
(Hartlepool, free), Jonathan Grounds (Oldham, free), Tony McMahon (Sheffield
United, free)
Key man: Marvin Emnes
Chances: Boro will be hoping to challenge again after falling just short of
the play offs last time around. The signing of Emanuel Ledesma is exciting and
having tightened up the defence with Stuart Parnaby, George Friend and local
hero Jonathan Woodgate, another solid season is ahead if they can turn around
their home form after only winning eight of their 23 games at the
Riverside Stadium last term.
Prediction: 10th
MILLWALL
Manager: Kenny Jackett
Position last season: 16th
Nickname: The Lions
Ground: The Den
Capacity: 20,146
Players in: Maik Taylor (Leeds, free), Scott Malone (Bournemouth, player
exchange), Chris Taylor (Oldham, free), Karleigh Osborne (Brentford, free),
Danny Shittu (free)
Players out: Chris Hackett (Northampton, free), Tony Craig (Brentford,
undisclosed), Ryan Allsop (Leyton Orient, free), Josh McQuoid (Bournemouth,
player exchange) Hamer Bouazza, Jordan Stewart, Jake Gallagher and Conor
McLaren (all released)
Key man: Andy Keogh
Chances: The signing of Danny Shittu will add to Millwall’s already
towering defence but heavy reliance will once again be on the likes of Andy
Keogh and Liam Feeney. A season of struggle ahead this season and other clubs
have strengthened more impressively.
Prediction: 23rd
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Manager: Sean O'Driscoll
Position last season: 19th
Nickname: The Reds
Ground: City Ground
Capacity: 30,603
Players in: Adlene Guedioura (Wolves, undisclosed), Danny Collins (Stoke,
undisclosed), Greg Halford (Portsmouth, free), Dan Harding (Southampton,
undisclosed), Simon Gillett (free agent), Daniel Ayala (Norwich, season-long
loan), Simon Cox (West Brom, undisclosed)
Players out: Garath McCleary (Reading, undisclosed), Luke Chambers (Ipswich,
free), Joel Lynch (Huddersfield, free), Chris Gunter (Reading, undisclosed)
Key man: Lewis McGugan
Chances: With the 2011/12 season surprisingly a struggle for Forest, The Al
Hasawi takeover looks to have provided funds for new manager Sean O’Driscoll
and he’ll be trying to work his magic to produce a passing team that he did at
Doncaster. Gareth McCleary moving on will be a big loss but the three defenders
brought in to replace the trio that left will improve The Reds and Simon Cox is
a brilliant acquisition at the business end of the pitch. Expect Forest to be
in contention for the play offs.
Prediction: 7th
.
PETERBOROUGH
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Position last season: 18th
Nickname: The Posh
Ground: London Road
Capacity: 15,315
Players in: Tyrone Barnett (Crawley, £1.2million), Shaun Brisley
(Macclesfield, undisclosed), Nathanial Knight-Percival (Wrexham, free), Danny
Swanson (Dundee United, free), Robert Olejnik (Torquay, undisclosed), Nathaniel
Mendez-Laing (Wolves, undisclosed), Michael Bostwick (Stevenage, undisclosed),
Jonson Clarke-Harris (Coventry, free)
Players out: Joe Lewis (Cardiff, free), Paul Jones (Crawley, free), Nathan
Ralph (Yeovil, free), David Ball (Fleetwood, undisclosed)
Key man: Paul Taylor
Chances: Another season of proving the doubters wrong will be on the cards
for Darren Ferguson at Posh. Paul Taylor, Tyrone Barnett and George Boyd will
once again score goals to keep them up but they’ll have to improve on last
season’s display at the back to compete at the other end of the league.
Prediction: 21st
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Manager: Dave Jones
Position last season: 2nd in League One
Nickname: The Owls
Ground: Hillsborough
Capacity: 39,812
Players in: Chris Kirkland (Wigan, free), Kieran Lee (Oldham, free), Joe
Mattock (West Brom, free), Anthony Gardner (Crystal Palace, free), Chris
Maguire (Derby, undisclosed), Diogo Amado (Uniao Leiria, free), Nejc Pecnik (CD
Nacional, free), Rhys McCabe (Rangers, free), Michael Antonio (Reading,
undisclosed)
Players out: Richard O'Donnell (Chesterfield, free), Clinton Morrison
(Colchester, free), Chris Sedgwick, Jon Otsemobor, Sean Cuff and Vadaine Oliver
(all released), Liam Palmer (Tranmere, loan), Ryan Lowe (MK Dons, undisclosed)
Key man: Michael Antonio
Chances: Michael Antonio is a massive signing for The Owls. The man they
had on loan from Reading last season has signed permanently now and will be a
success in The Championship. Chris Kirkland, Anthony Gardner and Joe Mattock
have been brought in the steady the ship at the back and if they can find a
striker to get close to 20 goals this season then they will challenge for the
play offs but without that they’ll just about do enough to survive.
Prediction: 20th
WATFORD
Manager: Gianfranco Zola
Position last season: 11th
Nickname: The Hornets
Ground: Vicarage Road
Capacity:17,477
Players in: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal, free), Fitz Hall (QPR, free), Almen Abdi,
Matej Vydra, Steve Leo Beleck (all Udinese, free), Daniel Pudil, Ikechi Anya
(both Granada, season-long loans), Alex Geijo (Udinese, loan)
Players out: Adrian Mariappa (Reading, undisclosed), Rene Gilmartin (Plymouth,
free), Josh Walker (Scunthorpe, free), Scott Loach (Ipswich, undisclosed), Tom
James, Chez Isaac and Michael Bryan (all released)
Key man: Jonathan Hogg
Chances: A busy summer at Vicarage Road has resulted in the sacking of their
manager, new owners taking over, one of The Premier League’s best ever strikers
being appointed as boss, and that’s only the start of it. The Italy-based
Pozzo family took control of Watford last month and with no less than eight
players being signed in one day Gianfranco Zola will need his new Hornets to
gel quickly. Fitz Hall has replaced key defender Adrian Mariappa who has joined
Reading and six loans signings taken from European clubs Udinese and Granada
are of an unknown quality so Watford are the toughest of clubs to predict in
this campaign.
Prediction: 16th
WOLVES
Manager: Stale Solbakken
Position last season: 20th in Premier League
Nickname: Wolves
Ground: Molineux
Capacity: 27,828 (under development)
Players in: Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (Lillestrom, undisclosed), Frank Nouble
(West Ham, free), Jamie Tank (Walsall, undisclosed), Tongo Doumbia (Rennes,
season-long loan), Slawo Peszko (Cologne, loan)
Players out: Louis Harris (AFC Wimbledon, free), Ashley Hemmings (Walsall,
free), James Spray (released), Sam Vokes (Burnley, undisclosed), Jake Cassidy
(Tranmere, six-month loan)
Key man: Matt Jarvis
Chances: If Wolves manage to keep hold of Matt Jarvis and Steven
Fletcher, (might be a big “if”) Wolves should gain promotion back to The
Premier League. Norwegian manager Stale Solbakken has took the reins of a
strong squad and if they can keep their passionate support on side, they will
most certainly be right up there.
Prediction: 2nd
