🔗 Originally published on TuftyClub, this is a 1-24 forecast of the Championship season by DeadBat.
Season Preview 26-27: 1-24
Championship Season Preview & Predictions 26-27
Last year, when penning these forecasts, it was a mixed bag. I got a few right. I correctly picked Ipswich and Coventry to go up. I picked Wednesday to go down, but so did everyone else. However, I had Hull to go down and the Blades as 5th place. These were spectacularly wrong. Undeterred, we go again. Who are my picks for promotion, relegation and, of course, United?
It seems a stronger division. The three coming down appear all to be big contenders. West Ham, Burnley and Wolves are all loaded with talent but the fact they all should be comfortably top 6, shows the big gap between the two leagues. Certainly, in comparison to those who exited the Premier League a year previous, they all seem to be well set for a quick return. We recall the mess Leicester were in, and of course Southampton struggled to start the season, only coming with a late run.
Perhaps those coming up are not as equipped, in terms of spending power, that Birmingham and Wrexham were. Cardiff and Bolton return to this level but will be pleased to just stay up, you sense. Lincoln have the momentum but have lost a promising young manager too. There will be a bevvy of sides who could make a case for a playoff charge, especially with the extension of places down to 8th, but equally these same teams could easily be looking over their shoulder.
I will assess the runners and riders, the transfer business, the managers in charge and who will be the difference makers, in presenting my Championship picks for the forthcoming campaign.
Transfer info correct as of 5pm, Monday 10th August
1) Wolverhampton
I think the two automatic picks are going to be filled by two of the relegated sides. It is a lazy and predictable prediction but I see the three coming down all being strong contenders. Wolves changed their manager again but you look through the squad and they have a lot of players that should be playing higher. They really tanked badly last season, but the final months saw them improve and find a formula that was starting to work. They have not lost that many players but have a nice mix of youth and experience that will be too good for most sides at this level. Bringing back Raul Jimenez is a masterstroke and he will bag a hatful. Kieran Trippier gives them leadership at the back but will also weigh in with assists and free-kick goals. Adam Armstong was a signing made with one eye on the Championship. Joao Gomes moves onto Villa for 40 million but talented youngster Mateus Mane remains for now. Two former Blades loanees, Ki Jana Hoever and Tommy Doyle, are back at Molineux but neither seems to have much of a future with the club. It is a deep squad packed with power and pace – the only question marks could be around defensive vulnerabilities.
In
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle, free), Raul Jimenez (Fulham, free), Ladislav Krejci (Girona, undisclosed), Rafiki Said (Standard Liege, undisclosed)
Out
James Storer (Plymouth, free), Alfie Pond (Chesterfield, undisclosed), Joao Gomes (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Matt Doherty (Sheffield United, free), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax, loan), Leon Chiwome (Colchester, loan), Joao Gomes (Aston Villa)
Manager: Cesar Peixoto – The Rob Edwards tenure was bizarre. They chased him and paid a fair wad of compensation to get him from Middlesbrough. They still struggled but there were shoots of light towards the end of the campaign, so to sack him seemed bewildering. They have long had Portuguese links with players, managers and agencies all tied close together between the All Gold and Portugal. Peixooi has only managed in Portugal and not at any of the big 3 clubs so this appointment could be a risk but it has worked for them before in terms of going down this route. He has a very good squad so the club will be expecting him to lead them straight back to the top flight.
Key Player: Raul Jimenez – Surprised he went back as he played 36 times and scored 9 goals for a successful Fulham side but was a free agent and the pull of going back to Wolves saw him sign a two-year deal. He is 35 but he has enough quality, know how and finishing, to be the early favourite for the Championship golden boot. Seems to be a level beneath him and I think it will show.
Verdict: Champions. They have too much quality and I see them being a fair way of the rest of the field come May.
2) West Ham United
I can see why many have picked West Ham to go up as Champions. There is so much quality remaining with many choosing to remain. Playing in front of the huge London Stadium at Championship level will be bizarre and a touch embarrassing but that is where years of mismanagement off the field, has led them to. They managed to keep Jarrod Bowen, which is a real surprise but lost Summerville and Fernades for a combined sum of around £145 million – which will go a long way to offsetting costs of relegation. Walker Peters, Kilman, Ward Prowse, Wan Bissaka, Soucek all are still around as it stands. There are still holes in the squad and do not have the depth that maybe the other relegated sided have, but expect them to add throughout August. They will be the big drawer when they go on the road and teams will want to raise their games when they come to town, but if they can be strong at home and prepared to work hard then I do expect them to go back up at the first attempt.
In
Keiber Lamadrid (Deportivo La Guaira, undisclosed), Joel Veltman (Brighton)
Out
Krisztian Hegyi (Sparta Prague, undisclosed), Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham, undisclosed), Mason Terry (Port Vale, loan), Callum Wilson (Brentford, free), Crysencio Summerville (Al-Hilal, undisclosed), Callum Marshall (Luton, undisclosed), Freddie Potts (Club Brugge, undisclosed)
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo – A manager who had been at this level before and whilst he has bounced around a fair bit, he always seems an affable kind of bloke who is a decent coach. I think West Ham keeping him, despite going down, was the smart thing to do. Whether he is still here in a year, even if they go up, is another matter. His know how of the Championship will be valuable if they do bounce back immediately.
Key Player: Jarrod Bowen Like with Jimenez, could start for many teams in the league above. Bowen has shown incredible loyalty to stay and sacrificed his international hopes, in the short term, to help try and get them back. His running in behind, finishing and perhaps most of all, work rate, will set the tone for the rest of the side and he will be prolific at the lower level.
Verdict: Automatic Promotion. They have kept too much experience and a Championship savvy manager – to not go straight back up.
3) Southampton
They do have a points deduction and the controversy over spy-gate will continue to swirl with the Saints still being the butt of many jokes from opponents. I was shocked the manager remained and he must repay his bosses by getting them near the top again. Despite all the criticism against him and the club – which they deserved – they did have a tremendous run to the end of the season and led Arsenal in a cup semi-final too. This is somewhat forgotten but they played some good football and blew teams away. I think if they had been allowed to keep their place in the final, they would have beaten Hull (of course maybe they don’t beat Boro without cheating in the semi-final build up?!). The squad is much the same with Ross Stewart the only notable departure. They have converted important loan signings, keeper Peretz and forward Larin, into permanent deals but also splashed the cash on Villa forward, Lewis Dobbin, for a cool 10 million. The rest of the squad has too much talent, to let last season’s ending, or the point deduction, hurt them. At the back Manning, Harwood Bellis, Stephens, Wood, Bree give them a solid foundation. In midfield Finn Azaz, Flynn Downes, Tom Fellows and start man Leo Scienza, will ensure that they will overrun most sides in this area. They might need another striker to throw into the pot but this is a stacked squad that might go one better – if they play fairly!
In
Daniel Peretz (Bayern Munich, undisclosed), Cyle Larin (Mallorca, undisclosed), George Long (Norwich, free), Lewis Dobbin (Aston Villa, undisclosed)
Out
Ollie Wright (Gillingham, loan), Charlie Taylor (Derby, free), Oriol Romeu (Avispa Fukuoka), Alex McCarthy (Leicester, free), Samuel Tabares (Gillingham, free), Will Smallbone (released), Joe Aribo (released), Ross Stewart (Swansea, free), Nick Oyekunle (Leyton Orient, loan)
Manager: Tonda Eckert – I thought he would have left to be honest as although he admitted his indiscretions, these acts permeated across the club and clearly, he was at the head of these decisions. I thought his position was untenable but the club have been brave (stupid?) in keeping him. Maybe they are focusing on the things he did so well and realise their ‘may’ be a top coach here that propelled the Saints right up the league. He has to get a fast start of course as questions will be coming at him, if not but I think he will be determined to right the wrongs.
Key Player: Leo Scienza – The Brazilian winger ripped up the league in the second half of the season with his quick fee, direct running and array of skills, too much for Championship full backs. With Dobbin on the other side, teams will not be able to key in on Scienza as much – giving him even more space and time to wreak havoc.
Verdict: Playoffs (Promoted beating Middlesbrough in the final!) – The Blades had a 2-point deduction and ended on 90 points (92) so four points is not a huge amount to make up quite quickly. They will still be one of the favourites and I can see them making the playoff final again but this time actually participating in the game, and going up.
4) Middlesbrough
Statistically speaking, Boro should have gone up. They finished 2nd in XG and all their metrics pointed to the fact it should have been them joining Coventry to go up. The playoffs were of course bizarre, with them losing out to Southampton but then after the spying broke, getting their place back. Sadly, their late reprieve saw them put in a performance that reminded me of some of the Blades playoff final no shows – granted Hull were not much better. They have lost their best player in Hayden Hackney and their incomings do not really grab me. They are operating in a much stronger division competition wise. I think they still have enough to be around those new extra playoff places but I fear that they won’t have as strong a start (recall them being top in the early part of last season). McGree and Morris are two very good midfielders for this level and Brittain and Ayling give them solidity in the full back positions but Dael Fry will be missed. Up top was the issue last season with the inability to covert chances into goals. Tommy Conway is hard working but Whittaker remains hit and miss. They spent big (using some of the Hackney and Rogers sell on money) to get former Blade academy striker, Will Lankshear but signing him and Peart Harris, who both were at relegated Oxford, are not really signings that will hugely improve this area. Kyle Joseph and Sarmiento – provide wide options. They made some very good additions to the backline with keeper Vitek coming in (who did so well on loan for Bristol City) and Ashley Phillips (likewise for Stoke) from Spurs. It is a good Championship squad but I still think goals will be an issue and of course Hackney will be missed but if they keep up the level of chance creation, they will be there or thereabouts.
In
Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton, undisclosed), Myles Peart-Harris (Oxford, free), Kyle Joseph (Hull, undisclosed), Will Lankshear (Tottenham, undisclosed), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps, undisclosed), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Radek Vitek (Man Utd, undisclosed), Finley Munroe (Blackpool, loan)
Out
Hayden Hackney (Everton, undisclosed), Dan Barlaser (MK Dons, free), Dael Fry (Birmingham, free), Sam Silvera (MK Dons, undisclosed), Delano Burgzorg (Preston, loan)
Manager: Kim Hellberg – Brought in when Rob Edwards left, he seemed to be well liked at Boro and kept them right amongst the top. They looked dead on their feet in the 2nd leg at Southampton and then never turned up against a mediocre Hull side. He will face pressure to keep them near the top and maybe questions might be posed if they do not hit start well.
Key Player: Will Lankshear – Key in the fact, he has to hit the ground running and needs to justify a hefty fee. Hopefully Boro will continue to create the amount of chances they did last season and he can profit.
Verdict: Playoffs. Boro look like a team that might have missed the boat with the managerial change last season and the end of season drama, perhaps derailing what for much of the season, looked like a promotion campaign. I do wonder if they can hit those heights again?
5) Burnley
Placed them the lowest of the relegated sides and that is simply due to them not having quite the quality and depth of the other sides above. They also have got a new unproven manager (which Wolves have too, to be fair). They always seem to be getting promoted at this level or getting relegated from the Premier League. I have a hunch that this time out, they may just miss out – due to the teams discussed above. They still should be too strong for most teams and have players that really will dominate at this level. They have lost Esteve, a key defensive lynchpin but former Blade Kyle Walker remains as skipper – despite rumours of a possible Lane return. There are still a number of holdovers from the last Championship promotion season but the loss of Jaidon Anthony to Brentford will be a big loss. Florentino Luis may find the lower level more to his liking, as an important player in midfield. Lyle Foster and Flemming should be a prolific duo at the top of the pitch. It will be interesting to see how motivated some of the players who remain – who have not played at this level – are, in terms of the work rate and application needed.
In
Lluc Castel (Espanyol, undisclosed), Ugo Raghouber (Lille, undisclosed), Ben Amos (Port Vale, free)
Out
Owen Dodgson (Stockport, undisclosed), Quilindschy Hartman (Espanyol, loan), Jaidon Anthony (Brentford, undisclosed), Loum Tchaouna (Coventry, undisclosed), Lesley Ugochukwu (Galatasaray, loan), Maxime Esteve (RB Leipzig, undisclosed), Jack McEvilly (Tranmere, free), Charlie Veevers (Tranmere, free), Luca Koleosho (Paris, undisclosed), Florentino (Ipswich, undisclosed), Ashley Barnes (released)
Manager: Nicky Hayen – Managed mostly in Belgium – and was at Bruge and Genk but does not stay at clubs very long. He also had a spell at Haverfordwest County in the Welsh League back in 2021-22! Burnley were seemingly all in on Craig Bellamy but could not sort out a deal for their former coach, with the Welsh FA, and deals for Rob Edwards and Steven Gerrard never materialised. Burnley went for Hayen – maybe on former manager and fellow Belgian Vincent Kompany’s recommendation – citing his football brain and impressive coaching skills. We will see if this translates to the touch Saturday -Tuesday rigours of the Championship.
Key Player: Zian Flemming – Not really a regular to begin the Premier League campaign but became one of Burnley’s most dependable performers and scored a fair few goals and was a focal point for them. He has proven himself at this level before and will do so again. Clever player who is good with both feet and in the air.
Verdict: Playoffs – I just do not see them having the power and pedigree of the side that cruised to the league a few years ago and then repeated this when they went up with Leeds, in 2024-25. In a stronger division and a new coach, they may just miss out this time.
6) Norwich City
Only 4 teams picked up more points than the Canaries after Phillipe Clement went in and they even flirted with the playoffs after a remarkable run. A number of players finished the season strongly and City have added two Championship performers in Andre Brooks and Sam Field, that their clubs would not have wanted to lose. Kenny McClean provides the experience and steadying influence in midfield and they have a lot of options up top in Kvistgaarden, Makama, Crnac and Toure. Jose Cordoba played for Panama in the World Cup and will potentially pair with Harry Darling in the backline but it is the defensive area where concerns probably still remain. If they can address this area, then they have enough in the rest of the squad to mount a strong playoff push. Brooks development will be interesting to observe. Potentially he could go right to the top but still needs to find consistency and goals/assists to his profile.
In
Bruno Alves (Cruzeiro, loan), Sam Field (QPR, undisclosed), Andre Brooks (Sheffield United, undisclosed), Darlin Yongwa (Lorient, free)
Out
Tony Springett (Leyton Orient, free), George Long (Southampton, free), Louie Moulden (Accrington Stanley, loan), Daniel Barden (Stevenage, free)
Manager: Phillipe Clement – Did an incredible job to take a team that looked doomed to relegation in the opening months of last season. He got them winning and playing entertaining football and without huge changes in personnel. If he had been there all last season, I have no doubt they would have been in the mix for the playoffs and expect this ascent to continue under his leadership.
Key Player: Mohammed Toure – Scored 9 goals in 11 games, after signing in February and also went to the World Cup with Australia. Power, pace and a clever finisher, expect Toure to one of the leading goalscorers in the league, in his first full season at Carrow Road.
Verdict: Playoffs – Clement is the X factor but they do possess some good players and enough at the top of the field, to ensure they will be nearer the top to start the season, than the bottom and I expect them to remain there.
7) Bristol City
They seem to be recycling through managers quite quickly as they seek that formula to contend. A year ago, they had Manning and then Struber before incredibly Roy Hodgson came in. The latest cab off the rank, is another young manager, Skubala, who hopes to replicate his winning approach, we saw at Lincoln, with a surprise promotion. City have made some changes to personnel with some long-standing players moving on but many of the those that were the basis of the side, remain. Knight, Horvat and Williams form the nucleus of the midfield but Scott Twine will be the goal threat, with his superb free kicks, continuing to be a cheat code at this level. Sam Tickle, a player that United were linked with, comes in to replace the excellent Vitek who was on loan from Man Utd. Sam Greenwood, Ballard and Tolaj come into the forward positions and all could be smart additions with Ballard and Tolaj scoring freely at the league below. The issues remain with a slow and fragile defensive line that can be exposed but they might make a run.
In
Billy O’Neill (Bray Wanderers, undisclosed), Sam Tickle (Wigan, undisclosed), Gibson Yah (Volendam, undisclosed), Jed Wallace (West Brom, free), Brad Collins (Coventry, free), Lisav Eissat (Maccabi Haifa, undisclosed), Sam Greenwood (Pogon Szczecin, undisclosed), Lorent Tolaj (Plymouth, undisclosed), Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient, undisclosed)
Out
Sinclair Armstrong (Goztepe, undisclosed), Mark Sykes (Millwall, free), Joe Lumley (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Josh Stokes (Reading, loan), Ross McCrorie (Rangers, undisclosed), Sam Morsy (released), Jamie Knight (Motherwell, loan)
Manager: Michael Skubala – Tried a similar strategy to last season, nabbing a young and upcoming manager from a rival. They will hope that Skubala is more successful than Ryan Manning. Lincoln had an up-tempo style that was hard working but quite direct, with goals coming all-round the team. He will have more talent and experience at Ashton Gate but hope to carry on his upward trajectory.
Key Player: Scott Twine – Finally found a home at Ashton Gate. He can have quiet games but finds big moments, with assists and goals and that is so important when the level of teams are so close at this level.
Verdict: Playoffs. The expanded format will suit some of those that always seem to be on the edge and a bright young coach and some new additions will see City take another step.
8) Stoke City
Last season the wildcard was Hull, who made the playoffs and then went up. It is easy just to plug the three that came down and then the missing playoff sides into the top 8 but it rarely always works like that. There is always one or two sides that surprise (and one or two that don’t quite hit their projected finish). Stoke seem to have been a middling side going nowhere for some time now. They have been closer to the bottom than the top but Mark Robins was a smart appointment and I feel he will get it right. They underachieved last season after a decent start and fell away but there is some talent and with additions to supplant the squad, I feel that they will be the team that comes out of the middle of the pack. They still have a wealthy owner and this summer seem to have gone and spent a fair amount (circa 25 million). Two former Sheffield based players in Soumare and Ingelsson will give them legs and bite in midfield but the stand out recruits seem to be Galbraith, the talented midfielder from Swansea for a reported fee over 10 million and then the striker, Milan Smit, who came in on loan but then signed permanently. They have an excellent goalkeeper in Viktor Johansson, and whilst Gibson and Wilmot are not the quickest, are two steady Championship centre backs.
In
Milan Smit (Go Ahead Eagles, undisclosed), Josh Griffiths (West Brom, undisclosed), Djibril Soumare (SC Braga, undisclosed), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea, undisclosed), Svante Ingelsson (undisclosed, Sheffield Wednesday), Luke
Out
Tommy Simkin (Doncaster, loan), Lewis Baker (Bursaspor, free), Darius Lipsiuc (Notts County, undisclosed), Nathan Lowe (Hibernian, loan), Emre Tezgel (Wycombe, loan), Favour Fawunmi (Oldham, loan), Steven Nzonzi (Dunkerque, free), Nikola Jojic (released)
Manager: Mark Robins – Always liked Robins as a manager and think he comes across as an honest and decent bloke. He did a great job wherever he was and much of the groundwork for Coventry’s promotion came from his work – that Lampard took on. He maybe has not quite found the formula yet in the Potteries but expect him to get a more consistent side performing this time.
Key Player: Sorba Thomas – An old-fashioned winger that likes to run at defenders and is direct but also works hard. He began last season in great form and perhaps did not maintain it but with more options at Robins disposable, he will be vital in providing the ammunition for the forwards.
Verdict: Playoffs – This pick could be miles off – I would not be totally shocked if they were mid table or lower but I have a hunch these will be one of the teams that emerges as a surprise contender.
9) Derby County
Derby have quietly moved up the league and the main reason I would attribute their success to, is Eustace who had got them playing a certain way but managing to turn tight games into wins. Former Blades Brewster and Brereton Diaz were contributors last season but the latter has returned to Southampton. Brewster ended the season injured, of course, and is not back yet. On a similar theme, Patrick Agyemang was the main man up top but he suffered a serious injury and won’t be back till the winter. Bobby Clark and Sammy Szmodics were signed permanently and Oscar Fraulo proved to be a good signing, once he settled. They have plenty of experience in Clarke, Travis, Morris and Charlie Taylor, who comes in from Southampton. Filip Bilbija, signs from Germany, and was prolific for Paderborn. They are a side that will continue to be solid defensively and the type of profile of player, is size and athleticism, which will go a long way at this level.
In
Bobby Clark (Salzburg, undisclosed), Charlie Taylor (Southampton, free), Filip Bilbija (Paderborn, free), Sam Szmodics (Ipswich, loan)
Out
Callum Elder (Lincoln, free), Ben Osborn (Stockport, free), Danny Batth (Millwall, free), Liam Thompson (Mansfield, undisclosed), Jake Rooney (Boston, free), Dajuane Brown (Rochdale, free)
Manager: John Eustace – Like Robins, Eustace is just a steady manager, who again seems to get the most out of what he has. He kept Derby up and then last season, got them really close to the playoffs. You look at their squad and you are not sure they can be contenders but he clearly knows what he is doing – as shown by underrated spells at Blackburn and Birmingham previously.
Key Player: Sondre Langas – Commanding unit at the back who can also get around and quietly became one of Derby’s best players. He was part of the squad in the World Cup for Norway.
Verdict: Agyemang’s return will see them turn a mid-table campaign into a late push for the final spot but might be tough to match last season.
10) Millwall
Had an excellent season last time and were in with a chance of automatic promotion. Cannot be understated what a great job Alex Neil did, as they finished higher than so many more fancied sides. They could not quite get over the line and then in the playoffs, Hull did a number on then. Statistically, they did not quite have the metrics to match their high league position but that says a lot about the efforts of the management team and the players. Always hard working and tough to beat at the Den, they will still cause many teams problems. I do see a drop off. They put a lot of effort into a stellar campaign and maybe will not be able to maintain that? Servais and Arconte are two players coming in for decent money, from Belgium and France respectively. Mark Sykes is a smart signing from Bristol City too. The rest of the squad is much the same. They have two giant centre backs, Crama and Cooper, who will be so important again, as will wide man Azeez. The issue is goals and a reliable centre forward. Coburn and Ivanovic, had moments, but both lacked consistency and were guilty of missing chances too. Lyndon Dykes give them another physical threat and seems a very ‘Millwall’ player!
In
Jenson Metcalfe (Bradford, undisclosed), Tairyk Arconte (Rodez, undisclosed), Mathis Servasi (Mechelen, undisclosed), Mark Sykes (Bristol City, free), Elkan Baggott (Ipswich, undisclosed), Kyrell Lisbie (Peterborough, undisclosed), Danny Batth (Derby, free), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton, free)
Out
Wes Harding (Plymouth, free), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed), Macaulay Langstaff (Salford, undisclosed), Adam Mayor (Hibernian, undisclosed), Billy Mitchell (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Danny McNamara (Charlton, free), Rafiq Lamptey (Chesterfield, loan), Kamarl Grant (Bromley, loan), Joel Coleman (released)
Manager: Alex Neil – Another manager who just knows what he is doing and will always get the most out of what he has. Really feeds off the Millwall mentality and of the home atmosphere and the style of play might not always be easy on the eye, but they do have some talented players, so maybe that tag is unfair. He will continue to get some punching above their weight.
Key Player: Femi Azeez – Azeez was such a key man last season with 11 goals and 7 assists and his play out wide will be crucial again. Do wonder if some Premier League clubs may take a punt on him?
Verdict: Do not see them making the playoffs this time but they will still be top half and that is another positive season for a side that lacks the resource of other sides.
11) Wrexham
Wrexham finished higher than I anticipated last season and at one stage, looked set to make the playoffs before missing out. I thought they had spent well and brought in experienced Championship players, even if overpriced, for who they were (Moore, Broadhurst, Hyam). They shocked some of the bigger sides and actually were quite free scoring and maybe not quite the dull, one-dimensional approach we have seen from Parkinson’s sides before. They have not done as much business this summer and it has been a quieter, more understated approach but I do expect more signings to come in before the end of August. If they get the players they have been linked with, then they will be in the top half again. I do feel that there will be a drop off though. The goalkeeper needs to be improved and they concede way too many goals. There is enough at the top end, to keep in games and outscore sides though.
In
Danny Imray (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Ben Whiteman (Preston, undisclosed)
Out
Mo Faal (Port Vale, loan), Thomas O’Connor (Peterborough, loan), Andy Cannon (Fleetwood, loan), Paul Mullin (Rotherham, free), Tom Kelly (Bala, loan), Max Purvis (Bangor, free)
Manager: Phil Parkinson – I thought he might be jettisoned after promotion and I always saw him as a limited but successful lower league manager. He did really well, helped by some big spending, and the football was not always as direct, as I envisaged. I still think they might need to get a better coach to take the next step and I predict a season where they do not quite push on and then make a change here.
Key Player: Lewis O’Brien – Busy, box to box midfielder. Had an ok season and expect him to take it on another level this time.
Verdict: Second time at this level might be a bit tougher and the owners will have to temper expectation, that they will just surge up the top flight. They are now sides that can spend even more than them and thus, it will need to be smarter business and maybe a change in the sidelines might be needed to take that next step.
12) Birmingham City
Some expected the Blues to be right up there last season and build on the impressive Championship winning season from League One. They brought a number of players in. Many did not quite work with the likes of Furuhashi and Doyle no longer here after being much ballyhooed signings last summer. There were questions asked of Chris Davies tactically and some fans felt they became quite negative in style. The manager remains and the transfer business has been quite unremarkable with only Beadle and Solis returning and Dael Fry the main notable defensive capture. He will help the backline and further forward, it will be the likes of Stansfield and Ducksch counted on for goas. There is enough quality around but I do not see them pushing on unless they do spend significantly again – the squad looks light to me? They have a pending move to a new ground and a state-of-the-art training complex is part of that, so even though they have significant investors aboard, will have to balance all aspects of the club’s improvements.
In
Jhon Solis (Girona, undisclosed), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough, free), James Beadle (Brighton, loan), Luis Vazquez (Anderlecht, undisclosed), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo, undisclosed)
Out
Byron Pendleton (Shrewsbury, free), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union, undisclosed), Kyogo Furuhashi (LA Galaxy, undisclosed)
Manager: Chris Davies – Was backed but did superbly to completely turn City around and many expected, perhaps unrealistically, another promotion push. Mid table was fine but fans now expect, seeing the new ownership. I think they may make a managerial change here before the end of the season, rightly or wrongly, in an attempt to take the next step.
Key Player: Dael Fry – Solid, no nonsense centre back that will come in and provide the experience at this level.
Verdict: This season may be more consolidative. I do not see a promotion side but not one that will struggle either.
13) Swansea City
Another side that seems perennially marooned in mid table. Another club with American ownership and the fanfare of Snoop Dogg being involved, gives them a story and some more international attention. Finished 11 last time out and did improve under Vitor Matos but were not serious promotion contenders despite possess the leading scorer in the division in Zan Vipotnik. He remains but they lost star midfielder in Ethan Galbraith, but got a good fee and reinvested in players. In comes Joseph Opuku from the Belgian league, Elijah Just from Motherwell (whose star rose after his goals at the World Cup for New Zealand), Leo Walta and Stephen Welsh from Celtic. Goncalo Franco and Ronald give the flair and creativity but it the likes of Cabango and Burgess that are probably even more important. Ross Stewart was a signing that will hopefully take some of the weight off the shoulders of Vipotnik. Maybe like many others, their owners will invest more in the playing staff but the new SCR rules of course mean smart trading is so important. Swansea will play attractive football but the soft underbelly will prevent a significant challenge again.
In
Leo Walta (Sirius, undisclosed), Stephen Welsh (Celtic, free), Moussa Yeo (RB Salzburg, undisclosed), Elijah Just (Motherwell, undisclosed), Ross Stewart (Southampton, free)
Out
Ethan Galbraith (Stoke, undisclosed), Josh Thomas (Fleetwood, free), Ricardo Santos (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed), Sam Parker (Wycombe, loan), Liam Cullen (Leicester, undisclosed), Joel Ward (released), Ollie Cooper (Notts County, loan), Cameron Congreve (KVC Westerlo, undisclosed)
Manager: Vitor Matos – Seems well liked on the Welsh South Coast and another that does about as well as he can do against some bigger spenders and powerhouses at this level. Only lost 11 out of 31 and they certainly seemed to improve under his charge.
Key Player: Zan Vipotnik – 23 goals and the leading scorer in the league. Will be counted upon again. Can finish well and hits a clean ball, also very good on set plays. Wonder why no one has looked at him but a bit like his predecessor, Joel Piroe, maybe lacks pace/athleticism to make the step up?
Verdict: Similar sort of forecast and position to last season. They will have the bragging rights over Cardiff – who are back at this level but another mediocre season awaits.
14) Sheffield United
Last year, I had the Blades in the playoffs after just missing out on promotion but it was a fairly disastrous season with the Selles experiment failing badly not helped by some dreadful recruitment, both analytics based from the consultant James Bord and from the current scouting team. United were able to move away from the bottom under Chris Wilder and after some entertaining and high scoring wins, they looked like they could make a push for the top 6. However, whilst Southampton and Norwich, continued to kick on, the Blades trailed off. Poor discipline (6 red cards – the most in the division), and throwing away the most leads in the division (costing them 30 possible points) showed the weak underbelly of the group. Cheap goals and lack of clear style were factors but there were glimpses with attacking talent like the revitalised Patrick Bamford ably supplanted by the divisional assist leader, Gus Hamer. Young players Femi Serki and Andre Brooks became key men and much more consistent performers. The latter was sacrificed though, bizarrely to a divisional rival in Norwich, as the loss of parachute payments kicks in. Hamer is also departing, back to Coventry. Wilder talked about big changes and knowing what they needed to go but the summer has seen nothing of the sort. Ownership is locked in two court battles, one with the previous owner and another with a previous potential investor. This is not a good look for a group that has done little to impress in its intentions and plan. There is still talent around – with players like Cooper, Peck, O’Hare and Bamford all players that would get into many sides at this level but the lack of significant change with a number of unwanted players still around despite Wilder’s public criticism – means despite a lot of bluster about it having a different look – I am not sure it does looking at it? He will rely on improvements from within but not sure they can consistently maintain performances week in, week out.
The team is essentially the same minus the players player of the year in Brooks (replaced by a young Premier League loan player in Romelle Donovan) and a veteran right back Matt Doherty are not exactly game changing additions. I still struggle to pick out the style of United’s play. There is enough experience to ensure United should be in most games but the better teams are just erm, better! The board are wedded to Wilder now (giving him an extension to his deal) but this seems to be more around their complete lack of ideas on how to change the whole set up of the club with a horrific recruitment history in recent times, transfers taking an age to complete and a number of high earners stuck at the club (Cannon, Norrington Davies, Chong, Grbic, Matos, McGuiness etc) taking up places and funds that mean changes will be hard to execute. United lost the 2nd the greatest number of games last season and this squad seems weaker. Some players may have bounce back years but will need a number to hit the ground running. Season ticket sales are down and whilst there are still have other assets (both on and off the pitch) that means they are an attractive club; the current ownership does not seem to have any real strategy in order to push the club forward and be sustainable.
In
Romelle Donovan (Brentford, loan), Matt Doherty (Wolves, free), Kalvin Phillips (Man City, loan)
Out
Andre Brooks (Norwich, undisclosed), Alex Matos (Göztepe, loan), Mihail Polendakov (Ludogorets, loan), Zain Tahir (Oldham, loan), Jili Buyabu (Rotherham, loan), Sai Sachdev (Boston, loan), Christian Nwachukwi (Serikspor)
Manager: Chris Wilder – There is a large number of Blades fans that still love Chris Wilder but even those might start to question the lack of coaching and approach/style of football if results are poor. He has changed his coaching staff with Micky Collins and Phil Jones, replacing long term number 2, Alan Knill but pre-season there was no identifiable change in the way they played. Is Wilder yesterday’s man or is there still some something that can get his side galvanised? Only time will tell.
Key Player: Patrick Bamford. He must stay fit and replicate his goals tally of last time, or there is a worry where the goals come from.
Verdict: Bottom half Wilder will point to the defensive shortcomings last time out and will try to make us tougher to beat, so it might be a hard watch at times but I do not see this current squad being anywhere near a promotion challenge. There is way too much for them to be sucked into the scrap at the other end but then if more depart then suddenly even that might change. As it stands, unless there are significant personnel changes, this looks a side that will be right in the middle of the pack again. If signings are brought in at centre back, on the wing and more competition up top, they might push into the top half.
15) QPR
Rangers had some moments last season but after showing promise at various points, they tailed off badly and it was another disappointing campaign. They will look to try and find a better and more consistent showing this time.
Pierre Charles, formerly of our city rivals, comes in from Man City on loan and is a good keeper at this level. He won’t be quite as busy this season at least with experienced performers like Dunne and Morrison in front of him. Glenn Kamara, once of Leeds and linked with United, gives them some midfield bite. Ilias Chair, perhaps hampered by off field events, remains but has not been at his best for a while. On a similar theme, Tariq Lamptey, was a bit of a leftfield signing, coming in from Fiorentina. Still only 25, he needs to turn around a once promising career. I am not sure where the goals are coming from? Although Richard Kone showed enough to suggest he can score goals at a higher level.
In
Boy Kemper (NAC Breda, undisclosed), Calum Ward (Motherwell, undisclosed), Pierce Charles (Manchester City, loan), Tariq Lamptey (Fiorentina, free), Glen Kamara (Rennes, loan)
Out
Sam Field (Norwich, undisclosed), Steve Cook (Wycombe, free), Joe Walsh (Wigan, loan), Isaac Hayden (Leyton Orient, free), Murphy Cooper (Plymouth, undisclosed), Zan Celar (Basel, undisclosed), Cory Adjetey-Brew (Worthing, loan), Daniel Beddie (Dundee United, loan), Paul Nardi (Auxerre), Elijah Dixon Bonner (released), Heverrton Santos (Levski Sofia, undisclosed)
Manager: Julien Stephan – Still divides opinion with R’s fans, and losing the last four games of the season, to meekly finish the campaign did not help. He will know he has to make improvements this time out, or his position could be in jeopardy.
Key Player: Nikolas Madsen – Player of the year, the Danish midfielder has finally found form and a role that sees him as a key man in the Hoops midfield.
Verdict: I have them finishing the same position as last season. Do not see them making huge improvements.
16) Watford
They continue to be the head scratching side at this level. They don’t seem to be run like a successful football club should be, with a strategy to progress. The Pozzo family have supposedly wanted out for a while but remain much to the discontent of Hornets fans. They have sort of remained stuck in limbo and each year seem to lose better players with the usual managerial merry go round. Ended last season losing their last 5 games and only 1 point from the last 8. Finished in 16th. Losing Chakvetadze to their partner club Udinese was a blow but when your owners Dad is the owner of the Italian club, then favours can come back the other way. This was seen with the incomings from the same club – Bravo, Traore and Payero, who will hope to fair better than he did when he was at Middlesbrough. Their squad features a number of players from around the World and only has 3 English players in Bola, Grieves and captain Pollock. Luca Kjerrumgaard is the tall focal point up top but he did weigh with 9 goals last time and comes in permanently from…yes, Udinese! Irakunda looks set to leave with a transfer to Sporting in the works, just prior to the season commencing. There is the lack of spine and Championship know how but they have enough individuals to be in a similar position to last time out.
In
Amor Traore (Udinese, undisclosed), Iker Bravo (Udinese, undisclosed), Luca Kjerrumgaard (Udinese, undisclosed), Martin Payero (Udinese, undisclosed), Federico Ravaglia (Bologna, undisclosed), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, loan)
Out
Nathan Baxter (Leyton Orient, undisclosed), Giorgi Chakvetadze (Udinese, undisclosed), Jorge Hurtado (Deportes Tolima, loan), Vivaldo Semedo (Alverca, loan), Tom Ince (Tranmere, free), Nampalys Mendy (Metz, free), Tom Dele Bashiru (Aris, undisclosed), Pierre Dwomoh (released)
Manager: Alessio Dionisi – Had no idea who the manager was and had to look this up! 22 managers since 2012, which is incredible but they continue to cycle through them without any clear plan or willingness to build anything. He has mostly managed Serie B and you fear for him, if Watford struggle as I expect.
Key Player: Imran Louza – Can be frustrating at times and maybe overplays, takes too mamani touches but a quality operator and most of the play goes through him.
Verdict: They always seem to have enough quality in the squad to keep away from trouble but never enough to seriously contend and seem to be stuck at Championship level now. They have no real clear identity other than constant change and the lack of stability means they seem a club that might be soon looking over their shoulder.
17) West Brom
Last season was very nearly a total disaster. Ryan Mason did not work and they fell like a stone. Eric Ramsey did not fare any better and they had to quickly bring back in James Morrison – who has remained as manager. They had plenty in the squad that surely should have had them nowhere near the relegation places and they barely managed to stay up, only making a late run to get out of the relegation places. They have moved on a number of senior players and that was probably needed after the poor performances and attitude showed by the bulk of the squad last time out. They might not have made many signings but it is probably a case of addition by subtraction. The likes of Grant, Maja, Dike and Wallace depart with few significant incomings.
In
Barney Stewart (Falkirk, undisclosed), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Chelsea, undisclosed), Matt Ingram (Oxford, undisclosed), Conor Townsend (Ipswich, free), Nolan Galves (Rodez, undisclosed), Felix Horn Myhre (SK Brann, undisclosed)
Out
Josh Griffiths (Stoke, undisclosed), Akeel Higgins (Wigan, undisclosed), Jed Wallace (Bristol City, free), Eseosa Sule (St Mirren, undisclosed), Karlan Grant (Charlton, free), Josh Maja (Le Havre, free)
Manager: James Morrison – Deservedly got the job after only losing 2 in 12 (indeed only last 2 in 15 in three spells as caretaker and now permanent manager). Has a number of experienced players that will help him stay clear of danger.
Key Player: Isaac Price – Still only 22, Price has really established himself at the Hawthorns now and was, and is, one of their most important players. 9 goals in 44 games, he was one of the few bright sparks last time out.
Verdict: It is hard to see them moving into the top half of the squad with another relatively inexperienced manager and a threadbare squad but there is enough to avoid the wobbles of last season.
18) Preston
A 14th place finish was very much in keeping with where Preston have been in recent seasons, and indeed for a long time! They seem to rarely be sucked into relegation trouble but equally never have enough to push higher. There were some good runs and periods last season but they were mired by inconsistency again. They need that investment to take the next step. Losing loan star Lewis Dobbin will not help and both Jebbison and Smith have moved on but they have done well to tie down another loan man, Alfie Define, for a significant fee for the Lilywhites too. Lee Nicholls comes in from Huddersfield to push Daniel Iversen in goal. They seem to be linked with new investment but nothing concrete has happened meaning it will be hard for them to take many big steps forward despite the wily Heckingbottom in charge.
In
Alfie Devine (Tottenham, undisclosed), Jusef Erabi (Genk, loan), Lee Nicholls (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Delano Burgzorg (Preston, loan)
Out
Jack Walton (Dundee United, undisclosed), Michael Smith (Mansfield, free), Noah Mawene (Fleetwood, free), James Pradic (Fleetwood, free), Ben Whiteman (Wrexham, undisclosed), David Cornell (released)
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom – Likeable fella who seems to be a steady Championship manager – who like many at this level relies on organisation and a solid defensive footprint to see them stay in most games. Perhaps lacking the attacking verve some fans might want to see but it is hard to see him pushing them much further without quality additions.
Key Player: Alfie Devine – 8 goals last season and PNE’s young player of the year, Preston spend reportedly close to 6 million pound to sign him and was a real signal of intent. He will need to take his impressive play on even further to move Preston further up the table.
Verdict: Hard to not peg them anywhere but mid to lower half. Just lack the depth and real quality to push much higher.
19) Portsmouth
Pompey have an excellent manager but perhaps last season with a touch underwhelming. Some (me!) thought they would build on the 16th place finish from their first time back at this level but they actually dropped off and finished 18th. They did have a number of injury issues to contend with and maybe some signings did not quite work but I still thought they may have pushed on but it never happened. In a much stronger league on paper this time out, they knew they would have to strengthen and the squad does look deeper. Striker, Marko Milovanovic, from Almeria, has come in but Rocco Shein has also arrived, from the Danish league. Odin Bailey on a free, looks a shrewd move, after doing well for Stockport last season but the bulk of the squad will be holdovers from last season. Ebou Adams and Marlin Pack are solid midfielders at this level whilst the likes of Devlin, Poole and Ogilvie may not be big games but all have become established performers at Championship level. Josh Murphy and Colby Bishop will be counted on for the creativity and goals but they will need others to weigh in more. Abu Kamara was a firm favourite from the promotion days and returns from Hull.
In
Odin Bailey (Stockport, free), Eoin Kenny (Dundalk, undisclosed), Rocco Shein (Fredrikstad, undisclosed), Marko Milovanovic (Almeria, undisclosed), Daniel Bielica (NAC Breda, undisclosed), Luke Brooke-Smith (Wellington, undisclosed), Abu Kamara (Hull, undisclosed)
Out
Andre Dozzell (DC United, free), Toby Steward (St Johnstone, loan), Reuben Swann (Braintree, loan), Makenzie Kirk (Barnsley, loan), Jordan Williams (Blackpool, loan), Ibane Bowat (Huddersfield, undisclosed)
Manager: John Mousinho – Seems to just go about his business and has established Pompey at this level. You wonder if other teams might have looked at him and maybe they have, but he remains loyal to the side that gave him a chance in management.
Key Player: Terry Devlin – Might not the kudos of others on the South Coast but has quietly been Pompey’s most consistent performers and can play a range of positions.
Verdict: They are used to the level now but the level has improved and not sure they have significantly?
20) Cardiff City
I was surprised they came straight back up last season. I thought they were a club that seemed to be going in the wrong direction so huge kudos for Barry Murphy for winning promotion with relative comfort. They lead the division most of the way too, until a late wobble saw Lincoln pip them to the title but they recovered brilliantly from a poor few years where managers have changed and looked a long way from the one that had spells in the top flight not that long ago. They scored goals aplenty from all over the field and blew many teams away at the lower level. The squad remained largely the same but the gap between even the Championship and League One became apparent and we will see that again. Perry Ng, Callum Robinson, Rubin Colwill, Chris Willock and Callum Chambers were part of the group who went down previously. Some players have regained confidence and form and perhaps they underachieved at this level last time but they have not added anyone of significance to the group, apart from a smart capture of one of Lincoln’s key players, Jack Moylan. The same collection that struggled only two seasons ago, will have the same issues. They have brought some young talent through in Dylan Lawlor And Cian Ashford and gave debuts to three teenagers in Tankiewicz, Donczew and Moreno last season.
In
Nathan Trott (Copenhagen, undisclosed), Jack Moylan (Lincoln, undisclosed)
Out
Ryan Wintle (MK Dons, free)
Manager: Brian Barry Murphy – After coaching spells at Man City and Leicester, the job he did last year to confidently turn around Cardiff, after the previous relegation cannot be understated. He will want to carry on the momentum and hope they can consolidate at a higher level.
Key Player: Rubin Colwill – Now 24, he has to show the undoubted talent he possesses at the higher level after standing out in League One. His brother, Joel, also part of the Bluebirds squad.
Verdict: Staying up by the skin of their teeth. I expect this pick may get criticised as some have them mid table or just below but the league is better than when they were last here and they are not.
21) Lincoln City
A remarkable promotion, that not even many Imps fans will have predicted. Good coaching, team unity and smart recruitment and Lincoln had a clear plan and beat off so many more fancied sides to win the title with 103 points. Of course, success means teams look at your assets and Michael Skubala, was picked up by Bristol City. Lincoln has tried to keep a continuity from within, with coaches Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, from the backroom team put in co charge. They have also kept faith with the side that went up, making few changes. There are players in Darikwa, Reach, Collins, that you would not have thought would be back at Championship level perhaps but there are some talented younger players. Losing Jack Moylan to a fellow ‘promotion/relegation’ rival in Cardiff will sting. City will be about a clear plan and sticking together but you do not win as many games that they did, without some good individuals allied to this team cohesiveness. I think they will have some runs of games where they struggle to find points and will need to get off to a fast start and make sure they are tough to beat at Sincil Bank.
In
Callum Elder (Derby, free), Andrei Coubis (Universitatea Cluj, undisclosed), Joe Gauci (Aston Villa, loan), Mason Melia (Tottenham, loan), Tanto Olaofe (Charlton, loan)
Out
MJ Kamson-Kamara (Hearts, free), Zach Jeacock (Northampton, loan), Erik Ring (Kilmarnock, undisclosed), Jack Moylan (Cardiff, undisclosed), Zane Okoro (Tranmere, loan), Oscar Thorne (Colchester, loan)
Manager: Chris Cowen/Tom Shaw – Both part of the coaching staff with Skubala. It may see brave to entrust them but is probably a smart move as continuity and what made them successful, is absolutely what will help them be competitive at the higher level.
Key Player: Sonny Bradley – An experienced defender who has played at this level. His size and calmness will be important as City adjust to some much harder tests.
Verdict: A decent start and good home form will see them stay up, just.
22) Charlton Athletic
Finished 19th last season but for a long time, you sensed they might go but credit the demonstrative Nathan Jones doe getting them out of trouble. They used the loan system well with experienced players like Coady, Dykes and Clarke all contributing but these are not around anymore. In comes experience in Karlan Grant from West Brom and Danny McNamara from Millwall, at opposite ends of the pitch. Lloyd Jones, Reece Burke and Amari’i Bell all will be important holdovers at the back but look out for returning loan striker Micah Mbick who scored 7 goals at Colchester before an injury. Sonny Carey is a very underrated midfielder and Tyreece Campbell, despite inconsistency, can be a match winner out wide. This will be another season of fighting to stay up.
In
Ivan Mesik (Heracles Almelo, undisclosed), Billy Koumetio (Dundee, undisclosed), Karlan Grant (West Brom, free), Danny McNamara (Millwall, free), MIllenic Alli (Luton, undisclosed)
Out
Terry Taylor (Stevenage, free), Lennon MacLorg (Gillingham, free), Gassan Ahadme (Cambridge, loan), Macaulay Gillesphey (Bradford, undisclosed), Ty Ewens-Findlay (Crawley, loan), Karoy Anderson (Blackpool, undisclosed), Alex Mitchell (Plymouth, undisclosed), Kaheim Dixon (Novi Pazar, undisclosed), Lyndon Dykes (Millwall, free), Tanto Olaofe (Lincoln, loan)
Manager: Nathan Jones: Jones splits opinion and his dugout antics can irritate many, but his motivational skills and the job he has done at the Valley, cannot be criticised.
Key Player: Millenic Allli: Did well on loan at Pompey and he comes in from Luton. Quick and talented winger. Will want to get his career going again after signing for Luton for over a million pounds less than 2 years ago from Exeter.
Verdict: Relegated. They had a late run and were able to remain at this level at the expense of some giants in Wednesday and Leicester but I am struggling to find 3 worse teams than them this time around.
23) Blackburn
It is only a few seasons ago, the nearly made the playoffs. Two of the last three campaigns has seen them close to relegation and they have still have unrest behind the scenes. Each season experience seems to leave and their interim manager Michael O’Neill, went back to his National side, Northern Ireland. Tony Mowbray is back but more senior players have departed year on year – this summer notably Sondre Tronstad. The rest of the squad is lacking in all areas. Todd Cantwell and Adam Forshaw remain but so far only one notable incomer, former Stockport midfielder Jayden Fevrier. Only three teams scored more goals last season and there are holes all over the side. The three promoted teams will have a buoyancy and I would be surprised if at least one, possibly two stays up. So that means one of the strugglers from last season will go.
In
Moussa Baradji (Yverdon Sport, undisclosed), Jayden Fevrier (Stockport, undisclosed)
Out
Aodhan Doherty (Falkirk, loan), Osman Kamara (Crawley, loan), Nick Michalski (Crawley, loan), Sondre Tronstad (free)
Manager: Tony Mowbray – Crazy they have gone back to Mowbray after the club moved on from his steady, if dull, style a few years ago. The managers since have hardly fared much better not helped by the messy stuff at ownership/board level. He has had health issues but ‘knows the club.’ Sadly, the squad is bereft of quality.
Key Player: Yuki Ohahsi – He may have only scored 10 goals but the leading scorer is crucial at the top of the pitch. His goals and threat are vital if they are to stay up.
Verdict: Relegated. Mowbray is an experienced manager but the talent is not there and the squad seems to get weaker and weaker.
24) Bolton
It’s mad that Bolton have been away from the Championship since 2019 but after brining in Steven Schumacher to replace Ian Evatt, got into the playoffs and cruised past Stockport in a surprisingly one-sided playoff final. The squad that comes up remains largely the same with only minor tinkering. That might mean it is a season, where staying up would be considered a success. There is a real spirit and never say die attitude in the squad that was evidenced by so many late goals to get vital points. They scored 13 times in injury time last season! Blades connections are there in former loanee Ben Davies, who comes in and brother of James McAtee, John. They will try and be well organised, compact and make sure they stay in tight games. I do not see much between the three promoted sides but Lincoln were of course a fair way ahead of Bolton so that has to be taken into account and on paper they looked the weakest of those that came up.
In
David Watson (Kilmarnock, free), Ben Davies (Rangers, free), Akin Famewo (Hull, undisclosed), Luca Stephenson (Liverpool, £700K), Kyliane Dong (Augsburg, loan), Gaizka Larrazabal (Casa Pia, free)
Out
Szabi Schon (ETO FC Gyor, undisclosed), George Johnston (Luton, free), Kyle Dempsey (Port Vale, free), Sonny Sharples-Ahmed (Hednesford Town, undisclosed), Richard Taylor (Bromley, loan)
Manager: Steven Schumacher: Was moved on by Stoke relatively quickly after a successful spell at Plymouth. Quickly restoring his reputation after getting Wanderers up in his first season in charge. Will have circled the games with Stoke on the calendar.
Key Player: Josh Sheehan –Makes them tick in midfield. He is 31 so has been around a fair bit and in a largely young squad, will be needed to be the steadying influence.
Verdict: Relegated. Getting crowds in excess of 20,000 every week and pushing 25k will be a huge help but Wanderers will find the step up a challenge and don’t have the experience and overall depth.
Other Championship tips:
Leading goalscorer – 1) Raul Jimenez 2) Jarrod Bowen 3) Will Lankshear
First manager to be sacked – 1) Alessio Dionsi 2) Chris Davies 3) Phil Parkinson
Other competitions + leagues…
Premier League
1st – Arsenal
2nd – Man City
3rd – Chelsea
4th – Man Utd
Relegated: Hull City, Ipswich and Sunderland
FA Cup – Man City
League Cup – Man Utd
Champions League – PSG
League One
Promoted: Leicester, Luton and Stockport. Wednesday to finish 5th and lose in the Playoffs.
Relegated: Bromley, Burton, Cambridge and Wimbledon
League Two
Promoted: Salford, Port Vale, Bristol Rovers and Chesterfield
Relegated: Accrington and Newport County
Regards,
Deadbat – @Deadbat_DB
Thanks so much, David/Deadbat - as ever, marvellous research and reasoned opinion.
Saves us "armchair" folk such a lot of time; and I have to say it's a great appraisal!
As to Sheffield United: "Is Wilder yesterday’s man or is there still some something that can get his side galvanised? Only time will tell." As ever, the $64,000 question!!
Sue.
A very fair and realistic appraisal - as referred to by Ben in the latest pod, we are the new Preston