Championship Corner- 2010-11 Season Preview (pt 2)
Posted by Thomas Dobby
MIDDLESBROUGH
Last year: 11th
Manager: Gordon Strachan
Major Ins: Kris Boyd, Stephen Mcmanus, Kevin Thomson, Nicky Bailey
Major Outs: Emmanuel Pogatetz
Overview: Massively disappointing last season, when they were expected to bounce right back up to the
Premier League. The Scottish influence under Strachan is evident, with the goals of Kris Boyd, and the steel of Mcmanus and Thomson coming in from the SPL. They should be able to excel in this division, but the pressure is there again. they are the favourites to win the league, so Strachan will have to find the consistency that was lacking last season.
MILLWALL
Last year: 3rd (League 1- won play-off final vs Swindon)
Manager: Kenny Jackett
Major Ins: Liam Trotter, James Henry, Kevin Lisbie
Major Outs: John Sullivan
Overview: Back in the second tier for the first time since ‘05-‘06, the Lions aim is to stay here. Their famed intimidating supporters should make the New Den somewhat of a fortress, which will help their cause. They lost only once in 24 home matches last season in League One. Steve Morison was a revelation with 21 goals last season, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the tougher defences. Likely to be in a relegation fight.
NORWICH
Last year: 1st (League One)
Manager: Paul Lambert
Major Ins: Simeon Jackson, Elliott Ward, Andrew Surman
Major Outs: Gary Doherty, David Stephens
Overview: The League One Champions bounced right back up after being relegated from the
Championship in ‘08-‘09, scoring 89 goals in the process. Won only 2 of their first 9 last season, but followed winning 27 of their last 37 matches, and they will try and carry that momentum in to the new season. Grant Holt led the attack with 24 goals last season, and the addition of Canadian International Simeon Jackson solidifies a threatening attack. They do remind me of Peterborough of last season, however, in that they are a sexy pick to challenge the top-half. That didn’t go too well.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Last year: 3rd (lost to Blackpool in play-offs)
Manager: (“wee”) Billy Davies
Major Ins: –
Major Outs: James Perch, Joe Garner
Overview: One of the favourites for promotion after coming so close last season. Solid at the back, and they have the attacking threats in Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw to make the push again. But, let’s remember they jumped 16 places last season, so a slight drop-off wouldn’t be a shock. The memory of Blackpool tearing them apart at the City Ground is still vivid, and they have been very quiet in the transfer market.
PORTSMOUTH
Last year: 20th (
Premier League)
Manager: Steve Cotterill
Major Ins: Ibrahima Sonko
Major Outs: David James, Nadir Belhadj, Papa Bouba Diop (with lots more to follow)
Overview: Dear oh dear. After last season’s utter nightmare, Pompey still have to shed some players from an already thin squad. Challenging for a playoff spot seems like a real long-shot, with a relegation tussle more likely. Their great support will be tested, but should see them safe. Tough to judge until the transfers are finalized.
PRESTON
Last year: 17th
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Major Ins: David Gray, Wayne Brown, Matt James, Paul Hayes
Major Outs: Ross Wallace, Neil Mellor, Chris Sedgwick
Overview: Some favours from Daddy are helping Darren Ferguson shape his squad for the coming season, as David Gray and Matt james will play a big role. But there are plenty of question marks. The loss of Wallace hurts, and a team that disappointed last season may have an ever tougher go of it this time around. Jon Parkin is a servicable front-man, but may have to shoulder too much of the load. Trouble brewing.
QPR
Last year: 13th
Manager: Neil Warnock
Major Ins: Paddy Kenny, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill, Bradley Orr, Leon Clarke, Jamie Mackie
Major Outs: Damion Stewart
Overview: Expectations are high. Very high, as Neil Warnock has a full season to try and lead them to the promised land. After he abandoned ship at Palace, Warnock saw Rangers improve, but not dramatically. Has brought in some of his ex-players in Kenny, Derry and Hill. There’s an interesting (combustible?) mix of egos among ownership, manager and players. Should be a fascinating season.
READING
Last year: 9th
Manager: Brian Mcdermott
Major Ins: Andy Griffin, Marcus Williams
Major Outs: Kalifa Cisse, Marek Matejovsky
Overview: A tale of two seasons last year, as they started terribly under Brendan Rodgers, languishing in 20th place when Mcdermott took over. They proceeded to rocket up the table, and parlayed it with a great FA Cup run, including a famous win at Anfield. In the end, their poor start was just too much to overcome, but with a fresh start under Mcdermott, the prospects look good. A solid midfield anchors a side that has playoff potential.
SCUNTHORPE
Last year: 20th
Manager: Nigel Adkins
Major Ins: Eddie Nolan, Michael Collins, Chris Dignall
Major Outs: Gary Hooper, Paul Hayes
Overview: Everyone picked them to go down last season…and they stayed up. Everyone’s picking them to go down again this season…and they probably will. The loss of top scorer Hooper to Celtic is devestating, and his strike partner Hayes is gone as well (28 league goals combined last season). Last year was a good one for the Irons, but it will take an even better year to stay up again.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Last year: 8th
Manager: Kevin Blackwell
Major Ins: Steve Simonsen, Nyron Nosworthy, Daniel Bogdanovic, Leon Britton, Johnny Ertl, Rob Kozluk
Major Outs: Paddy Kenny, Billy Sharp, James Harper, Henri Camara, Gary Naysmith
Overview: Last season became a bit of a write-off for the Blades, the year after losing the play-off final. The side was devestated by injuries to key players, as well as the season-long suspension of ‘keeper Paddy Kenny.The Blades stuck by Kenny, who thanked them by following Neil Warnock to QPR. Steve Simonsen signed full-time from Stoke to take over, while the highly-rated Leon Britton joins from Swansea to add creativity. Daniel Bogadnovic knows how to score goals in this division, but with an injury already forcing striker Darius Henderson out for at least 3 months, the front-line may be lacking once again. A play-off place is the goal, and within reach for a very experienced club.
SWANSEA
Last year: 7th
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Major Ins: –
Major Outs: Leon Britton, Lee Trundle
Overview: The Swans have knocked on the door of promotion the last couple of seasons, and for it,
they have lost another manager. Paulo Sousa follows Roberto Martinez out the door, and in comes Brendan Rodgers, still trying to make his mark in management. Without any notable buys, it looks to be a down year for the Welsh outfit.
WATFORD
Last year: 16th
Manager: Malky Mackay
Major Ins: Juanjo, Rene Gilmartin
Major Outs: Jay Demerit, Will Hoskins, Jordan Parkes
Overview: Don’t let that 16th-placed finish fool you. It was a lot tougher season than that. A long relegation tussle was finished with a good run. The experience may prove valuable this season, as a relegation fight is on the cards again. Many of their key players last season, however, were loanees, so there is a big job ahead.
TABLE PREDICTION:
1. BURNLEY
2. MIDDLESBROUGH
3. BRISTOL CITY
4. NOTTINGHAM FOREST
5. SHEFFIELD UNITED
6. READING
7. QPR
8. LEICESTER
9. CARDIFF
10. DONCASTER
11. IPSWICH
12. SWANSEA
13. LEEDS
14. DERBY
15. HULL
16. COVENTRY
17. NORWICH
18. PORTSMOUTH
19. MILLWALL
20. BARNSLEY
21. WATFORD
22. PRESTON
23. CRYSTAL PALACE
24. SCUNTHORPE
Thomas Dobby
Footy Show Producer