N-Power Championship Preview: The Favorites

With little to separate between the best 10-12 teams in the Championship. This is how I see them faring in the coming season. Here are the bookies favorites

Bolton

After disappointing relegation last season, Financially troubled Bolton must bounce back at the first time of asking. On paper Bolton look good, but can they really win the Championship?

A side of Bogdan, Myers, Mills, Ream, Ricketts, Lee, Davies, Pratley, Petrov, Davies and Sordell appears impressive, that with alternative options Knight, Wheater, Alonso, Andrews, Eagles and Holden, Bolton have a really good squad, for this level. But can they retain it, and is it enough?

Bolton last season lacked goals, this hasn’t been addressed over the summer. Beyond the aging legs of Kevin Davies and the inexperienced Sordell, they really lack options. Miyachi on loan from January made a difference in creativity towards the end of season run-in, but ultimately wasn’t enough. I think Bolton will need another goalscorer if they are really going to bounce straight back up. This would be my one concern for them in what is otherwise a decent side with a decent shot at promotion. They will be there or thereabouts.

Prediction: 8th

Cardiff

Cardiff have been on the verge of promotion for atleast the past four seasons no. Malky Mackay worked wonders last season, picking up the pieces of a depleted squad, due to their failure to secure promotion. Bellamy, Ramsey, Olifinjana, Koumas, Chopra and Bothroyd all left. Cardiff had to start again last season, and did so to much success. Again they features at the end of season play offs and went all the way to the League Cup final. This with a new squad.

They have built on this again this year. Joe Lewis, Jordan Mutch, Helguson, Velikonja and Kim Bo-Kneung have joined, and more are expected. Most prolifically of all, the possible return of Craig Bellamy. Cardiff are looking strong and ready to go again this season.

Their attacking options are again impressive. Joe Mason, Earnshaw and Rudy Gesgede are joined by nw arrivals Heldur Helguson and Velikonja. This with the supply of Cowie, Conway, Whittingham, Gunnarson and Kim Bo-Keung will surely see Cardiff among the highest scorers in the league. This is even without Bellamy. This year really could be Cardiff’s  year in which they finally get into the Premier League.

Prediction: 3rd

Leicester

This time last year Leicester went into the new season as promotion favourites. Under the management of Sven and with an abundance of cash, spent on big players like Gelson Fernandes, Michael Johnson, Matt Mills, Paul Konchesky and Kasper Schmeichel yet all went off-course when Sven was harshly sacked after a modest start to the season. Since then, many of these players have moved on and new-old manager Nigel Pearson is building a younger squad with spirit that can potentially challenge again for promotion this season.

Ben Marshall and Danny Drinkwater are exciting talents. Jamie Vardy, a multi-million pound signing from the non-leagues could prove hit or miss. But overall the Leicester side, especially under Pearson’s experienced management at this level, can certainly be up there, come May. If Beckford and Andy King get back amongst the goals, they can lead Leicester back up to the Premier League this season.

Prediction: 5th

Wolves

Like any team relegated from the premier league. Their status as Championship promotion favourites relies upon whether or not they retain their best players. Wolves here, by in large, are no different.

As I write this, they have a complete squad, full of creativity, hard work, championship experience and above all else, goals.

Whilst Kightly on the verge of joining Stoke is a loss, they still have the likes of Hunt, Hammill and for now, Matt Jarvis in the wide areas. These players can provide the likes of Doyle, Fletcher, Ebanks Blake and exciting new signing Bergmann Siguroarson with the service needed to score goals.

In Midfield, the likes of O’Hara, Karl Henry, David Edwards and Milijas are all players who can, and have, excelled at this level.

At the back, Wolves struggled last season in the premier league, but expect Roger Johnson to return to form, he alongside either Stearman or possible acquisition Savic from Man Ciy, with Long-serving full backs Stephen Ward and Kevin Foley, Wolves have the protection in front of the assured and competent Wayne Hennessey in goal to ensure they are solid enough in their own third. This strong defensive unit is essential for the consistency required to come out on top in a 46 league-game season. This is where I think Wolves will finish.

Prediction: 1st

N-Power Championship Preview: The Challengers

With little to separate between the best 10-12 teams in the Championship. This is how I see them faring in the coming season. Here are the challengers that the bookies don't consider the favorites, but nevertheless can make a push for promotion this year.

Birmingham

After a season of consolidation after relegation from the Premier League in which they made it to the playoffs, and put themselves in contention to return to the top flight at the first attempt. Birmingham are ready to go again, this time under new manager Lee Clark.

Whilst the squad is looking somewhat thin, they have atleast retained the majority of their players, whilst adding experienced players Hayden Mullins, Peter Lovenkrands and Darren Ambrose. This alongside loan addition Ravel Morrison, aswell as the rise of Jack Butland, sees Birmingham looking like they could with an outside chance of promotion this year.

Birmingham look strong all over. In Marlon King, Lovenkrands and Nikola Zigic, they have goals. In midfield, Mullins, Fahey, Redmond, Gomis, Burke and Wade Elliot are all good players. At the back Caldwell and Curtis Davies are as good as any defensive partnership at this level. Birmingham can certainly have a good season, and perhaps even challenge for automatic promotion.

Prediction: 9th

Blackburn

In turmoil and uncertainty off-the-field, Blackburn nearly stayed up last season, and despite already losing star players Hoilet and Yakubu, On the field they look much stronger than they are currently being credited for. Blackburn have the players to rise above the political unrest, to actually bounce straight back up, much like Newcastle did in 09-10 after prior relegation.

In Midfield they are particular strong at the moment. The additions of Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu complement the likes of David Dunn, Morton Gamst Pedersen, Petrovic and Olsson, as well as unknown talent Fabio Nunes. Blackburn are strong here.

Upfront, they replaced Yakubu with Leon Best, who has since suffered serious injury in preseason which rules him out for atleast 6 months. They are looking to address this with the signing of Rhodes from Huddersfield and possibly one other striker. At the moment they are going to start the season reliant on 36 year-old Nuno Gomes, a player whom has no experience playing outside of Portugal, other than a disappointing brief spell in Italy. And David Goodwillie. Rovers need to address this quickly if they are to get off to a good start to the season.

In defence, they are critically short in numbers. Hanley and Dann will start as the defensive pairing, with Givet , Lowe, Olsson and Bradley Orr fighting for full back places. This back four, in front of Paul Robinson, if he stays, or Mark Bunn can hold up at this level, but nevertheless the lack of options must be addressed in order to stand a chance of going back up this year. I think with a bit more strengthening Blackburn will be up there competing for promotion.

Prediction: 4th

Brighton

Brighton under Gus Poyet impressed everyone last season in their debut season at this level under the former Tottenham playmaker’s stewardship. This season I would love to really see them kick on and put themselves in contention to make it to the Top Flight.

Brighton play an exciting brand of football, in their state-of-the-art new stadium, and after some sound close-season business in the transfer market, Poyet could very conceivably bring Premier League football to the city of Brighton.

Tomas Kuszczak, Bruno from Valencia, Crofts from Norwich and Wayne Bridge are the main additions this summer. All very shrewd signings that fit with Brighton’s passing style of football. If Mickael-Smith can improve this season  then Brighton really do have a chance. Vicente, Lua Lua and Buckley in wide areas give Brighton an outlet and a clinical edge to an otherwise already credible side. Brighton can again do very well this season. And as a purest, hopefully can take the Championship by storm.

Prediction: 2rd

Hull

Do not be surprised to see Hull challenge for promotion this season. In new manager Steve Bruce, they have someone with the experience of getting out of the Championship, after 2 promotions in 2 attempts with Birmingham, who also has a proven record of building teams which are hard to beat. In Bruce,  Hull are undoubtedly in safe hands  for the future. That is, providing he is giving the resources and time in which to build a squad ready to compete.

Already, work is underway. Abdulaye Faye has joined, providing extra experience to what is a relatively young squad. They do, however need to strengthen further, but already they have a good foundation from which to build.

Up front, Matty Fryatt, Aaron Maclean and Jay Simpson can all score goals at this level. In midfield, the likes of Robert Koren , Paul McKenna and Olefinjana all have much experience. New signing from Rangers Aluko and Cameron Stewart have the craft in wide areas to provide threat and service to the strikers. Here already, Hull are looking good.

Bruce always builds his teams from the back. Ben Amos in goal, behind Liam Rosenior, Chester, Jack Hobbs and Andy Dawson are a solid-looking defensive unit. Hull should keep clean sheets which are so vital over the 46 games. Hull, with a few more signings, should definitely be up there.

Prediction: 6th

Leeds United

Leeds are another side I expect to be up there this season. In the close season, Warnock has brought in similar kind of players in spirit and experience which served him so well in getting QPR back into the Premier League during his first, and only full season in charge there. That is, of course, without a signing of a marque nature like Adel Taraabt, a player whom proved QPR’s main match winner. They do however, have Ross McCormack who can certainly get goals out of nowhere.

The Leeds midfield has been depleted in recent times. Howson, Bradley Johnson and now star player Robert Snodgrass have all moved on. Paul Green and David Morris have come in. These are good players who will do a job for Warnock, but are not of the same quality as the trio who all have lft for Norwich.

Much of QPR’s success under Warnock in the Championship was built on the foundation of a strong back four and goalkeeper. Paddy Kenny and Bromby have worked under him before and will serve well. Peltier , Drury and Pearce will complete the back four that should be much more solid than that on display last season. It is this nucleus, as well as inspiration from McCormack, that Leeds will reply upon, if they are to stand a chance of promotion this term. I think unless they strengthen sufficiently, they will fall short of this

Prediction:10th

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough just missed out on the play offs last season and I expect them to be around this half of the table again this year. Tony Mowbury is quietly doing an excellent job at the Riverside, building a side that can challenge for promotion.

With a backbone of Jason Steele, Justin Hoyte, Woodgate, McManus, Joe Bennett and star player Rhys Williams, Middlesbrough should ensure, at a minimal, they match last seasons success. An experienced midfield of Arca, Kevin Thomson and Grant Leadbitter, Boro look impressive, and with Scott MacDonald and Marvin Emnes up front, Middlesbrough have an accomplished all-round side.

One area for strengthening is in the wide areas. Looking at them, they lack the width options to really supply  the front line. But overall Middlesbrough are looking in fine  shape and meriting of outsider status in the race to Premier League football.

Prediction: 7th

What the appointment of Hodgson says about the FA and English football.

Roy Hodgson today was appointed England manager of a 4 year contract, despite the unanimous support for Harry Redknapp. There has never been such a popular choice for a manager position which has been ignored by those who make the appointment that I can remember. So what does this say about the FA?

The FA’s view is that they are looking for someone who shares their enthusiasm for the St George’s Park HQ development project in Burton, but surely this is the remit for a technical director, someone who will oversee the footballing direction of English football, not the job for the manager of the senior national team.

There is no doubt that Harry Redknapp was the outstanding candidate. Perhaps he didn’t fancy taking the job long-term but I am sure he would have been interested in an interim position going into the European Championships. I cannot see how Hodgson could have been the first and only choice for the position.

This is not to say that I don’t admire Roy Hodgson. He has done fantastic work at Fulham and West Brom with an honest, humble bunch of players. But his experiences at Blackburn, Inter Milan and Liverpool are of more relevance in respect to his suitability for the England job. It is here where he has seemingly failed to inspire.

Redknapp is notorious for getting players of all qualities and egos enthusiastic about playing for him. The job he has done at Spurs has been top class. He can garner a rapport with the “old guard” as well as inspire upcoming players. He could have provided a confidence boost that the players need and a feel-good factor going into Ukraine. So why did Redknapp miss out?

There are only two realistic explanations. The first is that Redknapp informally refuted interest in taking the job. I don’t buy the suggestion that he did this for family reasons. He travels to London every day to train Spurs on a day-to-day basis. The England job would be less demanding, time-wise.

This leads me on to a second explanation which is my personal interpretation. This is that Harry Redknapp was suspicious about the prospect of working under the current FA regime. Clearly Harry wanted the job of managing England, something clearly deterred him. The FA has a history of not appointing these kinds of characters. They have settled for the likes of Sven, McClaren and now Hodgson all of whom fit more into criteria of being ‘yes-man’ and have thus been rewarded with longer than merited contracts and opportunity.

The FA seemingly has a regime which top-drawer managers with big personalities cannot work with. The only exception to this rule has been Fabio Capello and he was sacked not over footballing reasons, but over a dispute with the FA. In 2006, Guus Hiddink ended up managing Russia, despite much interest from the FA. Scolari likewise turned down interest. Redknapp fits this mould. Redknapp is his own man. He does things his own way. He works under people he is happy with. Evidently Redknapp and the politicians who run the FA was not a match made in Heaven. Again this is clearly not in the best interests of English football.

And again, a four year contract handed out to a manager of a national side. Steve McClaren and Capello both were given long contracts prior to proving themselves at the tournament in hand. McClaren was embarrassingly given a 4 year deal and failed to even qualify for Euro 2008. Capello similarly was handed a new contract until 2012 before the disastrous 2010 campaign had run its course. This committed the FA to a man they would have rather not have had leading England into Ukraine in the first place, before taking the oppportunity to sack him. No England manager should be given a deal longer than 2 years. Hodgson has certainly done nothing especially deserving of such a secure position that contracts him in for an unprecedented THREE major international tournaments.This before he has even lead us into one.

Even before Hodgson takes to the dugout, he is a man under pressure. He is nobodies choice, but the FA's. I wish him the best of luck but prima facie this can only end in tears