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
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