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
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