Championship Preview - Part Two

Ipswich Town

After coming 7th last year (the 3rd consecutive top 10 finish under Mick McCarthy) Ipswich fans will be hoping to see their side reach the playoffs this year. Ipswich are a side with great strength in depth which is outlined by the fact that they have 4 strikers that are good enough to lead the line at any club in this division but that hasn't stopped McCarthy improving his side as he's brought in Conor Grant from Everton who has been impressive for Everton's U21's. They've brought in youngsters only in this window so far to add a bit more pace and energy to their experienced side and this intention was shown with the signing of Grant Ward from Tottenham. The 21 year old was impressive when on loan at Rotherham last year and if he continues to develop then he can become a top quality winger. Their other signing was Adam Webster from Portsmouth. The 21 year old centre-back was arguably the best defender in League Two last year and like Grant and Ward, if he continues to develop, he could be world class. I really like what McCarthy has done in the transfer window as he seems to be building a squad with the perfect balance of youth and experience and they're another team that should be up there at the end of the season.

Prediction - Playoff Fight

Leeds United

Following an average finish of 13th last season, Garry Monk will be hoping to lead his squad to a playoff fight this year. The Leeds faithful will be itching to fight for a place in the Premier League again after a 12 year absence. The departure of Lewis Cook will not make a promotion fight easier. The 19 year old left for Bournemouth after winning the Football League Young Player of the Year. They'll need players like Stuart Dallas and Toumani Diagouraga to step up their game to the next level if they're to fill the void that Cook leaves. Robert Green has been brought in and he should do a good job this season. It's going to be interesting to see how consistent Kemar Roofe is in the Championship after he produced some stellar performances last year in what was his breakthrough year. His brace against Swansea in the FA Cup showed how good he can be on his day but he'll have to find that level more often this year. Full-back Kyle Bartley should work well with Kemar Roofe and their partnership could prove vital if Leeds are going to find themselves up the top at the end of the season. I think that their not quite strong enough yet to challenge for playoffs but I can see Leeds having a better year than last year.

Prediction - Mid-Table

Newcastle United

It was an awful year for Newcastle last year, a lack of heart, passion, desire and talent was shown by way too many players last year and they need to get back into the Premier League straight away and I think they'll do just that. Newcastle are finally adopting a sensible transfer policy which is what they should have done in the Premier League - sign proven talented players rather than risking spending millions on a flop like Thauvin. Benitez has got rid of a lot of deadweight at the club like Coloccini, Cisse and Taylor and I think Newcastle fans will think it's about time this happened. Some of their signings have been incredible and their talent speaks for itself - Mohamed Diame (Hull), Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth), Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) and Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa). With the quality of their squad, I feel like the loss of Wijnaldum won't affect them as it's one less ego at the club. I really can't see anyone else but Newcastle winning this league, it won't be easy but ultimately with Rafa Benitez in charge, he'll keep these players grounded and guide them back to the Premier League.

Prediction - Champions

Norwich City

Norwich just lacked the cutting edge in the final third last year and I feel like with how close they were to staying up last year, they have a really good chance to bounce back up like Newcastle. Losing Nathan Redmond and Gary O'Neil wasn't great for Norwich but I feel as though the replacements they've made will make them stronger. Firstly they've brought in Sergi Canos who was a revelation on loan at Brentford last year where he scored 7 goals and assisting 5. He's a very exciting player to watch as he's very skillful and has a fair bit of pace aswell but the best thing about him is that he's calm in the final third, whether you need him to pick a pass or find the back of the net, he can do it and at only 19, Norwich have acquired a player who has so much time to improve. They've also brought in Alex Pritchard from Tottenham, a 23 year old attacking midfielder with a point to prove. I think he should have been given an opportunity at Tottenham last year but he was loaned out to West Brom before getting injured. In 2014/15 however, he was sensational at Brentford and helped lead them to a 5th place finish and if he replicates that form, him and Canos could prove to be unstoppable. I think they'll be Newcastle's biggest threat next year as long as their strikers are consistent, if they don't beat Newcastle, I'm confident they'll be in the top two.

Prediction - Runner-Up

Nottingham Forest

After a disappointing 16th place finish last year, Nottingham Forest needed to bring in some new players if they're to make a challenge for the playoffs again. They've managed to keep their main core of players which is great as they have some quality in their squad, Henri Lansbury and Britt Assombalonga in particular are match winners on their day. Apostos Vellios being brought in is a questionable decision in my opinion with how poor he was at Everton, I think it would have been more beneficial for them to sign a youngster from a lower division or from their academy. Signing full-back Armand Traore is a great signing, his pace will allow him to get up and down the wing repeatedly and as long as his deliveries are good, I can see him having a great partnership with Assombalonga. I think that Forest will survive but I'm not sure if they're going to be consistent enough to challenge for playoffs this year.

Prediction - Mid-Table

Preston

Preston's first season back in the Championship was one to remember as they recorded a respectable 11th place finish. Simon Grayson will be hoping that his side can push on this year for a better finish and with the signings they've made, I believe that they're moving in the right direction. Tommy Spurr's leadership will be key to keeping the back four solid whereas Eoin Doyle will be hoping to form a solid partnership and if they do, Preston could really be a force to be reckoned with. Also signing is Anders Lindegaard and Callum Robinson, both players are young and have a point to prove and will add energy to the side. Grayson is doing a good job in this window in adding depth to his squad which they'll benefit from if they get an injury crisis. I think that with the higher quality opposition in this league this year, Preston will find it more difficult and will end up near the bottom.

Prediction - Relegation Fight

QPR

The big spenders in the Championship will be hoping to put up a fight for the title this year following a mediocre season which saw them finish only 12th. Losing two of their best players, Leroy Fer and Matt Phillips will make things harder for them but they've bought fairly well this time around. Left-back Jake Bidwell and 22 year old centre-midfielder Jordan Cousins are arguably their two best buys. Cousins has been improving year on year at Charlton and on his day, his powerful runs can be unstoppable but he'll need to add consistency to his game to warrant a start in this team. Unlike Jake Bidwell who has been very consistent in recent years and I can only see him impressing at QPR aswell. A much defender than Traore was, he should really help out QPR's sloppy defence. This side has great strength in depth but I feel as though it will take Hasselbaink some time to find his best XI which will ultimately see them fall just short of the playoffs this year.

Prediction - Mid-Table

Reading

Arguably one of the more inconsistent sides in the division, I feel like Reading haven't made great progress over the last few years. This year it looks like it'll be more of the same frustration for Royals fans after their side have only really made one great signing, bringing in 21 year old midfielder John Swift following a great loan spell at Brentford last year finding the back of the net seven times. They've replaced Hal Robson-Kanu with goal-shy Joseph Mendes from Le Havre, a debatable signing to say the least. They're going to have to reply heavily on Yann Kermorgant to find the goals next season if they are going to impress. They are a side with a few talented players but on the whole Reading have quite an average squad so if no more signings come in, I can see them struggling. It's going to be a difficult season for Reading but I think they'll just survive.

Prediction - Relegation Fight

Rotherham United

Alan Stubbs faces the difficult task of keeping Rotherham in the Championship after a 21st place finish last year. To do this he's added depth to his squad as six new faces will be welcomed into the team, including record signing Jon Taylor from Peterborough. The lightning quick winger will cause defences plenty of problems and with his good finishing, he could prove to be one of the signings of the season. They've heavily bolstered their midfield with the signings of Anthony Forde (Walsall) Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton-Loan) and Scott Allan (Celtic-Loan). All three midfielders are young and will bring an energy and a spark to Rotherham's game. Forde has been sensational at Walsall in the last two years and if he continues playing so consistently, he's going to go far in the game. Forster-Caskey and Allan have fallen down the pecking order at their respective clubs and come here with a point to prove. I still think that this squad could do with a striker and centre-back in this window as there is a lot of pressure on Danny Ward to get the goals and they are a bit shaky at the back. I think Rotherham will find themselves near the bottom of the table again this year unless further improvements are made.

Prediction - Relegation Fight

Sheffield Wednesday

After a heartbreaking defeat in the playoff final last year, this season will be a real test of character for Carlos Carvahal and his exciting squad. They lost the midfield battle against Hull City at Wembley and looked a bit flat at times but Carvahal has addressed this superbly by bringing in three talented midfielders: Almen Abdi (Watford), Daniel Pudil (Watford) and Will Buckley (Sunderland-loan). Abdi in particular has been solid for Watford in previous years and I can see him working really well with Fernando Forestieri. Buckley and Pudil are trying to reignite their career but will have to be consistent to stay in the first team of this great squad. Steven Fletcher has come back to England joining the Owls on a 4 year deal after his loan at Marseille. I think his experience will be vital as he can help Forestieri improve his game and if they play two up top, their playing styles should compliment each other very nicely. I think it's going to be another strong year for Sheffield Wednesday and they'll more than likely find themselves in the Playoffs again.

Prediction - Playoff Fight

Wigan Athletic

After winning League One last year, Wigan will be out to impress on their return to the Championship. The loss of centre-back Jason Pearce will be a big blow but Gary Caldwell will be hoping new signing Dan Burn can fill the void. Adam Bogdan has been given a chance to prove himself and will have to rediscover his old form if he is going to be the new number one. Nick Powell's move to Manchester United proved to be an awful decision and now that he's returned to Wigan, I think he'll be on a mission to prove to everyone that he is still the player he used to be. To everyone's disappointment, Will Grigg didn't feature at Euro 2016 and will be wanting to pick up where he left off as Wigan will need him to get a tally like last year if they're to do well this year. I think Wigan will have a solid year, they won't be fighting for Playoffs but relegation shouldn't be a worry.

Prediction - Mid-Table

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves were another that suffered from inconsistency last year but with the signings they've made I think they're in for a better finish than 14th this year. Loaning in wingers Joao Teixeira and Helder Costa from Benfica should have fans really excited as both players are quick, skillful and not afraid to take their man on. These two players could quite easily tear this league's defences to shreds if they live up to their potential. This young side will benefit from the experience that former Atletico Madrid centre-back Silvio is bringing to the team. He really needs to take charge at the heart of the back four and lead by example. Nouha Dicko and Joe Mason have to be consistent in front of goal this year for Wolves to mount a challenge in the top half but with the signings that have been made, this squad is shaping up rather nicely and I think their fans are going to see some cracking football. Playoffs might be just too much for this side this year but if they hit form and are firing on all cylinders, they might just surprise a few.

Players to Watch (Club by Club)
Aston Villa - Ross McCormack
Barnsley - Sam Winnall
Birmingham City - David Cotterill
Blackburn Rovers - Anthony Stokes
Brentford - Alan Judge/Romaine Sawyers
Brighton - Anthony Knockaert
Bristol City - Lee Tomlin
Burton Albion - Lucas Akins
Cardiff City - Aron Gunnarsson
Derby County - Chris Martin/Will Hughes
Fulham - Ryan Tunnicliffe/Cauley Woodrow
Huddersfield Town - Nakhi Wells
Ipswich Town - Daryl Murphy
Leeds United - Kemar Roofe
Newcastle United - Dwight Gayle/Matt Ritchie
Norwich City - Alex Pritchard
Nottingham Forest - Henri Lansbury
Preston North End - Joe Garner
QPR - Jordan Cousins
Reading - Yann Kermorgant
Rotherham United - Anthony Forde
Sheffield Wednesday - Almen Abdi/Fernando Forestieri
Wigan Athletic - Will Grigg
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Joao Teixeira/Helder Costa