Who will win the Championship next season?
Wolves
Wolves will be keen to bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking after a season to forget. A poor run of form, coupled with managerial uncertainty spelled disaster, resulting in them finishing bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
After taking the decision to part company with Mick McCarthy in January, finding a successor for the Irishman was hard to come by, with the club having to settle for Terry Connors, who moved up from his assistant manager role to take the job on a temporary basis until the end of the season.
Unfortunately this didn’t spell a change in fortunes for the club, as they drew only four games from a possible 12 towards the end of the season.
Wolves moved swiftly to appoint a permanent manager appointing ex-Cologne boss Stale Solbakken, who admitted the job was a “dream come true”.
The 2004 Norwegian Manager of the Year played briefly in England for Wimbledon during the 1997-98 season and revealed he is delighted to return to the country – but hopes it is for longer this time.
Wolves’ success falls largely down to keeping big-name players such as Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher, and will be keen to keep hold of outstanding winger Matt Jarvis – who was one of the bright notes of a dismal campaign last season.
Jarvis has attracted the interest of Stoke, but Wolves’ £10 million valuation could detract suitors, and Jarvis may remain in the npower Championship with Wolves.
All in all, if Wolves manage to keep the majority of their squad together they will bounce straight back at the first time of asking. Even the sale of Jarvis could raise much-needed funds to bolster the squad in other areas.
Prediction: 1st
Leeds United
With Neil Warnock at the helm there is no doubt Leeds have to be among the favourites to secure promotion from the npower Championship next season. After being harshly sacked from his previous club Queens Park Rangers in January, Warnock was not out of a job for too long, taking the reins at the Yorkshire club in February.
However his initial time at the club hasn’t been as successful as he would have hoped for, with only three wins in 14 games. However, Warnock has stressed the fact he needs the chance to build the squad to get Leeds back in the Barclays Premier League.
Their chances of doing so could fall hugely down to whether captain Robert Snodgrass stays with the club. The 24-year-old has just a year left on his existing contract, with the club offering him fresh terms – which would make him the club’s highest earner.
However, Snodgrass is uncertain about where his future lies, as he wants to play in the Premier League as soon as possible and ensure he plays a prominent role in Scotland’s 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Neil Warnock has told the midfielder that if the Whites fail to achieve promotion next season he will happily let him leave the club, but still Snodgrass would seemingly rather be plying his trade in the Premier League next season, where it is likely he would have a number of suitors competing for his signature.
If Warnock loses Snodgrass, Leeds’ automatic promotion chances will take a colossal hit, but nevertheless, Warnock must obtain four to five accomplished Championship players anyway to mount this promotion bid. The departure of 19-goal striker Ross McCormack would spell disaster for Warnock, although this looks likely after he rejected the chance to extend his contract at the club. The likes of Wigan and West Ham are reportedly interested in the Scottish international and with only a year on his contract he would be available for around £2.5 million.
The Leeds manager has already begun the rebuilding process, releasing five players, including the likes of Alex Bruce and Danny Webber. A further six have been transfer-listed, the most notable being young midfielder Adam Clayton, who made 46 appearances in all competitions for the club last season.
The Whites boss will be keen to add some much-needed quality and experience to his squad ahead of the new season as he looks to earn a record breaking eighth promotion in the Football League, surpassing the likes of Dave Bassett and co.
Warnock has been linked with the experienced duo of Clint Hill and Shaun Derry, both very well known to him. However, after Hill’s impressive second half to the season for QPR, including being named the club’s Player of the Season, it appears the veteran centre-half will sign an extension with the club after being offered a new one-year deal.
Leeds’ manager will also be keen to acquire the services of QPR keeper Paddy Kenny, a player who has played under him at Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Bury. With QPR being linked with the likes of Shay Given and Paul Robinson, it looks as though the Sheffield-born keeper is deemed surplus to requirements at Loftus Road, with Leeds keen to pounce and tie up a deal for the keeper.
Kenny was instrumental in QPR’s 2010-11 Championship winning campaign, keeping a remarkable 24 clean sheets. The addition of Kenny, coupled with the capture of Jason Pearce from Portsmouth would signify a huge coup for the Yorkshire club.
It will be a tough summer for Warnock, who will be keen to improve on last year’s position of 14th place – winning just two of their last 10 games. But with someone like Warnock at the helm, the club are in safe hands as he knows more than most what it takes to get out of this division and can identify the right players to do just that job.
If McCormack and Snodgrass both leave, Leeds are still capable of a top-six finish, but would have no chance of getting automatic promotion. However with both at the club, and a good transfer window for the Whites, Leeds could yet be celebrating a return to the Premier League after an absence of over eight years.
Prediction with Snodgrass and McCormack: 2nd.
Prediction without them: 4th.
Birmingham City
Although Birmingham failed to bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking, they should take credit for their overall performance in the npower Championship last season.
After the majority of the squad left the club following their relegation from the Barclays Premier League in the 2010-11 season, Chris Hughton has done a fantastic job at the club in such a short space of time. Not only did they finish a respectable fourth place in the league, last year’s Carling Cup triumph saw them compete in the Europa League, falling just short in the group stages.
Twenty-nine players made at least one appearance in first-team competition, and there were 13 different goalscorers. Chris Burke, who received Birmingham’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards, played in all but one of the Blues’ 62 matches over the season, notching an excellent 14 goals and made 19 assists.
Marlon King was their leading scorer with 18 goals, 16 of which came in domestic competition, with 12 assists. A bright spark in their season was also the form of young midfielder Nathan Redmond – who looks to have a positive future ahead of him.
Despite losing on aggregate to Blackpool in the play-off semi-finals, and their ongoing transfer embargo, Birmingham fans should have reason to be optimistic ahead of the new season – that is if Chris Hughton remains at the helm ahead of the new season.
Hughton has been heavily linked with the vacant managerial position at arch-rivals West Bromwich Albion following Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England manager.
Birmingham’s manager was pipped to the West Bromwich job just a year ago by Hodgson, and the opportunity to manage in the Premier League again may be too good an opportunity to turn down for the ex-Newcastle manager – although any decision would rest on whether Birmingham would grant their Midland rivals permission, which is unlikely.
If Hughton stays, Birmingham will be strong candidates for automatic promotion, but if he doesn’t they could struggle to reach the top six. However, Hughton is unlikely to depart at this stage and Birmingham are likely to enjoy another productive season, which may return them to the promised land of the Barclays Premier League.
Prediction: (With Hughton) 3rd.
Prediction: (Without him) 6th-8th.
Leicester City
Leicester City will have been disappointed with their npower Championship campaign last season. After spending heavily last summer – acquiring the services of the likes of Jermaine Beckford and Matt Mills – the Foxes slumped to a ninth-place finish.
The Foxes have already started planning for next season, releasing eight players from the club – the most notable of these being Darius Vassell. The early signs have looked promising, as they have acquired the services of young duo Ritchie De Laet and Matthew James from Manchester United on three-year contracts.
Nigel Pearson described them both as “hungry young players with winning mentalities”, as he agreed an undisclosed fee for both players.
Belgian defender De Laet, 23, was recently on loan with Norwich City, but also made six starts for United during his time at Old Trafford.
England Under-20 midfielder James, 20, had spent two loan spells at Preston and was an integral part of the reserve side after signing professional terms in July 2009.
They have also signed non-league sensation Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £1m. Vardy scored 34 goals to help win Fleetwood promotion to the Football League and has signed a three-year deal with the ambitious Foxes.
This time around Leicester look better equipped than ever to gain automatic promotion. Nigel Pearson is a good manager at this level and deserves the chance to get the best out of his players.
Last season the Foxes were under pressure given their heavy investment, but a more relaxed mentality will most likely reap the finest of rewards.
Former Leicester striker Emile Heskey, now surplus to requirements at Aston Villa, could represent a superb coup for the Foxes. At the age of 34, Heskey would be a terrific signing, and would add much-needed experience and power to the Foxes front line, something which they currently lack.
Prediction: 2nd
Sean Gallagher
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