Football. Finally, It’s back. After months of mundaneness, we once again jump on the Championship rollercoaster; highs and lows await us over the course of the next 10 months or so. Unpredictability beckons. Which, naturally, is why I have decided to try and predict it…
I won’t do the entire table (that would be too long and a bit boring!) but will instead just focus on the automatic places, top six, and the three teams that get shown the door into the paradise that is League One.
Given how competitive the league will be, I will frankly be shocked if most of these are right come May…
TOP 2: LEICESTER CITY (CHAMPIONS) AND SOUTHAMPTON
In the automatic spots I have gone with 2 of the 3 teams that fell from the top flight. Leicester City for me will be the ones holding the trophy above their heads. They’ve made impressive signings in the form of Connor Coady from Wolves, who is an experienced head in defence, Harry Winks, who in my opinion is a Premier League level midfielder, and ex-Sunderland defender Callum Doyle on loan from Man City, who will almost certainly score from a corner when they take the trip up north to the SoL. As well as some impressive signings, Leicester have managed to retain some decent players from seasons prior as well; in my eyes players such as Iheanacho will be play well in the Championship, as well as midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who has proved his worth in the Championship already with him most recently being on loan at Luton town. As for Jamie Vardy? We’ll see if he's having a Championship party.
And I think that Southampton will be joining that party, also being promoted automatically. I think they have made some promising signings; in my opinion one of those being Ryan Manning on a free transfer, who was one of the standouts in the Swansea squad of last season. Similarly to Leicester, they have also retained some decent players so far, most notably in the form of James Ward-Prowse, arguably one of the best free kick takers in the world. As well as the experienced 28-year-old, they have kept some energetic young players such as Carlos Alcarez (not the tennis player) and Nathan Tella, the latter we already know can produce some devastating outcomes in the Championship.
PLAY-OFFS: BORO, COVENTRY, MILLWALL, SUNDERLAND
Just missing out on being promoted automatically and finishing in 3rd place is the North Yorkshire team from down the road. I have to say, if Middlesbrough hadn’t had that shocking start to the season under Chris Wilder (something which surprised me) they could have finished in the top two last year. I think that Michael Carrick is a very promising young manager, with great players at his disposal; and in my opinion is destined to manage in the top flight.
Next is Coventry. Some people may question if I have put the Sky Blues too high up, but I think that this is reasonably justifiable. Mark Robins in my opinion is an underrated manager, always seems to go under the radar. They have had one of the tightest budgets in the Championship in recent years, however Robins has managed to keep on gradually improving and developing the squad, and managed to reach the play-off final last year. With the injection of money into the club after Gyokeres' departure, it has enabled them to purchase ex-Sunderland man Ellis Simms for a hefty price. I can only see them getting better and better…
I think finishing 5th will be Millwall. They possess a relatively modest budget, and I think rather than outright money driving them forward, it will be the fortress that is The Den that will get them into the play-off places. Once that place gets going it is a place of intimidation. That along with their physical playing style, will make them really difficult to beat in my opinion over the duration of the season…
Just getting into the top six places will be Sunderland. I think that everyone expects the minimum for us is to reach the play-offs this season, after having a pleasantly surprising outside charge last season. I think that our new signings have added much-needed depth and quality. Additions Jobe Bellingham and Luis Semedo have looked brilliant in pre-season. Signings such as Nectar Triantis and Jenson Steelt have added plenty of depth and competition to the squad. But most of all I think it is the atmosphere around the place which will drive our club forward. The club is full of such optimism at the minute (if you avoid the ticket office). We have a young, energetic, hungry squad ready to give their all for the shirt. An experienced manager, who said he felt re-energised by the players. Players that want to improve, and that will only keep on progressing. The bond between the players and the fans are at an all time high. And I think that with all this combined it will be enough for us to win at Wembley and get promoted! Ha’way The Lads!
RELEGATED: CARDIFF, SHEFF WED, QPR
Just falling into the bottom three in my opinion will be Cardiff City. They have been just about dodging the drop for a while now, a bit like we were doing in the Premier League, and like Sunderland of the past, I think that their luck will eventually run out. With a team that looks disheartened, a fanbase that looks like it has half given up, the general mood around the place doesn't bode well for the season ahead.
Next to go down in my opinion are Sheffield Wednesday. I think that their recruitment so far has been inadequate for Championship level. Re-signing the likes of Reece James is good for continuity purposes however is hardly spectacular. At least Chansiri has had some decency to sign Ashley Fletcher. You just have to look on Wikipedia to see his outstanding record. He’ll be smashing them into…someone's back garden. Oh dear.
Sat on the basement of the division is QPR. When you hear the words come from your manager, “We’re up against it,” after a pre-season friendly against Oxford, you know you’ve got an issue. QPR looks in a dire situation at the minute. A manager out of his comfort zone, an unmotivated squad. Can it get any worse? Yes, actually it can. They’ve just signed Jack Colback.
