Aston Villa- Were favourites for the league with some bookies, but I can't quite see how. Steve Bruce has a good track record, but something was clearly missing at Villa last season. There are no exciting signings, and although Terry will add experience, the Championship teams will be a new style for him, and his ageing legs may catch him out. If he can manage Grealish properly, and get McContract under control, then they may improve from last season. Realistically, without some new signings, Villa may improve on last season, but not top three material for me.
Prediction- 6th or 7th.
Barnsley- Probably surpassed expectations last year, but seem to be a selling club. Only two bought players from small Scottish clubs. It is difficult to see them do anything but struggle and may be on the end of a few thrashings.
Prediction- 22nd or 23rd.
Birmingham City- With Redknapp in charge they will be motivated, but there must be a question over whether Harry has still got the tactical nous to do much in this division. The owners are clearly crazy (Zola's appointment), and they may not hang around if Birmingham don't start well. Signings are nothing special, although Marc Roberts from Barnsley may prove to be a shrewd signing. It could be fun watching Harry's excuses if things go badly, but I don't think there is much here to worry the top seven or eight clubs.
Prediction- 13th to 16th.
Bolton Wanderers- There is a big gap between the 1st Division and the Championship, and Bolton seem cash strapped, although the freebies of Ameobi and Le Fondre aren't bad signings. Could cause a few upsets, but I can't see anything that suggests anything other than a struggle.
Prediction- Bottom four with relegation likely.
Brentford- The days of Warburton are long gone and the over-achievements of the last two seasons will be hard to repeat. No significant signings or outgoings, makes me think that they will be mid-tableish, but as witnessed last season, a bad run and they can lose confidence.
Prediction- 12th to 16th.
Bristol City- Over relied on Tammy Abraham lasts season, and it does not look like he is returning on loan. The signing of Diedhiou for 5 mill. looks like a gamble, but this outweighed by the sale of Tomlin. With no other signings it is impossible to see how they will not struggle without Abraham. Maybe even worse suffering for their fans than last season.
Prediction- 20th at best, but possible bottom three.
Burton Albion- Despite some impressive wins, Burton struggled for most of last season. They simply do not have the financial clout of the other clubs, and with such a small stadium there is little revenue. If Burton survive, it will be because of good management, but it will only be putting off their return to the lower divisions.
Prediction- Bottom three.
Cardiff City- They have a board who believe they should be in the Prem. but that seems like nothing more than wishful thinking when we consider they don't spend big. The signings of Tomlin and Danny Ward are good business, but are these two players going to make the difference between an average side and a good side? Neither came from top half clubs, so with Whittingham leaving there does not seem a lot of difference to Cardiff's team, and chances. I cannot see much more than bottom half for them.
Prediction- 13th to 17th.
Derby County- Last season saw Derby start a decline from top six material, and I expect that decline to continue. Rowett is very shrewd, but the loss of Tom Ince and Will Hughes may prove more significant than people think. The 13 million profit from transfers needs to be spent wisely, and soon. With the returning "Fat Bloke" up front they should be guaranteed a few goals from him, but I don't see Derby making the top six.
Prediction- 8th to 11th.
Fulham- I will write more about the Whites in a separate piece, but here is a summary. We have probably the best manager/coach in the league, and a statement of intent was sent out with the Cairney/Sessegnon/McDonald interest from other clubs. The squad looks thin at the moment, although the signing of Cisse means Parker is replaced positionally. Malone needs to be replaced, and Kalas needs to come back or be replaced. Djalo is an unknown and it is not certain if he is going to be anywhere as near as good as Kalas. The Whites desperately need two strikers, even if one will be on the bench, in Slav's preferred 4-5-1. The continuity of only selling one regular in Malone, suggest an excellent season. If the right players are brought in, then top two is more than possible.
Prediction- 1st to 4th.
Hull City- Likely to do a Villa and struggle. They have virtually stripped their whole squad, and the signing of Fraizer Campbell is nothing to write home about. They need new signings, but losing most of the squad means rebuilding anyway. The manager is unproven at this level, so no immediate return for Hull.
Prediction- 10th to 14th, but possibly lower.
Ipswich Town- How much longer will they persist with McCarthy remains to be seen. Clearly a favourite with the board and fans, but Ipswich seem to go backwards every year, and if Sears blows cold, they lose much of their attacking intent. Guaranteed to be big and physical, and they will kick lumps out of footballing teams, but there is nothing to suggest they will do anything other than decline even further. I can even see them flirting with relegation.
Prediction- 18th to 22nd.
Leeds United- A new unknown manager, and a mass of new signings, means that Leeds are the unknown quantity in the division. The ever optimistic Leeds fans will be thinking all these new boys from different leagues in Europe mean that they will be top three. The reality is that "Rome wasn't built in a day", and bedding in new players to a new playing style under a new coach could cause problems. Losing Charlie Taylor to Burnley won't help, and their reliance on Woods for goals means he has to stay fit. The old players will also have to get used to the coach's new ideas, so it could go any way. There is a big chance that with all these changes, Leeds will look excellent one week, and look like a mess the next week. They will need another season and the patience of the board (fat chance of that), if they are to be top six material.
Prediction 9th to 13th, and plenty of fans singing "Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again".
Middlesborough- Could conceivably win the division, as they have spent big. However, Karanka built a solid team, and the new coach may not be so defensively minded. Assombalonga will give them plenty of goals if he gets the service, and Howson is proven at this level. They have the squad and players to trouble most teams, so should be there or thereabouts. The one doubt is how the coach plays his football in this division.
Prediction- 1st to 4th.
Millwall- To put it simply, Millwall have no money. They will be tough, and give 110% every game, but they are lacking in the talent needed to stay in this division. Nothing other than an immediate return to League 1 for me.
Prediction- 23rd or 24th.
Norwich- Failed to make top six last year, as they expected, and nothing suggests they won't fail again this year. Husband is a good signing, but losing Howson and Jacob Murphy far outweighs that. Norwich will play good footbal and will spank some teams, but are also likely to be on the wrong end of some spankings. It is difficult to make a case for Norwich doing anything other than mid-table, but they may surprise us.
Prediction- 9th to 13th.
Nottingham Forest- Warburton's success came at Brentford, and he hasn't set the world alight elsewhere. Forest struggled last season and without the goals of Assombalonga, they would have struggled even more. There have been no significant signings, as of yet, and without investment, they could really struggle. This may the year, an "old" big club goes into league 1.
Prediction- 19th to 23rd.
Preston North End- Preston are mid table, and probably will be mid table again. No major incomings or outgoings on the transfer front, so we should expect the same style of football and level of talent as last season. They will have a solid mix of defence and attack, and I would expect plenty of low scoring draws in games involving Preston.
Prediction= 11th to 15th.
Queens Park Rangers- Rangers seem to be a mess, on and off the field, and there seems to be no money to spend. They will try to play open football, and the tightness of Loftus Road may help them, but it is going to be a long season for their fans. Could face the same fate as Forest if they are not careful.
Prediction- 18th to 22nd, or worse.
Reading- Stam is tactically astute, and his team will play possession football, or waste time, when they can. They will be hard to beat, but I think the loss of the inspirational Al Habsi may be felt more than they know. It depends on who Stam can attract to Reading, and with one or two more signings, they should make top four again, as the experience of the play-offs should stand them in good stead. On the flip side, they may have over-achieved last season, but expect them to be in the top eight somewhere.
Prediction- 3rd to 7th.
Sheffield United- With their good support, will be the best of the promoted sides, despite the fact that Stearman is their most notable signing. One side always comes up and does well, and it will be probably Sheff Utd. They may not set the Championship alight, but should stay clear of trouble.
Prediction- 14th to 18th.
Sheffield Wednesday- For me, the team to fear. As with Brighton, they have been steadily improving, and are used to life at the top. The coach clearly has a plan that works and he is unlikely to change it. The signing of Rhodes means they don't have to worry about Forestieri if he starts having tantrums. George Boyd is an excellent addition to the squad, and given his experience with Burnley will be a valuable asset. Rhodes will score goals and that is probably where they failed last year. Wednesday could, quite conceivably, win the division with ease, if everything goes right. Realistically, they will be top four, if not automatic promotion.
Prediction- 1st to 4th.
Sunderland- As has been well documented, the club is rotten to the core. Losing Defoe and Pickford, means they have lost their two most valuable assets. Put simply, one scored the goals, the other stopped them. Looking at their squad, there is nothing to suggest they can make an immediate return to the Prem. Simon Grayson knows his way around the Championship, but he needs better talent. O'Shea is 36 and may find the physical aspect of this league too much, especially against pacier teams. It is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from, so expect outside of the play-offs or lower.
Predcition- 10 to 14th.
Wolverhampton Wanderers- Their fans will be expecting big things, given the big money signing of Ruben Neves, from Porto. But, he is only 20 and a defensive midfielder. Will he cope with the physicality of the division? Does he have the maturity? Their Portuguese coach seems intent on filling their team with Portuguese players, which may be a big mistake. There has been a lot written about how much Wolves have spent, but looking at their squad, I don't see much improvement on last season.
Prediction- 12th to 16th.
Overall prediction-
Promoted- Any two from Middlesborough, Sheff Wed, Fulham or Reading.
Play-offs (not including the promoted predictions)- Any two from Villa, Derby, Leeds.
Relegated- Any three from Millwall, Bolton, Burton, Notts. Forest, QPR.
Please remember these are only my predictions and they are likely to be totally incorrect'
IN SLAVISA WE TRUST.
COYWs.
© Nic Smith.
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