Here's my 1 to 24. It's worth noting that 213 players have departed clubs (including players who have returned to parent clubs from a loan spell), and only 94 players have been brought in. It's quite telling that a week before the season starts, there are 4 clubs yet to sign a player. I honestly think 3 of these 4 will make up half of the bottom 6, but there is still a fair bit of business to be done. 1. Fulham - I still think they've got a few players to replace, as a lot of their side were loanee's last season. But the signing of Harry Wilson is a big one. They're the only side who have really shelled out a big fee this summer, and I reckon this is the first of many. 2. West Brom - They've managed to trim a lot of the deadwood, and not lost anyone really of importance. Matt Clarke and Alex Mowatt will only strengthen them. They also have parachute money in abundance too, if they choose to make a big signing towards the end of the window. They're a striker away I reckon from being runaway winners. 3. Bournemouth - replacing Woodgate with Scott Parker automatically gives them a boost in my opinion. They've kept hold of Danjuma for the time being too, who is probably the leagues most gifted player. They'll be with the top 2 all season I reckon, and a wobble in March will probably be the cause of them missing out on the automatics. 4. QPR - My dark horse for promotion. Their season improved remarkably after the January capture of Charlie Austin and Stefan Johansen. They've both signed on a permanent deal now, and Rangers have recruited dependable goalkeeper Jordan Archer too. Elias Chair remains at the club and Lundin Dykes went from strength to strength as the season went on. 5. Cardiff - Whilst I rated the departing Robert Glatzel, James Collins is a more than capable replacement. Cardiff's success will hinge on them keeping hold of Kieffer Moore, who will undoubtedly score double figures, and allow Collins to do the same. 6. Middlesbrough - Warnock has to break the top 6 at some point. The worry for Boro last season was where the goals were going to come from, and whilst Uche Ikpeazu hardly set the league alight last season, I do think he'll benefit from having a better team around him, particularly Marcus Tavernier who is a gifted footballer. He's certainly one that got away from our perspective (having been linked with him 2 summers ago). 7. Swansea - Weakened by the departure of Ayew who was very much their talisman. They've signed a young striker from PSV Eindhoven who is an unknown quantity, and young Kyle Joseph from Wigan, who we were linked with at the start of the window. He himself has just 18 senior appearances to his name, and whilst his goal record is impressive, I'm not sure either of these replace the importance that Ayew had to Swansea. Which is why I think they'll just miss out on the top 6. 8. Stoke - Mario Vrancic seems a good capture for Stoke, who appear to have been much more methodical in their business this summer. They've finally managed to shift the remaining hangers on from the Premier League. Getting Tyrese Campbell fit is the key, as for me, he's the best young talent outside of the top flight on his day. 9. Nottingham Forest - Chris Houghton is a good manager. He'll drag Forest kicking and screaming up the table this season, even if they don't have the most eye catching squad. They've trimmed a lot of ageing older players off the wage bill, and having seen Brennan Johnson play for Lincoln last season, I fully expect him to be the playmaker they've been missing for a while. 10. Barnsley - Despite the departure of Mowatt and Ismael, I don't think we're much weaker than last season. Dike is the one who will need replacing. Goals was our problem before his arrival, and it's the area Dane Murphy said we'd try to address as a priority in the summer. We're on the cusp of a 3rd striker being recruited, and Woodrow and Morris are more than capable in front of goal. I'm excited by the prospect of Styles in midfield too, and I honestly believe that Herbie Kane could become our star man if he can stay fit. 11. Sheffield United - the first of the clubs who are yet to recruit anyone. They were undoubtedly out of their depth last season, and I expect a few more departures including some of their big earners from the PL. I always thought under Wilder they were a midtable championship side that he'd managed to get into the Country's top 10, and I think that will show this season. 12. Huddersfield - finally free of the 'daft Premier League money years' according to a terriers podcaster, they have been much more calculated with their transfer business. Ollie Turton, Joel Ruffels and Matty Pearson have all been brought in to bolster the back line, and I feel all 3 are good signings. I'm not convinced Jordan Rhodes is the answer up front, but so long as they hold onto Josh Koroma, they do have good options in attack. 13. Birmingham - Another side who haven't lost anyone of note, but have been strengthened by their incomings. I think Lee Bowyer is a very capable coach, who if given the opportunity, will get them back into the play-off conversation. Their home form needs to improve, which might be bolstered by fans returning to stadiums. Lukasz Jukewitz (sp) remains their more than capable talisman. 14. Millwall - George Saville is a good capture from Middlesbrough. Otherwise, Millwall haven't really strengthened too much in my opinion. They haven't lost anyone either, and their season hinges on Jed Wallace remaining with the club. 15. Bristol City - I don't see much about Bristol City that stands out. I've got them as high as I have, because I think Nigel Pearson is their biggest strength. Matty James is of course a good solid signing, but I struggle to see where the goals are coming from. Their home form should improve with fans back, as Ashton Gate is a compact stadium that benefits from a gold crowd. 16. Coventry - Viktor Gyokeres is a great signing. Coventry have a good side, and I don't think they'll be in danger of the drop this season either. For the time being, they've managed to keep hold of their best players, and whilst the names they've added (Gyokeres aside) aren't awe inspiring, they're a good platform to build on. 17. Luton - I think Luton will be affected by the loss of James Collins, their talisman. I also think Matty Pearson will be a loss, a man who has come a long way since his iffy stint with us. Their transfer business doesn't fill me with much confidence; Lansbury and Jerome have been signed based on reputation I feel, rather than form. Fred Onyedinma is a player I really rate though. I think they'll be well clear of the drop, as I feel there's a considerable gap after 17th place. 18. Reading - another club yet to sign anyone (due to a transfer embargo). I don't think Reading will go down. They still have John Swift who is one of the leagues top players, and despite his tendency to miss a sitter, Lucas Joao is good for double figures again. Michael Olise leaving is a huge blow however, and I don't see a return to stadiums, with everything going on at the club, being a benefit to Reading on the pitch. 19. Blackburn - I could easily put Blackburn in the bottom 3. They too haven't signed anyone, but they're a side in desperate need of reinforcements, particularly defensively. Their fans have said their pre-season preparations have been abysmal. The thing that keeps Blackburn above the line for me, is Adam Armstrong. He has an ability to create chances for himself, which is an absolute godsend for a side with little other spark. 20. Hull - I do think Hull have recruited well, and sides who walk league 1, tend to have a good first season in the championship. I've got them to finish 20th, purely because I know they've lost 2 key players from last season already, and the sharks are circling for a couple more. I do think they're by far the strongest of the 3 promoted sides, and of course Derby. 21. Blackpool - by the skin of their teeth, they'll stay up. Reece James from Doncaster (brother of Matty) is a great signing, and I'm a big fan of Jerry Yates who I think would have made a good acquisition for us this season. Overall, I don't think their transfer business has been particularly eye catching, and losing Ollie Turton is a blow, but I think they've enough to stay up, just. 22. Preston - Matt Olusunde is a great signing from Rotherham. I'm not as convinced about Izzy Brown, who seems to make an appearance at a different Championship club every season. Liam Lindsay has gone there too; I'm still not convinced he's a championship standard centre half. There seems a distinct lack of goals in their side, and don't look to have got over losing their talisman in Ben Pearson. Dismissing Alex Neil for Frankie McAvoy is still a puzzling decision for me too. 23. Peterborough - Peterborough don't look to have strengthened too much, in order to make the step up. I think they'll find the transition difficult at first, similar to Wycombe last season, but could string a run together once they find their feet. Whether it'll come in time is the big question, Wycombe left it a week too late last season. 24. Derby - No money, no players, a manager they can't afford to get rid of, who got the job based on reputation rather than knowledge. Derby might muster enough points for 3rd bottom, but I would not at all be surprised if they're finally hit with a points deduction. The administration 10 pointer would be an absolute killer, but I don't think it's out of the realms of possibility. Pride Park to be a hostile environment this season.
Brilliant. I wish the Betvictor one, posted yesterday (had us down as 2nd) were to be correct. But this is spot on and very insightful. My own Barnsley prediction, when asked, was ‘between 8th and 14th’ so am in full agreement with your predicted 10th.
I'm absolutely rubbish at predictions. I'll be happy with a top half finish for us. WBA, Fulham & Bournemouth to go up. Derby, Blackpool & Bristol City to go down. Some fans will want Schopp sacked after our first defeat, with others demanding it not long after. They'll claim Markus has no plan B, has been 'found out' or gets out thought tactically by opposition managers. Any of our players who are playing particularly well will be derided by some, simply to be different and claim everyone else are just sheep. Any of the players doing well will automatically be sold, either by the end of August and definitely in January according to other fans. Edit: Always remember, too, that if we do have a successful campaign, some fans will claim it' was because we were lucky and/or it was due to the Championship being the worst it's ever been.
Good read, I'll add my two penneth.. I can't really agree on Huddersfield being so highly placed. They were poor last season, and their recruitment has been underwhelming so far. Similarly Swansea - lost their loan players, along with Ayew, and Matt Grimes is soon to follow. Their parachute payments have now finished too. Bournemouth's squad is very thin, and their financial situation isn't the best. No doubt they'll sell Billing or Danjuma for big money and be able to bring a few in. I certainly don't expect another play-off finish for us, but if we're anywhere near a relegation battle this season I'd be surprised. There's a lot of sh*t in this league. It looks like COVID has given us the opportunity to benefit from being financially stable, whilst a lot of other clubs in the league haven't got a pot to p*ss in.
Too effort that fella. I don't agree with your Swansea and Sheffield United predictions. I think Jokanovic will have the blades well up for it given his record in this division and Swansea will be mid table. Any of those bottom 6 you've selected could go down. Blackburn another club that seem to be a bit of a shambles at present!
Wide open this season. The relegated teams from prem not as strong as in recent years, ditto the promoted teams, expect all three could struggle. But I'll hang fire till the window shuts.
I’ve not looked at most of the teams to do a proper prediction. I do fancy Sheff Utd to win the league. I think a lot of nonsense has been wrote about 2nd season syndrome with them last season but they pretty much lost 4 of their best players for almost the full season - O’Connell, Egan, Fleck & Berge who I think will be the best or very close to been the best player in the league this season. On top of that they’ve got quality full / wing backs & several quality championship strikers to share the work load. Jokanovic seems a good appointment as well. I don’t fancy West Brom to challenge for promotion. Val did a great job for us but I find it hard to see his style of play working at a club like West Brom, I can’t see skilful players on big money lumping it & scrapping for second balls like ours did. I think Derby will go down, car crash of a club. I’ve no idea what to expect from us, I think Mowatt’s a huge loss but a lot depends on how good Benson & the new forwards are. I think we’re great at the back though. I’ve not seen much of him but I do like the look of Kitching & it’ll be nice to have a left footer on that side. I expect Cardiff to be up there, Moore & Collins is a handful at this level & they’ve got a very solid defence & a brilliant championship manager. They might have lost a bit of creativity but Mick knows how to win games with grafters. For most of the rest I’ve not got a clue.
Is this one of the poorest Championship seasons for many a year? Looking at the predictions in the OP there’s some fairly weak sides being highly placed. QPR, Cardiff and Boro making the playoffs suggests it’s going to a bit of a lottery for who makes the top six. I expect Bournemouth, Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United to be a class apart at times.
Preston were looking strong at the end of last season so I think they could be top 10. Izzy Brown will probably start to play just to annoy the Wendies!!
The opening post is so long that I'm wondering if Red Rain has changed his username. I can't even put that much thought into it, let alone write it all down. 14 sleeps to Oakwell. That's the extent of my forward thinking.
Love the dedication and insight that has gone in to this. I’m a little more pessimistic and fear that our cyclical clear out of manager and the odd star player may see us flirting more with the lower reaches than upper echelons this time around. Never a dull moment though. You reds!
West Brom Sheffield United ——————————— Blackburn Fulham Bournemouth (P) Stoke City ——————————— Reading Middlesbrough Swansea Hull Cardiff QPR Millwall Bristol City Preston Barnsley Luton Peterborough Huddersfield Forest Birmingham ———————————— Coventry Blackpool Derby