Championship Preview 2013/2014 (Part 2)
Here is the second part of my preview into next seasons NPower Championship…
Ipswich Town: With a nickname like ‘the tractor boys’ it’s no wonder progression is so slow! Suffolk’s biggest club will likely be a bottom half side come May 2014 – although enough quality is there for a relegation fight to be avoided.
Leeds United: One of a few teams that claim to ‘belong’ in the Premier League, though never quite justify it. And no, “we take more away fans than you” isn’t a solid reason to why a side should be promoted, especially a team like Leeds that the world loves to hate. Over 10 years since the Yorkshire club last played a top flight fixture.
Leicester City: Money is available but the owners are refusing to splash large amounts out on players until they gain promotion. Similar to what QPR did, then found that paying more for players than other sides isn’t quite enough to be established in the Premier League.
Middlesbrough: A club slowly falling backwards and now looking at a relegation battle. Boro fans have seen their side play in Europe and win the League Cup in the last decade, though not much excitement has been brought to the Riverside recently. England Under 21’s keeper Jason Steele (22) will look to impress yet again after winning the club annual ‘Player of the Season’ award – possibly with a sight on moving onto a bigger club sometime soon.
Millwall: The loss of Kenny Jackett will be a big one, tough boots to fill, especially after an FA Cup semi-final appearance in April. Lions supporters expect a mid table finish even with the loss of several key people at the New Den.
Nottingham Forest: Fell near the end of last season which went down as a disappointing season for Forest. It seems several supposed ‘stars’ at the club aren’t exactly living up to expectation.
QPR: Harry’s boys will need to come out fighting in order to win the Rangers fans over, their squad looked lost in the Premier League, and hopefully they will get the reality check they need. Hard work on the pitch will pay off; it’s not all about ability.
Reading: They are suffering the same as their fellow relegated sides do every year, some of the key players will want to leave for a top flight club.
Sheffield Wednesday: Chris Kirkland, beware of Leeds fans invading the pitch.
Watford: A cruel defeat in the play-offs in May was hard to take for them and with arguably more sides pushing for a top 6 finish this time around, it could be a backwards step for Watford in the upcoming season.
Wigan Athletic: Around 10 new signings will need to be brought in this summer if Latics want to compete successfully for promotion and also in their first Europa League season. Owen Coyle has had past glory with Burnley as they were promoted in 2009, but his first real task is holding onto key players such as Shaun Maloney, Callum McManaman and Arouna Kone.
Yeovil Town: Living the dream and already loving every single minute as a Championship side. Smallest club in the division by some way and nobody gives them a chance of staying up. Ed Burn has returned to Fulham after a loan but he is keen on a return to the Glovers which would boost their defence significantly. If they don’t improve the squad, this small South West club have no chance of survival so securing Burn on loan should be a priority.
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