Championship season 2013/14 preview: C-Q
Charlton Athletic finished 9th in their first season back in the Championship which is an outstanding achievement for Chris Powell’s men. Especially when you consider the teams below them and the squad he worked with. I can’t see them reaching the heights of the play-offs, however I still think they will go under the limelight all season and be fairly comfortable. Prediction – 13th
Derby County are probably another one of those who perhaps went under the radar and overachieved last season finishing in 10th place but they are clearly getting something right. I think they will definitely be safe again this season as with the likes of promising youngsters Will Hughes and Johnny Russell catching my eye. This could be the season where Will Hughes will play more or less every game and solidify his place and importance in the team and the Rams will do extremely well to hold onto this creative midfielder in a few years’ time. Prediction – 10th
Doncaster Rovers are going to find it difficult to pick up enough points to stay up in my opinion. However they do have a good manager in Paul Dickov but if they are to surprise us all they will have to invest more than they have already and get some bigger talents to keep them alive. Although never forget that this is the Championship and anything can happen, they could win it. Prediction – 23rd
I don’t think Huddersfield Town are going to have a comfortable season. They know they will have to work extremely hard and fight for their place in this incredibly competitive league. Having said that I feel they have brought in quite a few decent players so far in Jon Stead, Jonathan Hogg, Martin Paterson, James Vaughan and Adam Hamill. I don’t think Robins has the passion that Lee Clark has although if he gets that chemistry bonding well like they did in League 1 with a few more goals then they should be okay. Prediction – 18th
In my opinion, if Ipswich Town didn’t have Mick McCarthy in charge then they would have been more destined for the drop. However with big Mick in charge I just feel he will get the best out of his players and will bring in new signings made to stabilise the club and there place in this division. Prediction – 15th
Leeds United look much more stable in the hands of Brian McDermott. And now with the black cloud which is Ken Bates having nothing to do with the club this could be a new era with much brighter skies looming in the future for the one time Champions League side? I can see a much promising season for the Yorkshire side, however it will take them a couple more seasons to develop a reach the play-offs in my opinion. Brian has brought in three new faces to Elland Road with Matt Smith, Luke Murphy and Noel Hunt joining the whites. I think these are all good signings as Hunt is a proven goal scorer at any level and will not stop running for the entirety which is what the fans love, especially at Leeds. Also, Matt Smith a massive centre forward who proved at Oldham he can boss around Premier League defences and he looks a huge threat in the air. Finally Luke Murphy who arrived from Crewe Alexandra is a bright young midfielder looking to kick his career onto the next step. Prediction – 9th
Every single season before it kicks-off, Leicester City are up there with the bookies favourites to win the league outright, as you look at their squad on paper and it is inevitably strong. However they always seem to fall short and run out of steam like last season losing in the play-offs in one of the most dramatic events ever seen against Watford. I really don’t think they don’t have many areas to strengthen, that’s how strong their squad looks so it all depends on the performances on the pitch. Prediction – 4th
After the wheels completely fell off Middlesbrough’s season Tony Mowbray will be looking to steady the ship and get the north east side back firing which they are very capable of turning it on like that. Mowbray doesn’t seem so confident about many new faces arriving which isn’t promising for them but I think they will be fine. Prediction – 11th
I fear very much for Millwall this season, as the rock that was Kenny Jackett has now moved onto Wolves. I just think that they will just lose it for a few years as I am not sure about the inexperience of Steve Lomas managerial capabilities. I have predicted that they will survive by one place, so therefore it will be a tight one. Only time will tell this, however. Prediction – 21st
Nottingham Forest are most certainly going to be there or there abouts as they seem to be getting stronger and stronger with time. The signing of Jamie Mackie from QPR is an exceptional one as he has unbelievable work rate to go with his goals and creativity which the fans will take to straight away. I’m sure QPR will be distraught that he has moved on. I think they are in for a really good season and Billy Davies might finally do it. Prediction – 3rd
Jay Taylor
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