It’s a time of the year where every football fan in the country can at least be the tiniest bit optimistic about the forthcoming season. But who will make the top six? And who will wallow at the foot of the table? I’ve given my thoughts on how each of the 24 Sky Bet Championship teams will fair this season.
In case you missed them:
Club by Club Championship Guide Part 3
Norwich
Key player: After bursting onto the scene in the Championship with Birmingham City, Nathan Redmond finds himself back again with Norwich City. The tricky wide man will light up the league this year, providing that Neil Adams can wane off any Premier League interest.
Realistic ambition: It’s always hard for a team with a losing mentality to find their feet quickly in the Championship, but if Adams can guide Norwich to a successful start I forecast at least a play-off place for the Canaries.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Nottingham Forest
Key player: It’s been a busy summer for Jamaal Lascelles, after being sold to Newcastle United and then loaned back to Forest once more. Despite this, I anticipate that he will be one of the best defenders in the league this year, if only to impress his future boss Alan Pardew.
Realistic ambition: Forest have as good a shot as any when it comes to making the play offs, especially with the stable appointment of Stuart Pearce. Hopefully they will learn from their mistakes of last year’s capitulation, which saw them drop plenty of points during the run in.
Predicted finish: 7th
Reading
Key player: Newly appointed captain Jem Karacan will have to draw on all of his leadership attributes to shepherd Reading to a successful finish this season. The former Turkish U-21 player will be looking to build upon his impressive 147 appearances for The Royals.
Realistic ambition: Reading have played the waiting game in the transfer window this season; that said, with Simon Cox having just signed from Nottingham Forest and Anton Ferdinand on the way from QPR, things are starting to looking up. I expect a difficult season for Nigel Adkins’ men; with a Championship league that’s constantly strengthening will Reading be left behind?
Predicted finish: 18th
Rotherham United
Key player: Kieran Agard has been one of the biggest success stories from Rotherham’s spell in League One. The strong forward fired The Millers to promotion last season, scoring an impressive 21 goals in 46 appearances. If Rotherham has the ambition to secure Championship football next year, they will need to keep hold of him.
Realistic ambition: Rotherham are very much a team in the ascendance, following their meteoric rise from lowly League Two to the second tier in just two seasons. That said to compete in the Championship they will need to shore up a defence that conceded 58 goals in the league last year, a hefty amount for a promoted side.
Predicted finish: 22nd
Sheffield Wednesday
Key player: Kieran Lee will be a name to watch out for this season, providing he can stay fit. The ball-playing central midfielder, who is known to have great passing ability, complements Jose Semedo well in the centre of the park
Realistic ambition: After a shambolic start to their Championship season last time around under Dave Jones, Wednesday will be looking to get out the blocks quickly this term under Stuart Grey. It’s doubtful that they’ll have the strength in numbers to challenge in the top half, though I expect a solid mid-table return.
Predicted finish: 15th
Watford
Key player: Matej Vydra’s return to Watford hasn’t been without question marks, after his unsuccessful spell with West Bromwich Albion. It’s been widely rumoured that he doesn’t want to play in the second tier, but if manager Giuseppe Sannino can keep his morale up, Watford should have a definite 20 goal a season forward.
Realistic ambition: If Watford can sort out their wretched away form from last season, they may have a chance of a play-off spot. Failing that, they’ll fall into the ‘best of the rest’ category.
Predicted finish: 10th
Wigan Athletic
Key player: James Tavernier will definitely be one to watch out for this year, with the exciting fullback proving to be a hit during Rotherham’s promotion push last season. The former Newcastle United man has an eye for the spectacular, with his free kicks earning him a reputation as a dead-ball specialist.
Realistic ambition: Wigan was as impressive as any side on their day during last season, though they suffered from some inconsistency along the way. This year however, I predict them to finish comfortably in the play-offs, given their strengthening in vital positions.
Predicted finish: 4th
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Key player: The homegrown figure of Danny Batth will be key to Wolves’ hopes of two promotions on the spin. Having recently attracted Premier League attention from Aston Villa, the towering centre back will be looking to take his club back to the big time.
Realistic ambition: Having so far only added two summer signings, Rajiv Van La Parra from Heerenveen and Tommy Rowe from Peterborough, Wolves’ squad looks a little thin on the ground to challenge for a top 6 finish at this time.
Predicted finish: 11th
Check out the previous instalments of my Championship Guide, covering all 24 clubs from the Sky Bet Championship.
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