2010/2011 Championship Preview D-L

Derby County

Manager: Nigel Clough
Key Player: Kris Commons

The Rams endured a pretty miserable 2009/2010 Championship campaign when finishing down in 14th position. It wasn’t that long ago that Derby were living the A-list lifestyle in the Premier League, now they’re struggling to even remain competitive in England’s second tier. Promotion is always the objective at the start of the season and yet the last two campaigns have resulted in Derby County finishing nearer the bottom of the table than top. They were 18th in 2008/2009 and 14th last term, so surely it’s too big a gap to bridge for Nigel Clough’s men?

Too many losses have cost Derby dear and for the second season running they notched up 20 defeats in a single campaign. That simply isn’t good enough, not for a club the size of Derby County. There has been many comings and goings since the close of last season and Nigel Clough will be praying he’s recruited the right individuals, those not only loyal and committed to their cause but with the ability to propel the Rams further up the table. Tomasz Cywka and David Martin have been brought in from the Premiership, while Clough has clearly seen something special in Alexandra pair James Bailey and John Crawford. We haven’t been at all impressed with their new arrivals and that spells bad news for County fans. The club is in desperate need of some fresh blood and yet they’re stuck with some golden oldies to lift them out of the slump they’re in. Robbie Savage maybe a dogged individual, willing to head into battle no matter who the opposition, but he’s not getting any younger and even at his peak wouldn’t win games of football. And yet Savage was arguably their best player last season which just about says all you need to know about their current state of affairs.

A lack of signings will surely lead to disgruntled fans. The Pride Park faithful are desperate to see their team challenging for promotion once again but that just doesn’t seem possible right now. Granted they have some passionate individuals at the club, none more so than manager Nigel Clough and club captain Robbie Savage, but there’s a distinct lack of quality at Derby County right now and unless they can find another gear from somewhere, it’ll be another season of strife and disappointment I’m afraid.

To Be Promoted: 12/1 Boylesports
To Be Relegated: 7/1 Bet365

Doncaster Rovers

Manager: Sean O’Driscoll
Key Player: Billy Sharp

Sean O’Driscoll has performed remarkably well working on a shoestring budget at Doncaster. He wasn’t far off guiding the club to the lottery of the play-off’s last season, with Rovers ending up just ten points shy of sixth placed Blackpool. Donny proved a difficult opponent for some, but they were prone to drawing far too many games and had they converted even a small proportion of their stalemates into wins, the play-off’s would have been a genuine possibility. Instead, the draws held them back from progressing and you do fear that Doncaster have let their golden opportunity pass them by somewhat as they’ll have to go some to even match their 12th place finish from last season let alone mount a challenge for a top-six finish.

The objective last season was merely to remain in the division, to which they passed with flying colours. However, with that 12th place under their belts, fans will have high hopes for another above par season in the Championship. Doncaster doesn’t have the most attractive of squads in terms of quality players but they work so well and so effectively as a team that results just seem to come naturally. If they could somehow match their efforts of last season, and go that extra mile and convert the draws into wins, Doncaster could be the next Blackpool by defying all the gigantic odds stacked against them by gaining promotion to the Premier League. After last season heroics, there’s no reason why they can’t produce something special in 2010/2011.

Doncaster Rovers were one of the surprise of last season and had it not been for Blackpool’s scintillating form during the season and heroic effort during the play-off final, Doncaster would arguably have been the team of the division after coming so close to a top-ten finish. Sean O’Driscoll has spiced things up a little with the addition of Billy Sharp, who was on loan at Doncaster last season and enjoyed a fantastic season after scoring 15 goals in 33 games. Midfielders Simon Gillett and Josh Payne, and defender George Friend, are the other summer recruits. All three should have the raw materials to make an impact at the Keepmoat this season, with all three still maturing, but it’s going to be the form of the veterans which will be key. Neil Sullivan, Adam Lockwood, James Hayter and James Coppinger all need another huge campaign if Donny are to go close or even better their previous finish of 12th.

To Be Promoted: 20/1 Coral
To Be Relegated: 7/1 SkyBet

Hull City

Manager: Ian Dowie
Key Player: Andy Dawson

The Tigers are in serious trouble of falling way down the pecking order in English football, with their stars having departed weeks ago and manager Iain Dowie being left to pick up the piece and to inspire a bunch of misfits. Hull City seemingly went all out on attempting to gain some stable footing in the Premier League but handing out large wage packets to players which were overrated and, to put it bluntly, rubbish! They’ve paid a heavy price, starting with relegation last season followed by the club no longer having the capacity to retain those stars they paid so lucratively to join their cause. So despite the drop down in grade from the Premiership, we don’t see Hull City challenging for promotion this season.

Promotion will nevertheless be the target for the team and Ian Dowie, but that’s asking a lot. A whole host, and we mean a host, have left the club over the summer including Geovanni, who so often proved the winner in the few games Hull did manage to win in the Premier League, Boaz Myhill, George Boateng, Jan Vennegor Hesselink, Dean Marney, Stephen Hunt and Bernard Mendy are among the names to have escaped Hull during the summer, while their biggest name of them all, Jimmy Bullard, whose reportedly receiving a handsome weekly wage, is desperate for a move away from the KC but has found his ridiculous wage demands a stumbling block. Fans will be praying Bullard stays at the club as he will win them matches this season, as he has that bit of guile and class which could aid Hull in a charge up the table. The club, though, are desperate to get rid of him and yet without him Hull are nothing but a team of golden oldies. Did we also forget to highlight how Boaz Myhill, who was superb at times for Hull against Premiership opposition, has also evaded Ian Dowie leaving Matt Duke, a keeper which has spent almost his entire career warming the bench for a variety of clubs, as the clubs No. 1 keeper. It’s nightmare material this.

There’s players in this Hull City team which will appreciated the drop down here, those like Andy Dawson, Nick Barmby, Criag Fagam, caleb Folan, Kevin Kilbane and Peter Halmosi, who either couldn’t get into the team when Hull were in the Premier League or were simply found wanting when given the chance. There are many more we could mention. In fairness, there is a Championship feel to this Hull side, one full of experience and players which will know exactly how ruthless this league has become in recent years. There is, however, a lack of raw pace and enthusiasm that the youngsters these days provide and unless Dowie can somehow persuade the board to allow him to bring in a couple of loan signings before the close of the windoe, Hull may well struggle to meet the demands of the fans which is a quick return back to the Premier League.

To Be Promoted: 13/2 Bet365
To Be Relegated: 8/1 Ladbrokes

Ipswich Town

Manager: Roy Keane
Key Player: Lee Martin

The Ipswich board have taken a gamble on Roy Keane, not least because of his temperament but following on from his rather sudden and unexpected resignation from Sunderland a couple of seasons ago. However, it’s been clear for sometime now that Keane loves a challenge and that perhaps he got more than he bargained for last season. He, as well as the players, are a year better off now and will have learnt a lot from that rather dire campaign, so we can all expect far better from the Tractor Boys this season. Promotion will be the goal, with anything less probably resulting in Roy Keane being sacked in all honesty, but they are capable of performing such an act should they establish a decent run of form.

Roy Keane has made his opinion on last seasons flop perfectly clear with wholesale changes he’s made over the summer. There won’t be too many débutantes on the beginning of the season but there’s a number from last season which won’t feature at all for the club season. Richard Wright, Ben Thatcher, Liam Trotter and Kevin Lisbie were all sent packing over the summer, with Mark Kennedy about the only new addition. We understand that there’s talent in this Ipswich team in the form of Tamas Priskin, Lee Martin and Carlos Edwards, but the club were desperate for reinforcements especially in the forward areas where captain Johnathan Walters and Johnathan Stead simply didn’t score enough last season and don’t have anything of real note which will frighten defenders. Granted they’re tall and bulky, well Walters anyway, but the pair lack any sort of agility and have next to no pace. Surely Keane will add to his striking options before the transfer window closes as he cannot be relying upon these two for regular goals this season.

A smart move by Keane was replacing Richard Wright with Martin Fulop, as the former Sunderland No. 2 is a worthy No. 1 for any Championship side and he’ll serve them well we believe this season. Grant Leadbitter isn’t the most exciting of players but he does bring some spirit and his combative qualities to the fore, while it’s Lee Martin’s who likely to wow the fans this season down the flanks. Tamas Priskin was sent out on loan last season, while Pablo Counago has been seeking a move for some time now, but the former must start more often for Ipswich this season as they were too predictable last term. Ipswich don’t want to fall into the trap of being all about wingers and crosses, and it becomes all too familiar and eays to read. They need something different and while Priskin clearly isn’t a favourite with Keane, he’s about the only thing different they have. Connor Wickham, one of their rising young stars, could fill the void quiet nicely but at 17 years of age still lacks the experience and nous to regularly get in amongst the goals at this level.

To be Promoted: 11/2 SkyBet
To Be Relegated: 16/1 Coral

Leeds United

Manager: Simon Grayson
Key Player: Bradley Johnson

Many will say Leeds United are back where they belong in the Championship, but fans will say the Premiership is where this passionate and dedicated club should be. They left it late and ran it close but Leeds secured promotion last season via the second automatic position by virtue of a final day victory over Bristol Rovers at an atmospheric Elland Road. Fans were over the mood with the clubs achievement but they won’t settle for a cosy finish now that they’ve returned the second tier. Fans on the quiet will be touting their side for promotion success this season and they genuinely believe they have the right man at the helm to take them to such heights in Simon Grayson.

The expected happened over the summer and that was Jermaine Beckford’s departure from Elland Road. Beckford sealed a switch to the Premiership with Everton over the summer but Grayson brought in Sanchez Wyatt on loan as a direct replacement after the Arsenal forward impressed last season while on loan at the club. As well as Wyatt, the pacey Llyod Sam arrives adding some width and flair to Leeds’ already rather frantic and all-out-attacking style of play, while Grayson pinning his hopes of Billy Paynter hitting the sort of form which seen him find the back of the net 26 times in League One last season for Swindon – 4 coming against Leeds. Paul Connelly arrives from Derby to bolster Leeds’ defensive options but it’s the capture of former Notts County goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel which could prove a shrewd piece of business. Son of the great Peter Schmeichel, Kasper is in the mould of his father and has all the raw materials to be just as good as his Dad. Federico Bessone, Neill Collins and Alex Bruce were the other notable addition Grayson made over the summer to add some strength in depth and competition for places.

Leeds were breathtaking at times and so often overpowered their opponent down in League One, but they were so vulnerable occasions mentally. When Leeds went into slumps they took an age to break free, and in a league so competitive as the Championship, Leeds will need to be at their very best in just about every clash. Simon Grayson’s has built a strong squad, one more than capable of being an accomplished team in this division, but there’s been a lack of consistency in recent campaigns which looks likely to hold them back in any sort of promotion charge this season. There’s no doubt whatsoever that Leeds United are capable of challenging for a top-six finish, they have enough fire-power up front, creativity and guile in midfield, and solidarity and reliable characters at the back. It’s all about the mental toughness with Leeds and whether they’ve found enough mentle resolve over the summer to really be a force back in the Championship.

To Be Promoted: 6/1 SkyBet
To Be Relegated: 12/1 totesport

Leicester City

Manager: Paulo Sousa
Key Player: Matty Fryatt

It’s been a little over six years since Leicester fans were last treated to Premiership football, six years too long in many Foxes eyes, but the club, Milan Mandaric in specific, believe they’ve hired the right man to guide the club back to its former glory. Paulo Sousa, the former Swansea manager, was appointed as Nigel Pearson’s replacement over the summer and become the clubs first ever foreign manager. Sousa transformed Swansea into a tidy, classy little outfit during his time in Wales. Will the Portuguese coach have the same affect on Leicester? Fans will certainly be hoping so as it’s been far too long since Leicester City were playing attractive football against notable opposition.

Fans are genuinely optimistic that Paulo Sousa can guide Leicester to promotion this season, whether that be through the play-off’s they don’t really care. We believe the Foxes are good enough for a top-six finish but will have done remarkably well to have done so with this current crop of players. Don’t get me wrong, there’s goals in this team through the courageous Matty Fryatt, powerful Steve Howard and experienced Paul Gallagher, and they will win their fair share of games this season. But there’s something missing and we can’t quite out our finger on what that missing ingredient is. Perhaps Sousa has the answer, we just don’t know, but last season, despite reaching the play-off’s, Leicester never really had that positive feel about them that they were going to gain promotion. At least we never felt it. The club have managed to keep a large bulk of the team which worked so hard last season in getting the club into the play-off’s and at least providing the fans with some real belief that the Premiership isn’t a million miles away, and it’s those such as Fryatt and Gallagher, your Dyer and Oakley in midfield, that really need to produce another big personal effort if Leicester are to go one better this time around.

The entire team should be stronger for their play-off semi-final defeat of last season and will be that little bit more motivated and determined to not only perform better this season but to avoid the play-off’s completely by snapping up one of the two available automatic promotion positions. They’ve a squad capable of doing so, and with a manager which can get the very best out of them in terms of their technical play, something which was lacking at times with Leicester last season, there’s no reason why Paulo Sousa and Leicester won’t be in for another exciting campaign.

To Be Promoted: 6/1 bWin
To Be Relegated: 20/1 SkyBet