The new season is only a few weeks away and clubs are already into their per-season routines.
Below I give my thoughts on the coming campaign and look at the twenty four clubs contesting this seasons Championship.
Barnsley - another season of struggle ahead. Don't have large transfer funds and will struggle to hold on to any talent that emerges within their own squad. Relegation
Birmingham City - A big club that is going nowhere fast under their current ownership. Keeping Burke is a plus when other players have been sold. Mid-table
Blackburn Rovers - have the resources that are the envy of most other clubs and another season of parachute payments. Gary Bowyer has a decent looking squad, but is he going to be comfortable working for interfering owners like the Venky's? Possible top six candidates if off the field issues can be resolved.
Blackpool - for me the Seasiders will continue to slide. They've not looked so impressive since Ian Holloway left and I think that lower half of the table awaits them.
Bolton Wanderers - got to be one of the favourites for promotion. A decent looking squad that should match any side.
Bournemouth - remarkable how this club has reached the second tier after spending what seemed to be a lifetime in the lower reaches. No fairy tale in 2013/14 though. Relegation looms in my opinion.
Brighton and Hove Albion - after two successful seasons the question is can they continue to carry on where Poyet left off? Possible top ten, but I don't see them in the mix for promotion.
Burnley - losing Austin who seems destined for a transfer to a premier league side and losing Grant who has returned to Derby are massive blows to a side that under performed last season. Mid table to bottom half for me.
Charlton Athletic - Chris Powell has done well at The Valley and I see Charlton as a top ten side. Not quite hitting the play-offs.
Derby County - tightening up the defence is a must and a better return from Conor Sammon up front is needed. Johnny Russell will have to step it up after coming in from the SPL. Overall a good balanced squad with more depth than last season and it is good enough to challenge for top six. On the flip side the coming season will see a division tighter than ever. It's a very fine line from promotion to mid table obscurity!
Doncaster Rovers I can only see a season of struggle ahead for Rovers. Without the financial clout of the big boys sides like Doncaster will always struggle. Relegation.
Huddersfield Town - a work in progress, but signing James Vaughan on a full transfer is a big positive step for Huddersfield. I expect them to finish in the top half of the table.
Ipswich Town - after the last few seasons of struggle under Roy Keane and Paul Jewell, Mick McCarthy has steadied the ship. McCarthy knows this division works well enough to challenge for a play-off spot!
Leeds United - Brian McDermott did a great job at Reading, but Leeds will be a different challenge. The squad needs improving to make significant progress.
Leicester City - after years of spending millions, the Foxes still find themselves in pursuit of their Premier League dream. With financial fair play looming it will perhaps see them tightening their belt. They have a good squad, but in order to balance the books the sale of their biggest assets could prove to be a hurdle in their efforts to finally reach the promised land. Top half but can't see them promoted!
Middlesbrough - a club which is being run in a far more responsible way nowadays. It does lack the quality players needed for the push upwards, however they could surprise a few. Dark Horses!
Millwall - Kenny Jackett did a great job with limited resources. With his departure can they survive another season in the Championship? I say yes, just scraping safety.
Nottingham Forest - stability is what's needed at the City Ground. Three managers have received their cards from Fawaz. Fans favourite Billy Davies has been seen as the messiah and all appears well Trentside. The claimed riches of Mr Fawaz are being spent more prudently than those of other clubs and that it wise as the club will need to bring down their losses with FFP looming. Davies is proven in this division, however it's going to be crowded at the top! Top six contenders!
Queens Park Rangers - relegated after a disastrous campaign last season. Will be amongst the favourites to go straight back up. I feel they may have to settle for a play off place.
Reading - another of the relegated clubs. Nigel Adkins will be keen to get started and take yet another club to promotion. My favourites for the title.
Sheffield Wednesday - Owls fans will have to be patient. With limited transfer funds it's going to be difficult to compete with other clubs. Fantastic support both home and away! Mid-table will be a good season.
Watford - transfer embargo in place and the departure of many of last seasons players makes it doubtful if they can repeat their play off appearance!
Wigan Athletic - will surely be amongst the favourites for an instant return to the premier league. Owner Dave 'I played at Wembley' Whelan will demand it!
Yeovil Town - fantastic achievement of getting to this level! For me it'll be a one season wonder though!
My Predictions
Champions - Reading
Promoted - Wigan
Play-offs - Bolton, QPR, Forest, Derby
Relegated - Doncaster, Yeovil, Bournemouth.
