Championship Season Preview 2019/20 - Part 1
Jul 26, 2019 13:19:29 GMT
Post by northwesthoop on Jul 26, 2019 13:19:29 GMT
Championship Season Preview 2019/20 – Part 1:
Ahead of the new season we’ve been in touch with a fan from every club in The Championship asking each of them 5 questions to get their views on their own clubs, on QPR and their tips for promotion and relegation.
In alphabetical order Part 1 below covers 12 teams from Barnsley to Leeds.
Part 2 covers the remaining 12 teams from Luton to Wigan and can be found by clicking here > Season Preview Part 2
Please do hit reply and leave your comments and thoughts below.
Let me express my huge gratitude to everybody who contributed their views on their clubs. You can find the details of each respondent and a direct link to their twitter account under each club heading.
If you wish to jump to a particular team just click the name below:
Barnsley
Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Brentford
Bristol City
Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic
Derby County
Fulham
Huddersfield Town
Hull City
Leeds United
Thank you in advance for reading! Here we go...
Barnsley
The views of: Daniel Dowle
Twitter Link: @dowlebfc
1) "Too good for League 1 but not good enough for The Championship" tends to be the outsiders view of Barnsley... do you have reason to believe Barnsley can push on time around?
It's a shame there isn't a league between League 1 and the Championship, we'd make it our own! Despite losing a couple of important players I'm remaining positive for the upcoming season. We've brought in quite a few players and in recent years our recruitment has been quite successful so hopefully the new lads can be a success and ensure that we stay in the league. The main reason I'm positive of survival this season is our gaffer Daniel Stendel. He's got us playing an attractive, positive style of football that the fans have enjoyed watching, and it seems the players all buy into it. I've already accepted that he'll not be at our club for a long time, but while he is here I think he's capable of cementing our place in the Championship, as long as the owners give him the players that he wants.
2) Who are the key men and weak links in your side?
It's going to be interesting to see which of our players can make the step up to the Championship. Alex Mowatt is coming off a fantastic season and we'll look for him to control games and hopefully provide a game winning goal or assist every now and again. Cauley Woodrow and Kieffer Moore were both brilliant in front of goal last season so hopefully both can get an early goal each to give them a big confidence boost to start the campaign with.
For me, our weakness last season was definitely out wide. Thiam was too inconsistent on the left, and for most of the season Cavare had to do both jobs of right back and right midfielder which often resulted in teams attacking us from their left side. We have brought in two new keepers and we've lost our 3 centre backs so it will be interesting to see how quickly the new lads can develop an understanding together.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
With us being in a lower league last season I haven't seen much of the teams in the Championship in the last 12 months. It seems to me that you guys are stuck in a little rut at the minute with similiar league positions at the end of recent seasons. I'd be surprised if you didn't improve on recent seasons, and I'll confidently predict that you'll beat us at your place as per usual!
4) Barnsley will finish where and why?
I'll go for 20th, survival in our first season back is the main goal, but it would be nice to be excluded from the relegation battle. We have a good, young squad that can hopefully keep us out of the bottom three, but the lack of experience may be a barrier for us climbing any higher.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
I see Fulham bouncing straight back up to the Premier League, joined by Brentford and Leeds.
Exiting the league at the other end table I'll go for Millwall, Wigan and Hull. All six picks took some deliberation though as I can see about 6 or 7 teams going for promotion and the same number fighting for survival.
Birmingham City
The views of: Birmingham Fan TV
Twitter Link: @birminghamfantv
1) It appears to the outsider that you are a club in disarray right now... another good manager out the door, letting your captain go for the sake of an extra year when it will cost just as much to replace him, losing your better players in Jota and Adams... is there much to be positive about for the season ahead?
I think it’s going to be an interesting season for sure. It’s never a quiet summer or season in B9 and again Birmingham fans find themselves going into a season with uncertainty. That being said, Monk’s departure came as a shock but clearly was not done without its reasons. The club are looking to overhaul the philosophy of the club and the ethos, having all levels of the club playing a style and a system to create a youth system that can integrate from within.
With Adams, Jota and Morrison going the club are looking to re-invest in young, hungry but exciting players such as Dan Crowley and Jake Clarke-Salter, so while it’s been a turbulent summer, it’s one of change and progression and hopefully for the better.
2) Who are the key men and weak links in the Birmingham side?
In terms of key players, Blues will be looking at Lukas Jutkiewicz to carry on where he left off last season with 14 goals and 10 assists to his name; Issac Vassell will be looking to fill the void left by Che Adams; Vassell being extremely highly rated by the club and various managers in the football league but had been hampered by injuries. Finally, Dan Crowley who recently joined from Willem II seems an absolute steal this summer. The former Arsenal academy graduate, who was dubbed the next big thing, has a point to prove in England but has impressed in his 2 seasons in Holland, and still only being 21, has plenty of time to improve.
Weak links are currently more a case of depth within the squad. As it stands the club will be looking to bring in a few more additions before the close of the window. With the change in system blues are looking to go to a 5-2-1-2 and left wing back is a main concern. Cheick Keita is a player who was bought two seasons ago with bags of potential and high expectations, but having spent the last two seasons out on loan, it’s hard to tell if he’s ready for life in the championship. Steve Seddon is the other left wing back and with only a season in league one under his belt it’s a risk throwing him into the deep end.
Also a lack of depth upfront is a real concern. With Lukas Jutkiewicz and Issac Vassell, Blues have 2 first team forwards but if anything should happen to those the responsibilities would fall upon 16 year old Jude Bellingham. One of the brightest talents in Europe, Bellingham has been touted by all the top clubs in Europe, but with his development still in full swing, it would be a huge ask to burden such responsibility to someone so young.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
From the outside in QPR are certainly a club who are stuck in a little bit of a funk. A club who never look in serious danger of going down but never seem to be anywhere near good enough to go up. Mark Warburton is a good manager and I would expect him to do a good job but the main thing again is the squad for QPR heading into the season. With players like Freeman and Furlong departing and Wells and Hemed heading back to their clubs it seems the club hasn’t really replaced those key players.
Yoann Barbet is a good singing for QPR and a player I quite admired at Brentford but if QPR are to do anything this season they will need to bolster their firepower up top.
My prediction for QPR this season is a similar finish to last season. In no real threat of danger but a lower mid table side. If they add a few bits of quality in the final third they may push for a top half finish. I’m saying 13th.
4) Birmingham will finish where and why?
Birmingham will be an extremely difficult one to call. In Pep Clotet we have a manager who is relatively unproven but is certainly an articulate and intelligent footballing man. The club is trying to install a possession, attacking based game and I think this will either swing one of two ways. The club will either strike gold and have a very competitive and potentially successful season or fail and be in another relegation scrap come the end of the season once again. I’m saying 10th.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
Promotion: West Brom, Fulham, Leeds
Relegation: Luton, Millwall, Wigan
Blackburn Rovers
The views of: Mike Delap
Twitter Link: @mikeydelap
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Blackburn?
I'm firmly in neutral at the moment for the season based on the summer so far.
The signings (two - Stewart Downing and Bradley Johnson) won't exactly spark a stampede to the turnstiles, but they're both steady, experienced hands and we did miss that to a certain degree last season.
The key man for the season will once again be Bradley Dack. When he purrs the Rovers roar, when he's quiet Rovers are generally meek. His fortunes seem to be directly in line with our own. He'll play a big part again.
Keep an eye out for Joe Rothwell too - after a slow start to life at Ewood he was tremendous in the last month or two of the last campaign and he seems to be gearing up for a potential breakout season this time out, with any luck.
2) What are your concerns for Blackburn this season?
That we don't address the problems that developed last time out. We spent most of last season screaming out for a more commanding centre back, a more experienced goalkeeper and more depth in the full back positions and to date we don't seem to have addressed those areas.
Defensively we were too easy to confidence knock and that showed in the number of away day capitulations, without reinforcements in those departments we'll likely see more of the same.
Time is still on Tony and his team's side but we won't be saying that for ever.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Hard to say as QPR have always struck me as something of an enigma. You either seem to be on a run of 47 straight victories or you haven't won in 8 years.
I'd have a go at a mid-table finish and you hiring the managerial dream team combo of Kevin Gallen and Tim Sherwood at a strange time in the season to derail any progress as a solid prediction routed in fact.
4) Blackburn will finish where and why?
Potentially I'd say we'll be in roughly the same spot as we occupied last time. We'll do alright without pulling up many trees - I'll have a go at 13th.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion: Leeds, Cardiff, Bristol City
Relegation: Charlton, Luton, With any luck... Millwall.
Brentford
The views of: David Anderson via Beesotted Brentford
Twitter Links: @davidanderson_1 and @beesotted
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Brentford?
There's plenty to be positive about heading into the final season at Griffin Park but none more so in my eyes than what is going on in defence.
Brentford have been one of the best attacking units in the league for a while now able on their day to pull apart anything in their path. In contrast to that, problems have always occurred at the other end of the pitch.
Susceptible to long balls over a high defensive line, Goalkeepers throwing them in, inexperienced defenders and defenders who are better at playing as a No.10 than defending, you name it, it has been a problem.
The DoFs genuinely look to be answering several of last seasons and seasons priors big, big questions at the back.
The signing of Pontus Jansson, arguably one of the best three defenders in the league from former European Cup contending Leeds United is a monumental statement.
Pontus could be the extroverted leader to bring an extra 10% from those around him.
Combine that with arguably the best defender in League One last year, Barnsley’s Ethan Pinnock, Brentford have increased the average age, experience levels and average height of the back line for little over £8m.
Selling England u21 protege Konsa to Aston Villa feels like a blow albeit necessary but with these additions in his absence to the defensive areas, Thomas Frank’s side look like they finally mean business in attempting to make the defensive part of the game match up to high levels the offensive players have been producing over the last couple of seasons.
Josh McEachran has finally severed ties and his place in the squad has been filled by a legitimate defensive minded midfielder who can move the ball as well as anybody else in the division from that area. Christian Nørgaard from Fiorentina, a player that has worked with the Brentford Head Coach in the past, looks as though he could be the midfield rock that gives the entire side the balance it has been craving.
If Brentord find the formula to soak up pressure on the road, sitting in a low block while home sides run out of steam, the attack can be given the platform to put in match winning performances instead of match saving ones. Combine that with the usual fortress that Griffin Park has always been we could see a winning formula.
When The Bees start thinking seriously about defending the league had better watch out.
2) What are your concerns for Brentford?
Concerns have to be around how the club manage the potential loss of Maupay and Benrahma and the outlay to bring in replacements that can perform at their level almost immediately and not in 6-8months time. It’s all relative in terms of money incoming of course, but I envisage it not being too long before Brentford are having to spend £7m-£10m on a player to get the ready made qualities required for now. And that is mind blowing.
The decision makers at Griffin Park are some of the best in the business when it comes to succession planning so we have to trust they know exactly what they're doing, and so because of that, internally I’m at peace and don't have too many concerns.
Where I do have concerns is the external forces Brentford can’t control. The rest of the division.
No matter how smart Brentford are as a club, it is still an incredibly competitive league with a number of rivals able to flex their financial muscles at will. The disparity between the clubs with monsterous parachute payments is truly frightening.
They won't always get it right but Fulham signing the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert, proven players at this level and pretty much Premier League standard, you get a sense of what you’re dealing with.
It’s not only the players in the league but the standard of opposition coaching too. Bielsa, for instance, in no time at all, took a largely average squad of nearly men and turned them into a frightening, high pressing, vertical machine, narrowly missing out on promotion.
Slaven Bilic, who has managed at the top, takes the reigns at West Brom, Neil Warnock is Neil Warnock and will produce sides that don’t need too much of an introduction, Derby have pulled in the resources of Dutch success story Philip Cocu and Nottingham Forest have ditched the Old School of O'neill and Roy Keane for the talents of Sabri Lamouchi.
QPR even have themselves in Warburton, a coach who if he gets it right and settles can get an unfancied side into playoff contention.
To outwit all of these quality coaches and then their players across a 46 game season is a test too far for many.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
QPR feel like they're on a huge downward curve. The financial mismanagement of the last decade has manifested itself into the squad we now see. There isn't a lot of quality and it might be that youth saves some face because it’s not going to be through signing expensive Premier League journeymen on big contracts. There doesn't appear to be a savvy international scouting arm or even the snapping up of talents form the lower leagues so Warburton will be tasked with dusting off the old black book of contacts.
Losing Freeman entering his prime for around £5m to help balance the books is a bitter blow because he contributed a lot in terms of chances created and attacking output. When your best players are going for relative pennies you’re going to be up against it.
You’ll also notice there was an IF in front of ”gets it right and settles” when talking about Warbs during the last question.
Apologies for the Doom & Gloom but there’s a certain familiarity with how his roles go. They all tend to unravel fairly quickly after an impressive start. He’ll either fall out with owners over control, his head will be turned or patience will wear thin with his stubbornness to accept that sometimes in football you have to defend. Environments can get toxic rapidly and I’m waiting for the time it finally clicks with him because in terms of attacking play, Warburton is honestly one of the best in the business.
Barbet is clever free signing and a player Bees fans know well. With the ball at his feet he is a proper footballer if not a proper defender and will get you moving up the pitch into dangerous areas with regularity.
Matt Smith contributed a great deal with his aerial presence and featured in a number of games if not playing a huge amount of actual minutes. That contribution also need replacing so maybe the direction now moves to that of an athletic, more mobile front line.
I’m not sure how Chair sits in the pecking order but after a good period at Stevenage is he ready to contribute to a Championship side? He certainly appears to me like a player Warburton would like to work with.
I wouldn't put money on QPR making any sort of dent on this league and reaching the playoffs, it’s honestly far too competitive.
With a boom or bust manager and a limited squad, Rangers would need a magnificent collapse from 6 well oiled clubs and that’s just not going to happen.
11th or 12th would constitute to a great season for QPR in my eyes.
4) Brentford will finish where and why?
Brentford are going to finish in the Playoffs. After finally taking measures to sort out the defensive problems that have haunted the side for years, The Bees turn into a hard to beat and organised unit that rarely gives up easy goals and becomes deadly from attacking set pieces.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
Promotion - Leeds, Brentford, Fulham
Relegation - Wigan, Charlton, Barnsley
Bristol City
The views of: One Team In Bristol Fanzine
Twitter Link: @otibfanzine
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Bristol City?
Positives; Lee Johnson over the last few years has been building a team that would hopefully be able to win promotion to the Premier League. The decision was taken to do it by bringing in young potential players instead of the gamble of throwing millions around on one of two names in the hope they would pay off. This close season so far has seen us continue to do this and have added some exciting prospects to the squad. Despite losing some key players in the last two summer markets, it is a fact that we are improving each year under Johnson. It is positive for the long term stability of the club to see that the management and owners have continued this recruitment policy and most City fans think this time we could achieve a top six place.
In the last few seasons we have had issues with the goalkeeping position and after a succession of loanee failures we have now bought Daniel Bentley from Brentford hoping he will add even more strength to the rock solid defence partnership of Kalas and Webster. New boy Sammie Szmodics from Colchester as a central attacking midfielder has excited during pre season games, while our Academy prospects who have enjoyed successful loans are now ready push for a first team place. Antoine Semenyo who has attracted interest already from the top Premier sides and Saikou Janneh another exciting pacy young, talent both aged 20, could be the surprise packages up front given the chance.
2) What are your concerns for Bristol City this season?
The main concern, and it’s one we had since the departure of Tammy Abraham, is the lack of a clinical striker. Our policy not to break the bank makes it hard to attract such a player, so once again we may look at a loan striker. We have been linked with Eddie Nkeitah from Arsenal, but his impressive form in pre season with the Gunners may have closed that avenue. If we can add this missing piece to the jigsaw to the squad, confidence and expectations will soar. Also a concern is that many top clubs have been looking at Adam Webster one of the best centre backs in the league last season, we seem to have brushed away Aston Villa’s £12m offer and hope we can do the same with any others that may materialise.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Q.P.R have struggled over the last few seasons and since 2015 have had a succession of managers including Warnock, Holloway and McLaren. Since they were relegated from the Premier League they have struggled to be competitive in the Championship. Looking more over their shoulders than up the table and I can’t see much changing this season, although a bottom three position I believe is out the question. The departure of ex Bristol City player Luke Freeman to Sheff Utd could be a great loss, I think he created the most chances or assists in the league last season, so very difficult to replace. My prediction for Rangers this season would be around 14-18th place.
4) Bristol City will finish where and why?
If City do manage to get that clinical striker in the final week of the transfer window, I can see us pushing for a promotion place, but probably ending up in the play offs, if we don’t manage to then it will still be a good season and I envisage us finishing between 5th and 8th.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
Excluding Bristol City of course, I think the other three promotion tips will be Fulham, West Brom and Leeds, surely the latter can’t keep bottling it
Relegated... Luton, Barnsley, Reading
Cardiff City
The views of: Cardiff Fans
Twitter Link: @fans_ccfc
1) What looks positive for Cardiff and do you have any concerns ahead of this season?
what I believe is most positive is the amount of creative players we now have in the team with the likes of josh Murphy, junior hoilett, Bobby Reid, Mendez Laing and now with tomlin getting fit again we have more than enough creative options.
My only concern is up top we are yet to find a goal scorer but we are hopeful we might get one before the end of the window
2) Neil Warnock is seen as one of the best ever managers at QPR despite his short tenure and most fans still rue the day we let him go. How is he viewed amongst Cardiff fans?
I think the majority of Cardiff fans would agree with me when I say Neil Warnock is up there with one of the best things that’s happened to the club to take over a team in the relegation zone and then 18 months later get us promoted is a huge achievement and not only did we get promoted we fought our worth in the prem and without the misfortune of the sala tragedy and refereeing decisions I believe we would of stayed up, so Warnock is very high regarded in Cardiff
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
I don’t expect much from QPR this season if I’m being honest I think it’ll be a similar season to the last but I don’t think you’ll be in any trouble relegation wise
4) Cardiff will finish where and why?
I think we will finish somewhere in the playoff positions we have a very strong squad that can compete but unless we find a 15-20 goal season striker can’t see us making the top two
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion: West Brom, Cardiff and Fulham
Relegation: Luton, Millwall and Wigan
Charlton Athletic
The views of: Lewis Catt from the Charlton Live Radio Show
Twitter Links: @lewiscatt9 and @charltonlive
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Charlton?
The unique togetherness and team spirit that has been instilled by Lee Bowyer and his staff is truly unique. I can guarantee that the team spirit definitely got us over the line in a couple of games last season during our play off campaign. That togetherness could prove vital this season in what will be a tough campaign as we make the step back up to the second tier. Players like Lyle Taylor will be vital, he notched 22 goals for the Addicks last term and grabbed 11 assists to go with it. This season could be key for young academy graduates George Lapslie and Albie Morgan who broke in to the first team last season.
2) What are your concerns for Charlton this season?
I’m concerned by the fact that we are miles away in terms of finances and the owners investment. Roland Duchâtelet has made no secret that he is trying to sell the club but his unrealistic asking price is anchoring the Addicks from giving this coming season a real go. However I do have faith in Bowyer and his staff and securing them this summer after a dramatic few days trying to secure his services is a huge plus for the Addicks. We are lucky to have Bowyer and Steve Gallen who find and attract great loan players and players who have come available for a minimal free it on a free.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
QPR to me are a side who appear to have lost their way in recent seasons. Going from being in and around the higher echelons of the Championship they find themselves falling to the lower ends of the table. McLaren departing seemed the right move and now you have an experienced manager in Mark Warburton who I think can steady the ship. Retaining the services of Eberechi Eze could be vital in where you finish this season.
4) Charlton will finish where and why?
Charlton will surprise a few and I think that’s enough to keep them up along with fellow promoted side Barnsley who have a great manager in Daniel Stendel
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
1st place - WBA. The appointment of Bilic at this level could be the difference! Albion have plenty of talent already and Bilic can only attract more
2nd place - Fulham. Scott Parker will have a tough job on his hands in his first full season of management but retaining the services of Aleksandar Mitrović and Ryan Sessegnon is key to promotion.
Play off winner - Bristol City - A team who will surprise a few but on paper have an incredibly talented young squad and a very talented young manager and Lee Johnson. They’ll add a few more but the permanent signings of Chelsea youngsters Jay Da Silva and Tomas Kalas is impressive business
24th Millwall - you’ll say I’m being biased but I just feel like they have lost some key players and haven’t replaced them. The same key players that saw them in and around the bottom three last season
23rd Birmingham - another club in absolute chaos at the moment, sacking a great manager and Garry Monk and losing Che Adams and captain Michael Morrison will definitely dent any survival hopes
22nd Luton/Reading- this was a hard spot to call. I think Charlton, Barnsley and QPR will be in and around the bottom 3 but I’d like to think we have enough to stay up. Luton have a new manager and new style of play to implement this season and Reading have a soft embargo which will effect them bringing in quality recruits.
Derby County
The views of: RamsChat
Twitter Link: @rams_Chat
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Derby?
The new management team headed by Phillip Cocu is a very exciting, he has proven pedigree as both a player and manager, and his philosophy with young players sounds like music to our ears, after the emergence of young players through Lampard last season and our U18's winning the Premier League. The appointment of Liam Rosenior as first team coach also looks an exciting one! I am hoping we can build on last season!
2) What are your concerns for Derby this season?
Another season, another new manager, 3 very impressive loan players are back at their parent clubs, so we need to recruit well, I am excited rather than nervous though!
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Firstly, I was surprised you sacked McClaren as I thought he was building a good young squad with a few experienced heads, Warburton is a good coach though, so I think you will be mid-table and I would expect him to recruit good young hungry players, I think he will do a good job if given time!
4) Derby will finish where and why?
As we are speaking, we have only signed Graeme Shinnie, and lost a few key players..but I'm optimistic..I think top 6 again, hopefully with the right signings we can finally get one of them top 2 spots!!
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion..no particular order..Derby (why not) West Brom, Bristol City or Fulham
Relegation.. Charlton, Birmingham, Luton
Fulham
The views of: Friends of Fulham
Twitter Link: @friendsoffulham
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Fulham?
Feeling positive that we’ve retained players like Cairney, Mitrovic, Anguissa, and adding the likes of Cavileiro. Mitro for sure will be a key player, 20+ goals
2) What are your concerns for Fulham?
Parker is a concern for me, young, inexperienced manager in a tough league that you need to know inside and out.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Still feel like QPR are stabilising since all the FFP issues. They’ve gone back to being a well sustained club, being sensible with transfers etc. Warburton will get the best out of his squad, they’ll be pushing for the playoff spots.
4) Fulham will finish where and why?
Top 6, don’t feel Parker is experienced enough for a top 2 finish
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion, Leeds, WBA, Fulham
Relegation, Barnsley, Millwall, Luton
Huddersfield Town
The views of: Terrier24
Twitter Link: @vitalhtafc
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Huddersfield?
Feeling positive that we’ve retained (so far) the spine if our side in Chris Schindler, Aaron Mooy and Karlan Grant who made an impact and scored goals in the PL. We’ve added some shrewd signings and cast out the bad eggs so we seem to have a real togetherness again and squad harmony. Fans are back on side and with the now infamous paddy power unsponsorship of our shirts we have a lot to look forward to
2) What are your concerns for Huddersfield this season?
Concerns are losing players late in the window and not having time to replace them, although on paper we’ve a strong squad teams notoriously struggle to bounce straight back and I guess avoiding a double relegation could be a concern but as things presently stand I feel quite confident of being top half of the table.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
QPR is a tough one to predict; solid championship side although having lost some big names this summer it could be an interesting season ahead
4) Huddersfield will finish where and why?
Hopefully we can make a push for the play offs again, we’ve been there and done that and have some real experience in the side blended with some you get players who are eager to impress much like in our fairytale season.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
For Promotion I expect Stoke to be dark horses to take a place, a good manager and a solid summer recruitment.
Fulham, score goals for fun in this league and have strengthened.
I hope final place will go to us but realistically it could be one of many, Leeds will certainly be there again along with Bristol City, a real tough league to call is the championship.
Going down is also quite hard to call but I’m going to say Charlton, Millwall and Luton - sorry guys
Hull City
The views of: John Williams - Vice Chairman of the Hull City Official Supporters Club
Twitter Link: @hcosc_Official
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Hull?
Hull City start this season with a new manager in Grant McCann and with a new manager comes new hope. He performed very well last season at Doncaster, getting them into the League 1 play-offs and all on a very limited budget. At just 39 he is probably one of the younger managers in the league and seem very enthusiastic and to be fair, what little I have seen of him, he comes across very well, though only time will tell if he is good for City. As for the players, we are keeping our fingers crossed that we can hang on to our star players. Jarrod Bowen, a product of our Academy, managed 15 goals in his first full season at senior level. He then improved on that last season, with 22 goals, Hull fans would love to see what he can do this season but there are several Premier League teams sniffing around at the moment.
All in all, we have a good mix of young players coming up through from the Academy, as well as the more seasoned toughened pros. Jarrod Bowen, who I have already mentioned, came through the ranks of the Academy but there others also making their mark in the first team, like Daniel Batty, Robbie McKenzie and Brandon Fleming, and all are acquitting themselves very well playing in the Championship. As a fan, there is nothing better than seeing your Academy churning out 2 or 3 good players each year. At the other end of the spectrum we have Kamil Grosicki who at 31, had one of his best seasons yet, as did our captain Markus Henriksen who has become an increasingly influential player over the last year or so.
2) What are your concerns for Hull this season?
I have 2 main concerns, one is the dwindling support at home games. Last season, many fans voted with their feet, to show their discontent under the current ownership. Home games at the end of last season were only attended by just over 10,000 fans, half what we would expect.
My second concern is the transfer market, which is in my mind, is ridiculous. A manager gathers a team pre-season, making one or two signing to strengthen the squad, probably goes for some warm weather training and play a few friendlies. The season then starts, and you get off to a good start in the first match, only for your key players to be lured away in late transfer deals. It’s absolutely sole destroying for Manager, the team and in particular, the fans. But good to see a shortened transfer window this season, let’s see how that works out.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your opinion of QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
I am surprised in many ways that QPR have almost mirrored Hull City in recent years, almost becoming a yo-yo team between the Premier League and the Championship. I feel that QPR are a big team but we all know it’s hard to get out of the Championship. Like Hull the last 3 or 4 seasons have been hard and QPR have found themselves constantly near the bottom of the league. I see you have made a few signings this summer, young lads with a hunger to play, that could be the spark that helps ignites your season.
4) Hull will finish where and why?
Our last manager Nigel Adkins had laid the foundations for a good season this term. He definitely had the players playing as a team, all the players spoke about the positive changes he had made to the squad. Now we find ourselves with Grant McCann, who I just hope he can bring the best out of our players. I believe the team is good enough to be in the hunt for the playoffs but that is if the Manager gets them going, right from the off. Last season we were always playing catch up, after what was a terrible first half of the season. Then after a string of wins there was a moment when I thought we were going to make the playoffs. It wasn’t to be as we tailed off at the crucial time and fell well short as it happens in 13th place. I have a gut feeling we will get even closer this season but eventually missing the play-offs by just a point or 2. I think it will take McCann this season to find his feet and then the following season it will be look out folks, the Tigers are roaring, maybe with the Hoops close behind.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion: Middlesbrough, Bristol City & much as I hate to say it, our nearest Yorkshire rivals, Leeds United.
Relegation: Reading, Charlton & Millwall
Leeds United
The views of: Gary Devonport from Talking Shutt LUFC podcast
Twitter Links: @dingleburtdevts and @talkingshutt
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Leeds?
Obviously last season was disappointing so the excitement is to see if Bielsa can take us one step further.
Key men will be Kalvin Phillips to anchor the midfield and protect ourselves when attacking in numbers. But also Helder Costa an exciting player who has had great success in this league previously.
2) What are your concerns for Leeds this season?
Concerns are as last season strength in depth we struggled with huge injuries last season, 64 approximately. So we hope to avoid that this season.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
I work with a hoop and he’s concerned. Sadly think it could be a struggle for you guys. More changes in manager lost arguably you’re better player in Luke Freeman.
Think a mid table finish would be a good success currently for you guys. But anything can happen.
4) Leeds will finish where and why?
For me Leeds have got to be hoping to pushing on from last season and secure automatic promotion. But still feel we are maybe 2/3 players away from been able to give us a good chance. I think realistically a play off finish will be the likely ending.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion - Fulham, West Brom, Leeds
Relegation - Barnsley, Millwall, QPR (sorry)
That concludes Part 1, thank you for reading! Share your views below and of course head to Part 2 for the views of fans from the rest of The Championship!
Don't forget you can also enter our 3 free weekly prediction games simply by clicking on each of the links below:
Ahead of the new season we’ve been in touch with a fan from every club in The Championship asking each of them 5 questions to get their views on their own clubs, on QPR and their tips for promotion and relegation.
In alphabetical order Part 1 below covers 12 teams from Barnsley to Leeds.
Part 2 covers the remaining 12 teams from Luton to Wigan and can be found by clicking here > Season Preview Part 2
Please do hit reply and leave your comments and thoughts below.
Let me express my huge gratitude to everybody who contributed their views on their clubs. You can find the details of each respondent and a direct link to their twitter account under each club heading.
If you wish to jump to a particular team just click the name below:
Barnsley
Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Brentford
Bristol City
Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic
Derby County
Fulham
Huddersfield Town
Hull City
Leeds United
Thank you in advance for reading! Here we go...
Barnsley
The views of: Daniel Dowle
Twitter Link: @dowlebfc
1) "Too good for League 1 but not good enough for The Championship" tends to be the outsiders view of Barnsley... do you have reason to believe Barnsley can push on time around?
It's a shame there isn't a league between League 1 and the Championship, we'd make it our own! Despite losing a couple of important players I'm remaining positive for the upcoming season. We've brought in quite a few players and in recent years our recruitment has been quite successful so hopefully the new lads can be a success and ensure that we stay in the league. The main reason I'm positive of survival this season is our gaffer Daniel Stendel. He's got us playing an attractive, positive style of football that the fans have enjoyed watching, and it seems the players all buy into it. I've already accepted that he'll not be at our club for a long time, but while he is here I think he's capable of cementing our place in the Championship, as long as the owners give him the players that he wants.
2) Who are the key men and weak links in your side?
It's going to be interesting to see which of our players can make the step up to the Championship. Alex Mowatt is coming off a fantastic season and we'll look for him to control games and hopefully provide a game winning goal or assist every now and again. Cauley Woodrow and Kieffer Moore were both brilliant in front of goal last season so hopefully both can get an early goal each to give them a big confidence boost to start the campaign with.
For me, our weakness last season was definitely out wide. Thiam was too inconsistent on the left, and for most of the season Cavare had to do both jobs of right back and right midfielder which often resulted in teams attacking us from their left side. We have brought in two new keepers and we've lost our 3 centre backs so it will be interesting to see how quickly the new lads can develop an understanding together.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
With us being in a lower league last season I haven't seen much of the teams in the Championship in the last 12 months. It seems to me that you guys are stuck in a little rut at the minute with similiar league positions at the end of recent seasons. I'd be surprised if you didn't improve on recent seasons, and I'll confidently predict that you'll beat us at your place as per usual!
4) Barnsley will finish where and why?
I'll go for 20th, survival in our first season back is the main goal, but it would be nice to be excluded from the relegation battle. We have a good, young squad that can hopefully keep us out of the bottom three, but the lack of experience may be a barrier for us climbing any higher.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
I see Fulham bouncing straight back up to the Premier League, joined by Brentford and Leeds.
Exiting the league at the other end table I'll go for Millwall, Wigan and Hull. All six picks took some deliberation though as I can see about 6 or 7 teams going for promotion and the same number fighting for survival.
Birmingham City
The views of: Birmingham Fan TV
Twitter Link: @birminghamfantv
1) It appears to the outsider that you are a club in disarray right now... another good manager out the door, letting your captain go for the sake of an extra year when it will cost just as much to replace him, losing your better players in Jota and Adams... is there much to be positive about for the season ahead?
I think it’s going to be an interesting season for sure. It’s never a quiet summer or season in B9 and again Birmingham fans find themselves going into a season with uncertainty. That being said, Monk’s departure came as a shock but clearly was not done without its reasons. The club are looking to overhaul the philosophy of the club and the ethos, having all levels of the club playing a style and a system to create a youth system that can integrate from within.
With Adams, Jota and Morrison going the club are looking to re-invest in young, hungry but exciting players such as Dan Crowley and Jake Clarke-Salter, so while it’s been a turbulent summer, it’s one of change and progression and hopefully for the better.
2) Who are the key men and weak links in the Birmingham side?
In terms of key players, Blues will be looking at Lukas Jutkiewicz to carry on where he left off last season with 14 goals and 10 assists to his name; Issac Vassell will be looking to fill the void left by Che Adams; Vassell being extremely highly rated by the club and various managers in the football league but had been hampered by injuries. Finally, Dan Crowley who recently joined from Willem II seems an absolute steal this summer. The former Arsenal academy graduate, who was dubbed the next big thing, has a point to prove in England but has impressed in his 2 seasons in Holland, and still only being 21, has plenty of time to improve.
Weak links are currently more a case of depth within the squad. As it stands the club will be looking to bring in a few more additions before the close of the window. With the change in system blues are looking to go to a 5-2-1-2 and left wing back is a main concern. Cheick Keita is a player who was bought two seasons ago with bags of potential and high expectations, but having spent the last two seasons out on loan, it’s hard to tell if he’s ready for life in the championship. Steve Seddon is the other left wing back and with only a season in league one under his belt it’s a risk throwing him into the deep end.
Also a lack of depth upfront is a real concern. With Lukas Jutkiewicz and Issac Vassell, Blues have 2 first team forwards but if anything should happen to those the responsibilities would fall upon 16 year old Jude Bellingham. One of the brightest talents in Europe, Bellingham has been touted by all the top clubs in Europe, but with his development still in full swing, it would be a huge ask to burden such responsibility to someone so young.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
From the outside in QPR are certainly a club who are stuck in a little bit of a funk. A club who never look in serious danger of going down but never seem to be anywhere near good enough to go up. Mark Warburton is a good manager and I would expect him to do a good job but the main thing again is the squad for QPR heading into the season. With players like Freeman and Furlong departing and Wells and Hemed heading back to their clubs it seems the club hasn’t really replaced those key players.
Yoann Barbet is a good singing for QPR and a player I quite admired at Brentford but if QPR are to do anything this season they will need to bolster their firepower up top.
My prediction for QPR this season is a similar finish to last season. In no real threat of danger but a lower mid table side. If they add a few bits of quality in the final third they may push for a top half finish. I’m saying 13th.
4) Birmingham will finish where and why?
Birmingham will be an extremely difficult one to call. In Pep Clotet we have a manager who is relatively unproven but is certainly an articulate and intelligent footballing man. The club is trying to install a possession, attacking based game and I think this will either swing one of two ways. The club will either strike gold and have a very competitive and potentially successful season or fail and be in another relegation scrap come the end of the season once again. I’m saying 10th.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
Promotion: West Brom, Fulham, Leeds
Relegation: Luton, Millwall, Wigan
Blackburn Rovers
The views of: Mike Delap
Twitter Link: @mikeydelap
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Blackburn?
I'm firmly in neutral at the moment for the season based on the summer so far.
The signings (two - Stewart Downing and Bradley Johnson) won't exactly spark a stampede to the turnstiles, but they're both steady, experienced hands and we did miss that to a certain degree last season.
The key man for the season will once again be Bradley Dack. When he purrs the Rovers roar, when he's quiet Rovers are generally meek. His fortunes seem to be directly in line with our own. He'll play a big part again.
Keep an eye out for Joe Rothwell too - after a slow start to life at Ewood he was tremendous in the last month or two of the last campaign and he seems to be gearing up for a potential breakout season this time out, with any luck.
2) What are your concerns for Blackburn this season?
That we don't address the problems that developed last time out. We spent most of last season screaming out for a more commanding centre back, a more experienced goalkeeper and more depth in the full back positions and to date we don't seem to have addressed those areas.
Defensively we were too easy to confidence knock and that showed in the number of away day capitulations, without reinforcements in those departments we'll likely see more of the same.
Time is still on Tony and his team's side but we won't be saying that for ever.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Hard to say as QPR have always struck me as something of an enigma. You either seem to be on a run of 47 straight victories or you haven't won in 8 years.
I'd have a go at a mid-table finish and you hiring the managerial dream team combo of Kevin Gallen and Tim Sherwood at a strange time in the season to derail any progress as a solid prediction routed in fact.
4) Blackburn will finish where and why?
Potentially I'd say we'll be in roughly the same spot as we occupied last time. We'll do alright without pulling up many trees - I'll have a go at 13th.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion: Leeds, Cardiff, Bristol City
Relegation: Charlton, Luton, With any luck... Millwall.
Brentford
The views of: David Anderson via Beesotted Brentford
Twitter Links: @davidanderson_1 and @beesotted
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Brentford?
There's plenty to be positive about heading into the final season at Griffin Park but none more so in my eyes than what is going on in defence.
Brentford have been one of the best attacking units in the league for a while now able on their day to pull apart anything in their path. In contrast to that, problems have always occurred at the other end of the pitch.
Susceptible to long balls over a high defensive line, Goalkeepers throwing them in, inexperienced defenders and defenders who are better at playing as a No.10 than defending, you name it, it has been a problem.
The DoFs genuinely look to be answering several of last seasons and seasons priors big, big questions at the back.
The signing of Pontus Jansson, arguably one of the best three defenders in the league from former European Cup contending Leeds United is a monumental statement.
Pontus could be the extroverted leader to bring an extra 10% from those around him.
Combine that with arguably the best defender in League One last year, Barnsley’s Ethan Pinnock, Brentford have increased the average age, experience levels and average height of the back line for little over £8m.
Selling England u21 protege Konsa to Aston Villa feels like a blow albeit necessary but with these additions in his absence to the defensive areas, Thomas Frank’s side look like they finally mean business in attempting to make the defensive part of the game match up to high levels the offensive players have been producing over the last couple of seasons.
Josh McEachran has finally severed ties and his place in the squad has been filled by a legitimate defensive minded midfielder who can move the ball as well as anybody else in the division from that area. Christian Nørgaard from Fiorentina, a player that has worked with the Brentford Head Coach in the past, looks as though he could be the midfield rock that gives the entire side the balance it has been craving.
If Brentord find the formula to soak up pressure on the road, sitting in a low block while home sides run out of steam, the attack can be given the platform to put in match winning performances instead of match saving ones. Combine that with the usual fortress that Griffin Park has always been we could see a winning formula.
When The Bees start thinking seriously about defending the league had better watch out.
2) What are your concerns for Brentford?
Concerns have to be around how the club manage the potential loss of Maupay and Benrahma and the outlay to bring in replacements that can perform at their level almost immediately and not in 6-8months time. It’s all relative in terms of money incoming of course, but I envisage it not being too long before Brentford are having to spend £7m-£10m on a player to get the ready made qualities required for now. And that is mind blowing.
The decision makers at Griffin Park are some of the best in the business when it comes to succession planning so we have to trust they know exactly what they're doing, and so because of that, internally I’m at peace and don't have too many concerns.
Where I do have concerns is the external forces Brentford can’t control. The rest of the division.
No matter how smart Brentford are as a club, it is still an incredibly competitive league with a number of rivals able to flex their financial muscles at will. The disparity between the clubs with monsterous parachute payments is truly frightening.
They won't always get it right but Fulham signing the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert, proven players at this level and pretty much Premier League standard, you get a sense of what you’re dealing with.
It’s not only the players in the league but the standard of opposition coaching too. Bielsa, for instance, in no time at all, took a largely average squad of nearly men and turned them into a frightening, high pressing, vertical machine, narrowly missing out on promotion.
Slaven Bilic, who has managed at the top, takes the reigns at West Brom, Neil Warnock is Neil Warnock and will produce sides that don’t need too much of an introduction, Derby have pulled in the resources of Dutch success story Philip Cocu and Nottingham Forest have ditched the Old School of O'neill and Roy Keane for the talents of Sabri Lamouchi.
QPR even have themselves in Warburton, a coach who if he gets it right and settles can get an unfancied side into playoff contention.
To outwit all of these quality coaches and then their players across a 46 game season is a test too far for many.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
QPR feel like they're on a huge downward curve. The financial mismanagement of the last decade has manifested itself into the squad we now see. There isn't a lot of quality and it might be that youth saves some face because it’s not going to be through signing expensive Premier League journeymen on big contracts. There doesn't appear to be a savvy international scouting arm or even the snapping up of talents form the lower leagues so Warburton will be tasked with dusting off the old black book of contacts.
Losing Freeman entering his prime for around £5m to help balance the books is a bitter blow because he contributed a lot in terms of chances created and attacking output. When your best players are going for relative pennies you’re going to be up against it.
You’ll also notice there was an IF in front of ”gets it right and settles” when talking about Warbs during the last question.
Apologies for the Doom & Gloom but there’s a certain familiarity with how his roles go. They all tend to unravel fairly quickly after an impressive start. He’ll either fall out with owners over control, his head will be turned or patience will wear thin with his stubbornness to accept that sometimes in football you have to defend. Environments can get toxic rapidly and I’m waiting for the time it finally clicks with him because in terms of attacking play, Warburton is honestly one of the best in the business.
Barbet is clever free signing and a player Bees fans know well. With the ball at his feet he is a proper footballer if not a proper defender and will get you moving up the pitch into dangerous areas with regularity.
Matt Smith contributed a great deal with his aerial presence and featured in a number of games if not playing a huge amount of actual minutes. That contribution also need replacing so maybe the direction now moves to that of an athletic, more mobile front line.
I’m not sure how Chair sits in the pecking order but after a good period at Stevenage is he ready to contribute to a Championship side? He certainly appears to me like a player Warburton would like to work with.
I wouldn't put money on QPR making any sort of dent on this league and reaching the playoffs, it’s honestly far too competitive.
With a boom or bust manager and a limited squad, Rangers would need a magnificent collapse from 6 well oiled clubs and that’s just not going to happen.
11th or 12th would constitute to a great season for QPR in my eyes.
4) Brentford will finish where and why?
Brentford are going to finish in the Playoffs. After finally taking measures to sort out the defensive problems that have haunted the side for years, The Bees turn into a hard to beat and organised unit that rarely gives up easy goals and becomes deadly from attacking set pieces.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
Promotion - Leeds, Brentford, Fulham
Relegation - Wigan, Charlton, Barnsley
Bristol City
The views of: One Team In Bristol Fanzine
Twitter Link: @otibfanzine
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Bristol City?
Positives; Lee Johnson over the last few years has been building a team that would hopefully be able to win promotion to the Premier League. The decision was taken to do it by bringing in young potential players instead of the gamble of throwing millions around on one of two names in the hope they would pay off. This close season so far has seen us continue to do this and have added some exciting prospects to the squad. Despite losing some key players in the last two summer markets, it is a fact that we are improving each year under Johnson. It is positive for the long term stability of the club to see that the management and owners have continued this recruitment policy and most City fans think this time we could achieve a top six place.
In the last few seasons we have had issues with the goalkeeping position and after a succession of loanee failures we have now bought Daniel Bentley from Brentford hoping he will add even more strength to the rock solid defence partnership of Kalas and Webster. New boy Sammie Szmodics from Colchester as a central attacking midfielder has excited during pre season games, while our Academy prospects who have enjoyed successful loans are now ready push for a first team place. Antoine Semenyo who has attracted interest already from the top Premier sides and Saikou Janneh another exciting pacy young, talent both aged 20, could be the surprise packages up front given the chance.
2) What are your concerns for Bristol City this season?
The main concern, and it’s one we had since the departure of Tammy Abraham, is the lack of a clinical striker. Our policy not to break the bank makes it hard to attract such a player, so once again we may look at a loan striker. We have been linked with Eddie Nkeitah from Arsenal, but his impressive form in pre season with the Gunners may have closed that avenue. If we can add this missing piece to the jigsaw to the squad, confidence and expectations will soar. Also a concern is that many top clubs have been looking at Adam Webster one of the best centre backs in the league last season, we seem to have brushed away Aston Villa’s £12m offer and hope we can do the same with any others that may materialise.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Q.P.R have struggled over the last few seasons and since 2015 have had a succession of managers including Warnock, Holloway and McLaren. Since they were relegated from the Premier League they have struggled to be competitive in the Championship. Looking more over their shoulders than up the table and I can’t see much changing this season, although a bottom three position I believe is out the question. The departure of ex Bristol City player Luke Freeman to Sheff Utd could be a great loss, I think he created the most chances or assists in the league last season, so very difficult to replace. My prediction for Rangers this season would be around 14-18th place.
4) Bristol City will finish where and why?
If City do manage to get that clinical striker in the final week of the transfer window, I can see us pushing for a promotion place, but probably ending up in the play offs, if we don’t manage to then it will still be a good season and I envisage us finishing between 5th and 8th.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
Excluding Bristol City of course, I think the other three promotion tips will be Fulham, West Brom and Leeds, surely the latter can’t keep bottling it
Relegated... Luton, Barnsley, Reading
Cardiff City
The views of: Cardiff Fans
Twitter Link: @fans_ccfc
1) What looks positive for Cardiff and do you have any concerns ahead of this season?
what I believe is most positive is the amount of creative players we now have in the team with the likes of josh Murphy, junior hoilett, Bobby Reid, Mendez Laing and now with tomlin getting fit again we have more than enough creative options.
My only concern is up top we are yet to find a goal scorer but we are hopeful we might get one before the end of the window
2) Neil Warnock is seen as one of the best ever managers at QPR despite his short tenure and most fans still rue the day we let him go. How is he viewed amongst Cardiff fans?
I think the majority of Cardiff fans would agree with me when I say Neil Warnock is up there with one of the best things that’s happened to the club to take over a team in the relegation zone and then 18 months later get us promoted is a huge achievement and not only did we get promoted we fought our worth in the prem and without the misfortune of the sala tragedy and refereeing decisions I believe we would of stayed up, so Warnock is very high regarded in Cardiff
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
I don’t expect much from QPR this season if I’m being honest I think it’ll be a similar season to the last but I don’t think you’ll be in any trouble relegation wise
4) Cardiff will finish where and why?
I think we will finish somewhere in the playoff positions we have a very strong squad that can compete but unless we find a 15-20 goal season striker can’t see us making the top two
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion: West Brom, Cardiff and Fulham
Relegation: Luton, Millwall and Wigan
Charlton Athletic
The views of: Lewis Catt from the Charlton Live Radio Show
Twitter Links: @lewiscatt9 and @charltonlive
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Charlton?
The unique togetherness and team spirit that has been instilled by Lee Bowyer and his staff is truly unique. I can guarantee that the team spirit definitely got us over the line in a couple of games last season during our play off campaign. That togetherness could prove vital this season in what will be a tough campaign as we make the step back up to the second tier. Players like Lyle Taylor will be vital, he notched 22 goals for the Addicks last term and grabbed 11 assists to go with it. This season could be key for young academy graduates George Lapslie and Albie Morgan who broke in to the first team last season.
2) What are your concerns for Charlton this season?
I’m concerned by the fact that we are miles away in terms of finances and the owners investment. Roland Duchâtelet has made no secret that he is trying to sell the club but his unrealistic asking price is anchoring the Addicks from giving this coming season a real go. However I do have faith in Bowyer and his staff and securing them this summer after a dramatic few days trying to secure his services is a huge plus for the Addicks. We are lucky to have Bowyer and Steve Gallen who find and attract great loan players and players who have come available for a minimal free it on a free.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
QPR to me are a side who appear to have lost their way in recent seasons. Going from being in and around the higher echelons of the Championship they find themselves falling to the lower ends of the table. McLaren departing seemed the right move and now you have an experienced manager in Mark Warburton who I think can steady the ship. Retaining the services of Eberechi Eze could be vital in where you finish this season.
4) Charlton will finish where and why?
Charlton will surprise a few and I think that’s enough to keep them up along with fellow promoted side Barnsley who have a great manager in Daniel Stendel
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
1st place - WBA. The appointment of Bilic at this level could be the difference! Albion have plenty of talent already and Bilic can only attract more
2nd place - Fulham. Scott Parker will have a tough job on his hands in his first full season of management but retaining the services of Aleksandar Mitrović and Ryan Sessegnon is key to promotion.
Play off winner - Bristol City - A team who will surprise a few but on paper have an incredibly talented young squad and a very talented young manager and Lee Johnson. They’ll add a few more but the permanent signings of Chelsea youngsters Jay Da Silva and Tomas Kalas is impressive business
24th Millwall - you’ll say I’m being biased but I just feel like they have lost some key players and haven’t replaced them. The same key players that saw them in and around the bottom three last season
23rd Birmingham - another club in absolute chaos at the moment, sacking a great manager and Garry Monk and losing Che Adams and captain Michael Morrison will definitely dent any survival hopes
22nd Luton/Reading- this was a hard spot to call. I think Charlton, Barnsley and QPR will be in and around the bottom 3 but I’d like to think we have enough to stay up. Luton have a new manager and new style of play to implement this season and Reading have a soft embargo which will effect them bringing in quality recruits.
Derby County
The views of: RamsChat
Twitter Link: @rams_Chat
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Derby?
The new management team headed by Phillip Cocu is a very exciting, he has proven pedigree as both a player and manager, and his philosophy with young players sounds like music to our ears, after the emergence of young players through Lampard last season and our U18's winning the Premier League. The appointment of Liam Rosenior as first team coach also looks an exciting one! I am hoping we can build on last season!
2) What are your concerns for Derby this season?
Another season, another new manager, 3 very impressive loan players are back at their parent clubs, so we need to recruit well, I am excited rather than nervous though!
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Firstly, I was surprised you sacked McClaren as I thought he was building a good young squad with a few experienced heads, Warburton is a good coach though, so I think you will be mid-table and I would expect him to recruit good young hungry players, I think he will do a good job if given time!
4) Derby will finish where and why?
As we are speaking, we have only signed Graeme Shinnie, and lost a few key players..but I'm optimistic..I think top 6 again, hopefully with the right signings we can finally get one of them top 2 spots!!
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion..no particular order..Derby (why not) West Brom, Bristol City or Fulham
Relegation.. Charlton, Birmingham, Luton
Fulham
The views of: Friends of Fulham
Twitter Link: @friendsoffulham
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Fulham?
Feeling positive that we’ve retained players like Cairney, Mitrovic, Anguissa, and adding the likes of Cavileiro. Mitro for sure will be a key player, 20+ goals
2) What are your concerns for Fulham?
Parker is a concern for me, young, inexperienced manager in a tough league that you need to know inside and out.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
Still feel like QPR are stabilising since all the FFP issues. They’ve gone back to being a well sustained club, being sensible with transfers etc. Warburton will get the best out of his squad, they’ll be pushing for the playoff spots.
4) Fulham will finish where and why?
Top 6, don’t feel Parker is experienced enough for a top 2 finish
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion, Leeds, WBA, Fulham
Relegation, Barnsley, Millwall, Luton
Huddersfield Town
The views of: Terrier24
Twitter Link: @vitalhtafc
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Huddersfield?
Feeling positive that we’ve retained (so far) the spine if our side in Chris Schindler, Aaron Mooy and Karlan Grant who made an impact and scored goals in the PL. We’ve added some shrewd signings and cast out the bad eggs so we seem to have a real togetherness again and squad harmony. Fans are back on side and with the now infamous paddy power unsponsorship of our shirts we have a lot to look forward to
2) What are your concerns for Huddersfield this season?
Concerns are losing players late in the window and not having time to replace them, although on paper we’ve a strong squad teams notoriously struggle to bounce straight back and I guess avoiding a double relegation could be a concern but as things presently stand I feel quite confident of being top half of the table.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
QPR is a tough one to predict; solid championship side although having lost some big names this summer it could be an interesting season ahead
4) Huddersfield will finish where and why?
Hopefully we can make a push for the play offs again, we’ve been there and done that and have some real experience in the side blended with some you get players who are eager to impress much like in our fairytale season.
5) Your 3 picks for promotion and relegation?
For Promotion I expect Stoke to be dark horses to take a place, a good manager and a solid summer recruitment.
Fulham, score goals for fun in this league and have strengthened.
I hope final place will go to us but realistically it could be one of many, Leeds will certainly be there again along with Bristol City, a real tough league to call is the championship.
Going down is also quite hard to call but I’m going to say Charlton, Millwall and Luton - sorry guys
Hull City
The views of: John Williams - Vice Chairman of the Hull City Official Supporters Club
Twitter Link: @hcosc_Official
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Hull?
Hull City start this season with a new manager in Grant McCann and with a new manager comes new hope. He performed very well last season at Doncaster, getting them into the League 1 play-offs and all on a very limited budget. At just 39 he is probably one of the younger managers in the league and seem very enthusiastic and to be fair, what little I have seen of him, he comes across very well, though only time will tell if he is good for City. As for the players, we are keeping our fingers crossed that we can hang on to our star players. Jarrod Bowen, a product of our Academy, managed 15 goals in his first full season at senior level. He then improved on that last season, with 22 goals, Hull fans would love to see what he can do this season but there are several Premier League teams sniffing around at the moment.
All in all, we have a good mix of young players coming up through from the Academy, as well as the more seasoned toughened pros. Jarrod Bowen, who I have already mentioned, came through the ranks of the Academy but there others also making their mark in the first team, like Daniel Batty, Robbie McKenzie and Brandon Fleming, and all are acquitting themselves very well playing in the Championship. As a fan, there is nothing better than seeing your Academy churning out 2 or 3 good players each year. At the other end of the spectrum we have Kamil Grosicki who at 31, had one of his best seasons yet, as did our captain Markus Henriksen who has become an increasingly influential player over the last year or so.
2) What are your concerns for Hull this season?
I have 2 main concerns, one is the dwindling support at home games. Last season, many fans voted with their feet, to show their discontent under the current ownership. Home games at the end of last season were only attended by just over 10,000 fans, half what we would expect.
My second concern is the transfer market, which is in my mind, is ridiculous. A manager gathers a team pre-season, making one or two signing to strengthen the squad, probably goes for some warm weather training and play a few friendlies. The season then starts, and you get off to a good start in the first match, only for your key players to be lured away in late transfer deals. It’s absolutely sole destroying for Manager, the team and in particular, the fans. But good to see a shortened transfer window this season, let’s see how that works out.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your opinion of QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
I am surprised in many ways that QPR have almost mirrored Hull City in recent years, almost becoming a yo-yo team between the Premier League and the Championship. I feel that QPR are a big team but we all know it’s hard to get out of the Championship. Like Hull the last 3 or 4 seasons have been hard and QPR have found themselves constantly near the bottom of the league. I see you have made a few signings this summer, young lads with a hunger to play, that could be the spark that helps ignites your season.
4) Hull will finish where and why?
Our last manager Nigel Adkins had laid the foundations for a good season this term. He definitely had the players playing as a team, all the players spoke about the positive changes he had made to the squad. Now we find ourselves with Grant McCann, who I just hope he can bring the best out of our players. I believe the team is good enough to be in the hunt for the playoffs but that is if the Manager gets them going, right from the off. Last season we were always playing catch up, after what was a terrible first half of the season. Then after a string of wins there was a moment when I thought we were going to make the playoffs. It wasn’t to be as we tailed off at the crucial time and fell well short as it happens in 13th place. I have a gut feeling we will get even closer this season but eventually missing the play-offs by just a point or 2. I think it will take McCann this season to find his feet and then the following season it will be look out folks, the Tigers are roaring, maybe with the Hoops close behind.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion: Middlesbrough, Bristol City & much as I hate to say it, our nearest Yorkshire rivals, Leeds United.
Relegation: Reading, Charlton & Millwall
Leeds United
The views of: Gary Devonport from Talking Shutt LUFC podcast
Twitter Links: @dingleburtdevts and @talkingshutt
1) What are you feeling positive about heading into the new season and who are the key men for Leeds?
Obviously last season was disappointing so the excitement is to see if Bielsa can take us one step further.
Key men will be Kalvin Phillips to anchor the midfield and protect ourselves when attacking in numbers. But also Helder Costa an exciting player who has had great success in this league previously.
2) What are your concerns for Leeds this season?
Concerns are as last season strength in depth we struggled with huge injuries last season, 64 approximately. So we hope to avoid that this season.
3) From the outside looking in, what is your view on QPR right now and what would you predict for QPR this season?
I work with a hoop and he’s concerned. Sadly think it could be a struggle for you guys. More changes in manager lost arguably you’re better player in Luke Freeman.
Think a mid table finish would be a good success currently for you guys. But anything can happen.
4) Leeds will finish where and why?
For me Leeds have got to be hoping to pushing on from last season and secure automatic promotion. But still feel we are maybe 2/3 players away from been able to give us a good chance. I think realistically a play off finish will be the likely ending.
5) Your 3 picks for Promotion and Relegation?
Promotion - Fulham, West Brom, Leeds
Relegation - Barnsley, Millwall, QPR (sorry)
That concludes Part 1, thank you for reading! Share your views below and of course head to Part 2 for the views of fans from the rest of The Championship!
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