Vital Countdown: Coca-Cola Championship (Part 2)

With the new season set to start this weekend, Vital Hartlepool takes a look at what teams you should watch out for and who’s set to struggle this season.

Today we look at Coca-Cola Championship in our series of in-depth previews. This edition takes a look at the teams from Newcastle to West Brom.

Newcastle

In:

Out: Michael Owen (Manchester United) Free, David Edgar (Burnley) Free, Cacapa (Released), Mark Donniger (Released), Mark Viduka (Released) Fraser Foster (Bristol Rovers) Loan, Obefemi Martins (Wolfsburg) £9 Million

Turmoil took Newcastle down to the Championship last season and it does not seem to have an end in sight with the quest to find a new owner and manager spiralling deeper and deeper into pre-season.

The club is to be sold at £100 Million although whoever taking the team on would lose £50 Million of that investment instantly as that is what the club will owe in the coming months. Whoever does take over will probably not get a fair chance of moulding their squad this season.

Having said that if the Mags keep some of their star players that actually want to play for the club then promotion can be achieved. With so much uncertainty surrounding the club anything could be possible, it`s hard one to predict. One thing that can be said is that they should amass more than the five wins they had at St James Park last season.

Manager: Vacant
Key Man: Steven Taylor
Prediction: 5th
Odds: 9-2

Nottingham Forest

In: Lee Camp (QPR) £100,000, Dele Adebola (Bristol City) Free, Paul Anderson (Liverpool) £250,000, David McGoldrick (Southampton) £1 Million, Chris Gunter (Tottenham Hotspur) £1.75 Million, Paul McKenna (Preston North End) £750,000, Joel Lynch (Brighton) £200,000, Dexter Blackstock (QPR) U, Radoslaw Majewski (Polonia Warsaw) Loan

Out: Hamza Bencherif (Macclesfield Town) Free, James Reid (Rushden and Diamonds) Loan, Joe Heath (Lincoln City) Loan, Brendan Moloney (Notts County) Loan, Ian Breckin (Chesterfield) Free, Shane Redmond (Burton Albion) Loan, Adam Gamble (Released), Paddy Gamble (Released), Liam Hook (Released), Adam Newbold (Released), Tom Sharpe (Kidderminster Harriers) Free, Emile Sinclair (Macclesfield Town) Free, Ryan Whitehurst (Eastwood Town) Free, Mark Byrne (Rushden and Diamonds) Loan, Matt Thornhill (Brighton) Loan

Forest have spent big yet again this season but the chairman will be looking for better results this year. Excuse can be given for last season as one of transition from manager and leagues but Forest now under the control of Billy Davies will be looking to mount a mid table/play-off challenge.

Upper mid table is certainly a realistic target but will they have to wait a bit longer for the play-offs. Rob Earnshaw scored 12 goals last season but is capable of a hatful in this division and will be as ever dangerous when unleashed.

Manager: Billy Davies
Key Man: Robert Earnshaw
Prediction: 12th
Odds: 25-1

Peterborough United

In: Tommy Rowe (Stockport County) U, Lee Frecklington (Lincoln City) U, Toumani Diagouraga (Hereford United) £200,000, Krystian Pearce (Birmingham City) Loan, Danny Mills (Crawley Town) U, Romone McCrae (Crawley Town) U

Out: Chris Westwood (Wycombe Wanderers) Free, Alfie Potter (Oxford United) Loan, Liam Hatch (Luton Town) Loan, Mark Tyler (Luton Town) Free, Craig Braham-Barrett (Released), Shane Blackett (Luton Town) Free, Scott Rendell (Torquay United) Loan, Rene Howe (Lincoln City) Loan

Having secured back to back promotions Darren Ferguson is sticking to his policy of buying in young talent from lower divisions. Up to this point that tactic has worked but this time in the Championship it may backfire on the Posh as it may take more experience to survive there, without that experience relegation could be a serious possibility.

The Posh trio of Aaron McClean, George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith will be put to the test at a higher level and the team`s potential success may rely on their young shoulders.

Manager: Darren Ferguson
Key Man: Craig Mackail-Smith
Prediction: 22nd
Odds: 33-1

Plymouth Argyle

In: Bradley Wright-Phillips (Southampton) Free, Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace) Free, Kari Arnasen (AGF) Free, Reda Johnson (Amiens) U

Out: Emile Mpenza (Sion) Free, Jermaine Easter (MK Dons) £200,000, Yannick Bolasie (Barnet) Loan, Dan Smith (Eastbourne Borough) Free, Lewis Edwards (Released), Josh Grant (Released), Brian McCaul (Released), Graham Stack (Hibernian) Free, Jason Puncheon (MK Dons) Loan

Last season was desperate for Plymouth come the turn of the year, what was seemingly going to result in a mid table finish was dramatically turned into a relegation dog fight. The team collapsed notching up 11 defeats at Home Park along the way, a ground which is usually a fortress.

The fact they only scored 13 goals away also didn`t help their cause. Paul Sturrock will be hoping that the new signings settle quickly in an attempt to stave off pressure as a poor start may cost him his job. A relegation dog fight is predicted for the Pilgrims again this term.

Manager: Paul Sturrock
Key Man: Romain Larrieu
Prediction: 19th
Odds: 66-1

Preston North End

In: Paul Parry (Cardiff City) U

Out: Chris Neal (Shrewsbury Town) U, Nathan Fairhurst (Wrexham) Free, Phil Appiah (Released), Andrew Murphy (Released), Dean Stott (Released), Rob Turner (Sligo Rovers) Free, Paul McKenna (Nottingham Forest) £750,000, Simon Whaley (Norwich City) U, Karl Hawley (Notts County) U

Preston are the perennial nearly men of the Championship, making the playoffs most often than not but always come up short. Last season was no different as Alan Irvine pulled the team round, providing 16 home wins in the process, more than any one else in the Championship.

The lack of ignings in the summer is worrying but Irvine has kept the main nucleus of his squad to pick off where it left off last season especially ever solid Sean St Ledger who is bound to become the next captain at Deepdale. A repeat of last season may be just out of Preston`s reach but should find themselves comfortable in upper mid-table.

Manager: Alan Irvine
Key Man: Sean St Ledger
Prediction: 8th
Odds: 20-1

Queens Park Rangers

In: Ajelandro Faurlin (Instituto) £3.5 Million, Adel Taarabt (Tottenham Hotspur) Loan, Alessandro Pellicori (Avellino) Free

Out: Jake Cole (Barnet) Free, Lee Camp (Nottingham Forest) £100,000, Damien Delaney (Ipswich Town) 700,000, Zesh Rehman (Bradford City) Free, Chris Arthur (Released), Reece Crowther (Wellington Pheonix) Free, Danny Maguire (Released), Liam Miller (Released), Dexter Blackstock (Nottingham Forest) U

The Rangers board last season never gave the team a chance to try and press on for a top 8 finish with the frequent transition of managers. Even though denials were made about who exactly was in charge of first team affairs it was quite clear that the board were controlling team selection and in general interfering in managerial duties.

It is yet to be seen if the appointment of Jim Magilton will bring the end to these antics which once again could cost the team. The fans of QPR have not been silent throughout this issue and most have even branded the club a joke since it has been taken over especially with concerns of matchday prices rising.

Considering no real major investment has been made to try and push QPR back to the Premiership the team has done well to secure top half finishes. The other key to success next season will be to secure a goal scorer as only 42 goals were scored last season, the joint worst in the Championship.

Manager: Jim Magilton
Key Man: Akos Buzsaky
Prediction: 14th
Odds: 16-1

Reading

In: Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea) Loan

Out: Michael Duberry (Wycombe Wanderers) Free, Scott Golbourne (Exeter City) Free, Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves) Free, Kevin Doyle (Wolves) £6.5 Million, Alan Bennett (Brentford) Free, Gary Frewen (Released), Tom Hateley (Released), Leroy Lita (Middlesbrough) Free, Graeme Murty (Released), Sam Sodje (Released), Danny Spence (Salisbury City) Free, Oliver Bozanic (Cheltenham Town) Loan, Alex McCarthy (Yeovil Town) Loan

The appointment of Brendan Rogers possibly speaks volumes about Reading`s future ambition for the current time. With an expected exodus of players such as James Harper, Stephen Hunt and already departed Kevin Doyle a return to the playoffs may have to be hard earned this time around.

Reading only conceded 40 goals last season and will have to strive to achieve that again next season to give them the best chance of a playoff challenge. Noel Hunt found his feet in English football last season, now settled he may improve on the 11 goals in 27 games he scored last term.

Manager: Brendan Rogers
Key Man: Noel Hunt
Prediction: 7th
Odds: 12-1

Scunthorpe United

In: Rob Jones (Hibernian) £350,000, Josh Wright (Charlton Athletic) Free, Michael O`Connor (Crewe Alexandra) £250,000, Adam Boyes (York City) Free

Out: Michael Lea (Chester City) Free, Joe Wilcox (Released)

It is sometimes hard to forget how far the Iron has come in a short space of time. Nigel Adkins has done a marvellous job with such a limited amount of resources over the three years he has been in charge. Scunthorpe snuck in the back door to reach the Championship facilitated by their scoring power, 82 goals last term.

Even though attempts are being made to secure the rear guard at Scunthorpe they will probably suffer the same fate as they did two seasons ago, a quick return to League One football. Despite being underdogs in the division Scunthorpe may score a respectable amount of goals with forwards Gary Hooper, Martyn Woolford and Paul Hayes having the ability to perform at this level.

Manager: Nigel Adkins
Key Man: Gary Hooper
Prediction: 24th
Odds: 100-1

Sheffield United

In: Andy Taylor (Tranmere Rovers) U, Kyel Reid (West Ham) Free, Lee Williamson (Watford) £500,000, Ched Evans (Manchester City) £3 Million, Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers) Loan, Ryan France (Hull City) Free, Leigh Bromby (Watford) U, Mark Bunn (Blackburn Rovers) Loan

Out: Jamie Annerson (Rotherham United) Free, Adam Chapman (Oxford United) £15,000, Nicky Law (Rotherham United) Free, Keith Quinn (Released), Ben Starosta (Released), Danny Webber (Released), Ugo Ehiogu (Released), Maxime Chanot (Released), Sun Jihai (Released), Kyle Naughton (Tottenham Hotspur) U, Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) U, Nick Travis (Central Coast Mariners) Free

Some consider the Blades unlucky not to have been promoted to the Premiership last season although the answer to why they didn`t was simple, they lacked an out and out goal scorer. Sheffield relied on surges from midfield and the wingers to create goal scoring opportunities although despite at times dominating play they simply could not finish teams off.

Kevin Blackwell`s men should be competing for a play off place at least next season but with Paddy Kenny awaiting a response from the FA over suspected drug use a goalkeeper may be a must buy, whilst new boy Ched Evans will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders to fire the Blades to the higher reaches of the league.

Manager: Kevin Blackwell
Key Man: Brian Howard
Prediction: 4th
Odds: 9-1

Sheffield Wednesday

In: Darren Potter (Wolves) Free, Tommy Miller (Ipswich Town) Free, Darren Purse (Cardiff City) Free

Out: Kenny Lunt (Hereford United) Free, Sam Liversidge (Released), Wade Small (Released)

After a mid table finish with 11 home wins and 11 away defeats an average season should be looked upon as improvement from the Owls. The pressure will be on to repeat the feat especially when star man Marcus Tudgay may be on his way out of the club as several Premier League clubs have been sniffing around him.

Championship survival is pretty much certain as is a lower half mid table finish as Wednesday may be not have enough quality to compete any higher this term.

Manger: Brian Laws
Key Man: Marcus Tudgay
Prediction: 17th
Odds: 33-1

Swansea City

In: Steven Dobbie (Queen Of The South) Free, Jordi Lopez (Mallorca) U, Nathan Dyer (Southampton) £400,000

Out: Jason Scotland (Wigan Athletic) £2 Million, Owain Tudor-Jones (Norwich City) £250,000, Dennis Lawrence (Released), Kyle Graves (Neath Athletic) Free, Chris Jones (Grimsby Town) Free, Joe Harris (Ilkeston Town) Free

With the exit of Roberto Matinez all eyes will be watching if any changes are made by Paulo Sousa in regards to the style of play that has made the Swans one of the most attractive sides to watch in the game today. The loss of Jason Scotland has been counter-weighted by the arrivals of Dobbie and Lopez who are both natural goal scorers.

A play off challenge may be out of their reach this time though but they should ease a mid table berth at least especially if they replicate last seasons home form of only 3 defeats at the Liberty Stadium. The club have managed to hang on to Ferrie Bodde who plays an influential role in the middle of the park for the Welsh outfit, much so that Premiership scouts are watching.

Manager: Paulo Sousa
Key Man: Ferrie Bodde
Prediction: 10th
Odds: 28-1

Watford

In: Danny Graham (Carlisle United) Free, Scott Severin (Aberdeen) Free, Jure Travner (NK Celje) U,

Out: Theo Robinson (Huddersfield Town) £100,000, Lee Williamson (Sheff United) £500,000, Stuart Searle (MK Dons) Free, Mart Poom (Released), Steve Kabba (Released), Al Bangura (Released), Leigh Bromby (Sheffield United) U

14 away defeats last season cost the Hornets a higher league place finish, a stark contrast to the season pervious. Malky Mackay begins his new profession without too much pressure as expectations shouldn`t be too high at Vicarage Road as there is an air of rebuilding in regards to the entire club.

Retention of most of their key players will ensure a safe finish and the addition of Scott Severin will bring confident experience to the side.

Manager: Malky Mackay
Key Man: Tommy Smith
Prediction: 16th
Odds: 40-1

West Bromwich Albion

In: Simon Cox (Swindon Town) £2 Million, Youssouf Mulumbu (Paris St Germain) £175,000, Reuben Reid (Rotherham United) U, Gonzalo Jara (Colo Colo) U

Out: Paul Robinson (Bolton Wanderers) Loan, Sherjill McDonald (Germinal Beerschot) £650,000, Jared Hodgkiss (Released), Carl Hoefkens (Released), Pele (Released), Luke Daniels (Tranmere Rovers) Loan, Kim Do-Heon (Suwon Bluewings) £360,000, Joss Labadie (Shrewsbury Town) Loan

WBA are the ultimate yo-yo club of this decade, out of all the new sides in the Premiership last season Albion should have been the ones to survive but alas once again they find themselves in the Championship. Regardless of how they performed last season they should be contenders for the title and promotion next season as prior years have deemed they excel in this tier.

Roberto Di Matteo will not be allowed too much time to settle into a club that will at least want to finish in the top 6. Chris Brunt chipped in with some vital goals from midfield last year and will no doubt be in the goals again this time round.

Manager: Roberto Di Matteo
Key Man: Chris Brunt
Prediction: 2nd
Odds: 5-1

Predicted Table
Pos Team
1 Middlesbrough (CP)
2 West Bromwich Albion (P)
3 Cardiff City (PO)
4 Sheffield United (PO)
5 Newcastle United (PO)
6 Bristol City (PO)
7 Reading
8 Preston North End
9 Ipswich Town
10 Swansea City
11 Leicester City
12 Nottingham Forest
13 Derby County
14 QPR
15 Crystal Palace
16 Watford
17 Sheffield Wednesday
18 Coventry City
19 Plymouth Argyle
20 Barnsley
21 Doncaster Rovers
22 Peterborough United (R)
23 Blackpool (R)
24 Scunthorpe United (R)

That’s it for this week, next week ahead of the new Premier League season I’ll take a closer look at England’s top division.

Moscrof