Championship Preview Part 3

Last updated : 22 July 2009 By Paul Neat

Ipswich Town

Manager: Roy Keane

Finish last season: 9th

Prediction this season: Promotion

Roy Keane

Not content with spending too much longer in the Championship, the Ipswich Town board sought Keane as the ideal man to take them back up to the Premiership. Those at the top will be hoping the former Manchester United captain can replicate what he did when he took over at Sunderland which was to gain promotion to the Premier League.

One does get the sense of déjà vu with Keane and his intentions with the Tractor Boys. Cast the mind back to his arrival at Sunderland; an influx of players during a transfer window; a certain buzz about the club in anticipation of what was to come; and the demand for top quality sparking an instant reaction from the players.

Sound familiar? It hasn’t quite worked in that order but the former Republic of Ireland international did spark an immediate reaction from his players and has not wasted any time in the transfer market. As well as Manchester United’s exciting prospect Lee Martin, there is talk of Keane adding a couple of his former Sunderland players too.

This could well and truly be Ipswich Town’s year but will lightening strike twice?

Transfers In:

Lee Martin          Undisclosed       Manchester United
Troy Brown         Free                      Fulham
Damien Delany Undisclosed       Queens Park Rangers

Transfers Out:

Tommy Miller    Free                       Sheffield Wednesday
Billy Clarke          Undisclosed      Blackpool
Ivan Campo        Released
Dean Bowditch  Released
Chris Casement                Released
Jai Reason          Released
Kurt Robinson     Released
Matt Richards      Released
Dan Harding       Released


Leicester City

Manager: Nigel Pearson

Finish last season: 1st (League One)

Prediction this season: Mid-table

An instant return to the Championship was what the Foxes faithful wanted and an instant return is what they got. Nigel Pearson and his Leicester City side set League One alight last year with star-striker Matty Fryatt topping the goal-scoring charts to boot.

Matty Fryatt

It almost goes without saying that by keeping this man fit and giving him the service he needs will be essential for Pearson’s side if they are to avoid the drop.

However, it could be argued that Leicester are now back to where they belong, or at least are on their way to being, meaning that mere survival will not be their only target in 2009/2010. A mid-table finish is well within their grasp and if this proves to be the case, this season could be considered a rather successful one.

The additions of Wayne Brown as well as former Blackpool midfielder Richie Wellens could prove to be astute additions from Pearson who has made wholesale changes to his squad ahead of a tough campaign back in the Championship.

Transfers In:

Robbie Neilson Free       Hearts
Jack Hobbs        Free       Liverpool
Wayne Brown     Free       Hull City
Chris Weale       Free       Bristol City
Dany M’Guessan             Tribunal                Lincoln City
Astrit Ajdarevic   Free       Liverpool
Richie Wellens  £1.2m   Doncaster Rovers

Transfers Out:

Joe Cobb             Free       Wycombe Wanderers
Patrick Kisnorbo                 Released
Paul Henderson                 Released
Barry Hayles       Released
Bruno N’Gotty     Released
Marc Edworthy   Released


Middlesbrough

Manager: Gareth Southgate

Finish last season: 19th (Premier League)

Prediction this season: Playoffs

With all the hype and hysteria surrounding Middlesbrough’s North East rivals Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship, you get the impression that Gareth Southgate has no qualms with it staying that way leaving the former Aston Villa defender with the task of guiding his team back to the Premier League free from the media spotlight.

Middlesbrough, though, are in a unique predicament in that many of their fans would prefer their club to ship out the players as opposed to bringing players in. Names like Mido and Alfonso Alves immediately spring to mind who, after failing to return to pre-season training on time, have been told they can leave the Riverside. Southgate has said that he needs players who want to play for the club and ‘it is not his job to twist their arm’.

Alfonso Alves

It’s Middlesbrough’s financial restraints during their most recent stint in the Premier League that could prove to be a blessing in disguise. Gareth Southgate was forced to blood younger, local players such as David Wheater, Adam Johnson and Brad Jones as opposed to spending big. But due to the vast majority of those players being from the Teeside area, it could mean that Southgate has a crux of players who are willing to give it their all for their club and will do whatever it takes to see a quick return to the big time.

On and off the pitch, Middlesbrough are not in a state of disarray, unlike their Tyneside counterparts, and have enough in their locker to secure at least a playoff place.

Transfers In:

Mark Yeates       Undisclosed       Colchester United
Danny Coyne     Undisclosed       Tranmere Rovers

Transfers Out:

Graeme Owens                                Free       Kilmarnock
Ross Turnbull                     Free       Chelsea
Gary Smith                          Free       Darlington
David Knight                       Free       Darlington

 

Newcastle United

Manager: Chris Hughton (Caretaker)

Finish last season: 18th (Premier League)

Prediction this season: Top half

It appears that many bookies have got Newcastle down as clear favourites to lift the Championship Trophy come May 2010 but one has a sneaky suspicion that those bookies also had Leeds United, Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday down for similar odds when they were first re-introduced to English football’s second tier.

The point being is that it is not going to be an easy task for Newcastle to bounce straight back. Strikers Michael Owen and Mark Viduka have already departed having let their contracts run out and one has to question how long it will take before the likes of Obafemi Martins, Alan Smith and January acquisition Kevin Nolan to follow suit. The image in the mind of a sinking ship is hard to ignore and is not helped by the off the field goings on.

Damien Duff

As it stands, current owner Mike Ashley has been thwarted in his attempts to successfully attract a new owner meaning the Magpies are currently without a manager. The longer this continues, the shorter the amount of time there will be for a new manager to spend with his players and get his message across, not to mention delve into the transfer market.

Due to the aforementioned off the field turmoil, this season might have come too soon for Newcastle who need a complete overhaul and thus, just a top ten finish could be on the cards.

Transfers In:

None:

Transfers Out:

David Edgar        Tribunal                Burnley
Michael Owen     Free       Manchester United
Mark Viduka        Released