Will Wolves just miss out on the play-offs? What about the ambitious pair of Watford and Nottingham Forest? Here are our predictions for next season’s Championship.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the football season for Premier League clubs and the excitement is almost at fever pitch. But whilst all the focus has been on City, United and Co, many will have not realised that the Championship also kicks off tonight.
Ahead of yet another hotly contested season Connor Jipps predicts the standings come May.
Nottingham Forest – Newly appointed Sean O’Driscoll will have a task on his hands to stay on the good sides of trigger happy new owners and it remains to be seen whether a 10th place finish would be good enough to keep his job. Forest have a good squad, albeit weakened by the departures of Gunter and McCleary to Reading. Premier League drop downs Collins and Cox will prove to be excellent at this level. An improvement on last season for sure. Prediction: 10th
Peterborough – Boro will always struggle to move up the table whilst they continue to sell their best players quite simply put, but they have avoided the vultures this summer to hold on to the likes of Boyd and captain Zakuani. Bostwick could prove to be a very good signing and the greater squad depth will help the club finishing narrowly higher than last year’s 18th place. Prediction: 17th
Sheffield Wednesday – Newly promoted Wednesday have made good signings on paper acquiring the likes of Kirkland and Gardner, players with Premier League experience. However there is a reason why they no longer are, having seen a huge decline in their performances and paper doesn’t tell that story. I can see Sheffield Wednesday entertaining with their style of play but entertainment does not always achieve the required results. Prediction: 24th
Watford – New owners have instantly removed the old manager Sean Dyche and replaced him with former West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, a bold move hiring a man with managerial failure blacklisting his name to date. They have signed some interesting Italian youngsters, players many are unaware of, but they could surprise. Ultimately a lack of quality will prevent a promotion push. Prediction: 13th
Wolves –Wolves fans may have to settle for another year in the Championship after a summer of major re-building. Kightly has already left the club whilst Fletcher and Jarvis are not far away from the exit door. Unproven signings bring unpredictability, and it’s hard to guess how they will bed in but I think the club will fall just short of promotion contention. Prediction: 7th
Where do you think these teams will finish? Are our prediction close?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
