Last season was a topsy-turvy affair culminating in all but two matches affecting either promotion or relegation on the final day of the season.
Blackpool struggled last season and were not safe as the season drew to a close and they look the best bet to suffer relegation this season.
Whilst many of their struggling rivals have strengthened their squads this summer, James Vaughan's move to Huddersfield and Barnsley signing Dale Jennings being two such examples, the Tangerine Army have lost a large chunk of their team without bringing in any strong reinforcements.
Neal Eardley, Stephen Crainey, Alex Baptiste, Ludovic Sylvestre and Gary Taylor-Fletcher have all refused new contracts and moved to pastures new, whilst star player Tom Ince is highly sought after and (at the time of writing) looks set for a Premier League move.
Negotiations with several targets have broken down and recent rumours of disharmony between manager Paul Ince and chairman Karl Oyston can only impact the club negatively.
Yeovil are favourites for a return to League One and it looks like the Seasiders could join them. Lack of firepower (and players generally) will hamper the Lancashire side throughout an arduous 46 game campaign.
At the other end of the table Reading look a good bet to be Top Southern Team. The Royals had a fairly sobering experience in the Premier League, but their squad is very well equipped to trouble the top of the table and have the experience in this divison to take it by storm after winning it just two seasons ago.
The signing of maverick Royston Drenthe is a quality, if he can weave his magic on a drizzly Tuesday night as well as a sunny Saturday afternoon, his class will shine through and Wayne Bridge is a solid aquisition for an assault on the top of the Championship.
Players such as Gareth McLeary and Chris Gunter were signed from clubs in this league and the highly rated Hal Robson Kanu will be part of a Buckinghamshire’s side impressive midfield.
Adam Le Fondre should be heading the goal charts as he proved he could cut it in the top tier. He was a perennial bench warmer in the Premier League, but extremely potent against tiring defensive legs and the Championship could see him destroying opposition.
Throw a proven Championship manager into the mix and Reading should be up there as the season draws to an end. QPR top the market but their escalating wage bill and ageing squad should see them finish below the men from the Madejski.
A season of off the field troubles and a revolving managers door saw Blackburn struggle badly last campaign. But they should be capable of Top 6 Finish.
Less drama should be key to significant improvement this season and the permanent appointment of Gary Bowyer adds stability along with the dismissal af Shebby Singh who most Rovers fans thought was the root of the off field issues. Rovers significantly improved during his tenures and both performances and results were a little more encouraging towards the end of the season.
Jordan Rhodes and DJ Campbell should scores plenty of goals between them and Scott Dann and new signing Matt Kilgallon should be fairly impenetrable.
With an assortment of promising youngsters, the wise but ageing head of David Dunn and new signing Alan Judge (The Irish Messi apparently), the Lancashire side should be up there and challenging for a play off position.
Championship Ante-post Betting Tips
Blackpool to be relegated - 7/2
Reading to be top southern team - 7/2
Blackburn to finish in the top 6 - 3/1 BQZUHC8JP2DC
No comments:
Post a Comment