Championship and Lower League Thread 2012/13

[seph]

[patiirc]

 

Yay! Long live Gillingham, rulers of the Cup. Clearly we were great, again

[iamtheman]

Quiet night at pride park

 

take some effort to sum this up in a 2 minute package on the bbc

[tiger_rick]

Wrote this preview for my blog:

 

Barnsley

 

Keith Hill did a tremendous job in 2011/12 to keep Barnsley in the division despite working with one of the smallest budgets. Barnsley's recruitment for the coming season is a little bit more ambitious with Hill picking up players released by Premier league clubs and the signing of ex-Middlesbrough and West Ham lardarse Mido. It's hard to see anything other than another season of struggle for the Tykes especially given the loss of Jacob Butterfield to Norwich City at the end of his contract. Butterfield was the most talented kid to come through Barnsley's academy in years. Keith Hill is a really likeable guy who's worked his way up into the Championship and I'd love to see him succeed again but it's doubtful.

 

IN: Lee Collins (Port Vale), Kelvin Etuhu (Portsmouth), Jacob Mellis, Mido (Zamalek [EGY]), Ben Alnwick (Spurs), Toni Silva (Liverpool), Tomasz Cywka (Reading)

 

KEY OUTS: Jacob Butterfield (Norwich)

 

PREDICTION: 24th

 

Birmingham City

 

It hasn't been the summer of turmoil some feared at St. Andrews with the financial implosion either an overblown rumour or an accident still waiting to happen. Birmingham lost their talented manager Chris Hughton to Norwich which was a major blow after he worked miracles last season leading the Blues to the Championship play-off semi-finals. The appointment of Lee Clark looks a very shrewd move though. Clark was one of the free agents on the market after being fired by Huddersfield last season despite the club sitting in the top 6 in League One and having lost only a handful of games in the prior 18 months.

 

Goalkeeper Ben Foster, who made his loan move to West Brom permanent, and Jordan Mutch have been the only departures from Birmingham this summer so far and Clark has made several excellent signings, making good use of the loan and free market. He also picked up Darren Ambrose for a song as the goalscoring midfielder had only a year left on his contract at Crystal Palace. Birmingham are working with a relatively small squad and still have one or two players such as Curtis Davies, Jack Butland and Nathan Redmond who may attract interest from the Premier League before the end of the summer transfer window which would make repeating last season heroics unlikely.

 

IN: Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle), David Lucas (Rochdale), Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth), Darren Ambrose (Palace), Ravel Morrison (West Ham loan), Ben Gordon (Chelsea loan), Alan Maybury (St. Johnstone)

 

KEY OUTS: Jordon Mutch (Cardiff), Ben Foster (WBA)

 

PREDICTION: 13th

 

Blackburn Rovers

 

Who could possibly predict Blackburn Rovers season? They were relegated from the Premier league last season after 18 months of turmoil with supporter unrest towards the clubs Indian owners and manager Steve Kean at the heart of the problem. Kean inherited a good squad from Sam Allardyce and spent a fair amount of money but barring one or two impressive results, failed to get anything out of the talented players at his disposal. In his defence, while he spent good money on first team players, the squad eroded in terms of depth of quality and so Kean was forced to blood a number of young players last season, particularly in defence.

 

Kean's recruitment this summer looks terrific on paper. Midfield schemer Danny Murphy is a terrific signing as is his ex-Fulham team mate Dickson Etuhu who'll bring real strength to their midfield. Signings like these and powerful striker Leon Best (who will unfortunately miss 6 months of the season) suggest that Kean knows what it will take to get out of the Championship. His other signings are a mixed bag but former Portugal international Nuno Gomes could set the division alight. He and the lesser known Portuguese signings join an eclectic squad and while the likes of Vukcevic, Formica and Rochina have talent, they struggled to cope with the physical element of the premier league so may find it impossible to impose themselves on the Championship.

 

IN: Danny Murphy (Fulham), Leon Best (Newcastle), Nuno Gomes (Braga [POR]), Fabio Nunes (Portimonese [POR]), Paulo Jorge (Porto [POR]), Edon "Edinho" Junior (Olhanense [POR]), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), Colin Kazim-Richards (Galatasaray [TUR] loan)

 

KEY OUTS: Yakubu (Guangzhou Fuli [CHI]), Junior Hoilett (QPR), Vincenzo Grella (Released), Miguel Salgado (Released)

 

PREDICTION: 2nd

 

Blackpool

 

Blackpool is another side whose season is tough to predict. Ian Holloway is their wildcard. He got a very ordinary looking squad of journeymen players promoted to the Premier league, almost kept them up and then, following the departure of Charlie Adam last summer, led them to the play-off final. Their recruitment also looks ordinary and they haven't really lost anyone of real importance given that Lua Lua was used mainly as a substitute last season and Keith Southern spent most of the season fighting cancer. They have a couple of real talents in wingers Matt Phillips and Tom Ince plus the evergreen Kevin Phillips up front and a bunch of players who know how to win games at this level. When you add in Holloway's ability to get an extra 25% out of anything in an orange shirt, hence the number of tango-men going on stag do's in Blackpool at the moment, it'd take a fool to write them off.

 

IN: Jake Caprice (Palace), Isaiah Osbourne (Hibs), Tiago Gomes (Hercules [sPA]), Scott Robertson (Dundee U)

 

KEY OUTS: Lomana LuaLua (Karabukspor [TUR]), Keith Southern (Huddersfield)

 

PREDICTION: 7th

 

Bolton Wanderers

 

Owen Coyle's Bolton probably weren't fancied by too many people to slip out of the Premier League but they never really got going and despite the talent in the squad they never really picked up the form you thought they might be capable of. It was felt that the trauma of Fabrice Muamba's collapse at White Hart Lane might have fired up the united Bolton squad but instead they were drained of energy and emotion and after 11 years, they slid out of the "Barclays Premier League". Despite the loss of a number of big-name players, Bolton have plenty of talented players remaining such as the marvelous Chung-Yong Lee, Stuart Holden and Martin Petrov, players who know how to get out of the Championship like Sam Ricketts, Darren Pratley and Chris Eagles and plenty of physical presence from the likes of Zat Knight, David Wheater and Kevin Davies.

 

Their recruitment looks pretty impressive too with Matt Mills and Keith Andrews having had impressive spells in the Championship in the past (though Mills disappointed big style at Leicester last season) and promising young forwards Gregg Wylde and Benik Afobe. Bolton's weakest point appears to be in goal with the erratic Adam Bogdan backed up by their butter-fingered signing from Leeds United, Andy Lonergan.

 

IN: Gregg Wylde (Rangers), Keith Andrews (WBA), Matt Mills (Leicester), Joe McKee (Burnley), Andy Lonergan (Leeds), Benik Afobe (Arsenal loan)

 

KEY OUTS: Nigel Reo-Coker (Released), Ivan Klasnic (Released), Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham), Ricardo Gardner (Released), Gretar Steinsson (Released), Paul Robinson (Released), Sean Davis (Released)

 

PREDICTION: 1st

 

Brighton & Hove Albion

 

Brighton enjoyed a good season back in the Championship last season under the management of Gus Poyet. They play a good brand of football and press from the front when they don't have the ball. Last summer’s surprise signing Vicente has committed himself to the club for another season and has been joined by an ex-Valencia team mate in full-back Bruno (Saltor). Bruno played for Valencia in the Champions League last season and brings extensive experience with him from Spain. The signing of goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak from Manchester United and ex-England left-back Wayne Bridge on a season long loan from Manchester City are impressive pieces of business. Andrew Crofts has returned to the club from Norwich and he'll bring composure to the midfield.

 

Brighton have shown they are ambitious in the transfer market and have not courted interest in the likes of Craig Mackail-Smith and Lewis Dunk. They now have a squad that is balanced in terms of experience which may have let them down at times last season.

 

IN: Tomasz Kuszczak (Man Utd), Bruno Saltor (Valencia [sPA]), Wayne Bridge (Man City loan), Charlie Oatway Jr., Andrew Crofts (Norwich)

 

KEY OUTS: None

 

PREDICTION: 4th

 

Bristol City

 

Derek McInnes took over last season but failed to turnaround their poor form. They've let a lot go of a lot of fringe players in the summer but haven't excited the fans with their signings so far. They found Jody Morris working the morning shift at a little chef just outside of Perth in Scotland, rescued Greg Cunningham from his career as a full-time loanee and signed Paul Anderson whose career has gone off the boil of late. Anderson will be a fine signing if he can recapture the form he previously showed in loan spells at Swansea and Forest while Tom Heaton should be an upgrade on a well past his calamitous best David James. City struggled to score goals even before they lost Nicky Maynard to West Ham last season so unless they fill that void, they'll be in big trouble.

 

IN: Jody Morris (St. Johnstone), Greg Cunningham (Man City), Paul Anderson (Forest), Tom Heaton (Cardiff)

 

KEY OUTS: David James (Released)

 

PREDICTION: 23rd

 

Burnley

 

The Clarets were on of the most inconsistent teams in the division last season following clumps of good results with larger clumps of poor ones. They've trimmed a squad that wasn't particularly big to start with and have sold their prized asset, striker Jay Rodriquez, to Southampton. Eddie Howe doesn't appear to have been given a great deal of the Rodriquez money to re-invest but has made several decent signings in defender Jason Shackell, tidy midfield player Brian Stock and Wales striker Sam Vokes. Vokes is a promising young forward but may feel the pressure of having large boots to fill. Burnley will need Vokes and Charlie Austin to have exceptional seasons to make any impression on the Championship and will have to rely on good fortune unless they significantly bolster a thin squad.

 

IN: Luke O'Neill (Mansfield), George Porter (Orient Compensation), Jason Shackell (Derby), Joseph Mills (Reading loan), Sam Vokes (Wolves), Brian Stock (Doncaster)

 

KEY OUTS: Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Andre Amougou (Released)

 

PREDICTION: 17th

 

Cardiff City

 

The Redbirds made one of the most controversial moves of the summer when they sold their history down the river and signed a deal with the Malaysian devil. It's a shame that the rebranding issue has over-shadowed the job that Malky Mackay did at Cardiff last season as he took over a squad shorn of talent who'd either returned to their parent clubs following loan spells or left through freedom of contract. Mackay re-built the squad without spending a lot of money and brought through several promising players from the club's youth academy. A pretty quiet summer transfer-wise exploded in the past couple of weeks with Mackay making two excellent additions in Icelandic striker Heidar Helguson, a proven Championship goalscorer, and football's angriest dwarf, Craig Bellamy. Mackay may still face his biggest challenge this summer by holding on to Peter Whittingham but if he can, they look sure to be involved in the promotion race again and should benefit from the playing staff being familiar for the first time in a while.

 

IN: Joe Lewis (Peterbro), Jordon Mutch (Birmingham), Etien Velikonja (Maribor [sVK]), Heidar Helguson (QPR), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool)

 

KEY OUTS: Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps [CAN]), Anthony Gerrard (Huddersfield), Tom Heaton (Bristol C), Lee Naylor (Released)

 

PREDICTION: 5th

 

Charlton Athletic

 

It's been a quiet summer for Addicks boss Chris Powell who signed nearly 20 players at the same time last year. The League One champions have a squad of talented players but don't have too many who've exceled in the Championship and will face a tough battle to stay in the division. They should have momentum early on and have a few seasoned pros like Leon Cort and Johnnie Jackson to lean on when times get tough. I think they'll survive but only just.

 

IN: Jordan Cook (Sunderland), Lawrie Wilson (Stevenage), Salim Kerkar (Rangers)

 

KEY OUTS: Gary Doherty (Wycombe)

 

PREDICTION: 21st

 

Crystal Palace

 

It could be a difficult season for Palace who enjoyed a stress-free ending to the 2011/12 season under Dougie Freedman. It was their first for a while. Freedman has expertly guided a young squad showing maturity far beyond his years as he did as a player. He'll have to perform above himself again this season as Palace have lost four good players in hot young right-back Nathaniel Clyne, Darren Ambrose, lanky one cap wonder Anthony Gardner and winger Sean Scannell. Scannell hasn't lived up to his promise in the game but still has all the physical attributes to make it big. Peter Ramage is a gnarly old centre half who'll do well and Joel Ward showed promise at times in a sinking Pompey outfit. It seems unlikely that Aaron Wilbraham will improve their attack though. He's a hard working guy but he's not a difference maker. Palace is another side whose squad looks small this season and may rely on "emergency" loans for depth.

 

IN: Joel Ward (Portsmouth), Aaron Martin (Southampton Loan), Aaron Wilbraham (Norwich), Peter Ramage (QPR)

 

KEY OUTS: Anthony Gardner (Sheff Weds), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield), Darren Ambrose (Birmingham), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton)

 

PREDICTION: 16th

 

Derby County

 

I admire the way Derby County is run under Nigel Clough. They spend wisely, invest in young players and don’t allow older players to block the development of their own products. They’ve improved year on year and have a nice blend of youth products and shrewd acquisitions. That will be tested this season. Chris Maguire is no-loss, he failed to deliver after his signing from Aberdeen, but Jason Shackell and Paul Green could really be missed. Also worrying for the Derby fans is the seemingly imminent departure of Steven Davies. On the plus side, Clough has signed Northampton's classy young midfielder Michael Jacobs, tough tackling Preston midfielder Paul Coutts, centre-half Richard Keogh and Doncaster's attacking right-back James O'Connor. Their squad was looking a little thin but Clough has done a decent rebuilding job while staying true to his philosophy. The Rams are unlikely to mount a promotion bid but should be too good to fall into a relegation battle too.

 

IN: Michael Jacobs (Northampton), Paul Coutts (Preston), Richard Keogh (Coventry), James O'Connor (Doncaster), Michael Hoganson (Newcastle)

 

KEY OUTS: Paul Green (Leeds), Chris Maguire (Sheff Weds), Jason Shackell (Burnley), Callum Ball (Coventry loan)

 

PREDICTION: 14th

 

Huddersfield Town

 

Manager Simon Grayson has made a statement of intent following Huddersfield’s return to the second tier after an 11 year absence. Grayson cleared the decks following their League One play-off final win and allowed some older players such as Tommy Miller, Danny Cadamarteri and Gary Naysmith to move on. He took Crystal Palace striker Sean Scannell, once linked with multi-million pound moves to Spurs and West Ham, for just

[robbo9292]

Preston v Crystal Palace

Watford v Bradford

Swansea v Barnsley

Yeovil v West Brom

Coventry v Birmingham

West Ham v Crewe

Doncaster v Hull

Carlisle v Ipswich

Reading v Peterborough

Sheffield Wednesday v Fulham

Leicester v Burton

Burnley v Plymouth

QPR v Walsall

Stevenage v Southampton

Nottingham Forest v Wigan

Stoke v Swindon

Aston Villa v Tranmere

Crawley v Bolton

Gillingham v Middlesbrough

Northampton v Wolves

Everton v Leyton Orient

MK Dons v Blackburn

Leeds v Oxford

Sunderland v Morecambe

Norwich v Scunthorpe

 

These fixtures are to be played on the week commencing 27th August 2012.

 

Here is the capital one cup draw for the 2nd round

[Majik]

Coventry v Birmingham

 

[niff]

News from Sky Sports that Fabrice Muamba has retired from professional football (after advice from doctors).

[tiger_rick]

Had my pre-season bet. Instead of picking the three league winners (and losing), I've gone for the more sensible bet of a treble on a team to be promoted from each division. I was quite surprised that picking Bolton, MK Dons and Fleetwood was for 21/1.

 

Also surprised that Leicester are favourites ahead of Bolton for the title. The two squads don't compare at all.

[WU LYF 4 LYF]

You think City will go up, Rick? They seem to have bought quite well, and Bruce is a very good choice as manager. I'll actually be catching my first Hull game in a few years soon, I've been invited on a road trip up to Doncaster for the League Cup. Can't say I'm too excited.

[tiger_rick]

I don't think we'll go up, no. Think the recruitment is good and am happy enough with Bruce but I think there are plenty of other teams who've done well this summer and I think we look like a team who are starting again. Again. Hope I'm wrong.

[Zebra Kid Mark]

Just got back from rainy match between Cardiff and Huddersfield. Not sure how it looked on tele but the first half was dire and the 2nd half came to life, the ref was shocking but Cardiff really need to ditch the long ball strategy. We played majestic football last season then the last few months we were hoofing up the field. I hope this changes.

[tiger_rick]

It came across as shit as you describe. Cardiff were rubbish, I have no idea how they pulled that one out. Huddersfield much the better team.

 

Ref was alright. The foul on Helguson that should have been a penalty was the only real wrong decision apart from the odd throw-in. Linesmen are the problem, they do fuck all to help. Funny hearing the crowd get on the ref back when he's done nothing wrong. Come across as stupid as fuck when the TV audience can see what's really going on. Not a dig at Cardiff, same for everyone. Number of times during our PL era we'd be screaming about decisions for handball, offside, etc and I'd get a text from my brother "Just shown it on TV he was miles on" or something.

[Teedy Kay]

So the big kick off today, I'm fully expecting Leeds to rip us up this afternoon, by 3 or 4 I reckon.

 

Will be interesting to see if Fletch and Jarvo play.

 

Quick question, are there any good apps out there for the championship? The ESPN ones vet the last couple of years have been excellent, is there a similar one for lower league footie?

[robbo9292]

I couldn't be bothered holding off until transfer day to do this now, so instead here is my prediction for Walsall.

 

Walsall

 

Players In

 

Ashley Hemmings - Wolves - Free

Florent Cuvelier - Stoke - Loan

Dean Holden - Rochdale - Free

Febian Brandy - Panetolikos - Free

Connor Taylor - Aston Villa - Free

Paul Downing - West Brom - Free

James Baxendale - Doncaster - Free

Ben Purkiss - Hereford - Free

Nicky Featherstone - Hereford - Free

 

Players Out

 

John Macken - Released

Anton Peterlin - Hearts - Trial

Connor Deards - Released

Manny Smith - Notts County - Free

Johnny Haynes - Released

Darryl Westlake - Sheffield United - Nominal

Olly Lancashire - Aldershot - Free

Jamie Tank - Wolves -

[seph]

I was going to repost the bear picture again, but that's not quite fair. 0-1 was the right result given the way both teams played. Defensively we looked much sharper than Tuesday, looked very hard to crack apart from a few close calls but the holes are still there and people responsible still need to plug them, sharpish. We didn't do anything as stupid as put Wools in the back, but we still didn't create much from anything. The Campbell signing is a little worrying as it looks like either the Bolassie transfer request has legs or Pitman's getting cold feet; we still haven't sorted the supply issue so I believe this will be a continuing trend unless one of the strikers steps back and takes matters into his own hands.