- Banned
- #1
Well, I was hoping someone else would beat me to it, but, 3 days to the start of the season and there still isn't one, so here goes.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=664942&sec=england&root=england&cc=3436
Barnsley
Manager: Simon Davey
Position last season: 20th
Players in: Onome Sodje (York).
Players out: Dennis Souza (released), Marciano Van Homoet (released), Diego Leon (released), Kyle Letheren (released), Heinz Muller (FSV Mainz, £600,000).
After dicing with relegation last season, Simon Davey has partially disbanded his foreign legion to leave Barnsley with a slimmer squad and a greater emphasis on players with a pedigree in the British game.
As Onome Sodje, who boasts a respectable goalscoring record in non-league, is the only arrival, a lack of resources suggests Barnsley will do well to retain their position in the division.
Much of the goodwill Davey earned during the FA Cup run in 2007-8 has disappeared and, while last season's conversion of Jamal Campbell-Ryce from a winger to a central midfielder was a success and the manager's passing principles remain intact, his side require a regular scorer if the annual fight against relegation is not going to result in a venture into League One.
Key Man: Iain Hume - Barnsley's record signing had his debut campaign at Oakwell cruelly curtailed when Sheffield United's Chris Morgan fractured his skull. Hume's return to the field will be welcome, especially for a side where no one managed 10 goals last season.
One to watch: Reuben Noble-Lazarus - Still only 15, the winger became the youngest player to appear in the Football League last September.
Blackpool
Manager: Ian Holloway
Position last season: 16th
Players in: Billy Clarke (Ipswich, free), Jason Euell (Southampton, free).
Players out: David Fox (Colchester, free) Marlon Broomes (released), Francesco Carratta (released), Stuart Green (released), Claus Jorgensen (released), Jermaine Wright (released), Ashton Bayliss (released), Matt Kay (released), Shaun Barker (Derby, £900,000).
Perhaps appropriately for a tourist resort, a cast of thousands visited Blackpool last season, many of them loan players helping to ensure the Seasiders stayed in the Championship.
The drawback of such a policy is it means new manager Ian Holloway almost has to start from scratch with a slender squad deprived of the borrowed forwards DJ Campbell and Liam Dickinson, who proved the most reliable sources of goals, and his best defender Shaun Barker.
Holloway's last stint in management ended in relegation from the Championship, with Leicester, but his eccentricities may be better suited to a smaller club and life as the underdog. Blackpool need them to be.
Key Man: Rob Edwards - Became captain in his first season at Bloomfield Road and his partnership at the back with Ian Evatt will be crucial.
One to watch: Billy Clarke - Still only 21, the Irish striker had five loan spells while on Ipswich's books. He proved he can score in lower leagues, but it is time to realise his potential in the Championship.
Bristol City
Manager: Gary Johnson
Position last season: 10th
Players in: Andre Blackman (Portsmouth, free), Dean Gerken (Colchester, undisclosed), David Clarkson (Motherwell, undisclosed), Paul Hartley (Celtic, free), Danny Haynes (Ipswich, undisclosed).
Players out: Chris Weale (Leicester, free), Peter Styvar (Skoda Xanthi, loan), Jennison Myrie-Williams (Dundee United, free), Dele Adebola (Nottingham Forest, free), Scott Murray (Yeovil, free).
Well as Bristol City have acquitted themselves in their first two seasons back in the second flight, the search for a consistent scorer continues. Eleven goals last season were an indication of Nicky Maynard's potential, but the summer signings of the Scot David Clarkson and Ipswich's derby king Danny Haynes have been accompanied by the exits of two forwards, Peter Styvar and Dele Adebola.
But Gary Johnson's major coup may well be the recruitment of Paul Hartley, threatening the first-team spot of his own son, Lee in the midfield. There should be greater continuity in the back four, but the gifted goalkeeper Adriano Basso's future is more uncertain.
City were draw specialists at Ashton Gate last season. A meagre total of five home wins provides room for improvement. It is required if they are to secure a second play-off place in three seasons.
Key Man: Paul Hartley - The experienced and efficient central midfielder has been a regular in the Scotland team and should add some quality to the City side.
One to watch: Frankie Artus - Yet to make his City debut, Artus impressed in the Cheltenham midfield during a loan spell last season.
Cardiff
Manager: Dave Jones
Position last season: 7th
Players in: David Marshall (Norwich, undisclosed), Mark Hudson (Charlton, £1.075m), Anthony Gerrard (Walsall, undisclosed), Paul Quinn (Motherwell, undisclosed), Michael Chopra (Sunderland, undisclosed).
Players out: Darren Purse (Sheff Wed, free), Roger Johnson (Birmingham £5 million).
It is tempting to suggest Cardiff need little more to secure a top-six berth after missing out on the play-offs on goals scored (or, to be strictly accurate, one goal scored). Yet it might not be as simple as that.
A new ground - the imaginatively-named Cardiff City Stadium - could be a springboard to promotion or a hindrance. It won't be graced by Roger Johnson, though a £5 million fee is ample compensation for his departure.
But with Ross McCormack, the outstanding signing in the Championship last season, handing in a transfer request and Joe Ledley still coveted by Premier League clubs, Dave Jones may soon be searching for reinforcements. Keep both, to add to the club record signing Michael Chopra, and Cardiff should challenge. Lose both, and the task may be one of consolidation.
Key Man: Mark Hudson - Has the task of replacing Johnson and banishing memories of his relegation with Charlton last season.
One to watch: Anthony Gerrard - Cousin of Steven, Anthony G - as he may or may not be known - has worked his way back up to the Championship via Walsall after his release from Everton.
Coventry
Manager: Chris Coleman
Position last season: 17th
Players in: Sammy Clingan (Norwich, undisclosed).
Players out: Andy Marshall (released), Donovan Simmonds (released), Robbie Simpson (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Scott Dann (Birmingham, undisclosed), Michael Mifsud (released), Guillame Beuzelin (released), Kevin Thornton (released), Daniel Fox (Celtic, £1.5 million).
From a financial perspective, it has been a successful summer for Coventry. On the field, however, it is rather different. The sales of Daniel Fox and Scott Dann, both highly-rated defenders, mean Elliott Ward and the promising Ben Turner become vital at the back.
The squad has a youthful look, but Chris Coleman is short of options and particularly experienced ones. Sammy Clingan is the only arrival to date and he adds energy to a midfield where Aron Gunnarsson is another to attract the scouts' attention.
Leon Best (two) and Freddy Eastwood (four) underachieved in front of goal last season, when only Clinton Morrison managed more than five. Without more help for the top scorer, it is hard to see Coventry progressing. The worst-case scenario is that they follow the many other former Premier League clubs' path to League One.
Key Man: Keiren Westwood - The goalkeeper excelled in his first season in the Midlands. After the loss of two defenders, he could be busier still.
One to watch: David Bell - A mid-season recruit from Norwich, Bell's eye-catching long-range shooting suggests he could be one of Coleman's shrewder bits of business.
Crystal Palace
Manager: Neil Warnock
Position last season: 15th
Players in: Darren Ambrose (Charlton, free), Freddie Sears (West Ham, loan), Stern John (Southampton, free).
Players out: Ryan Carolan (released), James Dayton (released), Carl Fletcher (Plymouth, free), Scott Flinders (Hartlepool, free), Paul Ifill (released), John Oster (released), James Scowcroft (Leyton Orient, free), Shefki Kuqi (released), Jamie Smith (released), David Wilkinson (released), Rhoys Wiggins (Norwich, undisclosed).
If it is possible with Neil Warnock in the dug-out and Simon Jordan in the boardroom, last season was comparatively uneventful for Crystal Palace. The mid-season exit of Ben Watson ended any lingering play-off hopes and the wage bill has been further reduced this summer.
Warnock used to accumulate strikers at the same rate he collected enemies, but Palace were short of goalscorers last season and the most prolific, Shefki Kuqi, was released. It puts quite a responsibility on the shoulders of Freddie Sears who, his spectacular start notwithstanding, only has one league strike in his career, and Stern John, who has a much more consistent record in the Championship.
A solid defence, where goalkeeper Julian Speroni was last season's player of the year, and an admirable youth policy provide grounds for optimism, as does Warnock's track record, but Palace surely need a greater cutting edge to progress beyond mid-table.
Key Man: Darren Ambrose - Rather lost his way at Charlton, but the midfielder has the ability to deliver 10 goals a season.
One to watch: Sean Scannell - Like Victor Moses, a similarly sharp, skilful winger, the young Irishman could be destined to play in the Premier League.
Derby
Manager: Nigel Clough
Position last season: 18th
Players in: Jake Buxton (Burton, free), Dean Moxey (Exeter, £300,000), Lee Croft (Norwich, free), Ben Pringle (Ilkeston, free), Shaun Barker (Blackpool, £900,000), Saul Deeney (Burton, free).
Players out: Andy Todd (Perth Glory, free), Mile Sterjovski (Perth Glory, free), Tyrone Mears (Burnley, undisclosed), Emanuel Villa (Cruz Azul, undisclosed), Liam Dickinson (Brighton, undisclosed).
Few clubs needed quiet consolidation quite like Derby did when Nigel Clough took over in January. Clough junior's understated brand of leadership has proved an effective antidote to the tragicomedy Paul Jewell's reign provided.
An oversized squad has been trimmed with bigger names and larger salaries removed and Clough preferring to invest in players who have prospered at lower levels.
Nevertheless, much depends on the continued fitness of the selfless target man Rob Hulse and the inventive Kris Commons, two whose talents have attracted attention. Keep both and Derby could be outsiders for a play-off place.
Key Man: Rob Hulse - Rebuilt his career with 15 goals last season. With Nathan Ellington, Emanuel Villa and Liam Dickinson gone, Clough is clearly putting his trust in Hulse to deliver again.
One to watch: Miles Addison - Precocious talent who can operate in the centre of defence or midfield.
Doncaster
Manager: Sean O`Driscoll
Position last season: 14th
Players in:
Players out: Richie Wellens (Leicester, £1.2 million), Jason Price (released), Gordon Greer (Swindon, free), Gareth Taylor (released), Darren Byfield (released), Tomi Ameobi (released).
Bottom at Christmas and safely in mid-table with weeks to spare, Doncaster passed their way to safety. There was a downside to their prowess on the ball, with Richie Wellens decamping to Leicester.
Shorn of him, the gameplan is likely to remain the same. Rovers can at least console themselves that their most highly-regarded defender, Matthew Mills, remains at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Clean sheets are required, as they averaged less than a goal a game at the right end last season. It explains the club record bid for Billy Sharp, but without any striking signings, survival will be an achievement again.
Key Man: Brian Stock - The captain already played a pivotal role in the midfield. With Wellens gone, he is still more significant.
One to watch: Sam Hird - Impressed alongside Mills last season in a young defence.
Ipswich
Manager: Roy Keane
Position last season: 9th
Players in: Damien Delaney (QPR, undisclosed), Troy Brown (Fulham), Lee Martin (Manchester United, undisclosed), Shane O'Connor (free), Colin Healy (Cork, undisclosed).
Players out: Ivan Campo (released), Tommy Miller (Sheff Wed, free), Billy Clarke (Blackpool, free), Dean Bowditch (released), Chris Casement (Dundee, free), Jai Reason (Cambridge, free), Kurt Robinson (released), Matt Richards (released), Dan Harding (released), Danny Haynes (Bristol City, undisclosed), Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield).
The chances of Roy Keane mutating into the shy, retiring type remain unlikely, but after such a high-profile appointment, Ipswich have had a strangely quiet summer.
The arrivals of one Manchester United old boy (Lee Martin) and several Irishman hardly constitute a surprise and there hasn't been the anticipated spending spree.
If Keane can galvanise a gifted squad who underachieved last season, when they had unusual difficulty in winning at Portman Road, then promotion is a possibility. But Ipswich's prospects would be better with the sorts of signings that Keane produced to help Sunderland win the Championship.
Key Man: Lee Martin - Keane's faith in all things United can be queried and Martin has produced mixed returns from his previous loan spells in the Championship. Vindicating his manager would help propel Ipswich into the Premier League.
One to watch: Colin Healy - Not exactly a youngster, but the midfielder has barely played in England since a terrible injury in 2003. Now back in the Championship after a spell in his native Ireland with Cork, it is to be hoped he is finally fully fit.
Leicester
Manager: Nigel Pearson
Position last season: 1st (League One)
Players in: Robbie Neilson (Hearts, free), Chris Weale (Bristol City, free), Dany N'Guessan (Lincoln, undisclosed), Astrit Ajdarevic (Liverpool, free), Richie Wellens (Doncaster, £1.2 million), Wayne Brown (Hull, undisclosed), Jack Hobbs (Liverpool, undisclosed).
Players out: Joe Cobb (Wycombe, free), Barry Hayles (Cheltenham, free).
Few would support the theory that relegation has benefits, but Leicester City might. After demotion to League One two seasons ago, they appear to have returned to the Championship a stronger side, perhaps ready to emulate Bristol City and Swansea by competing for a second successive promotion.
Nigel Pearson has signed sensibly, bolstering the defence with Wayne Brown's experience and Jack Hobbs' potential and adding Richie Wellens' creativity to a midfield where, with the accomplished Matt Oakley complementing the emerging Andy King, Leicester already have options.
Steve Howard and Matty Fryatt formed the archetypal partnership of target man and poacher last season; if the latter can replicate his prolific form in the higher league, then the top half should beckon.
Key Man: Matty Fryatt - Which Fryatt will it be? The man who scored 27 league goals last season or the one who only mustered 11 in his previous two-and-a-half years at the Walkers Stadium?
One to watch: Andy King - Last season was a breakthrough year for the midfielder, who scored 10 times, established himself in the Leicester side and won his first Wales cap.
Middlesbrough
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Position last season: 19th (Premier League)
Players in: Mark Yeates (Colchester, undisclosed), Danny Coyne (Tranmere, free).
Players out: Stewart Downing (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Ross Turnbull (Chelsea, free), Graeme Owens (Kilmarnock, free).
Steve Gibson has already displayed his faith in Gareth Southgate. Now, surely, is the time for it to be repaid as, for the first time in 12 seasons, Middlesbrough find themselves in the Championship.
Precisely which Boro players line up there is still the subject of conjecture. Stewart Downing is gone, and it is likely Mido and Tuncay will follow. Should Gary O'Neil, Adam Johnson and David Wheater stay, however, and they should still be able to field a side of enviably ability, by Championship standards.
But, besides winning over the crowd, Southgate's biggest problem is remedying a chronic lack of goals. Middlesbrough were the lowest scorers in all four divisions last season and require a dramatic improvement - and, given the form of Afonso Alves and Jeremie Aliadiere, probably a new striker - to have the firepower for an immediate return to the Premier League.
Key Man: Mark Yeates - Charged with replacing Downing and providing the ammunition for Boro's misfiring attack, the former Colchester winger's is a tough task.
One to watch: Rhys Williams - Boro's relegation should provide still more opportunities for the products of their prolific academy. Williams, who helped Burnley's promotion push in a loan spell last season, is a defender who could figure more.
Newcastle
Manager: No one. One might help, though
Position last season: 18th (Premier League)
Players in:
Players out: Michael Owen (Manchester United, free), Mark Viduka (released), Claudio Cacapa (released), Peter Lovenkrands (released), David Edgar (Burnley, tribunal), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, £6 million).
No new owner, no manager, no summer signings and a 6-1 defeat at Leyton Orient: apart from that, things have gone pretty well for Newcastle. They are in the unfortunate position of being both the prize scalp in the division and utterly unprepared for it.
Sales are required as well as arrivals, to slash a huge wage bill and find players equipped for the attrition of the Championship. Dependable defenders and consistent lower-league scorers would be equally welcome; instead, the overpaid, the overrated and the unfit remain.
Despite those criticisms, Newcastle have the division's most talented team. But without the coherence and sense of purpose a manager provides - and the unity which the Championship's most successful sides invariably possess - can they really return to the Premier League?
Key Man: Nicky Butt - One of the few big names who might have the resilience to prosper in the Championship, and one of the few the club can rely upon.
One to watch: Andy Carroll - With Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins gone, the physical striker from Gateshead could find himself leading the line. A homegrown goalscorer could offer the Newcastle crowd rare solace.
Nottingham Forest
Manager: Billy Davies
Position last season: 19th
Players in: David McGoldrick (Southampton, undisclosed), Dele Adebola (Bristol City, free), Lee Camp (QPR, undisclosed), Paul Anderson (Liverpool, £250,000), Chris Gunter (Tottenham, £1.75 million), Paul McKenna (Preston, £750,000), Dexter Blackstock (QPR, undisclosed), Joel Lynch (Brighton, £200,000).
Players out: Emile Sinclair (Macclesfield, free), Ian Breckin (Chesterfield, free), Richard Tait (released), Hamza Bencherif (Macclesfield, released), Liam Hook (released), Tom Sharpe (released), Ryan Whitehurst (released), Paddy Gamble (released), Adam Newbold (released), Joe Heath (Lincoln, loan), Brendan Moloney (Notts County, loan), Shane Redmond (Burton, loan), James Reid (Rushden, loan).
Survival clearly didn't satisfy Billy Davies. Nottingham Forest will be a much-changed team this season and it is probable the Scot's signings will comprise the majority of the team.
He now has a surfeit of strikers and perming two or even three from Dele Adebola, Dexter Blackstock, David McGoldrick, Nathan Tyson, Rob Earnshaw and Joe Garner promises to be an awkward task. It also suggests Forest's young team have the firepower to progress.
Davies' abrasive persona does not endear him to everyone, but he has an outstanding record at this level and if the newcomers gel, it is possible Forest will become the third club he has led to a play-off finish.
Key Man: Paul McKenna - The Preston captain was a one-club man until his former manager lured him to the East Midlands. One of the Championship's best passing midfielders should help create more chances.
One to watch: Paul Anderson - Brought in from Liverpool, the winger is another part of a reconfigured attack.
Peterborough
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Position last season: 2nd (League 1)
Players in: Lee Frecklington (Lincoln, undisclosed), Tommy Rowe (Stockport, undisclosed), Toumani Diagouraga (Hereford, undisclosed fee), Krystian Pearce (Birmingham, loan), Romone McCrae (Crawley, undisclosed), Danny Mills (Crawley, undisclosed).
Players out: Liam Hatch (Luton, loan), Mark Tyler (released), Alfie Potter (Oxford, loan), Craig Braham-Barrett (released), Chris Westwood (Wycombe, free).
Successive promotions have earned Peterborough just a second spell to the top two divisions in their history. Whereas last summer, it brought interest in their players, now their manager - Darren Ferguson - appears to be coveted more.
Ferguson has maintained his policy of recruiting from the lower leagues but, once again, much of the focus will be on the prolific pairing of Aaron McLean and Craig Mackail-Smith, scorers of a combined total of 100 goals in the last two seasons.
While a third straight promotion would be a miraculous achievement, consolidation in the Championship would also represent success for Peterborough.
Key Man: Craig Mackail-Smith - Overtook McLean to become Posh's top scorer last season.
One to watch: Tommy Bowe - The midfielder was signed when Stockport went into administration.
Plymouth
Manager: Paul Sturrock
Position last season: 21st
Players in: Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace, free), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Southampton, free), Kari Arnason (free transfer), Reda Johnson (Amiens, undisclosed).
Players out: Jermaine Easter (MK Dons, undisclosed), Emile Mpenza (released), Dan Smith (released).
It does not bode well for Plymouth that, often at their best in Devon, they lost 11 times at Home Park last season, or that arguably their outstanding player, Paul Gallagher, was only borrowed from Blackburn.
Lacking Gallagher, Steve MacLean and Bradley Wright-Phillips will have to shoulder the goalscoring burden in a side who are not particularly creative.
Paul Sturrock's idiosyncratic style of management worked in his first spell at Plymouth; it is has been less effective second time around, but Argyle have defied past predictions of their demise. They may have to surprise a few by staying up again.
Key Man: Carl Fletcher - On loan at Home Park last season, he has been signed on a permanent deal and should have a pivotal part to play at the heart of the midfield.
One to watch: Jamie Mackie - Last season was something of a breakthrough year for Mackie, one of the few to provide goals from midfield.
Preston
Manager: Alan Irvine
Position last season: 6th
Players in: Paul Parry (Cardiff, undisclosed).
Players out: Chris Neal (Shrewsbury, undisclosed), Paul McKenna (Nottingham Forest, £750,000), Simon Whaley (Norwich, £150,000).
Preston confounded plenty of predictions by reaching the play-offs last season. In doing so, however, they illustrated the unfussy excellence of manager Alan Irvine, who was wanted by West Brom, and captain Paul McKenna, who joined Nottingham Forest.
Between them, Richard Chaplow, Darren Carter, Barry Nicholson and new skipper Callum Davidson have to compensate for McKenna's departure.
At least Preston should be strong on the flanks with Paul Parry joining the ever threatening Ross Wallace, and Irvine has a quartet of strikers to rotate. But a second successive May in the play-offs looks unlikely.
Key Man: Richard Chaplow - The Championship's player of the month at the start of last season will need to produce that form again to ensure McKenna isn't missed.
One to watch: Eddie Nolan - The Irishman has proved a useful signing in either full-back position, even making his Republic of Ireland debut.
QPR
Manager: Jim Magilton
Position last season: 11th
Players in: Alejandro Faurlin (Instituto, £3.5 million), Adel Taarabt (Tottenham, loan), Alessandro Pellicori (free).
Players out: Liam Miller (released), Zesh Rehman (Bradford, free), Jake Cole (released), Danny Maguire (released), Chris Arthur (released), Damien Delaney (Ipswich, undisclosed), Lee Camp (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed), Dexter Blackstock (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed).
Jim Magilton could be forgiven for keeping the number of a removal firm handy. As he is QPR's ninth manager, including caretakers, in four years, he is unlikely to rival Sir Alex Ferguson for longevity.
Immediate improvement must be the aim. Despite the wealth of owners Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal, QPR were abject away from home last season, failing to score for three months towards the end of 2008.
If a supply line that includes Lee Cook, Akos Buzsaky, Wayne Routledge and Martin Rowlands suggests QPR should not be as impotent in attack, it is worth remembering that the top scorer, Dexter Blackstock, was sold. Unless Alessandro Pellicori finds goals as easy to come by as they were in Italy's lower leagues, it is a reason why mid-table may beckon again.
Key Man: Alejandro Faurlin - The Argentine is Magilton's first and biggest buy. Given his £3.5m price tag, much will be expected.
One to watch: Adel Taarabt - A product of Tottenham's scattergun approach to recruitment, the Moroccan midfielder should have a greater opportunity to impress at Loftus Road.
Reading
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Position last season: 4th
Players in: Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea, loan).
Players out: Michael Duberry (Wycombe, released), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves, released), Graeme Murty (released), Leroy Lita (released), Alan Bennett (released), Gary Frewen (released), Scott Golbourne (Exeter, free), Tom Hateley (released), Daniel Spence (released), Sam Sodje (released), Kevin Doyle (Wolves, undisclosed).
Reading endured a season of two halves with Steve Coppell resigning after the second, more depressing, period and several of the stalwarts of his side being released immediately afterwards.
Enter a younger manager, Brendan Rodgers, charged with shepherding a younger team back to the Premier League in the final year of parachute payments and, as he did at Watford, implementing a more fluent passing game.
The products of the academy where Rodgers once worked should play a more prominent part, especially if Stephen Hunt and James Harper follow Kevin Doyle back to the top flight but, for all Rodgers' evident ambition, Reading have much to prove if they are to follow suit.
Key Man: Shane Long - The perpetual substitute has been handed the departed Doyle's No.9 shirt, a sign Rodgers will rely on him for goals.
One to watch: Dave Mooney - Reading have recruited well from Ireland in recent years and former Cork striker has followed Doyle across the Irish Sea and along the M4.
Scampaignerhorpe
Manager: Nigel Adkins
Position last season: 6th (League 1, play-off winners)
Players in: Josh Wright (Charlton, free), Michael O'Connor (Crewe, undisclosed), Rob Jones (Hibernian, undisclosed), Adam Boyes (York, undisclosed).
Players out: Joe Wilcox (released), Michael Lea (released).
The smallest club in the Championship, Scampaignerhorpe must use their status as outsiders to their advantage in the cramped confines of Glanford Park.
The giant Rob Jones should prove an effective addition to the defence and manager Nigel Adkins has retained the strike duo of Paul Hayes and 30-goal Gary Hooper.
However, positive as he will certainly remain, Adkins' comparatively small budget means Scampaignerhorpe start among the relegation favourites and 21st place would represent an excellent season.
Key Man: Rob Jones - At 6ft 7in, it is easy to identify Jones' main asset, but Scampaignerhorpe's club record signing is excellent in either penalty area.
One to watch: Martyn Woolford - The winger capped his first season in the Football League with a play-off final winner at Wembley, which suggests he will relish the bigger grounds of the Championship.
Sheffield United
Manager: Kevin Blackwell
Position last season: 3rd
Players in: Lee Williamson (Watford, undisclosed), Kyel Reid (West Ham, free), Andy Taylor (Tranmere, undisclosed), Ched Evans (Manchester City, £3 million), Ryan France (Hull, free), Keith Treacy (Blackburn, loan), Kyle Walker (Tottenham, loan).
Players out: Kyle Naughton (Tottenham, undisclosed), Kyle Walker (Tottenham, undisclosed), Jamie Annerson (Rotherham, free), Ugo Ehiogu (released), Danny Webber (released), Ben Starosta (Darlington, free), Keith Quinn (released), Maxime Chanot (released), Nicky Law (Rotherham, free), Sun Jihai (released), Nicky Travis (Central Coast Mariners).
The play-off final defeat to Burnley consolidated Kevin Blackwell's reputation as a nearly man, but it is a much-changed squad who attempt to go one better this year.
Ched Evans is the most significant signing, and not just because of the £3 million fee. United have lacked a consistent scorer since James Beattie's exit in January. Blackwell's other dealings mean he has ample options on the flanks and in midfield, where Brian Howard should assume a greater role in his first full season at the club.
Maintaining last season's excellent away form will be vital if the Blades are to challenge for automatic promotion, but it must be a concern that an excellent defence has lost Kyle Naughton (though Kyle Walker has returned on loan), and could be further disrupted after the club suspended goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Nevertheless, few have a stronger group of players.
Key Man: Ched Evans - The transfer fee appears excessive for a comparatively unproven player but, besides providing goals, Evans' presence may prevent United from aiming long balls at Darius Henderson, as they were prone to do in the second half of last season.
One to watch: Jamie Ward - Despite a red card at Wembley, the young forward has done enough to suggest he has the attitude and ability to make an impact last season.
Sheffield Wednesday
Manager: Brian Laws
Position last season: 12th
Players in: Tommy Miller (Ipswich, free), Darren Purse (Cardiff, free), Darren Potter (Wolves, undisclosed).
Players out: Steve Watson (retired), Liam McMenamin (released), Sam Liversidge (released), Kenny Lunt (Hereford, free).
Ignore the size of the club and concentrate on the size of the squad and it is apparent Brian Laws has done an excellent job. A derby double over Sheffield United represented last season's highlights and a repeat should give Laws legendary status in South Yorkshire.
He has bolstered both defence and midfield in the close season with Darren Purse installed as captain and Tommy Miller a probable source of goals from the centre of the park.
Attack may pose Laws more problems with both Francis Jeffers (predictably) and the crowd favourite Akpo Sodje struggling with injuries last season, though Marcus Tudgay has provided a fillip by signing a new contract rather than moving to Burnley. Much depends upon Tudgay and, although Wednesday may well improve, a top-six spot could elude them.
Key Man: Darren Purse - After losing his place in each of his last two seasons at Cardiff, a move has given Purse a fresh start.
One to watch: Mark Beevers - Purse's probable partner in the centre of defence has been a first choice for two seasons and is still not yet 20.
Swansea
Manager: Paulo Sousa
Position last season: 8th
Players in: Nathan Dyer (Southampton, £400,000), Stephen Dobbie (Queen of the South, free).
Players out: Owain Tudur Jones (Norwich, undisclosed), Jason Scotland (Wigan, undisclosed).
Appointing one passing midfielder from the Iberian peninsula worked for Swansea, so the formula has stayed the same as Paulo Sousa has replaced Roberto Martinez at the helm.
It does not help the Portuguese that the Swans' two most potent players last season, Jason Scotland and Jordi Gomez, have both joined Martinez at Wigan, or that there is interest in Ferrie Bodde.
A first season in the Championship brought 20 draws and almost yielded a play-off place. Unfortunate as Sousa was to be sacked by QPR, it is hard to see a second offering as much.
Key Man: Ferrie Bodde - The Dutch midfielder was in outstanding form before a cruciate ligament injury curtailed his first season in the Championship. If he can repeat those performances then Gomez might not be missed.
One to watch: Joe Allen - The teenager is already a full Wales international and can be expected to figure more often in the midfield this year.
Watford
Manager: Malky Mackay
Position last season: 13th
Players in: Scott Severin (Aberdeen, free), Danny Graham (Carlisle, tribunal), Jure Travner (NK Celje, undisclosed).
Players out: Steve Kabba (released), Lee Williamson (Sheffield United, undisclosed), Theo Robinson (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Stuart Searle (MK Dons, free).
The conveyor belt of young managers continues to whizz around Watford: first Aidy Boothroyd, then - briefly - Brendan Rodgers and now Malky Mackay.
With the last of their parachute payments in the past, Watford are far from the wealthiest club in the division. Indeed, it is a surprise that Tommy Smith and John-Joe O'Toole are still at Vicarage Road and, perhaps, a disappointment to the club that Nathan Ellington is.
Watford actually outscored Birmingham and Sheffield United last season, suggesting Smith, Tamas Priskin and new signing Danny Graham will suffice. But Mackay, as a former central defender, may want to prevent a porous defence from leaking any more.
Key Man: Jay DeMerit - The Watford captain was in defiant form in the Confederations Cup. He may need to be again to improve a defence that conceded 72 times last season.
One to watch: Scott Loach - Last spotted enduring an awful evening for England Under-21s in the European Championship final against Germany, the promising goalkeeper is, despite that, a genuine prospect.
West Brom
Manager: Roberto Di Matteo
Position last season: 20th (Premier League)
Players in: Simon Cox (Swindon, £1.9 million), Youssuf Mulumbu (Paris St Germain, £175,000), Reuben Reid (Rotherham, undisclosed).
Players out: Carl Hoefkens (released), Pedro Pele (released), Jared Hodgkiss (released), Paul Robinson (Bolton, loan), Luke Daniels (Tranmere, loan), Do-Heon Kim (Suwon Bluewings, £360,000), Sherjill MacDonald (Germinal Beerschot, £650,000).
Few teams go down with as much style as West Brom, which was just the sort of backhanded compliment they tended to attract. Replacing Tony Mowbray with Roberto di Matteo has provided an injection of charisma, but the brand of football should remain similar.
The Italian has disposed of some of Mowbray's more quixotic signings. More problematic has been the desire of the stalwarts of his predecessor's side, Paul Robinson and Jonathan Greening, to remain in the Premier League.
While there is an obvious need to improve defensively, Albion's passing ensured it did not matter during their last stint in the Championship. With plenty of skill and the promise of an abundance of goals, a yo-yo club may be heading back up to the top flight.
Key Man: Simon Cox - The 29 goals he scored for Swindon last season included some exquisite finishes and indicated Cox may be the player Albion have missed since Kevin Phillips left.
One to watch: Youssuf Mulumbu - The midfielder did enough in a loan spell last season to secure a permanent move. If Greening leaves, he could be the beneficiary.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=664942&sec=england&root=england&cc=3436
Good player but always injured so no use really...
