The Championship 07/08, part 3
Excitement is growing. Pre-season is winding down. The new season is just around the corner. And The Championship is the place to be. Well, quite clearly, it isn’t. Everyone in The Championship has one eye on the prize but, newly patronised, The Championship always delivers passion, surprises, and surprising amounts of skill. Everyone can generally beat everyone else, and often do, with excitement rarely at a premium.
So, with 2 weeks until the opener (because these things take time, y’know), here’s a countdown of all of the runners and riders, the movers and shakers, and the wingers and strikers the Championship has to offer. Here’s Part 3…
Crystal Palace
Last year: 12th
Prediction: Palace are one of those teams that are hard to make head or tail of. They came down from the Premiership, have stabilised around mid-table and that is, seemingly, that. They’ve got loftier aspirations than these, but their current squad belies their expected status. A quick perusal of their current players highlights a lack of quality that will work most Eagles fans, and a lack of transfer activity indicates a trifling budget. Their first team is solid. Leon Cort is a much better defender than his brother is striker, while Carl Fletcher and Ben Watson are both dependable characters in the middle. Kennedy, Ifill and Soares are all frustrating – they have the talent, but apply it inconsistently. Soares in particular should be doing better. Up front is a similar assortment of enigmas, from the lumbering Shefki Kuqi, to Clinton Morrison, to the evergreen Dougie. Even the signings have been uninspiring – the only person getting excited about the arrival of José Fonte, the Portuguese left back, is his brother Rui, currently of Arsenal. Palace will need to become more than the sum of their parts to achieve more than their 12th place finish again this season.
Key player: With a solid defence, the onus will fall on The Eagles’ strikeforce to win them games. Clinton Morrison must improve on his 12 goals last season
One to watch: Lewis Grabban is a young striker on the fringes of the Palace team. Already with a goal under his belt, he’ll be looking for more game-time this year
Hull City
Last year: 21st
Prediction: After a season of turmoil last year, including the departures of both Peter Taylor and Phil Parkinson, another Phil, Brown left a comfy role at Bolton for his first managerial role, ultimately finishing a single place above relegation. This was too close for most Tigers fans’ comfort, and much has been made of the renovation of the squad to ensure a more nerve-free season this time round. Unlikely potential signings apart – and I’m looking at you, Juninho – Brown has acted cleverly in the transfer market. Wayne Brown will shore up the defence, while the midfield pairing of Garcia and Hughes are both perennially underrated. They will add touch and goals. Up top, however, is a different story. Hull relied on 38-year-old Dean Windass for the goals that kept them up, the burly poacher can’t be relied upon again. Stephen McPhee is always injured, while Barmby and Michael Bridges’ aren’t exactly averse to stretches on the treatment table. Putting the chances away will be key for the Tigers, and without further purchases the spectre of the drop may loom large again.
Key player: Nicky Barmy – The link between midfield and the strikers, he’s still a pedigree performer at 33.
One to watch: Nicky Featherstone – He’s raw and unlikely to start too often, but he’s got pedigree and should be looking to learn from Hull’s elder statesmen
Ipswich Town
Last year: 14th
Prediction: With little money to play with this close season, the Tractor Boys seem to be in a period of flux at present. Manager Jim Magilton has been forced to blood several youngsters, possibly before their expected debuts, with most hopes hanging on the success of the traditionally excellent Ipswich youth system. Magilton has brought known presences back to the club in Tommy Miller and Pablo Counago, while Neil Alexander will fill the sticks. Sylvain Legwinski has been a revelation in the middle, but Ipswich’s season will be determined by the success or failure of the club’s youngsters. Owen Garvan, Danny Haynes, Jaime Peters – they’re not household names, probably even in East Anglia. However, how well these kids take their chances in the first team will be the difference between a comfortable mid-table performance and looking worriedly over their shoulder come May.
Key player: Sylvain Legwinski. The likeable midfielder has come into his own at Ipswich, and has become a firm favourite. His experience and steel in the middle will be essential for the Tractor Boys
One to watch: Owen Garvan. The young midfielder has a definite eye for a pass and has been earmarked for big things in East Anglia. He should be looking to make a first team berth his own…
Leicester City
Last year: 19th
Prediction: Leicester is an interesting one this season. Buoyed by significant investment from Pompey legend Milan Mandaric, Leicester has been touted as potential promotion candidates far and wide. However, things are rarely that easy, and it would not be difficult to envisage Martin Allen’s men taking some time to gel over the course of the season. However, the money at Allen’s disposal has been used in very interesting ways. Stephen Clemence was a success story at Birmingham in an otherwise topsy-turvy season, while DJ Campbell and Carl Cort come with big reputations and bigger needs to prove themselves. I feel that hitting the back of the net will be an issue for Leicester, as neither Cort, Campbell, Fryatt or Hume seem to be capable of 15, never mind 20, goals in a season. Fryatt would be the one of the four that could come closest. Midfield will be relying on Kishishev for backbone and Hellings for flair, while their defence would seem reliable with some selection consistency. More likely than promotion would be a top half finish this season, with an outside chance of the play-offs.
Key player: Stephen Clemence. Having marshalled the promotion charge for Birmingham, the new Foxes captain will be tasked with pulling the strings for Martin Allen
One to watch: Hossein Kaebi. Having over 50 caps for your country at 21 is no mean feat, and English scouts have followed the Iranian for many years. It’s time to see whether he has the quality to back up all the interest
The Championship 07/08, part 2
Sorry it’s late!
With 2 weeks until the opener (because these things take time, y’know), here’s a countdown of all of the runners and riders, the movers and shakers, and the wingers and strikers the Championship has to offer. Here’s Part 2…
Cardiff
Last year: 13th
Prediction: Dave Jones’ rollercoaster year last season saw them set the early pace, blazing a Michael Chopra-induced trail across the division, before crashing and burning spectacularly towards the close and finally settling at 13th place. Things are never dull with our Dave. However, with their 22-goal frontman departing for the Royvolution at Sunderland and the deficiencies of a small squad fully evident by the end of 06/07, Dave Jones has moved quickly on his recruitment drive. High earners such as Robbie Fowler and Trevor Sinclair have arrived, wiping out much of the £5m raised from Chopra, and raising expectations even further. However, while these ageing stars move in, the team has been based on solid roots – players like Stephen Thompson or Riccy Scimeca are proven Championship performers, while Joe Ledley and Paul Parry provide inconsistent flair. The signing of Peter Whittingham, long admired by Jones, will also add a sweet left-foot to the flanks. However, I feel that much rests on the fitness of the squad, particularly its elder statesmen, if Cardiff are going to provide the mooted Playoff push.
Key player: Robbie Fowler – High hopes, high wages, high class, high risk. ‘The best natural finisher in England’ ™ needs to justify investment with goals. If he stays fit, you wouldn’t bet against him
One to watch: Chris Gunter – Everton target who is already a full Welsh international, and winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award. Plenty of potential in his 15 appearances thus far
Charlton
Last year: 19th (Premiership)
Prediction: Charlton’s relegation masked a distinct upturn in their play, if not their fortunes, following the appointment of Alan Pardew. While Darren Bent’s departure progressed as expected, the £16.5m windfall surprised many, and has allowed Pardew to hold on to much of the rest of his squad. Additions like the prolific (last season) Iwelumo and Varney, alongside Todorov and the other Bent, mean that Charlton’s forward line is the envy of the division, while a midfield comprising of Andy Reid, Matty Holland, Darren Ambrose and Jerome Thomas should hold enough quality for the top two. However, relegated teams have consistently failed to adapt to the Championship quickly, while the club’s winner of the player-of-the-season gong for the last 3 years have all departed this summer (Bent, Young and Carson). Their defence continues to look as flaky as a bathtub chocolate bar, and it remains to be seen whether Nicky Weaver is actually that good, despite plaudits at Citeh last year. On paper they should make the top two.
Key player: Andy Reid – the chubby midfielder showed flashes of inspiration last year, and his supply route will be essential for the massed ranks of the Charlton forward line
One to watch: Yassin Moutaouakil – French fullback signed for half a million pounds was a reputed target for Lazio and Celtic, among others
Colchester
Last year: 10th
Prediction: The surprise package of last season bar none, the U’s are looking to upset the odds again, based on their form at the fortress-like Layer Road. However, Geraint Williams has had to deal with the exits of star players Jamie Cureton, Chris Iwelumo and Wayne Brown, depriving the squad of goals and defensive rocks that were so important last year. Star signings have been few, though the mercurial Teddy Sheringham has brought his octogenarian talents to the club, alongside gambles like Platt, Yeates and Guttirdge. The defence should continue to be solid, with Duguid and Watson supplemented by Arsenal talent Matthew Connolly and Danny Granville, while Dean Gerken has made the keeping position his own. It is goals that seem to be the problem for the forthcoming season, with much of Colchester’s previous success based on the prolific nature of their strikeforce. Without further investment, I’m struggling to see that, over the course of the season, they will score enough…
Key player: Clive Platt – Everyone knows what they’re going to get from Teddy, but he is unlikely to hit 20 in a season. That leaves a goalscoring burden on the former MK Dons man, and he’ll want to prove his 18 goals last year weren’t simply a flash in the pan
One to watch: Dean Gerken – Newly contracted and highly rated, 21 year old stopper Gerken has finally made the gloves his own after a string of fine, Ray Clemence-watched, performances at the tail end of last year. The youngster has the class to continue that form into the new season
Coventry
Last year: 17th
Prediction: It’s all change for Iain Dowie’s Sky Blues this year, as protracted takeovers and a revolving door transfer policy has seen upheaval at the Midlands club. Coventry lost their star players Stern John and Gary McSheffrey to promoted teams last year, and had struggled to perform without those leading lights, ultimately finishing in a disappointing position. They’ve smartened up their defence with the long-in-the-tooth but good-at-the-back Arjan de Zeeuw, and have been busy trying to add quality to a workmanlike squad. Julian Gray is a good addition, while Leon Best and Robbie Simpson are young and highly-rated. Depth in the squad is an issue Dowie must be worried about, especially should injuries (or bigger clubs) blight Coventry’s steps again. The club’s potential new management won’t be patient in waiting for success, so this season must be an improvement on the disappointments of 06/07.
Key player: Arjan de Zeeuw – He is slow and can barely pass the ball, but Wigan’s former captain is a born leader and shouldn’t be exposed for pace too often at this level
One to Watch: Robbie Simpson – The 22 year-old’s transfer tribunal overshadowed his move to Coventry from Cambridge, where he scored 15 goals over the second part of the season to seal Dowie’s interest
The Championship 07/08, part 1
Excitement is growing. Pre-season is winding down. The new season is just around the corner. And The Championship is the place to be.
Well, quite clearly, it isn’t. Everyone in The Championship has one eye on the prize but, newly patronised, The Championship always delivers passion, surprises, and surprising amounts of skill. Everyone can generally beat everyone else, and often do, with excitement rarely at a premium.
So, with 2 weeks until the opener (because these things take time, y’know), here’s a countdown of all of the runners and riders, the movers and shakers, and the wingers and strikers the Championship has to offer. Enjoy…
Barnsley
Last year: 20th
Prediction: Another struggle is likely this year, after losing 9-goal Daniel Nardiello to QPR and the club’s longest serving player, Antony Kay. At times they were woefully naïve last time around, shipping 4 goals or more on their travels a scary six times, culminating in a 7-0 tonking at the hands of the Baggies. It was only the fact that Leeds were quite so inept that Barnsley aren’t in League 1, so inexperienced manager Simon Davey must be looking to tighten his defence. Goals also didn’t come easily, though a full season for István Ferenczi should go some way to alleviating that pain, especially if either of the unknowns that are Miguel Mostto or Kayode Odejayi come off. Faced with little money, the outlay on Mostto in particular needs to be repaid, while Kozluk and Ricketts are both solid Championship players, if little more. Organisation and a keen work ethic seem to be the watchwords for 07/08.
Key player: Paul Reid – the captain has to marshal the defence better this year
One to watch: Miguel Mostto – The biggest Barnsley price tag since Neil Shipperley in 1999, the Peruvian must make good on Davey’s confidence in him
Blackpool
Last year: 3rd (League One), Playoff winners
Prediction: The Tangerines will be looking just to survive after their promotion at the expense of Yeovil last year. While there haven’t been any big signings, and their squad is filled with little-known names, Blackpool can at least count on their strikers to earn them some points. Both Andy Morrell and Keigan Parker scored over 15 goals last year, and have formed a handy partnership. Morrell in particular will be aiming to prove himself, following an unconvincing spell in the Championship with Coventry. The real star of the show is manager Simon Grayson though. Since his retirement from playing, he has turned a struggling team of battlers into a free-flowing, ten-game-in-a-row winning side, notching up two manager of the month gongs on the way. While budgets are tight, and Grayson may be set for bigger things, ‘Pool may well surprise more than a few established teams this year.
Key player: Andy Morrell – needs to convert League One dominance into a solid Championship season. Double figures is essential
One to watch: Wes Hoolahan – the young winger will need to get over the legal wrangling of his move from Livingston to show again the form that made him part of the League One team of the year
Bristol City
Last year: 2nd (League one)
Prediction: Another team looking to its inspirational manager, Bristol City will need lots of luck and graft to avoid a relegation nailbiter this season. 2007-08 will be the first season in almost a decade that has seen Bristol City playing at this level of English football, and there has (in the past) been a reason for that – inconsistency. While players like Enoch Showunmi, Steve Brooker and Louis Carey are all solid pros, none could be said to have the sparkle needed to separate League One and Championship. For that very reason, the dual signings of Ivan Sproule and Michael McIndoe are already under pressure. McIndoe has already shown promise during his time at Wolves, though Sproule’s capture raised eyebrows among the Robins faithful. City fans keep high hopes for Cole Skuse and, particularly, Richard Keogh, two young defenders who have already caught the eye of rival scouts.
Key player: Michael McIndoe – excellent left foot helped Wolves to the playoffs last year: his departure was a shock
One to watch: Richard Keogh is a 20 year old with 40 games under his belt last year, and has already captained the Republic’s U21’s
Burnley
Last year: 15th
Prediction: Dark horses early on in last year, Burnley tailed off in mid-table mediocrity by the end of the season. While Steve Cotterill’s men are guilty of some terrible inconsistency, the squad has been trimmed and trained into a handy Championship side. There should be no worry of relegation this year. Up front, Andy Gray and Robbie Blake are both tricky goalscorers, while highly-rated youngsters Kyle Lafferty and Besart Berisha should provide support. The defence has been bolstered since Steven Caldwell’s recruitment, though the midfield still looks light on quality. Joey Gudjonssen has slipped slowly down the leagues as his career has continued, while the same could be said for Alan Mahon.
Key player: Returning hero Robbie Blake should fire the goals to keep Burnley midtable
One to watch: Besart Berisha is an upstart Albanian with true quality
Making Media Molehills>Mountains
It’s a damning indictment of the lengths the media will go to to sell papers that a rumour spammed on Arsenal messageboards about a completely fabricated signing by Boca fans made it onto the back page of The Sun (amongst others). As the lead sport story.
Now, I deal with journalists every day – and I probably have to be a little careful what I say – but exactly how can a complete lie, spread on internet forums known for rumour-mongering and “my-brother’s-cleaner’s-best-mate-heard-a-bloke-in-the-pub” style speculation, suddenly be reported as fact on the back of the best read, and therefore most influential to the general footie fan, newspaper in the country?? It beggers belief.
I understand agents use the media as a tool to drive prices higher – that’s a given. And these papers have to fill their back pages somehow in the off season. But the amount of absolute tripe that is peddled is horrendous. I would wager that a good 70% of the transfer ‘gossip’ peddled in the press is the product of imagination not investigation. If you throw enough shit…
It would be annoying if it wasn’t so funny.
Carra the brat
So Jamie Carragher has retired from international football has he? Stop throwing your toys from the pram.
You’re not an international centre-half, so be it. But neither are you in a position to throw a big strop and retire from your country. Playing for England should be the pinnacle of anyone’s career (as long as they’re English, otherwise it makes no sense…). There should be a Roy of the Rovers feeling about it, wherever you play. If Carra isn’t good enough to displace Terry and Rio, then he should knuckle down and keep trying. I understand his frustration at being played out of position, but playing at all should be enough.
For the inept MacLaren, it should make his defensive decisions that bit easier. A fully fit King should now be third choice, with Woodgate filling in as required. And ex-Wolves superstar J-Lo should also warrant a squad place, especially given his aptitude at filling in at left-back, though I’m sure Steve will bottle it and select Dawson instead.
You say you want a Rafalution…
So, Rafa Benitez is taking the plunge on Torres, according to news sources. £25 million for a man completely unproven at the top level of domestic football is a huge gamble by any standards, especially given the recent takeover of Liverpool – and therefore increased scrutiny of the incumbent regime.
Torres has never been a prolific marksman, and has played in an Atletico team more renowned for inconsistency than anything else. That he has the reputation he does is almost bewildering, though his talent is unquestionable. Benitez’s transfer history doesn’t inspire much confidence either. Despite two European Cup finals, including a win, and a feeling that Rafa has delivered on his promise to make the Reds a contender in the title shake-up, his use of the Scousers’ wallet hasn’t been consistently successful. Below is a complete list of players Rafa has signed in his three years at the club…
Liverpool’s transfers in 2006/2007
Player From Fee Date
Fabiano Aurelio Valencia Free 05-07-2006
Jermaine Pennant Birmingham £ 6700000 26-07-2006
Dirk Kuyt Feyenoord £ 9000000 18-08-2006
Nabil El Zhar St Etienne Signed 01-10-2006
Alvaro Arbeloa Deportivo £ 2600000 31-01-2007
Francisco Manuel Duran Malaga Signed 31-01-2007
Javier Mascherano West Ham Signed 31-01-2007
Liverpool’s transfers in 2005/2006
Player From Fee Date
Boudewijn Zenden Middlesbro Free 04-07-2005
Jose Reina Villarreal £ 6000000 04-07-2005
Antonio Barragan Seville Signed 04-07-2005
Mark Gonzalez Albacete £ 4500000 04-07-2005
Mohamed Sissoko Valencia £ 5600000 13-07-2005
Peter Crouch Southampton £ 7000000 20-07-2005
Godwin Antwi Real Zaragoza Signed 01-08-2005
Jack Hobbs Lincoln Signed 18-08-2005
Paul Anderson Hull City Signed 02-01-2006
Jan Kromkamp Villarreal Swap 04-01-2006
David Martin MK Dons Signed 12-01-2006
Daniel Agger Brondby £ 5800000 12-01-2006
Robbie Fowler Man City Free 27-01-2006
Craig Bellamy Blackburn £ 6000000 22-06-2006
Gabriel Paletta Banfield £ 2000000 01-07-2006
Liverpool’s transfers in 2004/2005
Player From Fee Date
Josemi Malaga £ 2000000 27-07-2004
Luis Garcia Barcelona £ 6000000 01-08-2004
Xabi Alonso Sociedad £ 10500000 01-08-2004
Antonio Nunez Real Madrid Swap 17-08-2004
Mauricio Pellegrino Valencia Free 05-01-2005 F
ernando Morientes Real Madrid £ 6300000 13-01-2005
Scott Carson Leeds £ 750000 21-01-2005
I’ll discount Cisse from these lists as he was already bought and paid for by Houllier. However, Benitez has spent well over £80 million in transfer outlay, not including wages, on these players, which includes no less than 6 strikers (5 if we’re not counting Garcia), and 15 players purchased from Spain.
Of those players you would count as unqualified successes, I’d count Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger, and Mohammed Sissoko. Luis Garcia, Crouch Kuyt, Reina and Pennant might all have been team regulars at one point or another, but you’d still have doubts about them performing to the highest level consistently, while Carson, Mascherano and Arbeloa have all shown glimpses but nothing more (mainly due to a short amount of time with the team, it must be said). You would never see Man United, Arsenal or Chelsea buying, and then playing, players like Nunez, Pellegrino, Josemi, Fowler, Kromkamp, Gonzalez and Zenden.
What does all this prove? Well, ultimately very little. Benitez obviously has tactical nous, and has a history in Spain – hence the number of Spanish-based imports. His conversion rate of players signed into relative successes is good, but converting relative successes into stars has been notably lacking. No one player out of over 30 signed for a combined total of £80m+ is a superstar. Torres could be the player to arraign that trend, but, personally, I still think it will be a bridge too far…
Breaking
The news…
Wolves set to sign Darren Ward from Crystal Palace, while in talks with Billy Sharp.
I’m all excited.
A sad day
Goodbye, Arsene’s rose…
Sorry for the time away. Turns out being busy and blogging don’t mix. There’s a surprise.
So – Thierry has finally admitted the inevitable and jetted off to Barcelona to join Messi, Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Deco, Giuly, and Iniesta in what will probably be the most frightening attack in the world. He leaves for something of a paltry £16 million, considering he was being touted for nearer 50 last year. However, his contribution since then, bar a wonder-strike or two, has been relatively negligible. His swansong in English football came in defeat to PSV, and he totalled a mere 12 goals in 2006/7 – a sad and, at times, sulky end to what has been a world class spell at Arsenal.
Nary a summer these days goes by without the speculation, or reality, that one of Arsenal’s stars will leave. Petit, Overmars, Vieira, Henry. Arsenal didn’t want to sell any of them. With Pires and Lauren also departed, Ljungberg likely to move this transfer window, and Fabregas and even Wenger under increasing scrutiny, Arsenal are seemingly in meltdown. They have lost their captain and talisman, and only have the money they’ve made from transfers, and little else, to replace him and plug the fairly gaping holes in their squad from last time around.
And yet, the whispers grow – Arsene knows.
Henry, for all his match-turning brilliance, was not a good captain. He was selfish, egotistical, and impatient – not exactly a role model to hand-hold a generation of kids through their development. He wanted success badly with Arsenal, but was aware of the ticking of the clock, and ultimately it was fair that he moved somewhere where that success would be more immediate. His likely successor, Gilberto Silva, is everything Henry is not. He’s quiet, selfless and works hard. He led by example last year and showed rare fortitude in a team bereft of mental strength. He’s the man for the job. Arsenal, without Henry, will operate in much the same way.
The system’s merits are debatable but, without Henry, the team should be able to play without an Henry-shaped monkey on their back. Thierry’s influence and role within the Gunners was such that often, faced with either a shot or a pass to Henry, Thierry would find himself with the ball. The youngsters now have no-one to hand-off responsibility to in the final third, and this could be their defining moment. In the same way the departure of Van Nistelrooy revitalised a Man U side dragged down by continually looking for him in the box, Arsenal can now play to their strengths and express themselves without fear of recrimination. Wenger’s notorious for unearthing a gem or two – he needs two now more than ever but, as ever, Arsene knows.
Expect the unexpected – to see a resurgent Arsenal next year.
Hot for the press
As last rolls of the die go, bringing back the prodigal son, banished by your own ‘fair’ hand to appease a pack of baying hacks, is pretty desperate. The media maelstrom that is David Beckham waltzed back into the
England fold this week after nearly a year in the doldrums following his unceremonious cutting at the hands of Steve McClaren.
This troubles me in many ways. Beckham was obviously not dropped for footballing reasons – he’s not going to bring anything new to
England, other than those qualities we all know he already has. If they were not good enough a year ago, why are they good enough now? His form for Real Madrid has given McClaren an easy excuse, but in truth he’s been the most consistent of the Galacticos. So, then, he was dropped to distance McClaren from the Ericksson regime. Fair enough – there was a clamour for a sea change at the time, and the most obvious way to differentiate one slaphead from another would be to drop the captain, who was perceived to have that little amount too much power.
But now McClaren has crawled back to Becks the moment he’s in trouble. So, not only was Beckham dropped because of his name, he’s now being brought back because of it. McClaren neither has the balls to make his own decisions, nor to stick by them once their justification is shown for what it is – flawed.
The questions are simple:Ø Was Beckham dropped because he wasn’t the best right midfielder we had?Ø If so, why wasn’t he in the squad? Or wasn’t he the second- or third- best right midfielder we had?Ø If it wasn’t because of footballing reasons, then why has he been brought back?Ø Doesn’t his re-emergence undermine every reason for his departure?Ø Or is it simply that McClaren will do whatever the nation’s media pressure him to, rightly or wrongly?
At least Ericksson, Taylor, Hoddle, even Keegan, could make their own decisions, Steve…
