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
