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: 12^th

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 12^th 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: 21^st

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: 14^th

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: 19^th

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

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: 13^th

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 13^th 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: 19^th (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: 10^th

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: 17^th

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

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: 20^th

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: 3^rd (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: 2^nd (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: 15^th

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

So Mick’s delaying his decision on our on-pitch leader. In my opinion, the best leader we have is Karl Henry. However, Henry is not guaranteed a starting role, with Potter and Davies both pressuring for a berth. Potter seems the more favoured of the two, and was a captain himself at times.

  My choice, therefore, would be Craddock. He’s not our best player, nor the most boisterous, but he’s been a stalwart for Wolves over the years. Henry should definitely be vice captain, with senior roles given to Murray, Breen and Edwards.

Looks like we’ve given up on Mancienne, which is a shame. Apparently we can’t offer him guaranteed first team football, which Mourinho is insisting on for his loanees. Fair enough – he’d be a great signing, but we shouldn’t be guaranteeing anyone a spot, let alone a youngster that is unlikely to be around a year from now.] Of more interest now should be Armand Traore – the only one of my wishlist that seems to be actually coming true, though we did try for Billy in the end. He’s quick, skilfull, and will need games to progress now Bacary Sagna has signed for l’Arse. He’s a perfect fit, though I’m sure we’re not the only club that thinks so.  Wolves also stepped up their pre-season with a comfortable 4-0 win in Ireland against Bray. Freddy Eastwood netted his first two goals in the old gold, but the game was more notable for the contribution of 60^th minute sub Jay Bothroyd, who scored two pearlers and made another. Matt Murray also came through the game unscathed, while Stephen Elliott saw his new team for the first time. The game was decided when Kightly and Bothroyd replaced Jarvis and Keogh, with 2 immediate goals putting the result beyond Grays.

I’ve been thinking about this subject for some time – the most abhorrent, vile man in football.  We’ve all got our figures of hate. Some are due to allegiance (I despise Lee Hughes for example), some due to performance (that bloke that always scores against you), and most due to their thoroughly disgusting habits (Bowyer, Barton, Thatcher etc.). Even managers cop some stick – bad ones, myopic ones, red-nosed ones, dodgy ones, fat ones, excessively arrogant ones. And it’s basically a referee’s job to be hated by one set of fans or another.  But there’s a set of people within football, often behind the scenes that are worse. Agents.  

Now, I don’t know any agents. I don’t mind that they “act in their clients’ best interests”. Fair enough, though I’m reasonably sure they’ve got the PFA for that too. These boys earn megabucks and barely scrape a GCSE between them – someone should probably put their affairs in order. But agents are always on the lookout for the next move and, more importantly, their next 10%. That’s not looknig out for your client’s best interests, that’s looking out for your own.

 So here’s my one man. The most vile man in football, in my humble opinion. Willie McKay. His client list is a who’s who of players who have gone on strike from their clubs, been touted around, or have had more moves than John Travolta. Joey Barton, Henri Camara, Scott Brown, Pascal Chimbonda, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Nicolas Anelka. What a lovely stable of boys you’ve got there. McKay has already prompted a ‘Kick McKay out of football’ campaign from Wigan fans. I’d like to second it.  

And, just for journalistic purposes, here he is. Along with his mobile number, weirdly.

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.

Reports the Express & Star today that we’ve given our young un’s a clean slate, and that we’re looking at the play-offs as an “absolute minimum”.

As much stick as old Merlin gets around the rest of the grounds in the country, the man has yet to put a single toe out of line at the Mol. He’s continually promised little to deliver more, and has given our youngsters the motivation to challenge again – even Gobern or Davies who both seem to have been overlooked in the run-in last season.

I’d still like another couple of defenders, one definitely left-sided, and another striker if possible, but I’ll defer to Mick. Mick knows…

  Also in Wolves news, Steve is going to meet the fans parliament.

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.

Chad van Gaalen

Freddy Eastwood

Billy Bragg

The Besnard Lakes

Of Montreal

That is all…