TEAM GUIDE 2017/18
ASTON VILLA
Manager: Steve Bruce Position last season: 13th Ground: Villa Park Capacity: 42,660 Key man: John Terry
Chances: Signing former England and Chelsea captain John Terry was a huge statement of intent. Returning to the Premier League is the aim and in Steve Bruce, in his first full season in charge, they have a manager who knows the division well, having won promotion from the Championship four times. Villa will be there or thereabouts – but Bruce needs to trim down his huge squad before the transfer window closes.
BARNSLEY
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom Position last season: 14th Ground: Oakwell Capacity: 23,287 Key man: George Moncur
Chances: Barnsley enjoyed a solid first season back in the Championship following promotion and a repeat of their mid-table finish should be regarded as a successful campaign. The realistic aim must be to try and push on and manage a top-half finish. Losing captain Marc Roberts to Birmingham is a blow and he will be difficult to replace. Boss Paul Heckingbottom knows every win is precious and fears further sales will weaken the Tykes’ chances.
BIRMINGHAM
Manager: Harry Redknapp Position last season: 19th Ground: St Andrew’s Capacity: 30,016 Key man: Craig Gardner
Chances: Harry Redknapp worked his magic last season to keep Birmingham in the division and persuading him to remain as manager is a huge coup for the club. Blues have made some strong signings and with more new faces expected, don’t be surprised if Redknapp has them challenging for a play-off place this time round. He says: “I’m desperate to do well, but I need more tools to do the job.”
BOLTON
Manager: Phil Parkinson Position last season: 2nd in League One Ground: Macron Stadium Capacity: 28,723 Key man: David Wheater
Chances: Bolton bounced back at the first time of asking with promotion from League One but even after only 12 months away the level of the Championship has increased and it is as difficult and competitive as it has ever been. They are not there merely to make up the numbers but survival would be an achievement. Much will depend on manager Phil Parkinson’s recruitment.
BRENTFORD
Manager: Dean Smith Position last season: 10th Ground: Griffin Park Capacity: 12,300 Key man: Lasse Vibe
Chances: After reaching the play-offs during their first season back in the Championship in 2014-15, Brentford have finished ninth and 10th. Expect the gradual decline to continue but the Bees might still manage another top-half finish. Much hinges on how the new signings gel. Gaffer Dean Smith has been very impressed in pre-season by Ollie Watkins, from Exeter City, labelling the 21-year-old striker “one hell of a player.”
BRISTOL CITY
Manager: Lee Johnson Position last season: 17th Ground: Ashton Gate Capacity: 27,000 Key man: Aden Flint
Chances: City have amassed 52 points and 54 points in their two seasons back in the Championship, saving themselves from relegation on the penultimate day of the last campaign. That steady progression will need to continue if they are to stay up again. Survival was down to a strong finish which saw just three defeats in the last 12 matches and Lee Johnson will hope to carry that momentum forward into the 2017-18 season.
BURTON
Manager: Nigel Clough Position last season: 20th Ground: Pirelli Stadium Capacity: 6,912 Key man: Jackson Irvine
Chances: Staying up last season was an incredible achievement, repeating it would be even bigger. Boss Nigel Clough got his recruitment spot on last time and his additions so far this summer have added depth and quality. It will be another campaign spent down the bottom end of the table but Burton could just survive once more. It will be close.
CARDIFF CITY
Manager: Neil Warnock Position last season: 12th Ground: Cardiff City Stadium Capacity: 33,280 Key man: Danny Ward
Chances: Cardiff made a terribly slow start last season, costing Paul Trollope his job in October. Neil Warnock steadied the ship and in his first full season as manager improvement seems likely, despite the high turnover of players. A top-10 finish is possible but new striker Danny Ward is bullish, claiming: “I think with the team we’ve got, we’ve got to be pushing for the top six at least.” Manager: Gary Rowett Position
last season: 9th Ground: Pride Park Stadium
Capacity: 32, 600 Key man: Tom Huddlestone
Chances: Perennial nearly-men, although unusually they were some way off the pace last season, Derby will be back knocking on the door again in the promotion race. Some big names have left but Gary Rowett has made several astute acquisitions. The defence looks solid with new signings Curtis Davies and Andre Wisdom but the Rams need another source of goals alongside Chris Martin.
FULHAM
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic
Position last season: 6th Ground: Craven Cottage Capacity:
25,700 Key man: Tom Cairney Chances: After 17th and 20th-place finishes in the two seasons following relegation from the Premier League, Fulham were the surprise packages last term, reaching the play-offs. They will be one of the favourites for promotion and it will be interesting to see how they cope with that pressure. Getting Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney to sign new contracts this summer has been Fulham’s best piece of business. Manager: Leonid Slutsky Position
last season: 18th in Prem Ground: KCOM Stadium Capacity:
25,586 Key man: Sam Clucas Chances: Hull have lost some important players following relegation and with further departures expected, it is difficult to see the Tigers featuring in the promotion mix. Boss Leonid Slutsky’s first job in England could be a baptism of fire if he and his team are unable to quickly adjust to the relentless and unforgiving nature of the Championship. Hull need a quality left-back to replace Andy Robertson, sold to Liverpool.
IPSWICH
Manager: Mick McCarthy Position
last season: 16th Ground: Portman Road Capacity:
30,311 Key man: Joe Garner Chances: Ipswich went from regular play-off challengers to finishing just four points above the relegation zone last season. Goals were the main problem, or lack of them, as Mick McCarthy’s men only managed to hit the back of the net 48 time in the league. McCarthy was spitting feathers after Saturday’s 6-1 friendly defeat at Charlton. It will be fascinating to see the Tractor Boys’ reaction on Saturday against Birmingham at Portman Road.