TEAM GUIDE
BIRMINGHAM
Manager: John Eustace (appointed July 2022)
Last season’s finish: 20th
Key signing: Dion Sanderson (Wolves, loan). Returning for a second spell at the club, the defender has slotted into a back-three in pre-season, enabling wing-backs. What will this season bring?
Blues have been struggling to stay up the past six seasons and rookie boss Eustace faces a battle with finances tight again this term as the club’s Far East owners look to sell up.
BLACKBURN
Manager: Jon Dahl Tomasson (June 2022)
Last season’s finish: 8th
Key signing: Callum Brittain (Barnsley, £1million). Brittain is Tomasson’s first signing and the accomplished rightback can play in defence and midfield.
What will this season bring?
Blackburn are banking on Tomasson working his magic to engineer a promotion bid and the former Malmo boss believes he can develop the squad he inherited from his predecessor Tony Mowbray.
BLACKPOOL
Manager: Michael Appleton (June 2022)
Last season’s finish: 16th
Key signing: Rhys Williams (Liverpool, loan). Williams is Premier League class and he can bring stability and solidity to Blackpool’s defence.
What will this season bring?
The Seasiders performed admirably on their return to the Championship last season and the pressure will be on them under new boss Appleton to repeat the trick on a very limited budget.
BRISTOL CITY
Manager: Nigel Pearson (February 2021)
Last season’s finish: 17th
Key signing: Kal Naismith (Luton, free). Tough and experienced defender should address a key issue from last season.
What will this season bring?
Highest scorers outside the top six last season and have added improvements to a backline that leaked too many goals last term. Boss Pearson’s nous can keep them within shouting distance of a play-off spot but the middle of the table looks more likely.
BURNLEY
Manager: Vincent Kompany (June 2022)
Last season’s finish: Relegated, 18th in Premier League Key signing: Scott Twine (MK Dons, £4million). Twine scored 20 goals to help MK reach the League One playoffs and the Clarets hope he can also fire their promotion push.
What will this season bring?
Burnley have gone through a huge turnover of players since being relegated and the Clarets have spent nearly £10m building a squad capable of winning promotion under new boss Kompany.
CARDIFF
Manager: Steve Morison (November 2021)
Last season’s finish: 18th
Key signing: Romaine Sawyers (Stoke, free). Adds vital experience to a relatively young and new-look squad. What will this season bring?
With 12 new recruits there are big changes on and off the pitch as boss Morison implements a new style. But after last season’s relegation scrap, a mid-table finish would be seen as a sign of progress.
COVENTRY
Manager: Mark Robins (March 2017)
Last season’s finish: 12th
Key signing: Callum Doyle (Manchester City, loan). The England Under-19 defender scored in the final as the national team won the Euros this summer.
What will this season bring?
Coventry flirted with the play-offs last term before ending up 12th, 11 points adrift. Boss Robins’ men will hope to mount a more sustained challenge this term after fighting off interest from Burnley in Callum O’hare. HUDDERSFIELD
Manager: Danny Schofield (July 2022)
Last season’s finish: 3rd, beaten play-off finalists
Key signing: Jack Rudoni (Wimbledon, £800,000). A big midfield talent and, at 21, will become a star for the Terriers.
What will this season bring?
They look to be in a right mess. Made the play-off final last season and have lost players to rivals and manager Carlos Corberan quit. Finances are limited and it looks like a season of decline and struggle ahead.
HULL
Manager: Shota Arveladze (January 2022)
Last season’s finish: 19th
Key signing: Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Zorya, £4.1million). Owner Acun Ilicali has big hopes for the 21-year-old Iran striker and is looking to him to score the goals to fuel a promotion bid.