What will this season bring?

2022-07-29 -

Republic of Ireland midfielder has joined on a seasonlong loan from the Magpies and brings invaluable experience.

Manager Ince has been busy trying to bolster a squad despite all the problems around a club who only escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth. Ten players out means he is still short on numbers and faces a big struggle again. ROTHERHAM Manager: Paul Warne (November 2016) Last season’s finish: Promoted, 2nd in League One Key signing: Conor Washington (Charlton, free). The much-travelled Northern Ireland striker bagged 11 goals for Charlton last season and he will be vital to the Millers’ survival hopes.

Warne hopes this is finally the season Rotherham do not change league – the Millers have either been promoted or relegated in each of his six campaigns in charge of the club. SHEFFIELD UNITED Manager: Paul Heckingbottom (November 2021) Last season’s finish: 5th Key signing: Anel Ahmedhodzic (Malmo, £4million). The Bosnia defender has played in the Champions League with Malmo and France’s Ligue 1 with Bordeaux.

What will this season bring?

Heckingbottom transformed the Blades when he took over in November, narrowly missing out on promotion in the play-offs, and they are good enough to go straight up this time. STOKE CITY Manager: Michael O’neill (November 2019) Last season’s finish: 14th Key signing: Dwight Gayle (Newcastle, undisclosed). Newcastle’s leading scorer when they were promoted from Championship in 2017 will bring goals to the table. What will this season bring?

The Potters are desperate to return to the big time after being relegated in 2018, but it’s hard to make a strong case for them to do it this time. Finished 14th last term and may make slight improvement on that. SUNDERLAND Manager: Alex Neil (February 2022) Last season’s finish: Promoted, League One play-off winners

Key signing: Dan Ballard (Arsenal, £2million). The giant Northern Ireland defender has excelled on loan at Blackpool and Millwall.

What will this season bring?

Survival is the aim with the Black Cats boss optimistic but realistic about their chances. Teams promoted from the League One play-offs have rarely finished much above the relegation zone. SWANSEA Manager: Russell Martin (August 2021) Last season’s finish: 15th Key signing: Joe Allen (Stoke, free). Allen has returned to Swansea where he made his name and they will be hoping the midfield maestro has retained his magic. What will this season bring?

Martin struggled to maintain Swansea’s top-six finishes in his first campaign last season and will have his work cut out again to make them promotion contenders. WATFORD

Manager: Rob Edwards (May 2022)

Last season’s finish: Relegated, 19th in Premier League Key signing: Rey Manaj (Barcelona, undisclosed). The Albania striker will bring industry to the Hornets if not a bucket full of goals.

What will this season bring?

After relegation, Edwards brings fresh ideas and optimism to a dressing room where some attitudes were branded “disgraceful” by midfielder Dan Gosling. Edwards’ first task is to stop the rot after 12 home defeats in the last 13 games. WEST BROM Manager: Steve Bruce (February 2022) Last season’s finish: 10th Key signing: John Swift (Reading, free). He could be one of the best free transfers in the division after scoring 11 goals for Reading last season.

What will this season bring?

The Baggies have been on a downward slide for too long with last season’s 10th place their worst in two decades. Bruce is under pressure to deliver but you cannot say he is not used to that after his torrid time at Newcastle. WIGAN

Manager: Leam Richardson (April 2021)

Last season’s finish: Promoted, League One champions Key signing: Ryan Nyambe (Blackburn, free). Nyambe rejected new terms at Blackburn to join Wigan and the Namibia international is a fine right-back.