ADAM SHERGOLD’S GUIDE TO THE NEW SEASON
CHAMPIONSHIP
IT COMES as little surprise to see Norwich and Watford strong favourites to make an immediate return to the Premier League. They belong to a clutch of clubs — see also Fulham — who boast squads too strong for the second tier but too weak for the top one. The fact Norwich can go out and buy Brazilian midfielder Gabriel
Sara — who could cost them £12m with addons — speaks volumes. Manager Dean Smith has kept the core of his team. Finnish striker Teemu Pukki (right) scored 29 and 26 goals in his last two Championship campaigns, as opposed to 11 in his two Premier League seasons. Watford’s season could be more volatile with Rob Edwards their eighth permanent manager in a little over four years. Offensive options have been boosted by the signings of Ivory Coast international Vakoun Bayo from Sporting Charleroi and Albanian Rey Manaj from Barcelona. West Brom collapsed miserably into mid-table but Steve Bruce has won promotion from this division four times and you wouldn’t rule out a fifth with John Swift from Reading and Jed Wallace from Millwall signed to supply forwards Daryl Dike and Karlan Grant. They should have more bite and will expect to push Norwich and Watford in the promotion race. Middlesbrough will hope Chris Wilder can replicate his promotion heroics with Sheffield United. Wilder’s former club have replaced the threat of Morgan Gibbs-White by signing young Manchester City talent Tommy Doyle and Brighton’s Reda Khadra.
Sunderland boss Alex Neil has moved for a couple of young defenders in Daniel Ballard from Arsenal and Aji Alese from West Ham. Last season’s League One play-off winners also have momentum, having lost only one of 18 under their Scottish manager. Fellow promoted sides Rotherham and Wigan are favourites to go straight back down.
LEAGUE ONE
THERE are several clubs who feel they should be at least one step higher. Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore has raided Rotherham for Michael Ihiekwe and Michael Smith, as well as Cardiff for Will Vaulks. Ipswich are also itching to get back to the Championship and improved dramatically under Kieran McKenna. Derby’s existential dread has gone following their takeover but Wayne Rooney has left. Liam Rosenior has plundered the freebie market for experienced heads such as Conor Hourihane, David McGoldrick and James Chester.
LEAGUE TWO
STOCKPORT COUNTY are back in the EFL after 11 years and the bookies fancy them for back-to-back promotions. Salford City will also be there or thereabouts having replaced Gary Bowyer as boss with former Manchester United academy coach Neil Wood. And let’s not forget another ex-United star, Mark Hughes, at Bradford City.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
The Championship season will pause in mid-November for four weeks as players go off to the World Cup. Leagues One and Two will carry on regardless.
EFL highlights are now on ITV with a 9pm Saturday night round-up of all three divisions on ITV4. There is no VAR but there will be five subs.