The 2012-2013 Football League campaign is due to kick-off on Friday. Vital Posh looks at the sides in the Championship and rates their chances for the coming season.
Cardiff City entertain Championship new boys Huddersfield Town on Friday evening in the season launching match.
The Championship seems to get tougher each season and this season is no exception with the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Wolverhampton Wanderers dropping down from the Premiership while some former big names in Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield have made the step up from League One.
There are now just six Championship teams who have never played in the Premiership! They are Posh, Brighton and Hove Albion, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Millwall.
It`s bound to be another action packed season with many ups and downs as well as some surprises. Last seasons Premiership sides will all want to bounce back at the first attempt, but as many teams have found out over the years, it`s not that easy!
There will be many battles at the top of the league as well as the bottom but yet again, there won`t be much of a difference between the teams.
BARNSLEY
Manager: Keith Hill
Nickname: The Tykes
Ground: Oakwell
Capacity: 23,009
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Ben Alnwick
Tottenham
Free
Lee Collins
Port Vale
£50,000
Tomasz Cywka
Reading
Free
Kelvin Etuhu
Portsmouth
Free
Marlon Harewood
Free
Free
Jacob Mellis
Chelsea
Free
Mido
Zamalek
Free
Toni Silva
Liverpool
Free
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Jacob Butterfield
Norwich
Undisclosed
David Cotterill
Doncaster
Free
Nathan Doyle
Bradford
Free
Andy Gray
Released
Released
Jay McEveley
Swindon
Free
David Preece
Released
Released
Alistair Taylor
Released
Released
Key Player: Former Posh goalkeeper Luke Steele
Chances: Having just avoided relegation last season, Barnsley could yet again struggle to stay in the Championship. Keith Hill has signed some journeymen in an attempt to provide experience, but look where experienced journeymen got Doncaster last season! It could be a long season.
Position Last Season: 21st
Vital Posh Prediction: 23rd
Odds: 150/1
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Manager: Lee Clark
Nickname: Blues
Ground: St Andrews
Capacity: 30,009
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Darren Ambrose
Crystal Palace
£280,000
Ben Gordon
Chelsea
Loan
Peter Lovenkrands
Newcastle
Free
David Lucas
Rochdale
Free
Ravel Morrison
West Ham
Season Loan
Hayden Mullins
Portsmouth
Undisclosed
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Caleb Folan
Released
Released
Ben Foster
WBA
£4.4million
Luke Hubbins
AFC Telford
Free
Cian Hughton
Released
Released
Jordon Mutch
Cardiff
£1.1million
Ashley Sammons
Released
Released
Enric Valles
Released
Released
Key Player: A tough decision as the squad looks strong. Peter Lovenkrands will be vital for scoring the goals but the key player is defender Curtis Davis who could be the difference between an automatic promotion place and a play-off spot.
Chances: Without the distraction of European football this season, the Blues have every chance on improving on their 4th place finish. Some quality players have been added to the squad alongside some unknown quantities. The only doubt is whether new manager Lee Clark can get them playing his style of football and whether it proves to be successful.
Position Last Season: 4th
Vital Posh Prediction: 2nd
Odds: 18/1
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Manager: Steve Kean
Nickname: Rovers
Ground: Ewood Park
Capacity: 31,154
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Leon Best
Newcastle
£3million
Dickson Etuhu
Fulham
£1.5million
Nuno Gomes
Braga
Free
Paulo Jorge
FC Porto B
Undisclosed
Colin Kazim-Richards
Galatasaray
Loan
Edinho Junior
Olhanense
£500,000
Danny Murphy
Fulham
Free
Fabio Nunes
Portimonense
Undisclosed
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Zac Aley
Released
Released
Myles Anderson
Aldershot
Loan
Nick Blackman
Sheffield United
Undisclosed
Ryan Edwards
Rochdale
6-month Youth Loan
Herold Goulon
Released
Released
Vince Grella
Released
Released
Junior Hoilett
QPR
Free
Jamie MacLaren
Released
Released
Matthew Pearson
Rochdale
Free
Jackson Ramm
Colchester
Free
Michel Salgado
Released
Released
Jordan Slew
Oldham
Loan
Ayegbeni Yakubu
Guangzhou R&F
£1million
Key Player: Danny Murphy
Chances: Rovers have made some quality signings for the Championship but the pressure will be on manager Steve Kean right from the off. If things don`t go to plan, Kean could be one of the managerial casualties this season. The squad should easily be good enough to finish in the play-offs.
Position Last Season: 19th in Premier League
Vital Posh Prediction: 3rd
Odds: 10/1
BLACKPOOL
Manager: Ian Holloway
Nickname: The Seasiders, Tangerines
Ground: Bloomfield Road
Capacity: 16,220
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Jake Caprice
Crystal Palace
Free
James Caton
Free Agent
Free
Adda Djeziri
Free Agent
Free
Tiago Gomes
Free Agent
Free
Alberto Noguera
Free Agent
Free
Isaiah Osbourne
Hibernian
£250,000
Scott Robertson
Dundee United
Free
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Daniel Bogdanovic
Released
Released
Matt Hill
Sheffield United
Free
Stephen Husband
Released
Released
Lomana LuaLua
Karabukspor
Free
Brett Ormerod
Wrexham
Free
Keith Southern
Huddersfield
£300,000
Key Player: Matt Phillips
Chances: No well-known names have arrived at Blackpool so it depends on how well they integrate with the rest of the team and whether they can improve on what they had last season. Made the play-offs last season but could miss out this time around.
Position Last Season: 5th
Vital Posh Prediction: 8th
Odds: 16/1
BOLTON WANDERERS
Manager: Owen Coyle
Nickname: The Trotters
Ground: Reebok Stadium
Capacity: 28,723
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Benik Afobe
Arsenal
Season Loan
Keith Andrews
WBA
Free
Andy Lonergan
Leeds United
£280,000
Joe McKee
Free Agent
Free
Matt Mills
Leicester City
£2.2million
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Rhys Bennett
Rochdale
Free
Robbie Blake
Doncaster
Free
Mark Connolly
Crawley
Free
Sean Davis
Unattached
Released
Tom Eckersley
Accrington Stanley
Free
Dino Fazlic
Unattached
Released
Ricardo Gardner
Unattached
Released
Jussi Jaaskelainen
West Ham United
Free
Ivan Klasnic
Unattached
Released
Fabrice Muamba
Retired
Retired
Tope Obadeyi
Rio Ave
Free
Nigel Reo-Coker
Released
Released
Paul Robinson
Unattached
Released
Gretar Steinsson
Unattached
Released
Key Player: Matt Mills
Chances: Dropping down to the Championship has seen a bit of a clear out with just a small number of players coming in through the door. A good solid squad should easily manage the weekly grind and make it back to the Premiership.
Position Last Season: 18th in the Premier League
Vital Posh Prediction: Champions
Odds: 7/1
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Manager: Gus Poyet
Nickname: The Seagulls
Ground: American Express Community Stadium
Capacity: 22,374
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Wayne Bridge
Manchester City
Loan
Andrew Crofts
Norwich City
Undisclosed
Tomasz Kuszczak
Manchester United
Free
Bruno Saltor
Valencia
Free
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Tommy Elphick
Bournemouth
Undisclosed
Jake Forster-Caskey
Oxford United
Loan
David Gonzalez
Unattached
Released
Grant Hall
Tottenham
Free
Yaser Kasim
Luton Town
Loan
Alan Navarro
Swindon
Free
Michael Poke
Torquay
Free
Leon Redwood
Unattached
Released
Key Player: Vicente
Chances: Surprised many last season by sustaining their form throughout the season. They have an excellent manager in Poyet who is building an experienced team. Brought in Kuszczak as he looks to sort out his goalkeeping problems but having seen him perform for Watford in the latter half of last season, he may not be the solution.
Position Last Season: 10th
Vital Posh Prediction: 11th
Odds: 14/1
BRISTOL CITY
Manager: Derek McInnes
Nickname: The Robins
Ground: Ashton Gate
Capacity: 21,497
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Paul Anderson
Nottingham Forest
Free
Greg Cunningham
Manchester City
Undisclosed
Tom Heaton
Cardiff City
Free
Jody Morris
St Johnstone
Free
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Danny Ball
Bath City
Free
Jamal Campbell-Ryce
Notts County
Free
David Clarkson
Bristol Rovers
Free
Marlon Jackson
Hereford United
Free
David James
Unattached
Released
Jamie McAllister
Yeovil
Free
Henry Muggeridge
Unattached
Released
Christian Ribeiro
Scunthorpe
Free
Key Player: Albert Adomah
Chances: Struggled last season despite a change of manager. Very few players have arrived in the summer and it`s hard to see how they will avoid relegation.
Position Last Season: 20th
Vital Posh Prediction: 24th
Odds: 66/1
BURNLEY
Manager: Eddie Howe
Nickname: The Clarets
Ground: Turf Moor
Capacity: 22,546
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Joseph Mills
Reading
Season Loan
Luke O`Neil
Mansfield
£220,000
George Porter
Leyton Orient
Undisclosed
Jason Shackell
Derby County
£1.1million
Brian Stock
Doncaster
Undisclosed
Sam Vokes
Wolves
£558,000
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Andre Amougou
Released
Released
Tom Anderson
Barrow
Loan
Clarke Carlisle
Released
Released
Brian Easton
Released
Released
Alex-Ray Harvey
Barrow
Free
Joe Jackson
Barrow
Loan
Dominic Knowles
Released
Released
David Lynch
Released
Released
Joe McKee
Released
Released
Jay Rodriguez
Southampton
£7.6million
Ross Wilson
Released
Released
Neil Yadolahi
Released
Released
Key Player: Charlie Austin
Chances: Will miss Rodriguez and will have to rely greatly on Austin to bag the goals. Howe possesses a good young squad and if they can find some consistency, they should improve on last seasons position.
Position Last Season: 13th
Vital Posh Prediction: 9th
Odds: 33/1
CARDIFF CITY
Manager: Malky Mackay
Nickname: The Bluebirds
Ground: Cardiff City Stadium
Capacity: 26,828
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Craig Bellamy
Liverpool
Free
Kim Bo-kyung
Cerezo Osaka
£2.6million
Heidar Helguson
QPR
Undisclosed
Filip Kiss
Slovan Bratislava
£500,000
Joe Lewis
Peterborough United
Free
Jordon Mutch
Birmingham City
£1.1million
Etien Velikonja
Maribor
£1.8million
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Alex Evans
Released
Released
Anthony Gerrard
Huddersfield
£396,000
Tom Heaton
Bristol City
Free
Jon Meades
Released
Released
Kenny Miller
Vancouver
£563,000
Lee Naylor
Released
Released
Jon Parkin
Fleetwood
Free
Paul Quinn
Doncaster
Free
Jordan Santiago
Released
Released
Aaron Wildig
Shrewsbury
Free
Key Player: Peter Whittingham
Chances: Have been there or there abouts for a number of years but could find it tougher this season. Despite adding a couple of decent players they could come undone if Joe Lewis claims the number one jersey!
Position Last Season: 6th
Vital Posh Prediction: 10th
Odds: 11/1
CHARLTON
Manager: Chris Powell
Nickname: The Addicks
Ground: The Valley
Capacity: 27,111
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Jordan Cook
Sunderland
Free
Slaim Kerkar
Rangers
Free
Lawrie Wilson
Stevenage
£554,000
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Mikel Alonso
Released
Released
Gary Doherty
Wycombe
Free
Jason Euell
Released
Released
Conor Gough
Bristol Rovers
Free
Tosan Popo
Released
Released
Freddie Warren
Barnet
Free
Key Player: Bradley Wright-Phillips
Chances: Chris Powell will hope they continue the momentum from winning League One last season. Very few players have arrived as Powell is putting his faith in the players that got him promotion. This could be costly as Peterborough United found out three seasons ago when they only made a handful of signings as Darren Ferguson kept faith with his existing players. Posh came last in that disastrous season!
Position Last Season: 1st in League One
Vital Posh Prediction: 18th
Odds: 20/1
CRYSTAL PALACE
Manager: Dougie Freedman
Nickname: The Eagles
Ground: Selhurst Park
Capacity: 26,309
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Aaron Martin
Southampton
Season Loan
Peter Ramage
Free Agent
Free
Joel Ward
Portsmouth
£572,000
Aaron Wilbraham
Norwich City
Free
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Darren Ambrose
Birmingham City
£280,000
Calvin Andrew
Released
Released
Jake Caprice
Blackpool
Free
Nathaniel Clyne
Southampton
£2.8million
Anthony Gardner
Sheff Wednesday
Free
Lee Hills
Stevenage
Free
Charlie Holness
Released
Released
Antonio Pedroza
Monarcas Morelia
Undisclosed
Nathaniel Pinney
Released
Released
Sean Scannell
Huddersfield
£985,600
Key Player: Wilfred Zaha
Chances: Done well to keep hold of Zaha but have lost some influential players. Could struggle this season but they should just escape the clutches of relegation.
Position Last Season: 17th
Vital Posh Prediction: 20th
Odds: 66/1
DERBY COUNTY
Manager: Nigel Clough
Nickname: The Rams
Ground: Pride Park
Capacity: 33,597
Players In
Name
From
Cost
Paul Coutts
Preston
£167,200
Michael Jacobs
Northampton
£554,400
Richard Keogh
Coventry
Undisclosed
James O`Connor
Doncaster
Undisclosed
Players Out
Name
To
Cost
Paul Green
Leeds United
Free
James Severn
Scunthorpe
Free
Chris Maguire
Sheff Wednesday
£277,200
Lee Croft
Oldham
Season Loan
Miles Addison
Bournemouth
Undisclosed
Jason Shackell
Burnley
£1.1million
Callum Ball
Coventry
Season Loan
Key Player: Paul Coutts
Chances: Were comfortable mid-table last season and can expect more of the same.
