Barnsley
Manager: Simon Davey
Finish last season: 20th
Prediction this season: higher than 20th
After the disappointment of last term, Simon Davey’s men will undoubtedly be looking to put the 2008/2009 season behind them and enjoy a much more fruitful time in 09/10. The return of striker Iain Hulme will seem like a new signing for the Tykes and is sure to be a breath of fresh air for the South Yorkshire outfit. The Canadian international missed the vast majority of Barnsley’s relegation threatened 08/09 season with a fractured skull he picked up in the hands of Chris Morgan of Sheffield United, or elbows at least.
As it turned out, it was in front of goal where the Tykes suffered the most. Their top goal scorer, namely former Lilywhite Jon Macken failed to hit double figures. However, should the Canadian striker Iain Hulme be able to regain the form that he showed whilst at Tranmere Rovers and Leicester City, Barnsley should be able to improve on last season’s 20th place finish and will be the minimum the Oakwell faithful will expect.
Transfers In:
Onome Sodje Free Transfer York City
Transfers Out:
Dennis Souza Free Transfer Qatar
Kyle Letheren Released
Marciano Van Homoet Released
Heinz Muller £430,000 FSV Mainz 05
Diego Leon Released
Blackpool
Manager: Ian Holloway
Finish last season: 16th
Prediction this season: same again
Last term Preston’s bitter rivals Blackpool might as well have changed their nickname from the ‘Seasiders’ to the ‘Loan Rangers’ as it seemed that nearly all of their team where players loaned from other clubs. One of those more notable loaned players was Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam. New manager Ian Holloway unquestionably has his work cut out for him if he is to persuade the classy midfielder to sign on a permanent deal as a whole host of other clubs have reportedly joined the donkey derby to land the Rangers midfielder as well.
Without additions such as Adam and striker DJ Campbell, who also spent a spell on-loan at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool will struggle again this season and will have to rely on former Lilywhite Brett Ormerod to keep their heads above water.
Blackpool fans however can take solace in knowing that work has begun on their new stand.
Transfers In:
Billy Clarke Undisclosed Ipswich Town
Transfers Out:
Marlon Broomes Released
Daniel Cox Free Colchester United
Claus Jorgensen Released
Jermaine Wright Released
Francesco Carratta Released
Stuart Green Released
Ashton Bayliss Released
Matt Kay Released
Bristol City
Manager: Gary Johnson
Finish last season: 10th
Prediction this season: Slight improvement on last season but no playoffs
Instead of another trip to Wembley, City failed to recapture the form that saw Gary Johnson’s side make the play-off final and instead were left writing last season off. However, gaffer Johnson will not want to settle for another season of making up the numbers and will be keen as mustard to spear-head another assault on the playoffs.
Accordingly, it seems that the former Latvian National Team Coach has wasted no time in shaking up his squad ahead of the 09/10 season. The Ashton Gate club have definitely been one of the busier clubs in the Championship in terms of transfers but replacing the departed Dele Adebola is a must if they are to repeat their fortunes of a year previous. Motherwell’s David Clarkson seems to be the obvious replacement who arrived for a fee thought to be in the region of £800,000 but keeping Michael McIndoe will be key who is reportedly destined for Sheffield United.
Transfers In:
David Clarkson Undisclosed Motherwell
Andre Blackman Free Portsmouth
Dean Gerken Free Colchester United
Transfers Out:
Chris Weale Free Leicester City
Peter Styvar Loan Skoda Xanthi
Jennison Myrie-Williams Free Dundee United
Dele Adebola Free Nottingham Forest
Scott Murray Free Yeovil Town
David Noble Released
Cardiff City
Manager: Dave Jones
Finish last season: 7th
Prediction this season: Playoffs
It was well documented that if it hadn’t have been for North End’s six-goal demolition of Cardiff in the run up to the playoffs, then it would have been the Bluebirds that took on Sheffield United instead. As a result, Dave Jones will undoubtedly be still fuming at his side’s downfall and until a ball is kicked in anger on August 8th, Jones will be working through the night to improve his squad and have another crack at promotion.
The permanent addition of Michael Chopra, which is likely to be the most expensive in the Championship this summer with a fee reportedly to be around the £4m mark, could be interpreted as a statement of Cardiff’s intentions who have been there or thereabouts for the last 2 or 3 seasons.
Transfers In:
David Marshall Free Norwich City
Mark Hudson Undisclosed Charlton Athletic
Anthony Gerrard Undisclosed Walsall
Michael Chopra Undisclosed Sunderland
Transfers Out:
Darren Purse Free Sheffield Wednesday
Roger Johnson £5m Birmingham City
