Coventry City
Manager: Chris Coleman
Finish last season: 17th
Prediction this season: Top half
Some might say that Coventry City have got all but everything they need to make the step back up from the Championship. But despite having an ambitious manager, brand new state-of-the-art stadium and a squad full of proven players at this level, for whatever reason, it doesn’t quite seem to be gelling.
The Sky Blues faithful will of course be looking for a vast improvement on last season’s 17th place finish but it is going to come at a cost. As it stands, City are yet to bring in anyone and instead have concentrated on relieving themselves of their deadwood with Maltese international Michael Mifsud being the most high-profile of those players released.
It seems that if Coventry are to improve on their 17th place finish then it is front of goal where they need to be more fruitful. One has the feeling that strikers Freddy Eastwood and Clinton Morrison are about to explode and this could be their year. A top half finish is well within their grasp but still not quite there in terms of a playoff push.
Transfers In:
None
Transfers Out:
Scott Dann Undisclosed Birmingham
Donovan Summonds Released
Michael Mifsud Released
Guillaum Buezelin Released
Andy Marshall Released
Kevin Thornton Released
Crystal Palace
Manager: Neil Warnock
Finish last season: 15th
Prediction this season: Top ten
It seemed like Palace were on course for another playoff campaign last season until the Eagles faltered after the Christmas break. In the end a dismal 15th place was all that could be mustered by Neil Warnock’s side leaving them with a case of ‘there’s always next year’. However, it looks like the Eagles are set to sore, or at lease sear as Hammers striker Freddy Sears has agreed to join on a season-long loan deal. Bad puns aside, the capture of Sears is sure to be a red hot acquisition for the South London club who have also brought in Charlton’s Darren Ambrose to add a bit of flair to the midfield.
Having already had a taste of playoff action under Warnock, Palace fans will no doubt be looking for an improvement on last season which, if the signing of Sears proves to be a successful one, is a strong possibility.
Transfers In:
Freddy Sears Loan West Ham
Darren Ambrose Free Charlton
Transfers Out:
Carl Fletcher Free Plymouth Argyle
Scott Flinders Free Hartlepool United
Paul Ifill Released
John Oster Released
James Scowcroft Released
Ryan Carolan Released
James Dayton Released
Jamie Smith Released
David Wilkinson Released
Derby County
Manager: Nigel Clough
Finish last season: 18th
Prediction this season: Top 8
Derby County, like fellow Midlanders Coventry, found themselves languishing in lower mid-table obscurity last season. However, under the stewardship of Nigel Clough, you get the feeling that things won’t quite be the same in 09/10.
Instead of spending big, Clough has opted to use his knowledge of the lower leagues in a bid to shrewdly improve on last season’s squad who only managed a dismal 18th place finish. Clough wasted no time in raiding his old club Burton Albion to sign Jake Buxton as well as capturing the signing of Norwich winger Lee Croft on a free transfer who, if reports are to be believed, was also a target for Alan Irvine.
It won’t be long before the inevitable comparisons will be made between Nigel and his father, not only as a manger in general but given that both have managed Derby County. If Nigel can replicate what his legendary father achieved at Derby, then this upcoming season is going to be a successful one. In Brian Clough’s second season at Derby the Rams won the Second Division Championship and were subsequently promoted to the First Division. Although repeating such a feat is going to be a tall order, there is no reason why Derby can’t make the playoffs this season but the 2010/2011 might be more realistic. Clough will see Derby County as a project and not something that can be fixed overnight.
Transfers In:
Jake Buxton Free Burton Albion
Ben Pringle Undisclosed Illkeston Town
Lee Croft Free Norwich
Dean Moxey Undisclosed Exeter City
Transfers Out:
Andy Todd Free Perth Glory
Mile Sterjovski Free Perth Glory
Tyrone Mears Undisclosed Burnley
Lews Price Loan Brentford
Doncaster Rovers
Manager: Sean O’Driscoll
Finish last season: 14th
Prediction this season: See above
After making the step up to the Championship, last season was all about survival for Doncaster Rovers. That being the case, it could be argued that Doncaster achieved more than they expected or indeed set out to do. Despite a rocky start, O’Driscoll’s side showed the Championship what they were made of by playing their way out of trouble and, in the end, survived comfortably.
However, if the South Yorkshire side are to build on last year’s success then keeping Brian Stock at the Keepmoat Stadium will be essential. Doncaster will have to fend off the likes of West Brom who were reportedly interested in the former North End midfielder under Tony Mowbray. Already out of the door is influential midfielder Ritchie Wellens and thus Rovers cannot afford to lose another one if they are to embark on a season of Championship consolidation.
Transfers In:
None
Transfers Out:
Gordon Greer Free Swindon Town
Jason Price Free Millwall
Richie Wellens £1.2m Leicester City
Gareth Taylor Released
Darren Byfield Released
Tomi Ameobi Released