Ipswich Town
Manager: Roy Keane
Finish last season: 9th
Prediction this season: Promotion
Not content with spending too much longer in the Championship, the Ipswich Town board sought Keane as the ideal man to take them back up to the Premiership. Those at the top will be hoping the former Manchester United captain can replicate what he did when he took over at Sunderland which was to gain promotion to the Premier League.
One does get the sense of déjà vu with Keane and his intentions with the Tractor Boys. Cast the mind back to his arrival at Sunderland; an influx of players during a transfer window; a certain buzz about the club in anticipation of what was to come; and the demand for top quality sparking an instant reaction from the players.
Sound familiar? It hasn’t quite worked in that order but the former Republic of Ireland international did spark an immediate reaction from his players and has not wasted any time in the transfer market. As well as Manchester United’s exciting prospect Lee Martin, there is talk of Keane adding a couple of his former Sunderland players too.
This could well and truly be Ipswich Town’s year but will lightening strike twice?
Transfers In:
Lee Martin Undisclosed Manchester United
Troy Brown Free Fulham
Damien Delany Undisclosed Queens Park Rangers
Transfers Out:
Tommy Miller Free Sheffield Wednesday
Billy Clarke Undisclosed Blackpool
Ivan Campo Released
Dean Bowditch Released
Chris Casement Released
Jai Reason Released
Kurt Robinson Released
Matt Richards Released
Dan Harding Released
Leicester City
Manager: Nigel Pearson
Finish last season: 1st (League One)
Prediction this season: Mid-table
An instant return to the Championship was what the Foxes faithful wanted and an instant return is what they got. Nigel Pearson and his Leicester City side set League One alight last year with star-striker Matty Fryatt topping the goal-scoring charts to boot.
It almost goes without saying that by keeping this man fit and giving him the service he needs will be essential for Pearson’s side if they are to avoid the drop.
However, it could be argued that Leicester are now back to where they belong, or at least are on their way to being, meaning that mere survival will not be their only target in 2009/2010. A mid-table finish is well within their grasp and if this proves to be the case, this season could be considered a rather successful one.
The additions of Wayne Brown as well as former Blackpool midfielder Richie Wellens could prove to be astute additions from Pearson who has made wholesale changes to his squad ahead of a tough campaign back in the Championship.
Transfers In:
Robbie Neilson Free Hearts
Jack Hobbs Free Liverpool
Wayne Brown Free Hull City
Chris Weale Free Bristol City
Dany M’Guessan Tribunal Lincoln City
Astrit Ajdarevic Free Liverpool
Richie Wellens £1.2m Doncaster Rovers
Transfers Out:
Joe Cobb Free Wycombe Wanderers
Patrick Kisnorbo Released
Paul Henderson Released
Barry Hayles Released
Bruno N’Gotty Released
Marc Edworthy Released
Middlesbrough
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Finish last season: 19th (Premier League)
Prediction this season: Playoffs
With all the hype and hysteria surrounding Middlesbrough’s North East rivals Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship, you get the impression that Gareth Southgate has no qualms with it staying that way leaving the former Aston Villa defender with the task of guiding his team back to the Premier League free from the media spotlight.
Middlesbrough, though, are in a unique predicament in that many of their fans would prefer their club to ship out the players as opposed to bringing players in. Names like Mido and Alfonso Alves immediately spring to mind who, after failing to return to pre-season training on time, have been told they can leave the Riverside. Southgate has said that he needs players who want to play for the club and ‘it is not his job to twist their arm’.
It’s Middlesbrough’s financial restraints during their most recent stint in the Premier League that could prove to be a blessing in disguise. Gareth Southgate was forced to blood younger, local players such as David Wheater, Adam Johnson and Brad Jones as opposed to spending big. But due to the vast majority of those players being from the Teeside area, it could mean that Southgate has a crux of players who are willing to give it their all for their club and will do whatever it takes to see a quick return to the big time.
On and off the pitch, Middlesbrough are not in a state of disarray, unlike their Tyneside counterparts, and have enough in their locker to secure at least a playoff place.
Transfers In:
Mark Yeates Undisclosed Colchester United
Danny Coyne Undisclosed Tranmere Rovers
Transfers Out:
Graeme Owens Free Kilmarnock
Ross Turnbull Free Chelsea
Gary Smith Free Darlington
David Knight Free Darlington
Newcastle United
Manager: Chris Hughton (Caretaker)
Finish last season: 18th (Premier League)
Prediction this season: Top half
It appears that many bookies have got Newcastle down as clear favourites to lift the Championship Trophy come May 2010 but one has a sneaky suspicion that those bookies also had Leeds United, Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday down for similar odds when they were first re-introduced to English football’s second tier.
The point being is that it is not going to be an easy task for Newcastle to bounce straight back. Strikers Michael Owen and Mark Viduka have already departed having let their contracts run out and one has to question how long it will take before the likes of Obafemi Martins, Alan Smith and January acquisition Kevin Nolan to follow suit. The image in the mind of a sinking ship is hard to ignore and is not helped by the off the field goings on.
As it stands, current owner Mike Ashley has been thwarted in his attempts to successfully attract a new owner meaning the Magpies are currently without a manager. The longer this continues, the shorter the amount of time there will be for a new manager to spend with his players and get his message across, not to mention delve into the transfer market.
Due to the aforementioned off the field turmoil, this season might have come too soon for Newcastle who need a complete overhaul and thus, just a top ten finish could be on the cards.
Transfers In:
None:
Transfers Out:
David Edgar Tribunal Burnley
Michael Owen Free Manchester United
Mark Viduka Released