So, after a nice summer holiday for me and for football - it's back. The Coca Cola Championship, League One, League Two and lower leagues return for a brand new season. The Premier League of course starting next week. And with the transfer window still open, it's going to be a very busy August. So, I'm going to have my say on what I think the season will hold for some English teams across the leagues. Firstly, The Championship. Newly-relegated Middlesbrough host Sheffield United tonight as Gareth Southgate looks to bounce back to the Premier League and Kevin Blackwell looks to improve on last season's play off-final defeat. That game just a taster for the opening Saturday. So, who for promotion and who for relegation? I think that West Brom will look good under Di Matteo. They always seem to be up and down and the
y've managed to keep almost all their players from last season and added to the team with Swindon hit-man Simon Cox and I think they'll definatley be up there again. Ipswich are another team to watch. I think they'll do really well under Roy Keane. I was surprised when he arrived at Portman Road and I think he'll get the best out of the players at Ipswich. He knows what it takes to get promoted. Now, we come to Newcastle. I think their season will be entirely down to who's leading the club, and if Mike Ashley manages to sell. If not, and Newcastle are still going to be changing managers every month, they won't pose much of a threat but if Shearer gets the job and the squad know where they stand, they could come back up again, because despite losing key players like Owen and Martins, Newcastle have still got quality players who are commited to the club. i don't know about Middlesbrough, after Tuncay leaves - which according to Gareth Southgate he will, then they look a bit thin. Not much quality, just a lot of young inexperianced players. So they might stay in mid-table. Again, I think a lot of the clubs we saw challenging last season will be there again. Watford, Preston, Cardiff again and Reading. I also hope that Paulo Sousa can keep Swansea's progress going by doing one better than Martinez and challenging for a play-off place. And I fancy Sheffield United to do very well, especially after missing out so narrowly last season. Ched Evans is a good signing and they'll be glas to get Kyle Walker back on loan from Spurs. Now, Relegation. Very tough one to call. All of the teams have quality about them but I think the clubs that escaped it last season could be there again. Plymouth, Barnsley, Nottingham Forest? You never know, they might prove me wrong. I don't know how far Darre
n Ferguson can take Peterborough as well and Nigel Adkins' Scunthorpe. Now for League One and I have to admit they get less of my attention, I'm arfraid. I think Leeds might come up to the Championship though, they've got a good mixture of young and experinaced players. And they've also managed to keep Jermaine Beckford so far. Simon Grayson will manage them to a good season. Another two to watch are Norwich and MK Dons. Norwich have just been relegated but I think they've got enough about themselves to get up again if they work hard. MK Dons have lost Di Matteo but Ince is back and I'm sure they'll be delighted as he was such a success last time, and I think he'll continue where he left off last time. Now for the drop. I think Exeter City might find it difficult in League One. And like the Championship, a few of the teams that were hovering above the drop zone might be there again, if they haven't strengthened their weak areas. So, Good Luck to all the teams across the Leagues. And I'm sure the lower English leagues will grow in popularity yet again!
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y've managed to keep almost all their players from last season and added to the team with Swindon hit-man Simon Cox and I think they'll definatley be up there again. Ipswich are another team to watch. I think they'll do really well under Roy Keane. I was surprised when he arrived at Portman Road and I think he'll get the best out of the players at Ipswich. He knows what it takes to get promoted. Now, we come to Newcastle. I think their season will be entirely down to who's leading the club, and if Mike Ashley manages to sell. If not, and Newcastle are still going to be changing managers every month, they won't pose much of a threat but if Shearer gets the job and the squad know where they stand, they could come back up again, because despite losing key players like Owen and Martins, Newcastle have still got quality players who are commited to the club. i don't know about Middlesbrough, after Tuncay leaves - which according to Gareth Southgate he will, then they look a bit thin. Not much quality, just a lot of young inexperianced players. So they might stay in mid-table. Again, I think a lot of the clubs we saw challenging last season will be there again. Watford, Preston, Cardiff again and Reading. I also hope that Paulo Sousa can keep Swansea's progress going by doing one better than Martinez and challenging for a play-off place. And I fancy Sheffield United to do very well, especially after missing out so narrowly last season. Ched Evans is a good signing and they'll be glas to get Kyle Walker back on loan from Spurs. Now, Relegation. Very tough one to call. All of the teams have quality about them but I think the clubs that escaped it last season could be there again. Plymouth, Barnsley, Nottingham Forest? You never know, they might prove me wrong. I don't know how far Darre
n Ferguson can take Peterborough as well and Nigel Adkins' Scunthorpe. Now for League One and I have to admit they get less of my attention, I'm arfraid. I think Leeds might come up to the Championship though, they've got a good mixture of young and experinaced players. And they've also managed to keep Jermaine Beckford so far. Simon Grayson will manage them to a good season. Another two to watch are Norwich and MK Dons. Norwich have just been relegated but I think they've got enough about themselves to get up again if they work hard. MK Dons have lost Di Matteo but Ince is back and I'm sure they'll be delighted as he was such a success last time, and I think he'll continue where he left off last time. Now for the drop. I think Exeter City might find it difficult in League One. And like the Championship, a few of the teams that were hovering above the drop zone might be there again, if they haven't strengthened their weak areas. So, Good Luck to all the teams across the Leagues. And I'm sure the lower English leagues will grow in popularity yet again!
