Has the Championship lost its magic? Football League followers would love to dismiss that idea as lazy doom-mongering – but even avid lovers of English football’s once-unpredictable second tier might confess to pausing for thought.
Fulham, Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich have taken half of the last 12 promotion spots between them, as parachute payments continue to threaten the league’s competitive balance. The task for those without summer handouts is to get everything right, from recruitment through to coaching and culture. For those with them, it’s to not get everything wrong.
So, do we await a procession for Norwich, Watford and Burnley? Well… not quite. The Canaries and Dean Smith both have previous at this level but don’t look well-matched yet, while relative rookies Rob Edwards and Vincent Kompany (below) face big rebuilds.
Parachute payments don’t guarantee success anyway, as West Bromwich Albion proved by drearily slumping to 10th. This year, however, the excellent captures of goal-scoring creators John Swift and Jed Wallace should turbo-boost their attack.
As important as financial advantage is, having the right manager is second. Middlesbrough and Sheffield United will go far if Chris Wilder (above) and Paul Hecking-bottom can extrapolate the bright form from their mid-season appointments over a full campaign.
Luton and Huddersfield have also been galvanised by their gaffers, Nathan Jones and Carlos Corberan respectively. Both clubs are expected by most to fall away after near misses in 2021-22, but why? Retain key assets and there’s no reason they can’t go again.
That pair of plucky play-off participants provide some inspiration for Coventry, who have continually progressed for five years under Mark Robins – not to mention Millwall, who are replacing Wallace well, and Preston, who finally have the goal-scorer they need.
Things look less rosy at Blackpool, whose fans were already dismayed by Neil Critchley’s departure and now find themselves split over the return of Michael Appleton. Tony Mowbray’s replacement at Blackburn, former Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, may have an easier time winning over Lancastrians.
Leam Richardson has already done that and then some at Wigan, who pinched the League One crown from Rotherham. The Millers were unfortunate to rack up three consecutive Championship relegations and would be content with better luck and mere survival here, unlike the buoyant, Ross Stewart-inspired Sunderland. The three promoted clubs are helped by there being not one but two crisis clubs, in Paul Ince’s Reading and an imploding Birmingham, which almost makes for a one-team relegation zone this season.
There are few candidates to fill it. Hull have fresh investment from ‘Turkish Simon Cowell’ Acun Ilicali, while Bristol City’s Nigel Pearson and Cardiff’s Steve Morison have fostered levels of cautious optimism on Severnside. Gareth Bale seems to be the only player not joining Cardiff, who want to move on from losing 3-0 and 4-0 to Swansea in history’s first South Wales derby double for either side, at only the 31st attempt. The Swans themselves will benefit from keep-ball connoisseur Russell Martin having a full pre-season.
Elsewhere, QPR are giving esteemed coach Michael Beale his first step into management, while Stoke are hoping for something, anything, to end the malaise.
A spark can come from anywhere. This is a league that turns zeroes into heroes, and vice versa; where novice coaches stun the old hands; where hotshots from non-league can suddenly become stars; where styles clash starkly, with fascinating results. Clubs go on unthinkable journeys – not all of them upwards.
Has the Championship lost its magic, then? Not yet. It might have bodged a few tricks in recent years: for instance, the last three runners-up – West Bromwich Albion, Watford and most recently Bournemouth – ambled there largely on the back of individual quality. But bewitching bewilderment is never far away.
FourFourTwo PREDICTION
1. Middlesbrough
2. Norwich
3. Sheffield United
4. Watford
5. West Brom
6. Burnley
7 Coventry
8. Swansea
9. Luton
10. Preston
11. Huddersfield
12. QPR
13. Stoke
14. Millwall
15. Blackburn
16. Sunderland
17. Hull
18. Bristol City
19. Cardiff
20. Wigan
21. Blackpool
22. Rotherham
23. Reading
24. Birmingham
WHO COULD BE PROMOTED?
13/8
NORWICH
Champions on their last two visits, but there’s no Emiliano Buendia this time. Teemu Pukki will still do nicely, mind.
7/4
WATFORD
As ever, the big question is what time Rob Edwards will have to get it right. But the Hornets’ attack could sting.
5/2
MIDDLESBROUGH
A manager proven at this level in Chris Wilder, and no need for an overhaul: things look promising at the Riverside.
WHO COULD BE RELEGATED?
6/4
ROTHERHAM
Fourth time lucky? After losing key members to local rivals, maybe not. But the Millers will graft.
13/8
READING
Lucky to stay up last year, it’ll be another struggle for a club still under their embargo.
2/1
BIRMINGHAM
Takeover uncertainty hasn’t helped the Blues, who offer little hope for better things to come.
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BIRMINGHAM CITY
LAST SEASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 20th FA CUP Third Round LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS) Scott Hogan (10)
FAN FILE
RYAN DEENEY @RyanDeeney2194
Last season was the usual, but without a mid-season manager change. Decent start, poor for the rest, and survival thanks to points deductions elsewhere.
The big talking point has been our possible takeover (Laurence Bassini or ex-Milan forward Maxi Lopez… yikes).
This season will be different because there are no points deductions for any other clubs – well, as it stands anyway – so we’re more susceptible to the drop.
I won’t be happy unless a takeover inspires some real change off the field.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that we hope John Eustace gets everyone pulling together. Lee Bowyer’s exit has split fans. He was an honest hero as a player, but as a manager was more interested in self-preservation when results and performances worsened.
Our most underrated player is the irreplaceable Marc Roberts [below], apparently. Bowyer’s words, not mine.
Our key player will be somebody new, probably – we went into the summer break with 14 players, eight of them over the age of 30.
The active player I’d love to have back is Jude Bellingham. Let’s unretire that shirt number.
The thing my club really gets right is honouring Arthur Labinjo-Hughes [above]. The Family Zone was renamed Arthur’s Area last term, and his life will continue to be celebrated every year near his birthday.
Fans think our owner has finally been unmasked as Wang Yaohui, thanks to the diligence of @almajir on Twitter.
Fans think our ground is in desperate need of repair – and half of it will likely remain shut when the season begins.
