The Championship Season 2012/13 Preview
Part 2 : Bristol City - Derby County
by Colin Cowan
Bristol City
In: Jody Morris (St Johnstone, Free), Greg Cunningham (Man City, Undisclosed), Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest, Free), Tom Heaton (Cardiff, Free)
Out: Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Notts County, Free), Danny Ball (Bath City, Free), Henry Muggeridge (Released), David James (Released), David Clarkson (Bristol Rovers, Free), Marlon Jackson (Hereford United, Free), Jamie McAllister (Yeovil Town, Free), Christian Ribeiro (Scunthorpe United, Free)
Key Player: Albert Adomah
Final League Position Last Year: 20th
After a disappointing campaign last season, Bristol City will be hoping that they will have a more successful season. They have brought in players with Championship experience with Tom Heaton and Paul Anderson arriving. Their weakness is that they don’t seem to have much firepower upfront. If they don’t bring in a striker it could be another difficult season for them but I think they will secure Championship survival.
My Prediction: 17th
Burnley
In: Sam Vokes (Wolves, Undisclosed), Joseph Mills (Reading, Loan), Jason Shackell (Derby, Undisclosed), George Porter (Leyton Orient, Undisclosed), Luke O'Neill (Mansfield Town, Undisclosed), Brian Stock (Doncaster, Undisclosed)
Out: Zavon Hines (Released), Clarke Carlisle (Released), André Amougou (Released), Brian Easton (Released), Ross Wilson (Released), Dave Lynch (Released), Dominic Knowles (Released), Alex-Ray Harvey (Released), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton, Undisclosed)
Key Player: Sam Vokes
Final League Position Last Year: 13th
Burnley will be hoping that they can improve on their midtable finish from last season. They have however been dealt a major blow as star striker from recent years, Jay Rodriguez has moved on to Southampton to have a shot at the Premier League. They have replaced him with Sam Vokes who has big boots to fill. If he shows good form then Burnley could have a chance at a top half finish but I can’t see them finishing in the play-off places.
My Prediction: 16th
Cardiff City
In: Heidar Helguson (QPR, Undisclosed), Joe Lewis (Peterborough, Free), Filip Kiss (Slovan Bratislava, Undisclosed), Jordon Mutch (Birmingham, Undisclosed), Etien Velikonja (Maribor, Undisclosed), Kim Bo-Kyung (Cerezo Osaka, Undisclosed), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool, Undisclosed)
Out: Tom Heaton (Bristol City, Free), Anthony Gerrard (Huddersfield, Undisclosed), Kenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps, Undisclosed), Jon Parkin (Fleetwood, Free), Paul Quinn (Doncaster, Free), Lee Naylor (Released), Alex Evans (Released), Aaron Wildig (Shrewsbury, Free), Jonathan Meades (Released), Jordan Santiago (Released)
Key Player: Craig Bellamy
Final League Position Last Year: 6th
It has been a summer of change in South Wales. A new kit and a lot of new players! The most impressive signing has to be the return of Craig Bellamy to the Welsh capital. They have also brought in players with Championship experience with Heidar Helguson and Jordon Much joining. Cardiff have the team that should be challenging for promotion but can they do it? They have struggled over the last few years to make the push for promotion but this year could be different as they have bought well. I can see them finishing in the playoff places.
My Prediction: 5th
Craig Bellamy dons red once again but this time with Cardiff City.
Charlton Athletic
In: Lawrie Wilson (Stevenage, Undisclosed), Jordan Cook (Sunderland, Free), Salim Kerkar (Rangers, Free)
Out: Jason Euell (Released), Gary Doherty (Wycombe Wanderers, Free), Conor Gough (Bristol Rovers, Free), Mikel Alonso (Released), Freddie Warren (Barnet, Free), Tosan Popo (Released)
Key Player: Bradley Wright-Phillips
Final League Position Last Year: 1st (League One)
Charlton have made the return to the Championship after a couple of years in League One. They have made a few additions this summer. This included bringing the highly rated Lawrie Wilson in from Stevenage. If they are to have a successful season then they are going to need star striker Bradley Wright-Phillips on form. They should have enough to keep them in the Championship and I can see them securing a mid-table finish.
My Prediction: 15th
Crystal Palace
In: Joel Ward (Portsmouth, Undisclosed), Aaron Martin (Southampton, Loan), Aaron Wilbraham (Norwich City, Free), Peter Ramage (QPR, Free)
Out: Darren Ambrose (Birmingham, Undisclosed), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield, Undisclosed), Antonio Pedroza (Morelia, loan), Anthony Gardener (Sheffield Wednesday, Free), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton, Undisclosed), Lee Hills (Stevenage, Free), Jake Caprice (Blackpool, Free), Calvin Andrew (Released), Charlie Holness (Released), Nathaniel Pinney (Released)
Key Player: Wilfried Zaha
Final League Position Last Year: 17th
Crystal Palace last season secured their Championship status with a finish near the wrong end of the table. They have had a bad summer as they have lost two of their most influential players in the form of Darren Ambrose and Nathaniel Clyne. They have also lost striker Sean Scannell. They have brought in a few players including Joel Ward and Peter Ramage who should tighten up the defence. However I think they will be in for a difficult season and can see them dropping into League one after this season.
My Prediction: 23rd (RELEGATED)
Wilfried Zaha: looking over his shoulder
Derby County
In: Michael Jacobs (Northampton, Undisclosed), Paul Coutts (Preston, Undisclosed), Richard Keogh (Coventry, Undisclosed), James O'Connor (Doncaster, Undisclosed), Michael Hoganson (Newcastle, Free)
Out: Chris Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday, Undisclosed), Chris Maguire (Released), Paul Green (Leeds, Free), James Severn (Scunthorpe United, Free), Ryan Connolly (Sligo Rovers, Free), Aaron Cole (Released), Jason Shackell (Burnley), Miles Addison (Bournemouth, Free), Lee Croft (Oldham, Loan), Callum Ball (Coventry City, Loan), Ross Atkins (Burton Albion, Loan)
Key Player: Craig Bryson
Final League Position Last Year: 12th
After a great start to last season, Derby had a disappointing second half to the season but finished in the top half of the table. They have had a busy summer and have made some very good signings. They brought in Michael Jacobs who is a highly rated midfielder. They have also brought in Richard Keogh who is a good Championship defender. I however feel they lack a striker who is going to score every week and they will have a disappointing season and will have a disappointing season.
My Prediction: 19th
Part One - Barnsley - Brighton Part Three - Huddersfield - Middlesbrough
Part Four - Millwall - Wolves
Part Four - Millwall - Wolves
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