The new English football season kicks off this weekend. In readiness, we at theHardTackle, have surveyed a fan of each Championship club, in order to give you the best possible insight into the upcoming season.
Having looked at the teams in alphabetical order, we started with the six clubs beginning with the letter B, moved on to the half-dozen teams ranging from Cardiff City to Hull City and then the five teams from Ipswich to Millwall. In the fourth and final part of the series, we now turn our attentions to the 7 remaining teams. Let the fans speak ….
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NOTTINGHAM FOREST F.C.
About the fan:
Pat Riddell has supported Nottingham Forest since his dad took him along to the City Ground in 1982. Thankfully losing 2-0 to John Toshack’s Swansea City was about as bad as it got in the 1980s and the ‘Brian Clough years’ meant regular trips to Wembley. Since then, however, Forest have yo-yoed between divisions — the low point being three years in the League One (2005-08) — and failure to win in four play-off semi-finals in the past decade led to much heartbreak…
Follow Pat on his blog Seat Pitch http://seatpitch.co.uk, on Twitter @SeatPitch or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SeatPitch
How was the Summer Transfer market for your club?
Steve McClaren has admitted his frustration in bringing players in but with three weeks of the transfer window left — and the loan window yet to come — it’s not been as bad as some have portrayed.. While we lost seven players only four were regulars and we’ve brought in three very experienced midfielders in Jonathan Greening, Andy Reid and George Boateng. We still need a striker and a winger though and, while there’s rumours of a couple of loan signings, the squad needs some depth to compete.
What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
After successive play-off failures, promotion to the Premier League is every Forest fan’s biggest ambition. Either through automatic or the dreaded play-offs.
Who are your key players?
Lee Camp has proved himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the country over the past two seasons and last year’s player of the year — and now captain — Luke Chambers are both key members of our (usually) solid defence. Lewis McGugan was key for assists and goals last year and should develop even further this year. And the additions of Reid and Greening ensure we should have one of the best midfields around.
Who MUST you finish above?
The obvious answer is Derby County, our eternal rivals. Although given the money our East Midlands neighbours are spending, then Leicester City come a close second.
Opposition players you love to hate?
Seeing as Robbie Savage has retired it’s difficult to pick one. Actually it’s impossible. Anyone from Derby I guess.
Opposition players you secretly admire?
Bristol City’s Nicky Maynard has been a target of ours although that’s hardly been a secret. And Reading’s Shane Long and Jimmy Kebe could both do a job for us.
Predict a finish for your team.
I’d love to say automatic promotion but I think play-offs is a more reasonable prediction. Fourth or fifth should be achievable.
Who, according to you, will get promoted?
Everyone’s going to tip West Ham and Leicester and, at the moment, it’s hard to disagree. But West Ham need to get used to a new manager and a new division while Leicester will probably need time to gel. It’s impossible to call this year and Birmingham, Cardiff and Ipswich could all do well too.
Who, according to you, will get relegated?
Again, tough call. I think Peterborough, Coventry and Watford might struggle but they could all comfortably finish in mid-table.
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PETERBOROUGH UNITED F.C.
About the fan
Ewan Cox has been a Peterborough United season ticket holder for the last three seasons. After attending the odd drab League Two game, the arrival of Darren Ferguson as manager brought an exciting brand of free-flowing attacking football to London Road. In an incredible two years, Ewan saw two back-to-back promotions. The resulting season in the Championship proved harder to watch, as the team was relegated amidst managerial changes. The good times returned for Ewan last season, as Fergie Jnr’s return to the club resulted in goals galore and promotion via the play-offs.
Follow Ewan on Twitter @coxxxxy22
How was the Summer Transfer market for your club?
The chairman and Barry Fry claim they cannot afford the wages of Championship players, which is disappointing but hopefully some of our squad who were with us last time in the Championship will know what is required of them this time. Disappointingly Craig Mackail-Smith has left, but Fergie Snr has helped his son out by loaning us some players. We have missed out on some targets, but overall I think our squad is stronger than the one we had in the previous Championship campaign.
What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
Avoid relegation. I want to see us try and establish ourselves as a Championship team. Last time we were in this division, I think we embarrassed ourselves with the manager changes, so hopefully this year there will be more stability. Also, I hope we can still keep our attacking style of play and not concede so many goals.
Who are your key players?
Our captain, Grant McCann, probably has the most Championship experience in our squad, so we’ll be looking to him to lead from the front and continue his great form of last year. Gabriel Zakuani is a strong no-nonsense defender, who missed most of the first half of last season through injury. His return coincided with our promotion run. With Aaron Mclean and Mackail-Smith gone, George Boyd is the last remaining of our famous front three and is of course a massive player to us. Despite lacking in pace, his creativity and eye for goal are a massive asset.
Who MUST you finish above?
We haven’t really got any rivals in the Championship but it would be nice to finish above the other teams promoted from League 1 (Brighton and Southampton).
Opposition players you love to hate?
Southampton’s Richard Chaplow used to play for Preston under Fergie, where they had a falling out, so he isn’t liked by the Posh fans. Freddie Sears for West Ham has a bit of hate from Posh fans for going on loan to Crystal Palace instead of us last time in the championship.
Opposition players you secretly admire?
Former players Mclean and Mackail-Smith are two obvious ones, who I’ll look out for, I just hope they dont score against us for Hull and Brighton respectively. From our seasons in League 1 we have come across Southampton’s Rickie Lambert a fair few times. He is a quality goalscorer who is lethal from set pieces.
Predict a finish for your team.
I believe Posh will finish bottom half of the table about 19th-20th, just above relegation
Who, according to you, will get promoted?
I believe it will be West Ham, Leicester and Nottingham Forest
Who, according to you, will get relegated?
Doncaster, Barnsley and Crystal Palace
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PORTSMOUTH F.C
About the fan:
Tony Goodall has been following Pompey for over 30 years. From the lows of relegation to Division 4 in 1978 and two periods of Administration, to the highs of the Premier League and FA Cup success, Tony has seen it all. His favourite memories are of winning promotion to the Premier League in 2003, two 4-1 victories over rivals Southampton, the 2007-08 season when the FA Cup was won at Wembley and the subsequent European campaign the following season, in which Portsmouth were seconds away from beating the mighty AC Milan. The financial meltdown of the last few years is Tony’s obvious low points
Follow Tony at www.portsmouthlive.tv or on Twitter @PompeySwiss
How was the Summer Transfer market for your club?
Not good. The Club changed hands and the previous owners left us with only 8 players. Our new owners (Convers Sports Initiatives) have bought in some new additions, but we still only have 16 players at present. We need new players – a Striker, Attacking Midfielder and Centre-Back – sooner rather than later. Then some loans.
What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
I was pleasantly surprised last season by Steve Cotterill’s abilities as Manager. We barely had a squad, lost six of our opening games and then went on two great runs which saw us on the fringes of the Play-Off race until Mid April when the lack of depth in the squad showed and we tired. This season, with the right signings, we could be serious play-off contenders. So a trip to Wembley in the Play-offs…and winning would be great!
Who are your key players?
Goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown set a new club record for consecutive clean sheets last season, so his form will again be key. David Norris & Liam Lawrence are both midfielders who need to make things happen and dominate games. A product of our youth system, Joel Ward is a utility player (Defence/Midfield) who had a storming season last season and surprised many.
Which team MUST you finish above?
Ha ha, our South Coast rivals Southampton and whoever finishes in the relegation places!
Opposition players you love to hate?
Lee Bowyer will get a hot reception when he comes down for Ipswich, as he has always had torrid games here. And of course the whole Southampton squad!
Opposition players you secretly admire?
David James. Ex-Pompey and England, still a class Act. David Norris was one I admired when at Ipswich, but we have signed him! Peter Whittingham at Cardiff stood out for me last season.
Predict a finish for your team.
Top Six, probably 6th
Who, according to you, will get promoted?
Brighton and Leicester, Pompey in the Play-offs!
Who, according to you, will get relegated?
Doncaster, Birmingham and Southampton
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READING F.C.
About the fan:
Jamie Harden has been a Reading fan since 1995 when the Royals went to Wembley to play Bolton in the play-off final. However, mention play-offs to Jamie and you won’t get a look of him reminiscing about how well Reading did in them as they’ve failed in all of their five attempts to win promotion. As Jamie says, they’re better off winning automatic promotion, so the day when they sealed promotion at Leicester City in the record breaking 05/06 season will live long in his memory.
Follow Jamie on Twitter @MrCompo
How was the Summer Transfer market for your club?
Quiet. The departure of captain Matt Mills to Leicester forced Reading to act and bring in Spurs defender Bongani Khumalo on a season long loan. Brian McDermott is still on the lookout for one more defender, although finding money to spend is a problem. The vultures are still circling over striker Shane Long and many expect him to be gone before the transfer window shuts.
What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
As long as the manager keeps developing the young players coming through, then Reading will be OK in this division and perhaps have another cup run like the last couple of years. If we could sneak into the play-offs again this year, I think that would be an excellent achievement.
Who are your key players?
Jimmy Kebe on his day is the best winger in this . Along with McAnuff, Karacan and Leigertwood our midfield is probably the best in the Championship. Leigertwood is a composed figure in the center of the pitch, while Karacan continues to blossom alongside him. McAnuff, who has just been awarded the captaincy of the team, has the ability to be devastating on his day.
Which team MUST you finish above?
With our local rivals Oxford and Swindon too busy fighting it out in the basement division, I suppose following Mills’ move to Leicester, they will become the team we want to finish above.
Opposition players you love to hate?
Michael Chopra always seemed to wind up Reading fans every time we played Cardiff and I expect nothing to change now he’s moved to Ipswich. Going down far too easily, picking a fight with us or annoyingly scoring, there’s always something with him.
Opposition players you secretly admire?
To be honest, most of the players.
Predict a finish for your team.
Just outside the play offs
Who, according to you, will get promoted?
Leicester, Nottingham Forest and West Ham
Who, according to you, will get relegated?
Peterborough, Doncaster and Barnsley
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SOUTHAMPTON F.C.
About the fan:
Josh Billinge has been a Southampton fan for about 17 years. With plenty of relegation battles over the years and a worrying fight with administration, it’s been hard work, but thankfully for Josh, the Saints now appear to be on the up. His greatest moment was beating Manchester Utd 6-3, whilst his worst is being relegated from the Championship after the worst season of football he has ever witnessed.
Follow Josh on his Saints Blog http://judgementaljosh.blogspot.com and on Twitter @judgementaljosh
How was the Summer Transfer market for your club?
Fairly quiet this summer. Brought in Jack Cork and a Belgian winger, Steve De Ridder. Fair bit of money spent by Championship standards. One more quality centre back and our squad is very competitive. Importantly, we’ve so far managed to keep hold of young winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He is a wonder and will be playing at a very high level soon.
What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
We finished last season on a high and have momentum. We also have a good manager, good backing and a solid group of players, so challenging for a play-off position is possible. However, anywhere mid to top half of the table wouldn’t be the end of the world.
Who are your key players?
Jose Fonte – Solid premiership quality centre back, Adam Lallana – has a bucket load of tricks, a deft touch and an eye for goal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – wonder kid, the new Theo Walcott and Rickie Lambert – consistently banging in 25 goals a season – priceless
Which team MUST you finish above?
Imperative we finish above Portsmouth!
Opposition players you love to hate?
Shame Robbie Savage has retired as it would have been good banter to have him playing against us at St Marys. Lee Bowyer has to be my pick of a player who has the ability to wind me up!
Opposition players you secretly admire?
If Shane Long (of Reading) remains in the Championship and doesn’t get picked up by a Premier league club, then he’s a player for us to watch out for.
Predict a finish for your team.
8th.
Who, according to you, will get promoted?
Leicester, West Ham & Leeds
Who, according to you, will get relegated?
Coventry, Barnsley & Middlesbrough
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WATFORD F.C.
About the fan:
Mike Parkin is the co-commentator of the Watford ‘From the Rookery End’ podcast. The first game he can remember attending was the 4-all draw against Walsall in the FA Cup 5th Round Replay in 1987. Watford went on to reach the Semi-Final, in which they got hammered by Spurs – it provided then 9-year old Mike with one of his worst memories as a Watford fan. Since then, he’s seen relegations, promotions and memorable cup runs. He has two main highlights – winning the Division Two title on the final day of the 1997/98 season at a sun-drenched Craven Cottage, whilst the very next year he was treated to every football supporter’s dream – a win at Wembley, as Watford beat Bolton in the Play-Off Final to reach the Premier League.
Follow Mike’s Podcast at www.fromtherookeryend.com or on Twitter @rookerymike
How was the Summer Transfer market for your club?
Top scorer Danny Graham departed to Swansea for a cool £3.5 million, whilst influential midfielder Don Cowie followed Malky Mackay and his backroom staff to Cardiff City. When the exciting Will Buckley left for Brighton, it looked like it was only the exit door that was working. Slowly though, players have started to arrive. In Prince Bauben we’ve certainly got a name to conjure with, whilst Mark Yeates will be the man we look to for a bit of creativity. Carl Dickinson has plugged the hole we’ve had at left back and Chris Iwelumo will provide a bit of muscle up front. All in all, I think most fans will be happy with the business Sean Dyche has done.
What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
Survival. Previous board failings mean financial constraints, so to focus on anything other than maintaining our Championship status would be folly. Another hope is that our excellent Harewood Youth academy continues to churn out players. Nurturing young talent is vital for the financial well being of the club (Ashley Young’s move from Aston Villa to Manchester United has netted the Hornets an additional £1m to the original £9 million transfer fee) as well as providing the backbone of the team.
Who are your key players?
Despite talk of a move to Derby, captain John Eustace remains at the club and will be a key player. He is a leader on the pitch, barking orders and ensuring the team stay focused, whilst much of what is good about Watford’s play is as a direct result of his involvement. Defensively experienced Martin Taylor and his centre-back partner Lloyd Doyley will be key. At the other end of the pitch, much will be expected of Marvin Sordell, who scored 15 goals last season, and new arrival Iwelumo.
Which team MUST you finish above?
We need to finish above any three teams, that way survival will be assured. With the defection of many of our key staff to Cardiff, finishing above them would be a welcome result.
Opposition players you love to hate?
Any player that dives or cheats is immediately in my black book. Supporters want to see good, competitive football – diving and cheating is an insult to the people who should matter the most – the fans.
Opposition players you secretly admire?
David James. Not only is he an ex-Hornet, but we also interviewed him for our podcast and found him to be one of the nicest blokes I’ve ever meet. The fact that he is still playing at a high level after such a long career is amazing and shows his dedication and discipline. Having said that, I hope we stick a load past Bristol City!
Predict a finish for your team.
A lot will depend on the start we make – a decent start will see us grow in confidence, whilst a slow beginning will see us struggle. Naturally, I sincerely hope for the former. If I had to put any money on a finishing position, I’d go for 18th.
Who, according to you, will get promoted?
Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and West Ham United
Who, according to you, will get relegated?
I hate tipping clubs for relegation, so I’ll make this as quick and painless as possible. My gut instinct is that it will be Coventry City, Barnsley and Peterborough United.
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WEST HAM UNITED F.C.
About the fan:
David Evans was born a short stones throw away from the West Ham training ground in Chadwell Heath, so there was only ever one team that he was destined to support! He has seen several highs and considerably more lows, but as he says, learning to live with the lows makes the occasional highs that much greater. His best moments include the 1980 FA cup final win, the 1985/86 team that finished third in the old first division, the 2005 play off final win against Preston & the 2006 FA cup run. His personal low as a Hammer would be best summed up in two matches. The 1981 League Cup final replay against Liverpool and the losing Play Off final of 2004 against Crystal Palace.
Follow David on Twitter @Upton_Scar
How was the Summer Transfer market for your club?
With Sam Allardyce appointed as a new manager we have been impressed with his signings so far, though we are in danger of becoming the new Bolton with former Wanderers’ players Abdoulaye Faye, Matty Taylor, Kevin Nolan & Joey O`Brien all signing. A new striker is still needed, the only worry is that Big Sam may go after Frank Worthington!
What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
To see us win more matches than we lose primarily, which would be a welcome change after the last couple of seasons! The main requirement however, apart from the obvious need for promotion, would be to see some passion, desire & hunger return to the side.
Who are your key players?
Based on the current squad I would suggest that Scott Parker, Kevin Nolan and Matty Taylor, along with Rob Green. The appointment of a proven goalscorer is also crucial and it will be interesting who we acquire in this position.
Which team MUST you finish above?
Enough to go up. There are so many strong sides in the division that I couldn’t tell you who though.
Opposition players you love to hate?
Championship-wise, none at the moment. Overall, I would name Nani and Rooney of Manchester United. Both are examples of the modern day footballer that I find difficult to associate with and why fans of my era hark back to to the good old days of football in the 70`s and 80`s!
Opposition players you secretly admire?
Sadly this player has now retired but i always admired Robbie Savage. Never the most talented of players, but would put in a shift every game and would love to have seen him at Upton Park.
Predict a finish for your team.
It’s rare for a West Ham fan to be upbeat at the start of the season, but this year I expect a top six finish at the very least and quite possibly an automatic promotion place. If pressed I feel that we should be good enough to finish in the top two.
Who, according to you, will get promoted?
West Ham, Leicester City & Nottingham Forest.
Who, according to you, will get relegated?
Peterborough, Brighton & Coventry City.
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TheHardTackle would like to thank the fans for their time and contribution!