Many people felt that last year’s Championship was the most competitive for years, with the lack of any real standout sides; I have to agree it was. But then you look at this years, it has the ability to be one of the greatest seasons in the Championship’s history. Many would say that is a bold statement, but I have a lot to back it up with!
Many pundits like me find it very hard to figure out who will actually be up there come the end of the season, there are so many teams who feel they will be in with a chance. It struck me a while back when talking to some people at Hull City that the Championship will never get easier, only harder. This year there must be at least 15-20 clubs who feel they can win promotion. Sky Bet have 19 of the teams under 14-1 to win promotion in some form! That’s how tight they feel this division really is. Then yet again for relegation 21 of the teams are under 20-1, no-one can really tell where this year’s championship will go.
On top of the fact there is so much competition, you can see that money is being spent. Even clubs like Derby went and bought early, but obviously the big transfers are at the top with Leicester and West Ham spending heavily. But it’s not just about money, clubs are transferring players left right and centre, and the loan market is always used heavily by all clubs. Malky Mackay has then promised his side will sign another 6 players on top of what they have already! The standard of player playing in this division is just increasing, take Kevin Nolan for example, he scored 12 goals in the Premier League last year but come this year he ply’s his trade in the Championship.
This article is just about highlighting what great entertainment there is at Championship level, but is there any fan or any club out there in this division that can guarantee they will be able to name their starting line-up come the first game of the season? Or does anyone expect that team to be the same at the end of the season? I think the answer to all of these questions is pretty much no. Then you come to the fact that anyone can literally beat anyone on their day. This division is by far one of the most interesting to watch. As the season goes on I look forward to discussing it and hopefully you will read more as the Championship season goes on!
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