Last year, I cheated. I waited until a few games had been played and then I made my picks.
That clouded me. Reading got off to a good start and they sold me a dream.
This time, no such errors shall be made. It’s back to wild shots in the dark based off transfer activity, ‘vibe’, and whether it feels like it’s a club’s time to be heading up top.
I’m gonna predict where each 21/22 Championship side is gonna end up and then tot up a score based on the difference between that and where they actually finish. For example, if I pick Fulham to go straight back up in 1st place but they actually finish 8th, that would net me a score of -7.
Last season saw me get a score of -104, while the 19/20 season saw me achieve -140, so it’s an upwards trend.
Let’s see how I do this season. Double digits, come on!
Just how is the 21/22 EFL Championship season gonna end?
— —
BARNSLEY
Last season might have felt like a one-and-done, bolt-from-the-blue from Barnsley, but I reckon it was just an early bearing of fruit. I don’t know if I’d have fancied their odds had they gone up, but they didna.
No, another Champo season is what they needed — that ain’t a step back. What is are the departures of manager Valérien Ismaël and talisman Alex Mowatt. Not to sound cold, but the former is replacable and Markus Schopp could prove consolidation king. In losing Mowatt however, they’ve lost an inevitable force. They’ve added (and are looking to keep adding) force up top, and they’ve still got a strong team on hand, but my guess is that while solid, The Tykes could stutter without some swagger.
Prediction: 12th
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Lee Bowyer is gonna work feckin’ wonders at this club. This is the one I’m going out for — Bowyer will get this club competing for promotion. But obviously, it’s not just Bowyer. He’ll just be the one to get those class players who seem to have been on mute for so long screaming again. Pedersen, Cosgrove, Šunjić — not to mention the new signings — loanees like Chong and Sanderson could easily shine under Lee’s tutelage, and Aneke and Graham have the best chance to prove themselves at this level they could ask for.
There’s reason to be cheerful for Birmingham supporters, I reckon. And while I don’t think it’s all gonna come pouring down at once, Etheridge and co. will follow Lee B in a steady ascent.
Prediction: 8th
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Last season was their opportunity and I’m surprised to see such stagnation as this one begins. I was sure Mowbray had his last chance at Ewood and there was a new chapter afoot but as the first day of the new season creeps closer, the chances of a run-on sentence grow. With no new additions, Mowbray is left with a core — but while a core might be able to keep the Earth right, it can’t win the EFL Championship. The likes of Travis, Rothwell, and Nyambe look set to become stars, but their stage is dim — and if Adam Armstrong is to leave, Rovers will need Gallagher and obviously Chilean Brereton Diaz to step up like never before.
They won’t be doomed, but they can’t keep putting off a full-stop.
Prediction: 17th
BLACKPOOL
They’re back. Continuing a steady ascent, The Seasiders will surely be looking to return to step one, consolidate. A mix of solid signings and purchases with the future in mind add to a vast and consistent side capable of grinding out results under Neil Critchley. They’ll fly under the radar this season, and though it might get a bit too low at times, they’ll pull clear of any danger in the end.
Prediction: 18th
BOURNEMOUTH
The Cherries feel like a real big lad in this division. With Scott Parker joining and Emiliano Marcondes coming in, there’s immediate promotion pedigree. I don’t even think the losses of Begovic and Rico will hurt them — their remaining squad, though trim, is chock-a-block with proven quality and potential. There’s certainly space to add some depth, which always comes in handy in the lengthy Champo season, but Bournemouth know what they can do and they’re confident in that — and that might just be the most dangerous thing about them.
Prediction: 2nd
BRISTOL CITY
I’m struck with a bit of confusion when I look at this side. I look at it and I don’t know who or what is keeping them in the division — but there’s too much quality for them to go down.
They come across as individuals taped together to resemble a squad — or at least they did as they played out last season. Individuals could shine, and the likes of Kalas, Massengo, and Bentley looked good, but nothing clicked. Nigel Pearson has had the Summer and then-some to get a team together and there’ll be a lot of faith that he can do just that. But re-writing can take a long time, especially when there’s as much of it to do as Pearson has on his plate.
Prediction: 23rd
CARDIFF CITY
Almost opposite to The Robins, The Bluebirds strike me as a squad. Despite his numerous goals and sparkling presence, Kieffer Moore doesn’t seem like the star — he becomes one with the squad that helped him bag those goals. Mick McCarthy has this way of making his side seem anonymous in the best possible way — each player fills a role, their name is their position, and it can be easy to let the player fade out of view. McCarthy knows how to get his players to play for him, and he knows which players can do that — luckily for him, Cardiff is full of them.
Prediction: 5th
COVENTRY CITY
There is definitely something to build on from last season and their final position didn’t do them justice. They fought hard and earned everything with a side made from peanuts. The club is still in recovery and the fact that they’re maintaining second division status could be seen as a miracle.
They’re once again added shrewdly — grit and experience will be key as they grind out more results, and while their position won’t reflect their workrate again, they’ll see survival as reward enough.
Prediction: 20th
DERBY COUNTY
After a steady slide into final-day survival by the skin of their teeth, their seems to be admittance that a new way forward must be forged. Only a handful of senior players remain as the much-touted youth seem prepared to take over. County have been waiting for this since Lampard left and now it’s here, it seems daunting. There are moments in this side, but I reckon this one could seem like a real slog for all involved. Mentality will be key.
It seems odd to say that The Rams will be relegated, but it could be just what they need in the long-run.
Prediction: 22nd
FULHAM
This will be a very interesting and very telling season for Fulham. While I have some doubts, I’m fairly confident they will be going straight back up due to the quality they will be turning out. Like other seasons, they will have players who they can’t afford to play at this level or who just don’t want to play, but even with those gone, Marco Silva will still have a side capable of mowing down any and all comers. Still strong in attack and more powerful in defence than any prior Champo season, Fulham could stroll this one.
And then immediately show their frailty in the top flight coming straight back down.
Prediction: 1st
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Aside from utilising free transfers quite nicely, Huddersfield look a bit of a state. There’s gonna be a lot to throw at the wall this new season, and if somet don’t stick sharpish, panic could set in. That being said, I think something will stick. There’s enough quality here to force a fine-enough finish, and with Corberan still at the helm, his vision can be further implemented, providing some consistency for a club in dire need of it.
Prediction: 17th
HULL CITY
There is something about Grant McCann and this Hull City side that never recovered from their previous Champo campaign. Power to as many League One titles as you like — I’m only seeing terror in store for The Tigers. I can’t deny their quality — Wilks, Honeyman, Longman — but I’m calling some dark magic here, man. The cloud of hoodoo has not left McCann and Hull, and it will strike again. Their good players will fall under the malaise and Hull will be back on their way to League One before anyone else.
Prediction: 24th
LUTON TOWN
What I’d call shrewd from The Hatters. In the face of losing the likes of Collins and Pearson, they strike back with proven Championship experience as well as Carlos Mendes Gomes, who looks a star waiting to shoot. With one or two other players ready for a serious run in the team, Luton have a stronger side than many give ’em credit for, and although the playoffs may still be out of reach, they’ll enjoy a season that’ll get many more eyes on an ascent that will result in top flight football.
Big up, Mick Harford.
Prediction: 9th
MIDDLESBROUGH
Warnock has quietly assembled a squad with plenty of depth across the park. Not to mention the potential danger men, specifically, Duncan Watmore, who has seen form that was always meant to happen. Ameobi and Crooks are proper mavericks in the midfield and in a race to lead the line, Akpom, Browne, and Ikpeazu are gonna have fun fighting it out. We don’t really need to mention the defence in a Middlebrough Championship side, but yes, it’s still solid and provides immense foundation that makes them a tough team to beat.
Prediction: 4th
MILLWALL
A side always tricky to play have been compounded by the arrivals of George Saville and born-to-be-Millwall Scott Malone, who join a side that know each other better than any squad in the EFL I’d wager. The core of their squad hasn’t changed in half-a-decade, and that’s with good reason; like a Metapod, they continue to harden until they’re around long enough to turn into a Butterfree. That might not be this season, but… It might just be that the EFL could be saying ‘bye bye, Butterfree’ come 2022.
As long as Gary Rowett’s their trainer, the promise land ain’t ever that far away.
Prediction: 6th
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Another tight squad with undeniable quality, but this time there’s some transition up ahead. Hughton didn’t show a tonne of advancement in the 75% of the season he had the time last time out, and that hasn’t changed immensely over the Summer. Youngster Brennan Johnson has returned and could easy make waves, but for my money, Forest are gonna be the side playing for draws and attaining a suspiciously high finish that’s questioned by everyone because nobody can remember anything they did all season.
I hope I’m wrong though.
Prediction: 13th
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Thus far, the one thing that stands out at Peterborough is the lack of proven Championship quality. Josh Knight joins after a solid season with Wycombe last time out, and becomes a part of a strong selection of centre-backs. Jack Marriott is also back after a few mixed seasons with Derby, but by and large, Ferguson will be relying on the quality that got him to the dance; and who’s to say they ain’t capable? Clarke-Harris is a powerful striker capable of erupting at this level, Jorge Grant and Sammie Szmodics have just been waiting for their chance to shine here. There’s potential here, and if they don’t get over-run, they’ll survive. That’s where those aforementioned centre-backs could prove the difference, and ten years on from their last Champo survival, they’ll do it again.
Prediction: 21st
PRESTON NORTH END
Preston have successfully blended for the past couple of seasons, never being here nor there and creating their own non-drama in mid-table. From the outside, they just come across as a very safely-run club who don’t appear to have any aspirations to be any higher than mid-table in the Championship.
But they’re under new management now… And all of that is about to… Stay the same.
I’m positive they’re not thinking the way I describe, but the incoming players back up their stock and nothing more. Everyone is trusted and everyone does a job, but more chances need to be taken if Preston are gonna go anywhere but mid-table.
Prediction: 15th
QPR
I think you’ll still get a lot of people surprised that QPR managed top-ten last season. But it was done, seemingly through sheer force as they bombared their way beyond whoever was waiting. That’ll serve ’em well though; in a division with the likes of Preston, QPR will do well not to sit around and consolidate, they are in a position to take chances, with Mark Warburton and his side acting as if they have nothing to lose. Transfers in have added further colour and depth, while they’ve avoided losing anyone of note — so The Hoops could easy be that side that lose to bottom of the table while seeing off the top.
Prediction: 10th
READING
With little work done on re-stocking so far, Reading are left with a talented, if trim, side to work with. Promise faded away last season, but the bulk and core of that team remain, and should be something to build on. It’s not too late for that and Reading will certainly compete, but without further solid addition, they’ll be taken to the cleaners once or twice and brought back down to Earth.
Prediction: 16th
SHEFFIELD UNITED
It’ll seem like a bit of a shock at first. It’s only readjustment though, and once they’ve settled, The Blades will return to the solid side they’ve been for many, many seasons. Additions are necessary, and important players are likely to leave, but this’ll be Sheffield United under a new system, getting back to grips with a league a lot of them know well. In spite of their position, their opponents will do well to never write them off.
Prediction: 14th
STOKE CITY
It feels like a real slow-build for O’Neill and his boys, with this past Summer being the ridding of the ‘dead wood’ as it were. These sheddings seemed like the last of that Premier League pomp falling off them — they’re no longer that side, and now they can get on with becoming a different team after the same title. There’s room for that new team to grow now, one that’ll be solid and tough to navigate. But this’ll be make or break for The Potters — progression this season will be important in regards to their immediate future.
Prediction: 7th
SWANSEA CITY
It’s late in the day for Steve Cooper to have left and The Swans can only suffer for it. Before he left, he bemoaned the condition of his squad — he was already working with peanuts, and that was unlikely to change. There is still a cracker squad there, and some additions were made, but this will end up being a season of missed opportunity for Swansea. Someone will come in to steady the ship and the course will be corrected, but by that point, they’ll already be thinking about next season.
Prediction: 11th
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
We see it happen quite a bit. A side goes up to the Premier League, fluff their lines, come back down and then pretty much just shed and forget everything they did up there. The manager’s gone, the players have gone, it’s as if it never happened and we’re back in the 19/20 season, this time with Valérien Ismaël in the hot seat from the off. We go again.
The Baggies know how to be solid, and if Ismaël’s short managerial career has taught us anything, it’s that he can get his players playing for him. He’s got a trim squad chock-full of potential that went unrecognised last season to work with this, as well as his own talisman in Alex Mowatt joining the ranks — someone who’s been destined for the Prem since his days in the Leeds academy. Johnstone might be set to leave, but if he does, West Brom’s fantastic record of youth ‘keepers will treat ’em right, and just like that, when a problem arises, Brom will have an answer.
Prediction: 3rd
— —
Alright, let’s have a gander at what I went for.
1. Fulham
2. Bournemouth
3. West Bromwich Albion
4. Middlesbrough
5. Cardiff City
6. Millwall
7. Stoke City
8. Birmingham City
9. Luton Town
10. QPR
11. Swansea City
12. Barnsley
13. Nottingham Forest
14. Sheffield United
15. Preston North End
16. Reading
17. Huddersfield Town
18. Blackburn Rovers
19. Blackpool
20. Coventry City
21. Peterborough United
22. Derby County
23. Bristol City
24. Hull City
I love a gamble. I’m gaan for that.
Place your bets, but do so responsibly — let’s gamble in delicious meats and cheeses instead, and this is worth a couple of slices of peppered salami, lemme tell ya.
I cannae wait for it all to be back up and running and I know you can’t either. Aye, all these predictions will probably change in the remaining month of the transfer window, but I’m locking ’em in anyways ‘cos this ain’t what really matters — the football is what matters.
In footballing terms anyways.
In the grander scheme of things, living things matter and the rest of it.
But I don’t know how living things are gonna end. I can’t even guess.
I can guess how the EFL Championship is gonna end.
Is this how it’s gonna end?
Keep it streets ahead,
C.L.R.
