Big-spending Forest will hope they can do a Wolves
Championship in England as unpredictable as ever
The Championship has a reputation as an exciting, unpredictable division. This year looks likely to be an exception, in that the outcome seems even more uncertain than usual.
With no clear favourite for automatic promotion, never mind the title, and a list of play-off contenders that could stretch halfway down the table. The potential excitement only increases when you factor in the reams of talent that will be both on the field and in the dugout of English football’s second tier.
Excitement is not necessarily Tony Pulis’ stock-in-trade but his Middlesbrough side look as well-placed as any to challenge for the title this season. Having signed on at the Riverside last December, Pulis steered Boro to the play-offs with 11 wins from 22 matches.
The majority of that side remains intact, including the explosive Adama Traore who finally looked like delivering on his potential under Pulis’ direction (a release clause in the Spaniard’s contract means it will be an anxious wait to the transfer deadline, however). With two astute additions in the shape of Bristol City’s towering centre-half Aden Flint and Paddy McNair, the one success in Sunderland’s brutal relegation season, Boro may have had a mixed pre-season, but look to have the most complete squad in the division and the most experienced coach.
High expectations
Last season Wolverhampton Wanderers rewrote the rule book by bringing Champions League quality to the Championship and, as a result, earning promotion at a canter. The team most closely fitting the template of “doing a Wolves” this summer has been Nottingham Forest.
Bankrolled by Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis, Forest have spent over £25 million on players, including two prospects from Benfica in midfielder Joao Carvalho ■ and winger Diogo Goncalves. Will they be the next Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota? Maybe, but even if they are not Forest can still look for goals from other new signings, 30-yearold Algerian international Hillal Soudani and the tried and tested Lewis Grabban.
Forest beat Bournemouth in pre-season and Malaga too and expectation is high for Aitor Karanka’s team. Keeping everyone happy in a substantial squad, however, is one potential blot on the landscape.
Stoke City are another club who have spent like they mean it. The Potters were relegated from the Premier League in 19th place but with a squad full of top-fight experience. They’ve kept hold of most of it, losing only Xherdan Shaqiri and Ramadan Sobhi to date, and have tied linchpin Joe Allen down on new terms till 2022.
Owner Peter Coates has also recruited Gary Rowett, who jumped ship from Derby. Their player signings, Tom Ince, Benik Afobe and James McLean, all tick the Premier League experience box too. It feels like a classic Stoke squad, except they will be playing one tier lower.
Going about their business more quietly have been Darren Moore’s West Bromwich Albion. After almost pulling off escape from relegation last season the local hero was given the job fulltime only to promptly lose goalkeeper Ben Foster and key centre-half Jonny Evans. But Moore has steadied things since. Foster was replaced with Sam Johnstone, who impressed on loan at Aston Villa last season, and Kyle Bartley was brought in from Swansea at centre-half. Moore may lose more players yet — from Salomon Rondon to Craig Dawson — but still has a strong squad at his disposal. West Brom went unbeaten in pre-season and if they can carry that form into the new season (not a small ask with an inexperienced manager) they have as good a chance as anyone.
Forest have spent over £25m on players, including two from Benfica in midfielder Joao Carvalho and winger Diogo Goncalves.