Alan Swann’s guide to the Championship clubs 2021-22. Who’s going up? Who’s going down?
Predicting the final Championship table for the 2021-22 season is fraught with danger because of the financial nightmare for many clubs following the Covid march through the country.
By Alan Swann
Published 25th Jul 2021, 13:55 BST
Updated 6th Aug 2021, 07:29 BST
But I’ve had a go...
1. FULHAM
1st: Fulham: Major signing: Harry Wilson: Paracute payments are anti-competition and should have no place in football. They are effectively a reward for failure by clubs and a financial safety net for those who spend more than they can afford and still fail. The clubs coming down from the Premier League start with a huge advantage (Fulham signed Liverpool reserve Harry Wilson for £12 million last week) and they would have to be incredibly badly run to fail in the second tier. Like Sunderland for instance. I can't see Fulham failing. I can only see them winning the title.
2nd: Bournemouth. Major signing: Emiliano Marcondes. Poor management choices cost the Cherries promotion last season, but in Scott Parker they have appointed someone who knows how to get out of the division. Bournemouth still have parachute payments in their back pocket and they still have a quality squad as a result. Certain to be strong contenders for automatic promotion.
3rd: West Bromwich Albion. Major signings: Matt Clarke, Alex Mowatt. The Baggies’ reputation as a yo-yo club could be enhanced as I can’t see them finishing outside the top three. If new boss Valerien Ismael can get an ordinary squad like Barnsley’s into the play-offs, just imagine what he will be able to do with a squad fresh from the Premier League. The fat has been cut from the Baggies squad and their two summer signings (so far) are decent.
4th: QPR. Major signings: Charlie Austin, Andre Dozzell, Sam McCallum. I always felt Mark Warburton would be a good Posh manager and I’m backing him to steer the Hoops into the top half of the Championship this season at least. Austin guarantees goals so he must stay fit otherwise they will be relying on non-scoring Scottish centre forward Lyndon Dykes. My outside tip for the play-offs if things run smoothly.