Alan Swann’s guide to the Championship clubs 2021-22. Who’s going up? Who’s going down?
By Alan Swann
Published 25th Jul 2021, 13:55 BST
Updated 6th Aug 2021, 07:29 BST
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.
But I’ve had a go...
17. HULL CITY
17th: Hull City. Major signings: Andy Cannon, George Moncur, Randall Williams. The Tigers finished last season strongly to win League One, but a summer transfer embargo which restricts the spending on players they can do, suggests all is still not well at the KCOM Stadium. Posh weren’t that far behind Hull last season and Grant McCann’s men should be in our sights again, especially as Darren Ferguson has signed better players.
18th: Luton Town. Major signings: Allan Campbell, Cameron Jerome, Henri Lansbury. It’s been quite the rise for the Hatters who are set to start a third straight season at Championsip level just seven years after winning the Conference title. Smart management and good work in the transfer market with a small budget have been major factors and they’ve had to get busy again this summer after losing several senior men. Touch and go whether they survive again.
19th: Bristol City. Major signings: Rob Atkinson, Matty James, Andy King. Dour Nigel Pearson is in charge at Ashton Gate, but his arrival towards the end of last season didn’t inspire any improvement at City. Matty James is a good signing, but the squad lacks the quality required to push for promotion. The bookies appear to know this which suggests the punters also know it. Don’t expect the Robins to be rocking at the end of the season.
20th: Blackburn. Major signings: None. Rovers fans are starting to question the ambition of a club who won the Premier League in 1992. It appears a bank manager rather than football manager Tony Mowbray is in charge of transfers as it’s been quieter than a library during lockdown at Ewood Park this summer, although that could change once ace striker Adam Armstrong leaves for the Premier League. Mowbray’s expression could be more hangdog than normal this season.
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