Post by mrleeds on Aug 12, 2007 1:24:59 GMT 1
Team: Barnsley FC
Nickname:: The Tykes/Reds
Ground: Oakwell
Capacity: approx 23,009
Last Season: 20th
Manager: Simon Davey
In: Marciano Bruma - Sparta Rotterdam (Free Trn), Rob Kozluk - Sheff Utd (Free Trn), Dominik Werling - Sakaryaspor (Free Trn), Dennis Souza - Charleroi (Free Trn), Rohan Ricketts (Free Trn), Kayode Odejayi - Cheltenham (£200,000), Miguel Mostto - Cienciano (£400,000), Andy Johnson (Free Trn), Lewin Nyatanga - Derby (Loan)
Out: Antony Kay (Released), Marc Richards (Released), Neil Austin (Released), Nathan Jarman (Released), Daniel Nardiello (Free Trn), Paul Hayes (N/A- Tribunal), Paul Heckingbottom - Bradford (Loan), Thomas Harban - Bradford (Loan), Nathan Joynes - Bradford (Loan)
Joe’s Verdict: I reckon mid-table is realistic, considering simon davey coaches the masses of foreigners to blend together, but it wouldn't totally suprise me to see us in or around relegation zone this season. So far Sky Sports, Setanta and ITV Sport all predict us to be in bottom 3. Pred - 16th
Key Man: Brian Howard
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Team: Blackpool
Nickname:: The Seasiders
Ground: Bloomfield Road
Capacity: 8,000
Last Season: Third in League One (play-off champions)
Manager: Simon Grayson (November 2005)
In: Paul Rachubka (Huddersfield), Michael Flynn (Gillingham), John Hills (Sheffield Wednesday), Stephen Crainey (Leeds), Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Huddersfield).
Out: Marc Joseph (Rotherham), Matt Blinkhorn (Morecambe), Paul Tierney (Stockport, loan), Simon Wiles (Macclesfield, loan), Ciaran Donnelly, Sean Paterson, Jamie Burns, Kyle Clancy, Gareth Farrelly, Marcus Bean (Rotherham).
Dan’s Verdict: Blackpool did very well last season coming up through the playoffs but with no real influential signings I feel the Championship stay will be short lived. The players will struggle against the Championship stronger squads
Key Man: Keigan Parker
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Team: Bristol City
Nickname:: The Robins
Ground: Ashton Gate
Capacity: 21,479
Last Season: Second in League One
Manager: Gary Johnson
In: Stephen Henderson (Aston Villa), Ivan Sproule (Hibs), Michael McIndoe (Wolves), Tamas Vasko (FC Ujpest), Marvin Elliott (Millwall), Lee Trundle (Swansea).
Out: Craig Woodman (Wycombe), Elliott Benyon (Torquay), Frankie Artus (Exeter, loan), Josh Klein-Davies (Bristol Rovers), Aaron Ledgister (Cheltenham), Andy Smith, Dean Grubb, Shaun Lamb, Danny Wring,
Dan’s Verdict: Gary Johnson did a marvellous job turning Yeovil into a league powerhouse and he has replicated his work with Bristol City. Bristol City made a number of high profile signings and should be able to cope with life in the championship. I expect a safe midtable finish side.
Key Man: Michael McIndoe
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Team: Burnley
Nickname:: The Clarets
Ground: Turf Moor
Capacity: 22,546
Last Season: 15th
Manager: Steve Cotterill (June 2004)
In: Gabor Kiraly (Crystal Palace), Besart Berisha (Hamburg), Robbie Blake (Leeds), Stephen Jordan (Manchester City).
Out: Frank Sinclair (Huddersfield), Danny Coyne (Tranmere), Graham Branch (Accrington), John McGreal, Garreth O'Connor, Duane Courtney.
Dan’s Verdict: Injuries ruined Burnley last season. The squad is still thin but this time Cotteril has added more quality to it. However they are still off pace with the other league powerhouses. Another season of mid table disappointment beckons.
Key Man: Stephen Jordan
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Team: Cardiff City
Nickname:: Bluebrids
Ground: Ninian Park
Capacity: 20,000
Last Season: 13th
Manager: Dave Jones
In: Robbie Fowler - Free from Liverpool, Trevor Sinclair - Free from man city
Tony Capaldi - Free from Plymouth, Gavin Rae - Free from Rangers, Steve Maclean - Free from shedd wed, Ross Turnbull - Loan from boro, Michael Oakes - Free from wolves
arent we the big spenders
Out: Michael Chopra - £5m to sunderland, Neil Alexander - Free to Ipswich, Willo Flood - Loan to dundee utd, Kevin Campbell - cancelled contract, Mark Howard - Free to St Mirren, Chris Barker - Free to QPR
Andy’s Verdict: We have lost Michael Chopra and Neil Alexander due to the idiocy of our idiot manager, in my opinion, goalkeepers and a goalscorer are the two most important positions on the field and they are the two positions that we have lost. Neil Alexander is the biggest loss, mainly because it wasn't forced, Dave Jones just decided that one of the most gifted keepers in the league isn't good enough for the squad but the Middlesbrough third choice keeper is. We have absolutely no chance of promotion this season because although we have made good signings this season, such as one of the most consistent full backs in the league Tony Capaldi, The excellent and hard working Gavin Rae and the highly promising Steve Maclean, the squad isnt finished in my eyes, Trevor Sinclair is just too old to hold down that right side for the whole season and its not like we haven't got enough experience already, it's getting to the stage where every new player gets a complimentart pipe and slippers. If we have any hope of even staying midtable, then Robbie Fowlerhas to turn out to be a half decent goalscorer because our play is all about getting it to that front man and him putting it away so if he is a flop then so are we.
Key Man: Robbie Fowler
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Team: Charlton Athletic
Nickname:: The Addicks
Ground: The Valley
Capacity: 27, 114
Last Season: 19th (relegated from Premiership)
Manager: Alan Pardew
In: Chris Iwelumo (Free Transfer From Colchester United), Luke Varney (£2,500,000 From Crewe Alexandra), Martin Christensen (Undisclosed From Herfoelge), Patrick McCarthy (£650,000 From Leicester City), Jose Vitor Semedo (Free Transfer From Sporting Lisbon), Yassin Moutaouakil (£400,000 From Chateauroux), Nicky Weaver (Free Transfer From Manchester City), Svetoslav Todorov (Free Transfer From Portsmouth), Kelly Youga (Undisclosed From Scunthorpe), Dean Sinclair (£125,000 From Barnet FC)
Out: Simon Walton (£200,000 To Queens Park Rangers), Luke Young (£2,500,000 To Middlesbrough), Dennis Rommedahl (£675,000 To Ajax), Thomas Myhre (Undisclosed To Viking), Talal El Karkouri (Free Transfer To Qatar), Bryan Hughes (Free Transfer To Hull City), Darren Bent (£16,500,000 To Tottenham Hotspur), Radostin Kishishev (Free Transfer To Leicester City), Talal El Karkouri (Undisclosed To Qatar), Christian Bolanos (Undisclosed To OB Odense), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Contract Ended), Alistair John (Contract Ended), Hermann Hreidarsson (Free Transfer To Portsmouth)
Carly’s Verdict: Its been a very busy summer for Charlton, after being relegated from the premiership, Charlton have seen many players leaving but also many players coming ins - and with the transfer window still over 3 weeks left, the comings and goings at Charlton don't look like they will be stopping just yet either. Pardew proved while at West Ham that he has an eye for talent, his brought in many proven players at this level, with the sale of Bent for 16 million it allowed Pardew to have funds to bring in replacements. With the squad that they have, many will be tipping them not only for an automatic spot but for the top spot.
Key Man: Svetoslav Todorov (Portsmouth), Donovan Simmonds (Charlton), Julian Gray (Birmingham).
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Team: Colchester United
Nickname:: The U’s
Ground: Layer Road
Capacity: 6,340
Last Season: 10th
Manager: Geraint Williams
In: Matthew Connolly (On Loan From Arsenal), Danny Granville (Free Transfer From Crystal Palace), Teddy Sheringham (Free Transfer From West Ham United), Clive Platt (Undisclosed From Milton Keynes Dons), Mark Yeates (Undisclosed From Tottenham Hotspur)
Out: Craig Hughes (Cancelled Contract), Matthew Paine (Cancelled Contract), Russell Pond (Cancelled Contract), Robbie King (Undisclosed To Heybridge), Wayne Brown (Undisclosed To Hull City), Marino Keith (Retired), Richard Garcia (Free Transfer To Hull City), Jamie Cureton (Undisclosed To Norwich City), Chris Iwelumo (Free Transfer To Charlton Athletic)
Carly’s Verdict: It’s going to be a harder task for Colchester this season. The likes of forward line Cureton, Iwelumo and Garcia have departed as well as experienced defender Wayne Brown. Favourites to go down last year they beat all odds and finished their best ever in their club history. Often second seasons can prove to be harder as teams work out how you play, Williams will have a task on his hands to keep Colchester up this season whose buys has included 41 year Teddy Sheringham.
Key Man: Teddy Sheringham
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Team: Coventry City
Nickname:: The Sky Blues
Ground: Ricoh Arena
Capacity: 32,500
Last Season: 17th
Manager: Iain Dowie (February 2007)
In: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos (Hartlepool), Robbie Simpson (Cambridge), Ellery Cairo (Hertha Berlin), Arjan De Zeeuw (Wigan), Gary Borrowdale (Crystal Palace), Leon Best (Southampton), Michael Hughes (CrystalTeam: Charlton Athletic
Out: Arran Lee-Barrett (Hartlepool), Andrew Whing (Brighton), Don Hutchison (Luton), Colin Cameron (MK Dons), Che Bunce, Cameron Belford, Khalilou Fadiga.
Dan’s Verdict: The pressure is on Dowie to lead Coventry to the Premiership, though his signings say otherwise. While he has brought several key players in they are nothing compared to the elite teams of the Championship. A season of poking around the playoffs.
Key Man: Leon Best
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Team: Crystal Palace
Nickname:: The Eagles
Ground: Selhurst Park
Capacity: 26,400
Last Season: 12th
Manager: Peter Taylor (June 2006)
In: Tony Craig (Millwall), Jeff Hughes (Lincoln), Jose Fonte (Benfica, loan).
Out: Danny Granville (Colchester), Michael Hughes (Coventry), Jerahl Hughes (Yeovil), Gabor Kiraly (Burnley), Tommy Black (Southend), Jobi McAnuff (Watford), Darren Ward (Wolves), Gary Borrowdale (Coventry).
Dan’s Verdict: I find it very hard to identify Crystal Palace’s aims for the season. A lot of key players have left but have not been replaced? Does Simon Jordan not want promotion?
Key Man: Clinton Morrison
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Team: Hull City
Nickname:: The Tigers
Ground: Kingston Communications Stadium
Capacity: 25,000
Last Season: 21st (Phew!)
Manager: Phil Brown
In: Dean Windass - 250,000 (Bradford), Wayne Brown - 450,000 (Colchester), Richard Garcia - Free (Colchester), Bryan Hughes - Free (Charlton)
Out: Jon Parkin - 450,000 – Stoke, Darryll Duffy - 250,000 – Swansea, Nicky Forster - 75,000 – Brighton, Ray Parlour. Scott Wiseman. Michael Byron. Russell Fry. Tom Matthews (Frees)
Oztiger Verdict: The Club was recently bought by the Paul Duffen Consortium for 11 million quid and the fans have been promised Premiership Status in 3 years. Having a reported 'War Chest' of upwards of 50 million quid the fans remain sceptical as recent signings don't appear to be of the 'quality' required for CCC mid table football. We remain optimistic but most are forecasting 'more of the same' this season.
Key Player: Probably our goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and last seasons 'loan' striker Dean Windass (now signed permanently) who respectively between them saved us from going down last season with unbelieveable saves and late season goals.
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Team: Ipswich Town
Nickname:: The Blues/Tractor Boys
Ground: Portman Road
Capacity: 30,300
Last Season: 14th
Manager: Jim Magilton (June 2006)
In: Pablo Counago (Malaga), Neil Alexander (Cardiff), Tommy Miller (Sunderland).
Out: Darren Currie (Luton), Scott Barron (Millwall), James Krause (Rushden), Lewis Price (Derby), Darryl Knights (Yeovil), Sammy Moore (Brentford, loan), Ian Miller (Darlington, loan), Martin Brittain, Andy Rhodes, Jaroslav Drobny.
Dan’s Verdict: Jim Magilton achieved the objectives with his resources. No real activity this summer other than Counago return, who will add his firepower experience upfront. This season looks another midtable challenge which Ipswich should comfortably succed in.
Key Man: Pablo Counago
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Team: Leicester City
Nickname:: The Foxes
Ground: The Walkers Stadium
Capacity: 32,500
Last Season: 19th
Manager: Martin Allen (May 2007)
In: Bruno N'Gotty (Birmingham), Jimmy Nielsen (Aalborg), Ricky Sappleton (QPR), Radostin Kishishev (Charlton), Carl Cort (Wolves), Sergio Hellings (Anderlecht), James Chambers (Watford), Hossein Kaebi (Persepolis), Shaun Newton (West Ham), Stephen Clemence (Birmingham), DJ Campbell (Birmingham), Jonathan Hayes (Reading).
Out: Paddy McCarthy (Charlton), Andy Johnson (Barnsley), Danny Cadamarteri (Huddersfield), Nils-Eric Johansson, Danny Tiatto, Alan Maybury, Rab Douglas, Darren Kenton, Stephen Hughes, Max Gradel (Bournemouth).
Dan’s Verdict: Been a mad summer at Mad Dog’s Leicester City. A lot of quality and experience added to the side should see them a firm playoff contender. Anything less will be deemed a failure by chairman Milan Mandaric
Key Man: DJ Campbell
Nickname:: The Tykes/Reds
Ground: Oakwell
Capacity: approx 23,009
Last Season: 20th
Manager: Simon Davey
In: Marciano Bruma - Sparta Rotterdam (Free Trn), Rob Kozluk - Sheff Utd (Free Trn), Dominik Werling - Sakaryaspor (Free Trn), Dennis Souza - Charleroi (Free Trn), Rohan Ricketts (Free Trn), Kayode Odejayi - Cheltenham (£200,000), Miguel Mostto - Cienciano (£400,000), Andy Johnson (Free Trn), Lewin Nyatanga - Derby (Loan)
Out: Antony Kay (Released), Marc Richards (Released), Neil Austin (Released), Nathan Jarman (Released), Daniel Nardiello (Free Trn), Paul Hayes (N/A- Tribunal), Paul Heckingbottom - Bradford (Loan), Thomas Harban - Bradford (Loan), Nathan Joynes - Bradford (Loan)
Joe’s Verdict: I reckon mid-table is realistic, considering simon davey coaches the masses of foreigners to blend together, but it wouldn't totally suprise me to see us in or around relegation zone this season. So far Sky Sports, Setanta and ITV Sport all predict us to be in bottom 3. Pred - 16th
Key Man: Brian Howard
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Team: Blackpool
Nickname:: The Seasiders
Ground: Bloomfield Road
Capacity: 8,000
Last Season: Third in League One (play-off champions)
Manager: Simon Grayson (November 2005)
In: Paul Rachubka (Huddersfield), Michael Flynn (Gillingham), John Hills (Sheffield Wednesday), Stephen Crainey (Leeds), Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Huddersfield).
Out: Marc Joseph (Rotherham), Matt Blinkhorn (Morecambe), Paul Tierney (Stockport, loan), Simon Wiles (Macclesfield, loan), Ciaran Donnelly, Sean Paterson, Jamie Burns, Kyle Clancy, Gareth Farrelly, Marcus Bean (Rotherham).
Dan’s Verdict: Blackpool did very well last season coming up through the playoffs but with no real influential signings I feel the Championship stay will be short lived. The players will struggle against the Championship stronger squads
Key Man: Keigan Parker
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Team: Bristol City
Nickname:: The Robins
Ground: Ashton Gate
Capacity: 21,479
Last Season: Second in League One
Manager: Gary Johnson
In: Stephen Henderson (Aston Villa), Ivan Sproule (Hibs), Michael McIndoe (Wolves), Tamas Vasko (FC Ujpest), Marvin Elliott (Millwall), Lee Trundle (Swansea).
Out: Craig Woodman (Wycombe), Elliott Benyon (Torquay), Frankie Artus (Exeter, loan), Josh Klein-Davies (Bristol Rovers), Aaron Ledgister (Cheltenham), Andy Smith, Dean Grubb, Shaun Lamb, Danny Wring,
Dan’s Verdict: Gary Johnson did a marvellous job turning Yeovil into a league powerhouse and he has replicated his work with Bristol City. Bristol City made a number of high profile signings and should be able to cope with life in the championship. I expect a safe midtable finish side.
Key Man: Michael McIndoe
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Team: Burnley
Nickname:: The Clarets
Ground: Turf Moor
Capacity: 22,546
Last Season: 15th
Manager: Steve Cotterill (June 2004)
In: Gabor Kiraly (Crystal Palace), Besart Berisha (Hamburg), Robbie Blake (Leeds), Stephen Jordan (Manchester City).
Out: Frank Sinclair (Huddersfield), Danny Coyne (Tranmere), Graham Branch (Accrington), John McGreal, Garreth O'Connor, Duane Courtney.
Dan’s Verdict: Injuries ruined Burnley last season. The squad is still thin but this time Cotteril has added more quality to it. However they are still off pace with the other league powerhouses. Another season of mid table disappointment beckons.
Key Man: Stephen Jordan
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Team: Cardiff City
Nickname:: Bluebrids
Ground: Ninian Park
Capacity: 20,000
Last Season: 13th
Manager: Dave Jones
In: Robbie Fowler - Free from Liverpool, Trevor Sinclair - Free from man city
Tony Capaldi - Free from Plymouth, Gavin Rae - Free from Rangers, Steve Maclean - Free from shedd wed, Ross Turnbull - Loan from boro, Michael Oakes - Free from wolves
arent we the big spenders
Out: Michael Chopra - £5m to sunderland, Neil Alexander - Free to Ipswich, Willo Flood - Loan to dundee utd, Kevin Campbell - cancelled contract, Mark Howard - Free to St Mirren, Chris Barker - Free to QPR
Andy’s Verdict: We have lost Michael Chopra and Neil Alexander due to the idiocy of our idiot manager, in my opinion, goalkeepers and a goalscorer are the two most important positions on the field and they are the two positions that we have lost. Neil Alexander is the biggest loss, mainly because it wasn't forced, Dave Jones just decided that one of the most gifted keepers in the league isn't good enough for the squad but the Middlesbrough third choice keeper is. We have absolutely no chance of promotion this season because although we have made good signings this season, such as one of the most consistent full backs in the league Tony Capaldi, The excellent and hard working Gavin Rae and the highly promising Steve Maclean, the squad isnt finished in my eyes, Trevor Sinclair is just too old to hold down that right side for the whole season and its not like we haven't got enough experience already, it's getting to the stage where every new player gets a complimentart pipe and slippers. If we have any hope of even staying midtable, then Robbie Fowlerhas to turn out to be a half decent goalscorer because our play is all about getting it to that front man and him putting it away so if he is a flop then so are we.
Key Man: Robbie Fowler
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Team: Charlton Athletic
Nickname:: The Addicks
Ground: The Valley
Capacity: 27, 114
Last Season: 19th (relegated from Premiership)
Manager: Alan Pardew
In: Chris Iwelumo (Free Transfer From Colchester United), Luke Varney (£2,500,000 From Crewe Alexandra), Martin Christensen (Undisclosed From Herfoelge), Patrick McCarthy (£650,000 From Leicester City), Jose Vitor Semedo (Free Transfer From Sporting Lisbon), Yassin Moutaouakil (£400,000 From Chateauroux), Nicky Weaver (Free Transfer From Manchester City), Svetoslav Todorov (Free Transfer From Portsmouth), Kelly Youga (Undisclosed From Scunthorpe), Dean Sinclair (£125,000 From Barnet FC)
Out: Simon Walton (£200,000 To Queens Park Rangers), Luke Young (£2,500,000 To Middlesbrough), Dennis Rommedahl (£675,000 To Ajax), Thomas Myhre (Undisclosed To Viking), Talal El Karkouri (Free Transfer To Qatar), Bryan Hughes (Free Transfer To Hull City), Darren Bent (£16,500,000 To Tottenham Hotspur), Radostin Kishishev (Free Transfer To Leicester City), Talal El Karkouri (Undisclosed To Qatar), Christian Bolanos (Undisclosed To OB Odense), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Contract Ended), Alistair John (Contract Ended), Hermann Hreidarsson (Free Transfer To Portsmouth)
Carly’s Verdict: Its been a very busy summer for Charlton, after being relegated from the premiership, Charlton have seen many players leaving but also many players coming ins - and with the transfer window still over 3 weeks left, the comings and goings at Charlton don't look like they will be stopping just yet either. Pardew proved while at West Ham that he has an eye for talent, his brought in many proven players at this level, with the sale of Bent for 16 million it allowed Pardew to have funds to bring in replacements. With the squad that they have, many will be tipping them not only for an automatic spot but for the top spot.
Key Man: Svetoslav Todorov (Portsmouth), Donovan Simmonds (Charlton), Julian Gray (Birmingham).
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Team: Colchester United
Nickname:: The U’s
Ground: Layer Road
Capacity: 6,340
Last Season: 10th
Manager: Geraint Williams
In: Matthew Connolly (On Loan From Arsenal), Danny Granville (Free Transfer From Crystal Palace), Teddy Sheringham (Free Transfer From West Ham United), Clive Platt (Undisclosed From Milton Keynes Dons), Mark Yeates (Undisclosed From Tottenham Hotspur)
Out: Craig Hughes (Cancelled Contract), Matthew Paine (Cancelled Contract), Russell Pond (Cancelled Contract), Robbie King (Undisclosed To Heybridge), Wayne Brown (Undisclosed To Hull City), Marino Keith (Retired), Richard Garcia (Free Transfer To Hull City), Jamie Cureton (Undisclosed To Norwich City), Chris Iwelumo (Free Transfer To Charlton Athletic)
Carly’s Verdict: It’s going to be a harder task for Colchester this season. The likes of forward line Cureton, Iwelumo and Garcia have departed as well as experienced defender Wayne Brown. Favourites to go down last year they beat all odds and finished their best ever in their club history. Often second seasons can prove to be harder as teams work out how you play, Williams will have a task on his hands to keep Colchester up this season whose buys has included 41 year Teddy Sheringham.
Key Man: Teddy Sheringham
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Team: Coventry City
Nickname:: The Sky Blues
Ground: Ricoh Arena
Capacity: 32,500
Last Season: 17th
Manager: Iain Dowie (February 2007)
In: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos (Hartlepool), Robbie Simpson (Cambridge), Ellery Cairo (Hertha Berlin), Arjan De Zeeuw (Wigan), Gary Borrowdale (Crystal Palace), Leon Best (Southampton), Michael Hughes (CrystalTeam: Charlton Athletic
Out: Arran Lee-Barrett (Hartlepool), Andrew Whing (Brighton), Don Hutchison (Luton), Colin Cameron (MK Dons), Che Bunce, Cameron Belford, Khalilou Fadiga.
Dan’s Verdict: The pressure is on Dowie to lead Coventry to the Premiership, though his signings say otherwise. While he has brought several key players in they are nothing compared to the elite teams of the Championship. A season of poking around the playoffs.
Key Man: Leon Best
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Team: Crystal Palace
Nickname:: The Eagles
Ground: Selhurst Park
Capacity: 26,400
Last Season: 12th
Manager: Peter Taylor (June 2006)
In: Tony Craig (Millwall), Jeff Hughes (Lincoln), Jose Fonte (Benfica, loan).
Out: Danny Granville (Colchester), Michael Hughes (Coventry), Jerahl Hughes (Yeovil), Gabor Kiraly (Burnley), Tommy Black (Southend), Jobi McAnuff (Watford), Darren Ward (Wolves), Gary Borrowdale (Coventry).
Dan’s Verdict: I find it very hard to identify Crystal Palace’s aims for the season. A lot of key players have left but have not been replaced? Does Simon Jordan not want promotion?
Key Man: Clinton Morrison
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Team: Hull City
Nickname:: The Tigers
Ground: Kingston Communications Stadium
Capacity: 25,000
Last Season: 21st (Phew!)
Manager: Phil Brown
In: Dean Windass - 250,000 (Bradford), Wayne Brown - 450,000 (Colchester), Richard Garcia - Free (Colchester), Bryan Hughes - Free (Charlton)
Out: Jon Parkin - 450,000 – Stoke, Darryll Duffy - 250,000 – Swansea, Nicky Forster - 75,000 – Brighton, Ray Parlour. Scott Wiseman. Michael Byron. Russell Fry. Tom Matthews (Frees)
Oztiger Verdict: The Club was recently bought by the Paul Duffen Consortium for 11 million quid and the fans have been promised Premiership Status in 3 years. Having a reported 'War Chest' of upwards of 50 million quid the fans remain sceptical as recent signings don't appear to be of the 'quality' required for CCC mid table football. We remain optimistic but most are forecasting 'more of the same' this season.
Key Player: Probably our goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and last seasons 'loan' striker Dean Windass (now signed permanently) who respectively between them saved us from going down last season with unbelieveable saves and late season goals.
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Team: Ipswich Town
Nickname:: The Blues/Tractor Boys
Ground: Portman Road
Capacity: 30,300
Last Season: 14th
Manager: Jim Magilton (June 2006)
In: Pablo Counago (Malaga), Neil Alexander (Cardiff), Tommy Miller (Sunderland).
Out: Darren Currie (Luton), Scott Barron (Millwall), James Krause (Rushden), Lewis Price (Derby), Darryl Knights (Yeovil), Sammy Moore (Brentford, loan), Ian Miller (Darlington, loan), Martin Brittain, Andy Rhodes, Jaroslav Drobny.
Dan’s Verdict: Jim Magilton achieved the objectives with his resources. No real activity this summer other than Counago return, who will add his firepower experience upfront. This season looks another midtable challenge which Ipswich should comfortably succed in.
Key Man: Pablo Counago
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Team: Leicester City
Nickname:: The Foxes
Ground: The Walkers Stadium
Capacity: 32,500
Last Season: 19th
Manager: Martin Allen (May 2007)
In: Bruno N'Gotty (Birmingham), Jimmy Nielsen (Aalborg), Ricky Sappleton (QPR), Radostin Kishishev (Charlton), Carl Cort (Wolves), Sergio Hellings (Anderlecht), James Chambers (Watford), Hossein Kaebi (Persepolis), Shaun Newton (West Ham), Stephen Clemence (Birmingham), DJ Campbell (Birmingham), Jonathan Hayes (Reading).
Out: Paddy McCarthy (Charlton), Andy Johnson (Barnsley), Danny Cadamarteri (Huddersfield), Nils-Eric Johansson, Danny Tiatto, Alan Maybury, Rab Douglas, Darren Kenton, Stephen Hughes, Max Gradel (Bournemouth).
Dan’s Verdict: Been a mad summer at Mad Dog’s Leicester City. A lot of quality and experience added to the side should see them a firm playoff contender. Anything less will be deemed a failure by chairman Milan Mandaric
Key Man: DJ Campbell