10/11 Championship Preview - The Players to Watch

As CollinsBeans co-founder Matt Snelling has already pointed out, the Championship is notoriously difficult to forecast and no doubt at least half of the below predictions will prove laughably inaccurate come May 2011.

Nonetheless, I will stick my neck out and suggest Middlesbrough might be the team to beat this year. They didn’t exactly set the world on fire last term, but they have bought in some potentially exciting names. For a start, if Kris Boyd gets anywhere the kind of strike rate he had at Rangers, Boro will be hard to stop. Midfielder Kevin Thomson also looks a good buy, as do Stephen McManus and Nicky Bailey. Primarily Old Firm rejects maybe, but I’m tipping these boys to get the job done for Boro.

Elsewhere, Gylfi Sigurdsson looks like a genuine talent, and if (and that’s a big if) Reading build on the momentum they gained towards the end of last season, he could certainly be one to watch. Crystal Palace youngster Nathaniel Clyne is another great prospect, and he gained some valuable experience last term. Now 19, this could be the season where he really kicks on and shows his talent. This name has been mentioned a lot, but Connor Wickham of Ipswich is another exciting youngster who could have a major impact.

In addition to these whippersnappers though, the established pros and wise old heads will no doubt prove just as important as ever. Burnley’s Kevin McDonald and 78 year old Graham Alexander are likely to be a strong influence, and I’m tipping Doncaster’s Billy Sharp to score goals again. I’m less sure about this one, but I also have a feeling Daniel Bogdanovic could bag a few for Sheffield United. As horrible a customer as he is, Kevin Prince Boateng will be a real handful, although there seems to be little or no chance he’ll still be at Portsmouth come the end of August. In fact, I’m not sure if any players will be available at Fratton Park…

And seamlessly linking Portsmouth and old players, a final word on David James moving to Bristol City. I don’t really understand this transfer at all, but there’s no reason to suggest James can’t be one the division’s best goalkeepers, seeing as he was playing in the World Cup a few weeks ago. I’m never been convinced with old Calamity though, and wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some sort of drama at Ashton Gate.