Predicting the 2017/2018 Championship table
By Josh Tonti
13. Brentford
Key Players: CF – Lasse Vibe, CAM – Jota
I feel it a disservice to rank Brentford so lowly after three consecutive impressive seasons. The Bees signed former Villa target Ollie Watkins from Exeter City. Watkins alongside Lasse Vibe and Jota offer a potentially lethal attack.
The club is fairly young and soon to enter its prime in terms of peak footballing age. If nothing else, they make for an interesting story on analytics in professional sports.
Rumors of Jota leaving could derail Brentford’s promotion push.
14. Nottingham Forest
Key Players: CF – Ben Brereton, CAM – Zack Clough
This is a much higher ranking than most pundits have Forest. Nottingham is led by a crew of decent attacking options, highlighted by 18-year old Ben Brereton.
Brereton, fresh of a U-19 European Championship title, signed a new three-year deal with Forest. He, alongside Zack Clough and Daryl Murphy will be counted on for 40 goals between the triumvirate.
American right back Eric Lichaj leads the backline.
15. Birmingham City
Key Players: RB – Emilio Nsue, CB – Marc Roberts
Under Harry Redknapp, Birmingham City couldn’t possibly be any worse than last year’s team that flirted with relegation.
Under a strong backline of ex-Villa target Marc Roberts and Ryan Shotton, The Blues will be extremely difficult to beat through the air. Should the club find enough goals, they could threaten for a spot in the playoff zone, though, based on current construction they are not quite there.
21-year old attacker Che Adams is one to watch for.
16. Preston North End
Key Players: CAM – Josh Harrop, CM – Daniel Johnson
Preston enjoyed an impressive 11th-place finish last year. Many had them as one of three clubs going down before the season began. Led by ex-Villa midfielder Daniel Johnson, Preston not only survived, but thrived.
Deepdale gets a new face to add to its ranks in midfielder Josh Harrop. Harrop, as one might recall, scored in his first and only ever appearance for Manchester United in May. Despite impressing José Mourinho and the offer of a new contract, Harrop turned to PNE (take note, other young players).
Norwich City goalkeeper Declan Rudd comes in to compete for the number one position.
17. Sheffield United
Key Players: GK – Jamal Blackman, CF – Billy Sharp
Everyone welcome The Blades to the EFL Championship! Sheffield ran riot in League One last year to the tune of 100 points. They bested second-place Bolton Wanderers by 14 points.
Star striker Billy Sharp recorded 30 league goals which was the highest total by six. Sheffield United has enough talent to go top-half of the table. They acquired highly-rated Chelsea goalkeeper Jamal Blackman to man the net.
They have quite the Aston Villa ties, too. Samir Carruthers and Enda Stevens hold a place in the first team.
18. Queens Park Rangers
Key Players: GK – Alex Smithies, CM – Josh Scowen
QPR returns much of the same team that finished in 18th-place last year. Smithies, Onouha, Washington, Luongo, Mackie, Sylla, etc. all return to London. In comes talented Barnsley midfielder Josh Scowen to man the center of the pitch.
Based on talent alone, QPR is higher than an 18th-place finish. However, other clubs have surpassed them in the transfer window.
19. Bristol City
Key Players: CB – Aden Flint, CB – Nathan Baker
Bristol City is a popular pick for relegation and understandably so. The Robins don’t boast much in terms of attacking talent. They did, however, acquire Aston Villa center back Nathan Baker on a permanent basis.
The combination of Baker and Flint centrally should strengthen a defense, but the wide areas are a problem. Moving out of the bottom-half will be a challenge for Bristol.
20. Ipswich Town
Key Players: CF – David McGoldrick, CAM – Emyr Huws
Mick McCarthy, on his fifth year on the job, continues to lead Ipswich. Republic of Ireland international David McGoldrick leads the line and his goals will be critical.
Loan signings Dominic Iorfa from Wolves and Bersant Celina from Manchester City adds just enough quality to survive relegation.
21. Bolton Wanderers
Key Players: CF – Adam Le Fondre, CF – Adam Armstrong
The final surviving team, Bolton Wanderers, are another popular pick for relegation. The duo of the veteran Adam Le Fondre and Newcastle on-loan forward Adam Armstrong provides just enough up front to survive.
Sammy Ameobi and captain Darren Pratley roam the midfield.