Championship Preview 2020/21 – Millwall, Norwich, Nottingham Forest, Preston, QPR, Reading

Millwall

A change in manager sparked a change in fortune for Millwall last season. Neil Harris left the Lions in early October, having just won twice in his opening ten games. He was replaced by former Stoke and Derby boss Gary Rowett, who helped the Championship side charge up the table. He guided the South London side to an 8th place finish, just two points off the play-offs.

But Rowett’s men will be hoping they can make another push for a top six finish this season. They have a mixed start to the season, they welcome Stoke to the Den on the opening day, then travel to newly promoted Rotherham United, before games against Brentford and Swansea – last season’s play-off contenders.

Transfers

The departures at The Den this season includes the likes of Harvey Bradbury who has joined Non-League side Oxford City, Aiden O’Brien who moved to the North-East to play for Sunderland and Jason McCarthy who signed for Championship debutants Wycombe Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.

The incomings this season have mostly been loan signings. Stoke City’s Ryan Woods spent the second half of last season on loan at Millwall and has returned for a second spell. Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott has also moved across the capital as he looks to earn more experience in the professional game. Scott Malone has also joined on loan from Derby County, while his Rams’ teammate Mason Bennett has completed a permament move to the capital.

Key Players

Jed Wallace was sensational for Millwall last season. The wide midfielder netted ten times for the Lions, while picking up 13 assists – the second highest in the Championship. Wallace also made 369 crosses for his side which was the most in the entire divison.

Millwall’s main man upfront, Matt Smith will also be key. The 6ft 6in striker scored 14 goals last season, and his height and his strength will no doubt cause problems for some of the division’s backlines.

Speaking of back fours, Jake Cooper will also be an important. The centre-back played all of Millwall’s league games last season, he helped them keep 16 clean sheets and only let in 51 goals. Goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski will also be crucial as he made the third most saves in the Championship last year (141).

Youth Prospects

It will be interesting to see how Troy Parrott gets on at The Den this season. The Irishman has scored 31 goals in 36 games at Youth Level for Spurs, could he be someone who lights up the Championship this season? It could also be a  big season for youngster Billy Mitchell, the 19 year old made seven appearances for Millwall last season and was also named the club’s Young Player of the Year.

Prediction

Millwall pulled off a few surprises last season and in truth have the ingridients to pull one off in the forthcoming campaign. They ended the season on a high, they have a manager in Rowett who has vast amounts of experience in this division and they have a reasonably good squad. The play-offs might just be out of reach for the Lions, but you would expect them to be right up there challenging.

 

 

Norwich City

 

Norwich embarked on their first Premier League campaign in three years last season. They came up as winners of the Championship and were also renouned for playing an expansive and exciting style of football. Many believed the Canaries could avoid an instant return to the Championship, but it wasn’t to be.  Norwich won just five games all season and lost their final ten, they were relegated as the top flight’s basement side.

But now the aim for Daniel Farke will be to bring together a side who can compete in the Championship once again. Their opening match is an away game at Huddersfield Town, which is followed by the visit of Preston North End to Carrow Road, with a challenging trip to fellow relegated side Bournemouth concluding the month of September.

Transfers

There have been ten arrivals at Carrow Road so far, seven of which you would expect to be in and about the 18 man squad. They signed two left wingers, Danel Sinani and former Poland U-21 international Przemysław Płacheta, central midfielder Jacob Sorensen from Danish side Esbjerg fB, as well as the loan signings of Oliver Skipp from Spurs and full-back Xavi Quintilla from Valencia. They have also brought in two established Championship players including Everton’s Kieran Dowell who had spells at Forest, Sheffield United and most recently Wigan, West Ham striker Jordan Hugill who was QPR’s top scorer last season and Burnley’s Ben Gibson, who helped Middlesbrough win promotion to the top flight in 2016.

Jamal Lewis has left Norwich however, moving to Newcastle United for £12.5 Million.

Key Players

Teemu Pukki will be an asset for Norwich this season. The former Brondby striker was lethal in his first season in the Championship, scoring 29 league goals which ultimately helped the Canaries to promoton in 2019. Though his goals dried up towards the end of last season, he was still able to grab 11 goals, which is a reasonable amount for a side at the wrong end of the table.

Marco Stiepermann could also be a player that the Norwich supporters turn to this year. The former Borussia Dortmund man played a instrumental part in their promotion winning side of 2018/19, scoring nine goals. He was more of a bit-part player for them in the Premier League, being restricted to just 24 appearances, 14 of which were starts. Could he be brought back into Farke’s squad?

Todd Cantwell, Emi Buendia Max Aarons were also three of Norwich’s shining lights last season, and could also be important players for the Norfolk side. But with the pair being circled by various Premier League sides, whether they’ll be at the club past October 6, is a question left unknown.

Youth Prospects

Oliver Skipp could be one to look out for in the Championship next season. The midfielder has had a few chances in the first team at Tottenham, but he now has a good opportunity to develop his game under Farke – a man who has brought through so many youngsters during his time at the club.

Adam Idah is also a player who should get a mention. The striker scored a hat-trick at Preston in the FA Cup Third Round last season and was also called up for Ireland’s UEFA Nations League game this month. Though his chances maybe restricted because of Pukki and Hugill, he could still have a role to play.

Prediction

The futures of so many players such as Cantwell, Aarons and Buendia do look uncertain and in truth they could end up leaving the club this window. But at the same time with the acquisitions of Dowell, Hugill, Skipp, Quintilla, and Placheta adding to an already strong Norwich squad, it could be a promising season. In truth it’s a squad that good enough to win the division, and if they can keep hold of the three listed above that would reinforce that.

They may need to get some confidence back into them, considering they were relegated as the Premier League’s bottom club, as well as the fact they lost their final ten games. But regardless they are a club who should be aiming for automatic promotion.

 

 

Nottingham Forest

 

Having been in the playoffs for near enough the entriety of the season, Nottingham Forest went into the final day knowing a point against Stoke would guarantee that top six finish. However, a 4-1 defeat at the City Ground to Stoke, mixed with a 4-1 victory for Swansea City at Reading saw the Reds miss out on the playoffs. It was an extremely painful end to Forest’s season, with the majority of their fans still getting their head round how it happened.

But despite missing out on the playoffs, it was still a positve season for Sabri Lamouchi’s men. There was a lot of questions about former Rennes manager prior to the start of the campaign, but he created a side which was solid defensively and difficult to play against.

The East Midlands’ side travel to Loftus Road on the opening weekend, they then take on tough opposition in Cardiff City at the City Ground, with an away game at Huddersfield rounding off the month.

Transfers

Forest have had quite a few deals through the door this window. Reading defender Tyler Blackett, Charlton Athletic’s striker Lyle Tayler and Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback, who had two previous loan spells at the club, have all joined on free transfers. The Reds have also brought in Fouad Bachirou from Malmo for an undisclosed fee, Miguel Angel Guerrerro from Olympiakos and Sheffield United’s Luke Freeman on a season-long loan.

Leaving the City Ground this summer are Liam Bridcutt, who has joined Lincoln City on a free transfer, striker Tyler Walker, who has moved to Championship newcomers Coventry, goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon and their player of the season, Matty Cash, who has joined Aston Villa for £14 Million.

Key Players

There are a number of players who be important to Forest next season. One in particular could be Goalkeeper Brice Samba. Having started as the clubs no.2 keeper he eventually broke into the first team and has been a vital part of the squad ever since. He kept 13 clean sheets for his side last season and made a number of important saves for his team, most notably the goalline punch in their 2-0 win against eventual Second Division Champions, Leeds United in February.

Joe Worrall will also be key player for Forest defensively. Having spent the 2018/19 season out on loan at Rangers, he came back to the City Ground hoping to cement his place in Sabri Lamouchi’s starting 11 – which is exactly what he did. Worrall played every match for the East Midlands’ side, which kept 14 clean sheets and conceded just 50 goals.

Going forward Joe Lolley will be key, he was involved in 17 of his sides’ goals last season, and also put in 243 crosses, the 7th best in the Championship. Lewis Grabban will also be a player the Forest fans turn too. The striker was the clubs’ top scorer in the 2019/20 campaign with 20 goals, which is the most any Reds player has got since David Johnson in the 2002/03 season.

Youth Prospects

David Johnson’s son Brennan was around the first team last season, making eight appearances for the Reds. Alex Mighten also featured ten times for Nottingham Forest in 2019/20, and has recently signed a new long term contract with the club. Both showed glimpses of potential when they featured for the club last season, and they could be players who feature for the Reds more frequently.

Prediction

Nottingham Forest’s window has been a really promising one in terms of transfers, they have brought in players with proven quality which has added to an already strong squad. They are one of the favourites for the top six which is a position Lamouchi’s men are more than capable of achieving.

There are a few things the Reds need to tweek though, in particular how they approach things going forward. The midfield struggled to break down well organised defences at times last season and with mostly holding midfielders in the squad, they were somewhat too reliant on their wide players and Tiago Silva to create their opportunities. But with Colback and Freemen at the City Ground and rumours that Joao Carvalho will be part of Lamouchi’s plans, there is no doubt that creativity in the midfield, which has the ability to carve open defences to make chances and goals.

 

 

 

Preston North End

 

It was a disappointing end to the season for Preston. Having spent most of the first-half among the top six, even at one stage being in the automatic promotion place, they won just three of their final 13 games which resulted in a 9th place finish, four points off the playoffs.

It’s a tricky start for North End. Their opening five games includes Swansea at Deepdale on the opening day, an away game at Norwich the following week, Stoke City, and then matches against Brentford and Cardiff City in October.

Transfers

It’s been a very quiet window for Preston so far, no one has come in, yet no one has come out.

Key Players

Daniel Johnson was Preston’s midfield maestro last season. He was involved in 19 of his sides’ league goals, scoring 12 and assisting seven. His performances for the Lancashire club helped him the club’s Player of the Year award. No doubt the fans will be hoping that Johnson has an equally impressive season in the forthcoming one.

Tom Barkhuizen was another player who could be key for Preston . The 26 year old winger scored nine times for his side and also grabbed five assists.

Declan Rudd will also an important player for North End in 2019/20. The goalkeeper played every minute for his side in the Championship, making 108 saves.

Youth Prospects

Tom Bayliss had a quiet debut season at Deepdale following his move at Coventry City. He was restricted to just one appearnence in the Championship, and struggled to win a place in a midfield which already includes Johnson, Alan Browne, Ben Pearson and Paul Gallagher, can he make a greater impact this year?

Jordan Storey also featured ten times for Preston last season, including in their final five games. But like Bayliss, he had to compete with the likes of Patrick Bauer and Ben Davies, who formed a formidable partnership at Centre-back. But with Davies rumoured to be leaving ths window, it could pave the way for Storey to break into the team.

Prediction

Preston have put up a challenge for a top six finish in since Alex Neil arrived at the club in the Summer of 2017, they finished 7th in their first season, 14th in 2018/19 and of course 9th last season. Though they have a reasonably good squad, the PlayOffs might just be out of reach for North-End, but they too are side who can stir a few surprises.

 

 

Queens Park Rangers

 

Mark Warburton had a reasonable first season as QPR manager. Seven wins from their first 13 games saw placed them in the top six. But a defeat to West London rivals’ Brentford at the end of October sparked a real slump in form, winning just four games from their following 17, which saw them drop to 17th in the Championship. The Rs did improve towards the end of the season and went on to finish a respectable 13th.

It’s an interesting opening month for the West London side. Warburton’s old club Forest come to Loftus Road in the first match of the season, that’s followed by a trip to newly promoted Coventry City and then another home game against Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough.

Transfers

Central Defender Grant Hall will most likely be at QPR’s match with Middlesbrough on September, but in opposition colours, he joined Boro after his contract expired in June. Another large departure from Loftus Road was their highly rated star man Eberechi Eze has moved south of the Thames to Crystal Palace for a fee of £19.5 Million. The other departures included Giles Phillips who has moved to Championship debutants Wycombe Wanderers, Tony Leistner who has signed for German side Hamburg and Angel Rangel who was released.

Coming into the club this window, George Thomas from Leicester City on a free transfer, Livingston Striker Lyndon Dykes for an undisclosed fee, Oxford United Captain Rob Dickie, Tom Carroll from Swansea City and also Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luke Amos, who has joined on a permanent basis following his loan spell at the club last season.

Key Players

Ryan Manning was one of Queens Park Rangers’s most important players last season. The versatile Irishman netted four times in the Championship, while making seven assists.

Bright Osayi-Samuel will also be a key player for the Rs. The Left-Winger picked up five goals for his side and also picked up nine assists, the sixth highest in the Championship. He has been a target for a few clubs this window, but the fans will be hoping he can stay on at Loftus Road.

It will also be interesting to see how Luke Amos gets on in 2020/21, an injury to the former Spurs midfielder saw him miss a huge chunk of last campaign. But he was was well admired in West London and no doubt will be hoping to repay the fans’ trust by making a bigger impact in the forthcoming campaign.

Youth Prospects

Conor Masterson made 12 appearances for his side in the Championship last, as Yoann Barbet, Grant Hall and Geoff Cameron were preffered to in central defence by Mark Warburton. Though his side have signed Dickie from Oxford, the youngster will be aiming to get more game time and become a more prominent figure in the QPR squad.

Prediction

Jordan Hugill, Nakhi Wells and Eze were QPR’s top scorers in the Championship last season, scoring a combined 40 goals which ultimately fired the side to a mid-tabled finish. But with the trio no longer there, the West London side are very much dependant on their Australian Centre-Forward Dykes to bag the goals. Nonetheless but with the quality that Rangers possess the midfield it should be a side which avoids any trouble – most likely another lower half finish

 

 

 

Reading

 

It was a mixed season for Reading. Seven defeats from their opening 11 games saw the Royals in the bottom three which cost manager Jose Gomes his job. Mark Bowen took over from Gomes and helped the club win eight of their next 15 matches, steering them away from safety. Though their form dropped in February they still managed to finish 14th in the Championship.

But it’s been all change at the Madejski once again this Summer. Bowen was sacked at the end of August and replaced by former Atletico Madrid midfielder and Chicago Fire manager Veljko Paunovic, who has become the club’s eighth manager in six years. Paunovic makes his managerial debut for the club at Derby on the opening weekend, with games at Barnsley and Cardiff City rounding off September.

Transfers

Just two signings have been made by Reading so far. Josh Laurent has signed on a free transfer from Shrewsbury Town, while Ovie Ejaria has signed from a Liverpool on a permanent basis, following a loan spell at the Madesjski last season.

There has been a load of outs though at the Berkshire club including Tyler Blackett who has signed for Nottingham Forest, Danny Loader who signed for two time European Champions Porto, as well as Gareth McCleary, Chris Gunter and Charlie Adam, who have all been released.

Key Players

George Puskas had a good debut season for Reading, the Romanian scored 12 goals in the Championship while assisting three times. Meanwhile Yakou Meite was the club’s top scorer in 2019/20 with 17 goals in all competitions, 13 of which came in the second tier.

John Swift also had a decent campaign for the Royals. The ex-Chelsea man was involved in 16 of Reading’s league goals, scoring six times and assisting ten which was the fourth best in the entire division. He has caught the eye of a few Premier League clubs though, but Reading will be doing their absolute best to keep hold of the midfield maestro.

Youth Prospects

Michael Olise was on the fringes of the Royals first team last season, making 19 appearances in the Championship. But the winger is a player who has potential. In the nine games Olise played for Reading’s youth team, he notched bagged four goals. Should the Frenchman cement his name in their starting 11, he could be someone who makes a real impact.

Prediction

Reading were a squad which you really couldn’t predict last season,  with their brand new manager Paunovic it’s a side which delves deeper into the unknown. With the squad they have, especially with their attacking options in Puskas, Yakou Meite, Swift, Lucas Joao and Ejaria, it is a squad which you expect to avoid any real danger and like their counterparts in Blue and White hoops finish in the bottom half.

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