August 2021

at 15:00:00 0
The new Championship season is around the corner and our EFL pundit and co-host of podcast 'There Is a Floodlight That Never Goes Out', Tom shares his 21/22 season preview, with his 1-24 predictions.


Peterborough Utd- Darren Ferguson is back in the second tier with Posh and I believe he’ll lead them to survival…. Just. Jonson Clarke-Harris scores lots of goals, and the addition of serial League One assist-machine Jorge Grant to go in tandem with him will keep Posh up. I really like Peterborough’s side in general, actually. But they will ship a lot of goals with a defence that, barring Josh Knight and possibly Mark Beevers, isn't really Championship standard.
Prediction: 21st

Preston North End- Frankie McAvoy is not the one, North End. I have to concede that he did a marvellous job at the back end of last season in a temporary role but how many times have we seen managers who were the temporary boss fail to be successful full-time? A solid core with Liam Lindsay, Alan Browne & Ched Evans will keep them clear of the drop zone but nowhere near enough quality is in that squad to jump into the top-half.
Prediction: 17th

Queens Park Rangers- Mark Warburton is a solid gaffer at this level, but nothing more and nothing less. Many EFL followers are tipping the R’s for a Top 6 berth but I just personally don’t see them making such a huge step up. It is undeniable that the duo of Dykes & Austin will score goals. Plus when you factor into the equation that Rob Dickie is one of the best CB’s in the division with Midfield Magicians Stefan Johansen and Ilias Chair possessing magic in their boots you may ponder why I don’t have Rangers in a play-offs berth but unfortunately I just think over 46 games they are not play-off standard. But a class season for the men from Loftus Road nonetheless.
Prediction: 8th

Reading- Vejlko Paunovic did an albeit underwhelming job with the Royals last season following their magnificent start. And with the loss of Michael Olise along with the fact of being yet another club who has had to reign in their spending, I feel as if mid-table mediocrity looms, with only the odd piece of magic from Ovie Ejaria being anything of any note at the newly re- named ’Select Car Leasing Stadium’.
Prediction: 13th

Sheffield United- Slavisa Jokanovič just knows how to win games of football in this league doesn’t he. I think he really has a job on his hands turning round the mentality of this Blades squad but if he successfully does so then a cracking season is in store for them. Brewster, McBurnie, McGoldrick, Sharp, Mousset & Jebbison is an outstanding forward line. The midfield and defence are high standard too and I back a certain Luke Freeman to finally prove his worth in a Sheffield Utd shirt. A solid play-off finish.
Prediction: 5th

Stoke City- Michael O’Neill has to get it right with the Potters this term. Souttar, Wilmot, Brown, Campbell & Powell just to name a few are incredible players in this league and they must push very hard for the Top 6. However, I don’t quite trust them to get over the line for the play-offs. But still a big improvement from the last three seasons. Tyrese Campbell to bag 15+ if he can stay fit.
Prediction: 7th

Swansea City- No gaffer as of yet whilst recording for the Swans so I’ll just talk about the squad. Guehi, Ayew & Hourihane have all left the Liberty and tough times are on the horizon in my opinion. Not as bad a season as some are predicting but quite the drop-off from the highs of reaching the P/O final last season. But for those Swans fans who are purists the emergence of Liam Cullen as their number 9 may be something of note in what may be an otherwise average season.
Prediction: 14th

West Bromwich Albion- Big bloody Val. WBA have an outstanding gaffer in Valerien Ismael- and if the players bit into his philosophy the Baggies will do very well. Karlan Grant to score A LOT of goals. I know awfully too well how good Alex Mowatt is & what a signing for WBA. But it’s the defence which is really too good for this league. Ajayi, Clarke, Bartley, Townsend, Furlong & O’Shea. Wow. Big problems lay ahead for WBA if the players don’t buy into VI’s way of playing and I can see a change of manager mid-season if that does happen, but with the quality they have even if they are languishing in 10th at Xmas I can still see them finishing T2 in the end. Boing Boing.
Prediction: 2nd


Read Part 1: AFC Bournemouth > Coventry City

Read Part 2: Derby County > Nottingham Forest
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