' The Championship 2015/16 Thread '

With it a month until the 2015/16 championship campaign kicks off, I was wondering who everyone is tipping for promotion and relegation this coming season. This is who I reckon are the favourites, likely to challenge and the outsiders whilst also looking at the favourites for relegation, those likely to struggle and potential outsiders to struggle.

The Favourites

Middlesboro

Following on from the heartbreak of a play-off defeat, I really don't see them as a team that will struggle to find its form again. Yes the loss of Bamford, the leagues player of the year last season, may hurt them but I believe Karanka knows what he's doing there and will get the team set and ready for the coming season, and they are my red hot favourite to complete automatic promotion next season. Added to that the rumoured signing of Downing, they will be the side to beat.

Burnley

Just been relegated and have lost big players such as Ings and Trippier, however Sean Dyche has a tight-knit bunch of players all pulling in the same directon, add to that signings of Lowton and Vossen from Villa and Genk respectively they again will have quality and consistency to take them to the correct end of the table.

Hull

Experienced manager Steve Bruce knows what it takes to get out of this division having secured promotion with Hull and Birmingham. Their transfer activity has been quiet so far but they have managed to ship big earners such as Tom Ince to Derby for 5 million and Stephen Quinn to Reading. With a few signing adding to the already strong squad they can definitely challenge in the coming season.

Wolves

Only had Afobe for six months last year but mustered up 78 points, just missing out on a play-off spot so if he can continue his hugely impressive form Wolves wont be struggling for goals. Their only problem maybe to replace the seemingly outgoing Bakary Sako correctly. A big player for them last year and if he goes will be sorely missed so will need to replaced effectively. Wolves clearly have money to spend with acquisitions such as Coady for 2 million from Huddersfield and Wallace from Portsmouth and looking to further spend after being linked with Le Fondre.

Derby

They sacked Steve Maclaren who took them to them up a level quality wise, however it is really unknown how the inexperienced at Championship level Paul Clement will do. It is no doubt that Derby will have one of the if the strongest squads next year, its whether they gel and bond and Clement gets them playing. Signings such as Ince, Weimann and Baird will add even more quality to last years squad so all Clement needs to do is to get the basics right and they will surely be up the top end again.

Those likely to Challenge

Blackburn

It is of no doubt Blackburn have the fire power to have them pushing, its if they keep the duo of Rhodes and Gestede. Just missed out on playoffs last year and will be looking to better on last years return so I expect them to be playoff at least. Have lost Cairney and King however to Fulham and Bournemouth respectively however with a few signings could well be good enough to go all the way next year.

Ipswich

Like Hull, their manager has got teams out of this league before and after and impressive campaign last year which saw them lose to the eventual winners of the playoffs Norwich will look to bounce back this time around. Keeping hold of top scorer Murphy will be top priority after a few clubs announced interest in the target man, however Big Mick can still get them to the right end of the table again.

QPR

Really could go either way for QPR next year, manager Chris Ramsey has no experience of managing at this level so will need to get his large squad ready quickly and prepared if they want to challenge next year. If signings settle and the squad gels, they have a large amount of talent. However if it does not always go that way as ourselves and Fulham shown last year what can happen. Signings such as Luongo and Gladwin shown promise last year with Swindon so may be ones to look out for. Replacing the goals of Austin may also be a challenge as he nears the exit door.

The Outsiders

Bristol City

Smashed league 1 last year and it would be no surprise if they carry on momentum into the Championship. Have a bit of money and some good players so can have impact in this league next year. Looking forward to the games against us.

Fulham

Really struggled last year but have already made some good signings this season. With not a bad squad if the gaffer gets it right they could well be up the top end.

Birmingham

Manager Gary Rowett did well when he came in and will look to carry that on. Goals may be a problem however but with one or two acquisitions could be the ones to watch.

Brentford

Lost manager Mark Warburton who was said to have been behind their successes but have some handy players there and willing to spend a little with new signings McEachran and Bjelland. Add to the threat of Jota and Gray they may surprise again next year.

Cardiff City?

Maybe a bit biased here but i'm being optimistic. The squad has quality, we all know that and there just seems to be a buzz around us at the minute, good blue kit out and Ameobi signed I feel 1 or 2 good signings and we can be a threat. With a little backing from us all pulling in the right direction, who knows.

Likely to Struggle

Rotherham

Most probably are favourites to go down, will need to rely on home form to keep them up and with a small budget will struggle to strengthen however Tom Thorpe looks to be a handy acquisition.

Charlton

Seem to be just so average, nothing really special about them and cant think of any decent signings, could well be at the bottom of the table, although you never know in this league.

Mk Dons

Got promoted last year and have a good young manager, not sure why I tip them to struggle as they could well do very good however I just don't see it.


That's my feelings going into next season, struggled to find teams likely to go down tbh as in this league it could be anyone, same as for promotion.

My Top 6

1.Boro
2.Burnley

3.Wolves
4.Hull
5.Ipswich
6.Cardiff



*sorry for the name trying to get it changed

My Top 6

1.Derby
2.Wolves

3.Boro
4.Blackburn
5.Burnley
6.Hull

However, I would like to put Cardiff in one of those places and believe we could potentially make the play offs! I do think we are outsiders this season

1. Wolves
2. Hull
3. Derby
4. Boro
5. Qpr
6. Cardiff
I think we can make play offs (Optimism we must be) yoda

1 Derby
2 Cardiff
3 Burnley
4 Middlesbrough
5 Wolves
6 Brentford

Promoted as Runners up.

1 Derby
2 Cardiff
3 Burnley
4 Middlesbrough
5 Wolves
6 Brentford

Promoted as Runners up.

Love the optimism Rydo but for some reason I just struggle to see us finishing anywhere above 6/5 tbh, but hey you never know in this league for all we know QPR could do what we did make some decent signings with expectations of going back up then fall away after 3 or so games.

Anyway my top 6

1.Derby
2.Boro
3.Hull
4.Wolves
5.Cardiff
6.Forest or Blackburn

1 Derby
2 Cardiff
3 Burnley
4 Middlesbrough
5 Wolves
6 Brentford

Promoted as Runners up.

Love the optimism Rydo but for some reason I just struggle to see us finishing anywhere above 6/5 tbh, but hey you never know in this league for all we know QPR could do what we did make some decent signings with expectations of going back up then fall away after 3 or so games.

Anyway my top 6

1.Derby
2.Boro
3.Hull
4.Wolves
5.Cardiff
6.Forest or Blackburn

Exactly nobody thought Bournemouth Brentford were gong to be challenging you never know in the championship I can see us challenging I have got a feeling.

Derby
Burnley
Forest
Leeds
Cardiff
Wolves

Amoebi scores the winner in play off final vs wolves. The crowd singing

Put your left foot in, your left foot out
In out in out and shake it all about
Do the ameobi, turn them inside out
That's what it's all about
Woahhhhh Sammy ameobi
Woahhhhhh Sammy ameobi
Woahhhh Sammy ameobi
Knees bent, arms stretched
Cardiff City!!

Derby
Burnley
Forest
Leeds
Cardiff
Wolves

Amoebi scores the winner in play off final vs wolves. The crowd singing

Put your left foot in, your left foot out
In out in out and shake it all about
Do the ameobi, turn them inside out
That's what it's all about
Woahhhhh Sammy ameobi
Woahhhhhh Sammy ameobi

That's a good song idea would sound great with loads singing it


Woahhhh Sammy ameobi
Knees bent, arms stretched
Cardiff City!!

Derby
Wolves
Cardiff
Weeds
Hull
QPR

Dont let me down Russell

If I had to predict ATM

Hull
Wolves

Blackburn
Derby
Burnley
Bristol

Rotherham
Charlton
Huddersfield
Leeds
Cardiff
Port Talbot
Newport.