A couple of lines of nonsense about the 23 teams we shall be facing in Football League Division 2 this season.
Barnsley- I like Barnsley. I don't know why but there is something quite cuddly about them. However I fear this is the season they might drop back into Division 3.
Blackpool- Its make or break time for Ian Holloway. If this doesn't work he might be forced to find permanent employment on the radio so lets all pray it does. I think he'll do enough to keep them up forcing us to endure yet another trip to the double hell that is Blackpool and Bloomfield Road.
Bristol City- They've endured that difficult post playoff final defeat season. However I think Gary J will struggle to conjure up some more of his magic and this will be the last season he is in charge at Ashton Gate.
Cardiff City- Hilariously missing out on the playoffs on the last day, more will be expected this time because of their new stadium. I'll enjoy it when they blow it again.
Coventry City- Probably the most boring team in the division, they should adopt that brown strip they wore against us permanently. However Chris Coleman is good enough to keep them up again and as we always seem to do well against them long may they stay in the Championship.
Crystal Palace- Top half but not top six which will end the love affair between Jordan and Neil Warnock (no, not that Jordan, although that would be an interesting bit of tabloid gossip).
Derby County- Nigel Clough seems like he knows exactly what he's doing and I think Derby are in danger of being like us 10 years ago and getting promoted a couple of seasons too early in the grand plan.
Doncaster Rovers- Probably my favourite other team in the division. Donnie away is a good experience. I hope we'll do the double over them but then I wish them well and think they'll do just enough to stay up again.
Ipswich Town- Having Roy Keane as your manager is a scary enough reason to do well. Add into that the extra incentive of doing it in Bobby Robson's memory and I think you're looking at a very dangerous side, especially as Keane got Sunderland out of this division without too much trouble a few seasons ago.
Leicester City- One of those sides to whom going down for a season probably did them no harm at all, especially as they are financially stable. It may just provide a springboard for them to get a second promotion in two seasons.
Middlesborough- Always one of the most boring teams in the Premiership with possibly the most irritating manager in the country. Depressingly, because Steve Gibson seems to have bottomless pockets, I reckon they'll go up as Champions.
Newcastle United- You couldn't have a greater contrast between a great man like Bobby Robson and a total arsehole like Alan Shearer. Could you see Sir Bobby walking away from the manager's job just because he wants assurances about what is happening in the boardroom? Mike Ashley's dithering and Sherarer's looming but uncertain presence will ensure the Toon remain adrift from the big boys for at least another season.
Nottingham Forest- With Notts County stirring back into life as potential rivals to Forest rather than a handy close team for pre-season friendlies, Billy Davies will want his team to impress this season. But I don't think they'll oblige him and will finish in the bottom half, flirting with relegation as usual.
Peterborough United- My prediction for over-performing team of the season. It would be great fun to see a team with such a small stadium in the Premiership. I don't think they'll quite make it but will finish in the top half.
Plymouth Argyle- They just survived last season and don't seem to have done a great deal to change things. Relegation and derbies against Exeter and Torquay loom.
Preston North End- Always the nearly boys of the division. More pressure will be on Alan Irvine this time because of the success over at Burnley. I think they'll just miss out on a playoff place and Irvine will be rather unfairly shown the door.
Queens Park Rangers- By appointing Jim Magilton they seem to have learned nothing from the Dowie era. Jim to go before Christmas, another foreign bod in the hotseat, another mid table finish.
Reading- A gut reaction is that I hope their chairman ends up in an Allen Stanford type situation and the team end up in the Blue Square like L***n. A more considered opinion is that they will probably make the playoffs. Lets settle on them just missing out.
Scunthorpe United- Another likeable team who seem to have replaced Brighton as yo-yo specialists between ourselves and League 1. I expect the trend to continue.
Sheffield United- There or there abouts but ultimately just failing to go up automatically. More playoff failure for Blackwell will result, yet again, in the boot.
Sheffield Wednesday- Another mediocre season for a mediocre team.
Swansea City- Difficult to predict with themselves having done so well last term but their manager failing at QPR. More mid table than playoff contenders this time round.
West Brom- DiMatteo did well at MK but is still a slightly unknown quantity. Partly as they've loaned out the God that is Robbo I reckon they'll have to settle for the playoffs rather than an instant return to the dull depressingly netherland of the Premiership.
Champs-Middlesborough
Promoted- Ipswich
Playoffs- West Brom, Sheff Utd, Leicester, Derby.
Relegation- Scunthorpe, Barnsley, Plymouth
