The second tier of English football is a league that has a habit of making a mockery out of pre-season predictions, who would have the audacity to say Blackpool would gain promotion last term?
Having said that, there are often sides, normally those who have suffered relegation the year before, who are deemed stronger than their new found rivals, and are expected to bounce back at the first ask – teams who drop a division at your 5-a-side soccer or 6-a-side football Leisure Leagues, regularly have the edge.
Newcastle United are a prime example of how this should be achieved, by keeping hold of the squad core, outclassing and outplaying opponents, subsequently easing to the Championship title. Credit must go to owner Mike Ashley for resisting any temptation to sell in January, and reaping the rewards for doing so.
West Bromwich Albion were also deemed strong candidates, and will perhaps forever be a yo-yo club, too strong for the second tier, but not capable of staying afloat in the Premier League.
Regardless, this year’s Championship is seemingly less clear cut than ever, with two of the relegated three making no secret of their financial troubles, notably Portsmouth, who are in dire straits, and could be implicated with another ten point deficit if a resolution isn’t reached in the high courts today.
Hull City are also making no secret of their desire to off load the top earners, Jimmy Bullard being paraded like cattle at the market, being publically criticised for refuting a move north of the border because of a significant drop in wages.
Will Strachan point Boro in the right direction?
Middlesbrough, perhaps, are emerging as slight favourites to gain promotion, and, given the funds made available by chairmen Steve Gibson, the presumption that they should be up there would be deemed a correct one.
Gordon Strachan was installed as Gareth Southgate’s replacement with one objective, and that was to return Middlesbrough to the top flight, something which wasn’t achieved at the first attempt. It is now time for the Scotsman to deliver.
Gibson has a reputation as a patient individual, a model chairmen who gave his managers ample opportunity to produce results, and there was an element of surprise, even considering Southgate’s dismal record, that he was disposed of, despite the club sitting in fourth place.
Strachan’s was appointed at the helm in October 2009, but failed to make a significant impact at The Riverside, with club eventually ending up in 8th place.
The former Manchester United midfielder has now been given the opportunity to assemble his own squad, adding to his acquisitions from January, and clearly has faith in the Scottish contingent which have been brought south of the border.
Kris Boyd, Kevin Thompson and Stephen McManus have all been lured from their respective Old Firm clubs, added to Nicky Bailey, who was snapped up from Charlton Athletic, Strachan has amassed over £6million in spending this summer – significantly more than any of their Championship rivals.
All of this spells one thing at Middlesbrough – promotion is now imperative. To be able to strengthen a side in such key areas, adding to players who were brought in during the January transfer window should only result in success.
Strachan has the managerial pedigree to take Boro forward, having enjoyed great success at Celtic, winning three successive title, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure, and is guaranteed to be firmly in the firing line if Middlesbrough do not commence the fast approaching campaign in a positive manner.
The heat has been turned up a notch in the North East, and it would be worth a punt on Strachan taking Middlesbrough up – as Champions.
Alex Z