Championship Signings

[robbiez666]

In the cold light of day, looking at the Championship it's going to be a tough league. There are a lot of big clubs in it this year, several with parachute payments. I doubt very much that clubs like Birmingham, Wolves and Villa struggling as much as last year.

I liking keeping track of transfers to see what's going on with our competitors. Barnsley must have an incredible scouting system. They seem to pluck players out of nowhere and sell them for a huge profit on a regular basis.

Burton are making some solid defensive signings and I expect them to be safe.

I think the likes of Forest, Millwall, Bolton, (although, again, solid signings), Ipswich and QPR will struggle. It's going to be tough for us to finish top half, as it stands. There's generally not a lot of money being thrown around. It's early days yet but there are a lot of potentially tough teams who underperformed last season. They have the players, it depends whether they have the manager or right attitude.

There have been some very cute signings so far, but it's early days and I expect a lot of movements to come.

So happy to be back in this league, but it's going to be tough.

Villa


Barnsley


Ethan Pinnock [Forest Green - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Cameron McGeehan [Luton - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Liam Lindsay [Partick Thistle - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Jason McCarthy [Southampton - Barnsley] Undisclosed

Stevie Mallan [St Mirren - Barnsley] Undisclosed


Birmingham


David Stockdale [Brighton - Birmingham] Free

Craig Gardner [West Brom - Birmingham] Undisclosed

Marc Roberts [Barnsley - Birmingham] Undisclosed


Bolton


Will Buckley [Sunderland - Bolton] Free

Mark Little [Bristol City - Bolton] Free

Adam Le Fondre [Cardiff - Bolton] Free

Andrew Taylor [Wigan - Bolton] Free


Brentford


Luke Daniels [Scunthorpe - Brentford] Free

Henrik Dalsgaard [Zulte Waregem - Brentford] Undisclosed


Bristol City


Famara Diedhiou [Angers - Bristol City] £5.3m

Eros Pisano [Hellas Verona - Bristol City] Free


Burton


Jake Buxton [Wigan - Burton] Free

Stephen Warnock [Wigan - Burton] Free

Liam Boyce [Ross County - Burton] Undisclosed


Cardiff


Danny Ward [Rotherham - Cardiff] Undisclosed

Lee Camp [Rotherham - Cardiff] Free

Callum Paterson [Hearts - Cardiff] Free

Neil Etheridge [Walsall - Cardiff] Free

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing [Rochdale - Cardiff] Free


Derby


Curtis Davies [Hull - Derby] Undisclosed


Fulham


Hull


Liam Edwards [Swansea - Hull] Free


Ipswich


Tom Adeyemi [Cardiff - Ipswich] Free

Emyr Huws [Cardiff - Ipswich] Undisclosed

Joe Garner [Rangers - Ipswich] Undisclosed


Leeds


Felix Wiedwald [Werder Bremen - Leeds] Undisclosed

Mateusz Klich [FC Twente - Leeds] Undisclosed

Hadi Sacko [Sporting Lisbon - Leeds] Undisclosed


Boro


Millwall


George Saville [Wolves - Millwall] Undisclosed

Jed Wallace [Wolves - Millwall] Undisclosed

Tom Elliott [AFC Wimbledon - Millwall] Free

James Meredith [Bradford - Millwall] Free


Norwich


Mario Vrancic [Darmstadt - Norwich] Undisclosed

Angus Gunn [Manchester City - Norwich] Loan

Marley Watkins [Barnsley - Norwich] Free


Forest


Jason Cummings [Hibernian - Nottingham Forest] Undisclosed


Preston


Kevin O'Connor [Cork City - Preston] Undisclosed

Josh Harrop [Manchester United - Preston] Undisclosed

Declan Rudd [Norwich - Preston] Undisclosed

Sean Maguire [Cork City - Preston] Undisclosed


QPR


Reading


Pelle Clement [Ajax - Reading] Undisclosed


Blades


George Baldock [MK Dons - Sheffield United] Undisclosed

Enda Stevens [Portsmouth - Sheffield United] Free

Nathan Thomas [Hartlepool - Sheffield United] Undisclosed

Ched Evans [Chesterfield - Sheffield United] Undisclosed


Wednesday


Sunderland


Wolves


Phil Ofosu-Ayeh [Eintracht Braunschweig - Wolves] Free

Roderick Miranda [Rio Ave - Wolves] Undisclosed

Ryan Bennett [Norwich - Wolves] Free

 

[Maidenhead]

Looking at that there's still a lot of business to be done.

Don't see anyone recruiting on a par with us, except maybe Millwall.

Don't know owt about the foreigners though but interesting to see Leeds have three. Hopefully they won't gel, won't speak English and not be great for team spirit

 

[Houso]

It is indeed going to be a tough league, but you can't simply include signings with no context.

Barnsley are a prime example, lost their best players from last season in addition to buying some strong prospects.

Think Burton's look ropey and we'd be disappointed with those.

 

[BigBed]

Thought Wednesday had signed somebody this week??
And it's on the interweb Terry is going to villa, apparently signed, but not confirmed as yet??

 

[robbiez666]

Thought Wednesday had signed somebody this week??
And it's on the interweb Terry is going to villa, apparently signed, but not confirmed as yet??

I'm just using the confirmed ones on the BBC website.

 

[Ricky]

Wednesday signing George Boyd. Over 30, nice big wages but quite a reliable player.

I think Cardiff and Barnsley have done some interesting business. Cardiff have strengthened, Barnsley have replaced.

Also think Ipswich have done quite well with Adeyemi and Huws - two players who could easily have been playing for us.

Buxton and Warnock are solid signings for FLN. They'll be nice and boring next season. Hard to beat but still think they'll go down. Losing Irvine won't help them.

Birmingham have recruited well and look quite strong. If they kept Rowett they could have gone up next season.

Preston have raided the Irish league a lot, that's 4 signings from there this year. Think Maguire could be a good find.

I'm happy with what we've done so far and wouldn't swap ours for Millwall's or Bolton's. But we need a couple of big ones now.

 

[sitwell]

Not exactly shitting my pants looking at that ,struggling to spot the 'cute' signings you mention ,and you really need to show players leaving to see the full picture.

 

[robbiez666]

It is indeed going to be a tough league, but you can't simply include signings with no context.

Barnsley are a prime example, lost their best players from last season in addition to buying some strong prospects.

Think Burton's look ropey and we'd be disappointed with those.

True, but I'm too lazy to do ins and outs. Barnsley seem to have a knack of quickly replacing the players they've sold though. Their prospects tend to just about fill the boots of those they've replaced. Given their budget, they've done enormously well the last couple of seasons.

Clough is a very good manager when he's the underdog. I expect Burton to be more solid at the back than last season.

He's just crap when he's managing a team expected to do well.

 

[robbiez666]

Looking at that there's still a lot of business to be done.

Don't see anyone recruiting on a par with us, except maybe Millwall.

Don't know owt about the foreigners though but interesting to see Leeds have three. Hopefully they won't gel, won't speak English and not be great for team spirit

Leeds and Wolves. They could be great talents, they could be comedians. Leeds have some good players. I'm surprised they haven't looked to strengthen with proven players.

 

[robbiez666]

Jordan Rhodes officially signs for Wednesday today as well. Renowned for his penalty taking, I've heard.

 

[BigBed]

I'm just using the confirmed ones on the BBC website.

Was only a query pal, I, for some reason, thought Wendy had signed somebody this week?

Actually, they may have signed Rhodes boots this week, in an attempt to get a goal out of the prick.

 

[robbiez666]

Well, Rhodes signs today and apparently George Boyd is signing.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Who are the strongest squad though? Depends on starting point but I'd say pound for pound, our recruits are as strong and as value for money as anything else there.

 

[BushBlade]

There are quite a few clubs that are hard to predict. Sunderland, Hull, Leeds will be expected to do well but could easily find themselves struggling. Most pundits will back Villa and Brum because of their managers and I wouldn't disagree but they both have inexperienced owners who might panic if they don't get off to a good start.

Both Rowett and Monk need to get a promotion on their cv to back up their reputations. I think either could if they're left alone to do the job and don't get too much interference from the owners.

Forest have new, experienced owners and have retained Warburton, who's proven at this level. I'd be surprised if they finished below the top ten.

Likewise Cardiff. Don't need to say much about them.

Wolves seem to lurch from one crisis to another. I have absolutely no idea where they'll finish.
Norwich are a bit of an unknown quantity with their attempts to emulate Huddersfield. They've still got parachute payments so I'd expect them to have a good go. I keep hearing that tactically, German coaches and players are way ahead of ours. I don't know if it's true but we'll find out.

Their agricultural rivals will probably plod on. I think Big Mick is going through the motions a bit. Even with their owner putting in a few million a year they struggle to compete above mid table.

Barnsley, Bolton, Burton will struggle a bit. Bristol City, lower mid table.

Reading. Did OK under Stam and have new owners who I assume will invest. Probably deserve to get relegated for crimes against football but will do OK.

Fulham. Decent tbf. Another side I expect to finish in top ten.

QPR. Difficult one. The owners seem to be more concerned about not losing another billion pounds after their previous excesses and Olly is a hit and miss manager. But I tend to believe in 'never go back'. Won't be an easy season I suspect and I'm looking forward to seeing us get something at Loftus Road, hopefully three points.

Brentford. Quietly progressing. Dark horses.

Millwall. Harris is their 'Wilder' and they've signed a few with potential but it's going to be hard for them.

Preston. Not pretty. Will need to recruit a very good replacement for Larry. They'll be slugging it out at the bottom.

Oink. I can't really assess them. I'm too biased. Half of me is scared they'll kick on and finish the job, the other half thinks they could flounder a bit. If I had to guess the top six now it would be, in no particular order, Villa, Brum, Boro, Derby, Norwich, Fulham. Which I think could see Carlos sacked.

 

[Rodley]

Well that puts paid to the regular whinge that SUFC are the only team to have "undisclosed" fees.

 

[robbiez666]

There are quite a few clubs that are hard to predict. Sunderland, Hull, Leeds will be expected to do well but could easily find themselves struggling. Most pundits will back Villa and Brum because of their managers and I wouldn't disagree but they both have inexperienced owners who might panic if they don't get off to a good start.

Both Rowett and Monk need to get a promotion on their cv to back up their reputations. I think either could if they're left alone to do the job and don't get too much interference from the owners.

Forest have new, experienced owners and have retained Warburton, who's proven at this level. I'd be surprised if they finished below the top ten.

Likewise Cardiff. Don't need to say much about them.

Wolves seem to lurch from one crisis to another. I have absolutely no idea where they'll finish.
Norwich are a bit of an unknown quantity with their attempts to emulate Huddersfield. They've still got parachute payments so I'd expect them to have a good go. I keep hearing that tactically, German coaches and players are way ahead of ours. I don't know if it's true but we'll find out.

Their agricultural rivals will probably plod on. I think Big Mick is going through the motions a bit. Even with their owner putting in a few million a year they struggle to compete above mid table.

Barnsley, Bolton, Burton will struggle a bit. Bristol City, lower mid table.

Reading. Did OK under Stam and have new owners who I assume will invest. Probably deserve to get relegated for crimes against football but will do OK.

Fulham. Decent tbf. Another side I expect to finish in top ten.

QPR. Difficult one. The owners seem to be more concerned about not losing another billion pounds after their previous excesses and Olly is a hit and miss manager. But I tend to believe in 'never go back'. Won't be an easy season I suspect and I'm looking forward to seeing us get something at Loftus Road, hopefully three points.

Brentford. Quietly progressing. Dark horses.

Millwall. Harris is their 'Wilder' and they've signed a few with potential but it's going to be hard for them.

Preston. Not pretty. Will need to recruit a very good replacement for Larry. They'll be slugging it out at the bottom.

Oink. I can't really assess them. I'm too biased. Half of me is scared they'll kick on and finish the job, the other half thinks they could flounder a bit. If I had to guess the top six now it would be, in no particular order, Villa, Brum, Boro, Derby, Norwich, Fulham. Which I think could see Carlos sacked.

The Championship was strange last season. So many teams were wildly inconsistent. If you look at the top 6, only 2 or 3 were in the top 6 teams on paper. If that carries on, it will be a big boost for us. It does seem that most teams are signing more reliable players this season.

 

[fuerstenberger]

Looking at that, I must say I think Leeds will be very strong. It hurts to say this but I also think Mitwoch will go up. A mid table finish for us would be good. I must add, last season, at the same stage, I predicted a mid table finish for us and Leicester to be relegated. Chelsea will win the Premier, Leeds the Champ, Charlton will romp League one. Coventry, booooooooo, will win League 2.

 

[mancunianblade]

I don't know much about Leeds players but the clubs they come from have pedigree. Have to disagree about Burton poor additions on decent money imo Buxton and Warnock were one half of the team that got bummed out the league last season typical Clough signing seems to me he's gearing up for survival with 46 draws.

 

[Champagneblade]

Wednesday really need to deliver next year.

Boyd is ok but he's only going to play instead of another huge wage earner.

They did quite well not to get promoted with Hooper, Forestieri, Rhodes, Fletcher and the lad from Barnsley on the payroll not to mention the Portuguese lads and Wallace and one if the league's better goalkeepers.

Looks like they need a more capable leader than more of the same if they can't trouble the top two.

 

[gavtheblade]

I've a feeling that Cardiff will do well this season.
Villa surely cannot be as bad.
Pigs I think will regress this season.
Sunderland. Mmm,grayson has done OK wherever he has gone,and they have the parachute money.
Norwich are my bet for the title.
I think we will be in the mid table for next term.
With a couple of quality signings who knows we might kick on.

 

[Liverpool blade]

I seriously think we could finish mid table with a couple more big signings!. It's a difficult league to predict this time as so many teams are capable of promotion. Leeds began last season really well and then fell away dramatically not even reaching the playoffs. Norwich went on a storming run and then fell short as they always seem to do. I really can't see the porkies going up but possibly sneaking in the playoffs but that's not a certainty!!. Villa, brum, Fulham will be fighting it out for the top 6. Sunderland and hull could do well but will be relying on the parachute payments and need some big money signings!!. It's going to be an interesting season?. Utb FTP.

 

[Maidenhead]

Forest's new owners are also the owners of Olympiakos Piraeus.

I'm not sure what they will make of the championship.

It's going to be a little bit different to the Greek super league where they are the biggest fish by some distance

Wonder if they'll be giving out free flares on entry

 

[Mario1889]

Jordan Rhodes officially signs for Wednesday today as well. Renowned for his penalty taking, I've heard.

Wouldn't have minded us nipping in and getting Boyd on a free.

Very good player, experienced and a great engine.

I think a Blades side with Boyd, Fleck, Sharp and another new striker could be very dangerous at this level.

 

[St Annington]

Barnsley sign another . . . . .



damn those dingles (shakes fist in mock frustration)!!

 

[Rodley]

Wouldn't have minded us nipping in and getting Boyd on a free.

Very good player, experienced and a great engine.

I think a Blades side with Boyd, Fleck, Sharp and another new striker could be very dangerous at this level.

He's after one final big pay day. Not for me.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Fulham will be up there.

 

[Danny_Blade]

I'm hazarding a guess that a lot of you are thinking Villa and Brum are going to do well just because of the managers they've got, I could be wrong but I'm not that sure.

Villa haven't signed anybody yet and I don't think they can until they get rid of players first, that's what I read in the news when last season finished so I'm not fully expecting Villa to be challenging for promotion but obviously they should have a better season this time round. Bruce got Hull promoted the other year as we all know but I don't think it will be easy for him to emulate that, granted he's at a much bigger club in Villa but that could work against him and make it more difficult due to the pressure he could come under if they don't get off to a good start.

As with Brum they've got quite an average team and were in the relegation fight until the last game or two, the signings they've made so far I'd say are only just above average so aren't exactly fantastic and I doubt their budget is hardly anything to shout about either. I think Redknapp will only be able to do so much with this team, he's a great manager with great experience especially at this level but that won't necessarily guarantee any success. He couldn't get QPR in the autos a few years back but did win the PO final so it was mission accomplished, although they seemed to be fortunate as Derby were the better team on that day.

Again I don't think Cardiff are going to do as well as some people think they are, the signings they've made so far are bang average I'd say. We all know Warnock has had plenty of promotions from this league but I think he's had his last of those and if they don't get off to a good start I can see him either being sacked or walking away himself, I reckon they'll finish mid to lower mid-table.

If Forest get their recruitment right I expect a top 10 finish to be very achievable with Mark Warburton in charge.

Clough has made Burton even more solid than they already were, but despite the team looking a slight improvement on last season's team (on paper at least) I don't know however whether if that will be enough for them to beat the drop again this time round as we all know this season is going to be tougher with more bigger clubs being in it.

Grayson hasn't done a bad job wherever he's been but I can't see Sunderland going straight back up, they'll have a lot of money of course but it's whether they spend it wisely that will be the difference if they are successful or not. It's taken so long to appoint a manager so they haven't signed any players yet and they've lost some of the better ones while the remaining ones are still seeking to leave. Such a tough job for Grayson with all the rebuilding he's got to do and pre-season has just about started, still its a massive opportunity for him though but again if they don't get off to a good start it could end sour which would be a shame as I think they should allow him the time its going to take to turn it around. I've lost count the amount of managers they've had in the last few seasons because of the lack of patience they have with their managers.

 

[mancunianblade]

Forest's new owners are also the owners of Olympiakos Piraeus.

I'm not sure what they will make of the championship.

It's going to be a little bit different to the Greek super league where they are the biggest fish by some distance

Wonder if they'll be giving out free flares on entry

I was speaking to the Greek guy at work about the new owner.he was saying the guy is bent as they come and a chunk of his fortune is made from drug money.. the kid himself is no economic genius but it was interesting to hear, he was certain that this will go south very quickly

 

[mattbianco1]

Barnsley sign another . . . . .



damn those dingles (shakes fist in mock frustration)!!

Isn't he the fastest player in the premier league? Sure he beat Kyle Walker

 

[Houston_Blade]

If we'd have made signings from Scotland in the same way Barnsley have most fans would be going mental. Ours look pretty solid at the side of the others. There's the odd big money signing but also a few has beens on a last pay day.

Zeki Fryers was on loan at Rotherham a few years ago and did sod all. He was hyped up as a kid and went to Palace on big money but hardly played a game.