Deadbat
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This is on the superb Pinch News today courtesy of Dem Blades and also on our Tufty Club Wordpress - links below but thought I would post on here so people can debate, critique and have a go at me for putting us too low. Feel free to come back to this over the coming months and give me s**t.
Championship Season Preview 22-23
It’s that time of year again where I try and predict where everyone will finish. I’m always honest enough to admit where I went wrong at the end of the season. To be fair last season I did not too bad predicting the Champions and also got United's position almost bang on. I predicted 2/3 relegation teams I think but was way off on West Brom, Huddersfield to name but a few.
It seems like the obvious tips are almost always the three coming down and those losing playoff sides. This year I’m not so sure on that normally safe forecasting? I think Norwich will be strong but lack the creativity of previous promotion campaigns and a different manager. Burnley and Watford also have new men in charge. I am also not so sure on Huddersfield, Luton and gulp, even the Blades. All have to adapt to losing arguably their best players and their manager, in the Terriers case.
There will undoubtedly be some surprises but I also think some of those well coached sides with continuity such as Millwall and Coventry will do well, especially in an arguably weaker division.
As for the other end of the league, the three coming up seem to have different expectations. I expect Sunderland, with their behemoth of a stadium and fan base to be mid table comfortably. Wigan also I expect to be fine but Rotherham, having been ravaged of their main men from our porkular foes up the road, could go straight down again. The likes of Reading and Birmingham will struggle again due to financial/boardroom issues.
In the middle section, there is so many teams that could finish anywhere between 10th to 18th and a lot of these are interchangeable and more signings, poor/good starts could see some of these sides flip flop around.
Anyway, without further a do....here goes nothing. Please add comments/debate below. Remember it’s just an opinion. Also I tend to generally be conservative with my prognosis for United so bear that in mind. However my record on predicting our final place is pretty good before everyone jumps up and down, stamps their feet and accuses me of wetting my mattress.
In reverse order...
24) Rotherham United
Manager: Paul Warne
What a thoroughly decent fella. Top manager too who probably deserves a tilt at a club with more resources. Speaks well and funny too. Gets his teams super fit and organised.
In
Conor Washington (free, Charlton Athletic)
Tom Eaves (free, Hull City)
Peter Kioso (undisclosed, Luton Town)
Cohen Bramall (undisclosed, Lincoln City)
Jamie McCart (free, St Johnstone)
Cameron Humphreys (free, Zulte Waregem) Grant Hall (loan, Middlesborough)
Out
Jake Cooper (released)
Jacob Gratton (released)
Freddie Ladapo (Ipswich)
Angus MacDonald (free, Swindon Town)
Joe Mattock (free, Harrogate Town)
Mickel Miller (released)
Alfie Burnett (free, Forest Green Rovers)
Michael Ihiekwe (free, Sheffield Wednesday)
Michael Smith (free, Sheffield Wednesday)
Returned at the first attempt but you worry that despite a superb season of promotion and a trophy (ok it was only the Papa John’s but still a cup), that the higher level will find them out again. Even before they lost their best defender and leading scorer, Ihiekwe and Smith, it would have been a struggle. Throw in Ladapo leaving and you realise how tough it is for the Millers when League One clubs can pay better wages. Warne will get everything he can out of this bunch though. I feel bad and lazy just saying they will have a fourth Championship relegation in a row but they lack Championship experience and nous all over the field. Some steady players in Richard Wood and Ben Wiles but not sure they will be tight enough at the back or score anywhere near the goals required. They will surprise a few but ultimately they look well short all over and even the excellent Warne will not be able to overcome their deficiencies.
Key Player: Chiedozie Ogbebe
Impressed with the Republic of Ireland over the summer. Quick, direct and will be counted on to score and assist in a team lacking quality.
Deadbat’s pointless thought: I’ve never seen Warne either not wearing a beanie hat or with a coffee. My kind of guy.
Verdict: Hard to see them surviving.
23) Hull City
Manager: Shota Arveladze
Already somewhat of a journeyman manager, before coming to Humberside, he had managed 346 games with five different clubs, his overall record reading 178 wins, 72 draws and 96 defeats. However, his main success has been in Uzbekistan and Turkey and his first full season will ask more questions now the honeymoon is over.
In
Tobias Figueiredo (free, Nottingham Forest)
Ozan Tufan (undisclosed, Fenerbahce)
Nathan Baxter (loan, Chelsea)
Jean Michael Seri (free, Hull City)
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (£4.1m, Fenerbahce)
Oscar Estupinan (free, Vitoria Guimaraes)
Dogukan Sinik (undisclosed, Antalyaspor)
Benjamin Tetteh (free, Yeni Malatyaspor)
Out
Tom Huddlestone (released)
Richie Smallwood (released)
Tom Eaves (Rotherham United)
Harvey Cartwright (loan, Peterborough United)
George Moncur (undisclosed, Leyton Orient)
George Honeyman (undisclosed, Millwall)
Keane Lewis-Potter (£17.1m, Brentford)
Last year I pegged Huddersfield way too low and I might have done the same here. I don’t see them anywhere near the top 10 but a side that could be anywhere from just below mid table to going down. I’ve plumped for the latter. I don’t see where the goals are coming from and another side who lack depth/quality Championship.
They’ve signed a fair few from the continent including converting the loan of striker Sayyadmenesh into a permanent deal for a sizeable fee. The Iranian will need to score more than one goal this time out. However, annoying but effective ‘ratter’ Honeyman goes rather aptly to Millwall. More telling is the loss of best player Lewis Potter. He was their main man most weeks and his loss will be felt.
The remainder of the squad consists of younger players including former Blades duo Slater and Smith and four coming in from the mid reaches of the Turkish Super Lig. Despite the change of ownership, the crowds have still not really returned to the KC yet nor has the feel good factor come from this change that many envisaged, at least on the pitch.
Key Player: Jean Micheal Seri
Decent signing from Fulham who will give them technical ability and flair.
Deadbat’s pointless thought: I once heard that Hull were going to be the first football team to play on the moon. In 1984 then chairman Don Robinson took the squad to NASA’s base in Cape Canaveral during a US tour. I wonder how then current Tiger Billy Whitehurst, would have adapted to the tough surface and if any ‘Aliens’ would have taken him on in a ‘match’? I do believe he would have been more effective than Weaver. Sigourney not Nicky.
Verdict: I think they actually overachieved last season even though they were in the lower reaches. This year will be a real struggle. If they start badly expect them to get marooned. They have some unknown signings and this prediction is the one that could go badly wrong – not be totally shocked if they are just below mid-way but feel signing unknowns and unproven to this league might not always work.
22) Birmingham City
Manager: John Eustace Was coaching at QPR but seems a cheap appointment to me and he has no experience in management other than a brief spell at Kidderminster. Bowyer split opinion but seemed to get them motivated to win enough games.
In
Finley Thorndike (free, Aston Villa)
Dion Sanderson (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Przemyslaw Placheta (loan, Norwich City)
John Ruddy (free, Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Auston Trusty (loan, Arsenal)
Out
Fran Villalba (undisclosed, Sporting Gijon)
Jeremie Bela (released)
Renedi Masampu (released)
Kristian Pedersen (free, FC Koln)
Kane Thompson-Sommers (released)
Connal Trueman (released)
Yoane Zohore (released)
Ivan Sanchez (undisclosed, Real Valladolid)
Ivan Sunjic (loan, Hertha Berlin)
Josh Andrews (loan, Doncaster Rovers)
Kyle Hurst (free, Doncaster Rovers)
Managed to keep their head above water last season amidst issues off the field. They spent a good period of the season playing in front of a half open St Andrews. They are still embroiled in ownership issues with bizarrely former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez amongst a consortium involved in the latest bid. As I write this, the deal is not close to completion and thus the uncertainty will engulf the club and a new manager as the season commences.
There is some experience in the likes of George Friend, Gary Gardner, Ryan Woods and new keeper John Ruddy. Junior Bacuna can cause problems and Hogan & Jutkiewicz offer experience, but the latter is not the player he was and had a poor season. The rest of the squad is made up of youngsters and a number moved on in the summer. Any kind of injuries coupled with more discontent from fans if the takeover stalls and they are in the sticky stuff.
Key Player: Scott Hogan Journeyman striker but in a squad devoid of much at all, he will need to score a hatful if they stay up.
Deadbat’s pointless thought: Jude Bellingham's number 22 shirt was retired after he only played 44 games for the blue noses and left at 16. Comparable for United is Phil Thompson who played the same number of games (44) in the 1980s for us! Thankfully we chose to not to honour the ‘over the hill’ big nosed defender in the same way.
Verdict: Financial problems, a decaying ground and thin squad. They’ll be the ‘big’ side that goes for me. This season’s Derby County if you like.
DeadBat's Championship Season Preview 22-23
The Pinch gives the best writers a platform to produce pieces on Sheffield United that wouldn’t be published elsewhere. If you like what we do, hit subscribe. Words: David Beeden It’s that time of year again when I try and predict where everyone will finish. I’m always honest enough to admit...
thepinch.substack.com
Championship Preview & Predictions 22-23
Championship Season Preview 22-23 It’s that time of year again where I try and predict where everyone will finish. I’m always honest enough to admit where I went wrong at the end of the season. To …
tuftyclubsufc.wordpress.com
Championship Season Preview 22-23
It’s that time of year again where I try and predict where everyone will finish. I’m always honest enough to admit where I went wrong at the end of the season. To be fair last season I did not too bad predicting the Champions and also got United's position almost bang on. I predicted 2/3 relegation teams I think but was way off on West Brom, Huddersfield to name but a few.
It seems like the obvious tips are almost always the three coming down and those losing playoff sides. This year I’m not so sure on that normally safe forecasting? I think Norwich will be strong but lack the creativity of previous promotion campaigns and a different manager. Burnley and Watford also have new men in charge. I am also not so sure on Huddersfield, Luton and gulp, even the Blades. All have to adapt to losing arguably their best players and their manager, in the Terriers case.
There will undoubtedly be some surprises but I also think some of those well coached sides with continuity such as Millwall and Coventry will do well, especially in an arguably weaker division.
As for the other end of the league, the three coming up seem to have different expectations. I expect Sunderland, with their behemoth of a stadium and fan base to be mid table comfortably. Wigan also I expect to be fine but Rotherham, having been ravaged of their main men from our porkular foes up the road, could go straight down again. The likes of Reading and Birmingham will struggle again due to financial/boardroom issues.
In the middle section, there is so many teams that could finish anywhere between 10th to 18th and a lot of these are interchangeable and more signings, poor/good starts could see some of these sides flip flop around.
Anyway, without further a do....here goes nothing. Please add comments/debate below. Remember it’s just an opinion. Also I tend to generally be conservative with my prognosis for United so bear that in mind. However my record on predicting our final place is pretty good before everyone jumps up and down, stamps their feet and accuses me of wetting my mattress.
In reverse order...
24) Rotherham United
Manager: Paul Warne
What a thoroughly decent fella. Top manager too who probably deserves a tilt at a club with more resources. Speaks well and funny too. Gets his teams super fit and organised.
In
Conor Washington (free, Charlton Athletic)
Tom Eaves (free, Hull City)
Peter Kioso (undisclosed, Luton Town)
Cohen Bramall (undisclosed, Lincoln City)
Jamie McCart (free, St Johnstone)
Cameron Humphreys (free, Zulte Waregem) Grant Hall (loan, Middlesborough)
Out
Jake Cooper (released)
Jacob Gratton (released)
Freddie Ladapo (Ipswich)
Angus MacDonald (free, Swindon Town)
Joe Mattock (free, Harrogate Town)
Mickel Miller (released)
Alfie Burnett (free, Forest Green Rovers)
Michael Ihiekwe (free, Sheffield Wednesday)
Michael Smith (free, Sheffield Wednesday)
Returned at the first attempt but you worry that despite a superb season of promotion and a trophy (ok it was only the Papa John’s but still a cup), that the higher level will find them out again. Even before they lost their best defender and leading scorer, Ihiekwe and Smith, it would have been a struggle. Throw in Ladapo leaving and you realise how tough it is for the Millers when League One clubs can pay better wages. Warne will get everything he can out of this bunch though. I feel bad and lazy just saying they will have a fourth Championship relegation in a row but they lack Championship experience and nous all over the field. Some steady players in Richard Wood and Ben Wiles but not sure they will be tight enough at the back or score anywhere near the goals required. They will surprise a few but ultimately they look well short all over and even the excellent Warne will not be able to overcome their deficiencies.
Key Player: Chiedozie Ogbebe
Impressed with the Republic of Ireland over the summer. Quick, direct and will be counted on to score and assist in a team lacking quality.
Deadbat’s pointless thought: I’ve never seen Warne either not wearing a beanie hat or with a coffee. My kind of guy.
Verdict: Hard to see them surviving.
23) Hull City
Manager: Shota Arveladze
Already somewhat of a journeyman manager, before coming to Humberside, he had managed 346 games with five different clubs, his overall record reading 178 wins, 72 draws and 96 defeats. However, his main success has been in Uzbekistan and Turkey and his first full season will ask more questions now the honeymoon is over.
In
Tobias Figueiredo (free, Nottingham Forest)
Ozan Tufan (undisclosed, Fenerbahce)
Nathan Baxter (loan, Chelsea)
Jean Michael Seri (free, Hull City)
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (£4.1m, Fenerbahce)
Oscar Estupinan (free, Vitoria Guimaraes)
Dogukan Sinik (undisclosed, Antalyaspor)
Benjamin Tetteh (free, Yeni Malatyaspor)
Out
Tom Huddlestone (released)
Richie Smallwood (released)
Tom Eaves (Rotherham United)
Harvey Cartwright (loan, Peterborough United)
George Moncur (undisclosed, Leyton Orient)
George Honeyman (undisclosed, Millwall)
Keane Lewis-Potter (£17.1m, Brentford)
Last year I pegged Huddersfield way too low and I might have done the same here. I don’t see them anywhere near the top 10 but a side that could be anywhere from just below mid table to going down. I’ve plumped for the latter. I don’t see where the goals are coming from and another side who lack depth/quality Championship.
They’ve signed a fair few from the continent including converting the loan of striker Sayyadmenesh into a permanent deal for a sizeable fee. The Iranian will need to score more than one goal this time out. However, annoying but effective ‘ratter’ Honeyman goes rather aptly to Millwall. More telling is the loss of best player Lewis Potter. He was their main man most weeks and his loss will be felt.
The remainder of the squad consists of younger players including former Blades duo Slater and Smith and four coming in from the mid reaches of the Turkish Super Lig. Despite the change of ownership, the crowds have still not really returned to the KC yet nor has the feel good factor come from this change that many envisaged, at least on the pitch.
Key Player: Jean Micheal Seri
Decent signing from Fulham who will give them technical ability and flair.
Deadbat’s pointless thought: I once heard that Hull were going to be the first football team to play on the moon. In 1984 then chairman Don Robinson took the squad to NASA’s base in Cape Canaveral during a US tour. I wonder how then current Tiger Billy Whitehurst, would have adapted to the tough surface and if any ‘Aliens’ would have taken him on in a ‘match’? I do believe he would have been more effective than Weaver. Sigourney not Nicky.
Verdict: I think they actually overachieved last season even though they were in the lower reaches. This year will be a real struggle. If they start badly expect them to get marooned. They have some unknown signings and this prediction is the one that could go badly wrong – not be totally shocked if they are just below mid-way but feel signing unknowns and unproven to this league might not always work.
22) Birmingham City
Manager: John Eustace Was coaching at QPR but seems a cheap appointment to me and he has no experience in management other than a brief spell at Kidderminster. Bowyer split opinion but seemed to get them motivated to win enough games.
In
Finley Thorndike (free, Aston Villa)
Dion Sanderson (loan, Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Przemyslaw Placheta (loan, Norwich City)
John Ruddy (free, Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Auston Trusty (loan, Arsenal)
Out
Fran Villalba (undisclosed, Sporting Gijon)
Jeremie Bela (released)
Renedi Masampu (released)
Kristian Pedersen (free, FC Koln)
Kane Thompson-Sommers (released)
Connal Trueman (released)
Yoane Zohore (released)
Ivan Sanchez (undisclosed, Real Valladolid)
Ivan Sunjic (loan, Hertha Berlin)
Josh Andrews (loan, Doncaster Rovers)
Kyle Hurst (free, Doncaster Rovers)
Managed to keep their head above water last season amidst issues off the field. They spent a good period of the season playing in front of a half open St Andrews. They are still embroiled in ownership issues with bizarrely former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez amongst a consortium involved in the latest bid. As I write this, the deal is not close to completion and thus the uncertainty will engulf the club and a new manager as the season commences.
There is some experience in the likes of George Friend, Gary Gardner, Ryan Woods and new keeper John Ruddy. Junior Bacuna can cause problems and Hogan & Jutkiewicz offer experience, but the latter is not the player he was and had a poor season. The rest of the squad is made up of youngsters and a number moved on in the summer. Any kind of injuries coupled with more discontent from fans if the takeover stalls and they are in the sticky stuff.
Key Player: Scott Hogan Journeyman striker but in a squad devoid of much at all, he will need to score a hatful if they stay up.
Deadbat’s pointless thought: Jude Bellingham's number 22 shirt was retired after he only played 44 games for the blue noses and left at 16. Comparable for United is Phil Thompson who played the same number of games (44) in the 1980s for us! Thankfully we chose to not to honour the ‘over the hill’ big nosed defender in the same way.
Verdict: Financial problems, a decaying ground and thin squad. They’ll be the ‘big’ side that goes for me. This season’s Derby County if you like.