nPower Championship Preview

As a celebration for my half century of blog posts on the site, I'm going to go through my predictions for the upcoming season... Who will be celebrating promotion come May and what club's players will be sitting on the field in tears come the end of the season? Of course, the play offs will also have to come into consideration so here goes!...

As the Premier League is a little predictable and you've probably seen plenty of the predictions for that league, I'll begin with a division that I believe is the best in England... The Championship!

The Contenders?

The Championship is a wide open division where you always get the odd surprise or two as both Southampton and Reading showed last season... In no particular order...

Birmingham City

The Blues were expected to be in the automatic promotion spots last season under the guidance of Chris Hughton but it didn't really happen for them.  During the Summer, Hughton has departed St Andrews and been replaced by former Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark. Clark set to work at adding to an already very good squad and has added the experienced trio of Hayden Mullins, Peter Lovenkrands and Darren Ambrose to his ranks - The latter an absolute bargain in my eyes at a reported fee of £250,000. The emergence of Team GB goalkeeper Jack Butland has also been a plus for the Midlands' club and automatic promotion will be the aim. Up front, the firepower options of Marlon King, Nikola Zigic and Adam Rooney should give them a chance especially with the service that Ambrose, Nathan Redmond, Chris Burke and Wade Elliot will provide.

Ambrose (Blue) is proven in the Championship

Blackpool

It was surprising to see Ian Holloway's men in the play-offs last year. Many thought they punched above their weight when they made it into the Premier League two seasons back and believed it would be a period to rebuild for a season before going again. The club have a decent starting XI but do seem to be a little light in quality on the bench. Thomas Ince and Matt Phillips were two bright sparks for the Seasiders last campaign and they will have to be at their best if the Tangerines are to be successful. One poor move in my opinion was selling midfielder Keith Southern to Huddersfield - A great player who seems to go about his job without being noticed. Holloway picked up both Isaiah Osbourne and Scott Robertson from the SPL and time will tell if they can cement their places in the team. Up top, there isn't a lot of pace with Kevin Phillips still playing at the grand old age of  48  39 - Admittedly, he can score a goal but you do wonder whether he can fire them to where they want to be.

Ince had a great debut season at Blackpool

Huddersfield Town

I said at the start of this blog post that you always get the odd dark horse and for me, Huddersfield are this team!  I've been very impressed with their business so far and Simon Grayson is putting together a very accomplished team at the Galpharm Stadium. The highly rated Paul Dixon was signed on a free after his Dundee United contract expired with the former Scotland under 21 international joining the Terriers despite Premier League interest. Other signings include winger, Sean Scannell from Crystal Palace, Anthony Gerrard (Steven's cousin) joining from Cardiff City, midfielder Oliver Norwood arrived from Manchester United along with former Nottingham Forest defender Joel Lynch. Another player who joined was Adam Clayton, a regular in the Leeds United side and someone who has a bright future in the game. Up top of course, they could still have the goalscoring prowess of Jordan Rhodes. The Scotland international is hot property at the moment and should score his fair share. Norwich did it and so did Southampton, could Huddersfield be the third side in three seasons to go from League 1 to the Premier League in just two years?!

THE RHODE TO THE TOP: Jordan's goals could be key

Blackburn Rovers

Now we are onto Steve Kean's men and it's been quite a Summer up there! After suffering relegation to the Championship, a couple of the club's "star players" left for pastures new. Yakubu up sticks and went to China and Junior Hoilett went south to join QPR. Kean then decided to sign a couple of "ageing" players such as the evergreen Danny Murphy from Fulham and Nuno Gomes (I was surprised he was still playing to be honest!) from Braga. Also arriving for a stint at the Rovers Revolution were Leon Best and Dickson Etuhu - Both good signings although Best is out injured for  six months after damaging his anterior cruciate ligaments. Another new boy is Colin Kazim-Richards who signed after departing Galatasaray. I'm expecting to see Blackburn up there with Keano leading them to glory however, his case wasn't helped after the club's global advisor said he would be sacked if they lose three games on the trot - No pressure Steve!

NUNO GOMES: Was decent about 10 years back

Nottingham Forest

To be honest, a few months back, I would have been putting Forest down for relegation rather than mounting a challenge at the top of the league! However, after the takeover from the Al Hasawi family along with the dismissal of Steve Cotterill, the new board haven't been shy to splash the cash after appointing Sean O'Driscoll as the new boss last month. O'Driscoll quickly made his moves, capturing Danny Collins from Stoke City and instantly making him captain. Following in Collins' footsteps came Dan Harding, a left back from Southampton and Greg Halford from crisis club Portsmouth. The signings make up for the departures of high profile due Garath McCleary and Chris Gunter who both joined Reading. Also arriving at the City Ground were Simon Gillett from O'Driscoll's old side Doncaster Rovers and a familiar face as Adlene Guedioura signed a permanent deal; the former Wolves player had a spell on loan at the club last season. The new signings bring some hope to being back fighting at the top for Reds fans after a disappointing campaign under Cotterill's guidance.

GILLETT: The best Forest can get?

Leicester City
In truth, it was a disappointing season for Leicester last season. Despite many tipping them for promotion after Sven-Goran Eriksson snapped up a number of high profile players in his bid for success. After just 13 games though, Sven was replaced by former Foxes boss Nigel Pearson who managed to guide the club to a 9th place finish. This coming campaign will be one where Leicester will be aiming for promotion once again with Pearson splashing the cash to bring in the highly rated Jamie Vardy for a reported fee of £1m and ex- Norwich defender Zak Whitbread on a free transfer. Pearson brought in former Manchester United duo Matty James and Ritchie De Laet as well, with the latter replacing Lee Peltier who moved to Leeds. Also departing was Matt Mills who headed north to join Bolton Wanderers. It'll be a big season for Leicester and unlike the last campaign, they'll have to start well.

The fee paid for Vardy was a non-league record

The dark horse...

Leeds United

It's been a Summer of transition for Leeds United for the beginning of Neil Warnock's first full season as manager. Despite the departure of star Robert Snodgrass to Norwich City, Leeds haven't been afraid to spend money too with Warnock raiding crisis club Portsmouth for a quartet of their better players in Jason Pearce, Luke Varney, Jamie Ashdown and David Norris. Strengthening a shaky backline from last season was key and Warnock  brought in goalkeeper Paddy Kenny (Seems to follow Warnock wherever he goes!) from QPR, right back Lee Peltier from Leicester and legendary Norwich left back Adam Drury. In midfield, Paul Green arrived from Derby on a free and the Whites paid a fee to land Rudolph Austin from SK Brann. One move that urked the fans was seeing El-Hadji Diouf sign; Warnock labelled Diouf  "lower than a sewer rat" after the Senegalese hurled abuse at QPR forward Jamie Mackie whilst he was on the floor after suffering a broken leg. Warnock was QPR manager at the time. I wouldn't write Leeds off; Warnock knows what it takes to get out of the division and United look solid at the back and have firepower in the likes of Luciano Becchio and Ross McCormack up front.

Norris (L) and Varney (R) joined from Pompey

 And at the bottom...

Barnsley
Barnsley are one of those clubs that seem to struggle every year but end up surviving - A Wigan-type if you like. This season, however, I can see them finally being wrestled from a league they have been clinging onto for years now! They never had any real top class players in the first place but Jacob Butterfield's move to Norwich puts their survival hopes in doubt for sure and you never know what Mido will turn up - The one that has the ability to score a few or the one that is lazy and doesn't bother to try.  The signing of Martin Cranie is a good move by Keith Hill but for me, it will be another relegation for Cranie who was a Coventry City player last season. Barnsley fans, you're in for a tough season, sorry!

MIDO: A bit on the crazy side

Millwall
I saw first hand on Tuesday night that Millwall will be in for a struggle. Admittedly the Lions were without first choice goalkeeper David Forde and striker Andy Keogh who were both away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland but they were dominated by League 1 newboys Crawley Town for the majority of the game. Captain, Paul Robinson has been out injured for quite a while and defensively, the team were all over the place. Up front, they lack a clinical striker too; they were fortunate for a while last season to have Harry Kane on loan from Tottenham to score a few goals however, Kane's gone back to White Hart Lane and they seem to lack that killer instinct up front despite the best efforts of Darius Henderson. Boss, Kenny Jackett has brought in Danny Shittu to shore up the defence but it may not be enough.

GET YOUR JACKETT: Kenny could be in trouble

Watford
New owners, new manager and a number of new players at Watford but it's a bad move from them in my opinion. Sean Dyche worked wonders last season and led the Hornets to a creditable11th place. However, Dyche was sacked as the takeover of the club was completed and Gianfranco Zola was appointed. Zola soon made a host of new signings from a number of Italian clubs on loan and you do wonder how these young Italians will get on at places like Middlesbrough or Blackpool on a cold, Tuesday night in February and I fear the worst. Zola didn't have the best of times at West Ham and when you're relying on Chris Iwelumo to get you goals you know you're in trouble!

GOALMACHINE: Chris Iwelumo

My League 1 preview is also coming soon.

One photo courtesy of www.leedsunited.co.uk

Warren meets... Darren Ward

As you may know or see, interviews are becoming a regular thing for me recently. I intend to normally do two a game and this week was the turn of Darren Ward and Shaun Batt.  I managed to get in contact with the both of them this week and fortunately, they agreed to have a little chat with me. In this piece, I'll begin with Darren.

WL: Darren, you started your career at Watford. Was becoming a footballer always the plan at an early age?

DW: Yeah definitely, from a young age, I always wanted to play football and I've got three brothers that are the same as well. I'm privileged and a very lucky man to have done so.

Darren's early days at Watford

WL: You joined Millwall in your first spell at the club for four years after leaving Vicarage Road; picking up two Player of the Season awards in the process, that must have been very rewarding?

DW: It was very good and, in my eyes, I thoroughly deserved it as well. I worked very hard and there were some very good players. You also get encouraged and helped along the way to reach your potential it's nice. A lot of players have the potential and it's good for them. It's great.

WL: On joining Millwall, you gained the nickname "The Peckham Beckham", it must be one of the more nicer names surely?!

DW: Well, you get called many things in football and I suppose you could be called worse names! I'll take that one though with a little smile on my face!

WL: You then joined Crystal Palace for just over £1m, did that figure put pressure on you to succeed there?

DW: Erm... not really, I'm one of those guys that simply takes it as it comes. At the time, as you say, I'd just won two Player of the Seasons, an FA Cup finalist and there were a lot of clubs after me. I was backed along the way to go on and do well there (Palace) and ultimately, the price had to be paid. I had to be sold in Millwall's eyes and that was that really.

HIGH FLYING EAGLE: Darren (Centre) celebrates a goal for Palace

WL: You've also played for Wolves. Unfortunately most of your time was spent on loan, why didn't it quite work out for you there?

DW: Well, in my first season there, I'd played 30-odd games and did well. Obviously, sometimes you just don't settle at a club, sometimes you don't get on well with people at a club and it's just one of those where maybe at another time it would have helped. There were a few other issues around it and I would say it's probably down to many different circumstances rather than anything else.

WL: Yeah, and after a few years on the road, on loan, you must have jumped at the chance to return to Millwall and to return "home" in a way?

DW: Yeah, there were quite a lot of offers to be honest before I joined Millwall. Of course I had history there in terms of what I'd done before at the club and how I enjoyed it there so much previously. I decided to come back. There were a lot bigger clubs that I could have joined but with Millwall, it was just an absolute pleasure to come back and play for them again.

WL: You're one of three brothers that have been footballers; Scott's played here (Crawley) and Elliott is at Norwich City, are you a sporty family? Were your parents sporty types too?

DW: Yeah, yeah, my oldest brother Lee was at Watford as a YTS as well; he was a good player. My Dad was at QPR as a young lad. We all love football and we are very fortunate enough to do it - 3 out of the 4 isn't bad.

WL: Not bad at all. I'm sure you must be delighted to see Elliott doing so well, playing at Premier League level, for Norwich?

DW: Yeah, he's a fantastic player Elliott, a very very good player. Hopefully he can be pushed and can push himself to go on an be the player that everyone knows he can be. When he was young, at West Ham, he was coming through the ranks with Glen Johnson. Unfortunately, he (Elliott) had a bad back injury which helped propel Anton Ferdinand's career. To be fair, they've all done well, Glen Johnson, Anton and Elliott at the time who were there, have all gone on to play in the Premiership which isn't bad!

EL' OF A PLAYER: Brother is a Premier League player

WL: Whilst we're on the topic of Elliott, was it true you turned down the chance to join West Ham when he was there because you didn't want to keep him out of the side?

DW: Yes, I did turn down the chance to join West Ham. It was a decision I made at the time - We're all very close, as brothers. I suppose a little bit of it was not to keep Elliott out of the side but we're all very protective and football's a difficult industry at times; you've got to have a thick skin to come to the table every day. In the end, it was one of those where I felt it was better to join Palace at the time.

WL: Off the pitch you've got a couple of business ventures. You've got a cattery, are you an animal lover? Is it something you always wanted to do?

DW: Erm... I'm not sure if it was always something I wanted to do! It was an opportunity I was offered to take up. I have a couple of other businesses - The cattery is one of three. It's a good business, a very good business. People love cats, I used to work there, it was a good opportunity, it runs well and we're an established company now. The second one is the financial company New Incentive, it's a UK and international based company. We look after quite a few footballers from International players, Premiership, all the way through to the Conference to help players with their financial situations. It's very, very important because, as you can imagine, there's a lot of people out there that target players because of how much money they earn and they haven't got the help, or the background in a way, to help them decide what they want to do with their money. I've also got a trophy company which sells football equipment as well which is good and is doing very well.

WL: That's Pro Team Sport?

DW: That's the one yeah, Pro Team Sport. Yeah, that does well too, it's a fairly new company. I'm not in it as seriously as I could be, with of course football at the moment. It's a good one for the future hopefully.

WL: Finally, you're in your early 30's now, have you started to look into the coaching side of the game?

DW: I've been approached by a number of people from management. It could be an option but, if I'm honest, I'm not looking at it at the minute. I'd like to think I'm very, very fit for my age and I do not see myself retiring for a number of years. With a lot of things I have around football, I'd like to take my time a bit more and assess things as and when I need to start looking at other options. At the minute, not just yet!

Me and Darren

Many thanks to Darren for taking the time to speak to me.

For more information on Darren's businesses, visit the links below:

Silverhill Cattery - http://www.silverhillcattery.co.uk/
New Incentive - http://www.newincentive.co.uk/index.htm
Pro Team Sport - http://www.proteam-sport.com/