Leicester City 10/11 Opponents – Preview 4

Npower Championship preview four turns it’s attentions to four more teams, newly promoted Millwall, Leicester’s rivals Nottingham Forest, Delia Smith’s Norwich and South Coast side Portsmouth. Comments would be helpful as I would like to hear your views on the upcoming season…

Millwall – Millwall were promoted via the League 1 play-offs last season, after just missing out in 2008/2009. The London club managed by Kenny Jackett could potentially struggle in 10/11, as there are much stronger sides than Millwall in the league. Over the summer Jackett hasn’t really made any stand out signings, as Tamika Mkandawire and Kevin Lisbie are the only fresh faces at the New Den. On the other hand both Shaun Batt and James Henry have decided to make their loan moves permanent for the campaign ahead, both players made a real impact last season and they could well add some quality to Millwall’s ranks. Some players will make an impact in the Npower Championship, including the likes of Henry, Liam Trotter and Nadjim Abdou. Overall though most of Millwall’s players have proven themselves at League 1 level, however the step up may be too much of a task for the “Lions”, as a season of heartache could well be on the cards. Prediction – 23rd

Nottingham Forest – Billy Davies hasn’t made a single change to his squad this season, the former Derby boss has decided to stick with the squad that finished in a very compromising 3rd place in 2009/2010. This time around many pundits have yet again backed Nottingham Forest for promotion, the team from the East Midlands have a very settled unit at the moment, the defence were one of the best throughout the league last season and the likes of Earnshaw, Blackstock and Majewski caused the opposition all sorts of problems. The two central midfielders will yet again play a huge roll, Paul McKenna and especially Chris Cohen were both instrumental in Forest’s promotion push, and they could well have the same affect again. Overall Nottingham Forest is one of the sheer favourites for the title, the play-offs are definitely in reach but they could well fall short of automatic promotion for the second season running. Prediction – 3rd

Norwich – Norwich City are back in the Championship and are raring to go, as they kick off the 2010/2011 season with a home game against Watford. This could potentially be a very good season for the “Canaries”, the East Anglia club has got a well respected manager in charge under the name of Paul Lambert, while the likes of the Chairman and the well known Delia Smith, are backing Lambert’s chances not just on transfers but on an optimistic Championship season aswell. The squad is fairly decent and the defence looks decent on paper, however in a more attacking sense Norwich could well punish some of their opponents, the likes of Chris Martin, Simeon Jackson and Grant Holt will definitely be among the goals, while midfielders Andrew Surman and Wes Hoolahan are two great assets. Overall a very promising campaign could well be in store for Norwich, Lambert is a very impressive manager who has been backed with plenty of transfer dealings, if the strikers fire early on in the season the former Premier League side could well be pushing for a place in the play-offs. Prediction – 4th

Portsmouth – It’s been a very depressing and sad story on the South Coast over the past year or so, one of the most well fan based clubs in England have gone through turmoil and distress with debt worries, points deductions, administration fears and there was even talk that the club could completely go out of business. On a positive note Steve Cotterill has recently taken over at “Pompey” after leaving League 1 side Notts County, the 46 year old will have the hardest task throughout the whole division this season, the squad is completely bare and Portsmouth will be lucky to name a squad of 18 for matchdays. On a positive note the strike pairing of Tommy Smith and Danny Webber could well be a crucial factor aswell as teenage sensation Matt Ritchie. Portsmouth’s fans have stuck by their club through thick and thin, and in my view they really need to be praised for their long standing commitment. Pompey are a very good club, and I for one wish them all the best for the season ahead. Prediction – 17th

Opinions Wanted Please