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Leicester City 10/11 Opponents – Preview 5

In feature number five I will be turning my attentions to Preston, Queens Park Rangers, Reading and Scunthorpe. The season is only a couple of days away; could any of these teams mount a promotion challenge?

Preston – On paper Preston North End’s squad doesn’t look to bad; however there are major doubts on the manager Darren Ferguson. The 38 year old managed to win League 1 promotion with Peterborough, but understandably Ferguson has failed to match his managerial potential in the Npower Championship. Preston have a very strong squad from back to front, Andy Lonergan has emerged into one of the best goalkeepers in the League over the past couple of years, while the club has signed defenders Craig Morgan and Wayne Brown, both of which will provide competition. Meanwhile the midfield could well get outplayed at times this season, new signing Matt James, Darel Russell and wingers Paul Parry and Keith Treacy could well be out fought in some games. Paul Hayes and Chris Brown though could produce the goalscoring goods, overall though Preston North End could well find themselves in deep trouble under the guidance of Darren Ferguson as many fans think he isn’t right man for the “Lilywhites” job. Prediction – 22nd

Matt James

Queens Park Rangers – Big spending Qpr’s main aspect again this season will be promotion, over the past couple of campaigns the London club have failed to impress with a high profile squad, and mid-table finishes have regularly occurred. Neil Warnock will be hoping to lead Queens Park Rangers to success; the experienced manager has been busy in the transfer market this summer, as he has made a number of shrewd signings. Jamie Mackie was snapped up from Plymouth Argyle, while Shaun Derry and Bradley Orr have both joined the club. The 61 year old has also signed Leon Clarke and Paddy Kenny. On the squad as a whole, Qpr have got a class defence and a very impressive midfield; however in the strikers rolls they could really under perform. If Jamie Mackie struggles to get settled, the London club will have to rely on Leon Clarke, Heider Helguson and Patrick Agyemang to deliver the goods. Overall Neil Warnock could potentially get the best out of Queens Park Rangers, but they could struggle to find goals on a regular basis as they lack any clinical precision up front. Prediction – 13th 

Reading – After flirting with relegation for a good couple of months last season, the move which Reading decided to take with appointing Brian McDermott as manager turned out to be a wonderful decision, the unknown quantity of McDermott has worked wonders on Reading this year, as the former Premier League side are one of the favourites for promotion. The squad looks in phenomenal shape as McDermott has only decided to make one signing, that being ex Scunthorpe defender Marcus Williams. The “Royals” are well prepared for this season; the spine on the team looks flawless as the defence looks fairly strong aswell as the midfield. The strikers are capable of scoring goals as Reading will welcome back Noel Hunt from injury, but the main focus will be on Simon Church and Shane Long, if that young strikeforce can provide the goods this season Reading could well be fighting for an automatic promotion finish in the latter stages of the season. Overall it could well be an optimistic 2010/2011 campaign on Reading’s behalf, the squad is high on depth and players like Mills, Sigurdsson, McAnuff and Church will be key assets for McDermott’s side. Prediction – 2nd

Reading FC

Scunthorpe – Nigel Adkins has done wonders at Scunthorpe over the past four years, the former Physio will yet again be working on a tight budget this season; but it’s sad to say that Scunthorpe’s reign in the Championship could be coming to a bitter end. The club will most likely struggle without Gary Hooper and Paul Hayes, but Adkins will have to restore the goalscoring faith to Chris Dagnall. The former Rochdale man will be the leading figure in Scunthorpe’s line up, along with fellow new signing Michael Collins and winger Martyn Woolford. The squad is lacking depth, as the defence could well struggle to keep out goals this season, the midfield looks fairly decent especially in the centre; however up front the “Iron” really lack a touch of class. Other than Dagnall, Adkins will have to rely on Jonathan Forte, Bobby Grant and youngster Adam Boyes. Overall it will be a long hard season for Scunthorpe as relegation looks possible, if Adkins is able to get in another decent striker fans could well restore some faith, otherwise the Lincolnshire side will struggle. Prediction – 24th

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