Filed under: Portsmouth, QPR, Norwich, Watford, Reading, Swansea, Nottingham Forest, Millwall, Scunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Preston, Championship, Football
Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert would not have been top of the list of managers to join Neil Warnock and Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League last season, but they succeeded where more experienced opponents and more fancied clubs failed.Their success contrasts sharply with the sinking feeling of relegation at Bramall Lane, Deepdale and Glanford Park. In the second part of the season review FanHouse takes a look at the remainder of the sides in the Championship.
Middlesbrough
Finished: 12th
Highlight: A 3-0 win at Cardiff towards the end of the season.
Lowlight: Losing 2-1 to Burton Albion in the FA Cup.
Star asset: Marvin Emnes took time to prove his ability after a £3 million move, but is attracting envious glances from other clubs.
The lowdown: One of the favourites for promotion saw hopes soon fade under the miserable reign of Gordon Strachan. New manager Tony Mowbray has restored hope to the Riverside. Expect further improvement again next season.
Mark out of ten: 5
Millwall
Finished: 9th
Highlight: Defeating eventual champions QPR 2-0.
Lowlight: Losing 6-1 to Watford early in the campaign.
Star asset: Steve Morison grabbed 15 goals in 40 games and coped with the step up in level. It will be a struggle to keep him.
The lowdown: Many expected Millwall to struggle after moving up from League One, but Kenny Jackett and his players coped with the step up with few problems and were play-off candidates until the last couple of weeks of the season. Has to be viewed a success.
Mark out of ten: 7.5
Norwich
Finished: 2nd
Highlight: Clinching second place and a trip to the Premier League.
Lowlight: Losing 1-0 to Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.
Star asset: Grant Holt. It's hard to believe he was playing for Rochdale a couple of years ago. The best natural goal scorer in the division?
The lowdown: Paul Lambert spent most of the season telling anyone who cared to listen that his side could not compete for promotion and should not even be considered as contenders because of their lack of experience at Championship level. Everyone fell for it, until it was too late.
Mark out of ten: 9.5
Nottingham Forest
Finished: 6th
Highlight: Doing the double over bitter rivals Derby County.
Lowlight: Losing in the play-off semi-final to Swansea City.
Star asset: Lee Camp. The goalkeeper has proved to be one of the best in the Championship and is being looked at by Premier League teams. It would be a blow to lose him.
The lowdown: Expectations were at least making the play-offs and that was achieved. Unfortunately Forest's usual failings surfaced again as they lost their fourth semi-final. Will manager Billy Davies be back for another shot at promotion?
Mark out of ten: 7
Portsmouth
Finished: 16th
Highlight: The 6-1 victory over Leicester City in the league.
Lowlight: Losing 3-1 to Brighton in the FA Cup.
Star asset: Liam Lawrence is an infectious character and his arrival from Sunderland sparked thoughts of a late bid for the play-offs. He will be crucial next season.
The lowdown: Steve Cotterill knew he was walking into a huge mess when he accepted the post as manager and he was not disappointed. He could barely name a 16-man squad to start with, but he battled well in the face of adversity. New owners will help next season.
Mark out of ten: 6.5
Preston North End
Finished: 22th
Highlight: Coming from 4-1 down to beat Leeds United 6-4 at Elland Road.
Lowlight: Losing their Championship status in the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff.
Star asset: Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan had plenty of opportunity to show his class and will be leaving Deepdale as a result.
The lowdown: Darren Ferguson heightened expectations, but struggled to cope at the higher level. His sacking and his father's decision to recall Manchester United loan players did not help. Much of the damage had been done by the time Phil Brown arrived.
Mark out of ten: 4
Queens Park Rangers
Finished: 1st
Highlight: Beating Watford 2-0 to secure the title.
Lowlight: The potential points deduction which hung over them until the final day of the season.
Star asset: Adel Taraabt was an inspiration and his 19 league goals underpinned the promotion push. Keeping him is paramount for the Premier League.
The lowdown: Neil Warnock might not be everyone's favourite manager, but he just gets the job done. His team led the league for virtually the entire campaign and it is hard to argue with their success.
Mark out of ten: 10
Reading
Finished: 5th
Highlight: Beating Cardiff City to make it to the Play-off final.
Lowlight: Losing the final 4-2 to Swansea City.
Star asset: Shane Long. The Republic of Ireland striker had an outstanding season, but that means he is unlikely to be a Reading player when the next promotion push starts.
The lowdown: Expectations of a return to the Premier League were reasonably high and Brian McDermott did all he could to justify them. he just found one team too good on the day.
Mark out of ten: 8.5
Scunthorpe
Finished: 24th
Highlight: Beating QPR 4-1.
Lowlight: Losing 6-0 to Norwich City.
Star asset: Joe Garner restored his reputation with six goals in 17 games. Not bad under the circumstances.
The lowdown: By the time Alan Knill arrived as manager, relegation was virtually assured. After two years in the Championship, it is going to be hard to find a way back.
Mark out of ten: 2.5
Sheffield United
Finished: 23rd
Highlight: Beating Leeds United 2-0 at Bramall Lane.
Lowlight: Losing 2-0 to Hartlepool in the Carling Cup.
Star asset: Darius Henderson. On his day he can cause Championship defenders a host of problems. Unfortunately he did not play enough.
The lowdown: The writing was on the wall early in the season that the club were set for a struggle. Too many loan players and the lack of impact by Micky Adams when he arrived as boss cost them the relegation and the manager his job.
Mark out of ten: 3
Swansea
Finished: 3rd
Highlight: Winning the play-off final against Reading.
Lowlight: Losing 4-0 to QPR
Star asset: Scott Sinclair might have been on loan, but he finished top scorer in the league and capped an incredible season. He wants Chelsea to allow him to stay in the Premier League at the Liberty Stadium.
The lowdown: Brendan Rodgers had a difficult time at Reading, but bounced back in magnificent style. His team played the most attractive and attacking football in the division and deserved their promotion.
Mark out of ten: 9.5
Watford
Finished: 14th
Highlight: The 6-1 win at Millwall.
Lowlight: Losing 2-1 to Notts County in the Carling Cup.
Star asset: Danny Graham's 24 league goals have made him a target for a host of Premier League clubs and it will be hard to keep him.
The lowdown: Malky Mackay worked wonders given the financial constraints at the club. He used the loan market well and introduced some exciting talent which has been developed by the club.
Mark out of ten: 7
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/06/04/championship-club-by-club-review-part-two-glory-for-canaries-s/
Rafael van der Vaart Retief Goosen Ricardo Carvalho Ricardo Quaresma Richard Gasquet
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