Filed under: Nottingham Forest, Derby, Barnsley, Leicester, Championship, Football, Team Previews, Peterborough
The new season starts on Saturday and FanHouse looks at six more Championship sides - this time ones with very differing ambitions.The FanHouse gaze has already been run over West Ham, Doncaster, Hull, Watford, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace in the first instalment of our previews, while Coventry, Millwall, Bristol City, Barnsley, Blackpool and Birmingham went under our scrutiny in the second.
See a pattern? You shouldn't - because our groupings are as unpredictable and eclectic as the season will most likely turn out to be.
Now it is the turn of promotion contenders Leicester, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff to go under the spotlight, along with Derby, Peterborough and Burnley - whose ambitions are likely to be far more modest.
Peterborough
Last season: 4th (League One play-off winners)
Odds for promotion: 125/1
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Big buys: Ryan Tunnicliffe and Scott Wootton (Manchester United, both loan), Nicky Ajose (Manchester United, undisclosed).
Big sales: Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton, £3 million).
Our verdict: Ferguson and his players will remember their difficult first season in the Championship two years ago and will be all the wiser for it. With that in mind, they will view survival as a major achievement. Mackail-Smith's absence will be keenly felt and Peterborough will struggle to find another forward who can score 20-plus goals.
Don't expect: Colourful chairman Darragh McAnthony and Director of Football Barry Fry to stop getting their names in the headlines.
Do expect: Ferguson Junior to get some more favours off his dad if Posh are struggling in the New Year.
Finishing position: 21st
Burnley
Last season: 8th
Odds for promotion: 13/2
Manager: Eddie Howe
Big buys: Keith Treacy (Preston, undisclosed), Ben Mee (Manchester City, loan).
Big sales: Tyrone Mears and Chris Eagles (Bolton, £3 million double deal), Chris Iwelumo (Watford, undisclosed).
Our verdict: Burnley just fell away from the play-offs last season and Howe has plenty to do to replace the quality of the departed Mears and Eagles. Treacy has proved himself in the Championship and is a decent signing, while Mee has looked a decent addition at the back after joining from Manchester City. Jay Rodriguez will improve again and Martin Paterson is a major boost after missing most of last season through injury. But without having quite the depth and class of last term, they will do well to match the achievements of last season.
Don't expect: Howe to bring in any players in their 30s.
Do expect: Rodriguez to manage 20 goals after taking the penalty responsibilities from the departed Graham Alexander.
Finishing position: 13th
Derby
Last season: 19th
Odds for promotion: 90/1
Manager: Nigel Clough
Big buys: Jason Shackell (Barnsley, £1 million), Frank Fielding (Blackburn, £400,000), Jamie Ward (Sheffield United, £300,000), Theo Robinson (Millwall, £250,000), Nathan Tyson (Forest, free)
Big sales: Robbie Savage (retired)
Our verdict: After years of digging around the lower leagues for unpolished gems, Clough has finally been given substantial funds by Derby's much maligned American owners and he appears to have spent wisely. Shackell and Tyson will provide leadership and pace respectively and Clough needs to repeat his achievements towards of last year - and this time maintain it.
Don't expect: Clough to remain in charge for too long if Derby make a dreadful start
Do expect: Tyson to score against his old employers Nottingham Forest this season
Leicester
Last season: 10th
Odds for promotion: 9/2
Manager: Sven Goran Eriksson
Big buys: Where do you start? Matt Mills (Reading £5.5m), Kasper Schmeichel (Leeds, £1.5m), Paul Konchesky (Liverpool, £1.5m), David Nugent (Portsmouth, free)
Big sales: None.
Our verdict: Leicester have pushed the boat out at financial levels previously unseen in the Championship, after spending well over £10 million, and should walk the division. But Eriksson's biggest problem will be keeping so many high-profile players happy if they aren't playing. Integrating so many into a team will be the former England coach's biggest headache.
Don't expect: Leicester to keep Eriksson next season if the unthinkable happens and they don't get promoted
Do expect: Eriksson to keep bringing in players all season as the club's Thai owners splash the cash in order to reach the Premier League.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/03/championship-previews-peterborough-leicester-derby-burnley/
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