EXCLUSIVE! Paulo looks forward to first home fixture
EXCLUSIVE! Interview with Jack Hobbs
PRE-SEASON REVIEW The story so far...
v Sunderland Saturday, July 31, 2010 Kick-off: 3pm | ÂŁ2
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Contents &Features Paulo Sousa HONOURS Football League One Champions: 2009 Football League Division One (Championship) Runners-Up: 2003 Football League Division One Runners-Up: 1929 Football League Division Two Champions: 1925, 1937, 1954, 1957, 1971, 1980 Play-Off Winners: 1994, 1996 Play-Off Runners up: 1992, 1993 FA Cup Runners-Up: 1949, 1961, 1963, 1969 League Cup Winners: 1964, 1997, 2000 League Cup Runners-Up: 1965, 1999 European Cup Winners’ Cup: Second Round 1961 UEFA Cup: First Round 1997, 2000 FA Charity Shield Winners: 1971 Zenith Data Systems Cup: Northern Area Finalists 1992 FA Premier Academy Winners: 2007
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME TEAM Editor: Jamie Tabor Reporters: Rob Jones, Bill Anderson, Neville Foulger, Darren Izzard Contributors: Dave Smith, Paul Taylor, John Hutchinson Club Photography: Neil Plumb Photography (07814 432 792) www.neilplumbphotography.com Additional Photography: Leicester Mercury, Neville Chadwicks Design: James Ginieres | www.opublishing.com Advertising Sales: 0844 815 7000 Programme Subscriptions: www.opublishing.com No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in any retrievable system of any nature without prior written permission of Leicester City Football Club, except for permitted fair dealing under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Applications for permission for other use of copyright material should be made to Leicester City football Club> Full acknowledgment of publisher and source must be given at all times. The views expressed withing are the views of the individual authors and not the views of Leicester city Football Club.
Leicester City Football Club, Walker Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL Tel: 0844 815 6000 Ticket Office: 0844 815 5000 Web: www.lcfc.com Chairman: Milan Mandaric Chief Executive: Lee Hoos
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Directors: Lee Hoos, Mark Johnson, Malcolm-Stewart Smith, Commercial Director: Paul Hunt Manager: Paulo Sousa Assistant Managers: Bruno Oliveira, Nelson Jardim Club Secretary: Andrew Neville Hospitality Sales: 0844 815 7000 (option 2)
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Player Features
Opposition
Academy
Tickets
Season Preview
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Good afternoon to everyone and a warm welcome to our pre-season friendly against Sunderland. I hope this will be the first of many visits our supporters will make to the Walkers Stadium this season. Firstly may I say how excited I am to have had the chance to come and manage Leicester City. Everything about the club is ready for the Premier League, now I and the players must make sure that we deliver on the pitch. I have seen enough from my players in pre-season to suggest that we are capable of having a good season, and we will be aiming to start that strongly against Crystal Palace next week. We have improved in each of our pre-season games so far, and I have gradually been giving the players more and more minutes to ensure that they are ready for the first game. I am pleased at how well the players have adapted to a new style of play. I want this team to attack and score goals and we have been working very hard to make sure this will happen. May I also extend my welcome to the players, staff and supporters of Sunderland. Steve Bruce did very well at the Stadium of Light in his first season in charge. With players of the quality of Darren Bent, Kieron Richardson and Kenwyne Jones, Sunderland will be an excellent test for us and a win would be a fantastic confidence boost ahead of the new season. Enjoy The Game, Paulo.
the manager
Paulo
Sousa 4
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“I want this team to attack and score goals and we have been working very hard to make sure this will happen� PAULO SOUSA SEASON 2010/11 LCFC
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player feature
Jack
Hobbs Last season as manager of Swansea City, Paulo Sousa presided over one of the meanest defences in the Championship. The Foxes boss will be confident of repeating the trick with his new club, with City Player of the Year, Jack Hobbs, at the heart of his backline. Hobbs was an inspiration for the Foxes last season, but acknowledges that Sousa expects something else from him and his team-mates in the 2010-2011 campaign. “A new style of football has been brought in and we are all enjoying it and hopefully we can go one better than last time. Last season, when we played three in midfield, we passed it around very well, we kept it tight. We have the players to do that so it should be good. We will be playing out from the back with a lot of width and hopefully keeping possession, and if we do it well, we will be hard to get the ball off and frustrate a lot of teams this season.” Hobbs has been part of a winning team for the last two seasons, and is confident that they can maintain that momentum as they aim for promotion to the Premier League. “It is still there. The new gaffer has come in, he wants us to do well and we are all driving forward. There are a lot of positive people about and we are all looking to push on. “The lads are so focused and determined and looking forward to it. It is a new style of football but hopefully we will keep winning games.” Leicester will be hoping to improve on last term’s fifth place, but Hobbs knows City face a challenge to maintain that level of achievement. “The Championship is getting better and better each year. There are a lot of tough teams in it now but we are going to do all we can, and use every ounce of effort to get out of it and into the Premier League.” 6
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Michael
Morrison City suffered play-off heartbreak against Cardiff at the end of last season, but Foxes’ defender Michael Morrison says that will motivate the team to finish the job this year.
Young defender, Morrison, is desperate to help Leicester to a second promotion in three seasons, but admits they will not be the league’s surprise package anymore. “The target is to go one better. There will probably be a little more expectation on us but we put a lot of pressure on ourselves lasts season. We always thought we could get in the play-offs within the camp. We were there or there, or thereabouts, all season. The nucleus of the team is still here and I don’t see why we can’t do the same again. “ Newcastle, and to a certain extent, West Brom looked almost a lock for the two automatic places but it is much more open this time and Morrison believes it’s tough to pick a favourite. “There are no stand-out teams like there were last year so it will be interesting to see who is up there.” For the first time in his Foxes’ career Morrison is playing under a manager other than Nigel Pearson, but the former Cambridge man says success beckons under new boss, Paulo Sousa “It was a surprise to have a new manager but hopefully we can work hard and he can put his football philosophies into the team and we can go forward and be successful. “He has vast experience. We played his team last season and found them to be a good passing side. The experience the younger players got last season can only stand them in good stead for this one and that can help us.”
Conrad
Logan
City goalkeeper Conrad Logan is finding that it is not just the outfielders who have to adapt to new boss Paulo Sousa’s footballing philosophy. The passing game and a more measured, patient build-up has been a feature of City’s pre-season fixtures, and Logan says a new style applies to everyone including the goalkeepers. “When a new manager comes in, it is going to take time. We have only been back for a couple of weeks and the players are definitely buying into his ideas. It gives the players options, and for a goalkeeper, it gives us options too. “Sometimes as a keeper you just hoof the ball upfield looking for the striker, but with this manager, we are encouraged to play it from the back if we can and that is what we do. We have to adapt. We spent a lot of time on that in Slovenia.” For his part, Logan has kept clean sheets in his appearances against NK Aluminij and Rotherham United, and is hoping his performances will be recognised by City boss, Paulo Sousa. “Goalkeepers pride themselves on clean sheets and whenever I get a game that is what I want to do to impress the manager. This is a new season , a new manager, I want to impress him and see where it takes us.”
whenever I get a game that is what I want to do to impress the manager SEASON 2010/11 LCFC
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SUNDERLAND The Sunderland Stadium of Light Sunderland | SR5 1SU t: +44 (0)871 911 1200 e: enquiries@safc.com w: www.safc.com Capacity: 42,000
GOALKEEPERS
MIDFIELDERS
Craig Gordon has established himself as Sunderland’s number one goalkeeper after an excellent 2009-10 campaign. He shrugged off a knee injury followed by a broken arm to beat back the challenge of Marton Fulop and confirm his place as the Black Cats’ first-choice keeper.
Boudewijn Zenden joined Sunderland on a free transfer in October 2009 and signed a new one-year deal in May 2010.. Zenden is hugely experienced having played more than 400 senior games at club level.
Hungarian international goalkeeper Marton Fulop, previously a popular loan signing at City will be hoping to challenge for a first-team place once more after being pushed out of the senior picture.. He ended the season on emergency loan at Manchester City, where he made three appearances in relief of Shay Given.
Former Manchester United man Kieran Richardson is closing in on 100 senior appearances for Sunderland. The 2010-11 season will be Richardson’s fourth campaign on Wearside after he featured regularly once again in 2009-10, making 32 appearances and scoring once.
DEFENDERS George McCartney came through Sunderland’s youth system and has so far made more than 200 senior appearances for the club.
Manager Profile
Steve Bruce was named manager of Sunderland AFC in June 2009 following spells with the likes of Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City. Bruce also enjoyed an illustrious playing career, serving as the captain of a Manchester United side that dominated the early years of the Premier League. Before United, Bruce played for Gillingham and Norwich City, helping the Canaries to promotion from the old Division Two. In 1987, Bruce signed for Manchester United and his first trophy was the FA Cup in 1990 followed by the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup title a year a later. 8
LCFC Npower SEASONChampionship 2010/11 Preview
Michael Turner moved to Sunderland from Barclays Premier League counterparts Hull City in August 2009. Arriving on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, Turner immediately established himself as a firstchoice centre back, making 32 appearances in his debut season. His nine years at Old Trafford would yield a further ten trophies, including three Premier League crowns and a further two FA Cup successes. After a brief spell at Birmingham City between 1996 and 1998, Bruce left St. Andrews to become player-manager at Sheffield United, moving on to Huddersfield Town after guiding The Blades to eighth in Division One. Brief spells with Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace would follow before Bruce was asked to return to St. Andrews to manage Birmingham as the Blues floated around mid-table of the First Division. Bruce guided the club to the Premier League within months, winning a dramatic Playoff Final penalty shootout against former club Norwich City. Birmingham spent four years in the Premier League before being relegated in 2006. Despite going down Bruce kept his job, and took Birmingham straight back to the top tier, finishing as Championship runners-up behind Sunderland Bruce took over as Wigan Athletic boss for the second time in November 2007 and, after steering the Latics to 11th in the Premier League, he moved to Wearside in where his Sunderland side would achieve their highest finish in nine years.
Anton Ferdinand made a successful transition to full-back during Sunderland’s 2009-10 campaign. Originally a centre-half, he performed with aplomb on either side of the defence during the second half of the season.
Steed Malbranque heads into the 2010-11 season with confidence having produced some of his best football in a Sunderland shirt last year.
Jordan Henderson stormed onto the first-team scene at Sunderland in 2009-10 to claim the club’s Young Player of the Year award. Winger Andy Reid is hoping for a smoother ride in 2010-11 having been dogged by injuries during the last campaign. Lee Cattermole made 22 appearances for Sunderland last season after sealing a move from Wigan Athletic in August 2009. Cattermole started the season in fine form but was downed by a knee injury in October and struggled to find his fitness after undergoing surgery, suffering a number of further niggles. Paraguayan international midfielder Cristian Riveros joined Sunderland on a free transfer from Mexican outfit Toluca in May 2010. Riveros represented Paraguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
FORWARDS Fraizer Campbell was Steve Bruce’s first signing as Sunderland boss in July 2009 when he arrived from Manchester United for an initial £3.5m. He scored seven goals for the Black Cats last term.
Titus Bramble signed for the Black Cats ahead of the 2010-11 campaign. The former England Under 21 international was signed by Steve Bruce for the second time in his career after an impressive two seasons working together at Wigan Athletic.
Darren Bent cemented his place as one of the Barclays Premier League’s deadliest marksmen with a 25-goal haul for Sunderland in 2009-10. All but one of those strikes came in the league as Bent finished as the division’s second-highest English scorer behind Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, having reached the quarter-century mark in just 40 games.
Paulo Da Silva joined the Black Cats in July 2009 from Mexican outfit Toluca. The rugged defender, who has been capped over 50 times by his country, signed a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
Kenwyne Jones passed the 100-appearance mark for Sunderland during the 2009-10 season. The Trinidad and Tobago striker netted nine goals in 36 games for the Black Cats and struck up a good understanding with Darren Bent
Argentinean defender Marcos Angeleri signed for Sunderland ahead of the 2010-11 season moving to Wearside from Estudiantes de La Plata in a three year deal.
Well known to City fans of course, Martyn Waghorn returned to Sunderland having made huge strides forward while on loan at Leicester for the entire 2009-10 season. The nippy forward became a firm fans’ favourite at the Walkers’ Stadium, finishing second in the club’s goalscoring charts with 12 goals. Npower Championship SEASON 2010/11 Preview LCFC
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Sunderland
CONNECTIONS For most City supporters, say the words Sunderland and Leicester City and only one name would spring to mind; Martyn Waghorn.
vs
SATURDAY 14th AUGUST
3PM KICK OFF
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TICKET OFFICE OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat Non-Matchday 9am-1pm Matchday 9am-kick-off and 30 minutes after final whistle
“The club was massive for me, they helped me so much whilst I was there”
The young striker spent last season on loan at the Walkers Stadium, and was an integral part of the side that finished fifth in the Championship and reached the play-off semi finals. Waghorn scored twelve goals during his time at the club, and was a massive fans favourite. The 20 year old is now back at Sunderland but will always remember what Leicester City did for his career. “The club was massive for me, they helped me so much whilst I was there and this friendly is a good chance for me to come back and say thank you to everyone. It’ll be good to return to see the fans, and the players, I’m definitely looking forward to it.” Waghorn, along with the likes of Jay Spearing and Alex Bruce, was one of a number of players that made an impact during a loan spell, but won’t be around in this campaign. Waghorn says his former club remain well equipped to launch another assault on promotion to the Premier League under new boss Paulo Sousa. “Leicester have a lot of the same team they had last season, and they have got the potential to do just as well this season. If they can keep players like Kingy (Andy King), Morro (Michael Morrison), Steve Howard and Richie Wellens they could be able to push on even more.” As for Waghorn, he’s been assured of his future at Sunderland by manager Steve Bruce and is hoping to stake his claim in the first team alongside the likes of Darren Bent, Frazier Campbell and Kenwyne Jones. “Pre-season has been a good challenge, but I’ve been working really hard to try and break into the first team. Steve Bruce has told me to have a right go, and I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and if I could get a few goals along the way, that would be a nice bonus.” Whilst City fans would undoubtedly love to see ‘Waggy’ back at the Walkers, no-one would begrudge the likable front-man a cracking season in his favourite red and white stripes. SEASON 2010/11 LCFC
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Tom Parkes Andy King Ashley Chambers Jeff Schlupp
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Academy Young Guns Get
top Experience City Academy manager Jon Rudkin says it has been pleasing to see a number of the young players being given a chance to experience first team duty during pre-season.
Tom Parkes, Jorrin John and Jeff Schlupp all took part in last Tuesday’s 5-1 thrashing of Peterborough and Rudkin, who watched on from the stands, believes exposure to the first team can only help the players’ development. “A number of players who have experienced playing at youth level last season have now had the opportunity to play and train around the senior squad. A number of them went to Slovenia and several have been involved in some of the pre-season friendlies. It will be a great experience for them to be around the senior players and hopefully they will benefit from that in their long-term development.” The real purpose of the Academy is to produce firstteam players eventually but the important factor is that here, every young player can see the opportunities available to him. City star Andy King is a good example for any of the younger players on what can be attained. Rudkin believes there are various development paths for players in preparation to attain the opportunity to play in the Foxes’ first team. “Some may impact on the senior set-up in the near future while some may need to gain further experience with loan opportunities. This is a club which has traditionally developed young players. Either way, we specifically focus on the individual needs of each player.” New manager Paulo Sousa has shown how high he rates the development of young players by his selections so far and Rudkin said: “The manager and his staff have been setting out the ethos for this season and it has been very encouraging to see so many young players have the opportunity to train and gain experience at senior level.” Seeing the openings available here is a great incentive for young players especially when there has been a lot of talk around the country about pathways being blocked. “It shows them what opportunities are here at the football club and this is a terrific club for any young player. They need to keep working hard, perform well, and the opportunities are there for them to attain and hopefully many more in the future will gain first-team experience.”
tickets | hospitality City v Macclesfield
Foxes Up For The Cup!
Leicester City embark upon the first of this season’s ‘Roads to Wembley’ in the Carling Cup First Round as they take on League 2 side Macclesfield Town at the Walkers Stadium on Tuesday August 10, 7.45pm. The match will mark Paulo Sousa’s first cup match in charge of the Foxes and he will be keen to see his new charges make progress towards the latter stages of the competition. Last Time Around: Both sides met at the same stage in the Carling Cup last term, with the Foxes successfully negotiating a trip to Moss Rose courtesy of second-half goals from Dany N’Guessan and Matty Fryatt helping City to a 2-0 win. Tickets are available now at the City Ticket Office. Season Ticket Holders: • Adults: £12 • U18’s £6 • U12’s £2 • U8’s £1 These prices are valid until close of business on Monday August 9. Non-Season Ticket Holders: • Adults £14 • U18’s £7 • U12’s £2 • U8’s £1 All home tickets for the match will initial be sold in the Upton Steel West Stand with NO season ticket seats held for the fixture. Secure your seat by calling the City Ticket Office on 0844 815 5000 or visit the Ticket Office in person.
City v Boro
Hospitality
What better way to enjoy the opening match of the 2010-2011 npower Championship season at the Walkers Stadium than with one of our exceptional award winning matchday hospitality packages. Join us in our exclusive Lineker Suite for a matchday to remember for the visit of Middlesbrough (Saturday, August 15, 3pm). An excellent way to entertain clients, friends or family, the Lineker Suite package offers the following: Pre-match: • Secure car parking (one space per four people)
• Welcome pack including matchday programme and teamsheet • Guest room host – City Legend Ali Mauchlen • Exclusive matchday stadium tour (not available with any other package) • Competitions and prizes • Three-course meal Post-match: • Tea, coffee and biscuits • Man-of-the-match presentation Packages in the Lineker Suite are available for the season opener against Middlesbrough priced £85 +vat per person. To book your seat place and enjoy one of our excellent VIP matchdays simply call 0844 815 7000 or email lisa@lcfc.co.uk.
Secure Your Seat for 2010-2011
There is still time to secure your 2010-2011 season ticket ahead of the big kick-off at the Walkers Stadium for the visit of Middlesbrough as Paulo Sousa’s Blue Army take to the field for this npower Championship campaign You can join the growing ranks of City supporters guaranteeing their seat for every kick of every league game as the Foxes push for those sought after promotion places. For more information on our 2010-2011 season tickets visit www.lcfc.com, visit the City Ticket Office in person or call 0844 815 5000.
npower Provide The Spark For Foxes Fans
City fans are in for a treat simply by switching their gas and electrical supplies to npower. npower’s new Football Saver tariff not only offers an excellent 7% discount on your utility bills, but also provides any Leicester City supporters signing-up an exclusive £45 voucher to spend at the City Megastore or Ticket Office. How you use the voucher is up to you, put it towards the cost of tickets or even treat yourself to the brand new 2010-2011 Burrda away kit! ‘npower Football Saver’ is on average £68 per year cheaper than the British Gas standard monthly direct debit dual fuel offering, and over £90 cheaper than the Scottish & Southern Energy equivalent. Get saving with lower energy costs courtesy of Leicester City and get spending courtesy of npower’s excellent £45 club voucher offer as part of the Football Saver tariff To sign-up to npower’s Football Saver tariff or for more information please call 0800 915 7783. SEASON 2010/11 LCFC
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pre-season
review Jagiellonia Bialystok 4 Leicester City 1
City started their pre-season programme with a tough work out against Polish cup holders Jagiellonia Bialystok as part of their tour to Slovenia. Bialystok already had three weeks of pre-season training and three pre-season games under their belts and showed their extra match sharpness to record a convincing victory. Three goals in five first half minutes brought this game to life, with Kamil Grosicki twice putting the hosts in front either side of DJ Campbell’s well taken equaliser. Jagiellonia had much the better of the second half, and capped a convincing display with two well taken goals from former Wolves man Tomasz Frankowski. After the match Foxes’ gaffer Paulo Sousa described City’s pre-season opener as a “very good test, and one the team needed moving forward.”
NK Aluminij 2 Leicester City 5
Two days after defeat to Bialystok, Leicester found their shooting boots to hit five against Slovenian side NK Aluminij. Paulo Sousa’s side had much the better of the opening exchanges but fell behind sixteen minutes, a fearsome shot from the edge of the penalty area flew into Chris Weale’s top corner. But again City bounced back from going behind quickly, Steve Howard’s header back across goal was turned in by DJ Campbell for his second goal in as many games. Howard then switched from provider to scorer, scoring a quick fire brace before half time. The former Derby striker’s first was the pick of the goals, as Howard turned well and rifled a long range shot past the Aluminij goalkeeper. Soon after Howard made it 3-1, when a Wellens’ effort was only parried and Howard did the rest from close range. Before the break Aluminij did cut the deficit, when an unfortunate deflection off Michael Morrison, dropped to the hosts number nine who struck a low shot past Chris Weale. In the second half City made a host of changes and one of them, Paul Gallagher, was instrumental in setting up both of Leicester’s goals. Firstly, the former Blackburn man played in Matty Fryatt who scored from inside the penalty area, and then Gallagher’s right wing corner was headed in by trialist Leon Crncic to complete the scoring. 14
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Rotherham United 1 Leicester City 2 City returned home from Slovenia to record a second successive pre-season win, beating Rotherham United 2-1 at the Don Valley Stadium, before the floodlights failed with ten minutes of the game remaining. DJ Campbell had a good opportunity to Leicester the lead inside ten minutes, the striker headed wide from a clever chip by Richie Wellens. Four minutes later the visitors did hit the front, when Lloyd Dyer’s left wing cross came back across goal and Paul Gallagher beat Andy Warrington from close range. Rotherham got back on level terms via the penalty spot in the 18th minute when Tom Kennedy’s back pass dropped short of Chris Weale, and the Foxes’ ‘keeper brought down Tom Elliott in the area. The Millers’ Player of the Season Adam LeFondre stepped up and beat Weale from twelve yards for 1-1. In the second half LeFondre went close to giving Rotherham the lead, the striker raced clear of the Foxes’ defence only to shoot just wide of the post. Leicester City’s winner came just after the hour, when Yann Kermorgant broke through the middle and played in Campbell, who netted from the edge of the area. City looked comfortable after taking the lead, and kept Ronnie Moore’s side at bay until the darkness ensued 80 minutes in.
Oxford United 1 Leicester City 1 DJ Campbell was Leicester City’s goal scorer again at the Kassam Stadium as the Foxes’ played out a draw with newly promoted Oxford United. Leicester went closest in the opening stages, when Lloyd Dyer cut in from the right wing to lash a left footed shot off the post. The Leicester goal came in the twentieth minute, when Campbell scored an exquisite free kick leaving Oxford ‘keeper Ryan Clarke with no chance. Dyer and Andy King then combined to play in Matty Fryatt, but his effort was well saved by Clarke to keep it at 1-0 going in to half time. After the break neither side created too many chances, but James Constable did grab an equaliser for the U’s turning in Heslop’s low cross.
Peterborough United 1 Leicester City 5 City’s final pre-season game away from the Walkers provided Leicester with their most convincing friendly victory to date as Paulo Sousa’s side swept aside League One Peterborough at London Road. There was a certain amount of good fortune about the opener, the normally reliable Joe Lewis fumbled Neilson’s cross and Andy King steered the ball home to put City in front. The first goal really brought City to life, and the second and third goals were excellent team moves either side of the break. Firstly Matty Fryatt broke from the half way line and played in DJ Campbell. Campbell was one-on-one with Lewis and there was only ever going to be one result, five in five for Campbell, 2-0 City. After the break Fryatt was the provider again, this time a through ball found Dany N’Guessan and the Frenchman unleashed a thunderbolt to extend City’s advantage. Steve Howard replaced DJ Campbell in the second half and he scored City’s fourth, the striker capitalised on some woeful Peterborough defending to beat Lewis for 4-0. Peterborough did grab a consolation goal towards the end of the game. Grant McCann delivered an inch perfect free kick to leave fellow Irishman Conrad Logan with no chance. But Leicester weren’t done, in injury time academy prodigy Jeffrey Schlupp raced clear to cross for Howard who coolly capped a five star City display. SEASON 2010/11 LCFC
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BURNLEY
2009/10: 18th (Premier League) Ground: Turf Moor, BB10 4BX Tel: 0871 443 1882, Web: www.burnleyfootballclub.com Capacity: 22,546 Average 2009/10: 20,653
09/10 TOP MAN: Despite his advancing years, Graham Alexander proved one of the few highlights for the Clarets, deployed in a holding midfield role. Over 100 goals from nearly 950 career games now for the Scot.
BOUNCING BACK? BURNLEY weren’t the first – and they certainly won’t be the last – club to win the Play-Offs and come straight back down. Perhaps that early-season win over Manchester United gave a false impression to the players of what the Premier League was all about. They’d have swapped that win for two or three others over clubs around them in the table, for ultimately it was the inability to beat fellow strugglers that consigned them to the drop. Will they bounce back? Ever-increasing financial parachute clout says they should have a great chance. IN CHARGE There were probably few more surprised than the man himself when Brian Laws got the call to replace Owen Coyle at Turf Moor, having already parted company with an ailing Sheffield Wednesday. The appointment will, of course, be franked by promotion this term – with Laws able to argue the Clarets were already on an unavoidable downward spiral when he arrived.
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Hull City
09/10 TOP MAN
10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Striker Chris Iwelumo – yes, he of ‘that miss’ fame on Scotland duty – could well put consign a poor year to distant memory if he’s anything like his former menacing self at this level. ON THE MOVE In: Dean Marney (Hull, UD), Chris Iwelumo (Wolves, UD), Ross Wallace (Preston, UD) Out: Steven Fletcher (Wolves, UD), Robbie Blake (Bolton, free)
2009/10: 19th (Premier League) Ground: Kingston Communications Stadium, HU3 6HU Tel: 01482 504600 Web: www.hullcityafc.net Capacity: 25,504 Average 2009/10: 24,389
10/11
ONE TO WATCH
09/10 TOP MAN: Only 27 appearances put winger Stephen Hunt second in Hull’s list of appearance-makers last season. Perhaps that fact was testament to their troubled year. He did enough to earn a move back into the topflight with Wolves. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Workaholic midfielder James Harper has moved north from the Blades. His style will be well-suited to boss Pearson’s hard-working ways. A decent passing range and an eye for goal have always marked out the low-socked schemer as one to watch in this division. ON THE MOVE In: Stephen Mouyokolo (Wolves, UD), James Harper (Sheff Utd, free), Nolberto Solano (Leicester, UD) Out: Dean Marney (Burnley, UD), Stephen Hunt (Wolves, UD)
SUNSHINE AT THE KC? HULL CITY’S fall from the top tier of English football seemed inevitable last season once the managerial upheaval started happening. Clearly there were untenable differences between the board and boss Phil Brown, however all that will soon be forgotten in the East Riding of Yorkshire should new manager Nigel Pearson – the media antithesis of Brown – right the ship while saying farewell to some of the club’s top wage-earners. It’ll be a fine balancing act at The KC this year. IN CHARGE Having overseen Leicester City’s promotion in 08/09 then taken the Foxes into the Play-Offs last year using all that feel-good momentum, Nigel Pearson clearly felt it was time for a change when The Tigers came calling. It’s probably the surprise managerial move of the summer, and perhaps indicates that – despite their financial woes – Hull are prepared to dig a little deeper into their pockets than Milan Mandaric’s Leicester?
Npower Championship Preview LCFC
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LEEDS UNITED 2009/10: 2nd (League One) Ground: Elland Road, LS11 0ES Tel: 0871 334 1919 Web: www.leedsunited.com Capacity: 40,204 Average 2009/10: 24,818
Millwall 09/10 TOP MAN
09/10 TOP MAN: He’s gone to Everton now, of course, but despite a sulky few weeks in January when he tried to engineer an early move away, Jermaine Beckford was always able to find a goal when Leeds most needed it.
MARCHING ON TOGETHER THERE’S something about a club of Leeds United’s size that gets you thinking they may well be able to use their League One promotion momentum to push them towards Play-Offs – or even better – this time round. Kasper Schmeichel, Paul Connolly, Neill Collins and in particular Federico Bessone will all add quality and depth to the Elland Road squad. Just as key to United’s success is the strength and loyalty of their much-vaunted vociferous home support. If they are successful, the home faithful will have played their part, no question. IN CHARGE Very good at playing down his own part in the club’s success, Simon ‘Larry’ Grayson has finally delivered where others tried and failed. Guiding a club of Leeds’ size out of lower-division backwaters is no mean feat, and it follows his success at Blackpool. Another good season and surely he’ll be talked about as a potential Premier League manager. 20
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10/11 ONE TO WATCH: It’s been a varied career path so far for keeper Kasper Schmeichel. Forgive him a money-motivated move last summer to Notts County, this lad’s proved he’s got what it takes at Man City and Cardiff already. Expect the Dane to play a pivotal role between the sticks. ON THE MOVE In: Kasper Schmeichel (Leeds, free), Billy Paynter (Swindon, free), Paul Connolly (Derby, free), Lloyd Sam (Charlton, free), Neill Collins (Preston, UD), Federico Bessone (Swansea, free) Out: Sean McDaid (Carlisle, free), Jermaine Beckford (Everton, free), Tom Elliott (Rotherham, loan)
10/11
ONE TO WATCH
2009/10: 3rd (League One) Ground: The Den, SE16 3LN Tel: 020 7232 1222 Web: www.millwallfc.co.uk Capacity: 20,146 Average 2009/10: 8,287
09/10 TOP MAN: An effervescent presence at the heart of the action for the Lions, Nadjim ‘Jimmy’ Abdou might not have been the first name on Lions fans’ lips after a victory, but he’s a real players’ player. Industrious and with quality on the ball, he’s happy for others to grab the headlines. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: If Millwall are to prosper this season, then the continued fitness and form of their talismanic leader Paul Robinson will be vital to their stability. Rarely dominated at centre-half, he struck up a fine accord with Darren Ward last term, with Tamika Mkandawire now strengthening that position too. ON THE MOVE In: Shaun Batt (Peterborough, UD), Steve Mildenhall (Southend, free), Tamika Mkandawire (Orient, free), Liam Trotter (Ipswich, free) Out: David Martin (Derby, UD), Jason Price (Carlisle, free)
NO ONE LIKES THEM…THEY DON’T CARE And why should they care – the proud Lions from southeast London? Under the calming stewardship of Kenny Jackett, Millwall have let their football do the talking and swept into the Championship on the back of a Play-Off Final victory. Like Leeds’ supporters, here’s a group of fans who love getting behind their side at their own place. The Den is never an away trip to be relished – and the Lions will be happy to keep it that way; good home form being a priority. IN CHARGE A modest and unassuming character, there’s no disputing that Kenny Jackett has earned his managerial stripes – warranting his somewhat belated crack at the Championship. His record with Swansea City was impressive enough, blemished only by Play-Off Final heartache, and the fact Millwall have gone close before last season under the ex-Watford stalwart suggests Jackett might well have the squad he needs for the job ahead. Npower Championship Preview LCFC
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09/10 TOP MAN: £2.25m club record signing Nicky Maynard’s 20 goals in 40 League games separated City from a bottom-half finish.
10/11
NORWICH CITY
ONE TO WATCH
2009/10: 1st (League One) Ground: Carrow Road, NORWICH NR1 1JE Tel: 01603 760760 Web: www.canaries.co.uk Capacity: 26,034 Average 2009/10: 24,671
09/10 TOP MAN: Not just for his goals, 11 in 36 appearances is a mean return for a winger, but for his set-up play too, Wes Hoolahan gets the nod. Having first come to prominence with Blackpool, the mercurial left-footed talent is now one of Carrow Road’s prized assets.
CHAMPIONS That’s the proud boast which can only be made by one side each season in the Championship – and this year it’s Norwich, having showed creditable strength to end the League One campaign top of the pile. And if the calibre of some of their summer recruitment is anything to go by (Gillingham rising star striker Simeon Jackson, Wolves’ Andrew Surman), then they’ll feel they’ve got every chance of top-half or better. IN CHARGE Remember Norwich City’s 7-1 thumping at home to Colchester United on the opening day of last season? The board couldn’t forget it – and quickly removed Bryan Gunn, replacing him with fellow Scot Paul Lambert. Given good resources and time, something the ex-Celtic star hadn’t had in abundance in other posts, he turned things completely on their head to lead the Canaries to an immediate Championship return.
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10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Having often been linked with moves up the footballing pyramid, it’s Bristol City that are about to give quicksilver winger Albert Adomah the chance to show his skills are transferable from League Two. ON THE MOVE In: Kalifa Cisse (Reading, free), Albert Adomah (Barnet, free) Out: Jamie McCombe (Huddersfield, UD), Lee Trundle (Neath, free)
Bristol City 2009/10: 10th Ground: Ashton Gate, BS3 2EJ Tel: 0871 222 6666 Web: www.bcfc.co.uk Capacity: 21,479 Average 2009/10: 14,601
09/10 TOP MAN
WHO BETTER? YOU’D be hard pressed to find a Championship aficionado anywhere who’d think that appointing Steve Coppell as manager of their club was a bad idea. After some vibrant years under Gary Johnson, the Robins are looking to make that big next step. You wouldn’t bet against them now, one or two more recruits aside.
10/11 ONE TO WATCH: With Hoolahan on one wing, Andrew Surman could make all the difference on the other side of the pitch. A naturally-gifted football, he progressed quickly through the ranks at Southampton, and now gets a go at what’s probably a more realistic level given his experience. ON THE MOVE In: Steven Smith (Rangers, free), David Fox (Colchester, UD), Andrew Surman (Wolves, UD), John Ruddy (Everton, UD), Simeon Jackson (Gillingham, UD) Out: Danny Kelly (Barnet, free), Michael Spillane (Brentford, UD), David Stephens (Hibernian, free), Cody McDonald, (Gillingham, loan), Tom Adeyemi (Bradford, loan)
09/10 TOP MAN: Goalscoring midfielders are hard to come by at any level – so Peter Whittingham’s 20 (albeit penalites included) was a fine tally. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: City’s keepers have been an unconvincing bunch over the past few seasons. Perhaps new recruit Tom Heaton, who’s waited for a chance that was never coming at Old Trafford, can buck the trend.
Cardiff City
2009/10: 4th Ground: Cardiff City Stadium, CF11 8AZ Tel: 0845 365 1115 Web: www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk Capacity: 26,828 Average 2009/10: 20,717 HANGOVER CURE? DAVE JONES was magnanimous in defeat after Play-Off Final heartache at the hands of Blackpool, and said the best cure for the hangover is to get back and work even harder next time round. As the division’s longest-serving manager, he’s ridden all the ups and plenty of downs at Cardiff. Shorn of Joe Ledley this time round, City will no doubt galvanize themselves and be up there challenging again.
10/11
ONE TO WATCH
ON THE MOVE In: Tom Heaton (Man Utd, free), Danny Drinkwater (Man Utd, loan) Out: Josh Magennis (Aberdeen, free), Joe Ledley (Celtic, free), Darren Dennehy (Barnet, free) Npower Championship Preview LCFC
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09/10 TOP MAN: The Sky Blues know they have a fight on to retain the services of Eire international keeper Kieran Westwood, an inspirational figure among the mediocrity last term.
Coventry City
10/11 ONE TO WATCH: No question that it’s not always good to go back for a second spell at an old club, but Gary McSheffery must be onto a winner here. Revered among City’s fans, he’s already made a splash at this level.
2009/10: 19th Ground: Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, COVENTRY CV6 6GE Tel: 0844 873 1883 Web: www.ccfc.co.uk Capacity: 32,500 Average 2009/10: 17,305
NEW START FOR SKY BLUES IT’S hard to think of two more chalk-andcheese characters than Chris Coleman and Aidy Boothroyd. Coventry have dispensed with the Welshman’s mild-mannered ways in favour of the high-octane approach to management adopted by the former Watford and Colchester United boss. Watch this space.
09/10 TOP MAN
ON THE MOVE In: Gary McSheffrey (Birmingham, free), Stephen O’Halloran (Villa, free), Roy O’Donovan (Sunderland, free), Richard Keogh (Carlisle, free), Lee Carsley (Birmingham, free) Out: None
09/10 TOP MAN: An astute signing from Blackpool, defender Shaun Barker played his way to club accolades for the Rams. A consistent and unfussy presence in central defence. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Renowned over the years for producing prodigious young talent (current midfielder Robbie Savage an example), Crewe defender John Brayford is highly-rated as he steps up two divisions to ply his trade. ON THE MOVE In: Tomasz Cywka (Wigan, free), John Brayford (Crewe, UD), Gareth Roberts (Doncaster, free) Out: David Martin (Millwall, UD), Paul Connolly (Leeds, free), Lee Croft (Huddersfield, loan), Graham Kelly (Bray, loan), Jay McEveley (Barnsley, free), Gary Teale (Sheff Wed, free)
DERBY COUNTY 2009/10: 14th Ground: Pride Park DE24 8XL Tel: 0871 472 1884 Web: www.dcfc.co.uk Capacity: 33,597 Average 2009/10: 29,207
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STEADY PROGRESS THE Derby County board have clearly taken a longerterm view with their manager Nigel Clough. There’s been a toning down of expectation under the exBurton boss, a realization that the Rams were living beyond their means in recent teams. His pragmatic approach means he expects a top-half finish – but perhaps not much more – this time round.
09/10 TOP MAN: Darren Ambrose chipped in with goals, Shaun Derry solidified midfield, but more than a handful of times Argentinean keeper Julian Speroni stood between Palace and defeat.
09/10 TOP MAN: Although Sharp was among the goals, the versatile James Chambers won club accolades for both his quality and versatility.
10/11 ONE TO WATCH: The Eagles have produced a rich vein of young talent in recent seasons. Sean Scannell, a flying winger, could be the latest to catch the eye of talent scouts.
10/11 ONE TO WATCH: If Rovers are to continue flourishing in this division, they’ll hope Billy Sharp stays in form and injuryfree.
ON THE MOVE In: David Wright (Ipswich, free), Adam Barrett (Southend, free), Andy Dorman (St. Mirren, free) Out: Nick Carle (Sydney, free), Johnny Ertl (Sheff Utd, free), Shaun Derry (QPR, free), Jack Randall (Aldershot, UD), Clint Hill (QPR, free)
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Crystal Palace
2009/10: 21st Ground: Selhurst Park, Holmesdale Road, LONDON SE25 6PU Tel: 020 8768 6000 Web: www.cpfc.co.uk Capacity: 26,309 Average 2009/10: 14,771
10/11
ONE TO WATCH
A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE? THAT’S the way Crystal Palace are billing 2010/11. Having clung onto their Championship status at the end of an annus horribilis, George Burley is now charged with the task of working within much more modest budget guidelines.
Doncaster Rovers 2009/10: 21st Ground: Keepmoat Stadium, DN4 5JW Tel: 01302 764664 Web: www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk Capacity: 15,231 Average 2009/10: 10,922
TOTAL FOOTBALL DOWN the road at Donny Rovers, Sean O’Driscoll’s mission to remain competitive while playing the ‘beautiful game’ just won’t be compromised. There’s no question they back it up with actions on the pitch – and O’Driscoll has been given the resources to smash the club transfer record to bring Billy Sharp in on a permanent basis.
09/10 TOP MAN
ON THE MOVE In: George Friend (Wolves, free), Billy Sharp (Sheff Utd, £1.15m), Simon Gillett (Southampton, free) Out: Paul Heffernan (Sheff Wed, free), Gareth Roberts (Derby, free), John Spicer (Notts Co., free)
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09/10 TOP MAN: Boro rarely hit their straps for anything more than a game or two at a time during a season which fizzled out meekly. However midfield general Gary O’Neil kept his standards high to show his Premier League pedigree. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: The form of Kris Boyd throughout this season ahead will either be a tribute to the strength of the SPL or an indictment of its perceived weakness. The goal-rich striker needs to fire for Boro.
MIDDLESBROUGH 2009/10: 11th Ground: The Riverside, TS3 6RS Tel: 0844 499 6789 Web: www.mfc.co.uk Capacity: 35,100 Average 2009/10: 19,948
SCOTTISH INVASION THE number of Scottish players in the Middlesbrough squad is now close to outweighing all other nationalities put together. Nothing wrong with going with what you know. Are they the right choices and will they propel Gordon Strachan’s men to better things this term? Time will tell.
09/10 TOP MAN: As good as any in the division last season, Lee Camp – all alice bands and histrionics on the outside – let just 40 League goals in. Impressive stuff. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Hoping to have shaken off one or two niggles from last term, Paul McKenna can be Forest’s foundation-layer in the middle of the park. ON THE MOVE In: None Out: Mark Byrne (Barnet, loan), James Perch (Newcastle, free), Joe Garner (Huddersfield, loan) 26
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10/11
ONE TO WATCH
ON THE MOVE In: Kris Boyd (Rangers, free), Nicky Bailey (Charlton, £1.4m), Kevin Thomson (Rangers, £2m), Stephen McManus (Celtic, £1.5m), Andy Halliday (Livingston, free) Out: Emanuel Pogatetz (Hanover, free), John Johnson (Northampton, UD)
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2009/10: 3rd Ground: The City Ground, West Bridgford, NOTTINGHAM NG2 5FJ Tel: 0115 982 4444 Web: www.nottinghamforest.co.uk 09/10 Capacity: 30,602 TOP MAN Average 2009/10: 23,831
SECOND SEASON SYNDROME? THIS term is normally associated with a side bidding to retain their Premier League status for second year, however in the case of Forest it’s more to do with whether the players can once again warm to the fire-brand antics of boss Billy Davies. Always one to do down his team’s experience, he’ll know he needs to drop that approach and talk of them being ready for promotion this time.
09/10 TOP MAN: Spurs loan midfielder Jamie O’Hara’s neverending work-rate and quality were a bright spot amongst last season’s gloom. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: There will be a few players swimming in unchartered waters at this level. Last time David James was here, he was earning a move to Liverpool as a teenager with Watford.
09/10 TOP MAN
Portsmouth
2009/10: 20th (Premier League) Ground: Fratton Park, PO4 8RA Tel: 02392 731204 Web: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk Capacity: 20,700 Average 2009/10: 18,258
WHO KNOWS? IT’S very difficult to tell just what shape Portsmouth will be in when they kick-off their Championship campaign. A transfer embargo has hovered over the club throughout the off-season, making new manager Steve Cotterill’s planning all that more difficult. While they’ll be talking of an instant return to the Premier League, a year of stability, both on and off the pitch, will surely be just as welcome on the south coast.
ON THE MOVE In: Ibrahima Sonko (Stoke, loan - pending) Out: Nadir Belhadj (Al Sadd, UD), Florent Cuvelier (Stoke, UD), Lenny Sowah (Hamburg, UD)
Preston NE 2009/10: 17th Ground: Deepdale, PR1 6RU Tel: 0870 442 1964 Web: www.pnefc.net Capacity: 23,408 Average 2009/10: 12,935
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O ONE T WATCH
TEN IN A ROW NEVER mind the longest-serving manager, Preston North End are this division’s longest-serving club. This is consecutive season number 11 at this level, with plenty of Premier League near-misses along the way. Darren Ferguson has been as active as anyone in summer transfer dealings but there’s still a lingering doubt that the Whites can seriously challenge.
09/10 TOP MAN: He débuted in 2001 as a 16-yearold and is still going strong today. Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was among PNE’s most consistent in last year’s season of inconsistency. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: The Hayes-Hooper Scunthorpe partnership breaking up was inevitable. It’ll be interesting to see how striker Paul Hayes does at a bigger club. ON THE MOVE In: Matthew James (Man Utd, loan), Wayne Brown (Leicester, free), Craig Morgan (Peterborough, £400k), David Gray (Man Utd, free), Paul Hayes (Scunthorpe, free) Out: Chris Sedgwick (Sheff Wed, free), Neil Mellor (Sheff Wed, loan), Ross Wallace (Burnley, UD), Eddie Nolan (Scunthorpe, loan), Neill Collins (Leeds, UD) Npower Championship Preview LCFC
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09/10 TOP MAN: Consistency and quality were often in short supply at Loftus Road last term, however forward Jay Simpson chipped in with 12 goals during his six-month stay. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: With Shaun Derry doing his dirty work in the centre of the park, there should be plenty of room to flourish for the mercurial talents of Hungarian attacking midfielder Akos Buzsaky.
Queens park rangers 2009/10: 13th Ground: Loftus Road, W12 7PA Tel: 020 8743 0262 Web: www.qpr.co.uk Capacity: 19,100 Average 2009/10: 13,349
WARNOCK’S WAY UNDER the wily guidance of Neil Warnock, QPR are unlikely to be far away this season. His summer dealings have seen known quantities arrive in Shepherd’s Bush, all of which seasoned campaigners to add to Rangers’ pool of young talent. Super Hoops fans are entitled to a little more managerial stability than they’ve been offered in recent times.
09/10 TOP MAN: No doubt he’ll be much more of a marked man this time round, surprise package Gylfi Sigurdsson stole the show in Reading’s midfield with 16 goals from 32 League starts. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Jimmy Kebe was in inspired form last season for the Royals. The form of the ungainly but effective winger will surely be an indicator as to Reading’s chances of success. ON THE MOVE In: Andy Griffin (Stoke, free) Out: Andy White (Gillingham, free) 28
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09/10 TOP MAN
ON THE MOVE In: Paddy Kenny (Sheff Utd, £750k), Shaun Derry (Palace, free), Clint Hill (Palace, free), Jordan Hibbert (unattached) Out: Angelo Balanta (MK Dons, loan)
Reading
2009/10: 9th Ground: The Madejski Stadium, RG2 0FL Tel: 0118 968 1100 Web: www.readingfc.co.uk Capacity: 24,200 Average 2009/10: 17,408
10/11
ONE TO WATCH
McDERMOTT THE MIRACULOUS WATER into wine? Pah, that’d barely register a mention down Berkshire way. No, Royals’ fans will tell you of the miracle worker that is Brian McDermott. He took a patient left seriously ill by outgoing boss Brendan Rodgers, and breathed new life into it with such vim and vigour that Reading ended in ninth. Transfer activity has been low; but that’s probably just recognition that the Royals already had a decent squad last term.
09/10 TOP MAN: No doubt that City’s strength lay in their defensive capabilities, but going forward Darren Pratley expertly knitted together the midfield five and the lone striker. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Burly Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi has always flourished at this level. He was an astute January capture. ON THE MOVE In: None Out: Federico Bessone (Leeds, free), Leon Britton (Sheff Utd, free)
Swansea City
2009/10: 7th Ground: The Liberty Stadium, SA1 2FA Tel: 01792 616600 Web: www.swanseacity.net Capacity: 20,500 Average 2009/10: 15,407
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09/10 TOP MAN: Allowing loan stars Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury to strut their stuff, the glue in the centre of the park was holding midfielder John Eustace. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: With two full Watford seasons under his belt, England Under-21 keeper Scott Loach will now be keen to impress the watching scouts.
Watford
2009/10: 16th Ground: Vicarage Road, WD18 0ER Tel: 01923 496000 Web: www.watfordfc.com Capacity: 17,900 Average 2009/10: 14,345 YOUTH TO THE FORE LIKE a number of Championship clubs, youth is key to the Hornets. Their unique Academy system – based at a full-time school – is starting pay dividends in terms of fresh faces for manager Malky Mackay to blend in with the few experienced faces he has at his disposal.
BRENDAN BREEZING IN CHAIRMAN Huw Jenkins insisted Swansea City wouldn’t compromise their football ethos with the appointment of a new manager. So ex-Watford and Reading boss Brendan Rodgers is his man. Swans’ fans, who dined on the ultra-cautious but effective ways of Paulo Sousa last term, may not notice a marked shift in approach this season.
09/10 TOP MAN
ON THE MOVE In: Tom Aldred (Carlisle, free), Rene Gilmartin (Walsall, free) Out: Richard Lee (Brentford, free), Will Hoskins (Bristol R, free), Jordan Parkes (Barnet, free), Jay DeMerit, Jure Travner (St. Mirren, loan), Mat Sadler (Shrewsbury, loan)
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09/10 TOP MAN: If you’ve got 84 goals going in your own net, there’d better be something special up front. Like 19-goal striker Gary Hooper. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: A ruptured kidney – amongst other things – has prevented the career of Jim McNulty taking off. But there’s little doubt he’s a talented full-back.
Scunthorpe United 2009/10: 20th Ground: Glanford Park, DN15 8TD Tel: 0871 221 1899 Web: www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk Capacity: 9,183 Average 2009/10: 6,464
SUCCESS, SCUNNY STYLE The Iron celebrated like they’d got promoted when they reached 52 points this season. And quite right too. For a club with modest gates and a even more modest wage budget, success is rightly measured in those terms for shrewdie Nigel Adkins and his gang.
09/10 TOP MAN: You won’t hear his name mentioned too often when it comes to free-flowing football, but Nick Montgomery got through miles and miles of hard yards in United’s midfield last term. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: Of all the new signings at the Lane, diminutive winger Leon Britton’s impish ways and lightning athleticism could be just the foil for some of United’s more physical work. ON THE MOVE In: Daniel Bogdanovic (Barnsley, free), Johnny Ertl (Palace, free), Steve Simonsen (Stoke, free), Simon Walton (Plymouth, loan), Rob Kozluk (Barnsley, free), Leon Britton (Swansea, free), Nyron Nosworthy (Sunderland, loan) Out: Gary Naysmith (Huddersfield, free), Paddy Kenny (QPR, £750k), Ian Bennett (Huddersfield, free), Jordan Stewart (Skoda Xanthi, UD), Billy Sharp (Doncaster, £1.15m), James Harper (Hull, free) 30
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09/10 TOP MAN
ON THE MOVE In: Chris Dagnall (Rochdale, free), Bobby Grant (Accrington, £260k), Michael Collins (Huddersfield, UD), Eddie Nolan (Preston, loan), Jim McNulty (Brighton, loan) Out: Grant McCann (Peterborough, free), Peter Winn (Stevenage, free), Matt Sparrow (Brighton, free), Josh Lillis (Rochdale, loan), Paul Hayes (Preston, free), Ian Morris (Chesterfield, loan)
Sheffield United 10/11
ONE TO WATCH
2009/10: 8th Ground: Bramall Lane, S2 4SU Tel: 0871 221 1899 Web: www.sufc.co.uk Capacity: 32,702 Average 2009/10: 25,120
COMINGS AND GOINGS KEVIN BLACKWELL just about tops the charts for summer transfer activity. Some familiar Bramall Lane names (none more so than keeper Paddy Kenny) have moved on, heralding some new faces – two of which from here at Oakwell it’ll not have escaped your notice. Can they do it this time? They’ll surely be in and around the top-six picture.
09/10 TOP MAN: In a season when virtually a whole 11 was turfed out of the side to make way for replacements, few players consistently made the cut. Centre-half Gareth McAuley offered stability throughout. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: He’s already being touted as a Premier League target, but it may do him good for 17-yearold hotshot Connor Wickham to hang around another season in Suffolk. ON THE MOVE In: Conor Hourihane (Sunderland, UD) Out: David Wright (Palace, free), Ed Upson (Yeovil, free)
Ipswich town
2009/10: 14th Ground: Portman Road, IPSWICH IP1 2DA Tel: 01473 400500 Web: www.itfc.co.uk Capacity: 30,300 Average 2009/10: 20,841
09/10 TOP MAN
09/10 TOP MAN: Centrehalf Stephen Foster featured 42 times in an topsy-turvy league campaign, tribute to his consistency, while Danny Bogdanovic’s goals earned him a move up the road to the Blades. 10/11 ONE TO WATCH: A Brighton loan aside, little has been seen of Stoke’s Uruguayan midfielder Diego Arismendi.
Barnsley
2009/10: 18th Ground: Oakwell, Grove Street, BARNSLEY S71 1ET Tel: 01226 211211 Web: www.barnsleyfc.co.uk Capacity: 23,000 Average 2009/10: 12,964 RELIABLE UNDER ROBINS? After an initial surge in form, Mark Robins saw his Barnsley team’s form slide alarmingly to the point where they were almost back under the threat of relegation from which they’d emerged. With some proper pre-season time and a few new faces, the ambitious Robins will be targeting a top-half finish.
ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE WITH Roy Keane still in charge – much to the surprise of some observers – and the backing of owner Marcus Evans, albeit at a reduced rate, the Tractor Boys could well be the surprise outfit this year. Despite all the draws and early-season difficulty, Town were hard to break down and will be just as durable this time round.
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ON THE MOVE In: Goran Lovre (Groningen, free), Liam Dickinson (Brighton, UD), Diego Arismendi (Stoke, loan), Jim O’Brien (Motherwell, free), Jay McEveley (Derby, free) Out: Daniel Bogdanovic (Sheff Utd, free), Simon Heslop (Oxford, free), O’Neil Thompson (Hereford, loan), Rob Kozluk (Sheff Utd, free) Npower Championship Preview LCFC
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Leicester City
Manager Paulo Sousa
Chris Weale Robbie Neilson Aleksandar Tunchev Michael Morrison Miguel Vitor Paul Gallagher Matt Oakley Steve Howard Andy King Lloyd Dyer Matty Fryatt Conrad Logan Bruno Berner Nicky Adams Dany N’Guessan Tom Kennedy Richie Wellens Jack Hobbs Tom Parkes Jorrin John Ashley Chambers Aman Verma Jeff Schlupp DJ Campbell
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Sunderland
Manager Steve Bruce P S B
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Craig Gordon Phil Bardsley George McCartney Michael Turner Anton Ferdinand Nyron Nosworthy Boudewijn Zenden Steed Malbranque Fraizer Campbell Kieran Richardson Darren Bent Daryl Murphy Liam Noble Jordan Henderson Kenwyne Jones David Meyler Andy Reid Paulo da Silva David Healy Trevor Carson Adam Reed Matthew Kilgallon Ryan Noble Marton Fulop Michael Liddle Lee Cattermole Ahmed Al-Muhammadi Titus Bramble Simon Mignolet Christian Riveros Martyn Waghorn
Today’s Officials: Referee: Kevin Wright Assistant Referees: Mike Blackledge & Neil Hair 4th Official: Martin Dexter
Next Up @ The Walkers Stadium:
Middlesbrough
Saturday 14th August 2010, 15:00
Email: fanzone@lcfc.co.uk Tel: 0116 229 4555 Having problems in your area of the stadium? Let the club know with our Fanzone SMS service. Text: 60066 And start your message with the key word “FOXES” and your message and our stewards will monitor the situation.
Smoking Policy: The Walkers Stadium adopts a smoke-free policy
Emergency Procedure: In the event of any emergency you will hear a safety message over the PA system. Remain where you are and listen carefully to the safety message. Comply immediately if it affects your area of the stadium. Stewards, police and officials will direct you to safe areas, which may be through exit doors/gates to the street, or on to the playing area. If you are disabled or feel unsafe in a large crowd, remain where you are until stewards assist you. Remain calm and do not move unless the announcement concerns your area.
Leicestershire Crimestoppers is an independent registered charity working to stop crime. When you ring Crimestoppers you will not be asked your name, address or personal details. You will not have to speak to a Police Officer, give a statement or go to court. Just tell us what you know, not who you are.