Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Back where we
BELONG!
12-page guide to Town in the Championship
GRAYSON 2-3 ... TEAM PIC/FIXS 6-7 ... PLAYER INTERVIEWS 4,5, 8,9
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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
■ RELAXED APPROACH: Town boss Simon Grayson (centre) enjoys a joke with coaches Ian Miller (left) and Glynn Snodin at the club’s official photocall and, below, new signing Anthony Gerrard
Grayson has right experience NIGEL CLIBBENS may be a man without a desk at the moment, but the chief executive believes Town are well set to embark on the Championship and has firm plans to keep them on the up. Laptop and mobile constantly within reach amid office re-developments at the stadium, Dean Hoyle’s right hand man has his finger on the beating pulse of every department in the club, with Sean Jarvis leading a magnificent surge in commercial development. He’s happy with progress both on and off the field – work at the Canalside training complex is getting back on schedule after weather hold-ups – and he’s eager to build on the feelgood factor of promotion by grasping fresh opportunities in the community and setting targets which can be achieved step by step. Top priority remains the playing side. “We sat down with Simon Grayson very early after the play-off victory to look at the positions we thought we needed to strengthen, and he told us his views on the sort of players he was looking for,” said Clibbens. “We talked about players in terms of experience, age, potential, value and scope to maybe buy and then make a profit if we sold them on. “We also talked about players with something to prove, so with all those factors we had a template for the sort of individuals we were looking for and the positions we wanted to fill – and we’ve spent the last couple of months trying to find those pieces of the jigsaw and putting it all together. “I think we’ve done really well, although before you kick a football everyone is always very optimistic and it’s important to keep your feet on the ground.” A big turnaround in players was inevitable after promotion, but Clibbens believes one signing which will now become all-important was made back in February – that of Grayson and his staff. “With the players we’ve got and the approach Simon brings I feel we are in a very good place,” said Clibbens. “I don’t think anyone is getting too carried away. I know our fans enjoyed the moment of getting promoted, but their expectations and those in the club are very realistic. “It is crucial that Simon has managed at this level before – that’s going to be very important for us. “He knows what the Championship is all about – he knows it better than the league we’ve just left – and that’s a huge advantage for us going into this season. “He knows the players in the league and he knows the teams, and the players we have brought in are pretty seasoned campaigners in this league – not just playing in it, but playing in it towards the top. “These guys won’t be fazed by anything, and that will be good for the confidence of the lads who haven’t experienced it before, so we’ve got a good mix of youth and experience. “That’s what you need because the Championship is an exceptionally tough league. When you look at the fixture list it’s a step into the unknown maybe for many of our fans, but it certainly isn’t for the management team and the players and that’s crucial.”
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
We are all still buzzing Wembley feelgood factor still lingers but Simon knows hard works starts now
SIMON GRAYSON is one of the By MEL BOOTH most relaxed managers around, Sports Editor but the fresh challenge of a first full mel.booth@examiner.co.uk season at Town has brought even against Sheffield United – believes the playhim some gold-medal excitement. ers, staff and supporters have much to look
A promotion winner just three months after taking the job, the 42-year-old has overseen a rapid re-shaping of the John Smith’s Stadium squad and, after kicking off with Monday’s Capital One Cup clash at Preston, he’s now fully focused on the business that really matters – the npower Championship. Town have to wait just 48 more hours to do battle with Cardiff City in the Welsh capital and Grayson – who paid tribute to the work done by previous manager Lee Clark and his staff in the immediate aftermath of the Wembley play-off success
forward to. “It’s our first season back in the Championship for 11 years so if you can’t get excited about that, I don’t know what is going to get you excited,” said Grayson, whose CV includes promotions with both Blackpool and Leeds. “There’s been a buzz among the players and a buzz around the town and the area since we went up and Friday is the day when everyone will realise ‘this is now, this is the Championship’. “We are where we are and we’ve worked hard to achieve it – so let’s enjoy it.”
Seven new signings have been added to the mix since Alex Smithies penalty shoot-out heroics and that 8-7 passport to promotion – Paul Dixon, Adam Clayton, Oliver Norwood, Joel Lynch, Sean Scannell, Keith Southern and Anthony Gerrard – and Grayson believes they can help establish Town as a force in 2012-13. And while this is only his seventh month with Town’s three stars on his chest (representing those title wins of the 1920s), Grayson is determined to turn more of the club’s ambitions into reality as soon as he possibly can. “I’m in a privileged position because I was wanted – and felt wanted – by a chairman in Dean Hoyle after I had been made unemployed, and I’m fortunate to be at a very passionate football club, one which is forward thinking and got a lot of ambi-
Response the vital factor CONSTRUCTIVE criticism will be at the heart of manager Simon Grayson’s managerial mantra this season.
While he acknowledges there is a time for rollickings to be
handed out, the three-times promotion winner feels a more measured approach often reaps better dividends. “I’ve always wanted my players to get focused on what they’ve got to do,,” he said.
“They need to respond in the right manner and, this season, I’ve put together a squad I’m very excited about. “We’ve got a lot of young players learning the game, but I’ve got every faith in them.”
■ LESSON: Murray Wallace is one of the younger members of the Town squad
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
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Dale Tempest ■ WHACK: Alex Smithies scores the winning penalty
■ MAGIC: chairman Dean Hoyle celebrates at Wembley
■ TEAM: Scott Arfield and Lee Novak enjoy promotion tion about it,” said the manager, who has added goalkeeping coach Paul Crichton to senior coaches Glynn Snodin and Ian Miller. “Those ambitions are both on the pitch and off the pitch and, in those terms, I am fortunate because many other managers would love to be in my position. “I have no intention of resting on my laurels, though, and I’m working hard to make sure we do well this season and push forward for many years to come. “I love football and I love challenges. I had big challenges as manager at my previous two clubs and feel I handled those situations okay, and now this is a fresh challenge for me and one I’m certainly looking forward to. “If you can’t enjoy challenges as a football manager then you might as well go and
find another line of work.” Grayson is optimistic about Town’s prospects, but he feels expectations have to unfold naturally, like they do for any promoted club – staying up being the launch objective, pressing on being the next and challenging at the top if you can. “We know what level we want to try and achieve this year and we will give it our best shot,” he added. “Everyone will work hard in every game and we will have some good results and we’ll have some bad results because it’s the Championship. “The Championship is very demanding, it’s very even and it’s very tough, but it’s a challenge we know all about, it’s one we are looking forward to and it’s not one we are fearful of.”
■ DELIGHT: Town fans at Wembley realise they’re up
Rhodes’ future is so vital IN the Championship, Bolton have now wrestled favourite status away from Leicester. No team has really taken strong favouritism in this division though, and teams that have been promised investment such as Cardiff, Leeds and Nottingham Forest have all shortened from their initial quotes. Watford have also been popular, thanks to the appointment of Zola and the promise of loan signings from Udinese and Granada, a benefit of their new alignment with the Pozzo family. Hull are also gathering some support thanks to the appointment of Steve Bruce, and they are in from 33s to 25/1. Birmingham are pretty friendless and punters don’t seem to be convinced that Lee Clark is a great appointment for the Blues. A quiet summer, with the notable move being the signing of troubled ex-Man Utd player Ravel Morrison, has led them to drift in the markets. Barnsley are justifiably short-price favourites to be relegated. The Tykes were awful after Ricardo Vaz Te left last January and Mido is not an adequate replacement in any shape or form. Concerning Huddersfield in particular, the cloud hanging over them is the possible departure of Jordan Rhodes. Town are trying to hold out and get the right sort of fee for the goal machine, but if they ultimately lose him to one of their divisional rivals then the current quote of 4/1 to be relegated could shorten further. They will need to spend any incoming money wisely, as the Championship this year is one of the most competitive to date.
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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
By MEL BOOTH Sports Editor mel.booth@examiner.co.uk
TOWN are hungry for success and primed to achieve it.
That’s why Joel Lynch turned down a number of clubs to join the Galpharm crusade under manager Simon Grayson and chairman Dean Hoyle. The 24-year-old became a firm favourite at Nottingham Forest towards the end of last season and blossomed in the centre-back role he would love to cement in blue and white stripes. His performances earned a three-year contract with newly-promoted Town and he’s confident it’s the right move – not just for the domestic challenge but internationally as well. Lynch is part of Chris Coleman’s Wales senior squad and hoping to become a regular over the next few years. “The Championship is a very tough league where a lot of the teams are of very similar ability,” said Eastbourne-born Lynch, who is planning to move to the countryside around Huddersfield (“the quieter, the better”). “It’s a tough fixture list and you have to be hungry and ready to battle, and everything I’ve seen here leads me to believe we’ll do fine. “I spoke to a lot of clubs in the summer, had meetings with them and thought about my options, but within five minutes of meeting the chairman and manager here, I had made up my mind this was the place to be. “The chairman is very ambitious and I think it’s brilliant he is a fan, because he really cares about what happens here “If he didn’t have the club at heart, he wouldn’t be putting all his money into improving things “And he is really humble. He knows what he is talking about, he knows what the club is all about and he is clearly doing all he can to make sure we are successful. “The manager, too, is very impressive and spoke very well about where we are and where we are going. “This club has got a winning mentality about it (topped by promotion last season) and I definitely think we are going places. “The quality of the players who have been brought in speaks for itself, and the manager and coaching staff are the sort of people who motivate you and get the best out of you. “That’s what I want to be involved in and the way the manager comes across, I definitely know he can help my game and help us all improve as players.” Lynch has played a lot of his football with Brighton and Forest as a left-back, but it’s in central defence where he feels most comfortable and where, while helping the City Ground club avoid relegation problems, he played so well that he was second in their Player of the Year poll. He’s hoping to hold off competition from several quarters to play at the heart of Grayson’s defence this season, but accepts a shirt has to be earned. “I’m not taking it for granted I’ll be in the team, but that’s what I’ll be working hard for,” he said. “I’ve seen quite a lot of the club’s matches on TV and, of course, I played
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Five minutes with the chairman and manager and I knew this was the place to be
against quite a few of the lads when I was at Brighton. “This is a good squad and one that clearly plays exciting football, so I’m really looking forward to the season. “While I didn’t know any of the lads before I got here and got cracked into pre-season, I’ve seen Peter Clarke play quite a few times and have massive respect for him. “He has had a very good career, he has done well at Huddersfield and to have the chance to possibly play alongside him can only help me. Peter is very experienced and I can learn a lot from him.” Lynch says he had noted the other signings, too, before he put pen to paper on his own deal – concluded so he could go straight into pre-season training at Canalside. “I don’t remember p l ay i n g a g a i n s t Jordan Rhodes, but I’ve watched him a few times and it’s just great to be at a club with such a p r o l i f i c g o a l s c o r e r,” h e explained. “When you know there is someone in the line-up who can get you regular goals, it gives every-
one confidence and it’s definitely a big plus for all concerned. “He is a good lad, everyone knows that, and hopefully he can continue his form in the Championship – there is no reason why he shouldn’t because we have a lot of attacking style players in the squad “Oli Norwood is a quality young player who is great on the ball and Sean Scannell has got so much potential. He’s got pace, he can create things and he can also score. “I’ve played against Adam Clayton when he was at Leeds as well and he’s got a lot of quality. He’s comfortable on the ball and tough, so it will be good to have him playing in front of the defence. “I had also heard a lot about Jack Hunt before I came here, with his pace and knack for getting forw a r d , a n d h e ’s another who will do well in the Championship.” Lynch could make his debut for Wales against Bosnia/Herzegovina today (Wednesday, August 15) after being an unused substitute last time out for the friendly against Mexico.
“If I can get in the team and stay in the team at the Galpharm, then that is sure to help my chances with Wales,” he explained. “Playing each week, and playing to the best of my ability, will help me push my claims for a regular place and I’m hoping that will happen sooner rather than later.” He is delighted Forest are early on the league agenda – being the first visitors to the Galpharm next Tuesday (7.30). “It’s great they are our first home game and it’s going to be good,” he added. “I have got nothing against Forest whatsoever. I did not leave on bad terms, it was just that with the takeover waiting to happen, there was no security for me at the time and Town came up with an offer I felt I just couldn’t turn down. “I was second in the Player of the Year vote there, which means the fans liked what I did for the team, and I always give of my best. “I always put in 100%, I hope I played a big part in keeping Forest in the division and I always wore their shirt with pride – just like I will do with the Huddersfield Town shirt. “I’m looking forward to our game against them. I played my old team Brighton when I first joined Forest and scored, so it would be nice if that happened again! It’ll be a great evening for me.”
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Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
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SOUTHERN COMFORT
■ ARRIVAL: Oliver Norwood in action against Crewe
■ ARRIVAL: Adam Clayton has joined the squad from Leeds
KEITH SOUTHERN has ridden the Blackpool roller-coaster – now he’s ready to climb hills in Huddersfield. And the 31-year-old refuses to rule out another sortie into the Premier League. “Nobody at the club is getting carried away, but you have to have targets,” said the £300,000 recruit, who left Bloomfield Road after 10 years having played in League I, the Championship and the top flight and earned a testimonial against his first club Everton. “When we first got into the Championship (in 1997, with Simon Grayson at the helm), people would have laughed at the suggestion we could make it to the Premier League. “But we were an honest, hard-working group and we had some really talented players, not unlike Huddersfield. “We established ourselves in the Championship, and, in the season we went up (2009-10), built some real momentum to get into the play-offs, then win through them.” Once in the top flight for the first time since they accompanied Town out of the old Second Division in 1970, the sceptics said the Seasiders’ credentials were about as solid as a stick of candy floss. But Ian Holloway’s men kicked off with a 4-0 romp at Wigan and chalked up a double over Liverpool and sweet successes against the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham. They were just two points away from survival at the end of the campaign, and made the Championship play-off final last season, with Southern an unused substitute in the 2-1 Wembley defeat by West Ham. Hugely popular with the Pool faithful, the Gateshead-born player, who fought his way back into the side last season after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer, made 375 appearances for the club and admits it was tough to leave. But having agreed a two-year contact, he’s excited by his change of surroundings and more than happy to be reunited with Town chief Grayson. “We were playing colleagues before he became manager, and he likes to say he taught me everything I know,” smiled Southern. “Everything might be an exaggeration, but he’s been a big influence. He has now won three promotions with three different clubs, so you have to say he knows how to put a successful side together. ■ STILL “We have some good HUNGRY: young players and Keith Southsome, like Alan Lee and ern is my old Everton and Blackpool teammate relishing the Peter Clarke, with new chalplenty of experience. lenge after a “And in Jordan decade with Rhodes and Lee Blackpool. Novak, we have lads Inset: At his capable of scoring goals, Bloomfield so if we can defend and Road get the supply lines going, testimonial v who knows?” Everton
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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
SQUAD 2012-13
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
BACK: Chris Atkinson, Jimmy Spencer, Lee Novak, Murray Wallace, Alan Lee, Jamie M CENTRE: Chris Senior, Andrew Brook, James Haycock, Steve Eyre, Danny Ward, Nick C FRONT: Kallum Higginbotham, Oliver Norwood, Adam Clayton, Keith Southern, Jordan R
Huddersfield Town - b npower Championship and cup fixtures
AUGUST
17 (A) Cardiff City 21 (H) Nottingham Forest 25 (H) Burnley
1 15 19 22 29
(A) (H) (A) (A) (H)
SEPTEMBER
Ipswich Town Derby County Sheffield Wednesday Blackpool Watford
2 6 20 23 27
(H) (A) (H) (A) (A)
OCTOBER
Leicester City Birmingham City Wolves Peterborough United Millwall
3 6 10 17 24 27
(H) (H) (A) (H) (A) (A)
NOVEMBER
Bristol City Blackburn Rovers Barnsley Brighton & Hove Albion Charlton Athletic Middlesbrough
1 8 15 22 26 29
(H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (H)
DECEMBER
Leeds United Bolton Wanderers Hull City Crystal Palace Blackpool Sheffield Wednesday
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
cCombe (now Doncaster), Oscar Gobern, Anthony Gerrard, Joel Lynch, Anton Robinson, Liam Ridehalgh, Paul Dixon. Colgan, Alex Smithies, Ian Bennett, Tom Clarke, Paul Crichton, Chris Markham, Tom Little. Rhodes, Ian Miller, Simon Grayson, Glynn Snodin, Peter Clarke, Calum Woods, Scott Arfield, Jack Hunt, Sean Scannell.
back where we belong 1 5 12 19 26
JANUARY
(A) Leicester City FA Cup round three (H) Birmingham City (A) Watford (H) Crystal Palace (or FA Cup round four)
FEBRUARY
2 (A) Derby County 9 (H) Cardiff City 16 (A) Burnley (or FA Cup round five) 19 (A) Nottingham Forest 23 (H) Ipswich Town
2 5 9
MARCH
(A) Brighton & Hove Albion (H) Middlesbrough (H) Charlton Athletic (or FA Cup round six) 16 (A) Leeds United 30 (H) Hull City
APRIL
1 (A) Bolton Wanderers 6 (H) Peterborough United 13 (A) Wolves (or FA Cup semi-final) 17 (A) Blackburn Rovers 20 (H) Millwall 27 (A) Bristol City
MAY
4 (H) Barnsley 11 FA Cup final
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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
SCANthe MAN
Learner driver Sean’s sure Town will pass their Championship test By DOUG THOMSON
doug.thomson@examiner.co.uk
SEAN SCANNELL might be taking driving lessons – but when it comes to Championship football, the L plates were thrown away years ago.
Now 21, he made his senior debut at 17, coming off the bench to help Crystal Palace claim a 2-1 win at London rivals QPR. That big moment came in the Championship, as have all of his 130 league appearances to date, so it’s fair to say he has an inkling of what awaits his new club after last season’s promotion. “It’s a great league, exciting to play in and also very competitive,” said S c a n n e l l , wh o b e c a m e S i m o n Grayson’s first post-promotion signing when he agreed a three-year contract. “There are some big clubs in the division, but it’s not like the Premier League where you get a few who are head and shoulders above the others. “It’s usually one of those divisions where on their day, everyone has the ability to beat everyone else, and from what I’ve seen, we have a squad capable of competing.” Scannell says it was the ambition shown by Town boss Grayson and chairman Dean Hoyle which persuaded him to move away from family, friends and the club he joined at 14. “I’m from Croydon, in South London, and it’s very different from Huddersfield,” said the Republic of Ireland Under 21 and B international, who had a Palace deal through to 2016. “But I’ve been here for a while now and I’m finally getting used to the place, the locals and the accent! “I’m living in Lindley – very close to (Town teammate) Oscar Gobern – and
he’s shown me around the area. “The only times I’d been up North before were Palace away games, so I didn’t really know what to expect. “The people up here are really friendly and the scenery is great. I should see more of it once I’ve got that driving licence.” Scannell missed Monday’s Capital One Cup clash at Preston after being called up by the Republic Under 21s for the European Championship qualifier against Turkey in Sligo. The man who caught the eye with his mixture of pace, deft footwork and athleticism in Town’s sole home friendly against Barcelona B is delighted to have been on international duty. But Scannell, whose dad is Irish and mum Jamaican, was a touch frustrated to have been absent from Town’s first competitive match of the campaign. “It’s great to be a part of the Republic set-up, and the good thing about the Championship is that there are fixture breaks for most of the international dates,” he added. “I’m very proud to have played for
the Republic at various age levels, and I’d love to represent the senior team at some stage. “But the priority is Town, because by doing the business at club level, the rest should take care of itself. “The first thing is to get into the side, and missing Monday’s match has obviously given others the chance to catch the eye!” Scannell, who made 141 Palace appearances in all and scored 13 goals, is desperate to make the team for Friday’s Championship opener at Cardiff. That would give him a chance to avenge the Londoners’ defeat to the Welsh side in last season’s Carling (now Capital One) Cup semi-finals. “It was so disappointing to get so close to a Wembley final,” explained Scannell, who watched Town’s League I play-off final win over Sheffield United on television. “We gave it a good go, but it wasn’t to be, but that’s all in the past now. My future is very firmly with Huddersfield.”
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Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
■ DIGGING FOR VICTORY: work is ongoing at the Canalside training complex
Canalside to be ’pitch perfect’
CANALSIDE will, in the not too distant future, be a gleaming tribute to chairman Dean Hoyle’s ambition for Town. Work at the complex off Leeds Road – which will be the club’s state-of-the-art day-to-day headquarters – is cracking ahead despite weather hold-ups. Simon Grayson’s squad have trained on the pitches behind the canal while work goes on elsewhere at the venue, which is open to the public. “At the moment we are well on,” said chief executive Nigel Clibbens. “We have suffered really badly with the worst spring and summer rain in any of our lifetimes, and we couldn’t have picked a worse time to dig up five acres of land and redevelop it. “It is obvious we have been hit hard by the weather, but now we are seeing more sun we are cracking on.” Just when the finished article will start to take shape remains in the laps of the Gods. “The pitches are all level, the drainage is almost in and they are starting to put the soil back on before thinking about the grass,” he added. “We can’t put a time limit on it, because if we have three weeks of bad weather or three weeks
By MEL BOOTH Sports Editor
of good it all changes. “The canal pitches, in the deal we did with Kirklees Council, have proved absolutely crucial for us and, as I said at the time, that deal we did with Kirklees was a great example of people working together for the greater good. “The players feel the standard has been up alongside those they have experienced elsewhere and, this time next year with all the pitches and the plans we’ve got, Canalside will be absolutely fantastic and the days of being pretty nomadic will be long gone and, hopefully, forgotten.” Clibbens hopes the people of Huddersfield will support the public amenities at Canalside as well as the club on matchdays. “It is a huge investment being made by the club and it’s only possible because of the commitment of Dean Hoyle to create long-term foundations for the club,” he added. “The training ground will be there long after I’ve gone and Dean has gone and these are the sort of things which will ensure the sustainability of the club going forward.”
Latest arrival a crucial one
■ GOALS: Sean Scannell is congratulated by Chris Atkinson after scoring against Hibernian
ROSS WILSON is the latest addition to Town’s staff – and a key one according to Nigel Clibbens. The 30-year-old enjoyed success in seven years at Falkirk before leaving to join Malky Mackay’s team at Watford. He has been appointed Head of Foot-
ball Operations with Town, and Clibbens explained: “The role covers elements such as our recruitment process, sports science, medical and analysis. “These all have a critical role to play in making a difference to the club and our success.”
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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Coyle’s boys favourites BARNSLEY Manager: Keith Hill Position last season: 22nd Nickname: The Tykes Ground: Oakwell Capacity: 23,009 Players in: Lee Collins (Port Vale, undisclosed), Kelvin Etuhu (Portsmouth, free), Jacob Mellis (Chelsea, free), Mido (Zamalek, free), Ben Alnwick (Tottenham, free), Toni Silva (Liverpool, free), Tomasz Cywka (Reading, free) Players out: David Cotterill (Doncaster, free), Jay McEveley (Swindon, free), Jacob Butterfield (Norwich, undisclosed), Nathan Doyle (Bradford, free), Alistair Taylor, David Preece and Andy Gray (all released) Key man: Luke Steele Chances: More wheeling and dealing in the transfer market for manager Keith Hill, but the Tykes are set for another tough season.
BIRMINGHAM
Manager: Lee Clark Position last season: 4th Nickname: Blues Ground: St Andrew’s Capacity: 30,009 Players in: Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle, free), David Lucas (Rochdale, free), Hayden Mullins (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Darren Ambrose (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Ravel Morrison (West Ham, season-long loan) Players out: Jordon Mutch (Cardiff, undisclosed), Ben Foster (West Brom, undisclosed), Luke Hubbins (AFC Telford, free), Caleb Folan, Enric Valles, Cian Hughton and Ashley Sammons (released) Key man: Curtis Davies Chances: Hoping to improve on last season’s play-off semi-final defeat with Clark at the helm. He has added Lovenkrands, Ambrose and Morrison to an already talented squad.
BLACKBURN Manager: Steve Kean Position last season: 19th in Premier League Nickname: Rovers Ground: Ewood Park Capacity: 31,154 Players in: Danny Murphy (Fulham, free), Leon Best (Newcastle, £3million), Nuno Gomes (Braga, free), Fabio Nunes (Portimonense, undisclosed), Paulo Jorge (FC Porto B, undisclosed), Edinho (Olhanense, £500,000), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, £1million) Players out: Ayegbeni Yakubu (Guangzhou R&F, undisclosed), Ryan Edwards (Rochdale, six-month youth loan), Junior Hoilett (QPR, free), Matthew Pearson (Rochdale, free), Jackson Ramm (Colchester, free), Michel Salgado, Vince Grella, Zac Aley, Jamie Maclaren and Herold Goulon (all released) Key man: Danny Murphy Chances: Following turmoil on and off the pitch and relegation, Kean has enjoyed the backing of owners
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Venky’s in the transfer market. Promotion is the expectation but a serious pre-season injury to Best could be a significant blow.
BLACKPOOL Manager: Ian Holloway Position last season: 5th Nickname: The Seasiders, the Tangerines Ground: Bloomfield Road Capacity: 16,220 (under development) Players in: Jake Caprice (Crystal Palace, free) Isaiah Osbourne (Hibernian, undisclosed), Scott Robertson (Dundee United, free), Tiago Gomes (free) Players out: Lomana LuaLua (Karabukspor, free), Brett Ormerod (Wrexham, free), Daniel Bogdanovic and Stephen Husband (released), Matt Hill (Sheffield United, free) Key man: Tom Ince Chances: Expected to be in contention again following play-off heartache against West Ham. Kept wingers Ince and Matt Phillips.
BOLTON Manager: Owen Coyle (pictured) Position last season: 18th in Premier League Nickname: The Trotters Ground: Reebok Stadium Capacity: 28,723 Players in: Keith Andrews (West Brom, free), Matt Mills (Leicester, undisclosed), Joe McKee (free) Andy Lonergan (Leeds, undisclosed), Benik Afobe (Arsenal, season-long loan) Players out: Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham, free), Robbie Blake (Doncaster, free), Rhys Bennett (Rochdale, free), Tope Obadeyi (Rio Ave, free), Mark Connolly (Crawley, free), Ivan Klasnic, Gretar Steinsson, Paul Robinson, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner and Dino Fazlic (released), Tom Eckersley (Accrington, free) Key man: Martin Petrov Chances: Many people’s favourites for promotion with most of last season’s youthful Premier League squad plus Mills and Andrews are shrewd additions at Championship level.
BRIGHTON Manager: Gus Poyet Position last season: 10th Nickname: The Seagulls Ground: American Express Community Stadium Capacity: 22,374 Players in: Tomasz Kuszczak (Manchester United, free), Bruno Saltor (Valencia, free), Wayne Bridge (Manchester City, loan), Andrew Crofts (Norwich, undisclosed) Players out: Alan Navarro (Swindon, free), Michael Poke (Torquay, free), David Gonzalez and Leon Redwood (both released) Key man: Vicente Chances: Having brought in Kuszczak and kept talented Spanish playmaker Vicente, Poyet has a side capable of the play-offs at least.
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BRISTOL CITY
MEL BOOTH’S TIPS PROMOTED: 1: BOLTON 2: WOLVES PLAYOFFS: Leicester, Brighton, Cardiff City, Middlesbrough
RELEGATED: 1: BARNSLEY 2: PALACE 3 PETERBOROUGH
Manager: Derek McInnes Position last season: 20th Nickname: The Robins Ground: Ashton Gate Capacity: 21,497 Players in: Jody Morris (St Johnstone, free), Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest, free) Players out: Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Notts County, free), Jamie McAllister (Yeovil, free), David James, David Clarkson, Christian Ribeiro, Marlon Jackson, Danny Ball and Henry Muggeridge (all released) Key man: Albert Adomah Chances: McInnes is regarded as one of the most highly-rated managers in Britain and enjoyed instant success at Ashton Gate as he steered the Robins clear of relegation last season. Will be hoping for a higher finish in his first full campaign in charge.
BURNLEY Manager: Eddie Howe Position last season: 13th Nickname: The Clarets Ground: Turf Moor Capacity: 22,546 Players in: Luke O’Neill (Mansfield, undisclosed), George Porter (Leyton Orient, free), Jason Shackell (Derby, undisclosed), Joseph Mills (Reading, season-long loan), Sam Vokes (Wolves, undisclosed) Players out: Jay Rodriguez (Southampton, undisclosed), Andre Amougou, Clarke Carlisle, Brian Easton, Alex-Ray Harvey, Joe McKee, Dominic Knowles, Neil Yadolahi, David Lynch and Ross Wilson (all released), Joe Jackson and Tom Anderson (both AFC Barrow, loan). Key man: Charlie Austin Chances: Howe’s youthful squad will strive for greater consistency and are outsiders for a play-off push, although the pressure will be on Austin to fill the void in attack left by Rodriguez’s move to Southampton.
CARDIFF Manager: Malky Mackay Position last season: 6th Nickname: The Bluebirds Ground: Cardiff City Stadium Capacity: 26,828 Players in: Joe Lewis (Peterborough, free), Jordon Mutch (Birmingham, undisclosed), Kim Bokyung (Cerezo Osaka, undisclosed), Heidar Helguson (QPR, undisclosed) Players out: Aaron Wildig (Shrewsbury, free), Tom Heaton, Lee Naylor, Paul Quinn, Jon Meades, Alex Evans and Jordan Santiago (all released), Anthony Gerrard (Huddersfield, £350,000) Key man: Peter Whittingham Chances: After missing out on promotion yet again, Mackay will be hoping to finally lead the club back into the top flight. Have ditched their famous blue kit in favour of red.
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LAST YEAR: Tipped: Town and Sheff Wed. Play-offs: MK Dons, Sheff Wed, Charlton, Leyton O
CHARLTON Manager: Chris Powell Position last season: 1st in League One Nickname: The Addicks Ground: The Valley Capacity: 27,111 Players in: Lawrie Wilson (Stevenage, undisclosed), Jordan Cook (Sunderland, free) Players out: Gary Doherty (Wycombe, free), Freddie Warren (Barnet, free), Jason Euell, Mikel Alonso and Tosan Popo (all released) Key man: Johnnie Jackson Chances: A quiet summer down at The Valley following last year’s overhaul, but boss Powell believes his League One champions can make the step up and he should be proved right.
CRYSTAL PALACE Manager: Dougie Freedman Position last season: 17th Nickname: The Eagles Ground: Selhurst Park Capacity: 26,309 Players in: Joel Ward (Portsmouth, £400,000), Aaron Martin (Southampton, season-long loan), Aaron Wilbraham (Norwich, free) Players out: Anthony Gardner (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Darren Ambrose (Birmingham, undisclosed), Lee Hills (Stevenage, free), Calvin Andrew, Nathaniel Pinney, Jake Caprice and Charlie Holness (all released), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton, undisclosed) Key man: Wilfried Zaha Chances: Losing Ambrose and Clyne would be a blow to any club in the Championship but Palace’s squad looks worryingly thin, although with plenty of talented youngsters.
DERBY Manager: Nigel Clough Position last season: 12th Nickname: The Rams Ground: Pride Park Capacity: 33,597 Players in: Michael Jacobs (Northampton, undisclosed compensation), Paul Coutts (Preston, undisclosed), Richard Keogh (Coventry, undisclosed), James O’Connor (Doncaster, undisclosed), Michael Hoganson (Newcastle, released) Players out: Paul Green (Leeds, free), James Severn (Scunthorpe, free), Chris Maguire (Sheffield Wednesday, free), Lee Croft (Oldham, season-long loan), Miles Addison (Bournemouth, undisclosed), Jason Shackell (Burnley, undisclosed), Callum Ball (Coventry, season-long loan) Key man: Ben Davies Chances: Progression under Nigel Clough continued last season and after strengthening his defensive options this summer, the Rams
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Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2012-13
to power on for glory MILLWALL
DOUG THOMSON’S TIPS PROMOTED: 1: BOLTON 2: MIDDLESBROUGH PLAYOFFS: Wolves, Forest, Brighton, Leicester boss will be looking for his side to break into the top 10.
HULL Manager: Steve Bruce (pictured) Position last season: 8th Nickname: The Tigers Ground: KC Stadium Capacity: 25,586 Players in: Eldin Jakupovic (Aris, released), Ben Amos (Manchester United, season-long loan), Nick Proschwitz (SC Paderborn, £2.5million), Abdoulaye Faye (West Ham, free), Sone Aluko (Rangers, free), Alex Bruce (Leeds, free) Players out: Will Atkinson (Bradford, free), Kevin Kilbane (Coventry, free) Key man: Robert Koren Chances: The Allam family who own the club have backed new boss Bruce and expect a play-off finish at least.
IPSWICH Manager: Paul Jewell Position last season: 15th Nickname: The Tractor Boys Ground: Portman Road Capacity: 30,311 Players in: Elliott Hewitt (Macclesfield, undisclosed), Luke Chambers (Nottingham Forest, free), Scott Loach (Watford, undisclosed) Players out: Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough, free), Richard Wright (Preston, free), Lee Bowyer, Ibrahima Sonko and Cody Cropper (all released), Mark Kennedy (retired) Key man: Tommy Smith Chances: Jewell will be looking for his Ipswich squad to improve on the two mid-table finishes he has overseen so far. Having only brought three new players to Portman Road, Jewell will need a good start to target a top-half place.
LEEDS Manager: Neil Warnock Position last season: 14th Nickname: The Whites Ground: Elland Road Capacity: 37,697 Players in: Jason Pearce (Portsmouth, £500,000), Adam Drury (Norwich, free), Paul Green (Derby, free), Paddy Kenny (QPR, £500,000), Andy Gray (Barnsley, free), Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth, free), Luke Varney (Portsmouth, free), David Norris (Portsmouth, free), Lee Peltier (Leicester, undisclosed), Rodolph Austin (SK Brann, free) Players out: Maik Taylor (Millwall, free), Lloyd Sam, Mikael Forssell and Danny Webber (all released), Adam Clayton (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Andy Lonergan (Bolton, undisclosed), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich, £3million), Alex Bruce (Hull, free)
RELEGATED: 1:BRISTOL CITY 2:PETERBOROUGH 3BARNSLEY
LAST YEAR: Town and Charlton. Play-offs: Sheff Wed, Preston, Brentford, Scunthorpe
Key man: Ross McCormack Chances: Despite the loss of captain Snodgrass to Norwich, manager Warnock has made a number of shrewd signings as he aims to get Leeds back into the top flight. They will be among the promotion contenders.
LEICESTER Manager: Nigel Pearson Position last season: 9th Nickname: The Foxes Ground: King Power Stadium Capacity: 32,262 Players in: Ritchie de Laet and Matty James (Manchester United, undisclosed), Jamie Vardy (Fleetwood, £1million), Marko Futacs (Portsmouth, undisclosed compensation), Zak Whitbread (Norwich, free) Players out: Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor, undisclosed), Oliver Norburn (Bristol Rovers, free), John Pantsil, Steve Howard, Elliott Chamberlain, Matt Oakley, Aleksandar Tunchev, Darius Vassell and Franck Moussa (all released), Matt Mills (Bolton, undisclosed), Chris Weale (Shrewsbury, free), Lee Peltier (Leeds, undisclosed) Key man: Neil Danns Chances: Narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season. Will finish in the top six at least this time round and should challenge for an automatic promotion place.
MIDDLESBROUGH Manager: Tony Mowbray Position last season: 7th Nickname: Boro Ground: Riverside Stadium Capacity: 34,988 Players in: Grant Leadbitter (Ipswich, free), Stuart Parnaby (unattached), Emanuel Ledesma (Walsall, free), George Friend (Doncaster, undisclosed), Christian Burgess (Arsenal, free), Jonathan Woodgate (Stoke, free), Mustapha Carayol (Bristol Rovers, undisclosed) Players out: Barry Robson (Vancouver Whitecaps, free), Jonathan Franks (Hartlepool, free), Jonathan Grounds (Oldham, free), Tony McMahon (Sheffield United, free) Key man: Marvin Emnes Chances: Middlesbrough missed last season’s play-offs by five points having long been contenders. Mowbray’s side won just eight of their 23 at the Riverside Stadium last term. Another promotion-chasing season beckons, though.
Manager: Kenny Jackett Position last season: 16th Nickname: The Lions Ground: The Den Capacity: 20,146 Players in: Maik Taylor (Leeds, free), Scott Malone (Bournemouth, player exchange), Chris Taylor (Oldham, free), Karleigh Osborne (Brentford, free) Players out: Chris Hackett (Northampton, free), Tony Craig (Brentford, undisclosed), Ryan Allsop (Leyton Orient, free), Josh McQuoid (Bournemouth, player exchange) Hamer Bouazza, Jordan Stewart, Jake Gallagher and Conor McLaren (all released) Key man: Andy Keogh Chances: Millwall struggled with their home form last season and manager Jackett will be hoping for better down at The Den. Too good to to go down but the play-offs remain well out of reach.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST Manager: Sean O’Driscoll Position last season: 19th Nickname: The Reds Ground: City Ground Capacity: 30,603 Players in: Adlene Guedioura (Wolves, undisclosed), Danny Collins (Stoke, free), Greg Halford (Portsmouth, free), Dan Harding (Southampton, free), Simon Gillett (free agent), Daniel Ayala (Norwich, season-long loan) Players out: Garath McCleary (Reading, undisclosed), Luke Chambers (Ipswich, free), Joel Lynch (Huddersfield, free), Chris Gunter (Reading, undisclosed) Key man: Lewis McGugan Chances: The 2011-12 season was a tough one both on and off the pitch. The Al Hasawi takeover looks to have stabilised the club and, although several key players have left the City Ground this summer, the replacements new manager O’Driscoll has brought in could see Forest return to mount a challenge for the play-offs.
PETERBOROUGH Manager: Darren Ferguson Position last season: 18th Nickname: The Posh Ground: London Road Capacity: 15,315 Players in: Tyrone Barnett (Crawley, £1.2million), Shaun Brisley (Macclesfield, undisclosed), Nathanial Knight-Percival (Wrexham, free), Danny Swanson (Dundee United, free), Robert Olejnik (Torquay, undisclosed), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Wolves, undisclosed), Michael Bostwick (Stevenage, undisclosed), Jonson Clarke-Harris (Coventry, free) Players out: Joe Lewis (Cardiff, free), Paul Jones (Crawley, free), Nathan Ralph (Yeovil, free), David Ball (Fleetwood, undisclosed)
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Key man: Lee Tomlin Chances: Just held their own last season on their return to the second tier. Posh will be aiming for a mid-table finish but it could be another nervy conclusion to the campaign.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY Manager: Dave Jones Position last season: 2nd in League One Nickname: The Owls Ground: Hillsborough Capacity: 39,812 Players in: Chris Kirkland (Wigan, free), Kieran Lee (Oldham, free), Joe Mattock (West Brom, free), Anthony Gardner (Crystal Palace, free), Chris Maguire (Derby, undisclosed), Diogo Amado (Uniao Leiria, free), Nejc Pecnik (CD Nacional, free), Rhys McCabe (Rangers, free) Players out: Richard O’Donnell (Chesterfield, free), Clinton Morrison (Colchester, free), Chris Sedgwick, Jon Otsemobor, Sean Cuff and Vadaine Oliver (all released), Liam Palmer (Tranmere, loan), Ryan Lowe (MK Dons, undisclosed) Key man: Jose Semedo Chances: Owls boss Dave Jones will expect his side to make an instant impression as he aims for a top-half finish.
WATFORD Manager: Gianfranco Zola Position last season: 11th Nickname: The Hornets Ground: Vicarage Road Capacity: 17,477 Players in: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal, free), Fitz Hall (QPR, free), Almen Abdi, Matej Vydra, Steve Leo Beleck (all Udinese, free), Daniel Pudil, Ikechi Anya (both Granada, season-long loans) Players out: Adrian Mariappa (Reading, undisclosed), Rene Gilmartin (Plymouth, free), Josh Walker (Scunthorpe, free), Scott Loach (Ipswich, undisclosed), Tom James, Chez Isaac and Michael Bryan (all released) Key man: Troy Deeney Chances: Winds of change have blown through Vicarage Road this summer as the Italy-based Pozzo family took control of Watford. The new owners replaced manager Sean Dyche with Zola as they eye up a promotion push in their first year.
WOLVES Manager: Stale Solbakken Position last season: 20th in Premier League Nickname: Wolves Ground: Molineux Capacity: 27,828 (under development) Players in: Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (Lillestrom, undisclosed), Frank Nouble (West Ham, free), Jamie Tank (Walsall, undisclosed), Tongo Doumbia (Rennes, season-long loan) Players out: Louis Harris (AFC Wimbledon, free), Ashley Hemmings (Walsall, free), Jody Craddock, James Spray (released), Sam Vokes (Burnley, undisclosed), Jake Cassidy (Tranmere, six-month loan) Key man: Matt Jarvis Chances: Wolves are amongst the favourites for an immediate return to the Premier League. Vital to keep hold of striker Steven Fletcher.