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The Championship heads into another crazy year of big spending ex-premier league teams looking for their route back to the big time, and the rest of us trying our best to keep up and survive on the left over scraps.
Champions
Big spending Stoke City look like the favourites by gambling everything on winning the golden ticket to make an immediate return to the premier league. However, I’m going to back grizzled old Tony Pulis to find his mojo with a full pre-season behind him and guide Middlesborough back to the big time, even though it will probably be awful to watch.
Runners up
Stoke have signed some serious experience, such as Ashley Williams and Benik Afobe, as well as retaining Joe Allan. Gary Rowett probably still has a little learning to do, hence a slow start might just preclude them from being champions.
Play-Offs
The play offs are always a total lottery, so predicting who makes it is always a huge challenge. West Brom should have enough quality and Aston Villa have money behind them again. I’m going to guess at Derby and money bags Nottingham Forest to make up the four.
Relegated
Well I’m not going to predict Bolton to go and I actually think that we have a better squad than last season. Because I’m spiteful I’m going to predict Blackburn, Wigan and Rotherham.
Where will Bolton Wanderers finish?
I’m optimistic, 18th .
League Top Scorer
Benik Afobe has the track record and Stoke have the players to provide him with the ammunition. He could have a big season.
Mad Random Event Prediction
Bolton looking for goals in the January transfer window sign Saido Berahinho on a free transfer after Stoke terminate his contract after punching Gary Rowett. Scores 12 goals in the second half of the season and Villa stump up £15 million for him, much to King Ken’s delight.