With the defeat to Arsenal on the final day of the 2013-14 season, the inevitable relegation to the second tier of English football for Norwich City was secured. Plans then turned to preparing for life back in the Championship, arguably one of the most exciting and intriguing leagues in Europe. Many started to look at which teams will look to challenge the Canaries – who will presumably be near the summit.
Derby County
The Rams, managed by ex-England boss Steve McClaren, stormed into the play-offs last year and were narrowly beaten in the final by QPR thanks to a late Bobby Zamora goal. Once again, they will look to English wonderkid Will Hughes to deliver, whilst ex-Norwich man Chris Martin is expected to build on an exceptional season in which he scored 20 goals in 44 games. Another Norwich link is American defender Zak Whitbread, who signed permanently for Derby this summer after a successful loan spell from Leicester. Derby open their campaign at Pride Park, which holds 33,500 spectators, to newly promoted Rotherham. They will be expected to play a 4-3-3, with Johnny Russell, Chris Martin and Jamie Ward leading the line. One problem is at right-back, with Andre Wisdom returning to parent club Liverpool.
Wigan Athletic
Famed for his attractive style of football, Roberto Martinez left relegated Wigan last year to join Everton but left behind a well-run and sustainable football club, who had punched above their weight for the past eight years. In came Uwe Rosler, who continued Martinez’s legacy, playing liquid football. Young and exciting English winger Callum McManaman will feature heavily in the Germans plans this season as the Latics look to improve on their fifth-place and play-off semi-final appearance. Whilst they were frequently mocked for their ‘lack of fans’, the DW Stadium is capable of holding 25,000, although their record attendance last year was some 6,000 short of that total. Last season, Wigan played a 4-2-3-1, with ex-Norwich players Grant Holt and Leon Barnett in their ranks. Their first game is at home to Reading, who finished seventh last year, one point off the play-offs.
Wolves
After consecutive relegations, Wolves began a rebuilding process last season in which they sold thirteen players on big wages and signed eight. Notable outs included Christophe Berra, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Leigh Griffiths, with the latter joining Celtic after a very successful loan spell with Hibs two years ago. Now, they can look forward to a season in the Championship and eventually a return to the Premier League. One player to watch is 22-year-old French winger Nouha Dicko, who scored twelve goals in nineteen appearances in League One, whilst ex-Millwall midfielder James Henry (who spent a short loan spell at Carrow Road in 2008, making three appearances) is likely to add a creative spark. Young Danny Bath is solid in central defence, with the 6’2” Englishman starting to become a first team regular. They are Norwich’s opening fixture – at Molineux – and both sides will be expecting a tough start to the new season.
Cardiff
One of the other two teams relegated with Norwich last year, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be looking to bounce back at the first time of asking, with the help of “James Bond villian” Chairman Vincent Tan. The Welsh side sparked a huge debate last season when Tan infamously sacked well-liked manager Malky Mackay, leading to pundits and fans everywhere making Tan public enemy number one. However, the financial backing that Tan brought to Cardiff will be inflated by the parachute payments, meaning a warchest-sized transfer budget for Solskjaer to equip. He has already acted quickly, snapping up strikers Adam Le Fondre, Javi Guerra and Federico Macheda from Reading, Real Valladolid and Manchester United respectfully. Also joining the Welsh side are midfielders Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace) and Guido Burgstaller (Rapid Wien), whilst they have Simon “King of Spain” Lappin in their ranks. Young Norwegian midfielder Mats Møller Dæhli could be given a chance to shine in the Championship – if he is, he will be sure to deliver.
Other teams to watch include Bournemouth – Lewis Grabban’s old side – and, it pains me to say this, but Ipswich will be up there. Mick McCarthy has done a fantastic job at Portman Road and they could have a shot at the play-offs.
