Well, here we are again, back in the Championship after a disappointing season in the "Promised Land" of the Premier League. Are we downhearted? Heck no!
Despite a difficult and traumatic season at times, I still enjoyed it immensely and will cherish some memories forever. Particularly the win over Manchester City and beating Swansea in the first ever South Wales derby to be played in the top division.
Steve Caulker, now departed to QPR, scores the winner against Swansea
Actually, this season preview is a little late as the season actually started last Friday, when I was still on my annual holiday to France. When I booked it back in January, I was hoping that we would stay in the Premier League, in which case I would be looking forward to the start of the new Premier League season next Saturday. However, the season started last Friday with an away draw at Blackburn Rovers. Not to be sniffed at, as an away point at a team I think will probably be challenging for promotion this year is always welcome.
Kenwynne Jones scores the first Cardiff goal of the new season in the 1-1 draw at Blackburn.
This Wednesday, we have a Capital One Cup match against Coventry City, where Ole will probably field a lot of players who didn't get a league game at the weekend.
THE BURDEN OF FAVOURITISM
Rather worryingly, the bookmakers make us favourites to get promoted back to the Premier League. Ole Gunar Solskjaer has certainly built his own team, with major players such as Steve Caulker, Gary Medel, Fraizer Campbell and Jordon Mutch leaving, but replacing them with a plethora of new mainly attacking talent. I suspect the list isn't even complete yet, but includes Adam Le Fondre, Federico Macheda, Guido Bergstaller, Javi Guerra, tom Adeyemi and today Anthony Pilkington from Norwich. (I'm pretty sure I missed some out here, but you get the idea).
It is difficult to predict any team winning the Championship, but I like to think with the resources we have we should at least make the top 6. So my top 6 prediction for this season, in no particular order :-
CARDIFF
NORWICH
DERBY
MIDDLESBOROUGH
WIGAN
BLACKBURN
Bottom 3:-
BLACKPOOL
HUDDERSFIELD
BRENTFORD
But who knows?
After much anticipation, the season starts for me on Saturday with a home game against Huddersfield Town, and is followed with another home game next Tuesday against Wigan. Win, lose or draw, I can't wait!
