I had the best of intentions last season to update this blog regularly and put lots of deep meaningful insights into the state of our Championship season. But due to a combination of health issues, holidays and the COVID-19 crisis I didn't manage to do any of this! But I refuse to give in and will do my best to keep up with things this next season, which is only just over 3 weeks away (we think).
I'm pleased to say that I successfully managed to predict 4 of the top 6 teams before the start of last season (Fulham, Brentford, West Brom and ourselves). I was a little surprised how bad Stoke were, but I think that with a new manager in place that this coming season could be their chance to get back up to the top of the division. Bristol City flattered to deceive again with a poor second half to their season, especially after the lockdown break.
Of course, we now find ourselves with a new manager following the departure of Neil Warnock last November. Many fans were underwhelmed by the appointment of former Millwall boss Neil Harris, but as the season progressed he has gradually on the fans over, and after the resumption of the season following lockdown he had clearly been able to impose his own ideas on the team and they were much improved. This means that we can look forward to the coming season with confidence.
Our final position of 5th in the Championship table was probably deserved. As we were under Neil Warnock, the side became very difficult to beat under Neil Harris, but unfortunately we were unable to turn enough drawn games into wins. Without Lee Tomlin in the team, we lacked a creative edge and couldn't give sufficient support to our strikers. Despite being at his fittest for many years having lost 2 stone in weight during last off season, Lee still suffered some knee, ankle and hamstring injuries which kept him out of the team for a while. The lockdown actually helped us from this point of view as the delayed resumption to the season meant that he was able to return to the team when he would otherwise have been out for the last 10 games of the season. But that's another season in the books and only a short break until the next one. I wonder if we'll get to go to a game this season?
We have made our first signing of the new season - Welsh international striker Kieffer Moore has joined from Wigan. He has had a "slow burner" of a career playing at low levels in the west country until his breakthrough season with Barnsley 2 years ago.He now has a few Wales caps to his name too, and appears to be a shrewd signing. We certainly need a regular goalscorer .
Full season preview to come before opening day of 12th September 2020.
