Part Three of our look ahead to the Championship season, and this is where fans start having a pop at us for putting their team so low!
13. Sheffield United
Last 5 Championship finishes: 13 – 3 – n/a – 2 – 5
Ground/Capacity: Bramall Lane (32,702)
Manager: Chris Wilder
In: Romelle Donovan (Brentford, loan), Matt Doherty (Wolves, free)
Out: Andre Brooks (Norwich, undisclosed), Alex Matos (Göztepe, loan), Mihail Polendakov (Ludogorets, loan), Zain Tahir (Oldham, loan), Jili Buyabu (Rotherham, loan)
Sheffield United still possess the core of a capable Championship side, and Chris Wilder has enough experience to make them competitive. However, parachute payments have now ended, and their summer business has been relatively limited, with Matt Doherty and Romelle Donovan the only additions so far. Losing Andre Brooks removes an important source of attacking quality, while further sales could weaken the squad again before the window closes.
Wilder eventually brought some order to the problems left behind last season, but it also became clear that the Blades were some way short of genuine play-off quality. They should be committed and difficult to beat, although creativity and discipline remain concerns after they collected six red cards last term. Unless the squad is strengthened further, another season outside the promotion picture appears likely.
14. Wrexham
Last 5 Championship finishes: 7 – n/a – n/a – n/a – n/a
Ground/Capacity: STōK Cae Ras (13,341)
Manager: Phil Parkinson
In: Danny Imray (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Ben Whiteman (Preston, undisclosed)
Out: Mo Faal (Port Vale, loan), Thomas O’Connor (Peterborough, loan), Andy Cannon (Fleetwood, loan), Paul Mullin (Rotherham, free)
Wrexham should benefit from entering a summer without needing to rebuild the majority of their squad. After three consecutive promotions, last season was always likely to be one of consolidation, yet Phil Parkinson still kept his side in the play-off race until the final day. Greater stability should help them this time, while Ben Whiteman brings proven Championship experience and additional control in midfield.
It has been a relatively quiet window compared to previous years, but that reflects the strength of the core Parkinson has assembled. Further additions in goal and attack would improve their chances, while the manager’s commitment to a back three can occasionally restrict the team as much as it suits them. If anything, it is Parkinson’s limitations that will hold the team back, and this could the season that he finds himself leaving the Red Dragons.
15. Queens Park Rangers
Last 5 Championship finishes: 15 – 15 – 18 – 20 – 11
Ground/Capacity: Loftus Park (18,360)
Manager: Julien Stephan
In: Boy Kemper (NAC Breda, undisclosed), Calum Ward (Motherwell, undisclosed), Pierce Charles (Manchester City, loan), Tariq Lamptey (Fiorentina, free), Glen Kamara (Rennes, loan)
Out: Sam Field (Norwich, undisclosed), Steve Cook (Wycombe, free), Joe Walsh (Wigan, loan), Isaac Hayden (Leyton Orient, free), Murphy Cooper (Plymouth, undisclosed), Zan Celar (Basel, undisclosed), Cory Adjetey-Brew (Worthing, loan), Daniel Beddie (Dundee United, loan)
QPR have enjoyed a smart, understated summer, with Pierce Charles addressing last season’s problems in goal and Glen Kamara adding experience in midfield. Tariq Lamptey could be one of the best players in the Championship if he stays fit, while Boy Kemper and Calum Ward provide further options for Julien Stephan. There have also been several departures, including Sam Field and Steve Cook, so the new arrivals will need to settle quickly.
The Hoops had the youngest squad in the division last season, and their inconsistency often reflected that. They could look excellent when everything clicked, only to be comprehensively beaten the following week, particularly against the leading sides. Their young players should continue to improve, but injuries and dramatic swings in form may prevent them from sustaining a play-off challenge.
16. Stoke City
Last 5 Championship finishes: 17 – 18 – 17 – 16 – 14
Ground/Capacity: Bet365 Stadium (30,089)
Manager: Mark Robins
In: Milan Smit (Go Ahead Eagles, undisclosed), Josh Griffiths (West Brom, undisclosed), Djibril Soumare (SC Braga, undisclosed), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea, undisclosed), Svante Ingelsson (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed), Luke Graham (Dundee, undisclosed)
Out: Tommy Simkin (Doncaster, loan), Lewis Baker (Bursaspor, free), Darius Lipsiuc (Notts County, undisclosed), Nathan Lowe (Hibernian, loan), Emre Tezgel (Wycombe, loan), Favour Fawunmi (Oldham, loan)
Stoke have spent heavily to address several long-standing weaknesses, with Mark Robins overseeing an encouraging rebuild of the midfield. Ethan Galbraith was excellent for Swansea last season, while Svante Ingelsson should add further quality and physical presence. Luke Graham was also wanted elsewhere, and the arrival of Milan Smit gives the Potters another option at centre-forward.
There are reasons to believe Stoke can produce their best Championship finish since dropping out of the Premier League, particularly if Victor Johansson returns strongly and their leading players remain at the club. However, familiar concerns remain around their threat from set pieces and whether they possess enough reliable goals. The squad looks better, but Stoke have promised improvement before without delivering it, so a steady campaign in the middle of the table, again, feels more realistic than a promotion challenge.
17. West Bromwich Albion
Last 5 Championship finishes: 21 – 9 – 5 – 9 – 10
Ground/Capacity: The Hawthorns (26,850)
Manager: James Morrison
In: Barney Stewart (Falkirk, undisclosed), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Chelsea, undisclosed), Matt Ingram (Oxford, undisclosed), Conor Townsend (Ipswich, free), Nolan Galves (Rodez, undisclosed), Felix Horn Myhre (SK Brann, undisclosed)
Out: Josh Griffiths (Stoke, undisclosed), Akeel Higgins (Wigan, undisclosed), Jed Wallace (Bristol City, free), Eseosa Sule (St Mirren, undisclosed), Karlan Grant (Charlton, free)
James Morrison was the right man at the right time last spring, guiding a side that appeared destined for relegation to safety with a series of impressive results. He now has the opportunity to build on that work, with Jimmy-Jay Morgan offering attacking promise and Felix Horn Myhre, Nolan Galves and Barney Stewart adding further youth to the squad. Matt Ingram should help address the goalkeeping situation, although the departures of Jed Wallace and Karlan Grant remove proven Championship experience.
West Brom were among the division’s most wasteful sides last season, so finding a more reliable source of goals remains essential. Aune Heggebo, Mikey Johnston, Alex Mowatt and Isaac Price give Morrison a reasonable platform, but he must now prove himself as a permanent head coach rather than simply a unifying figure in a crisis. The Baggies should improve and remain just clear of danger, although a return to the promotion race still feels some distance away.
18. Preston North End
Last 5 Championship finishes: 14 – 20 – 10 – 12 – 13
Ground/Capacity: Deepdale (23,408)
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom
In: Alfie Devine (Tottenham, undisclosed), Jusef Erabi (Genk, loan), Lee Nicholls (Huddersfield, undisclosed)
Out: Jack Walton (Dundee United, undisclosed), Michael Smith (Mansfield, free), Noah Mawene (Fleetwood, free), James Pradic (Fleetwood, free), Ben Whiteman (Wrexham, undisclosed)
Preston’s delayed takeover has made it difficult for Paul Heckingbottom to reshape the squad as quickly as he might have wanted. Alfie Devine is an encouraging addition, and Lee Nicholls brings experience in goal, while Jusef Erabi provides another attacking option. However, losing captain Ben Whiteman to Wrexham is a significant blow, particularly for a side that already had defensive weaknesses to address.
Last season was split into two very different halves, with Preston averaging 1.6 points per game before Christmas and only one point per game thereafter. That late decline continued a longer pattern, with just four victories from their final five matches across the last five seasons combined. Heckingbottom knows the division and should keep them clear of serious trouble, but another lower-half finish appears more likely than meaningful progress.