I'm back!...

Sorry it has been so long since my last post, it's been a hectic week at my real job! I hope you enjoyed my Premier League Previews so I'm now going to cast my glance towards the N-Power Championship. This will consist of smaller write-ups on the teams as naturally there is not quite the same big names and interest as there is on the Premier League.

Barnsley
Chances:
Barnsley have been perennial strugglers at this level and have been in and around the relegation places for the past few seasons. With Simon Davey now having left for pastures new I see a season of struggle, with a distinct possibility of the drop this time. Currently only 14 players on the books with a week until kick-off looks like a recipe for disaster to me.
Key Man:
Iain Hume; Having recovered from having his skull caved in by 'footballer' Chris Morgan Hume will be key to the Tykes chances. They have never been prolific scorers and most of the responsibility for goals will fall on Hume. Whether he lives up to this will go a long way to deciding their fate.

Bristol City
Chances:
Bristol have traditionally hovered around the play-off places only to fall away and miss out. This season though, I think they could bridge the gap and make a promotion push in what looks to me like a wide-open league. In David James, Lewin Nyatanga, Marvin Elliot and Nicky Maynard they look to have a very strong spine.
Key Man:
Nicky Maynard; Teams in this division tend to do well if they have a man banging in the goals. With no stand out teams this year that may be even more important. Therefore it could not be a better time for Maynard to fulfil his potential and bag over 20 goals.

Burnley
Chances:
Having lost only a few players since relegation from the Premier League it will be expected that Burnley will make a push for an immediate return. Players like Clarke Carlisle and Brian Jensen are seasoned pro's at this level and should provide a solid backline. If Martin Paterson can step up now that Steven Fletcher has left an immediate return could be on the cards.
Key Man:
Clarke Carlisle; The 'brightest man in football' needs to really perform this year. Whilst he didn't disgrace himself last year, he did look out of his depth at times. Burnley's defence has traditionally tight and they will need Carlisle leading them to provide that base.

Cardiff City
Chances:
In keeping Dave Jones in the managerial hotseat Cardiff have given themselves a much improved chance at another push for promotion. A proven manager at this level Jones has shown he can get the most from a relatively tight budget. He has been greatly aided by the brilliant academy at the club which continues to churn out promising young players who seem unphased by playing first team football.
Key Man:
Peter Whittingham; The wide man was top scorer last year and holding on to him is key to Cardiff's chances this year. As well as providing an obvious goal threat, Whittingham weighs in with more than his share of assists too. With cardiff in debt he should be the last man they think of selling to balance the books.

Coventry City
Chances:
Chris 'Cookie' Coleman has now left and been replaced by Aidy Boothroyd the fans will be hoping for Boothroyd to repeat his heroics in getting Watford promoted. They might have to wait a season for this as this Coventry team lacks real quality or experience. There are some good players like Westwood in goal and Eastwood and the returning McSheffrey up front, but in general the lack of depth may hinder a push this year.
Key Man:
Kieran Westwood; With a seeming decline in the real top quality goalkeepers in the game at the moment it is a wonder Westwood hasn't been snapped up. A brilliant shot-stopper and calming presence who is still young, with the new homegrown rules coming in I am suprised a Premier League team hasn't tested Coventry's resolve with a bid. If he stays expect Coventry to finish around mid-table.

Crystal Palace
Chances:
Last season Palace did well in the face of a 10 point deduction to finish above the relegation places. George Burley has worked wonders at this level before with Ipswich and a fairly tight budget and the fans will be hoping for more of the same. Such are the financial restrictions placed on him this time that a play-off challenge will probably be beyond them.
Key Man:
Darren Ambrose; Last season Ambrose really stepped up in a more senior role. He showed potential whilst at Ipswich and in flashes following a move to Newcastle, but seemed to have fallen away. Last year though, in a more central role, he shone. He was scoring cracking goals and providing assists, Palace will need a repeat to make any sort of challenge this year.

Derby County
Chances:
I get the impression that Nigel Clough is out of his comfort zone at Derby and I don't see him lasting long if County start badly. He has been given longer than most on the back of his Dad being such a club legend, but that extended welcome is worn out. He's had time to build a team and I don't think that team is good enough. My worry is that if he leaves Robbie Savage might take the reigns!
Key Man:
Robbie Savage; Love him or hate him, I'd imagine most are the latter, Savage is a good player at this level. His experience shows every game and he provides leadership in abundance as well as deflecting attention from underperforming team-mates with his 'antics'. They will need another fine season from him this year to avoid getting into a relegation scrap.

Doncaster Rovers
Chances:
I've seen a few people tipping them as a suprise package this season and I'd go some way to agreeing with that. They play football the 'right' way so I would expect a certain amount of goodwill is earnt from this, but they did impress towards the end of last season. They again look a bit too suspect at the back for me to tip them for a promtion push, bu they should steer clear of another relegation scrap.
Key Man:
James Hayter; An uncomplicated goalscorer is what you get from Hayter. Goals go a long way in this division so if he can find the net regularly Donny could have a better season than in recent memory, maybe a cup run too? He has been injury prone in previous campaigns and will do well to stay fit this year, he'd make a good outsider for top goalscorer I think.

Hull City
Chances:
Still without a real manager with the limbo with Phil Brown contnuing Hull could really struggle if they don't find some consistency on and off the field. 2 of their better players have already left in Stephen Hunt and Boaz Myhill and they haven't really been linked with anyone improve the current squad. They should be too good to go down, but if you want a good long odds shout for relegation, they would be my tip.
Key Man:
Matt Duke; With Myhill leaving this is Duke's opportunity to cement his promise with a regular starting spot in goal. I would imagine Hull's porous defence would give him plenty of practice, especially with Mouyokolo gone, so he will need to be in top form this season.

Ipswich Town
Chances:
In short, who knows!? With Marcus Evans money behind them and Roy Keane in charge many expected a repeat of when Sunderland bought their way up under Royston. However, this nevr happened and many are beginning to question whether that Sunderland season was a fluke and whether Keane is really cut out for management. I have my suspicions. Whilst Keane's hardline approach is commendable in the face of the general twattiness of the modern player, whether it is successful is debatable. Either way, I see a parting of company by Christmas if they aren't challenging.
Key Man:
Connor Wickham; The man who has apparently been the subject of some large bids from both Arsenal and Tottenham would do well to prove he's worth it in his first full season this year. I haven't seen enough of him to make a proper judgement, but I hope he's not just all physique and no real ability, interest from Arsene Wenger would suggest otherwise.

Leeds United
Chances:
They have certainly been busy building an improved squad this summer and with the league there for the taking I can understand that. Losing Jermaine Beckford to Everton will be a blow, but they have known since Christmas he was likely to go so should have planned for that eventuality. Billy Paynter is an astute signing, he will score plenty and will provide the workrate perhaps missing from Beckford's game. Kasper Schmeicel in goal too should be able to make the step-up to this level with ease.
Key Man:
Patrick Kisnorbo; In all the assessments of why Leeds fell away after Christmas last year the most sensible view was that they missed Kisnorbo at the back. He is vastly experienced and a large presence and they will be glad to see him taking his place at the heart of the defence for the start of the season. With goals and creativity not really a problem, if Kisnorbo can make them solid at the back then they might push for a return to the Premier League this season.