Open warfare

Beagrie backing the Blues, but says anyone can win it

By Peter Beagrie   Last updated: 22nd August 2008

Open warfare

Beagrie: new skysports.com signing

The team that plenty of people have been talking about - justifiably in my opinion - is Birmingham. They've conceded one goal in two games, their striking options look incredible and they've held onto the vast majority of their players; their's looks like a Premier League squad.

Peter Beagrie
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Teams

The Championship is well underway and already it has been predictably unpredictable!

On their day, anyone can beat anyone and I think it's going to be as open a league as it was last year.

We saw how tight the opening game was between Birmingham and Sheffield United - two of the fancied teams - but the difference was that Alex McLeish was able to send on someone with the goal scoring prowess of Kevin Phillips. I expect we will continue to see those small margins of error throughout the course of the season.

Coventry, Preston and Birmingham have set the early pace but I think only one of those sides will be there at the end of the season.

With Chris Coleman's know-how and a decent run of results, Coventry should be looking towards that play-off mix but I think they are unlikely to get one of the automatic spots. They are a massive club and now Ray Ranson is on board, they will be looking towards a bright future.

A few people raised an eyebrow when Alan Irvine left David Moyes at Everton and took the reins at Preston but he's made a big difference. Many people expected them to falter and slip into the relegation spots but he has been a breath of fresh air.

He's made a few astute loan signings and I think having the courage of his convictions has helped him make the leap from excellent coach and No. 2 to manager.

Striking options

The team that plenty of people have been talking about - justifiably in my opinion - is Birmingham. They've conceded one goal in two games, their striking options look incredible and they've held onto the vast majority of their players; their's looks like a Premier League squad.

But I did worry about the loss of Olivier Kapo and Fabrice Muamba in central midfield. The signing of Kevin Phillips got all the headlines but equally, if not more important for me has been the signing of Lee Carsley. He's a real driving force; a manager on the pitch if you like, and he'll get the best out of the players around him.

McLeish needs his wide men - Sebastian Larsson and Gary McSheffrey - to keep producing the form they're capable of. McSheffery was a little bit disappointing in the Premier League but he's proven at this level, and with Quincy Owusu-Abeyie in there too, Birmingham are the standout team when it comes to attacking options.

Derby have spent a lot of money but I think it's going to take a while for their players to gel. After the opening day defeat to Doncaster and then that first-half performance against Bristol City, it's not surprising that Paul Jewell read them the riot act.

Even though he's freshened up the squad with people who weren't associated with their relegation, they still seem to be feeling that hangover. I had them in the play-off mix but it's going to be an interesting season for them.

Most people with a decent knowledge of the game would say that Paul Jewell has generally done well wherever he's been. A lot will depend on how well their players with a point to prove respond; Nathan Ellingon, who struggled at Watford, and Rob Hulse, who is proven in the Championship but who spent a long time out with a horrific injury.

Conundrum

QPR have also brought a lot of new faces in but they're a conundrum to me. Everyone's tipping them - so much that I'm questioning why I'm not! - but I just think there have been too many changes.

It looks like a case of throwing a pack of cards in the air and seeing how they settle. And as we saw with Bristol City last season, the Championship is about teamwork, organisation and application

Even if Iain Dowie does get QPR promotion, it's been mooted that the owners want a bigger name and if you're working under that sort of pressure, it doesn't matter how driven you are. As much they seem to be fancied, I can't see them even being in the play-offs.

It is refreshing for the division as a whole though that, even with the relegated clubs' parachute payments, anyone on a given day can beat anyone. It's not like the Premier League where you can't see anyone really breaking into the top four, and that's the beauty of the Championship.

Young and hungry

Right through the divisions, you stand a better chance of getting promotion and then getting out of, or staying in, the next division if you play football - it's as simple as that. Lumping the ball can only take you so far and the younger managers are realising this.

The promoted sides, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster and Swansea are fantastic footballing sides. They have young, hungry managers with naturally gifted players making up the bulk of their squads.

And I fancy Swansea to get something at Plymouth on Saturday evening. They have a great manager and passionate support but they've lost charismatic winger Peter Halmosi and I just can't see them getting anywhere near their form of last year when they flirted with the play-offs.

Roberto Martinez has got some outstanding players at his disposal such as Ferrie Bodde, whose range of passing is incredible, and Jason Scotland, who grabbed 26 goals last season.

They've got great fluidity and movement and Roberto has really exploited his knowledge of, and contacts in, the Spanish markets to inject some real craft and guile into his side.

Adjusting

Everyone thought that Charlton would get up last season with the money that they spent. Alan Pardew gambled by bringing in strikers from the lowers leagues like Izale McLeod but no one really developed a partnership.

I think they failed to adjust to Championship football. In the Premier League, teams play in front of you but in the Championship they get behind you and pressure you; Charlton were bullied out of it.

Andy Reid was a big loss for them; they never really replaced that creativity and when you think about the parachute payments along with with who they've sold, you've got to think there has been a little bit of mis-management there.

The Addicks face Reading in the early kick-off and I've got Steve Coppell's side down for automatic promotion. Even if Kevin Doyle goes, they've still got a tremendous squad and they're very strong defensively.

I think the biggest signing so to speak is Steve Coppell in the fact that they've kept hold of him! If they can keep James Harper, and Bobby Convey stays fit, I fancy them to be right up there.

Peter answers your questions...

CHANGING TIMES
Hi Peter, what do you make of Aidy Boothroyd's promise of less hoofball and more passing football at Watford? It's always been thought that you needed to be physical to get out of the Championship but after seeing West Brom last year and Doncaster starting well this season, do you think things are changing? Tom, Borehamwood
PETER SAYS: I think they are. West Brom played some great stuff last season. Football's a game of opposites - you can be strong and organised out of possession but when you're in possession, that's the time to throw off the shackles. The best form of defence is attack as far as I'm concerned, if you can throw bodies forwards, you've always got a chance. It seems strange that for all the changes, Tommy Smith continues to stand out - he seems to do well wherever he plays. The pivotal point for Watford last season was when they got Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough on loan - up until then they had been playing pretty predictable, Route One stuff but he added a cutting edge and some width to their play. He went back to Middlesbrough of course, and they fell apart again. It's difficult to totally change a playing side when you've virtually got the same side or just a few additions.

BRAVO CAMPO?
Peter, I think Ivan Campo's a quality signing for the Tractor Boys. What do you make of our chances this season? Neil Silberry, Felixstowe
PETER SAYS: Ipswich's home form last year was outstanding. Jim Magilton had a side that played how he used to play - they didn't pass for passing's sake; it was progressive passing and they were able to express themselves at home. But they did get bullied by some of the more physical teams and that's why I think Campo and Gareth McCauley are terrific signings. McCauley will be central to improving their form on the road, I've got high expectations of Jon Walters again and new addition Kevin Lisbie was one of the best players in the division for me last season, even though he was relegated with Colchester. Whatever happens, it's going to be every bit as exciting and close as last season!

SORE POINT
Hi Peter, do you think the points deductions to Rotherham, Luton and Bournemouth has spoilt League Two this season? Andy, Rotherham fan
PETER SAYS: Absolutely. What I find frustrating is that the teams have now got different structures to the ones in which the irregularities occurred, yet they're the ones getting punished. I could understand if it was still the same chairman and people in charge but not when you've got new people trying to turn the team around. It's very hard to swallow. It's real fans who are trying to put the money back in and keep them afloat. Luton's squad would have been winning that division had they not had to sell off all their players. But if I was going to stand shoulder to shoulder with someone in a fight, it'd be Mick Harford! He's got such a big character and such a big heart. It's a sad situation and it's going to be difficult for all those sides; they all have to be as positive as possible.

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Comments (2)

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Scott Mcnamee (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

Hi Pete. I found your opinions fascinating but you failed to mention the Wolves, They have spent a few million pound in the summer. what do you think wolves' chances are this season?

Posted 17:55 25th August 2008

Leigh Roberts (Swansea City fan) says...

it's nice to see pundits making good statements about swansea city and roberto martinez (the messiah). i believe by the end of this campaign alot of people will be talking about roberto, he's got our players playing football i've only seen at top levels in the game, he's hardly spent any money but picking up quality players for peanuts. i felt before the season started that we would surprise a few people in this division. i fancy us to reach the play off's. or maybe who knows look what bristol city achieved last year.

Posted 17:15 22nd August 2008
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