Chris Hughton has experience of getting out of the Championship, and could lead Birmingham back to the Premier League. Photograph: John Sibley/Action ImagesBirmingham have lost key players such as Roger Johnson, Ben Foster and Barry Ferguson, but in Chris Hughton have a manager who knows how to get out of this division … Blackpool lost Charlie Adam, David Vaughan and, most likely, the goals of DJ Campbell – a massive setback, but Ian Holloway will still have his team playing the right way … Brighton have the talent to do as Norwich did last season: come up from League One and make a huge impact … Cardiff should have done better last season. Jay Bothroyd has gone but Malky Mackay still has a very good squad … Hull finished strongly last season and, with Nigel Pearson making some decent purchases, they should push on … Ipswich always look like a side capable of challenging for a top-six place and have a hugely experienced manager in Paul Jewell … Leeds were top scorers in the Championship last season but struggled badly defensively. If they fix that they should be challengers … Leicester have spent hugely – but Cardiff had the best players last season and look what happened to them … Middlesbrough recovered well under Tony Mowbray last season and should push on … Nottingham Forest brought in Steve McClaren, which should provide unity between boardroom and dugout … Portsmouth are dark horses, with stability off the pitch and a talented, experienced manager in Steve Cotterill … Southampton can use promotion from League One as a springboard for even more success … And West Ham have a manager in Sam Allardyce who will restore the team's passion and fighting spirit.
Bristol City finished 15th last season and it's hard to see them doing much better this time around … Burnley have a talented manager in Eddie Howe but have lost Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears … Crystal Palace were steadied by Dougie Freedman last season and can really push on this year … Derby County started brilliantly last season but their struggle with consistency means they cannot expect to finish too high up … Millwall's loss of Steve Morison is a huge blow to their chances – it's hard to see how Kenny Jackett will replace his goals ... Reading have already lost Matt Mills and are likely to lose Shane Long, too.
Barnsley's lack of resources means it's hard to see how Keith Hill will be able to improve on last season's 17th … Coventry have lost Marlon King who was crucial last season ... Doncaster simply do not have the wherewithal to compete strongly in this division. They finished one place above relegation last season and will do well to improve on that … Peterborough have lost Craig Mackail-Smith, robbing them of any momentum from winning the play-offs last season … Watford, like Peterborough, have lost their top scorer – but even with Danny Graham, manager Sean Dyche would have struggled this season.
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