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| 2011/2012 Championship Winners Reading |
Team - Barnsley
Manager - Keith Hill
Finish Last Season - 21st
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| Mido back to full fitness |
Key Player - If Mido can get fit and that is a big IF, then he has the ability to score at this level.
My Prediction - 24th - I am of the opinion that if it hadn't of been for the 10 goals of Ricardo Vaz Te in the first half of the season, then Barnsley would have been relegated. This season however I believe that relegation is an inevitability.
Pre-season Activity - Lee Clark has managed to keep the majority of his squad together and has been able to bring in some new additions. The one who did get away was central midfielder Jordon Mutch who joined Cardiff. Clark, regarded by many as one of the best young managers in England, signed the experienced trio of Peter Lovenkrands from Newcastle, Hayden Mullins from Portsmouth and Darren Ambrose from Crystal Palace. A 2-2 with German Champions League qualifiers Borussia Monchengladbach was the highlight of pre-season, the Blue Noses also put five past Bury and Plymouth in friendlies and Barnet in the League Cup first round.
Pre-season Activity - Rovers two best players from last season Yakubu and Junior Hoilett have moved on following Blackburn's relegation from the top tier. Steven Kean moved quickly in the transfer market to replace them, Leon Best joined in a 3 million pound move from Newcastle and subsequently suffered an injury to his interior cruciate ligaments and will be out of action for six months. Fulham duo Dickson Etuhu and Danny Murphy also joined the club as did former Brighton and Sheffield United winger Colin Kazim-Richards. Pre-season saw some embarrassing defeats to Rochdale, Accrington Stanley and Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.
Pre-season Activity - Not much activity on the transfer front, the stand out signing being former Rangers winger Salim Kerkar. Long serving player Jason Euell has been released. Pre-season has seen the Addicks take some large scalps in beating Sporting Lisbon in Portugal and Fulham.
Key Player - Bradley Wright-Phillips is the man to shoot the Addicks too safety.
Pre-season Activity - Four important players from last season have left Selhurst Park this summer, young right back Nathaniel Clyne has joined Southampton, Darren Ambrose has joined Championship rivals Birmingham City, Sean Scannell has joined Huddersfield and Anthony Gardner has joined newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday. Defenders Joel Ward, Peter Ramage and Aaron Martin have joined the club.
Key Player - They have managed to hold onto their best young talent Wilfred Zaha and they will need to hang onto him this season.
Pre-season Activity - Neil Warnock has sorted out the weak from the chaff in his squad and has signed a raft of experienced Championship players as the Yorkshire side look for a vast improvement on last seasons 14th place finish. Warnock's signings include centre half Jason Pearce from Pompey, Adam Drury from Norwich, Paul Green from Derby, Paddy Kenny form QPR, Luke Varney and David Norris from Pompey, Lee Peltier from Leicester City and the charming individual that is El Hadji Diouf. Unfortunately for Leeds fans favourite Robert Snodgrass has joined Norwich. Pre-season saw Warnock's men beat Preston, Torquay and Burton Albion.
Key Player - Top scorer from last season Ross McCormack is the man to fire Leeds to glory.
Pre-season Activity - All change at Forest this summer with Steve Cotterill out and Sean O'Driscoll in. Forest finished a disappointing 20th last term with a squad that should of been pushing for the play-offs. Players out the door include Chris Gunter, Joel Lynch, Luke Chambers and Garath McCleary. Players in include Wolves central midfielder Adlene Guedioura, Pompey's Greg Halford, Stoke's Danny Collins and West Brom's Simon Cox. The highlight of pre-season was a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa.
Key Player - Midfield playmaker Lewis McGugan is the complete midfielder, he is skilful, a deadly passer and strikes a mean free kick.
Pre-season Activity - Ferguson junior has made some shrewd signings such as Torquay keeper Bobby Olejnik and Stevenage midfielder Michael Bostwick. Other signings include Dundee United winger Danny Swanson and the permanent signing of Tyrone Barnett from Crawley Town. It appears that Ferguson has been able to keep hold of his star players, however both George Boyd and Paul Taylor remain on the transfer list due to rejecting new contracts with the Posh.
Key Player - Tyrone looked the part last season while on loan and if Boyd and Taylor leave his goals will be even more important.
Pre-season Activity - Wednesday have been busy in the transfer market this summer. Signings include Chris Kirkland, Joe Mattock, Anthony Gardner and Michail Antonio. Leaving the club is last seasons skipper Rob Jones who has joined Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster. Pre-season saw Wednesday record impressive wins over Reading and Kilmarnock.
Key Player - Gary Madine is maturing into a real centre forward for Wednesday with 23 goals in 60 games for the Owls.
Team - Birmingham City
Manager - Lee Clark
Finish Last Season - 4th
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| New boys at Brum |
Key Player - Centre half Curtis Davies is possibly the best defender outside of the Premier League and if the Brummies can hold onto him their aspirations for this season will remain high.
My Prediction - 2nd - Now without the task of Europa League games, I feel Clark and Terry McDermott will get the Blues up.
Team - Blackburn Rovers
Manager - Steve Kean
Finish Last Season - relegated from the Premier League
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| Steve Kean |
Key Player - Blackburn legend David Dunn will potentially captain the side this season, his experience and nous will be needed at Ewood PArk this season.
My Prediction - 7th - With Steve Kean still at the helm I feel that Rovers will just miss out on the play-offs, without Kean I see no reason why they can't look to automatic promotion.
Pre-season Activity - There has been minimal transfer activity at Bloomfield Road this summer, the highest profile signing has been that of former Villa youngster Isaiah Osbourne for 250k from Hibernian. The only player to leave the Seasiders was long serving midfielder Keith Southern who joined up with former manager Simon Grayson at Huddersfield. The worry for Pool fans is their two young stars from last season Matt Phillips and Thomas Ince have both been linked with moves away from the club. A 4-2 defeat to Swansea in their final friendly of the season was followed up with a 2-1 loss to Morecambe in the league cup.
Key Player - If they can hang onto Matt Phillips they have one of the best players in the Championship, a real game changer of a player.
Pre-season Activity - Despite relegation Owen Coyle has managed to hold onto a lot of his best players from last season, old stagers Klasnic, Gardner, Robinson, Davis and Steinsson have been released. The two players Coyle wouldn't of wanted to leave were Nigel Reo-Coker and experienced keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. He has strengthened his squad with the arrival of centre half Matt Mills, keeper Andy Lonergan, free agent Keith Andrews and exciting Arsenal youngster Benik Afobe on loan. The highlight of pre-season for the Whites was a 2-2 draw with Barcelona B.
Key Player - Talented midfielder Stuart Holden was injured for the majority of last season, he could be the driving force in Bolton's promotion push.
Team - Blackpool
Manager - Ian Holloway
Finish Last Season - 5th
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| Olly |
Key Player - If they can hang onto Matt Phillips they have one of the best players in the Championship, a real game changer of a player.
My Prediction - 12th - I'm not completely ruling out a chance of the play-offs for the Pool, but if they lose Phillips or Ince or both, they will lack the attacking flair they had in their promotion season.
Team - Bolton Wanderers
Manager - Owen Coyle
Finish Last Season - relegated from the Premier League
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| Big Kev |
Key Player - Talented midfielder Stuart Holden was injured for the majority of last season, he could be the driving force in Bolton's promotion push.
My Prediction - 1st - In Owen Coyle Bolton have a manager who knows the Championship and how to get out of it. They still have a very good squad which still contains the likes of Lee Chung-Yong, Mark Davies, Kevin Davies, Martin Petrov, David N'Gog, Chris Eagles and David Wheater.
Pre-season Activity - Experience has been the target for Gus Poyet this summer, his four signings are all over the age of 28. Poyet has brought in Valencia full back Bruno and the highest payed reserve in the world in Wayne Bridge. Machester United reserve keeper Tomasz Kuszczak and Norwich midfielder Andrew Crofts have also joined. The Seagulls were flying high in pre-season with a 3-1 win over Chelsea at the Amex, but they were brought down to earth with a 3-0 humbling to Swindon in the league cup.
Key Player - Vicente is a class act.
Team - Brighton and Hove Albion
Manager - Gus Poyet
Finish Last Season - 10th
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| Bruno |
Key Player - Vicente is a class act.
My Prediction - 15th - The momentum of being promoted has worn off and I cant see anything more than mid-table. Their lack of a 20 goal a season striker will hamper them and chances are Poyet will be pinched by the first Premier League team to sack their manager.
Team - Bristol City
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| Jody Morris |
Manager - Derek McInnes
Finish Last Season - 20th
Pre-season Activity - McInnes has made minimal changes to the squad from last season who almost got relegated. Unfancied at their own clubs the Robins have brought in Cardiff's back up keeper Tom Heaton, out of favour Nottingham Forest winger Paul Anderson and Manchester City left back Greg Cunningham. Former Chelsea player Jody Morris has joined form McInnes old club St Johnstone.
Key Player - Winger Albert Adomah is lightning quick and has an eye for goal, however he has been interesting other clubs.
Key Player - Winger Albert Adomah is lightning quick and has an eye for goal, however he has been interesting other clubs.
My Prediction - 19th - Its basically the same squad from last season and defeat at home to league 2 Gillingham in the league cup has set the Robins up for another disappointing season.
Manager - Eddie Howe
Team - Burnley
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| Charlie Austin |
Finish Last Season - 13th
Pre-season Activity - Signings include Derby captain Jason Shackell, Doncaster skipper Brian Stock, Reading left back Joesph Mills and loan star Sam Vokes. The loss of top scorer Jay Rodriguez to Premier League new boys Southampton is a massive blow for the Clarets. Pre-season saw Burnley win four on the bounce and then lose 3-1 to league 2 Rocdale.
Key Player - With Rodriguez gone Charile Austin will need to step up to the plate and he has the ability to do this.
Key Player - With Rodriguez gone Charile Austin will need to step up to the plate and he has the ability to do this.
My Prediction - 14th - Mid table beckons again for Eddie Howe's men.
Pre-season Activity - Another candidate for signing of the season comes from the bluebirds (or should that be redbirds) with the return of Craig Bellamy from Liverpool. Bellamy is still a Premier League quality player and will give a much needed goal threat to Cardiff. Money has been spent by the owners, 2 million pounds on Birmingham youngster Jordon Mutch, and a combined 3.5 million pounds on the unknown pair Kim Bo-Kyung and Etien Velikonja. Smashing Premier League Newcastle 4-1 in their final pre-season game raised a few eyebrows as did the 2-1 defeat to league 2 Northampton Town.
Key Player - It has to be Craig Bellamy who on his own can get City into the play-offs again.
My Prediction - 5th - Play-offs is their minimum aim.
Team - Cardiff City
Manager - Malky Mackay
Finish Last Season - 6th
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| Bellamy |
Key Player - It has to be Craig Bellamy who on his own can get City into the play-offs again.
Team - Charlton Athletic
Manager - Chris Powell
Finish Last Season - promoted from league 1
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| Chris Powell |
Key Player - Bradley Wright-Phillips is the man to shoot the Addicks too safety.
My Prediction - 16th - I cant see a Norwich/Southampton type season for Charlton, mid-table is the best I can predict.
Team - Crystal Palace
Manager - Dougie Freedman
Finish Last Season - 17th
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| Wilfred Zaha |
Key Player - They have managed to hold onto their best young talent Wilfred Zaha and they will need to hang onto him this season.
My Prediction - 21st - A relegation battle looks likely, a distinct lack of goals is the main problem for the Eagles.
Pre-season Activity - The loss of skipper Jason Shackell to Burnley was the biggest blow for Nigel Clough this summer, Paul Green and Chris Maguire have also left the club. Clough has replaced Shackell with Coventry City's player of the year Richard Keogh. Another signing is that of exciting midfielder Michael Jacobs from Northampton. Their season started in disappointing fashion with a defeat on penalties to Scunthorpe in the league cup, despite leading 4-1 at one point they ended up drawing 5-5.
Key Player - 16 year old Mason Bennett is a very talented youngster and definitely one to watch.
Team - Derby County
Manager - Nigel Clough
Finish Last Season - 12th
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| Richard Keogh |
Key Player - 16 year old Mason Bennett is a very talented youngster and definitely one to watch.
My Prediction - 22nd - A very young squad may struggle against many teams with proven championship players.
Pre-season Activity - Simon Grayson has brought in a host of impressive signings to support top scorer Jordan Rhodes who still remains at the club. His signings are Sean Scannell, Paul Dixon , Ollie Norwood, Adam Clayton, Joel Lynch, Keith Southern and Anthony Gerrard. Despite the new signings and keeping Rhodes this didnt stop the Terriers going down 2-0 to Preston in the league cup.
Key Player - Jordan Rhodes who else
Team - Huddersfield
Manager - Simon Grayson
Finish Last Season - promoted from league 1
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| Jordan Rhodes |
Key Player - Jordan Rhodes who else
My Prediction - 18th - Rhodes goals will keep them up.
Pre-season Activity - The arrival of Steve Bruce as manager has seen no players leave the KC so far this season. Bruce has added six new players to his squad, the standout signings being 2.6 million pound Nick Proschwitz a German striker, former Rangers winger Sone Aluko and veteran centre half Abdoulaye Faye from West Ham. Pre-season saw Hull only lose once to Doncaster Rovers who they face in the league cup second round.
Key Player - Robert Koren is the Tigers playmaker and has had promotions from the Championship with West Brom in previous years
Team - Hull City
Manager - Steve Bruce
Finish Last Season - 14th
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| Ex Rangers Sone Aluko |
Key Player - Robert Koren is the Tigers playmaker and has had promotions from the Championship with West Brom in previous years
My Prediction - 10th - A play-off push is a certainty, however this is possibly the most competitive Championship in years.
Pre-season Activity - The crucial signing for the Tractor Boys was of Nottingham Forest centre half Luke Chambers. Town conceded the second highest amount of goals last season which really derailed any potential play-off push. The signing of Watford and England keeper Scott Loach will strengthen their defence as well. Pre-season saw Ipswich beat a full strength West Ham side 3-1 at Portman Road.
Key Player - Michael Chopra is one of the most prolific strikers at this level.
Team - Ipswich Town
Manager - Paul Jewell
Finish Last Season - 15th
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| Michael Chopra |
Key Player - Michael Chopra is one of the most prolific strikers at this level.
My Prediction - 13th - Due to the high level of quality teams in this division, teams good teams like Ipswich may well find themselves in mid-table.
Team - Leeds United
Manager - Neil Warnock
Finish Last Season - 14th
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| Best of friends |
Key Player - Top scorer from last season Ross McCormack is the man to fire Leeds to glory.
My Prediction - 3rd - In the 2010/2011 season Warncock took an unfancied QPR team to promotion and I can see the same at Leeds this year.
Pre-season Activity - The big signing for Nigel Pearson's men is Fleetwood Town's top scorer from last season Jamie Vardy, at 1 million pounds the Foxes have taken a huge gamble on the Non-League hotshot. Other signings include Manchester United duo Matty James and Richie De Laet. Centre half pairing from last season, Sol Bamba and Matt Mills have left for Trabzonspor and Bolton respectively. Pre-season saw Leicester beat Sunderland and lose to Shrewsbury.
Key Player - Welsh midfielder Andy King is one of the most underrated players in the league, if he stays fit he could be pivotal this season.
Team - Leicester City
Manager - Nigel Pearson
Finish Last Season - 9th
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| Is he worth a million? |
Key Player - Welsh midfielder Andy King is one of the most underrated players in the league, if he stays fit he could be pivotal this season.
My Prediction - 8th - Definite play-off contenders the only worry is if their inconsistency from last season consists this year.
Pre-season Activity - Another contender for signing of the season came from Tony Mowbray as he signed Jonathan Woodgate on a free, if he can stay fit he is easily the best defender in the league. Other signings include Grant Leadbitter, Stuart Parnaby and skillful winger Emmanuel Ledesma. Pre-season saw an impressive 7-3 win over Scottish side Falkirk.
Key Player - Young striker Curtis Main could surprise a few this season.
My Prediction - 4th - Mowbray's squad is really coming together, one more striker and a play-off position is a certainty.
Pre-season Activity - Kenny Jackett dipped into league 1 for three of his summer signings, winger Chris Taylor from Oldham, centre half Karleigh Osborne and midfielder Scott Malone from Bournemouth. Players to leave the Den were Hameur Bouazza, Tony Craig and Josh McQuoid. Pre-season culminated in a 2-1 over Southend. The Lions then went onto lose on penalties to Crawley in the league cup.
Key Player - Darius Henderson had a dream debut season with the club scoring 19 goals and he will be relied on for the majority of goals again this term.
Team - Middlesbrough
Manager - Tony Mowbray
Finish Last Season - 7th
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| Jonathan Woodgate |
Key Player - Young striker Curtis Main could surprise a few this season.
Team - Millwall
Manager - Kenny Jackett
Finish Last Season - 16th
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| Kenny Jackett |
Key Player - Darius Henderson had a dream debut season with the club scoring 19 goals and he will be relied on for the majority of goals again this term.
My Prediction - 20th - The old Millwall grit and determination will see them to safety.
Team - Nottingham Forest
Manager - Sean O'Driscoll
Finish Last Season - 20th
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| New signing Simon Cox |
Key Player - Midfield playmaker Lewis McGugan is the complete midfielder, he is skilful, a deadly passer and strikes a mean free kick.
My Prediction - 9th - Like Blackburn and Leicester the play-offs are achievable but I feel they may fall short.
Team - Peterborough United
Manager - Darren Ferguson
Finish Last Season - 18th
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| Tyrone Barnett |
Key Player - Tyrone looked the part last season while on loan and if Boyd and Taylor leave his goals will be even more important.
My Prediction - 23rd - On the face of it they have one of the weakest squads in the division, however they may surprise a few like last season.
Team - Sheffield Wednesday
Manager - Dave Jones
Finish Last Season - promoted from league 1
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| Dave Jones |
Key Player - Gary Madine is maturing into a real centre forward for Wednesday with 23 goals in 60 games for the Owls.
My Prediction - 17th - They have enough to stay up and to push for mid table.
Pre-season Activity - The biggest shock of pre-season for Watford was Sean Dyhce being sacked as manager, the former Watford player who took over from Malky Mackay last summer led the team to an 11th place finish last season yet was sacked by Watford's new Italian owners and replaced with former West Ham gaffer Zola. With the help of the new owners Zola has brought in six loan players from Udinese and Granada clubs owned by the by the new owners. Two permanent signings are Fitz Hall and laughable keeper Manuel Almunia. Centre half Adrian Mariappa has joined Reading for an undisclosed fee.
Key Player - Fitz Hall is an experienced centre half at this level.
My Prediction - 11th - With the backing of the new owners Watford are a mid-table certainty.
Finish Last Season - relegated from the premier league
Team - Watford
Manager - Gianfranco Zola
Finish Last Season - 11th
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| Gianfranco Zola |
Key Player - Fitz Hall is an experienced centre half at this level.
Team - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manager - Stale Solbakken
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| Stale Solbakken |
Pre-season Activity - New manager Solbakken has used his European experience in signing Tongo Doumbia from Rennes and Slawomir Peszko from FC Koln. However Michael Kightly has jumped ship and joined Stoke. Both Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher are subject of high bids from Premier league clubs. Wolves pre-season finished with a 2-0 defeat to Southampton.
Key Player - Forward Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is a proven goalscorer at this level.
Key Player - Forward Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is a proven goalscorer at this level.
My Prediction - 6th - Their squad contains a number of quality players and is good enough to make the play-offs.
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1st
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Bolton
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2nd
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Birmingham
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3rd
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Leeds
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4th
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M’Boro
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5th
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Cardiff
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6th
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Wolves
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7th
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Blackburn
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8th
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Leicester
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9th
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Forest
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10th
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Hull
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11th
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Watford
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12th
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Blackpool
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13th
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Ipswich
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14th
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Burnley
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15th
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Brighton
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16th
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Charlton
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17th
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Sheffield Wednesday
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18th
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Huddersfield
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19th
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Bristol City
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20th
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Millwall
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21st
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Crystal Palace
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22nd
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Derby
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23rd
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P’Boro
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24th
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Barnsley
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