Huddersfield Town in the Championship - 2012

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12-page guide to Town in the Championship

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Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

2 HUDDERSFIELDTOWN2012-13 Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

NIGEL CLIBBENS may be a man without a desk at themoment, but the chief executive believes Town are wellset to embark on the Championship and has firm plansto keep them on the up.

Laptop and mobile constantly within reach amidoffice re-developments at the stadium, Dean Hoyle’sright hand man has his finger on the beating pulse ofevery department in the club, with Sean Jarvis leadinga magnificent surge in commercial development.

He’s happy with progress both on and off the field –work at the Canalside training complex is getting backon schedule after weather hold-ups – and he’s eagerto build on the feelgood factor of promotion bygrasping fresh opportunities in the community andsetting targets which can be achieved step by step.

Top priority remains the playing side.“We sat down with Simon Grayson very early after

the play-off victory to look at the positions we thoughtwe needed to strengthen, and he told us his views onthe sort of players he was looking for,” said Clibbens.

“We talked about players in terms of experience,age, potential, value and scope to maybe buy and thenmake a profit if we sold them on.

“We also talked about players with something toprove, so with all those factors we had a template forthe sort of individuals we were looking for and thepositions we wanted to fill – and we’ve spent the lastcouple of months trying to find those pieces of thejigsaw and putting it all together.

“I think we’ve done really well, although before youkick a football everyone is always very optimistic andit’s important to keep your feet on the ground.”

A big turnaround in players was inevitable afterpromotion, but Clibbens believes one signing which willnow become all-important was made back in February– that of Grayson and his staff.

“With the players we’ve got and the approach Simonbrings I feel we are in a very good place,” saidClibbens.

“I don’t think anyone is getting too carried away. Iknow our fans enjoyed the moment of gettingpromoted, but their expectations and those in the clubare very realistic.

“It is crucial that Simon has managed at this levelbefore – that’s going to be very important for us.

“He knows what the Championship is all about – heknows it better than the league we’ve just left – andthat’s a huge advantage for us going into this season.

“He knows the players in the league and he knowsthe teams, and the players we have brought in arepretty seasoned campaigners in this league– not just playing in it, but playing in ittowards the top.

“These guys won’t be fazed byanything, and that will be good for theconfidence of the lads who haven’texperienced it before, so we’ve got a goodmix of youth and experience.

“That’s what you need becausethe Championship is anexceptionally tough league.When you look at the fixture listit’s a step into the unknownmaybe for many of our fans,but it certainly isn’t for themanagement team and theplayers and that’s crucial.”

Graysonhas rightexperience

By MEL BOOTHSports [email protected]

Wembley feelgoodfactor still lingers but Simonknows hard works starts now

SIMON GRAYSON is one of themost relaxed managers around,but the fresh challenge of a first fullseason at Town has brought evenhim some gold-medal excitement.

A promotion winner just three monthsafter taking the job, the 42-year-old hasoverseen a rapid re-shaping of the JohnSmith’s Stadium squad and, after kickingoff with Monday’s Capital One Cup clash atPreston, he’s now fully focused on thebusiness that really matters – the npowerChampionship.

Town have to wait just 48 more hours todo battle with Cardiff City in the Welshcapital and Grayson – who paid tribute tothe work done by previous manager LeeClark and his staff in the immediate after-math of the Wembley play-off success

against Sheffield United – believes the play-ers, staff and supporters have much to lookforward to.

“It’s our first season back in the Champi-onship for 11 years so if you can’t get excitedabout that, I don’t know what is going to getyou excited,” said Grayson, whose CVincludes promotions with both Blackpooland Leeds.

“There’s been a buzz among the playersand a buzz around the town and the areasince we went up and Friday is the day wheneveryone will realise ‘this is now, this is theChampionship’.

“We are where we are and we’ve workedhard to achieve it – so let’s enjoy it.”

Seven new signings have been added tothe mix since Alex Smithies penaltyshoot-out heroics and that 8-7 passport topromotion – Paul Dixon, Adam Clayton,Oliver Norwood, Joel Lynch, Sean Scan-nell, Keith Southern and Anthony Gerrard– and Grayson believes they can help estab-lish Town as a force in 2012-13.

And while this is only his seventh monthwith Town’s three stars on his chest (repres-enting those title wins of the 1920s),Grayson is determined to turn more of theclub’s ambitions into reality as soon as hepossibly can.

“I’m in a privileged position because Iwas wanted – and felt wanted – by achairman in Dean Hoyle after I had beenmade unemployed, and I’m fortunate to beat a very passionate football club, one whichis forward thinking and got a lot of ambi-

We areall stillbuzzing

■ RELAXED APPROACH: Town boss SimonGrayson (centre) enjoys a joke with coaches IanMiller (left) and Glynn Snodin at the club’s officialphotocall and, below, new signing Anthony Gerrard

CONSTRUCTIVE criti-cism will be at the heart ofm a n a g e r S i m o nGrayson’s managerialmantra this season.

While he acknowledges thereis a time for rollickings to be

handed out, the three-times pro-motion winner feels a moremeasured approach often reapsbetter dividends.

“I’ve always wanted my play-ers to get focused on whatthey’ve got to do,,” he said.

“They need to respond in theright manner and, this season,I’ve put together a squad I’mvery excited about.

“We’ve got a lot of youngplayers learning the game, butI’ve got every faith in them.”

■ LESSON: MurrayWallace is one of theyounger members ofthe Town squad

Response the vital factor

3HUDDERSFIELDTOWN2012-13Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

IN the Championship, Bolton havenow wrestled favourite status awayfrom Leicester.

No team has really taken strongfavouritism in this division though,and teams that have been promisedinvestment such as Cardiff, Leeds andNottingham Forest have all shortenedfrom their initial quotes.

Watford have also been popular,thanks to the appointment of Zola andthe promise of loan signings fromUdinese and Granada, a benefit oftheir new alignment with the Pozzofamily.

Hull are also gathering somesupport thanks to the appointment ofSteve Bruce, and they are in from 33sto 25/1.

Birmingham are pretty friendlessand punters don’t seem to beconvinced that Lee Clark is a greatappointment for the Blues.

A quiet summer, with the notablemove being the signing of troubledex-Man Utd player Ravel Morrison,has led them to drift in the markets.

Barnsley are justifiably short-pricefavourites to be relegated. The Tykeswere awful after Ricardo Vaz Te left lastJanuary and Mido is not an adequatereplacement in any shape or form.

Concerning Huddersfield inparticular, the cloud hanging overthem is the possible departure ofJordan Rhodes.

Town are trying to hold out and getthe right sort of fee for the goalmachine, but if theyultimately lose him to oneof their divisional rivalsthen the current quoteof 4/1 to be relegatedcould shorten further.

They will need tospend anyincoming moneywisely, as theChampionshipthis year isone of themostcompetitiveto date.

DaleTempest

tion about it,” said the manager, who hasadded goalkeeping coach Paul Crichton tosenior coaches Glynn Snodin and IanMiller.

“Those ambitions are both on the pitchand off the pitch and, in those terms, I amfortunate because many other managerswould love to be in my position.

“I have no intention of resting on mylaurels, though, and I’m working hard tomake sure we do well this season and pushforward for many years to come.

“I love football and I love challenges. Ihad big challenges as manager at my previ-ous two clubs and feel I handled thosesituations okay, and now this is a freshchallenge for me and one I’m certainlylooking forward to.

“If you can’t enjoy challenges as a foot-ball manager then you might as well go and

find another line of work.”Grayson is optimistic about Town’s pro-

spects, but he feels expectations have tounfold naturally, like they do for any pro-moted club – staying up being the launchobjective, pressing on being the next andchallenging at the top if you can.

“We know what level we want to try andachieve this year and we will give it our bestshot,” he added.

“Everyone will work hard in every gameand we will have some good results and we’llhave some bad results because it’s theChampionship.

“The Championship is very demanding,it’s very even and it’s very tough, but it’s achallenge we know all about, it’s one we arelooking forward to and it’s not one we arefearful of.”

Rhodes’future isso vital

■ WHACK: Alex Smithiesscores the winning penalty

■ MAGIC: chairman DeanHoyle celebrates at Wembley

■ TEAM: Scott Arfield andLee Novak enjoy promotion

■ DELIGHT: Town fans atWembley realise they’re up

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TOWN are hungry for successand primed to achieve it.

That’s why Joel Lynch turned down anumber of clubs to join the Galpharmcrusade under manager Simon Graysonand chairman Dean Hoyle.

The 24-year-old became a firm favour-ite at Nottingham Forest towards theend of last season and blossomed in thecentre-back role he would love to cementin blue and white stripes.

His performances earned a three-yearcontract with newly-promoted Townand he’s confident it’s the right move –not just for the domestic challenge butinternationally as well.

Lynch is part of Chris Coleman’sWales senior squad and hoping tobecome a regular over the next fewyears.

“The Championship is a very toughleague where a lot of the teams are ofvery similar ability,” said East-bourne-born Lynch, who is planning tomove to the countryside around Hud-dersfield (“the quieter, the better”).

“It’s a tough fixture list and you haveto be hungry and ready to battle, andeverything I’ve seen here leads me tobelieve we’ll do fine.

“I spoke to a lot of clubs in thesummer, had meetings with them andthought about my options, but withinfive minutes of meeting the chairmanand manager here, I had made up mymind this was the place to be.

“The chairman is very ambitious and Ithink it’s brilliant he is a fan, because hereally cares about what happens here

“If he didn’t have the club at heart, hewouldn’t be putting all his money intoimproving things

“And he is really humble. He knowswhat he is talking about, he knows whatthe club is all about and he is clearlydoing all he can to make sure we aresuccessful.

“The manager, too, is very impressiveand spoke very well about where we areand where we are going.

“This club has got a winning mental-ity about it (topped by promotion lastseason) and I definitely think we aregoing places.

“The quality of the players who havebeen brought in speaks for itself, and themanager and coaching staff are the sortof people who motivate you and get thebest out of you.

“That’s what I want to be involved inand the way the manager comes across, Idefinitely know he can help my game andhelp us all improve as players.”

Lynch has played a lot of his footballwith Brighton and Forest as a left-back,but it’s in central defence where he feelsmost comfortable and where, while help-ing the City Ground club avoid relega-tion problems, he played so well that hewas second in their Player of the Yearpoll.

He’s hoping to hold off competitionfrom several quarters to play at the heartof Grayson’s defence this season, butaccepts a shirt has to be earned.

“I’m not taking it for granted I’ll be inthe team, but that’s what I’ll be workinghard for,” he said.

“I’ve seen quite a lot of the club’smatches on TV and, of course, I played

against quite a few of the lads when I wasat Brighton.

“This is a good squad and one thatclearly plays exciting football, so I’mreally looking forward to the season.

“While I didn’t know any of the ladsbefore I got here and got cracked intopre-season, I’ve seen Peter Clarke playquite a few times and have massiverespect for him.

“He has had a very good career, he hasdone well at Huddersfield and to havethe chance to possibly play alongsidehim can only help me. Peter is veryexperienced and I can learn a lot fromhim.”

Lynch says he had noted the othersignings, too, before he put pen to paperon his own deal – concluded sohe could go straight intopre-season training atCanalside.

“I don’t rememberp l ay i n g ag a i n s tJordan Rhodes, butI’ve watched him afew times and it’sjust great to be at aclub with such ap r o l i f i cgoa l scorer,” heexplained.

“When you knowthere is someone in theline-up who can get youregular goals, it gives every-

one confidence and it’s definitely a bigplus for all concerned.

“He is a good lad, everyone knowsthat, and hopefully he can continue hisform in the Championship – there is noreason why he shouldn’t because we havea lot of attacking style players in thesquad

“Oli Norwood is a quality youngplayer who is great on the ball and SeanScannell has got so much potential. He’sgot pace, he can create things and he canalso score.

“I’ve played against Adam Claytonwhen he was at Leeds as well and he’s gota lot of quality. He’s comfortable on theball and tough, so it will be good to havehim playing in front of the defence.

“I had also heard a lot aboutJack Hunt before I came

here, with his pace andknack for getting for-

w a r d , a n d h e ’sanother who willdo well in theChampionship.”

Lynch couldmake his debutfor Wales againstBosnia/Herzegov-ina today (Wed-

nesday, August 15)a f t e r b e i n g a n

unused substitute lasttime out for the friendly

against Mexico.

“If I can get in the team and stay in theteam at the Galpharm, then that is sureto help my chances with Wales,” heexplained.

“Playing each week, and playing to thebest of my ability, will help me push myclaims for a regular place and I’m hopingthat will happen sooner rather thanlater.”

He is delighted Forest are early on theleague agenda – being the first visitors tothe Galpharm next Tuesday (7.30).

“It’s great they are our first homegame and it’s going to be good,” headded.

“I have got nothing against Forestwhatsoever. I did not leave on bad terms,it was just that with the takeover waitingto happen, there was no security for meat the time and Town came up with anoffer I felt I just couldn’t turn down.

“I was second in the Player of the Yearvote there, which means the fans likedwhat I did for the team, and I always giveof my best.

“I always put in 100%, I hope I playeda big part in keeping Forest in thedivision and I always wore their shirtwith pride – just like I will do with theHuddersfield Town shirt.

“I’m looking forward to our gameagainst them. I played my old teamBrighton when I first joined Forest andscored, so it would be nice if thathappened again! It’ll be a great eveningfor me.”

Five minuteswith thechairman andmanager and Iknew this wasthe place to be

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KEITH SOUTHERN has ridden the Blackpool roller-coaster –now he’s ready to climb hills in Huddersfield.

And the 31-year-old refuses to rule out another sortie intothe Premier League.

“Nobody at the club is getting carried away, but you have tohave targets,” said the £300,000 recruit, who left BloomfieldRoad after 10 years having played in League I, theChampionship and the top flight and earned a testimonialagainst his first club Everton.

“When we first got into the Championship (in 1997, withSimon Grayson at the helm), people would have laughed at thesuggestion we could make it to the Premier League.

“But we were an honest, hard-working group and we hadsome really talented players, not unlike Huddersfield.

“We established ourselves in theChampionship, and, in the season wewent up (2009-10), built some realmomentum to get into the play-offs,then win through them.”

Once in the top flight for the firsttime since they accompanied Townout of the old Second Division in1970, the sceptics said the Seasiders’credentials were about as solid as astick of candy floss.

But Ian Holloway’s men kicked offwith a 4-0 romp at Wigan and chalkedup a double over Liverpool and sweetsuccesses against the likes ofNewcastle and Tottenham.

They were just two points awayfrom survival at the end of thecampaign, and made theChampionship play-off final lastseason, with Southern an unusedsubstitute in the 2-1 Wembley defeatby West Ham.

Hugely popular with the Poolfaithful, the Gateshead-born player,who fought his way back into the sidelast season after undergoing surgeryfor testicular cancer, made 375 appearances for the club andadmits it was tough to leave.

But having agreed a two-year contact, he’s excited by hischange of surroundings and more than happy to be reunitedwith Town chief Grayson.

“We were playing colleagues before he became manager,and he likes to say he taught me everything I know,” smiledSouthern.

“Everything might be an exaggeration, but he’s been a biginfluence. He has now won three promotions with threedifferent clubs, so you have to say he knows how to put a

SOUTHERNCOMFORT

successful side together.“We have some good

young players andsome, like Alan Lee andmy old Everton andBlackpool teammatePeter Clarke, withplenty of experience.

“And in JordanRhodes and LeeNovak, we have ladscapable of scoring goals,so if we can defend andget the supply lines going,who knows?”

■ STILLHUNGRY:Keith South-ern isrelishing thenew chal-lenge after adecade withBlackpool.Inset: At hisBloomfieldRoadtestimonial v

Everton

■ ARRIVAL: Oliver Norwood in action against Crewe

■ ARRIVAL: Adam Clayton has joined the squad from Leeds

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Huddersfield Town -backwherewebelongAUGUST

17 (A) Cardiff City21 (H) Nottingham Forest25 (H) Burnley

SEPTEMBER1 (A) Ipswich Town15 (H) Derby County19 (A) Sheffield Wednesday22 (A) Blackpool29 (H) Watford

OCTOBER2 (H) Leicester City6 (A) Birmingham City20 (H) Wolves23 (A) Peterborough United27 (A) Millwall

NOVEMBER3 (H) Bristol City6 (H) Blackburn Rovers10 (A) Barnsley17 (H) Brighton & Hove Albion24 (A) Charlton Athletic27 (A) Middlesbrough

DECEMBER1 (H) Leeds United8 (H) Bolton Wanderers15 (A) Hull City22 (A) Crystal Palace26 (H) Blackpool29 (H) Sheffield Wednesday

BACK: Chris Atkinson, Jimmy Spencer, Lee Novak, Murray Wallace, Alan Lee, Jamie MCENTRE: Chris Senior, Andrew Brook, James Haycock, Steve Eyre, Danny Ward, Nick ColFRONT: Kallum Higginbotham, Oliver Norwood, Adam Clayton, Keith Southern, Jordan RhodesSQUAD 2012-13

npower Championship and cup fixtures


own -backwherewebelongJANUARY

1 (A) Leicester City5 FA Cup round three12 (H) Birmingham City19 (A) Watford26 (H) Crystal Palace

(or FA Cup round four)

FEBRUARY2 (A) Derby County9 (H) Cardiff City16 (A) Burnley (or FA Cup round

five)19 (A) Nottingham Forest23 (H) Ipswich Town

MARCH2 (A) Brighton & Hove Albion5 (H) Middlesbrough9 (H) Charlton Athletic (or FA Cup

round six)16 (A) Leeds United30 (H) Hull City

APRIL1 (A) Bolton Wanderers6 (H) Peterborough United13 (A) Wolves

(or FA Cup semi-final)17 (A) Blackburn Rovers20 (H) Millwall27 (A) Bristol City

MAY4 (H) Barnsley11 FA Cup final

cCombe (now Doncaster), Oscar Gobern, Anthony Gerrard, Joel Lynch, Anton Robinson, Liam Ridehalgh, Paul Dixon.k Colgan, Alex Smithies, Ian Bennett, Tom Clarke, Paul Crichton, Chris Markham, Tom Little.n Rhodes, Ian Miller, Simon Grayson, Glynn Snodin, Peter Clarke, Calum Woods, Scott Arfield, Jack Hunt, Sean Scannell.


SEAN SCANNELL might betaking driving lessons – butwhen it comes to Champion-ship football, the L plates werethrown away years ago.

Now 21, he made his senior debut at17, coming off the bench to helpCrystal Palace claim a 2-1 win atLondon rivals QPR.

That big moment came in the Cham-pionship, as have all of his 130 leagueappearances to date, so it’s fair to say hehas an inkling of what awaits his newclub after last season’s promotion.

“It’s a great league, exciting to playin and also very competitive,” saidScannel l , who became SimonGrayson’s first post-promotion signingwhen he agreed a three-year contract.

“There are some big clubs in thedivision, but it’s not like the PremierLeague where you get a few who arehead and shoulders above the others.

“It’s usually one of those divisionswhere on their day, everyone has theability to beat everyone else, and fromwhat I’ve seen, we have a squad cap-able of competing.”

Scannell says it was the ambitionshown by Town boss Grayson andchairman Dean Hoyle which per-suaded him to move away from family,friends and the club he joined at 14.

“I’m from Croydon, in South Lon-don, and it’s very different from Hud-dersfield,” said the Republic of IrelandUnder 21 and B international, whohad a Palace deal through to 2016.

“But I’ve been here for a while nowand I’m finally getting used to theplace, the locals and the accent!

“I’m living in Lindley – very close to(Town teammate) Oscar Gobern – and

he’s shown me around the area.“The only times I’d been up North

before were Palace away games, so Ididn’t really know what to expect.

“The people up here are reallyfriendly and the scenery is great. Ishould see more of it once I’ve got thatdriving licence.”

Scannell missed Monday’s CapitalOne Cup clash at Preston after beingcalled up by the Republic Under 21sfor the European Championship qual-ifier against Turkey in Sligo.

The man who caught the eye withhis mixture of pace, deft footwork andathleticism in Town’s sole homefriendly against Barcelona B isdelighted to have been on interna-tional duty.

But Scannell, whose dad is Irish andmum Jamaican, was a touch frustratedto have been absent from Town’s firstcompetitive match of the campaign.

“It’s great to be a part of the Repub-lic set-up, and the good thing aboutthe Championship is that there arefixture breaks for most of the interna-tional dates,” he added.

“I’m very proud to have played for

the Republic at various age levels, andI’d love to represent the senior team atsome stage.

“But the priority is Town, becauseby doing the business at club level, therest should take care of itself.

“The first thing is to get into theside, and missing Monday’s match hasobviously given others the chance tocatch the eye!”

Scannell, who made 141 Palaceappearances in all and scored 13 goals,is desperate to make the team forFriday’s Championship opener atCardiff.

That would give him a chance toavenge the Londoners’ defeat to theWelsh side in last season’s Carling(now Capital One) Cup semi-finals.

“It was so disappointing to get soclose to a Wembley final,” explainedScannell, who watched Town’s LeagueI play-off final win over SheffieldUnited on television.

“We gave it a good go, but it wasn’tto be, but that’s all in the past now. Myfuture is very firmly with Hudders-field.”

SCANMANLearner driver Sean’s sure Townwill pass their Championship test

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CANALSIDE will, in the not too distantfuture, be a gleaming tribute to chairmanDean Hoyle’s ambition for Town.

Work at the complex off Leeds Road –which will be the club’s state-of-the-artday-to-day headquarters – is cracking aheaddespite weather hold-ups.

Simon Grayson’s squad have trained onthe pitches behind the canal while work goeson elsewhere at the venue, which is open tothe public.

“At the moment we are well on,” said chiefexecutive Nigel Clibbens.

“We have suffered really badly with theworst spring and summer rain in any of ourlifetimes, and we couldn’t have picked aworse time to dig up five acres of land andredevelop it.

“It is obvious we have been hit hard by theweather, but now we are seeing more sun weare cracking on.”

Just when the finished article willstart to take shape remains in thelaps of the Gods.

“The pitches are all level, thedrainage is almost in and they arestarting to put the soil back onbefore thinking about the grass,” headded.

“We can’t put a time limiton it, because if we havethree weeks of badweather or three weeks

of good it all changes.“The canal pitches, in the deal we did with

Kirklees Council, have proved absolutelycrucial for us and, as I said at the time, thatdeal we did with Kirklees was a greatexample of people working together for thegreater good.

“The players feel the standard has been upalongside those they have experienced else-where and, this time next year with all thepitches and the plans we’ve got, Canalsidewill be absolutely fantastic and the days ofbeing pretty nomadic will be long gone and,hopefully, forgotten.”

Clibbens hopes the people of Hudders-field will support the public amenities atCanalside as well as the club on match-

days.“It is a huge investment being made

by the club and it’s only possiblebecause of the commitment of DeanHoyle to create long-term founda-tions for the club,” he added.

“The training ground will bethere long after I’ve gone and Dean

has gone and these are thesort of things which will

ensure the sustainabil-ity of the club goingforward.”

Canalside to be’pitch perfect’

ROSS WILSON is the latest addition toTown’s staff – and a key one accordingto Nigel Clibbens.

The 30-year-old enjoyed success inseven years at Falkirk before leaving tojoin Malky Mackay’s team at Watford.

He has been appointed Head of Foot-

ball Operations with Town, and Clibbensexplained: “The role covers elementssuch as our recruitment process, sportsscience, medical and analysis.

“These all have a critical role to play inmaking a difference to the club and oursuccess.”

■ DIGGING FOR VICTORY: work is ongoing at the Canalside training complex

By MEL BOOTHSports Editor

Latest arrival a crucial one

■ GOALS: Sean Scannell iscongratulated by Chris Atkinsonafter scoring against Hibernian

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BARNSLEYManager: Keith HillPosition last season: 22ndNickname: The TykesGround: OakwellCapacity: 23,009Players in: Lee Collins (Port Vale,undisclosed), Kelvin Etuhu (Portsmouth, free),Jacob Mellis (Chelsea, free), Mido (Zamalek,free), Ben Alnwick (Tottenham, free), Toni Silva(Liverpool, free), Tomasz Cywka (Reading, free)Players out: David Cotterill (Doncaster, free),Jay McEveley (Swindon, free), Jacob Butterfield(Norwich, undisclosed), Nathan Doyle(Bradford, free), Alistair Taylor, David Preeceand Andy Gray (all released)Key man: Luke SteeleChances: More wheeling and dealing in thetransfer market for manager Keith Hill, but theTykes are set for another tough season.

BIRMINGHAMManager: Lee ClarkPosition last season: 4thNickname: BluesGround: St Andrew’sCapacity: 30,009Players in: Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle,free), David Lucas (Rochdale, free), HaydenMullins (Portsmouth, undisclosed), DarrenAmbrose (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), RavelMorrison (West Ham, season-long loan)Players out: Jordon Mutch (Cardiff,undisclosed), Ben Foster (West Brom,undisclosed), Luke Hubbins (AFC Telford, free),Caleb Folan, Enric Valles, Cian Hughton andAshley Sammons (released)Key man: Curtis DaviesChances: Hoping to improve on last season’splay-off semi-final defeat with Clark at the helm.He has added Lovenkrands, Ambrose andMorrison to an already talented squad.

BLACKBURN

Manager: Steve KeanPosition last season: 19th in PremierLeagueNickname: RoversGround: Ewood ParkCapacity: 31,154Players in: Danny Murphy (Fulham, free),Leon Best (Newcastle, £3million), Nuno Gomes(Braga, free), Fabio Nunes (Portimonense,undisclosed), PauloJorge (FC Porto B,undisclosed), Edinho(Olhanense, £500,000),Dickson Etuhu (Fulham,£1million)Players out: AyegbeniYakubu (GuangzhouR&F, undisclosed), RyanEdwards (Rochdale,six-month youth loan),Junior Hoilett (QPR, free),Matthew Pearson (Rochdale, free),Jackson Ramm (Colchester, free),Michel Salgado, Vince Grella, ZacAley, Jamie Maclaren and HeroldGoulon (all released)Key man: Danny MurphyChances: Following turmoil on andoff the pitch and relegation, Keanhas enjoyed the backing of owners

Venky’s in the transfer market. Promotion is theexpectation but a serious pre-season injury toBest could be a significant blow.

BLACKPOOL

Manager: Ian HollowayPosition last season: 5thNickname: The Seasiders, the TangerinesGround: Bloomfield RoadCapacity: 16,220 (under development)Players in: Jake Caprice (Crystal Palace, free)Isaiah Osbourne (Hibernian, undisclosed),Scott Robertson (Dundee United, free), TiagoGomes (free)Players out: Lomana LuaLua (Karabukspor,free), Brett Ormerod (Wrexham, free), DanielBogdanovic and Stephen Husband (released),Matt Hill (Sheffield United, free)Key man: Tom InceChances: Expected to be in contention againfollowing play-off heartache against West Ham.Kept wingers Ince and Matt Phillips.

BOLTON

Manager: Owen Coyle (pictured)Position last season: 18th in PremierLeagueNickname: The TrottersGround: Reebok StadiumCapacity: 28,723Players in: Keith Andrews (West Brom, free),Matt Mills (Leicester, undisclosed), Joe McKee(free) Andy Lonergan (Leeds, undisclosed),Benik Afobe (Arsenal, season-long loan)Players out: Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham,free), Robbie Blake (Doncaster, free), RhysBennett (Rochdale, free), Tope Obadeyi (RioAve, free), Mark Connolly (Crawley, free), IvanKlasnic, Gretar Steinsson, Paul Robinson, SeanDavis, Ricardo Gardner and Dino Fazlic(released), Tom Eckersley (Accrington, free)Key man: Martin PetrovChances: Many people’s favourites forpromotion with most of last season’s youthfulPremier League squad plus Mills and Andrewsare shrewd additions at Championship level.

BRIGHTON

Manager: Gus PoyetPosition last season: 10thNickname: The Seagulls

Ground: American Express CommunityStadium

Capacity: 22,374Players in: Tomasz Kuszczak(Manchester United, free), Bruno Saltor

(Valencia, free), Wayne Bridge(Manchester City, loan), Andrew

Crofts (Norwich, undisclosed)Players out: Alan Navarro

(Swindon, free), Michael Poke(Torquay, free), DavidGonzalez and LeonRedwood (both released)Key man: VicenteChances: Having broughtin Kuszczak and kepttalented Spanishplaymaker Vicente, Poyethas a side capable of theplay-offs at least.

BRISTOL CITY

Manager: Derek McInnesPosition last season: 20thNickname: The RobinsGround: Ashton GateCapacity: 21,497Players in: Jody Morris (St Johnstone, free),Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest, free)Players out: Jamal Campbell-Ryce (NottsCounty, free), Jamie McAllister (Yeovil, free),David James, David Clarkson, ChristianRibeiro, Marlon Jackson, Danny Ball and HenryMuggeridge (all released)Key man: Albert AdomahChances: McInnes is regarded as one of themost highly-rated managers in Britain andenjoyed instant success at Ashton Gate as hesteered the Robins clear of relegation lastseason. Will be hoping for a higher finish in hisfirst full campaign in charge.

BURNLEY

Manager: Eddie HowePosition last season: 13thNickname: The ClaretsGround: Turf MoorCapacity: 22,546Players in: Luke O’Neill (Mansfield,undisclosed), George Porter (Leyton Orient,free), Jason Shackell (Derby, undisclosed),Joseph Mills (Reading, season-long loan), SamVokes (Wolves, undisclosed)Players out: Jay Rodriguez (Southampton,undisclosed), Andre Amougou, Clarke Carlisle,Brian Easton, Alex-Ray Harvey, Joe McKee,Dominic Knowles, Neil Yadolahi, David Lynchand Ross Wilson (all released), Joe Jacksonand Tom Anderson (both AFC Barrow, loan).Key man: Charlie AustinChances: Howe’s youthful squad will strive forgreater consistency and are outsiders for aplay-off push, although the pressure will be onAustin to fill the void in attack left byRodriguez’s move to Southampton.

CARDIFF

Manager: Malky MackayPosition last season: 6thNickname: The BluebirdsGround: Cardiff City StadiumCapacity: 26,828Players in: Joe Lewis (Peterborough, free),Jordon Mutch (Birmingham, undisclosed), KimBokyung (Cerezo Osaka, undisclosed), HeidarHelguson (QPR, undisclosed)Players out: Aaron Wildig (Shrewsbury, free),Tom Heaton, Lee Naylor, Paul Quinn, JonMeades, Alex Evans and Jordan Santiago (allreleased), Anthony Gerrard (Huddersfield,£350,000)Key man: Peter WhittinghamChances: After missing out on promotion yetagain, Mackay will be hoping to finally lead theclub back into the top flight. Have ditched theirfamous blue kit in favour of red.

CHARLTON

Manager: Chris PowellPosition last season: 1st in League OneNickname: The AddicksGround: The ValleyCapacity: 27,111Players in: Lawrie Wilson (Stevenage,undisclosed), Jordan Cook (Sunderland, free)Players out: Gary Doherty (Wycombe, free),Freddie Warren (Barnet, free), Jason Euell,Mikel Alonso and Tosan Popo (all released)Key man: Johnnie JacksonChances: A quiet summer down at The Valleyfollowing last year’s overhaul, but boss Powellbelieves his League One champions can makethe step up and he should be proved right.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Manager: Dougie FreedmanPosition last season: 17thNickname: The EaglesGround: Selhurst ParkCapacity: 26,309Players in: Joel Ward (Portsmouth, £400,000),Aaron Martin (Southampton, season-long loan),Aaron Wilbraham (Norwich, free)Players out: Anthony Gardner (SheffieldWednesday, free), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield,undisclosed), Darren Ambrose (Birmingham,undisclosed), Lee Hills (Stevenage, free), CalvinAndrew, Nathaniel Pinney, Jake Caprice andCharlie Holness (all released), Nathaniel Clyne(Southampton, undisclosed)Key man: Wilfried ZahaChances: Losing Ambrose and Clyne wouldbe a blow to any club in the Championship butPalace’s squad looks worryingly thin, althoughwith plenty of talented youngsters.

DDEERRBBYY

Manager: Nigel CloughPosition last season: 12thNickname: The RamsGround: Pride ParkCapacity: 33,597Players in: Michael Jacobs (Northampton,undisclosed compensation), Paul Coutts(Preston, undisclosed), Richard Keogh(Coventry, undisclosed), James O’Connor(Doncaster, undisclosed), Michael Hoganson(Newcastle, released)Players out: Paul Green (Leeds, free), JamesSevern (Scunthorpe, free), Chris Maguire(Sheffield Wednesday, free), Lee Croft(Oldham, season-long loan), Miles Addison(Bournemouth, undisclosed), Jason Shackell(Burnley, undisclosed), Callum Ball (Coventry,season-long loan)Key man: Ben DaviesChances: Progression under Nigel Cloughcontinued last season and after strengtheninghis defensive options this summer, the Rams

Coyle’s boys favouritesMEL BOOTH’S TIPSPROMOTED:1: BOLTON2: WOLVESPLAYOFFS: Leicester, Brighton,Cardiff City, Middlesbrough

RELEGATED:1: BARNSLEY2: PALACE3 PETERBOROUGH

LAST YEAR:Tipped: Town andSheff Wed.Play-offs: MKDons, Sheff Wed,Charlton, Leyton O

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boss will be looking for his side to break into thetop 10.

HULL

Manager: Steve Bruce (pictured)Position last season: 8thNickname: The TigersGround: KC StadiumCapacity: 25,586Players in: Eldin Jakupovic (Aris, released),Ben Amos (Manchester United, season-longloan), Nick Proschwitz (SC Paderborn,£2.5million), Abdoulaye Faye (West Ham, free),Sone Aluko (Rangers, free), Alex Bruce (Leeds,free)Players out: Will Atkinson (Bradford, free),Kevin Kilbane (Coventry, free)Key man: Robert KorenChances: The Allam family who own the clubhave backed new boss Bruce and expect aplay-off finish at least.

IPSWICH

Manager: Paul JewellPosition last season: 15thNickname: The Tractor BoysGround: Portman RoadCapacity: 30,311Players in: Elliott Hewitt (Macclesfield,undisclosed), Luke Chambers (NottinghamForest, free), Scott Loach (Watford,undisclosed)Players out: Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough,free), Richard Wright (Preston, free), LeeBowyer, Ibrahima Sonko and Cody Cropper (allreleased), Mark Kennedy (retired)Key man: Tommy SmithChances: Jewell will be looking for his Ipswichsquad to improve on the two mid-table finisheshe has overseen so far. Having only broughtthree new players to Portman Road, Jewell willneed a good start to target a top-half place.

LLEEEEDDSS

Manager: Neil WarnockPosition last season: 14thNickname: The WhitesGround: Elland RoadCapacity: 37,697Players in: Jason Pearce (Portsmouth,£500,000), Adam Drury (Norwich, free), PaulGreen (Derby, free), Paddy Kenny (QPR,£500,000), Andy Gray (Barnsley, free), JamieAshdown (Portsmouth, free), Luke Varney(Portsmouth, free), David Norris (Portsmouth,free), Lee Peltier (Leicester, undisclosed),Rodolph Austin (SK Brann, free)Players out: Maik Taylor (Millwall, free), LloydSam, Mikael Forssell and Danny Webber (allreleased), Adam Clayton (Huddersfield,undisclosed), Andy Lonergan (Bolton,undisclosed), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich,£3million), Alex Bruce (Hull, free)

Key man: Ross McCormackChances: Despite the loss of captainSnodgrass to Norwich, manager Warnock hasmade a number of shrewd signings as he aimsto get Leeds back into the top flight. They willbe among the promotion contenders.

LEICESTER

Manager: Nigel PearsonPosition last season: 9thNickname: The FoxesGround: King Power StadiumCapacity: 32,262Players in: Ritchie de Laet and Matty James(Manchester United, undisclosed), Jamie Vardy(Fleetwood, £1million), Marko Futacs(Portsmouth, undisclosed compensation), ZakWhitbread (Norwich, free)Players out: Sol Bamba (Trabzonspor,undisclosed), Oliver Norburn (Bristol Rovers,free), John Pantsil, Steve Howard, ElliottChamberlain, Matt Oakley, Aleksandar Tunchev,Darius Vassell and Franck Moussa (allreleased), Matt Mills (Bolton, undisclosed),Chris Weale (Shrewsbury, free), Lee Peltier(Leeds, undisclosed)Key man: Neil DannsChances: Narrowly missed out on theplay-offs last season. Will finish in the top six atleast this time round and should challenge foran automatic promotion place.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Manager: Tony MowbrayPosition last season: 7thNickname: BoroGround: Riverside StadiumCapacity: 34,988Players in: Grant Leadbitter (Ipswich, free),Stuart Parnaby (unattached), EmanuelLedesma (Walsall, free), George Friend(Doncaster, undisclosed), ChristianBurgess (Arsenal, free), JonathanWoodgate (Stoke, free), MustaphaCarayol (Bristol Rovers, undisclosed)Players out: Barry Robson(Vancouver Whitecaps, free), JonathanFranks (Hartlepool, free), JonathanGrounds (Oldham, free), TonyMcMahon (Sheffield United,free)Key man: Marvin EmnesChances:Middlesbrough missedlast season’s play-offsby five points havinglong been contenders.Mowbray’s side wonjust eight of their 23 atthe Riverside Stadiumlast term. Anotherpromotion-chasingseason beckons, though.

MILLWALL

Manager: Kenny JackettPosition last season: 16thNickname: The LionsGround: The DenCapacity: 20,146Players in: Maik Taylor (Leeds, free), ScottMalone (Bournemouth, player exchange), ChrisTaylor (Oldham, free), Karleigh Osborne(Brentford, free)Players out: Chris Hackett (Northampton,free), Tony Craig (Brentford, undisclosed), RyanAllsop (Leyton Orient, free), Josh McQuoid(Bournemouth, player exchange) HamerBouazza, Jordan Stewart, Jake Gallagher andConor McLaren (all released)Key man: Andy KeoghChances: Millwall struggled with their homeform last season and manager Jackett will behoping for better down at The Den. Too good toto go down but the play-offs remain well out ofreach.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Manager: Sean O’DriscollPosition last season: 19thNickname: The RedsGround: City GroundCapacity: 30,603Players in: Adlene Guedioura (Wolves,undisclosed), Danny Collins (Stoke, free), GregHalford (Portsmouth, free), Dan Harding(Southampton, free), Simon Gillett (free agent),Daniel Ayala (Norwich, season-long loan)Players out: Garath McCleary (Reading,undisclosed), Luke Chambers (Ipswich, free),Joel Lynch (Huddersfield, free), Chris Gunter(Reading, undisclosed)Key man: Lewis McGuganChances: The 2011-12 season was a toughone both on and off the pitch. The Al Hasawitakeover looks to have stabilised the club and,although several key players have left the CityGround this summer, the replacements newmanager O’Driscoll has brought in could seeForest return to mount a challenge for theplay-offs.

PETERBOROUGH

Manager: Darren FergusonPosition last season: 18thNickname: The PoshGround: London RoadCapacity: 15,315Players in: Tyrone Barnett (Crawley,

£1.2million), Shaun Brisley(Macclesfield, undisclosed),

Nathanial Knight-Percival(Wrexham, free), DannySwanson (Dundee United,free), Robert Olejnik (Torquay,undisclosed), NathanielMendez-Laing (Wolves,undisclosed), MichaelBostwick (Stevenage,undisclosed), Jonson

Clarke-Harris (Coventry, free)Players out: Joe Lewis

(Cardiff, free), Paul Jones(Crawley, free), Nathan Ralph(Yeovil, free), David Ball(Fleetwood, undisclosed)

Key man: Lee TomlinChances: Just held their own last season ontheir return to the second tier. Posh will beaiming for a mid-table finish but it could beanother nervy conclusion to the campaign.

SHEFFIELD WWEEDDNNEESSDDAAYY

Manager: Dave JonesPosition last season: 2nd in League OneNickname: The OwlsGround: HillsboroughCapacity: 39,812Players in: Chris Kirkland (Wigan, free),Kieran Lee (Oldham, free), Joe Mattock (WestBrom, free), Anthony Gardner (Crystal Palace,free), Chris Maguire (Derby, undisclosed),Diogo Amado (Uniao Leiria, free), Nejc Pecnik(CD Nacional, free), Rhys McCabe (Rangers,free)Players out: Richard O’Donnell (Chesterfield,free), Clinton Morrison (Colchester, free), ChrisSedgwick, Jon Otsemobor, Sean Cuff andVadaine Oliver (all released), Liam Palmer(Tranmere, loan), Ryan Lowe (MK Dons,undisclosed)Key man: Jose SemedoChances: Owls boss Dave Jones will expecthis side to make an instant impression as heaims for a top-half finish.

WATFORD

Manager: Gianfranco ZolaPosition last season: 11thNickname: The HornetsGround: Vicarage RoadCapacity: 17,477Players in: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal, free), FitzHall (QPR, free), Almen Abdi, Matej Vydra, SteveLeo Beleck (all Udinese, free), Daniel Pudil,Ikechi Anya (both Granada, season-long loans)Players out: Adrian Mariappa (Reading,undisclosed), Rene Gilmartin (Plymouth, free),Josh Walker (Scunthorpe, free), Scott Loach(Ipswich, undisclosed), Tom James, Chez Isaacand Michael Bryan (all released)Key man: Troy DeeneyChances: Winds of change have blownthrough Vicarage Road this summer as theItaly-based Pozzo family took control ofWatford. The new owners replaced managerSean Dyche with Zola as they eye up apromotion push in their first year.

WWOOLLVVEESS

Manager: Stale SolbakkenPosition last season: 20th in PremierLeagueNickname: WolvesGround: MolineuxCapacity: 27,828 (under development)Players in: Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson(Lillestrom, undisclosed), Frank Nouble (WestHam, free), Jamie Tank (Walsall, undisclosed),Tongo Doumbia (Rennes, season-long loan)Players out: Louis Harris (AFC Wimbledon,free), Ashley Hemmings (Walsall, free), JodyCraddock, James Spray (released), Sam Vokes(Burnley, undisclosed), Jake Cassidy(Tranmere, six-month loan)Key man: Matt JarvisChances: Wolves are amongst the favouritesfor an immediate return to the Premier League.Vital to keep hold of striker Steven Fletcher.

to power on for gloryDOUG THOMSON’S TIPSPROMOTED:1: BOLTON2: MIDDLESBROUGHPLAYOFFS: Wolves, Forest,Brighton, Leicester

RELEGATED:1:BRISTOL CITY2:PETERBOROUGH3BARNSLEY

LAST YEAR: Townand Charlton.Play-offs: Sheff Wed,Preston, Brentford,Scunthorpe

Documents

Huddersfield Town in the Championship - 2012