Bristol City boss expects Championship to be as competitive as ever next season
STEVE Coppell has insisted next season's Championship will be as competitive as ever, despite the absence of Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion.
Relegated last year, the Magpies and Baggies won automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and will be joined in the top flight by either Blackpool or Cardiff City, who meet in the play-off final at Wembley today.
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Steve Coppell
But Bristol City manager Coppell has refuted suggestions it will be easier to achieve promotion in 2011 with the big two out of the way.
He said: "This league is always tough and it will be no different next season.
"Just because Newcastle and West Brom have gone up, does not mean the Championship will be any more of a level playing field.
"Those two were everybody's favourites to be promoted, but their absence will be offset by the strength of the clubs coming into the league."
Norwich City and Leeds United recently clinched automatic promotion from League One and former Reading boss Coppell believes both will be competitive next season.
He said: "Norwich have a very good manager and team, are supported by big crowds and will have momentum and confidence after winning the title. As for Leeds, they are always going to be a powerhouse. I expect them to spend some money and be very strong.
"Newcastle and West Brom may be out of the way, but they are being replaced by other big clubs."
He added: "You only have to look at the quality of the sides in the Championship play-offs this season to see how tough it is going to be.
"Nottingham Forest and Leicester will be determined to challenge again and we are going to have to play either Blackpool or Cardiff."
Some pundits are suggesting the Championship will be wide open, owing to the financial problems facing relegated clubs Portsmouth, Hull City and Burnley.
Pompey are about £130 million in debt, the Tigers are reported to have lost £38m last season and both clubs may yet be forced to sell their best players in order to stay afloat.
Coppell said: "If those sides were to stay intact as they are now, they would be up there at the top end of the Championship next season.
"Their financial problems have been well documented, but we are still waiting to see what will happen. I suspect both Hull and Portsmouth will still be strong.
"Of the three, Burnley are best-placed financially and I'm sure they will be very competitive."
3 Comments
by ron, newtown
Monday, May 24 2010, 3:49PM
“Two points for city chairman....[1]you dont always need loads of cash just good man management to get to the top....[2]Why do you want a new 40000 seater stadium when your average gate last season was 14000..still you can always keep battery hens in the empty stands....P S well done olly..”
by coppell needs to sign, David Icke
Saturday, May 22 2010, 4:32PM
“To achieve promotion. Current squad not good enough.”
by City need a new team, Prem dreamers
Saturday, May 22 2010, 4:30PM
“The championship was poor last season with no one other than Newc setting the pace. City need to have a serious look at themselves if they think they have a chance of promotion. None of this 'believe' crap, they need a complete clear out apart from their star striker.”