There are a few teams in the running for title with Southampton, West Ham, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough being the main contenders after 26 games. West Ham were intial favourites at the start of the season, following their relegation from the Premier League. Their 'Premier League type' squad was enough to have any betting person putting their money on the Hammers. But to be fair with the likes of Carlton Cole, Mark Noble and Matty Taylor it would be stupid not to back the London side. Although after 26 games, it would be still foolish to rule them out of the running for the title, after winning their opening 2 league games in 2012 there is a high possibility the Hammers could lift the title. And I would favour them to take the title, afterall the keyword in the Championship is 'consistency' and West Ham look as though they are picking up some sort of conistency, if they continue to stay unbeaten in 2012 it is highly likely they could make an instant Premier League return.
Southampton, meanwhile are the current league and are were only promoted from League 1 last season. Doing a 'Norwich' of last season, Southampton sit top of the Championship on goal difference. Will the south coast club take the title? Well with an impressive attack boasting 50 league goals and excellent home form it would be wrong it leave them out of it. However their recent results have shown they can be broken and defeat, as they had lost 2 league games on the bounce, to Bristol City 1-0 at home and to Brighton 3-0, away. Although they gained their first 3 points of 2012 with a 3-0 win over Forest at the City Ground, with Morgan Schneiderlin getting the pick of the goals with a long range strike. I much expect Southampton to fall off the pace slighty possibly gaining a Premier League entrance via the Playoff route.
The Welsh side, Cardiff City are again in the running after failing to make it out of the Championship following a Semi Final playoff defeat to Reading. Cardiff, now lead by Malky Mackay after the sacking of Dave Jones, are still one of the top sides in the league. With the likes of Scottish forward, Kenny Miller being the top scorer for the side with 8 League goals. It is their home form however that has kept them in the running winning 5 of the last 6 at home, only losing to fellow promotion chasers, Middlesbrough. However last time out Cardiff were held to a 0-0 draw by relegation strugglers , Doncaster Rovers. A result that was not needed for Mackay's mean but luckily, Middlesbrough lost 2-0 to Burnley meaning Cardiff remained in 3rd place. I can see Cardiff finally gaining promotion, if they continue on their rich form it will surely see another Welsh side embrace the Premier League.
Middlesbrough are also in the running, the Teesside club led by Tony Mowbray are punching well above their fans pre season expection, sitting in 4th in the Championship after 26 games. However anyone watching Middlesbrough at the end of last season will realise this is not that unsual, after the side went from 19th this time last season, to finishing 12th in the end. Middlesbrough, although have struggled to get going in 2012 losing their first two league games, 3-0 away to Blackpool and 2-0 to Burnley at the Riverside. But this will not discourage any Middlesbrough, who will be hoping their new signing, Lukas Jutkiewicz or Lukey Juke from bottom side, Coventry. Can answer their goal pray's as the only thing lacking from the Boro side is goals. You may ask how they are still in the postion they are with a lack of goals? Defence is the answer only conceding 25 goals, the second lowest in the league behind West Ham. Middlesbrough have also been without key midfielder, Nicky Bailey who suffered a knee ligament injury against Peterborough on New Years Eve. Most Boro fans will claim the losses to Blackpool and Burnley were down to the loss of Nicky Bailey. I much expect Middlesbrough to remain well in the running with Lukas Jutkiewicz solving their problem in front of goal and the return of Nicky Bailey sometime in Febuary will encourage any fan to remain optimistic until the season is over.
No comments:
Post a Comment