1871Royals Season Preview Part Three

Millwall

Off the field problems made the headlines at the New Den last season. The expected departure of Dennis Wise undermined The Lions campaign and Theo Paphitis stepping down as Chairman of the club. Former player Steve Claridge has been appointed the new manager, however Jeff Burnige who was installed as new chairman to replace Theo Paphitis has already resigned after only a number of months in the job due to personal reasons. Personnel have also been lost on the playing side, Graham Stack's loan deal from Arsenal has ended and the keeper has since joined The Royals. Midfielder Peter Sweeney has joined Stoke City and much travelled striker Daniel Dichio  has moved to Preston North End. Expect The Lions to be placed in the bottom half without ever really being in trouble of being in a relegation battle.

Millwall Ground Guide

Player To Look Out For - Barry Hayles

1871Royals Prediction - Bottom half

Norwich City

After finally returning to the Premiership, Norwich City's stay in the top flight was short lived as The Canaries came straight back down. However unlike many team relegated from the top division, manager Nigel Worthington is under no pressure to sell his best players to balance the books. It means the likes of Darren Huckerby, Dean Ashton and Damien Francis are all expected to stay at Carrow Road. However Mattias Jonson is departing, moving to Djurgarden. Worthington has strengthened his team with the signings of Peter Thorne, Jason Jarrett and Matthieu Louis-Jean. With Norwich being able to keep together their Premiership squad and adding to it, they will be expected to challenge for the top two places next season.

Norwich City Ground Guide Currently Unavailable

Player To Look Out For - Dean Ashton

1871Royals Prediction - Top two

Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth surprised many pundits with the start to the season they had being in the top half however after Christmas Argyle's poor run of form resulted in a relegation battle with Bobby Williamson's side finishing the season in 17th position. Over the summer Williamson has been able to bring in such names as Taribo West, former Bolton defender Anthony Burness and Manchester United youngster Bojan Djordjic. However it is likely Plymouth will struggle again and be looking below them as the season draws to a close.

Plymouth Argyle Ground Guide

Player To Look Out For - Taribo West

1871Royals Prediction - Relegation battlers

Preston North End

After having a inconsistent and poor start to last season Billy Davies replaced the axed Craig Brown as manager and what an impact Davies had turning a mid table team into a promotion challenging side from November onwards. Although North End missed out on promotion in the Play-Off final to West Ham, Davies's achievements as manager did not go unmissed as Derby tried to lure him to Pride Park to be George Burnley's successor though this proved unsuccessful. Preston have been active in the transfer market including the signing of Daniel Dichio from Millwall. There's no reason why under Billy Davies's guidance why Preston cannot challenge again for a Play-Off place in the forthcoming season.

Preston North End Ground Guide

Player To Look Out For - David Nugent

1871Royals Prediction - Play-Off's

Queens Park Rangers

Last campaign Ian Holloway guided his QPR team to a comfortable eleventh place finish. Goal from Paul Furlong were a major part of Rangers strong finish and the creativity of Lee Cook and Martin Rowland's helped create the chances. Holloway has released ex Reading strikers Tony Thorpe and Jamie Cureton who have both since moved to Swindon Town and has strengthened his squad by signing Dean Sturridge, Simon Royce on a permanent deal, Tommy Docherty and Ian Evatt. Expect Rangers to have another mid table finish next campaign.

Queens Park Rangers Ground Guide

Player To Look Out For - Paul Furlong

1871Royals Prediction - Mid table

Reading

From August to December life could not be much better for Royals supporters, after climbing to the top of the Championship after a 1:0 win against Watford in late September and then hanging on in the promotion battle that was hotting up between Wigan, Ipswich, Sunderland and The Royals. However a diabolical run in 2005 put to end any dreams of automatic promotion and even a Play-Off place after slipping up and handing that sixth place to West Ham United. A lack of goals was a major problem, as a result Steve Coppell has signed Kevin Doyle from Cork City and broke Reading's transfer record by splashing out £1 million on Leroy Lita from Bristol City. A tiny squad will hinder aspirations of automatic promotion next season and with the strength of the Championship next season Reading will find it hard to break into the Play-Off positions.

Reading Ground Guide

Player To Look Out For - Dave Kitson

1871Royals Prediction - Top ten