Sky Bet Championship Preview - Part Four - Blog

In the fourth instalment of our week long look ahead, we analyse the challenge that Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and MK Dons willl pose this season...

IPSWICH TOWN

Manager: Mick McCarthy

2014/15 League Position: 6th (Lost to Norwich in Play Off Semi-Finals 4-2 on Aggregate)

Latest results against Derby: 1-1 Draw (A), 1-0 Loss (H)

2014/15 Leading Goalscorer: Daryl Murphy (27)

Summer Signings: Josh Yorwerth (Free from Cardiff City), Ryan Fraser (On Loan from Bournemouth), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (On Loan from Arsenal), Brett Pitman (Transfer from Bournemouth), Jonas Knudsen (Transfer from Esbjerg fB), Giles Coke (Free from Sheffield Wednesday), Larsen Toure (Transfer from Arles-Avignon), Jonathan Douglas (Free from Brentford)

Summer Departures: Elliott Hewitt (Released), Jack Marriott (Released), Paul Anderson (Released), Darren Ambrose (Released), Stephen Hunt (Released), Noel Hunt (Released), Tyrone Mings (Transfer to Bournemouth)

Sky Bet Odds to Be Promoted in 2015/16: 11/2

One to Watch: Daryl Murphy

Review: The 2014/15 campaign proved to be a hugely successful season for Ipswich Town after Mick McCarthy’s men rose above their critics to achieve a top six finish and a place in the Play Offs.

Inspiring performances from key players, such as Daryl Murphy, who was the league’s top scorer with 27 goals, David McGoldrick, Christoph Berra and co played a significant part in the Tractor Boys building on their 9th place finish in the 2013/14 season.

It was also a case of learning from past lessons as well. A slow start to the 2013/14 campaign, ultimately, saw them miss out on a top six berth.

It was a factor that McCarthy sought to put to rest when in the run up to Christmas when they were seen to go 11 games unbeaten, which included a win over second place Watford.

In the coming 2015/16 season, Mick McCarthy’s men will be looking to cement their status as promotion seekers. The two-year extension of Daryl Murphy’s contract amongst the various other signings represent another step in the right direction for Ipswich.

LEEDS UNITED

Manager: Uwe Rosler

2014/15 League Position: 15th

Latest results against Derby: 2-0 Win (H), 2-0 Loss (A)

2014/15 Leading Goalscorer: Mirco Antenucci (10)

Summer Signings: Lee Erwin (Transfer from Motherwell), Tom Adeyemi (On Loan from Cardiff City), Sol Bamba (Transfer from Palermo), Ross Turnbull (Transfer from Barnsley), Chris Wood (Transfer from Leicester City), Charlie Horton (Free Transfer), Stuart Dallas (Transfer from Brentford)

Summer Departures: Daniel Atkinson (Released), Rodolph Austin (Released), Luke Booker (Released), Alex Cairns (Released), Afolabi Coker (Released), Stuart Taylor (Released), Zac Thompson (Released), Michael Tonge (Released), Aidy White (Released), David Norris (Transfer to Peterborough), Billy Sharp (Transfer to Sheffield United), Steve Morison (Transfer to Millwall)

Sky Bet Odds to Be Promoted in 2015/16: 10/1

One to Watch: Alex Mowatt

Review: The build up to the start of the 2014/15 season was a new era in Leeds United’s history after Massimo Cellino and his Italian sports company took control of the club. The arrival of the owners sparked much change both on and off the pitch.

Fifteen new players and two Head Coaches in the space of the first three months of the season, before the Elland Road opted for stability in the form of the well revered Neil Redfern for the rest of the season.

Redfearn was successful in achieving more consistency regarding the side’s performances, particularly in January and February, where Leeds lost just one of their eight games.

This significant run included impressive victories over Champions Bournemouth and Play-Off Finalists Middlesbrough – an indicator of what the side was capable of, but nevertheless, this form was not last as Leeds struggled over the finish line.

It is hard to predict how Leeds will shape up for the coming season as new boss Uwe Rosler prepares for his first campaign at Elland Road. A solid summer of recruitment will add to the new-found optimism that surrounds the Whites going into the new season.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Manager: Aitor Karanka

2014/15 League Position: 4th (Lost to Norwich in the Play Off Final 2-0)

Latest results against Derby: 2-0 Win (H), 1-0 Win (A)

2014/15 Leading Goalscorer: Patrick Bamford (16)

Summer Signings: Alex Baptiste (Transfer from Bolton), Stewart Downing (Transfer from West Ham), Tomas Kalas (On Loan from Chelsea), Diego Fabbrini (On Loan from Watford), Jack Stephens (Loan from Southampton)

Summer Departures: David Atkinson (Released), Ryan Brobbel (Released), Sebastian Hines (Released), Emmanuel Ledesma (Released), James Warnett (Released), Kieran Weledji (Released), Dean Whitehead (Transfer to Huddersfield), Lee Tomlin (Transfer to Bournemouth), Luke Williams (Transfer to Scunthorpe)

Sky Bet Odds to Be Promoted in 2015/16: 13/8

One to Watch: Stewart Downing

Review: After a mid-table finish in the 2013/14 season, no one could have predicted Middlesbrough’s success this campaign as the side reached the Championship Play-Off final.

Although it was Norwich City that claimed victory and promotion to the promised land, there are plenty of foundations for Karanka’s side to build upon in order to push for promotion in the coming season.

Consistent results were ensured through Middlesbrough’s outstanding defensive displays.

The defence experienced a sensational season as they conceded less than a goal a game on average. Karanka led his team to maintain an impressive form throughout the course of the season, a key example of this was when his side went unbeaten in nine games.

Now the challenge in front of Middlesbrough will be looking to shake off their Wembley hangover and go two places better, to gain automatic promotion this campaign.

MILTON KEYNES DONS

Manager: Karl Robinson

2014/15 League Position: Promoted from League One Finishing in 2nd Position