SKY BET CHAMPIOnSHIP
2019-20
LASTSEASON
CHAMPIONSHIP16thFACUPThirdRound
LEAGUECUPThirdRoundTOPSCORERBenikAfobe(9)LASTSEASON
CHAMPIONSHIP 10th FA CUP Quarter-Finals LEAGUE CUP
Second Round TOP SCORER Oli McBurnie (above, 24)56 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwo
STOKE CITY SWAnSEA CITY
FFTVERDICT
6TH FFT VERDICT
15TH
The Potters finished 16th last term
after relegation from the Premier
League, but only lost 13 matches- the same as Leeds. This will be
Nathan Jones’ first full campaign,
and signings like Nick Powell and
Lee Gregory suggest his side will
be back competing for promotion.
Swansea’s finances haven’t looked
entirely promising since dropping
out of the Premier League, and
they go into this season without
both Graham Potter and Daniel
James. It could be a tricky debut
campaign for boss Steve Cooper,
son of ex-top-flight referee Keith.The big talking point among the fans
is whether Nathan Jones [below] and
his diamond formation can reverse the
club’s miserable recent fortunes.
This season will be different if Jones,
with a full summer, can create the
dynamic, energetic side he’s talked of.
I won’t be happy unless we’re playing
more on the front foot, with pace.
Our most underrated player is the
England U20 right-back Tom Edwards.
Look out for Belgian starlet Thibaud
Verlinden, unless Jones’ system ends
up squeezing the winger out.
The best away ground is Craven
Cottage. Delighted to go back there.
The best away fans are Sheffield
Wednesday’s: always make noise.
The player I’d happily drive to
another club is Benik Afobe. One of
many disappointments signed for big
money by the dreadful Gary Rowett.
The pantomime villain will be Gary
Rowett, if he’s employed elsewhere.
If not, then Derby.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Leeds’ Pablo Hernandez.
Our best celebrity fan is A-ha lead
singer Morten Harket. Worst? Former
England cricketer Dominic Cork.
The one change I’d make to the club
would be a forward-thinking and
coherent approach to recruitment.
Save the date for Jones’ return to
Luton [February 29]. Should be ‘spicy’.
The best Stoke social media account
is podcast @wizardsofdrivel.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Stoke is it’s marginally
less windy than it used to be.
The signature local dish is bacon and
cheese oatcakes. Food of the gods.
Did you know that an annual ‘Stoke
City Live’ festival in the Dutch town of
Goutum, started in honour of Stoke’s
Dutch Euro 96 player Peter Hoekstra,
attracts up to 10,000 people.
Our key player will be Oghenekaro
Etebo [above]... if he stays. His energy
is central to how Jones wants to play.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that the jury is out, but I like his ideas.
If he left, he should be replaced by
Barnsley’s Daniel Stendel.
We’ll finish 8th.The big talking point among the fans
is getting yet another new manager.
This season will be different because
our young players have gained some
valuable experience. Now we just need
them to stick around.
I won’t be happy unless the club is
sold to owners who actually care –
the current lot didn’t even come to
a game last season.
Our most underrated player is Matt
Grimes [below] – our most consistent
performer, even when Dan James and
Oli McBurnie grabbed the headlines.
Look out for forward Jordan Garrick.
The best away ground is Brentford’s.
A pub on each corner and a terraced
away end. I’m gutted they’re moving
to a new stadium soon!
The best away fans are Leeds’.
The player I’d happily drive to
another club is Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
The man is an absolute calamity.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Swans old boy Joe Allen.The pantomime villain will be Neil
Warnock. Any Cardiff manager will
be disliked – even more so when he’s
one of football’s biggest moaners.
Our best celebrity fan is Elis James.
The one change I’d make to the club
would be new owners. Please!
Save the date for Cardiff [October 26
and January 11]. It’s been five years.
The best Swansea social media
account is @touchfarvetched.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Swansea is the pubs
nearby are great after the match.
The other recommendation for
away fans is make a weekend of it.
Did you know that we hold a Football
League record for the fastest ever red
card: zero seconds for Walter Boyd,
who came on as sub and elbowed an
opponent before the game restarted.
Our key player will be Oli McBurnie,
if he stays or even if he doesn’t, as
without him we’ll struggle to score.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer, Steve
Cooper, is that he’s new, so let’s give
him a chance.
If he left, he should be replaced by
someone who plays the right way.
We’ll finish 14th, but that’s a guess!FAn FILE
STEVEN CARROLL
@StevenSOS1987FAn FILE
ROB DOOLAN
@ChiefDelilah