Once again, the Championship looks to be one of the more intriguing leagues. I’m looking forward to it massively, and there’s plenty of interest to be found as a Red with the loans we’ve made.
I am in the unfortunate position of having many Stoke-supporting relatives who are all oddly fatalistic about the coming season. I think Ashley Williams is a crap signing, already clearly past it prior to his move to the blueshite. Etebo looks useful but beyond glimpses for Nigeria and attending the pre-season friendly against Wolves, I can’t say I know much about him.
Keeping Joe Allen is massive and credit to him for sticking around. Will be a club legend if he brings them back up. Afobe and Ince are excellent purchases for that level.
I’m also taking a degree of glee in the hatchet job Pulis is commencing on a fairly decent looking Boro squad. Gibson, Bamford and Traore are all seemingly leaving and the mooted replacements (Adomah, Freeman etc) all seem competent Championship signings that will keep them there and improve them in no measurable way. They will probably hack their way into the play-offs again.
Special mention for hoping Villa drop like a stone and Leeds play some interesting stuff under Bielsa, one of the stranger managerial arrivals in years. Doesn’t do things normally though does he.