Even an 8th place finish was not enough to save Nick Barmby from the chop, and he was swiftly replaced with Steve Bruce. One of the most expensive signings in the Championship can be laid at the feet of Bruce who splashed out over £3 million pounds on Nick Proschwitz as he promised to solve Hulls net finding abilities. The owners will be hoping that Bruce will be able to push them a couple of places further up the table, and his experience should be very handy when it comes to squeaky bum time. Prediction: 6th
Ipswich Town
Having the joint second worst defence in the league proved to be Ipswichs downfall last year, and Paul Jewell, along with owner Marcus Evans will be hoping for a swift turn around in fortunes. An ageing squad, Jewell has aimed to remedy this by bringing in young goalkeeper Scott Loach on a free from Watford, eighteen year old defender Elliot Hewitt from Macclesfield, Nottingham Forest Captain Luke Chambers, and exciting prospect Massimo Luongo on a season long loan from Tottenham. At the present time, it is their midfield which is looking depleted, with the exit of influential Captain Grant Leadbitter, as well as Jimmy Bullard, this could be another disappointing season for the Tractor Boys. Prediction: 14th
Leeds
Much is expected from Neil Warnocks side, who has overseen a major refurbishment of his playing staff over the summer. The high profile loss of Adam Snodgrass, has been remedied with four signings from recently relegated Portsmouth in the form of Jamie Ashdown, David Norris, Jason Pearce and Luke Varney. The addition of midfielders Paul Green from Derby, and Adam Drury from Norwich will only heighten the expectation on Warnocks shoulders, but he is used to such expectation, and this could be a strong season for them. Prediction: 7th
Leicester
It can be said that Leicester are another team from who the owners expect a lot, and often too much. Will there 9th placed finish last season be improved upon? The signing of the prolific Jamie Vardy will excite the Foxes fans, but only time will tell as to whether he can make the step up from League 2 football. It could well be another season in the Championship come May. Prediction: 15th
Middlesbrough
Tony Mowbray will be expecting another play-off push from his team, as they saw no outgoing players, but a raft of incoming ones with Championship and Premiership capabilities. The signing of Jonathan Woodgate from Stoke could prove to be a masterclass if the ageing defender can stay injury free. Another high profile signing came in the form of midfielder Grant Leadbitter who impressed last season at Ipswich Town. However a strong looking Championship means that they place just outside the play-offs for me this year. Prediction: 8th
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.