The three teams who came down the English Premier League:
Cardiff City
When Gary Medel follows out Steven Caulker and Fraizer Campbell, Cardiff will have lost, respectively, their key midfielder, defender and striker. At least the outstanding goalkeeper David Marshall has stayed. Much rests on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s January signings, including a trio of Norwegians and the mercurial forward Kenwyne Jones, who were not what a relegation-threatened team needed. Federico Macheda, like his manager a famous scoring substitute for Manchester United, is a notable arrival but the key man is Solskjaer: he is full of ideas, but he must find the right ones for the Championship.
Norwich City
They have arguably the strongest squad in the division, even if Leroy Fer follows Ricky van Wolfswinkel to the exit after the offloading of Robert Snodgrass, pictured. Many have been outstanding in the Championship before and not just for Norwich: former managers Paul Lambert and Chris Hughton tended to raid the division for the best players. Apart from attack, there is continuity in the side so the crucial element may be how quickly Norwich can shed their losing habit and regain momentum. Promotion campaigns tend to require consistency.
They were always going to have an overhaul. Relegation ensured an exodus of the aged. Felix Magath has recruited from around Europe, giving Fulham a radically different look and an element of the unknown. Much rests on how quickly a side with nine new signings gel. Another crucial factor is record buy Kostas Mitroglou, who made only one start after his £12 million (Dh59m) January arrival. He and Ross McCormack could be the most potent pair in the division but Fulham’s lack of Championship experience could cost them.
The three teams who came up the League One into the Championship:
Wolverhampton Wanderers
The runaway League One champions finished the season a comfortable nine points clear of closest challengers Brentford. Wolves were in the Premier League as recently as 2012 and will be looking to make progress through the Championship this campaign to bring top-flight football back to Molineux Stadium.
Brentford
Again, promotion was secured automatically, ending up eight points clear of Leyton Orient on 94 points. They have spent much of their existence in the lower rungs of English Football and have only recently shown the promise they once had in the 1930s, when they were in the top tier. This is their first return to the second level in England in 21 years. Staying up will be regarded as a success.
Rotherham United
Steve Evans’s side finished fourth in the league behind Leyton Orient. Rotherham went on to draw their first-leg semi-final play-off 1-1 away to Preston North End before defeating them 3-1 at home to progress to the Wembley Stadium final against Orient. The match finished 2-2 after extra time and Rotherham prevailed on penalties to book their place in the Championship. Survival will be the main objective.
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