Source: FOOTYMAD
2010-11 npower Championship Preview: Leeds United
LeedsUnitedMAD take a look at the 24 teams whom will compete in the 2010/11 npower Championship; in this edition we feature ourselves. Kevin Markey - leedsunited-mad.co.ukWhich Leeds will we see in the Championship - the side who took every opponent apart in League One from the start of last season up to that infamous win at Old Trafford in the FA Cup or the one who hardly won a game post-Man Utd and just about limped over the promotion line? Having said that, we have the best young manager in the league and the experience he will have gained from that will stand him in good stead for what looks a more daunting task this season. I'm tipping us to consolidate ahead of a promotion push in 2011-12. Last season Promoted Prediction 9thThe new boys There are seven new faces so far. Kasper Schmeichel was a decent acquisition on a free from Notts County, and five of the others were also freebies. Ken Bates hasn't been over-enthusiastic about dipping into his wallet. And still no proper replacement for Jermaine Beckford. Where's all the money going?Men to watch Luciano Becchio, Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel are the crowd-pleasers. And hopefully Davide Somma will start producing like he did while out on loan at Lincoln City.Best youngsters Local hero Jonny Howson seems to have been around for ages but he's still only 22. Aidan White will shine in a higher league as well.Target for the boo-boys Casper Ankergren and Beckford (yes, really!) got abuse last season and both have now gone so there's no obvious target - except maybe for Billy Paynter if he fails to emulate JB. But Mr Bates better prepare himself if we're languishing from the start: he'll take stick for failing to put his hand in his deep, deep pocket.Hate figure Preston's Darren Ferguson because of his DNA and, obviously, Robbie Savage.Going up Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Sheffield UtdGoing down Scunthorpe, Watford, SwanseaPrevious Positions:2007-08: 5th (L1)2008-09: 4th (L1)2009-10: 2th (L1)OddsPromotion: 11/2Relegation: 8/1First Team Squad (As of 10 June 2010.) Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.No.PositionPlayer1GKKasper Schmeichel2DFPaul Connolly3DFPatrick Kisnorbo4DFAlex Bruce5DFNeill Collins6DFRichard Naylor (Captain)7MFMax Gradel8MFNeil Kilkenny9FWBilly Paynter10FWLuciano Becchio11MFLloyd Sam12GKShane Higgs13FWMike Grella14MFJonny Howson (Vice-Captain)16MFBradley Johnson19DFBen ParkerNo.PositionPlayer20DFJason Crowe21DFFede Bessone22MFAndy Hughes23MFRobert Snodgrass24DFĽubomír Michalík a25GKAlan Martin26DFLeigh Bromby27FWDavide Somma28MFAndy Robinson a32DFAidan White34DFAlan Sheehan a36DFTom Lees37DFWill Hatfield
