Who will succeed and who will fail?

Here are my thoughts on the Championship for the year ahead:

Barnsley: I thought they were quite impressive when they came to The Valley last year and they put together a good cup run, but I would rate them as lower mid-table.
Birmingham City: One of the established yo-yo teams, they have an ability to grind out results. Automatic promotion.
Blackpool: The owners deprive the club of needed investment. However, their location near the Irish Sea and the fact that there are stands on only two sides creates some very strange windy conditions which gives them a clear home advantage. Nevertheless, I think they will be in a relegation struggle.
Bristol City: Despite their strong performance last season when they were a surprise package, this club lacks money and a strong fan base. I think they will fall back this year to 8th or 9th.
Burnley: Usually never relegation or promotion candidates, I would think a lower mid-table finish is likely.
Cardiff City: Peter Ridsdale seems to have done well out of the club. I think 9th or 10th is a likely finishing spot.
Charlton Athletic: Beset by continuing financial problems, likely to finish mid-table.
Coventry City: Chris Coleman is a good manager and there are new owners, but many Coventrians are likely to find ice hockey team Coventry Blaze a better bet to follow. Lower mid-table.
Crystal Palace: I don't like Neil Warnock's gobby style but he is quite an effective manager. Fringes of the play offs.
Derby County: Very difficult to forecast. Will they continue to suffer from the humiliation of last season? I expect them to strengthen as the season goes on and end up in the play offs.
Doncaster Rovers: Will probably start quite well, but then altitude sickness will take hold and they will be in a relegation battle.
Ipswich Town: Never seem to be able to secure what they regard as their rightful place in the Premiership, but should secure a play off place.
Nottingham Forest: They have been stuck in League 1 for quite a while, but should respond well to the challenge and may make the play offs.
Norwich City: Glenn Roeder has been talking the talk, but they are strapped for clash and subject to uncertainties about future ownership. Lower mid-table.
Plymouth Argyle: They had had problems getting in players and I think they will fade this season. Could be in relegation trouble.
Preston North End: I have a soft spot for them, but I fear another relegation battle looms.
Queen's Park Rangers: The wedge is big, so lazy journalists are talking them up as sure bets for promotion. However, it is one thing to have the money and another to spend it wisely. Now it may be that Ian Dowie was not able to display his talents as a manager to full advantage at Crystal Palace, Charlton or Coventry, perhaps because he has an aversion to clubs whose names start with 'C'. Moreover, this is the most northerly club he has managed in London. Should make the play offs.
Reading: Some people are saying they will run away with the league and Steve Coppell is a smart manager. But it takes a while to adjust to the Championship when you have been in the Premiership a few years. Automatic promotion.
Sheffield United: Another disappointing performance from a relegated club last year, but should make the fringes of the play offs this year.
Sheffield Wednesday: The long battle over ownership looks like it is about to be finally resolved, but it will take a while for the club to get on its feet. Lower mid-table.
Southampton: Ownership may be getting sorted out, but this is another former Premiership club that has found life at a lower level difficult. Should avoid relegation.
Swansea City: Another favourite for lazy journalists, but I think they will end up around 9th or 10th after a strong start (a problem for us).
Watford: The exponents of functional football last season, the Hornets lacked a sting and faded badly towards the end of the season. Mid-table.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Strong sense of entitlement to be in the Premiership, never quite lived up to. May make the play offs.