Football Season Guide

Out of the three sides relegated from the Championship this summer, Bristol City have had by far the most turbulent summer, as seven players joined the club so far, with as many as 10 departing. Despite failing to keep the side up, Sean O'Driscoll is still at the helm, but the experienced manager will have a tough task in trying to deliver promotion with a side that lost it's spine over the summer. Paul Anderson was allowed to join Ipswich in a swap deal for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Emmanuel-Thomas frustrated the Tractor Boys fans with his inconsistency but he should prove to be a very useful player to have at League One level. Another player to watch is Sam Baldock, who was one of the most feared strikers in League One before joining West Ham just under two years ago. The Robins' fans would get a big reason to be optimistic if the club managed to keep hold of the highly rated Albert Adomah, but the chances of that happening are close to zero, with Adomah being expected to leave over the next few days. His departure, combined with the departures of the players that have already left, will leave the Robins with several players who are well known in the second and third tier, but no players that will exactly install fear into the hearts of their opponents. They have a decent squad and an experienced and proven manager, but have also changed a lot over the summer and could take time to gel. They don't seem to be among the prime three or four candidates to go up, but their chances should by no means be written off.