Last update on. From the section ChampionshipMarco Silva, Slavisa Jonovic, and Valerien Ismael were respectively given the task of guiding Fulham United, Sheffield United, and West Bromwich Albion to the Premier League.The new Championship campaign begins Friday night when West Bromwich Albion travels to Bournemouth.Along with Fulham and Sheffield United, the Baggies will be aiming for an immediate return into the Premier League.Two teams that had recently dropped from the top flight were eligible to fill the automatic promotion spots. Watford was defeated by Norwich City, who won the title.Bournemouth was the third team to lose in 2019-20. They were defeated in the semi-finals of the play-off by Brentford, eventual Wembley winner.Albion, the Whites, and the Blades may have more challenges than they think. They all have new bosses.They could lose some of their stars before the transfer window closes. So how prepared are they for life in the second tier?FulhamWho is in charge? After what seemed like a few weeks of fighting at Fulham, Scott Parker decided to leave the club at the end June to join Championship rivals Bournemouth.Marco Silva was chosen by the club of west London to lead them to the promised land.The Portuguese 44-year old has signed a three year deal. He has played in England with Hull City and Watford, but never managed to make it to the Championship.How does the squad look? For their final attempt at the top flight, the Craven Cottage team, play-off winners in 2017-18 as well as 2019-20, brought in 12 new players.Six of them were loan signings. Joachim Andersen, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and Ademola Seeman, centre-back Joachim Andersen, are gone.Fulham's promotion hopes could rest on whether they can retain Aleksandar Mitrovic and get the Serbian striker firing again after scoring just three league goals last year.The Whites added Paulo Gazzaniga, a former Spurs goalkeeper, to their ranks and Liverpool paid 12m for Harry Wilson, a Welsh midfielder. Meanwhile the core of the squad that won promotion last year is still at the banks of Thames.Marek Rodak, Joe Bryan, Michael Hector, and Joe Bryan, as well as midfielder Tom Cairney, did not see much last season. Meanwhile, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham's striker, has scored 38 goals in 57 Championship games.How will they do?Andy Rowley, BBC Radio LondonFulham is likely to be among the candidates and could be a favourite for promotion.It is easy to see the quality of their players, as well as the fact that they have added Harry Wilson to their team.His loan spells at different clubs at this level over the years have shown that he is an attack-maker who can also be deadly from set pieces.Marco Silva will continue to see more outgoings and incomings. Without leaving any lasting legacy at any of his English clubs, he has made a name for itself in this country.The most fascinating aspect of Fulham's reintegration of many of their former players in the Premier League who were considered surplus to requirements, many of whom played a key role in getting them there in the first instance, is what might be the most surprising.They appear to have the squad to win, but do they have the manager and team spirit to be promoted again?Sheffield UnitedWho is in charge? The Blades have appointed a coach to guide them out of the Championship after Chris Wilder's departure. Paul Heckingbottom was the caretaker.Slavisa Jokanovic was promoted automatically to Watford in the 2014-15 season. She also led Fulham through the play-offs three times.The Serb sides are well-known for their fluid football. The 52-year-old leaves Qatari side Al-Gharafa to become the first South Yorkshire club manager.How does the squad look? Psychologically, they are probably in dire straits. United lost 29 out of 38 Premier League matches last season, and finished bottom. They were 16 points behind safety.Aaron Ramsdale, the goalkeeper for England's Euro 2020 squad has attracted interest. John Lundstram, the midfielder, has also moved north to join Rangers.Rest of the squad is intact, with some solid options up front, including David McGoldrick and Oli McBurnie, as well as Lys Mousset.After 30 unsuccessful outings last year, Rhian Brewster signed from Liverpool for 23.5m. He is still waiting for his first competitive goal.Last season, Lys Mousset, a French forward, failed to score for Sheffield United.How will they do?Andy Giddings, sports editor, BBC Radio SheffieldSheffield United is expected to challenge for promotion.Blades boast a highly experienced team, with many of them having been promoted previously. They also have a proven manager in Slavisa Jokoovic, who has twice led teams back into the Premier League.Expect a possession-based attack style and a high pressing without the ball. To get more forwards onto field, expect a 4-3-3 (effectively 4-3-1-2).Brewster McBurnie, Mousset and others will need to find a rare goal-scoring touch. The pre-season form of the Frenchman has been encouraging.Recruitment is also important, with Ramsdale's midfielder Sander Berke from Norway and Ramsdale attracting attention.There is still a certain confidence that the Blades will at least be in the mix for play-offs, if not automatically promoted.West Bromwich AlbionWho is in charge? Valerien Ismael has been selected by the Baggies to take over Sam Allardyce's place in the dugout.45-year-old ex-defender for Bayern Munich and Crystal Palace, took control of the Tykes in October, when they were 21st on the table.With a blend of direct football and intense high press, he catapulted Oakwell to the top of the division and into play-offs.How does the squad look? Under Slaven Bilic, then Allardyce's guidance, the Baggies lost just five of 38 Premier League matches. Two of their stars, Sam Johnstone as goalkeeper and Matheus Pereira as midfielder, look set to leave.Alex Mowatt, a midfielder, has moved with Ismael from Brighton to The Hawthorns in a free transfer. Matt Clarke, a centre-back, has also moved on loan from Brighton.Karlan Grant, Callum Robinson and Callum Robinson are the striking team. Grady Diangana and Matt Phillips will also be responsible for scoring goals in case Pereira leaves.How will they do?Rob Gurney, BBC Radio WMAlbion's win over Birmingham, 4-0, was a great example of how not to put too much faith in pre-season. It also means that they have not conceded in any of their four senior friendlies.Ismael's 3-4-3 system gives them both solidity and fluidity.Dara O'Shea and Kyle Bartley looked formidable together, with loan signing Clarke as another option for central defense.Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong showed a lot of mobility in wide areas. Jake Livermore was also impressive with his pitch coverage alongside Alex Mowatt.This is going to be critical if Ismael’s 'Swarm Ball' (to unsettle the opposition while in possession) is to succeed.Jake Livermore, West Brom's skipper, has seven international caps for England and provides steel in the Baggies' midfieldThe three front-line players Diangana (Robinson), Grant and Grant demonstrated their awareness. Their ability to interchange will be a major advantage for Championship defenses.Albion will need to have squad options in place for injuries and suspensions. This is why Pereira and Johnstone sales must be concluded sooner than expected.This observer believes that Pereira's misinterpretation at the weekend of Ismael’s "committed” remark means that relations will undoubtedly be strained and that his departure from the issue before it becomes too distracting is critical.Problem is that Al-Hilal, a Saudi club, offered no convincing evidence to convince Albion to part ways with the Brazilian. His social media stance may also scare off other potential suitors.Rob Stevens compiles.
