Football League: SunSport’s expert Tom Barclay tells you all you need to know about this weekend’s big kick-off
Barclay’s First XI: Eleven key points from our man for this weekend’s Football League action.
SunSport's Football League Reporter TOM BARCLAY gives you the lowdown on this weekend’s EFL action - from one to 11.
1. This week’s… hot topics
RAFA BENITEZ: The Champions League winner makes his Championship debut at Fulham tonight.
Some are saying he’ll struggle due to a lack of experience at this level - but I think he’ll relish the tactical battles of a Bristol City or a Burton away, and will lead Toon to the title.
WOLVES: Takeover completed, no Jackett required, a replacement in Walter Zenga and already glamorous new signings brought in with more to follow.
But a 4-0 home defeat in pre-season against Swansea on Saturday suggests this exciting new era could have a very bumpy start - and Rotherham will look to capitalise tomorrow.
CHED EVANS: The summer’s most controversial signing is in line to make his Chesterfield debut at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium tomorrow - the Welshman’s first league game in four years.
2. This week’s… manager who needs a result
LUKE WILLIAMS (Swindon): Town supremo Lee Power thinks the world of Williams, who he promoted from coach to the boss on December 30 last year.
Things started off OK but tailed off badly towards the end of the season, with just two wins in the last 12.
Williams was handed a FIVE-year contract in March which is virtually unheard of at this level - yet he still could do with a good start to quieten the doubters.
3. This week’s… player who should be in the goals
LEE GREGORY (Millwall): A team-mate of Jamie Vardy for a short time at Halifax, Rotherham-target Gregory blasted 27 goals last season.
Expect him to get off to a flier at home to Oldham - my tip to finish bottom of the league.
4. This week’s… whizkid to watch
RYAN SESSEGNON (Fulham): The full-back is only 16 but I’m told he has a genuine chance of featuring against Newcastle tonight with Ryan Fredericks out injured.
Has been likened to Gareth Bale and featured heavily in the Cottagers’ pre-season.
5. This week’s… amazing stat
NORWICH: The Canaries have an awful opening day record with their last win on the first-round of fixtures coming in 2002.
They have drawn six and lost seven of the 13 games they have played since across the three different divisions. So back their opponents Blackburn to get a result tomorrow.
6. This week’s… potential Premier League target
SCOTT HOGAN (Brentford): Another striker who has risen from non-league.
His time at Griffin Park has been blighted by injuries, but he returned after an 18-month absence in blistering form at the end of last season, plundering SEVEN goals in his last four games.
Prem scouts will be watching and with the Bees’ fixture at Huddersfield producing an average of 5.3 goals a game for the last seven matches, observers could well see what all the fuss is about over the hotshot.
7. This week’s… game of the weekend
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BURTON: There are so many to plumb for, with multiple sub-plots from across the leagues.
But Albion’s first ever second-tier game in their 66-year history, against neighbours Forest where boss Nigel Clough made 324 appearances across two spells and scoring 102 goals, is the one that captures my eye.
I’ll be there - and I think Clough’s men have a real chance of an upset, too!
8. This week’s… transfer tips
EUNAN O’KANE: Surplus to requirements at Bournemouth so will go this summer.
Nottingham Forest are eager to snap up the Irish midfielder.
CHE ADAMS: The whizkid's time at Sheffield United could well be up by next week.
I'm hearing Brighton are ready to battle Birmingham for the 20-year-old.
JAMES MEREDITH: Australian who has made 172 appearances for Bradford is interesting Brentford, who need a new left-back following the departure of Jake Bidwell to QPR.
JORDAN WILLIAMS: You won't have heard of him as he plays for Barrow in non-league.
But a host of clubs - even as high as the Premier League - are taking a look at the 6'2" winger who scores goals and has come from nowhere. Wigan, Cardiff and Aston Villa are interested.
LEE DYKES: Not a player, but Carlisle’s head of recruitment who has been carving out quite a reputation.
He has already turned down a League One club and Leicester, who lost star talent-spotter Steve Walsh to Everton, are mulling over a move, as are Cardiff.
9.This week’s… lol
JODI JONES: The talented Coventry teenager - who is one to watch out for this season - reported a ripper of a story which gained thousands of RTs and favourites.
The 18-year-old wrote: “Imagine this, so I stayed at my Nan’s house yesterday, I had ripped jeans on, long story short I woke up and all the rips were sown up”.
What a stitch-up.
10. This week’s… dead cert
MILLWALL (home to Oldham): I fancy Neil Harris’ side to win League One this year and for the Latics to go down.
Gregory and Steve Morison could kick things off in style at the Den here.
11. This week’s… cheeky punt for your acca
PRESTON (away to Reading): SIMON GRAYSON steered North End to safety with ease last year and I fancy the ex-Leeds chief to repeat the feat this year.
Jaap Stam may be a legendary player but we are yet to find out what he is like as a manager so for that reason, I won’t be surprised if canny Grayson gets the better of the Dutchman at the Madejski this weekend.
