Team spirit key as Windass tips Tigers and Boro for play-off tilt

Middlesbrough were, by common consensus ahead of a ball being kicked, expected to sweep all before them following a substantial spending spree by Gordon Strachan but, otherwise, there seemed very little that was likely to be straightforward about the second tier in 2010-11.

That, of course, is exactly how the Championship turned out with even Boro flopping horrendously and Swansea City joining Norwich City, two clubs who, according to the bookmakers, were destined for a mid-table finish, in winning promotion alongside QPR.

Dean Windass, who twice won promotion to the Premier League during his career, insists the Championship’s unpredictable nature last term was to be expected.

However, while he expects the race for the play-offs to be just as keenly fought in the coming 10 months, the former Hull, Bradford and Middlesbrough striker cannot see past two clubs when it comes to filling the automatic promotion slots.

“West Ham and Leicester are streets ahead of everyone else in terms of spending power,” says the 42-year-old when talking to the Yorkshire Post at his West Yorkshire home.

“Just look at the signings they have both made. Kevin Nolan is reported to be on £50,000 per week at West Ham, while Leicester have made some big name signings that would be beyond the budget of every other team in the Championship.

“Both West Ham and Leicester have brought in quality and that is why I can’t see anything but those two winning automatic promotion. Birmingham will be challenging, while Blackpool will probably fancy their chances. But I really do think the rest will be fighting for the play-offs.”

Yorkshire’s contingent of Championship clubs has been reduced to five this term following Sheffield United’s relegation. The bookies have made Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers clear favourites for the drop, while Boro, Hull and Leeds United are being tipped to finish anywhere between third and 12th place.

Windass, as someone who is not only a former Boro and Tigers player but also a regular at Elland Road through his work for Sky Sports, has kept a close eye on events at all three clubs throughout the summer.

He said: “The Championship is going to be a much tougher division than it was last season. Just look at the quality of the teams that have come down from the Premier League and up from League One.

“In terms of my two former clubs, both Nigel Pearson and Tony Mowbray are in a similar position in that, for the first time since taking over, this is their own team. That means if things don’t go to plan, there can now be no excuses.

“At Hull, this is a fresh start and the start of a new era. Nigel has gone about his transfer business quietly, which is how he does things.

“One signing I was particularly impressed with was Dele Adebola from Nottingham Forest. At 36, some will question his age but I played alongside Dele at Bradford and he was brilliant.

“Dele is exactly what City needed – a big physical presence up front. My only concern is whether he stays fit. But if he can then expect City to carry more attacking threat this season.

“His scoring record may not be the most prolific but I know just how many goals he created for me during the 2004-05 season when I finished as League One’s joint top scorer.

“Whoever plays up front with Dele this season, whether it be Matty Fryatt or Aaron McLean, then they will have plenty of chances.

“I also like the look of Paul McKenna, who has come in from Nottingham Forest as, basically, a replacement for Ian Ashbee. He has captained Forest and Preston so should be exactly what the team needs.

“Ash may not have been the best player in the world but he was invaluable to City during his time as captain. He was our organiser and the one who broke up opposition attacks, before giving it to someone who could play.

“As for Boro, this is a big season after the major disappointment of last year. Financially, they may seem to be in a bit of a decline and needing to cut the wage bill.

“But they have a good manager who knows all about getting promotion from this division. There may not have been too many new arrivals this summer but maybe that is because Tony is happy with his squad.

“I watched Boro quite a few times last season and thought by the final 10 games that there had been a big improvement. If they can take that form into the new season, there is no reason why my old club can’t hit the ground running and challenge for the play-offs.”

Windass spent the vast majority of his playing career in Yorkshire, starting out with home-town club Hull before subsequently moving on to Bradford (twice), Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United before returning to East Yorkshire to fire the Tigers into the top flight.

Leeds may not have figured on that rosta of White Rose clubs but, due to being mates with many Elland Road season-ticket holders, the Hull-born former striker follows the fortunes of Simon Grayson’s side with a keen interest.

United finished last term as Yorkshire’s highest placed side, having finished seventh. Windass, however, feels Leeds will have all on to eclipse that in the coming season.

He said: “A lot of my mates are Leeds fans and I said at the start of last season that staying in the Championship would be a big achievement.

“They ended up doing a lot better, probably better than even Larry (Grayson) could have predicted.

“But that has created a sense of expectation that I believe Leeds will find it hard to live up to.

“I want to see all the Yorkshire clubs do well but, of the three I have mentioned, I think Leeds will struggle the most. My mates often accuse me of being negative about Leeds but I am not. I do want them to do well.

“But I look at the squad compared to some of the others in the Championship and I can’t see them doing as well as last season.

“Having said that, one signing I was impressed with was Michael Brown. My old team-mate from Sheffield United may be 34 but he is exactly what Leeds need. In fact, they could probably do with another two or three of his kind.

“Browny is a genuine lad who will bring vital experience to the team. Leeds can be such a demanding club to play for that young lads can struggle when the pressure is on, as happened last season when they slipped out of the play-offs.

“You need a bit of mental toughness to play for Leeds and Browny will provide that. Leeds need a leader at the back as well. Andy O’Brien is someone I played with at Bradford but he is not the most vocal.

“OB is a great defender but he needs a strong voice alongside him. If Larry can get someone like that in to the club, I would imagine Leeds finishing around the top 10.

“As for Hull and Boro, I think they have a slightly better chance of forcing their way into the play-offs. I think they could finish anywhere between third and 10th, with luck and the strength of their team spirit likely to be decisive.”