Championship Fan Hope Rankings ahead of the 2020/21 season

The Championship Fan Hope Rankings have been revealed by Sky Bet ahead of the 2020/21 season, which starts later in September.

What is this all about I hear you ask? Well this summer, supporters have been asked how they are feeling about their club’s chances in the upcoming campaign.

Sky Bet’s Fan Hope Survey – compiled in partnership with YouGov – asked 2,108 football fans of all clubs about their thoughts and expectations ahead of the new campaign.

This was based on a scale of 1-10 (1 being not optimistic at all, 10 being very optimistic) for a variety of questions, to then give an average score which is then compiled into a table.

Without further ado, take a look Championship Fan Hope Rankings ahead of the 2020/21 season below…

1) BRENTFORD

The average rating that Brentford fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 8.19 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

If the Championship’s past five seasons have taught us anything, it’s that playoff heartbreaks isn’t the end. Brentford will lose stars but retains others and find new ones, especially Ivan Toney, League One’s top goalscorer for 19/20.

Provided they can reassert dominance in their new stadium it might just finally be their year. They remain the top favourites to win the league.

2) MILLWALL

The average rating that Millwall fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 7.66 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Can Millwall crack the top six? An excellent goalkeeper, solid spine and a real deal in match-winner Jed Wallace, all led by a manager who suits the club, suggests they can.

Wallace however needs help, and Troy Barrott is only 18, so they will need to right the tight margins again.

3) CARDIFF

The average rating that Cardiff City fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 7.48 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Getting underway with a settled side, a defined style and a coach in tune with his players gives the Bluebirds a head start if you like.

Averaging the least possession in the league but the most set piece goals, it won’t always be pretty, but it will be effective.

4) NORWICH

The average rating that Norwich City fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 7.45 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Losing every week is a hard habit to break, but Norwich moved quick for Kieran Dowell – who is very experienced at this level for a 22 year old and some typically off piste Stuart Webber signing, such as Daniel Sinani from Luxembourg.

They remain confident on keeping their star players of the Championship title winning season including Pukki, Buendia and Krul.

5) NOTT’M FOREST

The average rating that Nottingham Forest fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 7.29 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

How do you respond to throwing away a playoff place you’d held all season? Sabri Lamouchi must revive a talented squad and build a strong attacking unit less reliant on Joe Lolley who often works his magic. No other team took more shots from outside the box than them.

6) SWANSEA

The average rating that Swansea City fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 7.12 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

On one hand, Steve Cooper has adapted quickly to club football, shown his excellent contacts and worked tight margins to his side’s advantage. On the other, they’ve last almost the entirety of their impressive 2019-20 spine, Will new loan stars light up Swansea?

7) STOKE

The average rating that Stoke City fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 7.06 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

On points per game, a complete campain under O’Neill would have put Stoke into last season’s playoffs. There’s good reason for belief, if he can coax consistency out of Nick Powell and continue to help the development of talent Tyrese Campbell.

8) PRESTON

The average rating that Preston North End fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.85 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Kate goals, and failing to score them, killed the Lilywhites when they looked deserving of a playoff place.

They have a top manager and good players nearing their peak: if they could only find a regular source of goals, they’d be real promotion contenders.

9) DERBY

The average rating that Derby County fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.74 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Though their attacking output will need to improve, the themes last term being a low shot count and a high number of shots from distance, they’re in decent shape.

Wayne Rooney is there from the off and a clutch of exciting youngsters are ready to another big year.

10) COVENTRY

The average rating that Coventry City fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.57 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

With promoted sides finding the second tier harder than ever of late, you have to worry about 14 of Coventry’s 18 wins last term being by a single goal.

Matt Godden will have to hit new heights, Still the defence is solid, their new signings positive, and being at St Andrews certainly hasn’t fazed them.

11) BRISTOL CITY

The average rating that Bristol City fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.55 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

In a season that saw the Robins dead last in the Expected Points table (a reflection of xG chances at both ends), a top half finish flattered them. Frustrated fans can hope that Niclas Eliasson, underused by Lee Johnson, may link up nicely with Nahki Wells.

No disrespect to Dean Holden, but you do have to feel for the fans, who have been left frustrated by how long it took for the appointment, which at one point looked to be Chris Hughton.

12) LUTON

The average rating that Luton Town fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.48 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

A year later than planned, Luton start a Championship campaign under Nathan Jones.  He should benefit from being able to sign his own players, especially in his vital full-back roles, and from Simon Sluga giving up his weekly howler habit. Still, it will be tough.

13) BLACKBURN

The average rating that Blackburn Rovers fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.37 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

The club’s steady progress under Tony Mowbray may begin to slow a little unless Adam Armstrong if 2019/20 can continue his hot streak in front of goal alongside a fit-again Bradley Dack. Still, there’s more reason to hope than worry.

14) MIDDLESBROUGH

The average rating that Middlesbrough fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.35 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Last season’s relegation battle is unlikely to be repeated this season, especially with Neil Warnock taking over permanently and their English contingent has an added year of experience.

Aynsley Pears, Boro’s 22 year old keeper, is one to watch.

15) BOURNEMOUTH

The average rating that AFC Bournemouth fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.26 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

This is a new look Bournemouth, not just Eddie Howe has departed, but half a dozen players with more than 1,200 Cherries appearances between them.

They have good defenders for this level and bit of money to spend, they’ve not always spent it well of late however.

16) BARNSLEY

The average rating that Barnsley fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.17 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

This year, hungry squad has enough to avoid relegation once againm even if Gerhard Struber did leave.

If however, he stays, works his magic and keeps the defence as tight as it was after lockdown, then at least mid-table is the limit.

17) WATFORD

The average rating that Watford fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.08 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

The Hornets are a tough one to predict: the first talk for head coach Vladimir Ivic, joining the club nest following success in Israel, is to assess a gigantic squad. But they consistently buy well, have Ben Wilmot returning and are in a weak-looking league this year.

Yet the fans don’t seem too confident ahead of their first season back in the Championship, if this survey is anything to go by, despite being among the favourites for promotion.

18) QPR

The average rating that Queens Park Rangers fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 6.04 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Even allowing for misfortune and mishaps, letting in 76 goals isn’t good enough, and now QPR’s defence has a Grant Hall-shaped hole in it.

Mark Warburton likes a challenge, losing Hall, possibly Bright Osayi-Samuel and inevitably Ebere Eze will be one.

19) HUDDERSFIELD

The average rating that Huddersfield Town fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 5.70 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

New manager Carlos Corberan come highly rated from Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United, good thing to as he will need to address the Terriers’ slow starts to matches, tighten them up at set pieces and make the side less reliant on last term’s top scorer Karlan Grant, who could be snapped up by a Premier League club this summer.

20) ROTHERHAM

The average rating that Rotherham United fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 5.65 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

The Millers are back in the second tier of football once again, but this time they’re ready to offload the yoyo club tag.

Unless they replace Dan Barlaser, fantastic on loan as Rotherham came back up last season, they could struggle again.

Whilst they did amass 22 set piece goals, their home form which has been describe as erratic could be a big problem.

21) BIRMINGHAM

The average rating that Birmingham City fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 5.32 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Birmingham have cause for cautious optimism, with their financial black hole partly filled by the Jude Bellingham millions and their defense set to be improved by the arrival of Aitor Karanka (and departure of Lee Camp). Can only expect gradual recovery.

22) WYCOMBE

The average rating that Wycombe Wanderers fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 5.30 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

The Chairboys have wandered into dreamland, thanks to Gareth Ainsworth, chairman Rob Couhig and a strong team spirit.

They’ll fight, and score from corners, but the step up will be enormous for this squad. They have brought in some new signings, but is it a near-impossible task just to be competitive?

23) READING

The average rating that Reading fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 5.13 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Although Mark Bowen has scraped out better results, if not better performances, supporters aren’t convinced enough. He in no longer in charge and has since been replaced with Veljko Paunovic.

Reading need star keep Rafael to be less busy, although the bigger worry is losing John Swift in addition to Ovie Ejaria.

24) SHEFFIELD WED

The average rating that Sheffield Wednesday fans gave out of 10 based on hope/optimism ahead of the new season was 3.98 according to a Sky Bet / YouGov survey.

Horrendous home form, reliable performers opting to leave, and then a points deduction, it’s certainly been an unhappy 2020 at Hillsborough.

They start the season on -12 points and require a comfortable mid-table points tally just to stay up this season. Are they really good enough?