Steve Coppell has insisted next season's Championship will be as competitive as ever, despite the absence of Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion. Relegated last year, the Magpies and Baggies won automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and will be joined in the top flight by either Blackpool or Cardiff City, who meet in the play-off final at Wembley today. But Bristol City manager Coppell has refuted suggestions it will be easier to achieve promotion in 2011 with the big two out of the way. He said: "This league is always tough and it will be no different next season."
Bristol Evening Post
Bristol City boss Steve Coppell insists next season's Championship will be as tough as ever despite the absence of Newcastle and West Brom. Relegated last year, the Magpies and Baggies won automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Coppell has refuted suggestions it will be easier to achieve promotion in 2011 with the big two out of the way. "This league is always tough and it will be no different next season. Just because Newcastle and West Brom have gone up it does not mean the Championship will be any more of a level playing field," Coppell said.
Teamtalk
Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard has been tipped as a future England star by his former Crewe manager Dario Gradi. Maynard finished this season as the Championship's joint-top scorer with 20 goals in 46 league games and netted 21 in all competitions.
Teamtalk
Bristol City manager Steve Coppell will not be rushing into any summer signings, leaving left-back Gary Sawyer with a tough decision over his future. Negotiations have already begun between City chiefs and Sawyer's representatives but Coppell wants to wait until the start of pre-season training before settling on his squad. Coppell said: "The talks haven't really progressed because I want to make an assessment before I act. In an ideal world, I will know everyone who is available and then get to know the players after they report back on July 1."
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