Coca Cola Championship - The Final Cut

Ask a supporter of a Coca Cola Championship club, and they would more than likely say it is one of the most competitive divisions in Europe, if not the world.

This year has seen one of the tightest promotion and relegation battles in many years. In past seasons, it has often been seen that 1 or 2 teams rise to the top and run away with promotion. However, this has been far from the case this season. With the majority of teams having 10/11 games left at this stage, just 13 points seperate 1st and 8th.

The typical suspects Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Reading have all season been expected to race to promotion, however poor runs recently by all three sides have blown the promotion race open.

Arguably the Championship Player of the Year so far is Sylvain Ebanks Blake of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The ex-Manchester United trainee has scored 22 goals so far this season as Mick McCarthy aims to carry Wolves back to where their fans and many critics believe they should be, the Premier League.

Looking beyond the top 3, you could say that any 3 clubs from 4th to 13th are still in with a chance of sealing a place in this years play-offs.

Sheffield United, Cardiff City and Preston North End currently occupy the 3 remaining play-off places at the moment. The loss of James Beattie in January could have stunted the Blades' progress for the rest of the season. However, they have kicked on from this and with the rest of the team all standing up to be counted in the goals for section, Kevin Blackwell has managed to keep his side up at the top. Cardiff City, boosted by the return of club icon Michael Chopra look good value for a play-off spot especially with 2/3 games in hand on the sides around them. However, I believe they may not have enough in the locker to head to Wembley this May.

Alan Irvine arrived at Preston last year with the side 23rd in the table. The transformation of the Lilywhites in such a short space of time is nothing short of outstanding. A developing young side has shocked many in the Championship this season, however their away form may hold them back from promotion this season.

Arguably the biggest success story of this season is Owen Coyle's Burnley. Coyle arrived at the Clarets after Steve Cotterill had taken the side as far as he could last season. Coyle is a prime example of the promising young British managers developing in the game at the moment. An unbelievable Carling Cup run this season, which as a Burnley fan was unreal to see and enjoy, could have forced the Clarets to take their eyes off the ball. However, despite playing substantially more games than the teams around them (47), and only fielding 23 players all season, Coyle's side are still in the running for promotion. However, tiredness could affect the Clarets and with an F.A. Cup trip to Arsenal this Sunday adding to the fixture calendar, maybe the play-offs could be one step too far this season.

Bristol City, Swansea City, Ipswich Town, Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday are all dark horses for a play-off push and maybe 1 of these sides could force the issue from now till May. Personally, I can see Swansea City as the most likely of these sides to make the play-offs this year.

At the other end of the table, it is hard to see a way out of the drop for Charlton Athletic. Just two years ago, the Addicks were a Premiership side. Now they are 11 points adrift of safety with 11 games to go and surely League One awaits.

Norwich City and Southampton share the other two relegation spots, however, Blackpool and Watford look like serious contenders for the drop.

With so many interesting issues and stories to be resolved over the next two months, this is setting up to be one of the most exciting finishes to a Championship ever. I personally believe Wolverhampton Wanderers will win the title and prove themselves on a higher stage next season.

Whatever happens, this rollercoaster will be an exciting one.