With plenty of new wealthy, owners and more money being thrown around football, expectations are higher than ever for Yorkshire clubs to show progression in their respective leagues.
So what should your team expect in 2019?
Leeds United:
The Whites currently second in the Championship and are not looking likely to drift away as they have done in previous years.
They've been great to watch this season and surprised many with their fast start.
Bielsa has offered a breathe of fresh air with a high-pressing tactic, and with an owner backed with plenty of cash, Leeds look like promotion contenders.
The squad has been bolstered with plenty of opinions, especially in midfield.
Although they do seem to lack defenders and a few more striking options wouldn't go amiss.
In addition, there have been questions asked of young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell who has been shaky at times, but is by far the best opinion Leeds have had for a few years.
At the start of the season, I predicted Leeds United to finish in third, but likely to go up via the play offs.
I believe that is something Leeds should aim for, although automatic promotion is still a real possibility.
Huddersfield Town:
After a fantastic first year in the Premier League, Huddersfield have struggled so far this season.
They currently sit just outside the relegation zone in seventeenth place on 10 points.
Huddersfield survived with a fairly weak squad last year, but after a lack of spending, many tip the Terriers to go down.
One thing that Huddersfield have got is a good goalkeeper and solid defence, which was proved by the way they entered the Premier League after only conceding one goal in the play offs.
The West Yorkshire outfit also pose an outstanding talent in their midfield with Aaron Mooy.
The Aussie is a superb player and will be key to keeping them in the league.
Mooy's task is made harder with the lack of a prolific striker playing ahead of him, this is Huddersfield's main downfall.
At the start of the season, I had Huddersfield to narrowly be relegated come May, but they could easily surprise, not just me, but a lot of others.
Investment is definitely needed in January, but Aaron Mooy has been playing that well recently, he might be able to do it on his own.
Middlesbrough:
Looking to challenge Leeds United for a place in the Premier League is Tony Pulis' Middlesbrough.
Despite a decent year last season, Boro won't be happy in the manner of how their season ended, and will be fired up to improve this year.
The Middlesbrough team is built on a strong defence and goalkeeper, although this statement wasn't proven during their last game at home, against Aston Villa.
The midfield is equally strong and boasts a lot of talent in the centre, but lacks depth out wide.
The Teessiders also have a few good strikers, but consistency is something neither of them offer, for now at least.
Middlesbrough currently sit fourth in Championship, just four points behind Leeds.
I personally had Midddlesbrough to narrowly miss out on the play offs in seventh place.
Looking back, this seems a harsh assessment on Boro, may main thinking was not replacing Adama Traore would cost them.
They should definitely expect the play offs again this season.
Sheffield United:
Just behind Boro, is Sheffield United in sixth.
The Blades were one of last seasons surprise packages as they very nearly made it into the play offs.
Chris Wilder implements a unique style of play with two of his three centre backs being deployed as "overlapping centre halfs".
This attacking overload is difficult to stop and has made them one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Championship.
Their fans have every reason to be excited as they have improved an already strong squad, and a play off push looks certain again this year.
Sheffield United will almost certainly need some firepower in January to ensure they don't tail off like last year.
I personally had them to finish in tenth position, but not too many points off the play offs.
A good season for United would be to sneak into the play offs, and they would be disappointed if my prediction was to come through.
Sheffield Wednesday:
So far, it's not been a season to remember for the Owls.
Despite manager Jos Luhukay changing the fortunes of Wednesday after being appointed in January.
They find themselves stuck in the bottom half after a poor start.
Sheffield Wednesday's squad isn't bad on paper, but with a few key players injured, and a few more exiled by the manager, Wednesday have had to dip into the youth system in order to fill their bench.
Even without those key players, you'd expect this team to be higher in the league.
Before the start of the season, I had Wednesday to just finish in the play offs after they finished the season as one of the most inform sides in the division.
The Owls haven't got going as it stands and this seems out of reach for them this season.
Wednesday fans should hope for a mid-table finish in 2019, and rebuild next summer.
Hull City:
Hull have had a terrible time since their relegation from the Premier League.
Relegation loomed over their heads last season in the Championship, but they managed to just stay clear.
A massive turnover in squad has not help the Tigers, but they definitely still have some great individuals.
Jared Bowen's performance will be key to keeping them up this season.
They really need a few extra bodies in the side, including a prolific goalscorer.
That seems unlikely though as persuading the board seems to be a hard task.
I had Hull City to finish in sixteenth position, which is definitely something they can aim for this season.
Although moving as away from the relegation zone as possible with be their priority.
Rotherham United:
Relegation favourites for many, Rotherham United had every odd against them at the start of the year.
But Paul Warne's men have taken to Championship life very well, better than most expected.
The Millers may only sit in twentieth place but seem to be performing better than their previous endeavors in England's second tier.
Rotherham's squad is not the strongest, but they have one of the smallest budgets in the league, so that is to be expected.
If they can turn some of their draws into wins, they should steer well clear of relegation.
I had them to finish in the relegation zone, but only by a point.
Most people will have had the Millers as the whipping boys, but I definitely don't see that.
Rotherham United should stand a good chance of avoiding relegation, and maybe even progress as high as mid-table.
Barnsley:
High-flying Barnsley have intentions of making an instant return to the Championship this season.
There Liverpool-esque gegen-press stystem seems to be paying off so far for manager, Daniel Stendel.
Barnsley sit comfortably in fifth in League One, and on their day, look a strong outfit.
With a solid team, with players good enough for the league above, Barnsley were many peoples bets for promotion.
It will be tough to topple Sunderland for top spot, but second is still wide open for the Tykes.
Barnsley really shouldn't settle for anything less than the play offs.
In reality, they should be rivaling Sunderland for the title.
I had Barnsley to finish in second behind Sunderland and this still seems likely to happen if they show a bit more consistency.
Doncaster Rovers:
Doncaster Rovers have surprised an number of people this season after a mediocre first season back in League One.
Rovers certainly have some great players at their disposal, including their man answer for goals, John Marquis.
Marquis has bagged fifty-three goals over the last two and bit seasons for Doncaster, thirteen of which have come this season.
No one expected Doncaster to push for the play offs at the start of the season, but people should maybe stand up and listen to the South Yorkshire side.
I actually had them in the bottom half of the league, as I didn't see any improvement in pre-season, from the last season.
But Rovers have shocked many and sit seventh expectations will now be the at least acquire at top-half finish.
Bradford City:
It's been a season to forget so far for Bradford City.
It was an awful second half of the season last year that saw them slide down the table from play off contenders, to mid-table fodder.
They didn't recover, and have carried that trend on this season and currently sit bottom of League One.
This time last year they were looking good for a play off spot, but they couldn't be further from that this season.
There squad doesn't reflect the league position that they are in but the table doesn't lie.
I had the Bantams to finish 15th which in honesty, is the best they can hope for.
There expectations will just be to avoid relegation for now.
Commentaires