Who is best equipped to cope with the Premier League next season?

The Championship season finished today and we now know the four teams who will compete for a place in the Premier League next season. The four clubs are Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City, Leicester City and Blackpool.

History

The four clubs have very diverse histories but have endured very similar fates in recent years. Nottingham Forest have a glorious history of winning English league titles and European Cups under the late great Brian Clough. For such a long time they were giants of the English game.

So much so that when they were relegated from the Premier League in 1993, the inaugural season of the new league it was a massive shock. The club then had a period of yo-yoing in between the top flight and second tier. They also endured a brief spell in England’s third tier. However they are now looking for a return to the Premier League under Billy Davies.

Leicester City’s recent presence in the top flight of English football was down to one man, Martin O’Neill. He led an ailing club back to the top flight and kept them there. Unfortunately for Leicester fans as soon as the Irishman left the club so did their Premier League status.

For the best part of the last decade Leicester have struggled between the second and third tier of English football after suffering financial problems. Current manager Nigel Pearson has done a fantastic job. He firstly got them back into the Championship and has now helped them qualify for the play-offs.

Cardiff are another team who have spent time in recent seasons between the second and the third tier of English football. They also have a manager in Dave Jones who has helped the club to a mini revival. He has built slowly but surely and is reaping the rewards.

I recently wrote an article about how well I think Blackpool has done this season. It really is an incredible story for Blackpool to have a chance of getting into the top flight. The Tangerines haven’t enjoyed a season in the top flight since the 1970/71 season. They have to be the team of the season in England.

Resources

None of the four clubs have heavy financial backings but some are stronger than others due to fan power. The Cardiff and Forest have relatively large fanbases. Leicester have a new state-of-the art stadium.

Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road is smaller than the other clubs stadiums with just a 12,555 capacity. It’s not exactly up to Premier League standards. If Blackpool were to be promoted then it will be a case of too far too soon.

Blackpool would probably have the one of the smallest budgets in the history of the Premier League. The board are believed to have money to invest in the club but whether that’s enough to cope with top flight football is another matter.

They would however be assisted by the money they would be receiving from SKY and the prize money for just appearing in the league. Maybe the Tangerines would benefit from a few more seasons in the Championship.

I have to admit having seen all these teams play this season I couldn’t predict who would cope best with Premier League football next season. All four would have to strengthen this summer in order to compete in the top flight. All four would struggle in the Premier League next season with their current squad.

British

The one thing that all four have in common is that they really well organised sides, which are hard to beat. They also all have very talented British bosses. Maybe the Premier League clubs can learn a thing or two from their lower league colleagues.

One thing is for sure though that we are in for some superb games in the play-offs. These games are always full of emotion and drama. Some of the most dramatic games I have ever witness have came in the Championship play-offs. Hopefully this year they won’t disappoint and the best team wins.