Sheffield Wednesday (H) Leeds United (A) Derby County (A) Reading (H) Middlesbrough (A) Barnsley (H) Piss easy start, a couple of fast fading Yorkie sides, followed by a side who usually sack their manager after we draw there, so it's goodbye Rowett. Follow that with a side who were crap in the play off final and then a side who cannot make up their mind which division they want to be in. International break then we take on Dickie Bird. Predicted points total sod all.
Rowett is a decent manager and was turning The Rams around. Except for Barnsley, they all have funds NE can only dream of. However, NE is financial stable and has a 'long' serving manager who is ambitious in team\club results rather than in going up the slippery pole of Premiership management. If SG can settle the new recruits in early on perhaps the disaster of last season will be avoided. Although the start of the season looks daunting, I think we can be confident of two things: firstly, a better prepared & stronger side taking the field, secondly of being underestimated as a lower to middle table team.