In the Championship – Preparations underway

Managers might not have been on the move but there's been a steady exodus from Deepdale in the last week, and what a shocking situation has developed there. I've nothing but sympathy with our local rivals who have been lied to by some of their staff, all in their desperate attempts to get out and rejoin the midget at Derby.

Five members of staff have said they want to leave, all stating they had no jobs to go to, and yet suddenly there's a steady procession of them turning up at Derby County. Preston chairman Derek Shaw is furious, and with just cause, at the way his club has been treated by Derby County, and in particular Billy Davies.

“The buzz word six weeks ago was courtesy, that was the word Billy Davies used when he told the press he wanted to speak to other clubs,” Shaw raged. “Well I have to say the way these people have gone about their business have shown very little courtesy to Preston North End.”

I believe they won't be staging a ‘Billy Davies Day' this coming season at Deepdale, but I suspect it will be quite a lively afternoon when Davies takes his Derby side there on New Year's Day.

It's not just coaches who have left either, another of their defence from last season has moved up to the Premiership. Tyrone Mears was expected to join Charlton but last week put his name to an initial £1 million deal and a move to West Ham. North End boss Simpson moved quickly to replace him with the signing of Sean St Ledger from Peterborough.

Former Blackburn player Ian Miller has joined Leicester as first team coach whilst Terry Westley, one of those forced out to make way for the new staff at Derby, has taken over the youth set up at Birmingham.

Bruno N'Gotty - signed for Birmingham

Birmingham was the centre of the biggest Championship transfer of the week, an incredible £5.5 million move seeing forward Emile Heskey return to the Premiership with Wigan. Steve Bruce did add to his squad though with the capture of Bruno N'Gotty from Bolton.

It's one in, one out at Leeds as well. They've signed Seb Carole from Brighton but lost Simon Walton who has moved on to the Premiership with Charlton. The loss of Francis was described as a blow by Kevin Blackwell who is hoping to add Darren Currie to his squad. The nephew of former Leeds midfielder Tony Currie, he's currently with Ipswich Town and manager Jim Magilton would prefer to keep him.

There was a notable appointment at Portman Road last week – that of Sir Bobby Robson as President. It is news that has met with approval, Robson was manager there for thirteen and a half years and only ended when he took over from Ron Greenwood as England manager.

Southampton boss George Burley looks to be building his squad the Wright way. He signed Manchester City's Bradley Wright-Phillips last week for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £1 million (a little bit cheaper than the fee City received for his ‘big' brother a year ago) and today they have completed the signing of Jermaine Wright who has been released by Leeds. Wright spent the last few months of last season on loan at Southampton.

Poor Barnsley aren't having much luck. Having won promotion they are struggling to hang onto their players. Another has now chosen to move on despite being offered a contract, this time Chris Suker who has signed for Tranmere. They are looking to bring in Auxerre's Garra Dembélé. He's been taken on trial after training with Newcastle.

QPR boss Gary Waddock must have been watching the World Cup closely. He's signed Australia's Nick Ward from Perth Glory and is hoping to complete the signing of Alexis Romeo who played in the competition for Togo. He currently plays his football with Louhans-Cuiseaux in France.

Mikele Leigertwood - left Palace for Sheffield United

Mikele Leigertwood has left the Championship this week and moved from Crystal Palace to Sheffield United whilst Wolves' South Korean international Seol Kyi-Heon will sign for Reading when he returns to England next week, the fee has already been agreed.

Moving into the Championship are Chris Perry, signed by West Brom after being released by Charlton, Brentford's Michael Turner who has become Phil Parkinson's first signing for Hull City, he has cost them £350,000.

Cardiff have also been busy and signed Roger Johnson from Wycombe Wanderers and given contracts to Malvin Kamara and Nick McKoy, both released by Franchise. The other news from Cardiff is that the new stadium pipe dream is still alive and this week they have been given an extension regards standing at Ninian Park. After three years in this league they should have gone all seater but have been allowed a further year with terracing.

Finally, Plymouth Argyle have been offered a friendly against Real Madrid, but there's a condition. Plymouth are out in Austria and new Real coach Fabio Capello wants them to move out of their hotel so his players can move in.

The big club is trying to bully the smaller club again – tell them to get stuffed Plymouth.