By Paul Holmes
June 20 2002

With the season approaching fast we take a look at the potential Golden Boot winners for the 2002/03 season with teams B-D. Bradford City

The Bantams haven't really got much of a case for Golden Boot winner here after their en másse sackings of almost all professionals at the club. Therefore the task will fall upon young emerging strikers to provide the firepower in West Yorkshire.

Brighton

One name springs to mind when the words 'Golden Boot' and 'Brighton' are mentioned, of course the name is that of Mr Bobby Zamora. The Bristol Rovers reject has certainly come good at the Withdean based club notching a staggering 63 goals in the last 2 seasons helping the Albion to two successive championships. Whether or not Zamora can continue in his blaze of glory is the question but only fool would back against it.

Burnley

Burnley boss Stan Ternent knows that he has the providers in Glen Little, Alan Moore and co. but does he have a striker to put away the chances? Well one man who the Burnley fans are hoping can take them over the final hurdle that they have stumbled over the last two seasons is Ian Moore, son of Rotherham boss Ronnie. Alan is an old-fashioned centre forward in every sense. Has been a regular scorer since joining Burnley from local rivals Stockport County but this could be the season when he makes a really big impression.

Coventry

Despite his unhappy first season and rumoured return to West Brom if anyone is going to claim the Golden Boot for Coventry it will be the Balti Kid, Lee Hughes. Love or Loathe him, his goal scoring ability is unquestionable. Prolific at every level he's played at Hughes is a match for most defences and has a natural eye for goal. Having come close with West Brom previously Hughes moved to Coventry in his quest for Premiership football. The next season the Baggies won promotion whilst the Sky Blues failed to make the play-offs. Will this season be any different?

Crystal Palace

On paper The Eagles have the best strikeforce on paper. Dougie Freedman, Clinton Morrison and errrrr Ade Akinbyi. Freedman and Morrison proved their quality with both grabbing a mass of goals last season and Morrison even went to the World Cup with the Republic of Ireland. Towards the end of last season boss Trevor Francis rescued Akinbiyi from his Leicester hell, just so happens that his form followed him as he struggled to score. However Akinbiyi can not be written of by any means and is still capable of destroying defences. Seems a good chance that the Golden Boot may go to Selhurst Park.

Derby County

The Rams are another team who will fancy their chances of claiming the boot. Boasting an impressive attack featuring Ravanelli, Christie and Burton. But neither may not be at Pride Park comes August 10th. Ravanelli has been told by John Gregory that he can find himself a new club, the White Feather has insisted that he wants to fire Derby back into the Premier, and on his wages who can blame him? Malcolm Christie is rumoured to be attracting the cheque books of several Premier League who sense a bargain following the Rams relegation. Deon Burton is another striker who can destroy defences but his future is unsure. Burton spent the end of last season on loan at Stoke and helped them to promotion to Division 1 via the play-offs. A dark horse at Derby could be young Marvin Robinson who burst onto the scene in the remaining stages of last season and gained heavy praise for boss Gregory, one to watch indeed