Start of the Season

Generally I would look at the 'head to head' (11v11) for the matches, it can be a pretty good guide. Then look at recent performances but the first game of the season is always the hardest to predict, until you start knowing how the sides are set up.

Examples;

https://www.11v11.com/teams/fulham/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Barnsley/

https://www.11v11.com/teams/sunderland/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Oxford United/

 

With Barnsley being newly promoted it makes previous results even more tricky to weigh up their relevance.

I've got 2-2 but a Fulham win would not surprise me at all.

 

So for example in the head to head, Sunderland v Oxford drew both their matches last season, and have drawn their last 3 matches in total.

 

Head to head means **** all IMO. Will be 22 different players from 2/3 years ago.

First day is a bit of a stab in the dark and I’d avoid pre-season form entirely. Just looking for teams who haven’t had a chaotic summer against those who have. Fancy Gills to get something now Marquis has just left Doncaster. Big price.

 

Barnsley were an excellent L1 side last season only just missing out being champions because of Luton. The problem is the Championship is a big step up, you only have to look at Blackburn and Wigan as examples of that both bottom half finishes and then the relegation of Rotherham. The only team to very recent memory that did well was Wolves ie L1 to Prem.

 

Agreed.

They romped League 1 for most of last season and I agree big step up - loads of money needs spending to compete with a strong squad needed.

It wouldn't surprise me if Barnsley went down or were there about's but first game in new division at home - should be well up for that.

 

Think they’ve lost most of their better players. They’re one of the three we need to be even worse than us. Struggling to find many more.

 

Just read that Barnsley have 10 new possible debuts for this game. That means they've recognised that big step up from L1 to Championship, there are not many League One players that make it to the next grade.

 

I will never forget Wolves in L1, you always get a sense when a player or team is going to go far, after watching live games as many decades as I have. I travelled up to Wolves away, when they were in League One, and they were a class above, stuffed us 4-0. It was like watching a run away train, I never even came away upset, sometimes you just accept at the lower level that you cannot compete.

 

Fair point.

Some times teams are just destined for better things.

Going to watch Portsmouth as much as I can this year.

Tickets becoming a bit tricky.

 

I would put Pompey in the top six easy, no knowledge how they are set up this season, but with Charlton, Barnsley and Luton gone, this is their chance. Bolton ain't going to do shhite, and Ipswich will be hopeful but not in Sunderland's league so to speak. Posh have been hanging round too long, they used to be a lower half Championship side but for some reason become stuck in a rut.

 

Yeah it will be very disappointing if not promoted. Will get stick from fans if not automatic.

Have lost some key players though like Lowe and Clarke but have also bought well.

Long season but I expected top 4.

I really couldn't predict Posh - pretty useful last year.

Should be up there with Portsmouth.

 

Funny isn't he?

 

Well the highlights looked pretty decent. Some very sloppy work by the Luton defence early on, wtf were they falling a kip!

As for Assombalonga

 

Shocking penalty, but it looked like the foul was outside the box, anyway.

 

Wasn’t the same season

Wait maybe it was

 

Pretty sure it was.

 

Yeah for some reason thought the Plymouth home loss was the -10 season. Then remembered we played Millwall first game of that season on Sky with ****ing Matt Patterson up front

 

Lowe will be a huge miss for the blue few.