If and when we go up

I'm sure we are all very impressed with our current management and organisational structure in the club and I hope they are keeping at least one eye on the prospect of us going up this season. It does seem that promotion is becoming increasingly difficult for teams going from League 1 to the Championship look at where Hull, Blackpool and Peterborough are now (see table below) even the year before, Wycombe and Charlton both came straight back down. Hopefully the January transfer window will reflect our ambitions beyond this season, assuming we are still looking good to go up.

 

I’m not sure how much the promoted teams have invested into their squads to be honest, once they’re out of league one I don’t follow them anymore.

however I think there has always been a slight gap between the leagues, it’s rare these days that teams can do continuous back to back promotions like Southampton did all those years ago

 

On the flip side Coventry and Barnsley have proved that you can thrive in that league on a relative shoestring.

I’m not too concerned. A club like Sunderland with the momentum of promotion beyond us would be a different kettle of fish in the Championship than the likes of Blackpool and Peterborough.

 

Blackpool have a net spend of 875K
Peterborough have a net spend of nil
Hull have a net spemd of nil

https://www.transfermarkt.com/championship/transfers/wettbewerb/GB2

 

No wonder they are where they are.

 

Absolutely. Don't invest you won't survive

 

The longer we are stuck in the Turd (Roy Keane accent) division, the harder it is to get out... look at Dirty Leeds...

Let's hope this is the year...automatic promotion

 

We weren’t that far behind them last season and would suggest that this season with our strengthening of our squad that we would be better equipped to more than match them , the new management team don’t appear to be resting on their laurels either as Speakman has indicated in recent interviews that they are already looking at the January transfer window. What a refreshing change to previous years that we are now planning well in advance and being proactive rather than reactive .

 

And if we are able to target a few Championship level players in January it makes it easier to stay up once promoted

 

My feeling is that we are going up and are 'growing' the core of a championship side at the same time. We won't need to panic buy 'next level' players any more, from what I can see, the way the club are doing things now is all about the future. Long may that continue, great to have home grown talent moving up through the ranks.

 

Need a striker backup for Stewart in Jan?

 

Good shout
We are at the beginning of a revolution in recruitment for our club.
I look at the side now and I can see a good squad developing.

eg.
Goalkeeper and full back positions covered for next 3 or 4 years
CM covered also

Out of contract players I think I would only keep Embers and Flanners and let the rest go and bring in the same type of players we have just recruited. Yes including Gooch and Geads.

January might see about 3 players coming in

IMHO

 

Peterborough in particular spent all their money the previous two seasons trying to get up.

 

I think the players we’ve brought in this summer for sure the club expect to be able to step up to Championship.

If we are in a really strong position January I expect we add a couple more of that standard, but leave some room for 4-5 signings if and when we are confirmed as up.

 

We will take it in our stride with the current set up. OaU

 

Good thread. Be interesting to see who everyone thinks will be good enough in the championship.

Doyle (if we can get him back)
Neil
Onien
Stewart
Winchester
Gooch on his day!!
Embleton
Hume (but I think he’ll be sold)

ive notpout on those I’m not sure about. Not saying they’re not good enough, just that I’m still not sure (Cirkin, new keeper, etc etc)

 

Good shout, and food for thought, but its early days to be worrying about the Championship, its best left to Speakman and Co. for now imo.
But I can't resist saying that Flanagan should be on that list ahead of Gooch if this season is anything to go by.

 

looked at the league after last nights results (14th sept) and was shocked to see 3 of the bottom 4 are promoted sides, i think hull have tried to keep a core of the team they got relegated with last time, blackpool making an attempt to build again but were, imho, lucky to get that run going last season as they never really seemed to outplay anyone and i get the impression that peterboro will be happy to have a season then drop back to go again.

one thing is starting to look a lot clearer and that is it is not worth trying to throw a team together just to get out of this league (if it fails then you can be stuck with them for 2 or 3 seasons) as you need to be looking for players that are able to compete and perform in the championship, then maybe start building for the premier.

 

Doyle is on a 2 year loan deal, mate.

I'm not sure Gooch can step-up, tbh. I know he's played at higher levels than this with us but that doesn't mean he's a certain level of player. He's a decent league one player on the form he has shown and no more. I don't think he's got the consistency or the end product for the Championship or higher.

I think Neil might be away in January. He's clearly a baller and destined for the top level. I'd be surprised if he's with us for the start of next season regardless of which division we are in.

The rest you have listed should all be fine. I think the step-up to the Championship is also a lot bigger than most people give it credit for and we are still a little short with this squad to be competitive over 46 games up there.

 

Imo there's no way Neil will leave us this season, he's only just made first team squad on regular basis as no one will be bid enough money to prise him away until he proved himself long term.
he's just the type of player we should be building a team around as was Henderson but fans couldn't/ wouldn't give him the time to show his true worth.
mind he was unfortunate to have fathheed as his manager..enough said.