I had to have a good think about this one, brb and thought it could do with a thread all on its own - here's my two penn'orth. I don't think it's easy, just different. There were a lot of 'method' sides in this division last season - no frills, no stars, just hard work and good discipline - and you could bank on having a real hard time from them, especially when you travelled away. This season, some of those sides are beginning to struggle badly. Some of them have lost maybe only one or two key players and it seems to have upset their equilibrium. In addition, quite a few of these players have simply swapped sides within the division, with several players from the relegated sides last campaign coming back to strengthen sides in League One. Some teams were heavily reliant on loan players last season and there generally seems to be less of them around this season, so teams are having to rely on their contracted players. There also seems to be less money around, and teams are having to 'make do', rather than spend their way out of a run of poor form. The promoted teams and the relegated teams have not had the impact that we may have expected - The Blades are up there, and Stevenage have made a really good start, but Preston, Scunny, Wycombe and Chesterfield, who I expected to start like a train, have barely broken the surface of the pond. So, we're top of this pack. It could have gone two ways - either the monumental shock of the root and branch clearout and the intake of 17 new players could have sent us into an uncontrollable tailspin if they'd not gelled; or the careful selection of a brand new side, engineered by an experienced scouting team, backed by a fresh board and moulded into shape by an enthusiastic but inexperienced manager would eventually pay dividends. The fact that it's taken off in this spectacular fashion so soon is a matter of joy and wonderment, and long may that last. That's just my take on it - views anyone?
I think if you look at 2 seasons ago: Norwich - premiership Leeds & millwall top ten championship Brighton championship top 6 Southampton (you can buy football) top of the championship I think some successful teams have moved up, while the teams coming down have flopped
Woah...12 of Southampton's 16 yesterday were in the League One squad. One is on loan and the others cost £3m in total, which means a £12m profit on transfers in the Summer. If you want to know why we are top of the league, you need to look elsewhere!
top of the league because you sacked Pardew And yes, this league is easy compared to other years. The relegated teams have not performed well on the most part, which is where the challenge normally comes from.
Nice thread Tewks and good point by Robbie. We got progressively worst over two league 1 seasons, reaching the pinnacle of that under Chrissy last season and reaching our level perhaps - hence the clearout and lack of real expectations beyond that of mindless optimism in pre-saeson. As you say that could have gone one of two ways and thankfully it's gone the way that I admit I wasn't expecting. Really Huddersfield and Charlton have been the two teams that have suffered most from a strong divison in previous seasons and now we're taking full advantage.
Interesting question. Last season, it was a relatively easy league for Brighton (remember their visit to the Valley) but at times they got late winners and ground out odd-goal wins. For the moment, we're doing it too, with a much better squad than last year. Honestly, I think we've got much better. The points being dropped by the two Sheffields, MK Dons and other high-ish flyers suggest a lot of teams are prepared to battle it out for a point. But the struggle the relegated teams are having is a good point too. I dunno! Lets just beat Huddersfield and go up as champions.
I'm delighted we're top with a cushion. I'm hoping we can react well and have strength of character in the face of the inevitable slip ups that come our way. My delight is however tempered by nasty visions of a striker injury crisis.
Is it easier this season? Not sure. The way I'd try to determine my answer would be how would this team fair in last seasons league? I don't think it matters as much about the league- I think this side would have been up there with Brighton. Our recent run of results including 20 goals(?) and several clean sheets is quite stunning.
Good thread Tewkes. Chrissy states something that i mentioned yesterday as being one of the main reasons why we are where we are. Look at yesterdays game - we were under the cosh in the first half yet got in at half-time 0-0 - mainly down to Morrison and Hamer.Last season we would have gone in at least 1 down. Brian Clough always used to say that you build from the back. For me, if you look at all the signings CP has made, people rave about Wiggins and Stephens, but for me THE signings have been Morrison and Hamer, From a nervous start Hamer is now really playing well, and Morrison is a real bargain, whatever the price was . - hes a colossus for us.Thats why i worry more about him getting injured than BWP. Anyway, 1 more win next Monday and we ... 1) Move 8 points clear, and... 2) Break 'udd's record and... 3) Show the rest of the country we are top...on merit.
Good thread, Tweakes, but I think you've slightly overthought your answer to a WUM question Robbie's post has made me think about something else. I'll try to put up a thread about it. Top scorers. Tightest defence. Good start. I think we'd be up there with Brighton, and have a massive lead over Norwich by this stage (they had a brilliant second half of the season). Overall, it's tough to say whether the league as a whole is stronger or weaker.
Top thread Tewkes, don't believe everything that IA ^^^ writes I will have to think up some more titles for your threads
It seems easy because we are just so bleedin' good. This current side would beat the Norwich and Brighton teams of the last two seasons - no problem!
I agree mate, this charlton team would compete in the championship this year. Would of walked the league our first season down!
