There's a long way to go yet, look at our slide in the first prem season! I too think the 3 promoted teams can escape relegation but experience of relegation dogfights could prove crucial and this is where the likes of Wigan & Blackburn could have an advantage over the likes of Norwich & Swansea
Depends on if Kean remains as manager. If he does, my vote is with Blackburn and Wigan. The third is a tough one but I think Swansea may begin to slide.
but wasn't he on the bench for the lester game? if he's on the bench he can play no? I thought he'd been terrific and I wouldn't waste money on a new goalkeeper if he's around
yes he was. Basso is suffering with tendonitis and he cannot take goal kicks. it plays up more in cold weather so in effect Basso is a summer goalie. Not sure if pain killing injections for every game is ideal either. Pain means something is wrong. I think he can play IF needed but the club dont want to take the risk. Furthermore, Gulacsi needs games and so far he is doing ok. He is improved and Seamus has done a good work with him. PG is certainly not the bad goalie some on here would have make out. Look at Pepe Reina last night. One error cost Liverpool the game. It happens and even the best GK makes errors. Actually, Gulacsi is improving with each game he plays. As for Basso ? back to his knees for now.
well i think that as things stand Wigan and Bolton looked doomed. Then you can pick one from Blackburn, Wolvers, Sunderland to make up the last spot. Yes January transfers may help some clubs, But how far adrift will some be by the time that they can wheel N deal.? Its gonna be entertaining. I also feel that all 3 promoted clubs will stay up. Norwich and Swansea are Like Hull(in 2008 PL) and Blackpool, nice to watch.
I agree with those that believe Sunderland will stay up. MON is a good manager and should improve their confidence, and make them more difficult to beat. Plus with a reported £20m transfer kitty available to him in January he should be able to make some decent signings
MOTD on Saturday thought that Wigan would go down this season, and having seen them on MOTD this season you can see why. I think Steve Kean gets a raw deal from Blackburn fans sometimes, but 2 wins all season so far tells its own story and even though they don't have a bad squad on paper I can't see them getting the results to stay up.
Just checked a few other Championship Clubs threads, and it seems getting a new striker in Jan is top of the requirement for a lot of fans. Names mentioned are Billy Sharp, Maynard (of course) etc etc,...... oh and a certain Matty Fryatt. Not going to be easy to get what we need as most clubs need more goals, which are somewhat scarce this season.
Plus i also expect MON to wheel N deal some of the current crop out to make way for his own players in.
League positions will determine who goes where as much as anything. Plus if Nicky Barmby comes a knocking for you will you say NO ? interesting times ahead.
Fans are good at spending owners money for them and speculating, but these days owners seem less likely to splash the cash even though most fans are pressing for it.
It's the same every year though, the promoted teams start well but always tail off. Swansea and Norwich might look safe now but after christmas they will inevitably start to falter just like us, Burnley, Blackpool, etc. QPR might be different because they have a lot of money to spend, so I don't know what to expect from them. The likes of Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn won't suffer that dip though. Those teams are unfashionable but have some decent larkers. Players like Diame at Wigan, Hoillett at Blackburn and most of Bolton's players will still be doing well at the end of the season while Swansea fans are wondering when Danny Graham became crap.
