If we don't win the Play Offs, the Championship next season is going to be the hardest ever. The three weakest teams have just got relegated. Charlton and Millwall survived so to add to those London derbies we'd have two more west London derbies in Fulham and Brentford. Plus the return of Wolves. Which begs the question, will we ever get up again if we don't win these play-offs? Not sure my arse can stand the tension
Hopefully we don't have to go through another year but if we do I think it will always be tough as so much competition with not a great deal between the teams. On the plus side we'd have that experience from this year & have a decent core squad for next year which will have to be strengthened in the summer with expiring contracts etc.
I have never understood this line of thought, more so in recent years. Fans tend to look at 'team names' and 'players names', and not the bigger picture which includes so many other factors. You guys should know this better than most after the last three seasons. Outside of the PL, Wolves are a big name, but have not been very good for many years. Same applies to Ipswich, Forest, Leeds Utd, Sheff Wed and as from next season Norwich (still to be confirmed, but it will happen) - you could include Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Fulham and the three losers from the play-offs in that list too. All those teams deserve to be where they are because they simply have not been good enough to be playing at a higher level. The Championship is up for grabs for 3 teams out of probably 10-12, in any given season although that does not mean there wont be a surprise (think Burnley this time, and even possibly Bournemouth & Brentford (both on the way up) in seasons to come.
Burnley have shown if you get the blend right you can go up on a budget. It's no good second guessing who'll be in the mix next season, the summer will see major clear-outs at many of the contenders and I'm sure there'll be a surprise package or two challenging at the business end of next season, I just hope we're out of it at the end of this season...
Good Post. Some on here will be delighted at your (probable) relegation. I'm looking forward to good old fashioned footie rivalry - assuming we don't win the play-offs as many on here seem to believe. "Lets' be 'aving ya"!!
It could turn out to be one the better things to happen at the club to be honest. Our rise under Paul Lambert was perhaps all too swift and a reality check was needed by the board. I don't really want to say this in here, as it might upset some, but I think we will be playing QPR next season......in the Championship. Looking at your record against the leagues top sides, I can't decide if you have enough to beat two of them, although having Charlie Austin back could swing it for you.
Ill enjoy that after watching them dive under no contact to rob donny of a point that would have seen then safe. The worst divers ive ever seen in the champ, at least they will be in good company in the PL.
I'm feeling bizarrely confident, no matter what the evidence of my own eyes says. I'd like a 1-0 defeat on Friday, so we have to play on Monday and I think we will do it in style, because Wigan's defending has gone down the pan and Charlie is back on song. Both Derby or Brighton may well freeze in the final, where, at last, the experience in our squad and management team should actually count for something. But if we don't go up we'll just have to do better next season, won't we? Nobody to fear in the Championship no matter what the club is called, its just an attritional war.
Yes - we are responsible for Doncaster's relegation ... the other 45 games were mere distractions (particularly the one where Kasper threw it in his own net at their place to give them a 1-0 win and 3 points) ... have a word with yourself, perhaps several ... ... at the same time I'll admit that we were indeed very lucky to be awarded 83 penalties this season
We will enjoy watching the results next season regardless where we are as you get f****d in the ass and finish up where you belong, back in the championship, you total bell-end
I woke up confidently too but with no basis whatsoever. I was not brave enough to even mention it until you did first!
It doesn't change the fact you player dived yet again, knowing that goal would relegate them. He's a complete scumbag. It was a nothing match for you as well. Good job that won't work in the PL where you'll be lucky to reach 30 points.
Kevin kilbane on motd2 is picking Wigan to go up based on 'recent form'!? Is this the same form that sees them below us derby and Brighton in the form table?
Derby are clear favourites for the play-offs, here's all the odds: http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/promotion
