Inspired by a post by Angelic, I've done a quick summary of what I think of every team's current position vs what I consider to be their reasonable level of expectation, based mostly on their perceived stature, resources and pre-season prediction. I say this as a bit of a caveat to City in particular, as 7th is good in many senses, but poor considering where we were at the start of the year. Would be interesting to hear peoples thoughts: 1. Wolves - Given the millions in investment on players, and perhaps more importantly their links to 'super agent' Jorge Mendes, anything less than automatic promotion would've been a disappointment. Right where they should be. 2. Cardiff - A vague challenge for the playoffs should always have been on the cards, but having such a gap to 3rd at this stage of the season is mightily impressive. Over-performing by a good amount. 3. Fulham - Would've been nailed on by most for a playoff spot, with a handful tipping them for top-two at the start of the season, with a reputation for playing some of the most attractive football in the division. Pretty much where they should be. 4. Aston Villa - Along with the newly minted Wolves, Villa should be considered a big fish in the Championship. It's a tough division, but with their backing, Villa should have had a better chance than most of securing a top two finish. Slight under-performance. 5. Derby County - Similar to Fulham, a side many would've expected to end up in the playoffs, with a reputation for good football. Par to expectations. 6. Middlesbrough - Tipped by a number of people to challenge for automatic promotion, but with Wolves and Villa the 'big two', perhaps the playoffs always were the more realistic goal. Where they should be. 7. Bristol City - Hardly stingy when it comes to available funds, but still comparative small-fry against many others in the division. Considering many were expecting another battle against relegation, 7th represents good over-achievement. 8. Preston - A club with a proud heritage, but doesn't have the financial muscle of the majority of the division. Significant over-achievement. 9. Sheffield United - Though a side traditionally strong at this tier, as a newly promoted side, challenging for a playoff spot, rather than battling relegation still represents a good season. Over-achievement. 10. Millwall - Another side that doesn't have the financial might of their peers and are often under-estimated. Left plenty a bloody nose, and 10th represents over-achievement. 11. Brentford - Still comparative newcomers to the Championship. Though their level of performance and style over the past few seasons have rightly won many plaudits, fans being fans want progress every year, so they may have had aspirations of challenging for the playoffs. However, for me, I think they've had some golden years that will be incredibly hard for them to maintain, as their stars continue to be poached by 'larger' clubs with more money. Slight over-performance. 12. Ipswich - A club with a great history, relative to the size of the club, that perhaps now acts as something of a millstone around their necks, as the realities of the modern game where money is king makes it difficult for them to compete at the very top. Mid-table probably represents par. 13. Norwich - Given that not long ago they were in the Premiership, a playoff challenge really ought to have been on the cards, so being below their East Anglia rivals ought to be a point of embarrassment for them. Under-performance. 14. Leeds United - Poor ownership surely contributes a lot to a comparative giant of the English game being away from the top-flight for so long. A symbol that reputation and money alone isn't enough, but a club like Leeds ought to at least be in the conversation of a playoff spot. Under-achievement. 15. Queens Park Rangers - The days of throwing the cash around and having a wage bill larger than Atletico Madrid are gone. The likelihood of troubling the top of the league was always unlikely, whilst keeping away from the relegation spots is probably as much as could be expected. Where they should be. 16. Nottingham Forest - A club that always threatens to be the next sleeping giant to awake, but never seems to. The Al-Hasawi connection is gone, but it's still too early to tell how much of an improvement (if any) the new owners will be. Being charitable and chalking them up as a 'side-in-transition', this could be considered okay, bordering on slight under-achievement. 17. Sheffield Wednesday - Oh dear. After years of reaching the playoffs, but not quite making it, this slump wasn't exactly expected. Long-serving manager (comparatively) Carlos Carvalhal was given the boot, yet has done a decent job at Swansea, whilst his replacement Jos Luhukay hasn't exactly got them firing yet. Significant under-achievement. 18. Hull City - It's hard to believe that they were a Premiership team last season. Fans are fed up with their clown owner, who himself is acting like a baby because he wasn't successful in throwing away over a hundred years of history to call his side 'Hull Tigers'. They need to re-build, but a relegated side with the associated parachute payments shouldn't be this close to the relegation zone. Significant under-achievement. 19. Bolton Wanderers - Given their financial troubles in recent years, they seem to have done remarkably well to steady the ship and come out the other side. A dreadful start seemed to condemn them, but they've turned it around and look like they can survive. Just avoiding relegation would've been considered a success, so I say Par, going on slight over-achievement. 20. Reading - A real let-down - from the play-offs to an unexpected relegation battle. Jaap Stam seems capable of having his side pass the ball around nicely, but with a real lack of cutting edge. There should be enough there to avoid the drop, but they'll need to do that and start the next season well for Stam to stick around. Significant under-achievement. 21. Barnsley - Another side that in terms of resources and budgets are definitely towards the bottom of the scale and so will struggle to achieve much more than simple survival. 21st represents the bare minimum. Par. 22. Birmingham - Another club where poor owners have impacted the team. It seems lessons have been learned to a point, but they are circling the drain. Gary Monk seems to have them battling and they could yet survive, but it shouldn't have come to this. Under-achievement. 23. Burton Albion - Frankly, for a club of this size to be in its second season in the Championship is remarkable. Of course they've earned their right to be here and they'll never concede defeat before a match, but every point dropped against them is a disappointment (as we well know!) and they were most people's favourites for the drop. Par, bordering on under-achievement. 24. Sunderland - What a disaster. After years of hanging on in the Premiership, failing to come straight back up wouldn't have been surprising, even having a bit of a tough time wouldn't have been surprising, but to be rock-bottom is downright abysmal. A lot of people thought Simon Grayson was a sound appointment given his achievements with Preston, but that went wrong and Chris Coleman still needs to convince me that he's a good club manager. Maybe a season or two to rebuild in League One will do them some good, but what a spectacular fall from grace. Massive under-achievement.
Good thread - and very fair assessments too. The only observation I'd take issue with is of Middlesbrough. They were nailed on by many, including me, for an auto spot and even Champions - 6th spot right now is below expectations - they should at least nudging the top 2. I think Steve Gibson will be dissappointed with the performance of his club so far, but all could be redeemed through the playoffs. Turning to the bottom end of the table, most teams in that bottom will battle to the death but I feel Stam will try to get Reading to play themselves to safety and that could be a big mistake. Sunderland seem to have the death wish, but the likes of Bolton, Barnsley, Burton and now Brum with Monk there will not roll over until it's over. I fear Reading could yet come unstuck and perversley, they could be "too good" to stay up.
Glad I inspired you Nick, but a very well thought through assessment and there is virtually nothing in there that I'd disagree with. My only comments are had Fulham started their great run a few games earlier then they could have troubled the top 2 for an automatic place, and I think that if they have money to spend, then Forest under Aitor Karanka could be contenders for at least a play off spot next season
