Why? No better than 8/9 teams in the Championship. I would 'expect' them to finish between 3rd and 8th. As most of their signings are un proven. I can see a team like Cardiff finishing in the top 2.
I don't understand, how can football fans can 'never settle for anything less'? We pay our money, turn up and watch the game, we have no influence on results, players, managers...etc. Not settling would imply there is something we can do about it. Let's face it, in a league of 24 teams there will be 21 teams who come the end of the season will settle for less than they were aiming for at the start of the season, it's just how football works.
Not really. Sure, Charlton were by far the best team in League One last season, but that means absolutely nothing when it comes to determining how they'll perform next season. I've seen people predicting them to finish top-six and/or get promoted. If that happens, I'll perform a striptease in Beverley Minster during Sunday service. Agreed, unfortunately... It was certainly intended as a bit of fun! [NSFW] please log in to view this image [/NSFW] First two seasons I watched City, we came 11th and then 13th in (what is now) League Two. That's enough to keep me grounded for life
Not many people realise how well Huddersfield are backed, they could buy their way to the prem just like they bought there way to the championship. They had a higher wage budget than 85% of the championship in league one
Barmby did very, very well under the circumstances. Without being able to add to a paper-thin squad it was obviously going to fall apart when the fiztures started piling up. The fact that we won the last 3 home games was very pleasing at the time given the difficulties of it, a lot better than the previous year under NP when we stopped winning home games around January and never picked up again. I think the fact that so many people have City finishing 6th but not above shows that it's desperation or hope rather than expactation. In 2008 when we got promoted we weren't favourites but we all knew we had a decent team, we were splashing the cash and the club was definitely moving in the right direction. I don't like being the negative one but the current situation is so far away from that it's unreal. Like TaylorTiger said I hate the idea of settling for an average, midtable season (what is the point? what would it achieve?) but at the moment it seems likely.
Re-reading this thread and I still can't see why anybody would think of 8th as a failure last season given the change of manager half-way through, the lack-of goals, and the manager retiring himself from playing when we could have done with somebody with his brains on the pitch. I think that was Nickys only real mistake, the fact he retired during the season instead of playing on and influencing things on the pitch, could have made that little bit of a difference to us even if he was just playing the last quarter of games.
Well looking at current squad strengths at the moment its pretty straight forward to predict. But we all know that players will come and go all over the place before the end of August. Blackpool for example, IMO, will lose Ince back to Liverpool and Gilks and Matt Phillips will go to the PL. So for now i shall go for 1)Wolverhampton 2)Hull City ---------------- 3)Cardiff City 4)Blackburn 5)Blackpool 6)Middlesboro ================== 22)Millwall 23)Barnsley 24)Peterborough Utd
I will take our half against anyones at the moment. With the right additions Beryl and Betty could manage them,.
C.O.C. Capital One Cup News released on 1st June 2012. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FL website states that the first round draw will be made on June 14th and all games played W/C 13th August. Yes the first round games will be played prior to the Big League KO. on the 18th August. It looks like it could well be a very busy start to the season especially as the first international break starts W/C 3rd September for 2 weeks.
I'm not going to start winding you all up by saying that we will win the league - but I expect that we will do markedly better than we did last season as we will have a more settled 'team' rather than a group of disparate individuals ... Some very interesting predictions; some based on sound and thorough prognosis whilst an equal number possibly stemming from solvent abuse .. Birmingham to win the league? - don't see it - had to sell off some of their best players last season and I suspect the 'tightening the belt' to continue hence no surprise to see the manager moving on - he's on a hiding to nothing to just maintain last season's finish. Sheff Wed - very surprised if they finish above half-way - Mandaric does not have the funds (at least on his own) to bankroll the improvements they will need - and that's why we are now owned by 'Thai's R Us' Barnsley - manager has performed miracles with excellent loan signings etc - how long they can continue to survive on that basis is questionable and I would put them with Peterboro as having a tough season and possibly in the drop zone Leeds - big job for Colin and he may need a season to build further before he is able to mount a challenge - but he is a very capable if rather annoying git with a proven track record at this level Cardiff - look like having mega-bucks - but as we rather spectacularly proved last season - 'it's not about the money, money money ..." - and sell your heritage and you sell your soul (crew) ... did you see what I did there? Wolves, Bolton and Blackburn - all depends on who stays Middlesbro - Mowbray doing a fantastic job in my opinion .... but will the bigger boys come cherry picking? .... and the Tigers? -all things being equal I think you will certainly be top half - if the managerial switch works and your owners put up some readies, I could see you competing for top 6 .. best of luck.
With whats going on @ Birmingham now they will do well stay a mid-table club. There best players will leave and as money is tight will not be able to improve. imo. Yes. The C.O.C. first round starts W/C 13th August. The draw is next week. 14th june. IMO, next seasons championship WILL be the most competative ever. I can see 90% of the clubs being involved in the race for the top 6. Even relegation will be interesting as at least 6 clubs look destined for a seasons struggle.
