Have notposted in ages - not much to say when you cannot see the matches. But going back to the original post hope fluttered in my heart that we could make the autos when we drew 2 2 with Derby on 20 december. Only 7 points to catch up and half a season to do it in. Almost two months later and 10 more games played we have reduced the deficit to 6 points. Heart hopes for yes but head says we will go up via the play offs at best.
To be honest FtF, I think the majority on here would agree with you, though most of the top teams still have to play each other. March is a pivotal month - Sat 14th - Boro V Ipswich is the early kick off and we play Derby Tue 17th - Derby V Boro Fri 20th - Wolves V Derby Sat 21st - Bournemouth v Middlesbrough (early kick off), Watford v Ipswich and we play Forest So, in the space of 8 days, there could be MASSIVE changes to the top 6 places!!!
Whilst I admit I was a strong defender of Neeyul Adams (possibly heart ruling head I admit), there is absolutely no question we look a far more compete outfit under the new gaffer, and seem to be getting better and better with each game. Adding the potentially fantastic Dorrans to the arsenal means we are far better equipped to go on a good run than we were back in December so for me there is no reason why we can't finish top two, or even win it. Can't wait to find out, this is all set up for a hell of a season finale, and possibly a season to remember for a long time.
Without wishing to recreate previous debates, your summary TMC is spot on and is one reason why the Championship is a much more interesting and exciting league than the Premiership. We are not going to grounds where damage limitation is the over-riding feeling and we are not studying the bottom 6 under a microscope hoping that we pick up a point from somewhere unexpectedly to keep us out of the relegation zone. Every team in this division can beat any other and there are so many teams within so few points that every game has some relevance. Apart from Blackpool, no team has been cut adrift (watch Wigan now) and it has felt good to be winning games away fromk home and playing with some style and vigour again. I understand why CH took some stick but really when you look at it, did he have much alternative? I am sure that we would have been playing more expansive football with him in this division too, but that is another story.
The Championship in my eyes is a great league, much better than the premiership in terms of entertainment. There will so many twist and turns over the next couple of months it will be hard to keep up.
Totally agree Guru, much better entertainment and therefore more enjoyable especially if you're at the right end of the league.
and yet we both want our team promoted, to a land where we almost certainly will not compete very effectively, where the excitement levels are not as high so often, where the top 6 is just about nailed on in July - it's odd huh?
For us maybe but when you are not buying expensive players and still in massive massive debt like Ipswich for example promotion means streams every match and lots of.
Money is the clear issue. It's gotten out of hand. When a team is buying a player for the same amount as a whole team in the division lower costs, it's just outrageous. I'm genuinely going off football. I still like to follow Norwich because of the emotional investment and I still enjoy the sport but all the bollocks that surrounds it these days, I just don't like it. If we could be guaranteed to fight at the top end off this division on a regular basis, just without going up I would be happy. This league is far more about the football, and less about the drama that comes with the Prem.
Not wishing to stir up yet another 8 page discussion but we are only in debt to our owner and not any external creditors so lets get things into context please!
I am with you 100% COTB. Money has killed the game and as I have said before (many a time) the wages are absolutely bloody ridiculous and cannot be defended, they are indecent and immoral. I have quoted previously that I was at the City Ground for the Nottingham Forest v Liverpool game at Christmas c.1980 (God knows why) and during the game a half time it was announced that Shilton had been offered and agreed to a new contract for £1,000 per week. To go from that to where we are now in some 35 years is beyind me because I am damn sure that your wages have not increased by anything like 10% of that differential. Promotion is about chasing the dream but I do seriously wonder if it is another case of the emperors new clothes and we are all being taken for mugs.
I agree with you Thurnby. Does anyone remember the very first £1 Million player and the clubs involved back in 1979? No prizes for the correct answer!
Not just about the money though surely, I personally love the chance to watch top, top quality players in the flesh taking on our boys. Yes I hate the bastatds for what they always do to us, but surely it is a privilege watching the likes of Suarez and Bale in full flow at the top of their powers.
I know more and more people cancelling Sky , the last time I subscribed it was £35 month now if you have 3d and all sky sports without movies it's about £80 month? More people are watching netflix and "stealing" EPL because £1000 + a year when Norwich may be on 5 times a season at £200 a match is stupid. Murdoch knows if he loses his golden goose then Sky is worthless so outbids BT to ensure this.
Yes JWM and on the same basis, what would £1m buy you now in the current climate? Here is a thought for you.......what if the Sky model was to effectively disappear and games could be streamed free of charge somehow for all to view. What impact that would have on the whole structure of the game, the playing field would certainly level out for sure.
Yes I understand that but surely there comes a point where wages have to be capped, this cannot go on indefinitely.
Southampton have proven that selling your best players getting TV money and fighting for Champions league is possible for teams from Lg1 ,& they have shown that the best sides have not just brought the ladder up afterwards leaving the rest behind .
