so you're apprehensive about how well your own team will perform (therefore opening the posibility that you won't make autos, leaving a space open for another team), yet are unwilling to consider that Leeds might take that auto spot, since other than West Ham and Leicester there are about 10 teams of similar quality, one of which is Leeds?
A good read that shows that the range of "possibles" are endless. It's looking like a very interesting season ahead, given the range of comments given in the posts. I think its the managers who will make or break a clubs season this year and looking at the likes of Allardyce, Eriksson, McClaren, McDermott, Adkins and Poyet there doesn't seem any weakness there. I am hoping that SG can match the performance of the previous six mentioned and keep us in the hunt. Leeds fans seem to be hoping for a playoff spot at best this season. As ever, we live in hope.
Two of the players we've signed were on loan with us last season, so they'll have no trouble and the three lads from Man United are hooking up with the two we signed in January, so we have half of last seasons Man United reserve team in our squad now and they've obviously been used to playing as a team for years. I don't see any issue there.
There's a massive difference between the Championship last season and this, the relegated teams are much stronger, a couple of the promoted teams are spending money and look to be competitive and several existing squads have seen substantial investment. That hasn't happened at Leeds, if you can keep Becchio, Gradel and Snodgrass fit for the entire season, then it might not matter, but it's unlikely and your sadly lacking any depth in your squad. It's for that reason I don't think you'll make the play-off's, never mind the automatics.
There is certainly no issue when it comes to quality, the kids from Man United all look excellent and I'll be amazed if Robbie Brady doesn't make the team of the season. Experience could be an issue, as we do have a lot of kids, in fact, there's a reasonable chance that the starting XI for the opening game of the season will have an average age of 21-22, but there will be more experience players like Fryatt, Rosenior and Koren mixed in. Time will tell.
If i was a betting man - id put my money on Hull finishing above Leeds as it stands currently. Hull have a solid squad and a manager who knows the league well. I really fear for Leeds if they start to get a couple of injuries, which lets face it can happen to anyone at anytime!
I think Leeds will reach the play offs - ended the season well against Burnley, Reading and QPR and we finally have the DM we needed all of last season!! Remember if it wasn't for the dodgy defence Leeds could have challenged for auto last season and hopefully Kisnorbo, Brown and the new goalie will help tighten things up!! Burnley have lost some key players and Reading have lost Mills and maybe Long will go too so I don't expect either to be challenging for the Play Offs. I am not so sure Ipswich will be up there either - think they will be up and down and I think last season was the last throw of the dice for Cardiff (half their team was loan players who have now gone)!! I will be interested to see how Leicester do - they could storm the leauge or do a Boro!! I think Leeds, Forest, West Ham, Birmingham, Hull and Leicester will be the main challengers and one of Peterbrough, Brighton and Southampton as at least one newly promoted team does well (last season all 3 were there or there abouts).
Average?? 2nd top scorers and finished 7th in our first season back?? hmmmmmm Lost Johnson and Kilkenny - pretty sure Brown and Nunez will more than make up for that. Got 2 decent keepers and Paddy is back - I would say Leeds are stronger - just need more organisation at the back.
blimey Spanish & you're usually one of the positive ones! I think we're stronger than last season..time will tell.
Leicester, Ipswich, saints and west ham to be the main players. Leeds will be lucky to get half way. Hull may scrape the play offs. Derby will do better, mid table for Brighton, goodbye Coventry. Birmingham no threat. Leeds fans live in a 1970's bubble! Lost players, replaced with average players!
Westham seem to be everyone's favourite for promotion but there problem is going to be actually producing the goods week in week out in the spotlight! Every side in this league is going to go out and try and take the points from them, there away days will be everyone's cup finals, there home games will be about keeping there fans behind them! Its not often a good thing to be such hot favourites! Roll on next week
You really don't know what you're talking about do you,we've lost poor players & replaced them with better. We finished 7th last season & have a better squad this time around. As for your main players,Leicester maybe in or around playoffs,Ipswich NO,Saints NO,& I don't go along with all this West Ham will walk it lark. They're not all that & they'll get a lot less time on the ball in this division. Poor team with an overrated manager,don't expect much from them at all.
WE have not got a left back lack a creative midfield player and a striker so we are going into the new season with 3 whells on our wagon! Be surprised if Reading gets in playoffs selling Mills and possibly Long and Harte getting older
