At this international break juncture, the top 6 are Warnock, Santo, Wilder, Johnson, Christiansen and Neil. Next up in positions 7-12 are Bruce, McCarthy, Farke, Jokanavic, Monk and Carvalhal. Two other good managers in Warburton and Rowett don't figure in there yet and have some ground to make up. With another 14 games to go to the New Year there are a plenty of points up for grabs before the January window opens, and the "half way top 6 slots" are still wide open. As we head into the winter it's going to get tough. I realise it's also down the players they've currently got to work with, but basing it on the managers, who do you see displaced in the top 6 by January, and by whom?
I think Norwich will push on. A very good defence, and some great attacking options. I don't think we've seen them hit their peak yet. Hopefully we don't get knocked off our perch!
Exchanged texts with an ex colleague who is a Leeds fan yesterday. He was extolling the virtues of Warnock. Interesting split of British / European managers and split by age. Think a few of the wizened and battle hardened characters will come to the fore with some of the Europeans finding the winter months heavy going. Bruce and monk to be upwardly mobile.
Read and noted Sparks but difficult to compose a constructive reply in this damned heat on the Algarve. May be more coherent when back in sunny Bridgend in Thursday.
I'd go with that as well remote - and I think Christiansen and Alex Neil will be the ones to make room. Not sure about Johnson staying the pace either, but it may be the second half of the season before their wheels come off like last year. Santo should stay there with the money the Wolves have spent on players and I like Wilder at Sheff Utd. The way the Wendies blew away Leeds on the weekend I wouldn't be surprised if they put a run together up till the New Year - maybe even at the expense of Leeds.
At the top, of course. I can't see QPR sinking lower with their pedigree and local support base. I know even 'big' teams sink lower but they have enough about them not to plumb the depths.
I love Ollie but I don't see him worrying the top 6 this season. In fact if QPR stay where they are at present he could be looking for a job in the New Year.
Is this a thread discussing Championship managers who are the best or teams? Warnock was awful for us but I still rate him, the problem we had is that he was told we want you for just one season and he wasn't greatly backed in the transfer window. Another great manager is Chris Wilder, he turned my home club Northampton around from brink of relegation to promotion and we couldn't hold on to him when Sheffield United came knocking. When Leeds signed Monk quite a few Swansea fans warned us about him and the fact it was his number two Clotet who was more important. Monk doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the rest, not sour grapes, he really isn't a great coach or manager. I can't stand Bruce but no denying what he did with Hull, no idea how good or bad Christiansen is going to be, a tricky one as we have Orta as director of football, if Christiansen fails is it his fault or the DF faults in his signings? At the moment it is looking like it is going to be a far closer table this season, Leeds have been awful the last 2-3 games but prior to that it looked like we would beat everyone. Villa, Fulham and Norwich will be up in the mix come Christmas time, can see Cardiff loitering in their, I'd like to believe Leeds but we're bang out of form.
Good post ristac. The thread was intended to discuss the merits and ability of the respective managers given what they've got until the January window. I'm surpised Neil is up there - he wasn't that good with more money at Norwich. Santo should fly the league given the dosh they've splashed out on players, but like Christiansen, he needs to learn about the English Championship to pull it off. TC could be in for a fall. I still think Bruce will get his side top 6 by the New Year and I've also said Monk could do it mainly because he has a great owner in Gibson. As always, time will tell but that shouldn't stop us speculating - especially during this bloody international break!
I think foreign managers underestimate the championship, especially that top can beat bottom, that sometimes pretty football isnt enough and sometimes you just need to dog it out and finally you need players with a certain mindset during the dark midwinter days. Pretty players can win you games but only if they are willing to dig in when needed. You need a solid spine to a team with a bit of flair to go with it. Wolves and Leeds have some flair players but lack that bit of dog. Their managers are yet to twig that. Cold wet and windy match days in the next 4 months will expose that further. That's when the British managers will have the upper hand. Fortunately for us, Colin (must stop calling him that now he's OUR manager) has found flair players with a bit of dog and rugged players with a bit of flair. A long way to go but I'm happier where we are than where we were 12 months ago.
