Stumbled across this, where quite a few Newcastle fans are tipping us as being this seasons 'surprise package': http://onefootballforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/championship-predictions-16-17.11654/ So far, I'm really happy with the signings made (though a couple more, such as Matthews & a striker please), but I'm also wary about getting carried away. I remember the season after the playoff final, thinking we'd do well again, but things not really panning out that well. We've a tough start - playing Wigan is one of the worst opening games I think, as they're likely to be pumped at being back in the 2nd tier. Burton will be similarly up for their match (at their place as well), while Norwich, Newcastle & Aston Villa should all be fighting for automatic promotion this season. It could well be that after five games in we're rock bottom, which would create a negativity that'd be hard to shift. I'm expecting us to have a slightly easier time of it this season (despite the league being stronger in my opinion), but for the playoffs to be a bit beyond us. I'm concerned that we might be a touch top heavy, and not defensively sound enough.
I think we could be a surprise package with another couple of quality signings,we need a quality striker.
We have made a very very good signing in Tomlin and hopefully O'Neill, Brownhill and the Icelandic lad will all prove good acquisitions. But we don't have the means of Newcastle, Villa, Norwich and others. Most other clubs are spending money on some seasoned players and we will still need to win key games to stay clear of trouble. If we can get out of the blocks by winning the first two games then who knows what we can achieve, but I'm being very cautious as to my expectations.
I'm optimistic that we'll do well. I would think that Newcastle, Villa & Norwich will be at the top come the end of the season but Villa & Newcastle may have some early struggles as the team tries to gel. Norwich I believe will be strong from the get go. Since LJ came aboard, things looked up and so far the acquisitions look good. We're going after the right kind of players and O'Neil will have a massive role to play as essentially we're still a young team. His experience will hopefully be similar to Hartley's and Elliott's. Every team needs someone who can keep things calm and steady the ship when things are going south. I'm predicting mid table with a slim shot at the playoffs.
By early September we'll know a lot more. I'd love a top striker but unlikely. I think we're just about ok except my worry at the back. I hope Magnusson is decent, Williams is a car crash. Also hope we get Matthews - Ayling is the other weak link in defence.
The money scramble is a horrible thing and when you look back on the huge amounts being spent to secure average players, who disappear faster than a rat up a drainpipe when the going gets tough, makes me wonder why those clubs bother with that kind of rubbish. I'm sick to death with the Balotelli's of this world who complain constantly about how they are misunderstood, and underpaid, and then have the audacity to go somewhere else for huge amounts of money and start moaning all over again. On the new optimism side you must remember this is Bristol City so you pay your money at the gate and take your choice - that's just the way it is so enjoy the new season.
I think I stick up for Balotelli here, he may be nutty as a fruit loop but I've don't think I've ever heard him moan about his lot
VERY WISE it has been seen many times its not just who is your team but how your team plays looking for 64 points ... ... after every 10 played we should be on +13 pts ... +27 pts ... 39 pts ... 53 pts .. 64pts.. 74 points could be 6th possibly top 2 will be over 90
