Well Norwich and Sheff Utd and one other wont be there, so who does that leave for us to compete with? Apart from those left behind, Fulham and Huddersfield will be there for next season as will Luton, Barnsley plus one other coming up from League One. That doesn't look a daunting set of fixtures but as we know, Championship games can go any way. Anyone can beat anyone on the day, unlike the Prem where most of the results are pretty predictable. Lots of work to be done in the summer to meet that challenge, and we already know of a few in the current squad who wont be with us, so which way should we go? Retain Neil and rebuild the team in his image to battle our way out again like last time, or be far more radical and go for the longer term option with a "modern" manager with a skill based game and players brought in to suit? The seemingly easy option would be to stick with what we've got on the basis that it worked once and could do again, but I'm not so sure. Of course this thread could be hypothetical as we could win our last two games and Brighton lose theirs - but let's be a bit more sanguine for the moment and have a look at a few opinions as to which way we should go come the summer.
If we say up, get on the phone for the chosen one. If we go down I'd like to see a young manager. Don't go for the merry go round usual suspects.
If he'd stay for one more year, I'd stick with NW. He will help us get going on the right track so we don't lose ourselves like last time. But I'd like to think someone is concerned with the future and will bring in the correct apprentice for the future.
If Villa don't win the playoffs they could be on minus 10 for next season. Derby, Wednesday and Forest are also very close to the edge of a penalty like Brum have already received this season. Wouldn't wish that on anyone, though I might make an exception for both Villa and the Snow Queen. Also, Forest shouldn't have paid so much for Whitts........
Umm excuse me but once we’ve beaten Palace & MU we’ll have to change this thread to next season in the premiere Yes ok I know it’s relegation but I am not ready to even think of next season yet. The thought of Millwall and Barnsley again is just too depressing
If I was being sanguine for a moment, then we’d stay up. Ok, being ever so pessimistic for the moment. If, as seems inevitable, we go down, I would want a change in management and coaching staff. NW has done extremely well, but it’s time to rebuild. A number of the squad can do a good job in the Championship, but how many would be able to improve their skill set in readiness for another crack at the premiership and do better than we have done this time around. Etheridge is the only one who springs to mind. Those leaving will be Gunnarsson, Camarasa, Niasse, and Arter. Who of the injured players will stay and have game time? Paterson? Yes. Ralls? Hm, not sure. Bamba? No. His injury and old father time may just put paid to his career. The rest can do a job for us in the championship, but there needs to be a significant improvement on the quality we bring in and the youth program needs to start producing results. I really don’t think we can bounce back up at the first attempt. I think a 2-3 season plan needs to be put in place with a new manager.
I'll change the thread title in a fortnight's time then. Personally, and this is only a personal feeling based upon recent experience, I'm strangely looking forward to playing these sort of clubs again Nin. After the self inflicted tosh we've seen this season against better sides, I'd like to have something positive to play for rather than trying to survive on an unlevel playing field. That's not sour grapes, just a realisation that this club has a long way to go before it's ready for this experience again - and that might need some radical decisions to be taken.
Think I'm with you on most of that though uncertain about getting shot of Colin. Our signings for the summer need to have the prem in mind not just promotion. We weren't ready this time round and some / many of the players not good enough. Signings need to be top end championship, bottom third premiership quality. I'd rather have 3 or 4 decent signings than a ruck of average ones. Well never be in a position to sign half a team of prem quality players in one window, so we need to keep building towards prem quality window on window, so next time we go up more players are of the appropriate quality and we're just adding a couple to that. A few youngsters coming through would be nice, it's been a while. As for signings, I'd have thought our appeal will have increased over the last 2 seasons. On the youngsters front, what's happened to bellamy. It's all gone very quiet.
I agree and I too am not sure about losing NW before another Championship campaign. There is no doubt in my mind that I would love to see a radical change in the club's ethos in their playing style, but I fear going too radical too quickly would have huge risks attached. I don't think we can risk slipping down the leagues again, and with the best will in the world and present company excepted, we can lose fans as fast as we can get them. We certainly don't want VT losing interest. All in all, I think remotes balanced approach is probably right.
Not sure if he will come back, with the bully thing probably not true but mud sticks and if they thing of all the trouble he's been in over the years, golf clubs and chippy lane are just two. He was then caught drink and driving might just put his carrier in the dust bin. (will any one take the chance?)
Massive fan of Colin, if you think what the club was like (on and off the pitch) before he came. He made miracles come true however, there is no room for sentiment in football. We need a new way of doing things as others have said we need to build a team who could stay in the Prem. not one who would be happy just to get there.
Wouldn't want Bellamy - far too divisive a character to manage a club despite his Cardiff allegiance. Would cause as many problems as he solved. Don't get this going for "home grown" candidates for the management of club anyway. Can't think of any successful managers who are local to their club in the Premier League. Maybe in the Championship you could cite Chris Wilder at the Blades and Dean Smith at Villa along those lines, but they're head and shoulders ahead of Bellamy. You need a persona and the ability to unite your players as well as coaching badges. Looks to me as though Bellamy's boat has sailed, and though I've nothing against the guy personally, I'm not dissappointed either.
How long a contract did manga sign? Might need another CB as well. Oh, and hoilett. With Murphy, NML and Reid, we've a decent foundation. Ward should do ok in the championship as well. A rocket up zohore or get rid. Back 5 ok if they all stay. A defensive CM and a ball player needed plus another midfielder. Pick plan a and plan b and stick to them. Sign players to fit the plan.
See the sticky thread Transfer Rumours Summer 2019 Window. My posts of 1st and 3rd April cover those who's contracts run beyond this summer e.g. Etheridge and Bennett, those who's contracts are up, e.g. Connolly and O'Keefe and others with a year to go. Also, Warnock's views including his hope that Manga will stay.
There are very few in our team that would turn heads in the Prem. Magna would only be a bench warmer.
A lot of buying and selling to happen before the start of the season for a lot of clubs. Will asses our chances then. At the moment, depending on our midfield signings I wouldn't go further than top 6.
