Unlike us, there's still plenty for other clubs to play for if Championship football is either to be avoided or achieved - dependent upon where they are now. Looks like 2015 - 2016 will be very interesting.
As it stands, the clubs we'll be welcoming into the Championship from above will be Leicester and QPR joined by one from Burnley, Sunderland, Villa or Hull - can't see anyone else from Pulis's West Brom upwards who are going to be involved.
Those coming up look to be the Wurzels (pretty well nailed on), the others could be any two from ten given the other auto and playoff possibilities. Relegated clubs coming down don't usually have a great record of bouncing back first time, but if this and recent seasons are anything to go by, the promoted clubs from League One seem to make a far better fist of it the following year.
Bournemouth and Brentford this season are following in the footsteps of Southampton and Wolves for instance who have gained momentum from going into the third tier, as opposed to clubs coming down who have lost it. In fact the bottom half of the Championship is littered with recent Prem clubs. Besides us and Fulham from last season, you've got Bolton, Brum, Reading, Wigan and even Blackpool who've become come unable to compete effectively in this division.
Some other longer term Championship sides like Watford, Middlesbrough, Derby and Ipswich have got their act together and got themselves top 6 slots - they've all found something that we've lacked this year.
The summer break will make all the difference to the 24 teams that find themselves here next season. Will Bristol City carry on that trend and trouble the leader board with the likes of Leicester, QPR and probably Burnley suffering the Prem hangover syndrome? Are we anywhere near good enough ourselves at player and management levels to compete? What do we need that'll make the difference on an off the pitch.
This is obviously an "international boredom break" thread and something of a how long is a peice of string question, but how do you see it panning out next year?
As it stands, the clubs we'll be welcoming into the Championship from above will be Leicester and QPR joined by one from Burnley, Sunderland, Villa or Hull - can't see anyone else from Pulis's West Brom upwards who are going to be involved.
Those coming up look to be the Wurzels (pretty well nailed on), the others could be any two from ten given the other auto and playoff possibilities. Relegated clubs coming down don't usually have a great record of bouncing back first time, but if this and recent seasons are anything to go by, the promoted clubs from League One seem to make a far better fist of it the following year.
Bournemouth and Brentford this season are following in the footsteps of Southampton and Wolves for instance who have gained momentum from going into the third tier, as opposed to clubs coming down who have lost it. In fact the bottom half of the Championship is littered with recent Prem clubs. Besides us and Fulham from last season, you've got Bolton, Brum, Reading, Wigan and even Blackpool who've become come unable to compete effectively in this division.
Some other longer term Championship sides like Watford, Middlesbrough, Derby and Ipswich have got their act together and got themselves top 6 slots - they've all found something that we've lacked this year.
The summer break will make all the difference to the 24 teams that find themselves here next season. Will Bristol City carry on that trend and trouble the leader board with the likes of Leicester, QPR and probably Burnley suffering the Prem hangover syndrome? Are we anywhere near good enough ourselves at player and management levels to compete? What do we need that'll make the difference on an off the pitch.
This is obviously an "international boredom break" thread and something of a how long is a peice of string question, but how do you see it panning out next year?
and wave bye bye to Young and Gabbidon. Not sure what we would do with Trollope unless he and Warburton were happy with him as a no. 2.
