Some great fairytale stories as well, especially in the conference league. TNS from Wales away at Fiorentina the pick of the bunch
Bologna (H) and Club Brugge (A) up next for Villa in the CL. Genuinely believe they’ll be top 8 and straight through after their 8 fixtures!
I expect the race for promotion to be a lot closer than in recent years. Bring it on! please log in to view this image
It shouldn’t be long before he’s getting a chance from the start. Watkins is quality but the games will come thick and fast soon, I think they’ll be rotating.
Not saying you’re wrong but we’re 8 games in so the current table is not evidence and has no bearing on that. The nature of the Championship means that even the table in December isn’t a reliable indicator of how things will end up.
Yeah indeed. Still say it's 6-8 teams in with a good shout (of which we are one). It's why it's so tough. We could have a 'good' season and be one of the strongest teams and still miss out on the playoffs. It's why we've just got to keep ourselves in the race season after season via our squad build - and IMO should avoid going 'all-in' on one particular season. To an extent promotion turns on a bit of good luck or a hot streak of form. The more repeated shots we take at it, the better chance we have of achieving it.
That's true as well, mind. We've got ample evidence that a club can basically sort itself out and go on a run from January and it can pay dividends. From the Keane promotion to the Mowbray playoff run. Christ, if our form had flipped from Spring last year we'd have still been in with a shout.
OT for this thread but in thinking about that for SAFC I'm not sure I can see where we need specific help. Lots of that is predicated on the ability of players we haven't seen yet, of course. But where do we place the Clarke money? What's our weakest area in the squad? If we're looking for a short term boost for the run-in, where do we look? I don't see any glaring holes. Maybe it's just a case of seeing what pops up and looking to take advantage of a general lift in quality via a PL loan. Personally I'd be ready to do that, and then use the JC fund to extend contracts and buy in players for the future.
Been quiet so far, that Mikey Moore looks a player. Don’t mind Sarr me, he's defo not shy of having a crack at goal.
Father in law is from Larne, great to see them in the 'group stage', would have been great if they nicked a goal tonight but great experience for tjem
The centre back for TNS, Jack Bodenham, was playing for Blyth last season. Now he's playing away at Fiorentina. Crazy sport.