I'm sitting watching Southampton v Chelsea and cheering Charlie on as you might expect.
Just to pass the time, I thought I'd check out the history of a few teams that we might reasonably hope to emulate.
Southampton first. Started as original member of PL in 92/93. In the PL until relegated in 2005 then five seasons in the Championship sandwiched between two in league one ie seven altogether before promotion back to the PL. They are, at present, a reasonably established PL team.
Watford. Only two seasons in the PL in 99-2000 and 96/97 followed by eight seasons in the Championship before promotion back to the PL in 15/16 and look comfortable this season on 15 points so far.
Swansea. This is the shocker. At the start of the PL, The Swans were in Div 2 then nineteen years, including seven in Div 3(!!), before promotion with us in 11/12. Currently they are in the drop zone.
Now, please don't get me wrong and see my recent post in the QPR:Brentford thread alluding to a new low point in being a QPR supporter. I think we all knew we were not bouncing back anytime soon. My only hope is that we do Southampton rather than a Swansea. I can wait 7 years but strongly prefer not to wait 19.
Certainly for The Swans, The Liberty was probably a big factor in their recent success though the new stadium factor is not working out for The Hammers just yet. I do think more definite news on the stadium would help us but we all know not to hold our collective breath on that one.
I felt really miserable after Friday but cheer up lads and lasses. We will be back - eventually!
Just to pass the time, I thought I'd check out the history of a few teams that we might reasonably hope to emulate.
Southampton first. Started as original member of PL in 92/93. In the PL until relegated in 2005 then five seasons in the Championship sandwiched between two in league one ie seven altogether before promotion back to the PL. They are, at present, a reasonably established PL team.
Watford. Only two seasons in the PL in 99-2000 and 96/97 followed by eight seasons in the Championship before promotion back to the PL in 15/16 and look comfortable this season on 15 points so far.
Swansea. This is the shocker. At the start of the PL, The Swans were in Div 2 then nineteen years, including seven in Div 3(!!), before promotion with us in 11/12. Currently they are in the drop zone.
Now, please don't get me wrong and see my recent post in the QPR:Brentford thread alluding to a new low point in being a QPR supporter. I think we all knew we were not bouncing back anytime soon. My only hope is that we do Southampton rather than a Swansea. I can wait 7 years but strongly prefer not to wait 19.
Certainly for The Swans, The Liberty was probably a big factor in their recent success though the new stadium factor is not working out for The Hammers just yet. I do think more definite news on the stadium would help us but we all know not to hold our collective breath on that one.
I felt really miserable after Friday but cheer up lads and lasses. We will be back - eventually!