I'd have to disagree on that, particularly with the WBA squad in 2008 that was ridiculous as a Championship side. I remember at the time saying how I couldn't understand why anybody rated Mowbray after he took 2 years to get them back up. I'd go Middlesbrough's current squad, but that's post January signings so it's swings and roundabouts with it.
We've got 70 points from 40 games, Borer have 79. We got automatic with 79 in 2013, Boro still have six games to play. Ditto 2008, we finished 3rd with 75. That will be nowhere near good enough this time round to finish 3rd.
It's difficult to measure 'good' except in empirical terms.... My point was our rivals this time round seem better equipped and more determined than the previous two times.
Well, I'm not too fussed about us going back to the Premier League as we have little chance of competing at that level. We might fluke the play-offs this season but what is our future with this team. If we don't go up this season then I doubt we will be going up next season with the likes of Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland (or Norwich) coming down. Pretty glum especially with a movement (I believe) to instigate an 18 Club Premier League in the not too distant future.
Unless some miracle happens it'll be Sun'lan & Newcastle coming down with Villa. I think a lot of players will jump ship & they won't have the east coast they had last time! The 18 club PL thing is a myth, they ramble on about too many games, but the majority of teams won't want to lose revenue because they won't have European money & games to keep them occupied. Even the big teams (traditional top 4) have said no, by all accounts!
I hope that's true Bruce. I honestly cannot see Norwich getting another point unless they get it from Sunderland. That match is critical to both as I believe whoever wins it will stay up as Sunderland have a couple of prospective draws. A draw will be no good to Sunderland so it is the proverbial "Must Win" game.
Norwich have won two of their last three games and have been playing quite well, why would you see them not getting another point? I realise they don't have the easiest run-in, but they will go into the games against Sunderland and Watford thinking they can get something. Newcastle are hopeless and Sunderland seem to be trying to draw their way to safety.
Norwich V Sunderland could decide which one survives. Watford have nothing to play for in league terms and no reason why Norwich can't beat them
I based my prediction on their remaining matches. The Sunderland game is the one. Whoever wins that game will stay up imo. Norwich would only want a draw and Sunderland are gone. I watched Sunderland against Leicester yesterday and they had the opportunities to put 2 or 3 away but were overexcited I guess. Leicester too were foiled my Manone a couple of times but took their chances and won the game.
I don't even think their squad is a patch on ours on paper. Its academic since they're clearly a better team, but all over the pitch our players are proven PL quality. They don't have anyone who's performed to the levels that Diame has for example. Or Dawson. It's worth nothing to us, but the only area they beat us is up front.
Its is quite unique that we will probably finish with over 80 points, our highest ever points and best goal difference in the 2nd division in our history and the season will be seen as a disappointment.
