Is that a fair assessment of our opposition so far? Is this division wide open this year for consistency to be the key to promotion rather than a couple of obviously superior sides making the auto spots? If what we've seen so far is any indication for the rest of the opposition this season, then more of the same from Slade and the players should mean that a top 6 slot is well within reach.
Having watched most of the live games on Sky and looking at early season results I think this is the poorest Championship I can remember. The standard so far is not much better than league 1. Any team that can show a little bit of consistency, as Brighton have done, will find themselves in the Premier league next season. I know that appears to be stating the obvious but Brighton are nothing special and look where they are.
Saturday wasn't a great performance but any side that intends to threaten the top 6 or even 2 needs to do exactly what we did. We were very average for 60 mins brought a game changing sub on, stepped up a gear and won very comfortably. We've got a few goals in us and we look pretty solid at the back. Our away record since losing to Ipswich is the stuff promotion is made of. Mason looks sharp, Ameobi looks PL class for the days that KWJ isn't. Noone, manga, amoebi, all on the bench due to the performances of the first 11. Oh and we're 2nd in league after a month we'd all written off as probably being the beginning of the end of Slade. That's the glass half full stuff. Or everyone we're playing is **** ! Looking at the other sides in the division I see real quality in Middlesborough. I don't think Brighton will stay where there are even though they do move the ball well. Qpr pulled a blinder keeping Austin and Phillips. They're 2 off the best players in the division and there'll be serious interest again in January, until then they'll make them a threat. Burnley and hull both seem to have dodged the sort of start us and Fulham made. They've both got the squads for a season in this physical division. Of the sides we've played only Blackburn and Huddersfield are really struggling in the division. As you pointed out in the prediction league, Huddersfield haven't been as bad as their league position or results suggest either. They do look short of goals though. I'll be happy if we can find 22 poor sides to finish above in May though, we've got the first 6 sorted 16 more to find
Are we seeing the results of fair play or at least an indication of the much less money available in the Championship? I notice recent reports that most clubs are pretty well on their uppers and , presumably, are off-loading/have offloaded big costly players. Over time, that will surely degrade the quality of players and therefore teams and play. That, of course, only widens the gulf between premiership and championship but also makes a better chance for come-uppers from L1 able to shoot through. I suppose what I am saying is that he Championship has moved closer to the lower leagues and away from Premiership. What that means in the longer term, who knows. He same is happening in the Premiership and other major leagues with 1,2 or rarely 3 teams only likely to win it. In fact, the Premiership is one of the more competitive leagues compared to Spain, Germany and France to name but three. Sparkey, almost a cue for a new thread on such developments.
Interesting observation FFB, however no surprises in what you,ve suggested. It may be that "gulfs" appear between "ALL" divisions and not solely between Premier and Championship sides. Its no secret that there are" leagues within leagues." Expectations by managers and supporters alike are realistic in who they should take points from over the season, and when you do roll over one of the "Big Teams" its a red letter day! Thats what this sport is all about a roller coaster of a journey but none of us would have it any other way. I think we have to forget how the others are performing and keep on doing what we are and at the mo thats proving to be a very difficult team to breakdown or beat, Tuesday night should be a good indication of how far we have developed, not how far Hull have fallen?
Think that if we produce a performance similar to the 1st half on Saturday Hull will beat us. Along with Boro, they must have the best squad in the division - not that they will necessarily be promoted at the end of the season but your right Tuesday nights match will be a strong indication of how far we've come.
Possibly right about the first half performance, but sometimes, just sometimes your opponents ambitions will determine how you perform. Hope Hull come out blasting, then we will measure the true grit of this team ? Just realised got the title of a film in there, any one else giving it a try? Only one rule, the title must relate to the conversation Game on !! LOL
We should be alright with the 'mean machine Dikgacoi in the middle who's really impressed me this season
The channel 5 football league did a comparison between the spending in European 2nd tiers. £100m spent in our division compared with 25m in Germany, 14 odd in Italy, only 3.6m in Spain and 700k in France. The PL might be spending even more but there's been some big spending in our league this year. (I typed that out before I worked out how to post the pic below.....) What I think the huge level of money in the Pl does allow is smaller sides can attract and afford big players. Whilst the big sides have a squad full the lesser sides can have a first 11 to compete. Look at Palace signing Cabaye as a good example of what I mean. Swansea signing Ayew is another. All PL sides can afford genuine game changing players and it's a good thing IMO. As for championship sides competing in the Pl... Norwich, Bournemouth and Watford have all started ok. They look ready to compete. Leicester managed to avoid the immediate return that is predicted for the 3 promoted sides each year last time around. I've made the point on here before that a very good promoted L1 side is often more of a threat than a relegated Pl side. I think that's as much to do with psychology and momentum as actually overall ability of playing squads though sometimes.
If Hull come out Fast and Furious, our two centre backs will feel like Michael Caine and Stanley Baker (you'll need to guess the film). It might be Alien to our players but we'll need Mason to show some G I Joe:Retaliation. If anyone plays like a Zombie it'll be worse than The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. You get a good feeling for where you'll finish the season when you play these Hunger Games. Any players not performing will be Dead Men Walking.
I suspect the 'Usual suspects' be there at the end of the season, US, Derby, Boro, maybe Brighton and probably a jammy QPR.
Far too early to predict the season outcome, but apart from the strong squads at Hull and Burnley that Stevo mentioned, I like the look of Rowett's Birmingham side. They haven't lost either yet and Rowett seems to get the very best out of what he's got. They've beaten MK Dons away and took a point at Burnley - no mean feat. Middlesbrough have looked quality this first half dozen games and I'd take them and the others above to take 4 of the top 6 places. We could be in there if those we've played so far are indicative of the rest to come. Like others have mentioned, I can't see Brighton staying where they are. Hughton is an OK manager but lost the plot at Norwich and he coud do the same at Brighton. The only other team I'd pick to complete that present group would be because of the drive of their manager Mick McCarthy. Ipswich will always be a real threat.
Agree about Birmingham Sparks, their start has been very impressive, I'm just not convinced they'll stay the course. I suppose, though, you could say that about any of the sides that have surprised with their starts including us.
Reading looked strong going forward from midfield on Friday night. City have not got anyone in the team who can power their way through an opposition midfield. Plus our finishing is below average. City are playing the cautious game, keep a blank sheet and when needed nick a goal from Jones, a corner or if needed bring on Ameobi or Noone to make things happen. A quiet and safe accumulation of points is seemingly Slade's intent. Don't forget Mackay's promotion winning squad was dull but solid and effective.
Remotesupporter, you bloody nailed it mate, absolutely great. Im just going through Oldsparkeys message cant nail one yet but checking out ...no mean feat,,could be a sequel to Happy feet
