Where will we be in the table next May??

Stranger things have happened!!!

 

Yes, that's what I was suggesting, Cromer, and I think we may well see it at Brum if Pukki goes up front with Hernandez, Leitner and McLean behind him and Thompson (or Godfrey) as DM and Trybull as a CM/DM and a back four in front of Krul.

Krul
Marshall, Hanley, Klose, Stiepermann
Thompson, Trybull
McLean, Leitner, Hernandez
Pukki

Subs: McGovern, Zimmerman, Passlack, Godfrey, Cantwell, Buendia, Rhodes

 

No offence intended, but if football was played out on a chess board,
you'd be the new Sir Alex!!

 

No offence taken Cromer.

In chess, the pieces have defined roles, whereas in football the players have to adapt to the formation, those in it and the game plan. Much more complicated, but there is a chess-like interaction between the players and the managers in the technical areas.

 

I'm welling up mate! Those hordes of doubters are diminishing, never fear!

To be serious for a moment (and I can) I thought that was ridiculous too. Let see what happens when the fun begins, and then judge.

 

All I can say is that I feel the team is considerably stronger than last season with more options available to DF (IF he uses them), so that we’re not reliant on just one or two players for the majority of our goals.
I believe in the 2014-2015 season, we had 3 midfielders on >10 goals and I am going to ‘put my money where my mouth is’ and see what odds I can get on Rhodes to score that elusive number.
Go on DD you could do the same for Marriott!!!

Edit - I've just found the BBC Championship predictions for last season - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44243021

 

I agree about Rhodes and I think Pukki, Hernandez, McLean and maybe Buendia will also score a decent number of goals. Others could score a few as well, but the final total needs to be well above the 49 we scored last season if we're going to challenge for the promotion places. I also hope that our stronger defence will concede fewer as well, which will help overall. A further factor could be Hanley's captaincy. If he can galvanise the team in the manner of Grant Holt or Malky Mackay that could be worth some more points by the end of the season.

The BBC predictions last year show just how unpredictable this league is. I doubt that many of the teams which exceeded expectations will do so again but we'll have to wait and see.

 

My biggest fear is.......... maybe more of a nagging doubt is that under Farke the fun may never start.
In 1950's defence (i know he's old enough and im guessing ugly enough to not need it), his judgement was hardly likely to be only based on the Charlton performance, but a horrible majority of tepid rubbish dished up last season that bore more than a passing resemblance to what was seen/reported at Charlton.

Bah!

 

Yes Rick – let’s hope Hanley can galvanise the troops, as that was definitely one trait that Martin NEVER possessed!!!!

Another poster asked ‘what would you deem as success this season??’
You quote the abysmal total number of goals scored last season and I would consider our season as fairly successful if our goals scored is in excess of 60 and conceded is below 40.

 

Goal difference is a critical factor. A spread of 20 would be a seismic shift from last year and give us a real chance of competing for promotion. Every goal saved is like a goal scored. Hanley's captaincy could make a difference in that.

 

Just thought I would bump this post up to remind us all what we thought pre season

 

I'm still feeling up optimistic.


Optimistic is my new Nigerian Supermodel mistress


Prediction

1 to 6

 

With a goal difference of 21 now we've achieved the 'seismic shift' I had hoped for but Hanley hasn't been the force I expected. Did anyone suggest that Godfrey would become a first choice CB?

 

Thanks Tricky.

Pre-season predictions.

1. Stoke
2. Middlesbrough
3. Brentford
4. Preston North End
5. Nottingham Forest
6. Sheffield United
7. Derby County
8. Leeds United
9. West Bromwich Albion
10. Blackburn Rovers
11. Sheffield Wednesday
12. Millwall
13. Swansea City
14. Aston Villa
15. Birmingham City
16. NORWICH CITY
17. Hull City
18. Wigan Athletic
19. Bristol City
20. Queens Park Rangers
21. Bolton Wanderers
22. Ipswich Town
23. Rotherham United
24. Reading

I'll post an update of -
League positions after this weekend and the latest 'Supercomputer' predictions next week.

 

The supercomputer is a glory seeking tosser.

 

I was just listening to a podcast that focuses on the Championship.

They both said Farke was Manager of the season so far, Both said Pukki would be their player of the season so far. Both also said they think WBA are going to come strong and win the league, and that Norwich would hang on to second.

 

Ok I now think top 2. Don't really care if 1st or 2nd.

I suspect WBA will still be in the championship next year.

 

That play-offs is going to be so brutal this year!