As we are approaching the business end of the season i wondered who we would likely be playing next season..(assuming we dont get promoted!)
so i will stick my neck out and go for the following in no particular order....
Receiving....
-Wolves (dead certs, heads down, cant buy a win!)
-Wigan (rugby club, no goals, dont like them)
-QPR (just) (probs on goal diff just on the run in)
Falling....
-Doncaster (too far gone, cant see them doing it)
-Portsmouth (due to the points deduction, would like to see them stay up!)
-Coventry (toughest run in, no goal scorers in team!)
Approaching...
Charlton (congrats to Chris on the job he's done!)
Sheffield Wednesday (through playoffs beating huddsfield!)
Sheffield United (enough firepower to take them through!)
i would think that the teams for next season an automatic promotion position must be expected by the owners and us as fans!
thanks
SF
Receiving...Falling...Approaching...
posted on 9/4/12
Receiving....
Wolves
Blackburn
Wigan/QPR/Bolton ........................Wigan look likely as they've been down there all season. However, seeing them against WBA i think it was, Wigan played some impressive, fast, attacking football and peppered the WBA goal. Something like 20-odd shots. They looked awesome, like a team in the top 4. This after WBA had demolished form-team Sunderland 4-0!
Falling....Doncaster, Portsmouth & Bristol City. Cov seem to have got their ar$e in gear of late. Not seen their run -in though.
Approaching....Charlton (Well done Chris Powell....excellent if you do it).
Sheff Utd
Sheff Wed
As for next season.........if we don't go up this time..........The owners will want auto, no question. I think Pearson will be given around 10 or 11 games to have us in the Top 6. If not, i fear a change will be made.
Should we, by a dream, go up this season, then i think 3 new buys for the 1st team (not squad) will be needed to contemplate staying up.
posted on 9/4/12
RECEIVING:
- Wolves: Absolutely no way back for them. But with a new manager, they could be dangerous in this league.
- Wigan: I like them and Martinez. Play good football but don't have a good enough team. Not sure they'll threaten too much, especially if Martinez leaves to stay in the PL.
- Blackburn: I think they're too reliant on the Yak for goals and concede too many. They have a few decent players (Robinson, Hoilett, Yak, N'Zonzi) but I think all of them would leave if they're sold. Could be good if they're replaced well.
FALLING:
- Doncaster: No team spirit or fight which you need when you're battling down there.
- Portsmouth: Financial difficulties have hit them hard and all their best players have left on loan.
- Coventry: I think this run of form won't be enough to save them and I would say Bristol City have a bit more than them.
APPROACHING:
- Charlton: Great to see Chris Powell doing so well. The teams who come up that have cake-walked the previous season (Us, Norwich, Brighton, Soton) have historically carried on that momentum and done well and I think that could be the case again.
- Sheff Wed: I think they might sneak automatic in that league. In a great run of form and they've got a good manager in Dave Jones. Not sure they'll threaten for promotion but they should be decent next year.
- MK Dons: Bit of an outside bet for the play-offs here. They play some great football. On their day, I think they can beat most teams. I think Sheff U won't overcome missing out on auto's for the play-offs (as is often the case).
Pound for pound, I would say next season's Championship will be tougher than this one.
posted on 9/4/12
* but I think all of them would leave if they're relegated.