O/T The Championship

[Andy1981_2]

I have to say, before last season it had been a while since I had paid much notice to our second tier. Knowing what I now know, I have to say that it's a really interesting league (though the football isn't great!) because it seems like anyone can beat anyone, which makes it really unpredictable. Who do people think will be in the top 6 next season?

I'd go for (in no particular order):

Fulham
Reading
'Boro
Wolves
Villa
Norwich

[sherwoodmag]

I have to say, before last season it had been a while since I had paid much notice to our second tier. Knowing what I now know, I have to say that it's a really interesting league (though the football isn't great!) because it seems like anyone can beat anyone, which makes it really unpredictable. Who do people think will be in the top 6 next season?

I'd go for (in no particular order):

Fulham
Reading
'Boro
Wolves
Villa
Norwich

with Rednapp as manager you can stick Brum in there plus Sheffield Wed.

[Nufc24Mag]

I have to say, before last season it had been a while since I had paid much notice to our second tier. Knowing what I now know, I have to say that it's a really interesting league (though the football isn't great!) because it seems like anyone can beat anyone, which makes it really unpredictable. Who do people think will be in the top 6 next season?

I'd go for (in no particular order):

Fulham
Reading
'Boro
Wolves
Villa
Norwich

Boro
Villa
Norwich
Fulham
Sheffield wed
Birmingham

[ex_pat_magpie]

My six, not in order would be

Birmingham
Fulham
Middlesbrough
Norwich
Sheffield Wednesday
Wolves.

[Andy1981_2]

with Rednapp as manager you can stick Brum in there plus Sheffield Wed.

You think? I always saw Redknapp as a chequebook manager, and he won't have that at Birmingham.

[sherwoodmag]

You think? I always saw Redknapp as a chequebook manager, and he won't have that at Birmingham.

Spurs were alongside us at the bottom of the Prem when he first joined them,it was mid season so no chequebook.They shot up the League.

[Jammy89]

I reckon, in no particular order:

Fulham
Boro
Wolves
Villa
Sheff Weds
Norwich

I know it was supposed to be a top 6 but i'd have Cardiff down as that surprise team like Huddersfield were this season.

[NorthernRock]

In my opinion it's one of the most competitive leagues in the world, exclude the top leagues in Europe i.e Span, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Russia and maybe Holland/Belgium and I'd say it's above most other country's top leagues in my opinion. Look at the quality and the budgets that most of the top half have and you can see why its attracting more top players and managers now, then consider how most promoted teams struggle in the Prem shows how strong our top league is tbh.

Everyone said it was a given that we were going to get promoted but it was still a very good achievement to go up at the first attempt, look at how many clubs who have never done it, you don't go up without team spirit, work rate, commitment, a bit of quality and a good manager so we shouldn't take it for granted, this team has done it's job and the core of the 1st team don't just deserve their chance, they're also capable of being given one, PL or not in all honesty.

In no order all of these teams are capable of getting promoted depending on how they strengthen-

Villa
Birmingham
Forest
Sheff Wed
Wolves
Reading
Derby
Fulham
Hull
Middlesbrough
Scum
Norwich

In my opinion any of these could go up, Brighton and Huddersfield came out of nowhere last season so I'm sure there'll be a surprise package somewhere too.

I always keep an eye on it since the last time we went down, aye we take the piss but it's a strong league man.

I genuinely think the scum will struggle though, in that list there's a good few I'd put above them so it might be play-offs at best but in all honesty maybe they've found their level now and it could be a few years until we see another derby.

[ghostrider]

Brighton didn't exactly come out of nowhere. They were knocking on the door for a few seasons with cash constantly on the hip to tweak...but I do get the points about all the clubs capable.

In Sunderland's case, it's the best thing that could happen to them in terms of how their fans would see it, because they must have been fed up of languishing in relegation trouble all the time and not enjoying their football.
I hated it when it was happening to us and I got frigging sick of having that pissed off feeling after nearly every game, as opposed to the feel good factor of winning most games in the championship.

The championship is no walk in the park but it can be a massive wake up call to big clubs to realise that quick fixes are rarely a sustainable option and a more sensible approach coupled with time can reap much better rewards in terms of getting back to where they want to be.

In Sunderland's case, I think they are destined to spend a decade or two, or more, out of the premier league, unless some big time , (money no object...wages no object ) Charlie/s come in to fast track a mercenary team back into the limelight.

[NorthernRock]

That's true, but did anyone expect them to challenge us for the league mate? Maybe scrape a play-off place but with us and Villa joining the league I don't think many would have thought they'd be one of the 3 to get promoted, I certainly didn't.