blonde poker forum

going to start this off with this, posted by workers in the office of their forest supporting boss

lol

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CH4GHqUW8AAizFh.jpg)

so

who will win the division?

dark horses for the play-offs?

likely to be in trouble?

if you support a championship team, what are you hoping for this season?

Derby first Sheff Wed second is the Dung forecast.

Hull, Derby auto; Boro up via playoffs.

Blackburn, Wolves, Bristol City also in the playoffs.

Rotherham; MK Dons; Charlton down.

Brentford between 7th-12th, never really threatening either end of the table.

I'd love Dungbeetle to be right about Sheff Wed. I've no doubt the new owner is going to throw money at it, but we all know its easy to throw money at it and get nowhere.

I think its a year or two before Wednesday will challenge.

 I think Rinswun's assessment is very good and more likely to be about right. You could perhaps throw one more of the relegated teams into the play off mix, swap Blackburn for say Burnley. They have so much money now with parachute payments.

I think the fact we have appointed an apparent unknown as manager makes us fans have absolutely no idea what direction we could go in. I would have said that if we appointed a manager known to everyone (Big same, etc), then maybe I would have been of the opinion that we could have challenged for a play-off spot.

I believe that the appointment of this manager will either see uf struggle all season or go up, rather than a predicted mid-table finish.

I expect a big season from Bolton,  as I mentioned on TfT last season I was told from a fairly reliable source Lennon would be provided with a war chest if he kept them up. 

so

who will win the division? Burnley

dark horses for the play-offs? Bristol City

likely to be in trouble? Rotherham and Birmingham

if you support a championship team, what are you hoping for this season? Sneak into Play offs and Derby to miss out on promotion :)

It seems we haven't even got a manager yet & our pre-season schedule looks absolutely non existent by the looks of it at the moment. I actually thought CC was the new manager, apparently he's the general manager of some sort. I see the bookies have latched on to this, we have gone to 25-1 to win the league from 20/22's. I think there needs to be a statement somewhere, because this is quite worrying.

I really can't predict promotion at the moment that's for sure. QPR look to cut an already average side & Burnley just lost their best player.

Relegation looks a lot more simple. I can't see Charlton or Birmingham being able to improve their squads enough to improve their last season finishes, so think both will be down there & suspect Rotherham will be down there as well.

Surprise Package = MK.

Brentford broke their transfer record today, signing Andreas Bjelland for 3mil euro. That's a name for a replica lot of ever I saw one!

Will probably be cut down to something like ' I love A BJ'  ::)

Well last season I predicted us to get relegated, was extremely close. Correctly guessed hypiia was completely clueless.

How's everyone's pre seasons shaping up?

We have probably the weakest squad in the league now. Very bizarre, we have as many  goalkeepers than strikers, and have signed a load of shite this summer, bar Liam rosenoir.

Bottom 6 struggle for us unless we sign a centre back (we only have 2 in the squad, 3 if you count someone promoted from the youth team), a creative midfielder (not a single one in the squad), couple of wingers and a quick nippy striker. Had failed bids for Ben Marshall, a winger in Dutch league and Murphy at Sheffield United.

Birmingham fan.

We had a great boost when Rowett took over but perhaps the honeymoon period is over so of course I worry. There is always the possibility of administration as our owner still remains a convicted fraudster.

Demarai Gray has a lot of talent and has signed a new contract but I guess that doesn't mean anything as if we were selling him we would tie him up to get more money if we were smart. Hopefully he will stay one more year at least. I like Donaldson up front and Coterrill on the left.

New strip with the diagonal stripe looks lovely!

Avoiding relegation would be a good season. Anything better looks highly unlikely.

Thought Fabbrini would end up at Brum.  Will be interesting to see how he gets on at Boro (who seem to be investing heavily this summer).

As a Leeds fan ... ( stop laughing )

Finish the season with the same manager we start it with would be a good step.

No collapse after New Year dragging us into relegation, assuming we aren't already there,

Dare to challenge for the play offs ( unlikely )

On the plus side I think the kit is the best for several seasons

Didn't realise Football League highlights no longer on BBC. Good news is C5 show will be on at a watchable time 9pm Saturdays

This is a good thing......

I always felt that the BBC disliked Forest, especially with the likes of Savage and Co there.

Probs just me though.

Would rather watch this than MOTD, as the best bits have usually been shown by SKY by 10pm or whenever MOTD starts.

100% cafc won't go down push for play offs I reckon tough start though

Simon (Red) - how 'bad a shape' are Forest in, really?

I like the Ward signing (I presume it didn't go down that well, considering where he came from) - also I've always rated Antonio and Lansbury. And with Fryatt, Assombalonga, Blackstock, Reid etc surely thats a fairly strong Championship setup?

Admittedly the Chairman's an absolute expletive, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that Forest could be the ones 'flying under the radar' - and 25/1 looks a bit generous to me.

And what do you think of their price to win at Brighton on Friday? This also appears to be good value (I thought Brighton were a rather poor side last year)   .....      your thoughts?

I quite fancy the trio of Brentford, Brizzle & Forest to upset the more fancied selections.

careful, i know financial problems at NFFC could mean Ben Hamer ending his loan and returning to LCFC. Forest trying to sort out transfer embargo issues.

Forest have Fryatt, Assombolonga, Reid out injured.

We don't mind ex Direby players tbh, had plenty of good ones in the past!

As others say a lot out injured, could lose Antonio and/or Lansbury and can't seem to get people in (Hamer for example), off loaded two expensive flops but rumours are they had to pay them most of their last years wages to get off the books.

Won't be too surprised if we struggle early on. I would be happy if we get into play offs but expecting mid table or below now. We are not worth a punt at 25/1 imho.

Charlton 2-0 QPR that is all... great start tough fisrt month/2 but well chuffed. Didnt go tho :( too much drinking last night/tonight

Hello Young Gun - not sure if you go on the "Tips for Tikay" thread but I've stuck Charlton up as a recommend to get more than 57 points this season.  Can you cast your eyes over my post when you get the chance and let me know if I'm way off in my assessment of the Charlton squad?

Cheers

Dung

Hi dung, I did once read tips for tikay but lost track so haven't seen.

Personally sounds like a very good bet, I was a bit worried with opening month so well re-asses after that. I didn't go first game , we had 5 academy players by merit  which was a good win still a fee newbies bedding in too. I personally think we could potentially be play offs if things aren't too bad in the first month so 65 points plus I'd guess. Still unsure why they had us 3rd faves to go Down but we'll see

Most confident I have been for a while as a charlton fan. Massively underrated this year and certainly feel we could have a shout at the play offs. Looks a good bet.

Wednesday continuing to build.

The squad really has been transformed with the new owner bringing more new players in.

This week it's Michael Turner from Norwich and Pudil from Watford.

Talk of a decent centre forward coming in to finalise transfers.

The new owner certainly means business, I just hope the news signings can settle.

Did you see the goal from Matias at Leeds last weekend BTW ?

What a goal!

Wednesday sign Forestieri from Watford.

£7m bid rejected for boca juniors forward. Seems were are 'going for it'.

Picked up a winger for £1.7m from feyenoord this week.

What a change from that clown hypiia.

Wednesday will end up with around 14-16 new players by the end of the transfer window.

Today it's Barry Bannan signed from Palace with rumours of a big money striker.

Makes me wonder how they will get so many new players to gel.

Think this season will be consolidation with a real crack at promotion next season.

Interesting times.

Feel like Wednesday have stolen  a family pet.

"That's it - I had to leave Watford.  It broke my heart.  I cried in the night because my heart is broke."

Goodbye Fessi!  :(

Ah! A Championship thread. Your Belle approves. I do love the Championship. And here was me thinking that young Tighty had turned his back on us little guys  ;tracet;

Summary

1.  Who will win the division?

Middlesbrough. I actually expect them to have the job done and be sat back, kicking their heels by March.

2.  Dark horses for the play-offs?

Birmingham and Brighton. Saying that, Birmingham could equally find themselves in the relegation zone!

3.  Likely to be in trouble?

Blackburn. And oh how we will laugh. And laugh. And laugh. And laugh  ;popcorn;

My Team - Burnley FC, home of the Clarets

I am torn about how our season is going to pan out. We are still widely tipped as favourites to go straight back up, but we just as easily finish mid-table and have a very 'meh' season. The biggest problem is that we don't know how to score goals. We have 8 senior strikers at the club, and so far not one of them has scored! Our leading scorer is our full back! Barton could be a genius signing, or a disaster.

Meh, ask me again in January!

Ps as an aside, I am horrified to learn today that QPR have managed to keep hold of Charlie Austin. That could see them mount a challenge. Urgh.

My personal opinion after watching first 5 games plus transfer activity is that I really like QPR and Burnley.  Not at all what I thought before the season started.

Gary Hooper reportedly turns down SWFC move after club refuse to throw in VIP box

!

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-09-02/hooper-rejects-sheff-weds-move-over-vip-box/

I think this explanation from a Wednesday forum makes most sense 

"How I understand it, is hooper has a basic salary of £32k a week. As a benefit in kind he has an executive box at Norwich to the value of £30k (not sure if that's the actual figure) for the season. A transfer to Wednesday would effectively render that box useless to him, so rather then having the box, hooper wanted £30k (or whatever the box cost) adding to his salary over the course of the year. Norwich refused"

Still a crazy situation though. Don't you love modern football?

Really? Both times I have seen Gray he has missed maybe 20 chances. Would love to know his conversion rate. Be interesting how he fares in a team who create barely anything (Brentford played some of the best attacking football I have seen since returning to champ in 2011). Can only think of Watford's side 2.5 years ago and Bournemouth being better in terms of chances being created.

We have had a great transfer window, one striker short of being a top 2/3 side IMO. Think we can sneak 6th place possibly.

Kayal signed January 2015 - v.v.v.good.
Fully fit Stephens now after year long injury.
Baldock now fully fit from 4 months lay off
Crofts now returned from his year long injury.
Keeping hold of Dunk, 5M bid rejected and cant even get into our first 11
Three players called up to england u21s (joint most from any side, one now pulled out with injury)

Plus additions of:

- Zamora (great bench asset)
- Hemed (3 goals so far, did good in LA liga last year, hit woodwork 3 times already so could have had more)
- Bong, helping Lua Lua look the part
- Rosenior looks like a great free transfer
- Hunemeir, captain of a relegated bundesliga side. Looks the part.
- Goldson, Shrewsbury CB turned down swansea last year, and has a great CV (player of season, PFA team of year etc)
- Murray (upgrade from march) and Elvis (1 in 3 strike rate from feyenoord first team)
- Finland international GK as back up to  Stockdale. Stockdale looks like a changed man now.

Definitely now good enough for a play off push. If we had signed Vydra I would have said top 2/3.

All obviously coupled with the fact we have a manager for the first time in 3 years who has followed the previous season into the new season. This man being someone who has won two promotions from the championship before.

Just lol

You still think Sami was a good manager?!

You got that prediction completely wrong when I called it on day 1. Calling this that we will make at least 7th this year.

I'm laughing at you thinking they have the same budget

Never said they did.

Plodding along nicely, not won a game by more than a goal yet.

Oh and we have 19 points now...same number as what we had on 25th December 2014 under Sami.

Wednesday finally sign Hooper on loan from Norwich until January.

Our new owner is clearly in no mood to take his time and is building a group of significantly improved players.

Other players seem to be gelling nicely, let's hope Arsenal don't give us a good hiding!!

Great short term signing for you boys, will definitely produce a few more goals. As long as you don't start conceding any more goals than you are at the moment, you are definitely in with a shout of the PO's.

Team looked to be playing very well when I went to Hillsborough for the game Vs us (Hull) and it's got to be the best  side you've had in many many years.

Sheffield Wednesday have equalled their 19 goal tally at Hillsborough from 24 games last season in just 9 games this season

Middlesbrough have only conceded 84 goals in 104 matches under Aitor Karanka in all comps (47 clean-sheets).

As soon as we got Stoke in the cup quarter final draw, my eyes just rolled into the back of my head. It does feel that beating Arsenal was a complete waste of time to get Stoke in the next round. Playing a smaller club, that happen to have a better team than us & will likely knock us out of the cup is so zzzzzzz.

You know what will happen though this weekend, we beat Arsenal, then lose to a Forest side who are in bad form.

Not that it matters to me these days, a complete armchair fan now. I won't pay the prices.

£52, no thanks.

You had more to drink than me arron? You are in good form tonight,

Aaron, nice try you almost got Arbboy there.

I'll bite on the £52 ticket price though.

Its £30 on Kop and £33 on North Stand. You get a £5 reduction if you are a member as well.

Sorry, but there are times when it will cost £52 to get into Hillsborough. It should never cost that much, regardless of stand or opponent.

I don't think I can justify paying over £30 to get in to be honest.

You implied it was £52 on Saturday which is not the case.

I think the club have reviewed their original policy and have realised that £52 is unrealistic.

They are pricing games more sensibly.

Forest game is a good example, nowhere near top pricing structure for what is a game against a team 35 miles down the road.

Then take the next game at home against top of the table Brighton - it's £20 anywhere in the ground.

Perhaps that will see you down there Aaron?

Nope - I am not going down whilst the prices are like that. It might be £5 or £50, MK or Arsenal. No thank you.

I really think Hull at 13/8 to get promoted are great odds and will also be having some on Championship winners at 11/2

I went to see us at MK Dons, my home town, this weekend and couldn't fault the boys at all. Brucey has got them organised and playing football and has managed to keep the team's morale high, even with going down when we probably shouldn't have.

Got some high class players (for the Champs) in Diame, Hernandez and Akpom and I would be very disappointed if we don't bounce straight back up.

(you can also get Leeds at 150/1 on Skyebet which HUGE amounts higher than elsewhere, not saying I think they're going to turn it around mind)

Lets see how you feel when Middlesbrough show them how to play at the weekend.

Should be a cracking game in all honesty - looking forward to it!

seems first time in years that the bookies seem to confident about who's going to be in the promotion hunt at the end of the season, looks like only 8 teams. Which is weird.

Wednesday at 9's - Not played brilliant at all, but not played significantly badly.

Birmingham at 25's - In play-offs, but likely to drift.

Anyone below 8th and 9th getting involved this season?

Still think QPR have a shot if they ditch Ramsey.  Problem is Les will go for his mate Sherwood as replacement which torpedoes it.

last night, Brighton equal club record 16 consecutive league games unbeaten - set in 1931.

Leeds end club record 12-match winless home league run with their victory v Cardiff last night.

Cracking result at home to 'Boro on Saturday, from what I see from the extended highlights, we played out of our skin. The league really is shaping up to have a great run in!

Amazing that Birmingham are so high up in the table. We have a lot of promising youngsters and a solid keeper. If we can keep them, especially Damarai Grey in the transfer window then who knows. But I'm not going to be running out to put a bet on us to go up until February.

17 now.

burnley away next, so guess that will be our streak ending. we may grind out a 0-0 though which would be a fantastic result if it is followed up with a home win versus birmingham.

hull and derby top 2, boro, reading, brighton, and burnley in the playoffs is my prediction with 34% of the season played.

Middlesbrough have kept 29 clean-sheets in just 47 home league games under Aitor Karanka (31 in 52 in all comps)

Do you think this season the championship has seen it become 2/3 tiered?

Rotherham, MK, Bolton all would see it impossible to challenge

some teams just always likely to be midtable - PNE, Bristol City, Birmingham (will fade away),

then the teams that will thrown money at it (M'boro, Hull, Derby)

Seems like there are always going to be teams unlikely to be up there, perhaps similar to the usual teams getting in the top, etc.

despite a lot of the league having parachute payments, and more foreign owners coming into the league giving more inequalities in finance across the division i still think its a very exciting league. Anyone can beat anyone any weekend

It's interesting in that the teams with the parachute money don't tend to dominate.  It's as if the chaos of losing the Sky revenue and having duff players on long contracts is not remotely offset by the parachute payments.   

It's very exciting, but for the first time in ages, you've been able to see that some teams need a miracle to be able to do anything within the league, I appreciate all teams will have targets and that would be just to stay in the league, but look at some of them.

Often any team in the league would say "We are just a couple/few players away from being near the play-offs". I think some teams need a complete new team.

As for Wednesday, we recently did an offer for tickets, 3 for £90. Thought the offer was terrible. they know we are struggling for walk ups and people paying out £90 at this time is just lol. I think our new owners have lost touch with the fans, in fact, I am not sure if it was there at all.

As a Brentford fan, I was thinking about this league yesterday. I'm not convinced it's all that strong at all.

We are currently 11th having lost three of our best players from last season - Gray, Odubajo and Pritchard - with a further six players who would be sure fire first teamers to six month plus injuries - Bjelland, Colin, Jota, McEachern, McLeod and Hogan. The players brought in to replace them are not even close to the quality of last year's squad and on top of that we've sacked a head coach and have a guy in charge who has repeatedly stated he only wants to coach the academy and feels uncomfortable in the top job. Despite all that we are top half and beating teams when down to 10 men. To me this feels like a spot that in a decent league would see us sure fire bottom three, instead there are a bunch of league one teams mascarading as championship teams, all are paying league one players premier league money and running themselves into the ground. The upshot is that average, reasonably well run teams - Burnley, Brighton - can feature at the top of the league despite not really being very good.

Brighton have just snapped up James Wilson on loan from Man Utd until the end of the season.

Think this is exactly what they needed to become contenders for promotion.

Great buy

He any good? Injury prone no?

Will learn a bit off Zamora too :)

" United have allowed young striker James Wilson to join Championship Brighton on loan until the end of the season - despite failing to score in four of their last seven games.

Van Gaal has defended his decision not to play the 19-year-old, who has made just two appearances for United this season.

"He didn't contribute so much," the manager said. "He played a few minutes in the Premier League and Capital One Cup, and was not always selected in the squad.

"Players of his age need to play and, of course, I can imagine that fans are thinking 'that is ridiculous, they have difficulties scoring', but that is a short-term thought.

"We have to think what is best for a player like Wilson. Now he doesn't have many opportunities to play and we believe in him so he has to develop himself elsewhere. When we need him we can call him back."

Anyone know the record for championship unbeaten run? Still cannot get over how bad hypiia was, worst manager ever seen. Setting up fc Zurich nicely for relegation too 😂

Aitor Karanka picked up his 49th win in 95 lge games in charge of Middlesbrough including his 45th clean-sheet.

No wonder Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is in demand - 31 wins in just 49 league games in charge of Burton (63% win rate).

Brentford appoint dean smith from walsall as manager. what do our two Brentford fans think about that?

meanwhile bolton, very indebted, have failed to pay their players

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34966436

£172.9m in debt.....

 

I've got to be honest, I know very little about him! Walsall seem to have had an excellent start to the season so hopefully they've done that playing decent high tempo stuff. I wish him all the best and hope he is luckier with injuries than Dijkhuizen.

Looking forward to seeing us lose a dour 1-0 on Sky later!

19 Nov: Reading's Steve Clarke holds talks with Fulham

20 Nov: 'This was the best option by a mile – to stay here'

4 Dec: Reading sack him

Bolton been handed winding up petition and 12 point deduction forthcoming. Not good.

near the end of a long haul, hopefully

AFC Wimbledon's application for a new stadium at Plough Lane has been approved

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV5e_9SXIAA777w.jpg)

Looking forward to having McDermott back at Reading. Think he was hard done by when they sacked him.

Fulham, Bolton and Nottingham Forest are banned from signing players in January after breaching Financial Fair Play rules

Will be interesting to see what the January transfer window brings.

Seems to be the case that January purchase's aren't usually great value for money, that's the perception anyway.

Rumours that Wednesday's owner may splash some cash.

His project has been quietly ticking over with a much improved squad and with one play off place minimum up for grabs he may be tempted to buy big. Still rumours about players like Rhodes and McCormack.

I think he'd be smarter to take his time (especially if Hooper starts firing on all cylinders) and pick up players in the summer, especially those available on Bosmans without spending stupid money on fees.

For Boro there are strong rumours Bamford will be back with us from January, apart from that I see us extending Zucculini's loan from City and that's about it.

I'm off to fortress Riverside to see us play Wednesday on the 28th, sounds like you lot are bringing a couple of thousand up, so should be a cracking game!

Its on Sky, so I have a day out with the lads to the pub planned. Looking forward to it.

Looks like Wednesday's owner isn't keen on waiting too long to take the club forward.

Seems we are buying Blackman from Reading and very strong rumours from Sky about us buying Judge from Brentford.

Both good quality players at Championship level.

A play off place is there for the taking.

Seemingly going to take a substantial offer to get Judge. Also, his missus has just had a baby so presumably uprouting her from her mates wouldnt be an ideal situation at this point in time.

Think he has 18 months left on his contract so his value will be starting to drop in the near future. Perhaps the right time for Brentford to take the cash.

He may end up at one of the top 2 Championship clubs or a lower Premier League team than come to us.

Seems to be highly regarded.

A lot of people seem to think we need to sign strikers, but I think we need to sign something across the pitch. The defence is not as good as it has been previously and I still think, at times, we miss something in midfield.

Let's hope that Carlos will know his best side too. No point in buying these, if he is going to play the fringe players every two games.

Having sold Gray for £9mil in the summer, we don't need to sell for FFP reasons and Matthew Benham certainly has enough cash in his pocket to need to sell. I think it's much more likely he'll run his contract down than leave this Jan.

He may well do that, bit of a gamble though.

He has been a late developer, 27 years old now?

He only has to pick up a nasty injury/lose form etc and he's screwed a big pay day. Other option, force a move now and take a 3 year contract on 3-4 times what he earns now and he's secure for life.

With a family, the more guaranteed money now option might just be attractive.

I think him forcing a move is the only way he gets a move, and I dont think he's that type. Pretty sure Brentford could offer him similar-ish terms to Wednesday, and with a new stadium and a great deal of ambition I doubt he makes that move. He'll also be keen to get gametime to make the Ireland squad for the Euros. Gets great exposure as pur fulcrum every week.

Adam Forshaw is an example of a player that was a mainstay for us but has seen his career stall with an ill conceived move. Reckon Judge will have learnt from that.

It depends on the team and who is there though doesnt it?

Forshaw moved to a team with the best central midfield partnership in the division, if he is going to a team where he can play the number 10 role and there isnt much competition, and he will have a greater chance of going up, why wouldnt he take it?

Dont think Wigan had the best centre midfield in the division?

Did we get forshaw from wigan?! Ha! my bad!!Nothing to see, move on!

Judge was on a fair old whack at Blackburn (i believe he got a new contract after 18 months despite not playing a league game in that time after being MOM in two cup games) he was wanted by a fair few "bigger teams" way back then.

Then he went back there on fair money after leaving Notts County and got a nice increase on his existing deal at the start of this season with Brentford.

Not mega money but having two contracts with Blackburn should mean he is set for life already

Blackman now looks to be off to Derby?!

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CX_PTqkWwAElFZT.jpg)

Yes, the top 2 in the Championship and of course Premier League teams have significant financial muscle these days.

Whilst Wednesday's owner has significantly increased what we will spend on player wages, we will struggle to compete, especially with other clubs having parachute payments which make up a big percentage of their budget. Like going into a fight with one arm tied behind your back.

I'm sure we will find quality and value elsewhere. Not sure inflated prices in January are the best deals for any buying club - picking up 2 or 3 quality Bosman's in the summer with no transfer fee to find seems much smarter business to me.

Anthony Knockaert back in England, at Brighton

exciting player, masses of flair (which that brighton team needs?) and a real bums on seats talent

Boo!  Hiss! :)

13 hours 37 minutes since Middlesbrough last conceded a goal in the league. 6 points clear with a game in hand at the top.

Looked through our remaining league fixtures and I honestly see no reason why we cant break 100 points this season. In fact I think we will reach 105.

Anthony Knockaert has scored his 1st goal in English football since for Leicester v Sheff Wed in Champ, April 2014

heck of a player at at championship level, my man crush is unabated

could take Brighton very close

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaejMApW8AEoQ9R.jpg)

He's hit woodwork 3 times as well already and a couple of assists. Welcome boost and only better things to come with many players set to return from injury in the next 4 weeks - Greer, Hunemeir, Bong, Baldock.

Promotion race getting very interesting now.

Brighton have clearly strengthened their squad, Middlesbrough spent big money, Derby bought Blackman but on a poor run and Burnley spent £6m in window.

Wednesday keep in contention in 6th with a big win at Birmingham after losing 3 players in game to injury. Hooper proving to be a great signing at this level.

With 3 points for a win, the 2 automatic spots still up for grabs.

Derby sack Clement

"Derby's website states that promotion was not 'their primary target'. Being five points off the top was obviously too risky. He had to go".

Bonkers.  Redfearn sacked too today at Rotherham, 4 days after they recruit Nicky Eaden as his new assistant manager.

Surprised it's happened that quick but they have certainly backed him financially and Derby have been poor for many weeks now.

Who is going up?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbaEejUW8AA4h5q.jpg)

Up for grabs. Put a run of 5-6 wins together and any of top six could take a top 2 place.

Realistically though, you'd think with their squad strength automatics will be between Hull, Middlesboro and Burnley.

Hull and Brighton automatic.

Burnley through the playoffs.

Would any of them stay up in the Prem?

Hull Boro and Brighton.

Hull keep plodding along, Boro are in a poor run of form at the minute, but everyone has a blip, it WILL end at some point, and Brighton as I really dont want Burnley to go up. Bloody hate Sean Dyche.

Very happy for Wednesday to be viewed as underdogs. Getting it quietly hopefully.

I honestly think we (Hull) will top the league, with our squad strength, depth and experience it seems like we should be able to battle on to the end and close it out.

I then reckon Boro will finish second, if they can sort this poor run of form out. I think they need to play 2 up top with Rhodes now being there, to use him effectively, he seems to struggle playing as a lone Striker.

Then Burnley, seem to be getting on with things quite nicely...

Will any of them stay up?

If Hull can pull in another decent striker along with a couple of defenders and midfielders, I definitely think we can.

Boro & Hull to go up. Both will stay up I reckon. Wednesday vs Burnley Play off final, possibly a Wednesday win

Always had a soft spot for Wednesday, my best mate as a kid was a fan, so always like to see them doing well, would love to see them get up.

Getting tight.

Anything can happen but we (brighton) have a lot of tough games. Last two games, derby and mboro.

We have a very very good squad though and in Jan we had 8 of the first 16 out injured, now we just have 1.

If I was to guess at this stage it would be Hull and Burnley top 2.

Playoffs a complete lottery.

http://www.thefishy.co.uk/calculator0.php?Competition=2 (http://www.thefishy.co.uk/calculator0.php?Competition=2)

Here you go, have a bash at this, as it happens, I got Hull finishing top on 101 points, Burnley second on 99 and Boro 3rd on 95! Cant see that happening now i think about it, i think 95 would be enough for promotion.

Give it a go!

1   Hull   46   +45   97
2   Middlesbrough   46   +37   96
3   Burnley   46   +33   91
4   Brighton   46   +24   89
5   Sheff Wed   46   +23   80
6   Derby   46   +21   80
7   Ipswich   46   +6   73
8   Birmingham   46   +12   70
9   Cardiff   46   +12   70

Going to Birmingham v Hull this week. Mixed feelings as I am a Blues fan but I have a large bet on Hull for the title and I also like Steve Bruce a lot. Hoping for an entertaining match and to see some of Birmingham's young prospects in action...

Take 3 points off boros total !

If I never go back to Blackburn again in my life, it will be too soon. What an utterly shite night that was!

and take off 1 point off Hull....had them down as a draw last night.

Leadbitter and Ayala out for a couple more weeks for Boro so things are getting tighter by the week. We are pretty much fully fit except Solly March and Uwe who were first team regulars in August - October.

If we win away to Preston I will believe we can get second, however they looked decent in the home game and have a good record recently, 3rd in the form table behind us and Burnley.

Thought Hull looked pretty good last night. Have no idea how they didn't get anything out of the game or even win it. We robbed them.

Boro v Wolves tonight, huge game!!

Leadbitter isnt too big a miss to be honest, Clayton has been suspended for the last 2 games, but is back now, he is a better player anyway, and Forshaw has looked decent for us in recent weeks.

Ayala is a massive miss, absolute beast for us. We have been playing Dael Fry, an 18 year old from our academy, in his place the last few games, but he has been getting bullied by the big overweight cloggers most championship teams play up top, so I would think Kalas will come in, unless the move De Laet to centre half, Im not sure what he is like there, we have been playing him left back!

Rhodes needs a goal as well, keepers seem to be pulling off unreal saves as standard against him, so we shall see.

Yours,

Nervous in Middlesbrough.

wonder what the row between Karanka and his players was about that saw him leave training and tell Gibson he wanted to leave?

only 3 wins in 10, but still well placed. style of play?

BREAKING: #MFC boss Aitor Karanka WON'T lead the team for the game v Charlton tomorrow. Steve Agnew will take charge

Nigel Pearson must be nailed on for it if the job becomes open, which wouold be a wonderful appointment and soften the blow

No it wouldnt.

The man is a raving lunatic and a massive backwards step from the direction the club was looking to build.

Gutted beyond words that it looks like Aitor is leaving.

Karanka is lauded as some sort of genius when the sum of his tactics seem to be, spend lots of money, soak up pressure and try to hit teams on the break. It's hardly Total Football.

Agree about Pearson, the guy is just weird. Stay well clear.

We play good passing football, and create on average about 12-14 shots a game I would think, pretty much none of which are just people shooting from 40 yards out.

He turned the way our club thinks and acts around, made us ultra professional and hard to beat. The rumours up here are that a certain Mr Downing has been a moaning prima donna all season and has finally managed to ruin the dressing room.

Just a coincidence that a middlesbrough legend has become available....

Arrrgh!!!

I EXPECT Pearson to get it, I would love to see us try and tempt Brendan Rogers up here til the end of the season (I know, I know, obv not realistic!)

I like Pearson.  Think he just doesn't suffer fools gladly.

Very much this.  Wish there were more managers in the game with his style.  Less corporate PR bollocks and more straight to the point.

Timing is perfect. McLaren's free.

Definitely kicked off over Rhodes signing which doesn't look to be his choice.

Too many rumours going round up here to know what is going on. Just need to get this game won tomorrow, no matter what else is happening.

Nottingham Forest are set to announce that they have SACKED manager Dougie Freedman

Pearson wold be a fantastic appointment there too

He's not a lunatic (really stockton cock, we should expect better comment than silly biases shouldnt we?), he inspires huge loyalty and team spirit in his players, tactically astute. Doesn't suffer fools gladly, thats for surem and often projects his public image to protect his players. Shrewd man

Won't be too sad to see Freedman go.

Did Pearson have a long period left on his contract at Leicester? Surprised he hasn't been back in a job so far and wondered if he was getting a decent "wage" as part of that?

rolling one year contract

he was in dispute with the club over his sacking and maybe that isn't settled (malky mackay type situation) which explains why he isn't back in

Several clubs should have snapped him up this season.  QPR/Derby spring to mind.

OK, I was a bit emotional the other night, but he DID throttle an opposition player didn't he?


Boro currently proving that it's the players that are the problem up here, not the manager.

Dreadful first half.

Sounds like a good appointment then.

Maybe he can throttle a few of his own players :)

looked worse than it weas. he was smiling and joking with mcarthur as it happened!

He would be brilliant at Boro. former player, would take no crap and give the side some oomph to go with the undoubted defensive strengths

So need now is apparently there will be a meeting tomorrow with both sides wanting to get it sorted and get Karanka back to work.

I have no clue what will happen next. Apart from hull spanking us all over on Friday.

Karanka confirmed as staying on as manager! This is mental.

As mental as Clement out, Redknapp in? 

5 clean sheets in a row, and bong back tonight after being out for four months. Best left back in the league.

We HAVE to beat MK Dons on Saturday. 7000 away tickets sold !

SWFC have four potentially easy fixtures coming up - Charlton, Huddersfield, Blackburn and Bristol City, would be nice to put a bit of distance between us and seventh. Really feels like it's in ours to throw away that sixth place finish. Absolutely bricking it.

Huge win! Rubbish game, but huge win!

Think there are more twists and turns yet, but that could be a big blow to Hull mentally I think.

Boro v Brighton last game of the season at the Fortress to decide promotion?

Wednesday won in second gear today.

Want to send my thanks to Neil Warnock for beating Ipswich today.  ;applause;

In all seriousness he's pulled off some cracking results against top 6 teams. Working miracles for them really.

Got some nailbiting fixtures next month, first three are against teams with nothing to play for so we have a chance to increase the gap between 6 and 7, then the next four are teams with everything to play for including three six-pointers. I am absolutely bricking it.


Huddersfield v Sheff Wed   Sat 2 Apr   15:00   
Sheff Wed v Blackburn   Tue 5 Apr   19:45   
Bristol City v Sheff Wed   Sat 9 Apr   15:00   
Sheff Wed v Ipswich   Sat 16 Apr   15:00   
Sheff Wed v MK Dons   Tue 19 Apr   19:45      
Derby v Sheff Wed   Sat 23 Apr   12:30   
Sheff Wed v Cardiff   Sat 30 Apr   15:00   

Great day at MK yesterday. 7000 away fans.

Could have been 5 up before MK scored. If we beat burnley next week then who knows. It is in our own hands. Win all 8 games we get promoted as have boro to play !

Another big win last night, and a much improved performance, particularly in the second half.

Burnley win today please, would put us 2 points ahead, with a game in hand.

3 home games in a row for Boro now, 3 wins would be very handy indeed!!!

Great couple of goals from Ramirez tonight.  Loved the fact he popped the 2nd into the top corner to take the defender on the line out of it.

He has been different class for us since he signed.

Just need to keep our heads on now, keep picking up the wins and see what happens!

Nice gap opening up between Wednesday and 7th place now.

Play off place looking more and more likely.

Starting to think a trip to London on 28th May is a real possibility now.

We are still very much underdogs for promotion but stranger things have happened :-)

It's all very exciting.

I would LIKE to see Boro and Brighton go up automatically and Sheff Wed by the playoffs.

A very annoying 3 months to be a Hull fan. I thought we were going to absolutely cruise it just after Christmas. It all seems to have gone very wrong. With two 4-0 defeats to rivals. That is not ideal and not acceptable with the team we have. Abel H has completely come off the boil and we just don't seem to be working as a team anymore.

A potential Wembley day out though? :)

This is going to be down to the wire now. Ive a sneaky feeling that the Boro's
last game with Brighton will decide who wins the league and who goes up
automaticly.Cant wait.

Forgotten what it was like to win in the last minute. Think I can recall 3 last min winners for boro.

Burnley got some tricky games: Birmingham away, boro home and a derby away to Preston.

Its usually Burnley that grab them, although we did v Burnley.

I would take a draw v Burnley if offered it now, but we HAVE to beat Reading tomorrow night.

Bloody infuriating league this is!!!!

GET INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!

Great win tonight. Please Birmingham.

Yep, OK, we score lots of away goals!

Huge games tomorrow. Biggest in years for Boro. Would snap your hand off for a draw if offered now

Only way we can get top 2 is by winning all 4, so this means we need boro to be promoted after game 45...

OK deal. Ideally for me, Boro have the league wrapped up and Brighton get 2nd place last game of the season!

Nervous. Very very nervous

I would bet decent money you're wrong.

Have a look at the end of the season, bet Brighton could've gone up without winning all 4.

I assume he means the only way it's in their hands?

Can't see any other way to be honest.

3 more wins now.

Said before teh game i would take a point, and a point we got, deserved to win mind you.

Still hurts when it is in injury time :p

We are still in control here, beat Ipswich up next then see where we go from there.

Going to be interesting. We have to beat Charlton at the weekend by 5 or 6.

Could do with bloody burnley losing, think they're 19 unbeaten.

Adam Reach on loan at Preston from Boro. I have done nothing but call the lad shite since he frist broke through, he is nailed on to get the winner v burnley!

Always a good player against us.

Burnley to beat Preston 5/4
Boro to beat Ipswich 1/2
Boro to beat Brum Evs
Burnley to beat QPR 1/2
Burnley to beat Charlton 1/2

That's a 14/1 accumulator.

Any of those results don't happen, Brighton won't need 3 wins.

Bookmakers have shortened Brighton for promotion after tonight's games, which is slightly strange..

Coral 4/6 -> 8/15
VC 4/6 -> 1/2
Ladbrokes Evs -> 8/11

We will need to win all 3 to get top 2. Unless you see burnley only getting 5 points from Preston QPR and Charlton which isn't happening.

My list is wrong obviously, but so is your statement.

If Preston beat Burnley. Two wins and a draw is enough. (And possibly two wins will be enough if Brighton thrash Charlton)

Why on earth is it strange that they have cut Seagulls for promo tonight after the results?  With a point dropped between their two rivals? What were you expecting to happen under these circumstances?  They drift?  Please mark our marks about the 'max bet' we should be smashing into because of this rick and the reasons why?

Quite clear that a Boro win was easily the best result for Brighton tonight.

Boro very likely to have wrapped up promotion before the last game of the season v Brighton if they had won at Turf Moor tonight.

Boro win (+Brighton win) would have meant Brighton only had to match Burnley's results to finish above them, now they have to better them in the final 3 games.

Why?  They can go ahead of two teams now rather than one?  They have more outs especially as they play the unlikely out last game in mboro albeit away and a big dog but they still control their own route.   There is no way Brighton are less likely to go up tonight at 10pm than at 7pm given the results. 

Because they are much more likely to require 3 wins now.

Boro away on the last game of the season needing to win, when Boro are trying is what, 5/2?

Boro already promoted, Brighton need to win 5/4, maybe 6/4?

I know what you are saying but there are 3 games for each team to play not 1!   These teams do get beat.  I have no maths on it but i would be amazed if they are less or equally likely to go up tonight than before tonight.  1 point has just disappeared out of thin air for a start and they have added 4 goals to their GD.

Burnley winning tonight would have been really bad. Would have been very difficult to go up without 3 wins to end the season. At the very least they would need something from Boro.

If Boro had won tonight, very possible for Brighton to secure promotion before the last game of the season and even if they didn't, likely they would be playing a team on the beach, having already secured promotion rather than one trying for their lives.

Boro win >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Draw >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Burnley win. Is my estimate of what Brighton wanted to happen tonight.

Burnley have easily the hardest game (away at Preston - a local derby) of the games apart from Boro v Brighton.

Both Boro and Burnley will be heavy odds on for their other 2 games.

Of course Boro can get beaten, but I think it would be far easier to have to match Burnley's last 3 results, than the situation they are facing now.

Funny reading back over the first two pages of this thread. Had some deluded posts! Two Charlton fans who thought they were massively underrated and would 100% never go down, a Bolton fan who fancied them for the playoffs as Lennon was getting a 'war chest' and anthonyl would felt Brighton would be bottom 6! With Chompy's positive prognostications on The Posh and Eso Kral's Walsall wagering woes, I think the old adage of never back your own team certainly holds true!

Meanwhile Wednesday are crawling over the line to the final play off place.

6 points clear of Cardiff in 7th with 3 games to go. Wednesday play Derby away, Cardiff home and Wolves away.

As long as we don't lose to Cardiff, we should make it.

Logically and on current form we would be big underdogs against any of the teams who may take 3rd place.

A play off position is a big leap forward from where we have been - anything else would be a massive bonus, but think others around us (particularly over 2 legs) will be too strong.

Hull are imploding, Derby seem to have hit form at the right time.

Who ever finished 3rd has to be massive favourite for the playoffs, I think it will be Brighton, but it's well and truly up in the air!!!

Feels like it's got Boro heartbreak written all over it. Lose at home to Brighton on the final day, lose the playoff final to Derby. Will be like Brentford v Doncaster and Yeovil all over again.

We are made of sterner stuff this season. We have performed in the big games.

That and 7 goals conceded at home all season give me some confidence!

the team that finishes well clear in third won't go up

seen it too often, such a let down.

winner of derby/hull play off semi goes up

Would personally find it hilarious if Burnley lose on Friday and win their next game, giving them 87 points and Boro and Brighton go into the last game of the season knowing a draw would be good enough to get both teams promoted.

Pass the ball around the defences for 90 mins and watch Sean Dyche's head explode live on TV.

Whoever comes third will have between a 20 and 30 percent chance of going up. We can't say it won't happen.

Pretty sure i read somewhere (small sample size of course) but backing the 3rd placed finisher blind was a profitable strategy since the play offs began.  I get the let down spot but it won't be an issue for Brighton anywhere near as much as Mboro.  Brighton have been expecting a play off spot for most of the season.

First odds on 0-0 in English football league history pre game!  The draw would surely go off huge odds on in that situation with so much at stake.  Could you blame either team if they literally passed the ball to each other back and forwards for 90 minutes in the centre circle whilst both sets of fans have a 2 hour party in the sun given the money at stake?

As a Boro fan I would demand it :)

The added bonus of making Dyche cry would be the icing on the cake.

If Wednesday fluked our way through the 2 leg semi, I would quite fancy our chances in a one off big game.

Cant see us beating one of the current top 3 in semis though. Very unlikely.

You have a lot of loan players. Do any have to go back before play off semis? In particular pudil or turner ?

I think they are all eligible to end of play offs.

I'm sure Pudil is Ok. Turner hardly played even when fit.

Reports up here George Friend is out for the crest of the season, not good news if true, but we have a decent back up in De Laet.

Loanees are definitely eligible for the playoffs, Alex Pritchard played for us last year

I think out of all the teams I would want Wednesday to draw over 2 legs it would have to be Brighton. Two draws against them and neither to choose between the two. Be good to see a northern play-off final also!

However, we still haven't got past problems we have faced all season and it might cost us in the play-offs. We are simply poor in the first half of most games and we can't do that against good teams. I think the lack of experience our manager shows will end up costing us.

Two stalemates.

Sheff Wed and Hull didn't score against us in four attempts this season so I'd be happy with either of them.

Aaron,

That view depends on your perspective.

I think we have made big steps forwards this year. We are far from the finished article, but I view this season as a big success, whatever happens in the playoffs.

We are progressing year on year.

So the "past problems we faced all season" are at best a very negative view given we are moving forwards.

Rome wasn't built in a day and both the owner and manager have performed beyond reasonable expectation - unless you are a typical football fan who expects everything right now.

I also disagree about Brighton, I think they would be more dangerous opposition that anyone else right now, they are smashing it currently.

I know we have improved year on year, but I really am very unconvinced by Carlos at the moment.

It's not as if the problem of our first half performance has been the last few games or against certain opposition. Sadly it has been the whole season round where we have had simply not been good enough in the first half of the game. He has had all season to change things and yet we see the same old at game number 43. Another problem we have also seen all season round is conceeding at the most ridic time of the game. We conceed just before half time, just after we score, just after we have player sent off & so on, it has been a season long problem.

I would never look at the chances of a team in the play-offs as having very little chance, but that is how I view ours, unless he really changes things before we play in the play-offs.

Are Fessi and Poodle still doin well for you?  I see poor old Fernando has had about 10 bookings for diving!  I miss him though :(

Forestieri is doing particularly well.

Had a tremendous season.

Not getting the breaks at the moment with referees.

There was the Hull game on TV where he got sent off which was one of the worst decisions you'll ever see and on Saturday another yellow for diving when after the game the manager was wondering how he got bruising down his leg from the "dive". Another shocking decision.

He is our talisman, other teams will definitely target him because without him we struggle.

By the end of August we had around 12-14 new players at the club.

To get them to gel quickly was a big ask.

A play off place is over achieving on what we could have realistically expected at the start of the season.

Carlos does sometimes make the odd strange decision, seems to like squad rotation and keep the play very tight in the first half, but we are higher than you or I expected we would be now, so he's done a very good job so far.

It is

Same as a lot of the good old saying's in betting "outsider of 3 wins more than it should in racing" my fav. You do your brains backing the outsider of 3 in racing.

Can't remember the last horse race with 3 runners where the rag won where that saying wasn't mentioned.  Never discussed in 4 runner races when the rag wins.  What is the significance of 3 runners?

Old ones are always the best.  'Never go skint taking a profit' 'Never go skint laying a shortie' 'Never back odds on aways' 'No such thing as a bad priced winner' 'Rather back a 6/4 bad value winner than a value 20/1 loser'  All classics.

Another soft booking for Forestieri.

Hope we hold on here.

My Mrs always says "a value bet is one we've got to have which always loses".

Drives me bananas.

How have today's results affected the equation at the top?

Presumably Brighton's marginally inferior GD is the key thing now?

It's all too tight to tell!!

Brighton have a tough game v Derby, Boro a tough one v Birmingham. Either way it is all coming down to the last game if the season at the Fortress Riverside!


I'm a Boro fan, and I'm not feeling particularly confident at the minute

Burnley almost there, boro been poor last 3 games. Just need to match boros result versus Birmingham and last game of season will be a free shot at the promotion before the potential play offs.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cg4TAHBXEAA3RYY.jpg)

winner odds

Burnley: 8/11 Boro: 12/5 Brighton: 13/2

Boro blink first. If Brighton beat Derby, they'll travel to the Riverside knowing a draw is enough.

Boro screwed by incompetent officials first you miean.

Still, the best home record in the league, knowing a win gets us up against a team we beat 3-0 earlier in the season.

I will take that

Good open game.

I can see both qpr and derby getting something on Monday.

Boro attacking will play right into our style. Hopefully the 3-0 gives boro false thoughts, we had 6 first teamers out that day and have added Wilson skalak knockaert sidwell, and our players came back from injury now (except March and Zamora). We are devastating on the counter attack recently.

Glad I've got my boro ticket now!

Think team coming third will win the play offs.

Always find it laughable when fans blame the officials. Especially when the Brum goalie did his level best to give you the win on a platter.

Especially when the QPR boro game recently should have been a draw except for the biased linesman towards boro!

Great result for Wednesday today.

Looks like a Friday night first leg semi final at Hillsborough.

Anything from here on is bonus territory.

Good luck! As a Swans fan, the play-offs is what I miss the most. Everything on the line and it will be an electric atmosphere.

Thanks, should be a sell out. Tickets £20 each which is a tremendous gesture when they could fill it at double the price.

At £20, even Aaron will be there!!

 :D

:D :D :D

I am obviously glad we made the top 6, but my same opinion stands really. It was again our second half performance that won us the game. We are 90% likely to get 6th now and I would like us to avoid Burnley tbh.

I made the decision at the start of the season not to attend the home game out of principle, that means I don't go when they are £52, neither do I go when they are £20, if offered a free ticket, I would turn it up. Instead I will very likely go to whoever we play, away. Then Wembley. Diffuclt to miss the home tie, but oh well.

Well I have sympathy for Boro here and in fact the  fans of any club when a perfectly good goal for their team  is disallowed. "Luck" in other areas or previous games is irrelevant.

Doesnt look like such a bad point on Friday now!

Dunk getting sent off there is the height of stupidity.

Not overly impressed with Brighton today really, if they play like that at the Riverside Boro will pick them apart.

Perfect end to the game but our worst performance from the last couple of months though. Will give us a nice boost for Saturday. Greer club captain more than capable replacement.

Can see us beating an out of form boro side who haven't won in 3 and needed 94th min winners against Bolton and reading. But same time can see us a last minute goal for us or them !

Heading up north on the Friday, could be a sick sick weekend.

Undefeated in 8, against a team that has to attack us. Only conceded 7 goals at home and Brighton love an away draw :)

 Burnley losing both their games could be fun though

We have the best attack in the league and the best away record after burnley

You like a draw away from home though :)

Will be nice seeing a side coming to the Riverside and attacking us.

Have watched quite a bit of both teams this year and if this was on a neutral ground I'd have Brighton as favourites. However, at home Boro should have enough to hold on for a draw. Looking forward to the game either way. Will be excellent as a neutral!

We beat them 3-0 at their place :)

I would take us v anyone in this spot

Yep, that was the game that broke their long unbeaten run but for the last few games of that run they looked like they were playing not to lose, rather than going out to win. Boro were in better form at that point too, seemingly. Perversely, I think the addition of Rhodes actually hindered Boro. Seemed more cohesive prior to his arrival.

It will be a nervy game I think.

Rhodes has settled in now, scoring goals and I think him, Ramirez and Adomah will have too much going forward.

Got to be confident in these situations. A full house at home, it's what you would ask for in this situation.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChOs-MEWIAAj-dQ.jpg

Indeed.

Last time we got promoted was in 1979 in the North East when we had to win and we were playing in yellow and our main centre back was out. Same again this time round, north east, yellow kit, main centre back out.

Are your fans confident then?

Ours are a mix between over confident and total pessimism.

I keep jumping between the 2!

Mixed on our side too but let the best team win and I hope the losing team goes up via the play offs.

 Not been promoted in my lifetime to the top league, but been to three failed play offs attempts v Notts county 91, palace boo 2013 and Derby 2014.

Tension building now I work abroad but flying over tomorrow to Newcastle via London. If goes to shit I'll be flying back for both play offs v Wednesday!

Good luck!

Just been confirmed I've got a ticket for Saturday.

Should be a fantastic atmosphere.

Can't wait.

I want Brighton up, it would make for a great dynamic with Palace, I would have a feeling though before long they would be above us in the prem and all sorts of pain would come with that, and the thought of us being relegated with them staying up? *shudders*

But for the drama and added spice, I hope they do it. I also really like Chris Hughton. The man knows how to conduct himself.

Championship effectively has two play-off finals in 2015-16: the actual final and tomorrow's Boro v Brighton. Deloitte say each worth £170m.

Deloitte forecast of £ of Boro-Brighton (£170m) = £95m bottom PL next yr + £75m parachutes. Conservative IMO. Bottom prob £100m + paras £87m

Now a confirmed ball of nerves. This really feels like our chance to go up.

My brother thinks we win 2-0, I think it will be 0-0 at 75minutes and Brighton will spend 15 mins launching balls into the box!

Up The Boro.......

Get in

Sooooooo Happy.

Mike Dean get demoted to league 1 for his performance today?

How Brighton didn't end the game with 9 or 8 men is beyond me. One of the dirtiest performances I have seen.

Only 1 team looked like going up today.

UTB!!

Clearly trolling.An absolute shambles of a decision.

Better to go up via Wembley anyway ;)

I'm a Brentford fan. Thought it was really nicely poised until Dean ruined the game at 60 minutes. Ramirez should have been booked for slapping the yellow out of his hand. Was never a red.

Boro look nailed on to go down without serious investment. Very unimpressed this season. Seemed much better last season when they beat us 4/4.

They have an argument, then 2 mins later Ramirez has a hole in his leg that looks like a bullet wound.

Definite red.

Few players lucky to not get 2 yellows too.

Still hope Brighton get up through the playoffs. There's 3 all deserve it this year.

Pretty sure they'll invest :)

Wednesday to beat Hull in the POF

Gibson already said he will throw money at it :)

We stand a better chance of staying up than burnley do.

im a boro fan and didnt think it was a red but they kicked him from pillar to post from the first minute so i have little sympathy (none). get in.

As a neutral it was a hard decision for the ref.  Put it this way I don't think an appeal would be successful although I was expecting a yellow.

I'm another one who didn't think it was a red but congrats sir. I was rooting for a Boro win purely on the ground's that my lad's best mate from Uni  is Boro through and through and he has been beside himself the last few weeks. Having said that I'll now be rooting for Brighton in the play-offs because they obviously deserve promotion this year as well after such a great season.

On Burnley, at the moment I'd say they have a better shout that Boro at staying up. They will be far stronger than their last 2 attempts and have the recent knoweldge and experience of what to expect etc.  Obviously, summer signings can have a big influence,

not the worst of days for Ritchie De Laet

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ch4iTazWsAA-weY.jpg)

Got to be happy with the season from a Birmingham perspective. On the downside, we sold our most promising player for beneath his value and the Hong Kong owners still linger like a bad smell.

Would settle for a similar position next year and FINALLY a transition to a new owner.

Things could have gone a hell of a lot worse had we gone down to League One. Have to say I think that Rowett is a manager with a lot of potential. Too soon of course for a move to the Prem, but one of the more upwardly mobile Championship side who want a change, he might well be a good guy to hire.

Amazes me that players make tackles like that, when they know they wouldn't want to miss the next few matches. Apparently this is his second red and will miss both legs. Brighton also missing someone else I read?

We have a fresh squad for the game & Brighton without a couple. I don't think Brighton are favourites any more.

Lol Brighton definitely still favourites.

It amazes me that some people consider that as a bad tackle. He clearly won the ball and then Gaston's follow through clips the bottom of his boot - which was pointing down. It's unfortunate and at worst is a free kick for a high foot. Dean has sent him off purely as a result of the consequence not the action, as evidenced by his changing from a yellow to a red once he saw the gash. Awful refereeing.

Anyways, Brentford. Strange, strange season but our final position was exactly where I expected pre-season. Happy enough in the end as it looked like we could get sucked into a relegation fight a couple of times and had a huge transitional year where most of last season's impressive team left. Finished really strongly and Scotty Hogan returning from two ACL reconstructions to score 7 in 5 games was the undoubted highlight. I think we'll likely push on for 5th/6th next season with a much more settled squad and management team in place.

Are Brentford still doing the moneyball stats approach?  Is that yielding bargain players?

They are identifying which players to scout using a stats based approach. It's a bit of a misconception that they are signing players simply on stats alone. In terms of the results, they have finished 5th and 9th despite having a bottom 3 budget for the past two years. I think that has to be viewed as pretty successful.

The biggest news this season was the ratification of a CPO which was the only thing preventing the start of work at the site of the new stadium at Lionel Road. The future of the club pretty much hinges on being able to move to that ground so it was a massive moment.

There is no doubt Brighton are the better team.

Most of the time they go through even with 2 players suspended.

Quality and consistency should come through over 2 legs.

I really didn't want Brighton in semi's, Monday night away in second leg has me feeling very uncomfortable.

Hope I'm wrong!!

I can't really see how Brighton are real favourites. We've played them twice in two borefests and there was nothing in it. The players missing and their recent result won't help.

I do find it astounding they are struggling to sell 2,000 tickets for their biggest game of the season so far.

Just a cursory glance at it - Brighton, one loss in 21. Won 7, drawn 3 of their last ten, Wednesday, Won 5, drawn 3, lost two of their last ten. Over the course of the season Wednesday finished 15 points behind, won 5 fewer, lost 5 more, scored less, conceded more.

Dunk is out for the first leg and is replaced by the club captain who was first choice until January when he got injured. Prior to him being injured they'd set a club record unbeaten run. Stephens likely done for the playoffs unless appeal is successful. You think that one player makes Wednesday favourites? Think you might be getting a bit carried away!

Happy to have an even money bet if you like lol.

I didn't say Wednesday was favourites.

You think the draw is favourite now?

Wednesday at Stoke earlier in the season were shocking beyond belief in front of nearly 10k fans on the road.  I really hope they don't go up as they will get destroyed in the EPL.  They could have played against SToke's reserves that night for ten hours and not scored with those two cart horses up front.  I am amazed they have even made the play offs. 

Look a big lay at under 4/1 to get promoted to me.

Just about calmed down after Saturday now!

Really looking forward to the summer, I think we are going to spend about 50m on new players.

Pretty confident that we will be around mid table.

Not sure how the playoffs will go to be honest. Brighton have struggled against the top 6 teams this season, Hulls form is all over the place, Derby have thrown it away so many times over the last few years, and Wednesday probably have the poorest squad out of the lot.

Not of good judges have said this championship is the weakest for years in terms of the quality of teams going up.  Think all three will struggle next season. 

I am convinced we will be spending money.

We have Sevilla's head of recruitment now, he signed the players who got them to 3 UEFA cup finals on the bounce! Gibson has said he going to be giving it a go. Peter Kenyon at the club should help too.

I honestly think we will finish about 12th next year if we spend like I think we will.

I agree that Wednesday are the poorest team out of the four.

Judging us on that Stoke display is slightly harsh.

Wednesday at our best can do it but I expect a Brighton v Derby final.

I wouldn't judge Wednesday's ability to stay up (if we fluke it) on the current squad.

The chairman is super ambitious and you would see him have a right go and sign 8-10 new players.

Brighton are the best team, I really think there isn't much between Wednesday, Derby and Hull, so my hopes are that we (The Owls) face a dejected demotivated Brighton and get a bit of the run-good along the way. If we somehow luckbox our way to Wembley I think its a coinflip against whoever we face.

Just trying to work out whether going out in the semis or the final would be more heartbreaking for me.

Interesting debate about the relegation battle for next season and if the 3 promoted teams will go straight back down.

Has that ever happened before the 3 teams up going back down? Probably has but I am blank.

I think West Brom and Sunderland will be safe with their managers and then a toss up between Watford/Bournemouth/Palace and maybe Swansea at a push. Even then they all looked safe for the majority of the season so it is going to be tough for whoever does get promoted because there weren't that many teams hanging on.

Evident by there being only 4 in the relegation battle and even then two of them, Sunderland/Newcastle, if given a bit more time probably wouldnt have been in the mire as much as they are now with their managers.

Means I think for small edges about who goes down and it will be ruthless. The promoted teams will need to hit the ground running.

Going out in the final is more heartbreaking I think. Its within touching distance in a one off game.

On the plus side, I think I read the losing finalist keeps the final gate receipts, so that would be a few million extra in the kitty (happy to be corrected on that).

Sorry to say Ant but i am convinced Palace will be the bet at the prices to go down next season.  Pretty sure they are going to be massively over priced to go down.

Yep. Winning team usually donates them to the losing team.

Can confirm it is souls destroying losing the final.

What I was trying to say that things haven't gone in Brighton's favour over the last few days. They have one player who will miss both games (also, the final) and one who misses one game. Having played and missed out against M'boro and wednesday having a fully fit squad. I would say in my eyes that this is finely balanced, the previous two games have been draws.

If our starting 11 remained fit i think we are a top 10 team, but that won't happen.

If Pardew doesn't buy an impressive winger in the summer, and at least two more reasonable back up players capable of doing a job at the level in midfield and defence then we could easily be in a relegation battle, I agree. Pardew has been saved by the FA cup run from too much criticism, but without it as a distraction i think there would have been more positive results in the league.

If he doesn't buy impressively in the summer i am going to worry about his credentials and Palace's.

Just FYI for a couple of years Aaron was a complete troll acting like some 12 year old chav who just got a laptop for a first time on a different forum which I busted him over. Had some agenda against Brighton, not sure why.

We're going to need Knockaert on fire, the guy is an absolute gem of a player.

Can't get excited at all over this play offs and expecting both games to be 0-0 and then to lose on penalties.

Not sure what Aaron said on a different forum two years ago has got to do with this thread. He's not said anything like that on here.

I know Aaron, and he is a bit of a WUM which people seem to fall for. I remember he reeled in Alex Goulder a couple of times in the past.

Anyway, really looking forward to Friday night, got my ticket. Just hope we give a good account of ourselves and go into the second leg still in it.

Brighton tend to draw a lot v the teams in the top 6. I honestly wasn't impressed with them over the 2 games we played them.

He has form....

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iad3gV-9C1U

'I find it outstanding Brighton haven't sold out their 2000 away tickets for their biggest game of season so far'. Just continuing what he did on a daily basis on football forums.net.

This is probably our fifth biggest game of the season (boro, Derby home, burnley home, playoff second leg). Also commenting on the support is ironic given we probably have 50% higher than your average home attendance over the last five years.

You will be in it after one leg we only draw against the top 6 teams (1 win, 1 defeat, rest draws versus top 6).

Let's not get carried away - "50% higher than your average home attendance over the last five years"

These are the actual facts :

Year         Brighton.     Wednesday
15/16.       25583.            22640
14/15.       25645.            21993
13/14.       27283.            21239
12/13.       26236.            24078
11/12.       20029.            21336

Av.            24955.            22257

I reckon that's 12% more.

Was the 50% a wind up?  :D

You keep saying these things about another forum, you are quite obsessed. The fact is that you did not like what I said elsewhere and therefore I am a troll.

It is good that you twist things though. I never mentioned anything about home attendances, which ironically, your 50% claim makes you look silly. I only mentioned that the fact it's absolutely shocking that you can't sell out, in what is your biggest game of the season so far.

In fact, I would say it is a disgrace. we sold out in a day I believe.

Facts are facts, your biggest game in 20 years. Wouldn't even make our biggest game this week.

No mate, some of what you are saying is wrong.

You haven't averaged 50% more.

But you are right, it is our biggest game in 20 years, well done on pointing that out. Nice one.

Well just got back.

Thoroughly enjoyed that.

Brighton clearly unlucky with injuries.

We could have and should have killed the game tonight.

Another goal would have killed the tie. Still nervous about Monday night.

Be good to hear what neutrals thought of the game.

Agree, the four injuries almost as important as the two goals, should have had a third and that would have clinched it for us. I fancy we can get a goal at their place.

Absolutely agree unless Palace sign a top class striker (or possibly 2!!), 3 new defenders and a new keeper.

Midfield is the only area which doesn't need massively upgrading.

Brighton will be without 3 of their most influential players in the second leg - Stephens, Knockaert and Hemed.

It will take an almighty bottle job from Wednesday not to get through from here.

Camel, with Wednesday you never know. Never do it the easy way.

An early goal from Brighton will change the tie.

Brighton finished 3rd? Who knew?

They was poor from start to finish, even before the injuries. We won that without coming out of second gear, a little disappointed we didn't ever look like scoring the third, especially against ten men.

If Wednesday approach the game positively, I can see them winning the away leg.

Definitely Wednesday's strength is going forward, as long as you don't try and sit on the two goals, I find it very difficult to believe you won't score.

Especially in the second half as Brighton will be forced to press.

Very impressed by your manager btw. Seems like a very good bloke and sound manager.

Wednesday deserved to win the game. Brighton looked like they were suffering with a let down after not going through against Boro and couldn't have run much worse with injuries. Expect Wednesday to cruise through on Monday night.

Good luck today. Although we lost four players in the first game we would have lost anyway possibly by the same score line. Wednesday were looking good up to the point of injuries. However now we are down to bare bones, would have been very confident of clawing it black. Close to no chance now unless we can take a lead into half time then you'll be backs to walls for 45 minutes.

Meeting up with 'tango man' soon, he took my dad out for beers after the Friday night game haha.

I agree, IMO we (Wednesday) would have got a similar score as it would have been a more open game, but I would now be bricking it as I fancy you would have scored very early today and possibly battered us. It's a shitty way for us to potentially to get to the final, but if you score early then it really is a coinflip.

Not sure I agree we was ever going to win by two. Brighton looked decent going forward and u thought they was going to get 1. I'm just disappointed we sat on both leads. Even at 1-0 it looked as if we was happy with that, before the goal came.

This is the optimistic I've been about Wednesday though & I think we will ease through. Brighton need to score at least 3 tonight because I think we will score.

Fair play Anthony.

If you get an early goal in the game, the momentum could easily change.

Even though we are favourites now I'm still nervous about tonight.

I'm trying to imagine an evening out with Tango.

Some start to this game by Brighton.

Brighton really giving a crash course in how to run terribly in this playoff tie!

I think Wednesday were good over both legs and don't think we are underdogs at Wembley, but we'll never know who the better team was because Brighton were so damn unlucky over both legs, they really threw the sink at us today and its amazing it ended 1-1.

I don't think I've ever seen a team come out like that in the first 20 minutes. But it may have ended up costing them the game. They went from the best half of football they've played, to potentially one of the worst. We definitely deserved it over two legs.

15 points above us Brighton, apparently.

Only saw second half.  Thought Brighton were pretty gutless going forward and cynical at the back.  I gather the first half was a different story.

Well that was not good for my blood pressure!  we rode our luck but closed the game out well in second half.

Brighton are a very good team and have been unlucky. Tremendous effort in first half.

Very happy though, even if we lose in the final, we have over achieved. I'm expecting nothing so everything a big bonus.

You're kidding yourself.  If Hull do you over in the final you'll be hurting big time..............

Wow had 7-8 pints with tango man and his daughter on the vodkas.

We are a better side by a good distance, hull will ruin them in the final but not going to complain. We had a good run and next season we should be champions.

Can't see it against Newcastle/Norwich.  Derby will presumably come again as well.

Agree Brighton's big chance this year in the weakest Championship in years.  Next year will be a lot tougher.

We can tell you're pissed. 15 points ahead of us, lol

How did Knockaert's free kick stay out?

At the angle it hit the post it surely should have rebounded into the goal.

Laws of physics.

Disagree with this arb

Newcastle will be slightly tougher than Boro. But only slightly.

Norwich and Villa seem slightly inferior to Burnley and Hull to me.

Plus I'm hearing rumours the money might have run out at Derby and they will be weakened next season.

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/championship-2016-17/winner

Can't be too careful BFSB.  2/1 Newcastle!

8/1 Villa is worse!

Would love to play QPR in match bet with any of the other teams at 25/1 except the two they will be paired with by the bookies, Brentford and Fulham!

What price would you back Villa next year at right now?

25s at a minimum.

Need to get rid of about 10 high earners or under achievers.

It's funny what both sets of fans see.

Anthony obv coming off a disappointing loss naturally going to have some anger towards Wednesday, says they'll get easily beat by Hull. Hull will be favs but I expect it'll be tight and Wednesday do seem to have a decent resolve.

Aaron coming off a two legged playoff win where everything went right for Wednesday and wrong for Brighton thinks the 15 point gap laughable and Wednesday likely favourites to go up. In reality if the luck was equalised over the two legs I think Brighton win a close affair.

In that first half the Wednesday manager looked clueless as to how to counteract Brighton's threat and if it weren't for that cross going in I think Brighton go on to win the game.

Embargo for Derby by January so will need enough points by then !

Brighton's lack of experience of high pressure games told at the end of the season. They were poor v boro and poor v sheff we'd.

Unless they figure out how to win against the top teams in the league, they will be playoffs at best next year. Flat track bullies.

I'm sure I'll be very disappointed on the day if we get beat but realistically we shouldn't go up. Hull are definitely favourites but that suits us I think.

Let's see if Hull "ruin" us as Anthony expects. Time will tell.

Sheffield Wednesday are 11/8 to go up

Assuming they play Hull, is that interesting or too short?

They did finish 15 points above us, but I'm not sure it means they are a mile ahead of us, as their fans would have liked to think.

We played them 4 times this season, 0-0, 0-0, 2-0 & 1-1. I was more than happy to get them really. I was reading their forum and the have asked who's to blame, yeah they've had a good season, but a certain player hasn't had the best two legs. Stockdale has let in two soft goals and yet no Brighton fan has really asked questions. It was a poor goalkeeping display. Also the left back that played for them last night, was poor.

They also seem to think we are a poor side, they hammered us for 25 minutes, not the whole of the first half. The second half was a poor showing too. Over 4 hands of football, did they deserve it? No. Yet they will call us poor because they had 25 minutes of fantastic chances. The second leg was always going to be a different kind of game, after already being 2-0 up.

I'm not sure about our managers tactics. Was it naivety or genius? We couldn't get out for 25 minutes, but all their pressing told in the second half. Did he think that would be the case? He did bring on Hutchinson, who changed the game, too. Sadly I think CH didn't do too well tactically, the second half was poor.

Have no idea about Hull at Wembley, but they are definitely favourites.

Spot on i would say.  How can they realistically be any shorter than that?  Brighton destroyed them over 2 legs but had no luck in either game and loads of injuries and played with 10 men for half the game.  Brighton could have been 5-0 up after 25 minutes last night.  It isn't pushing the boat out to say that.  Weds got the key away goal which should have been waved off as a obvious foul from a freak cross.  Safe to say they run like god and Brighton run terrible.  Hughton does seem to be the wrong side of variance a lot in his career given he is clearly a very solid manager.

I was hoping they would be shorter than 11/8 and make them a good lay.

Hull are a strange team at the minute, they went from a team who didnt concede many, to a team who seem to be shipping a few.

Yes they beat Derby and Rotherham convincingly, but I like Wednesday at the minute, it seems to be falling into place for them. The game is too close to call for me, I dont see Hull smashing them all over.

I agree that 11/8 is about right. We are clearly underdogs.

I disagree about "Brighton destroyed them over 2 legs". To be frank that's total bollocks.

As a Wednesday fan, I feel I have a fairly balanced view of our flaws/weaknesses.

If you watched the game at Hillsborough, we were comfortably on top even when they had 11 men before any injuries, even Anthony admitted that we deserved to win that game (ignoring the injury issues). Brighton set up super defensively and got punished. We were without doubt the better team on the night.

Last night, Brighton were by far the better team, especially in the first 30 minutes. Wednesday killed the game in the second have with an excellent defensive,close the game out performance.

Did we ride our luck? On occasions yes we did, but 30 minutes out of 180 isn't destroying us.

It's great that we are the underdogs. The chairman and manager have quietly gone about their business this season, over performed, and on balanced given the last 20 horrendous years, I think we are perhaps due a bit of luck.

I'll take Hull dominating us in the final and us winning with a fluky own goal off a defenders backside.

Championship keeps on giving ! Would hate Derby to get promoted.

 Would be awesome if camel is right and the Derby money has run out to see them promoted.  They might sign savage again and finish with 11 points.

Jeez, last night was not a pleasant watch - what a shocking performance all over the park by us (Hull). Livermore's second half just about made up for his absolute howling first.

Looking forward to another Wembley day, always handy living in Milton Keynes for these occasions, a lot less effort/stress commuting. (Yes a Hull fan that comes and lives in Milton Keynes, bizarre).

Anyway - if we play like we did on Saturday, we'll walk it. Last night, lose 3/4 nil. We have been seriously inconsistent the last 6 months. We just need to ensure we get the ball on the ground, Huddlestone/Livermore are strong in the middle of the park and we get  wide to the likes of Elmo who can deliver a ridiculous costs.

We'll also need to make sure we can get the ball up to Abel.H - which did not happen whatsoever last night.

Just thought I'd have a quick look around this thread.  Had forgotten what it felt like to be part of it!

See you in August.

:D

Well done Sheriff, great result for you.

Impressive turn around in last 5 months.

This, I was amazed when I saw where you were at Crimbo, almost Leicester-esque in the turnaround.

Plus I'm glad Millwall will not be joining us next year.

Despite it being started whilst he was still in charge, the turnaround is undoubtedly a result of Lee Johnson leaving the club in February, and Heckingbottom being put in charge.  Never can having a manager being poached from you have been as beneficial to a football club.  We didn't even replace the missing body (Hecky stepped up from the U21 coaches role) until the end of the season, so we effectively did things with a man down.

If Johnson had stayed he'd have eventually tinkered us back into another downward spiral.  Players who were under-performing under him suddenly found confidence again and it slowly enabled us to gain momentum.  Almost throwing things away in the penultimate game against Colchester, when we conceded in the dying seconds to draw 2-2 against 10 men, provided the kick up the arse required and we've been fantastic in the games since then vs Wigan, Walsall (x2) and the anti-football, hoofball tactics adopted by Millwall.

Next season will undoubtedly be a battle against the odds to stay up, but I'll take that for every season I can get.  The key for us now is to retain Hourihane, Hammill, etc (we have a chance of this now that we can offer Championship football).  The John Stones transfer situation is also important as we have a 15% sell-on clause (that's the most-quoted figure, but no-one knows for sure) which will potentially break our incoming transfer record in itself.

Having abandoned all hope in the season at Christmas, it's miraculous to even be thinking about Championship football again in August, and I have the memory of two wins at Wembley this season too.

This season has been incredible in terms of footballing stories.  Leicester, Wimbledon, Burton Albion and Northampton Town are all remarkable stories in themselves.  Nothing will top the Leicester one, but Barnsley 2016 is another remarkable one to add to the list, even taking into account the obvious bias.

One man in one man out :)

What's happened to Wolves for them to be considered one of the favourites to go up? It wasn't long ago, they was being tipped as likely relegation candidates.

Potential buy out in the mix.  Change of ownership.  Follow Nick goff on twitter (head of football at Corals and big Wolves fan).  Most of the info is on there generally Wolves related.

Not long till it starts off again, I'd go against it it being ultra competitive this year, because it looks very likely the winner is going to be one from two. In fact, in my view, it looks like a three tiered league

Norwich
Newcastle

Wednesday
Derby
Brighton
Villa

Rest (where they all beat each other)

Not sure on Wigan/Wolves

My prediction:

Newcastle
Norwich
---------------
Derby
Wednesday
Cardiff
Brighton
---------------
Birmingham
Brentford
Leeds
Villa
QPR
Ipswich
Forest
Wolves
Bristol City
Wigan
Huddersfield Town
Reading
Fulham
Barnsley
Blackburn
-----------------
Preston
Rotherham
Burton

1 Newcastle
2 Norwich
---------------
3 Brighton
4 Wednesday
5 Villa
6 Bristol City
---------------
7 Wolves

21 Reading
-----------------
22 Birmingham
23 Rotherham
24 Burton

Pudil and Abdi signings confirmed.

Pudil a competent left back at this level.

Abdi seems like a top, top quality creative midfielder.

Add these to Fletcher at centre forward who should be excellent at this level which makes three great signings.

We need a quality centre half and we'll have a great base for a promotion push this season.

Will be tough though, you have to expect Norwich, Newcastle, Brighton, Derby, Villa and another surprise package to make it really competitive.

I think Brighton will be very interesting. They came from nowhere last year, but look as if they are going to lose a couple of their best players. Expecting us to be above them and potentially being a few places worse off than last season

came from nowhere? i think Brighton have been in the play offs 3 of the last 4 seasons?

To be fair they did go off amongst the dead men at 33-1 after a wretched 2014/2015.  I also think they are a risk of being back in midtable this season if they lose a couple of players (aren't Burnley sniffing around a few of their guys?)

This was Anthony's view at this time last year about Brighton.

Probably fair to say they over achieved his expectations.

I think Brighton will be top 6 comfortably this year.

And a fair view at that, Hyppia was probably the worst manager I have ever witnessed for us. After we sacked him, he took charge of a top swiss club and got them relegated. He should just give up.

Anyway, we don't really need to sign anyone this summer after bringing in sidwell and murray, just need our two centre backs to return from injury and hold onto our players and maybe bring a prem striker on loan. 3 bids for Stephens, all rejected, 2 bids for Dunk, both rejected and today a bid for Knockaert.

- Stephens bid around 5M, reckon we will let him go for around 6.5M as he has 1 year left
- Dunk bid was around 7M, reckon we will let him go for around 12-14M (keane was 15M and keane is no better)
- Knockaert bid was around 6M today, can't see us budging on anything under 15M. Best attacking midfielder in this division.

Sell one and all will follow.

Problem having the best CB, best CM, best winger in the league.

I enjoy it when fans say "we won't sell him for any less", then players says he wants to leave, club sells him for a lot less. Knockhart deffo going

No Jackett Required by new owners

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11699/10516986/wolves-terminate-contract-of-head-coach-kenny-jackett

Here's how it goes,

You turn down bid from us.

Knockeart realises Newcastle/Benitez want him, tells club he wants move.

Brighton end up accepting 10m.

Don't worry, will loan u some players next season 😜

Have I read it right that Wolvea are close to buying a single player for 20 million?  Is FFP just ignored now?

Pretty sure Tony Bloom doesn't care what Newcastle/Rafa Benitez/Anthony Knockaert wants. I could see that scenario happening if you were dealing with a club like Ipswich but Brighton's owner seems like the last man in the division likely to sell an asset for less than their actual value.

Indeed, we don't need to sell, have the second best team in the division but every player has his price.

We only paid £2m for Knockaert in January. We have plenty of strong wingers for this division, Murphy, skalak, lua lua, March. However knockaert is simply ridiculous, would be very very surprised if he left for a championship side. Newcastle likely to go straight back down too if they go up but money talks.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CoykRJaWAAAKGEc.jpg)

What a strange thing for a club owner at this level to do.

The Villa owner does come across as childish in his tweets.  I'm not fan of Holloway after his run ins with Watford down the year but I don't think you can call him a failed manager really.  Or failed player for that matter.

Local paper and SSN says we are close to clinching Pritchard. Last time a potential signing was in the public news it fell through last minute and Clayton joined Boro.

Fully expecting the same for this, if not, our first 11 is ridicously good.

Pritchard is a phenomenal player. Unlucky injury derailed him last season but he was unreal when he played for us (Brentford). If he's 90% of the player he was at GP, he'll still be a top 10 player in the league.

I wasn't that impressed with Knockaert. Seems like a bit of a show pony, all tricks, but vanished against Boro last game of the season when the pressure was on.

No way is he worth 15m. If you got a 10m bid, you should snap their hands off.

lol, 5 goals and 6 assists in 19 games from midfield suggests otherwise and being the highest scorers in 2016 after his arrival

Called it, agent wins again and he is off to Norwich. Weird as means Hoolahan will now be benched!

Hard to compete with parachute payments. Give's club coming down a big advantage.

Villa just paid £12 for McCormack. Is he really a £12m player?

Feels like a panic buy to me.

Two days to go.

Very much looking forward to it :)

its difficult to think in absolute valuations isn't it?

Villa have been taken over, have parachute payments and McCormack has a really goalscoring record

38 in 89 for a bad fulham side in 2.5 seasons

He's scored 130 goals in this division in 330 games over the last nine seasons

I think Gestede is a very promising player, and playing McCormack off him just feels like a good partnership..target man with poacher etc

i think it could be a very shrewd punt...not least because you stop norwich getting him and you think that behind newcaslte they are major threat

£12m is peanuts if he scores 20+ and they go straight back up and not the end of the world as a fee if they don't given the new owner's finances

All of this.

See also selling Ciaran Clark to Newcastle.

Yeah, we have players on around £20k so I am guessing Pritchard is being offered £25k or in that region. Hard to compete on players but I'm sure with one or two last minute additions we and sheff wed will be challenging top6.

£12m for Ross is a bit much considering he's 30 this month and will have no resale value, and I am guessing he's on 30plus a week. Villa have a player on £60k a week too (traore).

Don't personally think our transfers would be much different if parachute payments weren't about. Think Brighton and Norwich will be up there with us.

Chuffed with our transfers, gayle, Ritchie, Diame and Hayden all seem great buys.

Hanley and C. Clarke are abit whatever, but it's nice to have a squad and backup for once, haven't had backup defenders for years and always end up playing players out of positions.

Rafa just mentioned on radio we are still trying to bring one or two more in so that should be interesting, although he admitted he can't see Brighton letting knockeart go.

Looking forward to an exciting season, don't expect us to walk it as many do, the league isn't what it was in 2009 but fully expect us to be there or there abouts

Agree with all of this, I'd say Ritchie is the best signing, I was suprised he dropped down as he was very good at Bournemouth.

Ross McCormack now 8/1 fav to be 2016/7 Top Championship Goalscorer after completing his move

Grant Hanley will be your best signing and by a street

No nonsense knows the division like the back of his hand, tough strong and determined

I'm thinking for the future not just this season. Hanley has decent competition to even get in the team since Lascelles is Captain so he's a lock and Mbemba is a good Defender.

If Hanley does not start ahead of Mbemba id be amazed

Pretty confident Hanley won't be first team when everyone's fit and available. Mbemba will be off to African cup of nations in Jan or whenever it is so will start then

I know nothing about him tbf, just saying hes fighting for one spot from three, hope you are right and he a boss.

Championship is frustrating already ha.

Yea we didn't play well, janmaat, Anita, colback, dummett all terrible, and an unusual mistake from lascelles for the goal

Fulham have won their cup final for the season.

Are championship refs not full time ? One absolute stone Waller and another that gets given maybe 8/10.


Ahh well, makes for a more exciting season, roll on Huddersfields cup final next week

The "cup final" attitude is just a comfort blanket.  You were well beaten tonight.  I remember Derby used to sing "1-0 in your cup final" when they first came down.  8 years later they are still there.

I mean the foul was a clear red card early, last defender, has that rule changed?

He's fucking terrible on the ball and any centre half who is poor on the ball is really going to hurt a team that has the lion share of possession. One of biggest mistakes Roy made this summer was not playing Stones against weaker opposition. You need a confident centre back who can stride out of defence with the ball. Hanley just punts it long. Looked very poor. Mbemba streets better.

I agree Newcastle didn't get the rub of the green tonight but I thought overall Fulham looked more dangerous which is a worry.  They had more pace and inventiveness.  A draw was probably fair and the ref was poor.

It would take a brave ref to give a red card for the foul on Perez though.  You need to assume he is nailed on to control it for it to be a clear goal scoring chance?

Lol Newcastle. Fulham one of the poorest teams in the champ and stroll a 1-0. Turn up and win mentality is going to see them get turned over plenty.

I'm not sure, Fulham are not that poor. Made some good signings but will miss McCormack.

We played Fulham in a few weeks ago in a friendly and they destroyed us (I know it's only a friendly). Arrogance of Newcastle fans is just embarrassing. As I said before Benitez won't have a clue in this division but if they had Pearson or someone they would stroll it but not with Benitez.

Off to Derby now, shame we only have one centre back fit otherwise I'd be more confident, just glad the football is back.

Championship refs are full time for the first tiem this season

the "this is their cup final" attitude is quite arrogant really and really is a construct to make fans of the big club feel better when they underperform!". the team betrayed some arrogance too, not many leaders on the pitch when it really mattered

that said, on another night two penalties are given a couple of chances are taken and Newcastle win comfortably

Do you mean the arrogance of most of them on here saying they don't think it's going to be as easy as the media and bookies think ?

Seems pretty harsh as well to say Todds being arrogant here when he's just rinse repeating a line that was said both by a none Newcastle fan on here and again by the media.

Also, it's the 1st game of the season lol, gl trying to get more carried away that we lost one game.

Not so much a bite than a huge chomp!

Welcome to the Championship lads.

It has. Don't know if it affected the foul in question, I didn't see the game.

http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct.aspx

Q9: Why was the ‘triple punishment’ for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) offences changed for offences in the penalty area?
The main reason is that the award of a penalty kick effectively ‘restores’ the obvious goal-scoring opportunity that was denied by the foul. It was felt that a penalty, red card and suspension (the three/triple punishment) was too strong so the red card has become a caution (YC) but only for DOGSO offences which are an attempt to play the ball or challenge an opponent for the ball.

Q10: Is every DOGSO offence in the penalty now only a caution (YC)?
NO – the Law has only changed for those DOGSO offences in the penalty area where the offender makes an attempt to play the ball or challenge an opponent for the ball. The sending-off (RC) remains for: handball holding, pulling and pushing (as these offences are not an attempt to play the ball) making no attempt to play the ball e.g. a deliberate trip an offence when there was no chance/possibility of the ball being played.

Q11: Can a DOGSO offence outside the penalty area be punished with a caution (YC)? NO – unlike a penalty kick, a free kick is not an obvious chance to score a goal so it does not ‘restore’ the obvious goal-scoring opportunity that was denied by the offence - the disciplinary sanction for all DOGSO offences outside the penalty area remains a sending-off (RC). Q12: If a player commits a DOGSO offence punished by an indirect free kick (IDFK) in the penalty area what is the disciplinary sanction? The change relating to DOGSO offences is only when the referee awards a penalty kick. This is because the penalty kick effectively restores the lost obvious goal-scoring opportunity. As an IDFK does not restore the lost obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the sanction for any DOGSO offence resulting in an IDFK is a sending-off (RC).

Sounds like Forestieri refused to travel to Norwich for tea time kick off.

Looks like he's had his head turned by Newcastle or Derby.

Disappointing if he leaves but that's modern football.

Players hold all the power.

Hope I'm wrong but think we'll get beat now at Norwich. Very disruptive and Norwich are excellent.

I'll take that draw, we played very well second half. Could easily have won it.

What an idiot he is - although Lewis dunk this time last year did the same, refused to travel.

My call on Benitez not having a clue in the champ looks good so far.

We have to win in Tuesday - need to win all home games. Last season took us until February to win our first game by more than a one goal so hopefully no goal difference issues this time round.

Fabulous performance by the Reds today to get a fully deserved 2-0 win over Derby.

I think we'll be comfortably mid-table this season, based on the two games so far against teams who were around the play-offs last year.

after two games

Norwich favs for Championship

Norwich. 11/4
Newcastle. 3/1
Villa.7/1
Brighton. 8/1
Derby. 14/1
Sheff W 14/1
Wolves 16/1
Hudds 25/1

bet365

At this point it's really hard to judge the relative merits of each team. Brentford fans were doom and gloom last week after losing away to Huddersfield but after a home win against Ipswich and Udders turning over the Geordies away, that result doesn't seem so bad.

what a player, wish we'd never sold him

10 goals for, 0 goals conceded for Brighton so far

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqA4dxtXYAAv85a.jpg)

Absolutely this, & last night's results don't tell us much except that it's too early to draw firm conclusions.

Brighton certainly seem to have added more firepower this season and still rock solid at the back.

I went to the Amex last night. Was as one sided a game as you'll see in the Championship all season. Brighton looked very, very comfortable and Rotherham looked to have very little threat whatsoever. Wouldn't be surprised if they finished 1st and 24th respectively.

We haven't really added much 'extra' firepower this season. We added Skalak and Knockaert in January. We lost James Wilson and Bobby Zamora and only Murray has come in.

We were best team in the league last year IMO but we had a 6 week period with 6-7 first teamers out injured at the same time which screwed us (didn't happen to Burnley or Boro). I expected we would have a 'hangover' period but with CH in charge, probably why this hasn't happened. If we don't sell Dunk, Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal, in August or Jan, we should finally get top 2 however I predicted 4th at start of season as am factoring in a couple of players to go. Dunk and Knockaert are the best two players in this whole division. Also one of the young talents of the league is back in training who was our best winger up to when he got injured, Solly March - not sure how he can get into our squad when hes back? Stupid loan rule change means he can't even be loaned out for a couple of months.

And rock solid at the back is true but suprising - we have ONE fit centre back (18 year old on the bench and RB at CB) who has played this season, our two other centre backs Goldson and Hunemeier are out injured but Goldson back on bench for Newcastle game. We have played a dodgy Forest and Rotherham side, and a low on confidence Derby side. See how we do away to Reading and Newcastle and then I think we will see how this league will shape up.

Huddersfield are the suprise package for me - 3 tough games against 3 good sides and unbeaten.

We are after a number 10 but not many around, would love us to sign the Brentford guy in Jan but your chairman won't do any dealings with Bloom sadly.

I'm not sure how well Judge and Knockaert would combine to be honest. They fill a lot of the same spaces and both like to drift in from wide. I think if the price was right, Benham would do business with Bloom. Money matters at GP until we get the new ground and he doesn't strike me as stubborn enough to hold onto an asset purely for spite. That said, if Brentford were top 6, he might just play it out and hope for the best as per the Stephens and Kayal situation.

Fair enough.

You have a chance of top 6 top 6 too IMO. New manager over preseason has huge benefits.

Mario Balotelli now a 5/2 fav to go to Wolves before the transfer deadline. Quite incredible.

Closing in on Duffy, very odd considering he will cost over 4M. Rather we just kept our squad somehow and signed a number 10 style player.

Must mean one of Goldson or Dunk is off. We do only have three centre backs at the moment, others are under age of 20.

Signed now, if we can keep Dunk, we have 3 seriously good goal scoring centre backs.

Haha, nicely played

Big win for Wednesday earlier today.

Huddersfield look a good side, we contained them well.

Gets us in the mix after a quiet start to season where we haven't really got going.

We could give some teams a real spanking when it clicks. In mean time we are grinding out results.

Newcastle already won the league. Potentially a decent race on for second with Norwich & Brighton, hoping Wednesday are in that battle too, but can't see it and I'm amazed we are 5th so far, after some very "meh" performances.

I think the top 4 look extremely likely to be Newcastle, Norwich, Brighton & Wednesday. I'm disappointed we aren't looking better than Brighton after spending more than them. Not sure where other two play-off places will go? Huddersfield will drop out of it, but not sure if the problems at Villa & Derby will affect both teams' promotion bid.

Leeds, Bristol City might be around

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38251262?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_match_of_the_day&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport

Big loss

Bloom kept it together for another season rather than sell players

1 point off the top the financial "gamble" has a fair chance of coming off for him

I think you can accumulate up to £39m in losses over 3 years from 15/16 under rules?

sounds familiar. so logically its promotion this year or sell next year

Looks that way. All works fine when you go up.

I guess if 5/6/7 other ambitious clubs play the same game (the ones that don't have parachute payments) then some blood going to get spilt, if penalties are actually going to be applied.

We complied with FFP. Rejected bids for around £25 total for dunk, knockaert and Stephens.

They will be gone in the summer if we don't make it this season.

we have a very good chance of promotion this year, a lot of games to go though but for me it's only between Newcastle, Brighton, Leeds, Norwich, shef wed, Derby, Fulham, villa for the top 2. Reading and Birmingham not good enough and if Fulham or villa make it the points total will be far lower than last season.

We are not playing well these last three games though, but couple more players now back from injury (Lua Lua, Towell) and kayal and rosenoir back by end of December too.

Probs gonna have to spend money in January. Brighton gone soft every season when the pressure is on.

I'm not sure that is true. Last season they were unbeaten in their last 20 and won 8 of 10 in run in. Would have been promoted with their points total in 19 of the last 20 seasons. Not exactly soft.

13 clean sheets in 20. What's the all time record ? Soft.

I'm not sure that Brighton have any competition for the top two. You'll finish behind Newcastle, but all the teams behind really don't look capable. I thought we might have a squeak, but our manager seems to make a clueless clanger too often! Reading won't get too two, lucky to be top 6 and Leeds will be nowhere near. They'll drop away.

Newcastle
Brighton

Wednesday, Villa, Derby & Norwich in any order for play offs

No way do Brighton not get promoted this season

7 defeats in the last 68 league games. Some record considering everyone beats each other in this league.

Went to Leeds v Reading last night. What a pathetic side Reading are. How are they 3rd in the division.

I'd be astounded if Newcastle/Brighton don't finish top 2 from what I've seen in the last few weeks. It should be a 1/5 shot for the dual forecast, the 1/2 with Skybet is probably a bet. Such a gulf in quality between the top 2 and the rest. Brighton have gambled and its paid off and having 2 of the very best centre backs in the league helps.

But back to Reading last night, I don't get it? They played like I play on fifa vs my mates to wind them up when i'm winning. But they were losing!. Passing it round the back for minutes on end, taking 2 minutes to take a corner when 1-0 down, if this is Jaap Stam's total football then he can take it back to Holland for me, I didn't get it. They had 76% posession but wouldn't have scored if they were still playing now.

I like Leeds this season, I'm happy with the team for probably the first time since 2009. We have some top quality championship players (Jansson, Bartley, Pablo Hernandez, Chris Wood) and Haidi Sacko is the only really good black winger we've had in about 10 years and lord knows we've given enough of them a chance. Hes rapid but does have end product. The problem, as it often it for us, 4 of the 5 players I've named there are on loan!

We're so solid at the back now aswell, I can't believe Kyle Bartley doesn't get a game at Swansea ahead of Jordi Amat, hes been faultless all season.

So its Brighton and Newcastle up for me then any of Leeds, Sheff Wed, Norwich, Derby, Aston Villa for the 4 playoff spots. I suspect when all is said and done Norwich and Derby will defo be in there.

I'm reserving judgement for now on Reading (after last night), Huddersfield, Birmingham and Fulham for now. I have some doubts about them lasting the course.

This night belong to Jaap Stam’s Travelling Circus of Hypnosis and Mystery, eleven men’s attempt to lift the famous gypsy curse from Elland Road will their bedevilling voodoo football. From the ten minute mark, when Reading settled into the game, to the last minute, the awed crowds cried the same question aloud, over and over: What the hell are they doing?

‘Get a tackle in Leeds!’ yelled a frustrated voice in the Kop as Reading stroked the ball back and forth; but there was really no point, and the crowd soon cracked on to the game. Even before Chris Wood gave United the lead — he wellied a loose ball into the roof of the net, if you’re interested — Reading’s passes were already inspiring half-hearted olés from the South Stand. By the midway point of the second half, it was full on raucous laughter.

Even if Reading play like this every week, they won’t have had a more appreciative audience for their efforts. Every pass of every aimless, impotent, thirty-pass move, that took Reading ten yards forwards and back again, was oléd as if it was Revie’s Leeds themselves playing cruel keepball. A typical Reading ploy, moving the ball from inside Leeds’ half, via a dozen or so passes, back to their keeper, was cheered upon successful completion like a goal for United.

When Al Habsi, his options disappearing rapidly as Leeds marked his back four, eventually, after much indecisive to-ing and fro-ing, shanked the ball virtually onto Jaap Stam’s head, it felt like the roof was coming off. My personal highlight was when the left-back received the ball in Leeds’ half, deftly turned past Charlie Taylor and Stuart Dallas, then raced twenty-five yards along the wing back towards his own goal and passed to Al-Habsi. It was probably Reading’s best attack of the night.

Gary Rowett has been relived of his duties as manager of Birmingham  :o

Resigned or sacked?

going to be in huge demand, very up and coming manager.

If he was actually fired then this is a joke. We punched way above our weight with him in charge. Awful news...

Has to be non football related unless the club owners realise how much he run like god and knew it wasn't going to continue results wise like it has. 

Been reading the Birmingham forums & apparently sacked due to disagreements on January budget

he's got the club top six-ish at a time when the club had to cut costs. running well or not, thats a great achievement 

he's apparently been expecting £10m plus in Jan to kick the club on to the next stage

Chinese owners apparently have their eye on Zola

Rowett will walk into the next QPR-Wolves (the most recent vacancies) type opportunity that comes along

I'm gutted.

Agree. Next of the bigger/higher champ clubs who change managers should snap him up.

BBC reporting he's signed a 2.5 year contract

freeth at 365 tweeted 2/5 his next job will be in the championship.  15/8 EPL.  20/1 any other league.  Surely 2/5 is buying money?

He surely would be in the running for a crack at the Palace job?

Can't see any EPL possibly taking a chance on him at this moment in time.  Far too big a step dealing with guys earning more than £5k a week which is his only experience so far.

Horneris,

saw this and thought of you

Reading's pass map from tuesday night

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CzrCMyqWEAAsRkV.jpg)

Gary Rowett lge record at Birmingham

P99
W39
D32
L28

Previous 99 bcfc lge games before Rowett:
P99
W26
D30
L43

Absolutely massive.

Didn't deserve anything.

Two home games now....

Big result for Wednesday there.

For all their quality I thought Newcastle were disappointing. Constantly more concerned with getting free kicks.

And Ritchie's double dive in the penalty area was shambolic. How the fook do the officials not see that and book him?

Sheff wed were the better team, looked more dangerous and had the better chances. sheff wed were a bit negative with loads of unnecessary fouls especially on gayle nowhere near goal and it made the game a bit boring, especially as newcastle were gifting the ball if you just wait. Surprised they have a bad record against better teams as they look so dangerous on the break (we were lucky they had the mackem reject). Dont know why teams dont have more of a go at newcastle as they are wide open with one pass. Both keepers did their reps the world of good.

Not seen a lot of Newcastle but logically with the quality of your players, I would expect you to score more than you concede in an open attacking game.

The option of keeping things tight, frustrating you and hitting you on the break looks a sensible strategy as most teams just can't match you player for player.

I said it last week that I can see Wednesday struggling against Rotherham & beating Newcastle. It's just a shame that dodgy tactics previously have cost us any chance of the top two.

Another lucky win. We're very similar to burnley last year grinding out points but we have a little more flair than they did.

Fulham will win the league next season. Extremely good side.

Be interesting to see if any bids come in for any of our players, dunk is £17-20m IMO. Ridiculous how he's still not left us!

If we can somehow beat Preston away, would put us in good shape ahead of sheff w, newcastle (maybe rearranged) and Huddersfield games in the next month. We are 12/22 wins away from going up.

Can't remember if there are any Huddersfield fans on here?

Terriers have just got striker Collin Quaner from Union Berlin. He was on fire at the beginning of the German second division season before having a few niggling injuries. He is raw but I think he could do very well in the Championship.

Union have just got Seb Polter back from QPR. He never really seemed to make it work at Loftus Road? I think he is an excellent player and glad to have him back in Berlin...

Big game tonight, Brighton v Wednesday.

As a Wednesday fan, I would take a draw. Even though we have only conceded one goal in last seven games I fear the worst.

Incredible win. Wednesday are disgraceful. Hutchinson should been straight red at end, trying to ruin his career.

No strikers but we go marching on. Hopefully Bruno and baldock are back for the next game in hand v Cardiff at home.

Wow - disgraceful a bit harsh coming from a Brighton fan. You must forget the first half injury to be Hunt in the first half, that was an awful tackle. Not to mention the Elbow on Fletcher, who didn't handle it well

You're going up, but don't cold out with laughable bullshit

Lol, awful tackle? It wasn't even a free kick, won the ball fair and not recklessly.

Not seen a player as dirty as Hutchinson for a while completely tried to swipe out our player intentionally for the first goal too. Dis grace, would expect more from a player whose had rough time with injuries.

"Wednesday are disgraceful"

 rotflmfao

The only disgrace is us not winning the game after your red card.

Got to agree with anthony. The Hutchinson tackle was an absolute disgrace.

Really good game though. Reach and Winall were very good for Wednesday. But Brighton were absolutely different class until the penalty. Should have been 2 or 3 up.

Hutchinson has been our player of the season, he is an old fashioned no nonsense tackler.

The idea he is trying to end players careers is ridiculous.

Calling Wednesday a disgrace is laughable. We are probably one of the softest teams in the league in physical terms.

I think Anthony was a little emotional last night.

I was at the game last night. Atmosphere was a bit subdued first half but Brighton were comfortably the better side and Wednesday's goal was really their first threatening moment in the game. In the second half Wednesday upped their game pre penalty incident and really should have stuck one of their chances away but Pocognoli produced two sublime crosses from Brighton in the break, the second of which got the finishing touch it deserved.

Stuart Atwell did his best to make the game about him after half time as always but Brighton/Wednesday is a fixture with a bit of bad blood in it nowadays and you could see it boiling over at soon as the Brighton winner went in. It was inevitable there'd be another sending off at that point.

Sorry but all 3 of them challenges were wreckless. Five red cards and 35 yellows over 80ish games sums him up. Disgrace was meant for him not for the rest of the team, I don't mind Wednesday, much rather them get promoted over Leeds, derby and reading.

Atmosphere is a bit indeed a little poor at the Amex most of the time but when it gets going the atmosphere carries very well around the stadium.

It's the nature of his aggressive tackling style that he will get more bookings/sending offs than any other player in our team.

I've watched Wednesday for a long, long time and in the last 16 years I've seen us roll over and be soft touches more times than I care to remember. Its embarrassing how many teams have bullied us out of games. Its refreshing to have at least one player in Hutchinson who mixes things up, gives 110% when other are coasting.

Hutchinson would have played for Chelsea in Premier League if it wasn't for his knees. He is a top quality player.

Good luck to Brighton by the way, you deserve to go up.

Another 3 points for Wednesday, but once again, it wasn't pretty on the eye. I think we are the most fortunate team in the league this season, having played so average all season and still sit in the top 6 and could finish anywhere from 3rd-6th. I've looked at recent games and can see how fortunate we have been.

Rotherham (H) - A last minute penalty won us the game we didn't deserve to win.

Wolves (H) - Bore draw.

PNE (A) - A last minute equaliser.

Wigan (A) - 1-0 won, borefest, could have drawn it.

Birmingham (H) - A 3-0 win, but 100% not justified.

Blackburn (H) 2-1 win, another average performace.

I am not sure how what you can read into that.

I can't see much changing in the top 6. I think Newcastle & Brighton will stay in the top 2 and the teams in the play-offs as of now, will stay there. Thankfully even though we are playing very average, the other teams in the top 6 aren't great either.

You can read into it that we are winning games without playing well. You need to enjoy the ride Aaron and stop being some negative. A win is a win. Think we are second in the form table over last 10 games.

We have been defensively sound this season, it's going forward where it's not happened for us.

I'll be happy taking scraping 1-0 wins all season, keeping under the radar and coming good in the play offs.

We have Forestieri, Rhodes, Winnall, Fletcher and Hooper as potential strikers. Which other team has that depth of good quality centres forwards in this league?

I hope it's Reading, Huddersfield and dirty Leeds in the play offs with us. Fear Norwich might have a big part to play yet.

Time will tell.

Hi Richard - Not seen you in time, hope you are keeping well.

we are winning without playing great is a good point, but just imagine the reponse of the fans if we are sat a few positions down. It's the defence that has kept us up there this season, because without them we would be struggling to score more goals.

But the players we have, and our attacking intent is really lacking. The decisions by Carlos are baffling.

I dunno, I don't want to be negative, but I think we aren't far away from a bad run if our good luck doesn't continue.

I can't believe how bad Aston Villa. Awful.

That was such a huge turnaround in so many ways. I think the occasion got to the Brighton players, looked very nervous and panicked a lot. 4 points from next two and I can't see us slipping up

Brighton need to be big supporters of Newcastle now, they could do with them taking points off the other top 6 teams.

Goal of the season last night :)

Interesting situation in the Forest v Brighton game, the Brighton players were sure Britt headed the first goal from an offside position and wanted the officials to watch the big screen replay of the goal. Can officials use video playbacks though?

Nope, the ref and Lino were discussing it whilst a replay was being shown and weren't allowed to look up. The stadium announcer also announced Assombalonga as the goalscorer whilst the discussion was happening!

incredible scenes! Must our most lopsided score compared to possession etc this season tbh

Getting closer...if both Huddersfield and reading fail to win we are almost there.

Have Wigan and Bristol city at home to play..

if its Huddersfield, Reading, Leeds and one of Sheff Wed/Fulham

lets say huddersfield v sheff wed

reading v leeds

how do we price and what do we like in the play offs?

I hate to say it, but I think Leeds look like a strong unit.

Monk has them up for it.

Wednesday really haven't got going this season. We probably have the best squad on paper out of the four but we have been defensive and lacked creativity. It would feel very fortunate if we went up the s season.

Well done to Brighton. Deserve to go up.

Couldn't disagree more.

Leeds and Reading are very limited teams.

Huddersfield and whoever gets in from Fulham and Weds are clear favourites in my book.

When Fulham perform to their peak, they are the best team in the division. I'd definitely back them at 11/4 to win it.

As a Birmingham fan I'm starting to fear the worst, especially as we still have to play Bristol City and Burton. I'm just hoping we can pull out a win vs Rotherham and that will be enough if Blackburn don't get it together.

Dire season for the Blues. Such a terrible decision to sack Rowett and appoint Zola.

If you think Leeds and Reading are limited, then you mustn't know much about Wednesday. We are awful & don't let today's game against Newcastle make you think otherwise. However I really do think that we will win the play-offs if we end up in them, however it's a coin flip if we do.

Reading are not going to win the play-offs, they are not good enough. Huddersfield aren't great, in a sticky period, minor injury crisis I hear & are likely to play Weds/Fulham. We have beaten Huddersfield twice this season and been ok value for it.

Leeds v Wednesday/Fulham in final.

I've seen Fulham twice outplay Brighton but return zero points. No doubt they are excellent going forward and may be amongst the top 2 in terms of ball movement and attacking threat but defensively they are frail so I don't think we can say they are the best team in the division. Table tells the story here really. If they sort the defence out next season without loses Cairney or much of the threat in the opposition half, they'll be a knocking bet.

Can't see them keeping Cairney if they stay in the Championship.

Best player in the division.

I don't think Leeds have a great squad, fair from it, their strength is team spirit and a manager that has produced results way above expectations.

That spirit is worth a lot in football.