Championship Chat 2014-15 Season

[Evilpengwinz]

2 Barnsley fans.

Is that some sort of record?

FYP

[aaron1867]

Are you sure you are close to a very good championship side? All the players I mentioned came from teams who was unwanted by teams that finished just above you or below you. Jennings could be very good though, not a clue about m'voto though, it's not in my view a team that will be again much clear of the drop zone for another season. The positives are that you don't start the season with hill though!

As things stand though, 2/1 top SY team doesn't look bad compared to our quietness

[Sheriff Fatman]

We've strengthened a squad that had top 6 form over the 2nd half of last season since Flitcroft took charge.

Most of our signings were to re-sign all the out of contract players such as Steele and Crainie.  Every one we offered a new contract to signed, which says a lot about the management team, plus making O'Grady permanent.

Saw last night that we're 6/1 to finish in the top half.  Will be having a dabble on that as we're going to surprise a few people this season and I expect the margins between 8th-17th ish to be really tight again this year.

Flicker wants one more striker for the squad (McLean from Hull looks the most likely at the moment).  With that we'd have as good a squad as any reasonable BFC fan could expect us to have to begin the season, plus a management team who are genuinely inspiring to listen to.

Saw Jennings for the first time last night.  Very skillful and looks like he'll be a other playmaker reminiscent of Butterfield's role a couple of years ago.

The needle is definitely pointing upwards.

[TightEnd]

Sheriff

We were chatting on TfT

Barnsley 12-1 Top Yorkshire side

Leeds 4/5 then Wed, Donny, hudds at 9/2 up. Middlesborough not included in mostmarkets

Barnsley the outsider

Obviously you need Leeds to be worse than expectations, but the rest look much of a muchness, and Barnsley look value

thoughts?

[DungBeetle]

Sporting Index season points are out - I'm quoting mid prices.

QPR favs (75.5)
Watford/Reading second (73)

Forest/Leicester look a sell to me (69.5)
Bournemouth look a sell (63)
Blackburn look a buy (62.5)
Barnsley look a buy (52.5)


http://www.sportingindex.com/spread-betting/football-domestic/championship/m4184804_1/championship-points-2013-2014

Happy to do a few trades with people if they have any views.  We can sort out margining arrangements.  Happy to do very small trades if people are new to spreadbetting.

[Sheriff Fatman]

Sheriff

We were chatting on TfT

Barnsley 12-1 Top Yorkshire side

Leeds 4/5 then Wed, Donny, hudds at 9/2 up. Middlesborough not included in mostmarkets

Barnsley the outsider

Obviously you need Leeds to be worse than expectations, but the rest look much of a muchness, and Barnsley look value

thoughts?

12/1 looks huge, on first sight.  Definitely value, even with the rose-tinted specs.

I think we were 15/8 on the top South Yorkshire team market I looked at yesterday, so this price is basically driven by Leeds and Huddersfield.  Of the two, I'd be more concerned about Huddersfield being the spoiler, as they've invested well over the summer, IMO, and Robins is a good manager.

I really like the Top Half bet at 6/1 though, and we have +30 points on the handicap list, which are my other markets of choice.

Basically, the bookies (unsurprisingly) appear not to have given any credence to the post-Flitcroft improvment last season and we're in our usual place of top 3 relegation favourites.  I think you can find value around us generally, as we have, if anything, strengthened in a division where FFP will adversely impact quite a few teams compared to last season.  Rather than the usual optimism based on hope, the facts show that this squad (largely) under this manager last season were a top 6 side over 20-odds games.  If you remove the exceptional impact of the relegation dogfight last year, then I still think we're a team capable of making the top 12 at least to the extent where 6/1 is value.

[anthonyl]

Agustein agent says he's joined us. Great signing.

Four more signings this week are rumoured to be happening.

[davids2s]

Are you sure you are close to a very good championship side? All the players I mentioned came from teams who was unwanted by teams that finished just above you or below you. Jennings could be very good though, not a clue about m'voto though, it's not in my view a team that will be again much clear of the drop zone for another season. The positives are that you don't start the season with hill though!

As things stand though, 2/1 top SY team doesn't look bad compared to our quietness

'Very strong championship squad' might have been a poor choice of words as it suggests I think we're a top six team. I should have said something like a solid championship squad. Imo this years squad should comfortabley avoid relegation and I wouldnt be surprised with a mid table finish.

[DungBeetle]

Went to Watford v Granada today - purred like a Rolls Royce in a 2-0 win.

Very "after you sir" style pre season friendly though as both teams not wanting to injure the player pool so not sure how much can be read into how much time everyone had on the ball.

[anthonyl]

Spanish Dave re joins us, turned down Forest. Good lad.

[RyG]

Incredibly disappointing to be a Wednesday fan at the moment, we've made no moves whatsoever. If it wasn't for two weak sides in Yeovil and Donny coming up, then is be very worried about our chances.

We need strikers & quick.

I struggle to understand Barnsley signings though. COG is very 'meh', Nyatanga wasn't overly wanted by the faithful at Bristol City & Cofie made no impression at League One level.

COG is far from 'meh'.His form was outstanding in the second half of the season. Nyatanga didnt do too well last year but he was solid when on loan with us from Stoke. Coife wont be starting for us, he's one for the development squad. We've also signed Jennings who could be class and a big unit of a defender today who I dont know much about. We've kept all the players we wanted from last year. We're one striker short of a very good championship squad.

I have so much faith in Dave Flitcroft. The bloke installs confidence in the fans and players. There's been some exciting changes at board level too. Any Barnsley fan will tell you its the most optimistic we've been since our return to the championship. Cue 0-6 drubbing to Wigan on opening day.

2 Barnsley fans on one forum.

Is that some sort of record?

Three

[pokerfan]

Jonathan Hogg any good ?

Formerly Watford.

[luther101]

Jonathan Hogg any good ?

Formerly Watford.

Will do a decent job for you - Zola's signed players from a 'different planet' to replace the likes of JH recently.

[aaron1867]

I didn't even realise that the season started on Saturday, this close season has gone very quickly. I'm not even excited to be honest, weird.

[DungBeetle]

Jonathan Hogg any good ?

Formerly Watford.

Hard working, puts himself about a bit and reasonably skillful.  Good motor on him.  An above average Championship central midfielder.  Zola didn't want to sell him, but Hogg wanted a move up North so we decided to let him go.

Good signing for Huddersfield (not sure how much they paid for him, but probably a £500k player)