Championship chat 2017-18

[NoCardDSC]

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.

[Sheriff Fatman]

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.

[RickBFA]

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.

Well done Sheriff, great result for you.

Impressive turn around in last 5 months.

[DaveShoelace]

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.

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.

[Sheriff Fatman]

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.

[NoCardDSC]

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.

One man in one man out

[aaron1867]

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.

[arbboy]

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.

[arbboy]

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.  Given the fact lolarols are stupidly clear bottom price Wolves i would imagine it will probably be going through.

[aaron1867]

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

[rinswun]

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

[anthonyl]

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

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

[RickBFA]

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.

[aaron1867]

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

[TightEnd]

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