Championship/L1/L2 & Conference - 2016/17

patmac

Time to start a new thread on this. The championship is going to be tough with Newcastle favourites under Benitez, Leeds, Derby, Norwich, Villa plus Wolves with their new Chinese owners will all be challenging. Division one have Sheffield United as favourites but they were also favourites last year so no guarantee to get promoted.
Pompey and Forest Green are the other favourites but these divisions could be very tight.
Anyone got any inside information regarding foreign Investors?

Harry Palmr

Wolves thing is intriguing, they have been strongly linked with the Benfica wingers Anderson Talisca and Helder Costa, plus Ivan Cavaleiro of Monaco. It's got the whiff of Venke style Blackburn to my nose.

Kiwi_knock

Hard to see past the three relegated teams going straight back up, they all seem relatively stable on and off the pitch at the moment. Most teams have a shot at the playoffs.

If Birmingham could bring in a new RB, LB, LM, and CF they could hopefully push on this year and challenge.

Kiwi_knock

Overhaul at Wolves continues with Kenny Jackett sacked. Risky decision with a week to the start of the season but it didn't seem like he had any role in the transfers.

Zaph

Cellino has actually spent some money this summer, but Leeds still need a couple more players to have a solid enough squad to challenge for a playoff spot. However the news today is that allegedly there's a Chinese consortium interested in buyi8ng the club, with a deal possibly being completed before the end of the transfer window. It being Leeds, I'll only believe it when I see it happen, but if it does it could give the club some proper financial clout to mount a proper challenge this season.

Can't see Leeds doing anything with Cellino. Think Monk will have enough to keep them in mid table, but with that owner can't see anything except the usual circus.

Zaph

Deleted User wrote: »

Can't see Leeds doing anything with Cellino. Think Monk will have enough to keep them in mid table, but with that owner can't see anything except the usual circus.

I agree, the only way the club is going to progress is if he sells up. If there's any truth to the Chinese consortium rumour then that might offer the club the best chance of success in the immediate future.

Kiwi_knock

Wolves have acted quick, Walter Zenga is the new head coach. A huge gamble.

Harry Palmr

Well that was expected, Walter Zenga was linked with Soton recently, and Leeds Utd. Exciting time for "the Dingles" :pac:

CSF

Sacking your highly successful manager a week before the season starts is always a recipe for success.

Harry Palmr

Jackett? Half the faithful would have chased him out of Molineux! They were treading water at best and he also stood over the sale of Richard Stearman, Benik Afobe and release of Bakary Sako last summer - that really used up a lot of good will.

CSF

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Jackett? Half the faithful would have chased him out of Molineux! They were treading water at best and he also stood over the sale of Richard Stearman, Benik Afobe and release of Bakary Sako last summer - that really used up a lot of good will.

Didn't he get them promoted followed by a 7th place finish? Those sales are on the old board anyway.

SantryRed

CSF wrote: »

Sacking your highly successful manager a week before the season starts is always a recipe for success.

I know. Watford agree

EDIT: In all seriouness, they want their own man. Seems like some risk though

Kobe248

Jackett getting sacked is the least surprising move ever

The Spanish manager was supposed to take over

No shock they kept shopping

I think Wolves can go up this season with Newcastle and Villa

pavb2

Think Wolves would have had a better chance of going up with Steve Bruce.

Berserker

Fulham are looking like a much improved outfit in pre-season. Jokanovic seems to have ironed out their issues at the back. If they can keep McCormack or find a suitable replacement if he goes then they could be a good outside bet for a top six place.

Harry Palmr

Rafa out! :pac:

Bret Hart

Keep it up Rafa

Kiwi_knock

Only saw the second half but it was a pretty entertaining half. Still think Newcastle will walk the division, they got in decent positions just missing the final killer ball.

I like the look of Ayite, makes things happen. And the right back Odoi it is hard to tell he is either very good or completely useless who gets lucky every so often.

Bleating Lamb

Five mins till league action back,always have a soft spot for Notts Forest but they always flatter to deceive.....good few Irish players lining out in Championship starting 11's today which is good to see.

fuzzydunlop85

Is the football league show still on channel 5 this year?

CSF

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

Is the football league show still on channel 5 this year?

Yeah, seriously annoying for Irish. Sky do one at some stage in the week right?

Harry Palmr

Norwich off to a flyer 0-3 already

Johner

Burton winning 2-1.

Johner

Johner wrote: »

Burton winning 2-1.

Losing 3-2 now.

Mushy

Forrester with two so far, his first game as captain.

Berserker

CSF wrote: »

Yeah, seriously annoying for Irish. Sky do one at some stage in the week right?

Can we get Channel 5 on the 'Other Chnls' menu on Sky?

Unearthly

Rob Green is such a poor keeper

Berserker

Aston Villa get on the board with a good win. Newcastle lose 1-2 at home to Huddersfield. Bad start to championship life for Rafa and Newcastle.

Mushy

Forrestieri hasn't shown up for Sheffield Wednesday!

acquiescefc

Mushy wrote: »

Forrestieri hasn't shown up for Sheffield Wednesday!

Hes not the Messiah, hes a very naughty boy.

Agents have done this, hope he realises the stupidity in his actions now hes declared his allegiance, although not strictly apologised. Hat trick against Leeds and hes forgiven.

diusmr8a504cvk

Figured this would be the best place to ask, haven't heard a word about Richie Towell since he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion with the exception of people being critical of his first game for them in the Play-Off Semi-Final. From what I can see he hasn't made many more appearances since then so could anyone give me the lowdown on him at the moment?

earlytobed

Noel Nervous Shovel wrote: »

Figured this would be the best place to ask, haven't heard a word about Richie Towell since he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion with the exception of people being critical of his first game for them in the Play-Off Semi-Final. From what I can see he hasn't made many more appearances since then so could anyone give me the lowdown on him at the moment?

I suspect he may be injured, hasn't featured in any of the games, including the League Cup game v Colchester

Bret Hart

Shane Duffy with his 4th goal in 3 games tonight,unfortunately for him 3 of them have been own goals.

retalivity

And he was red carded late on too!!!

rodge68

retalivity wrote: »

And he was red carded late on too!!!

Jeez what a night..
Good win for The Rams last night, badly needed...

Berserker

retalivity wrote: »

And he was red carded late on too!!!

The Cardiff fans booed the referee when he booked Duffy.

Kiwi_knock

Duffy wants out of the club, so have to wonder if some of that was deliberate, the sending off in particular.

Bret Hart

Since the red,Shane got v France at the euros,his summer has gone from bad to worse.

callaway92

No talk about Ched Evans here. 4 goals in 3 games! Some going after being out of football for so long. Natural talent obviously. It's interesting how there really has been nothing in the media about his start to the season, which makes sense I suppose.

Johner

Great win for Burton the other night at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Hopefully Burton's form at the Pirelli this season will see them stay up. They've shown already they have goals in them at this level but they need to tighten up the defence. They haven't looked out of place so far.

Johner

Cracking start for Burton here, deserved lead.

Harry Palmr

Derby really are pants so far this season.

Agent Coulson

Great result for Burton winning their first ever derby match with Derby.

Paully D

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Derby really are pants so far this season.

Pearson is a very overrated manager. His bully boy tactics don't work with the modern day footballer.

CSF

How did Villa not beat this Derby team?

rodge68

Luckily I missed the Derby game, I heard 'we' were attrocious..i teally thought Pearson would male a difference...it's so frustrating being a Derby fan...agh

Berserker

rodge68 wrote: »

Luckily I missed the Derby game, I heard 'we' were attrocious..i teally thought Pearson would male a difference...it's so frustrating being a Derby fan...agh

I think he needs time to be fair to him. I think you'll be top six by the end of the season.

fuzzydunlop85

Did they just say on commentary Tottenham are playing their home games at Wembley for the champions league? Why is that?

Kiwi_knock

Another important win for Birmingham against a promotion rival. Seems like we have changed to a more attacking system which is good news.

Berserker

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

Did they just say on commentary Tottenham are playing their home games at Wembley for the champions league? Why is that?

The move relates to the capacity of WHL. Part of WHL has been knocked down due to the building of your new stadium, from what I have read.