|
|
Post by blackpoolred on Aug 3, 2018 22:25:17 GMT
We should do a Poll before the season starts - be interesting to look back at the end of the season to see just how knowledgeable we are/aren't  So where do we think we are going to finish this season. Hearing from our manager that there possibly will be 1 more signing at most before the window ends - so now a good time to start predicting: A. 1st-6th B. 7th-12th C. 13th-18th D. 19th-24th For me we have some good players for this division, but have no depth/quality to the squad, which could cost us. No quality defensive cover whatsoever, not a lot of creativity in midfield and relying on 1 man up front - who is already doubtful for Sunday. Last year unable to score and unable to defend, the friendlies have just been a continuation of that and have not done much to allay our fears - they are only friendlies though For me, a very poor window. We were never going to be able to address everything in 1 window, but have addressed very little - our manager has not managed to get most of his targets and already showing signs that he is a little frustrated. Based on this I will go for: C. 13th-18th We have some doom and gloom merchants on here and some who think we just have to turn up to win the title. Whatever you think put your money where your mouth is and let us know where were you think we are going to finish and if you can be arsed tell us why and give us your reasons for your prediction. We can then look back at the end of the season and ridicule those, hopefully me, for not having scooby So be brave and have a go and don't just berate people for not having the same opinion as you while not having an opinion(prediction) of your own |
|
|
|
Post by Pugsley on Aug 3, 2018 22:29:26 GMT
If we finish anything other than A then Rowett has to go. End of story.
I'll go for A
|
|
|
|
Post by Mint Berry Barks on Aug 3, 2018 22:31:48 GMT
If we don't finish between 1st and 6th then the club has massively failed.
This league is absolutely dross.
|
|
|
|
Post by boskampsflaps on Aug 3, 2018 22:33:05 GMT
If we finish anything other than A then Rowett has to go. End of story. I'll go for A You're giving him one season with a team that needs a complete overhaul, full of deadwood no one wants, thats a bit harsh. |
|
|
|
Post by cobhamstokey on Aug 3, 2018 22:35:14 GMT
We have a lot of quality but no depth and a lot of players who have a lot to prove but it’s impossible to call. I’ll go with A
|
|
|
|
Post by Pretty Little Boother on Aug 3, 2018 22:37:14 GMT
I'm hoping any opposing fans reading this don't think I'm being arrogant (but then again, I don't really care), but I think man-for-man in every position, there aren't many players I'd swap when you look at the equivalents in all the other teams.
Depending on confidence, man-management, formation, game-management and a shitfuckingtonne of luck with avoiding injuries and suspensions (given our weak cover), we'll get automatic promotion.
A lot of ifs in there, I know, along with the battle-of-attrition bigger that is the Championship, but I've got to keep the faith at this point, as we all have. We All, fans and players and management, need to strike a balance between not shitting it, believing in ourselves, and not being cocky.
We should be irresistibly strong if we're clever.
|
|
|
|
Post by claytonscrubs on Aug 3, 2018 22:46:13 GMT
A.... We’ll finish 5th, and beat Boro 1-0 in the play-off final.... I can feel it in my bones 🙂
|
|
|
|
Post by hanibal7 on Aug 3, 2018 23:24:22 GMT
Not a clue, most clubs haven't even got their teams sorted
|
|
|
|
Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Aug 3, 2018 23:36:34 GMT
1st to 5th, so A.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gods on Aug 3, 2018 23:56:56 GMT
I reckon we are 33% automatic promo, 33% play-offs and 33% missing out altogether.
It will all depend on which way a few small things go at the margins, its on a knife edge.
We need to concentrate and play intelligently, run hard and hope lady luck is on our side.
|
|
|
|
Post by duckling on Aug 4, 2018 0:11:18 GMT
When does the Championship table start to take its final shape? In the Premier League you have a rough idea of the table before a single ball is kicked. Not so in the Championship. I think (but am not sure) that the last two years it was pretty clear early on who the promotion contenders were, but the year before that had twists and turns in the second half of the season.
|
|
|
|
Post by darksideofthemoon on Aug 4, 2018 4:12:14 GMT
After watching Reading vs. Derby, I'd say we'll be right up there.....but football is a funny game, innit? However, despite it being VERY early, I'm still going to vote " A"  |
|
|
|
Post by stokefaninde on Aug 4, 2018 4:29:28 GMT
I think its been a great window so far, especially considering we dropped a division. We gained two proven scorers at this level, including Afobe who is odds on favorite to score the most goals in the league by many. We gained Etebo who many feel would have been sold to a Premier League club for a larger fee had he moved clubs after the World Cup, a grinder in Maclean, a proven CB in Williams (albeit past his prime) and so far kept a number of players most felt were going to be sold to Premier League clubs. Keeping Allen, Ndiaye and Butland alone made for a strong start. Voting A. The only people who think placing top 6 won't happen seem to be a few disenchanted Stoke fans.
|
|
|
|
Post by theresonly1hudson on Aug 4, 2018 6:24:23 GMT
a; simple has that
|
|
|
|
Post by stokeykez on Aug 4, 2018 6:39:20 GMT
We are going to finish 5th
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2018 6:43:44 GMT
A.
|
|
|
|
Post by loosestools on Aug 4, 2018 6:52:50 GMT
It has to be A*. Anything below this is not an option.
|
|
|
|
Post by banksisgod on Aug 4, 2018 6:53:23 GMT
Ask me at the end of August.
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul Spencer on Aug 4, 2018 6:57:28 GMT
If we finish anything other than A then Rowett has to go. End of story. I'll go for A You're giving him one season with a team that needs a complete overhaul, full of deadwood no one wants, thats a bit harsh. If the manager of the team who are the biggest spenders on transfers and by far the biggest spenders on salaries, can't get that side to finish in the top six, then I think that will be seen as a spectacular failure and it wouldn't be harsh at all if he was replaced. |
|
|
|
Post by Fred Ferret on Aug 4, 2018 7:14:51 GMT
You're giving him one season with a team that needs a complete overhaul, full of deadwood no one wants, thats a bit harsh. If the manager of the team who are the biggest spenders on transfers and by far the biggest spenders on salaries, can't get that side to finish in the top six, then I think that will be seen as a spectacular failure and it wouldn't be harsh at all if he was replaced. Difficult to argue with that, although Rowett has a major mentality challenge and he is charged with a rebuild: both may take some time to evolve. For me, I would want to see what the performance trend was in the second half of the season. |
|
|
|
Post by biglad180 on Aug 4, 2018 8:12:45 GMT
if we keep the squad we have we should be champions no excuses. don't think anyone as a better squad in the championship. but players must give there all.
|
|
|
|
Post by dobcool on Aug 4, 2018 8:16:24 GMT
A.
Got to be optimistic. Anything below A will be a disappointment and we will lose our best players as a result, making next season harder than this one.
|
|
|
|
Post by magliarosa on Aug 4, 2018 8:20:23 GMT
A)
I work with a lot of Brummie fans and they all tell me we have by far the best manager in the league. I think with another striker in this window we will be pushing top 3.
|
|
|
|
Post by chigstoke on Aug 4, 2018 8:23:18 GMT
if we keep the squad we have we should be champions no excuses. don't think anyone as a better squad in the championship. but players must give there all. It doesn't matter if you have the best squad if the players don't apply themselves correctly. On paper we had the best team we'd ever had 2 seasons ago under Hughes, but the cracks already started to show. I think we'll definitely do it, admittedly I'd like another striker in as well, because I sure as fuck do not trust Diouf or Berahino to score goals for us if Afobe ends up out. |
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Aug 4, 2018 8:33:50 GMT
Definitely A.
|
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Aug 4, 2018 8:34:38 GMT
if we keep the squad we have we should be champions no excuses. don't think anyone as a better squad in the championship. but players must give there all. It doesn't matter if you have the best squad if the players don't apply themselves correctly. On paper we had the best team we'd ever had 2 seasons ago under Hughes, but the cracks already started to show. I think we'll definitely do it, admittedly I'd like another striker in as well, because I sure as fuck do not trust Diouf or Berahino to score goals for us if Afobe ends up out. Good job we now have a manager who gets the right application form his players then. |
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Aug 4, 2018 8:35:11 GMT
11th but it should be top 6.
|
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Aug 4, 2018 8:36:55 GMT
Got to be A.
It's not a perfect squad, and it may not be a perfect squad after the window.
But every single other manager in the league would trade for it.
|
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Aug 4, 2018 8:38:33 GMT
The level of ineptitude required for this squad not to get top 6 would be off the charts.
Rowett seems competent, so I really can't envisage that scenario.
|
|
|
|
Post by crapslinger on Aug 4, 2018 8:41:45 GMT
On paper it has to be A, as we have seen very little pre season it still has to be A, if not it's a massive failure.
|
|
