First and Second?

[Monsieur Le Plonk]

So 7 games in and ticking along nicely. Let's look ahead.

Predict which two teams are going to go up without the FAFF of the play-offs this season

 

[Change at Barnham]

Middlesbrough and Burnley

 

[Bold Seagull]

Lot of football to play. Bournemouth were 15th at this stage last season, W2 D2 L3. Anything can happen. Would think M'Boro will be in there, but it's a dog fight between everyone else.

 

[sdmartin1]

This division is impossible to predict especially at this stage, one or two injuries could scupper any sides chances. But you'd have to say Middlesbrough seem to have quality players pouring out of their ears. Adomah can only make the bench for them? Scary stuff.

 

[wallyback]

****ing hell! Let's get carried away hey! 5 points clear with an excellent squad. Boro and bhafc promotion celebration party last game of the season

 

[surrey jim]

Middlesbrough and one other,

 

[*Gullsworth*]

Agreed Boro the stand out side and then anyone from halfway ish! That includes us but to stay in that position all season is a huge ask.

 

[Monsieur Le Plonk]

I can't really see past Middlesbrough and Derby

 

[Goldstone1976]

Middlesbrough and one other,

This. There are about 6 teams for the "one other" spot; one of them is us.

 

[MattBackHome]

Nailed on Boro and Derby

 

[Simster]

There is no way this division is all about who will finish behind Middlesbrough FFS. They're obviously a good side, but there are a fair few good sides knocking about. I'd say Middlesbrough were nailed-on to finish in the top six, but that's about it as far as guarantees go.

Never mind the Albion and Derby, look at Hull, Burnley, Reading, Fulham and QPR - all of whom have recent Premier league experience and/or parachute payments.

 

[Icy Gull]

Not bothered about the other team but there is always the surprise package, I believe that is us this season, although we have shown our hand very early. Having said that haven't we been top in September for three of the last five seasons??

Boro, Derby or Burnley for the other auto spot.

 

[Marshy]

Hull and Burnley

 

[northernseagull]

Boro are last seasons Derby for me... best squad but the wheels will fall off. I would have an outsider make the grade, possibly Birmingham. I also feel we've got the tools this this year to give it an almighty shot. Our bench this year is arguably better than under Poyet. All will be clearer at Christmas but for now I'm fairly confident we will be there or there abouts.

 

[OzMike]

If we get 9 points clear, big if! then we can afford to drop the odd point here an there and keep a strangle hold on 1st or 2nd position.
Still think we will make 5th or 6th though, in reality.

 

[Machiavelli]

Not bothered about the other team but there is always the surprise package, I believe that is us this season, although we have shown our hand very early. Having said that haven't we been top in September for three of the last five seasons??

Boro, Derby or Burnley for the other auto spot.

Positively oozing optimism Icy. At what point did you think we'd be in the top two?

My boy, the mrs and I always do season predictions, which we did before the Hull game. They both went for fourth, I went for eighth. I now think we'll make the play-offs.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Albion, and I don't care but reckon Hull.


I still think we are a striker light, but maybe Elvis is that man, or maybe we'll get someone to fill the #21 shirt in January.

 

[Icy Gull]

Positively oozing optimism Icy. At what point did you think we'd be in the top two?

My boy, the mrs and I always do season predictions, which we did before the Hull game. They both went for fourth, I went for eighth. I now think we'll make the play-offs.

After we beat Hull I realised that this was probably not a flash in the pan. I am still somewhat nervous about my prediction and reserve the right to change my mind once we have played one of the division's REAL big boys (money splashers, being Boro, Derby and Boro)

 

[Notters]

Never mind the Albion and Derby, look at Hull, Burnley, Reading, Fulham and QPR - all of whom have recent Premier league experience and/or parachute payments.

You make a good point, but I think (as we're showing so far) it's more about the team than the individuals, which is why teams that haven't spent top dollar often still end up getting promoted.

 

[dwayne]

Middleborough blew it last year. Since then they have bought in Nugent (good but nothing special , definitely overpaid) , downing (very good signing at this level) and de Peña who is unproven. I'm not quite understanding the level of hype around them.

As I said before the hull game, they have the most expensive squad in the championship. They spent around 40 million a couple of seasons ago and have kept most of the players. Also spent around 7 million in the summer. Silly numbers for the championship.