The Championship - the most competitive league in the world?

[Buzzer]

I reckon so and I think all those Premier League pundits that think that Villa and Newcastle are going to walk away with this league are starting to understand too. Realistically any one of maybe 16 or 17 sides have a good claim on making the play-offs and probably up to 10 who could win it. The parachute payments no doubt skew the chances but even taking that into account I struggle to think of another league at this standard of football that is so open.

It's one reason why I wasn't completely distraught at us not getting promoted last year, it guarantees an unpredictable and exciting season.

 

[The Camel]

I reckon so and I think all those Premier League pundits that think that Villa and Newcastle are going to walk away with this league are starting to understand too. Realistically any one of maybe 16 or 17 sides have a good claim on making the play-offs and probably up to 10 who could win it. The parachute payments no doubt skew the chances but even taking that into account I struggle to think of another league at this standard of football that is so open.

It's one reason why I wasn't completely distraught at us not getting promoted last year, it guarantees an unpredictable and exciting season.

It is wide open, but no where near 16 or 17 sides have realistic chances of making the making the playoffs.

Newcastle
Norwich
Derby
Brighton
QPR
Villa
Sheff Weds
Wolves
Possibly Fulham and Huddersfield.

I'd be very surprised if the top 6 don't come from those 10 teams

 

[spence]

I reckon so and I think all those Premier League pundits that think that Villa and Newcastle are going to walk away with this league are starting to understand too. Realistically any one of maybe 16 or 17 sides have a good claim on making the play-offs and probably up to 10 who could win it. The parachute payments no doubt skew the chances but even taking that into account I struggle to think of another league at this standard of football that is so open.

It's one reason why I wasn't completely distraught at us not getting promoted last year, it guarantees an unpredictable and exciting season.

Sorry i was totally gutted not going up last year.

 

[Buzzer]

It is wide open, but no where near 16 or 17 sides have realistic chances of making the making the playoffs.

Newcastle
Norwich
Derby
Brighton
QPR
Villa
Sheff Weds
Wolves
Possibly Fulham and Huddersfield.

I'd be very surprised if the top 6 don't come from those 10 teams

I'd add Ipswich, Forest, Reading to that list and dark horses Birmingham and Cardiff too.

 

[spence]

Brighton
Norwich
Newcastle
Derby
Ipswich
Wednesday

These will the top 6 but not in that order. The rest will be adrift.

 

[The Camel]

I'd add Ipswich, Forest, Reading to that list and dark horses Birmingham and Cardiff too.

I hope not, I've backed Forest to be relegated!

Reading have got so many new players, it's got to be a season of rebuilding surely.

Ipswich are always hard to beat, but got to think they haven't got the quality of some the frontrunners.

 

[Superphil]

I'd add Ipswich, Forest, Reading to that list and dark horses Birmingham and Cardiff too.

Don't forget Leeds

 

[The Camel]

Don't forget Leeds

Leeds will be nearer the bottom 3 than the top 6.

Cellini will probably be manager by Easter.

 

[Buzzer]

Don't forget Leeds

In all seriousness, I don't know what Leeds will do so I left them out. If their chairmen continues as he has done then they are doomed to another season of mid-table mediocrity but they have the potential for sure.

 

[Buzzer]

I hope not, I've backed Forest to be relegated!

Reading have got so many new players, it's got to be a season of rebuilding surely.

Ipswich are always hard to beat, but got to think they haven't got the quality of some the frontrunners.

All fair points. Regards Reading, I think Brighton are an example of a squad that rebuilt and challenged for a top place very quickly. You're right with Ipswich but they do have Mick McCarthy who has shown that he can still put together a very tidy team capable of promotion.

 

[OzMike]

Last season was our best chance and I think that there will be a change of some player changes soon.
Top 6 this season I recon as seasons like last year don't come round that often.
Could be wrong though.

 

[El Sid]

Brighton
Norwich
Newcastle
Derby
Ipswich
Wednesday

These will the top 6 but not in that order. The rest will be adrift.

I expect two of these teams will have a new manager by Christmas.

 

[Dick Head]

Last season knocked my socks off after Hyypia's effort. I can't see it this year but I'm still dreaming.

 

[Gwylan]

I'd add Ipswich, Forest, Reading to that list and dark horses Birmingham and Cardiff too.

I'd certainly add Brentford and possibly Preston - although they're darkest of dark horses

 

[Icy Gull]

I'd also add Bristol City.

If the club didn't need the money that promotion brings I'd be very happy to stay in this division year after year.

 

[clippedgull]

If the club didn't need the money that promotion brings I'd be very happy to stay in this division year after year.

Not me, I want the best that our team can be and that means playing against some of the worlds biggest teams and players, week after week. Yes, we may struggle and even yo yo for a couple of seasons but ultimately I want to be an established Premier League team.

 

[Notters]

Not me, I want the best that our team can be and that means playing against some of the worlds biggest teams and players, week after week. Yes, we may struggle and even yo yo for a couple of seasons but ultimately I want to be an established Premier League team.

Probably more big teams in the Championship these days!

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

I hope not, I've backed Forest to be relegated!

Best hope they sell Lansbury and Assombalonga then.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Reading have got so many new players, it's got to be a season of rebuilding surely.

Didn't we rebuild at the beginning of last season and look where it got us ?

 

[The Camel]

Best hope they sell Lansbury and Assombalonga then.

I think they will.

Looks like their nutcase owner has decided to stop pumping money into the club and everyone is available.