The Championship 2008-09 .... even more competitive?

[robbo1]

So, we've got Derby, B'ham & Reading coming down - all 3 should have money to spend (although Derby reckon they've spent their parachute payment already). Swansea, Forest and ANO coming up.
It's going to be one hell of a dog-fight next season!

[Puggit]

You can count Watford out - AB's tactics have been well and truly found out and he's signed a bunch of no-hopers to replace Young, King and Bouazza. We'll be also-rans if we're lucky

[Legend83]

I'm a Swans fan, and hoping we do a Bristol City next season! I reckon we have a good chance of staying up as we play nice football (not really League One football) and have a talented squad. Just need to hold onto our good players and buy some pace.

[Mello]

robbo1 said:

...Derby reckon they've spent their parachute payment already...

Blimey! What have they spent it on? Certainly not players...

Also, remember QPR are now loaded, so they will be challenging (I also expect Palace to be up there too, but we'll see how tonight goes first).

[tricky69]

I expect the losing team in the playoff final to have a good pool of money to get going.... If Palace can't get through this year, i expect them to be very high next season as long as we can hong on to our players

[skylinecrazy]

wolves will be up there, as they probably have the strongest young squad ( I'm not bias)

Edited by skylinecrazy on Tuesday 13th May 20:04

[Puggit]

skylinecrazy said:

wolves will be up there, as they probably have the strongest young squad ( I'm not bias)

Edited by skylinecrazy on Tuesday 13th May 20:04

Nahhh - 7th again

[skylinecrazy]

Puggit said:

skylinecrazy said:

wolves will be up there, as they probably have the strongest young squad ( I'm not bias)

Edited by skylinecrazy on Tuesday 13th May 20:04

Nahhh - 7th again

they better not be bloody 7th...

[Puggit]

Looks like Palace will be in the mix too

[dickymint]

YEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on you Robins. What a great game that was. I hate cider but bin oniit all night

Strange as it it seems but - Come on Cardiff make my week


PS. Thank you Swansea for giving us Trundle

[Legend83]

dickymint said:

YEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on you Robins. What a great game that was. I hate cider but bin oniit all night

Strange as it it seems but - Come on Cardiff make my week


PS. Thank you Swansea for giving us Trundle

A pleasure - looks like he has justified his £1m fee in one game! Shame he has not had a good season, he really is a talented player.

[hornetrider]

He was always a bit, ah, rotund when he played for the Swans but I think when you have the skills you can get away with that in League 2/1.

Stepping up to the Championship it was clear he was carrying too many pounds but to be fair to him it looks like he's worked hard on that to get back into the 1st team - he's certainly looking more svelte these days.

[steve z]

hornetrider said:

He was always a bit, ah, rotund when he played for the Swans but I think when you have the skills you can get away with that in League 2/1.

Stepping up to the Championship it was clear he was carrying too many pounds but to be fair to him it looks like he's worked hard on that to get back into the 1st team - he's certainly looking more svelte these days.

Very true..still not convinced he is Championship class though as I think he needs that extra split second on the ball to set himself.

Was sat in front of Roberto Martinez last night and he was dead chuffed for him. We thanked him a lot!!!!!

[hornetrider]

Quality!

Saw footage of Warnock applauding the Bristol fans behind the dugout about a minute from time and they all stood up and gave him the universal coffee shaker sign! Too funny!

[dickymint]

I've never been a fan of the "away goal" rule. But how come it doesn't apply in the play-offs?

[hornetrider]

I think they've changed it recently dicky, maybe even for this year? Could be wrong mind!

[IainT]

hornetrider said:

I think they've changed it recently dicky, maybe even for this year? Could be wrong mind!

Changed in 2000 IIRC to prevent either team having advantage by playing away second and having, in essence, and extra 30 minutes to score the away goal.

[Knick Pee]

if Ipswich can sort out their away form, then we'll be up there also.

[dickymint]

I really hope that Hull will be promoted...........next year!

[Logie]

I like to see Cardiff turn more of those draws into wins which would put us in the Playoffs. Will be interesting to play Swansea again after them being in the Unibond leagues for so long