fans on here, Phil Chapple and then Parky himself. Why not? Ok, we have lost Norwich and Leeds, two big teams, and to a lesser extent Millwall. However, they are being replaced by a few sides whom I expect to do well. Of those coming down Plymouth have appointed a decent manager in Reid and they are going to let him invest to get back 1st time, Sheff Weds are a big club, have a decent Manager and already had some good players and have added some very decent signings already, about six in all, and look a strong squad to me. Peterborough have a very good manager in Johnson, will likely hold onto their better players and I believe will be there or thereabouts. Coming up I think we only need be worried about Notts County. A decent squad to which they have already added Ben Burgess, whom I would have been happy to see here, and already have Lee Hughes (let's not go there) who despite being a murderer knows where the goal is. Despite not having much cash I understand they are trying to strengthen and will be play-off contenders.
From last years teams. Southampton will come top two. Brighton seem prepared to give it a go and Poyet has already added a couple of decent signings. Expect a top six finish. Brentford I think will do very well. They ended the season in excellant form, have already added a couple of decent signings and will improve on last season, challenging for the play-offs. Bristol Rovers too have added a couple of decent signings and probably under achieved last season. Expect a play-off challenge. Huddersfield are only going to be stronger and I see them challenging for the top two. Swindon may have lost Paynter but I reckon will hold onto Austin and will be in the play-off shakedown.
I don't see it as being weaker than last season, in fact I see it as being even more competitive. I just hope that Chappell and Parky arn't underestimating the task ahead of them.
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Unsure about Notts County as they still have financial issues whilst Swindon have also lost two of their better players in Simon Ferry and Danny Ward aswell as Paynter so think they will be like us and weaker unless they can again use the loan market well and hope Austin was not a 1 hit wonder.
This reminds me of when we went down in 2007 and the Champ was very competitive, lots of teams more than capable of promotion but in the end Stoke and Hull who were not fancied at all got up to the Prem. Think our best hope is that Pardew lives up to his reputation at Saints whilst the teams coming down have a relegation hangover and the new bosses fail to live up to their reputations. Somehow cannot see it though.
My early prediction for the top 6 based on signings/managers/players/potential and last season is:
1- Sheff Wed
2- Southampton
3- Peterboro
4- Huddersfield
5- Surprise package eg Brighton/Brentford
6- Plymouth
Ourselves and Swindon are very similarly matched imho, we both need to replace the players that have left soon and need to keep hold of our better players- Austin/Semedo for example.
I think what some are getting at, including Chapple, is perhaps there won't be a top 6 all going for automatic promotion.
Who knows though, our season depends on the signings we make, and the players we keep. Never know what might happen, someone else might be taken over, or an unexpected team might bring in a few good players and have a great season.
without doubt these are the worst footballing times since we entered league football , no matter how it's dressed up
I think we willhave a competitive first team but will struggle with squad depth and unlike previous seasons will not be able to afford to bring in loan covers
As it stands, Southampton will walk it.
You are probably right but the Pardew hubris factor may yet come into play and they could self-destruct with our hero blaming everyone but himself.
1984? We were all but dead then!
1984? We were all but dead then![/quote]
yes but there was no internet around to talk about it so it feels a lot worse
he said in footballing terms, ie on the pitch. Be the first time I'll see the Club in the third tier for two consecutive seasons.
1984? We were all but dead then![/quote]
he said in footballing terms, ie on the pitch. Be the first time I'll see the Club in the third tier for two consecutive seasons.[/quote]
We didn't gom straight back up before , did we or were you too young then?
exactly ... b4 my time we spent 3 seasons 72/3 ,73/4 & got promoted 74/5 from the third tier ... can't see us getting up in the next two seasons
And we were wrong.
even though I saw my first game in 1972 by 1975 I was still only 11 and my Dad used to work Saturday's. Think it was the following season when I started going week-in and week-out.
My little girl has her first season ticket and absolutely loves football at the moment.
It's all about the day out...
1. Southampton
2. Peterborough
3.Charlton
4.Huddersfield
5.Brighton
6.Wednesday
no way would you ever have been negative , no way no way .....
I think we play Notts County at home in September mate. Away in Feb.
B*ll*cks....just checked that out, yep you are right....that'll teach me to listen to my mate!
Came in just after Pardew joined.
Impossible to say who recommended we signed the likes of McLeod, Moutaouakil, Fleetwood etc. In the end surely the manager makes the decisions. Parky kept Chapple as Chief Scout and has made better signings than Pardew. Perhaps the scouts working with Chapple are completely different than the ones that were here with Pardew. Or maybe it's down to what Parky wants in a player, on and off the pitch.
Still got either Liverpool (Tranmere) or Exeter in september. Think im gonna get liverpool done.