The main reason for being in the Premier League for three quarters of the teams in it is the money. Of course, there's also the chance to see the best teams in the land and occasionally beat them, but for the likes of Norwich, Wigan, Stoke, Fulham etc - or Southampton or Charlton - absolutely no chance of being champions, at least not without attracting a billionaire's investment.
So most Premier League teams are playing solely not to be relegated - yet at the same time knowing that in the long run relegation is inevitable. Because that season will surely come when for whatever reason things go wrong and they go down. Just as we did. Just as Wolves, Wigan or Bolton will this year. And while they're surviving in the Premier League, each game will be about playing it tight, not giving away goals, celebrating 0-0 draws, having one of the best teams in your entire history but winning nothing.
That is why the Championship is better for a team like ours (financial considerations aside). Best of all would be to become a yoyo team. You get the kudos (and money) of seasons in the Premier League coupled with the excitement and satisfaction of winning promotion every few years (you can quickly forget the relegations if you keep going back). I bet Sunderland or West Brom supporters, for instance, have had more good times over the last decade than, say, Spurs supporters. So I am looking forward to being back in the Championship more than I would be looking forward to a season in the Premier League. I am looking forward to the possibility of winning promotion, of winning the title, of knowing that we might just do it. But, after recent seasons, I'll definitely take mid table respectability for a year or two.
I think if the money is available we could hope to be challenging for a play off place. Not really sure how Norwich and Southampton managed to do it, but good luck to them. It is also noticeable that most clubs coming out of League 1 in recent years do well in the Championship. The most important thing going on as far as South London is concerned is the fact both Millwall and Palace seem to be on a downward spiral. I would imagine one, if not both of them will be fighting relegation next season. The wounds of the last few years will take a long time to fully heal. But a season of achievement in the Championship thumping the noisy neighbours and putting things back in the correct order will do for me.
The main reason for being in the Premier League for three quarters of the teams in it is the money. Of course, there's also the chance to see the best teams in the land and occasionally beat them, but for the likes of Norwich, Wigan, Stoke, Fulham etc - or Southampton or Charlton - absolutely no chance of being champions, at least not without attracting a billionaire's investment.
So most Premier League teams are playing solely not to be relegated - yet at the same time knowing that in the long run relegation is inevitable. Because that season will surely come when for whatever reason things go wrong and they go down. Just as we did. Just as Wolves, Wigan or Bolton will this year. And while they're surviving in the Premier League, each game will be about playing it tight, not giving away goals, celebrating 0-0 draws, having one of the best teams in your entire history but winning nothing.
That is why the Championship is better for a team like ours (financial considerations aside). Best of all would be to become a yoyo team. You get the kudos (and money) of seasons in the Premier League coupled with the excitement and satisfaction of winning promotion every few years (you can quickly forget the relegations if you keep going back). I bet Sunderland or West Brom supporters, for instance, have had more good times over the last decade than, say, Spurs supporters. So I am looking forward to being back in the Championship more than I would be looking forward to a season in the Premier League. I am looking forward to the possibility of winning promotion, of winning the title, of knowing that we might just do it. But, after recent seasons, I'll definitely take mid table respectability for a year or two.
Hi Bill ... I totally get your point, but I think everton might be a better example ... Spurs run in the champs league would have been incredible ...
I look at the bottom half of The Championship and genuinely believe this side could beat all of them. With a couple of additions we could really compete next year.
I'd like us to continue recruiting players who have something to prove (always worked for Curbs) from the lower leagues as well as one or two external additions. Look how well Norwich have done over the last two seasons. Lambert wasn't afraid to overhaul that team despite winning League One by a country mile.
I'd rather have hungry players, desperate to play in the Premier League and than players who are signign for a quick pay day. Dowie and Pardew tried that and look what happened.
Norwich signings:
Bennet- signed from Brighton Wilbraham - MK Dons Howson _ Leeds Pilkington - Huddersfield. Johnson - Leeds.
If we can mirror even a fraction of what Southampton and Norwich have achieved in the last two years then I'll be very happy. Having said that, I'll also be happy with finishing 4th bottom in The Championship next season
I look at the bottom half of The Championship and genuinely believe this side could beat all of them.
Likewise, every team in the championship would look at your team & reckon they could beat you.
It's a very tight league, as proven yet again by clubs down to 16th place still mathmatically able to get a play off spot.
Get off to a good start & the momentum carries you forward & vice versa. I wouldn't even say there are any really outstanding teams this year, what really does make a difference are those who have goalscorers who can get the points when they aren't playing that well.
It's the 2nd season which seems the hardest, we've done it twice now, come up & had a great first season, 2nd season for various reasons hasn't gone as well. But if we sign a couple of needed players there's no reason why we can't be going for a top half finish & hope to sneak into the play-offs....but it'll be all about starting the season well.
No reason why you couldn't take the momentum into next season coupled with a few shrewd signings & get off to a flyer and see where the season takes you. Likewise, you could get a tough start & confidence starts to drain and fans get on their backs and it becomes a fight.
I look at the bottom half of The Championship and genuinely believe this side could beat all of them.
Likewise, every team in the championship would look at your team & reckon they could beat you.
It's a very tight league, as proven yet again by clubs down to 16th place still mathmatically able to get a play off spot.
Get off to a good start & the momentum carries you forward & vice versa. I wouldn't even say there are any really outstanding teams this year, what really does make a difference are those who have goalscorers who can get the points when they aren't playing that well.
It's the 2nd season which seems the hardest, we've done it twice now, come up & had a great first season, 2nd season for various reasons hasn't gone as well. But if we sign a couple of needed players there's no reason why we can't be going for a top half finish & hope to sneak into the play-offs....but it'll be all about starting the season well.
No reason why you couldn't take the momentum into next season coupled with a few shrewd signings & get off to a flyer and see where the season takes you. Likewise, you could get a tough start & confidence starts to drain and fans get on their backs and it becomes a fight.
I think you're right there. There's a lot to be said for momentum in that league. Creative players really make the difference too. We always looked capable of winning any game with Andy Reid and as soon as we sold him without replacing him, we dropped like a stone.
To be fair to Pardew, many of his signings were 'hungry lower players, e.g. Varney (Crewe), McLeod (MKD), plus others like Semedo and Racon who were 'hungry young foreign players'.
Some make the leap, others don't. Mark Kinsella is a good example of a lower league player who became a star for us.
1. We should buy some young and exciting prospects to compliment our already good squad and add that little extra quality. We also need a goalscorer like Norwich (Holt) and Saints (Lambert) who will knock in 25-30 a season at Champ level - not a thing that is easy to do and often takes as much luck as judgement.
2, I think most fans would be delighted with mid table as they are more realistic than they were a few years ago. However, having met our Chairman i did not think he came across as a very patient man (only my opinion of course) and so would worry for Chris to an extent.
To be fair to Pardew, many of his signings were 'hungry lower players, e.g. Varney (Crewe), McLeod (MKD), plus others like Semedo and Racon who were 'hungry young foreign players'.
Some make the leap, others don't. Mark Kinsella is a good example of a lower league player who became a star for us.
lets not - Pardew just buttered up their egos to make them think that they were the finished article, and paid precious little attention to the coaching and team building that was necessary in order to make them better players. Did anyone notice how how Pardew's first action when Cisse scored his goals against Swansea was to turn to the crowd so that he could be saluted - the man makes me feel sick.
The commercial reality is that the Championship is not a league where it pays to stay around for a long time - my guess is that no serious investor would want to stay there for more than 2 seasons, 3 maximum.
Re Pardew, to be honest, lot of people were amazed when he got the boot from Saints. Then again, all sorts of stories started going around re him - best I don't go there and bring CL in to disrepute...
Re the Champ v Prem League argument, one thing that's not be mentioned, is how frustrating it is to see players switch off once they've hit the magical 40 points safety mark.
I recall Charlton players always went on holiday after Jan in the Prem League or was that my imagination...?
Did anyone notice how how Pardew's first action when Cisse scored his goals against Swansea was to turn to the crowd so that he could be saluted - the man makes me feel sick.
To be fair to Pardew, many of his signings were 'hungry lower players, e.g. Varney (Crewe), McLeod (MKD), plus others like Semedo and Racon who were 'hungry young foreign players'.
Some make the leap, others don't. Mark Kinsella is a good example of a lower league player who became a star for us.
lets not - Pardew just buttered up their egos to make them think that they were the finished article, and paid precious little attention to the coaching and team building that was necessary in order to make them better players. Did anyone notice how how Pardew's first action when Cisse scored his goals against Swansea was to turn to the crowd so that he could be saluted - the man makes me feel sick.
I doubt the Newcastle fans care a jot what Pardew's personality is like at the moment...
Incidentally, it's a curious coincidence that his previous 2 clubs lead their divisions (Cham and L1)
1. We should buy some young and exciting prospects to compliment our already good squad and add that little extra quality. We also need a goalscorer like Norwich (Holt) and Saints (Lambert) who will knock in 25-30 a season at Champ level - not a thing that is easy to do and often takes as much luck as judgement.
Easier said than done, we spent 3.5 million on 2 young and exciting goalscoring prospects (Varney and McLeod) and both flopped...
Comments
So most Premier League teams are playing solely not to be relegated - yet at the same time knowing that in the long run relegation is inevitable. Because that season will surely come when for whatever reason things go wrong and they go down. Just as we did. Just as Wolves, Wigan or Bolton will this year. And while they're surviving in the Premier League, each game will be about playing it tight, not giving away goals, celebrating 0-0 draws, having one of the best teams in your entire history but winning nothing.
That is why the Championship is better for a team like ours (financial considerations aside). Best of all would be to become a yoyo team. You get the kudos (and money) of seasons in the Premier League coupled with the excitement and satisfaction of winning promotion every few years (you can quickly forget the relegations if you keep going back). I bet Sunderland or West Brom supporters, for instance, have had more good times over the last decade than, say, Spurs supporters. So I am looking forward to being back in the Championship more than I would be looking forward to a season in the Premier League. I am looking forward to the possibility of winning promotion, of winning the title, of knowing that we might just do it. But, after recent seasons, I'll definitely take mid table respectability for a year or two.
what apart from screw the tax man and the good hard working folk of Sthampton
thumping the noisy neighbours and putting things back in the correct order will do for me.
I'd like us to continue recruiting players who have something to prove (always worked for Curbs) from the lower leagues as well as one or two external additions. Look how well Norwich have done over the last two seasons. Lambert wasn't afraid to overhaul that team despite winning League One by a country mile.
I'd rather have hungry players, desperate to play in the Premier League and than players who are signign for a quick pay day. Dowie and Pardew tried that and look what happened.
Norwich signings:
Bennet- signed from Brighton
Wilbraham - MK Dons
Howson _ Leeds
Pilkington - Huddersfield.
Johnson - Leeds.
If we can mirror even a fraction of what Southampton and Norwich have achieved in the last two years then I'll be very happy. Having said that, I'll also be happy with finishing 4th bottom in The Championship next season
It's a very tight league, as proven yet again by clubs down to 16th place still mathmatically able to get a play off spot.
Get off to a good start & the momentum carries you forward & vice versa. I wouldn't even say there are any really outstanding teams this year, what really does make a difference are those who have goalscorers who can get the points when they aren't playing that well.
It's the 2nd season which seems the hardest, we've done it twice now, come up & had a great first season, 2nd season for various reasons hasn't gone as well. But if we sign a couple of needed players there's no reason why we can't be going for a top half finish & hope to sneak into the play-offs....but it'll be all about starting the season well.
No reason why you couldn't take the momentum into next season coupled with a few shrewd signings & get off to a flyer and see where the season takes you. Likewise, you could get a tough start & confidence starts to drain and fans get on their backs and it becomes a fight.
Some make the leap, others don't. Mark Kinsella is a good example of a lower league player who became a star for us.
2, I think most fans would be delighted with mid table as they are more realistic than they were a few years ago. However, having met our Chairman i did not think he came across as a very patient man (only my opinion of course) and so would worry for Chris to an extent.
Re the Champ v Prem League argument, one thing that's not be mentioned, is how frustrating it is to see players switch off once they've hit the magical 40 points safety mark.
I recall Charlton players always went on holiday after Jan in the Prem League or was that my imagination...?
Incidentally, it's a curious coincidence that his previous 2 clubs lead their divisions (Cham and L1) Easier said than done, we spent 3.5 million on 2 young and exciting goalscoring prospects (Varney and McLeod) and both flopped...