Standard of Championship this season

AFKABartram

Early days still, but does anyone else think the general standard of the Championship seems to have gone up a notch this season?

Seen others scoff, but thought Watford were strong, as were others like Norwich, Derby, Forest, Boro etc

Gonna be a tough, but I think enjoyable league this season.

ShootersHillGuru

Agree. I think it's as strong now as it's ever been. Getting out of this league is going to be very tough or get lucky like Palace did.

Norwich and Forest look to me to be the two picks but there are five or six more with very good shouts. Watford and Derby the pick of them. A top 8 finish for us would be incredible.

ValleyGary

Have you got a case of the Paulies this morning Afka??

BansteadAddick

I think it will start to sort itself out soon. For example I was not that surprised to see Brighton lose to Brentford yesterday. Teams will soon find themselves stuck in a section of the table like we did the bottom six last season. Ten games in is a good marker and if we can stay in the top 10 then hopefully we remain top half all season. A lot teams have spent a lot of money, even us if €3m Igor is true. It will be an enjoyable ride. I notice there were no songs re promotion yesterday whereas in the days of Curbishley/Gritt a good start always lead to optimistic chants. Perhaps we are more realists now but if we are still top 6 come January...

bolloxbolder

Apart from Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds and potentially Bolton and Fulham, I do not see any other "weak" teams.

Atletico Addick

Norwich have upped the quality a fair shade due to the money they've been allowed to pump in, but then Fulham on the other hand have done the complete opposite. It'll always be a good quality league, Watford looked no better than they did last season, we just gave them the entire second half to attack us, seemingly unwillingly, which let them play some good stuff and test our keeper.

nth_london_addick

Forest don't seem anything on the basis of this match and derby it's easy to see how we beat them

se9addick

I think the three teams that came up from L1 are a class above Barnsley, Yeovil and Donny. Our squad from last season would have gone down this season I would think.

Mendonca In Asdas

I know plenty will disagree with me , but we will be doing exceptionally well if we are in the top 6 by Christmas imo, not saying it can't or won't be done , but theres not much wriggle room for loss of form , inconsistenancy , or complacency.

JonnyK

No not necessarily stronger but top and bottom (Pool and Fulham excepted) maybe closer than last term where there was a large gulf between the haves and have nots.

Lincsaddick

Agreed AFKA .. I've seen quite a few games so far and have yet to see a dud .. ball in play for much longer than of yore, stricter/better refereeing, players more willing to listen to refs, skill and fitness levels have improved, defenders more willing to play rather than hack out of trouble, the huge influx of foreigners into the Prem has meant a filtering down of good talent into the Champ, good playing surfaces, owners more insistent on good entertainment, managers and coaches being more innovative .. LONG may it last

Sillybilly

May be something to do with the pitch or the fact that we've played three of what I expect to be the top sides so far, but the general standard of football is considerably above most of the chuff I watched last season. proof of the pudding will be when we play some of the poorer sides and we need to be on the front foot and its hosing it down with rain.