8/1 doesn't seem great odds at all for us to go up & Wednesday down... There has been some tosh in championship this season, probably be same next year
Reds 11/1 to win the league with Bet365, but 100/30 'To be promoted' is the better bet (also with Mrs Coates). But how about 9/4 Derby 'To be promoted' (BetVictor)? Warney sure knows how to escape this division, and he's buoyed by the highest average attendances in this league.
I'm not convinced Wednesday will struggle as much as most people do. They'll undoubtedly strengthen, and permitting they don't sack Moore (which is a big if) I think they've got the right coach in charge. That league is stronger this season, but there's some clubs in a right old mess down the bottom end. I can see QPR, Birmingham, Cardiff and Huddersfield struggling again. Rotherham don't have the budget to vastly improve. I don't think Plymouth will adapt to the level as well as Wednesday and Ipswich. And whilst over the 3 games we played Wednesday, we were comfortably the better side, I don't think 3 local derbies are the best barometer on which to judge a side.
I don't expect Wednesday to struggle at all.....sadly. They'll have the finance to strengthen in the right areas I'd imagine and should be comfortably clear of relegation in lower mid-table. I'd love to be wrong though.
Skybet have us at 5/1 for promotion (or at least they did when I looked yesterday). I'm not convinced by Derby again. Their recruitment last summer on paper looked good, but when you dig deep into it, they went for a handful of big names for the level, when really they needed to add numbers. Squad depth was a real issue for them, and I'm not sure whether they'll learn their lesson. Warne might know the division well, but if they get 2 or 3 injuries to key players, they'll begin to drop points again. As things stand at the minute, if you consider that all out of contract players won't sign new deals, and all loanees return to their parent club, I think we'd be favourites for promotion. A lot will change before the start of the season though.
If Warney isn't top of the league by October he'll be up the road. They won't put up with another failing season
Didnt Derby only start the season with 5 pro players though? Dont particularly think they had the luxury of picking quantity. Or was it Bolton? I forget!
I honestly think Ipswich will finish in the Play Offs, Plymouth just outside, Wednesday will struggle.
Yeah Derby. I don't think I articulated it very well, but that's my point. I think they got the go ahead about a fortnight before the season started to recruit. Rather than going out and signing the 15-20 league 1 players they needed, they tried to sign 5-10 championship players. I can see them doing something similar this summer, presuming they're still under some sort of transfer restrictions (which I'm led to believe they are).
BFC are 11/4 for promotion with Skynobet - if you can get a bet on with them. I'd be with Denise at 100/30!
I also fancy Ipswich for the playoffs. Plymouth and Wednesday - it'll depend on how they strengthen, as their current sides would struggle. Personally I think they're both likely to end up in lower mid-table but should have enough to stay out of serious trouble. Cardiff and Birmingham quite likely to drop in my opinion. Huddersfield also need to get their managerial appointment spot on.