The Championship this year

Just thinking about the state of Championship teams this year, I think it's still not looking as strong as it was a few years ago.

Of the three relegated teams, Fulham and West Brom will probably be really strong. Sheff Utd were in disarray so who knows how they'll do.
Of the strong finishers last year, Swansea have lost Ayew (a huge part of their success) and Hourihane.
Bournemouth have Parker as a manager, and he's unproven. If they keep hold of Danjuma etc they'll still do well though.
Reading have lost Olise and aren't spending money.
Cardiff and Boro are running out of parachute money, but have good managers so they'll be top half at least.

Derby are in trouble. QPR and Huddersfield aren't in good shape. Brum are usually stuck in the bottom half until they sack a manager. Stoke's team didn't look too strong last season. Things are improving for Coventry but they're not flush with cash.

Luton have signed loads of players, and who knows how that's going to work out.

Of the three promoted teams, it's only Hull who you can imagine throwing money about (although that's not what their owners have done previously, they've got a touch of the plastic about them). Peterborough are well run but not a big budget club.

Preston and Millwall? Forest?

There's not as many big money sharks in there this year. I think if we are good we've got a chance at another playoff run.

 

Forest and Fulham top two for me this season.

 

I think Sheff U will walk it, they have kept nearly all the squad from last season, they have parachute payments & a manager with a superb track record for getting teams promoted to the premier league , I also think one other from the two relegated clubs last season if not them both , it such an advantage coming down from the premier & into the championship , it is simply a massive advantage as Norwich & Watford proved last season .

 

West Brom - had a lot of loan players last season playing, would expect top 6 though
Fulham - should do OK as seem to have kept most of players, Mitrovic (?) could be key for them if he stays
Bournemouth, I think will do OK, again top 6, would be my outside bet for winners.
Reading think will struggle
Derby - Wazza moaning today saying not got one centre half and unless transfer embargo is lifted they can’t compete
QPR- mid table
Huddersfield - will struggle and expect to be bottom 4 or 5.
Stoke- bottom half
Millwall & Preston will be around top 10 again.
Sheff Utd - top 6
Promoted teams - expect all to be in bottom half with Birmingham again.

 

Can’t see Forest being up there TBH.
Owner has already said they are having a change in recruitment policy and wants to see more coming through the academy.
That says to me the appeal of DM was his experience of recruiting younger players

 

I think QPR could be dark the dark horses.
One things for sure though I think the gap between play offs & mid table & maybe lower will bd very tight!

 

West Brom will walk it.

We'll finish between 7th & 10th.

 

I will give my incredibly astute forecast after the window closes...

 

Mine too. One of the form teams in the final third of the season.

Don't get why anyone is predicting Forest to do well. They're in a financial pickle. Good to see they've finally realised that their recruitment strategy was all wrong, but it'll take a while before the change will start to bear fruit.

 

I agree, they went under the radar a bit in the 2nd half of last season. They seem to be looking to strengthen as well.

 

Sheff u for me, fulham had a lot of loans going back, think they'll struggle west brom will be up there, and so will we, (i hope)

 

The three relegated teams, plus Forest, Bournemouth, Swansea, Boro', with Millwall & us as dark horses.

 

Not sure about Fulham - wasn't that impressed when they last went up.
Thought Derby would struggle last year and I can't see this year being any different not sure Rooney will last long
Luton- lot of changes - will they all gell?

 

All speculation. I'd expect big Mick to be top half, but I think his squad is poor. Brum, I can't see being anything but lower half. QPR, I'm not sure, I could have added them to us & Millwall as dark horses in retrospect.

 

With our current recruitment or should I say lack of, think we’ll be hovering just above bottom 3

 

We’ll be Champions by Easter..

 

I really don't get that.

We have a strong team. Will need investment for serious top 6.

 

All the activity except Devante Cole who does nowt for me has been outgoing so currently we are weaker than last season!