Our Championship fears.....

[The_Green_Man]

I know we aren't there yet however we all keep saying how the Championship is somewhat of an unknown quantity for us due to our absence since the 2010 / 2011 season. I suppose the main shift that is blatantly apparent to us all is the financial shift?

As I on here and a caller on POG at the weekend have both pointed out, back in our Championship days when we splashed out a massive £4m on James Beattie, this was seen as an ambitious signing....the average cost of a Championship football could arguably have trebled since we last kicked a ball in that league....This thought alone is quite daunting.

However................................

Has the Championship changed all that much? Other than finances is it really that different to when we last played in it?

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Demographics.....

If statistics are to be believed then there have been a couple of interesting "Demographic Shifts" in Championship squads.

- Statistics suggest that the average age has shifted from 23/24, up to nearer 26/27......With teams opting for proven, tried and tested experience as opposed to young loanees from the top flight.

- The amount of foreign players in the Championship is also surprisingly said to have drastically reduced as well. When we last played in that league, it was said to host somewhat 530+ players of foreign nationality. This is now said to be down to about 350.

..............................................................................................................................................................................

But how about on the pitch?..........

I won't go into the ins and outs in full however take a look at the following links as they might take the edge off of our worries a little bit in regards to what is going on pitch wise.

Things are pretty much exactly the same statistically on the pitch as when we last played in that league. From points totals to win percentages home and away, goals scored and conceded per game, and everything else.

http://tipsterarea.com/statistics/england/championship/2010-2011

http://tipsterarea.com/statistics/england/championship

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Whilst financially it may be a little more expensive to be competitive, it appears that the standard of football is still pretty much as competitive as it was back in 2010 / 2011.....Anybody can anybody in that league and despite our extended absence, I don't think we should fear it overly too much as long as we have the right amount of backing.

Quite interesting really....but then again i'm a saddo.

 

[boo radley]

Are you Ollessendro in disguise?

 

[RammyBlade]

I think a good example of what can be done is Barnsley who went up via the play offs after being bottom at xmas and have held their own and maybe if they hadnt sold their 3 best players could have been challenging for the play offs. Things havent changed since last season have they ? Preston also have held their own and been strong since they went up a couple of years ago. Burton might survive or go down but they all have considerably less resources than we have so who really thinks we will struggle next year (apart from our porcine neighbours )

 

[Bladesman]

Well we should have no worries because the prince is gonna start spending that cash when we get promoted.

 

[Berlin Blade]

Basically, the prices of the players has quadrupled in The Championship, but the standard of the players abilities is pretty much the same. Sky Sports keep saying that the players abilities have also quadrupled in The Championship, but they would say that, because that's pretty much all they've got TV rights to these days. Gotta sell the product.

I'm not scared of anything in that league.

 

[The_Green_Man]

Well we should have no worries because the prince is gonna start spending that cash when we get promoted.

I don't think Wilder would throw ridiculous sums at individual players, he places too much emphasis on keeping a team unit..

One of the key contributing factors behind the success of our team this year is that there is no " i " what so ever.......Each and every player respect one and other, have confidence in one and other and play for one and other.

I now see a real benefit in this and throwing money at luxury players might be an option later down the line but in the first instance, I would prefer for him to continue to create a team with this emphasis, because evidently it works.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

There must be a few players that are playing in Lg 1 right now that could flourish in the Champs given the chance,Wilder knows how to blend individuals into a team,he's going to relish the challenge.

 

[Stretch]

Nothing to worry about up there, nothing at all. Don't believe the Pig's theory that it has suddenly become some kind of super league, they are just bricking the prospect of a Wilder led Blades team shoving it to them next season.

That isn't to say that we won't need some investment, every promoted team does regardless of the levels involved. Time for HRH to finally step up, if we go up, no excuses now.

The defence will need looking at, and the forward line but the midfield won't need much imo. 4 permanent signings and a couple of decent loans should see us reyt.

 

[PokerBlade]

We have some advantages in this division that we won't in the one above. First is that even with cuts we've continued to have one of the largest budgets for this level. For a team like Shrewsbury the idea of blowing a couple of million now and again on a fullback is pure fantasy. In the Championship, even if we front the money to compete, we won't be as far ahead as we are now.

The other is our ability to attract players. Let's say a player is a free agent and available for wages all clubs can afford. Not to pick on them too much, but what do Shrewsbury do to convince him to sign for them over us? Players will want to play in front of the bigger crowds, train at the better facilities, and be at a club equipped to push forward. Again, in the Championship we'd be competitive relative to other clubs, but we aren't so clearly the obvious choice compared to the likes of Villa.

Let's face it, some of the players that are stars for us at this level aren't going to cut it in the Championship. Some will surprise us by doing better than expected, and some by doing worse. Happens to every team that goes up. That means we'll need important additions to the squad and, when we're competing with clubs with as much sway as us, that's going to be tough.

That's why it'll be a big jump and a shock to the system in some ways, but none of that is reason to be pessimistic. We've been up there for long enough before. Our revenue will go up, we'll have some financial backing from our owners, we have a good manager, and we have a few players that are likely to thrive.

 

[bornablade]

The most important asset we'll be taking into the Championship is Chris Wilder's work ethic and his style of play which is embraced by all at the club. If it's not taken on board by any member of the team then they are shown the door.

I wonder how many of those chosen for that League One team of the year would improve us. This is where Wilder and Knill maybe looking to recruit for next season.

Wilder's work ethic has worked in non-league, league 2 and now in league1. There is no reason to suggest he can't make it work in the Championship. And beyond? Well let's enjoy the journey and wait and see.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

DESSO. That is all.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I know we aren't there yet however we all keep saying how the Championship is somewhat of an unknown quantity for us due to our absence since the 2010 / 2011 season. I suppose the main shift that is blatantly apparent to us all is the financial shift?

As I on here and a caller on POG at the weekend have both pointed out, back in our Championship days when we splashed out a massive £4m on James Beattie, this was seen as an ambitious signing....the average cost of a Championship football could arguably have trebled since we last kicked a ball in that league....This thought alone is quite daunting.

However................................

Has the Championship changed all that much? Other than finances is it really that different to when we last played in it?

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Demographics.....

If statistics are to be believed then there have been a couple of interesting "Demographic Shifts" in Championship squads.

- Statistics suggest that the average age has shifted from 23/24, up to nearer 26/27......With teams opting for proven, tried and tested experience as opposed to young loanees from the top flight.

- The amount of foreign players in the Championship is also surprisingly said to have drastically reduced as well. When we last played in that league, it was said to host somewhat 530+ players of foreign nationality. This is now said to be down to about 350.

..............................................................................................................................................................................

But how about on the pitch?..........

I won't go into the ins and outs in full however take a look at the following links as they might take the edge off of our worries a little bit in regards to what is going on pitch wise.

Things are pretty much exactly the same statistically on the pitch as when we last played in that league. From points totals to win percentages home and away, goals scored and conceded per game, and everything else.

http://tipsterarea.com/statistics/england/championship/2010-2011

http://tipsterarea.com/statistics/england/championship

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Whilst financially it may be a little more expensive to be competitive, it appears that the standard of football is still pretty much as competitive as it was back in 2010 / 2011.....Anybody can anybody in that league and despite our extended absence, I don't think we should fear it overly too much as long as we have the right amount of backing.

Quite interesting really....but then again i'm a saddo.

Can we get there first?

 

[Hodgesleftpeg]

Basically, the prices of the players has quadrupled in The Championship, but the standard of the players abilities is pretty much the same. Sky Sports keep saying that the players abilities have also quadrupled in The Championship, but they would say that, because that's pretty much all they've got TV rights to these days. Gotta sell the product.

I'm not scared of anything in that league.

Have Sky lost the 126 live Premier League matches a season then?

 

[JordoBlade]

As Wilder mentioned the other day, Charlton have some quality players and they've spent a bit but our players turn up week in week out. Spend as much as you like but if your players haven't got the right attitude or desire then forget it because you're not going anywhere. I 100% trust Wilder and so do the board.

 

[grafikhaus]

As Wilder mentioned the other day, Charlton have some quality players and they've spent a bit but our players turn up week in week out. Spend as much as you like but if your players haven't got the right attitude or desire then forget it because you're not going anywhere. I 100% trust Wilder and so do the board.

Surely the players' attitude and desire comes from the management team? We're doing well because of CW/AK. Charlton are seriously underperforming because Karl Robinson is a cunt.

 

[JordoBlade]

Surely the players' attitude and desire comes from the management team? We're doing well because of CW/AK. Charlton are seriously underperforming because Karl Robinson is a cunt.

Part of it does but there's plenty of players in the Champ that drop down from the prem on huge wages and just don't turn up week in week out. Half the time they prance about on the pitch like they've already made it.

 

[grafikhaus]

Part of it does but there's plenty of players in the Champ that drop down from the prem on huge wages and just don't turn up week in week out. Half the time they prance about on the pitch like they've already made it.

...and then they sign for Wednesday,

 

[metalblade]

This vast gap in the divisions is just a pig fan thing, stats say two out of the three teams promoted to the Championship will stay there. The pig fans have to go on about the gap in an effort to justify their big spending on a set of players who are under performing and just managing to hold on to a play off spot, they are shit half the time. A pig on last night phone in was saying send Rhodes back to boro another to sack Carlos the waiter they are shitting themselves at our imminent promotion. Yes we will need to spend some money but not as much as some suggest to be competitive.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Well we should have no worries because the prince is gonna start spending that cash when we get promoted.

It may have been said last year now but Kevin McCabe stated to a room of maybe 200 supporters (don't quote the figure) that the 'Liverpool-type investment' would be kicking in once in the Championship.

Will he stick to his word? We'll see. History tells us to be cautious.

Furthermore, I'm led to believe there are a few big sponsorships (an airline being one) that would be more interested if we were in the championship. None of this alpharooms/v games rubbish (what is v games anyway?)

So we can maybe look forward to interesting times next season.

Maybe.

 

[Tezza1889]

We are (oh dear I've had to say it) coming up with a team and not a group of individuals all arguing behind the scenes about money (them pigs)

throwing money at it for the right guy, and adding him to a team can take you to the title, Forest and Leeds both took teams to the division one title straight after promotion.. hard working teams with cantona and Francis added respectively the rest is of course history...

Them lot in s6 are bricking it, pure and simple, all they've got is overpaid premadonnas who don't like each other, and a manager who's basically a jumped up boot cleaner who's won nothing in football... they have to bring it down to money, they've got nothing else going for them...

To the nay Sayers, I'll throw in Leicester, yes millions were spent, but it was a cheap title by comparison, just like Leeds and Forest..

Ps, I'm not tipping us for the title.... that would be "bonky madness"

 

[grafikhaus]

This vast gap in the divisions is just a pig fan thing, stats say two out of the three teams promoted to the Championship will stay there. The pig fans have to go on about the gap in an effort to justify their big spending on a set of players who are under performing and just managing to hold on to a play off spot, they are shit half the time. A pig on last night phone in was saying send Rhodes back to boro another to sack Carlos the waiter they are shitting themselves at our imminent promotion. Yes we will need to spend some money but not as much as some suggest to be competitive.

Football Heaven was funny last night. Is every thick pig fan called Mark or Mike?

 

[Upton_Blade]

Basically, the prices of the players has quadrupled in The Championship, but the standard of the players abilities is pretty much the same. Sky Sports keep saying that the players abilities have also quadrupled in The Championship, but they would say that, because that's pretty much all they've got TV rights to these days. Gotta sell the product.

I'm not scared of anything in that league.

Well that and only 80% of all the Premier League games as well which means means they pretty much have a monopoly on domestic league football in this country.

 

[Dec]

I'll be the first to say it then...

Great OP, genuinely really interesting. Thanks for putting in the research time.

 

[blade too long]

in the past 10 seasons of the 30 teams promoted only 6 have come straight back down , and none of those are championship sized clubs
yeovil mk dons southend scunny donny and posh

no one with a 9000 plus average gate has fallen straight back down in 10 years

the only people who insist theres a gulf are the porkers obviously petrified we will return to be above them as we used to be every season

 

[JPBrods]

I'm inclined to believe that the Prince's vast fortunes don't really exist.

Not suggesting that we've been lied to, though the Liverpool comparison was obvious hyperbole.

What concerns me is the Prince came on board in 2013. That's only four years ago but in those four years Championship fees have gone mad and plenty of big money owners have stepped in. In relative terms we may have been in the money in the Championship four years back but average or worse in terms of financial backing now.

Either way I don't think the money will be all that important. Wilder and the mentality of the players will decide our fate.

 

[Dronfield_Blade]

Wolves spent 13million on one player Helder Costa and they have struggled spending a fortune doesn't always guarantee you success, getting the right players in and finding the right balance like Burnley & Bournemouth did is the way to go.

 

[YES Blade]

Looking at the 15 teams promoted since we have been in League One their current position is as follows:

• Premiership - 1
• Championship Play-offs - 2
• Championship Top Half - 2
• Championship Lower Mid Table - 1
• Championship Relegation Battle - 5 (Rotherham are down and Wigan are likely to go)
• League One - 2
• League Two - 2

So that's 66% that are Championship lower mid table or below. So to me that suggests that it ain't going to be easy based purely on stats alone.

If we invest and improve the squad wisely we could easily finish mid table, but it won't be an easy task for Wilder on what could be a modest Championship budget.

 

[Upton_Blade]

Looking at the 15 teams promoted since we have been in League One their current position is as follows:

• Premiership - 1
• Championship Play-offs - 2
• Championship Top Half - 2
• Championship Lower Mid Table - 1
• Championship Relegation Battle - 5 (Rotherham are down and Wigan are likely to go)
• League One - 2
• League Two - 2

So that's 66% that are Championship lower mid table or below. So to me that suggests that it ain't going to be easy based purely on stats alone.

If we invest and improve the squad wisely we could easily finish mid table, but it won't be an easy task for Wilder on what could be a modest Championship budget.

It can be done on a modest budget hence why Wagner has just been named Championship MOTY.

I believe they have a bottom 8 budget but have made some shrewd signings and have a really good team ethic, sound familiar?

We'll be fine with CW/AK at the helm.

 

[UnitedBlade]

It may have been said last year now but Kevin McCabe stated to a room of maybe 200 supporters (don't quote the figure) that the 'Liverpool-type investment' would be kicking in once in the Championship.

Will he stick to his word? We'll see. History tells us to be cautious.

Furthermore, I'm led to believe there are a few big sponsorships (an airline being one) that would be more interested if we were in the championship. None of this alpharooms/v games rubbish (what is v games anyway?)

So we can maybe look forward to interesting times next season.

Maybe.

You'll be surprised to learn that V Games is a Scarborough Group company i.e. a McCabe company.

 

[I should coco]

There is a MASSIVE chasm and we will really struggle to stay out of the bottom 3.

I know this because lots of Wednesdayites say so. They have been in this division a long time so they obviously know their stuff and they have spent millions and still not got up. That must prove it.

One helpful Wednesdayite on FH last night said something like 'Sharp won't get half a dozen goals'. I am really really really worried now as they know this divsion so well and they seem so certain.

It will be a season of struggle and tears, because our city neighbours tell us so.

"Doomed, I tell you. We are all doomed"