Championship Season Preview & Predictions 24-25

[Covkid19]

Just put cov two places higher and your just about right

 

[Deadbat]

Am surprised Deadbat had us above Wendy. He is always praising them and criticising us!

Where do you think we and Wednesday will finish Silent Blade? Willing to have a go or will you just say 'we'll see!'

I get they are predictions and are very much guess work so it's only a bit if fun.

 

[Deadbat]

Wednesday to finish 12th?

Are you mad DB - surely they’ll have the league won by Easter & then next season it’s Champions League?

I work with, and know, a few Wednesday fans and they were annoyed with my predictions feeling they will be in or around the playoffs. The manager seems very good on limited evidence but not sure they've improved the squad significantly but feel they won't be in trouble this year as there are some really poor sides.

 

[Silent Blade]

Where do you think we and Wednesday will finish Silent Blade? Willing to have a go or will you just say 'we'll see!'

I get they are predictions and are very much guess work so it's only a bit if fun.

I think Wendy will finish higher than they did last year because their manager did well results wise after he came in but I havent seen enough of them nor other teams, dont have real knowledge of the new signings apart from Max Lowe (I have told my Wendy friends that he wasnt good at defending, has poor positional sense but is quick and can attack) for me to make a prediction. As for us, I am excited at the signings of Burrows and O'Hare who I thought would be joining a PL club this summer. My worry is that will our fans show patience because it takes time for new players to gel properly as a team. I am always superstitious about making predictions. If I predict us to win a match, we lose, if I predict we draw, we lose, if I predict we lose, we still lose. Yes I am nesh!

 

[Cappy]

Norwood: 7.5


Cheers Deadbat, good read as always

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

The two i cant quite work out are Coventry & Sunderland.

Sunderland have had an underwhelming summer & they wasnt great towards the back end of last season. Coventry have signed quite a lot of players but also lost a lot of their main talent - If I was to be a gambler I'd expect both of those teams to finish just outside the play-offs.

I don't expect too much from us, but on paper & presuming we get more transfer business complete we're better than both of those teams.

 

[Deaneandagana]

I work with, and know, a few Wednesday fans and they were annoyed with my predictions feeling they will be in or around the playoffs. The manager seems very good on limited evidence but not sure they've improved the squad significantly but feel they won't be in trouble this year as there are some really poor sides.

I socialise with a number of them & they talk utter shite.

 

[SUFC Guy]

22) Blackburn Rovers


Tomasson’s progress stalled after a promising start but the lack of investment in the playing squad meant it was always going to be difficult for them progress but even he may not have foreseen the troubles last season presented. In came John Eustace, harshly jettisoned for Wayne Rooney in the second city, and he was able to keep Rovers up; by the skin of their teeth. Without the season of his life from Sammy Szmodics, they would have surely been doomed and it seems their talisman will move on before the end of the window. Giant centre forward Gueye comes in hoping to fill the gap by the impending departure of their leading scorer but with Sam Gallagher’s departure also, a thin squad is stretched even more. The incomings have been minimal although Sam Weimann is a handy player at this level but a squad where the quality seems to diminish year on year, will rely on young players and some of the veteran holdovers like Hyam, Brittain, McFadzean and Travis.


Manager: John Eustace – Was excellent at Birmingham after bouncing around a few Championship clubs as coach and manager but he kept Rovers up and seems on the face of it, someone who knows this level and will get the best of what he has got but expect a real struggle.


In

Jack Barrett - Everton, free
Aodhan Doherty - Linfield, free
Yuki Ohashi – Sanfrecce Hiroshima, undisclosed
Makhtar Gueye – Molenbeek, undisclosed
Kyke McFadzean – Coventry, free
Andreas Weimann – Bristol City, free
Danny Batth – Norwich City, free


Out

Sam Gallagher, Stoke City, undisclosed
Semir Telalovic - SSV Ulm, undisclosed
Leopold Wahlstedt - AGF Aarhus, undisclosed
Sam Barnes - Barrow, free
Jay Haddow - Kitchee, free
Ethan Walker - Ayr United, free
Lenni Cirino - Released
Ben Fyles - Released
Jared Harlock - Released
Ben Thirkill - Released
Charlie Weston - Released
Felix Goddard - Dundalk, loan
Georgie Gent – Barnsley, undisclosed
Jake Garrett – Bristol Rovers, loan


Key Player: Dominic Hyam – The defence will be stretched again so Pears will be busy but Hyam has been impressive since coming in from Coventry and ran Szmodics close in the player of the year awards.


Verdict: A squad that seems lacking in quality all over and almost certainly losing it’s star man and leading scorer – if he remains – even for August, they may get a head start and might be a touch higher. Hard to pitch them any higher than last season and I would not be shocked if they went down.



23) Oxford United


Surprise packet of last season to get into the playoffs and then finish the job too. The step up will be a challenge but possess an excellent coach. They have lost their star man in Murphy and just feel it might be a tough ask for them. Hope they prove me wrong as good to see a different club/team at this level who have punched above their weight and showing it is not always about finances and sometimes good coaching is important too. Did bring in a few experienced heads in Ingram in goal and Vaulks and Phillips in midfield. Ebiowei from Palace will give them pace and an outlet down the side too. Sibley will hope to kickstart his career but will rely on Mark Harris to get the goals and lack quality and know how in most departments.


Manager: Des Buckingham – Buckingham has managed in New Zealand, Australia and India and has an excellent reputation in coaching circles. A fantastic achievement to get them up when there were other bigger clubs with bigger budgets in League One. He is assisted by former Blade Craig Short. Will do his utmost to get them fit, organised and resolute but the step up might be a bit too much.


In

Louie Sibley - Derby, free
Will Vaulks - Sheffield Wednesday, free
Matty Phillips – West Brom, free
Malcolm Ebiowei – Crystal Palace, loan
Idris El Mizouni - Ipswich, undisclosed
Jamie Cumming - Chelsea, undisclosed
Jack Currie - AFC Wimbledon, undisclosed
Matt Ingram - Hull, undisclosed
Peter Kioso - Rotherham, undisclosed
Jacob Knightbridge - West Ham, free
Przemyslaw Placheta - Swansea, free


Out

Oisin Smyth - St Mirren, undisclosed
Billy Bodin - Burton, free
Cammy Cooper - Airdrieonians, free
Josh Murphy - Portsmouth, free
Steve Seddon - Motherwell, free
Marcus Browne - Released
James Henry - Released
Stuart Findlay - Kilmarnock, loan
Edward McGinty - Sligo Rovers, loan
Stephan Negru - Salford, loan
Jacob Knightbridge - Braintree, loan


Key Player: Louis Sibley – Lost his way a bit at Derby – he will be counted upon to replace the threat Murphy offered in terms of goals and creativity.


Verdict: Seems a very lazy pick to put them near the bottom but do not see them having the same fan support/home advantage as the other promoted teams.



24) Plymouth Argyle


Managed to survive last year despite losing their talented manager Steven Schumacher and then going on a really poor run that threatened to see them go back to League One immediately. They did just enough to eek out results to survive but the move to install Rooney seemed a bizarre on. Maybe they are hoping his stature in the game will attract players to the South West of the country, when it often a hard sell to get players to relocate to this part of the world. Plymouth will rely on their home form and a passionate Home Park crowd to help them get enough wins again but do not see it being enough. They have not done much in terms of recruitment at all and will rely on Cooper (if he stays past August) and Whittaker (same story – if he remains) at either end of the pitch. Bali Mumba is a talented wing back and Adam Forshaw gives them some experience in the middle of the field but it is a weak starting lineup and even weaker squad. Cannot see anything other than them scrambling around at the foot of the table.


Manager: Wayne Rooney – Just do not understand why teams keep appointing the same people who have failed at other clubs. We have seen it with the likes of Lampard at a higher level, but the desire for a ‘name’ never seems to stop clubs doing it. I am not sure he is cut out for management, as harsh as that seems and with even few resources he will have to hope what he did under trying circumstances at Derby a few years ago, will galvanise him to kickstart his managerial career. I do not see it and feel it will be a close call whether he or Cleverly gets the bullet first. They have not done much in terms of recruitment at all and will rely on Cooper (if he stays past August) and Whittaker (same story – if he remains) at either end of the pitch. Bali Mumba is a talented wing back and Adam Forshaw gives them some experience in the middle of the field but it is a weak starting lineup and even weaker squad. Cannot see anything other than them scrambling around at the foot of the table.


In

Nathanael Ogbeta - Swansea, free
Ibrahim Cissoko - Toulouse, loan
Darko Gyabi - Leeds, loan
Muhamed Tijani - Slavia Prague, loan
Kornel Szucs – Kecskemeti, undisclosed

Out

Tyreik Wright - Bradford, undisclosed
Callum Burton - Wrexham, free
Mikel Miller - Huddersfield, free
Jack Endacott - Released
Oscar Halls - Released
Zak Baker - Plymouth Parkway, loan



Key Player: Michael Cooper – The talented keeper has been linked with a move away and still may depart but if the Blades/Palace or any other club do not secure his signature, he will be vital if the Green Army are to stay up again. He has been beset with knee issues the last two seasons and if he dos remain, needs to stay fit and play more than 19 games (only played 28 games the year before – so has played equivalent of 1 season in 2). Excellent shot stopper and will be very busy if he does not move on.



Verdict: The Rooney appointment sadly confirmed that it would be another season of struggle. If they had tried something different with an up-and-coming coach that could try and draw on those small gains they need, then maybe I could make an argument for them to survive? However, it was always going to be a struggle again and I cannot see three worse sides, or managers at this level.





Other Championship tips:



Leading goalscorer – 1) Ellis Simms 2) Joel Piroe 3) Emmanuel Latte Lath



First manager to be sacked – 1) Tom Cleverley 2) Wayne Rooney 3) Neil Harris



Sheffield derby game predictions – United 1 Wednesday 1 / Wednesday 0 United 0



Other competitions + leagues...



Premier League

1st – Arsenal…just think City might get bored!

2nd – Man City

3rd – Liverpool

4th – Tottenham

Relegated: Ipswich, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth



FA Cup – Man City

League Cup – Newcastle United

Champions League – Real Madrid



League One

Promoted: Birmingham, Bolton and Huddersfield

Relegated: Crawley, Burton, Northampton and Stevenage



League Two

Promoted: Gillingham, MK Dons, Doncaster and Carlisle

Relegated: Bromley and Harrogate



---


Regards,

Deadbat – @Deadbat_DB

Quality effort that is

Not so sure Foxy and Linz agree when they see the renewal costs for the hosting

 

[cooperblade]

I feel like Leeds will win it comfortably with Burnley 2nd and whoever finishes 3rd will be a way back.

Luton should be strong again, Coventry are a good side and Boro should do OK (although I still think Carrick is a myth). I think we're a dreadfully run club, our squad is full of holes and has zero depth and I wouldn't be at all surprised to lose more players before the window closes - despite all that, I could see us making the play-offs and (even with our record) I wouldn't be worried about facing anyone in them if Leeds and Burnley are already up.

I expect weds to finish somewhere between 7th and 10th but wouldn't be shocked if they made the play-offs.

The 3 promoted clubs might all struggle to stay up.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

22) Blackburn Rovers


Tomasson’s progress stalled after a promising start but the lack of investment in the playing squad meant it was always going to be difficult for them progress but even he may not have foreseen the troubles last season presented. In came John Eustace, harshly jettisoned for Wayne Rooney in the second city, and he was able to keep Rovers up; by the skin of their teeth. Without the season of his life from Sammy Szmodics, they would have surely been doomed and it seems their talisman will move on before the end of the window. Giant centre forward Gueye comes in hoping to fill the gap by the impending departure of their leading scorer but with Sam Gallagher’s departure also, a thin squad is stretched even more. The incomings have been minimal although Sam Weimann is a handy player at this level but a squad where the quality seems to diminish year on year, will rely on young players and some of the veteran holdovers like Hyam, Brittain, McFadzean and Travis.


Manager: John Eustace – Was excellent at Birmingham after bouncing around a few Championship clubs as coach and manager but he kept Rovers up and seems on the face of it, someone who knows this level and will get the best of what he has got but expect a real struggle.


In

Jack Barrett - Everton, free
Aodhan Doherty - Linfield, free
Yuki Ohashi – Sanfrecce Hiroshima, undisclosed
Makhtar Gueye – Molenbeek, undisclosed
Kyke McFadzean – Coventry, free
Andreas Weimann – Bristol City, free
Danny Batth – Norwich City, free


Out

Sam Gallagher, Stoke City, undisclosed
Semir Telalovic - SSV Ulm, undisclosed
Leopold Wahlstedt - AGF Aarhus, undisclosed
Sam Barnes - Barrow, free
Jay Haddow - Kitchee, free
Ethan Walker - Ayr United, free
Lenni Cirino - Released
Ben Fyles - Released
Jared Harlock - Released
Ben Thirkill - Released
Charlie Weston - Released
Felix Goddard - Dundalk, loan
Georgie Gent – Barnsley, undisclosed
Jake Garrett – Bristol Rovers, loan


Key Player: Dominic Hyam – The defence will be stretched again so Pears will be busy but Hyam has been impressive since coming in from Coventry and ran Szmodics close in the player of the year awards.


Verdict: A squad that seems lacking in quality all over and almost certainly losing it’s star man and leading scorer – if he remains – even for August, they may get a head start and might be a touch higher. Hard to pitch them any higher than last season and I would not be shocked if they went down.



23) Oxford United


Surprise packet of last season to get into the playoffs and then finish the job too. The step up will be a challenge but possess an excellent coach. They have lost their star man in Murphy and just feel it might be a tough ask for them. Hope they prove me wrong as good to see a different club/team at this level who have punched above their weight and showing it is not always about finances and sometimes good coaching is important too. Did bring in a few experienced heads in Ingram in goal and Vaulks and Phillips in midfield. Ebiowei from Palace will give them pace and an outlet down the side too. Sibley will hope to kickstart his career but will rely on Mark Harris to get the goals and lack quality and know how in most departments.


Manager: Des Buckingham – Buckingham has managed in New Zealand, Australia and India and has an excellent reputation in coaching circles. A fantastic achievement to get them up when there were other bigger clubs with bigger budgets in League One. He is assisted by former Blade Craig Short. Will do his utmost to get them fit, organised and resolute but the step up might be a bit too much.


In

Louie Sibley - Derby, free
Will Vaulks - Sheffield Wednesday, free
Matty Phillips – West Brom, free
Malcolm Ebiowei – Crystal Palace, loan
Idris El Mizouni - Ipswich, undisclosed
Jamie Cumming - Chelsea, undisclosed
Jack Currie - AFC Wimbledon, undisclosed
Matt Ingram - Hull, undisclosed
Peter Kioso - Rotherham, undisclosed
Jacob Knightbridge - West Ham, free
Przemyslaw Placheta - Swansea, free


Out

Oisin Smyth - St Mirren, undisclosed
Billy Bodin - Burton, free
Cammy Cooper - Airdrieonians, free
Josh Murphy - Portsmouth, free
Steve Seddon - Motherwell, free
Marcus Browne - Released
James Henry - Released
Stuart Findlay - Kilmarnock, loan
Edward McGinty - Sligo Rovers, loan
Stephan Negru - Salford, loan
Jacob Knightbridge - Braintree, loan


Key Player: Louis Sibley – Lost his way a bit at Derby – he will be counted upon to replace the threat Murphy offered in terms of goals and creativity.


Verdict: Seems a very lazy pick to put them near the bottom but do not see them having the same fan support/home advantage as the other promoted teams.



24) Plymouth Argyle


Managed to survive last year despite losing their talented manager Steven Schumacher and then going on a really poor run that threatened to see them go back to League One immediately. They did just enough to eek out results to survive but the move to install Rooney seemed a bizarre on. Maybe they are hoping his stature in the game will attract players to the South West of the country, when it often a hard sell to get players to relocate to this part of the world. Plymouth will rely on their home form and a passionate Home Park crowd to help them get enough wins again but do not see it being enough. They have not done much in terms of recruitment at all and will rely on Cooper (if he stays past August) and Whittaker (same story – if he remains) at either end of the pitch. Bali Mumba is a talented wing back and Adam Forshaw gives them some experience in the middle of the field but it is a weak starting lineup and even weaker squad. Cannot see anything other than them scrambling around at the foot of the table.


Manager: Wayne Rooney – Just do not understand why teams keep appointing the same people who have failed at other clubs. We have seen it with the likes of Lampard at a higher level, but the desire for a ‘name’ never seems to stop clubs doing it. I am not sure he is cut out for management, as harsh as that seems and with even few resources he will have to hope what he did under trying circumstances at Derby a few years ago, will galvanise him to kickstart his managerial career. I do not see it and feel it will be a close call whether he or Cleverly gets the bullet first. They have not done much in terms of recruitment at all and will rely on Cooper (if he stays past August) and Whittaker (same story – if he remains) at either end of the pitch. Bali Mumba is a talented wing back and Adam Forshaw gives them some experience in the middle of the field but it is a weak starting lineup and even weaker squad. Cannot see anything other than them scrambling around at the foot of the table.


In

Nathanael Ogbeta - Swansea, free
Ibrahim Cissoko - Toulouse, loan
Darko Gyabi - Leeds, loan
Muhamed Tijani - Slavia Prague, loan
Kornel Szucs – Kecskemeti, undisclosed

Out

Tyreik Wright - Bradford, undisclosed
Callum Burton - Wrexham, free
Mikel Miller - Huddersfield, free
Jack Endacott - Released
Oscar Halls - Released
Zak Baker - Plymouth Parkway, loan



Key Player: Michael Cooper – The talented keeper has been linked with a move away and still may depart but if the Blades/Palace or any other club do not secure his signature, he will be vital if the Green Army are to stay up again. He has been beset with knee issues the last two seasons and if he dos remain, needs to stay fit and play more than 19 games (only played 28 games the year before – so has played equivalent of 1 season in 2). Excellent shot stopper and will be very busy if he does not move on.



Verdict: The Rooney appointment sadly confirmed that it would be another season of struggle. If they had tried something different with an up-and-coming coach that could try and draw on those small gains they need, then maybe I could make an argument for them to survive? However, it was always going to be a struggle again and I cannot see three worse sides, or managers at this level.





Other Championship tips:



Leading goalscorer – 1) Ellis Simms 2) Joel Piroe 3) Emmanuel Latte Lath



First manager to be sacked – 1) Tom Cleverley 2) Wayne Rooney 3) Neil Harris



Sheffield derby game predictions – United 1 Wednesday 1 / Wednesday 0 United 0



Other competitions + leagues...



Premier League

1st – Arsenal…just think City might get bored!

2nd – Man City

3rd – Liverpool

4th – Tottenham

Relegated: Ipswich, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth



FA Cup – Man City

League Cup – Newcastle United

Champions League – Real Madrid



League One

Promoted: Birmingham, Bolton and Huddersfield

Relegated: Crawley, Burton, Northampton and Stevenage



League Two

Promoted: Gillingham, MK Dons, Doncaster and Carlisle

Relegated: Bromley and Harrogate



---


Regards,

Deadbat – @Deadbat_DB

Good effort Deadbat. My own reading of things would place both Millwall and Watford significantly higher.

 

[Racing Blade]

Excellent review of all the contenders.

This division is often the most difficult to predict, before a ball is kicked, as the window-end loanees from the top PL clubs alters the landscape dramatically. That said, I think you have the clubs at the top of the table that will be most attractive as loan destinations for the better prospects.

The tediously drawn out nature of our transfer acquisition process, these past two summers, is building comedy value on here to rival the old fax machine and the Shirecliffe Sniper. Whatever the root cause, my fear is that it begins to discourage clubs, agents and players from dealing with us, if it hasn't already.

 

[ChrisDysonHT]

22) Blackburn Rovers


Tomasson’s progress stalled after a promising start but the lack of investment in the playing squad meant it was always going to be difficult for them progress but even he may not have foreseen the troubles last season presented. In came John Eustace, harshly jettisoned for Wayne Rooney in the second city, and he was able to keep Rovers up; by the skin of their teeth. Without the season of his life from Sammy Szmodics, they would have surely been doomed and it seems their talisman will move on before the end of the window. Giant centre forward Gueye comes in hoping to fill the gap by the impending departure of their leading scorer but with Sam Gallagher’s departure also, a thin squad is stretched even more. The incomings have been minimal although Sam Weimann is a handy player at this level but a squad where the quality seems to diminish year on year, will rely on young players and some of the veteran holdovers like Hyam, Brittain, McFadzean and Travis.


Manager: John Eustace – Was excellent at Birmingham after bouncing around a few Championship clubs as coach and manager but he kept Rovers up and seems on the face of it, someone who knows this level and will get the best of what he has got but expect a real struggle.


In

Jack Barrett - Everton, free
Aodhan Doherty - Linfield, free
Yuki Ohashi – Sanfrecce Hiroshima, undisclosed
Makhtar Gueye – Molenbeek, undisclosed
Kyke McFadzean – Coventry, free
Andreas Weimann – Bristol City, free
Danny Batth – Norwich City, free


Out

Sam Gallagher, Stoke City, undisclosed
Semir Telalovic - SSV Ulm, undisclosed
Leopold Wahlstedt - AGF Aarhus, undisclosed
Sam Barnes - Barrow, free
Jay Haddow - Kitchee, free
Ethan Walker - Ayr United, free
Lenni Cirino - Released
Ben Fyles - Released
Jared Harlock - Released
Ben Thirkill - Released
Charlie Weston - Released
Felix Goddard - Dundalk, loan
Georgie Gent – Barnsley, undisclosed
Jake Garrett – Bristol Rovers, loan


Key Player: Dominic Hyam – The defence will be stretched again so Pears will be busy but Hyam has been impressive since coming in from Coventry and ran Szmodics close in the player of the year awards.


Verdict: A squad that seems lacking in quality all over and almost certainly losing it’s star man and leading scorer – if he remains – even for August, they may get a head start and might be a touch higher. Hard to pitch them any higher than last season and I would not be shocked if they went down.



23) Oxford United


Surprise packet of last season to get into the playoffs and then finish the job too. The step up will be a challenge but possess an excellent coach. They have lost their star man in Murphy and just feel it might be a tough ask for them. Hope they prove me wrong as good to see a different club/team at this level who have punched above their weight and showing it is not always about finances and sometimes good coaching is important too. Did bring in a few experienced heads in Ingram in goal and Vaulks and Phillips in midfield. Ebiowei from Palace will give them pace and an outlet down the side too. Sibley will hope to kickstart his career but will rely on Mark Harris to get the goals and lack quality and know how in most departments.


Manager: Des Buckingham – Buckingham has managed in New Zealand, Australia and India and has an excellent reputation in coaching circles. A fantastic achievement to get them up when there were other bigger clubs with bigger budgets in League One. He is assisted by former Blade Craig Short. Will do his utmost to get them fit, organised and resolute but the step up might be a bit too much.


In

Louie Sibley - Derby, free
Will Vaulks - Sheffield Wednesday, free
Matty Phillips – West Brom, free
Malcolm Ebiowei – Crystal Palace, loan
Idris El Mizouni - Ipswich, undisclosed
Jamie Cumming - Chelsea, undisclosed
Jack Currie - AFC Wimbledon, undisclosed
Matt Ingram - Hull, undisclosed
Peter Kioso - Rotherham, undisclosed
Jacob Knightbridge - West Ham, free
Przemyslaw Placheta - Swansea, free


Out

Oisin Smyth - St Mirren, undisclosed
Billy Bodin - Burton, free
Cammy Cooper - Airdrieonians, free
Josh Murphy - Portsmouth, free
Steve Seddon - Motherwell, free
Marcus Browne - Released
James Henry - Released
Stuart Findlay - Kilmarnock, loan
Edward McGinty - Sligo Rovers, loan
Stephan Negru - Salford, loan
Jacob Knightbridge - Braintree, loan


Key Player: Louis Sibley – Lost his way a bit at Derby – he will be counted upon to replace the threat Murphy offered in terms of goals and creativity.


Verdict: Seems a very lazy pick to put them near the bottom but do not see them having the same fan support/home advantage as the other promoted teams.



24) Plymouth Argyle


Managed to survive last year despite losing their talented manager Steven Schumacher and then going on a really poor run that threatened to see them go back to League One immediately. They did just enough to eek out results to survive but the move to install Rooney seemed a bizarre on. Maybe they are hoping his stature in the game will attract players to the South West of the country, when it often a hard sell to get players to relocate to this part of the world. Plymouth will rely on their home form and a passionate Home Park crowd to help them get enough wins again but do not see it being enough. They have not done much in terms of recruitment at all and will rely on Cooper (if he stays past August) and Whittaker (same story – if he remains) at either end of the pitch. Bali Mumba is a talented wing back and Adam Forshaw gives them some experience in the middle of the field but it is a weak starting lineup and even weaker squad. Cannot see anything other than them scrambling around at the foot of the table.


Manager: Wayne Rooney – Just do not understand why teams keep appointing the same people who have failed at other clubs. We have seen it with the likes of Lampard at a higher level, but the desire for a ‘name’ never seems to stop clubs doing it. I am not sure he is cut out for management, as harsh as that seems and with even few resources he will have to hope what he did under trying circumstances at Derby a few years ago, will galvanise him to kickstart his managerial career. I do not see it and feel it will be a close call whether he or Cleverly gets the bullet first. They have not done much in terms of recruitment at all and will rely on Cooper (if he stays past August) and Whittaker (same story – if he remains) at either end of the pitch. Bali Mumba is a talented wing back and Adam Forshaw gives them some experience in the middle of the field but it is a weak starting lineup and even weaker squad. Cannot see anything other than them scrambling around at the foot of the table.


In

Nathanael Ogbeta - Swansea, free
Ibrahim Cissoko - Toulouse, loan
Darko Gyabi - Leeds, loan
Muhamed Tijani - Slavia Prague, loan
Kornel Szucs – Kecskemeti, undisclosed

Out

Tyreik Wright - Bradford, undisclosed
Callum Burton - Wrexham, free
Mikel Miller - Huddersfield, free
Jack Endacott - Released
Oscar Halls - Released
Zak Baker - Plymouth Parkway, loan



Key Player: Michael Cooper – The talented keeper has been linked with a move away and still may depart but if the Blades/Palace or any other club do not secure his signature, he will be vital if the Green Army are to stay up again. He has been beset with knee issues the last two seasons and if he dos remain, needs to stay fit and play more than 19 games (only played 28 games the year before – so has played equivalent of 1 season in 2). Excellent shot stopper and will be very busy if he does not move on.



Verdict: The Rooney appointment sadly confirmed that it would be another season of struggle. If they had tried something different with an up-and-coming coach that could try and draw on those small gains they need, then maybe I could make an argument for them to survive? However, it was always going to be a struggle again and I cannot see three worse sides, or managers at this level.





Other Championship tips:



Leading goalscorer – 1) Ellis Simms 2) Joel Piroe 3) Emmanuel Latte Lath



First manager to be sacked – 1) Tom Cleverley 2) Wayne Rooney 3) Neil Harris



Sheffield derby game predictions – United 1 Wednesday 1 / Wednesday 0 United 0



Other competitions + leagues...



Premier League

1st – Arsenal…just think City might get bored!

2nd – Man City

3rd – Liverpool

4th – Tottenham

Relegated: Ipswich, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth



FA Cup – Man City

League Cup – Newcastle United

Champions League – Real Madrid



League One

Promoted: Birmingham, Bolton and Huddersfield

Relegated: Crawley, Burton, Northampton and Stevenage



League Two

Promoted: Gillingham, MK Dons, Doncaster and Carlisle

Relegated: Bromley and Harrogate



---


Regards,

Deadbat – @Deadbat_DB

So excited for Friday night Deadbat, so excited I could crush a grape ... and what adds to the excitement is reading your first blog of the year. It 's not for me to say you are wrong though BUT we will be Top 3 or I will eat my hat lol.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

Watching the media darlings play Pommpey. Leeds pass the ball well but don't have the final ball or killer touch, yet. Pommpey defending well. They seem determined to get someone sent off. The pace seems to be getting to them. Dozzel....well glad we didn't pick him up, looks very average and good for a mis timed tackle leading to an early bath. Bogle is what he is, good going forward, a liability on defence.

 

[Silent Blade]

Luton lost again and were poor tonight, cant see them finishing as high as 5th as you predicted

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Luton lost again and were poor tonight, cant see them finishing as high as 5th as you predicted

Daft to write them off after just four games.

 

[Silent Blade]

Daft to write them off after just four games.

They wont reach the play offs.

 

[Zipwire]

They wont reach the play offs.

We won’t either

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

They wont reach the play offs.

Still far too early to tell.

Luton have had the exact same start we had in 2021-22, three defeats and a draw.

We finished 5th.

 

[Deadbat]

Luton lost again and were poor tonight, cant see them finishing as high as 5th as you predicted

It's still early yet so we will see. A lot had them higher than 5th so not sure it was that outlandish! Predictions are exactly that and sure there's lots I may get wrong. As I said on this thread easy to shoot them down if you don't give any predictions yourself

 

[UddersBlade]

We won’t either

Luton won’t - but I reckon that is exactly where we will finish 3rd to 6th…….and we all know what happens next!!!

 

[Silent Blade]

We won’t either

Did I say we will?

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Would take finishing anything from 7th-12th
People need to forget about promotion
Why anyone wants to go back to the prem is beyond me.

 

[Deadbat]

Did I say we will?

Where will we finish do you think? Window done now so you've had a month start on me.

 

[Revolution]

Now predictions can be firmed up.

I think we will finish 9th. We won’t score the goals to do better than that.

 

[jono_t2000]

It's still early yet so we will see. A lot had them higher than 5th so not sure it was that outlandish! Predictions are exactly that and sure there's lots I may get wrong. As I said on this thread easy to shoot them down if you don't give any predictions yourself

Now windows shut, expect a report by end of week rating each team's transfer business and new expected final position

 

[Roygbiv]

Now predictions can be firmed up.

I think we will finish 9th. We won’t score the goals to do better than that.

I said 9th before the season and I'll probably stick with it to be honest. Wouldn't be stunned to see us in the play offs but it will likely take some real luck with injuries and someone having a goalscoring season like they've never had before. Here's hoping Hamer does a Michael Brown.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I said 10th before the season started.

I'm now upgrading that prediction to 9th.

 

[JOE SHAW 1956]

My God the work and knowledge you put in is amazing !! .... great work . Thanks....

 

[CoatesyBlade]

I’m having us go finish top 3.
Fook it… let’s win the whole god damn thing!

 

[Silent Blade]

Where will we finish do you think?