I've seen a lot of comments about us being a ready made promotion side, once/should we go down. I'm not entirely convinced this is as much of a shoe-in as a lot of people seem to think it is.
We are likely to go down at a whimper and possibly on the lowest points total of all time. This coming after a season of glory, finishing way above expectations in 9th. The psychological impact this downward spiral can have should not be underestimated (see our other falls from grace across recent history). The side that brought us up will be 3 years old, with most of the key players which remain, over 30. Those players were on the crest of a wave of continuous improvement; much easier to motivate and build upon, then finishing with a terrible points tally.
The competition in the league below shouldn't be snuffed at either. Only 3 of Norwich, Watford, Bournemouth, Swansea, Brentford, Stoke, Middlesbrough, Bristol City etc. are going to replace us. Those who remain are likely to be up there yet again, building on the past season (like we did in 2018). Add to that the likelihood of Derby being back amongst it, as well as Forest and throw in the usual wildcard and it's not the 'easy' prospect that some seem to think it will be.
"Yes, but look at Norwich", I've heard/seen. Comparing us to Norwich is like chalk and cheese. Norwich pretty much planned to go straight back down. They were relegated whilst winning some plaudits for their attacking football (remember how much that annoyed us?) and kept hold of some great attacking players in Pukki, Cantwell and Buendia. As it stands, we do not have that. Norwich hadn't finished in the top half, the season before - as noted earlier, the psychological impact of a massive decline is huge. Finally, Norwich had been in the top flight, only a few years before their last stint. The infrastructure this brings is now only well too known - we aren't there yet.
Some fans may dislike the comparison, but if we go down, Huddersfield would be a better example to peg ourselves against. Overachieved in their first season and then went down at a whimper. Hadn't been in the top flight for a long time (admittedly, much a longer absence than us, but certainly no Norwich, Watford...).
So, what's my point? Well, my point is, is that we shouldn't be blaise about being relegated, thinking we will pick up where we left off in the Championship. These poor runs can't be turned around, just by dropping a division. Quite a few of our fans seem to think that the reset button will just be hit once the inevitable happens and sadly, this is unlikely to be the case.
We are likely to go down at a whimper and possibly on the lowest points total of all time. This coming after a season of glory, finishing way above expectations in 9th. The psychological impact this downward spiral can have should not be underestimated (see our other falls from grace across recent history). The side that brought us up will be 3 years old, with most of the key players which remain, over 30. Those players were on the crest of a wave of continuous improvement; much easier to motivate and build upon, then finishing with a terrible points tally.
The competition in the league below shouldn't be snuffed at either. Only 3 of Norwich, Watford, Bournemouth, Swansea, Brentford, Stoke, Middlesbrough, Bristol City etc. are going to replace us. Those who remain are likely to be up there yet again, building on the past season (like we did in 2018). Add to that the likelihood of Derby being back amongst it, as well as Forest and throw in the usual wildcard and it's not the 'easy' prospect that some seem to think it will be.
"Yes, but look at Norwich", I've heard/seen. Comparing us to Norwich is like chalk and cheese. Norwich pretty much planned to go straight back down. They were relegated whilst winning some plaudits for their attacking football (remember how much that annoyed us?) and kept hold of some great attacking players in Pukki, Cantwell and Buendia. As it stands, we do not have that. Norwich hadn't finished in the top half, the season before - as noted earlier, the psychological impact of a massive decline is huge. Finally, Norwich had been in the top flight, only a few years before their last stint. The infrastructure this brings is now only well too known - we aren't there yet.
Some fans may dislike the comparison, but if we go down, Huddersfield would be a better example to peg ourselves against. Overachieved in their first season and then went down at a whimper. Hadn't been in the top flight for a long time (admittedly, much a longer absence than us, but certainly no Norwich, Watford...).
So, what's my point? Well, my point is, is that we shouldn't be blaise about being relegated, thinking we will pick up where we left off in the Championship. These poor runs can't be turned around, just by dropping a division. Quite a few of our fans seem to think that the reset button will just be hit once the inevitable happens and sadly, this is unlikely to be the case.