Crest of a wave

[Bruce Wayne]

Riding into the Championship with no fear and a lot of quality.

We want signings to make a difference, well the lads Wilder is signing come with $$$$$ in their eyes but don't yet have it, they are young, passionate and hungry and they will drive us upwards. If anyone can think of a player in the championship midfield better than John Fleck email me. If he would have played for the Jocks yesterday he would have lashed the ball and player into the stand to stop the Kane goal.

I selected Fleck because he's brilliant, and I could write all night about the rest but no need - we are arriving next season as Bassetts lads did back in the day, we won't just shock this division, we will own it.

 

[Ricky]

Yeah, it's going to be easy, no doubt about it.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Riding into the Championship with no fear and a lot of quality.

We want signings to make a difference, well the lads Wilder is signing come with $$$$$ in their eyes but don't yet have it, they are young, passionate and hungry and they will drive us upwards. If anyone can think of a player in the championship midfield better than John Fleck email me. If he would have played for the Jocks yesterday he would have lashed the ball and player into the stand to stop the Kane goal.

I selected Fleck because he's brilliant, and I could write all night about the rest but no need - we are arriving next season as Bassetts lads did back in the day, we won't just shock this division, we will own it.

I have been told that Barry Bannan is the best midfielder in the league formerly known as La Liga

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Love the optimism and I feel similar. If he gets them playing like we did last season they'll be a match for anyone and we'll surprise a lot of people. I don't think we'll run away with it though, but they'll give it a good go I'm sure.

Agree about Fleck. He's destined for their national team and the Prem. Hope it's with us!

 

[northsomersetblade]

Yeah, it's going to be easy, no doubt about it.

It will be all over bar the shouting by the end of January, no question

 

[SteveBlade]

 

[Snowman]

Sounding too much like the crew of HMS Piss the league. That's not what we're about.

 

[blade.i.am]

Quite happy even if we finish 20th, as long as the Pigs finish 21st

 

[Broomhall Blade]

I think some of our fans need to be a bit more realistic. The Championship is arguably going to be the toughest it's been in years if not ever.
Over on Porktalk there is a thread on them finishing top two and who will go up with them.

There are three full predictions

1.Wednesday

2. Sunderland

3. Reading

4. Brentford

5. Barnsley

6. Villa

7. QPR

8. Leeds

9. Burton

10. Middlesbrough

11. Millwall

12. Bristol

13. Derby

14. Forest

15. Norwich

16. Bolton

17. Ipswich

18. Wolves

19. Hull

20. Fulham

21. Preston

22. Birmingham

23. Cardiff

24. Sheffield United.


1.Middlesboro

2. Villa

3. Hull

4. Wednesday

5. Reading

6. Fulham

7. Birmingham

8. Norwich

9. QPR

10. Derby

11. Wolves

12. Cardiff

13. Brentford

14. Forest

15. Leeds

16. Bolton

17. Ipswich

18. Milwall

19. Bristol

20. Sunderland

21. Preston

22. Burton

23. Barnsley

24. Sheffield United.

1.Villa

2 Wednesday

3 Norwich

4 Derby County

5 Brentford

6 Middlesbrough

7 Leeds

8 Fulham

9 Reading

10 Sunderland



20 Barnsley

21 Sheff Utd

22 Burton Albion

23 Millwall

24 QPR

Now I know they probably have their piggy glasses on but being honest looking at the teams in this league I can see 10 sides we will struggle to finish above, so that puts us mid table at best.
Can't believe they have Bolton finishing so high.
I actually would take the 3rd prediction right now.
This is of course is based on our current squad and could obviously change with any new signings.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I think we'll finish above Burton, Barnsley, Bolton, Ipswich, Millwall then possibly a few others including the likes of QPR, forest, bristol city etc. That should see us into lower mid-table. Wouldn't rule out a higher finish but think that's a realistic target.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

I think we'll finish above Burton, Barnsley, Bolton, Ipswich, Millwall then possibly a few others including the likes of QPR, forest, bristol city etc. That should see us into lower mid-table. Wouldn't rule out a higher finish but think that's a realistic target.

I agree.
I can see us in a mini league with Burton, Bolton, Millwall, Bristol City, Birmingham, Ipswich, Cardiff, Barnsley, possibly QPR and Forest.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

The problem is, Broomhall, neither you, nor I, nor anyone else, knows what "realistic" is, until we get there and start playing. Even then, it's going to take a dozen games before we start to see any sort of pattern emerging.

Looking at it from afar, at this stage in time, I would think that the big clubs with the biggest amount of cash to splash should do well. But that doesn't always follow does it? I mean, look at us in League 1 for 6 years for a start! However, when you take a club like Aston Villa, for example, with a load of dosh, some very good players, many who were out injured last season for long periods, and a very good experienced manager (imo) in Steve Bruce, it's hard to see any team, including us, having better prospects than them.

It's easy to predict that the clubs who just came down will be the ones who go straight back up. But, this doesn't happen very often. Quite often clubs that get relegated have a bit of a hangover period and it takes time to get rid of the big earners from the previous season and refresh the squad to challenge again. For these reasons I do not fear the likes of Sunderland or Middlesboro. They may have the dosh but I think they will have a period of adjusting to do.

Another easy mistake to make is to expect that the teams that were challenging near the top last season will do so in the following season. So I see that some fans are tipping Reading and Fulham to do well. I'm not so sure. If you look back over the past few seasons it doesn't necessarily follow that a team who nearly got promoted the season before will be right up there the following season.

The teams I fancy to do well are:

Aston Villa - who I think will be Champions - then Norwich, Derby and possibly Wolves or Birmingham. I certainly think a West Midlands football revival is due. I don't see Wednesday bettering last season's position - in fact I think they are in for a bit of turmoil this summer with some key players moving on.

As for United...I think we'll be pushing the top 8 in the table - just like we've done every other season in the Championship - bar one (don't forget that). Every year someone says, "it's going to be tougher than ever this year" or the complete opposite, "it's a very poor division this year". And no one actually knows at this stage. Yes, there are some big clubs with huge amounts of dosh. Then there are big clubs with not huge amounts of dosh, but with very good footballers and a great team spirit and winning mentality manager. And that's us.

 

[Norderner]

If we get who CW wants, we'll be top 6, or thereabouts, no doubts. This is not La Liga we're entering, nor are the Pigs, Barcelona in disguise.

 

[8lade]

Looking at those predictions I'd guess the bookies have already stopped taking bets on United relegated.
Utter, utter bullshit.
United will do alright, yeah we're not going to set the league on fire but the wednesday bellends are getting in your heads, we will not go down with the squad we have now and Wilder at the helm.

 

[St Annington]

Although signing attacking players always gets fans more excited, I think where we finish will largely depend upon which CB's we sign (Wilder said he wants two) and how our defence performs.

 

[blade too long]

the trouble with owls is they see themselves as gods and us as minnions
every owl predicts we will go straight down , despite the fact no team with crowds over 15k has ever been relegated back down first season , since the play offs began

they predict every season theres derby games they will garner 6 easy points , 2 wins
a feat they have managed once in the last 100 years

And they will improve by 20 points , somehow without using non attacking tactics
the 2 games v huddersfield they had 3 shots on target in 220 minutes of football

 

[Maidenhead]

I think some of our fans need to be a bit more realistic. The Championship is arguably going to be the toughest it's been in years if not ever.
Over on Porktalk there is a thread on them finishing top two and who will go up with them.

There are three full predictions

1.Wednesday

2. Sunderland

3. Reading

4. Brentford

5. Barnsley

6. Villa

7. QPR

8. Leeds

9. Burton

10. Middlesbrough

11. Millwall

12. Bristol

13. Derby

14. Forest

15. Norwich

16. Bolton

17. Ipswich

18. Wolves

19. Hull

20. Fulham

21. Preston

22. Birmingham

23. Cardiff

24. Sheffield United.


1.Middlesboro

2. Villa

3. Hull

4. Wednesday

5. Reading

6. Fulham

7. Birmingham

8. Norwich

9. QPR

10. Derby

11. Wolves

12. Cardiff

13. Brentford

14. Forest

15. Leeds

16. Bolton

17. Ipswich

18. Milwall

19. Bristol

20. Sunderland

21. Preston

22. Burton

23. Barnsley

24. Sheffield United.

1.Villa

2 Wednesday

3 Norwich

4 Derby County

5 Brentford

6 Middlesbrough

7 Leeds

8 Fulham

9 Reading

10 Sunderland



20 Barnsley

21 Sheff Utd

22 Burton Albion

23 Millwall

24 QPR

Now I know they probably have their piggy glasses on but being honest looking at the teams in this league I can see 10 sides we will struggle to finish above, so that puts us mid table at best.
Can't believe they have Bolton finishing so high.
I actually would take the 3rd prediction right now.
This is of course is based on our current squad and could obviously change with any new signings.

As teams like Yeovil, Fleetwood and others have shown us, the name on top of the team sheet has nothing to do with the result on the pitch.

Why should we fear anyone just because they're called Villa, Forest or Derby and because they won a European Cup or two between em donkeys years ago.

We've won F.A Cups and league titles too but it didn't stop Southend doing us 3-0 at The Lane last year and what have they ever won?

 

[1889]

I really don't understand why some supporters think we will struggle to avoid relegation I can only assume they didn't get to a lot of matches last season!

The problem with many modern footballers is, its all about image, headphones, wash bags and tattoos, the Aston Villas, Leeds, Wolves and Sunderlands are where they are on merit, let down by players with no stomach for a fight and no love for their club.

United have a fast paced, never say die, slick passing style, bonded together with an unbreakable team spirit and will to succeed, that I believe, no team below those top half of the Premiership possess the quality of players required to counter.

I've watched United for nearly 50 years and this team isn't no where near finished yet

 

[Maidenhead]

I really don't understand why some supporters think we will struggle to avoid relegation I can only assume they didn't get to many matches last season!

The problem with many modern footballers is, its all about image, headphones, wash bags and tattoos, the Aston Villas, Leeds, Wolves and Sunderlands are where they are on merit, let down by players with no stomach for a fight and no love for their club.

United have a fast paced, never say die, slick passing style, bonded together with an unbreakable team spirit and will to succeed, that I believe, no team below those top half of the Premiership possess the quality of players required to counter.

I've watched United for nearly 50 years and this team isn't no where near finished yet

Ditto

 

[FTPE]

There's no way on earth we finish below Barnsley next year!

 

[Broomhall Blade]

I agree Cerberus you can only go on what you see at the moment.
I see 5 teams with a premiership midfields Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Hull plus Aston Villa an Norwich. You saw what a poor premiership midfield did to Wednesday in last season's play off final.
I also feel Fulham, Derby, Wednesday and Reading and possibly Wolves will all be challenging for top 6.
All with stronger midfields than us (in my opinion) not to mention money.
I personally think Middlesbrough will win the league ( they had a very good defence last season and only went down due to lack of goals that won't be such a problem in the Championship). I also think and it really pains me to say this but Wednesday could push them, if they sort their creativity problem out and Carlos the Jackass stops being negative. They have three strikers all capable of getting into double figures, that's without including Forestieri.
I just think some of our fans are getting a little too carried away, take the opening post is there any better midfielder in the Championship than Fleck really ?
I appreciate I seem to be in the minority on here and I respect other people's views and opinions, I just think lowering expectations could in fact help CW and the team if we get off to a sticky start. UTB

 

[Sheffsteel]

I really don't understand why some supporters think we will struggle to avoid relegation I can only assume they didn't get to a lot of matches last season!

The problem with many modern footballers is, its all about image, headphones, wash bags and tattoos, the Aston Villas, Leeds, Wolves and Sunderlands are where they are on merit, let down by players with no stomach for a fight and no love for their club.

United have a fast paced, never say die, slick passing style, bonded together with an unbreakable team spirit and will to succeed, that I believe, no team below those top half of the Premiership possess the quality of players required to counter.

I've watched United for nearly 50 years and this team isn't no where near finished yet

Totally agree.

I'd be really disappointed and shocked if we finish 4th from bottom
In fact I'd be dissapointed and shocked if we are anywhere near the relegation places.

All the bookies have us finishing about 10th and that's more realistic.
Although I reckon we'll finish 8th or 9th but I wouldn't be shocked if we finished in the playoffs.

Last season is the best football I've seen us play in decades, although it seemed almost too easy at times. I'm looking forward to seeing teams at BL actually give us a game.

Remember in the 2nd half of the season we played our promotion rivals Bolton, Scunthorpe, Bradford and Millwall and we were head and shoulders a far superior outfit.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I really don't understand why some supporters think we will struggle to avoid relegation I can only assume they didn't get to a lot of matches last season!

The problem with many modern footballers is, its all about image, headphones, wash bags and tattoos, the Aston Villas, Leeds, Wolves and Sunderlands are where they are on merit, let down by players with no stomach for a fight and no love for their club.

United have a fast paced, never say die, slick passing style, bonded together with an unbreakable team spirit and will to succeed, that I believe, no team below those top half of the Premiership possess the quality of players required to counter.

I've watched United for nearly 50 years and this team isn't no where near finished yet

Me neither. Quite a few posters are saying we should consolidate next season, spend some more money then go for it the season after or the season after that. Why not make it simpler, spend the money now and go for it next season? It won't cost any more, in fact it will cost less in the end.

Money isn't the be all and end all anyway. Wilder's style of play and the spirit within the team count as well. We've got that in abundance and teams such as the pigs don't have any. Look no further than Huddersfield for inspiration, not that bunch of losers at the S6 deathtrap.

 

[BushBlade]

Me neither. Quite a few posters are saying we should consolidate next season, spend some more money then go for it the season after or the season after that. Why not make it simpler, spend the money now and go for it next season? It won't cost any more, in fact it will cost less in the end.

Money isn't the be all and end all anyway. Wilder's style of play and the spirit within the team count as well. We've got that in abundance and teams such as the pigs don't have any. Look no further than Huddersfield for inspiration, not that bunch of losers at the S6 deathtrap.

I think it's very difficult to maintain team spirit whilst making wholesale changes to a team.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I think it's very difficult to maintain team spirit whilst making wholesale changes to a team.

Dunno if you're referring to them or us but if it's the latter re-the second para in my post. Beef the defence up and I'm happy with the rest.

 

[BushBlade]

Dunno if you're referring to them or us but if it's the latter re-the second para in my post. Beef the defence up and I'm happy with the rest.

Us, I've got little interest in what the others do.

I agree that we need to strengthen the defence and if we can find two good centre halves who we can afford and want to play for us, they should be the priority signings.

But I don't think that will be enough to get us up. Nor do I believe it will be possible to sign all the players we need to get us up in one go.

So I don't agree with all the long lists I see of players we should sign. I don't think we'll get the right ones for all positions I've seen mentioned and even if we could it would be very difficult to integrate them into the team if they're coming in to replace last season's key players.

We're building a team for promotion and that doesn't always fit some supporters' timetables. It's a bit like saying we need a bigger kop so we need to start building now but make sure it's finished by the start of the season. Shit doesn't work like that.

 

[snootyfenooty]

It's a bit like saying we need a bigger kop so we need to start building now but make sure it's finished by the start of the season. Shit doesn't work like that.

You mean the new office redevelopment and a new roof?

 

[BushBlade]

You mean the new office redevelopment and a new roof?

No, I meant a bigger kop because that's what I said. What do they call those people who rip up the clients' brief and do what they want? Oh yeah, the 'design team'.

 

[Constantly Optimistic...]

In my opinion I don't think CW will want to mess with the fantastic team spirit he has already created. That's first and foremost in his mind. Look at the start of last season. It took him nearly 10 games to get it going. So there won't be wholesale changes. We did look fragile at times at the back and I think this is his current priority. But finding the right ones is not easy. I'm a big fan of both JOC and JW, but they need support and much as Bash was great last season I think Championship is a step too far for regular appearances.
Breaking down defensive teams proved difficult at times, but I think CW has already taken measures to improve this. Also, certainly at the beginning of the season, we should not face such negative football. We are the new kids on the block and most of the big boys will think that they can roll us over.
So, in summary, expect some good and bad at the beginning, but if CW can keep the spirit there then we could be a lot higher in the table than most expect by Christmas. After that anything can happen! We've been there before and when Chris gets us on a roll, the fans, players and whole club can steamroller anyone. Good times ahead I hope.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

As teams like Yeovil, Fleetwood and others have shown us, the name on top of the team sheet has nothing to do with the result on the pitch.

Why should we fear anyone just because they're called Villa, Forest or Derby and because they won a European Cup or two between em donkeys years ago.

We've won F.A Cups and league titles too but it didn't stop Southend doing us 3-0 at The Lane last year and what have they ever won?

I certainly don't fear any of them. I just think on the balance of probabilities, teams like villa, who have a manager with plenty of promotions from this league and the budget to hoover up the best talent at this level, are likely to amass more points over the course of a 46 game season than us as despite having an excellent manager, we will be much more limited in terms of resources.