This time last year

[AlienWoodward]

We were below the pigs and who would have put money on Burnley ?
http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-championship/2008-2009/table/2008-09-14

 

[SwissBlade]

Just shows that the league means nothing so early in the season

 

[judge]

was one of the weakest leagues ever last year

 

[SwissBlade]

was one of the weakest leagues ever last year

Or more competitive?

 

[Bristol Blade]

Or more competitive?

I think this season with Newcastle, Boro and West Brom coming down the league has got much more competitive. Add to that the fact that we've strengthened and teams like Leicester have come up and are doing well, this could be one of the hardest leagues in years. Any other season I think we'd have a good shout to win the Championship, this year though I think just getting into the play-offs would be am achievement.

 

[bricktop]

I'm not paticular confident with the results, more confident with the performances.

I thought we was excellent yesterday, i noticed that 95% of the time we was winning the second balls and i thought Blackwell was brave to stick to his tactics but it paid off in the end, and we come away from Derby with a very good win

 

[Ollessendro]

I think this season with Newcastle, Boro and West Brom coming down the league has got much more competitive. Add to that the fact that we've strengthened and teams like Leicester have come up and are doing well, this could be one of the hardest leagues in years. Any other season I think we'd have a good shout to win the Championship, this year though I think just getting into the play-offs would be am achievement.

Have to disagree with your opinion Bristol. This year is a top 4 finish for the Blades. Mark my words!? We have the best squad we've had since Warnock took us up in 2005/2006 (possibly better). I honestly don't think that there is a better first 11 than ours in the league. I know it is about the squad, but I think that we have 5 or 6 quality players who can come in.

The 3 relegated teams look strong. However the champioship is a long hard season. All 3 teams have lost key players pre season. Plus remember Newcastle don't have a manager. If they hit a bit of bad form then this could tell. Southgate is unconvincing and Di Matteo is unproven. Don't write the Blades off. I am excited and have a good feeling about this year. I think with a bit of luck (i.e. keeping Killa, key players syating fit, Evans taking off, Harper getting in to form and disciplined and signing the likes of Bunn and Treacy at least til the end of the season etc) then we can finish top 2.

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

I always like to look at how we're comparing to last season in the same games. If we take the three relegated sides to be the three that went up (Toon=Wolves, Boro=Brum, WBA=that team from Lancashire) and the three promoted sides to be the three that went down (Leicester=Norwich, Posh=Southampton, Scunthorpe=Charlton), our record so far is:

Boro (a) 0-0 (last season 0-1 v Birmingham)
Watford (h) 2-0 (last season 2-1)
Leicester (h) 1-1 (last season 1-0 v Norwich)
Reading (a) 3-1 (last season 1-0)
West Brom (h) 2-2 (last season 2-3 v Lancashire team)
Derby (a) 1-0 (last season 1-2)

By my reckoning, we are 3 points up on last season in the same games and our goal difference is 5 better already.

Last season: GD=25, Points=80

Projected for this season: GD=30, Points=83

This would have took us up twice in the last ten seasons, once as Champions. In every one of the last ten seasons, it was good enough to secure a place in the top four with 4th the most likely.

Enjoyed that - might do it after evey game!

 

[Northyorksblade]

We were below the pigs and who would have put money on Burnley ?
http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-championship/2008-2009/table/2008-09-14

I know it's splitting hairs, but 2 days later after 6 games, which is what we've played, we were 9th and pigs 13th, with only a point in it. Stats this early in the season mean nothing, which I think is the point you were making.

 

[moDtheGod]

I think this season with Newcastle, Boro and West Brom coming down the league has got much more competitive.

Give over, they say that EVERY season. I don't think I've ever witnessed the beginning of a second tier football season without someone saying that. Why are any of those three clubs so terrifying?

 

[Toronto Blade]

Stats do mean something this early in the season you also have to factor in the clubs you are playing are they good or weak sides.I would say we have had a difficult schedule compared to other teams with some tricky fixtures out of the way.
The schedule will balance out but the Blades have to beat the weaker teams too.

 

[Bristol Blade]

I agree that we'll finish in the top 4 this season, or with a bit of luck top 2, and I agree that this is the most talented squad we've had in a long time. I don't know why, and as modthegod says it gets said every season, but I do just think the relegated teams will be too strong. Maybe it's down to the starts they've made, considering relegated teams tend to struggle at first in the Championship. Newcastle do have a threadbare squad though and, like you say, no manager, so they could struggle later on. Early days still yet I suppose.

 

[Bristol Blade]

"Give over, they say that EVERY season. I don't think I've ever witnessed the beginning of a second tier football season without someone saying that. Why are any of those three clubs so terrifying?"

I don't think they are terrifying, but compared with Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley I think they are much better teams. I still reckon we're good enough to beat anyone in this league though :thumbup:

 

[Revolution]

There's no doubt we've had a pretty hard start. we've played 3 of the other 5 teams in the top 6 (all draws) and one other top 10 side. Contrast Wednesday, who've played Newcastle and...no one else who's any good. The highest position of any other team they've played is 16th.

I don't think we're a top 2 side (we won't score enough goals) but I don't think top 6 is a false position given who we've played. On the other hand, I don't think the Pigs are a top 10 team and now they have harder fixtures that will become apparent.