Championship Season Topic

by GSC Sat 18 Aug 2012, 5:45 pm

The best league in the world is finally back!

Opening Day (+ Friday)
Leeds United 1 - 0 Wolves
Barnsley 1 - 0 Middlesbrough
Birmingham 1 - 1 Charlton
Burnley 2 - 0 Bolton
Crystal Palace 2 - 3 Watford
Derby 2 - 2 Sheff Wed
Hull 1 - 0 Brighton
Ipswich 1 - 1 Blackburn
Leicester 2 - 0 Peterborough
Millwall 0 - 2 Blackpool
Nottm Forest 1 - 0 Bristol City
Cardiff 1 - 0 Huddersfield

Pleased with the Forest win, 1st opening day win in 6 years and I expected us to start slow. Negotiating for 2 right wingers too

by James_182 Sat 18 Aug 2012, 9:27 pm

Just got in after seeing Ipswich play Blackburn.

Pleased with the point tbh, although a shame to conceded late on with an OG, I think it was deserved for Ipswich as they dominated the second half, as Kean had us sat back to deeply for most parts of the game.

On the plus side, Kazim-Richards looks like he could get 15+ goals if he stays fit this season, and must mention Gael Givet, absolute rock at the back this afternoon and hope we don't sell him.

Blackpool or Watford for result of the day thumbsup

by GSC Sat 18 Aug 2012, 9:29 pm

Leeds and Burnley picked up 3 points vs promotion candidates too.

by James_182 Sat 18 Aug 2012, 9:36 pm

Yeah will admit good result for Burnley, just couldn't bring myself to acknowledge it though...

Wonder what reception Coyle got going back??

by GSC Sat 18 Aug 2012, 9:37 pm

I'd Edin hazard a guess at not great

by Luke Tue 21 Aug 2012, 3:25 am

A solid, if not spectacular 1-0 win against a Brighton side that out played us for most of the game apparently. But 3 points is 3 points, nice to see Simpson getting the goal after a rough few years with the club.

by dyrewolfe Tue 21 Aug 2012, 4:01 pm

Disappointing start for Boro.

Only caught the second half but Barnsley seemed good value for their win. Boro were largely toothless in attack and frequently caught out in defence. It was only thanks to at least 3 good saves from Jason Steele that the margin of defeat wasn't larger.

We did mount some attacks late on, but as was so often the case last season, it was too little, too late.

That said, Tony Mowbray made a lot of signings over the summer (something like 8 new players) and had a few of them in the squad. They will need time to gel, but we can't afford many more performances like this.

by TheCelticGarbutt Wed 22 Aug 2012, 11:39 am

dyrewolfe wrote:Disappointing start for Boro.

Only caught the second half but Barnsley seemed good value for their win. Boro were largely toothless in attack and frequently caught out in defence. It was only thanks to at least 3 good saves from Jason Steele that the margin of defeat wasn't larger.

We did mount some attacks late on, but as was so often the case last season, it was too little, too late.

That said, Tony Mowbray made a lot of signings over the summer (something like 8 new players) and had a few of them in the squad. They will need time to gel, but we can't afford many more performances like this.

We looked a lot better last night Dyre, 3 quality strikes aswell.

Worryingly not as sound in defence as usual mind, Woodgate looked slow but still class at this level. I think the young lads should spur Emnes, Haroun etc on now to up their performances, if not Ledesma, Reach, Luke Williams, Main should be the ones to start the games.

by Luke Wed 22 Aug 2012, 3:41 pm

Big game for us tonight at one of the pre season favorites Blackburn, hope we at least put in a performance and don't just defend.

by GSC Wed 22 Aug 2012, 3:50 pm

Disappointed to only draw at Huddersfield, one of those days in front of goal.

Still if we play like that weekly we'll run up some cricket scores.

by James_182 Wed 22 Aug 2012, 4:40 pm

First home game of the season tonight, going to be very hostile I imagine towards Kean (as per the norm), hoping though that doesn’t affect the players on what is a very important game.

by Luke Wed 22 Aug 2012, 11:04 pm

Thought it was a poor game, City played okay and looked comfortable most of the game, Blackburn offered very little, both defences didn't really have much to do. The reason Blackburn won, was because they had Kazim-Richards who always looked like to score if
given a chance, and Gomez who when he came on looked a class above. And we had 2 strikers who looked like they'd struggle to hit a barn door, from 2 feet.

by James_182 Thu 23 Aug 2012, 8:56 am

Pleased with the win and clean sheet, although from listening to 5 live we seemed very lacking in ideas going forward, the only spark we have is Kazim-Richards who so far is proving to be invaluable.

Thought Aluko sounded dangerous forward for Hull, I work with a Rangers fan and he is a big fan of him.

by Luke Thu 23 Aug 2012, 1:34 pm

James_182 wrote:Pleased with the win and clean sheet, although from listening to 5 live we seemed very lacking in ideas going forward, the only spark we have is Kazim-Richards who so far is proving to be invaluable.

Thought Aluko sounded dangerous forward for Hull, I work with a Rangers fan and he is a big fan of him.

Olsson showed up occasionally for you. And Gomez showed his class, but your midfield looks slow.

Aluko did look dangerous, but his end product was very poor, though think if we had partnered him with Simpson/McLean or both it would be an interesting partnership with pace,guile.
Other than that, think the lack of creativity from both sides could be a problem for them.

by Guest Thu 23 Aug 2012, 2:15 pm

I've always liked the look of Kazim-Richards whenever I've seen him. I can see him doing a similar job to the one Taarabt did at QPR a couple of years back. He could be the difference for Blackburn.

by James_182 Thu 23 Aug 2012, 4:44 pm

'your midfield looks slow'

I know! Murphy, Etuhu and Dunn doesn’t exactly scream pace in the slightest.

Maybe the Olsson brothers are not as fast as I think; they just seem it in comparison to the other guys Very Happy

by Luke Fri 24 Aug 2012, 3:47 am

No, they are fast, but it's a good job you've got Kazim-Richards, otherwise they have to wait a while for the other players to catch up Very Happy

Think that could be a weakness, as other teams have faster more direct players who could exploit the space. Maybe thats why you only started with 1 up front, Ribero looked good when he came on, but if we can look comfortable (and we've hardly got the quickest of midfielders), then I'd be worried if I was a Blackburn fan. Leicester on Saturday will be a better test.

by James_182 Fri 24 Aug 2012, 11:01 am

Yeah we def need an injection of pace in the centre of the park, thing is though Kean has our CM sat so deep anyone with speed wont be able to utilise it.

Must say though Hull have made a fantastic appointment in Bruce, potential dark horse for a top 6

by Luke Fri 24 Aug 2012, 2:28 pm

Not sure, like u said other than Koren they'res not really alot of creativity, We have better attackers than Proschwitz, but he keeps starting him. Alex Bruce is a good signing but he strengthened areas that we were already strong in. Plus think this division is far more open then last years.

by James_182 Sat 25 Aug 2012, 11:35 pm

Decent enough win against a good team, i'll take that.

Gamst's celebration laughing

by Luke Sun 26 Aug 2012, 2:11 pm

Solid enough point at Charlton, in what sounded like a fairly open game. Though seems like the problems of not taking our chances is back.

by hodge Tue 28 Aug 2012, 10:24 pm

And people had us down as relegation candidates Rolling Eyes

by James_182 Sat 01 Sep 2012, 6:31 pm

3-3 away at Leeds, gutted to throw away a 2 Nil lead but we were lucky to get the point in the end.

Would have taken a score draw away before the match so cant be too down about it.

by Luke Sun 02 Sep 2012, 2:09 am

Excellent 3-1 win against Bolton, Aluko getting his 1st goal of the season, can't complain.

by GSC Fri 14 Sep 2012, 7:31 pm

I hate the international break. back to real football

by GSC Sat 15 Sep 2012, 2:12 pm

Forest: Camp, Halford, Ayala, Collins, Hutchinson, Gilett, Guedioura, Reid, McGugan, Blackstock, Sharp

by GSC Sat 15 Sep 2012, 5:02 pm

Got out of jail a tad there, 2-0 down with 20 to go to draw 2-2. Still, unbeaten record maintained

by James_182 Sat 15 Sep 2012, 6:38 pm

Top of the league and scoring for fun, great to see Rhodes off the mark and looks like Nuno Gomes was a very very shrewd move. 3 goals and a good 2-3 assists already, not bad for a 36 year old!

On a side note please Kean sort the defense out, we cant play 46 games with the we will score more than you mentality!

by GSC Sun 16 Sep 2012, 12:35 pm

Spoiler:

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 16 Sep 2012, 1:15 pm

Ipswich are in the bottom 3 Laugh

by GSC Sun 16 Sep 2012, 1:16 pm

Derby are outside it on GD Laugh

by James_182 Fri 21 Sep 2012, 2:33 pm

Boro at home tonight and its on Sky, can Kean win 3 on the bounce?

by James_182 Fri 21 Sep 2012, 11:22 pm

can Kean win 3 on the bounce?

No is the answer to that one. Brilliant.

by Guest Sat 22 Sep 2012, 6:42 pm

Barnsley are 3-0 up at Birmingham and are opening them up like a tin of beans.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 22 Sep 2012, 6:46 pm

4-0 to Barnsley now!!!

It's like men against boys, Barnsley are playing great stuff!

by Guest Sat 22 Sep 2012, 6:52 pm

5-0 now! It's like watching Brazil...

by GSC Thu 27 Sep 2012, 1:24 pm

Jenas has returned home to Forest on a months loan Yahoo

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 27 Sep 2012, 4:39 pm

Did he come fully equipped with physio table or not?

by Guest Sun 30 Sep 2012, 2:28 pm

That was a joke sending off in the Forest/Derby match.

by NickisBHAFC Wed 03 Oct 2012, 6:44 pm

Brighton no longer top Sad

As Poyet said. A lot of sides this season will just come and play for a draw and try and get a goal on the break. Like Birmingham and Ipswich have both done successfully.

by GSC Sat 16 Mar 2013, 5:14 pm

Lets ressurect this haha.

Probably the day Cardiff sealed autos, win while Hull and Watford lose.

Tight at the bottom. Wolves probably staring at the trap door before 2 goals in quick succession turned a loss to the bottom side into a win. As it stands, Bristol City are probably gone.

I'm going

1. Cardiff
2. Palace
3. Watford
4. Hull
5. Forest
6. Leicester

With Hull winning the playoffs

While I think the bottom 3 of Brizzle, Wolves and Peterboro remain

by GSC Sat 16 Mar 2013, 8:19 pm

Reckon Pearson has 8 games to save his job. That squad should really be doing a lot better

by James_182 Sat 16 Mar 2013, 11:30 pm

If Blackburn lose the derby against Burnley tomorrow, then I am seriously starting to think relegation is a very real possibility!!

It wasn't supposed to be like this...

by GSC Sat 16 Mar 2013, 11:33 pm

I think its very congested in the middle. Derby could've ended up 18th and 3 points off the drop, but won and went about 12th.

Blackburn will get it done in the end. Hopefully the Venkys sell up in the summer. Wolves are a poor outfit, S'OD seems to have been hired too late to save Brizzle and I just don't rate Peterboro

by GSC Sun 17 Mar 2013, 12:00 am

Shane Lowry take a bow

by Guest Sun 17 Mar 2013, 12:27 am

GSC wrote:Shane Lowry take a bow

Unreal free kick that.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 17 Mar 2013, 9:54 am

What is going on with Blackpool's pitch?! Such a shame cos it clearly hampers there style of play!

Peterborough 5 unbeaten, if they stay up will be a bloody miracle!

Carl Ikeme nice touch btw

by NickisBHAFC Sun 17 Mar 2013, 4:16 pm

Im going for

1. Cardiff
2. Hull
3. Watford
4. Palace (Scum)
5. Forest
6. Leicester

With Watford or Forest going up

Going down is so hard to call. Bristol City i think are the only ones and maybe Wolves.

by mystiroakey Tue 19 Mar 2013, 8:57 am

Hull watford and palace are not making that 2nd place theres at the moment.

But have played the best footy by far this season. Just cant keep it going game after game..

Palace only 3 behind, playing the best out the lot, but also the most flaky out of the lot. We can lose our heads and get beat in a few minutes(just like what brighton dfid to us on sunday- even though we outplayed them for 80 mins)

Watford - well they arnt even watford are they, just a european term masquerading as watford. And it shows by the fact they play better away from home.. They have no home adavantage at all. But bending the rules of football and this probally needs to stop.

Hull the safe pick for automatic alonside cardiff.. But they are not invinsible are they. Palace blew them of the park the other week and showed how lightweight they can be..

I think palace will get through either way tbh.

We are the only team with real quality(zaha and murray) that can turn any game on there head

by GSC Tue 19 Mar 2013, 9:10 am

I dunno, Watford have Abdi and Vydra

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