2014/15 Championship Thread

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 25 May 2014, 7:08 pm

First topic message reminder :

Well, it's all decided now.

Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Blackpool
Bolton Wanderers
Bournemouth
Brentford
Brighton & Hove Underdogs
Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic
Derby County
Fulham
Huddersfield Town
Ipswich Town
Leeds United
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Nottingham Forest
Reading
Rotherham United
Sheffield Wednesday
Watford
Wigan Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers

Forest have Pearce, Leeds may have investment, Olly has reasons to be cheerful and Wigan don't have European distractions.

by westisbest Fri 06 Mar 2015, 9:58 pm

Wolves, Forest, Derby to win tomorrow.

by Nico the gman Sat 07 Mar 2015, 12:01 pm

Forest for us today,never been a happy ground for us over the years,never gone there and seen us win.I wouldn't be too upset if we came away with a point.
Rock hard game,we need 100% commitment nowt less will do.

by Nico the gman Sat 07 Mar 2015, 12:05 pm

Question for anyone,are any of the teams fighting for promotion,capable of surviving in the Premiership,baring in mind what's happening at Leicester, who comfortably won the championship last year.

by westisbest Sat 07 Mar 2015, 1:16 pm

It is a tricky one.

Huge gulf between the divisions.

Burnley & QPR struggling to.

Think any team who goes up will always struggle, but not necessarily go down.

A few seasons ago the 3 promoted teams stayed up, which i think(may be wrong) is the only time that has happened.

On the other side, Saints came up a few seasons ago and are now pushing for Europe.

I like to see the 3 teams come up stay up,( not at our expense of course).

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 07 Mar 2015, 1:18 pm

I honestly don't think there is much of a difference between the top championship sides and the bottom half of the premier league

by NickisBHAFC Sat 07 Mar 2015, 1:22 pm

The championship standard is woeful. A sides Derby and Boro, anyone else who gets promoted would be out of there dept.

by Guest Sat 07 Mar 2015, 1:34 pm

westisbest wrote:It is a tricky one.

Huge gulf between the divisions.

I'm not so sure anymore, Westy. There's plenty of guff filler in the PL.

I wouldn't back all of the 3 promoted teams to go down next season, whoever they are.

This season Leicester look doomed but I fancy one of QPR and Burnley to survive.

by Nico the gman Sat 07 Mar 2015, 2:19 pm

Which ever clubs go up,they are going to have to invest heavily, one thing our chairmen Steve Gibson will do is back the manager in the transfer market,he alway's has done.
He even let Strachan blow £10 mill on a load of substandard bravehearts,which knocked us back a few year,and left Mowbray looking for bargain base players with no money to spend.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:02 pm

Ffs Millwall losing again, means there win is more than likely going to be against us a week Tuesday.

by Guest Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:23 pm

Norwich gettin' sh!t done at the business end.

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:33 pm

Norwich having a field day; Boro struggling as I thought would be the case....can't see us winning so lets hope for Ipswich game to stay level...and Watford game too (wolves winning wouldn't be too bad)..

by FootballLight Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:52 pm

Nowich for the title. I'm tempted to put a bet on now. Any recommendations? I understand that it is very difficult to predict these outcomes because of the nature of the division and because of how tight it is at the top but surely it wouldn't come as much of a surprise to see Norwich as the winners this season? It will be difficult to take for them 2 teams (Ipswich and Woves atm) that won't get into the Play-Offs this season, especially knowing they will be imo a maximum of 5 points off promotion or even the title. Devastating for them fans.

by GSC Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:57 pm

Hahahahahahahaha

by Guest Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:58 pm

Derby, WTF!

Acca murderer right there!

by GSC Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:58 pm

Good win today. That's all the top 3 we've beaten recently. Too little too late though

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 07 Mar 2015, 4:59 pm

Well that was pretty easy, Holloway will do well to survive that.

Top four in the league on 66 points and then we're on 65. Mental

by Derbymanc Sat 07 Mar 2015, 5:08 pm

WTF hell are we playing at now. Bad result for sure but we're still sitting 2nd and it's still in our hands.

Next game is another game ho hum Sad

by Nico the gman Sat 07 Mar 2015, 5:16 pm

Lack of goals will be our undoing, 67% possession and still couldn't equalise.Forest had 2 shots and scored from both.For a main striker Kike hasn't scored nearly enough goals,missed an open goal again today.

by GSC Sat 07 Mar 2015, 5:22 pm

I think we had more than 2 Wink

Our main striker wont play until 2016

by Nico the gman Sat 07 Mar 2015, 5:38 pm

GSC wrote:I think we had more than 2

Our main striker wont play until 2016

Sorry I meant to say 2 on target,it makes no odds,you scored 2,we weren't good enough to equalise.It looks like the season will end just too soon for you,your grounds like a fortress at the moment.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 07 Mar 2015, 5:58 pm

Millwall look dead and buried. Thought Holloway was a good manager?

Really can't look past the bottom 3. Expect all 3 to be relegated around Easter time.

Top half looks entertaining. Nothing will beat the drama of the city ground finale last season.

by **owen10ozzy** Sat 07 Mar 2015, 6:12 pm

I said earlier in the thread I was concerned about our lack of goals if we go into the playoffs, over the course of the season it isn't major as our defensive record was sound...but that has began to collapse now and we can't score the goals we need to get back into games....something which will be our undoing in the playoffs.

No one has a bigger two weeks ahead than us now...Ipswish at home followed by Derby and Bournemouth away.

We are lucky in the sense that seemingly no one wants to pull away; every time a team drops points those in position to capitalise rarely have done. I'll be interested to see how Norwich cope with being right in the hunt now..

by FootballLight Sat 07 Mar 2015, 7:55 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Millwall look dead and buried. Thought Holloway was a good manager?

Really can't look past the bottom 3. Expect all 3 to be relegated around Easter time.

Top half looks entertaining. Nothing will beat the drama of the city ground finale last season.

Don't remind me of that City ground day please. Crying or Very sad

Reading were 6th, Ulloa (the pr*ck) scored a 88th minute winner to lift Brighton into the top 6 because we only drew 2-2at home to Burnley. On the positive sidce, the same devastation won't be happening this year for us. Very Happy

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 07 Mar 2015, 8:24 pm

Nodge vs Derby next weekend.

Should be a right old humdinger

This happened last time the Rams came to Carrow Road...(along with my fav commentary ever from Chris Goreham at 1:30)

by NickisBHAFC Sat 07 Mar 2015, 9:10 pm

FootballLight wrote:
NickisBHAFC wrote:Millwall look dead and buried. Thought Holloway was a good manager?

Really can't look past the bottom 3. Expect all 3 to be relegated around Easter time.

Top half looks entertaining. Nothing will beat the drama of the city ground finale last season.

Don't remind me of that City ground day please. Reading were 6th, Ulloa (the pr*ck) scored a 88th minute winner to lift Brighton into the top 6 because we only drew 2-2at home to Burnley. On the positive sidce, the same devastation won't be happening this year for us.

91st minute! Followed by those plastic reading fans running on the pitch without knowing the brighton score until it popped up on the big screen laughing

Excellent day. We won't be going through any drama (at this rate) instead just a boozy weekend in Newcastle followed by 90 minutes of middelsbrough getting promoted.

by FootballLight Sun 08 Mar 2015, 4:05 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:
FootballLight wrote:
NickisBHAFC wrote:Millwall look dead and buried. Thought Holloway was a good manager?

Really can't look past the bottom 3. Expect all 3 to be relegated around Easter time.

Top half looks entertaining. Nothing will beat the drama of the city ground finale last season.

Don't remind me of that City ground day please. Reading were 6th, Ulloa (the pr*ck) scored a 88th minute winner to lift Brighton into the top 6 because we only drew 2-2at home to Burnley. On the positive sidce, the same devastation won't be happening this year for us.

91st minute! Followed by those plastic reading fans running on the pitch without knowing the brighton score until it popped up on the big screen

Excellent day. We won't be going through any drama (at this rate) instead just a boozy weekend in Newcastle followed by 90 minutes of middelsbrough getting promoted.

They were idiots, knowing full well they should have waited until confirmation of the Brighton results came through. Not only did they look k*obs in the first place for running on, they looked twice as bad when the Brighton result came through.

by Nico the gman Sun 08 Mar 2015, 6:45 pm

owen10ozzy wrote:I said earlier in the thread I was concerned about our lack of goals if we go into the playoffs, over the course of the season it isn't major as our defensive record was sound...but that has began to collapse now and we can't score the goals we need to get back into games....something which will be our undoing in the playoffs.

No one has a bigger two weeks ahead than us now...Ipswish at home followed by Derby and Bournemouth away.

We are lucky in the sense that seemingly no one wants to pull away; every time a team drops points those in position to capitalise rarely have done. I'll be interested to see how Norwich cope with being right in the hunt now..

Got to agree on the goals front,Kike's goalscoring record is abysmal.Adomah 1 goal in 22 games from an attacking winger not good enough.We've started leaking goals since Ayala got injured.

Against Derby and Bournemouth would play Leadbitter,Forshaw,and Clayton and try and boss the midfield.For me that's where those games will be won.Paid too much money for Forshaw, for him to be a bit player at this stage.Woodgate's experience at the back to steady the ship,Gibsons having a bit of a bad time at the moment despite having a good season.We have to change it somehow, no excuses we have a strong squad.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 08 Mar 2015, 6:48 pm

owen10ozzy wrote:I said earlier in the thread I was concerned about our lack of goals if we go into the playoffs, over the course of the season it isn't major as our defensive record was sound...but that has began to collapse now and we can't score the goals we need to get back into games....something which will be our undoing in the playoffs.

No one has a bigger two weeks ahead than us now...Ipswish at home followed by Derby and Bournemouth away.

We are lucky in the sense that seemingly no one wants to pull away; every time a team drops points those in position to capitalise rarely have done. I'll be interested to see how Norwich cope with being right in the hunt now..

I'm a tad worried about our "easy" schedule as I've noted many times on here before. We enjoy the games against the sides around us because of the extra space and freedom we get, we can kill teams. But when a side comes and sits 10 men behind the ball with a good counter threat like the lesser sides do, we struggle. Our results all season show this

by dyrewolfe Mon 09 Mar 2015, 2:07 pm

Nico the gman wrote:Lack of goals will be our undoing, 67% possession and still couldn't equalise.Forest had 2 shots and scored from both.For a main striker Kike hasn't scored nearly enough goals,missed an open goal again today.

Its been the way with most of the forwards we've brought in since...forever...

We find a highly-rated striker who is scoring for fun at his current club, then the moment he pulls a Boro shirt on he suddenly can't hit a barn door. Rolling Eyes

Just as well we have plenty of other players capable of finding the net. Our defensive lapses are becoming a worry though.

by Nico the gman Mon 09 Mar 2015, 2:22 pm

dyrewolfe wrote:
Nico the gman wrote:Lack of goals will be our undoing, 67% possession and still couldn't equalise.Forest had 2 shots and scored from both.For a main striker Kike hasn't scored nearly enough goals,missed an open goal again today.

Its been the way with most of the forwards we've brought in since...forever...

We find a highly-rated striker who is scoring for fun at his current club, then the moment he pulls a Boro shirt on he suddenly can't hit a barn door.

Just as well we have plenty of other players capable of finding the net. Our defensive lapses are becoming a worry though.

Should we keep playing Adomah,1 goal in 22 games for an attacking winger,skilful yes but far too inconsistent,1 good game 2 bad,can't carry passengers at this stage.Woodgate's experience in defense would be vital IMO,good organiser,Gibbo is struggling.

by Fernando Tue 10 Mar 2015, 11:00 am

Unsurprisingly Ian Holloway has been fired by Millwall.

by NickisBHAFC Tue 10 Mar 2015, 1:47 pm

Ffs almost certain we are going to lose at the den next Tuesday now.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 10 Mar 2015, 2:25 pm

Too little too late (please, so please please please let Millwall go down, lord knows, it would be the best thing)

by dyrewolfe Tue 10 Mar 2015, 3:46 pm

Nico the gman wrote:
dyrewolfe wrote:
Nico the gman wrote:Lack of goals will be our undoing, 67% possession and still couldn't equalise.Forest had 2 shots and scored from both.For a main striker Kike hasn't scored nearly enough goals,missed an open goal again today.

Its been the way with most of the forwards we've brought in since...forever...

We find a highly-rated striker who is scoring for fun at his current club, then the moment he pulls a Boro shirt on he suddenly can't hit a barn door.

Just as well we have plenty of other players capable of finding the net. Our defensive lapses are becoming a worry though.

Should we keep playing Adomah,1 goal in 22 games for an attacking winger,skilful yes but far too inconsistent,1 good game 2 bad,can't carry passengers at this stage.Woodgate's experience in defense would be vital IMO,good organiser,Gibbo is struggling.

Adomah is big, strong and quick. He can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game. I think he deserves to keep his place, or at least be in the squad rotation. As I said we have enough other players who are capable of getting the goals.

Our biggest problems are inability to adapt, technique and decision-making. We dither on the ball, play bad or inaccurate passes, as well as fluffing good chances. If Plan A doesn't work, we seem to struggle. We been having quite a few passengers lately and its something that can only be sorted out on the training ground and in the tactics room IMO.

As for Woodgate, I think there is some merit in starting him. As you said he is hugely experienced, can read the game better than most and ought to stabilise our central defence. Gibson sems to be struggling at the moment without Ayala and perhaps could do with a break. Only problem with Woody is his fitness and tendency to get injured.

by Nico the gman Tue 10 Mar 2015, 4:35 pm

dyrewolfe wrote:
Nico the gman wrote:
dyrewolfe wrote:
Nico the gman wrote:Lack of goals will be our undoing, 67% possession and still couldn't equalise.Forest had 2 shots and scored from both.For a main striker Kike hasn't scored nearly enough goals,missed an open goal again today.

Its been the way with most of the forwards we've brought in since...forever...

We find a highly-rated striker who is scoring for fun at his current club, then the moment he pulls a Boro shirt on he suddenly can't hit a barn door.

Just as well we have plenty of other players capable of finding the net. Our defensive lapses are becoming a worry though.

Should we keep playing Adomah,1 goal in 22 games for an attacking winger,skilful yes but far too inconsistent,1 good game 2 bad,can't carry passengers at this stage.Woodgate's experience in defense would be vital IMO,good organiser,Gibbo is struggling.

Adomah is big, strong and quick. He can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game. I think he deserves to keep his place, or at least be in the squad rotation. As I said we have enough other players who are capable of getting the goals.

Our biggest problems are inability to adapt, technique and decision-making. We dither on the ball, play bad or inaccurate passes, as well as fluffing good chances. If Plan A doesn't work, we seem to struggle. We been having quite a few passengers lately and its something that can only be sorted out on the training ground and in the tactics room IMO.

As for Woodgate, I think there is some merit in starting him. As you said he is hugely experienced, can read the game better than most and ought to stabilise our central defence. Gibson sems to be struggling at the moment without Ayala and perhaps could do with a break. Only problem with Woody is his fitness and tendency to get injured.

Definitely need to introduce Carayol at some time,a fit in form Carayol can be a nightmare for any defence.Injury is and alway's has been Woodgates failing,but he's fit at the moment so I'd play him,well capable of marking Ipswich dangerman Murphy out of the game.Would definitely keep Adomah in the squad rotation but not so sure I'd start with him every game.

Lost count of the number of times this season when I've shouted to a player to just put their foot through the ball instead of trying to walk it into the net,frustrating to say the least, so your spot on with the dithering on the ball.

Lets be fair it wouldn't be Boro if they did it the easy way, without stressing us all out.

by NickisBHAFC Tue 10 Mar 2015, 8:48 pm

Sounds like we are deservedly 1-0 down at the break.

by FootballLight Wed 11 Mar 2015, 3:39 pm

Good to see Ian Holloway gone, about time but maybe too little too late for them now as Fulham's quality should see them through this division, but you just never know.

Great result against Brighton last night although we can't afford to giving away cheap penalties. I can't say Steve Clarke has made anything worse, but he hasn't made anything better at the same time. I'll praise him for giving us a really good FA Cup that must continue and the fact he has stopped a sinking ship and maybe it is a little early judge him, but I'd still expect us to hit the top half if we can but he needs to find consistency which is something Adkins just didn't do and neither has he so far. I'll see how it goes next season for him though in the league, but lets turn our attention to the FA Cup now Clarke, COME ON URZ!!

by NickisBHAFC Wed 11 Mar 2015, 3:51 pm

Bit like us with Hughton. I'm not going to judge him until 3 months into next season, Chris is just clearing up the horrific mess Sami Wan*er Hyypia left us in.

by Nico the gman Wed 11 Mar 2015, 9:28 pm

The local rag states we are favourites to sign Justin Rhodes on loan with a view to signing him permanent if we get promotion,and Rhodes apparently is keen to make the move.

I feel Rhodes will score goals if he comes to the Riverside,because we do create chances,it would be a good signing IMO.

by GSC Wed 11 Mar 2015, 9:34 pm

Jordan too expensive?

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 11 Mar 2015, 9:36 pm

He did sing some cracking tunes on America's Got Talent #hadtogooglethat #jordan

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 11 Mar 2015, 9:36 pm

GSC wrote:Jordan too expensive?

Not sure any bloke has said that before

by Nico the gman Wed 11 Mar 2015, 10:03 pm

Apparently the £12 mill for Rhodes stated on BBC teletext way off the mark.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 11 Mar 2015, 10:06 pm

Teletext? I'm in such a warped world right now

by Nico the gman Wed 11 Mar 2015, 10:13 pm

Must phone Sky and ask them for a new remote,as the one I have says text on the button,and when you press it on BBC channel the text comes on the TV.

by westisbest Wed 11 Mar 2015, 10:52 pm

Nico the gman wrote:Must phone Sky and ask them for a new remote,as the one I have says text on the button,and when you press it on BBC channel the text comes on the TV.

good stuff

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 11 Mar 2015, 11:43 pm

I didnt even know it still existed! I'm slightly jealous

by Nico the gman Thu 12 Mar 2015, 1:29 pm

Local gazette reckons a deal for Rhodes has been thrashed out with Ewood Park chiefs,and just waiting for the OK from owners in India.Rhodes is on £30000 a week apparently and Blackburn £80 mill in debt.

Blackburn a million miles away from the club the late Jack Walker owned,thank god we're still owned by the messiah Steve Gibson.

by Nico the gman Thu 12 Mar 2015, 9:35 pm

Is the 606v2 clock knackered or is the website now showing in USA time, because according to this most of us are posting from just after midnight too throughout the night.Posted pm today not according to above, it was 12.29am,I must be sleepwalking.

by Nico the gman Thu 12 Mar 2015, 9:37 pm

Nico the gman wrote:Is the 606v2 clock knackered or is the website now showing in USA time, because according to this most of us are posting from just after midnight too throughout the night.Posted pm today not according to above, it was 12.29am,I must be sleepwalking.

8.35am its 21.36

by Sponsored content