2015-16 Championship Thread

by Fernando Tue 30 Jun 2015, 5:11 pm

First topic message reminder :

With Sky announcing their live games for the start of the Championship season i figured we could use a thread

Who do we think will head up and down this season?

August
Fri 7: Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest (7.45pm)
Sat 8: Leeds United v Burnley (12.30pm)
Sun 9: Preston North End v Middlesbrough (12 noon)
Sun 16: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Hull City (12 noon)
Fri 21: Birmingham City v Derby County (7.45pm)
Sat 22: Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday (12.30pm)
Fri 28: Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers (7.45pm)
Sat 29: Derby County v Leeds United (12.05pm)

September
Fri 11: Reading v Ipswich Town (8pm)
Sat 19: Nottingham Forest v Middlesbrough (12.30pm)
Fri 25: Fulham v Queen’s Park Rangers (7.45pm)

October
Fri 2 Oct: Rotherham United v Burnley (7.45pm)
Sat 3: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Huddersfield Town (12.30pm)

*Other games may be added.

by Nico the gman Wed 11 Nov 2015, 4:21 pm

owen10ozzy wrote:Spot on Nico; I am beginning to find AK's post match interviews rather cliched now, he is churning out the same stuff but then seemingly doing very little to actually fix the issues you assume he is spotting. As you stated, it's great saying the team need to show more ambition but as a manager he then needs to breed that from his team...setting up with 1 up top week in week out does little to achieve that...

I, like a fair few, have said from very early on that 1 up front is not enough when you lack the creativity we do. It frustrates me that in Downing we have a player who created the 4th most amount of chances in the premiership last season, yet we effectively throw away that effectiveness by playing him back out wide; when last year he was exceptional through the middle. Add to that he has now been here for almost 2 years and has still not settled on a solid & consistent spine of a team (never mind a starting XI)...it's little wonder we seem to be struggling to click as a team especially in the final 3rd.

Watching teams, more so the top teams, against us is akin to watching Blackpool in the Premiership few years ago...they tried to play football and they liked to keep the ball...but ultimately teams weren't too fussed because they knew they couldn't really hurt them. That's what happens when we face the top teams in this division.

We have now lost to Cardiff, Reading & Hull....alongside our draw with Derby...all teams that are in and around us...yet we have looked levels below them when facing them. Based on how these games have gone and the fixture run in during the festive period I'd imagine we will be out of the running for automatic promotion come mid January and playoff's will be our best chance....and even then I fancy we will be shown up again should we make it to Wembley.

Downing's preferred position is through the middle he's already stated this, Hull City play 4-4-2 as they did against us and have let less goals in, if Karanka hasn't got the confidence to play 4 in midfield instead of 5 then he can't think the midfield is strong enough in which case he needs to bring someone in.

This is a strong squad we have, but the manager has got to get it sorted.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 15 Nov 2015, 7:16 pm

Paul Lambert appointed by Blackburn.

Good landing spot for him, will be interested to see how he does

by westisbest Sun 15 Nov 2015, 7:25 pm

Nothing against the guy really when at Villa, just wasn't good enough.

Think he may do well at Blackburn.

Good luck to him anyway.

by James_182 Sun 15 Nov 2015, 8:33 pm

As a Blackburn supporter, I am very pleased with this appointment, and he brings decent backroom staff with him esp Alan Irvine.

I will always be grateful for the stability that Bowyer gave us over the past few seasons, but unfortunately the results this campaign have not been good enough, so a correct albeit sad decision to see him leave.

I think we can target a top 10 this year under Lambert, and maybe with a little luck start to build for promotion contention next season.

Firstly though would like to just see us have more confidence and creativity in the final third, there is talent going forwards other than the obvious in Rhodes such as Ben Marshall and Tom Lawrence, so lets see what he can do to shake it up a little bit.

by westisbest Sun 15 Nov 2015, 8:45 pm

James 182

Does the Fonz get much of a look in?

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 15 Nov 2015, 8:48 pm

Lambert had us playing exciting attacking football. Had villa playing the compete opposite.

I rate him as a manager. But this is kinda a make orbreak job for him

by NickisBHAFC Sun 15 Nov 2015, 9:13 pm

Good manager but he has a tough job on his hands. Blackburn are awful.

by James_182 Mon 16 Nov 2015, 8:56 am

Westisbest

Delfouneso has been out on the wing the last few games, as Marshall has been moved to RB to cover Henley's suspension.

He has done alright, got a couple of goals and gets playing time, but not set the world alight, he is a good player to bring on though late in the game

I would not say Blackburn are awful, we have a good squad, but the tactics of Bowyer have limited us and his decision to play two holding mids every game stunted us from a creative point, hopefully Lambert will be a bit more attacking and willing to take the odd risk now and again esp at home.

He has already said his first aim is to create and play an attractive brand of football, so lets wait, see and hope!

by James_182 Sat 21 Nov 2015, 6:38 pm

Good start for Lambert today for Rovers.

Solid performance and an away win in a local derby, pretty chuffed!

Decent set of fixtures as well coming up, so I hope this can be the start of a little run heading into the busy festive period.

by NickisBHAFC Sun 22 Nov 2015, 11:43 pm

Still unbeaten this is just insane!

Very good point at a very tough place. Bruno and Kayal continuing to put in weekly MOTM standard performances.

by NickisBHAFC Fri 27 Nov 2015, 8:22 pm

Steve Bruce looks like he needs a kebab.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 28 Nov 2015, 6:37 pm

Great win against a very tough side in Birmingham City. Solly March proving again he is the real deal.

Shame about Liam Roseinor though, off injured and look a nasty one.

Onto Charlton next week and we're still the only undefeated club in the country!

by dyrewolfe Sun 29 Nov 2015, 10:22 am

NickisBHAFC wrote:Great win against a very tough side in Birmingham City. Solly March proving again he is the real deal.

Shame about Liam Roseinor though, off injured and look a nasty one.

Onto Charlton next week and we're still the only undefeated club in the country!

Fortunately Boro, Derby, Hull and Burnley are still giving you a run for your money. Wink

How we're up to 2nd though I've no idea. Needed a stoppage time penalty to beat QPR at home and we were less than convincing at Huddersfield. Was a weird game. Had very little possession but got an early goal thanks to former Terriers player Adam Clayton, but only wrapped up the game with 5 minutes to go thanks to a great goal from Nsue.

Basically we managed 2 or 3 shots on goal all game and scored twice. Had to withstand a fair bit of pressure from Huddersfield but our defence just about coped. Would probably have been punished against a better team.

by GSC Sun 29 Nov 2015, 10:23 am

Might've been a game if Readings world class midfielders turned up Wink

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 29 Nov 2015, 12:42 pm

Brighton will fall away eventually

by NickisBHAFC Sun 29 Nov 2015, 4:54 pm

Yeah we probably will, but who cares?!

Our start to the season has been well beyond our wildest dreams. If someone told me, we would be unbeaten and top at the end of November, you would simply punch them round the face. It's just mental, last season we were just dire and the only reason we stayed up was because Blackpool, Millwall and Wigan were worse than us. A few changes over the summer and we just look like a decent team.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 29 Nov 2015, 5:09 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Yeah we probably will, but who cares?! .

Brighton fans - duh

by dyrewolfe Mon 30 Nov 2015, 4:38 pm

Lol!

Look at it this way - if Bournemouth can get into the Premier League, theres no reason Brighton can't. Wink

by NickisBHAFC Mon 30 Nov 2015, 9:06 pm

Bolton already in league one you would like to think.

by NickisBHAFC Mon 30 Nov 2015, 9:09 pm

And on that note ...

by Nico the gman Wed 02 Dec 2015, 5:42 pm

Outclassed against Everton, the gulf was huge, if we are lucky enough( and its a big if )to go up we will have to spend a small fortune just to compete, with the exception of some of our defenders the rest of the squad is nowhere near good enough.

Karanka must treat the Everton game as a reality check.

by NickisBHAFC Thu 03 Dec 2015, 3:02 pm

Bong, Roseinor, Lua Lua and Baldock all out until the new year.

Calderon at LB for the whole of December, our fairytale start to the season must be concluding extremely soon.

by Nico the gman Thu 03 Dec 2015, 4:23 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Bong, Roseinor, Lua Lua and Baldock all out until the new year.

Calderon at LB for the whole of December, our fairytale start to the season must be concluding extremely soon.

I don't know Nick your squad will be brimming with confidence, not only that, but your prepared to battle for points which is always a good sign.

by westisbest Thu 03 Dec 2015, 9:58 pm

Would have liked to see Dean Smith stay at Walsall. They're doing very well and would like to see them up in the championship.

Good to see how he does at Brentford.

by GSC Fri 04 Dec 2015, 9:53 am

Steve Clarke sacked.

Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone are rumoured to be in the frame.

by westisbest Fri 04 Dec 2015, 12:18 pm

Wernt Reading do quite well?

A spot for Sherwood there.

by dyrewolfe Fri 04 Dec 2015, 1:55 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Bolton already in league one you would like to think.

Well, if they go into administration and take the 12 point deduction, most definitely. If they can find a new owner pretty soon and maybe get some funds to overhaul the squad in January, they could yet survive.

NickisBHAFC wrote:
Bong, Roseinor, Lua Lua and Baldock all out until the new year.

Calderon at LB for the whole of December, our fairytale start to the season must be concluding extremely soon.

And given that you've just posted a £10m loss, it could be tough finding replacements, even loanees. Then again most sides struggle at some point in the season. Christmas and New Year is Boro's traditional drop-off point...we have some pretty tough fixtures this month so I see us falling away a bit too.

by NickisBHAFC Fri 04 Dec 2015, 8:22 pm

10 million loss isn't bad at all when a lot of clubs that abuse FFP will be a lot worse.

Suspect Clarke will be named new Fulham manager.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 05 Dec 2015, 8:43 am

TopoftheChops wrote:We are top of the league say we are top of the league. This is town's year!

Going well

by Guest Sat 05 Dec 2015, 4:59 pm

Well done Brighton turning that around. clap

by GSC Sat 05 Dec 2015, 5:21 pm

Started to get the results the performances have meritted. We aren't a playoff team by any stretch but we've played much better than just above the relegation zone.

by James_182 Sat 05 Dec 2015, 6:05 pm

Another good result under Lambert, and with Rotherham at home next week, we could put together a nice little run heading into Christmas.

That coupled with exiting from the FFP embargo has made for a decent week for Rovers.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 05 Dec 2015, 6:44 pm

That is why I go to football week in week out. Absolute belter of a game and just incredible. Loved every second of that second half. A real Amex moment.

These group of players just don't wanna give up there sensational unbeaten start to the season! I'll wake up from my dream soon though.

Also Charlton, lovely job of time wasting I must say Laugh

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 05 Dec 2015, 6:46 pm

Yes big congrats on scraping past 10 man, 22nd placed Charlton at home.

by NickisBHAFC Sun 06 Dec 2015, 8:58 am

Indeed outstanding win. How was Watford?

by dyrewolfe Sun 06 Dec 2015, 10:23 am

Wow- just wow.

First win at Ipswich in about 20 years! Shocked

Tractor Boys definitely had the better first half...should have scored at least twice. Nearly did again shortly after the break. Some great keeping by Dimi to keep them out.

Boro only began to get a grip on the game in the last half hour or so. Some great build up play for the first goal - characteristic run down the wing and cross by Adomah to find Stuani. Slightly comical goal in that his header bounced off the keeper before going in.

Pinpoint pass by Downing to Nugent who beat the last defender and drilled his shot past the keeper. Wonderful bit of football. Had more chances to add to our score late on, but a mix of scrappy play and last ditch defending meant we had to settle for 0-2...not that I'm complaining...

by GSC Sun 06 Dec 2015, 12:16 pm

I can't believe Matt Mills was the crossbar away from a hat trick.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 12 Dec 2015, 5:57 pm

Another fantastic point, Derby should be bossing this league, so to not only match them is brilliant. Seeing the video, we were completely cheated out of 3 points. Lee Mason better get demoted or even fired. Why do the idiots at the FA allow muppets to still officiate football matches.

This fairytale start continues. QPR on Tuesday, gonna be messy.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 12 Dec 2015, 6:03 pm

"Cheated out of 3 points" - in a game where derby had 19 shots to your 8.

Lol

by GSC Sat 12 Dec 2015, 6:58 pm

Decent point yesterday. Wasn't our best game, and Wolves edged it so good smash and grab.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 12 Dec 2015, 8:30 pm

Olly wrote:"Cheated out of 3 points" - in a game where derby had 19 shots to your 8.

Lol

An amazing point that I never expected

21 21 undefeated 21 21 I say

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 12 Dec 2015, 8:41 pm

The inevitable Brighton playoff semi final loss at home to Middlesbrough in May is gonna be funny

by NickisBHAFC Sat 12 Dec 2015, 9:09 pm

Indeed, given the fact some bookies had us to get relegated.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 12 Dec 2015, 9:30 pm

So today the Derby fans racially abused a Brighton player, gave homophobic abuse and also booed a player getting stretched off. Charming bunch. Some people need to get a grip.

by GSC Sat 12 Dec 2015, 10:30 pm

I'm not surprised

by dyrewolfe Mon 14 Dec 2015, 12:49 pm

Olly wrote:The inevitable Brighton playoff semi final loss at home to Middlesbrough in May is gonna be funny

Nah, we'd more likely lose to them in the play-off final... Sad

Which is why I'm praying we don't drop from 2nd. Fingers Crossed

Interesting game against Birmingham. How it finished goalless is a mystery. Both sides created plenty of chances. Boro's continuing inconsistency continues to worry me. Some games we can't seem to score for love nor money, other games we bang 'em in for fun. Headscratch

by Nico the gman Mon 14 Dec 2015, 4:01 pm

dyrewolfe wrote:
Olly wrote:The inevitable Brighton playoff semi final loss at home to Middlesbrough in May is gonna be funny

Nah, we'd more likely lose to them in the play-off final...

Which is why I'm praying we don't drop from 2nd.

Interesting game against Birmingham. How it finished goalless is a mystery. Both sides created plenty of chances. Boro's continuing inconsistency continues to worry me. Some games we can't seem to score for love nor money, other games we bang 'em in for fun.

Thought 2nd half Birmingham could have won it some excellent chances, our midfield created nothing 2nd half, didn't have a clue once we got to the edge of the box.
No-one could argue with the sending off but that was born out of Nugents frustration at the lack of chances he was getting.
Happy to be 2nd in the league but we're a workman like side rather than a dynamic one.

by Guest Tue 15 Dec 2015, 9:34 pm

QPR 2-2 Brighton

by GSC Tue 15 Dec 2015, 9:44 pm

Could've sworn there was a post about Jimmy here earlier

by dyrewolfe Wed 16 Dec 2015, 1:08 pm

Nico the gman wrote:
dyrewolfe wrote:
Olly wrote:The inevitable Brighton playoff semi final loss at home to Middlesbrough in May is gonna be funny

Nah, we'd more likely lose to them in the play-off final...

Which is why I'm praying we don't drop from 2nd.

Interesting game against Birmingham. How it finished goalless is a mystery. Both sides created plenty of chances. Boro's continuing inconsistency continues to worry me. Some games we can't seem to score for love nor money, other games we bang 'em in for fun.
Thought 2nd half Birmingham could have won it some excellent chances, our midfield created nothing 2nd half, didn't have a clue once we got to the edge of the box.
No-one could argue with the sending off but that was born out of Nugents frustration at the lack of chances he was getting.
Happy to be 2nd in the league but we're a workman like side rather than a dynamic one.

As demonstrated by our win over Burnley. Pretty much the definition of grinding out a win. Not pretty but effective.

WE. ARE. TOP. OF. THE. LEAGUE! Shocked

How the hell did we get there? Laugh

And more importantly, how long will we stay there? The crunch tie against Brighton to establish a clear leader could have a big bearing on the rest of the season.

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