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 NickisBHAFC Wed 16 Dec 2015, 9:28 pm

It's another "I would of loved a point before kick off but arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh" game!

Fantastic point on paper yes, against a side that are massively underachieving and have the best striker in the league.

But 2-0 up, you fully expect to go on and win, Lewis Dunk deserves a lot of the blame. Delighted that Uwe will replace him on Saturday, in the game that Boro should fully be expecting to win.

Also funny to see Rob Green back to his 2010 World Cup best, my word he is a terrible keeper Laugh

Still unbeaten, amazing scenes.

by GSC Wed 16 Dec 2015, 9:38 pm

Saw a stat that Brightons last 11 wins have been by a single goal or something similar. Unless they begin to separate they might run into trouble when they run out of steam and those small margins get squeezed

by GSC Wed 16 Dec 2015, 9:41 pm

Gonna be one hell of a night for Jake Livermore

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 16 Dec 2015, 10:11 pm

GSC wrote:Saw a stat that Brightons last 11 wins have been by a single goal or something similar. Unless they begin to separate they might run into trouble when they run out of steam and those small margins get squeezed

As I've said they'll fade away over time - can't keep that luck up for long

by NickisBHAFC Wed 16 Dec 2015, 10:22 pm

Again I'm fully expecting that. This start to the season has just been incredible, so many amazing moments. Don't care where we finish. More decent away days to follow as well.

by westisbest Wed 16 Dec 2015, 10:26 pm

You dont care where you finish?
Strange.

Surely you would want your team to finish as high as possible.

Be great for Brighton to do a Bournemouth and win the league.
A team not many would expect to win.

Good luck to them.

by GSC Wed 16 Dec 2015, 10:44 pm

I fully understand and support the everything is gravy at this point view.

by dyrewolfe Thu 17 Dec 2015, 12:26 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:It's another "I would of loved a point before kick off but arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh" game!

Fantastic point on paper yes, against a side that are massively underachieving and have the best striker in the league.

But 2-0 up, you fully expect to go on and win, Lewis Dunk deserves a lot of the blame. Delighted that Uwe will replace him on Saturday, in the game that Boro should fully be expecting to win.

Also funny to see Rob Green back to his 2010 World Cup best, my word he is a terrible keeper

Still unbeaten, amazing scenes.

Away against the only unbeaten team in the league? You must be joking! Shocked

We'll be more than happy with a point, (well, I will at any rate), even though we tend to play better away from home.

by Nico the gman Thu 17 Dec 2015, 6:17 pm

dyrewolfe wrote:
NickisBHAFC wrote:It's another "I would of loved a point before kick off but arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh" game!

Fantastic point on paper yes, against a side that are massively underachieving and have the best striker in the league.

But 2-0 up, you fully expect to go on and win, Lewis Dunk deserves a lot of the blame. Delighted that Uwe will replace him on Saturday, in the game that Boro should fully be expecting to win.

Also funny to see Rob Green back to his 2010 World Cup best, my word he is a terrible keeper

Still unbeaten, amazing scenes.

Away against the only unbeaten team in the league? You must be joking!

We'll be more than happy with a point, (well, I will at any rate), even though we tend to play better away from home.

I hope there's no repeat of the pathetic performances we had against Bournemouth and Watford last season.
I hope Karanka puts out a side that goes for the 3 points rather than one that tries to contain Brighton.

Forshaw will be unlucky if he's back on the bench after his performance on Tuesday, can't remember him giving the ball away, and the assist for Nsue's goal which he also did away at Huddersfield.

by Fernando Thu 17 Dec 2015, 8:15 pm

Wolves 1-0 Leeds - Afobe

Leeds have been gash so far.

by Fernando Thu 17 Dec 2015, 8:29 pm

Wolves 1-1 Leeds - Byram

Not entirely sure how this has happened Laugh

by Fernando Thu 17 Dec 2015, 8:55 pm

Wolves 1-2 Leeds - Bo Dallas

by Fernando Thu 17 Dec 2015, 9:04 pm

Wolves 1-3 Leeds - Byram

If said this was going to happen after the 1st 30 mins id have punched you for stupidity.

by Fernando Thu 17 Dec 2015, 9:25 pm

Wolves 2-3 Leeds - Byrne

by Fernando Thu 17 Dec 2015, 9:33 pm

Wolves denied a fairly obvious pen, He literally pulled him down whilst facing the other way.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 19 Dec 2015, 12:00 pm

Good luck today Boro chaps.

by dyrewolfe Sat 19 Dec 2015, 12:42 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Good luck today Boro chaps.

Likewise, old bean. May the better team win. Wink

Honestly don't fancy our chances, but Boro do have a way of surprising you every so often.

I see Mourinho has decided to come and watch...Karanka will want to impress his old boss. Hopefully the players will too.

by dyrewolfe Sat 19 Dec 2015, 2:08 pm

Good grief!

Today is one of Boro's "surprise" days (though in fairness we often seem to turn up for big matches, only to disappear in ones you would expect us to win).

Brighton's unbeaten run is finally over. Boro have had less possession, but we've been rock solid defensively and taken our few clear-cut chances well.

Caught the Seagulls napping with a very early goal (after just 4 minutes) did our well-organised defensive thing for the next 40 minutes and grabbed a second from a corner right on half time. Got a third with half an hour still to go.

Excellent play by almost everyone in a Boro shirt. Ayala outstanding in defence, Adomah, Kike and Stuani awesome in attack. Only minor niggles are with Leadbitter for getting booked early on for a clumsy challenge and Friend lucky not to get booked for a late tackle after misjudging the ball going out.

Even allowing for Brighton being without some of their first-choice players, its been an impressive display.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 19 Dec 2015, 2:20 pm

Ohhhhh well it was always going to happen, congratulations Boro. Think they will stay top now for the remainder of the season, with them and Derby making up the promoted teams.

It's been a fantastic start to the season but today the players just didn't show up. We move on, we have a lovely Christmas and we enjoy football on Boxing Day, the way it should be enjoyed. On a terrace!!!!

by GSC Sat 19 Dec 2015, 2:42 pm

Think this result has probably been a bit overdue for Brighton, had an excellent start but starting to scrape past now. Take nothing away from them, but you probably need 2 goalscorers to reach the autos and not sure they have that.

by dyrewolfe Sat 19 Dec 2015, 9:21 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Ohhhhh well it was always going to happen, congratulations Boro. Think they will stay top now for the remainder of the season, with them and Derby making up the promoted teams.

It's been a fantastic start to the season but today the players just didn't show up. We move on, we have a lovely Christmas and we enjoy football on Boxing Day, the way it should be enjoyed. On a terrace!!!!

Hopefully it might serve as a bit of a wake-up call. In fact, the whole unbeaten run thing was probably becoming a bit of a millstone round your necks. Now its over they can just concentrate on playing their normal game. Best of luck for the rest of the season.

by NickisBHAFC Sat 26 Dec 2015, 4:58 pm

Decent point at Brentford, mainly thanks to an inspired goalkeeping performance by David Stockdale.

Ipswich on Tuesday night, need to try and get back to winning ways, but there a side in good form so will be a tough game

by Fernando Tue 29 Dec 2015, 12:11 am

Massimo Cellino has banned Sky Sports from Elland Road refusing them entry to set up cameras for the match tonight.

Laugh

by dyrewolfe Tue 29 Dec 2015, 9:12 pm

Fernando wrote:Massimo Cellino has banned Sky Sports from Elland Road refusing them entry to set up cameras for the match tonight.

Reckons Sky are unfairly picking on Leeds for TV coverage, forcing more late kick-offs. Complaining this is messing up the players' preparation for matches. Derby have had as many televised matches, but you don't hear any whingeing from them. Backed down anyway after being threatened by the FA with a "disrepute charge". Sounds pretty wishy-washy to me. If he was that unhappy he should have ignored it.

Boro's match at Blackburn postponed (unsurprisingly) due to their pitch being waterlogged. A rather disappointing, scrappy 1-0 win at home to Sheff Wed. Scored in the very first minute, but failed to build on that. We really need to learn to press home advantages when we get them.

But hey, we're still top so can't complain too much. Just wonder how long we can keep this run going...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Tue 29 Dec 2015, 9:42 pm

The Brighton choke continues

by NickisBHAFC Wed 30 Dec 2015, 10:38 am

We're struggling at the moment, but it's no real surprise, with the amount of injuries we've got at the moment it's very tough, a lot of players are looking shattered. We're quite literally limping towards the January transfer window.

Wolves on Friday again worries me as we can add RVLP to the unavailable list. Probably means 4-3-3 again with Murphy, Hemed and Wilson the front 3.

by GSC Wed 30 Dec 2015, 10:41 am

Decent point again away from home

by NickisBHAFC Wed 30 Dec 2015, 6:35 pm

Liam Ridgewell signs. Solild signing, hopefully bong and roseinor will be back when the loan expires.

Must admit I didn't realise he was 31, I thought he was a lot older and in fact retired!

by westisbest Wed 30 Dec 2015, 7:40 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Liam Ridgewell signs. Solild signing, hopefully bong and roseinor will be back when the loan expires.

Must admit I didn't realise he was 31, I thought he was a lot older and in fact retired!

Helped the Portland Timbers win the MLS cup.

by dyrewolfe Wed 30 Dec 2015, 9:22 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Liam Ridgewell signs. Solild signing, hopefully bong and roseinor will be back when the loan expires.

Must admit I didn't realise he was 31, I thought he was a lot older and in fact retired!

You're not thinking of Leroy Rosenior, by any chance, are you? Wink

His son Liam is a current player...somewhere...

by NickisBHAFC Fri 01 Jan 2016, 5:58 pm

What a terrible game of football to watch, all 22 players were rubbish and it was a really dire game to watch.

One thing I think we need to pick up on more is time wasting, hopefully the idiots in the FA can add this to there ever growing list of things to sort out.

Finally, outstanding effort by James Wilson to throw up everywhere right before kick off. He's clearing been at my Sunday morning games this season!

by GSC Fri 01 Jan 2016, 8:22 pm

Hes clearly had a late night haha

by Fernando Fri 01 Jan 2016, 8:26 pm

Should do it more often looked the only Brighton player to do anything at all. All that possession and Ikeme had little to do apart from 3 saves off the top of my head.

by GSC Sat 02 Jan 2016, 4:57 pm

You wonder if Derby are too finesse in these big games and moments.

by dyrewolfe Sat 02 Jan 2016, 6:04 pm

Hmm...bit of a smash n' grab game, that one.

Very scrappy and could have gone either way. Didn't think either side looked great first half - though we possibly shaded it due to some early pressure.

We got our act together second half and controlled the game better, but still didn't look all that threatening until late on. Pressed hard for the last 10-15 minutes and it paid off with 2 goals in as many minutes and didn't give Derby any time to come back at us.

Seen us do this quite a few times in lost causes, when we were chasing the game. nice to see it pay off for once.

To be fair I was expecting a dour, boring game, but it was actually quite open and entertaining. Think we deserved the win, on balance, as we created the better chances.

Wow - 4 points clear at the top with a game in hand...think I'm getting a nosebleed.

Also set a new club record of 9 games without conceding a goal! if we can just keep this kind of form up for another 4 months...

by GSC Sat 02 Jan 2016, 8:27 pm

In positive news, Chris Cohen returned from 15 months out

by NickisBHAFC Wed 06 Jan 2016, 10:16 am

Derby spending there 23 million pound of the season.

I'm sorry this is just stupid, how do you compete with that?! If we get the play offs this season (which I can't see) I think it will be an absolute outstanding achievement by Chris Brighton, given the absolute state we were last season.

by GSC Wed 06 Jan 2016, 11:19 am

by dyrewolfe Mon 11 Jan 2016, 12:28 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:Derby spending there 23 million pound of the season.

I'm sorry this is just stupid, how do you compete with that?! If we get the play offs this season (which I can't see) I think it will be an absolute outstanding achievement by Chris Brighton, given the absolute state we were last season.

I had no idea he changed his name - he must really love the club! Laugh

Seriously though, you shouldn't get that upset. Money is no guarantee of success. Brighton were proof of that...until recently anyway. We (Boro) have made signings worth a total of £15m and recouped £3m in sales. We are by no means skint but we have to be careful what we spend.

by NickisBHAFC Tue 12 Jan 2016, 8:24 pm

Lets sign Matt mills and put him upfront

by NickisBHAFC Tue 12 Jan 2016, 8:33 pm

Lewis Dunk strikes again.

At fault for Ipswich, Hull and now potentially Rotherhams winner.

by NickisBHAFC Tue 12 Jan 2016, 9:39 pm

Brighton well and truly back! Next 2 weeks will shape the season.

Bottom line I'll bite you're hand of for 6th spot, however I really really can't see it happening. Looking like last season standard.

by GSC Tue 12 Jan 2016, 10:53 pm

David Vaughan sent off for a high foot when a player bent down for a header. Refs in this division truly nick a living

by NickisBHAFC Sat 16 Jan 2016, 3:50 pm

Half time, King Bobby puts us 1-0 up. Pitch is terrible but we're playing some cracking football apparently.

Just waiting for the inetable Lewis dunk mistake.

by GSC Sat 16 Jan 2016, 5:23 pm

Bolton are in real trouble

by GSC Sat 16 Jan 2016, 7:58 pm

Not sure what's happening at Derby. Certainly given the astounding spend this year, some might feel the pressure very soon.

Boro missed out massively, Hull the major winners.

by NickisBHAFC Sun 17 Jan 2016, 11:35 am

I really don't know how Boro and Derby can justify not going up!

Charlton and Bolton you have to feel will be in league one next season.

Fantastic win for us yesterday, well done to Hughton for stopping the dodgy run and hopefully we can kick on now. 3 home games in a row, no reason why we can't aim to get 9 points. Wether it will happen or not though!

by **owen10ozzy** Sun 17 Jan 2016, 1:02 pm

People really need to look into the transfer dealings of clubs a little more! Why should Middlesbrough not be able to justify not going up...because we spent 12 million on players? Sorry but you do realise we recouped almost 3 million. In fact our net transfer spend was just over a million more than Brightons.

Yesterday was a big chance missed as stated, must win our game in hand to retain some type of relative comfort. The loss had been coming with us looking pretty jaded in recent performances; unusual given karanka love of rotating.

Teams such as Bristol, no disrespect to them, we should be putting away comfortably but while we keep playing this 1 up front countering style we will continue to have blips like this purely because we invite to much pressure on to us.

We have brought in a striker on loan, don't know much about him, but it perplexes me why any forward would come knowing that chances are he won't get a run in the team because of the rotation & 1 up top policy. Big game now against Notts Forest.

by NickisBHAFC Sun 17 Jan 2016, 2:27 pm

owen10ozzy wrote:People really need to look into the transfer dealings of clubs a little more! Why should Middlesbrough not be able to justify not going up...because we spent 12 million on players? Sorry but you do realise we recouped almost 3 million. In fact our net transfer spend was just over a million more than Brightons.

Yesterday was a big chance missed as stated, must win our game in hand to retain some type of relative comfort. The loss had been coming with us looking pretty jaded in recent performances; unusual given karanka love of rotating.

Teams such as Bristol, no disrespect to them, we should be putting away comfortably but while we keep playing this 1 up front countering style we will continue to have blips like this purely because we invite to much pressure on to us.

We have brought in a striker on loan, don't know much about him, but it perplexes me why any forward would come knowing that chances are he won't get a run in the team because of the rotation & 1 up top policy. Big game now against Notts Forest.

I do get what you mean, however we HAD to spend money as we had a terrible terrible season last year which almost ended and probably should of ended in relegation.

Boro on the other hand were just one win away from promotion, so there already strong squad, got 12 million pounds better which includes a 7 million Stuart Downing.

by **owen10ozzy** Sun 17 Jan 2016, 2:36 pm

5 million on downing Nick Wink

and he took a hefty pay cut. I get what you mean regards us already having a strong squad however the flip side is that we had a strong squad yet faded badly in stretches hence the playoffs. We don't want that uncertainty this year so for automatic we needed to strengthen the depth and add one player of substantial quality.

It's just frustrating hearing people speak like there's a massive discrepancy in spending, that is the case in a fair few cases but we weren't way out in front like people would have you believe. Plus, if you look at the bigger picture we should be commended for being in a position where we have the ability to spend money given the way Gibson has managed to drop the wage bill and ensure we didn't go the way plenty have after relegation. We spent 3 seasons getting our house in order following the relegation and only these past two years have we been able to mount a team capable of getting back up. We have done it sensibly and within our means, which is no mean feat given places such as Boro and many northern small teams would have struggled most during the financial difficulties the recession brought.

by Sponsored content