2015-16 Championship Thread

[Fernando]

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.

[westisbest]

Good to see Gardner score again.

Got to hold on to him next season, could be a massive player for us in our fight to bounce straight back up.

[dyrewolfe]

We are Boro super Boro no one likes us WE DON'T CARE

Eh...on our current form we're anything but super.


I will make a prediction right now that both Burnley and Brighton will win tomorrow, then Brighton will come to our place and get at least a point.

Hope I'm wrong, but if I were a betting man I would put money on it.

Much as I hate to say it, I think we have choked.

[dyrewolfe]

I'd be loving that Lino if he gave my team an easier path to promotion! Can't see how it's anything but honest and hasn't laughed at Boro not attacked a poster.

That just isn't really gloating. In fact he's readily agreed with you that the linesman got it wrong. He's not come on and said "f*** the Boro, Lino was right, we are going up!!"

Unless this is actually all annoyance because you lot don't rate Birmingham as a night out

All I can say is you're as blind as that linesman...or ridiculously biased.

NickisBHAFC wrote:
I love Birmingham. My favourite night out and there football team are heros. That linesman deserves a beer or 2 as well.

4 points and its premiership football next season. Unbelievable.

If you don't see that as being deliberately provocative, then I would seriously question your judgement.

As for Birmingham, I have to go there a few times a year as part of my job. Never had the slightest inclination to go there for a night out...its nothing special.

[westisbest]

depends where you go, like anywhere.

I think Brightn and Burnley will win tomorrow.

But think Boro will beat Brighton to go up.

[GSC]

Ultimately irrelevant late goal for Brighton.

Burnley will be promoted if they win one of their last 2 games or draw both.

Boro are promoted if they avoid defeat to Brighton next week.

Brighton realistically must beat Boro unless Burnley Frak up royally.

[Nico the gman]

We are Boro super Boro no one likes us WE DON'T CARE

Eh...on our current form we're anything but super.


I will make a prediction right now that both Burnley and Brighton will win tomorrow, then Brighton will come to our place and get at least a point.

Hope I'm wrong, but if I were a betting man I would put money on it.

Much as I hate to say it, I think we have choked.

We are unbeaten in our last 9 games, including a point at Burnley, robbed against Birmingham after an awful decision,I fail to see how we're choking.

[Nico the gman]

The disallowed goal against Birmingham, hasn't made any difference to the game against Brighton, we would have been 2 points clear but still the same scenario.

[dyrewolfe]

We are Boro super Boro no one likes us WE DON'T CARE

Eh...on our current form we're anything but super.


I will make a prediction right now that both Burnley and Brighton will win tomorrow, then Brighton will come to our place and get at least a point.

Hope I'm wrong, but if I were a betting man I would put money on it.

Much as I hate to say it, I think we have choked.

We are unbeaten in our last 9 games, including a point at Burnley, robbed against Birmingham after an awful decision,I fail to see how we're choking.

Conceding late and/or soft equalisers against Burnley and Birmingham, failing to take any of the numerous chances we had against Ipswich. Essentially, failing to do the business in some of the most important games of the season.

Come on! You've even commented yourself about our recent tendency to sit back once we've scored and invite pressure onto us. Yes the lino robbed us of a goal at Brum, but if it hadn't been for a last-ditch tackle by Ayala, we could have gone home with nothing.

Unbeaten in 9 sounds good, until you think back to some of the performances and what might have been.


Derby did us a favour today - shame about Brighton's 95th minute equaliser, so at least they come to our place needing a win. Hopefully that will give our lads a morale boost and they will be a bit calmer and more composed.

[NickisBHAFC]

Play offs it is. Unbelievable effort from the lads, been an excellent season, whilst today we didn't show up its been an excellent season.

Derby got the point they came for, didn't allow us to play, fouled us at every opportunity they got. Think they will probably beat Hull in the play offs from what I've seen this season.

QPR if you can get a win, I'm buying a shirt and I'm kissing JFH!

[GSC]

Congrats to Burnley. What a job Sean Dyche is doing.

[Nico the gman]

We are Boro super Boro no one likes us WE DON'T CARE

Eh...on our current form we're anything but super.


I will make a prediction right now that both Burnley and Brighton will win tomorrow, then Brighton will come to our place and get at least a point.

Hope I'm wrong, but if I were a betting man I would put money on it.

Much as I hate to say it, I think we have choked.

We are unbeaten in our last 9 games, including a point at Burnley, robbed against Birmingham after an awful decision,I fail to see how we're choking.

Conceding late and/or soft equalisers against Burnley and Birmingham, failing to take any of the numerous chances we had against Ipswich. Essentially, failing to do the business in some of the most important games of the season.

Come on! You've even commented yourself about our recent tendency to sit back once we've scored and invite pressure onto us. Yes the lino robbed us of a goal at Brum, but if it hadn't been for a last-ditch tackle by Ayala, we could have gone home with nothing.

Unbeaten in 9 sounds good, until you think back to some of the performances and what might have been.


Derby did us a favour today - shame about Brighton's 95th minute equaliser, so at least they come to our place needing a win. Hopefully that will give our lads a morale boost and they will be a bit calmer and more composed.

Yes agree we do sit back on a lead which I don't like, and we had a terrible run particularly against some of the bottom clubs which should have seen us out of sight of the top 2, but of late we have been hard to beat, and scored quite a few late goals ourselves to win matches, not many would have given us a chance of getting anything at Burnley so it was an excellent point even though we failed to hold on, with regard to Ayala's tackle that's what he's there for.So while we aren't pulling up any trees we certainly aren't choking.

[westisbest]

Good to see Weimann score today.
Derby for the play offs i hope.

[GSC]

Our game next year will be the first between 2 European cup winners outside the top division Westi.

So we have that at least

[dyrewolfe]

Play offs it is. Unbelievable effort from the lads, been an excellent season, whilst today we didn't show up its been an excellent season.

Derby got the point they came for, didn't allow us to play, fouled us at every opportunity they got. Think they will probably beat Hull in the play offs from what I've seen this season.

QPR if you can get a win, I'm buying a shirt and I'm kissing JFH!

Funny, considering Derby scored first, with about 20 minutes to go and you needed 5 minutes of stoppage time to salvage a point. Also, for all Derby's fouling, Brighton were the ones who finished the game with 10 men...

Chin up though, we have just as much chance of finishing in the play-offs. Where Boro are concerned you can never take anything for granted.

Yes agree we do sit back on a lead which I don't like, and we had a terrible run particularly against some of the bottom clubs which should have seen us out of sight of the top 2, but of late we have been hard to beat, and scored quite a few late goals ourselves to win matches, not many would have given us a chance of getting anything at Burnley so it was an excellent point even though we failed to hold on, with regard to Ayala's tackle that's what he's there for.So while we aren't pulling up any trees we certainly aren't choking.

Afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. We've had enough chances to guarantee ourselves promotion and we just haven't taken them. So everything now hinges on the final game against one of the best sides in the league. Hope our lads have the mental strength to play to their best and don't disintegrate and panic.

My one consolation is that Boro tend to up their game against the better teams, so maybe we can still do it...


EDIT:
------------

Okay maybe we haven't actually choked yet...that would only happen if we lose to Brighton and end up in the play-offs, but we're certainly making distressing noises and turning a funny colour.

[westisbest]

Our game next year will be the first between 2 European cup winners outside the top division Westi.

So we have that at least

Indeed GSC. Crazy to think.
Looking forward to those fixtures.
Hopefully our away game is on a Saturday and I can make it.
Good night out Nottingham.

Good luck next season.
I have a feeling Gardner will sign for you.
Depends I suppose if new manager want him.

[Galted]

Hello Westi, fancy bumping into you on this thread.

[westisbest]

Ha, galted.

Hopefully it's temporary and we will be back in the premiership next year.

These championship folks seem like good people though, so could be an interseting time.

[Galted]

Haven't yet mingled with this sort of person so hopefully my preconceptions are proved wrong, especially now that I'm one.

[NickisBHAFC]

Well of to Newcastle tomorrow, ahead of the big game. If we win I may die.

If we lose, I'll be on here saying how much I'll be fearing the play offs!

[dyrewolfe]

My nerves are in bits already. Not sure I'll make it to kick-off!

Everything says we should do it (only lost at home twice all season and only conceded 7 goals), but this is Boro we're talking about, the most Jekyll and Hyde team you've ever seen...sometimes in the same game.

[dyrewolfe]

Ha, galted.

Hopefully it's temporary and we will be back in the premiership next year.

These championship folks seem like good people though, so could be an interseting time.

Your team will have to get used to playing a different way. Opponents will be more "in your face" and will try and beat you with superior work rate...not to say that there isn't much skill. There are some good footballing sides, just not on a par with the better PL teams.

The fixtures will also come thick and fast at certain points in the season, with up to 3 games a week. You'll probably have to rotate your squad a lot more and the players will have to be ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in on a wet Tuesday evening in Rotherham.

Haven't yet mingled with this sort of person so hopefully my preconceptions are proved wrong, especially now that I'm one.

I'm sure you'll prove an excellent role model to the rest of the Championship forum and raise the classiness levels with your mere presence.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

You obviously haven't met him

[Galted]

Thank you dyrewolfe, I'm deeply touched. What I lack in footballing knowledge I more than make up for in bitterness and hatred.

And sod you, Dolphin, I'm classiness personified.

[Galted]

The fixtures will also come thick and fast at certain points in the season, with up to 3 games a week. You'll probably have to rotate your squad a lot more and the players will have to be ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in on a wet Tuesday evening in Rotherham.

Great, now we can miss out on 9 points a week instead of just the 3.

[dyrewolfe]

Message for the Boro...

[owen10ozzy]

Absolutely buzzing for today!! Going to be over the moon or depressed as hell (no way we win playoffs so need a result) but either way I plan to be stonking drunk and making the most of what should be an electric atmosphere!

Nickis - Best of luck for today (not as much luck as Boro) but hope you enjoy the game: I don't buy into your no pressure no one expected playoffs theory but that's a discussion for another day.

[dyrewolfe]

I'll be watching on TV but jelly for all the fans that will be there. Hope they do the lads proud and make a hell of a racket.

Got a bottle of rather expensive cabernet sauvignon that I've been saving for today. It'll be getting drunk regardless of the result, but I'm hoping I'll be happy drunk, rather than miserable.

[westisbest]

Ha, galted.

Hopefully it's temporary and we will be back in the premiership next year.

These championship folks seem like good people though, so could be an interseting time.

Your team will have to get used to playing a different way. Opponents will be more "in your face" and will try and beat you with superior work rate...not to say that there isn't much skill. There are some good footballing sides, just not on a par with the better PL teams.

The fixtures will also come thick and fast at certain points in the season, with up to 3 games a week. You'll probably have to rotate your squad a lot more and the players will have to be ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in on a wet Tuesday evening in Rotherham.

Haven't yet mingled with this sort of person so hopefully my preconceptions are proved wrong, especially now that I'm one.

I'm sure you'll prove an excellent role model to the rest of the Championship forum and raise the classiness levels with your mere presence.

That's exactly it.
We're not used to playing 3 games in a week.
Also 8 more games.

That's why an experienced championship manager is vital.

[owen10ozzy]

Rhodes on the bench??? Downing on the bench? What is Karanka doing...this is exactly why a rather large majority can't stand the man!! Daft is an understatement

[dyrewolfe]

STUANI!!! YOU BEAUTY!!!

I think AK went for Nugent for his ball-holding ability & winning high balls.

Downing hasn't been brilliant lately and can always make a late impact, if need be. Same with Rhodes. I'd say the team is quite solid enough.

Maybe also wanted to give Hughton something to think about.

[owen10ozzy]

Yeh what I meant was that it's fantastic management lol!

Let's hope we don't sit back for the rest of the game!

[GSC]

Cohen scores, lovely moment

[dyrewolfe]

Hmm. Stuani apparently marginally offside for the goal.

Unlucky Brighton, but it was very close.

[owen10ozzy]

He was onside...offside in the first phase but onside in the 2nd phase. So no arguments from me on that one by the current rule book.

[dyrewolfe]

Yeesh! 45 minutes away from the PL.

Boro far the better team...could and probably should have had 3 or 4. 7 shots at goal, 4 on target and all of them genuinely dangerous.

He was onside...offside in the first phase but onside in the 2nd phase. So no arguments from me on that one by the current rule book.

I'll take your word for it! I don't claim to understand the finer points of the offside rule.


Ramirez, Stuani and Adomah looking very dangerous. Nugent being a real nuisance. Defence looking solid so far.

Knockaert, and Hemed looking threatening for Brighton at times. Fortunately we're working hard to limit their chances.

[owen10ozzy]

Yeh we've dominated the game to be fair; should be clear by now and just hope it doesn't come back to bite us in the backside! Need to stay compact and keep the ball first ten of the 2nd half...Brighton get desperate then...if they score an early one then momentum is with them

[owen10ozzy]

Nice to see Brighton have evened up the score by paying the ref at half time! Dirty cheating gits!

[Guest]

Game on!!

[dyrewolfe]

Feck!

That makes things interesting.

When Dimi didn't move I thought it was going wide. Great ball in and a very good header for the equaliser. First shot on target and they score.

Typical Boro - we never make it easy for ourselves. Just hope we can keep our composure.

[owen10ozzy]

Ref is awful...funny how any tangling/coming together is punished at our end but not when it's Brighton! Shocking! Ref changed the game last week and it seems there intent on doing the same this week!

Hooray! Got one right! Dirty Poopie!

[dyrewolfe]

Holy crap - straight red for Stephens for that foul on Ramirez.

Probably their earlier set-to made up the ref's mind.

Hope we can capitalise on that. We really ought to be out of sight score-wise.

[Guest]

That should seal it for Boro. You aint gonna lose to 10 men, surely?

[owen10ozzy]

That's horrendous; Brighton lost a player there but we've lost our best player from that!

[dyrewolfe]

Ramirez still getting treatment - must've been worse than it initially looked.

Downing coming on for him.

That's horrendous; Brighton lost a player there but we've lost our best player from that!

Well on the plus side we still have a man advantage - lets hope we can make it count!

That should seal it for Boro. You aint gonna lose to 10 men, surely?

You obviously don't watch Boro much. Absolutely ANYTHING is possible until the final whistle.

[owen10ozzy]

Midfield sat so deep we have no support up top!! We are playing against ten men for Frak sake! What are we doing trying to see the game out!

[dyrewolfe]

Yep - we've slowed the play down, dawdling about, while Brighton are snapping into challenges and still playing with urgency.

Don't like it - its like we're settling for the draw...very dangerous...

Still, putting some nice moves together...but anyone's game.

[owen10ozzy]

Takes one set piece for this game to change; I don't care if we have control of the game and more men on the pitch we should be trying to kill this game off not settle for the draw! I hope Brighton score because it would be deserving of the way we have played this season! Bloody stupid!!! Still had Nugent on the pitch against a slow and tired Brighton defence when a £12 million quid player is sat on the bench!

[GSC]

BRITT!!!!

[dyrewolfe]

Nugent off, Rhodes on.

Lets hope he can put the game to bed for us.

[owen10ozzy]

I can't believe the team with ten men are outplaying us! This is exactly what's been wrong with our season happy with a slight advantage so sit on it until it bites us in the ass

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