The Championship Thread 2023/2024

[coolhandfox]

The Championship is a grind, roughly 19 games between now and the new year, 1 every 5 days.

 

That's when I see our squad paying off.

 

Forget everyone else, if we average 2 points per game we will go up.

 

 

Edited 19 September 2023 by coolhandfox

[EnderbyFox]

19 minutes ago, foxfanazer said:

A Sheff Wednesday player just ran out of play under no pressure

 

There's some dross in this league

Watched a bit of the Bristol game earlier and I genuinely can’t believe we are in the same league as Plymouth, seen better Sunday league teams tbqh 

[Craig]

I thought Preston were pretty poor. Not really where our battle lies, but fair play to them. 

[EnderbyFox]

If anyone fancies a good laugh, head over to the Southampton forum 

 

 

[K789]

Watched the southampton game, really poor, slow build up, created nothing, midfield non existent. Ipswich just looked very workmanlike also. Play out from back nicely and Hirst put a shift in tho

[Ric Flair]

I cannot unsee Brian Gittings and his missus getting furtled with when I look at Brussell Martin

[blaaklint]

47 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Preston annoying efficient so far. 

idk i've not watched any of their games and been all that impressed. think most of them could have gone either way tbh

[SixtiesFox]

Fair play to Preston and Ipswich, both have had incredible starts and are  massively exceeding expectations, but their current form is unsustainable given their squads lack sufficient depth and quality. Trying to compete with one of the best and deepest squads ever to play outside of the top flight over a full season must be  a scary prospect for the rest of the division. Their best hope would have been that we got off to a slow start and whatever happens against Norwich tomorrow that hasn't happened. 

[AjcW]

3 minutes ago, blaaklint said:

idk i've not watched any of their games and been all that impressed. think most of them could have gone either way tbh

They’re absolutely superb defensively, have been since Ryan Lowe came in. But they’ve never got more than a goal or two in them. Had a crazy amount of draws last season, like you say can often go either way/stalemate. 

[glebe_sydneyfox]

'Tis a long old season. Promising starts can fade very quickly in this league (see QPR last year).

 

Depth (which we have considerable amounts of at this level in terms of talent) plays a significant part.

Edited 19 September 2023 by glebe_sydneyfox

[Sunbury Fox]

1 minute ago, SixtiesFox said:

Fair play to Preston and Ipswich, both have had incredible starts and are  massively exceeding expectations, but their current form is unsustainable given their squads lack sufficient depth and quality. Trying to compete with one of the best and deepest squads ever to play outside of the top flight over a full season must be  a scary prospect for the rest of the division. Their best hope would have been that we got off to a slow start and whatever happens against Norwich tomorrow that hasn't happened. 

You sound like a big 6 fan in 2015/16.

[AjcW]

No post match from Brendan Martin tonight… 👀

[Corky]

9 minutes ago, AjcW said:

No post match from Brendan Martin tonight… 👀

Overwhelmed with pride

[moore_94]

 

[Jobyfox]

You wouldn’t expect Preston and Ipswich to be competing at the business end of the season, but it would be arrogance to write them off this early. There are always one or two surprises. I doubt many would have expected Luton and Coventry to contest the play off final last year.

 

I’m just hoping that we can stay in touch as, with only two automatic promotion spots, there isn’t much leeway for error. Whilst we’re still within 3 points of the top two I’ll be happy. I’ll only start getting twitchy if a big gap starts to develop 
 

 

[southfox66]

I was hoping that Southampton would do us a favour so a win is essential tomorrow to keep up the pressure at the top of the table !

[TommyK]

We've not played ten games yet fellas. You don't win anything in October. 

 

I'm confident we'll smash this league. Our quality will come through. 

 

Preston have had a great start. But won't have the strength in depth. Likewise Ipswich. 

 

I'm more worried about Norwich and Leeds. Who I think will be our main challenges. 

Edited 20 September 2023 by TommyK

[AmyLGK]

Well done to Preston and Ipswich... I'll never write anyone off, ever again, so our games against them are going to be hugely important.

[Sly]

The Championship is such a grinding season, with the number of games.

 

We will get turned off again, in games you didn’t expect, like we did at Hull.

 

You can’t really right anyone off. 
 

I’ll be surprised to see Preston to maintain their form, however I do think Ipswich will be top 6 come the end of the season. Still a long way to go though. 
 

 

[Chrysalis]

The top two looking solid, and have built a 5 point gap to 4th already with only us hoping to keep pace with them.

[Arriba Los Zorros]

I'd be more worried about Ipswich than Preston long term I think. Preston are just mid table fodder with a good defence on a good/lucky run. Ipswich actually have quality and a style of play that can take them far in the league. 

 

We'll comfortably finish above both IMO

[Dan]

Ipswich are a problem. Preston I simply think are having a lucky run and they will tail off. But fair play to them so far.

[Sly]

A long way to go yet. 

[ealingfox]

9 hours ago, EnderbyFox said:

Watched a bit of the Bristol game earlier and I genuinely can’t believe we are in the same league as Plymouth, seen better Sunday league teams tbqh 

 

I look forward to losing  1 nil to them at home in that case.

[Nalis]

In any other season I'd be wanting Preston to go up. I think its a bit unfair to say they've been lucky, they're winning the matches they should be winning on paper which can get you far in the bat shit championship.