Championship 2025/26 Season

[Number 6]

19 minutes ago, TheGoldenGod said:

Just watched Benjamin Blooms predictions and he has us EIGHTH!! For someone that does that as a job that's deeply concerning he believes that . Anyone that watches him will know he's had his back up about year 1 parachute teams for years, funny how he's now one of them...odd individual!

He usually seems pretty sensible but some odd predictions in there I think (us 8th, Birmingham 2nd) but more than that the reasoning is a little strange too - mentioned the word embargo when talking about us even though there isn't one in place and we're a good chunk of the way through the summer window. Could maybe be thinking of a January one but that's a much lower impact window on the season and if we were able to get in maybe a couple of additions in the summer one, I don't think we're be needed a January window anyway to have a nice balanced squad.

 

Might be being harsh as I guess we'll be one of the teams with a big variance of predictions due to potential deductions. But I think we're a 90-95pt team, and large parts of this league are really not very good. If the deduction is <6 then I'd hope we'd be eying up 2nd.

[TheGoldenGod]

2 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

He usually seems pretty sensible but some odd predictions in there I think (us 8th, Birmingham 2nd) but more than that the reasoning is a little strange too - mentioned the word embargo when talking about us even though there isn't one in place and we're a good chunk of the way through the summer window. Could maybe be thinking of a January one but that's a much lower impact window on the season and if we were able to get in maybe a couple of additions in the summer one, I don't think we're be needed a January window anyway to have a nice balanced squad.

 

Might be being harsh as I guess we'll be one of the teams with a big variance of predictions due to potential deductions. But I think we're a 90-95pt team, and large parts of this league are really not very good. If the deduction is <6 then I'd hope we'd be eying up 2nd.

A -9 wouldn't put us outside top 6 in any smart person's rationale and it would actually be in alignment with stuff he's said about us in videos before so why the change now seems "clickbaity" to me!

Edited 4 August 2025 by TheGoldenGod

[Noahfence]

7 minutes ago, LVFox said:

I agree actually, Maxwell was very happy to praise our style of play. Elek seemed to have set his doubts on Maresca very early and wanted to be proven right.

Yep I think you’re right. Although this time I think what they said about us was all very fair. 

[les-tah]

We were 7 points clear of 3rd place leeds last time so its just poor and lazy from some of these wannabe pundits but i am happy to be the under dog this time out.

 

lets wait for the season to start and these guys changing their tone once they see us lining up with fatawu mav and bilal week in week out.

[Les-TA-Jon]

15 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

He usually seems pretty sensible but some odd predictions in there I think (us 8th, Birmingham 2nd) but more than that the reasoning is a little strange too - mentioned the word embargo when talking about us even though there isn't one in place and we're a good chunk of the way through the summer window. Could maybe be thinking of a January one but that's a much lower impact window on the season and if we were able to get in maybe a couple of additions in the summer one, I don't think we're be needed a January window anyway to have a nice balanced squad.

 

Might be being harsh as I guess we'll be one of the teams with a big variance of predictions due to potential deductions. But I think we're a 90-95pt team, and large parts of this league are really not very good. If the deduction is <6 then I'd hope we'd be eying up 2nd.

This isn't that outlandish. I don't know anything about their incomings signings, but they're spending a lot and coming off the back of a 111pt season - we should know better than most clubs how powerful momentum can be. And look at Ipswich when they were last in the Championship...

[TheGoldenGod]

1 minute ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

This isn't that outlandish. I don't know anything about their incomings signings, but they're spending a lot and coming off the back of a 111pt season - we should know better than most clubs how powerful momentum can be. And look at Ipswich when they were last in the Championship...

I'm confused, was Ipswich's back-to-back promotion really really special like we were all being told...or is it something that can happen all the time? I'm being facetious but my point being that is the anomaly not the rule!

[Les-TA-Jon]

23 minutes ago, TheGoldenGod said:

I'm confused, was Ipswich's back-to-back promotion really really special like we were all being told...or is it something that can happen all the time? I'm being facetious but my point being that is the anomaly not the rule!

Sure, it's not common. I'm just saying that it's evidence of the power of momentum. And surely there's some momentum to be gained from ambitious ownership splashing the cash and 111 points? 

[purpleronnie]

Yanks love statues of their sporting legends, so no surprise they have unveiled one for Trevor francis.  More clubs should so this.

 

[lanefox]

[TheGoldenGod]

2 minutes ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Sure, it's not common. I'm just saying that it's evidence of the power of momentum. And surely there's some momentum to be gained from ambitious ownership splashing the cash and 111 points? 

You said yourself you don't about their transfer business but I don't see who they've got that's got people talking the way they have...bloody Demarei Gray...how old is he now and how many clubs has he failed at? They're losing out on Akpom to Ipswich so the project clearly isn't that appealing!

[Number 6]

1 hour ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

This isn't that outlandish. I don't know anything about their incomings signings, but they're spending a lot and coming off the back of a 111pt season - we should know better than most clubs how powerful momentum can be. And look at Ipswich when they were last in the Championship...

And yet Plymouth who won the league ahead of Ipswich...

[Les-TA-Jon]

1 minute ago, Number 6 said:

And yet Plymouth who won the league ahead of Ipswich...

Sure? They'll always be a counter-example won't there? All I'm saying is that part of the positive predictions for Birmingham, is based on momentum from last season's 111pts - and momentum is a phenomenon we know can matter in football.  

[Number 6]

2 minutes ago, Les-TA-Jon said:

Sure? They'll always be a counter-example won't there? All I'm saying is that part of the positive predictions for Birmingham, is based on momentum from last season's 111pts - and momentum is a phenomenon we know can matter in football.  

This is true. I think there are some bookies who have them third favourites to be fair. It should be an interesting autos battle this year I think.

[DerbyshireFox]

Ahmedhodzic leaving Sheffield United for Feyenoord. 

[pmcla26]

10 minutes ago, DerbyshireFox said:

Ahmedhodzic leaving Sheffield United for Feyenoord. 

Lost quite a few players from last season now. 

 

Souttar, Choudhury, Vini Souza, Moore, Brewster..

 

[ClaphamFox]

6 hours ago, Number 6 said:

He usually seems pretty sensible but some odd predictions in there I think (us 8th, Birmingham 2nd) but more than that the reasoning is a little strange too - mentioned the word embargo when talking about us even though there isn't one in place and we're a good chunk of the way through the summer window. Could maybe be thinking of a January one but that's a much lower impact window on the season and if we were able to get in maybe a couple of additions in the summer one, I don't think we're be needed a January window anyway to have a nice balanced squad.

 

Might be being harsh as I guess we'll be one of the teams with a big variance of predictions due to potential deductions. But I think we're a 90-95pt team, and large parts of this league are really not very good. If the deduction is <6 then I'd hope we'd be eying up 2nd.

There is a general perception that we’re going to be hit hard by the authorities, which is why so many pundits are writing us off. But this perception is vague and based purely on a handful of articles speculating about -12 points, etc. It is not based on any serious analysis of our situation, let alone a serious assessment of the qualities of our team. I’m convinced we’re going to be the most unpopular team in the Championship again this season because we’ll be right up there at the top and so many fans of other clubs will feel cheated because they were led to believe by the media that we weren’t going to be contenders this time. And it will be beautiful. 

[brookfox]

Sky clearly expecting great things from us! Personally I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about our chances than most pundits.

 

 

[ClaphamFox]

21 minutes ago, brookfox said:

Sky clearly expecting great things from us! Personally I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about our chances than most pundits.

 

 

This is a perfect illustration of what I described above. They’ve taken a vague notion of a threatened points deduction and through some bizarre process of alchemy turned it into a prediction that our aim this season will be to avoid relegation. The only that could be the case were if we were facing 40-point deduction, whereas in reality it will likely be 4-7 and a maximum of 9. In other words, even the worst case scenario we could still go up automatically, and should absolutely be aiming for the play-offs at least. The absence of actual thought in these predictions is mind boggling.

[Finnegan]

16 minutes ago, ClaphamFox said:

This is a perfect illustration of what I described above. They’ve taken a vague notion of a threatened points deduction and through some bizarre process of alchemy turned it into a prediction that our aim this season will be to avoid relegation. The only that could be the case were if we were facing 40-point deduction, whereas in reality it will likely be 4-7 and a maximum of 9. In other words, even the worst case scenario we could still go up automatically, and should absolutely be aiming for the play-offs at least. The absence of actual thought in these predictions is mind boggling.

 

Engagement.

 

Bait.

 

[Jabfox]

Anyone know when we usually announce our squad numbers for the season? 

[brookfox]

45 minutes ago, ClaphamFox said:

This is a perfect illustration of what I described above. They’ve taken a vague notion of a threatened points deduction and through some bizarre process of alchemy turned it into a prediction that our aim this season will be to avoid relegation. The only that could be the case were if we were facing 40-point deduction, whereas in reality it will likely be 4-7 and a maximum of 9. In other words, even the worst case scenario we could still go up automatically, and should absolutely be aiming for the play-offs at least. The absence of actual thought in these predictions is mind boggling.

I know right. I prefer the ones when they reference a "Supercomputer", it's reassuring to know The Sun have acquired a quantum computer to predict the Championship!

[ozleicester]

Just reminder if you want to join in the Foxestalk Championship Predictor.

https://www.superbru.com/championship_predictor/pool.php?p=13011896

[dmayne7]

That Dorsett article talks about KP's commitment and loyalty. Laughable really

[Foxes96]

2 hours ago, Jabfox said:

Anyone know when we usually announce our squad numbers for the season? 

Could be an interesting one… currently #1, #4, #9 are all available. Possibly #6 and #2 soon as well if Wilf and JJ leave.

 

Would like Nelson to get the #4 or #6 jersey as a statement of intent. Imagine #9 will be left alone for now as they are some almighty boots to fill 

[LcFc_Smiv]

17 hours ago, pmcla26 said:

Lost quite a few players from last season now. 

 

Souttar, Choudhury, Vini Souza, Moore, Brewster..

 

Souza will be a massive loss for them, Peck will get better and they have Arblaster to return from injury but they always looked a shadow of the team they could be when they were without Souza last season.