Predict the Championship 2017-18.

[SoccerHQ]

Our defence wasn't really a problem last year... even despite the early season calamities we still had one of the best defences in the league. We struggle to score goals. We've done next to nothing to address this.

We still lost many points early on. We scored two v Forest and couldn't win. Late goals v Huddersfield and Brentford. 6 points lost there which would've been useful in keeping our season alive when we got to Mid April and were still nowhere near the top 6 despite winning 8/9 or whatever it was.

[cdbearsfan]

If you extrapolate Bruce's record, in terms of points per game, it works out at 68 points... still nowhere near a playoff place.

If you extend our defensive record under Bruce to cover a full 46 game season, it's the fourth best in the league. The defence wasn't the problem... our lack of goals was the reason we were nowhere near promotion.

Even if improving a defence that was already among the best in the division earns us a few more points, that on its own will still be nowhere near enough to secure promotion.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

If you extrapolate Bruce's record, in terms of points per game, it works out at 68 points... still nowhere near a playoff place.

If you extend our defensive record under Bruce to cover a full 46 game season, it's the fourth best in the league. The defence wasn't the problem... our lack of goals was the reason we were nowhere near promotion.

Even if improving a defence that was already among the best in the division earns us a few more points, that on its own will still be nowhere near enough to secure promotion.

No, it was because our defence took up 9 or 10 of the players on the pitch leaving no support for who-ever was chasing shadows 50 yards away.

[Villatillidie1982]

Judging by Saturday, we need another striker. Playing one up front does not work. Gabby and Hogan were both chasing shadows. Unless they can work together which is unlikely, a partner is needed. The ball was fed into the box a fair amount of times, particularly in the first half, but nothing came of the chances.

Kodjia is too selfish and needs to learn to play with a partner and if he can't he has to go.

Maybe McCormack should be given one final chance......

Solve this problem and we'll win the league.

As for the rest of the teams in the league, l don't care.

[cdbearsfan]

Fucking Hell, yeah, let's get rid of Kodjia. 😂

[Damo70]

Just had a tenner on Sunderland to be relegated at 12/1, I really think they will struggle this season.

I think they will either do what many people (more so outside the club) predicted us to do last season and struggle not to be relegated again or do what we eventually did and finish somewhere in the middle. I certainly don't see them going up.

[Ads]

I think I may have over egged Wednesday in 3rd.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Apart from 1967-1975, we have always got back within two seasons.
Promotion is a must, anything else is failure.     

[TaxDodger]

1. Middlesbrough
2. Sheffield Wednesday
3. Fulham
4. Aston Villa
5. Norwich City
6. Derby County
7. Wolves
8. Reading
9. Brentford
10. Birmingham City
11. Leeds United
12. Hull City
13. Sunderland
14. Cardiff City
15. Preston
16. QPR
17. Sheffield United
18. Barnsley
19. Bristol City
20. Millwall
21. Bolton
22. Ipswich Town
23. Nottingham Forest
24. Burton Albion

[Nelson Lodge]

Think Fulham will be stronger this year and their manager is a good one having got Watford promoted. A contender for the automatic places.

Have Boro got rid of the rubbish they bought from us? Gary Monk did well at Leeds but can he do the same again.

Surprised so many think Wolves will be up there. To me they seem to be making the same mistakes as last season. New foreign manager, bringing in players that Mendes nominates. So would be amazed if they are in the top 10. Hope I am right or I will never hear the end of it from the brother-in-law if they do well !

As for predicting places I will wait until the end of September when things start to settle down. Still this month to go before the transfer window shuts.

[darren woolley]

I think we have the squad to get out of this league which I'm hoping we do but I reckon we will at the very least get in the play offs.

[Mister E]

Our defence wasn't really a problem last year... even despite the early season calamities we still had one of the best defences in the league. We struggle to score goals. We've done next to nothing to address this.

Last season's defence always looked capable for concediing goals. 'udders away: we dominated and then conceded. Even in our last away game - at Blackburn - we conceded a horrible goal because of defensive frailties.
As said by others, a stronger defensive line will move the focus of our game 10 metres further up the pitch.

[ChicagoLion]

The defense and defensive midfield looks great, I don't however see enough creativity and prowess to be enough to storm this division.
We prettty much look like we will be  dependant  again on the flashes of brilliance from Kodija and that is just not enough.
6 the to 8th.

[cdbearsfan]

Our defence wasn't really a problem last year... even despite the early season calamities we still had one of the best defences in the league. We struggle to score goals. We've done next to nothing to address this.

Last season's defence always looked capable for concediing goals. 'udders away: we dominated and then conceded. Even in our last away game - at Blackburn - we conceded a horrible goal because of defensive frailties.
As said by others, a stronger defensive line will move the focus of our game 10 metres further up the pitch.

We had  a strong defensive line last season. Any team is going to make the odd fuck up, but we were fourth best overall. Terry likes to play deep so I see little evidence that we will be moving ten metres further up the pitch. Taking into account Grealish's injury, we haven't improved our creative ability at all.

We need to win at least 26-27 games for automatic promotion. I've no doubt we will be able to grind out the odd win, but you can't win that many games one-nil. We need explosive attacking options and we are desperately lacking.

[eamonn]

It's the Football League's launch day today at Villa Park. Hope we're charging all these clubs admission to come in andwipe their feet on our lovely carpet.