Predict the Championship 2017-18.

[AVH87]

We won't score enough goals. But Boro, who had a gap larger than the continental United States between their midfield and forwards last year, will score enough goals to win the league.

But they can change! The Lamp Post, the Fat lad who likes a lie down for a 3rd of a season...

I think they were deep and defensive due to the fact they were playing good quality Premier League opposition though, as the year before they had no problems scoring.

Us on the other hand were struggling for most of the season to break down sides like Cardiff, Wolves and Brentford.

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I think it's because they were shit myself. I could give a less glib answer but the conclusion will be the same.

Even workman like Burnley faced the same opposition and were able to play 442 and comfortably stop up.

[AVH87]

I think it's because they were shit myself. I could give a less glib answer but the conclusion will be the same.

Even workman like Burnley faced the same opposition and were able to play 442 and comfortably stop up.

They were pretty poor every time I saw them, I'm just not convinced it means they'll be poor this season in a lower league.

[cdbearsfan]

According to my extensive research (five minutes on Wikipedia), they scored 63 goals last time they were at this level and seem to have strengthened their attack, since. We scored 47 goals last season and haven't strengthened ours.

At least I believe they've strengthened. Assomabalonga, Gestede and Traore in, Rhodes (who did very little for them) out. Unless I've missed somebody crucial?

[Dave]

According to my extensive research (five minutes on Wikipedia), they scored 63 goals last time they were at this level and seem to have strengthened their attack, since. We scored 47 goals last season and haven't strengthened ours.

At least I believe they've strengthened. Assomabalonga, Gestede and Traore in, Rhodes (who did very little for them) out. Unless I've missed somebody crucial?

They've also got Bamford, who while a bit rubbish at the top level scored plenty in the Championship.

They've also spent £10m on Braithwaite from Toulouse and £6m on Ashley Fletcher from West Ham.

So their problem is more likely to be trying to fit all their attackers in the side.

[Sexual Ealing]

Sounds familiar.

[Damo70]

• Sunderland (despite their travails, and my bias, I think they'll be comfortably safe, depends which rats abandon the ship before the window closes)

I reckon you maybe too kind there. I think we were in better shape then them last season and we nearly got caught up in a relegation scrap.

The Championship was a massive shock to us. Its not a pub league and you dont just get to show up and win because you are a big club as we learnt the hard way. I think the Sunderland is going to struggle and if they dont get a good start I can see them going in to freefall.

I think we went into last season with a decent amount of positivity which I'm not sure Sunderland have. They need a change of ownership as badly as we did.

[AVH87]

According to my extensive research (five minutes on Wikipedia), they scored 63 goals last time they were at this level and seem to have strengthened their attack, since. We scored 47 goals last season and haven't strengthened ours.

At least I believe they've strengthened. Assomabalonga, Gestede and Traore in, Rhodes (who did very little for them) out. Unless I've missed somebody crucial?

They've also got Bamford, who while a bit rubbish at the top level scored plenty in the Championship.

They've also spent £10m on Braithwaite from Toulouse and £6m on Ashley Fletcher from West Ham.

So their problem is more likely to be trying to fit all their attackers in the side.

It's potentially a much better set of options than ours, Assombolonga scores at a similar rate to Kodjia, and I'd rather gamble on Fletcher and Braithwaite over Hogan/Gabby/McCormack. As we know Gestede is a very useful option off the bench at this level too and Traore this time 12 months ago we were all saying how we couldn't wait to unleash his pace at this level.

[cdbearsfan]

I suppose the big gamble for them is whether Assomabalonga can stay fit for once. It's a lot of money to pay for half a season.

[Dave]

I suppose the big gamble for them is whether Assomabalonga can stay fit for once. It's a lot of money to pay for half a season.

Better than a similar amount spent on McCormack for half a dozen matches.

And when he inevitably gets injured, Bamford coming in to replace him isn't bad.

[VinnieChase84]

Boro defiantly have the stronger forward line/options. However if the midfield are allowed some creativity then Hogan will start firing.
Between Kodjia and hogan this season we should expect at least 30-35 between them IMO

[The Fish]

• Sunderland (despite their travails, and my bias, I think they'll be comfortably safe, depends which rats abandon the ship before the window closes)

I reckon you maybe too kind there. I think we were in better shape then them last season and we nearly got caught up in a relegation scrap.

The Championship was a massive shock to us. Its not a pub league and you dont just get to show up and win because you are a big club as we learnt the hard way. I think the Sunderland is going to struggle and if they dont get a good start I can see them going in to freefall.

I think there's too much utter shit in the 2nd flight. Bristol, Burton, Bolton, Forest and so on. You flirted with relegation spots early on, but once you got your ship pointing in the right direction, bar a wobble in Feb, you were fine.

I think Sunderland's season will mirror Preston's, Grayson's teams don't start well, but they're hard working. I'd expect them to sell 2 of Khazri, Kone and Lens and replace them with loan signings. They won't have a great season, but I can't see them being in any real danger of relegation.

[AVH87]

I suppose the big gamble for them is whether Assomabalonga can stay fit for once. It's a lot of money to pay for half a season.

Better than a similar amount spent on McCormack for half a dozen matches.

And when he inevitably gets injured, Bamford coming in to replace him isn't bad.

I'd rather have gambled on Assombolonga's fitness too, as a 24-year-old, rather than what we did paying a similar amount for a bloke in his early 30s with no resale value.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd rather have signed neither. There must be a decent goalscorer under the age of thirty who doesn't have knees made of balsa wood?

Anyway, I want Crouch and some fast bloke who can play as support striker or winger.

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I like Asombalonga, but he's doing well if he plays more than 30 games. I wouldn't take him over Kodjia mind, but then I wouldn't take any player in this league over him.

Gestede is... well we know what he is. Bamford has the goal scoring record of Gabby the past two years, Braithewaite has a 1 in 4 record, but I suspect he's more to replace Downing, Traore etc.