The bottom half of the PL is a cesspit of dross. The one crumb of comfort is that if we're stuck in the second division for another year, whoever comes down are gonna end-up like Stoke (and us 16/17). Parachute money? Pah, who'd want to take a parachute to Huddersfield?
Quote from: eamonn on February 13, 2019, 08:49:03 AMThe bottom half of the PL is a cesspit of dross. The one crumb of comfort is that if we're stuck in the second division for another year, whoever comes down are gonna end-up like Stoke (and us 16/17). Parachute money? Pah, who'd want to take a parachute to Huddersfield?Fulham and Huddersfield are out of their depth in the top flight but the rest of the bottom half of the Premier League would stand out big time in the Championship. Southampton, Cardiff, Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton and Palace would all be up there challenging and Bournemouth and Leicester would piss all over most Championship sides.
Quote from: ChicagoLion on February 12, 2019, 11:16:10 PMQuote from: Newby on February 12, 2019, 10:26:42 PMWe need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.The problem is that we could start next season with no Jack No Ming’s No Tanzabee No Tamy No SJM.Then we have to somehow build a team that will get promotion and be the basis of a PL team.I think the bigger danger is that we are looking like we have settled at this level.Absolutely this. It drives me nuts when people say they’d rather not go up yet as we aren’t ready. Just look at some of the shitee that regularly survives in the PL.
Quote from: Newby on February 12, 2019, 10:26:42 PMWe need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.The problem is that we could start next season with no Jack No Ming’s No Tanzabee No Tamy No SJM.Then we have to somehow build a team that will get promotion and be the basis of a PL team.I think the bigger danger is that we are looking like we have settled at this level.
We need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.
https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12040/11634534/championship-promotion-race-analysed-who-has-what-it-takes-to-get-promoted-to-the-premier-league-this-seasonSky analysis and head to heads of all the top 7 who are in contention. David Prutton assessment on the Championship is in their too.He adds a couple of other teams to potentially sneak in there . Neither are villa
Dwight Gayle: West Bromwich Albion striker charged with 'divingWest Bromwich Albion forward Dwight Gayle has been charged with "successful deception of a match official" in Tuesday's draw with Nottingham Forest.It is alleged he committed an act of simulation which led to a penalty being awarded in the 89th minute of the game.Gayle , has until 18:00 on Thursday to respond to the charge.WM radio reports it would be a 2 game ban and would miss but Villa match .Good ! Because he cheated should be longer ban!
Take Tammy, Jack and McGinn out of that squad and we finishing around the lower-mid table Championship team. I can actually see that next season too, maybe McGinn might still be here but not the other 2.Massive, massive job to be done now.
Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United have been fined £200,000 by the English Football League for watching opponents train before matches.A member of Leeds' staff was found acting suspiciously outside Derby's training ground before the fixture between the two sides on 10 January.Boss Marcelo Bielsa said he had sent a member of staff to watch every team they have played this season train.The EFL found Leeds breached rules over treating teams with "good faith".Leeds have also received a formal reprimand from the EFL, which is bringing in a rule to prohibit clubs from viewing their opposition training in the 72 hours preceding a game unless invited to do so.The EFL said in a statement that Leeds' conduct "fell significantly short of the standards expected" and it "must not be repeated".EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey added: "The sanctions imposed highlight how actions such as this cannot be condoned and act as a clear deterrent should any club seek to undertake poor conduct in the future."We will now look to move on from this incident and commence the discussions about introducing a specific regulation at a meeting with all clubs later this month."The Football Association has also issued a formal warning to Leeds, Bielsa and a club video analyst."The FA will take appropriate action should further evidence of this nature come to light in the future," a spokesman said.