Championship thread 25/26! (26 Viewers)

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

That’s in their L1 season, let’s be modest and assume 15% growth - that’s a £45m wage bill this season to finish 15th (and it’s probably more than that).

I'd wager it will be more that that to be honest. I'd imagine as a standalone players probably received a sizeable % hike on wages conditional upon promotion to the Championship.

Then they recruited the personnel they did in the summer and January which would've likely on its own added at least another 25% to their existing wage bill given the type of players bought on board and where they came from.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's more towards the £55m mark for this season.

 

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[Sky Blue Pete]

Will be interesting to see if they can do better than Stoke. They’ll certainly have more money

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

There's a lot more to it than just spending money.
They don't seem to have any strategy whatsoever.
Whether people agree with it or not, Wrexham seem to have a certain profile of player they sign, blues just seem to throw money at anything that moves.

They've signed some utter dog wash.

I think some Birmingham fans assumed they were going to walk the league and be automatically promoted.

 

[Sbarcher]

There's a lot more to it than just spending money.
They don't seem to have any strategy whatsoever.
Whether people agree with it or not, Wrexham seem to have a certain profile of player they sign, blues just seem to throw money at anything that moves.

They've signed some utter dog wash.

They’ll start next season with a new manager and need to create some stability and team cohesion. A slow start and they will be in the championship loop again.

 

[Liquid Gold]

The Championship thread along with the League 1 and League 2 threads before it will shortly be relegated to the football & Other Sports side of the forum.

Thanks for the memories.

 

[oneofourown]

If Blues are still going to pump in money and have a plan then there is only one man capable of getting them what they want, but they have to give him time to build, and that's MR.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

If Blues are still going to pump in money and have a plan then there is only one man capable of getting them what they want, but they have to give him time to build, and that's MR.

They’ll go for a bigger name

 

[capel & collindridge]

They’ll go for a bigger name

Marquee Robbins?

 

[oneofourown]

They’ll go for a bigger name

If we analyse it like restaurants. The premier is michelin starred restaurants, championship is good pub standard grub, Div 1 would be Macs, KFC etc and Div 2 is East London chicken and chips.
To get out of the pub grub cycle you don't bring in a master chef, even though Wrexham and the Blues can afford them, you bring in the best pub landlord which is MR. Pep could never manage Orient, but Steve Evens could never manage Arsenal. They know the level and where they are effective. As for FL he has been working in a michelin restaurant all his life and thankfully has served us up a treat, unlike Lester city who are now on the road to Romford.

 

[robbiethemole]

He is also in the running for average manager of the year. They are where they were when he took over. Should also be in for the threw it all away manager of the year.

Their supporters have been awarded deluded supporters of the year for thinking they were going to be Champions after going top for a game and thinking they would beat us to go 5 points clear.

If Blues are still going to pump in money and have a plan then there is only one man capable of getting them what they want, but they have to give him time to build, and that's MR.

If Blues are still going to pump in money and have a plan then there is only one man capable of getting them what they want, but they have to give him time to build, and that's MR.

I don’t think he would even consider going there tbh

 

[Calista]

I’ve felt that a lot of times this season we could quite easily have been behind in games that we’ve then gone on to win…often quite comfortably.

Seem to recall that Millwall away was like that? In hindsight, it was a hugely important match.

 

[Lamps]

Will be interesting to see if they can do better than Stoke. They’ll certainly have more money

Stoke couldn't spend before this season because they were about at their max for the 3 seasons. They have wasted a 9 figure sum just to stay as a bottom half club for a fair few years. Birmingham will have the same problem soon.

 

[Sick Boy]

I don’t think he would even consider going there tbh

Of course he would do.

 

[JimmyHillsbeard]

The city as a whole is cringey - its whole identity is based on a TV programme ffs.

 

[DT-R]

Matty James looked like he has put on a bit too much timber.

Moore is a threat up front, but I can't see Wrexham have that good a squad overall.

I do sometimes wonder if we added an appearance fee on to the Sheaf deal.... and if we'll ever see it come to fruition?

Wrexham have got a good team of players with championship experience. They just look a bit disjointed as a team though whenever ive watched them. They are set to finish higher than I expected though. Blues on the other hand are exactly where I thought theyd be. Consolidating their first season back up. Such poor recruitment.

Sent from my SM-S711B using Tapatalk

 

[Hybridtheory]

I think some Birmingham fans assumed they were going to walk the league and be automatically promoted.

They spent all that money on the lad from Fulham via Exeter and I don't think he's all that

 

[viridisman]

The city as a whole is cringey - its whole identity is based on a TV programme ffs.

That was mostly filmed in Liverpool / Yorkshire.

 

[AOM]

The city as a whole is cringey - its whole identity is based on a TV programme ffs.

Genuinely prefer Villa to Birmingham.
Maybe that will change when we actually play them next year though!

 

[David O'Day]

They wonder why folk laugh at them

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

There's a lot more to it than just spending money.
They don't seem to have any strategy whatsoever.
Whether people agree with it or not, Wrexham seem to have a certain profile of player they sign, blues just seem to throw money at anything that moves.

They've signed some utter dog wash.

I couldn't totally see it in the summer due to the fees spent but I do get Wrexham's transfer strategy now. Pretty much all of their signings were players which have been either successful or moderately successful at this level - and complemented what they already had at the club. They've actually built a fairly well balanced squad.

Birmingham's strategy as I said in the summer is downright bizarre, almost like they're just picking names out of a hat. Most of their big money signings are players whose careers are on a downward trajectory, the rest have just been square pegs in round holes.

I suspect they're going to have to near enough have another overhaul and start from a blank canvas as their squad is nowhere near good enough for even a PO push as it stands.

Will be a tough league again next season, not helped by the fact the parachute teams coming down will probably pack far more of a punch than their predecessors this season.

 

[Hybridtheory]

I couldn't totally see it in the summer due to the fees spent but I do get Wrexham's transfer strategy now. Pretty much all of their signings were players which have been either successful or moderately successful at this level - and complemented what they already had at the club. They've actually built a fairly well balanced squad.

Birmingham's strategy as I said in the summer is downright bizarre, almost like they're just picking names out of a hat. Most of their big money signings are players whose careers are on a downward trajectory, the rest have just been square pegs in round holes.

I suspect they're going to have to near enough have another overhaul and start from a blank canvas as their squad is nowhere near good enough for even a PO push as it stands.

Will be a tough league again next season, not helped by the fact the parachute teams coming down will probably pack far more of a punch than their predecessors this season.

Agreed saints and Ipswich were utter dog shite last season and both are looking pretty good to come back up this season . This is the season to come up

 

[Lamps]

Agreed saints and Ipswich were utter dog shite last season and both are looking pretty good to come back up this season . This is the season to come up

Next season could be mental in the Championship. Wolves might continue their slide like Leicester this season, but 2 big clubs could also come down. Middlesbrough would do well with a goalscoring striker. Ipswich are not up yet just like Southampton. Norwich are now stronger after changing several players and should improve again.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Next season could be mental in the Championship. Wolves might continue their slide like Leicester this season, but 2 big clubs could also come down. Middlesbrough would do well with a goalscoring striker. Ipswich are not up yet just like Southampton. Norwich are now stronger after changing several players and should improve again.

Wolves fans I have spoke to expect them to be competitive and Armstrong to be one of the top scorers in the league.

 

[Grendel]

Wolves fans I have spoke to expect them to be competitive and Armstrong to be one of the top scorers in the league.

Wolves have done ok under Edwards and will get back up

 

[Nuskyblue]

Kipre (I think) got away with a DOGSO late on.

There was a stonewall pen not given to Blackburn at 0-0. Ohashi was cleared out by their No 5.

 

[clint van damme]

Next season could be mental in the Championship. Wolves might continue their slide like Leicester this season, but 2 big clubs could also come down. Middlesbrough would do well with a goalscoring striker. Ipswich are not up yet just like Southampton. Norwich are now stronger after changing several players and should improve again.

Think Wolves will do well. Looks like they're already planning for next season and Edwards seems to be doing OK there.
But you're right, could be more even more competitive than usual next season

 

[Lamps]

Wolves fans I have spoke to expect them to be competitive and Armstrong to be one of the top scorers in the league.

Leicester fans thought they would go straight back up. Ipswich fans, and many others including myself, thought Ipswich would win the title without much difficulty.

Only a fool would predict a good season from a poor Prem side that's just been relegated with ease not knowing what kind of side they will have. They might not even have Armstrong next season. As things stand I would put them mid table and then see what they start with.

 

[Nuskyblue]

Wolves fans I have spoke to expect them to be competitive and Armstrong to be one of the top scorers in the league.

Wolves will storm the league I think, they're going down fighting which will probably help them start next season on an more positive note.

If spurs go down they could be fuckd.

 

[Grendel]

Leicester fans thought they would go straight back up. Ipswich fans, and many others including myself, thought Ipswich would win the title without much difficulty.

Only a fool would predict a good season from a poor Prem side that's just been relegated with ease not knowing what kind of side they will have. They might not even have Armstrong next season. As things stand I would put them mid table and then see what they start with.

They’ve been tracking 40 points over a season for some time now and in last I think 10 are above Newcastle - they have a good manager at championship level

 

[Lamps]

Wolves will storm the league I think, they're going down fighting which will probably help them start next season on an more positive note.

If spurs go down they could be fuckd.

They might well. I just don't see it at the moment.

I'm happy for their supporters to say they will do well. There's a big difference between saying think and saying that they will. But without hope there's not a lot left.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

They’ve been tracking 40 points over a season for some time now and in last I think 10 are above Newcastle - they have a good manager at championship level

Whilst your point is true, many Wolves fans I have spoken to do not expect many of their current 11 to remain.

From the team that started Brentford they expect only Armstrong and potentially Bellagarde to stay.

Talk from around the club is that the owners hope to bounce back with spending little.

 

[Mercian In Anglia]

Norwich being completely normal ahead of the Old Farm- an 'open letter to Marcelino Nunez':

Dear Marcelino,

I hope this letter finds you, but not well, with all things considered.

By now, you’ll know exactly what fixture is looming on the calendar. The East Anglian Derby. Carrow Road. Your old home. And I feel it’s only fair that all of us at Norwich City give you a proper heads-up about what awaits you when you step back onto that pitch.

You’ll remember the place, of course. The noise, the closeness of the stands, the way the Barclay can feel like it’s right on top of you. You’ll remember the songs – some you’ll have heard in your name once upon a time when you truly knew what it meant to play in yellow and green. You’ll certainly remember scoring in this very game two years ago. But this time, they won’t be singing for you.

Football moves quickly. One minute you’re pulling the strings in midfield, a fan favourite, a Derby Day hero when we thought the unbeaten run was going to end. Next, you’ve crossed the divide to those lot. That alone is enough to turn our admiration of you into something far less welcoming.

Don’t expect indifference. That would make it easier for you. We don’t want that. What you’ll get instead is 90 minutes of relentless noise, every touch scrutinised, every mistake you made cheered like a goal. The reception won’t be polite applause or a quiet acknowledgement of what you once did in yellow and green. It’ll be sharp, loud, and unmistakable.

And yet, beneath it all, there’s something else – something you’ll probably feel but never hear after you refused to stay. You were appreciated here. That doesn’t just disappear. It gets buried under rivalry, pride, and the simple, unbreakable rule of this fixture: once you’re on their side, you’re one of them.

Saturday will not just be another game in the Championship, and you’re not just another opponent. Your return adds an edge that didn’t need sharpening, but now absolutely has been.

So when you walk out at Carrow Road again, take a moment. Look around. You’ll recognise it – but it won’t feel the same. And it never will do.

And when the noise comes, understand this: it’s not personal… except it absolutely is.

No regard whatsoever,

All at Norwich City Football Club

 

[torchomatic]

Blimey

 

[torchomatic]

Agyemang out for nine months.

 

[fernandopartridge]

As an aside, is there a reason why Villa haven’t latched on to all the Peaky Blinders stuff?

Ah-it’s probably because they’re big enough to not need it.

Because Peaky Blinders is set in the area around Birmingham's ground.