2011/12 Season Predictions

[leww_rfc]

Just over a week until the season starts so i'm gonna stick my neck on the line..

1. Birmingham
2. West Ham
-----------------
3. Leicester
4. Reading
5. Southampton
6. Brighton
--------------
7. Notts Forest
8. Cardiff
9. Blackpool
10. Derby
11. Ipswich
12. Leeds
-----------------
13. Portsmouth
14. Bristol City
15. Crystal Palace
16. Hull
17. Millwall
18. Burnley
19. Coventry
20. Barnsley
21. Doncaster
-----------------
22. Middlesbrough
23. Watford
24. Peterborough

[andrew1957]

In the last 6 seasons of the 18 promoted sides only 5 were sides relegated from the PL who went back up at the first attempt.

Of these only Newcastle (2010) and Sunderland (2007) came down from the PL in complete disarray and still went back up. The other three were Brum (2007 and 2009) and West Brom (2010) - all of which were yoyo sides who retained their players and were effectively PL teams in the Championship.

So the stats suggest that it will be hard for Blackpool, Brum (this time in disarray) and West Ham to go up at the first attempt. At best one is likely to make it.

Typically it is stable Championship sides that add a few players that go up. All three of the promoted sides last season fall into that category. I know Leicester have spent loads of money, but that has not always guaranteed success in this division (Boro last season being a case in point).

I think the stable sides to watch (i.e. ones which are up and coming - building and sensibly adding players) are Brighton, Southampton, Bristol City and Boro (now stable). Others like ourselves, Barnsley, Burnley, Palace, Doncaster, Hull, Leeds, Millwall seem fairly stable.

The jury is out on Brum, Blackpool, West Ham, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Ipswich, Leicester, Forest, Peterborough, Watford and Portsmouth. All these sides have had multiple player changes - often forced and this normally bodes badly in this division. Obviously many of these are the top rated sides and presumably some of them will end up doing well - but even making top 6 is not going to be easy for any of them - let alone automatic promotion.

My top 6 in no particular order

Middlesborough
Reading
Brighton
West Ham (just because they have a good manager)
Leicester (because they have bought it)
Hull

But Palace might be a surprise package this year (top half?)

No idea who will go down – could be just about anybody apart from Peterborough who I would think are pretty nailed on to be relegated.

[The Rouge]

Birmingham!?!

I'll go for:

1. West Ham
2. Leicester
-----------------
3. Notts Forest
4. Blackpool
5. Reading
6. Brighton
--------------
7. Ipswich
8. Derby
9. Southampton
10. Cardiff
11. Leeds
12. Portsmouth

-----------------
13. Birmingham
14. Bristol City
15. Hull
16. Middlesbrough
17. Doncaster
18. Burnley
19. Crystal Palace
20. Barnsley
21. Millwall
-----------------
22. Watford
23. Coventry
24. Peterborough

[leww_rfc]

Yeah I may as well explain it... It's reported that Chris Hughton is coming in, who would suit them very well, a very good manager!

IN

Chris Burke.. was very good for Cardiff and in this division in general.
Marlon King.. hate to say it, but he can score goals.
Steven Caldwell.. decent signing

I dunno, i've just got a feeling about them. I can't see anyone running away with it this year!

[andrew1957]

Yeah I may as well explain it... It's reported that Chris Hughton is coming in, who would suit them very well, a very good manager!

IN

Chris Burke.. was very good for Cardiff and in this division in general.
Marlon King.. hate to say it, but he can score goals.
Steven Caldwell.. decent signing

I dunno, i've just got a feeling about them. I can't see anyone running away with it this year!

Chris Hughton was appointed by Brum at least a month ago I thought.

Think it will be difficult for him to repeat the Newcastle success. Lots more players will have to be sold because of owner's difficulties. Think Brum will do well to finish top half.

[leww_rfc]

LOL, yeah and he was, thats what I get for going on FIFA live for the first time in 6 months.

Yeah, true. But enough have already gone, and they have a nice run in at crucial times. I.E (starting off in August and Christmas)

[Optimist]

1. Leicester
2. Nottingham Forest
-------------------------
3. West Ham
4. Leeds Utd
5. Ipswich
6. Reading
------------------------
7. Blackpool
8. Southampton
9. Coventry
10. Derby
11. Birmingham
12. Cardiff City
13. Middlesbrough
14. Brighton & HA
15. Portsmouth
16. Hull CIty
17. Burnley
18. Watford
19. Peterborough
20. Millwall
21. Crystal Palace
----------------------
22. Bristol City
23. Doncaster Rovers
24. Barnsley

[dogzbollox]

Leicester
West Ham
...............
Brum
Forest
Reading
Boro'
................
So'ton
Cardiff
Brighton
Blackpool
Ipswich
Leeds
Burnley
Hull
Millwall
Derby
Pompey
Brizzle Shitty
Watford
Coventry
P'boro
..................
Palarse
Donny
Barnsley

And I think we'll sneak into the Play-off position via goal difference........

[Scrappy]

Have 442 released their predictions yet? Normally the funniest part of pre-season!

[floyd__streete]

West Ham, Boro and Leicester up.

Donny, Watford and Cov down.

Reading between 8th-14th.

[leicsRoyal]

West Ham, Leicester and Ipswich up.

Barnsley, Peterboro and Doncaster down.

Reading mid table.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

Automatic Promotion - Leicester City and West Ham
Play off Winners - Notts Forest
Relegated - Barnsley, Doncaster and Coventry

[rfc2001]

1.West Ham
2.Leicester (Bought their promotion)
--------------------
3.Burnley
4.Reading (If long stays and he's firing)
5.Leeds
6.Southampton (Surprise Package)
---------------------
7.Ipswich (Could be a dark horse)
8.Blackpool
9.Hull City
10.Cardiff City (Had their 4-5 seasons in the play offs, lost players think they will slide under Mackay)
11.Birmingham
12.Middlesbrough
13.Brighton
14.Nottingham Forest (I think McClaren is a shite manager and have lost many players)
15.Millwall (Over achieved last season)
16.Portsmouth
17.Bristol city
18.Barnsley
19.Derby
20.Coventry
21Watford
------------------
22.Doncaster
23.Peterborough
24.Crystal Palace (Financially Unstable and Shit)

These predictions won't even be close, but when comparing each team the league just becomes even more competitive

[Dickie Davies]

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/210528,n ... 01112.aspx

[AthleticoSpizz]

West Ham and Brum to bomb

Its all about Leicester and Ipswich

[Mike Hunt]

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/210528,npower-championship-club-guide-201112.aspx

I almost agree with his top 6, with the exception of Reading and boro.

I dont know, but I cannot see Reading getting into the playoffs again without Long.

If Long stays - Reading will come close, yes. But everyone on here is saying he will be off, and if no replacement brought in then I predict 10-14th. And that is being optomistic.

[UTDSTEVE]

24.Crystal Palace (Financially Unstable and Shit)

These predictions won't even be close, but when comparing each team the league just becomes even more competitive

Financially unstable?? That's no longer true at all and they are building a half decent squad.

[andrew1957]

1.Leicester
2.West Ham
-------------------
3.Reading
4.Middlesbrough
5.Brighton
6.Hull City
---------------------
7.Burnley
8.Blackpool
9.Leeds
10.Crystal Palace
11. Southampton
12.Birmingham
13.Ipswich
14.Bristol City
15.Millwall
16.Portsmouth
17.Cardiff City
18.Barnsley
19.Derby
20.Nottingham Forest
21.Coventry
------------------
22.Doncaster
23.Watford
24.Peterborough

[Handsome Man]

West Ham
Nottingham Forest
-------------------
Leeds*
Southampton
Brighton
Leicester
---------------------
Birmingham
Reading
Derby
Portsmouth
Crystal Palace
Cardiff City
Middlesbrough
Burnley
Blackpool
Hull City
Ipswich
Bristol City
Coventry
Doncaster
Barnsley
------------------
Millwall
Watford
Peterborough

I can only see Leicester disappointing, but I can't see West Ham doing so.

[loyalroyal4life]

Leicester
West Ham

Ipswich to go up in playoffs