The new season

[Kitson12]

I don't understand people touting Burnley, I don't see them doing that well this season, maybe play-offs at best. Hull and Pompey won't be anywhere near promotion. Boro have now become Middlesbrough Celtic Rangers FC, I'm not 100% sure about them, but if the squad gels with all the new arrivals it'll be right up there.
As for us, well we've got as good a chance as anyone, our squad is as close as it's ever been, and we've signed two promising and experienced full-backs, and hopefully if Cisse goes we can get Zurab in, but I'm not holding my breath. I reckon we'll be in the top 6, not fussed where, would love top 2 but wouldn't be disappointed with 6th.

[Terminal Boardom]

I doubt that the sale of Cisse would make too much of a dent into the £4m shortfall predicted for this season. Plus, I would be surprised if Cisse was on anywhere near the salary that Zurab would command. I am actually looking forward to the new season.

[andrew1957]

As always the Championship is very hard to predict and much will be decided in the first 10 or so games. Typically teams that start well go on to have a good season.

I expect us to do well. We might just run away with it again, but to be realistic play offs are the most likely outcome.

I think the main opposition with be Forest, Leicester, Middlesborough, QPR and possibly Norwich, Sheff Unt and Ipswich may all do well.

Relegation - who knows but don't care much as long as we are battling it out at the top.

[Ian Royal]

I doubt that the sale of Cisse would make too much of a dent into the £4m shortfall predicted for this season. Plus, I would be surprised if Cisse was on anywhere near the salary that Zurab would command. I am actually looking forward to the new season.

Combined with Marek he's quite possibly taken 25% of it. Cisse was signed in the prem, so I'd expect him to have been on pretty decent money. I can't see us breaking the bank for Khiz, or we'd already have him.

[RFCUK]

s'alright, i had a dream we won 5-1 against sheffield united in the play off finals last night..

[Barry the bird boggler]

s'alright, i had a dream we won 5-1 against sheffield united in the play off finals last night..

Fantastic, job done then!

[seahawk10]

Us - champions

Not really bothered about the rest

+1

[fozziebear]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010 ... -noel-hunt.
Nice comment.

[Snowball]

According to the Sundays, Portsmouth only have 8 players capable of playing at Championship level
and they cannot sign players, even on loan (they say).

The Inland Revenue are taking them back to court for zillions and a points deduction is very likely.

I was worried about these guys, but surely, if the above was true, promotion would
be a greater accomplishment than Moses parting the Red Sea.

[Snowball]

A month or so back I read that Burnley's finances were very good
and that they fancied themselves for a quick return to the Prem.

Have they lost many of their players? Have they bought anyone?

Looking at their squad, it's strong, and, in particular, note how many
of their players have experienced more than one promotion season
with various clubs.

With a good manager they should surely challenge.

Not sure if Laws fits that category.

It will be a very tough season with a lot of clubs having real chances.

One thing in our favour might be Mac's principles in going for the win rather than holding on for a draw.

I worry about Burnley and Boro, and now Bristol City. Good manager, some decent signings, but a long-term plan
to make it to the Prem, and their owner is was it 37th? in the Times Rich List.

Think money will screw Cardiff and Pompey, maybe Leicester. My dark horses would be Derby.


Agree with those who think a big start could be the key, partly because, over the season there will be so many tight games. Hopefully we can seriously hammer Scunthorpe and get off to a flyer. Do that (on the back of the 6/7 pre-season) and confidence will be sky-high and I'll be very optimistic of a top-three placing by the season's end.

[LWJ]

Ipswich town to win either the Fa cup, or the carling cup. You heard it here first.

[alderdude]

dont really post alot on here think ive posted once or twice before.

but im feeling really optimistic about this season in my opinion with a fully fit squad weve got the best attacking team in the division we got two wingers who can take it past defenders and make runs into the box with ease. our young players of last season the likes of gylfi, pierce, jem and church now have some expierience at this level which can only be a good thing to help them progress and improve on last season, from pre-season sounds like we got a couple more quality players coming through the youth system antonio with a couple of goals and jake tayler looking good, my only worry for us this season is the defence where we dont really have any cover especially with ivar injured we need a replacement CB just someone bought in on the cheap so we dont have to put someone in who will be out of posistion if there are any injuries. id like to say we'd finish top 2 but i think the lack of defencive cover might screw us over at some point in the season but i think we'll make at least the play-offs with a push for promotion

[Starfish]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/01/reading-championship-season-noel-hunt.
Nice comment.

What supporters from other clubs think is here.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010 ... iew-season

[jonboy29red]

i think this season will be interesting one for alot of players people like gilfy and churchy will have a lot to live up to this season and i hope they dont dissapoint but i also think we have a few dark horses in the club that could suprise a few people as well people like taylor and antonio will be playing a part some were in the season even if subs now and again

im looking forward to this season i just hope we can keep every one fit and with hunty comming back we got some one who could be a 20 goal striker with the service id say top half if not play offs

[papereyes]

I'm expecting us to carry on where we left off at the end of last season. We're looking in really good shape overall: we've kept the core of our squad together. So my prediction is based on us finding that form again really early on, establishing consistency and remaining fit and healthy. Injuries to our defenders, though, could cost us the season.

Last season 9th Prediction 2nd
The new boys

Ideally we need another centre-back: that's where the potential weaknesses may emerge. But the manager seems largely to be making do with what we have. And that's fine – there's no reason that the same squad can't build on last season's progress.
Men to watch

Gylfi Sigurdsson is probably the most promising player we've had at the club in recent years. He fits both the star man category and the best up-and-coming youngster. He's great to watch and put in some amazing performances last season. We're just hoping for more of the same this time round. And it'll be good to have Noel Hunt back from injury. He hasn't played a competitive game since knee surgery last October.
Target for the boo-boys

Brian Howard has never really managed to get along with the fans, and Matt Mills had a public falling-out with supporters last season. But it'd be really harsh to tip anyone until the season starts to unfold.
Hate figure

Brendan Rodgers at Swansea will be the man the Reading fans will look forward to booing the most. He almost took us down by trying to impose a style of football here which simply didn't suit the current crop of players. He'd marry himself if it was legal.

Going up Reading, Middlesbrough, Burnley

Going down Scunthorpe, Millwall, Doncaster

The bits in bold make me want to crucify brendywendy to the Gods of When Fans Get Shit Printed In Proper Newspapers

[Stuka]

I think Millwall will perform well. I predict they'll stay up given their scoring abilities and confidence.

[BonBoh]

I'm surprised at the amount of fans of other team tipping us to go up.
It should be a good mix at the top. I'm not convinced that Middlesboro will go up, regardless of the ex-Celtic crew joining up. It's too much like Tommy Burns at Reading all those years ago!

I fancy the following teams to be battling it out for promotion:
Nottingham Forest, Leicester, Burnley, QPR and Reading.

[YateleyRoyal]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 43,00.html

Interesting stuff from Murdoch's lot...us finishing 7th? What do you think?

[paultheroyal]

Last year they said we would win it, so complete nonsense to be honest.

[paultheroyal]

Last year they said we would win it, so complete nonsense to be honest.

Kamara called us as one place above relegation, which would have been dead right had we not changed horses mid-race.

Official sky sports predictor and analyst i.e. the same as this had us down to win the division last year.