2012 > 2006?

[floyd__streete]

I know we broke several impressive records, I know we were a lot more free-flowing as a side, I know they were the 'first timers' in terms of promotion to the top flight.....but if we manage to go up in 2012 this willl top 2006 for me. Not to mention '94 and '02 for that matter, because with every previous promotion I have witnessed we have been well clear at the top and made it over the line (in '02 only just, in '94 only by a point by the end when we were the best team in the division by a street, in '06 by a country mile). This will be the most satisfying yet, particularly given the key players Brian has had to consistently sell off.

Anyone else with me?

No?

Ok, anyone fancy a pint later?

No, me neither.

[Readingfanman]

I think it's certainly in a way more satisfying, due to the fact it seems more like we have worked for it. Not that we didn't in 06, however when we had walked away with it and were all but up by January, it all seemed a bit too easy didn't it! This season has seen it be a real slog, and it'll be a huge achievement for the side if they were to manage it automatically.

[RockheadRumple]

I know we broke several impressive records, I know we were a lot more free-flowing as a side, I know they were the 'first timers' in terms of promotion to the top flight.....but if we manage to go up in 2012 this willl top 2006 for me. Not to mention '94 and '02 for that matter, because with every previous promotion I have witnessed we have been well clear at the top and made it over the line (in '02 only just, in '94 only by a point by the end when we were the best team in the division by a street, in '06 by a country mile). This will be the most satisfying yet, particularly given the key players Brian has had to consistently sell off.

Anyone else with me?

No?

Ok, anyone fancy a pint later?

No, me neither.

(I don't normally say this in response to Floyd but) Agreed. The league this year has been far more exciting I think as there hasn't just been one team running away with it. I suppose one could argue Southampton but I disagree. We were even first for a bit! Earning promotion this season will be a far more satisfying achievement IMO what with how tight the top three are this season.

[Friday's Legacy]

i would still rather go up with the 2006 squad, but this time having hindsight to be less loyal towards a few of the players.

what concerns me about playing in the premier league is i really felt a connection with those players that got us there. i felt a bond. but after that first season in the premiership those same players changed. egos were born, money and fame became more important to some (shorey, hunt, kitson perhaps - he really upset the dressing room along with some others).

whoever we go up with (if we go up), i hope brian is ruthless when he needs to be and spends tsi's money wisely.

looking at that side today, there are a few that would need to go next season, and even more squad players. (harte couldn't do a season at the top, sadly. church has to go, up or not imo; the likes of tabb too would need to go. then there's squad players who aren't involved. there's an awful lot of changes that would need to be made and a lot of money needed investing.

that said this will be the most satisfying of our recent promotions, as we've completely come out of nowhere since january. tsi's involvement sparked new life into the club, then exciting new players coming in changed our fortunes, our approach to games, our confidence.

[RoyalJames101]

2006 was special. The way we walked the league so easily with the players we had was incredible.

However, after losing the play-off final last year, constantly having to sell his top players and spend next to nothing, the job McDermott has done is nothing short of a miracle.

[urz13]

Where's the poll.

ShambLOLes

[robbieroyal]

I think this season would certainly be more of a shock, I mean look at where we were 6 games into the season. Play-Off's were at the highest imagination of the biggest RTG. I thought we'd be a mid table finish.

So here we are just a handful of games left and in a serious position to actually win the league or clinch automatic promotion and the fact that this was done on a season in which we lost our captain and star striker. I think this would out weigh 2006 imo. I think this Championship 11/12 has been at it's strongest for some time this season also.

McD has been immense though and i certainly think he can be ruthless with binning off the surplus. How he would fair handling slightly larger amounts of money may be a test for him though?

[postwhisperer]

2012 team is facing a stronger league than 2006. the quality of the league in 2006 was terrible. but at the same token, in 2006 there was much small budget so it was a bit special for that reason. theres only one way to find out.. set up football manager to run 2,500 simulation games between the two teams and the one that comes out ahead is the winner.

[Ian Royal]

I think the 2012 team may be better organised and mentally stronger. The 2006 team didn't have to be too strong in those areas because it was just so far out of everyone else's league in quality it was untrue.

This will be pretty sweet if we can get automatics. The only way it'll beat 06 for me, is if we win the Play Off Final. But I'd prefer to avoid the anxiety that comes with the Play Offs if that's ok with everyone.

[grey_squirrel]

the quality of the league in 2006 was terrible.

I think this Championship 11/12 has been at it's strongest for some time this season also.

Don't agree with either.

And that said, name a side that has played us off the park this year?

I would still say on comparison to the 2005/6 team, the current crop are average. I reinforce the point by saying that we knew most of the 106-ers could/would cut it in the Prem. Not so sure we could now. Fed, Pearce, Gorkks maybe. The others will either be too old, or get swamped. McD has a much tougher task ahead than Coppell.

Plus the league this year is being won by one individual (Lambert)....ok plus Lallana

[Mr Angry]

Its a really good question Floyd, but best left until the end of the season when we know how the next 7 (or 9, or 10) games will go...

[Ian Royal]

the quality of the league in 2006 was terrible.

I think this Championship 11/12 has been at it's strongest for some time this season also.

Don't agree with either.

And that said, name a side that has played us off the park this year?

Peterborough

[robbieroyal]

I think this Championship 11/12 has been at it's strongest for some time this season also.

[/quote]

Don't agree with either.

And that said, name a side that has played us off the park this year?

I would still say on comparison to the 2005/6 team, the current crop are average. I reinforce the point by saying that we knew most of the 106-ers could/would cut it in the Prem. Not so sure we could now. Fed, Pearce, Gorkks maybe. The others will either be too old, or get swamped. McD has a much tougher task ahead than Coppell.

Plus the league this year is being won by one individual (Lambert)....ok plus Lallana[/quote]

The only team I was really impressed with was Cardiff and Peteboro (both games). Tell me a Championship season that was as competitive as this one?

[Wimb]

Don't think we got played off the park in either game by Peterborough. We were deservedly beaten on Tuesday night but for most of the second half we were all over them and if we'd equalised we'd have gone onto win it.

The only game where it sounds like we were utterly appalling was Cardiff away and the fact they beat us twice might suggest they had our number this season.

[Wimb]

Don't think we got played off the park in either game by Peterborough. We were deservedly beaten on Tuesday night but for most of the second half we were all over them and if we'd equalised we'd have gone onto win it.

The only game where it sounds like we were utterly appalling was Cardiff away and the fact they beat us twice might suggest they had our number this season.

[Wimb]

Don't think we got played off the park in either game by Peterborough. We were deservedly beaten on Tuesday night but for most of the second half we were all over them and if we'd equalised we'd have gone onto win it.

The only game where it sounds like we were utterly appalling was Cardiff away and the fact they beat us twice might suggest they had our number this season.

[seahawk10]

Definitely agree! (Since I wasn't around for any of the other promotion campaigns)

[Elm Park Old Boy]

PREMATURE.

Please don't tempt providence.

[1871 Royal]

6 years ago today, we got promoted.

[Simon's Church]

Sidwell: 'Oi Hunty, toe or finger?'