by rhroyal »
21 May 2008 12:35
The league next season will be tight up the top. Off my head, there will be the 3 relegated teams, Wolves, Sheff Utd, Ipswich, Watford, Charlton (I can see Pards getting it right sooner rather than later), QPR, Crystal Palace and most probably a surprise package or 2 pushing for promotion. Then there's the play-off final losers, and you're looking at about 12 teams who have a seriously good chance of winning promotion. The squads will be at a similar level of ability and it will come down to form, mentality and attitude. The squads that can develop an understanding and go into every game confident of winning and show consistency will go up, whilst those who occasionally show what they're capable of but lose to opposition they should beat will finish in mid-table or narrowly miss out, just like we used to. The key will be the squad regaining that spirit that sapped away this season and getting on with each other again. They must turn up to every training session and match forgetting about last season's disappointment and focus on the job in hand as the teams in this league are so tight an off day will result in defeat whoever you play.
Coppell staying is the first step to ensuring this positive mood around the club. He is facing up to the challenge and leading by example with his wages and stuff. Our captain has also done the same, as has Marcus, an experienced pro who you'd expect younger players to look up to. Likewise the fans have responded brilliantly, I'd say I've never seen a load of relegated fans respond so well. Kitson's backing of Coppell will add to all this too. I think we need to get rid of any players who think they're too good to play in the Championship (Shorey is quietly certain he'll go) and have everybody up the challenge, with nobody feeling sorry for themselves. Add a few young hungry young players, who have something to prove, such as Karacan who clearly impressed at Millwall (I read that forum posted yesterday, people were comparing him to Cahill) and James Henry and we're perfectly set up to bounce back.
Despite the noises of JM, Hammond and Howe on transfer and things like that, I feel that the way the fans, club staff, management and players have responded to relegation has been nothing short of excellent and if we can keep this going over the summer I believe we can bounce back. It's when rumours start linking players to Premiership clubs and Roy Keane makes another load of public bids that will be tested.
Funniest thing I have heard all year. Luckily a few supporters have already told you to STFU before I did.
