Premiership 2012/13

[Pepe the Horseman]

Reading are definitely going down next season. We're like a limited edition Mint Kit Kat, we won't be around for long.

i like to think we more like a macdonalds big tasty....not regularly on the menu but will always come back at some stage

And taste like shit.

[mr_number]

Reading are definitely going down next season. We're like a limited edition Mint Kit Kat, we won't be around for long.

thought mint kit kat was niceeee

You need to try the wasabi one they have in Japan. That's a serious bit of kit (kat).

[Z175]

Update - McLeish fired, Lambert flavour of the day to replace him, Norwich to go down?

[Ian Royal]

I think we're coming into a slightly odd league, with Blackburn Bolton and Wolves sent packing. Grit and fight are out, whereas flair, short passing and attacking is in. There will be 6 teams who were promoted in the past 2 years, so its hard to look beyond them, but I'll try.

Out of the remaining 14, the "big 6",and more than probably Newcastle and Everton, are not going to get dragged down.

The remaining 6 are interesting. Wigan and Fulham have been mentioned, as have W.B.A. However for me its the form of the other 3 mid table sides that must give us hope.

Stoke, Aston Villa and Sunderland have won 0 of their last 6 games, and 0 of their last 6 away games, and Stoke and Sunderland have only won 2 home games out of 6 home games, Villa have only 1 win in 12 games.

So you would expect those 3 to be involved unless something changes.

Villa will surely fire McLeish. But as documented hes had no money, a tiny squad, player sales and an injured Bent. If Bent, Agbonlahor, Dunne, Given are all fit next season they'll have enough. The history/reputation probably means any signings will be decent, despite lack of funds. Lerners gonna lose a lot more in the Championship. I think they'll be poor again, but will have enough.

Sunderland intrigue me. Bruce would have taken them down I think, but MON's incredible honeymoon kept them in a comfort zone. They;ve faded but you could argue its having nothing to play for. I think O'Neill will have a summer to build his own team, and it may be one dimensional etc, but I think again that they'll improve and stay clear.

Stoke however are different. They spent a lot of money last year to reach that next level and frankly they haven't. They pulled away after a slow start this year, but next season I don't see why they would improve. The fanbase is not behind Pulis, as they have that expectations problem that success brings. I can't see Peter Coates sanctioning another summer of heavy spending and I can't see Pulis abandoning hoofball. They'd be my tip to fall off a cliff.

In my opinion Wigan have a good manager and some good young players who will now have a bit of belief. Fulham also have a great manager and a fairly expensive team, Pogrebniak and Bryan Ruiz weren't cheap but look decent. W.B.A. face an unknown summer. But I think they should be the team to copy. Like our side, Hodgson assembled a solid defence with explosive players to score from anywhere. It would take the appointment of Mcleish to make them strugglers.

Of the aforementioned 6 recently promoted sides, QPR's wealth and paper strength should make them ok. But Sparkys arrogance might be his downfall. If they are struggling again and he can't admit it, Tony Fernandes could well opt for another change which would surley be disastrous.

I think Swanseas tic-tac style has a major defensive flaw. As with Reading under Rodgers, they'd leaked like a sieve when not in possession. I doubt they'll have Sigurdssons goals, and the established teams won't be napping for the 2nd trip to South Wales.

Norwich - God knows. Lambert must be a great manager to win games with that side. Some classy looking attackers mind you but some woeful defenders. Will surely struggle. Ruddy will be crucial, is he as good as people think? I suspect not!

Reading, Southampton and Blackpool will all give it a go, but it will be a dogfight for all 3. I think I'd trust Brian at the helm in such a situation.

West Ham under Alladyce will bruise their way to picking up plenty of points...in the Championship!

I think that's a pretty excellent summary given the very very early stage we are at. Although I'd be a little more worried for West Brom.

[andrew1957]

I think the teams finishing 18th, 19th and 20th will be relegated.

As for us - who knows but I think Brian will once again against all the odds take us to safety and possibly even a top half finish. I predicted a top half finish in summer 2006 and like then I can see the momentum taking us there again. It's the second season you really have to worry!

[CavershamRoyal]

If Blackpool get promoted:
Blackpool
Aston Villa
QPR

If WHU get promoted:
Norwich
Aston Villa
QPR

[Royal With Cheese]

Swansea won't go down.

You think?

Without the Sig they would have been a lot nearer Bolton than West Brom this season.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Swansea won't go down.

You think?

Without the Sig they would have been a lot nearer Bolton than West Brom this season.

Agreed, but I'm fairly sure he'll be there next season as well.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I agree Stoke could be vulnerable

Either Norwich or Swansea will get second season syndrome - my money's on Norwich, Lambert is tipped to take over at Villa and I think they have average players who have over achieved.

Blackpool if they win on Sat - they won't spend and defence is not good enough.

Like to see QPR go - don't like them or Hughes

[rhroyal]

Villa are an unknown quantity but have the reputation to attract players.

West Brom could lose their way without Hodgson, but have a decent team in my view and I expect them to be okay. QPR have a good side in paper, resources and a good manager.

The obvious choices from current PL teams for me are Norwich, Wigan and Swansea. Norwich and Swansea will be a simple case of second season syndrome. The players won't be as up for games as this year, the fans and media will start putting pressure on them to beat the likes of us, which they're not used to. Players may not have the same hunger to prove themselves as PL players. No longer an unknown quantity, and all this before we consider what happens if a couple of players leave, have their heads turned or simply lose form. Swansea have already lost Siggy. Not saying they're sure to go down, but the second season is tough and clubs aren't always prepared for everything I just stated. We weren't. We thought it wouldn't happen to us. Plus neither have big budgets to strengthen.

I list Wigan because I can see them losing Martinez. Even if he stays, he will have to maintain his truly exceptional standards to keep them up. Fair play if he does.

Beyond what's listed, there are a few teams who have the propensity to implode and pull themselves in through bad management. Stoke, Sunderland and Fulham are established up there but are only a few bad decisions away from undoing good work.

Us, I fully expect to be in the mix and it will be decided by fine margins again. I hope we can surprise people in our first season and am not putting it beyond the realms of possibility, but I think we'll find it tougher than last time.

[Stuka]

Manchester City, QPR, and Grimsby Town

[Royal Ginger]

I think QPR will be ok. They've taken some scalps this season and pushed alot more right to the line. If they can settle they'll be much further up the table.

I think Fulham and Everton need to watch out, as although they've had a decent season, both teams have a tendency to throw out a clanger of a season every now and again, and can we really see either team really developing over summer?

[Royal With Cheese]

Swansea won't go down.

You think?

Without the Sig they would have been a lot nearer Bolton than West Brom this season.

Agreed, but I'm fairly sure he'll be there next season as well.

Really? They really can't afford him and I think most Swans fans know it.

[Pepe the Horseman]

We'll see...

[SydenhamRoyal]

Reading are definitely going down next season. We're like a limited edition Mint Kit Kat, we won't be around for long.

i like to think we more like a macdonalds big tasty....not regularly on the menu but will always come back at some stage

And taste like shit.

I object to that. Its clearly Macdonalds' best burger. No question.

[Deadlock]

i like to think we more like a macdonalds big tasty....not regularly on the menu but will always come back at some stage

And taste like shit.

I object to that. Its clearly Macdonalds' best burger. No question.

It being their best burger doesn't prevent it tasting like shit.

[TBM]

Norwich
Fulham
Reading

[royalsteve]

Looking at the strength of the Premiership yesterday and assuming West Ham go up who do you think will get relegated next season. My guess is Wigan, West Brom and Swansea.

norwich and swansea have done well - to think they still finished 11 points behind our 1st season - just shows how well the royals did that season!!

the problem for them rather than the clubs going up is that their managers and players are now rich pickings for the bigger clubs, esp those that didnt do so well - its fair to say that rogers wont be at swansea much longer - he'll be a target for aston villa or liverpool (if kenny moves back upstairs). same goes for norwich, though i reckon swansea will lose more players.

[Avon Royal]

The squad as it is at the moment is certain to go down.

If we invest in 5 or 6 proven quality signings then we'll be ok.

[westongeezer]

Reading
West Brom
Southampton.......