The Championship

[daveshads]

This league we find ourselves in, is quite something. Actually it's a bit of a nightmare. Great in some ways but frustrating in others. Because of the financial strength of the PL, any outstanding players are sucked up, and in many cases, sat on the bench. So many of the PL teams, could easily play 2 teams of 11, the 2nd if which, would be more than a match for most Championship teams. Hence, in theory, we are playing in division 1 already. Hence also the endless yo-yo scenario. Championship football is generally hard, gnarly and far from what could be described as flowing. Points are eked out, just like Coventry did to us last night.
We fight on but does anyone else, like myself, long for something a little less stressful?

[topperharley]

No way, best league in the world.

Interesting week in and out, and it's by no means at this stage a foregine conclusion that we'll not reach the play offs, or get relegated (I mean let's be honest we're going to finish 12th but hey....)

Anyone can beat anyone and they often do.

The point about good players, especially young ones, getting snapped up is valid though, however on the plus side we get young loanees, we get fringe players and we get older players seeing out their career, i don't mean any of that as negative.

I'd much rather be here than in the bottom 3 of the prem. Though if we could be a 3 - 10 Permier League team and punch up every now and then like say Forest, Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford are doing now, that would be fun.

[SheepRanger]

It's been too long since one of our players got bought for good money, or even a kid getting pouched out of our academy.

It's the best league in the world where you can think the impossible is possible one day and soon it's doom and gloom. That cycle of events may be stressful but it makes to upside brilliant. I'd rather that than getting thrashed every week in the prem, which is only good for a cash boost to be more competitive in the championship.

I know the teams we play against and feel this is the right place for us. I wouldnt enjoy the Qpr experience if we were an established premiership side where defeat is more likely than a win.

[DJ Hooper W12]

At the moment we are about where we should be. The PL is totally dominated by money and personality’s and VAR of course. For me the lower leagues are more grass roots football if you like. Not full of badge kissing pre Madonna’s
At the moment we are competitive that wouldn’t be the case in the prem

[Abseits]

I don't mind it. 46 games is too much though, it feels incessant. I'd prefer far fewer midweek games and prefer some sort of "regionalisation" of the fixture scheduling to ensure long away trips are always on Saturdays and not midweek or boxing day or whatever.
We moan about our "exceptional" injury list this season but digging into other clubs reveals theyre all similarly affected too... the schedule is too physically punishing and it diminishes the quality of football cos so many "second stringers" are taking to the field.

[72bus]

The worse thing about the PL is if u go to the games how do u un celebrate a goal .
It's fine if u are watching in the TV but sitting in the stands being kept in the dark until it's sorted is out Is not the type of football I want to watch .
PL is all about money and can ruin players careers whilst making them financially secure.
Example Wilfred bony doing well at Swansea on 70k a week , gets his move to Manchester city at treble the wages.
The bloke played a few league cup games but sat on the bench . Surely.players want to play football every week .

[SheepRanger]

The worse thing about the PL is if u go to the games how do u un celebrate a goal .
It's fine if u are watching in the TV but sitting in the stands being kept in the dark until it's sorted is out Is not the type of football I want to watch .
PL is all about money and can ruin players careers whilst making them financially secure.
Example Wilfred bony doing well at Swansea on 70k a week , gets his move to Manchester city at treble the wages.
The bloke played a few league cup games but sat on the bench . Surely.players want to play football every week .

A few extra seasons added to your career from not putting your body through 60 games a seasons can bring in tens of millions in extra wages.

Being a fringe player at Citeh is like having a mid-career rest before going again at a lower club. Beats being crippled up from arthritis from 15 seasons at full pelt.

[daveshads]

Thanks and respect for the responses. I guess as I age, I ramble a bit more. Been out here in Spain for a while, hiding from our dastardly climate, but always watch the games. I hark back to some of our great teams of the past, where we would slice through defences in exciting fashion. The game is so different now and I suppose almost no team regularly does that any more. More grind!!!!
Good luck to the boys.....and greetings to all forum members from the sunshine.

[SheepRanger]

Three defeats in the last five games and we're still four points off sixth place.........crazy league.

[SheepRanger]

George Earthy playing well for Bristol City tonight. He's a 20yr old on loan from West Ham and just bagged his second of the night.

There must be so many top quality lads in these prem U23s. Hopefully we can sign a few more in the summer.

[Abseits]

George Earthy playing well for Bristol City tonight. He's a 20yr old on loan from West Ham and just bagged his second of the night.

There must be so many top quality lads in these prem U23s. Hopefully we can sign a few more in the summer.

You're right. With so many prem teams in London it surprises me how few we borrow or pick-up... it feels like every other Championship team has a quality loanee from a London club. I get the impression he'd have to be called Goerj Uurtvy and play for Mjallby before our "system " would find him though.

Is all well and good unearthing cheap diamonds from abroad but I sometimes think we/the club underestimate the adjustment foreign players have to make socially and professionally.

[SheepRanger]

You're right. With so many prem teams in London it surprises me how few we borrow or pick-up... it feels like every other Championship team has a quality loanee from a London club. I get the impression he'd have to be called Goerj Uurtvy and play for Mjallby before our "system " would find him though.

Is all well and good unearthing cheap diamonds from abroad but I sometimes think we/the club underestimate the adjustment foreign players have to make socially and professionally.

I see what you did there! Yes, we should have unearthed Earthy!

Out of us or Wall, surely we should be destination one for these London based lads. I hope we're all over their academy lads and we can add to Vale & Morgan in the summer. They can't warehouse these talented players forever.