THE CHAMPIONSHIP 2019-20

[theo29]

today it is the current table-toppers, Leeds & The Swans with almost identical records. Am anticipating an Elland Rd brief any moment now from jc.

[bluenosey]

today it is the current table-toppers, Leeds & The Swans with almost identical records. Am anticipating an Elland Rd brief any moment now from jc.

Sounds like Leeds dominated...and lost to a sucker punch goal. Swansea are useful though.

Charlton going very well under Lee Bowyer. Despite all what gone on at the Valley, the fan protests and so on, Lee Bowyer is doing a stellar job,

At the other end of the table is looking grim for Huddersfield and Stoke, just the one point each. The Terriers desperately need a new manager. Alas for Nathan Jones at Stoke, it could be P45 time. Considering what he set in motion at Luton, he must be rueing the move to Stoke now.

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 105.

It was lashing it down at Elland Road a couple of hours before kick off. If the Leeds fans needed another dampener, a quick look at the teams Swansea have beaten compared to the Whites, was a wake up call.
Two ex Deportivo La Coruna players would be gracing the turf. Both needed guarding against. Borja Baston because he is the leading Championship scorer list with 5 and Helda Costa because of his hype. It was time to deliver, well that’s what it said in their job description.
The sun had broken through the clouds by 3 o‘clock. Over 35,000 were waiting eagerly for a football feast.
It was a gallant match rather than a show. Swansea were here to play. It was a pleasant change to see a team not settling for two lines of defence behind the ball. Bamford was bumbling chances again as Dallas was making the grade in his provision. Allioski was in his usual cheeky chappie mode and took a booking for it, he had a reasonable game though. The defence looked solid, even Cooper hit the bar.
It was a case of the Leeds team pressing and the Swans sticking to their methods of defence. Some say it’s a brave game to play but as you can see, it gets results.
Nketiah came on for the final half hour. He suffered from a small dose of bamforditus.
It was in the 70th minute the omens started. As Swansea were about to take a corner, the ball got blown off it’s spot. The player replaced it, lined up, then the ball was blown away again. Third time lucky it had to be. The strong gusts were blowing in Swansea’s favour towards the Leeds goal.
Costa came on for the last 20.
Then, as the game was heading towards a 0-0 draw, Routledge miss hit a shot in to the net on the 90th. A cruel way to lose but they only had themselves to blame. Bielsa is taking us on that roller coaster ride again. Expect another season of highs and lows.
That was a case of the feeling you get when you do a good days work but don’t get paid for it.
The International break will give us that time to mull over what we have to do, to get the results.

[forestfan]

today it is the current table-toppers, Leeds & The Swans with almost identical records. Am anticipating an Elland Rd brief any moment now from jc.

Sounds like Leeds dominated...and lost to a sucker punch goal. Swansea are useful though.

Charlton going very well under Lee Bowyer. Despite all what gone on at the Valley, the fan protests and so on, Lee Bowyer is doing a stellar job,

At the other end of the table is looking grim for Huddersfield and Stoke, just the one point each. The Terriers desperately need a new manager. Alas for Nathan Jones at Stoke, it could be P45 time. Considering what he set in motion at Luton, he must be rueing the move to Stoke now.

Yeah, Stoke have lost their way in spectacular fashion the last few years. Not long since they were being talked about as the likes of Leicester and Wolves are now. With bet365 behind them they shouldn’t be struggling financially?

Seems the majority of their fans don’t want Pulis back, but maybe they should just have stuck to what suited them?

[theo29]

Nathan Jones gets a reprieve at Stoke but will it last ? Pride Park disappointed with Rams in 19th spot, a long way from the top 6. Sheffield Wed stalled after a bright beginning. Wigan in 22nd, Barnsley 22nd have worst goalscoring record, 4 each.

[theo29]

as bluuenosey says, Charlton are going well and unbeaten going into the break. Our consensus about them could not be more incorrect. Lee Bowyer reckons they are fitter then all the other teams they have met so far. Will it continue ? Do we have a FISO fan in SE 7 ?

[jimmy ching]

Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Reading could end up in the EFL (We'll make the rules after the offence has been committed) dock. Selling your ground to oneself is challenged as a genuine sale. Derby may have to explain how they sold their ground for 80m when they had recently valued it at 40m. Others may follow. Fiddling the figures to get you out of the division has proved profitable in the past. Leicester is a case in point. They let that go, yet somehow the EFL have now turned in to a holier than thou finance committee. Expect a prolonged investigation to stretch over the season. The Birmingham fans must be smiling wryly at what lies ahead.

[theo29]

if only FA fines could be converted to points, Huddersfield's Paddy Power shirt venture at say 1 point per £1000 they would be well away from the cellar in the Championship.

[theo29]

Garry Monk gets the Sheffield Wed posting making it his 5th Championship club at the helm. He once played there as well.Wednesday currently 11th in table against the consensus forecast of 13th. Next game v Huddersfield 15th September

[theo29]

Huddersfield go for the Cowley brothers and they will face Master Monk this Sunday. Think that completes the managerial roster, for now. I have a feeling that unless the Rams overcome Warnock's Welsh on Friday there could be changes at Pride Park. Any other changes you think might happen before the next break in November ?

[theo29]

both the leaders fall. Swansea & Charlton while the Sunnday action is in Barnsley & Huddersfield v Leeds and Sheffield. Expect a JC forecast !

[forestfan]

Huddersfield go for the Cowley brothers and they will face Master Monk this Sunday. Think that completes the managerial roster, for now. I have a feeling that unless the Rams overcome Warnock's Welsh on Friday there could be changes at Pride Park. Any other changes you think might happen before the next break in November ?

It’s a shame for Lincoln, though the Cowleys had to opt for a step up at some point. Turning around a seemingly freefalling club will be a big challenge though, it could turn out like Nathan Jones at Stoke (who remarkably is still in a job, with one point from seven games at a supposed promotion candidate).

Will Derby pull the plug on Cockup this soon? I know, their managerial turnover rivals ours at the other end of the Brian Clough Way, but they tend to give them a season more often than not... anyway, Wally’s available

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 106.

The international break was surprisingly busy. Mc Calmont made his debut for Northern Ireland. Nketiah scored a brace for the U21’s, Ryan Edmondson scored on his debut for the U19’s. Jack Clarke managed a late goal against the Swiss. Allioski free kicked an assist for Macedonia. Cooper struggled against the Ruskies and Klich had 70 minutes of uneventfulness against Slovenia.
I always like to see the Leeds players do well, no matter what the Nation.
It was a struggle for me watching Ireland go one down to a technically gifted Swiss team. The relief when the Blades forward McGoldiebaldrick struck home was no doubt matched by our prodigal manager, Old Mick. A second Irish team saw off Bulgaria 3-1 after a very poor 1st half.
Meanwhile at Elland Road, Kalvin Phillips signed a new contract to be followed by Cooper and Dallas when they returned from the Internationals. Over the next week, the Council look like they’ll be backing a new training ground, at Matthew Murrays old school site, situated close to Elland Road.
A Sunday kick off against Barnsley,that was the home of Old Micks parents bar, will no doubt be feisty. I hear he’s a Leeds supporter, as if that’s any help. Form says Leeds should get 3 points from this one. A few old team mates will be facing each other. Malik Wilkes springs to mind and you can also throw in Mowatt.
With yesterdays results, well done Forest, it was nice to see the top two get sucker punched 0-1, just like Leeds last week. The Championship is back. Leeds can go back top with a win.
The Sky fixture interference gives Derby a couple of days more rest than the Whites for next Saturdays early kick off. I’m hoping for no injuries or bookings for that matter.
Prediction. Barnsley 1 Leeds 2.

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 107

Barnsley came out fresh. Wilkes forced Kiko in to a good save. Thomas forced another. Hernandez was set up perfectly by Harrison, to fluff a perfect chance. Harrison did the same by hitting the outside of the post. Barnsley were giving as much as they got.
It was an entertaining, even stevens, nil-nil first half.
Costa was brought on for Harrison at the break. The game restarted with all the same zumpth.
Costa created a chance that Bamford put away, only for it to ruled out for offside.
Wilkes and Woodrow of the Tykes both had good chances thwarted.
It was just after this part of the game, that I may have seen a future England set piece stamped all over it. Phillips curled in a free kick, for Nketiah, again all by himself to pop it in. 1-0.
There is something special about Eddie. In all the goals I’ve seen of his recently, he manages to be by himself. How does he do it? His price tag is on a rapid rise.
Arsenal will not be letting him go. He seems to be treading the path of Abraham.
Damn loans, there is always a donkey in it. Either you’ve been sent a donkey, or you make one of yourself by increasing their price above what you can afford.
I’ve just got to accept he’s on a sabbatical for one season only. I intend to just sit back and enjoy it.
To round off the match, Klich calmly and cheekily passed his Nketiah earned penalty in to the net. 2-0.
To the top the Bielsabub Babes go, as they equaled the clubs historical record for the second time, with six away games won on the trot. 1931, 6, 1963, 6, 2019, 6.
Barnsley looked good today, as Fulham and Charlton have found out before. It just makes me wonder how they play away from home.
Leeds nicked it with Nketiah.

[bluenosey]

Top of the pile Jimmy ! Still early days though and much to play for.

Delighted to see Monky win for Sheffield Wednesday.

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 108

Three points separate the top eight.
WBA are the only unbeaten side.
The top four are unbeaten away.
Preston are the best first half team.
Luton are the team to watch if you want to see goals, so avoid Brentford.
Hugill of QPR is top scorer with five, no penalties.
Swift (Reading) and Williams (Charlton) lead the assists chart with four.
Forest are a thousand up on Derby in the attendance rates with not many more seats to fill.
The season is unfolding in to the usual Championship uncertainty.
Everybody seems to be praising Leeds again. Yet, three points is just one win.
All can fall apart so quickly.
After watching Barnsley, I’m still convinced they’ll get a good run together. They were the League One club I thought might shine, I never expected it to be Charlton. History and my rational mind told me, it won’t be the play off winner.
With Lee Burger Bowyer, Majestically leading his troops in to battle expect something to blow somewhere. Lee will always be part of Leeds, don’t doubt me, it’s the grammatical truth.
The Whites visit the Valley after their home game against Derby.
At the moment, Derby are in Cocu land. Their season was looking rosy as they beat Huddersfield away on the first day of the season. It looked good on paper but now the table is telling a different story. Derby haven’t won since, excluding the Cup win at 92nd placed Scunthorpe. The two 3-0 defeats on the bounce sounded the warning bells. They were dampened with a home draw against Cardiff. Cocu is walking the line gingerly. This could be his do or die game. The Phillipe Phillope headlines are in waiting. To be fair, he doesn’t have the same toys that Frankie had to play with and the boardroom aren’t having a good time either. The purse strings are tightening. He was a spoilt boy that Frankie.
Leeds home form is poor. One win, one loss, one draw. They have only won once in their last five home games. They’ve got to pull their fingers out.
As with the Bielsa way, there is no rest. Nketiah scored two in his first half turn out for the U23’s on Monday Night. Ayling made his comeback with a goal and an assist. Roberts put the second penalty away, Gotts and Struijk got the others in the 6-0 win against Watford. Meslier didn’t have a save to make. Marcelo must have been purring. Can I have a second serving Saturday?
Prediction 1-1.

[theo29]

the weekend opens with the Rams having lunch at Leeds and ends with the Terriers doing the same with the Baggies on Sunday. That will complete the first 8 fixtures of the campaign in 'the unforgiving league' and we will see how the consensus table is shaping up then.
After success at Swansea, Forest could move nearer the top by beating Barnsley (remember JC thinks highly of them) while Bristol City are hosts to Swansea. London derby at Millwall with QPR and high flying Charlton go N to Wigan.

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 109

You get what you deserve. A plethora of chances not taken. As predicted, another score draw.
This is becoming repetitive. Repeat the Forest game, except this time the goal was of better quality.
Bielsa must be tearing his hair out. Klich missed the easiest chance, a penalty. He passed it wide. He looked foolish this time.
Bamford had a good game. When he left the pitch, Leeds had dominated the game and were cruising home 1-0 even though it should have been two. These matches are making me fed up. I know the Derby fans will be on another high with that late equalizer but it’s merged with that underlying doubt showing that all is not well.
What more can Bielsa expect of them if they are not putting away their chances.
Costa came on, on the hour. Nketiah had a quarter of an hour to pull something out of the bag. Nothing emerged.
In the last ten minutes the Leeds team were looking like tired working horses at the end of their shift. Derby made them pay.
The Championship is cruel and demanding.

[morganb]

Normal service has been resumed at the Madejski. A good run of results at the end of August has turned into back to back to back loses for Reading.

[theo29]

so the draw for round 4 of the Carabao Cup does not contain a single team from the Championship. None of them need have dreams of appearing at Wembley in February.
Matchweek 9 on Friday night has Forest at Stoke trying to move ever upwards while the 365ers have it all to do. Wigan are at The Cottage where Fulham need to win to get some credability for their Number 1 consensus spot.
Saturday has Leeds down in The Valley where Charlton will hope to continue their unexpected status. Also in town it is QPR vWBA (titles are too long)
Reading are on the train to the Swans, hoping for improvement and the Rams have Brum at Pride Park , desperately looking for that second win to move away from the drop zone which has not been anticipated in our consensus. Maybe it will happen for the Cowley Bros when Millwall turn up in Yorkshire !

[forestfan]

So, two Derby players charged with drink driving after a crash that put captain Richard Keogh out for the season. I thought it was only F1 drivers who crashed into their team-mates

Surely Cockup’s position is untenable after this?

[blahblah]

What a player Cocu was

https://youtu.be/aXmvNKpmpxY Keogh deserves everything imho.

[Malrom]

Bielsabub Babes 109


Costa came on, on the hour. Nketiah had a quarter of an hour to pull something out of the bag. Nothing emerged.

When will they actually start a game? Bamford is not banging them in recently....
Why not giving them a chance, if the others are tired already after only a few games?
I was more positive last year..

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 109


Costa came on, on the hour. Nketiah had a quarter of an hour to pull something out of the bag. Nothing emerged.

When will they actually start a game? Bamford is not banging them in recently....
Why not giving them a chance, if the others are tired already after only a few games?
I was more positive last year..

Very soon I hope. Costa is going to start tomorrow because Hernandez is injured.

[theo29]

how many Forest fans will be at Stoke this evening ? As many as were at the Emirates v Arsenal on Tuesday ? A win tonight will do wonders for their dreams and hopes for the end of the season. The route is via Derby who have totally different concerns at the present. Is a win tomorrow a realistic possibility ?

[forestfan]

Top of the league

Richard Keogh got a namecheck from the Forest fans tonight, with “You should have walked home...”

Stoke remain winless and face Huddersfield in El Crapico in midweek.

[theo29]

Cool indeed, if only until about 2 pm today. It just might be the only occasion it happens this season. Savour the moment. Most certainly the Rams will not be in the top 6 by the 3rd round of the Cup.

[blahblah]

Top of the league

Richard Keogh got a namecheck from the Forest fans tonight, with “You should have walked home...”

It seems a bit easier this season? Ipswich can't stop winning

[get_on_my_cocker]

Top of the league

Richard Keogh got a namecheck from the Forest fans tonight, with “You should have walked home...”

It seems a bit easier this season? Ipswich can't stop winning

We should have done league One years ago, I've never had so much fun

[jimmy ching]

Bielsabub Babes 110

The Championship musical chairs started on Friday evening. Forest moved top with a 3-2 win at struggler's Stoke, where ‘but’ was no excuse.
So the early Saturday kick off meant a win for either side would put them at number one. QPR another surprise package this season took on the heavily favoured WBA. Ferguson, the WBA defender struck one in to the delight of the away supporters, then Pereira doubled the lead. The Baggies were still playing the tunes at the top of the table after the three o’clock kick off's had finished.
Both Leeds and Swansea failed to muster a win to go top.

Bielsa is beaten again, 1-0. He can go on about chances created but for goodness sake, what about chances converted? We are not going to keep accepting this as an excuse. A beat Bielsa system has been found out and Lee Bowyer is the last one to taste success.
The system it seems requires three centre backs.

Costa was in the starting line up and Nketiah came on at half time. Yet again, even with more time, nothing emerged. Bamford struggled as the midfield shooting was taking preference.
Shackletons head went when he received the ball in a good position, Costa blazed one over the bar, Dallas followed. Klich was having his usual weak attempts. Hernandez was missed.

I’m with Malrom on this one. There is no improvement on last year and to add to it, the opposition know what to expect. The experience factor is sorely missed by the players involved. What I don’t want to hear is that much repeated Championship utterance, ‘just give us another a couple of years’.

The Championship feels like purgatory, as Ipswich and Forest fans would probably endorse.