THE CHAMPIONSHIP 2020-21

[theo29]

setting out the stall for the new season.

[forestfan]

Prediction for us: 14th. Sabri gone by Christmas and Pulis leads us to safety. Nobody’s watching by the end, whether or not fans are allowed in the ground...

[bluenosey]

Derby to start on - 12 and Sheff Wed on - 21?

[forestfan]

I’d take that (though preferably the other way around...)

[theo29]

the final line-up is not yet known but NW is beginning the season at Boro. When will the first dismissal be ?

[theo29]

Wigan exit confirmed while Rams await some sort of axe to fall unless Morris is a very powerful Merlin type magician.

[forestfan]

Bournemouth appoint Howe’s former number 2 Jason Tindall. Surprisingly taking the old fashioned approach that rarely comes off, rather than bringing in a fresh face.

[blahblah]

It could be that the lack of time necessitated that move?

A season to find a defence may be no bad thing, but a struggle of a season could do them over...

[Neath boy]

So much transfer activity still expected it’s hard to make any real predictions but if Swansea keep Rodon and get Brewster back for another loan and a couple of decent free transfers (we have no money to spend) we could make the play offs again.

[forestfan]

Well, top two has to be up for grabs for the likes of Swansea. Not sure who are current favourites, Brentford perhaps? But the relegated sides all have their issues and those coming up from League One certainly won’t be a threat.

[jimmy ching]

Well come back Coventry. Best of luck to Wycombe and Rotherham are here just to irritate and burst those bubbles again.

[theo29]

The programme is revealed and the stage set. 12th September just 3 weeks away and off we go again. Stand by for the first stories.

[Neath boy]

I fancy Brentford to do well again as they have the right structure in place and will have money to spend on replacements should they lose a couple I f their best players.
Norwich I also expect to do well.
Watford and Bournemouth I am not sure about.

[jimmy ching]

I expected Barnsley to surprise last season. They struggled but played with never say die. They just survived but the later performances against the top clubs just made me wonder how they were in this position. I'm expecting them to do much better this season. Can't see past Brentford at the moment for the automatics. The other place I see as between, Swansea, Forest, Watford, Cardiff, Norwich.

[Smurphy Paw]

Wednesday are appealing the 12 point deduction. The confirmation that Owls were open with investigators and (thought they) had permission from EFL to commit the go round sale in the year they did is a central pillar of the appeal
The other aspect is that, if the -12 penalty is implemented then regulations say it should be applied in the year following season. The sale of the ground was in the 17/18 accounts (with ELF in full knowledge) so if they had an issue with it the -12 should have been administered in 18/19 season when Wednesday finished 24 points clear of the drop zone. Consequently the case being put forward by SWFC is it should retrospectively be applied for 18/19.

No idea how this will eventually end. Presumably Derby are watching with interest. Be good for all concerned if the appeal is heard sooner rather than later

[Smurphy Paw]

Much better to be talking about some exciting looking additions to the team

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru Has come in from Man City and describes himself in the mould of Yaya Toure
Izzy Brown has been everywhere and, when fit, helped teams get promoted. Only place he’s not really got any game time is long time owner, Chelsea
I don’t know much about Chey Dunkley but Wigan fans seem genuinely pleased that he’s got another Championship club (very big of them, still feel most for Wigan fans of all the clubs with off field issues. If SWFCs 12 point deduction remains I’ll take it on the chin as compared to the mess they’re in)

[Geoffv]

Departures and Arrivals in Championship
Updated to last weekend.

1. Barnsley
In: None | Out: Samuel Sahin-Radlinger, Mallik Wilks, Toby Sibbick, Cameron McGeehan, Dani Pinillos, Mamadou Thiam, Kenny Dougall.
2. Birmingham
In: George Friend (Middlesbrough) | Out: Jude Bellingham, Alvaro Giménez, Jacques Maghoma, Jonathan Grounds, Connal Trueman, David Stockdale, Cheick Keita, Craig Gardner, Kerim Mrabti, Lee Camp.
3. Blackburn
In: None | Out: Richard Smallwood, Dominic Samuel, Danny Graham, Sam Hart, Jayson Leutwiler.
4. Bournemouth
In: None | Out: Nathan Ake, Jermain Defoe, Artur Boruc, Ryan Fraser, Jordon Ibe, Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis, Andrew Surman, Brad Smith.
5. Brentford
In: None | Out: Jaakko Oksanen (loan), Dru Yearwood, Justin Shaibu, Nikolaos Karelis, Kamohelo Mokotjo.
6. Bristol City
In: None | Out: Matty Taylor, Robbie Cundy (loan), Korey Smith, Rory Holden.
7. Cardiff
In: Kieffer Moore (Wigan) | Out: Jazz Richards, Matthew Connolly, Omar Bogle, Ciaron Brown (loan).
8. Coventry
In: Gustavo Hamer (PEC Zwolle), Julien Da Costa (Chamois Niort), Callum O'Hare (Aston Villa), Marcel Hilßner (SC Paderborn), Ryan Giles (Wolves, loan) | Out: Dexter Walters, Callum Maycock, Jak Hickman, Zain Westbrooke, Bouwe Bosma, Charlie Wakefield, Junior Brown, Reise Allassani, Jordy Hiwula.
9. Derby
In: Mike te Wierik (FC Groningen), Henrich Ravas (Derby) | Out: Ikechi Anya, Jonathan Mitchell, Tom Huddlestone, Chris Martin.
10. Huddersfield
In: None | Out: Jon Gorenc-Stankovic, Herbert Bockhorn, Danny Simpson, Elias Kachunga, Collin Quaner, Joel Coleman.
11. Luton
In: Jordan Clark | Out: Marek Stech, Frankie Musonda, Lloyd Jones, Donervon Daniels, Jake Jervis.
12. Middlesbrough
In: Grant Hall (QPR) | Out: George Friend, Daniel Ayala, Ryan Shotton, Rudy Gestede, Adam Clayton.
13. Millwall
In: Troy Parrott (Tottenham, loan), Ryan Woods (Stoke, loan) | Out: Aiden O'Brien.
14. Norwich
In: Przemyslaw Placheta (Slask Wroclaw), Bali Mumba (Sunderland), Danel Sinani (F91 Dudelange), Sebastian Soto (Hannover 96), Matthew Dennis (Arsenal), Jacob Lungi Sörensen (Esbjerg fB), Kieran Dowell (Everton) | Out: Mason Bloomfield, Sean Raggett, Simon Power (loan), Rocky Bushiri (loan), Carlton Morris (loan).
15. Nottingham Forest
In: Lyle Taylor (Charlton), Jack Colback (Newcastle) Tyler Blackett (Reading) | Out: Liam Bridcutt.
16. Preston
In: None | Out: Connor Simpson, Tom Clarke, Jack Armer, Michael Crowe.
17. QPR
In: George Thomas (Leicester) | Out: Grant Hall, Marc Pugh, Angel Rangel.
18. Reading
In: Josh Laurent (Shrewsbury) | Out: Tyler Blackett, Modou Barrow, Danny Loader , Adrian Popa, Vito Mannone, Jordan Obita, Charlie Adam, Garath McCleary, Chris Gunter.
19. Rotherham
In: Mickel Miller (Hamilton), Kieran Sadlier (Doncaster), Angus MacDonald (Hull) | Out: Julien Lamy, Jerry Yates, Joshua Kayode (loan), Laurence Bilboe.
20. Sheffield Wednesday
In: Chey Dunkley (Wigan), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Manchester City) | Out: Connor Kirby, Morgan Fox, Steven Fletcher, Fraser Preston, Sam Hutchinson, Sam Winnall, Fernando Forestieri, Jack Stobbs.
21. Stoke
In: Morgan Fox (Sheffield Wednesday), James Chester (Aston Villa), Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday) | Out: Adam Federici, Ryan Woods (loan), Stephen Ward, Mame Diouf.
22. Swansea
In: Korey Smith (Bristol City), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle, loan) | Out: Erwin Mulder, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Jefferson Montero, Mike van der Hoorn.
23. Watford
In: Jeremy Ngakia (West Ham) | Out: Dimitri Foulquier, Pontus Dahlberg (loan), Kwasi Sibo (loan), Cucho Hernández (loan), José Holebas, Heurelho Gomes, Adrian Mariappa.
24. Wycombe
In: None | Out: Sido Jombati, Jamie Mascoll, Craig Mackail-Smith, Jacob Gardiner-Smith.

[theo29]

the Rams are penalty free,well at least they start the new season level pegging. Will Reading feel the heat on 12 September`?

[Neath boy]

Swansea making some great early moves. Looking like they can challenge this season if we get a striker in and keep the rest of the squad together bar some fringe players.

[Hogmeister]

All going on at the madstad, with the strong rumour being that Bowen is about to be moved back upstairs to the DoF role he had before taking the reins last season, with a new manager coming in (various foreign blokes being mentioned). And another rumour (which may be less sound) that the board will support said new manager with "6-8 new signings". Given we are still cowering under FFP regulations and trying to avoid a 12-point deduction, that last bit may be rather far-fetched.

[Neath boy]

I used to play in the same football team as Mark Bowen.

[forestfan]

So, Boro and Watford to kick things off tonight. Colin in charge on Teesside, while I’ve forgotten who’s managing the men in yellow this week...

[theo29]

not a word from anyone since before the season began. With jimmy ching gone to a higher plane have we anyone to replace him ?

[forestfan]

Zero points and zero goals from three games, surely time to scrap the season

[Smurphy Paw]

Zero points and zero goals from three games, surely time to scrap the season

You’re still not bottom

[jimmy ching]

Zero points and zero goals from three games, surely time to scrap the season

Just when you thought everything was falling apart this season, Derby go and let in four to go below you.

[morganb]

9 points from 3 games for top of the table Reading but the side has been ravaged by injuries this week.

[Neath boy]

Swansea are a striker short of mounting a promotion challenge.

[forestfan]

Zero points and zero goals from three games, surely time to scrap the season

Just when you thought everything was falling apart this season, Derby go and let in four to go below you.

Amazingly, we’re not even in the bottom three... need to at least draw with Derby and Wycombe to stay up though

[morganb]

A couple of manager changes today.

Gerhard Struber has left Barnsley FC to take the vacant Head Coach position at MLS outfit, New York Red Bulls.

Chris Hughton appointed Nottingham Forest manager following Sabri Lamouchi departure.