who's going up into the Prem?

 

edit - I've taken the liberty of starting a new topic TProf (partly to prevent hijacking  LF1's topic and also to spark up this topic)

 

via playoffs Bristol

 

well, that's at least possible

 

C'MON U 'ULL!!!

 

you might well be right Buffy, and right now i could live with that (though i might be crying in my beer this time next season)

 

even just one measley season in the top div after 104 years of trying  is way, way, way, way better than none!!

 

please let it happen  - i'll be like  in shyte, for at least 3 months

Just some thoughts on the Championship which I've enjoyed following while in the UK.

 

1. West Brom

2. Hull

3. Stoke/Watford

 

West Brom are a class above the others in the Championship and will go up for sure.The difference is that although they can play a muscular game (which is needed in this division) they keep the ball on the carpet and pass and move with great speed even when under pressure. I saw them at the Valley against Charlton a month or so ago and they never resorted to the long ball game despite going 1 nil down.  They'll do alright in the Prem next year.

 

But if a team like Watford go up they'll get beaten for pace and will rely on trying to out muscle quick and skilful players in the prem and will be penalised out of games. Watford (and Charlton too for that matter) have the ability to pass well, but they get flustered when chasing teams and then thump the ball forward and muscle players off the ball - that works in the Championship but not so much in the Prem.  By the way that 2 all game at the Valley in Feb was a heart breaker for Addicks fans and was gutting to watch after being up 2 nil at half time.

 

Hull look well placed to be in the reckoning too, though they are hitting a few form teams on their run in from here (Palace, Barnsley & Ipswich).

 

Stoke have an injured captain and Shola Amoebi is potentially gone too, both with hammys at a critical time - a big test of team character to pull through.  I reckon if these injuries keep them off the pitch they'll get routed in the playoffs by Watford.

 

As for the other contenders - Bristol City are in the reckoning on the back of Basso who's kept out a lot of goals but their form has been patchy over the past month. Wolves are hitting their straps and look like they'll contest the play-offs as well - may not have the defence to keep out Stoke/Watford and have been on the wrong end of some thrashings against them of late.

 

Why  don't peple like Joke sh*tty? Mainly because their fans rank up there with Cardiff City, Some Leeds and soime Millwall.

 

Why don't people like Stoke?  It's because too many people are ill informed and are too willing to let other people's prejudices become their own.  Oh yeh, and they don't get the humour.