Anyone want to feel absolutely miserable this evening (and all summer)?

[Bristol Oil Services]

Where were Cov and Luton in 2018 when Lee and Ashton were here, signing Liam thingy and Louis Dionky and Ryan K***,, making us a PL club in waiting?

In the 4th bloody division. Ffs.

[Top Robin]

As many of you know, I have felt miserable all season. 

Cov and Luton making the play off final just just reinforces how poor we have been this season - we weren't even close to them. 

[phantom]

That's life 

[Betty Swallocks]

2 minutes ago, Top Robin said:

 

Cov and Luton making the play off final just just reinforces how poor we have been this season - we weren't even close to them. 

In the 4 games we played against Luton & Coventry in the league this seasons we W1 D2 L1. 

[Northern Red]

Just now, Betty Swallocks said:

In the 4 games we played against Luton & Coventry in the league this seasons we W1 D2 L1. 

Don't spoil his fun with facts.

[And Its Smith]

Don’t get too down about it! Summer is here.  

[Loosey Boy]

Not miserable……looking forward to next season, especially if the transfer rumours come to fruition!

[Bristol Oil Services]

7 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Don’t get too down about it! Summer is here.  

Who will make the Championship play-offs first:

Bristol City or Wrexham?

Bristol City or Notts County? 

[Leveller]

2 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

Who will make the Championship play-offs first:

Bristol City or Wrexham?

Bristol City or Notts County? 

Yeovil probably.

[Mr Popodopolous]

Tbh is it that they are more overachieving outliers. They have overtaken many clubs but in different ways 2017-18, 2018-19 and even 2019-20 we could have maybe done better. We missed out on top 6 for various reasons especially in the case of the first two.

We are now on an upward curve and the financial problems have bottomed out. In theory we can now push forward. Then again I saw potential for us to be a bit of a Brentford Plus in the making so what do I know!

Edited May 17, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous

[And Its Smith]

9 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

Who will make the Championship play-offs first:

Bristol City or Wrexham?

Bristol City or Notts County? 

**** knows 

[Markthehorn]

TBF Luton probably would have been a solid League One/Championship but they got deducted -30 points twice which meant relegation. 

No ideal why it took them so long to get out of non-league though - think they lost to York x2 and AFC Wimbledon in the play-off finals.

Not sure how long Coventry actually spent in the lower leagues but still an impressive achievement. 

 

[alexukhc]

Think everyone going up this year will come straight back down next year

[East Londoner]

1 minute ago, alexukhc said:

Think everyone going up this year will come straight back down next year

But saying that the money they could potentially make finances potential new stadiums and sets them up for the future 

[Simon bristol]

19 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

Who will make the Championship play-offs first:

Bristol City or Wrexham?

Bristol City or Notts County? 

Id put money on wrexham… we couldnt have been run and managed shitter over the last 8 years if we tried.

[miser]

Well if being miserable is your happy place go ahead. We've put ourself into a good place for next season.

[Coxy27]

10 minutes ago, alexukhc said:

Think everyone going up this year will come straight back down next year

That gets said every year and almost never happens

[alexukhc]

2 minutes ago, Coxy27 said:

That gets said every year and almost never happens

Yeah I get that, but other than Burnley, who I think may do ok, but still can’t see Sheff United staying up and either Luton or Coventry, I’m not sure either

[GrahamC]

50 minutes ago, Top Robin said:

As many of you know, I have felt miserable all season. 

Cov and Luton making the play off final just just reinforces how poor we have been this season - we weren't even close to them. 

I’m sure that’s exactly the reaction the OP was looking for, relentless negativity.

[The Journalist]

2 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

I’m sure that’s exactly the reaction the OP was looking for, relentless negativity.

Surely just needs some more hobbies. Imagine being miserable all season because we were mid-table in the Championship.

[Aipearcey]

I’ve always said teams always end up where they’ve previously been. I found a news paper under some floor boards at work and was surprised how similar the league tables back in the 60s were to nowadays. That’s why I’m my opinion teams like Sheffield Wednesdays, Ipswich, Portsmouth will return to the premier league before we do. It’s not in our DNA and why it will take a miracle for it to happen.

Edited May 17, 2023 by Aipearcey

[Wanderingred]

People need to get over it. Rather than be frustrated that “the likes of” Coventry and Luton are in a playoff final, use it to motivate us. It can be done without parachute payments, and there’s no reason why we can’t be in the same position 12 months later.

By the way, for every team that’s overtaken us in the last few years, there are an equal number of teams that have plummeted past us in the opposite direction.

[pillred]

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Tbh is it that they are more overachieving outliers. They have overtaken many clubs but in different ways 2017-18, 2018-19 and even 2019-20 we could have maybe done better. We missed out on top 6 for various reasons especially in the case of the first two.

We are now on an upward curve and the financial problems have bottomed out. In theory we can now push forward. Then again I saw potential for us to be a bit of a Brentford Plus in the making so what do I know!

I saw this posting and well what can I say, I think we both have an optimistic view that never seems to come true, as Judy once sang somewhere over the rainbow hopefully Robins, not Blue Birds fly.

[pillred]

1 hour ago, alexukhc said:

Think everyone going up this year will come straight back down next year

Not always the case though is it?

[Tinmans Love Child]

5 hours ago, Wanderingred said:

People need to get over it. Rather than be frustrated that “the likes of” Coventry and Luton are in a playoff final, use it to motivate us. It can be done without parachute payments, and there’s no reason why we can’t be in the same position 12 months later.

By the way, for every team that’s overtaken us in the last few years, there are an equal number of teams that have plummeted past us in the opposite direction.

In fact all 4 teams in the playoffs had no parachute payments at all did they?  

[Pezo]

We do now have to accept that either Luton or Kasey Palmer will be playing in the prem before us.

A bit of a stick to beat the club with because we say we can't compete due to parachute payments but with both cov and Luton in playoff final and teams like forest, Brentford, leeds, Sheffield United, Wolves, Brighton all getting promoted without parachute payments I don't see why we can't compete. Heck ever Barnsley have been in the playoffs recently!

[1960maaan]

6 hours ago, alexukhc said:

Yeah I get that, but other than Burnley, who I think may do ok, but still can’t see Sheff United staying up and either Luton or Coventry, I’m not sure either

I don't disagree, or with your first post, but if they use the money wisely they have the opportunity for at least an extended stay further down the line. Burnley didn't spend massively (from memory) and built a reasonable team over 2 years for a longer stay, Fulham have gone for it but still have the fallback ob the better players that came in and the PP to carry on building. 
No certain formula, but getting there at least give you the means to make a better first of it the next time.

[RedM]

I think I'm more worried about Boro and Sunderland being left in the Championship as well as the 3 coming down, they will be strong teams next year

[AppyDAZE]

Man up!

[ExiledAjax]

And where were Burton, Derby, Sheff Wed, Bolton, and Barnsley in 2018? In our division.

Stars rise and stars fall.

Don't be jealous and envious of Coventry and Luton. Don't let bitterness dominate. Be inspired and encouraged that yes, if they can do it, then so can we.

[WarksRobin]

8 hours ago, Bristol Oil Services said:

Where were Cov and Luton in 2018 when Lee and Ashton were here, signing Liam thingy and Louis Dionky and Ryan K***,, making us a PL club in waiting?

In the 4th bloody division. Ffs.

As long as we don’t sell Alex Scott to one of the promoted sides 

[MarcusX]

Both sets of fans deserve it for the turmoil they've been through over the last few years. Luton with their points deduction and their foray into non-league. Coventry for the issues with their owners and not having a home for a couple of seasons was it? Even start of this season they couldn't play at home because of the pitch and the Rugby.

[Tinmans Love Child]

To be fair Cov although hard times in recent years have had way more success than us, was it 30 odd years in the top flight before they dropped out around 2000?  When they first moved to the Ricoh it was way way ahead of AG in terms of quality and size.  Yes now I would say we have sorted the ground etc etc but we don't have that top flight pedigree.  Even Luton were in the top flight more recently than us!

[ExiledAjax]

I travelled to watch us play Coventry on that sunny August evening in Burton 9 months ago. 4-1 and we dismantled them. Had you told me then that Coventry would be in the playoff final I'd have laughed you out of town.

[JoeAman08]

19 minutes ago, RedM said:

I think I'm more worried about Boro and Sunderland being left in the Championship as well as the 3 coming down, they will be strong teams next year

Someone said can see all 3 coming straight back down and it was pointed out that it gets said every year and rarely happens. 
 

The championship being stronger next season also gets said every year. It is hard not to come to that conclusion for next season though isn’t it?
 

Southampton are full of young promising players already. They are gonna bring in 50m or more in sales most likely on top of that. So they will be able to retool. 

Leicester maybe less worried about but hard to look at them and think they will struggle. Will have plenty after sales to rebuild. Leeds and Everton also in this category. Forest have had a hell of an effort but if they come down I wouldn’t fear them per se. 
 

Wouldn’t sleep on Ipswich either being competitive. Ashton jokes aside they will acquire talent. Peterborough always an exciting attacking side too if they come up. 
 

Nice to know it can be done for sure but you also get seasons where the PP clubs dominate the top 6. I also don’t think we’ll get the same Norwich and Watford sides. Next season maybe only be 1-2 spaces for non PP clubs and I wouldn’t put us at the top of that list quite yet

[Tinmans Love Child]

2 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Someone said can see all 3 coming straight back down and it was pointed out that it gets said every year and rarely happens. 
 

The championship being stronger next season also gets said every year. It is hard not to come to that conclusion for next season though isn’t it?
 

Southampton are full of young promising players already. They are gonna bring in 50m or more in sales most likely on top of that. So they will be able to retool. 

Leicester maybe less worried about but hard to look at them and think they will struggle. Will have plenty after sales to rebuild. Leeds and Everton also in this category. Forest have had a hell of an effort but if they come down I wouldn’t fear them per se. 
 

Wouldn’t sleep on Ipswich either being competitive. Ashton jokes aside they will acquire talent. Peterborough always an exciting attacking side too if they come up. 
 

Nice to know it can be done for sure but you also get seasons where the PP clubs dominate the top 6. I also don’t think we’ll get the same Norwich and Watford sides. Next season maybe only be 1-2 spaces for non PP clubs and I wouldn’t put us at the top of that list quite yet

For me the more teams competing the better for us, cause that means more teams beating each other and the division is closer, the last thing you want is 4/5 teams running away with it cause we wouldn't be one of those 5, but 10 teams going for it then I can defo see us in that group and it's all to play for

[Offside]

Yes it’s a bit galling…..but it also provides hope that a well-drilled team, working as a unit, can get there. If we are in the top half of the table next season it gives us a chance of sneaking into the play offs. 

[Merrick's Marvels]

1 hour ago, RedM said:

I think I'm more worried about Boro and Sunderland being left in the Championship as well as the 3 coming down, they will be strong teams next year

Both those teams massively reliant on loans from Prem teams. 

Players they no longer have and may not be able to replace.

Both have had great seasons and have played some  excellent football but let's wait and see if they can do so again.

[oldstandrobin]

9 hours ago, phantom said:

That's life 

Thats Bristol City Football Club

[Sir Geoff]

9 hours ago, East Londoner said:

But saying that the money they could potentially make finances potential new stadiums and sets them up for the future 

That's a bit of a fallacy tbf. Net profit after ground improvements to PL standard, higher wages, larger transfer fees, etc won't be that much.

[tin]

If I was a Watford fan, I’d be fuming if Luton go up.

Imagine the Gas are in our league, we’ve hounded out our gaffer, they then join the Gas and lead them to the PL after being in our shadow for donkey’s years.

In Watford’s case, there’s more than a hint of karma for their hire-fire policy, but it must still be a bitter pill to swallow. 

The sad fact from our perspective is the Lansdowns will be looking at it and thinking that should be us, ignoring their own mistakes that have led to recent austerity. 

Edited May 18, 2023 by tin

[Dr Balls]

Remember Coventry were relegated in 2011-12 after we beat them at Ashton Gate under MacInnes at Easter, with goals from Stead and Bolasie. We went down the following season under S’OD but took only 2 seasons to bounce back. We then ditched Cotterill for Johnson and Ashton and flattered to deceive for a couple of seasons with Tammy Abraham and then the League Cup run, but after that it was a case of going backwards. Only in the last 2 seasons under Nige have we actually seen progress in the club and team.

Coventry had to hit rock bottom in League 2, the owners at odds with the owners of the stadium, playing home games at Birmingham and Northampton, but their stroke of good fortune was bringing back Mark Robins as manager and sticking with him.

As for being overtaken by other clubs coming up from a lower division, I am sure fans of many other established second tier clubs felt similarly aggrieved  when we made the 2007-8 playoff final.

Edited May 18, 2023 by Dr Balls

[spudski]

1 hour ago, JoeAman08 said:

Someone said can see all 3 coming straight back down and it was pointed out that it gets said every year and rarely happens. 
 

The championship being stronger next season also gets said every year. It is hard not to come to that conclusion for next season though isn’t it?
 

Southampton are full of young promising players already. They are gonna bring in 50m or more in sales most likely on top of that. So they will be able to retool. 

Leicester maybe less worried about but hard to look at them and think they will struggle. Will have plenty after sales to rebuild. Leeds and Everton also in this category. Forest have had a hell of an effort but if they come down I wouldn’t fear them per se. 
 

Wouldn’t sleep on Ipswich either being competitive. Ashton jokes aside they will acquire talent. Peterborough always an exciting attacking side too if they come up. 
 

Nice to know it can be done for sure but you also get seasons where the PP clubs dominate the top 6. I also don’t think we’ll get the same Norwich and Watford sides. Next season maybe only be 1-2 spaces for non PP clubs and I wouldn’t put us at the top of that list quite yet

That's how I see it as well. 

Imo...next season will be one of the strongest Championships in a long time. 

It's going to be harder to make the top 6 imo. 

We've been improving and playing some good football this season. We will undoubtedly improve again and become stronger...however...I think we will need to improve to even keep mid table. 

Hopefully we have a season where other teams under achieve. 

Imo...mid table on paper would be a respectable. 

Top 6 reliant on us over achieving and others under achieving. 

I just hope if the season does play out how I feel it might, that fans don't see us as not improving. 

Sadly the top 6 hope has been dangled again recently in NPs interview. 

As we've seen before in previous seasons...if it's mentioned that their is belief we have the ability for top 6, it's used against them if they don't achieve it. 

 

[ashton_fan]

I remember being stuck in L1 for what seemed an eternity where we dreamt of being in the Championship, at least we're now an established club at this level which is a decent standard. While I'd like to see us promoted not sure whether it would be more enjoyable watching us lose most of the time, think some people on here would go into meltdown.

[ChippenhamRed]

Don’t really get this thread. If it was the same old teams in the play offs we’d be moaning about the inequality of parachute payments and how can we ever hope to compete etc etc etc.

With a young, improving team and likely a lot of money coming our way assuming Scott goes, we’ve given ourselves a platform to build on next season. If Luton and Coventry can get there, so can we. We should use it as a source of inspiration, not bitterness.

[Nogbad the Bad]

12 minutes ago, ashton_fan said:

I remember being stuck in L1 for what seemed an eternity where we dreamt of being in the Championship, at least we're now an established club at this level which is a decent standard. While I'd like to see us promoted not sure whether it would be more enjoyable watching us lose most of the time, think some people on here would go into meltdown.

Getting there is the dream but the thought of being there is a bit of a nightmare.

[And Its Smith]

18 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Don’t really get this thread. If it was the same old teams in the play offs we’d be moaning about the inequality of parachute payments and how can we ever hope to compete etc etc etc.

With a young, improving team and likely a lot of money coming our way assuming Scott goes, we’ve given ourselves a platform to build on next season. If Luton and Coventry can get there, so can we. We should use it as a source of inspiration, not bitterness.

Completely agree.  Being miserable because a team recently in league two will be in the premier league next season is odd considering that is what football is all about.  Dreams can be achieved. 

[italian dave]

8 hours ago, pillred said:

Not always the case though is it?

No!

But I think most would agree that, for instance, Bournemouth last season were a different league to Sheff U, Luton, Boro and Burnley this season.

In a funny way, I think Luton might be the most likely of those four to stay up next. They play that sort of style that PL teams take a while to adapt to…..and if they can get enough points on the board before that happens then they could just survive. If they get there!

[Open End Numb Legs]

I agree with those who say it should give us all hope. If it was a play off final between parachute payment teams it would be worse for sport I think.

It will be fascinating to see how one of them gets on. Could be carnage. But then the Prem table has had several surprises this season.

The other angle is how many players that will celebrate promotion will get a game next season?

[A Horse With No Name]

And Coventry were bottom of the table in October.

[Tinmans Love Child]

47 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

Remember Coventry were relegated in 2011-12 after we beat them at Ashton Gate under MacInnes at Easter, with goals from Stead and Bolasie. We went down the following season under S’OD but took only 2 seasons to bounce back. We then ditched Cotterill for Johnson and Ashton and flattered to deceive for a couple of seasons with Tammy Abraham and then the League Cup run, but after that it was a case of going backwards. Only in the last 2 seasons under Nige have we actually seen progress in the club and team.

Coventry had to hit rock bottom in League 2, the owners at odds with the owners of the stadium, playing home games at Birmingham and Northampton, but their stroke of good fortune was bringing back Mark Robins as manager and sticking with him.

As for being overtaken by other clubs coming up from a lower division, I am sure fans of many other established second tier clubs felt similarly aggrieved  when we made the 2007-8 playoff final.

Great game that, 3-1 from memory and Bolasie scored!?!? My wife came to that one and we were sat in the Williams stand, and when the away fans were pouring out my wife very much enjoyed the "cheerio cheerio cheerio" chant!

[W-S-M Seagull]

Whichever one goes up, are likely to challenge Derby for their record low points tally. 

I'm reminded of what Pearson said the other day "we don't just want to get to the premier league, we want to get there and stay there" 

So whilst one of these clubs will have a season of Premier league football and come down with an unfair advantage (parachute payments) I'm confident that our long term plan is more sustainable than those two clubs. 

[Globe Trotter]

36 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Don’t really get this thread. If it was the same old teams in the play offs we’d be moaning about the inequality of parachute payments and how can we ever hope to compete etc etc etc.

With a young, improving team and likely a lot of money coming our way assuming Scott goes, we’ve given ourselves a platform to build on next season. If Luton and Coventry can get there, so can we. We should use it as a source of inspiration, not bitterness.

Quite right, and also, quite refreshing to know a different club will be promoted this year to the usual yo-yo teams like West Brom, Norwich, Watford.
 

[Bristol Oil Services]

2 hours ago, Tinmans Love Child said:

To be fair Cov although hard times in recent years have had way more success than us, was it 30 odd years in the top flight before they dropped out around 2000?  When they first moved to the Ricoh it was way way ahead of AG in terms of quality and size.  Yes now I would say we have sorted the ground etc etc but we don't have that top flight pedigree.  Even Luton were in the top flight more recently than us!

Following your logic there then, it must be the case that, prior to their promotion about 4 or 5 years ago, Brighton had a "top flight pedigree" that "we don't have" ?

And the same for Brentford? 

[Coxy27]

10 hours ago, alexukhc said:

Yeah I get that, but other than Burnley, who I think may do ok, but still can’t see Sheff United staying up and either Luton or Coventry, I’m not sure either

I mean I do agree thinking about it now - but, I'd have said the same about Bournemouth and they are safe.

Depends who they recruit. I was browsing the Coventry squad last night, it is remarkable how well they've done with such unheralded players. 36 year old Kyle McFadzean, even a 33 year old Liam Kelly!

[jj77]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If this forum is anything to go by the stadium would be half empty if City got promoted. Most of the fan base doesn't watch the premier league even though there seems to be a fair number of posts related to teams in it.

[italian dave]

56 minutes ago, Dr Balls said:

Remember Coventry were relegated in 2011-12 after we beat them at Ashton Gate under MacInnes at Easter, with goals from Stead and Bolasie. We went down the following season under S’OD but took only 2 seasons to bounce back. We then ditched Cotterill for Johnson and Ashton and flattered to deceive for a couple of seasons with Tammy Abraham and then the League Cup run, but after that it was a case of going backwards. Only in the last 2 seasons under Nige have we actually seen progress in the club and team.

Coventry had to hit rock bottom in League 2, the owners at odds with the owners of the stadium, playing home games at Birmingham and Northampton, but their stroke of good fortune was bringing back Mark Robins as manager and sticking with him.

As for being overtaken by other clubs coming up from a lower division, I am sure fans of many other established second tier clubs felt similarly aggrieved  when we made the 2007-8 playoff final.

Depends how you define progress.

The focus of this thread is very much about success of the pitch measured by results and league position. And on that basis you’re being very unfair on the Johnson/Ashton period. Every season we won more games than the last, improved our GD and improved our league position. Hardly a case of ‘flattered to deceive……going backwards’?

And our progress in the last season has been far less impressive, season on season, principally turning a few defeats into draws each season. 

Yes, I know there’s more to it than that, and up to a point I’m playing devil’s advocate. But I think we had real success during those four years and that can’t just be airbrushed out of history. 

Yes, we made some huge mistakes: letting Ashton have free reign for one, not having a serious plan B in place for either his or Johnson’s departure - both of which left us in complete limbo. And at the worst possible time during the first year of the pandemic with all that involved. 

[Markthehorn]

1 hour ago, tin said:

If I was a Watford fan, I’d be fuming if Luton go up.

Imagine the Gas are in our league, we’ve hounded out our gaffer, they then join the Gas and lead them to the PL after being in our shadow for donkey’s years.

In Watford’s case, there’s more than a hint of karma for their hire-fire policy, but it must still be a bitter pill to swallow. 

The sad fact from our perspective is the Lansdowns will be looking at it and thinking that should be us, ignoring their own mistakes that have led to recent austerity. 

It’s why a lot of fans wouldn’t mind seeing him get promoted (maybe not Luton themselves!) as a fingers up to the owners .

Certainly was one sacking that didn’t go down well and many thought was harsh particularly given what has happened since .

Who knows if he could have done the same here as we have a different sort of squad and dare I say attitude.

[Son of Fred]

9 hours ago, Wanderingred said:

Coventry and Luton are in a playoff final, use it to motivate us. It can be done without parachute payments,

Indeed, clearly it can be - 

The knack is smart recruitment & excellent scouting - easier said than done!

It's a knack I don't believe we've mastered as yet.

[RoystonFoote'snephew]

I can't be miserable or gloomy. We may not be where we want to be yet but we've got a young team that's the most exciting in years. I've been watching City for over 60 years, with all the up and downs, and I'm now looking forward again to watching each week. As for Luton and Coventry they're in the play-off final on merit, get used to it. 

[ExiledAjax]

11 minutes ago, Son of Fred said:

The knack is smart recruitment & excellent scouting - easier said than done!

Keiran Maguire (the football finance guy) sums the recipe for success in football up as: resources, opportunity, execution.

You need to have the resources - financial wriggle room, income and control of outgoings, the opportunity - a division that opens up, the right squad at the right time, and then you have to have the right people making good decisions and executing your plan.

We've had/have a few of these things in place, but not all at once. Opportunity has always been there. Resources are now in place after a few years of a rebuild. Execution is now key.

[Red-Robbo]

One assumes it'll be Luton going up. Coventry sort of crept in to the play-offs on the back of some good results late on, but Luton were more consistently impressive. Anyone's game though.

I don't think anyone should be downhearted though. We are moving in the right direction and are nearer the play-offs (10 points away) than relegation (15 away). Last season the play-offs were 20 points away and relegation 14; the one before the figures were 26 points off the play-offs, 7 points off relegation. 

I think the composition of the midfield that emerges after the summer will be key for us. It always seems that we lose a number of key battles there. 

[RedRoss]

I see it differently. You can't dwell on the past. I'm sure there are other clubs who have headed in the other direction.

I think its a positive to see one of two smaller budget clubs on the cusp of prem football in the place of the usual PP funded clubs that bounce back and forth.

It's motivation for our club to get things right like Luton and Coventry and I think we are on an upward curve so let's hope we can eventually do the same.

[LondonBristolian]

I think the unsurprising lesson that comes from this thread is that comparisons to others always make you feel shit about yourself. Realistically there will always be teams doing better or worse than us. There are teams in League One with much more recent top flight histories and, yes, there are teams in the top flight who have historically done the same as us or worse.

I don't personally feel it much matters who these teams are and I see it as a positive rather than a negative that it's not just the same teams as every season going up and down. I reckon it must be around 20 years since West Brom were last in this division and not benefitting from parachute payments and I'm not sure them going up and then coming down with another three years' worth would be a great outcome for the competitiveness of the division.

I want us to finish higher next season than this season. It would be great to be in the top flight but the same people frustrated now would still feel frustrated we can't compete with teams with more resources and hacked off if a teams perceived as "smaller" finished in a higher position and there are plenty of clubs in League One, League Two or below that wouldn't see a mid-table Championship finish as the disaster that many on here seem to feel it is. 

[BCFCGav]

Of course I could never actually go through with it, but very occasionally I miss League 1 wrap up a 5th 3rd Division title and a 4th JPT, celebrations all round

[JoeAman08]

3 hours ago, Tinmans Love Child said:

For me the more teams competing the better for us, cause that means more teams beating each other and the division is closer, the last thing you want is 4/5 teams running away with it cause we wouldn't be one of those 5, but 10 teams going for it then I can defo see us in that group and it's all to play for

I’d argue it is what it was this year. The top 12 all capable of beating anyone outside Burnley on their day. Think next season there may be a few Burnleys. We will see always say it and often doesn’t happen but can’t help but think the top 6 will be harder to crack next season for any non PP clubs. 

 

2 hours ago, spudski said:

That's how I see it as well. 

Imo...next season will be one of the strongest Championships in a long time. 

It's going to be harder to make the top 6 imo. 

We've been improving and playing some good football this season. We will undoubtedly improve again and become stronger...however...I think we will need to improve to even keep mid table. 

Hopefully we have a season where other teams under achieve. 

Imo...mid table on paper would be a respectable. 

Top 6 reliant on us over achieving and others under achieving. 

I just hope if the season does play out how I feel it might, that fans don't see us as not improving. 

Sadly the top 6 hope has been dangled again recently in NPs interview. 

As we've seen before in previous seasons...if it's mentioned that their is belief we have the ability for top 6, it's used against them if they don't achieve it. 

 

Read this after my first response and probably sums up what I think but better. We could finish on 60 points next season which is barely better but it would probably be a much greater achievement. 
 

Top 6 is always our ambition and probably 20 teams in the leagues ambition. That expectation always comes from the top though and idk why they keep saying it. No good comes from it imo. 
 

For us next season, McRorie and Bryan would be a hell of a start. However, can only see us being a real threat if Scott stays and takes another step in his development along with some additions. I’d probably take the 10m hit on his fee for another season. Should still be able to fetch 10-15m for him with a season left on his deal. I think he is level headed enough to still play at a high level not getting a move this summer. Of course not saying turn down 25m if we get the offer but I would be very firm in negotiations. He is good enough to carry a team to bigger things at this level imo if he takes that next step and adds the goal threat. 

[Baba Yaga]

The Championship is a very good league and I am not particularly ambitious about getting promoted right away because generally speaking I have enjoyed the football/days out last season.

Looking at Cov they have only lost once in 19 games and Luton have lost twice in 19 games, if I was being generous I would say City were on a similar path in Jan and Feb before the injuries hit (and possibly the Man City motivation wore off). Neither of those teams are anything special but have a resilience that we also had for a while but couldn't maintain, there are quite a few positive signs with a squad of lots of academy players/bought from lower divisions so personally feeling quite patient with them (although I expect NP to be the opposite and demanding lots more).

[Red-Robbo]

24 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

I think the unsurprising lesson that comes from this thread is that comparisons to others always make you feel shit about yourself. Realistically there will always be teams doing better or worse than us. There are teams in League One with much more recent top flight histories and, yes, there are teams in the top flight who have historically done the same as us or worse.

I don't personally feel it much matters who these teams are and I see it as a positive rather than a negative that it's not just the same teams as every season going up and down. I reckon it must be around 20 years since West Brom were last in this division and not benefitting from parachute payments and I'm not sure them going up and then coming down with another three years' worth would be a great outcome for the competitiveness of the division.

I want us to finish higher next season than this season. It would be great to be in the top flight but the same people frustrated now would still feel frustrated we can't compete with teams with more resources and hacked off if a teams perceived as "smaller" finished in a higher position and there are plenty of clubs in League One, League Two or below that wouldn't see a mid-table Championship finish as the disaster that many on here seem to feel it is. 

 

We used to feel great about getting out of the third flight and playing in the second one.  It's a mark of where the club is now that we've enjoyed 8 seasons now at this level and are about to enjoy a ninth, with more possibility of a play-off finish than a relegation battle. 

[Bristol Oil Services]

55 minutes ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Don’t really get this thread. If it was the same old teams in the play offs we’d be moaning about the inequality of parachute payments and how can we ever hope to compete etc etc etc.

With a young, improving team and likely a lot of money coming our way assuming Scott goes, we’ve given ourselves a platform to build on next season. If Luton and Coventry can get there, so can we. We should use it as a source of inspiration, not bitterness.

Cannot it not be both?

First up, it's a joke, a wheeze. Second, it's a joke and a howl at the moon. Howling at the moon, or in modern parlance, a great big: FFS! 

Have you seen Cov's team? And squad?

They take Kasey bleedin' Palmer off us - the Poster Boy of Bristol City's "cosy club" easy-wage waster, clueless club, nonsense - and end up in the Play offs final. Ffs! You couldn't make it up.

They've got Liam Kelly anchoring midfield - ffs! There's us fretting and whimpering about Alex Scott going, and what we gonna do, and how we gonna cope (Bristol City learned helplessness coursing through our veins), pathetic! How have Cov managed without Alex Scott?

And Cov's owners - the much reviled Sisu or whatever they're called. While we have the greatly respected Steve Lansdown. "How will we cope/be careful what you wish for" whispers and whines otib as the prospect of SL shuffling off this mortal football club nears every day/week/month/transfer window. Who knew you could do well with vile owners? Ffs!

And Cov's nomadic existence. And Luton's crap ground. Who knew you could compete in the Championship without a £50m refurb, or a concourse, or five middle aged blokes playing Guns n bleedin Roses (badly) at an ear-splitting volume right next to yer ear'ole on a small platform before the game while you're trying to make your way to the turnt-stiles and have a quiet moan to yer mate about Lansdown/Kasey Palmer/Marlon Pack? Like what we used to do, when AG was AG.

And then there's the lump that is Kyle Mc bleedin Fanzine - who knew you could defend adequately in the Championship and finish in the top six then keep two clean sheets in a play off semi against a "much fancied" opponent and the division's second highest scorers with a slow, lumbering lower division relic that looked slow and lumbering last time we were in L1 and was plucked from Burton blinkin Albion? 

Who knew you could do all this without going to Chelsea and giving them £8m - eight million - and spending C****t (or Mr Popodopolous) knows how many more millions on wages for a bloke to hang around at the back stopping the opposition from scoring when they want. Who knew that? Not Steve Lansdown, I don't think.

Ffs!

 

We had been led to believe that you need Parachute payments, you need a fancy stadium, a High School Musical Performance Centre, a wage bill this and a budget that, and a coach with drones and new fangled techniques that take 35 training sessions to get anywhere near understanding his genius, and a cuddly home-grown owner not like them dodgy overseas ones or them vile, capitalist in-it-fer-themselves hedge fund ones, that you need all manner of things, to "compete" at this level.

And it turnts out, it's just not true. You can even compete in this division with a spine of Kyle McFadzean and Liam Kelly, and Kasey Palmer on yer physio's couch; or in a shitty little old ground, with crowds a touch bigger than The Few's.

 

And it makes you/some want to scream: Ffs! 

 

That's this thread. Sort of.

 

 

 

[beaverface]

4 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

We used to feel great about getting out of the third flight and playing in the second one.  It's a mark of where the club is now that we've enjoyed 8 seasons now at this level and are about to enjoy a ninth, with more possibility of a play-off finish than a relegation battle. 

I always feel that promotion from the 3rd division up to the 2nd feels a lot more euphoric as there's always that chance that the winning\crest of a wave will continue in the higher division. Inevitably for us it doesn't, but it feels a lot more hopeful than being in the same division year in year out.

 

ps. Im not advocating going down, I'm just comparing the feeling of coming up vs already being in the division. As they say, it's the hope that kills you !!