| Do we need to go up this season 12:30 - Dec 7 with 1717 views | britbiker |
Big dilemma. We're clearly a decent championship team with hopefully the potential to become a very good one.
The goal is obviously promotion, but we would clearly struggle again if we went up too soon.
No doubt the money would allow us to purchase again but that would mean yet another semi rebuild.
Likewise another season away from top flight would damage finances and possibility of losing a couple of key players with no guarantee of promotion next year.
We could ending up doing a Norwich and waisting the parachute funds. |  | | |  |
| Do we need to go up this season on 12:41 - Dec 7 with 1674 views | SWLondonBlue93 |
We don't need to per se, but there are some risks if we don't go up this year. Firstly, we could lose top players over the summer, we could also lose McKenna (although I think the risk is lower than in previous years), and I suspect next season's Championship will be stronger. The two years of parachute payments are such an advantage, it would be a huge shame to not get back into the PL as we've seen how easy it is to get stuck in this league. We'll need to sign plenty of players when we go up, but that will be the case whenever it happens. |  | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 12:41 - Dec 7 with 1668 views | gainsboroughblue |
If you could guarantee it, I wouldn't be averse to going up next season instead. We've not been in the same division two seasons in a row for 4 seasons now and that in itself, leads to a constant re-adjustment and churn.
That said, the ambition has to be this year. In so many ways, it is a golden opportunity. |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 12:45 - Dec 7 with 1621 views | Herbivore |
We really should be aiming for promotion this year. We have a huge advantage over the rest of the division financially and in terms of quality and depth in the squad and we don't want to squander that. Yes we'd need to strengthen if we go up but we have a better platform to build from now than we did last time both on and off the pitch. |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 12:46 - Dec 7 with 1616 views | bluefunk |
| Do we need to go up this season on 12:41 - Dec 7 by SWLondonBlue93 |
We don't need to per se, but there are some risks if we don't go up this year. Firstly, we could lose top players over the summer, we could also lose McKenna (although I think the risk is lower than in previous years), and I suspect next season's Championship will be stronger. The two years of parachute payments are such an advantage, it would be a huge shame to not get back into the PL as we've seen how easy it is to get stuck in this league. We'll need to sign plenty of players when we go up, but that will be the case whenever it happens. |
Re losing McKenna, there may well be managerial vacancies at Fulham, Palace and Bournemouth in the summer, he might well get offers as part of the merry go round that might involve |  | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 12:51 - Dec 7 with 1579 views | Pinewoodblue |
We should not be fearful of promotion.
Have a feeling that, come seasons end, we will not recognise the teams that played Oxford & Blackburn.
However best not get ahead of ourselves, one game at a time, three points Wednesday plus no injuries or red cards. That is the only target in sight. |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 13:02 - Dec 7 with 1526 views | _CliveBaker_ |
You never know how relegated clubs will adjust to the championship but I do feel this is as good a chance as any, I certainly can’t see it getting easier next season. Not just the impact on our squad, but those coming down as well. Wolves look rubbish but they’re a long established premier league club now who will have deep pockets relative to championship standards. That will be a horrible place to go in the Champ next season. The same will be true of whoever joins them. You’ll likely have at least one, maybe both of Leicester & Saints to contend with on top. Wrexham could go again by way of investment, Birmingham maybe will still be around.
‘Need’ probably not, ‘want’ obviously yes. I still think it’s all there for us, we would obviously rather be 5 points ahead of 3rd than behind 2nd but it’s not a gap I’m especially worried about at this stage as I’m not convinced Boro or Millwall will stick around at that pace. I’m more concerned about Southampton than those 2 tbh. |  | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 13:27 - Dec 7 with 1426 views | Illinoisblue |
| Do we need to go up this season on 13:02 - Dec 7 by _CliveBaker_ |
You never know how relegated clubs will adjust to the championship but I do feel this is as good a chance as any, I certainly can’t see it getting easier next season. Not just the impact on our squad, but those coming down as well. Wolves look rubbish but they’re a long established premier league club now who will have deep pockets relative to championship standards. That will be a horrible place to go in the Champ next season. The same will be true of whoever joins them. You’ll likely have at least one, maybe both of Leicester & Saints to contend with on top. Wrexham could go again by way of investment, Birmingham maybe will still be around.
‘Need’ probably not, ‘want’ obviously yes. I still think it’s all there for us, we would obviously rather be 5 points ahead of 3rd than behind 2nd but it’s not a gap I’m especially worried about at this stage as I’m not convinced Boro or Millwall will stick around at that pace. I’m more concerned about Southampton than those 2 tbh. |
Agree with that, especially Southampton. They have more quality than the others around them. Hoping their new manager bounce wears off quickly.
One team I absolutely do NOT want to play in the playoffs is Birmingham. I fear we would crumble there a la league cup semi final . |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 13:28 - Dec 7 with 1424 views | RegencyBlue |
We are unlikely to get a better chance to go up than this season.
We saw the best team in the Championship so far yesterday and they weren’t all that. The rest look pretty average and promotion is there for the taking in my view. Next season it might not be! |  | | |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 13:35 - Dec 7 with 1384 views | BrockleyBlue78 |
The target of promotion this season is absolute, this is non-negotiable, not debatable or questionable.
The second target is much better (and luckier) recruitment in the summer so we’re not made mincemeat again. |  | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 13:43 - Dec 7 with 1357 views | Bent_double |
| Do we need to go up this season on 13:02 - Dec 7 by _CliveBaker_ |
You never know how relegated clubs will adjust to the championship but I do feel this is as good a chance as any, I certainly can’t see it getting easier next season. Not just the impact on our squad, but those coming down as well. Wolves look rubbish but they’re a long established premier league club now who will have deep pockets relative to championship standards. That will be a horrible place to go in the Champ next season. The same will be true of whoever joins them. You’ll likely have at least one, maybe both of Leicester & Saints to contend with on top. Wrexham could go again by way of investment, Birmingham maybe will still be around.
‘Need’ probably not, ‘want’ obviously yes. I still think it’s all there for us, we would obviously rather be 5 points ahead of 3rd than behind 2nd but it’s not a gap I’m especially worried about at this stage as I’m not convinced Boro or Millwall will stick around at that pace. I’m more concerned about Southampton than those 2 tbh. |
I've been saying all season the Soton will probably be top 2 come the end of the season.
SU are starting to build up steam too - probably POs for them, certainly wouldn't want to play them.
Leicester, all being fair, will get their 10-12 point deduction soon, not sure they're going to be a contender for top 2 even without one though.
Do we need promotion? No, but we have to want it surely. But if/when it happens again, we need to be bolder in the transfer market, no more £20m punts from the Championship, it's got to be either cheaper foreign players, or if they can be persuaded, established world-class players.
Financially risky, but otherwise it will be an instant return to the Championship with very few points, and probably the end of McKenna. |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 13:59 - Dec 7 with 1274 views | Smoresy |
I don't see an advantage to missing out this year. As you say we'd likely need to shed a couple of fan favourites in the summer if we do. Maybe connections would be better among those who stay in the event we go up the year after, but we'd still look to make many changes for a PL campaign surely in order to give ourselves half a chance. That may not sound palatable but it's the done thing, reflection of the quality and physicality gap. I can't remember a side who had any success recently going up and making few changes. | | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 14:16 - Dec 7 with 1179 views | MattinLondon |
Never ever say no or be fearful of promotion. It’s as ridiculous as saying that relegation will be good as it’ll allow a club to reset. |  | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 14:21 - Dec 7 with 1164 views | franz_tyson |
What if we become a side that doesn't rely on parachute payments, but is well managed, well coached and shrewd with our signings, as well as improving our academy where we get youth coming regularly into the senior side. And play attacking and entertaining football in front of a largely full stadium.
No we don't need to go up. But we'd have to sell and tighten the budget, but I still see we'd be in a far better position on and off the field than under Evans. And the best thing... we don't have to endure another PL season. I hated that season. It was like the enjoyment of football went missing for a year. | | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 14:25 - Dec 7 with 1135 views | RadioOrwell |
| Do we need to go up this season on 14:16 - Dec 7 by MattinLondon |
Never ever say no or be fearful of promotion. It’s as ridiculous as saying that relegation will be good as it’ll allow a club to reset. |
Somehow Sunderland are doing an amazing job of staying up.
Considering they were more or less cooked in the PO final.
I'm sure we can match that. |  | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 15:12 - Dec 7 with 965 views | WestSussexBlue |
| Do we need to go up this season on 12:41 - Dec 7 by gainsboroughblue |
If you could guarantee it, I wouldn't be averse to going up next season instead. We've not been in the same division two seasons in a row for 4 seasons now and that in itself, leads to a constant re-adjustment and churn.
That said, the ambition has to be this year. In so many ways, it is a golden opportunity. |
The chance to build some momentum and togetherness amongst this squad before an assault on Promotion agin would be more beneficial for sure. This current squad for me, wouldn’t fare any better than last season. | | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 15:21 - Dec 7 with 929 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
Whenever we go up (if we do), we will need to strengthen. If we can get those already here performing well so that they can provide the basis of a squad with good additions. Sunderland have shown those good additions are possible. It's just we didn't get them at all right last season. If we could get Walle Egeli, Nunez, Philogene, Jack Clarke, Szmodics, Matusiwa, Taylor, Davis, O'Shea, Greaves, Kipre all at their very best, add 2-3 who can also get to that level in January, we are then looking for those real Prem quality players in over the summer to turn it into a squad good enough to stay up. |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 15:41 - Dec 7 with 856 views | Swansea_Blue |
No such thing as too soon. It won’t be any easier whenever we go up; it’s not as if you can build much of a PL team in the Championship any more. |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 15:45 - Dec 7 with 821 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Yes, big time. |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 15:47 - Dec 7 with 805 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Do we need to go up this season on 12:41 - Dec 7 by gainsboroughblue |
If you could guarantee it, I wouldn't be averse to going up next season instead. We've not been in the same division two seasons in a row for 4 seasons now and that in itself, leads to a constant re-adjustment and churn.
That said, the ambition has to be this year. In so many ways, it is a golden opportunity. |
It’s no dilemma and the league is all over the place, parachute teams are usually stronger than this year, hate to mention that team again but do you think Sunderland thought they had a PL ready squad in the spring. We would have surely learned a lot of lessons from last time as well. It’s not like we will be starting games with 9 or 10 of the same 11. Would be buy 7-8 starters I think. | |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 16:49 - Dec 7 with 657 views | britbiker |
I'm guessing another advantage on next promotion is is that Ashton won't have a list of 120 items that the Premiership and sky insist on before the season startsas those are already in place. The planned redevelopment will continue but it will be at our own timings and not by Sky etc. | | | |
| Do we need to go up this season on 16:52 - Dec 7 with 646 views | J2BLUE |
Yes. This is as much of a dilemma as would you like to keep breathing oxygen? |  |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 16:56 - Dec 7 with 630 views | itfc_bucks |
| Do we need to go up this season on 13:27 - Dec 7 by Illinoisblue |
Agree with that, especially Southampton. They have more quality than the others around them. Hoping their new manager bounce wears off quickly.
One team I absolutely do NOT want to play in the playoffs is Birmingham. I fear we would crumble there a la league cup semi final . |
They basically ploughed and blowtorched their pitch that night.
It was nothing short of an outrage that that game was allowed to be played and then the result to stand. | |
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| Do we need to go up this season on 18:04 - Dec 7 with 479 views | blueoutlook |
| Do we need to go up this season on 13:28 - Dec 7 by RegencyBlue |
We are unlikely to get a better chance to go up than this season.
We saw the best team in the Championship so far yesterday and they weren’t all that. The rest look pretty average and promotion is there for the taking in my view. Next season it might not be! |
I’d argue Southampton look the real deal now. Think we need to watch them carefully. They are going to be a big threat. |  | | |
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