The Football League Thread

[Red Dog]

11/8 - Newcastle

9/4 - Middlesbrough & West Brom

3 - Ipswich

7/2 - Reading & Sheff Utd

5 - QPR

6 - Cardiff & Presston

7 - Swansea

8 - Crystal Palace, Derby & Leicester

10 - Bristol City, Coventry, Peterborough & Watford

14 - Forest & Sheff Wed

20 - Barnsley, Blackpool, Doncaster & Plymouth

40 - Scunthorpe

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/eng ... /promotion

Current odds. Obviously this will all change once the transfer season kicks in. And certain clubs have to get rid of players on ridiculous amounts of cash.

Any fans in here?

[Mickie James Rules]

Those odds just for promotion of any form or to win the league?

Plymouth are my nearest side and I am not one bit shocked at where they are on the list there, lucky to stay up really and I maintain that they are more likely to be go down than ever sneak into the playoff picture.

Must admit past couple of years it has been a interesting league and good to see that from now on there is going to be more money pumped into it, through the TV.

[BBF]

Real football is in league 2. Barnet are at 50's at the moment. £2 please. Torn knows the assistant manager > manager pattern that is clear in league 2.

[Red Dog]

Those odds just for promotion of any form or to win the league?

.

Just promotion.

All those odds are ridiculously short in my opinion. I wouldn't put any cash on us unless we were double that!

[Torn]

Real football is in league 2. Barnet are at 50's at the moment. £2 please. Torn knows the assistant manager > manager pattern that is clear in league 2.

I do. And you had top form at the end of last season, and massive clubs like Brentford are now out the division so you might stand a chance. We were 16's at the start of last season to get promoted and we were one of the favourites even then, those odds in the first post are very short.

[Beefy]

Actually, the best football is played in League One. The Championship is full of long ball merchants and teams full of 6'2" athletes who run all over the few teams who actually try to get the ball down and play.

[Beefy]

That said, there's some serious dross played in League One.

[Torn]

Red Dog has made a massive error in not including the Football League in this thread, considering most of us don't actually support clubs in the Championship.

[Beefy]

Red Dog has made a massive error in not including the Football League in this thread, considering most of us don't actually support clubs in the Championship.

There's been threads for the Football League before but they always die a death and we end up back in the main football thread within a week or so.

I can't bloody wait for League One next season. I don't think I've ever seen Southend play in a league with so many southern Clubs.

[Torn]

There's been threads for the Football League before but they always die a death and we end up back in the main football thread within a week or so.

I can't bloody wait for League One next season. I don't think I've ever seen Southend play in a league with so many southern Clubs.

Exactly, it's what me and 1PA said when he was going on about posting one in the first place.

I'm very excited about next season, the league is looking fantastic. Especially considering the jump up from the type of teams we were playing last year.

[Beefy]

Take out the bottom eight in League Two and the top two or three in League One and there's not a huge gulf in quality between the two divisions. Whilst Hereford struggled this year, most teams who come up do alright and obviously the likes of Peterborough this year and Southend a couple of years back have gone straight through.

I know you were at this level not long ago so you know it well but the division really seems to reward good attacking passing football, probably more than either League Two or the Championship do. Usually the six best footballing sides are the top six in the league.

[Red Dog]

Red Dog has made a massive error in not including the Football League in this thread, considering most of us don't actually support clubs in the Championship.

Well, I don't know who supports who. Sorry.

Why not have a thread for each league? If they die, they die.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Pointless innit. The more posts in the main thread the better.

[Red Dog]

Pointless innit. The more posts in the main thread the better.

Why? Are you going for a world record?!

Why not just have one massive thread for the whole board then

[Torn]

[1_Pablo_Angel]

You should probably stop laughing at your own posts.

Obviously there's no need to have separate threads for divisions when you've got one for the domestic English game as a whole. You said Champo talk would get lost in there, but it wouldn't. Most who post in there take a fairly active interest in all levels of English football, but you have to say something interesting in order for people to discuss it. If you want to pointlessly exaggerate, we could take your way to its natural conclusion of having a thread for every single club and every single professional player etc.

[UK Blue]

Just change the thread title to include all the Football League and Non League. This thread will thrive.

Where are all the fans of Conference teams? I want to talk Barrow.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Make yourself comfortable UK Blue, soon this will be your home

[UK Blue]

I don't doubt it.

As long as we don't go out of business I'll be happy

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Having the greatest thread in the history of this board renamed to 'The ***Official*** Premier League Discussion Thread' would be an abomination. And that's basically what you're proposing.

[da_man]

Make yourself comfortable UK Blue, soon this will be your home

Beat me to that one

[Gary J]

Having the greatest thread in the history of this board renamed to 'The ***Official*** Premier League Discussion Thread' would be an abomination. And that's basically what you're proposing.

Would we get postive rep as a parachute payment ?

[UK Blue]

Having the greatest thread in the history of this board renamed to 'The ***Official*** Premier League Discussion Thread' would be an abomination. And that's basically what you're proposing.

I proposed no such thing.

Such little lower league talk goes on in there anyway, might as well have a thread to try and liven things up and STIMULATE discussion. And if people continue to talk lower league stuff in that thread then there isn't a problem. Stop being such a tart before I punch you in the face again.

[UK Blue]

Beat me to that one

I doubt we'll be going down with THE AXE in our centre midfield. He has a point to prove. I expect several of your players stretchered off when we play you next.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

I proposed no such thing.

Such little lower league talk goes on in there anyway, might as well have a thread to try and liven things up and STIMULATE discussion. And if people continue to talk lower league stuff in that thread then there isn't a problem.

I've posted about Championship stuff in the main thread loads of times. LOADS. Personally I just prefer to have one big, thriving thread full of footy related discourse...

Your short sightedness and lack of vision could lead to us falling out here UK Blue. You are the FA and I am Trevor Brooking. For the good of the game.

Would we get postive rep as a parachute payment ?

No chance, I am diametrically opposed to such a situation. I might even form a breakaway European super football subforum. The rep points on offer there will be greater than in your wildest dreams...

Stop being such a tart before I punch you in the face again.

You've gone too far now dickhead. Enjoy sleeping on the roof Thursday night, make sure no-one rolls you off the edge after you've passed out.

[Red Dog]

Just change the thread title to include all the Football League and Non League. This thread will thrive.

Where are all the fans of Conference teams? I want to talk Barrow.

I tried that. I don't know how

[Gary J]

No chance, I am diametrically opposed to such a situation. I might even form a breakaway European super football subforum. The rep points on offer there will be greater than in your wildest dreams...

So there'd be no Spurs chat and the Spurs lads would think it was the worst thread ever.

Plus this would mean you would only post well for so long and then just give up on the thread completely before concentrating on the premier league thread.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

I would hire other people to post for me on a rotational basis. This would be facilitated by my massive rep, in turn perpetuated by membership of said forum.

[son_of_foley]

Derby to cruise to the title next season possibly.

It's going to be bloody tight next year though

Sheff United, Newcastle, Boro, West Brom, Cardiff, Swansea etc

Leicester might make a good fist of it, Forest will be organised and hard to beat for sure.

Wouldn't be suprised if Brendan Rodgers gets Watford firing as well he seems to be doing a good job.

[Red Dog]

Derby to cruise to the title next season possibly.

It's going to be bloody tight next year though

Sheff United, Newcastle, Boro, West Brom, Cardiff, Swansea etc

Leicester might make a good fist of it, Forest will be organised and hard to beat for sure.

Wouldn't be suprised if Brendan Rodgers gets Watford firing as well he seems to be doing a good job.

It's hard to say before the summers transfer activity but I'd expect West Brom to go up. Reading will be up there too. Newcastle is a tricky one but the likes of Carroll and Ameobi will be quality in this league.

I don't personally think Forest, Derby or Sheff United will be up there.

[RFF Champ]

Ameobi can still leave as far as I'm concerned. He never did well on his loan spells and as far as he, Carroll and Zamblera are concerned, if we can get Beckford then Ameobi isn't necessary.

And if Shearer stays on then I can see him trying to convince Viduka to take a hit and stay on.

[son_of_foley]

Derby will win probably every single game.

I don't think Forest will get promoted but think Davies will get them hard to beat. He knows this division well.

United aren't a great team but Henderson/Ward/Lupolli is a quality forward line that could do some damage.

Wouldnt be suprised to see Coventry in trouble next season.

Gotta think Ipswich will be pushing on a bit with Keane there but again without seeing his moves in the market it's hard to know if it's promotion or also-rans

[son_of_foley]

Ameobi can still leave as far as I'm concerned. He never did well on his loan spells and as far as he, Carroll and Zamblera are concerned, if we can get Beckford then Ameobi isn't necessary.

And if Shearer stays on then I can see him trying to convince Viduka to take a hit and stay on.

Is zamblera the lad who was on loan to sampdoria last year?

[RFF Champ]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...350286,00.html

:!WK<K!!

[RFF Champ]

Is zamblera the lad who was on loan to sampdoria last year?

Yeah.

Xisco too, I wonder what'll happen to him. He must be on hefty dosh.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

50k a week on a 6 year contract, apparently

How the fuck are you going to get rid of these players? Noone else is going to match that sort of money.

[son_of_foley]

They probably won't have to. If they go to spain they get it at a far recduced tax rate so they probably can offer them up to 30% less or whatever and they'll be on the same take home. That and Newcastle could make it very uncomfortable for a number of them in the championship

[Red Dog]

We've signed Dele Adebola.

I expect the season tickets sales to soar through the roof now.

As an aside, I pm'ed a mod asking them to change the thread title to "the football league". Obviously that hasn't happened yet. Mods do log in occasionally, right?

[son_of_foley]

1M+ for McGoldrick?

Not convinced by that.

Tyson,Earnshaw,Garner,Adebola,Blakcstock,McGoldric k

That's assuming you get Blackstock. Odd signings from the mad midget.

[Red Dog]

I can't think that we will have six strikers so I would suspect that McGoldrick is instead of Blackstock or Tyson or Garner will go.

Not fussed about Blackstock anyway. He did quite well but I think we can do better. And he has also fitted into the Nottingham lifestyle quite well shall we say.

[son_of_foley]

I think he's a good player and better than Garner

[Torn]

He's alright. I forced myself not to rate him as a player because he plays for QPR so I don't have a true opinion of him. Adebola is a good signing, McGoldrick is shit.

Still waiting for Brentford's first signing, there's a takeover bid in progress so Andy Scott doesn't have his budget sorted yet.

[Red Dog]

I think he's a good player and better than Garner

Blackstock?

From what I've seen I'd say no. I think Garner was developing into a top player untl Davies took over and promptly stuck him on the bench.

You can have Tyson if you want.

Torn: I know fuck all about McGoldrick to be honest. Seen him much?

[son_of_foley]

Yeah Blackstock. Scored goals everywhere he's been including us on loan.

I'ld rather not have Tyson cheers. Would rather give dwain Chambers a go they probably have the same skillset

[Torn]

A bit, I don't know if you were at the Southampton away game but I went with my Forest mate to that and he was rubbish then, he's been shit every time I've seen them on TV too. Doesn't seem to be a very good finisher. I'd say he's League One level at the moment, £1m for him is a bit of a stretch surely especially with Southampton's finances.

I'ld rather not have Tyson cheers. Would rather give dwain Chambers a go they probably have the same skillset

Ahaha excellent.

[MichaelC]

Your short sightedness and lack of vision could lead to us falling out here UK Blue. You are the FA and I am Trevor Brooking. For the good of the game.
.

You will relegate West Ham next time their manager takes ill?


I like the Championship. I think Reading, West Brom and Derby'll be making serious pushes for promotion (their parachute packages end at the end of the next season, which might well be trouble for Sheff United this season), with Swansea, Peterborough and Ipswich as dark horses.

Newcastle and Boro will struggle.

Scunthorpe, Plymouth and Blackpool to go down, with Barnsley staying up by the hook of thier teeth again.

[son_of_foley]

I think Scunthorpe could do quite well. Doncaster will struggle if they lose the big guns.

[MichaelC]

I think Scunthorpe could do quite well. Doncaster will struggle if they lose the big guns.

Scunthorpe flattered to decieve last time, which colours my views on them.

That, and one of mum's colleagues is a Scunthorpe fan, so its amusing to have someone to take the piss out of, seeing as most folk just take the piss out of my Jags.

[Gary J]

I think Watford could do quiet well next season they looked decent at the end of last season. I think Reading might struggle in mid table now Coppell has gone and i don't they will be able to hold on the likes of Doyle and Hunt.

[MichaelC]

I think Watford could do quiet well next season they looked decent at the end of last season. I think Reading might struggle in mid table now Coppell has gone and i don't they will be able to hold on the likes of Doyle and Hunt.

True, but they still have Leeds/West Ham syndrome, where they get this one last season to get back.

Of course, look what happened to both of those sides...

[Gary J]

There is that but they released a load of players didn't they. Lita and Hahnemann were two of the ones i can remember. i think they are preparing to rebuild i just see mid-table consolidation from them.

[Red Dog]

A bit, I don't know if you were at the Southampton away game but I went with my Forest mate to that and he was rubbish then, he's been shit every time I've seen them on TV too. Doesn't seem to be a very good finisher. I'd say he's League One level at the moment, £1m for him is a bit of a stretch surely especially with Southampton's finances.
.

The one where Garner scored that goal from about 35 yards. Yeah I went can't say I remember McGoldrick though. Thats probably not a good sign.

I'ld rather not have Tyson cheers. Would rather give dwain Chambers a go they probably have the same skillset

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USx7xbb_ZGI[/ame]

[Torn]

I think Watford could do quiet well next season they looked decent at the end of last season. I think Reading might struggle in mid table now Coppell has gone and i don't they will be able to hold on the likes of Doyle and Hunt.

There is that but they released a load of players didn't they. Lita and Hahnemann were two of the ones i can remember. i think they are preparing to rebuild i just see mid-table consolidation from them.

Tabb unsuprisingly kept Hunt out of the side at the end of the season (from my point of view, as he was always the superior player when they were both with us at the same time), so Reading would be wise to cash in on him. With Hahneman, he's old now and they have better keepers there. Ben Hamer for one, along with Federici who will surely be number 1 and Mikkel Andersen. Lita was also wank, so releasing those players will help to move them forward if anything.

[son_of_foley]

Lita had a shit attitude. Should've sold him in January though.

Hahneman was bollocks. No positioning skills at all

[son_of_foley]

I think Watford could do quiet well next season they looked decent at the end of last season. I think Reading might struggle in mid table now Coppell has gone and i don't they will be able to hold on the likes of Doyle and Hunt.

I think Rodgers is making the right moves at the minute but financially how strong are they? There were rumours when Boothroyd left that a winding up order was close but that all seems to have died down now

[Gary J]

Tabb unsuprisingly kept Hunt out of the side at the end of the season (from my point of view, as he was always the superior player when they were both with us at the same time), so Reading would be wise to cash in on him. With Hahneman, he's old now and they have better keepers there. Ben Hamer for one, along with Federici who will surely be number 1 and Mikkel Andersen. Lita was also wank, so releasing those players will help to move them forward if anything.

Still not convinced i think Coppell played a big part and he is a huge loss. I don't think Lita is wank at all and i think if he gets his attitude sorted he could be a big factor in a championship teams season.

Jay tabb is class though just bought him for Preston on my footy manager game and he's doing the business which is good because of the money involved. (It's a network game and we've all put twenty quid in and highest placed league finish gets all the cash.)

[son_of_foley]

I see Peterborough have denied Reading the opportunity to talk to Darren Ferguson despite him saying he want's to speak to them.

Celtic made a formal approach for Martinez but apparently he is the #1 choice at wigan. Be interesting to see what happens here as well as QPRs appointment.

[Gary J]

I think Rodgers is making the right moves at the minute but financially how strong are they? There were rumours when Boothroyd left that a winding up order was close but that all seems to have died down now

I think the most important thing is that they keep hold of Rodgers.

[Gary J]

Be interesting to see what happens here as well as QPRs appointment.

Zico or Jim Magilton isn't it for Q.P.R

One's a footballing Legend the other one is Zico.

[son_of_foley]

Why would Zico leave where he is for the championship and a trigger happy board? Would be an odd move. If Jim goes there his career could be dead in the water within 9 months.

I still think Dowie would've got them into the playoffs

[Gary J]

To be honest why would any manager go there considering the stories that came out when Sousa was there.

[Red Dog]

To be honest why would any manager go there considering the stories that came out when Sousa was there.

[Gary J]

Well yeah there is that. But i think most sensible managers would back away from it knowing full well they wouldn't be given the time to achieve something.

[Red Dog]

Well yeah there is that. But i think most sensible managers would back away from it knowing full well they wouldn't be given the time to achieve something.

True but football is full of mercanaries these days.

They won't have a problem attracting a puppet manager.

[Chris Scott]

Blackpool and Cardiff are currently two of my likable teams over everyone else.

[Red Dog]

Why Cardiff?

I assume you've never been there Horrible set of cunts they are.

[Chris Scott]

Been when they had the finals at the Millennium but no never been to watch Cardiff play but met a few when they played us at Anfield couple of years ago. Don't know why I like them, I enjoy watching them on Sky plus I like Dave Jones.

[son_of_foley]

They are running themselves financially into the ground I think. Once they sell Ledley to balance the books the big saleable assets are a bit thin on the ground

[Gary J]

I thought they were doing ok financially which is suprising considering Ridsdale is there. They've just bought Chopra back for £4m so they can't be doing that bad unless he's 'living the dream' again.

[son_of_foley]

My understanding was they had to sell Ramsey to keep the club going and they have a massive amount to be repaid next year £15m or something. A lot of the debt is now from the new stadium but if this big loan is to be repaid that could be trouble for them?

See palace were docked a point? Weird. Why chose a punishment like that which will have no bearing on league placement etc?

[Gary J]

What was they docked a point for ?

[son_of_foley]

Fielding Rui Fonte despite the fact his loan from Arsenal had expired the week before or something

[Red Dog]

Been when they had the finals at the Millennium but no never been to watch Cardiff play but met a few when they played us at Anfield couple of years ago. Don't know why I like them, I enjoy watching them on Sky plus I like Dave Jones.

Fair enough. I've been to Cardiff twice and its not the nicest place to go to watch your team.

I've also been to the Millenium stadium to see the Manics and people were kicking off there aswel. Which was out of order really. I think thats why I don't like them.

[Red Dog]

Why has a mod not changed this thread title as politely requested?

[1_Pablo_Angel]

They are useless. Try making a thread in site feedback and PMing all the admins. KM seems to be around a bit at the moment, try her.

If Topping was a mod we wouldn't be in this sorry mess

[JIJ]

Magilton

Expected, but still a little underwhelming. He hasn't really done anything so far in his career. Can't help but feel his appointment has a lot to do with the way Ipswich turned us over at LR the past couple of years.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Does David O'Leary even get linked to jobs anymore?

[son_of_foley]

You'll probably be linked with Healy within the next week then

[Red Dog]

They are useless. Try making a thread in site feedback and PMing all the admins. KM seems to be around a bit at the moment, try her.

If Topping was a mod we wouldn't be in this sorry mess

Done.

I expect instant results.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

And apparently, you have them.

[Red Dog]

That was quicker than Nathan Tyson.

[son_of_foley]

If it was like Tyson it would've been spelt wrong surely?

[Red Dog]

I'm unsure where you're going with this.

He is a crap finisher. Does that equate to bad spelling?

[son_of_foley]

The equivalent of speed and no end product when updating a thread title is surely doing it quickly and wrongly.

Either that or leaving it have finished but I thought that was too literal. Maybe not..

[Red Dog]

SOF 1 - 0 Red Dog

Destroyed.

Back on topic. Signed any more Burton or Ilkeston stars recently?

[son_of_foley]

I spelt half as have so I don't think I deserve a point.

Nah signed anymore OAP pensioners? Still time to get Andy Cole back

[Red Dog]

I would like to think we have learnt our lesson after the fiascos that were Andy Cole and Neil Lennon.

Adebola wont be a regular and wont be on that much £ anyway so he doesn't count.

[son_of_foley]

I actually think he'll be first choice unless someone else comes in. BD keeps banging on about having a target man.

I also reckon he'll score a good few. He's done well recently has he not?

[son_of_foley]

Ok I thought he had a better record than 1 in 6 for Bristol in the league.

Edit : He does I am apparently unable to read. 16 in 56 appearances isn't bad at all.

[Red Dog]

He was Bristol City's player of the year. And to be fair they finished higher than us! And you.

Earnshaw will be first choice and then I suspect he will rotate Garner, Tyson, Adebola and McGoldrick/Blackstock.

Fuck we have got a lot of strikers.

[son_of_foley]

I assume a first choice partnership of Earnshaw with Adebola.

AHAHAH I had forgot Northern Ireland tried to call him up. Jesus those were dark days.

[Torn]

Magilton must like Andy Scott and Brentford considering the amount of players he's loaned us this season, and I did like him because of this (Jordan Rhodes and Billy Clarke ffs amazing), but QPR? Better not mean we get any of that scum shite on loan next season.

This Brentford takeover is slightly unsettling me. It should be alright as Bees United (we're run the by fans) should remain some control and the investor, Matthew Benham, is a lifelong Bees fan and has already loaned the club like £3m to help us out so he's a lovely man really. But we've been ruined in the past by dickheads like Ron Noades so I'm still a bit uncertain about it all (then again Benham was the one who paid off all the money we ended up owing Noades so we had no links to him anymore a few years ago). The fact that it's blocking signings is also slightly worrying, by this stage last season we had signed 7 players already or something.

[Torn]

Ahah sof why have you signed Buxton. He was shit for Mansfield, slow oaf of a defender

I read you are also after Moxey from Exeter though who is a good player.

[son_of_foley]

We signed him because he was Cloughs player of the year last year and Clough is re-establishing the reserves in which he's hoping to put 'prospects' in to see how they develop. Shouldn't get near the first team with Nyatanga/Addison/Leacock/OBrien and a new signing all ahead of him.

We signed some young midfielder from non-league too for the same reason.

Croft and Moxey are 1st team signings. Barker, Brayford and Bennet would be the same. More going out than coming in. The things nigel did with a first choice team were very impressive it was only when injuries started collecting (addison,leacock,green,commons,porter,davies,mceve ley ) that he wasnt getting results

[Red Dog]

Jake Buxton is 24 mate. He won't be a reserve.

Face it, you conference manager is packing your team with conference players

[son_of_foley]

Is this like when your fans claimed Kris Commons was a league 1 player and he then knocked you lot on your arse?

[son_of_foley]

I find it hilarious when you guys go on about signing players on verge of prem sides and quality ccc players when most of that calibre of players have been our downfall recently. Todd, Ellington etc

[Red Dog]

Is this like when your fans claimed Kris Commons was a league 1 player and he then knocked you lot on your arse?

I never said he was a League 1 player. He is a good championship player and we did miss him to a certain extent.

Saying that I'd love to knock his teeth down his throat.

We're not linked with any Prem players as far as I know, except Gunter, and he's quality. Half our targets play for Southampton or QPR!

[Torn]

Buxton isn't a prospect he's a stupid clumsy slow wanker who regularly got rinsed by League Two strikers and was a mainstay in an awful Mansfield side that got relegated despite having a 20+ goalscorer.

I'm not laughing at Clough buying players from our league and below but there are plenty of non league prospects that arn't rubbish like Buxton. Also Alan Bennett > Ryan Bennett

[Hulkamaniac]

Not many Newcastle fans posting in here considering they are the biggest club in the lower leagues. They've probably all stopped supporting them.