[Archived] The nPower Championship 12/13

[rovers11]

Just looking at the championship odds for next season. Burnley are 3rd favourites to get relegated! We are 11th favourites to go up (11th is about where I expect us to finish) - Bournemouth are bigger favourites than us to go up which seems bizarre.

I think Watford, Blackpool, Wigan and QPR could struggle next season. Think Brighton may also struggle after losing Gus Poyet.

Expect Forest, Bolton, Leicester and Reading to be strong.

[Salgado Is A Hero]

At the moment, ignoring us altogether, I'd say Bolton and Reading are favourites, with M'boro in with a good shout of automatic promotion if they change their manager.

Leicester, Forest and tbh, probably Ipswich will be playoff contenders. Charlton finished the season strongly but a Charlton fan I know said they had no money to spend. Although he also said they will be unlikely to lose anyone due to them having no standout stars.

Brighton and Wigan will probably hover about the playoffs along with Leeds and Birmingham, QPR - who knows?

Who's coming up again? Bournemouth, Yeovil and Doncaster I think. I doubt it but you never know.

Bowyer's record extrapolated (good word Topman) over the season would have given us 72.8 points I think it was, which was slightly ahead of Palace.

I say at least playoffs.....if we lose Rhodes, depends on who we sign.

[philipl]

Far too early to make predictions.

We will need a completely new defence when Dann and Hanley are sold. Givet will have done whatever Givet does.

Martin OIlsson and Rhodes will almost certainly be gone.

For me the key is finding a real animal for the middle of the park. We have been marshmallow there ever since Jermaine Jones went back to Germany. This is even more important than a Rhodes replacement like Charlie Austin.

Have high hopes of the lads brought in at the end of last season plus Judge who I think will pleasantly surprise people.

Daft as it might seem, we could easily be in the shake-up at the right end of the table.

[Stuart]

If we downgrade from Dann, Hanley, Olsson and Rhodes then it's all over.

[Ricky]

"Martin OIlsson and Rhodes will almost certainly be gone."

That'll be me sticking a tenner on Rhodes to sign a new contract then

[rovers11]

Olsson and Dann will go. They are the only two significant players that will leave. The rest will be about trimming the squad which is full of bang average players. Olsson wasn't that good last season anyway. Josh Morris really stepped up when we needed him towards the end of the season; think he could be a good player.

Rhodes and Hanley will stay imo. I am right in thinking Chris Taylor can play left back as well?

We need an experienced centre half to replace Dann. We have two exceptional young central defenders in o'connel and edwards who can provide cover for Hanley and Dann's replacement. Really expect Edwards and particularly O'connell to make their mark next season.

Hopefully we can sign Jones and add another central midfielder. Key area we lacked in last season. Also need a pacy winger. Think we are ok up top with the return of Best, Rochina and probably DJ.

[LeChuck]

If we downgrade from Dann, Hanley, Olsson and Rhodes then it's all over.

Olsson didn't really contribute this season though. I'm a big fan of his but I think we can get a solid left back for little money who can replace his contribution. We could even get Kane back on loan and push Henley to left back.

Dann would be easy to replace. Still poor, even at this level. The best thing you can say about him is that he's virtually ever-present. Get someone else who can offer that and we'll not be weaker. Hanley is a concern but solid defenders at this level aren't expensive.

Rhodes is the big one obviously. But who knows...maybe Best would blossom as the focal point. With the transfer we'd get we shouldn't be in a positon where it's "all over" unless Bowyer blows the lot on 2013-14 versions of Murphy, Etuhu and the Portuguese lot.

[Stuart]

Olsson didn't really contribute this season though. I'm a big fan of his but I think we can get a solid left back for little money who can replace his contribution. We could even get Kane back on loan and push Henley to left back.

Dann would be easy to replace. Still poor, even at this level. The best thing you can say about him is that he's virtually ever-present. Get someone else who can offer that and we'll not be weaker. Hanley is a concern but solid defenders at this level aren't expensive.

Rhodes is the big one obviously. But who knows...maybe Best would blossom as the focal point. With the transfer we'd get we shouldn't be in a positon where it's "all over" unless Bowyer blows the lot on 2013-14 versions of Murphy, Etuhu and the Portuguese lot.

Your points are valid but what I mean is that lower quality than some fairly average players (let's be honest) will mean even lesser quality.

That said, as I've posted in the Judge thread, if we get Bowyer's picks and they want to play for the shirt, it might bring some of the pride back. Let's hope that effort is enough to keep us in the division.

[philipl]

"Martin OIlsson and Rhodes will almost certainly be gone."

That'll be me sticking a tenner on Rhodes to sign a new contract then

See my comment in the Rhodes section.

[thenodrog]

Just looking at the championship odds for next season. Burnley are 3rd favourites to get relegated! We are 11th favourites to go up (11th is about where I expect us to finish) - Bournemouth are bigger favourites than us to go up which seems bizarre.

I think Watford, Blackpool, Wigan and QPR could struggle next season. Think Brighton may also struggle after losing Gus Poyet.

Expect Forest, Bolton, Leicester and Reading to be strong.

I can't see QPR struggling. There's more chance of them emulating NUFC a couple of years back.... promotion and with a wealthy chairman completing a steep learning curve.

[RockinRover]

Where's Dann going? Sorry if someone said earlier but I've been reading through and everyone seems to think he's already gone.

[LeChuck]

I can't see QPR struggling. There's more chance of them emulating NUFC a couple of years back.... promotion and with a wealthy chairman completing a steep learning curve.

Nah not a chance. They will be putting out a very different eleven to the one that finished the season. Newcastle kept a settled squad.

[Majiball]

Harry's a wily old dog and has done it before IE promotion. Provided he stays and fernandes stumps up the readies I think they'll win the league

[DE.]

Olsson didn't really contribute this season though. I'm a big fan of his but I think we can get a solid left back for little money who can replace his contribution. We could even get Kane back on loan and push Henley to left back.

Dann would be easy to replace. Still poor, even at this level. The best thing you can say about him is that he's virtually ever-present. Get someone else who can offer that and we'll not be weaker. Hanley is a concern but solid defenders at this level aren't expensive.

Rhodes is the big one obviously. But who knows...maybe Best would blossom as the focal point. With the transfer we'd get we shouldn't be in a positon where it's "all over" unless Bowyer blows the lot on 2013-14 versions of Murphy, Etuhu and the Portuguese lot.

Tend to agree with this... honestly not bothered about Olsson, Dann or Hanley leaving. There are ready-made replacements in our squad already for Olsson at this level, whilst Dann and Hanley could be replaced without too much fanfare. Rhodes leaving would create a huge void in terms of goals, and it was his goals that saved us from going down this year. If he was to leave we'd have to significantly strengthen midfield and change the way we play, or we'll be looking down the barrel. Even if Rhodes does stay, we cannot afford to play this season like we did last season. A barren spell for Rhodes will spell the end of us otherwise.

[Clitherover]

Bolton are going to have QuickQuid plastered on the front of their shirt's next season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22707261

Almost as bad as Wonga...

[Amo]

Bolton are going to have QuickQuid plastered on the front of their shirt's next season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22707261

Almost as bad as Wonga...

I don't quite get the outrage.

What's the difference between having them or having a bookmakers or even a brewery?

[alexanders]

One thing Championship learned me last season. It is completely bingo. Everyone beeating everyone.

[Clitherover]

I don't quite get the outrage.

What's the difference between having them or having a bookmakers or even a brewery?

Nothing really, it's the sort of company you associate with dossers though, bookies and breweries maybe are to a certain extent but less so, maybe she's just a stuck up cow?

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

I don't quite get the outrage.

What's the difference between having them or having a bookmakers or even a brewery?

Payday loan companies make money by exploiting thick/desperate people and put them in very serious and traumatic situations. They're worse than bookies and pubs in my opinion, I think they should be banned completely. It might be a bit out of touch in the greedy, morally-devoid modern game but good on the Bolton fans for taking a principled stance.

[Amo]

Payday loan companies make money by exploiting thick/desperate people and put them in very serious and traumatic situations.

So does the aforementioned.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

So does the aforementioned.

I disagree, the other 2 are entertainment products. If you enjoy gambling or drinking and want to spend your money on it, I don't see how thats thick or desperate. There's nothing entertaining about taking out a loan at insane interest rates.

[Amo]

I disagree, the other 2 are entertainment products. If you enjoy gambling or drinking and want to spend your money on it, I don't see how thats thick or desperate. There's nothing entertaining about taking out a loan at insane interest rates.

Ask any gambling addict or alcoholic what they think about these 'entertainment products'. They exploit the weak and needy as much as any loan shark.

In the same way some people can enjoy a flutter or a tipple, there exists people who only borrow responsibly. They're all equally dangerous and self-destructive products if you misuse them.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Ask any gambling addict or alcoholic what they think about these 'entertainment products'. They exploit the weak and needy as much as any loan shark.

In the same way some people can enjoy a flutter or a tipple, there exists people who only borrow responsibly. They're all equally dangerous and self-destructive products if you misuse them.

But nobody needs to gamble or drink, people sometimes need money. I agree with your comparison of people desperate enough to take out a payday loan being the equivalent of gambling addicts or alcoholics, but bookies and pubs aren't set-up specifically to target addicts, payday loan companies are.

[Amo]

People 'need' alcohol or gambling if they're addicted to it, which these soulless corporations do their best to make a living out of. It's all very cyclical. They have a choice, of course, they can seek proper help and live responsibly. Which goes for people in financial need. There are options available to them and taking a payday loan when you're not in a position to pay it back isn't one of them. It doesn't stop people doing it, though. We're a quick-fix society.

I just don't think there's enough of a distinction to warrant such moral outrage.

[Stuart]

Bookies are bad for the weak minded but payday loan companies are basically preying on desperate people and making money out of that desperation.

Gamblers - even addicts - at least have a choice. For others, with education and some perspective (knowing your limits), gambling can be a reasonable hobby.

Loan sharks (as they used to be called) are nothing new but the way they are allowed to advertise, brazenly quoting 1000% rates of repayment to people who have to sign up to keep the wolves from the door or risk losing the roof over their heads, is despicable.

Putting them on the front of shirts worn by kids' heroes will only keep the cycle going. I hope that they wont be allowed to be printed onto children's sized shirts.