2019-20 Championship- Now with 100% less Pig.

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
So I’m obviously getting a little tired of starting the championship thread, but when your club sucks, that’s what happens. I’ll mostly be posting Wednesday stuff here, but hopefully everyone else who follows shit teams has spent the $ to get the streaming service- it gets better every year, well worth it. And when you watch your team every week, maybe you can post about it here, huh?

Fascinating offseason for Wednesday- bullet points may be the best way to handle it:

• Steve Bruce, who had orchestrated a solid turn around last season and had the club looking steady in the preseason, jumped ship to Newcastle, pissing off two sets of fans. There is currently litigation going on to determine the compensation that Newcastle must pay…I’ve seen numbers ranging from $1-5m. Wednesday are going into their first game with Lee Bullen in charge; Bullen is a former captain and long time assistant coach. He feels ready for the job, not sure what the Chairman thinks.
• Wednesday was cleared of the ‘soft’ transfer embargo and can spend money again.
• They resigned Keiren Westwood to a two year deal and Keiran Lee to a 1 year deal.
• They brought in some much needed pace on the wings in Moses Odubajo from Brentford and Kadeem Harris from Cardiff as well as CB Julian Börner from Germany, although I wish they could get Michael Hector back as well.
• They dumped some drek but not nearly enough, as they still have 7 strikers. Joao, Winnall, and Rhodes most likely to leave, but who really knows.
• Fernando Forestieri has been found guilty of racial abuse by the FA and fined $25K and suspended for 6 games. Despite being found innocent of all charges by an actual court of law. Nice to see the FA uses the same Wheel of Justice the NHL does.

So manager incident aside (and that’s a big one) this has been a very positive pre-season. They could use some more CB coverage (probably another FB too), they need someone to back up Hutch in DM, and need to sort their striker situation, but this is a veteran team with a fair amount of talent. I think they’re a top half team and if they get some breaks (it’s been a few years, we’re due), they will mount a serious challenge for top 6.
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,766
Pittsburgh, PA
why would Newcastle be pissed off? Pissed at their owner for (screwing over?) not kissing the ass of Rafa Benitez, sure, I get that... but having parted ways, why would they be mad at his replacement already?
 

Joe D Reid

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
4,209
Newcastle correspondent here. Short answer is that Bruce is viewed as a very good Championship manager who has been hired for the express purpose of getting them promoted next year after they collapse into relegation this year. That's a little unfair; then again, see essentially his entire time at Sunderland and Hull.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
No, that's right. Bruce isn't a PL manager- he can organize and motivate a team quite well, but when things get more tactically (and skillfully) advanced, he's over his head. Add to the suspicion of Ashley's motives that he's following Rafa Benitez- not my favorite, but a world class manager.
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,766
Pittsburgh, PA
Don't get me wrong, Ashley should have kissed Rafa Benitez's ass. Though that's neither here nor there. With Benitez and a lot of (possibly leveraged, possibly with a minority financial partner) spending, they could have competed for a Europe spot. They of course finished 5th (ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool) in 2012, with plenty of other top finishes in recent memory. Seemed all pissed-away to me. I just figure Bruce is likelier a symptom than a cause.

So DH, who do you like to go up?

And as for Americans, if I'm reading @Titans Bastard and Wiki correctly, we're down to
- Geoff Cameron (Stoke)
- Lichaj (Hull; captain)
- CCV (Swansea?)
- Miagza (Reading??)
- Antonee Robinson (Wigan???)
...all of whom will get me to watch some streams this season. Well, all except Cameron I guess.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Not a clue. I’d say Leeds, the Welsh clubs, West Brom, Bristol City, and Brentford are favorites for top 6, but forecasting this division is always an exercise is frustration.
 

Titans Bastard

has sunil gulati in his sights
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 15, 2002
14,446
And as for Americans, if I'm reading @Titans Bastard and Wiki correctly, we're down to
- Geoff Cameron (Stoke)
- Lichaj (Hull; captain)
- CCV (Swansea?)
- Miagza (Reading??)
- Antonee Robinson (Wigan???)
...all of whom will get me to watch some streams this season. Well, all except Cameron I guess.
Americans in the Championship:
- Ariyibi (Nottingham; possibly will be loaned/transferred)
- Cameron (QPR)
- de la Torre (Fulham; not sure if he'll actually play)
- Holmes (Derby)
- Lichaj (Hull)
- Miazga (Reading)
- Novakovich (Reading)
- Ream (Fulham)
- Robinson (Wigan)

CCV is back at Tottenham, but he's on the transfer block and could wind up in the Championship before the transfer window closes.
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Thanks DH for starting the thread (again!); I should probably help out more, as a Championship lifer, but it's summer, the weather is fine, and I am trying to forget about lost opportunities.
As always, it's anybody's guess who will get promoted, perhaps a bit easier to pick the relegated. I won't even dare to dream.
As far as Leeds is concerned, this is year 2 of the Bielsa revolution, and he is the team's best hope for promotion. The players are secondary. That said, it's a bit concerning when you give up your best center back (Pontus Janssen) and your leading goal scorer (Kemar Roofe). With less than a day until the transfer deadline, they appear light everywhere but midfield. Bielsa plays a high press, possession-oriented style, and I feel that depth is needed for enduring success.
That said, there is a lot of talent on this team-- Pablo Hernandez, Kal Phillips, Jacks Clarke and Harrison, and new signing Helder Costa, to name a few. They definitely have a shot, but will have to play better in front of their understandably nervous home fans to make it count.
Here in Canada, I haven't found reliable streams to watch their games, so if anyone could recommend links, I'd be much obliged.
Good luck all!

P.S. feeling better after Leeds get loans for Illan Meslier for backup GK and Eddie Nketiah F, and appear to hold on to Phillips.
 
Last edited:

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Looks like Leeds is not using iFollow...anyone else who supports one of the unwashed 72 and wants to watch games should check iFollow. For $140 a year I get every league game not picked up by Sky. ESPN+ picks up just about all of the rest plus a lot of cup games. For you @Stanley Steamer, it looks like you can buy single game passes at C$ 8.03. https://video.leedsunited.com/faq

Really nice window for Wednesday, certainly the best in a few years. Got in the 3 players mentioned in the OP who started the first game (3-1 win at Reading which included an 80th minute Red Card for our keeper; Kadeem Harris was near unplayable) and then in the last two days got Massimo Luongo from QPR, and he should provide real nice CM depth. All of those initial transfers were free, Luongo was only 1 million, and then we added season long loans for Jacob Murphy (NUFC) who should help bolster the wing and then David Bates (Hamburg, formerly of sevco fc) who will help the backend. They really strengthened where they needed.

Biggest bummer was not getting Michael Hector back (he got a January loan to Fulham) but I'm okay with not overspending...that's what got us in trouble in the first place. We got 5m for Lucas Joao (to Reading) and have some amount (3m ish?) coming from Newcastle for Bruce.

Speaking of unwashed 72 teams, the scenes at Bury and Bolton are brutal.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Another solid win for the heroes in blue and white. Jacob Murphy fit right in, scoring on his first touch as Wednesday beat Barnsley 2-0 in the home opener. First time Wednesday has started a season with two wins since 1996 (which explains a lot). I was pretty impressed with Barnsley, especially for a promoted side. They played some pretty snappy possession football, but couldn't do much in the final 3rd...I figured they might be relegation challengers, but they looked quite spry.
Wednesday's cup clash with Bury is suspended, so we'll have to wait until Saturday with a trip to the New Den.
Despite all the calamity of the preseason, Wednesday look good. They have a great start to the season, with a seeming light group of fixtures to start...banking some points early will be crucial. I will say though, it's hard not being a bit optimistic here, given the experience and depth they have. Harris and Murphy look frightful up front, the midfield didn't even miss Bannan last game, and while the FB situation doesn't seem settled, new CB signing Julian Borner has fit right in and had two solid performances. Dawson looked good for the suspended Westwood as well. I don't think the manager situation will get squared away for a bit, gonna give Bullen a bit to try to earn the title, but so far so good. I'd be happy with Bully leading the way, maybe bringing in a more tactical assistant and a DOF. For now though, everything is sunshine. UTO
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jun 3, 2005
15,568
California. Duh.
I know this is League One news and not the Championship, but Bury is down to a few hours to save themselves.

Founded 134 years ago, the last 125 in the Football League, the Shakers are still playing at the same ground as when they were founded (Gigg Lane). They would be the first ever FA Cup winner (1900. 1903) ever expelled from the EFL, and League One would have to compete with 23 teams this season (only relegating 3 instead of the normal 4) unless something happens before midnight GMT.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Yeah, scenes...I alluded to it earlier this thread, but it’s just heartbreaking. There was the story of the 75 year old Bury fan who has no social media so he just goes to the club offices every day to ask if the club still exists. Makes you want to cry.

The division between the business of the game and the community of the game grows wider all the time, and it’s not a good thing, because we all know the business will win.

I had to say it, but I'm done. It won't happen again.
All good- I laughed. I’ll take it from you, because you get it.
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jun 3, 2005
15,568
California. Duh.
The big question is if Steve Dale would accept any bids for the club. I've read a lot comments that he's known for liquidating assets of distressed companies, and the worry is he's trying to let them fail so he can sell the ground to developers.

EDIT: Seeing some tweets that Dale is telling media people he's sold the club.

EDIT 2: BBC reporting it.
 
Last edited:

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Yay! I finally get to watch Leeds United play, currently thrashing Stoke 3-0 in the second half. It was a fairly even first half, but Leeds have worked some nice goals and finished clinically. The cable sports networks in Canada, TSN and Sportsnet are suddenly carrying neither the CL nor the Premier League, so I've been forced to subscribe to DAZN for the year. The Championship games are a bonus indeed.
Anyway, good start to the season for Leeds, just like last year, so I refuse to get carried away.
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Is there such a thing as a nutpunch draw? Again, LUFC manage to turn total domination at home into 1 or fewer points. I just watched this one on tape, and was quite certain what was going to happen. They got a second half penalty to put the game away, and missed it. Bamford needs 10 chances to score 1 goal. Derby scored in extra time with their first shot on goal.
Sure, Bielsa is a great coach and character, but it feels like there's an endemic issue with their play. It's great and all to see them dominate possession, but if they don't find a ruthless streak, they will not get promoted.
 

candylandriots

unkempt
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 30, 2004
12,327
Berlin
Is there such a thing as a nutpunch draw? Again, LUFC manage to turn total domination at home into 1 or fewer points. I just watched this one on tape, and was quite certain what was going to happen. They got a second half penalty to put the game away, and missed it. Bamford needs 10 chances to score 1 goal. Derby scored in extra time with their first shot on goal.
Sure, Bielsa is a great coach and character, but it feels like there's an endemic issue with their play. It's great and all to see them dominate possession, but if they don't find a ruthless streak, they will not get promoted.
Sounds a lot like Palace-Wolves yesterday. I even described that 1-1 outcome as a “nut punch”.
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Really, unbelievably tight this year in what is likely world football's most competitive league. West Brom are alone on top with 27 points, 2 points ahead of Leeds and two other clubs, but only 5 points ahead of 11th place Birmingham City, almost a third of the way through the season. Looking at the last 5 games, 6 out of the top 7 have a record of 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.
Over the next few months, someone is going to make a move, but it seems just as likely that they'll all regress to the mean.
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
DH, what's up with Chansiri? First, suspected impropriety with the purchase of Hillsborough, now injecting $ to the team via sponsors that aren't active companies. You guys are looking more and more like (old) Leeds all the time.
Still, too much investment is always preferable to not enough.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Long story and I don’t really want to go too into it until there’s a punishment...no use thinking about it until then.

Essentially he’s tried to circumvent FFP in a couple of different ways and the EFL wants to crack down. The only thing I find really annoying (aside from FFP and the EFL’s leadership) is that at least three other clubs did this (Villa, Derby, Reading) and they overvalued their stadiums worse than Wednesday. Yet no other club is hauled up on charges and threatened with massive points deductions. Fuck, the EFL can’t even touch Villa anymore.
The Boro chairman tried some greasy stuff and got blocked, so he’s spent the last two years throwing a tantrum (he even sued Derby)- I think that has made the EFL feel they need to do something.
 

thehitcat

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,376
Windham, ME
Long story and I don’t really want to go too into it until there’s a punishment...no use thinking about it until then.

Essentially he’s tried to circumvent FFP in a couple of different ways and the EFL wants to crack down. The only thing I find really annoying (aside from FFP and the EFL’s leadership) is that at least three other clubs did this (Villa, Derby, Reading) and they overvalued their stadiums worse than Wednesday. Yet no other club is hauled up on charges and threatened with massive points deductions. Fuck, the EFL can’t even touch Villa anymore.
The Boro chairman tried some greasy stuff and got blocked, so he’s spent the last two years throwing a tantrum (he even sued Derby)- I think that has made the EFL feel they need to do something.
Hey Hey you keep my almost mid table club out of your dirty Yorkshire mouth! Also none of that was ever proved in an actual court (because the league chucked him out first and he ran back to Russia) and it was three (god help us) chairmen ago.
 

Mugsy's Jock

Eli apologist
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 28, 2000
15,069
UWS, NYC
Tangnanga two great saves off the goal line on the early going for Spurs, but this has the look of a rout already
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Watching Leeds this morning, and they are behind a goal to QPR that would've been disallowed by VAR had it been in place. Regardless, it's more of the same. Good possession, nice overlapping runs, and absolutely no end product.
Everyone knows they need a striker (or two) but the club can't get it done fast enough. It feels just like last year, and despite the points cushion they created before the new year, I really don't see this campaign ending in promotion. Something has to change.
And on cue, Bamford misses a PK that would've tied the game.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
And for our sins of mocking L**ds this morning, Wednesday pull a complete no-show at home and get cut to ribbons by a mediocre Blackburn side missing their best player. Monk got the tactics wrong, ref gave a dodgy red, and a whole bunch of guys decided not to show.
This fucking league
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Congratulations @Stanley Steamer

I know you’ll want to wait until it’s official, but, no reverse jinx at all, that went against fullham locks it up. Unfortunately even you guys ain’t blowing this one.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Thanks. Yes it's TOO SOON, but I agree that win should be enough. If not, my tears will taste like sweet wine for you.

At this point, I'm broken, it doesn't matter. United fighting for Europe (although that looks cooked thank god), Leeds going up, and Liverpool winning the Premiership, all while Wednesday collapse horribly from 3rd at Christmas and may actually fucking go back down to the morass of League One after a spurious EFL penalty.

Although, a pretty solid win v. Bristol City yesterday really helps (and really hurts Bristol City's playoff challenge). I think the EFL's dream is to have Wednesday finish 13 points above the drop and then hit them with a 12 point penalty. But we'll see.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Not that anyone here gives a shit, but Wigan is going into administration, which brings with it a 12 point deduction, applied (technically) at the end of this season. What it effectively does is place them dead last in the Championship, 4 points below survival. And if they were to get relegated anyways, they start League One at -12.
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Not that anyone here gives a shit, but Wigan is going into administration, which brings with it a 12 point deduction, applied (technically) at the end of this season. What it effectively does is place them dead last in the Championship, 4 points below survival. And if they were to get relegated anyways, they start League One at -12.
Wow. I didn't realize that. I remember when Leeds went down that way.
I was just going to post about what a tight relegation battle is shaping up in the Championship.
Luton is at the bottom in 24th place, on 40 pts, while Charlton sits in 18th, on 46 pts. Wigan had 50 pts, so that ought to put them on 38? So that makes 8 teams within 8 points of each other, with 6 to go. Time to place your bets.
I'll go with Wigan, Luton and Stoke for the drop.
That Leeds v Barnsley derby in two weeks could prove testy.
 
Last edited:

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Bottom sides are playing well too...Luton scraped the draw v Leeds, and I think they won the game before, Charlton has a couple of 1-0 wins, and Barnsley, who really aren’t that bad, may have not lost since the restart.

The playoffs should be great too.
 

fletcherpost

sosh's feckin' poet laureate
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,139
Glasgow, Scotland
Not that anyone here gives a shit, but Wigan is going into administration, which brings with it a 12 point deduction, applied (technically) at the end of this season. What it effectively does is place them dead last in the Championship, 4 points below survival. And if they were to get relegated anyways, they start League One at -12.
Mate, why would we not care about a club going into Administration? No one likes to see a club fall. I reckon mot of us here remember Wigan holding it down in the Prem with tiny budget, winning an FA Cup and being well regarded as a locally owned club that is a vital part of the community.

I know I care.

PS: I use the nobody cares technique as well. It's a salty bastards go to...for shame. Mon the Owls.