The Championship 2018-19: More interesting than the Premier League

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
This past Boxing Day Sunderland drew 46,039 to watch the hosts get a 1-0 win. That poor group of fans has been screwed, and that’s a proper clan up there. They were quite excited to set the record for League One (the owner bragged about beating L**ds previous record by 8K), and deservedly so. But it’s only the second largest crowd to see a 3rd division game (49, 309)


So this is Derby week- Pigs come to Hillsborough Monday night (read into that time and date nonsense if you want, but it’s just more piss poor policing) and I’ve been trying to avoid thinking about the shit. This one is pretty tense- United, led by native pig Chris Wilder, are possibly the best team in the Championship up to this point of the season; the heroes in blue and white are in great form under Steve Bruce and have turned a year of garbage into a long shot playoff run.

This is a baller game for those who don’t know much about it- they’ve been playing since 1890 and United have some shit like a one game lead in the series. Since they came back up to the Championship, they’ve been the better team by far, finishing significantly higher in the tables last year and far ahead this season. Last year the derby opened at Hillsborough; most Wednesdayites expected 3 points in a hard fought game against newly promoted United- they smoked us all over the pitch. Here’s the highlights (spoilered because that game hurt something dreadful to watch- just 90 minutes of internal distress ).


Last two matches we needed to shut shit down, and pulled it off each time 0-0. Nothing to be proud of necessarily, but sometimes in life you gotta curl up and keep the damage from being too bad, and that’s what Wednesday worked hard to earn. This season we got a penalty save by cam dawson at brammall lane (at the laaaane, at the laaaane, they’re all fucking wankers at the lane) and last spring Danial Pudil put on such a performance that he got Sky MOTM as a CB in a nil-nil.

(And posted this picture to his Instagram the next morning)



Of course the biggest derby game ever is 1993 FA Cup semi final. Wednesday bossed them all over Wembley but couldn’t break through until this:


I wasn’t that into Wednesday then (unfortunately), and while there were derbies while both teams were in the Premiership in the 90s, they both bounced around a bit (If people don’t know about the Carlos Tevez shit in the 2000s, look it up. We fucking love Tevez). United had the upper hand a bit, but Wednesday got their first double in 90 years in part because of one of my favorite goals (and radio calls) ever.


(So first of all, my god, that shot. Then, then the motherfucker turns and runs 125 yards at something more than cruising speed, shushing the stunned home fans along the way, to go celebrate at the away end. Fucking goosebumps every time I hear that call)

The first derby game I could live interact with was the 2011 game at the sty. I was sitting in my kitchen listening to a radio stream, and lost my PSK invisible ninja shit when Professional Scumbag Gary Madine secured the comeback from 2-0 down (O’Grady in the 80th and Madine something like 5 minutes later).

*Madine was served 5 months for fan assaults, including one where he asked some guy at a pub who he supported, and when the cat said “united,” Madine broke his cheekbone. Gary has a goddamn section on his Wikipedia page entitled Criminal Convictions. He plays for United now by the way.*

In the second game, it was Gary Megson’s last game in charge (Gary’s dad Don might be the most Wednesday Legend ever, so Mandaric gave him the derby), and Chris O”Grady (go watch those highlights from the blades win I spoilered above…see how much it hurts) headed home a winner then raced over to Megson to hug him.

So hey, guys…this shit got away from me a bit, but it means something. I’m pretty sure the game will be on Monday (jesus, that’s tomorrow now) on ESPN+ (it’s a sky sports game) at 2:45 eastern standard time. And while you should obviously root for Wednesday, just appreciate what a proper football tie this game is and the emotion that’s at play.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Thanks Bud...I’m sure the boys will do it for Leeds.

At this point seeing Leeds and United go up is a nightmare, and a lot of fans are debating which would be worse. To me it’s no question, especially with the whole Bielsa thing. Dream scenario at this point is United bottling another playoff final.

Been a tough league this year...I mean, it always is, but the last few years there’s been a dominant team, this year the top 3 look a bit apart, but there’s a lot of teams that can steal points.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
You missed another game where a Wednesday CB won MOTM.

Would’ve liked more, but will take that at this point.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Just leaving this here for no particular reason:
(and yes, they hang this in their stadium and then pretend they're a bigger club than Wednesday.)
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
All possible permutations for the Championship with 7 to go (8 for a couple of squads):



This league is bananas. Our Heroes in blue and white stripes are still eligible for automatic promotion or relegation.
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Thought I might hear from you. It really has been a rollercoaster these past few weeks. Wish I had a way to watch, but I can't seem to find good live stream options up here in Canada.
Good luck to your lot, but go Leeds!!
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Yes! Millwall miss penalty with 2 minutes left, but manage to equalize in extra time. 2 points dropped by the Pigs.
Everybody loves Millwall.
Millwall and Leeds fans hugging in the Football Factory in NY, while a solitary United fan disgustedly tells the Wednesday throng he's rooting for them. The Championship is the best.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Yeah that sucked from Wednesday. Westwood and the CB aside that was either a no-show or a no-talent by everyone else on the team.

Now don’t fucking blow this.
 

Stanley Steamer

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 11, 2012
1,436
Rossland, BC
Thud.
Well, that sucked. Sorry DH, it looks like Leeds have "flattered to deceive", and will hand automatic promotion to the Pigs.
With the way they are playing right now, it's hard to believe they'll cope with the playoffs either. If I was to bet, Villa will be 3rd this year.
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
Lifetime Member
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Jun 3, 2005
15,568
California. Duh.
Bolton's match tomorrow against Brentford has been called off. They have already been relegated and the players are striking over unpaid wages.
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
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Jun 3, 2005
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California. Duh.
So embarrassing. It was always going to be a struggle post Premier League, but hopefully the club survives.
Yeah, there are clearly financial issues, plus now with games being missed, I have to think that if they are able to play in League One at all next year they'll be starting with a points deduction.
 

PedroSpecialK

Comes at you like a tornado of hair and the NHL sa
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2004
27,164
Cambridge, MA
I thought the new ownership group had taken over already... rough for the traveling Brentford support too that have made the journey
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
I hate football.

I mean short of winning multiple domestic titles or a European competition, United is still an inferior club, but this one hurts bad. We were spotted a 6 year head start in the Championship and blew it. Now they're getting $200m, $100m even if they come right back down, they're getting national and international recognition as Sheffield's team, and now kids growing up in Sheffield will certainly look towards Bramall Lane if they can watch City and Liverpool instead of Reading and Luton.

Wednesday really need to get up next year...good news is I don't think the teams coming down are going to be that great and even with some of the FFP concerns, Wednesday should be looking good for next season. But this is a tough league to get out of.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth



SO DAMN EXCITED!
Congratulations. I'm just pleased the Canaries aren’t adding 2nd division champions to their honours board. Promotion will suffice. Well deserved from what I saw this year- a very consistent team, which is super hard in this league. Good luck next year and take 6 points from the Pigs.
 
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InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,766
Pittsburgh, PA
Those who can't watch that video (restricted from the USA) can watch:


It's normal highlights up until 5'08", at which point it becomes stark raving lunacy. You just wish VAR could review the Bamford flop that led to the El Ghazi red card and get that card retracted.

Marcelo Bielsa definitely making good on the thread title here.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
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May 20, 2003
35,734
Deep inside Muppet Labs
Those who can't watch that video (restricted from the USA) can watch:


It's normal highlights up until 5'08", at which point it becomes stark raving lunacy. You just wish VAR could review the Bamford flop that led to the El Ghazi red card and get that card retracted.

Marcelo Bielsa definitely making good on the thread title here.
That match was insanity.

I have a soft spot for Villa, but fair play to Bielsa, he really showed great sportsmanship in the end by allowing the uncontested goal to tie it. Shitty situation all the way around.
 

CodPiece XL

Member
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Jun 4, 2007
2,422
Scottsdale, AZ.
I don't know when this became a thing but I know in my day you didn't kick a ball out of play if someone on the opposition went down. You always played to the ref's whistle. It's the refs who decides when to stop a game for an injury. I'll say this though, there were exceptions like if your own players or captain were screaming at you to put the ball out where it was a clear serious injury. I've watched a fair amount of games on TV and I've lost count when a team has a player "injured" and they continue to play to get an advantage but lose possession only to start pointing at their own injured player and expect the opposition to now kick the ball out. Was that player seriously injured or was he faking it?

The afters and handbags was entertaining though.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Playoff semi finals are set.

West Brom host Villa in one matchup while Leeds and Derby play 180 minutes of bottle jobs in the other half.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Playoff semi finals are set.

West Brom host Villa in one matchup while Leeds and Derby play 180 minutes of bottle jobs in the other half.
So the final will feature one side that has been up recent-ish, and one that has been in exile. Cool.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Which is which? I guess you mean Villa and Leeds?
I started following the PL about 8 years ago, and AV and West Brom have both been in the PL at some point since then. Leeds and Derby haven't been - looking it up it's 2001 and 2008 respectively.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
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Dec 16, 2010
53,850
I started following the PL about 8 years ago, and AV and West Brom have both been in the PL at some point since then. Leeds and Derby haven't been - looking it up it's 2001 and 2008 respectively.
Leeds was in the Prem in 2003/04 season. Leeds was in the Champions League semis in 2001.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
So rounding up playoffs so far this weekend- Mike Dean’s Tranmere secures consecutive promotions with a 116th minute winner v. Newport County and I just finished watching Charlton top Sunderland for a return to the 2nd division with a 94th minute winner that was the last kick of the game. Huge crowds and a great atmosphere.

Villa/Derby tomorrow.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
Saw the last 30 minutes plus extra time of the Tranmere game. Newport were down to ten. As an Everton fan it’s cool to see a Merseyside team take a step up. Tough loss for Newport who had a good FA Cup run and gave City a game before the inevitable capitulation.
 

SoxFanInCali

has the rich, deep voice of a god
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Jun 3, 2005
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California. Duh.
Villa up 2 with 10 minutes to go, but Derby just grabbed one back. 2-1 Villa with 6 minutes plus stoppage left.

EDIT: SEVEN minutes of stoppage time.
 
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Investor 11

Plobbably the greatest videographer ever
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2006
3,911
San Diego
Too little too late from Derby there. Villa the better team on the day. Would have liked to see Marriott come on earlier.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Considering they finished in 5th, is there a reason to believe Villa will not be a one and done next season?
Dean Smith is quite a good coach. If he gets to splash a little cash on guys he wants, they could be okay. From January on they were the best or second best team in the division.