Post by gt on Aug 7, 2009 17:08:49 GMT -1
Actually I've been trying to type this up, and I have messed up the numbers somewhere so this is all that I can be arsed to do now.
If your team is missing and you want to know where you will finish, ask me.
Barnsley
I have a feeling this season will be ‘the pits’ for the Tykes. Simon Davey is no doubt a decent manager but the squad just looks too thin to sustain a survival battle.
GT’s Prediction – 22nd (R)
Blackpool
I think the Tangerines will be well and truly peeled this season. Holloway’s stock has dropped in recent times and no amount of witty one liners and heavy reliance on loans will save them this time (There you go Pool fans, promotion is assured now).
GT’s Prediction – 24th (R)
Cardiff
I have a feeling Ninian Park was one of their main strengths and despite the prolific at this level Chopra up front I can only really see a mediocre season on the horizon for the Bluebirds and the loveable Ridsdale.
GT’s Prediction – 17th
Coventry City
Zzzzz.
GT’s Prediction – They will do fuck all. 19th.
Crystal Palace
This year’s dark horse. Colin could take a physical team spearheaded by the on loan Freddie Sears on a play off gatecrash.
Also, Warnock to star as Widow T-wanky at the Croydon Hippodrome for the panto season.
GT’s Prediction – 4th
Doncaster Rovers
Sean O Driscoll’s side played some tidy stuff last season and bloodied a few noses (and got Calderwood sacked, thanks). Have lost a couple of key players to Reading and the Foxes but are looking to strengthen already. I can see them holding their own and springing a few surprises.
GT’s Prediction – 12th
Derby County
OK, I hope I don’t get slated for this but I predict another ultimately drab season for Derby (though beating Man U and Forest twice must have lit last season up yeah?). I think given time Nigel Clough will do well but his signings so far have left some Rams fans a little bemused. With the likes of Hulse and Commons they will score more than enough goals to motor on.
I also have a funny feeling they will finish within a few points of us again, above or below I’m not too sure to be honest!
GT’s Prediction – 14th
Ipswich Town
The Tractors have been there or thereabouts under Magilton in recent teams but I don’t see Keane taking them higher than the playoffs this time out. I still wonder about his motivation for the job, will he walk if he doesn’t get the millions he splashed out at the Stadium of Light? Either way, the Blues of Suffolk should enjoy this season.
GT’s Prediction – 5th
Leicester City
Deservedly stormed to the League 1 title after Nigel Pearson steadied the ship and the team. However, still look a little short up front and will Milan tolerate any inevitable dry spells at this level? I expect them to be in the early frontrunners before reaching inertia.
GT’s Prediction – 16th
Middlesbrough
Yes, they were poor last season but Gibson is the sort of chairman we would all like and they look set to keep some strong players who should do well in the CCC. Crowds will be pitiful but I think they will take the title after a sluggish start.
GT’s Prediction – 1st (P)
Newcastle United
A team who find themselves plucked from the Premiership river after 16 years relatively comfortable swimming and feeding. But I don’t expect them to do a ‘Benson the carp’. A lot depends on how long Hughton is in charge, a good coach but seemingly no manager. The Toon have some good young guns – Carroll the most notable but will Ashley decamp before stripping them of their assets?
GT’s Prediction – 10th (or anything really, Christopher Biggins to be appointed manager on December the 25th is possible)
Nottingham Forest
We can count ourselves amongst the summer’s biggest spenders which has increased expectations thousand fold in some quarters. Closer inspection of our acquisitions points more to a team in transition and steady progress should be made without troubling either end of the reckoning.
GT’s Prediction – 13th
Hartlepool United
GT’s Prediction - Sir Not Appearing This League
Peterborough United
I think that Ferguson’s talented pick and mix squad will be a surprise frontrunner in this season’s promotion shakeup and the likes of Mckail Smith, Lewis and McClean should put themselves in the shop window. Should be a decent season for the Posh, the only ground I am glad I haven’t picked up 3 points at (I thought I was snared by a speed camera on London Road last June).
GT’s Prediction – 15th
Preston North End
I tipped them right last season (6th) but expect a downturn this season, for reasons, like last time I can’t quite put my finger on. The protracted loss of skipper McKenna to the Reds may be amongst those.
GT’s Prediction – 18th
QPR
Magilton seemed to be fond of taking Ipswich into playoff contention before missing out in the final hurdle, and I expect Shepherd’s Bush will be a slightly deflated place come next May.
GT’s Prediction – 7th
Reading
Brendan Rodgers hauled Watford well clear of relegation last season and has inherited a talented squad who lost a lot of momentum last season. A few key players have moved on recently though so it’s time to Rodgers to pull things together. Still top 6 though IMO.
GT’s Prediction – 6th
Scunthorpe United
Another ultimately futile season from the Iron who passed through the League 1 playoffs without fanfare but didn’t have the staying power two years ago and probably won’t now.
GT’s Prediction – 23rd (R)
Sheffield United
I still have doubts about Blackwell’s long term affect on a team and have some banter with Mort about final places but I think the Blades will knock down the door back to the Premier League this season Ched Evans looks a decent signing and if they are in the hunt by the January transfer window I expect them to bolster well.
GT’s Prediction – 2nd
Sheffield Wednesday
Laws has done a great job at Hillsborough and while he hasn’t really had those of an Owlish persuasion dreaming of swooping and catching mice from the top table he has turned them from relegation battlers into midtable Blade blunters. I expect more stability this year with maybe a brief flirtation with the playoffs.
GT’s Prediction – 11th
Ted Nugent
Should be an interesting showing from the veteran American rocker in his first season at this level.
GT’s Prediction – Lots of references to ‘Wang Dang Sweet Poontang’, and buffalo hunting.
West Bromwich Albion
With Tony Mowbray departing to Celtic shores, a lot rests on how Roberto Di Matteo works with a classy talented squad. I can see a strong top 6 berth, possibly ending in play off failure.
GT’s Prediction – 3rd (p/o)