The quality of this league-

[T.A]

Yes but we haven't spent a lot of money on players; our transfer record is only 5.3 million

"Only"

 

[roversfan2001]

2017/18, or before that, 1979/80, because we're here.

 

[JoshBCFC]

"Only"

Even then we only broke that this summer

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Just nice to see you lot struggling with players on high salaries.

I'd love to know who these players are!

 

[joethegill]

1999-2003 is the answer. Never known this division to be as strong as it was then. Every year, you would have a promoted club going on to make playoffs the next season in the Championship. There were fallen bigger clubs (Stoke, QPR, Preston and Burnley), teams with huge budgets (Wigan, Reading and Cardiff) and just sides that were incredibly well managed and punched above their weight (Gillingham, Crewe, Rotherham, Brighton, Walsall)

We were a good side in that period under Danny Wilson but were never strong enough to go up.

We were only here for the start of that period but I'd go along with that as probably being somewhere close to the answer (in addition to the year that Leeds, Charlton, Southampton, Norwich and Huddersfield were all here too). We had a cracking side back then, scored for fun and had some of the best players our club has ever known with the likes of Andy Hessenthaler, Bob Taylor, Carl Asaba etc. Weirdly, not many of that team went on to have great careers after leaving us, so maybe that proved that we got them all at their 'peak'. Great for us, not so good for the rest of the division back then!

 

[StuartD]

It's only our 2nd season in this league, but judging on the teams I have seen so far, there are some rubbish teams in this league including my team.

Worse I have seen so far is Gillingham in terms of quality but made up for it with fighting attitude that got them a draw against us.

Blackburn were poor against us and they have already lost 3 games.

Best team I have seen are Shrewbury, but that is in terms of tactically rather than ability.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Wolves had 103 points in this league in the 13/14 season. End thread.

 

[bantamigo]

Wolves were strong that year but the rest of the league wasn't great. We finished 10th with a dire squad compared to the one we've got at the moment.

 

[GTFCfish]

I think this League will be at its strongest next year when Forest Green Rovers are in it.
Their Chairman said that getting promoted to League 1 would be "easy" so without looking at the current League 2 table I expect that they are right at the top and are absolutely smashing it........

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Worse I have seen so far is Gillingham in terms of quality but made up for it with fighting attitude that got them a draw against us.

.
You drew with Gillingham? fucking hell. A 'fighting attitude' shouldn't make up for anything in professional football.

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

Wolves were strong that year but the rest of the league wasn't great. We finished 10th with a dire squad compared to the one we've got at the moment.

Wolves, Brentford, us and Orient were streets ahead of everybody that season.

Wolves a gear in front of those other 3 I mentioned. To say the rest bar Wolves wasn’t great is bollocks.

 

[joethegill]

Wolves were strong that year but the rest of the league wasn't great. We finished 10th with a dire squad compared to the one we've got at the moment.

I'd say there were probably 4 or 5 decent sides that year but the rest was pretty dreadful. Wolves and Brentford were clear standouts obviously, but there were a few other good sides too. Below that, Peterborough got into the play offs despite losing nearly as many as they won! Definitely nowhere near the strongest year, I'd agree with that.

 

[bantamigo]

Wolves, Brentford, us and Orient were streets ahead of everybody that season.

Wolves a gear in front of those other 3 I mentioned. To say the rest bar Wolves wasn’t great is bollocks.

We beat Brentford 4-1 that year. You were alright because the Chuckle Brothers were bankrolling you at the time. It was largely meh apart from that though. Thanks for putting your view across in such an agreeable manner though as always.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

We beat Brentford 4-1 that year. You were alright because the Chuckle Brothers were bankrolling you at the time. It was largely meh apart from that though. Thanks for putting your view across in such an agreeable manner though as always.

4-0 wasn't it? Although they had one sent off early on.

 

[GTFCfish]

Wolves, Brentford, us and Orient were streets ahead of everybody that season.

Wolves a gear in front of those other 3 I mentioned. To say the rest bar Wolves wasn’t great is bollocks.

How's Omar Bogle doing for you guys?

 

[SF_]

Wolves, Brentford, us and Orient were streets ahead of everybody that season.

Wolves a gear in front of those other 3 I mentioned. To say the rest bar Wolves wasn’t great is bollocks.

Does a street equate to one point?

Safe to say you did us in the play-offs though, although most teams do.

 

[Gassy]

Even then we only broke that this summer

Wasn't it 3.25 mill in 2015? No no, City aren't bank rolled at all - you're not losing 12-15mill each year, that's nothing, you could buy Neymar's left ear for that money.

On your other point previously about naming clubs who have held status in the Championship, well tbf (apart from Burton), all have been Championship/Premier league clubs for eternity who have the infrastructure to survive.

You yourselves have been a yo yo team - it was only about 6 months ago that you lot were absolutely certain you were coming down. In fact, this time last year, you had a better start than this season, so who knows? Either way, the average attendance in the championship is 20,000 (last seasons figures) - that's a pretty big gap from League 1 at 7500. Half of those clubs have much larger stadiums (obviously), huge revenue stream, half of them get money from Premier League parachute payments, incredible training & youth facilities. Unless you're run perfectly and you're 1/100 (aka Brentford), the only way to really make it now is being bank rolled in my opinion.

As for L1/L2 divide, I'd say there is definitely a gap. For myself, I've seen pretty much all games when in L2 (before relegation), then saw all the Conference games. When we were promoted I saw just a handful of games as I moved away. In league 1 last season I think I may have seen 1 game. Now I have iFollow, i'm watching all of them and the last time I really watched the opposition week in/week out was when we were in league 2 - I can categorically say there is a big step up. Especially in terms of individual player skill. As always, every time you move up a league, it's not the defence, it's the bloody strikers especially that get better, they're so much more clinical. The pace players move the ball and close players down is definitely a huge difference

 

[SF_]

Wasn't it 3.25 mill in 2015? No no, City aren't bank rolled at all - you're not losing 12-15mill each year, that's nothing, you could buy Neymar's left ear for that money.

On your other point previously about naming clubs who have held status in the Championship, well tbf (apart from Burton), all have been Championship/Premier league clubs for eternity who have the infrastructure to survive.

You yourselves have been a yo yo team - it was only about 6 months ago that you lot were absolutely certain you were coming down. In fact, this time last year, you had a better start than this season, so who knows? Either way, the average attendance in the championship is 20,000 (last seasons figures) - that's a pretty big gap from League 1 at 7500. Half of those clubs have much larger stadiums (obviously), huge revenue stream, half of them get money from Premier League parachute payments, incredible training & youth facilities. Unless you're run perfectly and you're 1/100 (aka Brentford), the only way to really make it now is being bank rolled in my opinion.

As for L1/L2 divide, I'd say there is definitely a gap. For myself, I've seen pretty much all games when in L2 (before relegation), then saw all the Conference games. When we were promoted I saw just a handful of games as I moved away. In league 1 last season I think I may have seen 1 game. Now I have iFollow, i'm watching all of them and the last time I really watched the opposition week in/week out was when we were in league 2 - I can categorically say there is a big step up. Especially in terms of individual player skill. As always, every time you move up a league, it's not the defence, it's the bloody strikers especially that get better, they're so much more clinical. The pace players move the ball and close players down is definitely a huge difference

It's a fair point, although we're very low spenders in relation to the rest of the Championship, our losses are still absorbed by our very rich owner. If it wasn't for him, we probably would have landed in administration after the shocking way the club was run under Derek Shaw.

Luckily we're debt free (in football terms) as Hemmings has written off the debt and we now manage our wagebill to work within our means which should serve us well in the long run, especially with how many saleable assets we currently have on our books. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Trevor Hemmings wants to give up ownership.

 

[Gassy]

It's a fair point, although we're very low spenders in relation to the rest of the Championship, our losses are still absorbed by our very rich owner. If it wasn't for him, we probably would have landed in administration after the shocking way the club was run under Derek Shaw.

Luckily we're debt free (in football terms) as Hemmings has written off the debt and we now manage our wagebill to work within our means which should serve us well in the long run, especially with how many saleable assets we currently have on our books. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Trevor Hemmings wants to give up ownership.

Fair shout - with this in mind, i'll be very interested to follow how Preston do now - because that sounds like a good model. I think another point to mention is how "sell-able" a club is too.

For example; if you lot were back in L1 and had finished in L1 in 12th position for the last 3 years. Let's so in this scenario Rovers (Bristol that is, Blackburn & Donny can bugger off) had finished 11th for 3 years. And then we both wanted to sign the same striker, offering the same wages etc. I'd hazard a guess that 8/10 times, the player would pick Preston. The only 2/10 in my opinion would really be down to how the manager sells the club and where the player's family is situated currently/where they're originally from.

Players naturally want to play in front of bigger crowds too and at a club with more potential, which unless we could offer more money than Preston in this scenario (which would mean on our crowds & revenue streams we're then bank rolled), the player would most likely choose Preston every time.

Football is a funny game - I'm a strong believer that eventually teams will return to their 'natural level' - again unless bank rolled. Here's an example, despite Rovers being in L1 a season before Pompey, i'd fully expect Pompey to reach the Premier League before we ever would. Hell, I'd hazard a guess that they'll make Championship before us too. Burton & Bournemouth will be back eventually, whats goes up must come down sadly

 

[JoshBCFC]

Wasn't it 3.25 mill in 2015? No no, City aren't bank rolled at all - you're not losing 12-15mill each year, that's nothing, you could buy Neymar's left ear for that money.

On your other point previously about naming clubs who have held status in the Championship, well tbf (apart from Burton), all have been Championship/Premier league clubs for eternity who have the infrastructure to survive.

You yourselves have been a yo yo team - it was only about 6 months ago that you lot were absolutely certain you were coming down. In fact, this time last year, you had a better start than this season, so who knows? Either way, the average attendance in the championship is 20,000 (last seasons figures) - that's a pretty big gap from League 1 at 7500. Half of those clubs have much larger stadiums (obviously), huge revenue stream, half of them get money from Premier League parachute payments, incredible training & youth facilities. Unless you're run perfectly and you're 1/100 (aka Brentford), the only way to really make it now is being bank rolled in my opinion.

As for L1/L2 divide, I'd say there is definitely a gap. For myself, I've seen pretty much all games when in L2 (before relegation), then saw all the Conference games. When we were promoted I saw just a handful of games as I moved away. In league 1 last season I think I may have seen 1 game. Now I have iFollow, i'm watching all of them and the last time I really watched the opposition week in/week out was when we were in league 2 - I can categorically say there is a big step up. Especially in terms of individual player skill. As always, every time you move up a league, it's not the defence, it's the bloody strikers especially that get better, they're so much more clinical. The pace players move the ball and close players down is definitely a huge difference

Ah, I must've really over estimated how much money you lot have in League One. While City may be a bad example, Preston, Burton and Barnsley weren't bankrolled in their first season in the Championship (or League One IIRC) and 2 of those teams were challenging for the play-offs at points in the season. I do still think it's possible to make it into the Championship without being bankrolled.

 

[K-Win]

Football is a funny game - I'm a strong believer that eventually teams will return to their 'natural level' - again unless bank rolled. Here's an example, despite Rovers being in L1 a season before Pompey, i'd fully expect Pompey to reach the Premier League before we ever would.

Fair point but I'd say our 'natural level' historically is second tier. Our 7-season Premier League sojourn was pretty out-of-character.

 

[Gassy]

Fair point but I'd say our 'natural level' historically is second tier. Our 7-season Premier League sojourn was pretty out-of-character.

Ah fair shout - just a quick look at Wikipedia backs that up - I was 12 by the time you were promoted to the Prem and it was about that time when I really started following other leagues, as a kid it was just Rovers. For pretty much most of my life, you guys were a Prem team in my eyes. Either way, (especially after last night) i'd still expect you to go up to the Championship before us!

 

[K-Win]

I was 12 by the time you were promoted

Hell, that makes me feel old.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I’ve watched loads of league 1 football and now a season ticket holder in the Championship.

My observations are
Football in the Championship is not necessarily a much higher standard than league 1 buts it a very different style of play.

Teams in league 1 play much more percentage football, defenders bang it up field where as Championship keep possession and try to play out of defence. In L1 midfielders/ wingers cross towards the penalty spot area hoping for a defensive or goalie mistake. More goal mouth scramble type of goals and it also seems a little quicker with better athletes in the Championship.

Championship teams seem to value possession more, the crosses don’t come in as often but they are more precise and deliberate, build up play is more patient. The strikers seem to be better finishers.

Another observation in the Champiomship is that the players are individually of much higher quality but there’s not the same team spirit and hunger compared to league 1 teams, maybe it’s the higher salary that puts some in the comfort zone so don’t seem as committed.

My point is that the Champiomship is obviously a higher standard than league 1, in some ways a much higher standard but in other the gap isn’t that big.

 

[Gassy]

Hell, that makes me feel old.

You're double my age. Hope this helps with matters

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

How's Omar Bogle doing for you guys?

That Omar Boyle you were adamant we didn’t bid for? Hahahaha you know nothing about the goings on at your club, clearly.

We’re fine with Kieffer Moore thanks.

Enjoy getting giddy for Lincoln away.

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

We beat Brentford 4-1 that year. You were alright because the Chuckle Brothers were bankrolling you at the time. It was largely meh apart from that though. Thanks for putting your view across in such an agreeable manner though as always.

Well done you beat an half decent team but did fuck all else.

Bank rolled by the chuckle brothers? Haha you’re that dim I think you might believe that. Our budget was nowhere near top 6, nowhere near yours that season. Team full of free’s. Doesn’t fit the narrative though does it?

 

[GTFCfish]

That Omar Boyle you were adamant we didn’t bid for? Hahahaha you know nothing about the goings on at your club, clearly.

We’re fine with Kieffer Moore thanks.

Enjoy getting giddy for Lincoln away.

Hohoho.

 

[bantamigo]

Well done you beat an half decent team but did fuck all else.

Bank rolled by the chuckle brothers? Haha you’re that dim I think you might believe that. Our budget was nowhere near top 6, nowhere near yours that season. Team full of free’s. Doesn’t fit the narrative though does it?

My exact point was that we were shit but still finished comfortable top half and smashed one of the supposed 'top sides' that were 'streets ahead', you absolute plum.

We were running on an even keel for years when Tony was pumping money into you so no idea where you've pulled that second point from.

I thought to be a good WUM you actually had to have credibility, you've lost yours completely now. Just give up lad.

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

My exact point was that we were shit but still finished comfortable top half and smashed one of the supposed 'top sides' that were 'streets ahead', you absolute plum.

We were running on an even keel for years when Tony was pumping money into you so no idea where you've pulled that second point from.

I thought to be a good WUM you actually had to have credibility, you've lost yours completely now. Just give up lad.

Did you smash us or Wolves or even Brentford in the return fixture? A one off result doesn’t give your point any credence

Running on an even keel? Like I said, you fell for the myth that we were spending a lot of money be it in wages or transfer fees. Our highest paid player the last time we were in league one was on 3k bet wells was on twice that alone.