League One, League Two and The Championship

Jun 6, 2007
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If you like your English football affordable like the good old days then this thread is for you.

I'm a Sunderland supporter and getting use to life out of the EPL. I had one season of early nights when Optus won the rights to show the EPL. I was hopeful of seeing games again on Bein Sports but Sky Sports own the rights. This means Sunderland and the other clubs offer subscription services for TV and Radio. Yes Radio!!!

I missed the first game where Sunderland drew 1-1 with Derby at The Stadium of Light. Last night it was early game and I decided to listen to the game on radio. I was shocked when Sunderland radio coverage was only available through subscription. These commentators were great entertainment last season. One is a specialist at calling the game and works with a special comments guy who is an ex-Sunderland player. I found them a great double act as the season steadily got worse and worse. Towards the end the ex-Sunderland player stopped contributing because he was so disappointed with the effort. His classic comment, "Wake me up when this rubbish is finished". True to his word he stayed silent for the remainder of the match.

Sunderland played Norwich City at Carrow Road last night and won 3-1. I watched a match description feed from the Norwich site. It was a little biased but I was grateful for any news. It was the classic away from home tactics. Norwich dominated possession, Sunderland played deep and counter attacked. It worked a treat. Sunderland scored all goals! Grabban, a hat trick except that he also scored for Norwich. McGeady was the other scorer.

Simon Grayson is the new manager who goes by the nickname of 'The Gaffer'. A no-nonsense type who has plenty of experience in The Championship. Players have gone. Some for money. Others on Free Transfers. Grayson has signed 7 players and paid less than £2m in transfer fees. I love the economy of striving for success in this league. He also is a 4-4-2 man. None of this 3 at the back and two wing backs.

So that's my back story so far. I'd love others to join me in the real world of Championship football. I'm sure there must be a Hull supporter or a Leeds supporter or a Aston Villa supporter or a ... out there!

If you fit the description please post.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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https://www.efl.com/

All the details you'll need about The Championship.

The matches at the start of the season are coming thick and fast. Sunderland plays Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough today. The season started on 5/8/17 and this will be its 3rd league match. The League Cup rounds have started as well. 4 games in less than 2 weeks.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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Back to back losses for Sunderland. After a promising start Sunderland sit in 19th spot on the table. No new signings in the past month as the owner and CEO seem to have shut up shop. Despite Sunderland being one of the big clubs in The Championship it appears to be afflicted by economic rationalism. Players and their Managers currently avoiding it like the plague.

This thread looks like having some longevity.
 

Kismet

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Many years ago in Dubai, an English friend of mine convinced me to become a Barnsley supporter in an alcoholic haze.

Since then I've followed them closely as they were twice relegated, but are now back in the Championship.

After yesterday they're eighteenth, so it's not a good start, especially getting belted by Villa 0-3.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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I've felt compelled to keep up with the Lads and regularly read the fan blog 'Roker Report'. It's not for the faint hearted as contributors rip into all aspects of the club. The start to the season is on a par, so far, with our efforts in the EPL. 8 matches and only 6 points.

I tend to agree that the owner is looking for a way out and is not prepared to bank roll a team capable of returning to the EPL. There seems to have been an asset stripping exercise strategy taking place where large amounts disappear into the ether. For example, Pickford was sold to Everton for £30 million pounds and that went straight into Short's 'sky rocket'.

Sunderland ended up with Simon Grayson as Manager. He was down the list in terms of who Sunderland wanted however the CEO, Martin Bain, couldn't bullshit the others into accepting a job with no guarantees. Simon is a Championship journeyman. Whenever a potential player was mentioned in the pre-season Grayson had a previous link. That appeared to be our recruiting strategy. He took it on and talked the talk. When it came to walking the walk he bought in 10 new players for the grand total of under £2 million in transfer fees. An absolute joke if you're serious about pushing for promotion.

The January transfer window is months away. The chances of picking up a striker now are limited to the free agency market. The bods who have got the arse from other clubs and find themselves without a team. There'll be a gem amongst those guys!

I'm thoroughly discouraged by what lies ahead and fear another relegation battle.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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Well the relegation battle is truly on.

15 games played. 1 win and 10 points. Currently in the bottom 3 of the Championship. Sunderland has not won a home game since December 2016!

Sunderland drew 3-3 with bottom team Bolton Wanderers this morning.

The Gaffer Simon Grayson was shown the door after the game today.

This is purely a tactic to deflect blame from the culprits. Short (owner) and Bain (CEO) are responsible for the running of the club. £1.25 million in the off season was spent on new players. What did they expect?

The players get away with murder. I suspect a number are not trying through a lack of interest in playing in the Championship. A smart tactic if you want to attract interest in the January transfer window.

Where to from here? I suspect League 1.
 
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Jun 6, 2007
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The new Gaffer Chris Coleman is slowly turning the ship. The former Welsh Manager has proved better at team selection, tactics and getting results. Eight games in charge for 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. 21st on goal difference so relegation is still a real possibility. The January transfer is here however recruiting good players to a bottom team is nigh on impossible. I’ll be happy to dump a few players who get paid big money and give nothing in return (Kone and Rodwell. Rodwell is still on his Premier League wages of £60,000 per week.)

A big game tomorrow at the SOL. Barnsley Kismet. Sunderland beat Fulham at home recently. First win at SOL in 12 months.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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I am an Aston Villa supporter and have thought about a radio subscription, do you know how much per season?

I mostly just get my info through the British papers and relatives back in Birmingham.
I have a subscription to live radio and full match replays which cost me around $70 for the season.
I suggest you have a look at the site.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/

Aston Villa is going OK unlike the Black Cats. A couple of missed opportunities for back to back wins recently. Kismet Barnsley won 1-0. First win in 12 games. Bloody Nora we’re hopeless this year.:'(
 
Feb 8, 2012
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I have a subscription to live radio and full match replays which cost me around $70 for the season.
I suggest you have a look at the site.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/

Aston Villa is going OK unlike the Black Cats. A couple of missed opportunities for back to back wins recently. Kismet Barnsley won 1-0. First win in 12 games. Bloody Nora we’re hopeless this year.:'(

Thanks mate I will take a look cheers:thumbsu:
 
Jun 6, 2007
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I see Liverpool’s £100 million buy in the January transfer window scored the winner in a FA Cup Merseydide Derby. Meanwhile back at the SOL, Sunderland’s owner is not willing to invest in the team despite being in the drop zone with a squad hit by injuries, poor form and poor attitude.

The Gaffer recognises the lack of support and is working on some loans to strengthen the squad.

Our Bournemouth loanee is not up for the fight and has asked to return to his EPL team. Lewis Grabban is hoping he’ll be sold by Bournemouth during the transfer window. Wolves, currently on top in The Championship, is looking for another goal scorer. Grabban has scored 12 goals while on loan. A couple of hamstring injuries mean he’s missed a month of football as well. The imagery of a rat deserting a sinking ship springs to mind.

I can never fully commit to the World Game as it’s only a rich man’s playground which determines outcomes that has little to do with sport.
 
Jun 6, 2007
16,005
32,097
Footscray
AFL Club
Carlton
Other Teams
Sunderland,Pelicans, LA Kings
Jun 6, 2007
16,005
32,097
Footscray
AFL Club
Carlton
Other Teams
Sunderland,Pelicans, LA Kings
The Lads had a big win yesterday. Knocked off Hull City 1-0 at home. Still in the bottom three with another ‘6 pointer’ away at Birmingham to come. Birmingham will be desperate to win as it is bottom of the table at the minute.

It’s good to see the Gaffer giving some of the younger players games. In a sense he has little choice as a result of injuries. Asoro scored his first goal in his first start and it was all class.

Sunderland is desperate for players to add to the squad. Chelsea loaned a centre back in the only move so far. Hopefully two or three more to come.

Sunderland has had all sorts of problems with players who don’t want to play in the Championship. Some have been loaned out like Borini, Lens, Khazri etc. Other clubs have taken advantage by arranging these loans and I’m not convinced that these guys won’t be back at Sunderland at the end of the season with a thank you but no thank you ticket attached to them. The current Gaffer has put the kibosh on those deals in the January window. This means we still have Ndong, Kone and Rodwell on the payroll and not playing for various reasons.

Rodwell went on record this week saying that he fit and raring to go however he has told the Gaffer that he doesn’t want to play at Sunderland. As a result he is not picked to play. This player is still on EPL wages receiving a reported £70,000 per week. Sunderland has offered to tear his contract up and he can leave on a free transfer. He doesn’t want to give up his ‘job’ and remains. What a classy guy.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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A disappointing loss this morning. It’s a familiar pattern for this season. A must win game goes begging. A win would have put Sunderland on 28 points and out of the relegation zone. 25 points translates as 2nd last with 17 games remaining in the season.

Birmingham were bottom and had scored 8 goals in 14 home matches this season. In summary, shite. This makes the 3-1 scoreline depressing.

The transfer deadline ends today (GMT) and Sunderland desperately needs a goalkeeper and a goal scorer. The owner will not pony up the money and other clubs circle offering loan deals with promises of buying. It’s all about moving on players so you have the wages to pay guys you want to loan or get on a free transfer. The Gaffer has got to weave some magic in the next 24 hours.
 
Looks like we may have to rename this thread next season, Robbo's my hero :eek:

In other news it'll be interesting to see how Tim Cahill goes for the remainder of the season - he's moved back to Milwall, where it all began for him.

Crucial few months for him and the Socceroos with the World Cup approaching.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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Looks like we may have to rename this thread next season, Robbo's my hero :eek:

In other news it'll be interesting to see how Tim Cahill goes for the remainder of the season - he's moved back to Milwall, where it all began for him.

Crucial few months for him and the Socceroos with the World Cup approaching.
Sunderland has signed a goalkeeper from Leeds and arranged a loan for a young midfielder from Liverpool today.

Watford took advantage of our current position and arranged a loan for Didier N’Dong (paid £13 million last season). The benefit for us is that we dumped his wages but there is no guarantee to buy.

Lamine Kone (£5 million a couple of years ago) is still at Sunderland and, unfortunately, played today.

Jack Rodwell doesn’t play but is happy to take his £70,000 per week. Sunderland offered him a free transfer but, not surprisingly, nobody wants to sign a guy with such an awful attitude.

The current manager is Chris Coleman. He would have known the owner (a Texas billionaire) has given up on the club and has spent less than £2 million on transfers this season. This guy took Wales to the European Championships last time so he has good form. I wouldn’t expect him to stay if Sunderland is playing third division in 2018/9.

It’s tough barracking for Carlton and Sunderland.

I’m glad Tim Cahill finally found himself a team. He’d be some way off from playing and needs to get match fit again. He’ll play as an impact player coming off the bench (mostly). Hopefully the new Socceroos manager will be happy with that and he’ll get the chance to play in his fourth World Cup.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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Confirmed arrivals during the transfer window for Sunderland.

Jake Clarke-Salter/Defender/Chelsea/Loan
Kazenga Lualua/Winger/Brighton and Hove Albion/Free Transfer
Ashley Fletcher/Forward/Middlesbrough/Loan
Ovie Ejaria/Midfielder/Liverpool/Loan
Lee Camp/Goalkeeper/Cardiff City/Loan

The goalkeeper is the most important addition. The other two goalkeepers have been shite. Bus jumpers is the best way to describe them.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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14 games to go and Sunderland is second last.:'(

I’m resigned to the fact that, barring a miracle, Sunderland will be playing in League 1 next season. Apart from the appointment of a new Manager, Chris Coleman and performances from some of the younger lads I cannot think of anything positive coming out of the current season.

If there was a mad scramble by players for the exit door when the team was relegated from the EPL I fully expect a stampede at season’s end.

My wish list for next season.

Ellis Short finally selling Sunderland to a person or entity which actually cares about the team and its supporters. The new owners immediately sacking Martin Bain the CEO who has been saving pennies and little else while this disaster has unfolded. I’d like to keep the Manager but I’d fully understand if he wanted to take on a team worthy of his talents.

Carlton and Sunderland share the misery of many unsuccessful years however I think the Black Cats could follow the Carlton example of rebirth. Sunderland requires sound Administration, savvy recruitment and coaching staff willing to develop a totally new and caring playing squad.
 
Jun 6, 2007
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Just had a look at the Championship table. I imagine you will be creating a 'League One' thread next season Robbo's my hero ;):D

Sunderland will finish last in ‘The Championship’ and is playing ‘League One’ next season.:'(

The owner has finally offloaded the team to a consortium funded by overseas interests.

The owner embarked on a 12 month program of non-attendance that has resulted in this disaster and will not be missed. Why he chose to do this is a mystery?

The new owners will bring in its own Manager as Chris Coleman has left the club. It’s a shame as I liked his direct approach. He appeared interested in steering the ship next season and was prepared to take a drop in pay to do so.

The ‘fire sale’ is about to start with a number of players on the market. Ex-Sunderland players will be chased in England and on the continent as the vultures circle the carcass for bargains. As for those players, Borini, Khazri, N’Dong et al I wouldn’t piss on them if they were on fire.

As for the younger players Asoro, Maja, McNair et al I wish you all the best in the future as you’d be certifiable if you chose to stay at Sunderland.

And finally. Cattermole and O’Shea. How you’ve played on these last five seasons is amazing. You both should have retired in 2012/13 and spared us the tripe. As for Jack Rodwell. This reprehensible sod couldn’t even be bothered playing this season and pocketed £70,000 a week for the privilege. We’ll have him on the books next season at the reduced rate of £40,000 a week. He’s a fine example of what is wrong with the game.

I’ll keep an eye on the Lads but it will take time to heal the hurt caused by this debacle. Given that I don’t intend posting a lot in the future I will definitely not be starting a ‘League One’ thread. I’d keep this one going as Newcastle will probably need it in the future.
 
Sunderland will finish last in ‘The Championship’ and is playing ‘League One’ next season.:'(

The owner has finally offloaded the team to a consortium funded by overseas interests.

The owner embarked on a 12 month program of non-attendance that has resulted in this disaster and will not be missed. Why he chose to do this is a mystery?

The new owners will bring in its own Manager as Chris Coleman has left the club. It’s a shame as I liked his direct approach. He appeared interested in steering the ship next season and was prepared to take a drop in pay to do so.

The ‘fire sale’ is about to start with a number of players on the market. Ex-Sunderland players will be chased in England and on the continent as the vultures circle the carcass for bargains. As for those players, Borini, Khazri, N’Dong et al I wouldn’t piss on them if they were on fire.

As for the younger players Asoro, Maja, McNair et al I wish you all the best in the future as you’d be certifiable if you chose to stay at Sunderland.

And finally. Cattermole and O’Shea. How you’ve played on these last five seasons is amazing. You both should have retired in 2012/13 and spared us the tripe. As for Jack Rodwell. This reprehensible sod couldn’t even be bothered playing this season and pocketed £70,000 a week for the privilege. We’ll have him on the books next season at the reduced rate of £40,000 a week. He’s a fine example of what is wrong with the game.

I’ll keep an eye on the Lads but it will take time to heal the hurt caused by this debacle. Given that I don’t intend posting a lot in the future I will definitely not be starting a ‘League One’ thread. I’d keep this one going as Newcastle will probably need it in the future.
Was wondering about your whereabouts the other day. Hope all is ok.
 
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