Rival Watch

[Snowflake Royal]

None of the bottom three are averaging more than a point per game. Rotherham just above them are in freefall and just about averaging more than a point per game. The talk of needing 55 points to stay up isn't necessary. We will need 50 at the most.

Form changes. There's always a couple of teams in the mix who go on a little run here and there to look like breaking away again.

[From Despair To Where?]

But for once, we are talking about 6 or 7 teams. Even if 2 suddenly hit promotion form, we're still sitting comfortably as long as we keep ticking over the points total, particularly over the next 6 games.

A week ago, January/early February looked a pretty tricky run but the 4 points picked up over Christmas are looking better by the day. Still think we'll be lucky to get anything out of WBA, Sheffield Utd and Sunderland but suddenly QPR and Watford look winnable and a point at the very least against Stoke is very much doable. 11pts from those 8 fixtures would be a very good return.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

None of the bottom three are averaging more than a point per game. Rotherham just above them are in freefall and just about averaging more than a point per game. The talk of needing 55 points to stay up isn't necessary. We will need 50 at the most.

Form changes. There's always a couple of teams in the mix who go on a little run here and there to look like breaking away again.

I can't imagine it's going to be any of the bottom 4, maybe not even bottom 6. I think the teams that are breaking away somewhat are Stoke and Hull and, on paper, they are probably a bit better than those below them anyway but still not exactly out of the mire themselves.

I think we are reaching the point where teams "know" where they are going to finish. I can't see there being much change in the table now and clubs are, by and large, around where they are likely to finish.

[Zip]

None of the bottom three are averaging more than a point per game. Rotherham just above them are in freefall and just about averaging more than a point per game. The talk of needing 55 points to stay up isn't necessary. We will need 50 at the most.

Form changes. There's always a couple of teams in the mix who go on a little run here and there to look like breaking away again.

Form occasionally changes.

[Stranded]

None of the bottom three are averaging more than a point per game. Rotherham just above them are in freefall and just about averaging more than a point per game. The talk of needing 55 points to stay up isn't necessary. We will need 50 at the most.

Form changes. There's always a couple of teams in the mix who go on a little run here and there to look like breaking away again.

I can't imagine it's going to be any of the bottom 4, maybe not even bottom 6. I think the teams that are breaking away somewhat are Stoke and Hull and, on paper, they are probably a bit better than those below them anyway but still not exactly out of the mire themselves.

I think we are reaching the point where teams "know" where they are going to finish. I can't see there being much change in the table now and clubs are, by and large, around where they are likely to finish.

I'm not so sure I agree with that this year. Top 2 are realistically gone and if Hull/Stoke win today and Brum get at a point then there is suddenly a 2 game gap to the bottom 6. Outside of that, then it really is still unclear who will finish where between 3rd and 15th as the division is still so tight that a run of 3 without a win or 3 straight wins can shift a team 10 positions. Think we are 5 or 6 games away from things settling at the absolute earliest and only then if teams currently in the play-offs hit a decent run of form whilst everyone else remains inconsistant.

[Sutekh]

Still 10th after today's games and none of bottom sides won and we are still 10 clear heading into tomorrow.

Saw Cardiff earlier on Sky, they have nothing up front and are getting dragged in to it.

And are now embargoed.

Looking at that rule, it is for late payment of transfers, I assume that's to do with the Sala situation?

Yes:

Embargo will last the next 3 windows (so until summer 2024) unless appeal is successful or some other agreement is reached. This all relates to the Bluebirds’ non payment of the first instalment of 5.1m Euros to Nantes over Emiliano Sala’s transfer. Probably part of the reason why Cardiff went a bit OTT with signings last summer.

Cardiff are suing the insurance broker who dealt with that side of the transfer for poor advice for I believe £15m...will depend on how that pans out I guess

If that doesn't go in their favour, and they continue to refuse to pay, can bankruptcy be filed? Not sure how it works in sport for overseas club to club debts

Basically they are appealing the CAS decision made in August that they have to pay the first instalment as the transfer was completed, a decision is expected on that in late January/early February 2023. They have also started legal action against their insurance broker for failing to advise them of the procedure to insure new players. If that action fails then they will apparently take legal action against those responsible for the crash including Nantes and its agents.

However I think they expect it all to be sorted out quite amicably in the next couple of months as negotiations are still ongoing between all parties.

Full story below.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foo ... o-25756128

[Sutekh]

Form changes. There's always a couple of teams in the mix who go on a little run here and there to look like breaking away again.

I can't imagine it's going to be any of the bottom 4, maybe not even bottom 6. I think the teams that are breaking away somewhat are Stoke and Hull and, on paper, they are probably a bit better than those below them anyway but still not exactly out of the mire themselves.

I think we are reaching the point where teams "know" where they are going to finish. I can't see there being much change in the table now and clubs are, by and large, around where they are likely to finish.

I'm not so sure I agree with that this year. Top 2 are realistically gone and if Hull/Stoke win today and Brum get at a point then there is suddenly a 2 game gap to the bottom 6. Outside of that, then it really is still unclear who will finish where between 3rd and 15th as the division is still so tight that a run of 3 without a win or 3 straight wins can shift a team 10 positions. Think we are 5 or 6 games away from things settling at the absolute earliest and only then if teams currently in the play-offs hit a decent run of form whilst everyone else remains inconsistant.

Reckon WBA will actually be the closest to the top 2 at the end of the season.

[Hound]

Fair chance with WBA, on paper they are certainly one of the strongest sides. Watford’s injuries have left them looking pretty weak though they do still have some prem quality which wba don’t really have mind you

[Stranded]

I can't imagine it's going to be any of the bottom 4, maybe not even bottom 6. I think the teams that are breaking away somewhat are Stoke and Hull and, on paper, they are probably a bit better than those below them anyway but still not exactly out of the mire themselves.

I think we are reaching the point where teams "know" where they are going to finish. I can't see there being much change in the table now and clubs are, by and large, around where they are likely to finish.

I'm not so sure I agree with that this year. Top 2 are realistically gone and if Hull/Stoke win today and Brum get at a point then there is suddenly a 2 game gap to the bottom 6. Outside of that, then it really is still unclear who will finish where between 3rd and 15th as the division is still so tight that a run of 3 without a win or 3 straight wins can shift a team 10 positions. Think we are 5 or 6 games away from things settling at the absolute earliest and only then if teams currently in the play-offs hit a decent run of form whilst everyone else remains inconsistant.

Reckon WBA will actually be the closest to the top 2 at the end of the season.

Agreed, Glad we get them out of the way after today, esp. as the atmosphere there will be toxic - if we can somehow score first....

Would expect a WBA-Boro play-off final (if they finish on opposite sides of the draw) at the moment then crib any 2 from about 10 to be losing semi-finalists.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Form changes. There's always a couple of teams in the mix who go on a little run here and there to look like breaking away again.

I can't imagine it's going to be any of the bottom 4, maybe not even bottom 6. I think the teams that are breaking away somewhat are Stoke and Hull and, on paper, they are probably a bit better than those below them anyway but still not exactly out of the mire themselves.

I think we are reaching the point where teams "know" where they are going to finish. I can't see there being much change in the table now and clubs are, by and large, around where they are likely to finish.

I'm not so sure I agree with that this year. Top 2 are realistically gone and if Hull/Stoke win today and Brum get at a point then there is suddenly a 2 game gap to the bottom 6. Outside of that, then it really is still unclear who will finish where between 3rd and 15th as the division is still so tight that a run of 3 without a win or 3 straight wins can shift a team 10 positions. Think we are 5 or 6 games away from things settling at the absolute earliest and only then if teams currently in the play-offs hit a decent run of form whilst everyone else remains inconsistant.

Of course it's tight and open to change but, the point was in the principle. They've played a game less than some but, West Brom, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Watford are all in and around the play off places, good results today and they will be in, the bottom 6-8 are probably what you'd expect to be this season etc.

[Hound]

Wigan getting smashed, another defeat for Birmingham

Enjoying seeing PNE slump down tbe table, really didn’t like them when they came to the SCL and don’t like their manager either

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Wigan getting smashed, another defeat for Birmingham

Enjoying seeing PNE slump down tbe table, really didn’t like them when they came to the SCL and don’t like their manager either

Yeah a few clubs struggling a bit now. Still think it will be any of the bottom 4, possibly Bristol City and Cardiff will get dragged into the bottom 3 but who knows.

Probably going to be the likes of ourselves, Preston, Birmingham, Hull and Stoke forming mid-table come the end of the season, but it can all change very quickly.

[windermereROYAL]

Three 4-1 defeats on the bounce for Wigan since Toure took over

[Franchise FC]

Wigan getting smashed, another defeat for Birmingham

Enjoying seeing PNE slump down tbe table, really didn’t like them when they came to the SCL and don’t like their manager either

Sadly, that hasn’t aged well

[Sutekh]

Wigan getting smashed, another defeat for Birmingham

Enjoying seeing PNE slump down tbe table, really didn’t like them when they came to the SCL and don’t like their manager either

Sadly, that hasn’t aged well

But their win today was at the beleaguered Stoke and they are very good away so not exactly a surprise.

[Hound]

Wigan getting smashed, another defeat for Birmingham

Enjoying seeing PNE slump down tbe table, really didn’t like them when they came to the SCL and don’t like their manager either

Sadly, that hasn’t aged well

Ha. That horrible Evans scoring as well

Thankfully I can’t stand Stoke either. Neil done a useless job so far

[Pepe the Horseman]

Wigan getting smashed, another defeat for Birmingham

Enjoying seeing PNE slump down tbe table, really didn’t like them when they came to the SCL and don’t like their manager either

Sadly, that hasn’t aged well

Ha. That horrible Evans scoring as well

Thankfully I can’t stand Stoke either. Neil done a useless job so far

It's funny as 90% of Reading fans (myelf included) would've had him over Ince, and Stoke have a much stronger squad.

[Hound]

I look at Stoke’s side and do wonder where it’s all gone wrong. It’s a top 10 squad at absolute minimum

[From Despair To Where?]

I look at Stoke’s side and do wonder where it’s all gone wrong. It’s a top 10 squad at absolute minimum

It's not that good. I guess Baker is a decent player but Powell is always injured, Gayle's getting no service, their centre back pairing has a combined age of 73 and their squad is bulked out with young loan signings.

I'm being slightly facetious but how many of their players would say you'd definitely wanting our team?

[Hendo]

I look at Stoke’s side and do wonder where it’s all gone wrong. It’s a top 10 squad at absolute minimum

It's not that good. I guess Baker is a decent player but Powell is always injured, Gayle's getting no service, their centre back pairing has a combined age of 73 and their squad is bulked out with young loan signings.

I'm being slightly facetious but how many of their players would say you'd definitely wanting our team?

Baker and Tymon, but that’s probably about it. Maybe Powell as well.