Which teams do we think will be top 6 this season? (3 Viewers)

[Sky Blue Harry H]

What seems clear from people's opinions on here, is that there are a lot of competitive teams in the league, who ought to take points off each other. That suggests a congested league, points wise - especially from the middle of the table upwards. Should make it an exciting season, and luck with injuries could well be the difference between success and failure. At least we look like we will probably have reasonable back up in most areas of the pitch.

 

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[JulianDarbyFTW]

I could easily swap any of the top four around, and any of fifth to eighth too, but I think this'll be there or thereabouts.

1. Sheffield Utd
2. Burnley
3. Luton
4. Leeds
5. Middlesborough
6. Norwich
7. West Brom
8. Coventry

 

[Chris1987]

Aren't the bookies predictions really just the predictions of punters? Though I guess it's a bit chicken and egg as to when the starting odds are decided.

The only reliable bookie opinion is the initial bookie tissue . Subsequent to that the markets are determined by traders maximising their position and punters.

 

[The watchmaker]

I could easily swap any of the top four around, and any of fifth to eighth too, but I think this'll be there or thereabouts.

1. Sheffield Utd
2. Burnley
3. Luton
4. Leeds
5. Middlesborough
6. Norwich
7. West Brom
8. Coventry

Am I right in thinking that 8th would be a bad season for us or am I being overly optimistic?

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Am I right in thinking that 8th would be a bad season for us or am I being overly optimistic?

Not if we've done the cup double....

 

[Kingokings204]

Am I right in thinking that 8th would be a bad season for us or am I being overly optimistic?

great question actually. Honestly couldn’t tell you. I guess would depend on the circumstances but it’s a tough crowd if 8th is seen as a failure.

 

[Skybluekyle]

I think there are a few clubs in transitions at the minute, particularly those you would probably put as title/automatic chasers such as Sheffield Utd, Leeds, Burnley, it will be whichever team transitions the best that probably takes second. Personally, I think Luton Town are probably best placed, despite losing Barkley, I think they were only an experience Premier League defender away, similar in the mould of Barkley's experience, from staying up and will finish first.

I know I am being a bit on the fence, but I, as it stands, would put us, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Norwich above all three of the teams in transition. Pompey will have a good season, I think, a lot of positive vibes on the south coast.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

1. Luton
2. Leeds
3. West Brom
4. Coventry
5. Burnley
6. Middlesbrough

 

[Flying Fokker]

Think Bristol City will finish mid-table. Middlesborough will be up there. Norwich always seem to have decent forwards but not be so clever at the back.

They have found a way of beating teams regardless of the defensive weakness.

 

[Flying Fokker]

Cov Sheffied Utd play off final with us winning 2-1 and the whole of the city end singing “it could have been you” to Ohare

Penalties? I hope we go to Wembley again. Really enjoying the day even though the outcomes of late have not gone our way.

 

[Flying Fokker]

What seems clear from people's opinions on here, is that there are a lot of competitive teams in the league, who ought to take points off each other. That suggests a congested league, points wise - especially from the middle of the table upwards. Should make it an exciting season, and luck with injuries could well be the difference between success and failure. At least we look like we will probably have reasonable back up in most areas of the pitch.

I’m hoping we have cover for all positions.

 

[Flying Fokker]

What about Hull? They may be similar to us last season.

 

[Balli001]

What about Hull? They may be similar to us last season.

They will be a wait til the end of the window team i feel

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

What about Hull? They may be similar to us last season.

New system to adapt to (high intensity attacking) plus not recruited much in the way of new players, so unlikely to be very consistent, I wouldn't have thought. Suspect they will spend big on loans if last season is anything to go by? Too much player turnover likely to hinder them - but very curious to see how successful their new style is.

 

[The watchmaker]

great question actually. Honestly couldn’t tell you. I guess would depend on the circumstances but it’s a tough crowd if 8th is seen as a failure.

I think this (it won't let me 'like' it for some reason) and the comments about cup runs/wembley/trophies are much better thought through than my original question. Got to consider the season in the round.

 

[Johhny Blue]

Can't believe people would overlook Luton. Lost Barkley and all there team have a year of experience at the highest level. Also the best manager in the division imo.

Best Manager in the division title is already spoken for

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

New system to adapt to (high intensity attacking) plus not recruited much in the way of new players, so unlikely to be very consistent, I wouldn't have thought. Suspect they will spend big on loans if last season is anything to go by? Too much player turnover likely to hinder them - but very curious to see how successful their new style is.

If it involves higher tempo football where players actually shoot at goal then all power to them

 

[Paxman II]

The way things are shaping up, I think Coventry are aiming for auto's and would settle for a playoff spot as a minimum.
But let's see when the window closes.

 

[San Francisco]

Some odd comments here. Leeds and Sheff U have lost a lot of top players and will likely struggle unless they get their shit together.
Based on our current recruitment I don't think we'll be anywhere near the play offs. 8th-10th maximum for us unless we make 3-4 top quality signings. You're having a laugh if you think we'll make the autos.

I think: Norwich, WBA, Luton, Burnley, Boro and possibly Watford, Pompey.

 

[Matt smith]

Some odd comments here. Leeds and Sheff U have lost a lot of top players and will likely struggle unless they get their shit together.
Based on our current recruitment I don't think we'll be anywhere near the play offs. 8th-10th maximum for us unless we make 3-4 top quality signings. You're having a laugh if you think we'll make the autos.

I think: Norwich, WBA, Luton, Burnley, Boro and possibly Watford, Pompey.

Massively disagree

Those signings are going to come the window is open for another six weeks

Portsmouth got a better chance than us?

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Some odd comments here. Leeds and Sheff U have lost a lot of top players and will likely struggle unless they get their shit together.
Based on our current recruitment I don't think we'll be anywhere near the play offs. 8th-10th maximum for us unless we make 3-4 top quality signings. You're having a laugh if you think we'll make the autos.

I think: Norwich, WBA, Luton, Burnley, Boro and possibly Watford, Pompey.

You're having a laugh if you think Pompey will finish above us (Edit: that said, I couldn't believe what Ipswich achieved last season) !

 

[CBS16]

We have reasonable depth, but we still need more for top 6. The last 3 seasons injuries to key players have led to formation changes, which really can't be happening if we want to be consistent. MvE needs a back up as his game suffers when he's overplayed. An experience CB would be nice, and also a striker. Haji is a left winger we've seen him up front it's not as effective. Another cm would be quite nice too as it's a tough old season ahead for Sheaf in particular if we don't get more help around him.
Basically, we don't know who will be where as none of the squads are finalised yet

 

[SkyB]

Some odd comments here. Leeds and Sheff U have lost a lot of top players and will likely struggle unless they get their shit together.
Based on our current recruitment I don't think we'll be anywhere near the play offs. 8th-10th maximum for us unless we make 3-4 top quality signings. You're having a laugh if you think we'll make the autos.

I think: Norwich, WBA, Luton, Burnley, Boro and possibly Watford, Pompey.

Watford?! They have 3 senior CBs and one of them is off to Turkey!

Be lucky not to be involved in a relegation scrap.

 

[San Francisco]

Massively disagree

Those signings are going to come the window is open for another six weeks

Portsmouth got a better chance than us?

Disagree all you want but we haven't strengthened at all. I'm fairly confident we'll get the players necessary though. Top 6 will be very difficult, people on here need to temper their expectations or we'll be seeing the usual meltdowns.

 

[Deleted member 162]

Disagree all you want but we haven't strengthened at all. I'm fairly confident we'll get the players necessary though. Top 6 will be very difficult, people on here need to temper their expectations or we'll be seeing the usual meltdowns.

You can make a point without being hyperbolic. To say we haven't strengthened at all is pretty ridiculous.

 

[San Francisco]

You can make a point without being hyperbolic. To say we haven't strengthened at all is pretty ridiculous.

Rudoni is the only player we've signed that you can claim we've strengthened. Great player but he's a like-for-like replacing O'Hare. If we signed Stamenic then also yes.

Where have we strengthened?

 

[mmttww]

we haven't strengthened at all.

EMC and Raphael are new options out wide.

Binks is now our player with no CBs leaving.

We've added a new GK and not let any leave.

Need one or two more, but we've strengthened.

If you mean the first XI, maybe you're right.

but the squad is already a lot stronger now.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

Our team was good enough for top 6 last season. We just completely collapsed in the final few months of the season thanks to a combination of factors but primarily a focus on the cup run, having no fit wingers and dodgy goalkeeping. Our strongest XI from last season doesn’t need much improvement.

 

[Monty]

EMC and Raphael are new options out wide.

Binks is now our player with no CBs leaving.

We've added a new GK and not let any leave.

Need one or two more, but we've strengthened.

If you mean the first XI, maybe you're right.

but the squad is already a lot stronger now.

Fully agree, the squad is improving, I think someone suggested the other day that our second 11 are probably good enough to avoid relegation from the Championship now which is probably true, which means we have less weaknesses overall so over the season should perform well.

Just thinking the second XI

Collins
Burroghs
Dasilva
Lati
Kitching
Allen
Palmer
Torp
Rodrigues
EMC
Ntelo

We would of been happy with that in our first season back in the Championship

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Rudoni is the only player we've signed that you can claim we've strengthened. Great player but he's a like-for-like replacing O'Hare. If we signed Stamenic then also yes.

Where have we strengthened?

Ignoring that we have more strength in the wide attacking positions and added a new keeper, most of last summer’s intake have improved over the season so are better players than they were a year ago. Thomas especially is far better and will keep improving.

 

[Ashdown]

Looks tough again, its a hard league.
Leeds
Luton
Norwich
West Brom
Burnley
Sheff Utd
All should be thereabouts. City need to start well and go at it ALL season. I don’t really want to start hearing how tired they all are this coming season

 

[San Francisco]

Never intended to come across as hyperbolic. Just stating that we haven’t brought in any players experienced at Championship level other than Rudoni. We’re only a couple injuries from being a mid table side.

I’m quietly confident Robins will get the signings he needs though. Until then I’m not going to get ahead of myself.

 

[Gleneagles65]

Believe! This is our season. No way we’re out the top 6 and I firmly believe Coventry will be top 2. Sometimes you just feel the stars are aligned and this is the season.

 

[ptr]

Can see Carrick leaving Middlesbrough at some point this season. I know Rob Edwards has just signed a new deal but he too will be linked with any premier league job that comes up, and there are normally a few.

 

[Hobo]

No particular order:
Luton, Sheffield United, Burnley, Norwich, Leeds,
Middlesbrough and WBA.
I expect us to be competing along with Bristol City, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday. Preston always seems to be in the mix with their negative football