Lets look at reality and see who is a challenge this year? (2 Viewers)

[Paxman II]

Getting back to the football for a moment!....

Seriously have a real good think about it before adding your thoughts.
What teams are likely to have the best chance of establishing a sustained promotion bid or at least a play off place?

As much as it hurts me I have to say Leicester are one of the favourites.
here's my top six (not in any order of preference) at the moment but what's yours?..

Leicester
Birmingham
Ipswich
Middlesbrough
Leeds Utd
Reading

Possible chasers in the pack and surprise contenders:

West Ham
Coventry
Brighton
Millwall
Cardiff

Teams to slip from their highs of last year:

Forest
Burnley
Hull

Likely relegation candidates:

Peterborough
Doncaster
Derby
C Palace
Watford
Barnsley

 

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[Gray]

i think west ham will definitely be up there.....woluld be massive yet pleasant suprise if cov are there. think Southampton could be in with a chance of playoffs

 

[ccfctommy]

I think West Ham will be up there and Brighton will be the suprise package.

Toughest Championship for a while!

 

[Paxman II]

I thought a lot about West Ham but they are losing players hand over fist and likely more to leave yet. Their manager is one of the most dour I know and has blotted his copybook far too much of late. Only his own ''talking up' with his ridiculous comments like "I want to manage England" proves his own self importance and attempts to instil new mojo into his own 'brand' that has failed badly since he left the cosy confines of Bolton.
Nope he will fail and knows little of the Championship. he always sounds like he talks a good game in interviews but is merely a master of the art that is cover for many inadequacies. Like some players I sense he would go anywhere for the money while he can and took this job as he had no other irons in his fire from any premiership clubs.
Ha I could be completely wrong and have to take it all back but for the present that's my take.....

 

[ccfc1973]

Hate to say it but I think we will only stay up if there is 3 worse teams than us

 

[ajsccfc]

Surely that's the basic definition of staying up. Likewise we won't hit the playoffs if there are six teams better.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

My top 6
Leicester
Birmingham
Forest
Burnley
West Ham
Last place up for grabs between any of
Leeds
Reading
Blackpool
and possibly a few others

Surprise packages
Brighton
Southampton
Middelsbrough

Falling teams
Millwall
Watford
Cardiff

Relegation candidiates
Portsmouth
Doncaster
Barnsley
Palace
Derby
Peterborough

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Hate to say it but I think we will only stay up if there is 3 worse teams than us

State the obvious :claping hands:

 

[skyblueinBaku]

I agree with most of the original post, apart from Cardiff. They could at best be mid table

 

[edgy]

As things stand we are nailed on relegation contenders. Hard to think otherwise.

 

[Houchens Head]

West Ham will only finish mid table. My tips for promotion:

(Perm any 2 from 4!)

Southampton
Birmingham
Leeds
Cardiff

 

[edgy]

Leeds? No chance. And where are Leicester? They will be top 3, without doubt. Wayne Routledge next on their shopping list.

 

[Coventry La La La]

West Ham will only finish mid table. My tips for promotion:

(Perm any 2 from 4!)

Southampton
Birmingham
Leeds
Cardiff

Cardiff promotion? there squad is nothing compared to what it was last season I think there's more chance of them getting relegated!

 

[silly si14]

Think leicester will be deffo in the automatics and maybe blackpool looking to bounce straight back up, Unfortunatly i think atm we are one of the relegation candidates , we might have an awesome defence but that dont mean nout when you dont score enough goals just look at blues last year.

 

[Sky Blue Luke]

If I had to put them in groups...

Birmingham
West Ham
Reading
Nott'm Forest
Southampton
Leeds
Leicester
-
Ipswich
Blackpool
Burnley
Cardiff
Hull
Middlesbrough
Portsmouth
Brighton
Bristol City
-
Barnsley
Coventry
Crystal Palace
Derby
Doncaster
Millwall
Peterborough
Watford