A Championship Team?

[Lighthouse]

Hypothetically speaking, so don't give me any "counting your chickens" nonesense. Out of the current squad, who CDAJFU potentially in the NPC next year?

 

IMO:

 

Goalies

In - Bart and Kelvin. Both decent 'keepers in that League

Out - Forecast.

 

Defenders

In - Fonte, Seaborne, Martin, Harding, Dickson, FR, Mills. All decent and relatively young.

Out - Jaidi and Butterfield. Jaidi too old, don't see Butters as a Top NPC defender.

 

Midfielders

In - Morgan, Hammond, Lallana, Chaplow, AOC, Puncheon

Out - Wotton, Holmes, Pulis

 

Up Front

In - Rickie, Barny, Guly

Out - DC

[Colinjb]

Would keep Butters as backup.

 

Wayyy more is needed in Central midfield. I would have reservations about Hammond and Chaplow at that level. Also a new left winger would be needed. Also a 'marquee' signing as a striker would be absolutely necessary.

 

The basis of a good team is however in place.

[NickG]

Hypothetically speaking, so don't give me any "counting your chickens" nonesense. Out of the current squad, who CDAJFU potentially in the NPC next year?

 

IMO:

 

Goalies

In - Bart and Kelvin. Both decent 'keepers in that League

Out - Forecast.

 

Defenders

In - Fonte, Seaborne, Martin, Harding, Dickson, FR, Mills. All decent and relatively young.

Out - Jaidi and Butterfield. Jaidi too old, don't see Butters as a Top NPC defender.

 

Midfielders

In - Morgan, Hammond, Lallana, Chaplow, AOC, Puncheon

Out - Wotton, Holmes, Pulis

 

Up Front

In - Rickie, Barny, Guly

Out - DC

 

Butterfield played 37 games for team doing well in championship last season, was one of their better players and is still only 30

[Lighthouse]

Would keep Butters as backup.

 

Wayyy more is needed in Central midfield. I would have reservations about Hammond and Chaplow at that level. Also a new left winger would be needed. Also a 'marquee' signing as a striker would be absolutely necessary.

The basis of a good team is however in place.

 

I think Viafara, Idiakez and Jermaine Wright should provide cover in central midfield. Rasiak can be the big 'marquee' striker and there's this Czech bloke at Hearts who looks pretty useful on the left wing. Can't remember his name, but deffo CDAJFU.

 

Sound like a plan?

[Asaint4ever]

I think Viafara, Idiakez and Jermaine Wright should provide cover in central midfield. Rasiak can be the big 'marquee' striker and there's this Czech bloke at Hearts who looks pretty useful on the left wing. Can't remember his name, but deffo CDAJFU.

 

Sound like a plan?

Ha love it!

[The Kraken]

I think people would be surprised how many players would struggle at Championship level.

 

Goalies

I'd have KD, not seen nearly enough of Bart to comment either way; it's telling that no other club has shown significant interest.

 

Defenders

Fonte and Harding definitely. Seaborne, not so sure but still has time to improve. Martin, definitely one for the future. Not seen enough of Dickson to say either way, same with Richardson. Mills is doing a decent job so far and I was surprised we got Dickson in and let him go. Butterfield could do a stand-in job but probably nopt good enough for a top end Championship side.

 

Midfielders

Here I think we'd struggle, and for ta op end side only Lallana could justify a starting berth. Puncheon is struggling at this level, Chamberlain is young and will definitely be worth a go but not immediately as a starter. I don't think Hammond is up to a starting position in the division above, Chaplow perhaps the same. Morgan perhaps but he has plenty to prove.

 

Strikers

Rickie on form, definitely. Guly, not seen enough of but there's potential there for sure. Barney, maybe but worth a go.

[doddisalegend]

I think people would be surprised how many players would struggle at Championship level.

 

Goalies

I'd have KD, not seen nearly enough of Bart to comment either way; it's telling that no other club has shown significant interest.

 

Defenders

Fonte and Harding definitely. Seaborne, not so sure but still has time to improve. Martin, definitely one for the future. Not seen enough of Dickson to say either way, same with Richardson. Mills is doing a decent job so far and I was surprised we got Dickson in and let him go. Butterfield could do a stand-in job but probably nopt good enough for a top end Championship side.

 

Midfielders

Here I think we'd struggle, and for ta op end side only Lallana could justify a starting berth. Puncheon is struggling at this level, Chamberlain is young and will definitely be worth a go but not immediately as a starter. I don't think Hammond is up to a starting position in the division above, Chaplow perhaps the same. Morgan perhaps but he has plenty to prove.

 

Strikers

Rickie on form, definitely. Guly, not seen enough of but there's potential there for sure. Barney, maybe but worth a go.

 

mostly agree however

 

Chaplow and Butterfield where both playing at championship level comfortably last season so I see no reason why they couldn't again next season.

[Colinjb]

I think Viafara, Idiakez and Jermaine Wright should provide cover in central midfield. Rasiak can be the big 'marquee' striker and there's this Czech bloke at Hearts who looks pretty useful on the left wing. Can't remember his name, but deffo CDAJFU.

 

Sound like a plan?

 

Fantastic!

[The Kraken]

mostly agree however

 

Chaplow and Butterfield where both playing at championship level comfortably last season so I see no reason why they couldn't again next season.

 

Butterfield like I say is a utlity player; Palace would normally have had Nathaniel Cline at right back.

 

And as for Chaplow, the Preston fans were absolutely delighted to get rid of him, so not sure we can say he was comfortable. I personally think he is good enough, but clearly he'd need to prove himself.

[MarkSFC]

Goallies

KD will be good enough but given a chance would expect Bart to takeover within the next 18 months. Although hes young still for a keeper at the highest level he should be pushing to be numero uno in that time. If not....sign Hart!!

 

Defenders

Fonte without doubt. I think Martin will be quality within 18 months but think we will need A.N.Other as good as Fonte. Seaborne may only be good enough as 4th choice. Jaidi may be past it then but could still be utilised in emergency although hopefully by then an academy kid will have pushed through.

Harding and Dickson are definitely good enough between them. Frazer and Butts been there done it. No worries there.

 

Midfielders

Midfield will definitely need strengthening. Morgan should/hopefully(!) be very effective in the championship but Hammond I dubt. He doesnt consistantly stand out in this league so not sure about any higher. Chaplow will be useful assumiing we get him...experienced and after a good period of games (and because hes just coming into his prime) could be a real asset. One CM better then all the above needed though.

Lallana obviously good enough. Back-up on the left..Holmes/Fish/Punch all ok but nothing outstanding...probably ideal as AL will play most of the time you would think!!

On the right...Alex Ox backed up by ????? Guly maybe..Punch at a push...maybe another RM/Winger needed.

 

Strikers

Lambert definitely, Barnard probably...certainly a great bench man. Doble should be progressing well enough to be 4th choice. Guly Im undecided on.

 

Ideally we will sign a striker in January to ensure promotion this year and someone who will also do a decent job in The Championship.

 

So in summary I think for the championship we need to sign a Striker, a CB, and a CM all better than wht we have (rater than players who are better than some of what we have) and maybe a rightwinger.

 

I would have thought that including January we probably need to spend 5-6 mill on players to compete in the Championship. Once we are (hopefully) there it depends on whether its a two season project or just one to get to the Prem. Two may be more sensible in terms of progression for the players and also it spreads the spending. If we want to go up in season one I would have thought a bit more spending would be required so as to ease the transition into the Prem....but thats getting way too far ahead!!!

[whizzpop]

I think Viafara, Idiakez and Jermaine Wright should provide cover in central midfield. Rasiak can be the big 'marquee' striker and there's this Czech bloke at Hearts who looks pretty useful on the left wing. Can't remember his name, but deffo CDAJFU.

 

Sound like a plan?

 

let's get Jesus back in from retirement and were talking

[doddisalegend]

Butterfield like I say is a utlity player; Palace would normally have had Nathaniel Cline at right back.

 

And as for Chaplow, the Preston fans were absolutely delighted to get rid of him, so not sure we can say he was comfortable. I personally think he is good enough, but clearly he'd need to prove himself.

 

Yes but the OP said who could play at championship level they both have with no problem unlike say Lambert or Hammond who haven't.

 

Preston wanted to get rid of Chaplow because he fell out with with the manager (and is on a fair old wedge at a club with no money) not becuase he's a bad player he's played most of his football in the championship so I think he has proved he is good enough at the level.

 

As for butterfield he to, has spent a great deal of his football life in the championship last season he played 37 championship games doesn't sound like a utiliy player to me.

Edited 5 November, 2010 by doddisalegend

[SNSUN]

I am of the opinion that while all teams that get promoted need some strengthening, starting strongly in the league above is best accomplished with a settled side. I think we'd all be suprised by just how many of our players would cut it at the higher level. Hammond? Maybe he's never player higher than League One, but that's not to say he can't make the step up.

 

While there's less of a jump in quality between League One and Championship than there is from the Championship to the Premiership, the style of football is still a bit different, and players that do an average to good job in this league, may make the step up in the nPC. There must be a reason why Donny keep signing our reserves.

 

We'd also start as the underdogs in the Championship, which hopefully would mean fewer teams park the bus in front of the goal, which means more chances to score. (Hopefully I'm right on that one.) Positionally, my only concern would be at Centre back (whether Seaborne or Martin could make the step up in partnering Fonte), at Left back, and as to whether Harding or Dickson could own the left side, and up front, where we are weak in numbers (though not weak in quality).

 

That said, even with the current team (with Chappers and Gools on full contracts), I'd be confident of a mid-table finish. (And yes, that means I think we're strong enough to go up this season.)

 

Promotion is imperative though, if we don't want to lose Alex, Adam, Morgan, Fonte, Lambert etc etc

[70's Mike]

Being contraversal not sure about KD, another year on.

[positivepete]

Being contraversal not sure about KD' date=' another year on.[/quote']

 

Being even more so, unless Lambert improves greatly he will not do anything in the Championship. Lambert and Hammond do not have (IMHO) the movement or football brain to go further. When did you last see Hammond with the ball at his feet and his head up?

[NickG]

Butterfield played 41 times for Crystal Palace last season.

 

Middle of January they were 8th, 1 point off play offs. He was one of their better players - in the championship. (only changed when went into admin)

 

He is only 30!

 

Why less than year later is he suddenly not good enough for Championship?

 

Cline played a fraction of Butterfield's games - even their website says he was used sparingly.

[The Kraken]

Butterfield played 41 times for Crystal Palace last season.

 

Middle of January they were 8th, 1 point off play offs. He was one of their better players - in the championship. (only changed when went into admin)

 

He is only 30!

 

Why less than year later is he suddenly not good enough for Championship?

 

Cline played a fraction of Butterfield's games - even their website says he was used sparingly.

 

With Butterfield I'm largely going off what I was told by a few mates who support Palace; that he'll do a decent job at this level, could probably still do a job at Championship level, but was more of a utility man than a really good first choice. As steady as he's been, I haven't seen too much to differ from that view.

 

I think the answer to the question is maybe formed from what we want to achieve in the Championship. If its just to play in the league and survive, then yes I think most of our players are up to that. However, if we want to push for promotion then I believe we would need quite a few new faces. A lot of of players would be good for backup but I think we'd need better to achieve promotion.

 

In any case, we're well ahead of ourselves!

Edited 5 November, 2010 by The Kraken

[simondo]

butters is class - defo in my team

 

tbh if/when we go up, there aren't going to be wholesale changes are there - its not as if the board will fund a whole new team - i would say most first team would play with us bringing in an initial 3-4 better players at most

[NickG]

Didn't see Palace much last season, but Warnock saw him as first choice for RB in CCC and if you read their forums they rated him highly

[The Kraken]

Didn't see Palace much last season, but Warnock saw him as first choice for RB in CCC and if you read their forums they rated him highly

 

Warnock also used to play Clint Hill as a left back, as he preferred a solid, defensive first back line. We now look to play with width and get the full backs up in support of the midfielders.

[SNSUN]

With Butterfield I'm largely going off what I was told by a few mates who support Palace; that he'll do a decent job at this level, could probably still do a job at Championship level, but was more of a utility man than a really good first choice. As steady as he's been, I haven't seen too much to differ from that view.

 

I think it was more of a case of him HAVING to be a utility player to plug the gaps in the team they had. Had they strength in depth, he'd probably have been their number 1 right back. His hattrick against Wolves was, well, unbelievable quite frankly.

[The Kraken]

I think it was more of a case of him HAVING to be a utility player to plug the gaps in the team they had. Had they strength in depth, he'd probably have been their number 1 right back. His hattrick against Wolves was, well, unbelievable quite frankly.

 

OK, maybe I'm being harsh on him. Like I said, while he's been steady I don't think he's set the world alight. But then again he's a full back, so I shouldn't expect so much.

[SuperMikey]

Think we'll definitely need to make some quality signings if we want to compete in the NPC in the future.

 

GK - Davis, Bialkowski, New GK (Forecast is not good enough)

RB - Butterfield, Richardson (Although replace either of them with a quality RB if one becomes available)

LB - Harding, Dickson/New LB (Still not convinced about Dickson)

CB - Fonte, New CB, Martin, Seaborne (Jaidi is out of contract at the end of the season and too old)

RM - Chamberlain, Puncheon

LM - Lallana, Holmes/New LM (Holmes is quite injury prone)

CM - Schneiderlin, New CM, Hammond, Chaplow

ST - Lambert, Barnard, Guly (if we sign him), New ST

[SNSUN]

OK, maybe I'm being harsh on him. Like I said, while he's been steady I don't think he's set the world alight. But then again he's a full back, so I shouldn't expect so much.

 

He's a better than average right back, but Richardson is the future. Butterfield is solid at the back, but Frazer supposedly is too, and Frazer has the edge in attack. We're lucky, we've gone from plugging right back gaps last season with Semi, Thomas, James and Murty to having two good right backs.

[Toadhall Saint]

Think we'll definitely need to make some quality signings if we want to compete in the NPC in the future.

 

GK - Davis, Bialkowski, New GK (Forecast is not good enough)

RB - Butterfield, Richardson (Although replace either of them with a quality RB if one becomes available)

LB - Harding, Dickson/New LB (Still not convinced about Dickson)

CB - Fonte, New CB, Martin, Seaborne (Jaidi is out of contract at the end of the season and too old)

RM - Chamberlain, Puncheon

LM - Lallana, Holmes/New LM (Holmes is quite injury prone)

CM - Schneiderlin, New CM, Hammond, Chaplow

ST - Lambert, Barnard, Guly (if we sign him), New ST

 

Think thats about right - strength in depth and allows differing formations depending on the opponents. Not seen much of Dickson TBH mainly due to the way Harding has been playing.

[doddisalegend]

He's a better than average right back, but Richardson is the future. Butterfield is solid at the back, but Frazer supposedly is too, and Frazer has the edge in attack. We're lucky, we've gone from plugging right back gaps last season with Semi, Thomas, James and Murty to having two good right backs.

 

I know he's just come back from injury but he is going to have to improve a lot over his performance on tuesday, having seen them both Butters would be my first choice RB at the moment Richardson was awful gave the ball away with depressing regularity, never got forward and didn't put in one effective tackle.

[SNSUN]

I know he's just come back from injury but he is going to have to improve a lot over his performance on tuesday, having seen them both Butters would be my first choice RB at the moment Richardson was awful gave the ball away with depressing regularity, never got forward and didn't put in one effective tackle.

 

Whilst I couldn't make the game on Tuesday due to illness, even on the highlights it showed Richardson getting forward twice, and whipping in a good ball for one of them. He's been out for ages, but he'll come good. I saw him play for Leeds and he looked promising then - and this is the League One right back of the season from last year, he can't go bad overnight. I agree though that if Butterfield is fit (which he hasn't been), then play him in the more important games, until Richardson gets up to speed, but Richardson will become out permanent right back IMO.

[jawillwill]

I would have faith in any member of our current squad to do a job for us in the Championship although some might be better at the job than others.

[eelpie]

.

So in summary I think for the championship we need to sign a Striker, a CB, and a CM all better than wht we have (rater than players who are better than some of what we have) and maybe a rightwinger.

 

Just about what we were all saying this last summer.

[MarkSFC]

Just about what we were all saying this last summer.

 

Exactly. Pardews big failing in the summer.

[NickG]

don't get this needing CB in the summer thing at all, we didn't.

Edited 6 November, 2010 by NickG

[georgeweahscousin]

Based on our current squad, this would be good enough in the championship:-

 

Davis

 

Richardson Fonte TBC Harding

 

OC Schneiderlin TBC Lallana

 

Lambert? Barnard/Guly

 

Bring in another centre half, central midfielder and a proven striker at that level and I think we would be fine.

[MarkSFC]

don't get this needing CB thing at all

 

What don't you get Nick? Seaborne is not my fav I will admit but he struggles under pressure IMO. In the Championship he will be pressed and pressured quicker and more often. Martin has far more potential for me and looks more cultured and calm. He should be getting there by next season but he's still young! Raidhi is obviously getting towards the end of his career and NA doesn't seem to see him as first choice now so I doubt he would be in the champ!

 

Therefore I believe we need a decent CB if/when wevgo up in May.

[sandwichsaint]

Based on our current squad, this would be good enough in the championship:-

 

Davis

 

Richardson Fonte TBC Harding

 

OC Schneiderlin TBC Lallana

 

Lambert? Barnard/Guly

 

Bring in another centre half, central midfielder and a proven striker at that level and I think we would be fine.

 

Rather depends on what level we want to compete at, five-year plan and all that?

 

I don't think that's a top 6 side, question marks for me over Davis, and possibly MS too?

 

Is that last year's RL or this year's? Anybody know where we can find last year's Lambert, or do we cash in and shuffle the pack?

 

Would we really start games in the next lge up with AL/OC/Guly all at once? We don't do that at this level.

 

Having said that it's as much about playing with a method, a blend and a togetherness as it is about the individuals you have available.

 

I don't think Watford or Norwich have the 'best' squads in the lge but they are both doing well -I think this will be Adkin's way too.

 

I wouldn't expect us to be signing loads of players if we go up, but my hope would be that the players we do sign are a level above those we already have (as Pardew did with Fonte).

 

The players we've got could do well in the league above with a few top quality reinforcements - another Fonte (!), a centre mid a level above MS/Hamm, and a top line striker and we could do very well, we've certainly got the manager for it, are the players up for it? Absolute top priority to keep AL though ... irreplacable at this level!!!!

[Window Cleaner]

Based on our current squad, this would be good enough in the championship:-

 

Davis

 

Richardson Fonte TBC Harding

 

OC Schneiderlin TBC Lallana

 

Lambert? Barnard/Guly

 

Bring in another centre half, central midfielder and a proven striker at that level and I think we would be fine.

 

so in fact you judge our current CM pairing to be inadequate for the Championship ??? But a player on the bench to be good enough?

Strange logic either from yourself or Adkins.

[georgeweahscousin]

Rather depends on what level we want to compete at, five-year plan and all that?

 

I don't think that's a top 6 side, question marks for me over Davis, and possibly MS too?

 

Is that last year's RL or this year's? Anybody know where we can find last year's Lambert, or do we cash in and shuffle the pack?

 

Would we really start games in the next lge up with AL/OC/Guly all at once? We don't do that at this level.

 

Having said that it's as much about playing with a method, a blend and a togetherness as it is about the individuals you have available.

 

I don't think Watford or Norwich have the 'best' squads in the lge but they are both doing well -I think this will be Adkin's way too.

 

I wouldn't expect us to be signing loads of players if we go up, but my hope would be that the players we do sign are a level above those we already have (as Pardew did with Fonte).

 

The players we've got could do well in the league above with a few top quality reinforcements - another Fonte (!), a centre mid a level above MS/Hamm, and a top line striker and we could do very well, we've certainly got the manager for it, are the players up for it? Absolute top priority to keep AL though ... irreplacable at this level!!!!

 

All great points, and I was very much basing it on an individual level rather than as a team.

 

so in fact you judge our current CM pairing to be inadequate for the Championship ??? But a player on the bench to be good enough?

Strange logic either from yourself or Adkins.

 

Morgan has the potential. I think Hammond is very much at his level and Chaplow isn't ours. No combination of the three would be good enough in the championship though in my opinion, sign another CM of better quality and play them with Morgan or Chaplow and that would be pretty good.

Edited 6 November, 2010 by georgeweahscousin

[NickG]

What don't you get Nick? Seaborne is not my fav I will admit but he struggles under pressure IMO. In the Championship he will be pressed and pressured quicker and more often. Martin has far more potential for me and looks more cultured and calm. He should be getting there by next season but he's still young! Raidhi is obviously getting towards the end of his career and NA doesn't seem to see him as first choice now so I doubt he would be in the champ!

 

Therefore I believe we need a decent CB if/when wevgo up in May.

 

eelpie's comment about we needed a CB in the summer. We didn't. Whether we will for championship if we go up is another thing - depends on how Seaborn and Martin develop

[MarkSFC]

eelpie's comment about we needed a CB in the summer. We didn't. Whether we will for championship if we go up is another thing - depends on how Seaborn and Martin develop

 

Ah, I see! Yeah We didn't need one in the summer, will next summer. Think Seaborne is is near his full potential!!

[spyinthesky]

A useful topic

 

i think our squad is not as geared up for a successful go at the Championship as many people think.

 

Would be interesting to see how the current team would (hypothetically) fare against the team that made the playoffs three years ago.

 

I suspect we are not as strong as Pompey are at the moment with their new acquisitions.

 

Having dispensed with Pulis, Forecast (if we can on his wonderfully negotiated 5 yr deal!!) Mills, Wotton,Jaidi, Holmes and Connolly, I would put question marks alongside Puncheon, Seaborne & Martin and possibly even Harding, Hammond and Schneiderlin.

 

Dickson I have not seen enough of the make a proper assessment.

 

Lambert (especially) and Barnard will be exposed by their lack of pace in the division.

 

Guly (if he stays) may possibly prosper.

 

Think we would need a midfielder a step up from Chaplow

 

All comes down to how much money is available.

 

If a reasonable wedge then, in my opinion, need to bring in:

 

Central Defender (possibly two)

Defensive Midfielder

Creative Midfielder

Left sided attacker

One Central striker

One 'support striker (with pace)

[CB Fry]

I'd say our strike force is better than Premier League megastars DJ Campbell and Brett Ormerod so yes, I think we are pretty well set up for the Championship. The squad, as it is now, and with a (our current) decent manager would finish comfortably in the middle of the Championship.

[CWD]

When did you last see Hammond with the ball at his feet and his head up?

 

To be fair to the bloke he has the most assists this season (well level with Lallana anyway)

[benjii]

There is plenty of dross in the Championship. More than enough to be reasonably confident of our current squad not being relegated, were it to be promoted.

 

Would they be good enough for top 2? No, not nearly, IMO. Would they be good enough for play-offs? Probably not quite but look where Leeds and Norwich are and look at some of the poor sides who have made the play-offs before.

 

It would only take one or two signings and some good management for us to go through the Championship. Much depends on who has been relegated the previous year. Last year it was three very weak teams meaning the likes of QPR and Cardiff's chances have increased signifcantly.