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Championship season 2025/26

Football Special

By Football Special
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Football Special

Football Special

Posted
Posted (edited)

Focus starting to turn to next season and some interesting games to look forward to , 

- South Coast Derby,  seems such a long time since we were in the same division 

- another localish game, A34 derby with Oxford United, last time we were in the same division late 80s ? 

- Wrexham, aka Hollywood FC, we've hardly ever played them in our history, last time in same league 1959/60 , played then in league Cup 1979 , can't be many Saints fans who were at that. 

Who knows what will happen at Leicester financially, also Sheffield Wednesday (have they paid players yet?) 

few places still to be decided in relegation battle and league one play offs, some good potential trips with one of Wycombe, Stockport, Charlton, Orient or Reading to come up. 

Promoted Birmingham and Wrexham are expected to invest in playing squad, will be strong I think. 

No obvious clear favourites, I'd probably say Ipswich if they keep players and manager. 

 

Edited by Football Special
sfc4prem

sfc4prem

Posted
Posted

A lot will depend on the managerial appointment. Our squad is great for the Championship, even without KWP or Fernandes. 

We would, however, need to replace Ugochukwu (if we don't manage to pry him away from Chelsea on a permanent or loan basis) Ramsdale and Dibling should they leave.

We really could use a strong start to the season as the confidence of the fanbase is completely shot.

Some exciting games to look forward to, right?

Winnersaint

Winnersaint

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Football Special said:

 

- Wrexham, aka Hollywood FC, we've hardly ever played them in our history, last time in same league 1959/60 , played then in league Cup 1979 , can't be many Saints fans who were at that. 

 

 

FA Cup 5th Round 1974. They were in Division 3, but had some good players like Joey Jones and Arfon Griffiths along with a young Mickey Thomas on the bench. A young unheard striker called David Smallman scored the winner. I was there and easily as bad as anything served up by the current team.

  • Like 1
Barton Saint

Barton Saint

Posted
Posted

I was there too and it was incredibly disappointing as we had a great chance to get into the Quarterfinals at a time when the competition meant a lot more than today 

woodsaint1

woodsaint1

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

A lot will depend on the managerial appointment. Our squad is great for the Championship, even without KWP or Fernandes. 

We would, however, need to replace Ugochukwu (if we don't manage to pry him away from Chelsea on a permanent or loan basis) Ramsdale and Dibling should they leave.

We really could use a strong start to the season as the confidence of the fanbase is completely shot.

Some exciting games to look forward to, right?

We already have a replacement for Big Les in Shea Charles. Him and Downes under the right coach could be a formidable partnership in the Championship (in a 4-2-3-1 especially)

  • Like 1
sfc4prem

sfc4prem

Posted
Posted
22 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

We already have a replacement for Big Les in Shea Charles. Him and Downes under the right coach could be a formidable partnership in the Championship (in a 4-2-3-1 especially)

Good point, I'd forgotten about Shea. Seems to have done well for Wednesday by all accounts.

trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted
17 minutes ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

Am I the only one who thinks Saints struggle to stay up next season?

I've got an awful feeling the the season isn't going to go the way many hope it will. 😕

Yes, you are the only one; But at least you'll get to play your "told you so" card if the unlikely was to happen, and fingers crossed nobody quotes this post back at you when it doesn't... ;)

  • Like 1
Saint86

Saint86

Posted
Posted (edited)
26 minutes ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

Am I the only one who thinks Saints struggle to stay up next season?

I've got an awful feeling the the season isn't going to go the way many hope it will. 😕

But would you take 17th place if offered it right now? 🤔

Edited by Saint86
Pamplemousse

Pamplemousse

Posted
Posted

Luton look like staying up which is good news.

Hopefully Hull go down, long way to go. And one of Sunderland/Middlesbrough going up would be appreciated for the same reasons.

And likewise I hope the League 1 play off winners are not Stockport as the other three are all southern.

It does look like there aren't as many northern teams as last time in any case. There were a lot of lengthy journeys last time around!

  • Like 1
leesaint88

leesaint88

Posted
Posted

I really can't predict what will happen next year, as mentioned I think we'll have a better idea once we have a new manager and know what the team will look like. I do however think Birmingham will win the league with Ipswich going up in second, which leaves us in the playoffs picture with a dozen or so other teams. 

revolution saint

revolution saint

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, leesaint88 said:

I really can't predict what will happen next year, as mentioned I think we'll have a better idea once we have a new manager and know what the team will look like. I do however think Birmingham will win the league with Ipswich going up in second, which leaves us in the playoffs picture with a dozen or so other teams. 

That's one hell of a non-prediction, I'd love to see what happens when you're certain of something.

  • Haha 5
leesaint88

leesaint88

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, revolution saint said:

That's one hell of a non-prediction, I'd love to see what happens when you're certain of something.

I've had a shocker there...

  • Like 2
  • Haha 3
sadoldgit

sadoldgit

Posted
Posted
22 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

It would be nice for us to actually target the title rather than simple promotion. 

Wouldn’t it be refreshing for us to be the team that stormed away with it.

It would be, but it hasn’t happened in the 60 years I have been supporting the club so I’m not holding my breath. My guess is another play off or a shaky second place.

Badger

Badger

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

Luton look like staying up which is good news.

Hopefully Hull go down, long way to go. And one of Sunderland/Middlesbrough going up would be appreciated for the same reasons.

And likewise I hope the League 1 play off winners are not Stockport as the other three are all southern.

It does look like there aren't as many northern teams as last time in any case. There were a lot of lengthy journeys last time around!

How many tickets do we get for Luton ? Horrible place from my visit in the 80’s so was hoping for them and Derby to go down.

Hull was a decent away day last time. I’m hoping they stay up, although have my doubts they’ll achieve it.

Coming up, shame about Wrexham, and all the bollocks that surround them. Am hoping for Wycombe, but it appears they’ve blown it. Charlton (nice work Nathan), or Orient are the possible of course.

Perhaps we can secure a third promotion to the top flight at Brisbane Road (or whatever they call it now). 

Badger

Badger

Posted
Posted
22 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

Good point, I'd forgotten about Shea. Seems to have done well for Wednesday by all accounts.

Was their Player of the Season.

 

Badger

Badger

Posted
Posted
On 27/04/2025 at 17:25, Winnersaint said:

FA Cup 5th Round 1974. They were in Division 3, but had some good players like Joey Jones and Arfon Griffiths along with a young Mickey Thomas on the bench. A young unheard striker called David Smallman scored the winner. I was there and easily as bad as anything served up by the current team.

 

23 hours ago, Barton Saint said:

I was there too and it was incredibly disappointing as we had a great chance to get into the Quarterfinals at a time when the competition meant a lot more than today 

Remember that match. Even after that though no one saw relegation around the corner, most thought we were mid table.

Think we signed Osgood about a month after the Wrexham match as well. 

SW5 SAINT

SW5 SAINT

Posted
Posted
On 27/04/2025 at 17:25, Winnersaint said:

FA Cup 5th Round 1974. They were in Division 3, but had some good players like Joey Jones and Arfon Griffiths along with a young Mickey Thomas on the bench. A young unheard striker called David Smallman scored the winner. I was there and easily as bad as anything served up by the current team.

Following that defeat our form completely collapsed, and we were relegated…

Teamsaint1

Teamsaint1

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, SW5 SAINT said:

Following that defeat our form completely collapsed, and we were relegated…

We could do with replicating the result from the final day of that season. 

  • Like 1
CSA96

CSA96

Posted
Posted

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes put on gardening leave for unauthorised talks with WBA over their vacant manager's job

SNSUN

SNSUN

Posted
Posted
On 28/04/2025 at 21:06, Badger said:

Was their Player of the Season.

 

I'm pleased... I voted for him. :ninja:

  • 3 weeks later...
m4

m4

Posted
Posted

Leicester getting smacked with 3 charges and facing likely points deduction is cracking news for us. 

  • Like 1
disconnect

disconnect

Posted
Posted

Leicester to finally get their punishment? Don't know how they skipped out of it last time, but due to the history of lack of punishments, I wouldn't hold my breath it'll happen anytime soon. Weren't Ipswich also looking quite dodgy, along with Birmingham (net spend ~£30m in League One!)?

  • Like 1
Hatch

Hatch

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, m4 said:

Leicester getting smacked with 3 charges and facing likely points deduction is cracking news for us. 

we will only finish second bottom now!    rejoice!

 

 

  • Confused 1
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Football Special said:

Point deduction would be next season which is much more useful 

Would greatly improve our chances of promotion. Not having to contend with Leicester means Ipswich and us will have a giant advantage over every other team, particularly if Sheffield United go up. 

  • Like 1
Football Special

Football Special

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Would greatly improve our chances of promotion. Not having to contend with Leicester means Ipswich and us will have a giant advantage over every other team, particularly if Sheffield United go up. 

To be honest Leicester could have had 10 point deduction this season and still finished above us so don't be complacent! 

The interesting ones will be Birmingham and Wrexham, if they spend big I think they'll be up there 

 

  • Like 2
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, Football Special said:

To be honest Leicester could have had 10 point deduction this season and still finished above us so don't be complacent! 

The interesting ones will be Birmingham and Wrexham, if they spend big I think they'll be up there 

 

Sounds like a 12 point deduction with the premier league pushing for more. With that size deduction they won't be able to attract the calibre of player that others will. I'd be very confident we would finish above them in that scenario. 

sockeye

sockeye

Posted
Posted

Absolutely buzzing for next season. Of course ourselves, Ipswich and Leicester will be fighting for promotion but I expect Wrexham and Birmingham will make a good fist of it too. A few big name play off stragglers like Coventry, West Brom, Sunderland will be up there and if the rumours of the Walton family buying Sheffield Wednesday are true they may well pick up as well. Not to mention the derby too. It'll be a breath of fresh air after this disaster of a season.

Saint86

Saint86

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, sockeye said:

Absolutely buzzing for next season. Of course ourselves, Ipswich and Leicester will be fighting for promotion but I expect Wrexham and Birmingham will make a good fist of it too. A few big name play off stragglers like Coventry, West Brom, Sunderland will be up there and if the rumours of the Walton family buying Sheffield Wednesday are true they may well pick up as well. Not to mention the derby too. It'll be a breath of fresh air after this disaster of a season.

It is going to be a very competitive season next year.

  • Like 1
OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Posted
Posted
On 28/04/2025 at 07:42, Pamplemousse said:

Luton look like staying up which is good news.

Hopefully Hull go down, long way to go. And one of Sunderland/Middlesbrough going up would be appreciated for the same reasons.

And likewise I hope the League 1 play off winners are not Stockport as the other three are all southern.

It does look like there aren't as many northern teams as last time in any case. There were a lot of lengthy journeys last time around!

At time of writing, it really didn't work out for those that like to go to some away games. Luton and Cardiff off the menu. Good news is Coventry and Bristol City are still in the same league and wouldn't it be good to play Charlton? Mad Nate is getting madder.

UpweySaint

UpweySaint

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Football Special said:

To be honest Leicester could have had 10 point deduction this season and still finished above us so don't be complacent! 

The interesting ones will be Birmingham and Wrexham, if they spend big I think they'll be up there 

 

Probably a question for another space but does anyone know where Birmingham stand with having headroom to spend? Wrexham have massive revenues from rapid commercial growth but Birmingham don’t and spent big last season. 

It will be interesting to see how both do but the step up from league one to championship is a steep one and Birmingham were dross when they went down…

macca155

macca155

Posted
Posted

The Championship is a mental league. Even in lower mid table you are probably 2 wins from a play off place.

If you start listing the contenders, you'll be well into double figures.

In no particular order

Ipswich, Saints, Leicester, Sheffield/Sunderland , Bristol, Coventry, WBA, Norwich, Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Wrexham, Birmingham, and Sheffield Wed

You can guarantee one or two of the other teams will put a run together, like Millwall did this year.

It all adds up to a pretty difficult league to predict.

Ipswich are probably favourites, but after that it will depend on what sort of summer the other contenders have.

  • Like 2
Hatch

Hatch

Posted
Posted
21 hours ago, Football Special said:

Point deduction would be next season which is much more useful 

thats what i meant,  

Andy Hill

Andy Hill

Posted
Posted

Hopefully we will recruit some quality (and a proven striker) and also take on a Manager who is capable of building both mental and physical strength into his team. If so, then we should be in decent shape to complete.

  • Like 1
  • 4 weeks later...
sockeye

sockeye

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Fall-outs over the new owner’s AI-driven player recruitment policy https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/chris-wilder-on-brink-championship-10260063?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1749736133

Quote

In January, they made two signings based on their AI model: Nigerian forward Christian Nwachukwu, 19, from Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria and Peruvian winger Jefferson Caceres, 22, from FBC Melgar for undisclosed fees. Neither of them featured in the second half of the season.

The closest they got to action was Caceres being an unused sub at Stoke in April.

This week, they have completed the signing of Nigerian winger Ehije Ukaki, also from Botev Plovdiv. The Sheffield Star reported: "Links with 21-year-old FC Sion defender Gora Diouf have all the hallmarks of another data-led signing."

As crap as Sport Republic's recruitment has been, this is on another level.

  • Like 3
Turkish

Turkish

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Fall-outs over the new owner’s AI-driven player recruitment policy https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/chris-wilder-on-brink-championship-10260063?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1749736133

and it sounded like it was going well

 

In January, they made two signings based on their AI model: Nigerian forward Christian Nwachukwu, 19, from Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria and Peruvian winger Jefferson Caceres, 22, from FBC Melgar for undisclosed fees. Neither of them featured in the second half of the season.

The closest they got to action was Caceres being an unused sub at Stoke in April.

  • Haha 1
skintsaint

skintsaint

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Turkish said:

and it sounded like it was going well

 

In January, they made two signings based on their AI model: Nigerian forward Christian Nwachukwu, 19, from Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria and Peruvian winger Jefferson Caceres, 22, from FBC Melgar for undisclosed fees. Neither of them featured in the second half of the season.

The closest they got to action was Caceres being an unused sub at Stoke in April.

Sounds like they need a random Turkish team to loan them out to.

HarvSFC

HarvSFC

Posted
Posted

How has football got to a point where owners believe physically scouting a player isn't important. Just looking at numbers on a spreadsheet and making your decision from that. 

  • Like 1
Farmer Saint

Farmer Saint

Posted
Posted
On 27/04/2025 at 23:10, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

Am I the only one who thinks Saints struggle to stay up next season?

I've got an awful feeling the the season isn't going to go the way many hope it will. 😕

Why so different to the last time we went down?

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