Championship odds

[New Kid on the Block]

No chance if SP is still in charge.

[Plodder]

Most supporters, other than football obsessives, know a lot about their own teams, and precious little about other teams, even those in the same division. The Premier League is a slight exception, with saturation TV coverage, so we know more about other teams, but even so, it takes some thought for me to name more than 2-3 players from clubs such as Everton, Aston Villa, WBA etc.  How many of us could name a single Reading, Preston North End or Coventry City player, for example? Most supporters tend to overestimate their own team's chances as a result. It is very hard to get a realistic expectation at this stage.  The bookies tend to back relegated teams on the basis that they have players with Premier League experience, and the parachute payments gives the relegated clubs more buying power. However, I have not seen any Championship games this season, so I have no idea of how good each team is, and how we compare.  Let's "take each game as it comes", as they say.

Also, it is time to cheer myself up by enjoying the Euros, British & Irish Lions, Olympics and Test match cricket after a disappointing Fulham season.

[filham]

We have just lost our seven loan players and they have been among the regular starters since signing. How can we possibly be made favourites.

Now if Brentford fail in the play off final surely they will be the team to watch.

[clarkey]

Ream might have had a good game on Saturday, sad thing was we played on Sunday.

What game did he play on Saturday was it Monopoly ?

[The Rational Fan]

I cannot be glum at the moment as we have been relegated with a better squad than last time. We can be successful again but there are a lot of games to play

This is true. I also would argue that there is literally more of a squad than in 2019. We can actually put together a promotion level back 8 without needing to bring anyone in. In some instances there are actually bench players to use in those positions too!!!

The real question is which of Reed, Tosin, AR, Tete, Kongolo, Mitro, TC, and Bryan are going to be sold or loaned for various reasons.

Our First XI should be mostly made of the 13 players that TK has signed up for until 2024 including Rodak; Tete, Robinson/Bryan; Adarabioyo, Kongolo; Reed, Anguissa/Cairney, Onomah; Reid, Cavaleiro, and Mitrovic.

The rest of the other 15 squad players should stay until we are promoted again including Betts, Fabri; Christie, Odoi, S.Sess; Hector, Mawson, MLM, Ream; KMac, Seri, Stefjo; Knockaert, Kamara, and Kebano.

After 2022, most of the players of recruits of 2018 will have been paid off so we can reinvest in the squad with a long-term view, and sell off anyone that isn't part of the next 2-3 year plan.

I am less concerned about contractual issues and more about which of the players I listed will be bought into the cause so to speak. Don't think the club have to sell any, but are any going to be problems if they stick around?

Unlike this season where TK let Seri rot outside of the 25 man squad, not sure the club could financially afford to let Mitro, et al to take the season off mentally. At the championship level it could handicap other aspects of the 21-22 season team building.

This team has 13 quality players contracted to 2024, they need to understand their path to the Premier League is via getting Fulham promoted or getting Fulham's player of the year leading to a massive transfer fee. If we start moving players on to better leagues that aren't motivated for the fight (like Seri), then expect all the other players to follow (i.e. Tete, Tosin, Reed and Anguissa). Once, a culture of unmotivated players leaving is established, its hard to break. If Seri doesn't want to play in the championship, then can play in League One.

[WolverineFFC]

I cannot be glum at the moment as we have been relegated with a better squad than last time. We can be successful again but there are a lot of games to play

This is true. I also would argue that there is literally more of a squad than in 2019. We can actually put together a promotion level back 8 without needing to bring anyone in. In some instances there are actually bench players to use in those positions too!!!

The real question is which of Reed, Tosin, AR, Tete, Kongolo, Mitro, TC, and Bryan are going to be sold or loaned for various reasons.

Our First XI should be mostly made of the 13 players that TK has signed up for until 2024 including Rodak; Tete, Robinson/Bryan; Adarabioyo, Kongolo; Reed, Anguissa/Cairney, Onomah; Reid, Cavaleiro, and Mitrovic.

The rest of the other 15 squad players should stay until we are promoted again including Betts, Fabri; Christie, Odoi, S.Sess; Hector, Mawson, MLM, Ream; KMac, Seri, Stefjo; Knockaert, Kamara, and Kebano.

After 2022, most of the players of recruits of 2018 will have been paid off so we can reinvest in the squad with a long-term view, and sell off anyone that isn't part of the next 2-3 year plan.

I am less concerned about contractual issues and more about which of the players I listed will be bought into the cause so to speak. Don't think the club have to sell any, but are any going to be problems if they stick around?

Unlike this season where TK let Seri rot outside of the 25 man squad, not sure the club could financially afford to let Mitro, et al to take the season off mentally. At the championship level it could handicap other aspects of the 21-22 season team building.

This team has 13 quality players contracted to 2024, they need to understand their path to the Premier League is via getting Fulham promoted or getting Fulham's player of the year leading to a massive transfer fee. If we start moving players on to better leagues that aren't motivated for the fight (like Seri), then expect all the other players to follow (i.e. Tete, Tosin, Reed and Anguissa). Once, a culture of unmotivated players leaving is established, its hard to break. If Seri doesn't want to play in the championship, then can play in League One.

In theory I agree. Why I thought making Seri rot when the club did not get a reasonable offer for him was a good decision last season.

If top leagues are offering acceptable transfers for the players you mention, it is naive to think you are going to be able to motivate and hold those players long term.

That being said, I will be disappointed if the club loan out a large number of the players like they did FZA 2 yrs ago. Hopefully they will make it clear that if your contract is with the club, you will play for the club.