Are Brighton and Birmingham the real deal this season, or will they fade away ?

KevinMcallister

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great starts from both clubs

are they gonna be up there or fade away like Blackpool a few seasons ago?
 

Magic

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Both will do well but reckon two other teams will get automatic. Think both will be in the mix though
 

Madejski

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There's always one club that starts well and fades away, so at least one of them will..

Both clubs seem to be able to scrape wins atm, can't go like that forever. Still not sure how we lost at St Andrews on the opening day of the season, should have won comfortably.

Both will make top 8 though guaranteed. organised, solid units.
 

Dazza

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Can see Birmingham finishing in the playoffs. Think Brighton will finish about 10th.
 

JJH

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Birmingham were nothing special today, they just came up against a poorly organised side who clearly aren't up to it at this level currently.

Their front three can be potentially dangerous, with Cotterill and Gray occupying both flanks, but when you stand off them both and let them have the entire side of the pitch to run at the full back like they had today, they probably will look far better than they are in reality.

Decent side though, pleased for Rowett.
 

JoshBCFC

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IMO both will end up making the play-offs, but neither will go up. I think both teams are far, far, away from being BPL quality TBH.
 

AnkleBiter

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Very much doubt Birmingham will make a challenge but it's becoming hard to ignore Brighton, some really impressive results.
 

Costello

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If we were somehow able to start the same XI for every game this season, then I don't see why not - 5 wins and a draw from 6 says we're probably quite good. If - and it's likely to happen at some stage - we were to lose a key player such as Hemed, Kayal or LuaLua (incidentally suspended for our next game) for a lengthy period, that's when we'll find out whether we have the strength in depth to enable us to keep it going.

If the likes of Manu, Murphy, Goldson and a 34-year-old Zamora are any good then just maybe. I'd fear for our midfield without Kayal or Stephens though, as I don't think we have anyone else anywhere near as capable of holding midfield in the new 4-4-2 that's worked so well so far.

Birmingham look good, very impressed by everything I've seen from Rowett and his sides seem to have plenty of goals in them. Probably not as reliant on their defence as we are currently.
 

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We won't be in the promotion race, we've got a decent starting XI then after that there's very little, which is still amazing given what Rowett has had to work with. Picking up a few injuries in the winter will see us finish around mid-table, which will be another fantastic achievement. Just going to enjoy the current way he's got the side playing, very attack minded, very open, which inevitably leads to goals at both ends, always entertaining though.
 

big mean bunny

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Very early and you always get good starts from unexpected sides, and then teams that drop off so it's far too early to say. However it's great to see the start Birmingham have made in particular, for all the talk of spending and the league gone crazy. Birmingham have used what appears to be a very good young manager and smart signings to compete. As a football fan it's always great to see, as it gives hope to virtually all fans. For as good as there start has been, they are only 4 points ahead of the likes of Derby for example, who you would expect to improve their league position considerably.
 

Veggie Legs

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I don't expect Birmingham to keep up for the whole season, but Brighton are the real deal. Maybe not title contenders, but certainly in the promotion mix.
 

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Very much doubt Birmingham will make a challenge but it's becoming hard to ignore Brighton, some really impressive results.

Disagree. I think it's Brighton who will fade. I think, sadly, it could be Birmingham's season: Rowatt is a very good manager and they have made some canny signings. I predicted several months ago (can't find the post) that Birmingham, Forest and Wednesday would be good this season but then I think I also said Brighton would be relegated.
 
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SF_

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Way too early to judge really, no reason why they can get top 6 if they avoid injuries though, Birmingham don't seem to have too many options behind Donaldson so that could hurt them if he's out for a while. Don't know much about the Brighton team but Hughton knows how to grind out results in this league and this Hemed looks a great buy.
 
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These lot won't last around for long. Rowett looks a good manager, but the players are lower end Championship standard and will fall away to midtable.

Brighton's goals will soon dry up with Hughton's approach, but they could find themselves around the outer play off positions.

Gospel.
 
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Lower end Championship standard? I can see how you deliberated over your username.
Don't judge a book by its cover my Midland friend.

Bringing in the likes of Shane Lowry doesn't really scream out as a top championship player. I appreciate that's the situation Birmingham are in financially.

Just think Rowett has done a good job with the players available. I think if you looked at the squad cold before the beginning of the season, then anything above relegation would be a positive (although I do think there are three worse squads).

You think they will achieve the play-offs?
 

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Everyone said Burnley would fade 2 years ago because of their "wafer-thin squad lacking depth" and "shoestring budget" but they managed to avoid serious injuries until around 30 games had gone (both Ings and Vokes then got hurt) and managed to finish on 93 points for 2nd place.

There is NO reason why both Brighton and Blues cannot last the pace like Burnley did - provided they do not lose key players to long-term injury.
 

El Guapo

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Don't judge a book by its cover my Midland friend.

Bringing in the likes of Shane Lowry doesn't really scream out as a top championship player. I appreciate that's the situation Birmingham are in financially.

Just think Rowett has done a good job with the players available. I think if you looked at the squad cold before the beginning of the season, then anything above relegation would be a positive (although I do think there are three worse squads).

You think they will achieve the play-offs?
If we had the same starting IX playing every game, then yes. I am confident we would be there or thereabouts. We’ve only used 15 players after 5 games whereas clubs like Derby have used 24 already. Fatigue/injuries/suspensions to key players will probably see us lose momentum but we'll see.
 

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If we had the same starting IX playing every game, then yes. I am confident we would be there or thereabouts. We’ve only used 15 players after 5 games whereas clubs like Derby have used 24 already. Fatigue/injuries/suspensions to key players will probably see us lose momentum but we'll see.
If you're playing games with the same 9 men, you'll probably struggle.
 
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If we had the same starting IX playing every game, then yes. I am confident we would be there or thereabouts. We’ve only used 15 players after 5 games whereas clubs like Derby have used 24 already. Fatigue/injuries/suspensions to key players will probably see us lose momentum but we'll see.
Fair enough. I just think that's optimistic.

On paper I think we have a good first XI, but think we will end up about 9th.
 

El Guapo

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If you're playing games with the same 9 men, you'll probably struggle.
Touché

giphy.gif
 

Rammy

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If we had the same starting IX playing every game, then yes. I am confident we would be there or thereabouts. We’ve only used 15 players after 5 games whereas clubs like Derby have used 24 already. Fatigue/injuries/suspensions to key players will probably see us lose momentum but we'll see.

We've had a lot of injuries that contribute to that, but I sense Clement is needlessly chopping and changing to try and keep everyone happy. Playing Grant at the weekend was just bizarre. And although Warnock did well, there was no need to replace Forsyth.
 

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We've had a lot of injuries that contribute to that, but I sense Clement is needlessly chopping and changing to try and keep everyone happy. Playing Grant at the weekend was just bizarre. And although Warnock did well, there was no need to replace Forsyth.

Is Clement just not "Championship savvy"?
 

El Guapo

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Fair enough. I just think that's optimistic.

On paper I think we have a good first XI, but think we will end up about 9th.
Our starting XI has remained the same since we played you on the opening day.

Kuszczak, Caddis, Morrison, Spector, Grounds, Kieftenbeld, Gleeson, Cotterill, Toral, Gray, Donaldson

Hand on heart, who do you view as 'lower end Championship standard'?
 

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Our starting XI has remained the same since we played you on the opening day.

Kuszczak, Caddis, Morrison, Spector, Grounds, Kieftenbeld, Gleeson, Cotterill, Toral, Gray, Donaldson

Hand on heart, who do you view as 'lower end Championship standard'?
Caddis and Grounds. Don't really know anything about Kieftenbeld so can't comment.
 
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Our starting XI has remained the same since we played you on the opening day.

Kuszczak, Caddis, Morrison, Spector, Grounds, Kieftenbeld, Gleeson, Cotterill, Toral, Gray, Donaldson

Hand on heart, who do you view as 'lower end Championship standard'?

Just think the quality of the championship has improved. Would say the likes of Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Hull, Ipswich, Derby, Forest, Wolves, QPR, Brighton, Reading, Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday have arguably stronger XIs.

Without watching much of Birmingham, I would say:
Caddis, Morrison, Grounds, Gleeson and Cotterill are lower end championship players

Don't know enough about Kieftenbeld.
 
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Like people have said you can get through this division without having necessarily great players. #

Just look back when we won the Championship in 2011/12. Most of our players were extremely mediocre.

Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Roberts (ALF), Hunt
Pretty ordinary.
 

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Just think the quality of the championship has improved. Would say the likes of Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Hull, Ipswich, Derby, Forest, Wolves, QPR, Brighton, Reading, Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday have arguably stronger XIs.

Without watching much of Birmingham, I would say:
Caddis, Morrison, Grounds, Gleeson and Cotterill are lower end championship players

Don't know enough about Kieftenbeld.

Are Reading a lot better than when they were beaten by Crawley in late July?
 

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