Info / prediction

[Ciderup]

Nicked from downstairs:
Team Name:
Bristol City F.C.
Ground and capacity:
Ashton Gate, 27,000, at last! 2,700 away capacity I believe but don't know yet.
New signings:
Lee Tomlin (~£3M, Bournemouth), Hordor Magnusson (£3M, Juventus), Callum O'Dowda (~£1.5M, Oxford), Gary O'Neill (free, Norwich), Josh Brownhill (£Undisclosed, PNE), Ivan Lucic ( £Undisclosed, Bayern Munich), Adam Matthews (Sunderland) plus 5 development players.
Linked with:
Tammy Abraham - Chelsea, Alfie Mawson - Barnsley, Bradley Dack - Gillingham.
Most Important Player:
Jonathan Kodjia- fook off and leave him alone!
One to Watch this season:
Callum O'Dowda or Joe Bryan
Best Player:
Lee Tomlin
Worst Player:
This is hard, Luke Freeman, talented though he definitely is, hasn't stepped up to this level yet.
Game Looking forward to Most:
Newcastle United away and another visit to Sam Jacks.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
Ross McCormack. Fulham. An absolute wanker but some player!
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Burton but I am on holiday so am missing it.
End of Season Prediction:
10th- 12th (More than acceptable in my opinion)
Champions:
Newcastle United

 

[Rammy]

Team Name:
Derby County F.C.
Ground and capacity:
Pride Park Stadium. Officially 33,600, with segregation 33,010
New signings:
None
Linked with:
Jonathan Kodjia, every Nigel Pearson Leicester player ever, James Chester
Most Important Player:
Will Hughes – Supposed £25m asking fee means little chance of him going anywhere.
One to Watch this season:
Tom Ince – Got a feeling he’s going to have an outstanding season.
Best Player:
Will Hughes
Worst Player:
Possibly Nick Blackman, but he’s apparently looked good in pre-season.
Game Looking forward to Most:
Beating Forest.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
Assombalonga. Because he’s decent and it’d upset the Forest fans.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Meh. I’ll just say going to Barnsley again, given I know I’m more than likely actually going to that one.
End of Season Prediction:
3rd-6th Tough league this time, with automatics out of sight imo
Champions:
Newcastle United

 

[SF_]

Team Name:
Preston North End
Ground and capacity:
Deepdale, 23,404
New signings:
Chris Maxwell (Fleetwood, Free), Anders Lindegaard (West Brom, Free), Tommy Spurr (Blackburn, Free), Ben Pringle (Fulham, Undisclosed), Adam Robinson (First Year Pro), Callum Robinson (Compensation, Aston Villa), Eoin Doyle (Unidisclosed, Cardiff), Simon Makeinok (Palermo, Loan)
Linked with:
Right Backs, Marnick Vermijl mainly.
Most Important Player:
Jermaine Beckford
One to Watch this season:
Ben Pringle & Daniel Johnson
Best Player:
Paul Gallagher
Worst Player:
Ben Davies, only young but don't think he will cut it at this level, hope i'm wrong.
Game Looking forward to Most:
No derby games so probably Aston Villa away.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
Ross McCormack, prolific goal scorer and produces moments of magic. I also like Chris Martin at Derby.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Craven Cottage, couldn't go last season and it's likely to be Gentry Day this year.
End of Season Prediction:
Solid mid-table again.
Champions:
Newcastle United

 

[Magic]

Team Name:
Leeds United
Ground and capacity:
Elland Road, 37,900
New signings:
Rob Green (Free), Kyle Bartley (Swansea, Loan), Matt Grimes (Swansea, Loan), Marcus Antonsson (Kalmar, ~£1.5m), Hadi Sacko (Sporting Lisbon, Loan), Kemar Roofe (Oxford United, ~£2.5m)
Linked with:
Liam Bridcutt, Leon Osman, loads of other shite we won't sign.
Most Important Player:
Charlie Taylor - shortly to depart.
One to Watch this season:
Kemar Roofe. Can see him stepping up to this level and doing well.
Best Player:
Charlie Taylor but once he goes, we'll have lost our best two. Yay. Hard to say after that...could be Roofe but atm I guess not much between Berardi, Dallas, Diagouraga and Wood. Mowatt on his day. No standouts though.
Worst Player:
Of the players who actually play, Luke Murphy is a bit of a waste of space. Just mehhhhhh.
Game Looking forward to Most:
None really.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
Forestieri. Proper number 10 even though we need defenders more urgently.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Burton's a new one.
End of Season Prediction:
Same again. 12th-16th.
Champions:
Newcastle United

 

[Craig]

Team Name:
Barnsley Football Club
Ground and capacity:
Oakwell - 23,009
New signings:
Andy Yiadom (Free-Barnet), Tom Bradshaw (£Undisclosed-Walsall), George Moncur (£Undisclosed-Colchester), Elliot Lee (£Undisclosed-West Ham), Ryan Kent (Loan-Liverpool), Stefan Payne (Dover-Free) plus a few players for the development squad such as Elliot Kebbie and Dylan Mottley-Henry
Linked with:
Don't pay much mind to rumours.
Most Important Player:
Adam Hammill - second spell at the club and pretty much spearheaded our excellent second half of last season.
One to Watch this season:
Hard to say but Tom Bradshaw is having a great pre-season and seems to be thriving on the way we play.
Best Player:
Adam Hammill
Worst Player:
We don't have anyone I wouldn't want here at the moment but if you're going to push me then Lewin Nyatanga is going to struggle to muscle Marc Roberts and Alfie Mawson out of the first team.
Game Looking forward to Most:
All the Yorkshire derbies and Derby and Forest. Also Newcastle at Oakwell, fantastic set of fans.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
Lee Tomlin. From what I hear he's better than Messi.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Villa Park. Never been.
End of Season Prediction:
16th-20th but hoping for a 96/97-esque effort.
Champions:
Newcastle United. Can see them doing exactly what they did last time they were down here.

 

[Nuttall]

Team Name:
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club
Ground and capacity:
Hillsborough (Official - 39732) (SYP- 36000)
New signings:
Stephen Fletcher (Sunderland - Free)
Linked with:
Daniel Pudil (Watford) Almen Abdi (Watford - Medical Passed approx £4million)
Most Important Player:
Fernando Forrestieri, i dont really need to explain this
One to Watch this season:
I'd say Marco Matias, scored the one spectacular goal last season against Leeds but was mostly injured, look really good in pre-season
Best Player:
Fernando Forrestieri
Worst Player:
We have a few that i'd rather not have, Jeremy Helan, Liam Palmer, Claude Dielna, Sergiu Bus, take your pick. Of the players who actually play i'd go with Jack Hunt
Game Looking forward to Most:
Play-Off Final
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
erm...a good centre back, cant think of one
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Villa Park
End of Season Prediction:
4th
Champions:
Newcastle United.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Team Name:
Aston Villa FC
Ground and capacity:
Villa Park - 42,785 (reduced by 3,500 this season due to closure of the Trinity Road upper, so 39,285)
New signings:
Tommy Elphick (£3million - Bournemouth), Pierluigi Gollini (Free - Hellas Verona), Aaron Tshibola (~£5million - Reading)
Linked with:
Most of Reading's good players, Kodija, Ravel Morrison, Ross McCormack.
Most Important Player:
Erm...
One to Watch this season:
Any of our youngsters. Gardner might finally break through, Green, Toner, Hepburn-Murphy... Take your pick.
Best Player:
Erm...
Worst Player:
Guzan (about to leave), Lescott, Richards (hopefully about to leave)...
Game Looking forward to Most:
The Small Heath games of course.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
A decent creative midfielder would be nice.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Ashton Gate
End of Season Prediction:
6th
Champions:
Newcastle United

 

[City169]

Won't quote to save space, but Tomlin fee was nearer £2m. Ciderup
Ones to watch for me this season are O'Dowda and Jonny Smith. The latter will be bit part, but looks a very good prospect.

 

[Reaper]

Team Name:
Rotherham Utd
Ground and Capacity:
AESSEAL New York Stadium - 12,021
New Signings:
Anthony Forde (Free - Walsall), Lewis Price (Free - Sheff Wed), Jake Forster-Caskey (Season Loan - Brighton), Will Vaulks (300k - Falkirk)
Linked with:
Too many to mention.
Most important player:
Lee Camp as he saves us alot of points by making vital saves.
One to watch this season:
Joe Newell and Will Vaulks
Best player:
Lee Camp
Worst player:
Got rid of all the shite from last season but i think Stephen Kelly might be a weak link with his lack of pace.
Game looking forward to most:
Newcastle away
One player you would take from any team and why:
Ross McCormack - bit of a goal machine.
Stadium looking forward to visiting:
St James Park
End of season prediction:
As it stands 23rd but i think we'll make a few good signing in next couple weeks and probably survive again hopefully!
Champions:
Newcastle

 

[Rammy]

If Lee Camp is your best player, then you're in big big trouble!

 

[Reaper]

If Lee Camp is your best player, then you're in big big trouble!

Was our best player last season and we did alright, infact if we had him from the very start last season we would have survived alot more comfortable than we did.

 

[91SPP]

Team Name:
Derby County F.C.
Ground and capacity:
Pride Park Stadium. Officially 33,600, with segregation 33,010
New signings:
None
Linked with:
James Chester, James Wilson, David Nugent, Matty James, Ritchie De Laet, Jonathan Kodjia
Most Important Player:
Will Hughes' form when he came back from injury was insane. I'm hopeful he will get a full season injury-free to show his development.
One to Watch this season:
Aside from Hughes, I'd say Tom Ince and perhaps Darren Bent. If the latter can get more game time then I wouldn't be surprised to see him score more often than not.
Best Player:
Will Hughes.
Worst Player:
Chris Baird.
Game Looking forward to Most:
Notts Forest.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
It's a tricky one this. I think Oliver Norwood would be a shrewd signing to cover Thorne when he's injured.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
I haven't been Villa for ages; it should be a very good away day!
End of Season Prediction:
I'd be surprised if we finished outside the play-offs, but I don't know if we've quite got enough for the top two. I'll say 3rd-5th.
Champions:
Brighton.

 

[JJH]

Team Name:
Derby County F.C.
Ground and capacity:
Pride Park Stadium. Officially 33,600, with segregation 33,010
New signings:
None
Linked with:
James Chester, James Wilson, David Nugent, Matty James, Ritchie De Laet, Jonathan Kodjia
Most Important Player:
Will Hughes' form when he came back from injury was insane. I'm hopeful he will get a full season injury-free to show his development.
One to Watch this season:
Aside from Hughes, I'd say Tom Ince and perhaps Darren Bent. If the latter can get more game time then I wouldn't be surprised to see him score more often than not.
Best Player:
Will Hughes.
Worst Player:
Chris Baird.
Game Looking forward to Most:
Notts Forest.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
It's a tricky one this. I think Oliver Norwood would be a shrewd signing to cover Thorne when he's injured.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
I haven't been Villa for ages; it should be a very good away day!
End of Season Prediction:
I'd be surprised if we finished outside the play-offs, but I don't know if we've quite got enough for the top two. I'll say 3rd-5th.
Champions:
Brighton.

Where have Derby been linked with Kodjia?

 

[Craig]

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/tra...bristol-city/story-29362676-detail/story.html

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/champi...ked-possible/story-29362827-detail/story.html

 

[Woodworm]

Team Name:
Fulham
Ground and Capacity
Craven Cottage, 25,700
New Signings:
Kevin McDonald, Wolves. Tomas Kalas (Loan) Chelsea. Scott Malone, Cardiff. Sone Aluko, free. Floyd Ayite, Bastia. David Button, Brenford. Denis Odoi, Lokeren. Michael Madl, Sturm Graz
Alex Fernandez, Faurlin, Steve Mounie, Eddie Silvestre, Muhamed Keita, Richard Keough.
Most Important Player:
Ross McCormack
One to Watch this season:
Floyd Ayite is meant to be pretty exciting.
Best Player:
Ross McCormack and once he has left Tom Cairney
Worst Player:
In my opinion Ryan Tunnicliffe
Game Looking forward to most:
The obvious QPR away - we always win or go close it seems
One player you would take from any other team in the league:
Dwight Gayle - will be a goal machine this season
Stadium most looking forward to visiting:
Burton
End of Season Prediction
Slight improvement for sure so midtable.
Champions:
Newcastle

 

[JJH]

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/tra...bristol-city/story-29362676-detail/story.html

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/champi...ked-possible/story-29362827-detail/story.html

Linked on the 5th of June by a national newspaper (referenced), nice.

 

[Craig]

Sorry JJH. I didn't realise you were looking for specific criteria with regards to these links. Have a recent one.. http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/tra...-over-future/story-29548182-detail/story.html

Hell, have two... http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/jonath...ltenham-town/story-29551191-detail/story.html

 

[JJH]

Sorry JJH. I didn't realise you were looking for specific criteria with regards to these links. Have a recent one.. http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/tra...-over-future/story-29548182-detail/story.html

Hell, have two... http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/jonath...ltenham-town/story-29551191-detail/story.html

Ah, sound, so the foundation of the rumour still comes from The Sun back in early June. Cheers.

 

[Craig]

You asked where has Kodjia been linked to Derby. I provided links to the link you requested. The validity of that link you may find questionable, but really is no more questionable than 99% of players being linked with other clubs.

You seem a little het up that Derby have been linked with Kodjia if you don't mind me saying so.

 

[JJH]

You asked where has Kodjia been linked to Derby. I provided links to the link you requested. The validity of that link you may find questionable, but really is no more questionable than 99% of players being linked with other clubs.

You seem a little het up that Derby have been linked with Kodjia if you don't mind me saying so.

Was just curious as to whether I'd missed something recently that was coming from Derby's end. Clearly I haven't, as you were.

 

[Craig]

 

[SamScfc]

Touchy, touchy.

 

[Madejski]

Team Name:
Reading FC
Ground and capacity:
Madejski Stadium. 24,161
New signings:
Danzell Gravenberch, Joey van den Berg, Joseph Mendes, Anssi Jaakkola, John Swift, Roy Beerens
Linked with:
Rafael van der Vaart, Adam Reach, Jacob Murphy
Most Important Player:
Paul McShane
One to Watch this season:
Roy Beerens (based purely on what i've heard about him / seen)
Best Player:
Paul McShane
Worst Player:
Jonathan Bond (harsh)
Game Looking forward to Most:
Probably the last one as I can't see the season being too entertaining. It is Burton away too
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why?:
Ross McCormack. Best player in the league last season, and plays in our weakest position
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Madejski.. or Pirelli
End of Season Prediction:
17th
Champions:
Newcastle United

 

[Haillay7]

Team Name:
Newcastle United
Ground and capacity:
St. James' Park - 52,400
New signings:
Mat Selz (£5M) Jesus Gamez (Free) Dwight Gayle (£10M) Matt Ritchie (£10M) Isaac Hayden (£2.5M) Grant Hanley (£5M)
Linked with:
Every young English midfielder under the sun (Pritchard/Hughes etc.)
Most Important Player:
Lascelles. One player to have shown any character/leadership last year and most likely to be captain this year.
One to Watch this season:
With all the talk of Ritchie and Gayle, Mitrovic has a massive season ahead of him.
Best Player:
We have a lot of players that are average to good with no one really standing out at the min - Perez for me.
Worst Player:
Riviere. Not important enough to have any links away - will probably leave under the radar.
Game Looking forward to Most:
Leeds at Elland Rd. Birthday weekend.
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why
Will Hughes/Lewis Dunk. Both positions we massively need strenghening in.
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
Pirelli
End of Season Prediction:
Anywhere between top and 6th
Champions:
Love to be able to say ourselves but I can't bring myself to temp fate - Sheffield Wed.

 

[SMH]

Team Name:
Wigan Athletic
Ground and capacity:
DW Stadium - 25,138 (Away End - 5,000)
New signings:
Alex Gilbey, Stephen Warnock, Nick Powell, Dan Burn, Jake Buxton (all free bar Gilbey's compo)
Linked with:
Most recently Joe Garner
Most Important Player:
Will Grigg for his goals
One to Watch this season:
Yanic Wildschut, his pace and strength will be one of if not our biggest weapon in this league.
Best Player:
When he's on his game it has to be Nick Powell. Only player we have that has proven his class at this level.
Worst Player:
Probably Tim Chow although Dan Burn has looked very dodgy in pre season and fans are not happy with him
Game Looking forward to Most:
Fulham Away. Brilliant away day and will make up slightly for the loss of Blackpool
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why
Ross McCormack and his guaranteed goals
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
A long overdue first visit to St James Park
End of Season Prediction:
Based on last season I can see us being the draw specialists of the division. Strong attack & weak defence. 17th
Champions:
Newcastle United

 

[Ciderup]

Team Name:
Wigan Athletic
Ground and capacity:
DW Stadium - 25,138 (Away End - 5,000)
New signings:
Alex Gilbey, Stephen Warnock, Nick Powell, Dan Burn, Jake Buxton (all free bar Gilbey's compo)
Linked with:
Most recently Joe Garner
Most Important Player:
Will Grigg for his goals
One to Watch this season:
Yanic Wildschut, his pace and strength will be one of if not our biggest weapon in this league.
Best Player:
When he's on his game it has to be Nick Powell. Only player we have that has proven his class at this level.
Worst Player:
Probably Tim Chow although Dan Burn has looked very dodgy in pre season and fans are not happy with him
Game Looking forward to Most:
Fulham Away. Brilliant away day and will make up slightly for the loss of Blackpool
One Player you would take from any other team in the league and why
Ross McCormack and his guaranteed goals
Stadium most looking forward to Visiting:
A long overdue first visit to St James Park
End of Season Prediction:
Based on last season I can see us being the draw specialists of the division. Strong attack & weak defence. 17th
Champions:
Newcastle United

Do Wigan fans realise that the 'Will Grigg's on fire' song was actually started 3 years ago by Stevenage about Luke Freeman?

 

[Haillay7]

We've been singing it about Mitrovic since last pre-season too. Is it bad the whole craze wound me up during the euros?

 

[SMH]

You lot may have found the song first but did either of you send it viral?

I can't even remember how on earth it went so big so quick. Blackpool away I guess was where it really took off because of the videos people put on social media of us singing it in Manchester Bar. Then people found the video of the Wigan fan in his bedroom singing it with the tambourine and the rest is history really! I got bored of it at the Euros as well, for what it's worth. Free publicity and revenue for the club though so can't really complain.

Moral of the story, next time a set of fans create a catchy song about their player, get a video of said fans singing it together posted on social media fast before someone else steals it.

 

[Ciderup]

You lot may have found the song first but did either of you send it viral?

I can't even remember how on earth it went so big so quick. Blackpool away I guess was where it really took off because of the videos people put on social media of us singing it in Manchester Bar. Then people found the video of the Wigan fan in his bedroom singing it with the tambourine and the rest is history really! I got bored of it at the Euros as well, for what it's worth! Free publicity and revenue for the club though so can't really complain.

Word of advice, next time you create a catchy song about your player, get a video of a group of fans singing it together posted on social media fast before someone else steals it.

I don't mind it personally SMH and it makes for a better atmosphere but read my post again mate, Stevenage started it, not us. Most of the times Luke Freeman had the ball for us last season, all you could hear was 'FOR FOOKS SAKE FREEMAN'!

 

[SMH]

I don't mind it personally SMH and it makes for a better atmosphere but read my post again mate, Stevenage started it, not us. Most of the times Luke Freeman had the ball for us last season, all you could hear was 'FOR FOOKS SAKE FREEMAN'!

Tell you what mate, I'm looking forward to the opening day but I'm not looking forward to the inevitable Will Grigg Luke Freeman on fire sing off for 90 minutes. There are other players we can sing about as well you know!!!