' LOOKING AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE TEAMS '

I read a comment on here somewhere (possibly from Forever Blue) that none of the teams currently below us would finish above us; and looking at the table that would be a strong possibility

With our upturn in form, maybe this gives us the opportunity to look upwards rather than downwards at who we have to compete with to achieve our minimum goal of the Play Offs this season?

From the (current) top, let's have a look...

1: Norwich City

Probably THE 'Yo-Yo' club, who keep bouncing between the Championship and Premier League with no real ambition. They are the Bluebirds next opponents and always a tough place to go. They have strong, decent team with a top Championship striker in Pukki and the ability to open up opponents. They score goals but they do leak goals too; and this could be their Achilles Heel (hopefully on Saturday versus the Bluebirds)

Sure to be 'in the mix' for the 'automatics' come the end of the season and one of the favourites


2: Bournemouth

For me, Bournemouth were the side I fully expected to be 'up and around' the top of the Championship table this season and, after a slightly slow start, they are right up there and looking good. Their style is exciting and they have the players to 'do the job' with their seemingly free-scoring attack and miserly defence

Destined for the 'automatics' for me and that leaves just the one place to fight for


3: Watford

Another of these so-called 'Yo-Yo' clubs, we know all about Watford having played them (and won) at Vicarage Road just a week or two ago; another strong side who thrive on their forward strengths and striker Troy Deeney. Some very good players in midfield and throughout the side. They are prone to the odd strange result but always seem to be up near the top

Should remain in the mix for promotion but for me, likely to be Play Off contenders rather than the 'automatics'


4: Swansea

It's always tough to talk about Swansea without some kind of partisan bias but when all is said and done, I have to say that once again they have got off to a flyer in the Championship and have looked pretty good in the main with a pleasing style of play under the excellent coaching of Steven Cooper. To date, the most miserly defence in the Championship; however, their attack is equally as profligate and this could come back to haunt them as the season gets tougher through conditions and injuries and they concede a few more goals

Strong Play Off contenders for me, but the 'automatics' might be a step too far


5: Reading

Started the season off to a flyer; but pegged back a little of late. Reading are a team that thrives on going forward and this is reflected in their 'goals scored' column. However, they are prone to concede almost as regularly and this has seen them slip back down the Championship table a little in recent weeks

Clearly Play Off contenders right now but for me, they will slip down more to finish outside those positions


6: Brentford

After the heartbreak of last season's Play Off defeat and the loss of some fantastic players, Ollie Watkins being the biggest, it would have been easy for Brentford to suffer a little jet-lag early this season and that seems to occur. However, under a new manager, they managed to keep the bulk of their impressive squad from last season and through a great goal scoring record and another relatively miserly defence, they have kept in touch with the (current) top teams and are beginning to show the form that may well see them climb further up the table

For me, strong contenders for the 'automatics' and nailed on for the Play Offs


7: Middlesbrough

What can you say about any team that is led by one Neil ap Warnock? NEVER write them off, that's what! Another 'Phoenix' club that has risen from the proverbial ashes under his (and his coaching team's) guidance and they are surely beating pre-season 'expectations' by some distance right now? But write them off a your peril, as Neil has got them doing what he had the Bluebirds doing in his last job. Strong, physical and able to rind out unexpected results

For me, they will grind their way to the Play Offs and I've already said we should never 'write off' a Warnock team and he may well continue to defy the odds and the record books


8: Stoke City

A club who still seem to be grinding out some good results, whilst losing some in equal measure. Resilient but not overly exciting, they score and concede at about the same rate. Inconsistency seems to be an issue, so a difficult side to assess in many ways but they remain 'in the mix' at this point

For me, they will miss out on the Play Offs, as other teams find their momentum later in the season


9: Bristol City

Probably our biggest rivals and traditional Severnside 'derby' team, the Robins are a team who have been trying to 'push on' for a number of years but seems to fall at the last fences. On their day, a decent side who can beat anyone in the division but this squad may lac a little depth later on

Play off contenders; but another inconsistent club and I see them falling away late on


Of the teams currently below us, there always seems to be that one side that foes on a late run to push themselves into contention

For me, that team would be Blackburn Rovers

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Some tricky teams there.

I know some will say (as they do every year) that the championship is the weakest it’s ever been but it simply isn’t.

Players like Brooks, Deeney, Pukki even Wilson are premier league quality. Teams have come down and not weakened a lot.

A friend of mine who is a Stoke fan told me last night that Tyresse Cambell who is their top scorer and best player is out for probably the rest of the season with the injury he picked up against us. He reckons they won't stay in the playoffs without Cambell.

Watfod fans reckon Troy Denney has been terrible for them this season. Has scored four goals for them but at least two possibly three were from penalties.

Can definately see Norwich Bournrmouth and Watford making the top six but beyond that it's quite open and there is no reason we should not be in the top six if we are lucky with injuries. We would have a much better chance in the playoffs too,last season there was no chance we were getting past Fulham and Brentford. Should have Tomlin and the Arsenal lad back which would be a big help. My prediction a Swansea Cardiff playoff final at Wembley.

I said a few weeks ago that there is a strong possibility that the 3 relegated teams could be promoted again. I think it will be Bournemouth and Norwich for automatics. Watford, Brentford and the vermin playoffs. Which leaves 1 spot left to play for. Which Could be anyone currently in the top 11.

Everything hinges on January. 1st place should be Bournemouth, 2nd probably Norwich unless Pukki gets injured.
The rest of the top 11 have a great opportunity for play-offs depending on signings in January.

I have a feeling we have a pacy striker up our sleeve for January already after Harris' comments after Vassell's injury.
There are a few decent prem strikers not getting game time at the moment.

If we got a quality CM/CDM in Jan we would be very strong At the moment our squad is very thin.