Your club's chances for the coming season

[Panda]

This proved quite popular last season so here it is again.


Inspired by FourFourTwo's annual club-by-club guide (which should be out any day now).

Fill in the spaces below and tell us how well (or not) you think your team will do this season:


Team:


Greatest hope this season:


Biggest fear:


Most important player:


Terrace favourite:


Young player to watch:


Player you'd happily drive to his next club:


One change you'd make at your club:


Have you got the right manager?


What advice would you give him?


Which team do you most want to beat this season?


Opposition player you despise:


Opposition player you secretly admire:


Where will you finish?

[frag]

Jul 30, 2010 9:35:52 GMT 1 Panda said:

This proved quite popular last season so here it is again.


Inspired by FourFourTwo's annual club-by-club guide (which should be out any day now).

I had a sneaky peek at this month's mag the other day, and it said the next one will be out on Wednesday 4 August - only three days before the Championship and Leagues One and Two kick off!

[o]

Team: Mansfield Town FC


Greatest hope this season: Well promotion back to the football league of course, but after that a lucrative cup run to help the owners out


Biggest fear: That we'll get off to a poor start, the "fans" will get on DH's back and try and force him out


Most important player: That's a tough one really, we seem to have quite a bit of strength in depth, if Kegan Parker is as good as he sounds, then keeping him fit for 25 goals is key, but we also need the playmakers like Nix and Thompson to supply him. Plus the rocks of Marriot in goals and Foster at centre half are crucial to keep fit I reckon.


Terrace favourite: Gary Gary Silk, he's got no hair, but we dont care, Gary Gary Silk!


Young player to watch: Tom Naylor at centre half, apparently Doncaster are already keen on him, thing is we need our young players to come through and help us to promotion, and if we are to sell them, it needs to be for good money to help us out.


Player you'd happily drive to his next club: I've not seen the new players yet this season, and of the ones who have stayed, I dont have a problem with any of them. The sooner Stags fans realise we are a non league team and it's a bloody hard league to get out of, the better. Support the team, dont bloody criticise them!


One change you'd make at your club: Appoint someone at the helm with plenty of cash, force Haslam to charge us rent of only £1 a season, not 156k Ask the Prem League to fund our youth team setup!


Have you got the right manager? Unsure on that one, this is the make or break season for DH, it has to be play offs at least, else the fan base will continue to disappear and support Man U, Liverpool and the Florists instead! I hope he does it, because I'm fed up of changing the manager every 2 seasons, and it would shut up the West Stand whingers!


What advice would you give him? Scout other teams, and see what their strengths are, and play a team to counter that, get the ball on the ground and use the wingers we've got, and leave someone up when we're defending corners!


Which team do you most want to beat this season? All of them, but Looootun "we're too big for this league" or "Moneybags we're buying every player in the league" Crawley!


Opposition player you despise: It's not a player, but a manager Fatty Evans at Crawley, sure the guy's a crook! (allegedly)


Opposition player you secretly admire: Matt Tubbs was great at Salisbury, and now he's moved on, I'm sure his form will continue.


Where will you finish? I hope in the playoffs, if we dont, then I think DH has to leave, he's had the resources to build his team, this is his season. Obviously I want to go up automatically, but I'm sure Looton have that one nailed down, so the playoffs and a lottery of a chance of going up will do me, as long as we have a nice lucrative cup run as well to help fill the coffers plundered by Haslam!

[Panda]

Team: Middlesbrough


Greatest hope this season: Winning the Championship


Biggest fear: Finishing outside the top 6 again


Most important player: They're all important. We can't afford any passengers. If we don't sign a goalkeeper, then Stephen McManus will be our most important player. We need to score more goals as well this season so Kris Boyd will be just as important.


Terrace favourite: Barry Robson - no nonsense, blood 'n' guts Scottish midfielder. Reminiscent of Gary Hamilton.


Young player to watch: Andrew Halliday - for once not one of our academy products, but a young winger signed from Livingston. Jason Steele could see some playing time if we don't sign a keeper.


Player you'd happily drive to his next club: Now Midon't has p*ssed off to Ajax, I'd say Julio Arca.


One change you'd make at your club: Time will tell whether the new month-to-month sponsorship plan will be a success. Also, if you want a full ground, you're going to have to reduce the ticket prices.


Have you got the right manager? There were signs of improvement in the second half of last season and summer transfer activity has been encouraging. This is the first season with HIS team and the first chance to really judge how good a job he's doing. The signs are good.


What advice would you give him? Decide what your best XI is. And give Steele a chance or sign a goalkeeper.


Which team do you most want to beat this season? Dirty Leeds.


Opposition player you despise: Difficult to pick one since Newcastle's team of scumbags got promoted.


Opposition player you secretly admire: Jimmy Bullard, though he probably won't be playing in the Championship this season. Also, Peter Whittingham.


Where will you finish? Play-offs at worst...

[Tom]

Team: Reading

Greatest hope this season: We storm to the title breaking our old points record in the process.

Biggest fear: Not easy, but probably that we fail to build on our amazing 2010 so far, sell key players, and finish in the bottom half this season.

Most important player: Gylfi Sigurdsson and still only 20 too. One of our fans has said over the last couple of years that he's the best player to come out of the academy and that he'll go on to play for a top half Prem team. He deserves a lot of credit because he's absolutely spot on. Its a shame that Iceland will prob never qualify for a major championship as he deserves to play in one in his career. Do have slight concerns that he'll struggle to replicate last season's form, (see below) especially after a couple of missed penalties in pre-season, but still think he'll get 15 this season. Could make the difference between making the playoffs/winning promotion and not.

Terrace favourite: Gylfi, and a legend already in my eyes after his amazing 20 goals last season in his 1st full season in the team. Noel Hunt just back after 9 months out injured is another popular player, as is the forgotten man Chris Armstrong who hasn't played for about a year and talk of possible retirement.

Young player to watch: Gylfi of course!

Player you'd happily drive to his next club: I'll say no-one. I'm not really a fan of Rasiak but if he's given enough game time he could get double figures.

One change you'd make at your club: Umm, very tough one. I'll leave this one for now but if we sell any of our key players to Championship clubs then its subject to change!

Have you got the right manager? Absolutely. Since taking over he's made us hard to beat, well organised and as fit as we were during the 05-07 years, and he's a complete genius for what he's done with Kebe making him a consistent threat and a real goalscoring winger which i never throught possible. At one point last season i found myself comparing him to Roy Hodgson, constantly praising the players and supporters and never taking any of the credit himself. He comes across as a very humble guy. This also came over when he didnt want to do the end of season lap of honour complaining of an old injury (which i thought was b****cks!)

What advice would you give him? Absolutely none!

Which team do you most want to beat this season? Probably Millwall.

Opposition player you despise: Can't think of any off the top of my head.

Opposition player you secretly admire: Probably Bullard if he doesn't leave Hull. David James is another one.

Where will you finish? Top 8

[vastar iner]

Team: Birmingham City

Greatest hope this season: Cup Final

Biggest fear: Relegation

Most important player: Ben Foster

Terrace favourite: Roger Johnson

Young player to watch: Jordon Mutch

Player you'd happily drive to his next club: Marcus Bent

One change you'd make at your club: take all the white off the shirts and leave it as royal blue

Have you got the right manager? Yes

What advice would you give him? Wouldn't dare

Which team do you most want to beat this season? Villa

Opposition player you despise: anyone playing for Villa

Opposition player you secretly admire: Titus Bramble, for playing through all the brickbats and concentrating on his job, and emerging a much better player than anyone really expected

Where will you finish? 17th or above will do

[Maximo Mark]

Team: Nottingham Forest

Greatest hope this season: Promotion - 3rd last year, it should be a realistic possibility.

Biggest fear: The smallest squad in the division last year, players out but no one in, rumours of players striking and the manager falling out with the board. It's wrong but I have to say relegation

Most important player: Lee Camp - Best keeper in the division last year, instrumental in having so many clean sheets

Terrace favourite: Raddy Majewski - Always gets a massive reaction when he plays, can't see him being with us for long!

Young player to watch: Matt Thornhill

Player you'd happily drive to his next club: We can't afford to lose anyone, but Paul Smith has been transfer listed, and if Kelvin Wilson really does want to go to Celtic then I hope he does, we can't afford any passengers!

One change you'd make at your club: Tweak the 'Transfer Aqcuisitions Panel' - it's a good idea but we really need to sign players sooner than we do, the club is a joke when it comes to signing anyone!

Have you got the right manager? Without doubt

What advice would you give him? Give up on Nicky Shorey and just get a decent left back, he's a Premier League player and will be waiting until August 31st to try and sign for a Premier League club!

Which team do you most want to beat this season? Derby County of course!

Opposition player you despise: Robbie "self proclaimed next Gary Linekar" Savage

Opposition player you secretly admire: I'm not sure I 'secretly' admire anyone, I quite like Stephen Quinn even though I'd be quite happy to see Sheffield United follow Wednesday into League 1

Where will you finish? At the moment I'm going to go for 13th, but I think anywhere from 3rd to 21st is possible.

[Paddy]

Team: Ipswich Town FC


Greatest hope this season: Promotion and a good cup run


Biggest fear: Relegation


Most important player: Conor Wickham, if he can score the 25 goals this season and stay with us for the season then we're well on the way to promotion.


Terrace favourite: Was Alex Bruce, now it is maybe Counago, if we have one at all.


Young player to watch: Owen Garvan, Luke Hyam and David Crawley


Player you'd happily drive to his next club: Kevin Lisbie, was on loan to Colchester last season.


One change you'd make at your club: Not much


Have you got the right manager? We'll see.


What advice would you give him? Don't get stroppy.


Which team do you most want to beat this season? Norwich of course. And Leeds, just cos a lot of uni guys are Leeds supporters.


Opposition player you despise: Everyone.


Opposition player you secretly admire: No-one.


Where will you finish? Realistically anywhere from first to last. The mysteries of ITFC.

[wonderwall]

Team: Manchester united


Greatest hope this season: I would settle for league title this season


Biggest fear: winning nothing


Most important player: Wayne rooney
always the key man without him we are undoubtedly a different team

Terrace favourite: patrice evra great underrated future utd club captain


Young player to watch: Javier Hernandez looks like he could be a fantastic player


Player you'd happily drive to his next club: if he does not perform Dimitar berbatov he has had enough time and now he needs to deliver


One change you'd make at your club:new owners time for the glazers to go enough debt now


Have you got the right manager? lol ! no doubt


What advice would you give him? Buy a attacking midfielder we are short in that area


Which team do you most want to beat this season? I think anyone who finishes above Chelsea wins the league in my mind and of course Liverpool


Opposition player you despise: didier drogba john terry Jamie carragher cant stand them


Opposition player you secretly admire: frank lampard like him or loath him any midfielder with his 15-20 goals is worth his weight in gold.


Where will you finish? i would really hope 1st but something tells me we might just fall short we are still missing one or two players I'm my view

[raliverpool]

Team: Liverpool FC

Greatest hope this season: The Yanks sell us off to a franchise with deep pockets to compete with Man City; and ECL qualification.

Biggest fear: No one buys the club from the muppets; we finish outside UEFA qualification; Manchester United win the Premiership; and the likes of Torres; Johnson & Gerrard get sold.

Most important player: Stevie G - when fit and motivated.

Terrace favourite: Stevie G - legend like Bryan Robson at Man Utd in the 1980s a one man team and for turning Chelski down twice.

Young player to watch: Danny Wilson - Great defensive signing from Rangers; Daniel Pacheco - Spanish attacking midfielder/striker - but worried he might move to Spain now Rafa has left; David Amoo - very fast right winger.

Player you'd happily drive to his next club: Javier Mascherano - I fancy a trip to Milan; and the money would be very nice + Lucas blossomed in the 2nd half of last season and is showing signs of being a very good defensive midfielder.

One change you'd make at your club: Get rid of the money grabbing Yank parasite owners.

Have you got the right manager? Pass ... lets just say I think we lost a better one to Inter Milan.

What advice would you give him? Make sure the players want to play for the club; and don't believe one word from the two Yank owners.

Which team do you most want to beat this season? Manchester United (of course)

Opposition player you despise: John Terry (Chelsea); but Arshavin (Arsenal) is our jink player.

Opposition player you secretly admire: Wayne Rooney (if the unprinted internet leaks about the England World Cup debacle are true at least he is a true Scouser!)

Where will you finish? 6th (unless Harry ends up going to jail over that Portsmouth business; and Man City capitulate under a weight of egos as they were shocking against Inter at the weekend; but I can't see us getting close to Chelski; Man U or Arsenal ...... unless the club gets sold to a multi billionaire in the next 10 days ......)

[musicfan2000]

eam:
St.mirren
Greatest hope this season:
new manager, new team. hope daanny lennon get his team playing attacking football so we are not fighting relagation come may

Biggest fear:
religation if it all goes wrong

Most important player:
steven thompson

Terrace favourite:
david barron

Young player to watch:
david barron

Player you'd happily drive to his next club:
michel higdon

One change you'd make at your club:
a 'quality' signing not from cowdenbeith

Have you got the right manager?
new man, time willl telll

What advice would you give him?
defend well, and attack as much as possiblew

Which team do you most want to beat this season?
st johnstone and OF

Opposition player you despise:
lol OF players

Opposition player you secretly admire:
danny swanson

Where will you finish? 9th

[frag]

Team: Arsenal


Greatest hope this season: Cesc stays, plays his heart out and we win the league.


Biggest fear: Cesc goes, isn't adequately replaced, and we fail to qualify for the Europa League, let alone the Champions League, with the top 4 consisting of the 4 scumbag clubs.


Most important player: Fabregas


Terrace favourite: Arshavin


Young player to watch: Jack Wilshere


Player you'd happily drive to his next club: Fabianski


One change you'd make at your club: On the pitch: come up with a plan B. Off the pitch, the running of the club has been exceptional and there's nothing I can think of that I'd change.


Have you got the right manager? Yes - replacing Wenger would mean goodbye to years of youth development work.


What advice would you give him? 1. Keep Cesc and make sure he wants to play, 2. Sign a decent keeper, 3. sign another centre back, 4. Teach the new defence how to defend set pieces, 5. All-out attack is not always sensible - getting caught 3-on-2 on the break when you're 1-0 or 3-1 up is simply unacceptable.


Which team do you most want to beat this season? A tough one. 1. Spurs, 2. Man City, 3. Chelsea, 4. Man United - only getting 4 pts from 8 games vs those two last season cost us the title


Opposition player you despise: Adebayor, Drogba, A Cole, Terry, Nani...


Opposition player you secretly admire: Joe Cole


Where will you finish? 4th

[frag]

Aug 2, 2010 22:12:34 GMT 1 raliverpool said:

Have you got the right manager? Pass ... lets just say I think we lost a better one to Inter Milan.

I'm surprised at this. Benitez's transfer policy and substitutions were an absolute joke, you're well rid of him.

...... unless the club gets sold to a multi billionaire in the next 10 days ......)

Looks like you may have your wish!

[Robin]

Team: Notts County

Greatest hope this season: A top six position would be a dream, but i'd be happy with top 12.

Biggest fear: As a manager, Craig Short has no experience. Will he get his tactics right. I'm not overly confident so there is a distinct change we may struggle! Also, I think the fans have too high expectations. In many ways we are lucky to be where we are, but that is easily forgotten.

Most important player: Lee Hughes - he should carry on scoring goals for us.

Terrace favourite: Lee Hughes, of course. Especially with the Hughsey dance!

Young player to watch: Maybe Matt Marshall, on loan from Leicester.

Player you'd happily drive to his next club: Karl Hawley. He must be on a good salary, but he really looks dis-interested! Sooner he's gone the better!

One change you'd make at your club: Improve the half time catering, it's a shambles!!!

Have you got the right manager? I hope so, though I fear not!

What advice would you give him? Get the tactics right.

Which team do you most want to beat this season? Sheffield Wednesday!

Opposition player you despise: No particular player in this division, but Keith Hill (Rochdale Manager) is a t*t and I'll be happy to see them fail!

Opposition player you secretly admire: Lambert of Southampton and Charlie Evans at Swindon are both quality and should score a hatful of goals this season.

Where will you finish? 15th - which I guess would be ok really!