Gavin wrote:After predicting how the top six will end up this season, we challenged the Soccer Saturday pundits to name the three sides who will face relegation.
Cardiff are Sky Bet's odds-on favourites to go down as they have struggled to match the investment of Fulham (15/8) and Wolves (8/1) following promotion, while Huddersfield (11/10), Watford (15/8) and Brighton (15/8) are also expected to struggle.
However, the pundits are expecting another couple of names to be dragged into the mix...
Paul Merson: Watford, Huddersfield, Cardiff (20/1 with Sky Bet)
Watford started so well but struggled after that last season, they came good again and finished in mid-table but there was too much of a spell where they couldn't win a game. If they don't start the season well, they got over a third of their points in the first eight games last season, it could be difficult. They were virtually safe by halfway last time, but it'll be tough without a good beginning to the season.
Huddersfield won two of their first three last season, I just don't know if they can do it. They won't be beating the likes of Manchester United at home, and just going by the same thing as the tennis rankings - you've got to keep beating the same quality opponents year-on-year or you're in trouble, and I think they will be.
I don't see Cardiff having enough quality in the team. That's not being disrespectful, what Neil Warnock did last season was manager of the season material. It's like what he did at Rotherham when he kept them up after they were going nowhere.
They get the ball forward quickly, it'll work for the first five to six games, and they need to get off to a flyer, but it could catch up with them after that. Neil's one of the best Championship managers you'll ever see, but he'll be the first to admit he's not the best in the Premier League, and it comes across to me like he doesn't really enjoy it, it's not his cup of tea.
Charlie Nicholas: Cardiff, Newcastle, Fulham (66/1 with Sky Bet)
Cardiff have failed to get anybody of significance in. The facts are Fulham and Wolves have spent big and some of the sides around the relegation battle are spending a decent amount and Cardiff can't get anyone in. You have to spend significant amounts to get your targets and they look well detached from the rest of the pack right now.
Newcastle are right on the edge of it with what has been going there this summer. They did well to get the money they did for Aleksandar Mitrovic but they still can't get quality in, although I do like Kennedy. The only thing keeping this club together is the relationship between the fans and Rafael Benitez, but I genuinely hope I'm wrong with fearing it could all fall apart.
The other one for me is Fulham as I think they need another striker and I'm not sure their defence is of high enough standard.
Phil Thompson: Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth (40/1 with Sky Bet)
Fulham and Wolves have signed well, but I can't see anything other than finishing bottom for Cardiff. I think Huddersfield struggled after their energy levels dropped a bit last season and I don't think they've strengthened enough again.
I know Bournemouth have just broken their transfer record by bringing in Jefferson Lerma, but I think they were found out a bit last season. They're not strong enough defensively so really need one of their strikers to step up this season, otherwise they'll be in real trouble.
Matt Le Tissier: Cardiff, Huddersfield, Watford (20/1 with Sky Bet)
I think Neil Warnock has struggled in the Premier League as a manager. He's a fantastic Championship manager, but the Premier League doesn't seem to suit his style and the Cardiff squad doesn't fill you with confidence, especially with their lack of experience at this level. I do like the signing of Bobby Reid though, who had a fantastic goalscoring season at Bristol City.
I think Huddersfield's lack of goals might just catch them out this season. A decent start carried them a long way last season and when you get 37 points you need to improve.
This might be the third season in a row that I've tipped Watford to go down, so they'll probably be quite happy to see me backing them to go down. However, I just think this team is lacking the attacking flair and a prolific striker, with Troy Deeney struggling to recreate his early Premier League form.
eddiep wrote:Checking pundits from sky and the big papers (20 different pundits)
Last season most pundits predicted pre season,
Burnley
Huddersfield
Brighton
No one picked
West brom
One picked
Stoke
Two picked
Swansea
eddiep wrote:Checking pundits from sky and the big papers (20 different pundits)
Last season most pundits predicted pre season,
Burnley
Huddersfield
Brighton
No one picked
West brom
One picked
Stoke
Two picked
Swansea
nojac wrote:If they could predict with any certainty, they wouldn't be sitting behind a desk on a Saturday afternoon.
They would be sitting on a £100m yacht in the Caribbean.
Let's prove them wrong , yet again .
StaffBluebird wrote:nojac wrote:If they could predict with any certainty, they wouldn't be sitting behind a desk on a Saturday afternoon.
They would be sitting on a £100m yacht in the Caribbean.
Let's prove them wrong , yet again .
No, they're just on a six-figure salary, earning far more than you do, for 2 days and a few hours of work. Not bad when most are multi-millionaires before joining Soccer Saturday.
Mr Potato wrote:We can’t even attract decent signings, I cannot see 3 worse teams than us and work ethic is not enough in this league. We do not enough depth to our squad, we have nowhere near enough quality and our recruitment policy has been shocking. Murphy adds something out wide, Cunningham gives depth at left back, we got 2 decent keepers.
We got no natural finishers, no right back and centre midfield is awful, add injuries to centre midfield and it’s non existent. Everyone talking about Ralls, he isn’t good enough.
I shouldn’t be too negative, we kept Connolly so it’s not all bad. He’s done so much for us over the last 2 seasons, well worthy of his rewarded new contract.
It’s little wonder we are being talked about as we are. Players would prefer to warm a bench than sign for us, we got problems.
OriginalGrangeEndBlue wrote:StaffBluebird wrote:nojac wrote:If they could predict with any certainty, they wouldn't be sitting behind a desk on a Saturday afternoon.
They would be sitting on a £100m yacht in the Caribbean.
Let's prove them wrong , yet again .
No, they're just on a six-figure salary, earning far more than you do, for 2 days and a few hours of work. Not bad when most are multi-millionaires before joining Soccer Saturday.
Someone sounds bitter!
Mr Potato wrote:Just being realistic, or should we all continue to keep our heads in the sand and pretend and be happy clappy that getting bummed week in week out is enjoyable.
I knew we’d keep it tight but this is beyond. Yet people saying Fulham are worse than us. The same Fulham that played us off the park and have added quality. Yes we went up ahead of them, because of their poor start not because we are better.
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