Post by scriptman on Jun 13, 2008 13:12:24 GMT 1
The following questions were put forward by myself on the Blackpool AVFTT forum:
1) I asked for their observational differences between the standard of football in League One and the Championship.
2) How does the general feeling of life in the Championship differ from League One, in terms of atmosphere at games, levels of expectation, media coverage etc?
3) What are their realistic hopes for Blackpool next season.
4) Who would they expect to see occupying the top two places in the Championship at the end of next season, and likewise, who do they expect to go down?
The response from the Blackpool lads was first class.
clappers Posted
1. The Championship is full of ambitious clubs like Doncaster who have marvellous facilities and a commitment to progressing (all except Blackpool FC)
2. It's great and feels much more like the big time (except when away fans visit Blackpool FC's facilities)
3. Fourth from bottom, because we are the runts of the league.
4. Birmingham and QPR top two, Burnley PNE and Blackpool to go down.
tanger Posted
All you need to remember for next season scriptman is that no team promoted to the Championship from League One via the playoffs has ever been relegated the following season. You're safe!
1) The big difference is the matches are very often settled by a moment of brilliance from a quality player. Look out for the close games where one of their players smashes the ball in from 20 yards out. Thats the difference between the successful clubs and the also-rans.
2) A lot better media wise, better stadiums, better atmospheres. I feel quite at home.
3) Would love to be mid table.
4) The usual Prem suspects at the top. To go down Us, Burnley and Sheff Wed.
Born_in_the_Fifties Posted
If you're a "footballing" team you'll be OK. There's nowt to fear.
basilrobbiereborn Posted
1. The standard is higher - the Division is less tolerant of mistakes and we lost a lot of points by not being able to close games out when we were ahead. But the chasm is not that great that it is insurmountable and if Donny keep playing football, you could well be OK.
2. It's another world, to be honest. Great stadia (except for our own of course), some genuinely big clubs with expectations to match, much more TV exposure. It feels like the big time, especially when you have been away as long as we had.
3. To match our performance last season - 19th, two points above the drop. Anything else is a bonus.
4. I think Birmingham will be up there, and I expect Sheffield United to go close. Ipswich and Wolves won't be far away. At the bottom, you could perm any three from ten, especially if some clubs continue to have financial difficulties. If I had to pick three now it would be Barnsley, Burnley and as an outsider, Cardiff.
West_Paddock_Stories Posted
1. I would say defensively the gap isn't that great. Alot of teams struggled against us and looked shakey at the back. However going forward teams can really hurt you in the blink of an eye. Wolves away springs to mind and West Brom at home spring to mind!!
2. The atmosphere at home has improved tremendously, a number of opposing manager have commented on what noise we make with just 2 stands, yes I did say 2 stands! Also most travelling fans filled the 1900 gene kelly stand which added to the atmosphere. Expectation was pretty low with survival being the aim and we did it, just!! Media coverage is like another world, with a few live games on sky, although think we only featured once as the main game on the championship.
3. I hope second season syndrome doesn't kick in (e.g. Colchester), however now teams know more about us so there's no surprise element and if we lose key players to Championship rivals I fear the worst. 4th bottom will do nicely.
4. Promoted: Birmingham, Reading and Sheffield United
Relegated: Southampton, Swansea and Barnsley
A big thanks to the Blackpool lads
1) I asked for their observational differences between the standard of football in League One and the Championship.
2) How does the general feeling of life in the Championship differ from League One, in terms of atmosphere at games, levels of expectation, media coverage etc?
3) What are their realistic hopes for Blackpool next season.
4) Who would they expect to see occupying the top two places in the Championship at the end of next season, and likewise, who do they expect to go down?
The response from the Blackpool lads was first class.
clappers Posted
1. The Championship is full of ambitious clubs like Doncaster who have marvellous facilities and a commitment to progressing (all except Blackpool FC)
2. It's great and feels much more like the big time (except when away fans visit Blackpool FC's facilities)
3. Fourth from bottom, because we are the runts of the league.
4. Birmingham and QPR top two, Burnley PNE and Blackpool to go down.
tanger Posted
All you need to remember for next season scriptman is that no team promoted to the Championship from League One via the playoffs has ever been relegated the following season. You're safe!
1) The big difference is the matches are very often settled by a moment of brilliance from a quality player. Look out for the close games where one of their players smashes the ball in from 20 yards out. Thats the difference between the successful clubs and the also-rans.
2) A lot better media wise, better stadiums, better atmospheres. I feel quite at home.
3) Would love to be mid table.
4) The usual Prem suspects at the top. To go down Us, Burnley and Sheff Wed.
Born_in_the_Fifties Posted
If you're a "footballing" team you'll be OK. There's nowt to fear.
basilrobbiereborn Posted
1. The standard is higher - the Division is less tolerant of mistakes and we lost a lot of points by not being able to close games out when we were ahead. But the chasm is not that great that it is insurmountable and if Donny keep playing football, you could well be OK.
2. It's another world, to be honest. Great stadia (except for our own of course), some genuinely big clubs with expectations to match, much more TV exposure. It feels like the big time, especially when you have been away as long as we had.
3. To match our performance last season - 19th, two points above the drop. Anything else is a bonus.
4. I think Birmingham will be up there, and I expect Sheffield United to go close. Ipswich and Wolves won't be far away. At the bottom, you could perm any three from ten, especially if some clubs continue to have financial difficulties. If I had to pick three now it would be Barnsley, Burnley and as an outsider, Cardiff.
West_Paddock_Stories Posted
1. I would say defensively the gap isn't that great. Alot of teams struggled against us and looked shakey at the back. However going forward teams can really hurt you in the blink of an eye. Wolves away springs to mind and West Brom at home spring to mind!!
2. The atmosphere at home has improved tremendously, a number of opposing manager have commented on what noise we make with just 2 stands, yes I did say 2 stands! Also most travelling fans filled the 1900 gene kelly stand which added to the atmosphere. Expectation was pretty low with survival being the aim and we did it, just!! Media coverage is like another world, with a few live games on sky, although think we only featured once as the main game on the championship.
3. I hope second season syndrome doesn't kick in (e.g. Colchester), however now teams know more about us so there's no surprise element and if we lose key players to Championship rivals I fear the worst. 4th bottom will do nicely.
4. Promoted: Birmingham, Reading and Sheffield United
Relegated: Southampton, Swansea and Barnsley
A big thanks to the Blackpool lads