Welcome back Newcastle and Norwich (Relegated Thread)

[Munkiki]

I agree with this, I assume Alex Neil will remain Norwich manager and they'll keep most of their squad together, in which case I'd expect them to be challenging at the top.

Nah, it'll be different to last time. No CEO. Uncertainty around Alex Neil's future (judging by last night the majority of fans want him to stay and be backed but that doesn't mean it'll happen). Players who were willing to stay for a season in the Championship last time, probably won't want to do so again. Those good enough - Howson, Klose, Brady, Olsson - won't hang about. Outside of them it's hard to say, for most I feel this is their level but I wouldn't rule out other clubs taking a punt on some of them.

Fans will expect an immediate return which will hamper us imo. They need to be patient. Changes need to be made at every level - the board, scouting network, coaching staff, players. Last season's Wembley win masked over deeper-rooted issues. It's going to be a tough season. We're due a season of mid-table mediocrity and I think this may be it. Would like to see some of the youth given a chance. A longer-term plan is needed. Next time we get promoted, if ever, we can't go into the season with a back four and strike force we already know isn't good enough.

 

[G.B]

No chance of a bigger allocation than 3k? Don't imagine Newcastle will have many sell outs next year especially against the likes of us.

Possibly. We dropped 5k in average attendance last time we went down. I suspect it'll be more this time which might lead to bigger allocations. I say might because Fat Mike likes to stick away fans in the rafters and keep their numbers/noise to a minimum.

 

[Haillay7]

I think we only sold out twice during our last stint - Forest and Boro if memory serves me right. Think we averaged 47 as the previous poster said. Extremely gutted that relegation was confirmed last night but really did love the 09/10 season. Just purely depends on the squad we have left after the off season.

 

[epic73]

Obviously last season's results were disappointing, but I don't think games from five years ago are relevant to the upcoming season.

Yeah, but Norwich.

 

[LondonOrn]

Next time we get promoted, if ever, we can't go into the season with a back four and strike force we already know isn't good enough.

I was thinking last night at half time that the three goals you scored against us must have been half the amount your top scorer had managed all season up to that point, just checked BBC sport and it turns out I was right! Were you lot singing "how shit must you be..."? If so, we certainly deserved it, we've been awful since mid February, the Arsenal cup win apart, but since the Palace semi we've somehow continued to plumb new depths.

I have to say the noise you lot made from the Barclay stand when relegation was all but confirmed was awesome, the noise was at times deafening and I could literally feel the place rock even from where I was many rows up. Carrow Road is a great ground and it's a shame a club Norwich's size and potential isn't hosting Premier League football more often.

 

[Ciderup]

I think we only sold out twice during our last stint - Forest and Boro if memory serves me right. Think we averaged 47 as the previous poster said. Extremely gutted that relegation was confirmed last night but really did love the 09/10 season. Just purely depends on the squad we have left after the off season.

I remember your last 'holiday' at this level and your supporters often posted about it being 'refreshing' and how much they 'enjoyed it'. I don't think you would enjoy it so much if you had an extended stay though. Personally, I think this division is great but I'm not a Newcastle supporter.

 

[Magic]

Three things are always certain in life if you support Wigan: death, taxes and beating Newcastle at the DW. I think we've played them eight times at home and won seven of them. Never won at St James Park though. Hope it's not a Tuesday night game.

Does this mean I have a one in eight chance of being invincible? Get in.

 

[Magic]

Nah, it'll be different to last time. No CEO. Uncertainty around Alex Neil's future (judging by last night the majority of fans want him to stay and be backed but that doesn't mean it'll happen). Players who were willing to stay for a season in the Championship last time, probably won't want to do so again. Those good enough - Howson, Klose, Brady, Olsson - won't hang about. Outside of them it's hard to say, for most I feel this is their level but I wouldn't rule out other clubs taking a punt on some of them.

Fans will expect an immediate return which will hamper us imo. They need to be patient. Changes need to be made at every level - the board, scouting network, coaching staff, players. Last season's Wembley win masked over deeper-rooted issues. It's going to be a tough season. We're due a season of mid-table mediocrity and I think this may be it. Would like to see some of the youth given a chance. A longer-term plan is needed. Next time we get promoted, if ever, we can't go into the season with a back four and strike force we already know isn't good enough.

I'll give this a 6 on the Munkiki scale.

 

[blademan89]

I think we only sold out twice during our last stint - Forest and Boro if memory serves me right. Think we averaged 47 as the previous poster said. Extremely gutted that relegation was confirmed last night but really did love the 09/10 season. Just purely depends on the squad we have left after the off season.

Sure you sold out against us for the Monday night sky game. Also didn't you play Ipswich in the last match 52k?

 

[Haillay7]

Sure you sold out against us for the Monday night sky game. Also didn't you play Ipswich in the last match 52k?

Just had a look (as I say my memory's a little hazy at best) and yeah you're spot on with Ipswich but neither Forest or Sheff Utd were.

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

Nah, it'll be different to last time. No CEO. Uncertainty around Alex Neil's future (judging by last night the majority of fans want him to stay and be backed but that doesn't mean it'll happen). Players who were willing to stay for a season in the Championship last time, probably won't want to do so again. Those good enough - Howson, Klose, Brady, Olsson - won't hang about. Outside of them it's hard to say, for most I feel this is their level but I wouldn't rule out other clubs taking a punt on some of them.

Fans will expect an immediate return which will hamper us imo. They need to be patient. Changes need to be made at every level - the board, scouting network, coaching staff, players. Last season's Wembley win masked over deeper-rooted issues. It's going to be a tough season. We're due a season of mid-table mediocrity and I think this may be it. Would like to see some of the youth given a chance. A longer-term plan is needed. Next time we get promoted, if ever, we can't go into the season with a back four and strike force we already know isn't good enough.

You coul dlose those and still have the best player in the division in Vadis Odidja Ofoe.

 

[SF_]

Can see Norwich doing a Burnley with a couple of sensible additions. Could see them maybe losing Redmond and Brady though.

Howson, Naismith, Hoolacunt, Jerome, Martin, Ruddy, Tettey, Olsson, O'Neil... all good players at this level.

Spend decent money on another striker and I can see them grinding their way to an automatic spot.

Obviously I don't know the ins & outs of Norwich but Mukkiki's pessimism seems a bit extreme.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Norwich have taken that 20.5th position Premier League spot that used to be the preserve of West Brom, although Burnley are tussling for it too.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I was thinking last night at half time that the three goals you scored against us must have been half the amount your top scorer had managed all season up to that point, just checked BBC sport and it turns out I was right! Were you lot singing "how shit must you be..."? If so, we certainly deserved it, we've been awful since mid February, the Arsenal cup win apart, but since the Palace semi we've somehow continued to plumb new depths.

I have to say the noise you lot made from the Barclay stand when relegation was all but confirmed was awesome, the noise was at times deafening and I could literally feel the place rock even from where I was many rows up. Carrow Road is a great ground and it's a shame a club Norwich's size and potential isn't hosting Premier League football more often.

...And yet you still beat us. Fucking Deeney...

Does this mean I have a one in eight chance of being invincible? Get in.

No, you don't support Wigan.

Anyway, welcome to the party you two, arrived a bit later than us, but you're joining us regardless, and as I said, it's always nice to bang in one of the final nails in Newcastle's PL coffin. Twice now...

 

[Munkiki]

Can see Norwich doing a Burnley with a couple of sensible additions. Could see them maybe losing Redmond and Brady though.

Howson, Naismith, Hoolacunt, Jerome, Martin, Ruddy, Tettey, Olsson, O'Neil... all good players at this level.

Spend decent money on another striker and I can see them grinding their way to an automatic spot.

Obviously I don't know the ins & outs of Norwich but Mukkiki's pessimism seems a bit extreme.

I'm not ruling it out but it could all hinge on who replaces McNally. Before him, we were a soft touch. Players went for peanuts and we had no ambition - the board pre-McNally was happy for us to "stabilise" in the third tier (probably why they appointed Bryan Gunn permanently). It was he who told them it'd be a disaster and that we must push for an immediate return to the second tier - removing Gunn and appointing Lambert at the earliest opportunity. Under him, players didn't leave unless it was on our terms. It might have made him disliked in the football community but it was an end to "little old Norwich", the push-overs. I wouldn't ever want to go back to that. This next appointment is huge and it has to be done quickly.

I've seen enough football at this level to know it's a tough league to get out of. I don't think respecting that makes me pessimistic. I gather it was my misuse of "mid-table mediocrity"? I was using it a very broad sense (ie outside the top 6 but nowhere near relegation) and given over the last 20 years the average position of relegated sides is 8th, that's not unreasonable.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I'm not ruling it out but it could all hinge on who replaces McNally. Before him, we were a soft touch. Players went for peanuts and we had no ambition - the board pre-McNally was happy for us to "stabilise" in the third tier (probably why they appointed Bryan Gunn permanently). It was he who told them it'd be a disaster and that we must push for an immediate return to the second tier - removing Gunn and appointing Lambert at the earliest opportunity. Under him, players didn't leave unless it was on our terms. It might have made him disliked in the football community but it was an end to "little old Norwich", the push-overs. I wouldn't ever want to go back to that. This next appointment is huge and it has to be done quickly.

I've seen enough football at this level to know it's a tough league to get out of. I don't think respecting that makes me pessimistic. I gather it was my misuse of "mid-table mediocrity"? I was using it a very broad sense (ie outside the top 6 but nowhere near relegation) and given over the last 20 years the average position of relegated sides is 8th, that's not unreasonable.

Surely teams like Wolves and Wigan have severely dented that, though?

 

[Munkiki]

Surely teams like Wolves and Wigan have severely dented that, though?

Not really. Besides Wigan finished 5th.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Fair point, forgot they had a good season before they imploded...

 

[LondonOrn]

...And yet you still beat us. Fucking Deeney...

You were lot were certainly hard done by, scoring 4 goals against us in what seems to have been two of your best performances of the season and not even getting a point!

Apart from Arsenal in the cup (and even we had a bit of the luck of the gods that day) the only games in 2016 that we've performed well and not lost have been the home games against Newcastle, Chelsea and (at a push) Everton, and two of those teams have had their managers sacked since then - says it all really.

 

[HarrogateMackem]

Nothing against Newcastle or their fans but im absolutely delighted there coming down because ive never been to Newcastle before and heard its a top away day in every department and another stadium to tick off aswel. What does the away end hold? Im sure every club will sellout at Newcastle next season, just be typical for us to play em midweek night match though.

As someone who lives in Newcastle during term time it is indeed a class away game and city. It holds 3000 but you are miles above the pitch. Other then that, from what I hear (for non-Sunderland fans) it is the best awayday in the football league!

 

[Madejski]

Norwich have taken that 20.5th position Premier League spot that used to be the preserve of West Brom, although Burnley are tussling for it too.

Given they've spent the last three seasons doing the opposite to each other (i.e one getting promoted the same time the other is relegated) it looks like they have been able to share that 20.5th position pretty well!

 

[Sefton Howie]

Selfishly cannee wait to go to Newcastle next season. Maybe their fans might enjoy actually winning some matches anyway

 

[Super_horns]

Sounds like Benitez will stay at Newcastle

Very bold move by him if so.

 

[Madejski]

Newcastle are going to piss the league next season. They're probably in a better place than they were last time they got relegated and they won comfortably then.

I know no one cares, but I think with Benitez in charge we can say goodbye to our points record.

 

[Ciderup]

Aye, keep Rafa and they SHOULD absolutely walk the league.

 

[Benji]

I'm hoping for a reprise of the banana away kit.

 

[JoshBCFC]

This is probably Rafa's toughest challenge yet, coming into a league he's never been in before, with expectations so high, and of course the general toughness of the championship. Going to be hard, but he should guide them to promotion at the very least.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I'm not sure he'll cut it in this division, I'd be tempted to stick a bet on him being first sacked next season.

 

[Ciderhead]

I hope Rafa stays. You always get the hypothetical question with these managers of elite clubs: how would they fare relative to everyone else if they were to manage in a league like the Championship?

Be interesting to find out