The Sky Bet Championship is often regarded as one of Europe’s most underrated and exciting leagues, and this season appears to be living up to these expectations yet again.
With the majority of sides playing 18 games, the table is starting to take shape, and it is beginning to become clear which sides may have aspirations of a successful campaign and which may have a campaign to forget.
Sheffield United have been the early pace setters and sit top of the league with 38 points, even more impressive considering they started the season on minus two points. They are being closely hunted by Burnley, who sit on 36 points and Leeds United, who find themselves in third on 35.
Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Watford currently make up the rest of the play-off positions, with West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers just two points outside of the top six. Norwich City, Millwall, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday make up the rest of the top half and are five points off the play-off spots.
Swansea City, Stoke City and Derby County all find themselves sitting in mid-table above a surprisingly poor Coventry City. Coventry, who missed out on a spot in the FA Cup final last year on penalties, find themselves 16th in the table. Club legend Mark Robins ultimately paid the price for the slow start, and the Sky Blues now find themselves managed by former Derby and Everton manager Frank Lampard.
Joining Coventry on 18 points are newly promoted Oxford United, Preston North End and, perhaps the league’s biggest underachievers, Luton Town, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle currently sit just above the relegation zone with 17 points, while Hull City, Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth make up the drop zone.
With the halfway mark fast approaching, we wanted to find out what supporters have made of their teams’ seasons so far and what they think the rest of the Championship season may have in store.
Blackburn Rovers
Mike Beaty from The Blackburn End podcast (@blackburnendpod on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“We’ve had a very up and down season results-wise. I am waiting for us to get an “unexpected result” where we beat a team I wouldn’t expect to, like Leeds away last season. I had low expectations this year after losing some important players, so to be where we are with the financial restraints we have, I have to say Eustace and the lads are performing miracles to be where we are. We play some good football, but we are just missing the goals that Szmodics gave us last year.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“Where do we begin?! I’d love to get a striker I trusted in front of goal, but we also need depth. We are still short at the back and rely on some old heads around the squad that can’t give us 90 minutes week in week out. The EFL is brutal, and you need depth to cope. Obviously, we’d all love to improve the quality of players we have, but realistically, I think depth is key for us now.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“I think we will finish around 12th to 15th. As much as I would love to say we will be pushing higher, we need to consider that the millions we have brought into the club via player sales are not going to be spent in January. We have a lot of financial issues that the mainstream media are not covering, so we will continue to rely on “low-value risks” coming through the door. Hopefully, the Venkys surprise me!”
Bristol City
David from the Forever Bristol City podcast (@ForeverBristol1 on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“In line with expectations – mid-table.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
Burnley
TurfCast- Burnley FC Fan Channel (@TurfCastPodcast on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“We’re in a good position; we’re in the mix at this early stage, and this is despite all the issues we had in the summer with a lot of players wanting out and then selling all our best players in the last few days of the window – so I’ll take where we are right now.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“We need strikers. It’s no secret that we’ve struggled to put the ball in the back of the net, and our main striker, Lyle Foster and our number 10, Zian Flemming, are both currently injured at the time of writing, so we need some depth.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“I don’t see why we can’t finish in the top two. We need to keep the pace with the top two until January, and hopefully, we can strengthen there, get some players back from injury and kick in.”
Cardiff City
Sloper Road Blues- fan site (@SloperBlues on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“The season has gone absolutely awful! The board and Owner are once again treating the club like a circus.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“We need a massive revamp in the attacking third in January and a massive change of how we play; we are too slow in transition! We 100% need a pacey, creative winger and a number nine who’s known for scoring goals, in my opinion, But that may be hard because we’ve been without a permanent manager for 73 days now.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“Realistically, we can finish mid-table, or we could be in a relegation battle! It all depends on who we hire personally.”
Coventry City
Callum Moseley- Coventry fan and writer (@CallumTDUK on X)
How do you think the season has gone so far?
“Honestly, I don’t actually think it’s been as bad as it looks – even with Robins’ exit. In the summer, we let a lot of experience go out the door and restructured our coaching team, which put us on the back foot, even though we always start slow. Performances haven’t been entirely great, but we’ve created a lot of chances (think the 3rd highest in the league), but we don’t take them. In the last 4/5 games, we’ve been so much better, and it’s shown by the improvement of results.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“I think with the new manager likely in by then – I think we need an experienced arrival – either CB or central midfield. We have a young squad, and it has shown. The other area would be a right back to provide competition to Milan Van Ewijk. Milan’s had a quiet start to the season and needs competition.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“I still have faith that we can push the top ten – maybe even the play-offs, but realistically, I think most supporters would settle for a top-half finish. We’ve improved a lot in recent weeks, and I have a lot of faith that we will recruit well in January.”
Derby County
Phil Lowe- Derby fan (@phillowe1 on X)
How do you think the season has gone so far?
“It’s gone as hoped, to be honest, it could have been a complete flop, we had a low budget and could really allow for mistakes, we have relied heavily on last year’s squad, and we sold players to free up further budget for wages, everybody was predicting we would be cannon fodder and bottom three, we are mid-table, and we are there because of our defence, not scoring as many as we need to but not letting them in.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“We desperately need firepower, an instinctive centre forward, strong and quick who can work off his own initiative; we have a strong midfield and want to see David Ozoh back from injury, he will be pivotal in the second half of the season.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“Mid-table will be a success, providing that we rebuild again and that new investment comes in. David Clowes has put his money on the line, but he did that to save the club, he has always made it clear that he will find the right team to purchase the club when the time is right, he is not prepared to waste his family wealth on a football club no matter how much he loves it, we have a tremendous fan base, we have been through a lot, and we are going to have to wait patiently for our club to heal from the inside.”
Hull City
Les- Hull fan (@HullCityKits on X)
How do you think the season has gone so far?
“The season has been a bit of a disaster so far. When the owner sacked Liam Rosenior, he communicated that 7th place and possession football wasn’t good enough. The change in head coach and a total rebuild of the squad implied a promotion charge was on the cards, but we find ourselves dancing on the relegation trapdoor rather than troubling a playoff spot. Recruitment by a ‘brain trust’ has gone for quantity over quality, and the squad has found a punishing new training regime and an inflexible tactical system somewhat challenging. As a consequence, the club are again without a head coach after the Tim Walter experiment failed dismally. Fans turned on the seemingly aloof and headstrong German, who evidently had no Plan B despite going nine games without a win.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“A new head coach is the first priority, but just as imperative is some attention from the owner who, now involved in directing Fenerbahçe, may view Hull City as last year’s toy. Stability, not lovebombing and gestures, is the order of the day.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“Last year’s 7th, decreed below par by the owner, already seems out of touching distance. Mid-table with a credible long-term plan is the hope now.”
Leeds United
LUFC Fans- Leeds United fan page (@LUFCbornandbred on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“The season has been solid, especially considering the challenges we faced at the start. Losing key players like Summerville, Rutter, Archie Gray, and Kamara left significant gaps, and we had limited time to replace them. Bringing in players like Ramazani, Tanaka, Schmidt, and Solomon (who has struggled with injuries) raised questions about how well they’d integrate. Despite these concerns and an extensive injury list, being third in the table and just two points off the top is a fantastic achievement, particularly since we’ve already faced all the top teams.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“I don’t expect significant changes in January, as Farke typically isn’t a manager who makes many mid-season signings. The arrival of Guilavogui as a free agent further reduces the likelihood of new additions. However, given our injury situation, I’d prioritise bringing in a midfielder and a striker if possible. It’s not just about depth but ensuring we’re equipped to handle the crucial second half of the season.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“Realistically, I expect us to finish in the top two. Anything less would be a failure, given how well we’ve been performing. We’re dominating games, creating plenty of chances, and showing consistency. If we can become more clinical, particularly against teams that sit deep and defend in a low block, I believe we have every chance of going up as champions.”
Luton Town
Kat-Luton Town fan (@KatLTFC on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“This is expectations vs reality, really. The fight we had last season was incredible, but we have lost momentum and have done since January. If you had asked me after the 4-0 win over Brighton where we would be this season, I’d say top and well in front. But that’s not the Luton way, is it. To cut a long, painful story short. Pants. This season has been awful. I think morale has been low, and the lads are not where they need to be. We all know that.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“I’m far from an expert here. We need to stop being sentimental and start building squad depth, as injuries really limit us. We have a couple of gem players made of glass, so having reliable backups is a must. There are a few strong views amongst us about certain players, which I do not necessarily agree with. It’s time to dig deep in our pockets; our clever scouting can only carry us so far. Free Joe Taylor, I think we can all agree on that.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“This comes down to our business in January and whether RE can get into gear and bring that fight out. We make the right, clever decisions, and we are top half of the table. How I feel right now? We are a mid-table team, not through ability but through management and mentality.”
“I’m not ignoring the fact that we could finish bottom of the table, but it’s unrealistic, and I would be shocked if it came to that. Regardless of what other fans think, we aren’t a lower-league club anymore, no matter how much you want to belittle us. We have earned our place, and we will keep it.”
Middlesbrough
John Cutler from the Typical Boro Podcast (@TypicalBoroPod on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“The season has been a bit stop-start, if I’m honest. Brilliant one week, then pants the next. Dropped lots of points that we should not have.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“In January, I would bring in a LB, preferably Ryan Giles, who was a huge success last time he was here.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“Realistically and honestly, I think this squad is good enough to win the Championship. Strength in depth and finally seem to be hitting our stride.”
Millwall
Micky from the That Millwall Podcast (@ThatMillwallPod on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“I think the season has gone very well so far. If anyone had said to me that we’d be sat in 8th, three points outside the play-offs at the end of November, I’d have bitten their hands off. The big question mark going into this season was whether we could continue the momentum from the last year and whether Harris would get the same or more out of the players and he has. A couple of games where we should have won, and things could be looking even better, but yeah, so far, it’s been a very good season.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“That’s a tough one. You can always say play better football or add one or two to the squad, but really, if we can keep doing what we’ve been doing, we’ll have a good season. If we can add one or two, then who knows, we might be able to sneak into the play-offs. Maybe a contract extension for Neil Harris, as his contract is up at the end of the season!”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“As I say, if we keep doing what we’ve done so far this season, then you never know, and we might just sneak in that last play-off spot. If we end up dropping away and finish mid-table, I still think that’s a decent season for us.”
Norwich City
Will Grant- Norwich fan and content creator (@willgranty // @YouthNorwich_ on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Overall, the season has gone as expected! Some really promising displays, which’ve equally been matched with toothless performances, too. Borja Sainz has stepped up perfectly to fill the void of Gabriel Sara & Jonathan Rowe — scoring sensational strikes from difference. With the squad having limited depth, there’s little expectation for the Canaries to reach the play-off spaces.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“Making changes isn’t the correct formula for Norwich City in January. They just need to add suitable depth to their squad. It’s worth remembering that Norwich are in their first season of the Johannes Hoff Throup long-term project, and adding players that can add value in the future will be Norwich’s objective. Those January signings will have to show proof of quality in the short term too, especially if Sainz & Sargent depart in the next summer window.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“When all players are fit and available, this team can easily become a play-off contender, as the starting eleven is incredibly strong for this level. However, when Norwich pick up injuries to key players, they’re a significantly weaker side, as there isn’t much experience to fall back upon. We’ve showcased our class to operate at a top two level at home this season, but unfortunately, we’re well short of getting into that position as of yet. Upper mid-table is the likeliest outcome for Norwich this season.”
Oxford United
Jack- Oxford fan (@oxfjack on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Relatively okay, there’s a lot of mixed feelings and opinions on everything at the moment due to our current really poor run of form and our recent battering from Middlesbrough. It’s not helped at all that some of our best players have been out injured, mainly Brannagan, who is now back, thankfully. But we’re still without Edwards, Dembele, Sibley, Bennett, and Nelson, who is on loan here, is out for four months, so I can see him returning to Leicester come January. It will be interesting to see how we can properly play when everyone is available.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“It’s pretty clear that we need to bring in three, maybe even four players, seeing three or four obviously go as well, seeing as we’re at the squad limit. The three/four that I can see going will be Nelson’s loan cutting short and Ebioweis’s loan cutting short. As for the other one or two, it’s a toss-up between several names. We need to bring in a centre-back, a defensive midfielder, a winger and a striker.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“I’d snap your hand off for 21st, and honestly, anywhere that’s not the bottom three is brilliant. This season has been crazy so far, and I still don’t think you can call who’s going up and down. I reckon we’ll finish 18th.”
Plymouth Argyle
Argyle Life/ Green and White podcast (@ArgyleLife1886 on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Well enough. We have one of the lowest budgets in the league and one of the weakest squads with a manager nobody seems to rate; we should be bottom of the league, but to be alive and kicking, looking like safety is a real possibility, is a positive. We’ve been hammered at times away, but at Home Park, we’ve had the rub of the green; six games on the bounce now, we’ve scored in the dying moments to pick up points against some strong opponents. Rooney is basically on a hiding to nothing with us too – especially from the Media. A successful season for us is the same as last season; survival. We’re on course for that, but performances need to pick up.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“See previous; we’ve one of the weakest squads in the league. Three positions we need are RB, CM and a 10. All three are of equal importance. We’re short of quality in the right-back area, especially with captain, leader, legend Joe Edwards out injured. A real box-to-box midfielder to complement Adam Randell. Al Hajj started his Argyle life with a bang but has since struggled to adapt to the league while still getting up to the required level of fitness. We’ve a mixed bag of results in recruitment, but I’d expect us to pick up some randoms you’ve never heard of to accompany the likes of Kornel Szucs, Rami Al Hajj, Julio Pleguezuelo and Mustapha Bundu.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“We stay up – I feel we can. 21st. Just above the dotted line.”
Portsmouth
Hancock Analysis- Portsmouth fan and content creator (@HancockAnalysis on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Frustrating is the word that comes to mind, both on and off the pitch. The sheer amount of injuries we’ve had is mindboggling, and we’ve taken far too long to commit to an identity (counter-attacking, high-intensity football) that we really should’ve been implementing in pre-season. I believe we would’ve won more points if we committed to it from the get-go.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“Simply put, we need to score more goals and concede fewer goals. Attacking-wise, we’re practically spot-on with our xG, but our quality of chance and the number of chances we’re creating is very concerning (2nd lowest non-pen xG), so it’s improving our creative numbers that should be the focus rather than a goal scorer to finish those chances. Defensively, our press is golden, fifth lowest PPDA in the league, but we’ve conceded the second most shots in the league and are so prone to individual errors. A creative midfielder is desperately needed, as well as competition for Josh Murphy at LW if Silvera goes back to Boro, I wouldn’t mind another centre-back either to allow Ryley Towler to depart on loan.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“I’ve seen a lot of gloom and doom talk amongst the fanbase this season, and as much as it’s been painful and frustrating, I think it’s so important to have some perspective. We’re a good run of games away from being comfortable in the bottom half of mid-table, so I honestly believe a finish around 16th or so is very attainable.”
Preston North End
Josh Haworth- Preston season ticket holder (@haworth02 on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Our season got off to an unusual start with the departure of Ryan Lowe after the loss to Sheffield United on the opening day. A decision most fans (myself included) believed should have happened at the end of last season. However, since Paul Heckingbottom has joined, there has been a clear improvement in the style of play and performance. Unfortunately, this has not translated into results. Overall, our performance in the first quarter of the season hasn’t been good enough, and we need to make changes to the squad to be able to do what Heckingbottom wants.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“The main change that we need to make in January is the defence. We have been conceding far too many goals, with most of them being down to a lapse in concentration or a mistake. The current back three of storey, Lindsay and Hughes, has been an almost ever-present for the last three years. Under Ryan Lowe, it was more effective as they were not relied on to play out from the back. However, under Paul Heckingbottom, it is clear that this must be something our defenders must be able to do. So a ball-playing centre half or two would be very well received by the majority of our fan base. Freddie Woodman has also struggled for the last couple of seasons, and with his contract up in the summer, it could be a good chance to find a new goalkeeper.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“I think a realistic finish would be lower mid-table. I’m not concerned that we will end up in a relegation scrap. Although I don’t believe that we will not be flirting with the top 10 as we normally do. This season is about consolidation and restarting under a new manager who has had a tough start to life at Deepdale due to not having a pre-season and only a week of the transfer window left on his arrival. As long as Heckingbottom’s system can be picked up by the players, I think we will have a fairly average season.”
QPR
James from the Hoops and Dreams fansite (@HoopsDreams_ on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Below expectations for sure. I don’t think many, if any, QPR fans saw this coming. I thought we all expected to continue where we left off at the end of last season and be a solid mid-table side. If I go back to our season predictions on our forum, fans had us down for 14th, 12th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 10th, 14th… you get the picture, we all expected a ‘boring’ season in mid-table. How wrong we were. We recruited largely from abroad based on ‘data’, and it just hadn’t worked out. We probably changed too much when we didn’t need to, as we had the foundations of a good side. However, the recruitment just hasn’t worked. With the odd exception, the summer signings have flopped, and the side also looks unbalanced – we have three right-backs, one left-back, and only two strikers, both new to this league in 2024. We’ve also been incredibly unlucky with injuries to key players all at the same time. It was already clear in pre-season that things weren’t clicking. I don’t think we are a terrible side – we aren’t losing THAT many games, but we draw too many. We’ve had games where we had 30 shots and 23 shots and still only draw, so it’s not looking good.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“Every club says it, but we really need goals or at least more attacking options. Two strikers will be on most QPR fans’ shopping list. Aside from that, I know most QPR fans would like to see us bring in Isaac Hayden again like we did last January, but after we overlooked him in the summer, he may not be as keen to come back as we’d like to think.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“I still think we can survive. It will only take back-to-back wins at some point to change the whole picture for us. It’s a long shot, given we have just gone three months without a win, but Marti Cifuentes showed last season that he knows how to adapt and change things. We just need to somehow stay in touch until January and be maybe within four to six points of safety like we were last season and then try and get some reinforcements. The season has been massively underwhelming, but I think QPR fans would bite your hand off for finishing 21st as it stands.”
Sheffield United
Theo Wilson from the All Things Sheffield United fan page (@AllThingsBlades on X)
How do you think the season has gone so far?
“I think the season has gone way better than anyone could have ever expected, and most people didn’t have us finishing in the top six, never mind the top two, so it’s been an excellent start.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
Sheffield Wednesday
Bethany from the SWFC Women’s Supporters Group (@SWFCwsg on X)
How do you think the season has gone so far?
“I’ve joked for weeks that I can’t tell if we’re any good or not yet, and I’ve come to realise we’re not a good or a bad team right now. We’ve experienced a bit of a culture shock following our promotion from League One – the ‘big fish in a small pond’ mentality sticks quick – and that led to some turbulent expectations both this preseason and the one that preceded it. Right now, we’re a mid-table Championship side that’s playing like a mid-table Championship side in a division that is extremely competitive and tight.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“A lot of Wednesday fans would be asking for a striker or ‘proven’ goalscorer – but I feel quite strongly that the patience with Ike Ugbo will pay off. I’d potentially like to see the recall of Bailey Cadamarteri from his loan at Lincoln City, especially if we’re committing to developing Charlie McNeill rather than playing him. Cadamarteri’s in good goalscoring form in League One, and we’ve seen how good he can be off the bench at this level. While our midfield has been strong this season so far, it’s only an injury (or recall of Shea Charles) away from a disaster. We’re incredibly lucky that Bannan is still an incredible player at this level, but we’re heavily reliant on his quality with very little Plan B. Ingelsson has yet to find consistent form, and dropping any of our forwards deeper in position would compromise creativity that we’re already struggling to find.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“Depending on finding (or not finding) a bit of form, I could see us finishing anywhere between 10th and 18th. Our last four seasons have been a relegation battle, back-to-back playoff campaigns and a relegation – the club needs to find some stability in this division before we can look to push any higher. I’d be happy to finish in any position that avoids jeopardy.”
Stoke City
The Wizards of Drivel Podcast (@wizardsofdrivel on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Season is sort of standard Stoke, to be honest. Some promising shoots, but with a lot of dross in between. We changed our manager out of nowhere, and it’s taken the new man time to get results on the board. We have decent players, but it’s hard to see us mounting a play-off push.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“I’d like us to sure up the centre half position and bring someone in at DM. We’ve got good attacking players but look so vulnerable on the counter.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“We’ll finish between 12th and 18th, barring an improvement.”
Sunderland
Stephen Goldsmith from the Wise Men Say podcast (@WiseMenSayPod on X)
Swansea City
Luke from the Swans Cast podcast (@SwansCastMedia on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“This season has been both encouraging and disappointing at the same time. Ultimately, there are many positives to take from the season so far, notably our league position offering an improvement on last season, which was our base realistic expectation for the season, and surprisingly, our defensive record is also a massive highlight thus far. We have yet to lose a game by more than a single goal and have been competitive in games we would expect to lose, such as Burnley and Sheffield United on the road, where in both games, we can be fairly aggrieved we came away empty-handed. With this being said, in some aspects, there has been disappointment and frustration in many of the performances, simply because being significantly further up the league table seems so near for this squad, yet so far. We ultimately do not score enough goals or create enough chances, or at least have not for the majority of this season. This is the one key area that is letting our game down right now and has cost us an abundance of points already this season where so often we have failed to turn dominant, controlling performances into the points they deserved. Notably against Cardiff, Bristol City, Stoke City and Millwall. This season was always going to be one of further transition, and we know the squad is thin, so it will take some time to get where we want to be, so we cannot be too disappointed at all with the start to the year… we are just so near to something so much better!”
Watford
Cameron from The Voices of The Vic podcast (@VoicesOfTheVic on X)
How do you think this season has gone so far?
“Many, myself included, predicted a relegation scrap this season for Watford. Such predictions were entirely justified, given the dire state of affairs before a ball was kicked. And yet we find ourselves sat in a play-off spot nearly halfway through the season. Whether we’re good value for that position is another question; away performances and results have largely been poor, and home performances have been hit-and-miss, but the results have been consistent. It’s without question that our early success is entirely on Tom Cleverley. The man is working wonders with one of the poorest squads in the league, playing attractive, high-risk football and getting results. The away form is very frustrating, but it’s completely counter-acted by our excellent home form. There’s no doubt from here that we’ll exceed expectations this season, it’s just a case of how far we can go with our imperfections.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“If we want to capitalise on our position, we do need some significant reinforcements in January. Our midfield so far this season has been nothing short of a calamity, with new signing Moussa Sissoko not being up to the task and Edo Kayembe simply isn’t good enough. A strong, defensively aware midfielder who can cover ground must come in January, or else we’ll keep conceding goals due to our very passive and lazy defending through the middle. Up front, we’ve had our woes this season; Vakoun Bayo, now out of a brief purple patch, isn’t a Championship player (I’m not even sure he’s a football league player) and costs us so many games, while Bournemouth loanee Daniel Jebbison can’t even get in the matchday squad. The latter looks set to return to his parent club, and in return, a replacement must be lined up if we want to cement our position. Speaking of woes, it hasn’t been a great season for goalkeeper Dan Bachmann, who has made a number of errors this campaign, though as he seems to have found some kind of form (for now), it seems unlikely he’ll be replaced in the near future.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“It’s really tough to say. We can finish as low as 24th, and I wouldn’t be one bit surprised. But this isn’t the same Watford team from the last four years. While we lack quality and defensive structure, we’re abundant in ideas and attacking prowess. With players like Giorgi Chakvetadze and Kwadwo Baah, you’ll always have chances to score goals, and with us, it’s just a case of taking those chances. I’m going to take the slightly pessimistic but maybe more sensitive view that, with the players we have up front, we won’t keep winning marginal games by taking our chances, but I do believe we have enough in us to cement a top half finish, which would be a huge achievement in itself.”
West Bromwich Albion
Chris Hall from the Albion Analysis podcast (@CJHall83 // @AlbionAnalysis on X)
How has this season gone so far?
“In terms of how the season has gone so far, it’s been the not-so-cliche season of two halves. We started phenomenally with five wins and a draw from the first six, and then we’ve won just one in the last 11. However, we’ve also only lost two all season, which is as few as anybody in the league. I think it’s all about perception. If those wins had been more spread out across this season and weren’t so heavily weighted to away games, I think the fans would feel better about the same number of points and the same league position. Seventh is fine for us at present in what was supposed to be a transitional season of getting the age and wage of the squad down, but when you’ve scored so few goals and seen so few wins at home, it’s always going to upset the fan base a bit.”
What changes would you like to see in January?
“It depends on the injury situation, really. If Dike can come back fit and stay fit, then that will mitigate the need for another striker, but if he gets another injury, we need another forward, as we can’t rely on Josh Maja all season. Similarly, at CB, it depends on how Kyle Bartley is after having to parachute in half-fit against Sunderland and play 45 minutes, and it also depends on whether Paddy McNair does end up going back to San Diego or whether they want him to continue building his fitness with us. If he goes, given Semi Ajayi is out for much of the season – I think we’d need another centre-back. The one thing we need, regardless, for me, is a ball-carrying central midfielder. I’d say in the mould of Pereira or Jason Koumas, but that might be setting the bar rather high. Regardless, we need someone who can do that as the squad lacks that type of player at present.”
Where do you think you can realistically finish this season?
“Top six is reasonable, but I wouldn’t be losing my head if we missed out either. I think the league doesn’t have as many stand-out teams this year, but it’s also more competitive than last year, and I think most of the teams in the top half will fancy their chances of making the play-offs and probably one or two in the bottom half such as Coventry or Luton might feel they could get on a run and crash that party. So it will be competitive, but we are more than capable with Corberan at the helm to make the top six. We simply don’t have the strength in depth for top two, especially as I fancy Leeds to run away with top spot and leave the rest of us scrapping for one automatic promotion place.”
A massive thank you to all contributors who have represented their respective clubs and allowed us some of their time to help with this article.
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