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Episode 247: Quickfire Championship Preview
132 Plays4 days ago
Southampton – We take a look at what we can expect as opposition this seasomn in the championship!
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Transcript
Introduction to the Daily Southampton Podcast
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott and as always today, joined by my good friend and wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
How you doing mate? You alright?
00:00:22
Zak
Yeah, good mate. Looking forward to today's topic. not that I've had a lot of time to think a bunch about it today. But yeah, I'm just looking forward to getting straight into mate.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Look, we are building up swiftly to the 25-26 championship season.
Birmingham City's Championship Ambitions
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I've given Zach a break. And what I've done is I've gone and dug deep.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I have been on all of the fan bulletin boards. I've been on Twitter. I have been on all the blogs. I have had a look into all of our opposition for the upcoming season.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what I have done is gone through and tried to summarize 23 teams' seasons and what we can expect from them in like a really small, short, segmented sentence. So what could go wrong?
00:01:16
Zak
I'm sure it'll be fine but
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. So look, I've got this written down alphabetically, so that's how I'm going to go.
00:01:23
Zak
Makes sense. Yeah, it's fair.
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, kicking it off with Birmingham City, who, as we all know, have been promoted from League One, coming up with some big money and big investment.
00:01:31
Zak
Okay.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think they're going to be pushing for promotion with their investment, to be honest, but they should be looking to bed themselves pretty comfortably in the championship this year.
00:01:45
Zak
Yeah, because the first season they were taken over, wasnt that that was then they got relegated, right? That was when Tom Brady hired Wayne Rooney and they got rid of their manager that was doing really, really well and that they've hopefully learned from that experience.
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:01:56
Zak
But it does kind of seem like the way they're being spoken about and the way they're being treated is akin to Wrexham, as if like they fought from the bottom up, whereas like, no no, this is the same ownership group that sunk them.
00:02:07
Zak
It's like nobody's ever spoken about Sports Republic like that and arguably we were in that position.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
well
00:02:12
Zak
So it's really weird that...
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
the same the same ownership group and let's be clear literally broke records for how much money they spent on players whilst in league one like the first team to ever spend more than a million pound on a player at that level uh
00:02:27
Zak
Yeah. i've I've noticed like you know some of the transfer rubbers that they've got knocking around a couple crazy, looking for striker from Ajax and bits and pieces. So i guess we'll see.
00:02:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Yeah,
00:02:37
Zak
They want to become well-established in the championship, which I think i think that's ah ah ah a decent enough goal, right?
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah that's it. i Look, I'm not going to get too much into like prediction territory, because we're going to cover that in depth tomorrow.
Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City Preview
00:02:50
Zak
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:02:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, there thereabouts.
00:02:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Blackburn Rovers next, who finished seventh last year. You know, it's... sir They're having had a bit of a tumultuous summer is what I'm taking on board from all of the reading I've done. They're in the middle of a bit of a bit of a turnover.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was a bit of surprise to them to get that high. And they might struggle to get as high as that this season in what's likely to be a competitive championship lots of teams pushing for the playoffs, to be honest.
00:03:20
Zak
It's always it's always the the way, right? Like people miss out on playoff spots and people do do sort of really well and have that push on. And then players and managers get poached and it kind of sinks them back down to the bottom. It's almost the same as in the Premier League, right? But I've always had kind of a weird, little bit of an affinity. had a a manager of mine at Gain back in the day called Darren, who, despite living in Portsmouth in Fratton, was a fan of Blackburn Rovers. That made my life a lot easier.
00:03:45
Zak
LAUGHTER
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
a letter of two evils, right? say
00:03:47
Zak
And also, I remember, know, it's sad Caligar weather, so that's the only other real association I have with black robbers or I can think of. Probably going to get loads of abuse for that, but there we are.
00:03:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Next up on the list. That's it. Look, we're flying straight through it. We've got to cover and not a huge amount of time to cover it today. Bristol City up next, who pushed into the playoffs last season before getting absolutely pummeled by Sheffield United, it's fair to say, which was unfortunate, but there was a 22-point difference between those two teams in the league, which just goes to show how nonsense the league was last season, right?
00:04:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
those Those three teams were so far clear. And as we know, Sheffield United didn't manage to go up regardless of that. they it's it's They're facing uncertainty whether they're going to be able to push that hard again. It it does come off the back of...
00:04:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
two previous sets of improvements in the championships. I believe it was 10th, 8th, and then 6th last season. But with such a competitive league, the expectations of the fan base are that they're probably not going to be up in the playoffs, but should be high in the mid-table.
Charlton Athletic and Coventry City's Goals
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:04:57
Zak
They missed out on their their manager, so Liam Manning, who was once he was one of the ones I did a profile on because he was he he may have joined us.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:05
Zak
He went on to join Norwich City. it's another case of over-performing at a club, struggling with you know not not quite getting to where they want to be. Somebody else going, ah, he had more resources, maybe he'd do better.
00:05:17
Zak
So again, like it's just adding to the unpredictability of where the championship might be.
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:05:22
Zak
in my opinion, but yeah, it feel bad for them, but hopefully they still have an alright season.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Indeed.
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. Next up on the list, Charlton Athletic. As we all know, Nathan Jones got them promoted in the playoffs last season.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a bit of a surprise for them to be flying quite that high at that point in their project, which probably means they'll struggle this year, is the general consensus.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, like aiming for survival, but bookies put them smack bang favourites to go down. So...
00:05:57
Zak
But...
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
well, second favourites behind a team we'll get on to later on.
00:06:02
Zak
but like this This is the thing, right? like yeah Sure, it's worked out for Nathan Jones there. We'll see if it works out in in the championship. And I just can't bring myself to... you know I know that you've got a lot more affinity with Charlton than me, mate.
00:06:16
Zak
Your dad played for him.
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:06:17
Zak
But also, for me, it's just sort of like...
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:06:19
Zak
Just not fan Nathan Jones. Never was, never, never will be. So... I guess we'll move on swiftly on.
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll see. Moving swiftly on, yeah. Coventry City next up on the list, who finished fifth last season. Frank Lampard, of course, in charge there.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
They flew into the playoffs last season. And honestly, they've made quite a lot signings. They're looking to push on to be in those promotion spots.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably trying to get automatic promotion, whether that's feasible.
00:06:53
Zak
So the thing is how many players, how many teams are trying to do that?
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll wait and see, but...
00:06:56
Zak
Like we may be firm favorites to be potentially top or whatever, but like, I think that it's going to be a tougher test than we think it is, you know?
Challenges for Derby County and Hull City
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Next up on the list, carrying on, Derby County, who finished 19th last season. They have made few signings this summer.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're looking to improve, but the fan forums I've been reading are, I think it's safe to say, sceptical. Many of them would consider 15th a huge win for the season, so that probably tells you everything you need to know about that.
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they will be...
00:07:36
Zak
Shout out to one of our available of our network bosses, Nick, who is a Derby found County fan and has been involved in the club and is just happy with us, mate, for keeping them relevant by not beating their points record.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, whatever floats the boat, we were happy to not have that record. So, yeah. And then next up... Hull City, who finished 21st last season.
00:08:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember watching the game. They narrowly missed out on relegation on literally the last day of the season in what realistically was a disastrous season for a team that many people were thinking would probably be kicking on for playoffs.
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's...
00:08:22
Zak
they stacked Liam Rossini the season before, right? Another one of our managerial targets for absolutely insane reasons and then they
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because he didn't make the playoffs and they finished seventh. Like, they missed out by, like, two points.
00:08:32
Zak
they reaped the sort of benefits of making insane decisions.
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, like look, if you follow HITC7s on YouTube, he's done whole series of videos as a whole supporter about the behind-the-scenes going on at his club. But I think it's safe to describe it as slightly tumultuous.
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're currently under a transfer.
00:08:56
Zak
mate on a transfer embargo yeah it's gonna not but but a boss that has no experience in english football taking over a club that's struggling is always uh
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
they're currently under a transfer embargo. They should, with the team they've got, be pushing into a better position than where they finished last season. But, but honestly, relegation's not off the cards.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. what What's interesting is the bookies odds on them doing better are much shorter than other teams in a similar situation. but The bookies fancy them to do well as well, but I don't know if I see it.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I guess who knows better, me or the bookies?
Ipswich Town's Promotion Aspirations
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
My back balance would dictate the bookies generally.
00:09:41
Zak
yeah
00:09:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
i so it's a a
00:09:43
Zak
a
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is a third of the way through anyway. So time for a quick break and a message from our partners at Bionique.
00:10:10
Zak
Sure.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. I'm just going to keep firing through them. That quick fire the name of the game, right?
00:10:36
Zak
so
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ipswich Town, obviously relegated with us last season.
00:10:38
Zak
ah
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Making moves and in the transfer window, it's got to be said. Seem to have made some shrewd sign-ins and a couple of sort reasonably large, especially for the championship sign-ins. Ed Sheeran obviously not worried about splashing cash with his investment group.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, I've written down probably going to be our main competitive competition for automatic promotion. Wouldn't be surprised if it's either us or them winning the league.
00:11:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, are you feeling the same? or
00:11:11
Zak
I guess so.
00:11:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
They also seem to be like you know think to be like in a better position than at at least Leicester who came down as well because...
00:11:13
Zak
I've... so i
00:11:20
Zak
But they're on a better position than Leicester, and Leicester are probably going to start of a points deduction, right? But if Leicester don't, they've still got a pretty good squad. Ipswich did well, we just not well enough. It's whether or not they can carry it on this season.
00:11:34
Zak
They, like us, have lost some players.
Leicester City and Middlesbrough's Struggles
00:11:36
Zak
Weirdly, they've just appointed Junior Stanislas as a first-team coach who used to play for Bournemouth. That was a really weird article I've just seen.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting.
00:11:44
Zak
um like i guess I guess they are, but I feel like you should not underestimate the sleeping dog that is Sheffield United for the simple fact that just because they missed out doesn't mean that they missed out by a lot.
00:11:56
Zak
Depends on whether or not Stellas does us a favour.
00:11:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
right we well look We'll get to that.
00:12:00
Zak
Yeah, that's my point, is that like I'm just kind of like, yes, they are considered to be our main rivals.
00:12:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah
00:12:06
Zak
That's not necessarily how the championship plays out, though.
00:12:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%. That is the beauty of this league. yeah Next up on the list, Leicester, as I say, probably facing a points deduction at the start of the season. Although the you know the appeals seems to be dragging its heels on that.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know whether we'll know by the time the season starts or if we'll have to wait till afterwards. But it's going to be interesting either way. ah did read an article call that there might even be more to follow, which is...
00:12:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, upsetting the amount of clubs in financial hardship at the moment.
00:12:35
Zak
aye all
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But,
00:12:39
Zak
Very odd managerial appointment in my opinion.
00:12:42
Zak
I understand why they got rid of Van der Stray, but still, I guess they wanted some championship experience, right?
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:12:49
Zak
I'm still a bit baffled, right, mind you.
00:12:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Also, very few incomings so far this summer and unlikely to be many others. So, yeah.
00:12:56
Zak
I wonder why. I think it was like Brownhill from Burnley was the only sort of link that I've seen.
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So look, honestly, feel like playoffs might be just their target, especially if they're having a points deduction. I think that might, you with how competitive it's going to be, that might already be enough to sort of rule them out of the top.
00:13:16
Zak
we We talk about how difficult it's been since 2016. Imagine that. Yeah, for sure.
00:13:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:21
Zak
ah just well
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. Crazy, crazy indeed. But look, we'll see. look Like say, not probably still a good enough squad to compete and be up there, but I mean, with the behind-the-scenes mess, it's it's hard, isn't it? right That makes things much harder.
00:13:40
Zak
yeah so
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Middlesbrough next. Rob Edwards taking over as manager this season after Michael Carrick's disappointment. They finished 10th last season.
00:13:51
Zak
I didn't realise that he'd gone.
00:13:53
Zak
That's interesting.
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah fans suspect this season could also be a struggle. They are one of these teams that are going to be... They feel like they're going to be stuck right in this like mid-table limbo where...
00:14:06
Zak
Yeah.
00:14:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
which you know is is going to start to be the case as it seems to be harder and harder to stay in the Premier League. But yeah, they're they're going to be hoping to maybe push up slightly higher than 10th, but lots of question marks as well, lots of unknowns.
Norwich City and Oxford United's Season Outlook
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Next on the list, Millwall, who they seem, from what I was reading, they finished 8th last season. They seem to be... sort of a time of their rebuild where it's all coming together and are probably this year going to be targeting the playoffs after getting pretty close last year.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they are they do have a new manager who you know started the second half of last season where they really built that push. they've got quite a lot of momentum heading in to the start of this season.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So maybe? Maybe like the the Dark Horse playoff run? but Maybe not even so much Dark Horse to be honest, but pushing for it for sure one of the teams that uh are going to be hoping to be in that fold so
00:15:07
Zak
i will share my opinions on me next
00:15:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
uh super mill no one likes them they don't care it's fine uh next up norwich city uh who finished 13th last season uh they had an unsettled year last year uh
00:15:14
Zak
it
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they'll be looking to get a more solid position and aiming to challenge for the playoffs, supposedly, according their fan base, but...
00:15:33
Zak
Yeah, as as I said, Manning managed to get Bristol City to the playoffs. I think the idea is that they bring him in.
00:15:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:39
Zak
Sargent's still technically there, right? like I think he was going to go, but I think that it was happened there. I imagine they're probably still just trying to strengthen a little bit, but they're always one that you can't ever underestimate their ability to somehow get up, even if they do immediately go back down.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it, right? And, you know, especially with a manager who achieved as much last year as Manning, that it's...
00:16:01
Zak
Yes.
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are... You know, you'd be a fool to write them off.
00:16:06
Zak
Correct.
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Next up on the list, Oxford United, finished 17th last season. Couldn't find a lot about their pre-seasonal preview online, to be honest, but based off of the odds the bookies are given, they are in for a tough season.
00:16:23
Zak
Yeah, they were expected to go back down last season, though, right? Because they were promoted last season and everyone kind of didn't expect them to stay up.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:31
Zak
and and they did. I'm just trying remember their current manager, Gary Rowett. Why do I know him? I'm trying to figure out where I remember him being.
00:16:40
Zak
No idea. I, do for some reason, of the thought he'd been in charge of other teams. I, for some reason, thought he wass in charge of Wolves, but it turns out it was Birmingham, Millwall, Stoke, Derby, Birmingham again, Burton is his managerial career. So I actually have no idea.
00:16:55
Zak
LAUGHTER
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
but but But look, ah yeah, yeah, they're probably in for a difficult season, but hoping to sort of stick with it.
00:17:03
Zak
I think if if they managed to stay up last season, power to.
00:17:06
Zak
If they manage it again and start becoming established, even better.
Portsmouth and Preston North End's Mid-Table Hopes
00:17:09
Zak
Happy days.
00:17:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Next on the list, Portsmouth, who last season finished 16th.
00:17:13
Zak
wow
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
They survived like like trying to face this from as neutral of the ground as possible, right? Taking this from an analytical mindset. They survived last season and they have been making movements in the transfer window to try and improve.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's probably too early for them to be thinking about pushing for a promotion place, but they'll be trying to move up the table and sort of solidify themselves in this sort of middle table that might push up.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But still lots of unknowns and frankly relegation not off the cards. And we'll wait and see. an interesting one.
00:17:50
Zak
Apparently, they're urgently working on new signings. But feel like you need to remember like the differences of where we are the differences of where they are. is like They're closing in on a midfielder from Budapest.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:03
Zak
MTK Budapest, the Hungarian League. Whereas we're kind of complaining that we're like, oh unfortunately, we've got a transfer from the Bundesliga too.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:11
Zak
But yeah, apparently lot of turmoil over Matt Ritchie's departure. I'm going to be honest you, Greg. I pay zero attention to them by design.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:20
Zak
yeah So...
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it, mate.
00:18:22
Zak
I'll be relegating if they are. Oh,
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Preston North End next, who finished 20th last season, so narrowly staying up. They're probably going to be fighting for survival again, to be honest. They have, interestingly, signed Thierry Small, which is of note to us.
00:18:38
Zak
really? of our old... Our old...
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. And have made a couple of other signings.
00:18:41
Zak
Academy.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're hoping to build to, like, make survival not a question mark. And most excitingly, za they are now sponsored by the Spud Bros. So...
00:18:54
Zak
yeah
00:18:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was honestly the most exciting part of reading about their season. Yeah.
00:19:00
Zak
got me that yet It's one of the ones where like between Rotherham and Preston they get the most accidental flack from me of a stereotypical boring to France fur fixture that isn't Stoke, right?
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:15
Zak
So, my bad. But there we are.
QPR and Sheffield United's Relegation Concerns
00:19:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. All right. Last up, uh, before we head into another break, uh, QPR who finished 15th last season, ah QPR fans are hopeful for a better season this year, pushing on with, they've made some exciting signings, uh, and they're trying to push probably to just end up in this sort of mid table limbo this season, especially where the league is looking to be maybe more competitive than ever, which is crazy when you think about last year.
00:19:24
Zak
When...
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the bookies still reckon they'll be down around the relegation zone. So maybe the excitement over those signings is just noise. It's going to be hard to see either way, to be honest.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Any thoughts on QPR, Zach? Yeah.
00:19:59
Zak
I don't really have a lot. like I know that obviously they lost their manager and they have a new manager that's come in. ah don't really know a huge amount about them. Again, I was really surprised that left that the Leicester guy, boss you he's finished in 15.
00:20:10
Zak
Doesn't really strike a huge amount of confidence in you that that is going to be the guy that brings out promotion. so I very much agree with you that I think Leicester are just trying to steady the ship, but it's got to be frustrating like it is with any club, right? When if you, you know, look look at us with Koeman and Pochettino, whenever you have a good manager that kind of appears out of nowhere,
00:20:28
Zak
Or just manager that's able to, you know, inspire some level of confidence so that they just get stripped away from you. And it feels like it's kind of, feel like that's kind of how QPR are struggling with or going to have to struggle with the rest of the season.
00:20:41
Zak
But maybe they're all right. Who knows?
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, indeed. Right. Time for a quick break and a message from our partners at Zencaster before we head into the home straight and wrap up. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. and Zencaster came out the clear winner.
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
With 4K video recording from your phone and air editing that helps remove all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start podcast. It sounds great. and is delivered efficiently. if you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. So, firing through rapidly the yeah the last on the list. So, next up, the Blades, Sheffield United finished third.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like I said, 22 points ahead of their opponents in the semifinals of the playoffs.
00:21:28
Zak
Yeah.
00:21:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, of course, beaten at Wembley by Sunderland. Look, should be pushing in there or thereabouts again. Ruben Seles as their manager this season, they...
00:21:40
Zak
yeah Bad for Celeste. Celeste goes to Reading. Reading get demoted
Sheffield Wednesday in Crisis and Stoke City’s Prospects
00:21:46
Zak
into League One. He fights out at League One. Gets the job at Hull City.
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:49
Zak
Just about keeps them up. Then I can't remember if he was let go. can't remember if he was let go or Sheffield United. Then coming to get him to replace them. um And since then, they've lost Kiefer Moore as of today you to Wrexham.
00:22:05
Zak
Brewster, I think, is gone now as well. So there's quite, like they seem to be losing more players than coming in. it's that It's the reality of if you go back down and miss out on but so on promotion, and that that's this is something we might need to deal with next season.
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:20
Zak
Hopefully not, but this is the reality of what happens. Like even they were going for Rob Holding, right? And he's ended up going, now I'm going to America because again, the pull isn't as much.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah
00:22:29
Zak
So we'll have to see how they they, but again, they could be a, they could be a bit a wild card in my opinion.
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wholeheartedly agree. One interesting stat that I found, which I'm sure was all over the place at the end of last season, but 10 times Sheffield United have now made it to the playoffs of the championship, and 10 times they have not gone up through the playoffs.
00:22:53
Zak
That isn't, it's not nice, is it?
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's horrible. What a horrible statistic. From one end of the table to probably the other, Sheffield Wednesday, who finished 12th last season, but man, what...
00:23:08
Zak
Off the show, we discussed this a lot. Like, we honestly, I think we discussed Sheffield Wednesday more than any other club other than Saints, just because of how how mad it is. Like, remove the the fact that no one really talks about how Morker FC are basically null and void at this point.
00:23:24
Zak
but But Sheffield United are an example of what happens when a club high up in that position are you know, mismanaged regardless This is the problem with ownership. we could This is a whole episode on its own.
00:23:36
Zak
Where do I see them?
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:37
Zak
Probably relegated. Let's face it, they've got 13 outfield players right now, right?
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:41
Zak
Everyone's gone.
00:23:42
Zak
Even, you know...
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No expenses to play a wet to pay for a away day games. I just...
00:23:49
Zak
for a home shirt from an employee that isn't getting paid.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:23:54
Zak
It's just...
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
An entire stand, which by the looks of it is being written off in the home stadium as not usable in any way, shape or form. It's just, yeah, it is crazy.
00:24:03
Zak
Shocking, isn't it? Shocking.
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right. Probably the team that hit our news feeds second most compared to Saints with all of the craziness that's happening there at the moment. And not great.
00:24:15
Zak
you know, all the stuff with Danny Roll. Danny Roll's gone.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:18
Zak
They now have a a guy from Denmark who's only ever done anything in Denmark.
00:24:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:22
Zak
Everyone else that's big at their club has gone. People been there sort of 20, 30 years. It's up, same scene. But I don't see him doing well because of it.
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, indeed. It's shame for Sheffield Wednesday fans for all the owls, but that's the name of the game, right? Next on my list, Southampton, who of course finished 20th in the Premier League last season, and the only notes I have here are winning the league.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Moving on...
00:24:47
Zak
Moving swiftly on.
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Stoke City next, who finished 18th last season. They are hoping to improve from that. They've got an exciting striker on loan from Man City, whose name I haven't written down because i didn't want to attempt pronunciation.
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... it The bookies' odds suggest that their fans' hopes of being in that mid-table limbo might be optimistic. They are, like, fourth or fifth favourite to get relegated.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be ah ah a battle of a season for them.
00:25:24
Zak
All I know is that we are consistently being linked by fans, mainly, to their goalkeeper, to Aniston, right?
00:25:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:31
Zak
Like, he's apparently a really good goalkeeper.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:25:33
Zak
I've seen some of the saves. So everyone's just like, we should just buy him. And then loads of other people being like, no, if we're just going to buy a championship quality but goalkeeper, we already have Pizzunu.
Swansea City and Watford's Uncertain Futures
00:25:43
Zak
So whatever your opinions are on that or whatever your opinions are, but that is pretty much all I'm aware of about Snoke, mate.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:50
Zak
I'm not going to lie.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
ye Next up, Swansea City, who have this summer had investment from Snoop Dogg and Luka Modric.
00:25:59
Zak
Oh yeah, I forgot. I forgot Snoop Dogg bought Swansea City of all... I'm loving this random American celebrity Bayou's football club and has absolutely no idea, right?
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:11
Zak
Like... oh
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, yeah, like, so the last four seasons, they have, uh, finished basically 11th or thereabouts every year. They have been in what can only be described as mid table limbo.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, and honestly, i just don't see that changing this season. Well, it's going to be really competitive at the top. And I just don't know if they're in the place that's going to push for it.
00:26:35
Zak
I'm just looking forward to them being sponsored by a bunch of CBD oil companies all that or that was in that smokeless barbecue that Snoop Dogg promoted when he said he was giving up smoke and broke the internet.
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh,
00:26:49
Zak
that but why you'd randomly associate that with a Welsh City short. But maybe it's because Wrexham is from Wales and then Superdog saw Wrexham and then thought, can I buy another club in Wales?
00:27:01
Zak
Because that is that is the vibe I'm getting. like
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Mate, look, it's gonna... I'm sure that there'll be plenty of entertainment come out of.
00:27:08
Zak
but they There's no real connection anymore. No previous Russell Martin derby or anything like that.
00:27:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that's it. That'll be interesting. Next up on the list, Watford, who finished 14th last season. The note I've got written down is, is over four and a half managers this season a safe bet?
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The paper
00:27:28
Zak
Well, they had one for the whole of the last season, right? It's just at the end of the season, they got rid of him. And that's the problem. I just feel like it must be insane to work there. It's like retail, right? High turnover of managers. You turn up to one day, you carry on doing your job.
00:27:42
Zak
At this point, do they just have like the Watford tactics board and the manager just comes in and doesn't do anything with it?
00:27:49
Zak
Because it must be must be bizarre to play for a club where every other week you're working for a different boss.
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mad.
00:27:55
Zak
And yet somehow, I'm not saying it's worked, but they have got relegated from the championship and people have done less and got relegated. So... That's
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
like yeah Well, the patience, I think, with the owners is low. The pressure is high. Whether that leads to good things and they make push-up or whether that leads to trouble and push-down.
West Bromwich Albion and Wrexham's Ambitions
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. but i don't This is another team that I think might...
00:28:15
Zak
all I remember...
00:28:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that, you know, from optics, they'll be saying they want to push on and try and get playoffs. This is another team I see in mid-table limbo.
00:28:25
Zak
Yeah, it's it's one of those things, Greg, where the only thing I've really seen about Watford Year this year is the fact that they're being forced to have the full colour of their sponsor on their kit because the sponsor's pushed it and it looks awful.
00:28:38
Zak
And then I remember texting you about it and you said, is it bad?
00:28:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing.
00:28:41
Zak
I actually think this looks really nice. Because you were like, oh, it's got a kind of cherry lemonade vibe. I'm like, yeah, but then you've also you're also slightly colourblind, mate. So you can take that with a pinch of salt.
00:28:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah That's fair. It's not my own show I have to contend with, so obviously the opinion I guess will change based on that as well. Next on the list, the baggies, West Bromwich Albion.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ninth last season, Ryan matt Mason taking over as manager.
00:29:13
Zak
Awesome.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah believe they've now been successfully taken over and have some money floating around the club, but not an unlimited amount of budget. I think they'll probably also be floating around this mid-table area.
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't see this year as being their year to push on. Maybe if their striker could stay fit because he's you know he's been a bit injury-prone, but maybe they're thereabouts.
00:29:37
Zak
I think it that the worst thing for me, mate, is it just blew my mind that I had to... i was like, Ryan Mason is the guy that like got like a skull fracture and had to quit football, right? And the fact that he is actually 34, bit older than me, and also managing.
00:29:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:52
Zak
And I'm like, oh, that's young for a manager, forgetting that our own manager is younger than us.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:29:56
Zak
So I guess ignore that.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
one the
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of the articles I read was like, manager this season, Ryan Mason, brackets, age 34, brackets, take a shot every time that's mentioned this season.
00:29:59
Zak
As somebody with...
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:30:12
Zak
ah ah I think we've got the youngest manager of the championship now, but also um as somebody that, you know, the baggies are a bit closer to your home than mine, as in, you know, your family members and stuff. How do you how do you feel about them?
00:30:24
Zak
there positivity coming from your family about it or...
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, there's always cautious optimism, I think, right? If there's one thing that West Brom fans and Saints fans have in common, it's the need to be cautious with their optimism.
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that you go into the season, they've not had a great pre-season, to be honest. But apparently that's par for the course, and normally they have a rubbish pre-season and then really kick it into gear when the season starts. So, look, I can't wait to for... that not to happen this year and to witness that as well.
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
but It's a blessing and a curse, right?
00:31:02
Zak
Yeah.
00:31:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. And finally on the list, of course, Wrexham promoted from League One last year after back-to-back-to-back promotions. Is that enough backs?
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so. yeah um Obviously have spent money. Have they spent that money well? I mean, they've brought in some experience. They've brought in some good players for this level.
00:31:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will it all gel together? Will the expectations be high? i was watching one interview with a Wrexham fan who was saying lot of our fans have never experienced Wrexham suffer.
00:31:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So does that like noise and pressure come when it inevitably is harder?
00:31:42
Zak
Well, it depends. They're looking at coming in for Ericsson. like They've got Joshua Nass, who's part of Sheffield Wednesday. You've got like Liberto Cacci. I think that's how you pronounce it. if not I know that sounds bad. I remember him being big big like a he's New Zealand, I think.
00:32:02
Zak
was a wonder kid on FM. So take it with a pinch of salt. But, like, it's not like they they're sat on their laurels waiting. I just can't figure out, like, surely at some point there's going to be some rules about spending with them.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nah.
00:32:15
Zak
I don't know when it's going to catch up, but maybe this season will be the season.
00:32:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the difference is, I mean, the difference is whether they do generate a lot of income, through other means, right?
00:32:25
Zak
bad.
00:32:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Through alternative means.
00:32:26
Zak
Well, obviously, yeah, the Netflix deal went bad. but
00:32:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:30
Zak
Netflix FC in it.
00:32:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's okay Yeah, I mean, the way that they have built their money is... Obviously, they had rich owners to kick it off, but they've tried to, like, naturally bolster the club's finances rather than just, like, the Man City approach, right?
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:32:49
Zak
Yeah, like and that's that's a good thing. And like look, I take them, Mick, we'll see how it is on Saturday. like they've They've tried their best to build up a a good team for this season. They've had to make some pretty you know brutal decisions, especially with Mullen being their talisman for so long. like Good Lord, even got a bit in Deadpool right as Welshpool.
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:09
Zak
And yet now he's on loan, so we get athletic and might never come back. You know, J-Rod's there, I think he's out of an injury.
00:33:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:16
Zak
So, but yeah, like imagine, a imagine being.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
what I'm saying, mate, is we learnt last season that Misery sells so much better. it's going be the most viewed Disney Plus series of all time when they get relegated straight back down to League One.
00:33:25
Zak
But imagine being, imagine being right now.
00:33:33
Zak
But it's one of those things that they were like, imagine you're like, ah like you know, we've gone to some mumbley games.
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:33:39
Zak
We go to Eastleigh occasionally. Imagine you're Eastleigh fan and you blink and three years later, you're you're being it like linked with Ericsson. It's like, it must be weird.
00:33:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mad.
Football Fan Culture and League Dynamics
00:33:48
Zak
But also also, you go to a game and like an American turns up to watch Eastley.
00:33:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:33:53
Zak
You get those stories with with like National League clubs, right? Where people have been playing with a football manager for 30 years. Some guy flies out from like for like ja Japan.
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:01
Zak
He's like, yeah, love Bath City. And everyone's looking around like, what? But like, no. This is that to like such an extreme level where like people are looking forward to it and you've got like all these travelling fans and I can't wait for half the travelling fans to just be like people that are fans of Ryan Reynolds that live in Southampton.
00:34:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:34:19
Zak
Maybe that's...
00:34:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:34:21
Zak
baby
00:34:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't
00:34:34
Zak
Oh, mate, I'm looking forward to our preview.
00:34:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
know.
00:34:35
Zak
We're going to make so many more jokes like this.
00:34:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
but That is it. right That's it. Look, that is the quickest fire I could manage rundown of the championship preview through lots of reading and lots of studying.
00:34:49
Zak
Appreciate that, mate.
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to... Look, it's it's going to be an exciting season. It's going to be good. There's lots lots of teams that are going to be pushing for those promotion places, and that's going to make it tricky.
00:35:00
Zak
And there's going to be new teams I learn to hate.
00:35:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's what makes the league so great.
00:35:02
Zak
that's That's the best thing about it. There's going to be new teams where I get a crudger gate, like how I still have a crudger gate, Swatford, for handball. I don't remember why, who it was. i can't even remember what year it was, mate. But i know that deep down, for some reason, I have a major hatred of Wattford.
00:35:19
Zak
I can't explain it. It's ethereal at this point.
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
sorry.
00:35:22
Zak
And that's the joy of being football fan.
00:35:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:35:24
Zak
And this year, as a new championship season kicks off, I can't wait to feel that way about Wrexham. The same way that Newcastle fans feel about us because Ben Ferretti-Diaz managed to get away with a little something at the beginning of last season.
00:35:39
Zak
And we got relegated. They're like, because of that Ben Ferretti-Diaz, lad, we're glad you're down. Good.
00:35:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:35:44
Zak
It's going to be great. Let's go.
00:35:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah lost I'm so ready. Look, we are back tomorrow when we put numbers to it and pick our ah ah
Conclusion and Listener Feedback
00:35:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
championship predictions out in the public for all of the criticism that's going to come our way.
00:36:01
Zak
Oh, kids.
00:36:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm so excited as we build up closer and closer to the start of the season. The excitement's genuinely building in my body. I cannot wait. I'm going burst by the weekend, honestly. I'm just, like, absolutely bouncing.
00:36:17
Zak
We better win.
00:36:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, like I say, we'll be back tomorrow with those numbers.
00:36:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zach, thank you very much for joining me. Thank you, everyone, for listening. What have we missed? Let us know. Any dark horses for the championship you see coming through this season or any shocks you see think are going to struggle that might end up unexpectedly in the relegation zone? and Let us know on all the socials. We are on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Blue Sky,
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
All of it. Let us know.
00:36:47
Zak
All six of them.
00:36:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
How excited are you for the championship season? I am so ready. we will be back tomorrow. we hope you join us then. Until then, have a wonderful day and we'll see then.