Opposition fans back from the game

[Ian Royal]

It's a really strange mentality. Against Brentford there was a guy I've not seen before sitting near me, who spent the last 30 odd minutes of the second half (which is when he'd got back to his seat after HT, staring psychotically at a specific Brentord fan and making 'see you outside' gestures. He can't have seen much of the game.

That's a proper weirdo. There's not much wrong with a bit of rivalry and posturing between fans... but he genuinely looked like he wanted to knife someone.

Mental.

[brighton_royal]

Tyler Durden.

[Royal Ginger]

Overheard some Reading fans at the station discussing how a few City fans were arrested and a copper got punched. Don't know how true that is though.

[CountryRoyal]

The same can be said for when fans (occasionally ours included) run down the row to goad fans. It's maybe excusable if you're 13 but grown men doing it just epitomise bellendry.

[Royalclapper]

Must be totally frustrating for Bristol City fans though, everyone in their division last season said that they were a cut above anything else and won it at a canter.

Preston have been sound enough and it's all new to MK Dons but Bristol City must have been expecting a lot better showing than they're getting this time. Is Cotterill just out of his depth at this level or did they just underestimate the Champ? Either way, they must be annoyed by such a poor effort.

[Ian Royal]

The Championship combines a fairly high standard of football with being about the most competative professional division in the world.

Every season there are about 10 teams who can legitimately feel they should finish top six and about another 10 who think with a fair wind and a bit of luck they could do.

All it takes is a tough run of poor results early on as nrwly promoted side to destroy your form and confidence. Especially for a side that had it relatively easy the previous year.

[windermere_royal]

newly

[Winston Smith]

the most competative professional division in the world.

Sounds like one of those clichéd comments someone on Sky Sports would say.

Who on earth studies every single professional football division in the world, let alone compares the competitiveness of them all??

[CountryRoyal]

Must be totally frustrating for Reading fans though, everyone in their division at the start of the season said that they were a cut above anything else and won games at a canter.

Burnley have been sound enough and it's all new to Brighton but Reading must have been expecting a lot better showing than they're getting this time. Was Clarke just out of his depth at this level or did they just underestimate the Champ? Either way, they must be annoyed by such a poor effort.

[Ian Royal]

the most competative professional division in the world.

Sounds like one of those clichéd comments someone on Sky Sports would say.

Who on earth studies every single professional football division in the world, let alone compares the competitiveness of them all??

That's why I said about. The English professional League is deeper than virtually every other national league. Teams from the lower divisions can climb the pyramid successfully despite that. How many top flights see teams like Bournemouth, Wigan, Swansea or Reading climb into their top flight and stick around sometimes competing in the top half.

The Championship is insanely competitive.

[Longhorn1970]

Must be totally frustrating for Bristol City fans though, everyone in their division last season said that they were a cut above anything else and won it at a canter.

Preston have been sound enough and it's all new to MK Dons but Bristol City must have been expecting a lot better showing than they're getting this time. Is Cotterill just out of his depth at this level or did they just underestimate the Champ? Either way, they must be annoyed by such a poor effort.

Didn't they spend a fortune to get up ? Cotterill had them playing well by all accounts but the championship is whole different ball game and he may not have the resources available to make the step up

[Winston Smith]

the most competative professional division in the world.

Sounds like one of those clichéd comments someone on Sky Sports would say.

Who on earth studies every single professional football division in the world, let alone compares the competitiveness of them all??

That's why I said about. The English professional League is deeper than virtually every other national league. Teams from the lower divisions can climb the pyramid successfully despite that. How many top flights see teams like Bournemouth, Wigan, Swansea or Reading climb into their top flight and stick around sometimes competing in the top half.

The Championship is insanely competitive.

Disagree on the 'insanely competitive'.

Bournemouth spent vast amounts getting up. People were very critical of Wigan when they were promoted over their spending. When us, Southampton & West Ham went up i remember someone then posting up on here later the biggest wage spenders that season. 3 of the top 4 went up. Look at who the top 2 are now and what they spend.

There are hundreds of professional football divisions around the world. I doubt you know anything about 95% of them let alone are able to compare details of them.

[CountryRoyal]

There are hundreds of professional football divisions around the world.

No there aren't.

[Winston Smith]

Fair point. Was getting very carried away there.

Europe has 48 I believe. Many south American countries have 2 professional divisions, some have 3.

I will put the number down as a lot. And I stick by Ian Royal knowing nothing about almost all of them.

[taipairoyal]

It's a really strange mentality. Against Brentford there was a guy I've not seen before sitting near me, who spent the last 30 odd minutes of the second half (which is when he'd got back to his seat after HT, staring psychotically at a specific Brentord fan and making 'see you outside' gestures. He can't have seen much of the game.

That's a proper weirdo. There's not much wrong with a bit of rivalry and posturing between fans... but he genuinely looked like he wanted to knife someone.

Mental.

God thats rich from a weirdo who streaked at a vital FA cup match versus Bradford.

[P!ssed Off]

Sounds like one of those clichéd comments someone on Sky Sports would say.

Who on earth studies every single professional football division in the world, let alone compares the competitiveness of them all??

That's why I said about. The English professional League is deeper than virtually every other national league. Teams from the lower divisions can climb the pyramid successfully despite that. How many top flights see teams like Bournemouth, Wigan, Swansea or Reading climb into their top flight and stick around sometimes competing in the top half.

The Championship is insanely competitive.

Disagree on the 'insanely competitive'.

Bournemouth spent vast amounts getting up. People were very critical of Wigan when they were promoted over their spending. When us, Southampton & West Ham went up i remember someone then posting up on here later the biggest wage spenders that season. 3 of the top 4 went up. Look at who the top 2 are now and what they spend.

There are hundreds of professional football divisions around the world. I doubt you know anything about 95% of them let alone are able to compare details of them.

Bournemouth lost 'vast amounts'. Doesn't mean they spent vast amounts.
Their wage bill for 2013/14 was fairly average for the league and their transfer activity for the summer window made a profit, so unless they went and gave everyone a massive payrise for the 2014/15 season it's nonsense to cite Bournemouth as an example of the league not being competitive.

[West Stand Man]

Bournemouth lost 'vast amounts'. Doesn't mean they spent vast amounts.
Their wage bill for 2013/14 was fairly average for the league and their transfer activity for the summer window made a profit, so unless they went and gave everyone a massive payrise for the 2014/15 season it's nonsense to cite Bournemouth as an example of the league not being competitive.

So, how did they lose all that money without spending it?

[CountryRoyal]

Bournemouth lost 'vast amounts'. Doesn't mean they spent vast amounts.
Their wage bill for 2013/14 was fairly average for the league and their transfer activity for the summer window made a profit, so unless they went and gave everyone a massive payrise for the 2014/15 season it's nonsense to cite Bournemouth as an example of the league not being competitive.

So, how did they lose all that money without spending it?

Just look at our own "Where's the money gone?" thread if you want an insight as to how perceived frugality can result in consistent losses.

[Ian Royal]

Bournemouth lost 'vast amounts'. Doesn't mean they spent vast amounts.
Their wage bill for 2013/14 was fairly average for the league and their transfer activity for the summer window made a profit, so unless they went and gave everyone a massive payrise for the 2014/15 season it's nonsense to cite Bournemouth as an example of the league not being competitive.

So, how did they lose all that money without spending it?

Comparatively low attendances and merchandising compared to most Championship clubs combined with a competitive wage bill.

[West Stand Man]

Just look at our own "Where's the money gone?" thread if you want an insight as to how perceived frugality can result in consistent losses.

Which still doesn't explain how you lose it without spending it. You may spend it illegally, or stupidly but it still has to go out somehow.