Introducing: Second Tier - The Championship Football Podcast

0:28Hi, I'm Jack Cravici, Kramer host of The Best One Yet. hydration that goes wherever life takes you. This message is brought to you by Cologuard. If you recorded songs off the radio for a mixtape, it might be time to scream for colon cancer. The Cologuard test is non-invasive, requires no special prep or time off, and you start screening right from your home. It's just three simple steps, set up, sample, and ship. If you're 45 or older and at average risk, ask your doctor about the Cologuard test, available by prescription only. Learn more or request a prescription at colaguard.com slash podcast.

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2:00No additional purchase necessary for sweeps. See bonus points, T's and C's, and sweeps rules for details, and visit bestwestern.com for complete terms and conditions. Hi, it's Mark Bittman from the podcast Food with Mark Bittman. It's back to school time, which means many of us are going to be busier than ever. But from getting out the door in the morning to enjoying delicious meals together at the end of the day, Whole Foods Market can help with convenient options and delivery. Plus, because it's Whole Foods Market, you can feel good about the quality of the ingredients. Shop back-to-school must-haves at Whole Foods Market in-store or online.

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3:18Second tier is the UK's number one championship podcast, and it really is a must listen if you're a fan of the most chaotic league in the world like I am. With the new campaign just days away, there's no better time to tune in because hosts Ryan and Justin will be with you three times a week, every week, covering all the drama up and down the second tier. In today's episode, they're revealing their predictions for the top eight, which I'm sure won't prove controversial at all. Even if you don't support a championship team, we all know the second tier is the best league in the world and not just because Pompeo are in it.

3:53I mean, that's partly why I like it, but generally speaking, there's a lot to enjoy. So do give it a bash and search second tier wherever you get your podcasts to listen. Enjoy.

4:06Hello and welcome to the number one championship podcast, the second tier. I'm Ryan Dilks and it's It's finally here, the final part of the most detailed preview you'll get ahead of the new championship season. It's the top eight of our league table predictions. Who do we think is winning the championship this season? Who else do we fancy to go up? Who's getting a playoff place? Who is just going to be missing out? It all comes down to this, ladies and gents. This is the second tier.

4:41And of course, I'm joined by the Ben Affleck to my J-Lo. It's Justin Peach. Good day to you, Ryan. I cannot believe it's finally here, Justin. This is the episode where we transform our meals from a burger to a juicy wagyu steak. Well, not you because you're vegan. But this is where we show the world we're not just two little virgins. Well, we are, but we're championship royalty as well. yeah championship royalty can be virgins it's worth pointing that out and that's what we are we are both championship royalty and a pair of virgins and i don't eat beef so there we go you've the listeners have learned so much about them in the last uh 30 seconds uh completely involuntary information there but this is uh this is the excitement in it we've done we've done the relegation uh battle if you like we've done the mid-tablers now it's the bloody promotion it's the who's gonna who's gonna flirt with the premier he's gonna flutter their eyes at the Top flight, Ryan.

5:39Come on. Exactly. This is the serious stuff right here. And we've done pretty well with these predictions over the years. Most famously, predicting Ipswich's promotion a couple of years ago. So get excited, people. But just before we get into today's show, we have got a special offer for you. We always tell you how much we love our second tier patron community, our Martin Patronson's Justin. Well, today you can be a part of it with our brand new, very special offer. If you buy a year subscription to our patron by the end of August, you'll receive a whopping 15 % off. That means you'll get a whole 12 months of second-tier goodness for just£35.70.

6:17That's less than a Category D ticket was in the Cop at Hillsborough last season. Who wrote this? Was it you, Producer Tom? It's too soon. And with that, you'll gain access to our second-tier Discord server where you can chat with us and loads of other championship fans. You'll also get ad-free shows and an extended edition of every single weekend show. which we like to call some more time. You can hear us chat for a little while longer about loads more to do with the championship and what's been popping up in the Discord as well. So just head over to patreon.com forward slash seconds here to sign up for the equivalent price of just£2.98 a month.

6:53If you sign up a year, sign up for a year by the end of August. Link is in the show description of this episode. So please do check it out and join our lovely community. One last bit of admin. We made these predictions by Justin and I making a table each and then merging it together into one. This is part three. Go back and listen to parts one and two for who we think is finishing between 24th and ninth. But today, it's our top eight. And we begin this momentous episode with the team I've been calling my dark horse all summer. I wanted them in my top six. Justin definitely didn't. In eighth place, we have Queen's Park Rangers.

7:31Justin, give me a nay for the dark horse. You know I don't nay. You know I don't nay. There we go. You've got the horse charisma way more than I have. Yeah, Dark Horse. It's a big old claim, and you've hung true with that for a very long time now. I'm slightly more, I won't say cynical, but maybe measured with old QPR. Full disclosure, I had them 13th, so not that much lower than where they are in this joint table. But you had them much higher. Tell me where I am, Ryan. Well, I had them 6th, and was it 6th or 5th? I think it was sixth. But for anyone who's been keeping up with us over the summer, they will know I'm very bullish on QPR.

8:11I've been looking at other people's predictions and no one else seems to be as strong as me. But at the same time, I've been very surprised at how low a lot of people still have them, including you, Justin. I think they're going to prove a lot of people wrong this season. They've recruited very well over the summer. They've looked very strong in every position bar one or two, which we'll get onto shortly. I don't see what's not to like with QPR. And then, of course, they've got a manager in Julian Stéphane, who is an exciting appointment from France. Led Rennes to the highest ever league finish.

8:43Led Strasbourg to their highest league finish in over 40 years, despite 14 teams spending more than them that season. If you think about it, Justin, Stéphane has got a much better CV than what Regis Labrise had when he came to the championship this time last year. And look what he did. So I don't see why Stéphane can't do something brilliant with QPR this season. And that's why I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do this coming campaign. I'm very excited. I think it's very easy to get excited about QPR because I think, just to briefly very summarise it in just a couple of words, they are good vibes FC this season.

9:18They have an exciting start in 11. They've got Julien Stéphane, as you say, has a very good history and track record in France. I think just for the more general football listener, Julien Stefan's coached some top profile players, Jeremy Doku, Rafinha at Barcelona, Eduardo Camavinga at Real Madrid, then some sort of mid-table, or not mid-table, mid-level top fight players like Martin Terrier, Embai-Nyang, Suhu-Girassi. They've had successful careers in Europe. So he's got very good experience in developing players and developing players into an elite level, if you like. that's maybe not going to happen at QPR but the history of development is there and as I say that just lends to the good vibes FC QPR for me are going to be a lot of fun but the reason why I have my doubts about them pushing for the top six it's just squad depth it's just squad depth I think with Elias Chair, Karameka Dembele and Kwame Poku there's a very exciting front three there but you strip that back a little bit and who's waiting in the wings?

10:21A couple of youngsters So I think if they do add some depth, get the striking situation a little bit more convincing. Giancella, I do have faith in, but he's coming off the back of the worst possible season you can have as a striker. Michael Fry is useful and there's some good potential in Ryan Coley, but there's not a guaranteed source of goals. And as I say, the Dembele and Pocco injury records of last season, just fill me with a bit of doubt that they can last 46 games. Now, if they're available for 46 games, then yeah, sure. playoffs okay but there's not that much there to convince me otherwise but even if they do finish 13 where I predicted them in my table I think that's a good season and a good season of progress for QPR who have long been trying to stay away from the bottom three I look forward to them making me look very silly Justin and yeah I can understand where your concerns are with things like squad depth but I am liking what he has got to work with here Julian Stefan I've got two positions of concern really with QPR.

11:17One is the goalkeeper, a bit of uncertainty around whether Joe Walsh is ready yet for this level. He was their number two, has just 10 football league appearances at the age of 23. So yeah, interesting that they seem to be going with him. At right back, they have one of the best in the league in Jimmy Dunn. At centre back, they've got loads of talented options, Liam Morrison, Jay Clark Salter, the experience of Steve Cook or new signing Amadou Mbengue, who was brilliant at Reading. At left back, they seem to be giving Zayed Larkesh a chance. He got rave reviews for his loan spell at Dundee last season.

11:51In midfield, they have one of the best ball winners in the division in Jonathan Varane. Sam Field, very solid, knows this level very well. Nicholas Madsen is someone who can make things happen. And Kieran Morgan, one of the most exciting young talents in the championship. You mentioned that attacking three already, Justin. Oh boy, Kwame Paku, Karamoko Dembele, Ilias Chair, that is mouth-watering. Paku was the standout winger in League One last season, who they got for a bargain at just under a million. Dembele, a very talented attacker who will be great with a very high ceiling as well. Ilias Chair, been one of the best chance creators in the division for years now.

12:28And then my other position of concern is up front. You mentioned already Zanchella. They may have already abandoned the plan to go with him already after pre-season. So they've got in Roman Barel from Burton. A very interesting move. Scored 11 goals in his last 21 starts last season. Very pacey. Good finisher. But they also appear to be getting in another striker. Pape Mesa-Barr from Schalke being one that they've been linked with. I still think they need more. But I'm really liking QPR, as you can probably tell. Yeah, that's what I mean. It is good vibes, I see. I'm very positive around QPR there's just certain things that are holding me back and I think with that there are just teams that I think are just going to be better than them and I think that's not a bad place to be you're not going to be batting around the bottom three and staving off relegation like last season is a very good example of where QPR were at in the sense that they had relegation form up until November where they were bottom and second bottom of the championship then they had playoff form in the middle part of the season and then they dropped off again to sort of relegation struggler and then sort of settle around lower mid table.

13:34And I think the change in strategy where it's been a little bit more aggressive recruitment-wise, I think CEO Christian Neury deserves credit for the work done on that because not only has recruitment been good, but Jimmy Dillon, Sam Field and Jonathan Varane have all signed new deals. So this is a very positive building block for QPR. And that's what I see this season as, as a building block for greater things to come possibly next season or the season after. Not to rule them out this season. As I say, I think if the front three can be very productive and last all 46 games, then with that front three, there's a lot of potential.

14:08But I don't see that realistically happening. In seventh, we have QPR's former manager. It's Leicester City, of course, with Marty Sifuentes now at the helm. A very important thing to point out, first of all, this is where we have Leicester to finish without a points deduction. When I've been listening to other league table predictions, they've been putting Leicester in the top six with a points deduction, which I can't get my head around, to be honest. But we've put them seventh without one because we simply don't know how big a potential deduction could be. It could be nothing. The latest reports I've seen are saying it's likely that they're going to get one that is nine points.

14:47But as we heard from Kieran Maguire over the summer, it's not the question that they actually have two separate points deductions. So who knows? However, Justin, even ignoring that, we're not as strong on Leicester as others appear to be. Why is that? I mean, the uncertainty is one of them. I mean, it's worth pointing out. I did have Leicester in my top six. I see them gaining or getting 75 to 80 points this season, which on average will put them between fifth and third in each of the last five years of the championship. But I'm trying to account for a points deduction, but we just don't know how much it's going to be.

15:20So I think in seventh is probably about fair where we've got them here. But in terms of not being too high, I mean, in comparison to other creators and pundits, they have them batting around fourth, third and second, which on the face of it, the squad looks good. But actually, there's probably going to be more outgoings this summer than there are going to be incomings. It's the time it took to sack Ruud van Isteroy and then bring in Marty Sifuentes, who had to pay half of his compensation fee to QPR to get the job for Leicester City, which tells you that despite Marty Sifuentes, I think, being a fine appointment, it's the cheap option for Leicester.

16:03So, you know, there's no Enzo Maresco coming in like there was a couple of years ago when Leicester were down. There are positives in the squad, but ultimately there's too much uncertainty to be really convinced that they're going to push for promotion. And then when you add in that, they could face points deductions and then possibly another points deduction. Leicester are a championship fucking migraine this season. Yeah, yeah. It has the potential to all go very badly or it could go very well. It's quite unpredictable. Leicester's squad is bloated. There's a lot of players still there who got promoted with them a couple of years ago.

16:36They've made just the one signing so far, that being the 38-year-old Asmir Begovic. they might need to wait for players to leave before bringing any more in and it looks like there could be departures soon mads hermanson wilfred and didi bilal el canoose all being linked with moves away possibly others as well but even with the handful of players going the squad still looks very good on paper however i think it's easy to let that distract you from a club with a lot of problems and that's not just potential points deductions firstly they've lost a massive character in Jamie Vardy. Probably when they needed someone like him the most as well, because frustration at Leicester is at an all-time high.

17:14Fans can't believe how badly things have declined in just a few years. The decision-making from the director of football, John Rudkin, has been very dubious. There's questions over whether the owner, Coontop, still wants to be there. It won't take much for things to turn toxic, and I wouldn't be surprised for everything to spiral from there. That's why I'm not very hot on Leicester this season. And so the manager, Martin Sifu-Enters, has got his hands full. But are we totally sold on this appointment? I've got questions. Yeah, I think it's worth pointing out just on your previous point that Leicester fans are already stirring.

17:53They're already very frustrated. Yeah. And that is, you want to enter pre-season with a shed load of optimism. Leicester entered pre-season having not communicated to the fans, having not really communicated what's happening with pre-season and friendlies and not having a manager. So thumbs up for being an absolute shit show.

18:15But more on Marty Sifuentes. I mean, we just mentioned it with QPR. Marty Sifuentes oversaw the volatile form, if you like, where I think style of play proved a big issue. He wanted to play a more progressive style from the back in that first sort of third of the season didn't work. At QPR. At QPR. It didn't quite work out. And he, well, ripped up the rule book, if you like, on that and changed suit and played to the strengths of the team, which is a little bit more direct, a little bit more percentage-based and focused on set pieces, which worked in their favour. And then when they were safe, changed it again and it just didn't work out.

18:54There is a positive in there that Sif Wentes can quickly establish when things aren't working, he'll change it. That being said, we have only seen Sifuentes play a certain style, which is very direct, very disciplined and structured. And that's worked in his favourite QPR. So what are we going to get at Leicester? We don't really know. There is uncertainty there. That being said, there's a raft of youngsters coming through it. So that excites me a lot. So there's one thing that he's going to do. He's going to play them. He's going to play them. He's going to develop them. So there's something to hang out.

19:23Yeah, he's a good manager, but I think he's done well to get this job. He did well at QPR. Had to pay to get the job himself. Exactly. He did well at QPR. They were solid at the back under him. They weren't the best going forwards in terms of underlying data. They were also very streaky. If you look at the results, it's a lot of red, then a lot of green, then a lot of red, and then a lot of green. And I worry for him because, as I say, if things aren't going well, it won't take much for the frustration at Leicester to become palpable. After all, Leicester fans over the past 10 years have been used to their club competing at the top end of the Premier League.

19:59They won't be happy if they're struggling in the championship. Also got to be mentioned, Sifuentes is dealing with a lot of players on big wages. You know, it's easier getting respect from them when you're Pep Guardiola's former assistant like Enzo Mareska was. This is a whole new challenge for Sifuentes. So, yeah, a lot on his plate. I will point out, though, Leicester, I've got Sheffield Wednesday at home on the opening weekend. So it's a very kind start. Right, let's go into sixth place. And that is obviously the point where we get to the playoffs, Justin. In sixth place, we have Coventry City.

20:35This is one where we had a bit of a discrepancy, Justin. You had them fourth. I had them seventh. I'm just picturing that coming back to bite me. So why are you high on them? I think it's very easy to overlook the quality of the squad. with our obvious dislike of Frank Lampard. But I'm not going to focus on Lampard for a moment. I'm going to focus on the squad because the squad's bloody magnificent. I think they're the only team who have two players for every position. And now the cliche in football is if you've got two good players for every starting position in your team, then you're on to a winner.

21:11I mean, you've just got to look at the goalkeeper department. Kyle Walshworth's coming on loan, who I think is a tremendous signing. Then you've got Ben Wilson and Brad Collins, who in their own right have been number ones in previous years of the championship. Oliver Doven's obviously injured. He's going to be out for most of the next season. So Kyle Rushworth there is fantastic. Centre-back is probably the only position where I see weakness. But right wing-back, you've got Minna Van Irwijk, Kane Castler-Hayden. Left wing-back, take your pick of J.J. Silva, Jake Bidwell, Miguel Angal. Brau, who's a new signing.

21:41I can keep going through the squad. There's plenty there. but as I say in terms of the quality they've got attacking ability they've got creativity they've got the ability to play free at the back with wingbacks or four at the back with wingers and I think if you keep Hadji Wright fit and get some confidence into Ellis Sims boy oh boy I think there's a really good mixture here Ben Sheaf and Matt Grimes has the potential to be a very very good double pivot should Frank Lampard choose to opt for that and Jack Redoni had a breakout season last season with a hell of a lot of goal contributions. So there's so much positivity around the squad that it's...

22:19What's the point of being negative about Fran Lampard? Yeah, well, I agree with pretty much everything you say there, Justin. Carvinci's squad is strong. I thought it was strong last season and they haven't really lost anyone yet anyway. But they also need to bring some players in still, I think anyway. Kane Keselhaiden's come in, which is a very good move, especially if Van Ekewijk leaves. Karl Rushworth in goal, excellent keeper. But the lack of new additions is a bit worrying because I think they could do with a few, particularly in attack. My biggest concern, however, with Coventry, just give me a second, Justin, while I put my tin hat on, is Frank Lampard.

22:58Seriously, Coventry fans, are you that surprised anymore? Come on. I think the job he did last season was massively overhyped. He did well to a degree, but Coventry never should have been as low as they were when he came in in the first place. They won nine from ten, rode their luck a fair bit in the second half of that run against some poor teams. And then they were fifth with 10 games to go, but nearly messed up getting a playoff place. They won just four of their last ten, including losing to Derby, Luton and Plymouth. I think on multiple occasions, especially during the playoffs, we saw Coventry become very predictable in the final third.

23:32And I worry about Lampard's tactical ingenuity to change that. And one final thing I'll say is Coventry have had a slow start to the last three seasons. Could they have another one here? When it happened before, they gave Mark Robbins the benefit of the doubt because he's a Coventry legend. I'm not sure Frank Lampard will be given that time if they do have another slow start, Justin. The slow start is an interesting one because obviously that precedes Frank Lampard. but it's his ability to manage it and manage that pressure should Coventry be 17th come November which has been the case in recent years and then they've ended up batting around the playoffs because of an incredible run of form in each of the last sort of three years so that is an interesting thing the other one I wanted to mention is actually his man management and I think there are examples where it's brilliant there are examples where he treats players suspiciously he throws out George Thorne at Derby more notably Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at Chelsea amongst others which led to problems in the dressing room the link I'm putting here is if you have a big squad that costs a fair amount Frank Lampard is showing he has favourites and to bring a player in that would concern me here is Ellis Sims you go to that playoff semi-final against Sunderland needed Ellis Sims on the pitch lots of crosses going into the box Hadji Wright and Ellis Sims as a duo would have probably connected with a lot more of them.

25:00Not saying Frank Lampard's going to persist with a certain style of play, but why do you overlook your most physical forward in that sense? Even Brandon Thomas Assante, for goodness sake. So there's an interesting thing to think about here because this is Lampard's first full season. It's his first pre-season. How's he going to deal with these things? Not only that, but I think it's worth pointing out that to balance it, Frank Lampard has a two-seasons in his championship with very, very good squads. he's delivered two finishes in the playoffs. So would it really be a surprise if he does a third?

25:30Not with his squad. You have to be an absolute muppet not to get a squad in the top six. Well, there you go. There you go, Frank. That's the gauntlet put down for you, mate. Yeah, as we say, the squad is strong. They needed a new goalkeeper with Oliver Dover out injured and they've got a very talented one in Karl Rushworth on loan from Brighton. At right back, they've got in Kane Kesler-Hayden, who was excellent at Preston last season. He's going to be very important if Vanek Fyke leaves. At centre-back, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching are very good. They have been linked with Charlie Hughes from Hull, which would be a great signing if that comes off, but we'll wait and see.

26:03Left-back has been a weak point for a while. Jake Bidwell, Jada Silva are solid, if unremarkable. They've got in Miguel Anguel Bra from Granada, but don't know much about him. In midfield, they have two of the best in Ben Sheaf and Matt Grimes. Josh Eccles, Victor Torb, very good options as well. In the number 10 role, they have Jack Rodoni, probably their best player, but has been linked with a move away. That would be a big problem if he went. In attack, I've got a few issues. How do you write if you can stay fit? One of the best goalscorers in the division. Efron Mason-Clark, very good on the left-hand side.

26:39On the right, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto isn't coming off the back of a great season, but it can be very fun. Depth-wise, I think there are issues. Brandon Thomas Asante for a certain level of Championship Club. He would be a good player for one aiming for promotion. Not for me. Ellis Sims, I've lost a lot of faith in after the past season. And as you were alluding to, Justin, I don't think Lampard's a big fan either. He also doesn't seem convinced by Norman Bissette either, who joined last summer. Squad-wise, I think they are lacking compared to the other top sides. There's a lot of talent there, but I think they've still got areas to strengthen.

27:19That and the manager are my big issues. Anything to take me up on there, Justin? I think they're fair. I think they are fair. I mean, Norman Bissett's funny because he's only good for boiling piss of supporters and whatnot. So it's worth having him around. You are right to lose faith in Ellis Sims, but we saw the player that was on loan in Sunderland was tremendous just a few seasons ago. But the squad depth is a problem. But weirdly, the wing-backs scenario is they're fantastically stocked. So if they were to lose Milan van Uerwijk, I might change my mind a little bit. But that being said, I think Carpentry are one of the better run clubs in the Championship with one of the more, I think, proactive recruitment departments as well.

28:01So in terms of losing players, I think they will get them in. I mean, they identified the fact that the goalkeeper department is a problem and they brought in a very, very good goalkeeper in Carl Rushworth on loan. I expect them to make two or three more additions at the very least between now and the end of the transfer window, which should prop them up. But there is, buts and maybes. If you're going on the now, then I do understand your points. I will also say Kov haven't had a great pre-season. The only team they've beaten is Bristol Rovers. Never really sure how much pre-season matters, but it's worth flagging up, particularly when there is concerns about another slow start.

28:37In fifth place, we have Millwall, who seems to be a very popular dark horse for many this season. And we're not disagreeing with that. Are we, Justin? Go on. Are you willing to give this one a nay, at least? I'm not. I have a reputation. You're willing to, yeah, do anything, Ryan, for a bit of lark. It's just a Saturday night, mate. Just a Saturday night. Yeah, they are a dark horse. Or a dark lion. No? No. No, okay. I think with Millwall, they're at a point where they're not a dark horse because everyone's fancying them for a push. But with this Millwall squad, there's solidity, there's energy, there's tenacity, there's creativity, and there's a high potential for goals.

29:21When you mix that with a very talented manager in Alex Neal, you've got a lovely blend. I think as well, it's worth remembering that apart from the 2023-24 season where Guy Rao had left and Joe Edwards came in and was sacked, They've been 8th, 11th, 9th, 8th, and then 8th again last year. So they've always been there or thereabouts with limited resources. Now, throw a bit of resources at this club, at this squad, and a very active last three transfer windows, where there's been a complete change in transfer strategy. They're targeting younger players, going abroad as well. Millwall, very, very tasty.

29:56Very tasty, indeed. I am really hot on Millwall this season, as you can probably tell. And the squad is looking very good. Admittedly, one position I'm not totally keen on is goalkeeper because Stephen Bender's come in on loan. He's been back up at Fulham for several years and hasn't played a league game in over two years. But we'll see. The defence in front of him is looking very strong, though. The centre-back partnership of Jaffa Tanganga and Jake Cooper, one of the best in the division last season. Tanganga has been linked with a move away, but he's also been offered a new deal. So we'll see.

30:28Tristan Kramer at right back has looked a very smart addition after he came in in January and can also slot into a back three. And then there's new signing Alfie Doherty, one of the rare players to come out of Luton's season with a bit of credit and will be such a big threat on the left-hand side. They've also got Ryan Leonard and Joe Bryan, who are very good backups at fullback. In midfield, Kasper Donora, one of the best ball winners in the division. They've got in Massimo Luongo, whose career was rejuvenated at Ipswich. Luke Kundal and Billy Mitchell, solid alternatives as well. In attack, they've got Femi Aziz on the right, who really grew into last season and can step up further this season.

31:06On the left, Camille Negli, who joined back in January for a club record fee. We barely saw him last season because of injury, but he's been playing in pre-season. Definitely one to watch if he can stay fit. There's also Edomo Imaku, Reis Bangor Williams, two young wingers who are looking to step up and then finally up front. Five million has been spent on Josh Coburn, which on the face of it seems a lot. Well, he's a big physical lad with a lot of room to improve and most importantly, helped get the best out of the high, though, Ivanovic. My pick last week to be top goal scorer in the championship this season.

31:46Ten goals in his final 17 starts of last season. I am so hot on him having a brilliant campaign. as long as he stays, of course, because Mill will have seen him be linked with a move away, but they seem determined to keep him. And then, of course, Justin, there's the manager, who you're a big fan of. Yeah, very, very clever manager, Alex Neal. Flexible one as well. I think he's the perfect blend of football where his teams can be direct, but they can manage in possession also. Certainly one that gets underrated. Just waiting, sorry, just waiting for Stoke fans to come in and say how shit he was, but completely ignoring the fact that every manager has been at Stoke's been shit since they've come down from the Premier League.

32:27Every Stoke spell is a blip on the CV but Alex Neal looks like he's learnt from it and actually where he took Millwall last season it's worth mentioning because Neil Harris got them playing a little bit more front foot a little bit more aggressive and direct in their press I think Alex Neal took blends of that and got them a little bit more patient in possession and actually game management became a very, very positive thing. he's just a guy who comes in identifies a couple of things that need improving he'll work on them they'll stop conceding goals or stop conceding chances and they'll build from the bottom up and I think they did that last season and now it's the mark of a very exciting campaign of course he's got success at championship level with Noah Ritchie came in halfway through the the season I think 2014-2015 got them pro-vite playoff very long time ago now but it just shows that he can come in halfway through his season identify what's going wrong change it turn it into a positive and get going.

33:19Did the same thing at Preston when he took over there. Did the same thing at Sunderland. He broke the Sunderland curse at the playoffs, of course winning in the playoffs for them. There are so many things that can be easily overlooked with Alex Neal and underrated because he's simply not got a team in the Premier League very recently. But there's a guy there who's just very clever, very switched on, very flexible, ticks so many boxes, does Alex Neal. Yeah, very underrated manager. And one final thing else our mill wall is five to one they are for a top six place leave that there justin we'll have a quick break after that we'll get on to our top four when everything is moving all at once your workforce your tech stack your business you don't need more tools you need one solution that's why AI Paylocity built a single platform to connect HR, finance, and IT with AI-driven insights and automated workflows that simplify the complex and power what's next.

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36:22Welcome back to the Second Seer Podcast. You've listened to two and a half episodes where we've revealed all the teams we think will finish between 24th and 5th this season. We finally reached the top four. Who do we think is going up this season? All will be revealed shortly. But in the last two seasons, ladies and gents, fourth place has gone to a team who are sort of in a netherworld where they're not good enough to keep up with the automatic promotion race, but are too good for everyone else. And then they've gone on to win the playoffs. Will that trend continue this coming season? We shall wait and see.

36:58But in fourth place, we have Birmingham City. Now ladies and gents This has possibly been the most contentious One of all between Justin and I In the entirety of these rankings Because I had Birmingham City Second But Justin thoroughly shat all over my parade When I said we should put them there He had them fifth So with that being said Justin Why do you hate Tom Brady, Jeff Lynne, Jesper Carrot And the whole of Birmingham Justin? I just wasn't a fan of What's it? Golden balls Yes. Yeah, golden balls. It's not the best daytime quiz show.

37:39Here we go. Yeah. It's revving up, ladies and gents. No, literally. I'm waiting for Birmingham fans to fill the YouTube comments and say I hate Birmingham, which just isn't the case. And by the way, there's no bias towards Birmingham City because I know they've all been saying that because of what happened a couple of years ago with the Derby's administration. Oh, no, it's all water under the bridge, guys. I don't care. I had them fifth because I'm simply... But it's too many question marks. There are too many question marks for a team coming up from League One. I think it's important to be tempered with this.

38:07I had them fifth. I had them to finish in the playoffs. It gives you a chance of promotion. I think firstly as well, we have to remember how hard back-to-back promotions is actually to achieve. Only three teams have done it. Ipswich, Southampton and Norwich. You have to be a very special team to achieve it. I'm not saying Birmingham aren't, but throwing money around doesn't make you a special team. It's a building block. It's all it is. It's building. it's what it needs to be needs to be done this season has to be a season where if they can finish in the playoffs use that as a foundation to go again the following year because certainly they've got the resources to do it but the other question marks I'll throw in is how are the players going to adapt playing in a league higher I think Chris Davis actually summarized it really well in an interview this week where he said in League One they're expected to win every game last season apart from two the FA Cup games against Fulham and Newcastle all that does for me is tell me that the expectation to win might remain but the weekly challenges they all face are very, very different to the ones they got in League One.

39:02A team who's used to winning, who could find themselves not winning every week, offers up uncertainties we just don't know about. I think those comments are absolutely fine, Justin. What I will say is, for any Birmingham fans listening, Justin was saying very similar things when I had Ipswich to finish second a couple of years ago, and he was made to eat a gigantic slice of humble pie in the end. But look, I really do fancy Birmingham to go up automatically this season. Part of that is down to reservations I have with other so-called promotion contenders, which we'll get onto shortly. But I do think they could be a real force to be reckoned with.

39:37Firstly, I don't think you can underestimate how big a factor it can be just riding that crest of a wave. It worked brilliantly for Ipswich a couple of years ago. And when a team gets 111 points, it's a bloody big wave. Birmingham fans feel like they've got their club back and the atmosphere is going to be electric every single week, particularly at home where they haven't lost in the league since April last year. I think they've got a very promising coach in Chris Davies. Having just watched the Birmingham documentary, he seems like a very impressive guy. And considering his pedigree, he could go on to coach at the highest level.

40:11And then the squad. That squad for me was already essentially a top-off championship team based off the quality they had and how much they crushed League One. And it has been seriously strengthened. The highlights for me being Aaron Cashin, Tommy Doyle, Kyogo Furuhashi. Three players I don't think would look out of place in the Premier League. But the big thing for me is I've listened to a lot of predictions over the last few days. And it's almost like everyone seems to forget we've still got a month left of the transfer window and the January window for that matter as well. That's a bigger deal for Birmingham than it is anyone else because their business so far, I think they've just been warming up.

40:50And keep in mind, they didn't sign Jay Stansfield until deadline day of last year. these owners are desperate for the Premier League. So I fully expect them to keep splashing the cash. And if they continue to sign the calibre of player that they have so far, they will be seriously strong in every area of the pitch. That's undeniable. That's undeniable that they are strong. I just think, I think a top six is absolutely fair, but more on the squad. I think missing out on Chubracpom is a blow, but the potential signing of Marvin Dutch gets me probably more excited than that because of his ability to be creative.

41:31And what that tells me is they're looking for a second striker in a maybe at a 4-2-3-1, which again, I think probably helps them more. And again, probably gets me a little bit more excited, but I think they are still short, probably in the wide areas, maybe a central midfielder as well, but he's still denied what the squad's strong. And I think actually the perception of the squad being strong is in the resource. The players that they can go out and get. It's by far eclipsing anybody else in the Championship, barring maybe Southampton and Ipswich to an extent. But actually, Birmingham's resource and freedom for resources is there.

42:07It's absolutely there. And that's the frightening thing. So being this much time between now and the inner transfer window, I think is a problem for the rest of the division because ultimately, I think Birmingham are probably the only team in the division who can go out and get whoever they want. Absolutely, Justin. And that's why I'm so hot on them this season. People will say you can't buy your way to promotion in the championship, but you can buy some fucking good players along the way. And this is without a doubt the strongest squad we've seen come up from League One. And I include Ipswich in that, even though I am obviously a big Ipswich fanboy.

42:39In goal, they've got James Beadle and Ryan Orsop. Beadle is one of the most highly rated young keepers in the country, and Orsop was excellent in Birmingham's promotion. At centre-back, they've got Christoph Clara. Their player of the season in League One shouldn't have been playing at that level in the first place and is an absolute beast. Aaron Cashin's come in on loan, moved to Brighton for£9 million back in January. A brilliant young defender. They've also got Phil Newman, who's coming with big reviews from Germany, as well as Christian Bielek. At right-back, they've got Ethan Laird, who's a very good player at Championship level.

43:11They've also signed Brighter Sey Samuel, who was Fenerbahce's first-choice right-back last season. And then at left back, they have Alex Cochran, who was arguably the unsung hero of last season for Blues. In midfield, where do you want to start? Tommy Doyle joined on loan, a Premier League quality midfielder in my eyes. Tomoki Iwata, Peik Sun Kyo, excellent in League One and shouldn't have been playing at that level in the first place. They've also signed Kanya Fujimoto from Portuguese side, Zil Vicente. And there's Willem Villinson, who I would also class as shouldn't have been in League One in the first place.

43:46I agree with you. Out wide is where they've got to strengthen for me. I think Demaree Gray is a good sign, despite cynicism from some. Their only other natural winger, though, is Kessie Anderson. But up front, they are absolutely stacked. They've signed Marvin Dux, a brilliant all-round striker from Werder Bremen, who scored 32 goals and got 23 assists in his last three seasons in the Bundesliga. Not the German second tier, the flipping Bundesliga. Why is he in the championship? He was called up to the German national team the season before last. So that looks a serious signing for just two million.

44:23What is going on there? They've also spent big on Kyogo Furuhashi, who scored goals for fun at Celtic. And of course, they're essentially the face of this Birmingham team, Jay Stansfield. Opposition fans love to point out how he scored a lot of goals last season from the penalty spot. But let's not mess around. He gets into just about every team in the championship. So seriously strong, Justin, and will almost certainly get stronger before the end of August. Blaring omission of Lyndon Dykes, by the way. Oh, how can I forget? The big number nine. I mean, you're just reading off the names there.

45:00Jay Stansfield, I think I've thrown a bit of skepticism at because of his non-penalty goals last season. but he was very revered at the in the 21 European Championships this season being one of the unsung heroes in that England team obviously won the tournament he's a hard worker if anything and again he's got an I forgot which is a perfect blend Fiori Hashi I want him to do well because there's potential there for him to have a 25 goal season but I don't know something just pulls me back a little bit maybe it's because he's done it in the SBL went over to France, didn't quite get going and obviously he's come over to Birmingham but nonetheless it's a bloody good signing and he'll get into most, if not every, championship squad but again I was talking about Coventry having two players for every position Birmingham have that as well there are squad players who didn't even mention the likes of Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Lee Buchanan's coming back from injury a full-back in midfield Many time constraints, I didn't mention them Well yeah, that's why I can throw them in my little bit but all I can say is I agree with a lot of it I think it's going to be a tight um a tight sort of top four top five this coming season where I know in previous years we've seen a huge gap but I actually think there are problems that present a lot of clubs and I think the the space or the the points if you like between um second and fourth will be a lot lower than what we've seen in previous years it's interesting to say that Justin because I had my top three and I think that's a top three who will cut themselves off on the rest of the division based on how much quality they've got.

46:36That top three includes Birmingham and our top two, which we'll get onto shortly. We move on to the team who we have third. Justin had them third. I had them fourth. That team is Sheffield United in third place. Sheffield United, of course, very unfortunate to not get promoted last season. They became the first team in championship history to win 92 points in a season and not get automatically promoted. And then they also lost in the playoff final thanks to a 95th minute winner. And usually a team like that you would have thought would be in prime position to get promoted the season after. I'm not sure about Sheffield United.

47:11Firstly, I've said before, I don't think the standard of the promotion race last season was as high as previous years. I still think that's the case. Secondly, Sheffield United are actually looking weaker than they were. They've lost Vinny Souza. Now, Arnold Akbeth Hodzic and Kiefer Moore, as well as all the loanees they had, which they had a fair few of last season. Thirdly, their answer to replacing players is apparently using AI, and that's mainly see them target players in Bulgaria, which is interesting. And I'm not totally sure about the Ruben Sellers appointment. I think you can argue he's an upgrade on Chris Wilder and is definitely more appropriate for the data-led approach the owners are going with.

47:53But I just can't shake the feeling this isn't going to go well. Especially if he has a poor start. Fans weren't happy with Wilder being sacked. So a bad start would leave Selec up against it. So with all that being said, I think in the circumstances, a playoff finish will be a good result for the Blades. You had them third, Justin. Tell me why. I had them third, you're right. But since I put them in my top three, transfer business hasn't been fantastic. They've just sold Anil Admed Hodzic, which I think was a big thing for me. So actually now I have quite a severe stomachache surrounding Sheffield United.

48:32You are right. They are weaker, but I have a lot of optimism or had a lot of optimism with, with them replacing players before that. I wouldn't even say data led approach to AI led approach to terminators, picking out the fucking players for God's sake. Like it doesn't make any sense. They're the only team that I can think of that are adopting this AI driven transfer approach. And maybe we're taking it too literally. I don't know. might just be someone with a spreadsheet picking out numbers, who knows, but they have got some very strong bones, they've got the best goalkeeper in the league in Michael Cooper they've got the best midfielder, central midfielder in the league, or midfielder in Gus Hamer obviously won the Championship Player of the Season last season, not ours, but we'll go with this for the sake of the argument, Sidney Peck is an excellent proposition, Harrison Burrows again, best left back in the league Tyrese Campbell, if he stays fit, gets a minimum 15-20 goal contributions next season, Tom Cannon I think has the real potential to spearhead an attack Louis Barry's coming on loan Olly Oblast is coming back from injury there's really really good bones but me picking him third was about a week and a half ago a lot has transpired since then Anil Hodmit Admed Hodzic leaving is a big problem because he's been one of the championship's best or most consistent defenders him being replaced by a computer not literally but that doesn't fill me with any confidence yeah well I mean it sounds like we're pretty negative on Sheffield United so far which is a bit mad considering we've got them third the question I'll throw in it are we putting them in here because they're one of the parachute payment teams obviously second year parachute payments and they had a good year last season because maybe that filled my opinion a little bit but coming away from it and you know the last week and a half they've had just doesn't fill me with any confidence now than what I had before well as I say I had my top three and I think it's going to be quite a big gap from that top three to the rest of the division.

50:28And I had Sheffield United as sort of the best of the rest because even though they have lost players, I still think there is a lot of talent in that team. So let's try and be a bit more excited about them because, as you say, Michael Cooper, probably the best goalkeeper in the league, had been linked with a move to West Ham, but they may be looking elsewhere now. So he might be staying. The defence is looking very weak right now. None of the right backs they had on loan last season have returned. So their only options are Femi Sariki, who's quite a raw player still, and an 18-year-old lad from Bulgaria from the looks of it.

51:00Centre-back was a weak point last season, and it's worse now. Ahmed Hodzic is gone, but Tyler Bindan on loan from Forrest was excellent at Reading last season. Be interesting to see how he steps up. Left-back isn't an issue because Harrison Burroughs is class. Simple as that. Midfield is an issue with Vinny Souza's departure. I'm not sure how good a replacement Jibril Sumare is on loan from Braga. However, they've still got Gustavo Hamer for now, last season's EFL player of the season, who should be playing more centrally, which is very good. They've got Sidipek, one of the best young talents in the division, as well as Callum O 'Hare and Tom Davies.

51:37And it's easy to forget, we've still got Oli Arblaster to come back from injury, which will be a huge boost when that happens. Attack is looking exciting because Louis Barry could be immense on the left-hand side after an unbelievable half-season at Stockport. Andre Brooks on the right can really kick on this campaign. Up front, I'm hoping Tyrese Campbell can follow up his best season in many years. Tom Cannon cost a lot of money in January, so Blades fans will be hoping for better than what they saw of him last season. But a very exciting talent is 19-year-old Ryan One. Has been linked with the likes of Liverpool, and if pre-season is anything to go by, I could be getting a fair amount of opportunities this season.

52:13So from the looks of it, a fairly top-heavy squad at the moment. Anything more from you, Justin? There's a very good seven or eight players who I think are amongst the league's best. And then there are some so-so players. I put Callum O 'Hare in that so-so column. And then there's some really promising young players like Ryan One. Andre Brooks is another one. Oli Arblast is very highly rated, obviously coming back from injury. It's just, there's just still uncertainty. They need to replace a lot of players. Not getting in a senior right back, I think, is a problem. They just need to address too much right now for me to, like I said a minute ago, have a stomachache.

52:50To get rid of that stomachache, need to recruit a little bit more convincingly than just picking players out from Europe. Yeah, yeah. Right, let's go to our top two, ladies and gents. You can probably guess who they are now, based off if you've listened to all the episodes so far. But in second place, we have Southampton. Now, I had Southampton third. Obviously, I had Birmingham ahead of them. Justin was the one championing them to finish second. So, go on, Justin, you can take the lead on this. Why do you think Southampton will be automatically promoted this season? Look at the bloody squad. Just look at the squad.

53:30I don't need to say anything. Just put a link into the squad, into the show description. And there's your answer. Ryan, their worst striker will be 95 % or in the 95 % best strikers of everyone else in the division. It's just outrageous what they've got. I mean, I can list them all, but I'll just list the forwards. Ross Stewart, Damien Downs, new signing from Germany, Ben Broughton-Diaz, Cameron Archer, Adam Armstrong. There's Ryan Fraser as well. There's Junkster Samuel Ladozi, Tyler Dibbling, who could go, but Linkman moves away. but if he stays bloody hell that's a very very almighty attack got Will Smallbone in midfield Joey Rebo very steady championship players Matias Fernandes again if he stays great player at this level Shea Charles who I would put down as one of the contenders for player of the season this coming season I'm very high on him that's just getting to the midfield and then defenders right back James Bree very steady at championship level Charlie Taylor very steady at championship level Ryan Manning can provide at championship level, centre-halves, Jack Stevens, Nathan Wood, Ronnie Edwards, Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

54:40The squad is stacked full of quality and talent. And Magpie could get this team promoted. Ryan, Wayne Rooney could get this team promoted. Wow, now that's a big claim. Blummin' heck. Yeah, I mean, I think for the past minute you've just been reeling off players, but that's understandable because I agree with you. This squad is stacked. It's strange saying that about a team who were almost officially the worst side ever in Premier League history, but it is. There's a lot of big names, but also a lot of young players who could really relish Southampton being back in the Championship. And the Will Still appointment is a really ambitious one.

55:16When you ignore all the memes, he is clearly a very talented coach. You forget how young he is because we've been hearing about him so long, but he's set to become the youngest manager in Championship history this weekend, which is unbelievable, really. and to do what he's done already in his career at such a young age is amazing and it seems as if he's on the path to becoming an elite manager. So that's all very exciting. But why did I not have them in my top two? A few reasons. Part of it is down to Will still because the two clubs I fancy to finish ahead of them have had their manager in charge for at least a year.

55:47It's a new role for him. There's going to be teething problems as there is with every job, particularly with a squad which is coming off the back of a disastrous campaign. There's definitely the risk of a hangover from last season. And the other thing is, I haven't heard glowing reviews from Saints fans about their performances in preseason. They haven't kept a clean sheet in seven games. There's been some interesting tactical decisions that have been made. Ronnie Edwards at right back being one. Ryan Fraser as a number 10. From what I can see, he's played almost every game as a number 10 in preseason.

56:22So Ryan Fraser looks like he's going to be pivotal, which I didn't expect in this squad, which is so stacked. And then finally, that front three, Armstrong, Brereton-Diaz and Cameron Archer, on paper, looks amazing. I'm not sure the reality, particularly with all three coming off the back of not great seasons, is going to be as good. So while their squad is undeniably stacked, still plenty of players leaving, potentially. I think it may actually have a few more issues than some people think, Justin. I'm ignoring all those issues. Ryan, just look at the squad. Just look at the squad. Yeah, it's absolutely fair to bring certain things up.

57:04I was sceptical of Will still. Manager rankings provided that. I was expecting a little bit more of an assertiveness, especially with the squad. but he recently the last week said now's the time to basically start picking players to move on which I thought was very late very late in pre-season to be doing that because the league starts in a matter of days so for Will still to be saying that within a week of the season starting I think is remarkable. Can't really say too much about where he's putting players in pre-season because pre-season is about trying things they might just go actually this has been a disaster i'm just going to play where players where they need to play etc so we'll see we'll see how that goes but i i i do think you have to be a really bad manager uh or at least really inept to not get this team batting in the top three at the very least it's just too good of a squad russell martin i don't rate russell martin very highly i think he's a very good developmental manager and he plays a style of play that has its risks but he's incredibly stubborn and he's been moaning already after one game in the SPL even he got this team similar a similar team in the top four when he was up and he got them promoted by changing his ways no less I'll stop digging at Russell Martin so like I said I think this squad is is far too good to be finishing lower than third I think if it does finish lower than third I wouldn't say it's been a disaster because ultimately they're in a chance of being promoted.

58:41But like I said, you have to be very inept not to have any success with this squad at this level. Ridiculously. Let me reel through that squad because, as we say, he's very stacked. Gavin Bazzuna in goal. Entertaining to watch. Not sure if you want that in a goalkeeper, but he's definitely that. Right back, as I say, Ronnie Edwards seems to have played a few games there in pre-season. Traditionally a centre-back, but they have got James Brie, who's good, albeit admittedly a fairly big downgrade on Cal Walker-Peters. Centre-back is interesting. Jack Stephens has been made the captain, so it looks as if he's going to be playing regularly.

59:18I haven't made my mind upon him yet. Come back to me in a few weeks for my opinion on Jack Stephens. They've also got in Joshua Quasi from Hoffenheim, who looks like an absolute beast. They've also got Taylor Harwood-Bellis, if he stays. At left-back, they've got Ryan Manning and the Brazilian Wellington. Manning is good. Don't know enough about Wellington to judge. in midfield. It looks like the game with Shea Charles, 21-year-old, who was phenomenal at Sheffield Wednesday last season. Who plays alongside him is anyone's guess right now, but they've got Flynn Downs, Will Smallbone, Joe Rebo, who were all brilliant in their promotion last time.

59:53I'll give a shout for young Moses Cissé as well, who could be involved a fair bit this season if pre-season's anything to go by. If they keep either Tyler Dibbling or Matias Fernandes, then they're laughing, but I'm becoming increasingly unsure about them even keeping one of them, but we'll wait and seeing that. Ryan Fraser as the number 10, not sure about that at all. But in attack, they have got a lot of very recognisable names. That front three of Adam Armstrong on the right, Raritan Diaz on the left, Archer down the middle. As I say, sounds great on paper. What about in reality? Not sure. On the wing, they also have Samuel Ladozzi.

1:00:31There's a new striker, Damian Downs here. They've signed from Cologne for 7 million. And they've also got Ross Stewart, to if he can stay fit can be very good. So a lot to cram in there, Justin. A rather bloated squad, a lot dependent on who stays, that is the ultimate thing. Very quickly, what do you say? A gluttony of talent. A gluttony of talent. This is your dream if you're a manager and a football manager because this is what you want. So as I say, Will Steele, as I say, he got into management because of football manager if he wasn't aware of the memes. This is his dream. This is his dream, Ryan.

1:01:01That's all I'll say. Well, we'll see if it turns into a nightmare this coming season, won't we? Right, ladies and gents, this is it. This is the team who we have to win the championship this coming season. And it'll be no surprise at all to anyone who's been keeping track throughout this episode. In first place, we have Ipswich Town. I will say this. I've been looking at other people's league table predictions recently, and everyone's more than entitled to their opinion. But I just cannot fathom how you can look at Ipswich and not think they are winning the league. Which some have done. Not many, but some.

1:01:37But put it this way. I believe the plan last season was to sign players that would give them the best possible chance of being back in the Premier League in two seasons time. This was a team that got 96 points last time in the championship. And they are now significantly stronger. They have the best player in the division in pretty much every position. It's a championship dream team. And they're still in the process of strengthening further. It says a lot, really, that they may lose Amari Hutchinson. And I'm just thinking, is that much of a blow at this point? And to top it off, they have the best manager in the division who is whoever's next best to him is a is a distant second.

1:02:18Put it that way. This is a man who should be in the Premier League and possibly even should be managing at an elite club. but somehow he's back in the championship. So for me, the question isn't, will Ipswich win the league? It's why wouldn't they win the league? And I'm seriously struggling, Justin, to find reasons why. I'm struggling to find reasons why, but one's just popped into my head. Kieran McKenna losing his first team coach, Lee Grant, who obviously was made manager at Huddersfield. Now, I'm not suggesting that's going to be detrimental, but Lee Grant was on the coaching staff, obviously in the dual promotion campaigns of League One and then the Championship and was there in the Premier League last season.

1:03:02A very, very important source for Kieran McKenna. And we've seen managers recently really struggle about their comrades, if you like. Mark Robbins losing Adi Bavesh and it going tits at Coventry. There's just an example there. as you say we're looking for reasons why Ipswich won't win the league it might be a weak one it's something that I alluded to earlier it's a pretty weak one well it is and it isn't because this could be the case I'm not saying League Round was the brains behind the operation but there's just something that's worth thinking about are we going to see the same Ipswich are we going to see as well drilled as they were a couple of seasons ago they need another number 9 because George Hersch is useful but are we going to are we going to see Conor Chaplin have the same championship season he had two years ago maybe maybe not so therefore I'd have question marks about George Hurst being the number nine but these reasons are very very weak aren't they come on yeah I tip my hat to you Justin so I tried some reason but he's even admitting that he's really clutching at straws with any reason that you can find for Ipswich not winning the league because as I say they've got essentially the best player in every position we'll start with the goalkeeper Alex Palmer Excellent at West Brom for three seasons before going to Ipswich in January.

1:04:18Centre-back, dearie me, Dara O'Shea and Jacob Greaves. Premier League level centre-backs. Leif Davis, Premier League level left-back. Could get a billion assists this season. Right-back may be an area of concern if you're really nitpicky, but I think Ben Johnson could have an excellent campaign. They've also got Ashley Young for a lot of experience. Midfield was an area of concern for me, but it may now actually turn out to be their best position. Azor Matusiwa joins for£10 million from Rennes, one of the standout ball winners in Ligue 1 last season. Brilliant on the ball too. They've also got back Jens Kayuste, who they signed last season to play in the Premier League, another ridiculously good ball winner.

1:05:00They had also been linked with Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, which I wouldn't completely rule out from still happening, by the way. But then in front of them is an attacking three of, my word, take your pick. Jadon Filagin, Jack Clark, Sammy Schmoddix, possibly Amari Hutchinson if he stays. That's not even mentioning two players who are pivotal in their promotion in Wes Burns and Connor Chaplin. Or Chidoziogbeni, who's back fit. A brilliant player who's very easy to forget. That attacking three is absolutely filthy. But up front, up front in my eyes was my only position of real concern. But they've sought that out now by getting True Brackpond.

1:05:39Fighting off a lot of competition to get him. eventually. But even then, they've got George Hurst, who McKenna is clearly a big fan of. And Ali Alhamadi has been lethal in pre-season. So that squad is just too good. Is there anything there, Justin, that gives you any sort of worry? What could possibly stop this juggernaut? Honestly, I don't know. I don't know. I'm looking at the squad now. And despite midfield being an area of great depth. They've got Matasiu, as you mentioned, Cameron Humphries, who's a youngster, who's been out on loan, Jack Taylor. He's been there for a while. He's never really been a starter, but it's hard to pick weaknesses.

1:06:20Cedric Kipre's a backup centre-back. Luke Wolfenden's there. Yeah, this is a gluttony of quality. It's what you want in the championship, especially. And I think the worrying thing is a lot of these players have got gears to go, apart from Ashley Young, who's 40. you know you've got George Hurst who will continue to develop Jack Clark Jadon Filagene will continue to develop you've not mentioned Sammy Schmoddix who won the golden boot very recently anyway he won the golden boot just another reminder to everybody else just a couple of seasons ago for Blackburn a team who were down fighting relegation at the time that he won his golden boot defence is what impresses me most about the Ciswich team and the depth in the wide areas it's just astonishing that they got this much quality but yeah that's their problem.

1:07:09Yeah, I genuinely don't think Ipswich's second XI would be too far off from getting automatically promoted. It's honestly so stacked. My biggest concern is Kieran McKenna leaving. But what I would say to that is, take Brentford, for example. That job is obviously very appealing early on in the summer. But 15 games in, if Keith Andrews gets sacked with them in the relegation zone and Ipswich are top of the league having won pretty much every game, all of a sudden the Brentford job isn't so appealing anymore. If one of the elite clubs sack their manager, there may be a problem there. But even then, I think Ipswich have got their heads screwed on enough to replace him.

1:07:49And the squad could be even stronger by the end of the transfer window, Justin. If they get Hayden Hackney, then I will start undressing on the podcast. Which, as I say, I wouldn't rule out still happening. But even now, Ipswich tick every single box. Dare I say, dare I say. I can say it. You're very protective when it comes to this, but I don't think the points record is out of the question. If they got 96 points last time out with a weaker squad, is an extra 10 points really that outrageous, Justin? It is. Shut up. Is it? I think there's a team you flirt with every single summer with this. And unfortunately, no one gets near it because that Reading team of 05-06, 106 points.

1:08:38No, not too beaten for me. I think if anyone's going to get close, this may be the strongest contender yet based off everything that we've seen with this team. So yeah, that's one to revise later on in the season. But ultimately, Ipswich are without a doubt our title winners for this coming season. So there we have it, ladies and gents. Our league table predictions for the 25-26 championship season. We now do a quick recap of the entire table from the past three episodes, starting with 24th just in. We've got Sheffield Wednesday. In 23rd, we have Preston North End. In 22nd, we've got Hull City.

1:09:17Just staying up is Oxford United in 21st. In 20th, we've got Stoke City. 19th, Blackburn Rovers. 18th, we've got Wrexham. 17th is Watford. In 16th, we've got Portsmouth. 15th place is Middlesbrough. In 14th we've got Charlton Athletic. 13th is Swansea City. 12th is Bristol City. 11th West Bromwich Albion. 10th is the mighty Derby County. Urams. 9th place we have Norwich City. In 8th we've got QPR. 7th we have Leicester City. In 6th we've got Frank Lampard's Coventry City. As they legally have to be known. 5th place we've got Millwall. In 4th we've got Birmingham City. Disgraceful. 3rd place we've got Sheffield United.

1:09:592nd we've got Southampton. And in 1st place our title winners for this season is, of course, Ipswich Town. And also, if you're watching this on YouTube right now, you'll be able to see Justin and I's separate tables. If you're listening to the audio version and want to see who each of us have where, go and have a look on YouTube now. But otherwise, a big thank you. If you listen to all three parts of our league table predictions, we promise to give you the most detailed preview of every team in the championship this season. And we hope you found it thoroughly enjoyable. We'll see in nine months time.

1:10:32how accurate we've been. But otherwise, we'll be back again tomorrow with the preview show where we'll be making some predictions for the opening weekend of the championship season. It's finally back, ladies and gents. So we'll see you there for that. But this has been the Second Tier Podcast. I've been Ryan Dilks. I've been Justin Peach. And a big thank you for listening. I cannot believe they didn't have Pompey in their top six. It's absolute insubordination. It's outrageous. I can't actually believe that because I heard the earlier episode where Pompeo are far lower down the table which I broadly agree with actually anyway Ryan and Justin will be back tomorrow with the preview show where they'll make their predictions ahead of the opening weekend of the season so make sure you don't miss that to listen search second tier wherever you get your podcast that's second tier and hit subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode

1:11:37second tier is a stack production and part of the acast creator network

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