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Bazza75

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    Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    in Championship Predictions

    Posted

    Re: Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season Mellor now looks set to move to Millwall and Wednesday have targeted Cody MacDonald, whether we can afford him or not is another matter as Norwich are said to want 500k. Roberts not close to joining as we haven't even agreed a fee yet, the only signing that looks likely to happen before the season is Chris Wood from WBA.

    Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    in Championship Predictions

    Posted

    Re: Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    Right then, I've been biding my time waiting to see what happens before I give my opinion on Sheffield Wednesdays prospects this season. On first glance I absolutely accept that we have no rights to be favourites this season. It is a very hard league to be consistent in though I note that Huddersfield are now level in price with us to win the league. They have made a very good signing in the form of Tommy Miller from us and I do expect them to be there, or thereabouts, again this year. The most obvious thing to start with is going to be the summer transfer activity. So far we have made 4 signings; Rob Jones (Centre Half who was with us last year, and will be our captain), David Prutton and Jose Semedo (two centre-mid players who will be shoring us what was our weakest position last year) and Julian Bennett. From what I hear, Danny Batth, Neil Mellor and others are "very close" to signing.. all of these players could well play at a higher level and although we haven't brought in the quantity that some other teams have, I would be happy if the above all come in, with the 'others' being a winger and another forward (We currently have some Irish bloke on trial who has looked good in pre-season, I wouldn't be surprised if we signed him, good movement). You can see from how we are playing in pre-season that a lot of our football is centered around keeping possession and frustrating the opposition. Clearly Megson wants us to be a team that don't give many chances away and are hard to beat (who can blame him, we gave something like 10 penalties away last season). We also seem like we are going to have two main plans of attack - Jermaine Johnson has been given a bit of a free role and has been told to run at the opposition - his pace really does frighten people and hopefully we will be able to exploit the space that he will create. The second is going to be set pieces - Beevers, Jones, Madine, Bennett are all good in the air and I do expect us to be looking for some arial bombardment this year - it is what Megson is known for after-all. Our first XI will probably look something like follows: Weaver Buxton - Jones - Beevers - Bennett Johnson - Semedo - Prutton - Sedgewick (?) Madine - Clinton Morrison (?) I have, of course, put question marks in the positions I expect us to make new signings. Add to this our bench is looking like: O'Donnell, Otsemebor, Daniel Jones, Giles Coke, O'connor, Reynolds, Nyoni, Modest.. We do look to have strength in depth, especially if we make the 3 or 4 signings that we are looking at. Virtually all of those names above have played at a higher level and are more than capable of changing a game at this level. I do not expect us to all get on board HMS pisstheleague like the bookies seem to be doing, but there is a strong case for us dominating matches and really having a go next season. Don't forget last season we were hours away from going out of existence, changed managers, lost our 'keeper and best player and centre half/captain to Championship clubs, tried to buy a new back-4 in January (disaster) and at one bit had an injury crisis where we were struggling to put a full team out. We still managed to hit some form at the end of the season and finish mid-table. I will stick my neck out and say we will not suffer any of the above this season. Also bear in mind that our off the field structure has been improved massively, training and medical facilities included, since Milan Mandaric came in. I expect a big improvement, so here are my speculative bets for next season. Neil Mellor top scorer @ 25/1 with William Hill. I fully expect us to sign him - he scored 20 for us last season without taking any penalties and even on the chance that he stays at Preston, I think the price is great. Sheffield Wednesday to be promoted @ 13/8 with Bet365. I do not want to put us to win the league at 6's but this does seem to be a much more feasible bet, especially if you are going to double it up with the winner of the Prem or someone to get promoted/relegated from another league. I may add more and update as and when we make any signings. Hope this is helpful?
    Very interested to hear the thoughts of another Wednesday fan. I agree with the majority of the starting eleven but don't see Morrison starting even if we haven't signed another striker come 6th August, can see GM playing Madine up front on his own with a five man midfield. The squad still looks far too thin to sustain any sort of challenge for promotion, if Johnson or Sedgwick get injured (which with JJ's injury record it is highly likely) then we are struggling for anyone to play out wide, we saw how poorly Coke played out there the back end of last season. The defence looks very good as we have all the players listed above and also Reda Johnson who will deputise for either centre half if they get suspended/injured. My main worry is the amount of goals we will score, as GM seems a lot more keen on keeping clean sheets I think we could struggle to score the amount of goals needed. I still think we need at least a striker and a winger before even considering taking such a short price on promotion. In transfer news we had agreed a fee with Rochdale for Chris O'Grady and also agreed personal terms but he has turned the move down, plus we still have the offer for Mellor on the table but can't agree personal terms. We play Barnsley tonight and I shall be at the game so shall report back on anything worthwhile.

    Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    in Championship Predictions

    Posted

    Re: Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season Brentford are really interesting as they have made some very good signings for League One, just couldn't part with my cash just yet as the manager is the thing that worries me. Although I have heard they have been playing brilliant football in pre-seasoin from a few people who have seen them so it might be wise to get on soon if people fancy it. No news with squad additions at Sheffield Wednesday, we have pulled out of deals for Neil Mellor and Chris O'Grady today. Still need a creative midfielder, a winger and a striker to make the squad complete. In our pre season games we have looked very solid at the back but we don't have many goals in the team if we go into the season with the current squad. So for that reason we are still nowhere near being a decent bet for promotion let alone the title.

    Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    in Championship Predictions

    Posted

    Re: Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    Perhaps one of the most concerning aspects for Sheffield Wednesday at the moment if the fact that Neil Mellor and Tommy Miller aren't at the club anymore (although Wednesday are trying to get Mellor back), leaving a 30 goal hole which hasn't been filled. The moves currently made in the transfer market will undoubtedly make Wednesday a lot more resolute defensively, but there is a worrying lack of creativity and goals in the team at the moment. Even in the lower leagues, teams who are able to retain possession and play with pace tend to do better than those who play direct or long-ball football. Wednesday are devoid of any pace (apart from Jermaine Johnson, who will probably spend half of the season injured anyway), the players aren't entirely comfortable with the ball at feet, and Megson's managerial philosophy is rooted in direct football. At it stands I'd anticipate as lot of low-scoring games involving Wednesday next season, and would be reluctant to recommend them for automatic promotion. Although I do think the division is weaker this year than last, and it is quite wide open for the top two places.
    I agree with the lack of creativity comment but the squad is a long way from finished, with the rumours of transfers it looks like Megson is trying to address that. Miller not a massive loss really as I think he only scored 2 from open play last year with the majority coming from the penalty spot. Mellor on the other hand would be a major loss if he didn't come back but Mandaric seems pretty confident of sealing the deal. We still need some significant signings but could be up there come the end of the season, the division isn't as strong as last year and the teams that did well last year have been significantly weaked.

    Jump Racing ~ 10th July

    in At The Races - Racing Forum

    Posted

    Re: Jump Racing ~ 10th July Perth 2.10 Glimmer Star 13/8 Blue Sq Every runner Gordon Elliott sends to Perth is worth a look and although the price is pretty short I'm taking a chance on Glimmer Star. He finished second in a bumper on his last run at Down Royal to Clondaw Warrior which went on to win another bumper just a few days ago. This also looks a pretty weak race so he won't need to be brilliant to win it.

    Npower Championship > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    in Championship Predictions

    Posted

    Re: Npower Championship > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season Millwall to be relegated - 6/1 Betfred I've been looking for some value in the relegation market and I decided to side with Millwall to get relegated. I think it's very obvious that the loss of Morison will have a massive difference on the amount of goals scored especially with his replacement being Darius Henderson from Sheff Utd. They have also let Ashley Grimes and Neil Harris go which leaves them very short on strikers going into the new season. Rumours are that James Henry could also be leaving which would be a massive blow to them as he was arguably one of their best midfielders last year. I think they will add to the squad before the season starts but I'm still backing them for the drop.

    Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    in Championship Predictions

    Posted

    Re: Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    With regards to Sheffield wed... Is mandaric making money available? I've got wed on my shortlist and I think one of the things in their favour is the ability to bring players in through the season either being bought or on loan. They are a big club and would be able to attract some names that would not go to most other league one clubs. But' date=' from memory, mandaric tends to run clubs business like rather than driven solely for promotion.[/quote'] He's told Megson there are funds available, we have bid for Neil Mellor from Preston who is pretty keen to come to us again after last season but we are haggling over the price at the minute. GM is also talking to Lloyd Dyer from Leicester who would be a brilliant addition but some Championship clubs are interested. As previously stated we are also set to launch a bid for Rochdale's Chris O'Grady this week and Manadaric seems pretty confident on getting him. Megson has stated in the local media that he is keen to sign players he has worked with previously which led to us being linked with Jason Koumas but he has said he'll only sign if he can't get a deal with a Championship club. We could be a decent bet in a few weeks when the squad starts to take shape but I can't see any value at the minute.

    England > Non-league antepost > BlueSQ Bet Prem 2011-12

    in Non League Predictions

    Posted

    Re: England > Non-league antepost > BlueSQ Bet Prem 2011-12 I have backed York each way as well. Having been much improved since Mills took over last year he has added some very good players to the squad. Scoring goals was a problem for them last year so the additions of Jason Walker, Matty Blair, Michael Potts and Liam Henderson should improve this area of the team. They have also managed to add highly rated right back Lanre Oyebanjo from Histon to an already impressive defence. Its important they have a good start and I think the opening fixtures have been very kind to them with the first four games looking very winable.

    Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season

    in Championship Predictions

    Posted

    Re: Npower League One > Ante-Post 2011-12 Season To be relegated - Rochdale 10/3 @ Bet365 As stated above there are quite a few teams that could be drawn into a relegation battle in League 1, but my choice is last years overachievers Rochdale. They have lost Keith Hill to Barnsley and replaced him with a rookie manager in Steve Eyre, adding to this Scott Wiseman and Matty Done have also jumped ship for Barnsley. There are also rumours that Chris O'Grady is on the move to divisional rivals Sheffield Wednesday, this then leaves them very light on players. I know Eyre will use his contacts to sign a few players but I think it will be tough for them to stay up with all the rebuilding they have to do. As per a comment above regarding Sheff Wed, I am fan and I think the price on us to win the league is ridiculous. We have only signed 4 players in David Prutton, Rob Jones, Julian Bennett and Jose Semedo whilst Tommy Miller, Micheal Morrison, Paul Heffernan, Neil Mellor, Tommy Spurr and Gary Teale to name a few have left the club. We also only have 2 recognised strikers in Gary Madine and Clinton Morrison, one of which Megson is trying to get out of the club so we still need a lot of players in before I would even consider having a punt on us.

    York (Ebor Festival - Day 1) - Tuesday 17th August

    in At The Races - Racing Forum

    Posted

    Re: York (Ebor Festival - Day 1) - Tuesday 17th August

    13:45 York Hamish Mcgonagall has been having a fantastic 2010 to date. He has won 2 and placed in 2 handicaps from 5 runs in handicap company so far this season and was not disgraced when making the step up to group company last month. Is 5lbs higher than his last handicap win but on his form so far this season I wouldn't be surprised if he produced a career best to land this race. Has won over course and distance twice previously and he also acts in any ground so any rain won't be a problem for him as he has won on GS twice previously. Quest For Success should have a good chance of landing this race, alos 5lbs higher than his last winning mark and was 1st in 7 out of the stand-side runners LTO at Ripon on Saturday. 1pt E/W Hamish Mcgonagall @ 10/1 (Bet365 - BOG)
    Great Shout Stu :ok

    Ryan Moore

    in At The Races - Racing Forum

    Posted

    Morning all, long time reader first time poster here! Some quality tipping on this site so hopefully in the coming weeks I can add to that. I just wondered if anyone knew if Ryan Moore would be taking his book of rides today? Cheers

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