Just musing, but I wonder whether it would actually be better for the clubs long-term development NOT to get promoted this year.
(Just to make it clear I really, really want us to be promoted this season!)
But we seem to have developed a strong squad (on paper) that will probably take a little while to gel, particularly with a new head coach.
If we don’t go up, that squad would almost certainly be strong enough to be one of the favourites for promotion next season and I’m thinking it may be a lot easier for the team to come together at the top of League 1 rather than at what is likely to be the lower end of the Championship.
(Although overall there are probably more benefits in going up this year)
There was an interesting match choice the other night on Sky - Chelsea v West Ham versus Middlesbrough v Sunderland. Needless to say I watched the championship game as that league is so much more ‘competitive’ than the identikit teams in the Prem and is a bit of a yawn fest at times now.
A few ‘big’ fixtures but a lot of overhyped dross a lot of the time but the TV 💰💰💰play heavy on clubs minds.
I do wonder whether the Championship is now closer to a ‘traditional supporter experience’ than the Prem (more accessible generally), is still a really good standard and as a product it’s only behind the Prem as most attended leagues in the world.
For clubs like Wycombe, being an established Championship club would be a better experience for the supporter. Sure, I’d love to see us in the Prem one day but a decade of championship football would be amazing. The league ticks a lot of boxes for me and I do wonder whether that product could spin out from the clutches of Sky and sell itself as the premium product to a standalone broadcaster.
In essence it does become Prem 2 allowing teams to be more competitive for another 20+ years until the cycle starts again and we then have….Prem 3!
I suspect that would have been the initial plan when Lommy took over.
Realistically I don’t think that the owners would have expected promotion straight away, so I imagine the plan would have been to deploy capital over the next few years in League One to build the infrastructure of the club. Then, with more solid foundations, to attack promotion and consolidation in the championship with a pipeline of talent coming through the academy system
The opportunity to go up this season may have resulted in the desire to accelerate the process and throw more money now at players that they hope will cope in the Championship
There are certain unsavoury and soul-sucking aspects to the Prem, but I'll never understand how anyone who loves football can criticise the product on the pitch for entertainment value etc - it's the best league bar none. Wycombe take precedence, obviously, but otherwise I'm watching a Prem game - we're blessed to live in an era of such high-quality football.
I don't agree there @bookertease as I think if we go up (even if none of the newbies play in L1 - which they obviously will at some point) MD has a whole summer to get the squad ready for a Championship campaign. I think it's easy to be cynical about owners and their motives...but surely some sort of success is to be welcomed and even if we come straight back down he can carry out his 'master plan' but with a bit more money and a bit more kudos in the bank with fans and potential academy recruits.
I know I should like the Prem @flymofrank but I just can't.
I know it's just a blip. We know Man City may not win it, but they will claw their way to second. Arsenal will drop away but probably beat us to third...all our best players will become squad players at Chelsea or City...the mad Greek will sack Santos over the summer or after two underwhelming Euro games next season. Though Man U struggling has a sort of pull, the 'story' (domestic or Champions (and others) League) never grabs me anymore. I realise that is my fault...
(I assume big clubs missing out this year will be demanding another reboot of the Champions League format...)
If we win it, it will obviously be the best League in the country and I will be grateful for being around for this great period of exciting football. 😉
Qualifying for Europe is a double edge sword. The relentless mid week / weekend schedule requires incredible squad depth and resource. Look at Villa this season, Newcastle last season. If Forest qualify then it’s mid table in 25/26 - at best.
The Prem is almost an exponentially different game to our level.
When he is on song look how powerful and fast Fred looks and he was fringe at best.
Comments
Just musing, but I wonder whether it would actually be better for the clubs long-term development NOT to get promoted this year.
(Just to make it clear I really, really want us to be promoted this season!)
But we seem to have developed a strong squad (on paper) that will probably take a little while to gel, particularly with a new head coach.
If we don’t go up, that squad would almost certainly be strong enough to be one of the favourites for promotion next season and I’m thinking it may be a lot easier for the team to come together at the top of League 1 rather than at what is likely to be the lower end of the Championship.
(Although overall there are probably more benefits in going up this year)
They are far more benefits going up this season, hence why so much money has been spent in January. I really don’t get your argument!
looks like you’ve answered your own question @bookertease
There was an interesting match choice the other night on Sky - Chelsea v West Ham versus Middlesbrough v Sunderland. Needless to say I watched the championship game as that league is so much more ‘competitive’ than the identikit teams in the Prem and is a bit of a yawn fest at times now.
A few ‘big’ fixtures but a lot of overhyped dross a lot of the time but the TV 💰💰💰play heavy on clubs minds.
I do wonder whether the Championship is now closer to a ‘traditional supporter experience’ than the Prem (more accessible generally), is still a really good standard and as a product it’s only behind the Prem as most attended leagues in the world.
For clubs like Wycombe, being an established Championship club would be a better experience for the supporter. Sure, I’d love to see us in the Prem one day but a decade of championship football would be amazing. The league ticks a lot of boxes for me and I do wonder whether that product could spin out from the clutches of Sky and sell itself as the premium product to a standalone broadcaster.
In essence it does become Prem 2 allowing teams to be more competitive for another 20+ years until the cycle starts again and we then have….Prem 3!
The Premier League, complete with its VAR nonsense and ego centric players, truly is a dreadful league. Really hope we never get there.
I suspect that would have been the initial plan when Lommy took over.
Realistically I don’t think that the owners would have expected promotion straight away, so I imagine the plan would have been to deploy capital over the next few years in League One to build the infrastructure of the club. Then, with more solid foundations, to attack promotion and consolidation in the championship with a pipeline of talent coming through the academy system
The opportunity to go up this season may have resulted in the desire to accelerate the process and throw more money now at players that they hope will cope in the Championship
There are certain unsavoury and soul-sucking aspects to the Prem, but I'll never understand how anyone who loves football can criticise the product on the pitch for entertainment value etc - it's the best league bar none. Wycombe take precedence, obviously, but otherwise I'm watching a Prem game - we're blessed to live in an era of such high-quality football.
I don't agree there @bookertease as I think if we go up (even if none of the newbies play in L1 - which they obviously will at some point) MD has a whole summer to get the squad ready for a Championship campaign. I think it's easy to be cynical about owners and their motives...but surely some sort of success is to be welcomed and even if we come straight back down he can carry out his 'master plan' but with a bit more money and a bit more kudos in the bank with fans and potential academy recruits.
I know I should like the Prem @flymofrank but I just can't.
Not even with your other team flying?!
even when Forest are about to win it?
I know it's just a blip. We know Man City may not win it, but they will claw their way to second. Arsenal will drop away but probably beat us to third...all our best players will become squad players at Chelsea or City...the mad Greek will sack Santos over the summer or after two underwhelming Euro games next season. Though Man U struggling has a sort of pull, the 'story' (domestic or Champions (and others) League) never grabs me anymore. I realise that is my fault...
(I assume big clubs missing out this year will be demanding another reboot of the Champions League format...)
Have faith - Forest will finish 4th at least imo, but even 5th probably qualifies this season
If we win it, it will obviously be the best League in the country and I will be grateful for being around for this great period of exciting football. 😉
Qualifying for Europe is a double edge sword. The relentless mid week / weekend schedule requires incredible squad depth and resource. Look at Villa this season, Newcastle last season. If Forest qualify then it’s mid table in 25/26 - at best.
The Prem is almost an exponentially different game to our level.
When he is on song look how powerful and fast Fred looks and he was fringe at best.