No more hiding…

As a huge Coventry fan, I am preparing myself for the possibilty that the Sky Blues really could get relegated this coming Sunday. The league table doesn’t lie, and it does not make pretty viewing right now.

Pos	Team	Played	GD	Pts
18	Blackpool	45	-5	53
19	Coventry	45	-9	53
20	Sheff Wed	45	-4	52
21	Leicester	45	-3	51
22	Southampton	45	-17	51
23	R Scunthorpe	45	-23	45
24	R Colchester	45	-24	37

Southampton are in big danger of the drop and their minus 17 goal difference means that even if they end up on level points with another team, they are likely to go down due to their abysmal defensive record, and with their final match against the in-form Sheffield United, they are the 1/1 favourites to go down

Leicester have the best goal difference out of the five teams that could be relegated, but they are away to Stoke City, who know that a win would seal their promotion to the Premiership. You can get odds of 6/4 on Leicester to go down, but their impressive goal difference (considering the circumstances) really could prove vital.

Sheffield Wednesday have arguably the easiest game of the lot, at home to Norwich who have nothing to play for but pride. However, saying that it’s an easy game means nothing – Wednesday still have to do the business on the pitch. Odds of 13/2 are very good value. 

So we come to Coventry, just two points clear of safety, and with the second worse goal difference of the five. We are away to Charlton, but with Addicks boss Alan Pardew saying that he’s ready to give “the kids a run out” that could spell disaster for Chris Coleman’s men – young, hungry teenagers willing to prove a point.

I can only hope and pray that results go our way, because I can’t see us winning. Coventry are actually the outside bet to go down at 25/1, which is superb value, and well worth a quid or two (even if I say so myself!). 

I’m even half tempted to put £10 on Coventry to go down myself, that way, even if we are relegated I’ll have enough money to drown my sorrows!

Meanwhile, 18th placed Blackpool face play-off candidates Watford, at home, in a far from easy clash. Despite odds of 22/1 to go down, I wouldn’t say that Blackpool are totally safe. Anything could, and probably will happen.

See you on the other side…

(All odds courtesy of http://www.bet365.com)

 

Best stadium in the league?

The Championship boasts 24 teams all playing their home matches at venues fit for kings. Well, perhaps just Marlon King, but that’s beside the point.

In fact, just six of the 24 grounds offer venues seating over 30,000 spectators, but maybe that’s no bad thing. From experience, I can tell you that at one of those grounds, Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, attendances barely reach the 20,000 mark most home games.

Whist trying to forge an opinion towards the ‘best stadium’ in the league, there are several key elements that need to be considered, such as:

1) History - What has the stadium got to offer in terms of history. By that, I mean is there a stand that has become almost as famous as the ground itself, such as Anfield’s ‘Kop‘ or Manchester United’s ‘Stretford End‘? Or maybe this stadium was the first in the land to offer Balti Pies?

2) Facilities - First and foremost, are there toilets? Yes? Good. Other facilities that need to be considered are whether or not the fans are guaranteed a good view, no matter where they sit. Access to suitable pie and pint vendors is also vital.

3) Aesthetics – What does the ground look like from the outset? Is it a horrible blotch on the landscape? Or perhaps a delighfully picturesque landmark.

Personally, I would suggest that as an away fan, I tend to prefer the old fashioned grounds. The new plasticky styles don’t really whet my appetite (see here for what i mean). So I guess that rules out Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium, Leicester’s Walkers Stadium and Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

What I do like is a ground that offers an experience. A ground that you can almost smell the passion from the fans.

Burney’s Turf Moor is a good example of passionate fans creating an intense atmosphere, but the best in the league? Not quite. From the Midlands, both Molineux and The Hawthorns are always good for a day out, but again is the history really there? I’m not so sure.

So, after heavy debate, albeit with myself, I have conclusively decided that the best stadium in the division belongs to relegation candidates Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough.

Not only is it the largest ground in the league, housing near 40,000 fans, but it undoubtedly oozes character, and from my visits to the away section, I can promise you that the passion shown by the Wednesdayites is second to none. The facilities are arguably a little dated, but you soon forget that. I urge you to take a visit to one of the country’s most historical and beautiful grounds.

It doesn’t matter who you go and watch play and i’m no connoisseur but i’m sure you would have a great day out. Although i’ve been reliably informed that Sheffield Wednesday vs Crystal Palace is quite delightful at this time of year!

Want to learn more about The Championship stadiums? Click here.