Dion Dublin was actually really good when Norwich came to Stoke like a skillful statue. Victor Moses was easily the most talented player I saw though, after everyone in the Stoke of course.
Can't be bothered listing 10: About half of West Broms side, Frazer Campbell, Ryan Shawcross, Victor Moses, John Bostock, and a few others could do well in the Premier League. From League One, Jason Scotland, Ferrie Bodde, Kris Commons, Jermaine Beckford, Jonny Howson, Keiron Westwood (Carlisle keeper), Rui Marques, Lewis McGugan, Andy Robinson, Lee Barnard, Tom Clarke and Paul Huntington all could step up at least one division. There are others from a few clubs who should be a League up having seen every League One side at least once this season. The new signings from January for Leeds in Brad Johnson and Neil Kilkenny are also very promising.
Brian Howard (Barnsley F.C.) was named in the PFA's Championship Team of the Year and has one year left on his current contract - he's asked for either an improved, extended deal to remain at the club or for Barnsley to sell him at a realistic price - the Chairman has allegedly slapped a £10 million price tag on his head! I like 'Howie' and value his contribution to the team this past season and in previous years, but I think he's a top-half Championship player at best and would struggle to hold down a regular starting place in even bottom-half Premiership teams (he's been linked with both Bolton and Everton (?!) recently) ... what do other posters think?
He looked half decent, but I very much doubt any team would be willing to meet that asking price, or even half of it. If a team comes in with a couple of million he'll be sold. I think your chairman is just wanting to ensure the fans don't think he'll be on his way. I'd take the money as well, there's no point having a good player who is sulking after a bigger club when you could strengthen the team across the board with the money he'd bring in. I'd agree with the top half of the championship assessment.
Here, I'll do my top 5: Bobby Convey Eddie Lewis Marcus Hahneman Benny Feilhaber Jay Demeritt And this is officially the most sujective post ever on BS
Your clubs fans voted Stephen fking Crainey as Player of the Season, seeing as Crainey is the worst footballer ever of all time, I don't believe that Hoolahan is all that great if he loses out on anything including awards, sprint races, tackles or pie eating contests to Stephen Crainey.
Did you see him on that Ron Atkinson Manager or whatever programme for Sky One? Came across as sulky and full of himself. I rated Billy Jones when he was at Crewe, hows he doing?
Frankie Simek is one of the best right backs in the division - or at least he would be if his ankles weren't f*cked. He's certainly Wednesday's best player right now. I can see him moving up and moving on.
Had we actually won the big one Adriano Basso would have been on shopping lists for certain- people who vote Hennessey over him are clearly mental (in spite of the immediate run before the playoffs). People from Champ clubs certainly rate Bradley Orr, being our best (and only qualified) right-back...
*Shameless plug for my club* Tommy Smith was one of the best wingers in the Championship last season, playing for Watford. I do think a list of the top 10 Championship players though would be populated mostly by Birmingham & Reading players. The best striker in the Championship is undoubtedly James Beattie (Sheff. Utd.) in my book, and Kevin Phillips (despite his age) probably deserves to be up there as well.
I think everybody is biased towards players in their own team, so I'll put forward a Southampton player who hasn't actually been seen in the Championship! Michael Svensson got injured in our relegation season and is coming back at the moment. He never really got replaced and our defence has suffered big time as a result. I 've heard reports that a lot of our youngsters - that are being used by our manager in pre-season - are extremely good, and we could surprise a few people after the last few seasons (which are best forgotten!). And if I can mention another - Drew Surman
shameless plug for my own team coming up....... Guy Moussi - signing of the decade - i can't see us hanging on to him for long unless we get promoted this season, which is unlikely. the new Vieira! Lewis McGugan - best player we have produced since Jermaine Jenas and Andy Reid. potentially better than either, certainly has a fantastic football brain for a 19 year old. Kelvin Wilson - superb, classy centre back who EASILY dealt with everything Reading threw at us on saturday, and also easily dealt with Everton a couple of weeks ago. Julian Bennett - the new Stuart Pearce! ok ok, enough Forest players............. i also rate the following (trying to avoid the obvious Phillips/Beattie picks): James Harper of Reading (unless Boro have signed him like they want to). quality player. .....ok ok i don't know that many champonship players.
As already mentioned by a Birmingham City fan in this thread, if Seb Larsson doesn't get snapped up by a Premiership club, I'd rate him as the best winger in the Championship. I'd be pretty shocked if he wasn't sold, though, and he has expressed an interest in returning to the Premier League.
1.Kevin Doyle: Just brilliant. Good pace, very good touch(not known for this) runs the channels so good, and just overall a really good striker. If he stays I reckon he'll hit over 30 in the Championship this season. 2.Stephen Hunt: Not exactly blessed with great talent but he does and what he does he does do well() scores goals, and creates and works hard for the team. 3.McFadden: Very talented player, can't comment that much on him tho. 4.Owen Garvan: Most talented in the league IMO, but doesn't show it. 5. Seb Larsson-Very good player. Meh bored now.
both Wolves' wingers, Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis. they are a class above anyone else we have faced so far, including any Birmingham or Reading players. Ferrie Bodde of Swansea. great signing. the lad on loan from Juventus (i think?) at QPR Lee Camp! seriously he is quality. Victor Moses - not sure about him yet - he can fade completely from games like he did against us, but he's only 17 so i'll let him off.
Lee Johnson of Bristol City. quality passer - would look premier league quality if he had better technical players around him.
Fabian Delph. £8m offer rejected from Arsenal. One of the best passers I've ever seen at 18 years old and rated by LUFC's academy as the best product since the 1970's.