According to Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, the current campaign will demand significantly higher standards.
“I think it could be 50 this season,” said the German. “Maybe some years ago it was 45 but when I see the race at the moment that could not be enough.”
For Rohl and his men, the prospect of attaining 50 points was once a pipe dream, as was any prospect of a genuine relegation scrap.
Along with QPR, the Owls had spent the entire season hopelessly adrift in the bottom three, yet the pair’s recent revival has proved the catalyst for a sprawling relegation tussle that until recently involved half the Championship.
Even now, nine sides could realistically go down – with eight of them separated by just five points. As for the other one… well, let’s start there as we assess the runners and riders in the tightest field for years…
DEAD AND BURIED
Only one name here. Rotherham started badly, got worse and are now plumbing similar depths to the historically awful 2016-17 campaign.
Back then, the Millers finished with just 23 points and shipped 98 goals – both Championship-era records that could yet be eclipsed by Leam Richardson’s side.
In fairness, the 44-year-old never stood a chance. By the time he arrived in December, the squad was a mess, left both under-manned and under-equipped by predecessor Matt Taylor’s misguided attempts to build a budget Barcelona.
Having ended a six-year cycle of promotion and relegation by staying up last season, Rotherham are now right back to square one and whilst last week’s 0-0 draw with ten-man Huddersfield ended a run of nine straight defeats, nobody can see where a win is coming from.
この記事は The Football League Paper の March 24, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Football League Paper の March 24, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.