The Battle for the Football League Championship

For me, it's a hard watch. The quality is not there and I don't really know many of the players.

Unforgivable ignorance and Premier League entitlement, I know...

I'm intrigued to see who's coming g up. I wonder, hope, they won't emulate this season's promoted teams, who are heading straight back down. It's not healthy for the game.

You have me sussed. I'll watch football anywhere. Next week it's League 2 Bromley v Morecambe on Friday, then up to Liverpool on Saturday.

Is that coz it's on Sky… or coz it's not very good?

The Blades lads themselves aren't arsed, they want to win their league but would be quite happy to remain in the Championship. They prefer it. That says so much.

Shane Duffy.

Wow a blast from the past — still playing in the Championship for Norwich City.

Peter, hopefully that will come off. I'd be happy to meet up. My last visit to BramalL Lane was years ago. A pre-season friendly between the Blades and Everton just after Howard Kendall had come back again. I went with a Blades supporting friend. We were sat in the stand facing the new stand, which I think was the opening night for it.

Tony, as always, I'm looking forward to next Friday. Good football, great atmosphere and a probable sell out. Football how it should be.

Michael, my plans are to be across in July. I think you are US based, although I seem to remember you referencing Devon. Correct me!!

I am only planning on going to the West Ham fixture in Chicago, but will be using it to travel around the states, which I do often. If we get the chance, we can meet up and talk the blues.

Early to late '90s, I coached with really good success firstly a collegiate team (5 years with only 1 loss and 1 draw) and amateur (decent standard) from Div 1 through to Div 1 successive years. It was really enjoyable.

Recently, I was asked by one of them if I would coach. So I went to a few games and reported, "Sorry guys, this is way above my head. You need somebody much younger. I am coming on 77 in June."

The game has changed so much that I would be well out of my depth but I still love to watch all levels of football ('soccer' over here in Australia). So I can understand you watching Premier League, Championship and others. Keep it up mate. We have only one life and we should enjoy it.

Don't know if you follow Paul Quinn's podcast but it seems one of the three has crossed the line and called it a day. I only skimmed the transcript but I think that there Premier League can even be a hard watch for some.

Seemed you were getting close weeks back but have pulled away from the brink…?

Whereas, if your arse is sat nice and comfy in yer fave armchair with a nice chilled Devon cyder… (There's a clue, Danny!)

It’s good that you still love watching football, but it’s become oversaturated for me and I find it difficult to watch more than one game a week, (if I’m being honest, my favourite football is the latter stages of the champions league, but I still struggled to put Villa on because I’d already watched Arsenal the night before)

I’m going to Port Vale today, and the biggest thing I’ve noticed between the premier league and the lower leagues (even at notorious Millwall) is how much more relaxed it is for the match going spectator, away from the policing that comes with watching premier league football.

I’m probably going to miss the Manchester City game next week Michael, because I will be going to a kids football tournament so if you want to attend Goodison Pk, for one last time before it’s gone forever, then let me know before I offer the ticket to someone else!

If you take up the offer Michael, you will probably end up sitting next to Danny, (how can you refuse now😂) but if you can’t I did promise a ticket to the man, I used to call The Duke, although my daughter, who was responsible for pulling me back from the brink, is gonna be fuming!

I read that transcript, Michael. One of them, I think George (?), just seemed totally disillusioned.

Back to the theme. Both Leeds and Sheffield Untied have early kick offs. The play offs looks like it will be between Sunderland, Bristol City, Lampard's Coventry and Middlesborough. Maybe West From and even Millwall have an outside chance.

It's going to be interesting to see who comes up and who we will face next season. I've been to all of those stadiums, although technically, I can't claim Coventry, as I went to the old Highfield Road years ago.

Now that would be some match report Michael? A double act!!

I watch a lot of non-league around where I live and whilst the quality is not the same, in person it's engaging, fast-paced and entertaining. You are close up to the action and can see the commitment and ability (the players are still good footballers).

It's a bit like boxing, where unless you've been up real close, you don't quite feel it. TV sanitises football and it's been a major bugbear from me how the game is now primarily targeted towards the at-home viewer.

You might be onto something here, Danny!