Gribz

All the callers to Talksport and match report said Forest were lucky and were getting caught out in their own third all the time, when better teams play them they wont get away with it.

Realistically a comfortable second. We have to start seeing off the run of mill clubs in the league. 3rd placed team shouldnt be close to us. We have to compete in the OF games this season home and away and be winning at Ibrox. The footballing side HAS to show progress (I dont like that word now) and improvements are being made. I always thought It would take 2-3 seasons to realistically win the title again so its all about getting closer. Celtic's gap was because they would win games against the Hamiltons and Particks consistently so we have to cut out dropping points against certain teams.

Went to put a draw on at Sunderland but decided I will cut back on betting on singles outwith the top flight. What a bad decision that was. Mckays goal was supposed to be a screamer. Yet Millwall were the better side in the game.

Tough away game for Celtic. Should be good for Liverpool and Klopp going to Germany. Qarabag (Azerbaijan) v Copenhagen (Denmark) Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus) v Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) Olympiakos (Greece) v HNK Rijeka (Croatia) Celtic (Scotland) v Astana (Kazakhstan) Hapoel Beer Sheva (Israel) v Maribor (Slovenia) Istanbul Basaksehir (Turkey) v Sevilla (Spain) Young Boys (Switzerland) v CSKA Moscow (Russia) Napoli (Italy) v Nice (France) Hoffenheim (Germany) v Liverpool (England) Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) v Steaua Bucharest (Romania)

A league I watch a lot of over the last few years kicks off tonight with Sunderland v Derby and Notts Forest v Millwall. 18 of the 24 clubs have played Premier League football showing how competitive this league gets. There are two former European Champions in the division with Villa and Forest. There will be big derbies in the second city derby between Villa and Brum, the Steel city derby returns in Sheffield, the old farm derby at Norwich v Ipswich. The bookies favourites are Steve Bruces Aston Villa with Gary Monks Middlesboro right behind them. I find those a bit surprising. For Villa John Terry is obviously the stand out signing but he has not played at this level before in a 100 mph demanding league which is both a marathon and a sprint. Gabby Agbonlahor has put form and weight issues behind him and back in the team so thats potential straight away. But Bruce is one of those managers who knows this division and he will see himself finally at a big club - possibly top 8 in the country on their day (would he have got the job otherwise) - and will see this as his chance to build. Middlesboro have put in a good manager who is now at his third club and he has to keep up his good reputation. He has addressed the goalscoring problem by spending 24 million on a few strikers - Britt Assombalonga from Forest and Martin Braithwaite from Toulouse. Straight away I would put Fulham 7/1 up their as favourites, they were quality in the second half of last season but just fell short at the end. Id equally put Derby 12/1 and Reading 14/1 in there. Jaap Stam did wonders in his first season and will improve, they only missed out due to Huddersfields rise from nowhere. Derby have Gary Rowett who was unbelievably dismissed from Birmingham last year while they were in the play off hunt only for them to collapse and avoid relegation on the last day. Sheff Wed are the other in the runners and riders but I expect a play off spot at best. Wolves are the bookies surprise team - a big club on their day but I dont know why they would propel from mid table to challenging with another set of rash owners. They have forked out on Ruben Neves from Porto for a club record £15m. Norwich also need a mention but have let go some players for their second season in the league so they may find this one a bit tougher. Relegated Sunderland are in a bit of a mess but have a real working in Simon Grayson in charge who had Preston punching above their weight. Fellow relegated Hull have sold off a load of players and lost their quality manager Marco Silva so could be in for a tough season. Harry Redknapp is back and in charge of Birmingham. he went their thinking he would bring in household names like Terry and Robbie Keane but cant get any names over the line so far. I dont expect to see Harry lasting the full campaign if doesnt get a few bargains on transfer deadline day. Mark Warburton has made signings at Forest and will be trying to push them up the table. A lot of Bears will have interesting eyes on them this season to see how they do. Leeds make yet another change of manager and I simply dont know what to expect from these giants. Sheff United return to this flight and will be hoping for a solid season. They return along with Bolton who will hope for survival. QPR are in a bit of a mess in the last few seasons and Ian Holloway is back in charge - again will he last the season!! Cardiff have plummeted since their 1 season in the top flight and have expectations. Mick McCarthy at Ipswich is under huge pressure after a 6-1 thumping from Charlton last week. With no money to spend he has done well there but the fans are now turning. Brentford and Preston will be hoping for very respectable mid table finishes again along with Barnsley. Burton and Bristol City had wonderful finishes last season to avoid the drop and will hope for the same around this season but Bristol City may set sights higher. And then there is Millwall...... I am tipping Fulham and Aston Villa to go up automatically. Play Offs - Reading, Derby, Middlesboro, Sheff Wed. Relegated - Burton, Millwall, Bolton.

Id go with that team Frankie. But wouldnt be surprised to see Holt in their somehow. Pena obviously isnt ready so Id start with Windass. Seems Herrera will get a chance as the No.1 striker, Morelos has to take his chances if he gets on.

Ive retired from this

People talk about Coutinho for 80m but Mane is their most dangerous player. When he got injured last season their poor run hit. He is unplayable on his day, strong and fast and can score.

Sturridge limped off injured after scoring. No way will he play a full season which cuts Liverpools goals down. But going forward they have some good players, their defence still needs fixing.

No surprise they have acted before the season starts. He looked lost anyway.

Heard the other day the cost of this stadium will be double what Emirates was. OK 10 years difference has increased costs but this stadium is costing almost the same as Wembley (which was over priced IMO). But income from TV etc is far more than 10 years ago so is supposed to be manageable. Yet this stadium from pictures looks like its going to be something else. It will have the same close stands to pitch that WHL had and the atmosphere will be hot. Its going up quick and will be ready this time next year. You wonder why chelsea are going to take 3-4 years to rebuild theirs.

Great picture. Away fans at Hillsborough usually get behind the goal. Not many teams could bring that support for a friendly.

Dropped from the squad for mindset reasons according to Cathro.

Quite good and again nothing to disagree with. It really is sink or swim time though. The winning mentality is something that is learned off the park as much as on it and he has had a few months to drill this into the squad. Its also over to the players to see if they can carry out what they are doing in training.

I did a Coop. I thought this match was on Saturday, just got up to check for the score and realised its Sunday.

Shame for Peterhead, they did the hard work but wont go through as a best runner up, one of the Dundee teams would need to get thumped for that. Its one of the worst rules in football the best runner up rule. Cathro has his work cut out for this season.

Premier League!! They are about 4th or 5th favorites this season. Villa and Boro are the two the bookies fancy but I think Sheff Wed have a big chance. Derby for me will be up there.

Dont think Ross County, Hamilton and Partick were in either. I know there is no hard feelings towards Ross County. Dont think the other two would have been so kind towards us.

In that case Id take Miller out. There is nothing we need to learn about Miller we already know and perhaps should be saved for competitive games. But Kranjcar relies on being match fit and needs at least 45 mins. Holt, Windass, Dalcio and Dodoo should all get a run out later in the game in midfield also. Dodoo may be in the shop window but if not he could end up being key on the left as the season goes on. He remains a strange one as looks good when plays but then disappears.

On the ticket thread I put Id like to see a similar team but Beerman start at LB and Kranjcar in Pena's place there. Kranjcar surely is a first name on the team sheet. Id also like to see Morelos and Herrera partnership start up top but know those are all unlikely.

Can someone remind me, was it Kilmarnock the only club who voted against us being punted out the leagues in 2012? IIRC it was a 10-1 vote.

Didnt realise Cathro was only 31. They have to win today to make sure they are in the last 16 of the cup. A few Premier clubs have some work to do to get through. Seems Hertz have went backwards a bit in the last 12 months.

Would be refreshing to see Morelos and/or Herrera have a good performance today and get on the scoresheet. We need to get the strikers up and running and converting chances. Should be a good day out for the Bears that are attending. Always had soft spot for Wednesday they are easily in the top 12 biggest clubs in England. Team Id like to see start today. Foderingham Tavernier Alves Cardoso Beerman Jack Candeias Dorrans Kranjcar Morelos Herrera It ideal down the left side and will rely on Beerman getting down the wing. Id bring Pena on for one of the front two and have a 5 in midfield at some stage.

Wouldnt grudge Miller playing first team football IF he was to leave. I think he will get game time if he stays though. Its more strange that the clubs would do business together as much as Miller talking to Hibs. But business and footballing decisions will rise above their thugs after the Cup Final. Im guess Miller was a Hibs fan as a kid so you could see it from that point. Miller is and always has been a professional regardless who he plays / played for. As stated he has been a great servant to Rangers.

Pandev would be a coup. He isnt prolific, he averages 1 in 4. But a strong player and a Champions league winner would bring more winning experience to the squad. He may be 34 (just turned) but thats what 3 or 4 years younger than Miller who can still perform.