Two horse race I think!

i voted roma, but i dont think sunderland will win the league.... will the board sack him for finishing second though?

would be harsh if i got sacked for finishing 2nd though

yep i still am but running out of time and i still think it would be harsh if i was sacked for finishing 2nd but there we go just oe of those things

yeah i knew there would be loads of pressure on me and i love it lol still loads of time left yet 2 games to go and i think i have the better run in

" A view from the bench"

The big talk is the issue with Sunderland - if they hadn't gone on about promotion by the half way mark and all that nonsense they might not be at risk. Let's face it Sunderland should have been out of that division a ling time ago. If they go up this season it will probably be with a worse team than they had a couple of seasons ago.

I had Roma listed as a relegation team from the start of the season - too many years of mis-management and relying on loads of cash and high rated but old superstars rather than having a plan for the future. One could have some sympathy for Glenn as he came in on the end of that period but overall I don't think he has been pro-active enough in finding an escape plan and sticking with it. If he stays up I think he'll still get the sack as the board at Roma are not going to accept narrowly escaping relegation. Best he can do is salvage some pride by turning in some decent performances in his remaining games - at least then he can say he kept them up and that might improve the chance of going on to a better club than if he gets Roma relegated. Needs some poiints though as Messina have the edge on goal difference.

Napoli are going backwards and JD's last club also did the same, and the one before that went bust. Taking over at Cardiff he complained they struggled because of being left with an aging squad and no money - neither of which was true. For example their RM Dalla Bona was one who was listed as aging and poor by JD but has gone on to play for Barcelona and in the Premiership, scoring plenty of goals in both over a couple of seasons. I think JD has already left Napoli in his own mind, hence their decline, he's already suggested he wants to move up............but does he have the pedigree?

Sociedad and Levante are a bit unlucky I think. Levante are too good for League 2 and not good enough for League 1. He's had some money and spent it reasonably well on his defence. They need a signature player to get some goals and a stronger midfield as they lack the cutting edge to turn 1-0 into 1-1 or 1-1 into a 2-1 win in League 1. Similar story with Sociedad, need a decent couple of youth players who can develop or be sold to bring in funds for some key players in a couple of positions - currently a journeyman team. Louis and Iain both seem pretty decent managers. Same for Recreativo - was always going to be a difficult task. For me Mark at Mallorca is over busy in the transfer market - sometimes you just need to stick with what you have for a while and try to get the best out of them rather than fitting a revolving door at your club.

If Birmingham got promoted from Division 1 ahead of Sunderland last year (with virtually no involvement in the transfer market and no loans to speak of ) ...says a lot about Sunderland.

Genoa have done the best anyone could expect I think - those expensive old signings were always going to burn out over a season. The question was always whether they could get to the finishing line before it happened......same as Roma last season.

Steve
Juventus

I was very lucky and signed a couple of stars on loan and getting Krancjar and Bothroyd, if i had not got them Dale would be top by now. Its still really close though. Leeds have got reading next that is not going to be easy. I Think though Sunderland Will finnish second. There is no way they should sack him as he would have done what a lot of good managers have failed to do.

Why forest wouldn't have been in top two so i would be the same as i am now yeah?

werent forest ahead of you before steve left?

I would be disappointed if I got the boot this season.  Although it has been a poor season I think I have improved the squad for next year.

After a surprise promotion via the playoffs last season, I was not expecting much for this season as the squad was in no way equipped for staying up.

Looking at the resources I had there was no real option but to prepare for an immediate return to the top flight following the relegation this season. I could have sold off better players at the club and tried bring in older players with better stats but this seemed a bit shortsighted and there was no guarantee this would be successful.

With the sale of a Ianelli and a young talented defensive midfielder for good returns I was able to strengthen the squad somewhat with the additions of Sinama Poggolle, Juanjo and Folan. Two of which have had reasonably successul loan spells which may lead to an improvement in Stats and Juanjo should be a quality addition to the side for next year.

Fingers crossed I will get the chance to take another crack at promotion with Sociedad next year.

you ana