FourFourTwo's opinion
Aug 3, 2005
Author: Rookery88

I knew that the general opinion, of both outsiders and of our own fans, was that we would struggle to an extent in 05/06. I was unaware, however, that nearly every football 'expert' (442 magazine, leading bookmakers and even the creator of Football Manager 05, who's a Watford supporter!) not only shared that opinion, but took it to another level by confidently predicting relegation for the 'Orns.

Here is 442 magazine's predicted final table for the Championship, printed in this month's definitive season preview:

1 Wolves
2 Palace
3 Norwich
4 Ipswich
5 Saints
6 Reading
7 Derby
8 Preston
9 Leicester
10 Sheff Utd
11 Leeds
12 Hull
13 QPR
14 Coventry
15 Burnley
16 Sheff Wed
17 Stoke
18 Plymouth
19 L*ton
20 Brighton
21 Crewe
22 WATFORD
23 Millwall
24 Cardiff

In the same guide, Sports Interactive, the company who created Football Manager and who's own creator is a celebrated Hornets fan, predict this to be the final outcome:

1 Norwich
2 Wolves
3 Palace
4 Ipswich
5 Sheff Utd
6 Saints
7 Preston
8 Leeds
9 Derby
10 Leicester
11 Reading
12 Stoke
13 QPR
14 Millwall
15 Coventry
16 Plymouth
17 Burnley
18 Hull
19 Sheff Wed
20 Brighton
21 Crewe
22 L*ton
23 WATFORD
24 Cardiff

As far as our odds to win the division are concerned, with most leading bookmaker's we're priced between 50/1 and 66/1, but given our current situation even I'm prepared to admit that those odds are totally irrelevant.