I posted after deadline day that I felt we had an outside chance of making the playoffs, which got quite a few LOL's at the time. With the signing of Oztumer, the potential arrival of Hemed & the quality loans signed last week, is it really that unrealistic??
I accept we still have a small squad, but if we have a bit of luck with Injuries, our first 11 will beat a lot of teams this season.
I think we have a chance
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imperative to get points on the board early doors.
having watched us saturday i am now happy to go 13-16th which i will consider a success
There is a chance, I am looking upwards rather than down based on the signings, even better if we can get Hemed through one day in the near future.
I would still snap someones hand off for a top half finish, its still far too soon we have played 4% of games and we started well last time we were relegated, so that is in the back of my mind.
Defence could be our weak spot.
Upfront we're very reliant on Taylor at present unless Hemed joins and Leko kicks on.
Ten games in is usually a good time to judge how we're going to do.
The defence on the other hand we hope that a few games playing together will see improvements.
However, although our defence is not great, we do have more of an attacking team this year with goalscorers in them and a hard working side. I came away after the game Saturday (and even during the 2nd half) thinking "Yeah we will be ok" which I didn't feel against Villa. That was of course before Cullen, Leko and Gallagher playing for us and Anneke went off injured against Villa. Saturday we had no Hemed. no Field etc either. I have not felt this good since the Curbs days (and of course since Chris Powell).
I think we will finish mid table, beat Millwall once this year and draw the other), and depending on injuries and suspensions we may finish higher and suprise a few people.
competitive at least
So I’m going down the route of let’s just enjoy the moment, get all Billy big boots, and smash this tin pot league as my youngest would say.
(I thought we were going to annihilate Forest Green , and am fully aware of how quickly Charlton can bring you back down to earth!).
I like Jones and want him to do well there just not sure it's the right fit.
Also don't think their squad is as strong as some say. They have some fairly big name players for the level but they don't seem to be working for the team. Unlike us who will end up with a side greater than the sum of its parts.
I'm a big fan of cousins but to use him s an example. He started their first game and was on the bench against us. Wouldn't even be close to the bench if he was in our squad
On paper we have:
- Cullen..... unproven at this level
- Oztumer..... unproven at this level
- Gallagher..... unproven at this level
- Field....... young and not played many games at this level
- Williams - QUALITY
- Pratley - getting on a bit. Solid workhorse at this level but realistically the top teams wouldn’t be falling over each other to have him in their line up
- Kayal - Potential to be good. Got a promotion. Is he as good as he was then? Hopefully but let’s see.
Forster Caskey - needs to get fit
So , anyone changed their mind?
One of the biggest differences is we much more quality in midfield compared to previous years. When did we last have such a good mix of skill, creativity, energy, mobility, strength and goals? And we haven't even seen Kayal yet, who Bowyer and Brighton fans rate very highly.
Big danger for our season will be january. Could easily lose, Cullen, Field, Gallagher and possibly Leko to being recalled. Taylor could leave. That would seriously impact us.