History will be made next season Every time since we entered league football and got relegated to the third tier we have made it back up within 3 or less seasons
A bit of entertainment and at least go home knowing the team are giving its best. And to thrash Oxford twice not because of Robinson, but being in the middle of their post match obnoxiosness twice last season.
A bit of entertainment and at least go home knowing the team are giving its best. And to thrash Oxford twice not because of Robinson, but being in the middle of their post match obnoxiosness twice last season.
Why? What happened post match ?
Over celebrating and going on like they had just beaten Barcelona when we were just plain crap.
I'm pleased with signings so far (on paper), think we are still short in a number of positions, especially up front, probably need another 5 through the door, whether loans from a higher division or buys.
Think we are also short of real experience, Pearce now gone, the Pratleys of this world we never really replaced and I felt we missed his on the pitch leadership massively last season.
When you look at the dressing room it lacks experience I feel in this league you need that mixture, but don't feel that's what we are heading for.
I like the way it’s going so far - think a quality couple of mobile strikers, a left back and an attacking midfielder and we will be there - optimistically we should be in the top 6 shake up, pessimistically we over pass, get stifled, get bullied and / or hit on the counter - give it 10 games and we should know
I'm pleased with signings so far (on paper), think we are still short in a number of positions, especially up front, probably need another 5 through the door, whether loans from a higher division or buys.
Think we are also short of real experience, Pearce now gone, the Pratleys of this world we never really replaced and I felt we missed his on the pitch leadership massively last season.
When you look at the dressing room it lacks experience I feel in this league you need that mixture, but don't feel that's what we are heading for.
On experience O’Connell and McGrandles both turn 27 soon and recently captained their clubs. They’ve also spent several seasons of their careers in L1.
I think there may have been a thread on this a while back, but now that we have a new manager and pre-season is about to start, what are you expecting for the 2022/23 season?
I will lay me cards on the table: I am a season ticket holder and have already renewed for the coming season, even before Ben Garner was announced. As far as TS is concerned, I am undecided. I think he has the best intentions for the club (and is vastly better than Duchatelet), but I am not convinced he has the best advisors when it comes to running a football club. There is a massive difference between running a normal business and running a football club. The normal rules of business do not seem to apply to football, as I think Thomas has found out.
I admit I had never heard of Ben Garner, but having read and heard more about him now, I like the sound of him. I will be disappointed if he can't bring his coaches with him though. I think we need a complete change of approach with our coaching, and if Ben Garner is to be judged fairly, he needs to be given the proper tools.
It is just over a month until the first competitive game of the season and it doesn't feel as though we are likely to hit the ground running again. I really hope I am wrong, but I can see our pre-season being a bit chaotic (yet again) and I don't believe we will have completed most of our signings before the season starts. With a new manager, new playing style and a core of new players needed, I am expecting a slow start.
Overall for the season I will be pleasantly surprised if we are challenging for the play-offs throughout the season. There are too many other decent teams in the league, and that coupled with all our changes may be a bridge too far. I am expecting better than last season (it better be), but would predict a finish of 7th to 10th. I think we would need to sign 3 or 4 very decent players to improve on that.
However, if we can start to build a decent team that play the Ben Garner way, then the following year we should be challenging for automatic promotion. As long as the football is more entertaining this coming season I think I would be content with a comfortable top half finish.
Well, it was 17 June when I made my original post (above), and we are now two and a half months further on and the transfer window is closed, so where are we now?
Starting first with TS: He hasn't covered himself with glory in his handling of this transfer window, particularly deadline day. Only he knows why he bought us in the first place (glad he did, by the way), probably to massage his ego, but he has had a very rude awakening to the harsh facts of running a third division football club. My view on him has deteriorated. I am now of the opinion that he just doesn't have a clue about running a football club. He probably thinks he is saving money by keeping it in the family, but as any who have run businesses know, this is usually a recipe for disaster, particularly in a business none of you know. You need good people who understand the business. It is his money, and I do not expect him to throw it at the club. His target of break-even is admirable and essential in any normal business, but in the world of football this is never going to happen. There is only so much cost cutting that can be done without weakening the playing squad irreparably, and raising revenue looks a tough one with the crazy ticketing prices (essential that is sorted out asap). I think he urgently needs to find investors or sell up, but what exactly does he have to sell?
Ben Garner seems like a breath of fresh air. His style of play is still rough around the edges as you would expect, but it is a huge improvement on what has gone before. However, TS has let him down with the squad building. We are clearly lacking in squad depth, as has been discussed to death, and our chances of any sort of success this season would seem to depend on key players staying fit and young players stepping up. Both could happen, but it is a very high risk strategy. It seems almost inevitable that we will get injuries to central defenders and forwards at some point. I don't agree with the criticism Stockley has been getting. Just wait until he is injured and then we will see what an impact he has. He doesn't seem to fit the new system very well, but I think Garner needs to adapt his system to work with Stockley's qualities rather than expecting him to completely change his game. I don't think he should be captain though, as much as I like him. I prefer a captain in central midfield or defence.
In the transfer window we have released more players than we have signed and haven't even filled all allowable squad places. The seven new signings look okay, particularly Joe Wollacott, but three are injured already - Egbo and McGrandles were injured before the season started! JRS is very young and untested at this level. He is fast, skillful and will cause problems, but he is going to have periods where he struggles and is not going to get us promoted. I like Payne, and think he could be a key player, but has only showed it in flashes so far. I am not as convinced as some that all new signings are upgrades. If only we had kept Washington and Purrington - think both would have improved this squad. Our best players so far have been Wollacott (a big upgrade on CM), Dobson and Clare.
I don't think we will make the play offs this season, but think we should comfortably be top half, which is a big improvement from last year. We are clearly short of a few decent players, so I think my original expectation of 7th to 10th remains. I think there are at least six stronger teams (with better and stronger squads) than us in the league.
The football I have seen so far (apart from the truly awful first half against Derby) has been more enjoyable than previous years, but I really fear for us if we don't get out of this league soon. With the right backing from TS in this transfer window, I think we would have had a decent chance. Sadly, a missed opportunity and we are unlikely to escape this awful league this season.
We will come between 4th and 10th. If there was a market for those precise range of places I would lump on.
There are 2 teams we won’t get near, Ipswich and Sheff Wed, no chance, and a third but I’m not sure if it’s Derby or Peterborough yet. The latter two are decent but it remains to be seen if they’re top two decent but law of averages says one will make a stab of it.
Then comes our level, the Wycombe’s, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Bolton and a surprise package or two. And that’s where we’ll be, it will solely depend on luck with injuries and momentum at the right time, 4th if it all goes our way, 10th if we have another injury crisis and poor fixture timings.
Anyone who’s thinking logically at this moment and not still seething at our deadline day I hope will agree, well if not who cares eh it’s about opinions and that’s what we’re here for. But we are better than last season, how much better I don’t know yet, but we are definitely improved.
All I hope for is to have a feeling that the club is progressing each season. And if I’m honest, on balance I think it probably is, despite the owner’s apparently shrinking wealth.
The new manager has made a big difference, and the recruitment, despite the failure of deadline day, has overall been encouraging, despite the failure to bring in a striker (and CB). (And LB?).
The style of play is improving, and I get the feeling that unless we are hit by another injury crisis, we could be there or thereabouts for the playoffs.
The other thing that gives me hope is the fact that the under 21s are in such good shape, as is the youth set up. There appears to be plenty of talent coming through which might make a difference on the pitch and ultimately in the accounts, over the next year or two. It’s a shame the academy hasn’t improved its status, which is a bit of a cloud on the horizon.
I think many are in for a tough time this winter financially, with the consequence that even making a strong run for the play-offs might not result in increased attendances, which is a real shame for the club. To be fair to Sandgaard, if his personal fortune has shrunk from around half a billion to ‘just’ £120m, we’re lucky that he has stuck with us, as many might have bailed by now. Assuming he isn’t planning a sell off of course.
As others have said, a win on Saturday would be a massive morale booster. But we shouldn’t panic if it doesn’t go our way.
I think we'll finish between 9th and 5th, depending on injuries.
I like the way it’s going so far - think a quality couple of mobile strikers, a left back and an attacking midfielder and we will be there - optimistically we should be in the top 6 shake up, pessimistically we over pass, get stifled, get bullied and / or hit on the counter - give it 10 games and we should know
With the size of our squad now until at least January and knowing some of the glass backs we have in this squad , It’s hard not to fear worst. Our only hope is that we stay close enough to mid table by January then TS realises he needs to put his hand in his pocket , hope more than expectation though that is
Said initially 14th but reckon we'll finish 7th to 10th now based on Garner and his side looking and playing decent since start of the season.
Just a shame we didn't strengthen further or replace/ keep Washington as think a couple more players and I'd be predicting playoffs.
Think we're a couple of inevitable injuries/ dips in form away from that at present and doubt we'll make any silly money free signings to boost us significantly but if we do or pick up a few CBTs who knows.
Anyway it is what it is and will get behind Garner and the lads all season. Roll on 3pm tomorrow
Comments
Every time since we entered league football and got relegated to the third tier we have made it back up within 3 or less seasons
1933 - 2 seasons
1972 - 3 seasons
1980 - 1 season
2009 - 3 seasons
2016 - 3 seasons
2019 -3 seasons minimum
Look at that 6 seasons in 76 years in the third tier
next season is the 9th in 14 years in the third tier
stay positive, shameful times
Think we are also short of real experience, Pearce now gone, the Pratleys of this world we never really replaced and I felt we missed his on the pitch leadership massively last season.
When you look at the dressing room it lacks experience I feel in this league you need that mixture, but don't feel that's what we are heading for.
Starting first with TS: He hasn't covered himself with glory in his handling of this transfer window, particularly deadline day. Only he knows why he bought us in the first place (glad he did, by the way), probably to massage his ego, but he has had a very rude awakening to the harsh facts of running a third division football club. My view on him has deteriorated. I am now of the opinion that he just doesn't have a clue about running a football club. He probably thinks he is saving money by keeping it in the family, but as any who have run businesses know, this is usually a recipe for disaster, particularly in a business none of you know. You need good people who understand the business. It is his money, and I do not expect him to throw it at the club. His target of break-even is admirable and essential in any normal business, but in the world of football this is never going to happen. There is only so much cost cutting that can be done without weakening the playing squad irreparably, and raising revenue looks a tough one with the crazy ticketing prices (essential that is sorted out asap). I think he urgently needs to find investors or sell up, but what exactly does he have to sell?
Ben Garner seems like a breath of fresh air. His style of play is still rough around the edges as you would expect, but it is a huge improvement on what has gone before. However, TS has let him down with the squad building. We are clearly lacking in squad depth, as has been discussed to death, and our chances of any sort of success this season would seem to depend on key players staying fit and young players stepping up. Both could happen, but it is a very high risk strategy. It seems almost inevitable that we will get injuries to central defenders and forwards at some point. I don't agree with the criticism Stockley has been getting. Just wait until he is injured and then we will see what an impact he has. He doesn't seem to fit the new system very well, but I think Garner needs to adapt his system to work with Stockley's qualities rather than expecting him to completely change his game. I don't think he should be captain though, as much as I like him. I prefer a captain in central midfield or defence.
In the transfer window we have released more players than we have signed and haven't even filled all allowable squad places. The seven new signings look okay, particularly Joe Wollacott, but three are injured already - Egbo and McGrandles were injured before the season started! JRS is very young and untested at this level. He is fast, skillful and will cause problems, but he is going to have periods where he struggles and is not going to get us promoted. I like Payne, and think he could be a key player, but has only showed it in flashes so far. I am not as convinced as some that all new signings are upgrades. If only we had kept Washington and Purrington - think both would have improved this squad. Our best players so far have been Wollacott (a big upgrade on CM), Dobson and Clare.
I don't think we will make the play offs this season, but think we should comfortably be top half, which is a big improvement from last year. We are clearly short of a few decent players, so I think my original expectation of 7th to 10th remains. I think there are at least six stronger teams (with better and stronger squads) than us in the league.
The football I have seen so far (apart from the truly awful first half against Derby) has been more enjoyable than previous years, but I really fear for us if we don't get out of this league soon. With the right backing from TS in this transfer window, I think we would have had a decent chance. Sadly, a missed opportunity and we are unlikely to escape this awful league this season.
There are 2 teams we won’t get near, Ipswich and Sheff Wed, no chance, and a third but I’m not sure if it’s Derby or Peterborough yet. The latter two are decent but it remains to be seen if they’re top two decent but law of averages says one will make a stab of it.
Then comes our level, the Wycombe’s, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Bolton and a surprise package or two. And that’s where we’ll be, it will solely depend on luck with injuries and momentum at the right time, 4th if it all goes our way, 10th if we have another injury crisis and poor fixture timings.
Anyone who’s thinking logically at this moment and not still seething at our deadline day I hope will agree, well if not who cares eh it’s about opinions and that’s what we’re here for. But we are better than last season, how much better I don’t know yet, but we are definitely improved.
The other thing that gives me hope is the fact that the under 21s are in such good shape, as is the youth set up. There appears to be plenty of talent coming through which might make a difference on the pitch and ultimately in the accounts, over the next year or two. It’s a shame the academy hasn’t improved its status, which is a bit of a cloud on the horizon.
To be fair to Sandgaard, if his personal fortune has shrunk from around half a billion to ‘just’ £120m, we’re lucky that he has stuck with us, as many might have bailed by now. Assuming he isn’t planning a sell off of course.
I think we'll finish between 9th and 5th, depending on injuries.
Owner - More amateur mistakes, bullshit promises and the odd prog mental track.
We'll finish 12th.
Just a shame we didn't strengthen further or replace/ keep Washington as think a couple more players and I'd be predicting playoffs.
Think we're a couple of inevitable injuries/ dips in form away from that at present and doubt we'll make any silly money free signings to boost us significantly but if we do or pick up a few CBTs who knows.
Anyway it is what it is and will get behind Garner and the lads all season. Roll on 3pm tomorrow