Who's looking forward to next season? Get the world cup out of the way and I'll be ready. Lots of talk about our players being not good enough, but I think most of them will be and some will excel. Take Jason Mccarthy for instance. Not great at championship level but had previously spent two full seasons on loan and been ever present - wasn't Ihe also Walsalls player of the year? These lads have had a torrid season playing against experienced championship players, some with premier league experience and on big wages. It was always going to be baptism of fire. I think we'll be there or thereabouts next season. You positive thinking sunny day reds!
I am cautiously optimistic (same most pre seasons.....) I think we have a great chance to do well in the coming season and I am looking forward to seeing what the new regime will bring. Curious to see who the new manager will be, hoping he will give us entertaining AND winning football but will settle for winning. Curious to see if we make some signings. Same as most other fans I guess....
I can't wait for the World Cup either. Then after that I'm really looking forward to next season. Jason McCarthy - proven quality at League 1 level. He's only 22. One that I really expect to shine next year. Whether he'll carry on developing and go on to be a quality full-back at Championship level is quite hard to say right now, but I'm sure he'll be a massive asset next season.
I’m looking forward to it and I think Izzy will be player of the year. Keeping Bradshaw is a biggy for me as well.
I’m always overly optimistic about our prospects, but genuinely feel that with the right coach and 2 or 3 quality additions we will be in the top 3 or 4 this year. If we get off to a flyer I would hope for top 2. McCarthy, Pinnock, Jackson, Lindsey, Cavare, Isgrove, Moncur, Moore and Bradshaw should be top players next year in L1. And the drop down a League May make Potts, Fryers, Mallan, Hedges, Davies and Pearson look far better than when they were up against £5m- £10m players week in week out. Then we have Thiam, McGeehan Knasmullner. If they stay and have a full pre season I am excited to see what they can offer in League 1. Think one at least may surprise us. It’s a completely different level we’re going to be competing at. Having watched a fair bit of League 1 last season there is absolutely no reason, with the correct management team, we could compete for the league next year. Gk, Left back, defensive midfield and winger who are top L1 players and we’ll boss it.
Hedges is one I'm looking forward to seeing play in league one. He's shown some good signs coming off the bench - admittedly not as good starting games but next season could really suit him.
I know its not cool these day to say the manager appointment is dragging on... but it is. Now how can anyone be positive when we don't know who will be coaching and picking the team.. We don't know who will be sold.. if any. Or who may be brought in.. if any. Way... way too many ifs and buts yet..
True, but lots of other clubs haven't appointed managers. People are on holiday, you can't begrudge them a couple of weeks off. If we can't be positive, let's not be negative either. Works both ways.
I’d much rather we bide our time to ensure that the right management/coaching team is brought in as opposed to rushing ahead and making a huge mistake. I’m the same with transfers as well to be honest.
I'm very much looking forward to it. Fixture release day is 21st June plan some away days maybe a couple of weekends away. It's a different dynamic as we will likely be big favourites it most of our home games. A big chance for our players to try and put last season behind them, they are all young so time for plenty of them to come good. Coach appointment and transfer activity will be crucial but it seems only fair to wait until we have actually done it to make a judgment on it.
Yep. We need the right manager. As for the present squad - I can see the defenders being there but a new manager is likely to totally change the look of this squad. So it’s probably a waste of time to talk about ‘looking forward to seeing individual payers in the 1st Division’. Cos there’s a high possibility they won’t be at the club - or if they are, they won’t be able to get a game.
I don’t think that’s the case with the defenders to be perfectly honest as they’re mostly of a standard that’s way above the vast majority of League 1 defenders. I’d like to see a new left back but that’s probably it in terms of defence. In midfield I think we need a defensive midfielder to replace Gardner/push Bird and at least one wide player following the departing of Mahoney and Hammill. I’d still like us to sign an out an out poacher, someone to sit on the shoulder on the centre half and run onto through balls and feed off Moore’s winners. I’m not saying that Bradshaw isn’t a goalscorer but he’s a different type of striker that I’d happily keep unless someone made a daft offer.
Again, there are lots of ifs and buts. If a new manager comes in and brings better players in, great, but if he doesn't, I'm sure these lads will be OK. I'm just trying add some positivity to the forum to counter the needless negativity and flapping of late.
I think we all need to stay very open minded regarding the start of the new season. Whoever is appointed as the manager/coach will come in with their own ideas which may be very different from all the things mentioned above and elsewhere on this board. Players and systems we all think are the way forward may be put to one side and we will have to give a new regime the chance to develop. Just hope that whoever it is gets off to a good start or some will be queuing up to have a good moan! Patience!!!
He said he CAN see the defender been there. I agree with your assessment that the midfield is the area we need to strengthen and another striker.
But our new head coach trains players and because they arent due back for a month he would have nothing to do. Our real life football manager board sign players so he hasn't that to do either. The appointment can drag until middle of June without needing to worry.
We need a manager who realises that there is enough talent, youth and experience in the remaining players to compete for promotion in this League. Defensive midfield needs strengthening as we don't have a quick replacement for Gardner. Luke Steele has been released by Bristol City and would be a good backup third goalie and could help with Walton and Davies' development. I am hopeful - but most fans are pre-season. Let's get the right manager....we don't need to spend a shedload of money...
not really, a long year of piss taking by work colleagues as we lose to 'the likes of' Accrington and Leicester City U23s
Water off a ducks back. I'd sooner lose the odd game to a supposedly smaller club than lose 23 games like we did last season. 24 if you count the walloping at Millwall in the cup. Last season was throughly miserable. You've got to feel relieved and heartened by putting that behind you and looking forward? I saw every rotten defeat except Cardiff away last season. Lots of huffing and puffing and getting undone by mistakes or moments of quality. Groundhog city. 9 wins all season, when the previous season we'd won 8 away games by end of January. We're not going to repeat last season in league one. That's an absolute certainty in my opinion.