Don't want to put a downer on things...

Absolutely chuffed for the lads, amazing end of season performance, some of our players have really upped their ability to play in this league.

But...

We are where we are, just above the drop zone and only due to Wigan's point deduction.

We started off the season incredibly naively and made lots of silly individual errors, some of these have been ironed out, some we still persist with at times.

We still find it difficult to play against direct lump it teams.

We still have only 1 plan (pass pass pass, risky at times, but right on the edge of risk/reward).

We have the worst conversion record in the league but one of the best for creating chances.

We need to keep this team together.

We need a plan B.

We need to strengthen.

 

How many “lump it” teams are there?

 

Would Wigan have been 11 points in front if they had the players they can actually afford though? If they didn't have the likes of Morsey and Moore(for example), I'd argue they would have been in the relegation scrap and on similar points to ourselves.

Agree about the conversion rates etc, but that can be built on and improved...

 

Or put it a different way, Wigan obtained there points due to fielding players who they really couldn’t afford to start of with, perhaps they would’ve finished bottom

 

Not as many as there used to be, but most teams, even the skillful ones have that in their armoury.

 

Ergo we need a better striker and not to be relegated to League One where there are more lump-it teams.

It’s not been a great season results-wise but finishing strongly should give us hope of competing better next time around.

 

Oh I agree, it's not a level playing field out there. It won't be next season either, there are going to be loads of teams spending beyond their limits again.

 

It’s fine margins though as almost all bottom half of championship after lockdown could have been relegated and some could have reached the playoffs .
I remember the old days when it was two points for a win and the contest for most clubs either way was usually Over just after Christmas.

 

Id replace the word "lump it" with physical and can think of ...stoke, cardiff and millwall off the top of my head....they are also very good at game management ie the dark arts, which we are not...there are several others who fall into that category ie. charlton, luton and thats something else we stuggle with.

 

All of the thinks that you have pointed out are undoubtedly correct. However. let us have a look at the other side of the coin. We have a lot of very young players who are undoubtedly going to get even better, with time and coaching. They will have improved for their experiences this season, and although any additions will follow the pattern that we have already set, there will not be so many of them, and they will not be under the same pressures as this year's intake.

I look upon our narrow escape positively, and I think that they can continue their improvement next season.

 

Yes we got lucky with the Wigan points deduction. I dont think Wigan have failed to pay for any players but the conspiracy theories around the betting on relegation from owners doesn't disguise they are in admin and hence 12 point off. But we could all argue we have also been unlucky when trying to compete with several teams spending over the odds, covering up revenue sources (or lack of) and alleged breach of FFP. Either way ill take staying up without any guilt.

 

We're a young side who didn't even know each other when the season began. We've improved beyond recognition as the season has progressed and the players have bonded whilst people have written them off. If we can keep these players together I'm confident we won't be in a relegation battle next season.

 

You need to go and have a wrestle with the bald headed champ.

 

I was doing that while I was writing it.