Don Goodman

https://www.olbg.com/blogs/don-goodman

If you scroll down a fair bit he's asked who he fancies in league one. He mentions eight teams but not us, which is fair enough it's his opinion.

However he mentions Bolton and Peterborough both making the play offs the last two years. I'm pretty sure we have too.

 

he played for us for a bit. A striker who went on strike, if you get my drift.

 

He was the co-commentator for the local feed for many of the Euro matches here. I'm not sure he talks a lot of sense.

 

Can’t argue with him to be fair. Shows how tough a league it is. There are definitely at least 8 teams I’d put ahead of us right now given our current squad.
Obviously that might change (hopefully will) if we bring in the right players before September 1st.

 

Seems about right, nobody would look at our performances last season especially the second half and think we were contenders. Add to that the first team players lost with very little in the way of replacements.

 

He usually speaks about us fairly fondly and, as inept as he was up front, he put in more of a shift than Deon Burton.

I don’t think we should be offended not being spoken about as one of the favourites this year - the big chance was last season.

 

I never understand why 'pundits' evaluate teams and their chances before the transfer window has closed. I'd expect a couple of incomings and very much hope we can get some bodies out in areas of the squad we're bloated.

As for Goodman, he had a dreadful loan spell with us, not quite as bad as Deon Burton, but not too far behind. He's rarely had a good word to say about us so I suspect something happened in his time with or against us that has tainted his view. Whether rightly or wrongly, he still shouldn't let it affect his judgement and opinions nowadays.

 

Tbf I could put in more of a shift than deon burton

 

Twenty 'ish years ago I was Chairman at a junior football club in the village I live in and he came along to present the trophies on the presentation evening. He did it free of charge, stayed for ages, was happy to talk to anyone and had dozens and dozens of photos with the kids. He volunteered to come back again whenever we wanted him and I still have his mobile number in my phone now. A couple of years later I was at a petrol station near Stoke when he pulled up. I didn't say anything as I didn't think he'd remember me but he did and walked over to ask about the club. He's a nice fella based on my few conversations with him.

In contrast, remember Steve Bull? The following year 'Bully' wanted £300 just to turn up. There were multiple Wolves fans on the club committee who wanted him and a few of them booked him without consulting the committee. It caused a huge row as like many clubs, money was tight and most thought the money should go to the kids rather than in Bully's pocket. Ultimately several committee members including me, resigned over it. It highlighted the contrast between the two of them though.

Back to Don Goodman - he sometimes speaks on the after dinner circuit in the midlands. I haven't seen him personally but a couple of mates have and told me he includes a few disparaging jokes about his time at Barnsley - both the town and the club. Poetic licence I guess.

 

Don't think we're in the top 8 favourites either.

 

I'm going to put it out there that Rothrum won't be top 6 next season. I just have a feeling that with the huge number of changes made following last season, they will struggle to gel and end up 8th or 9th.

Wildly predict the top 6 to include Brum, Bolton, Posh, Hudds, Barnsley, Blackpool.

 

At least he didn't mention Disney FC in his favourites to go up.

 

me neither , not as things stand. That could all change though with a couple of excellent (and I mean excellent) signings

 

I suppose that from the outside looking in we did lose 5 or 6 of our best players so it could come across that we're in decline but also it's freed up a lot of wages to be used to re energise the team and go for it again.

 

I agree with him. I don’t see us been a promotion contender next season.

We’ve lost 6 key first team players from last season who all played 40+ games for us & id be very surprised if they’re replaced with a similar level of quality & robustness

 

Think I’d have to agree that at this minute we don’t look anywhere near a top ten team but that could change with the addition of a couple of decent attackers.

 

In all the so call fan experts on Facebook most have us finishing between 7 & 12, I’d be a bit more confident if we’d start moving bodies in and out but happy to go under the radar.

 

Also worth noticing that once again we will be starting with a new defence/keeper but more confident having Roberts for experience an hopefully fit Pines coming in.

 

I always fancy us at this level, for no other reason that we’re usually up there come the season end.

I remember this time last season an Oxford fan on Facebook was predicting them to be in the playoffs and us to be mid table. I thought he was bonkers, but he was half right.

Different between this season and last may be the lack of room for error. Oxford had an awful wobble around the time we beat them 1-0 away, yet still managed to get promoted, and we somehow freewheeled into the playoffs ourselves.

Are we going to be stronger defensively? Are we going to score enough goals? Are we going to be as good away from home? Are we going to be better at home? Don doesn’t know and neither do I.

 

I'd rather come in as an underdog than have the added pressure and expectation that we're a top 6 team. Based on what we know at the moment it's hard to disagree with Goodman. We need to move players on and bring in at least one striker unless Max Watters somehow comes good! I'd probably place us around 10th-12th, but of course that could all change with movement in the transfer market. Here's my current top 12 list.

Birmingham
Huddersfield
Rotherham
Bolton
Wigan
Peterborough
Wrexham
Stockport
Charlton
Blackpool
Barnsley
Reading

I just hope Wrexham have a **** season