We don’t need too many changes

Fingers crossed, most of the first eleven regulars will be ok, though keeping the spine intact is top priority for me. After that, we need to strengthen the overall squad. I have some doubts about our bench players and thought that at times our available subs options looked a bit uninspiring (but I'd happily be proved wrong on that).

We probably also need to have a tactical rethink. Two dozen long range shots into row Z just won't cut it at the next level. Clinical passing in the final third, with cool, composed finishing is the way to go.

 

He never got a chance last season we never gave him a run of games in the center midfield. He was played as a winger away at Bristol a position he doesn't have the pace for.
Same with pinnock he hardly got a look in either but I'm confident he will make the step up.

 

I can't believe some of the stuff I read on here sometimes.

 

Why?

 

I think Mowatt has improved massively and fully deserves a crack at the Championship. Time will tell, but with a few additions the squad will definitely be competitive. It remains to be seen whether they can thrive and avoid any kind of relegation scrap.

 

Because a team that has just had a stellar season is being written off as not good enough virtually en masse to make the step up.

 

Sorry but I didn't see a shred of evidence for McGeehan's undoubted Championship quality last season - when he was playing in the Championship.

 

No not written off just believeing what I’ve seen this season mate defencively we are not good enough for the Championship our midfield needs strengthening and apart from that coyr

 

For Christ's chuffing sake, why don't you let people have their opinion and then you can give them yours and actually have a debate instead of getting bloody offended on someone else's behalf.

 

Last time we were in the championship mcgeehan was 21 just signed from a league 2 club the team was chopped and changed every week no players came out looking good tbh. The season in league one in a settled side has probley done this young squad the world of good, alot of people don't get it but a player isn't usually play the best football of their career at 21.

 

We should also factor into this debate that the manager was not with the team the last time we were in the Championship. I believe that this is a positive this time around and I have every faith that he will get the best out of the players and that with a couple of solid signings, the team will be better off than they were last time.

 

Some will make the step up easier than others, some may struggle to do it all. Time will tell I guess.

 

Good point in Stendel we trust

 

No need to apologise. I never said that he looked Championship quality last season. He has been excellent this season and has looked a class above the vast majority of central midfielders at this level. I also watch a lot of Championship football and have no worries with regards to McGeehan competing at that level. I’m more than happy with Mowatt, McGeehan and Dougall vying for central midfield spots next season.

 

I think we need a fair few changes. We will probably lose Davies and I wouldn't say Walton is championship ready, so we will likely need a keeper. I don't think any of our four full backs are pacey enough to be regular starters next season. I would worry about the amount of crosses that get put in to the box. We should be looking to bring in two quick lads ready to be thrown straight in, which would mean letting a couple go such as Fryers for example.

We like offering 3 year contracts with a 4th year in our favour. That might be the route we go for Lindsay and Pinnock, but I would be shocked if at least one didn't turn down a new deal. Jackson will be off as well so we will need one CB, maybe two this summer. Our starting midfield looks OK but the fringe players (Styles/Green) may struggle for game time and I suspect we will look to freshen it up with at least one new face. So we could need a couple of new faces there.

Up front Victor I can't see getting many chances or how George Miller is going to get ahead of Moore/Woodrow/Brown and a new signing to freshen things up.

Players will move on and new guys will come in. If we didn't lose a single player this summer I would think we'd need 5-6 signings. With me expecting us to lose a good few (more money elsewhere or not deemed good enough), we could be looking for anything between 8-10 new signings before the next transfer window shuts.

 

Hey big spender

 

There will likely be games where we get torn apart in the middle of the pitch next season, such is the quality of the league we are going into. But on the whole I'm not too worried at all about the spine of the team, full back and wide men I would say are weaker areas.

 

If you look at it logically we went down on the last day of the season. One extra point would’ve kept us up if I remember right. So they weren’t miles away last time.

A few things to take into account.

It was an almost brand new team & most were from the lower leagues. They’d not played together, they’d not played at that level. This time round most if not all are closer to their peaks & have improved.

I know there was lots of injuries & new signings but in my opinion up until January we struggled mainly because we didn’t have a strike force. We or Swansea made a balls up of the McBurnie deal & we’d basically got Bradshaw on his own as Ugbo was useless & Thiam was overweight & isn’t even a striker. This time round we’ve got Moore & Woodrow, two quality players.

We then appointed a man who should’ve been nowhere near managing a championship side in Morais. The bloke was leaving his best full back at home in relegation deciders because he didn’t think full backs can play twice in a week.

If Heckingbottom, Stendel or any competent manager was in charge of that side all season & we got the McBurnie deal through in August I think it’s safe to say we would’ve been nowhere near the drop.

Do I think this group of players can get an extra 4 or 5 wins & comfortably stay up with experience playing together & been a couple of years older. Yes easily.

 

I wasn't getting offended on anyone's behalf Conan. I know that's one of the little drums you like to bang on here.
As for having a debate, I don't think I can be accused of shying away from that.
I should maybe have bitten my tongue and said nothing but I disagree that all bar two of the squad aren't good enough. I think the spine of the team could well do a job and players like Brown, Bahre, Pinillos, Cavare COULD also step up.
We do need strengthening, especially down the flanks in the first eleven and also squad wise.
There. That good enough for you? I doubt you'll agree given you thought this squad weren't good enough to compete in League One.

 

I think you will be proved wrong mate