Whats the Aim for next season and beyond?

To be honest I strongly disagree with people who say they'd take 21st each year.

This league is full of average teams and basketcase clubs.

When we get on that pitch theres not much to fear about the sloggers of Stoke or mediocre Middlesbrough

They have money but they aint special.

I've always thought our club is really quite similar to Preston & Millwall.

12-14k Attendance in a stadium of 20-23k

Generally sign cheap gems from lower levels or out of contract players

Kind of unfashionable and looked down upon.

IMO if they can regularly finish 14th+ we can.

Well thats how I see it....

 

Mid table finish given we’re gonna lose our manager & most probably our captain.

 

Agreed. If we keep both though I'd want us to be near the play offs again,

 

I think we'll have a lot of disappointed fans (In terms of league position) come the end of next season .... especially if we lose our CEO, manager and captain.

 

Automatic promotion with record points and goals

 

Win the league.

Not that we’ll do it. Just something about aiming for the stars and hitting the moon vs aiming for top of Kendray and being hit by a spice head on a stolen moped. Or something.

 

If we are top half that’s a good season.

 

Sadly, I fear you are right.

I reckon between 14th-17th. Clear of relegation, but never threatening the top six.

 

When Valerien Ismael arrived, he introduced us to 3-4-3, the 3 player press supported by the 4 in midfield and a high back line, and the long ball hit behind the opposition defensive line. I said that it could not work. I said that teams would pass their way through the press and be free to run through our back 3. I was wrong. It did work. It was extremely successful, but I never ever enjoyed watching it. It let the opposition play all the football, whilst we took the points by playing practically. However, as the season progressed towards its conclusion,there were signs that the opposition had learned their lesson, that they were using our own tactics against us, and with both teams refusing the chance to entertain, the games got even worse entertainment.

Part of Ismael's success came because of the change to 5 subs. It allowed him to tell his front 3 that they would play for only an hour, and that there was no need to save anything for the last 30 minutes. It allowed him to play 6 players every match in those front 3 positions and that was the key to his strategy. With just 3 subs, he cannot afford to do that.

Do not get me wrong. We have some decent players, but if we have been worked out, if we do need 5 subs to make our strategy work, we are going to find it harder to score goals next season. I do not think we will be relegated, but equally, I do not think that we will challenging for the promotion or play-off places. 16th.

 

I'm expecting a relegation scrap if Val and Mowatt (and maybe others) leave. Mid table otherwise. Long term I think we'll be alternating between the two as we get get and improve players then lose them....

 

It’s going to be interesting whichever club he ends up managing next season, us or WBA, there were definite signs that more clubs were willing to change their tactics to counter our style, if he stays and we are back to 3 subs I can’t see a repeat of last seasons success.

 

The base aim always has to be to prevent relegation first and foremost. After that, attain as many points as possible in the most entertaining enjoyable style possible with the players at the respective coaches disposal.

 

I've just been down to Oakwell to ask their views on this, cleaner told me not to bother asking CEO or club secretary as they must have overlaid as they aren't in yet. I went to ask Val but couldn't find him anywhere and his sidekick wasn't to be found either. Anyway, my trip wasn't wasted, I helped carry the rubbish from Mowatt's empty locker to the bin. I'll return later when I can make a better assessment.

 

I’ve had this feeling in my gut for years and now, it’s becoming an issue for me. If you follow your team week in week out and support them through thick and thin, but it becomes impossible for the team to compete and the best you can do is either survive or reach the giddy heights of mid table with no chance of promotion,,,,,,,what’s the point?
And question two,,,, Am I depressed?

 

I’m just happy waking up each morning..

 

You might be in all seriousness in answer to question 2 if it extends to other areas of your life.

We've just had a season where we have competed, we made the playoffs to get to the top division!

 

Love all the optimism.
Top 6. nowt to fear.
Other than those relegated from the prem.
A defence getting better by the day.
A midfield that can only get better.
We still need a 20 a season striker.
But overall I believe we have a better squad than most in the division and one that wants to play for one another. That alone is worth its weight in gold.

 

I

agree. The question asked would be easier to answer if we had stability. With all going on it seems inevitable that we have to reassess ambitions each summer. I’d take top of bottom half this time if we lose those key people

 

Wouldn't sum it up as taking 21st. I'd say avoid a relegation battle completely should be the target.