Can we go up

I would agree.
However my prediction radar is normally wide of the mark. Last season although pleased with the manager I could not see beyond mid-table mediocrity. How wrong was I?

This season, I would agree with the OP that we could go up, but it all depends on vital cogs falling into place. I see another season of transition as it stands, and will be pleased with top 10.

 

not a chance , we cant score, look at end of season ,be lucky to be mid table,the defence that kept us in games as gone , worrying times

 

Genuine question. where did you think we'd finish last season.?
I personally thought mid table at best. But only for the reason the season b4 was a shocker. After a good season b4 that.
Bottom of the league under Hecky at xmas ended up being promoted.
Every chance. I'd say, as much as no chance.
If theres one thing about football I've learned. Nothing is predictable.

 

Who was or is Don Saunders? never heard of him

 

Ron’s brother

 

Bottom half for me with possible points deductions

 

Not Deans then ?

 

Automatic with possible FA Cup shock win

 

Yes. Don't know if we will, but struggling to understand all the pessimism. Duff had a preferred 11. We've still got 8 of those. We've lost two centre halves and a keeper, but in two thirds of games last season those three didn't get a kick as we were up the other end scoring goals and winning the game.

 

Too hard to call. As it stands we have a very significantly weaker team than last season. We need 4/5 quality signings to replace the players that left. These need to be L1 ready and not potential.

L1 is a weaker league this year so that plays into our favour.

So as it stands no but that could change by the time the season starts

 

I think we can. The "bedding in" period last year was due to the fact we had a brand new midfield. The main reason we were relegated (aside from the inept head coaches) was that after Mowatt we didn't have a midfield, teams could play straight through us, Benson, Palmer and Wolfe weren't up to it, and Kane had been out on loan. The fact our first-choice midfield trio of Connell, Kane and Phillips have had a full season together and have played well with Cole & Norwood up front and Cadden and Williams on the wings should mean we retain the goal-scoring threat that we found in the second half of the season. The big question is obviously coping with the loss of Andersen and Isted/Collins. I think Moon is going to surprise people this year. He played well for Burton last season and should be part of our first-choice defence.

 

Bolton, Derby, Charlton will all be stronger this season, Blackpool will be strongest of teams coming down I think. Portsmouth & Peterbro' will be there or there abouts again. Think we need to improve to make the playoffs and need to have avoided a points deduction. Think the new coach is going to be a big factor either way.

 

I still think the division is pretty strong. Bolton, Derby, Portsmouth, Charlton, Peterborough etc. They need to hit the ground running this season and that now seems unlikely.

 

Completely depends on a) What the new head coach is like, and it's impossible to know really, and b) What our recruitment looks like. We currently don't have a goalkeeper with any real pedigree at all, which is a huge concern for me, particularly after losing 2 of the back 3 (another massive concern) AND the gaffer.

A lot of our success last season was due to a solid defence (including keeper), and now 3 of the 4 have gone and the other could go too. Williams might also leave, so the defence will be a complete revamp with a new head coach as well.

That doesn't smack of a top 2 side to be honest. We'll do extremely well to finish above Derby and Bolton for a start, and I imagine Blackpool will do okay. Then you have other sides showing some 'ambition' this summer, likes of Charlton and Pompey, who are big clubs at this level.

Overall I'd expect between 4th and 12th depending on the recruitment, top 2 seems ambitious.

 

There are currently fans of 24 teams in the division that think they can go up. Some of their teams will meet those expectations, some will exceed them - and most will fall some way short. We are currently top (on alphabet order!), but its a long season that doesn't start for a few weeks. I just hope its as good as the last one.

 

With the current squad unfortunately no.

 

Yes

 

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr (John Denver) died in a solo plane crash in a kit plane he had just bought while banned from flying due to multiple drink drive convictions...

 

There's only one of those 3 I'm particularly concerned about. Thomas was good, but still a work in progress and had an error in him, as did both keepers (and likely whoever we bring in as a keeper).

But whenever Andersen didn't play, we conceded a lot of goals.