The Reds Are Going Up

Don't know about that, its a long season. But until we can fall one behind and come back to win.. ill not be onboard with the 'play offs at least gang'.

 

If we finish 10th to 12th, Collins will have no one of any merit to go again with in the 24/25 season.

 

I love the optimism but I am not so optimistic.

I think Duff was a brilliant manager and perfect fit for our club. It was a hammer blow to lose him, and I think we will struggle to adapt without him.

Having a strong start is so important, and it is something that is more or less impossible when there is upheaval, which there usually is for us. But that’s our model.

we have also lost our outstanding captain. We lost all games he didn’t play last season off the top of my head. Thomas will also be a big loss. The signings we have made suggest we are recruiting for the 2024/25 or 25/26 season. Perhaps there are more to come. An experienced centre back could make a whole lot of difference

we have a very strong midfield but I don’t think we will have enough at either end of the pitch to trouble automatic promotion spots. We might scrape the play offs but I’m expecting mid table mediocrity unfortunately. Let’s hope I’m wrong!

 

We'll finish top 6 with this team, if an when we replace Anderson we'll finish top 2 an if we get 1/2 more c/b we'll win the league, C,O,Y,R.

 

I think it’ll be top 6 again.

Sign a decent centre back, a midfielder to run with the ball and have another good January and it could well be top 2.

 

Do you really think we'll sign another midfielder when we've got Styles, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Benson, Wolfe, Russell, even potentially Ackroyd/Nejman? Just don't think they'll spend for it. Perhaps a freebie/loan but I'd be very surprised. Agree on the centre back though. If we had managed to keep Andersen I'd be convinced we'd finish top 2. Still think we'll finish in top 6 right now, be even more confident if we do end up signing another CB

 

Probably not someone the club are looking at, more so something I’d like to see just for something a little bit different.

Although with players you’ve listed, I can’t see Styles still here after August (even though I would very much like him to be). Benson and Wolfe don’t seem to have the best injury records ever too.

 

The substantial squad that we have retained is a year more experienced, so we need to hope that this overcomes the premise that it seems comparatively somewhat weaker than last season in some key positions at the moment.

Loans, or an astute coach, or both, may remedy this.

 

I can agree with the point about Benson and Wolfe mate. But I just think we'll look to our youth to cover them. I dont think the board will want a permanent one in unless Benson or Wolfe does leave. I was convinced styles was on his way out, now I'm not entirely sure. Hopefully he stays, 1 because he's a good player, 2 because he's leaving it real late for us!

 

How long do you want us in this league!? We need to get up this season before we get stuck in it!

 

I agree. Hate it when I hear this bed the players in consolidation crap. You waste a year bedding them in and another club takes the good ones off your hands. Take what you can whilst you can get it.

 

Hey as much as I like what the Op (Oakweller) is saying there, I think we all know it's not as simple as that is it.
If we get off 'lucky' with a fine and no points deductions, I think we'll be top 10 at least. And with a bit here and a bit there lol, we might make the Play offs again. Maybe!.

 

I think a lot depends on whether we can bring another centre back and some midfield cover. Phillips, Connell and Kane will be our first choice central three. However, I'm not convinced by Russell, Wolfe and Benson.

 

Great Post from the op.
Don't forget the negativity at the start of last season.
Mid table predictions from most, including myself.
Duff wasn't brilliant at the start , I'm sure someone at Plymouth away ,shouted at him f,€_/ off back to Cheltenham.
Apart from the defence we are in a much stronger position.
If a top six isn't acheived, I would see that as a disappointment from where we left off last season.
A good start is imperative.
I've confidence in the dug out .
But let's at least give them as much time as we gave Duffy and Co.

 

Yeah we should be getting promoted. At the least in this much weaker league we should be getting to another play off final.

 

With the squad we have now and assuming Collins turns out to be a competent Coach, anything outside of the top 10 should be considered a failure by the Coach.
Top 6? Like others I think we need a bit more in the defence, let’s not forget even with Anderson playing last season we never really kicked on until Thomas signed.
On the positive side we do have goals throughout the team and players like Connell & Phillips will kick on.

 

Won’t be anywhere near the top six, never mind top two.

Best midfield in the league, one of the best selections in attack but got to keep goals out to do well. Our defence looks horrendous and can see it coming undone early on. Really hope we strengthen soon as it’ll take the new addition a while to settle into a back three. Jordan Williams is the best right wing back in the league yet we’re going to have to play him centre half for a month until we decide which random spreadsheet foreigner we’ll sign.

Can see us winning and losing a lot of entertaining high scoring games. The only positive I can think of at the moment.

 

Exactly my thoughts

 

History points to relegated clubs not regaining Championship status within first two seasons tend to struggle for several years,

Big season ahead.

 

People have got to realise its not the 70s or 80s where players and managers stayed at clubs for long periods, so the majority of clubs go through this upheaval.For example Sheff Utd,even tho they have just been promoted to the premier they still look like losing their star striker.