Can we realistically challenge for the top 2 this season

Relegation nailed on and Conference League in a couple of seasons.

Apologies, but I thought we'd have a least one of these responses on such a thread, so I thought I'd help out.

 

Quite optimistic TBH, providing we bring in another LB and Forward, don't see why not.

Think we will have a more naturally balanced squad with the players already brought in.

Just hope Birmingham fail for sure, throwing daft money about in this League, then get hit by financial fair play

 

I think we have to look at any of our previous, what, 5-7 seasons or so and see that its likely that the start of season 2025-26 will see us with a very different scenario to what we started 24-25 with. We seem to have so little continuity that you feel you gave to approach a season with a big swing and hope it clicks. Sometimes it has, sometimes its been disastrous.

As things stand, we look short given we have no left wing backs and up front we're reliant on two strikers who hardly played last year and 2 kids who have yet to step up. I'd be very surprised if 3-5 more didn't come in and we sold a similar number with a few loans out for those we couldn't shift permanently.

But let's give it time... We might find its a year of big names poor teams and we do well, or we could find we struggle to find our feet. Time will tell, but til we see them play and the window closes, judging is a fools game.

 

I think top 2 is probably beyond us at the moment, could easily see us making top 6 though. If we do, I'd rather we were steaming in at the end of the season with form and momentum behind us than limping in as we did last year. Birmingham are going to have an interesting year. A lot of smaller league 1 teams are going to see them as their cup final. Clubs such as Leeds and Wednesday have found out how tough this league is to get out of when some clubs view their games against them as a free hit, so to speak.

 

Mid table at best lost a good midfielder in kane a 18 goal striker and 2 good wing backs.

 

Yorkshire Post (AI) has us 5th, Wrexham 4th, Rotherham champs and Brum ........
10th

 

Anything is possible, there’s not been a ball kicked in anger yet and spending money doesn’t necessarily translate to success

 

No, but we'll win more than we loose an hopefully finish top 6, but with a couple more decent loans i guess it could be possible, enjoy the season, keep the faith C,O,Y,R.

 

No reason they can't win the League. No reason they can't finish bottom. None of us has any idea at all and the new coach makes it even more baffling. However, before the season starts we should all be anticipating a promotion push with the possibility of being champs. If we are downbeat and negative before a ball is kicked we should take up knitting.

 

Have to agree with that. Absolutely no idea right now what we, or Brum, will do this season. I go in with the hope we'll be competitive at the top end, and if we can add a decent couple of players in the right positions that might become belief.

Brum spending what they have guarantees nowt though.

 

I don't get this Rotherham as the team to beat thing.

 

No reason why we can't be serious challengers for promotion when we sign the 3 or 4 quality players that we seem to have the budget for and hopefully a couple of our younger players can also have a real break out season too.
I'd like us to sign a couple of players that can drive forward with the ball and give a different dynamic to last season's team.

 

Steve Evans has 9 promotions on his CV and is an excellent manager at this level. Them starting with a blank canvas with so many players leaving is perfect for him. They got the majority of their business done early, made some really astute signings with a track record of being good league 1 performers.

I don't necessarily think they're the team to beat but I think they'll be there or thereabouts with the top 6. They're certainly in a stronger place than we are right now. If we make 5 or so strong signings that could change.

I'd kill for their striker force over ours for instance.

 

You're correct of course, however this is a football forum for discussing these thoughts and opinions. I'm sure Man Utd fans should expect to win the league every year but I don't think anyone on here will be having a fiver on it.

I can't see as of now, how anyone could make a really solid case for us to be in the top 2 or even top 6 tbh, without saying something along the lines of "you never know what could happen", obviously not we could win every game 5-0. Just think for me and many others we're massively short of a top 2 squad atm.

And I agree when in league 1 I expect a play off push as the minimum. I worry for the lads and atmosphere if that isn't the case, it could turn extremely stale and nasty if we're just drifting in mid table. Every year we're in this league is financially crippling, we need to get out of this league.

I just think we're way short atm. Could be wrong, just my opinion.

 

All about opinions. Another opinion I have is that Clarke MUST be a better coach than Collins. I can't see, with his experience, how he could be worse.

 

Me neither. Mid table plodders I reckon with Evans going berserk every week on the touch line

 

I agree, I just think we have a weaker squad and the league is that much stronger than last year.
Clarke is 100% a better coach than Collins (however I don't think that's particularly a hard task).

I'm hopeful that if we can get the 4-5 players I think we need, then we'll be back in the conversation.

 

We are a few signings away from being serious contenders but we have the coaching set up to push on.

Bring on the new season

 

There are a lot of ifs at the moment:

• If the new keeper lives up to his potential that will give them a chance
• If Pines can stay injury free and live up to his early performances they could have one of the strongest defences in the league with Roberts and a year more experienced Earl and MDG.
• If they can bring in a decent left back that will balance the team.
• If Styles stays he's obviously an option.
• If Benson can stay fit he should be more than capable of filling Herbie's role.
• If Phillips can hit the season running the threat from midfield is very real.
• If the youngsters can demonstrate they're mature enough to play there is some exceptional talent there.
  
• If Jalo and Marsh fulfill their potential and Cosgrove plays like he did against Bolton the attacking prospects aren't as bad as many would suggest.

The only thing that doesn't seem like an if is the defensive midfield situation. With Connell, Russell and Craig there is more than enough. I wouldn't be surprised if one of Connell or Russell leaves but I regret saying that even as I type it.

And with Roberts on one side and Barry on the other, the long throw threat to Cosgrove, Earl and Pines is a weapon.