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Post by ruggedivy on Jul 6, 2021 21:41:13 GMT 1
Can’t see it been anything else other than more of the same!
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Post by detox on Jul 6, 2021 23:24:16 GMT 1
We got off to a decent enough start last season, then the injuries and the penny pinching low budget squad took it's toll. Hoping this time we get some points early and stay with it.
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Post by Captainslapper on Jul 6, 2021 23:44:38 GMT 1
Don't get the pessimism.
We were comfortably mid table ( stuck in 12 and 13th for weeks it seemed ) until a pretty unprecedented injury situation took its toll last season.
We've made 5 or 6 signings ( so far! ) ALL of whom strengthen the squad and I think 3 or 4 will strengthen the first XI in their positions.
So we've lost Eating... he was 'meh' IMO. Decent player but certainly not on the same level as Smith Rowe from the previous season or anything like it. Not sure we've lost anyone else we'll particularly miss. ... yet. That might change, but as it stands we haven't.
So presuming we don't have another injury situation like the one we had, and with the squad as it stands being much stronger IMO , I see no reason why a top half finish isn't something we should be getting.
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Post by willo on Jul 7, 2021 0:49:46 GMT 1
Based on incomings as it stands and assuming we don’t lose LOB & Toff and can sign an experienced GK, would like to think mid-table is doable. If we can offload bacuna & mbenza and bring in some outfield quality to replace, top 10 is absolutely possible. Still some wheeling and dealing to do and plenty of time to do it in so this could be way off. If for instance we sell LOB & Toff, make no further signings and don’t manage to move on bacuna & mbenza, we are in for another season of pain. The fans have backed the club by buying the season cards, now up to the club to do their bit.
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goodbet
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Post by goodbet on Jul 7, 2021 8:12:04 GMT 1
Don't get the pessimism. We were comfortably mid table ( stuck in 12 and 13th for weeks it seemed ) until a pretty unprecedented injury situation took its toll last season. We've made 5 or 6 signings ( so far! ) ALL of whom strengthen the squad and I think 3 or 4 will strengthen the first XI in their positions. So we've lost Eating... he was 'meh' IMO. Decent player but certainly not on the same level as Smith Rowe from the previous season or anything like it. Not sure we've lost anyone else we'll particularly miss. ... yet. That might change, but as it stands we haven't. So presuming we don't have another injury situation like the one we had, and with the squad as it stands being much stronger IMO , I see no reason why a top half finish isn't something we should be getting. Please let me know which 3 or 4 positions we have strengthened the first 11? When answering this I don't mean the first 11 that nearly took us down last season I mean the one that had us mid table for a while.
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Post by Metch on Jul 7, 2021 8:28:00 GMT 1
I have to be pessimistic based on recent seasons so 13-19th but I hope that a couple of players, Rowe and REG, will kick on massively and a couple more astute additions and we'll be top half.
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Tinpot
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Post by Tinpot on Jul 7, 2021 8:33:47 GMT 1
Don't get the pessimism. We were comfortably mid table ( stuck in 12 and 13th for weeks it seemed ) until a pretty unprecedented injury situation took its toll last season. We've made 5 or 6 signings ( so far! ) ALL of whom strengthen the squad and I think 3 or 4 will strengthen the first XI in their positions. So we've lost Eating... he was 'meh' IMO. Decent player but certainly not on the same level as Smith Rowe from the previous season or anything like it. Not sure we've lost anyone else we'll particularly miss. ... yet. That might change, but as it stands we haven't. So presuming we don't have another injury situation like the one we had, and with the squad as it stands being much stronger IMO , I see no reason why a top half finish isn't something we should be getting. Regarding those injuries: How much did the heavy training contribute to that? If this is repeated next season, are we going to have a similar injury situation? Regarding our mid-table placing before the injuries took their toll: How much of that was because the players' fitness was so much higher (because they'd trained up to their physical limit)? Regarding the difference between our first half of the season form vs 2nd half: Injuries were obviously a major factor, but are we discounting the idea that much of our early season success was due to other sides not knowing how to play against us, but then figuring it out in the 2nd half of the season? The division looks stronger this season than it did last season as well, and we won't have any points deductions to relegation rivals giving us the same breathing space. The squad looks disjointed to me: * We want to play it out from the back, but then buy a defender who has many good attributes but whose passing accuracy last season was abysmal. * We have Jordan Rhodes, who can do nothing without great service, and our midfield severely lacks creativity. * I see little cohesion in the playing styles of much of our current squad. Whichever way we set up there are glaring weaknesses that opposition sides can exploit. We look like an opposing amateur tactician's wet dream. Of course, if we address those frailties, then my opinion will change - but for now those are the sources of my pessimism.
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Post by merseysideterrier on Jul 7, 2021 8:34:37 GMT 1
Depending on transfer business to be done, I reckon lower middle half of the table. Which given recent years would be a massive improvement.
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Post by durhamterrier on Jul 7, 2021 8:54:44 GMT 1
Optimistically saying 7-12. Hopeful a proper pre season under Carlos with dead wood all but rid of might push us on a level .
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Post by foxtrot666 on Jul 7, 2021 9:29:15 GMT 1
At the moment 15th but hopefully a couple of decent signings can push us up into the top ten .
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iangreaves
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Post by iangreaves on Jul 7, 2021 9:37:45 GMT 1
The rather bizarre thing is we CHOSE to be stuck with Mbenza and Bacuna. I don’t see how their saleable value can possibly outstrip what we’ve tied the club into in terms of having to buy out their contracts to release them. They were players that other clubs would have been looking at 3 months ago thinking, “well we’ll need to fork out hefty wages, but there’s no fee, there’s value in the overall package, and we won’t be hamstrung in future with a sell on clause”…now they’re players that are going to cost to buy out, with future clauses, and still with the wages. The kind of club that was interested in them will surely just move on to the growing list of “free” alternatives…it’s not as though they have any particularity unique talents is it ?? I’m sure there’s some sense somewhere, I just can’t see it! There is no way those 2 should have been given new contracts in a vain attempt to generate decent transfer fees for them, to be honest its beyond laughable. No one in their right minds would pay more than 500k for those 2. If we can, then fair enough but it smacks of downright incompetence where these 2 are concerned. And Bacuna is staying with Curacao for another tournament, missing the start of the season while we pay his wages. Obviously the club must know something we don't and some club out there is about to pay us big bucks that will outstrip what we are paying him and Mbenza.
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Post by dugnet on Jul 7, 2021 9:48:12 GMT 1
Don't get the pessimism. We were comfortably mid table ( stuck in 12 and 13th for weeks it seemed ) until a pretty unprecedented injury situation took its toll last season. We've made 5 or 6 signings ( so far! ) ALL of whom strengthen the squad and I think 3 or 4 will strengthen the first XI in their positions. So we've lost Eating... he was 'meh' IMO. Decent player but certainly not on the same level as Smith Rowe from the previous season or anything like it. Not sure we've lost anyone else we'll particularly miss. ... yet. That might change, but as it stands we haven't. So presuming we don't have another injury situation like the one we had, and with the squad as it stands being much stronger IMO , I see no reason why a top half finish isn't something we should be getting. I can't comment on players I haven't seen, or haven't yet signed, but the single one thing I have serious concerns about is Carlos' ability to set up a team to defend effectively. Our chaotic approach, at times, last season was alarming. For me that wasn't about available personnel that was about formation, tactics and coaching. If we don't get that sorted we will struggle, that's not pessimism that's a simple fact. I think the injury excuse for the horrible 2nd half of the season is only partly valid. We lack real quality in key areas and depth. That might have been/might be addressed but until I see the team play in a proper competitive game it's too early to have a quality judgement.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2021 10:05:27 GMT 1
7-12 for me, but I love the 12 super optimists that have gone 1-6.
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Post by muffinman on Jul 7, 2021 10:52:31 GMT 1
Unless theres a serious intention to get three or four first team players in now that it seems inevitable that O'brian is leaving, I cant sere anything else other than us being cannon fodder.
The one way out I see is us being defensively hard to break down but as other have alluded to, I doubt Carlos can produce that with the way he wants us to play.
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Post by RickDangerous on Jul 7, 2021 12:27:36 GMT 1
Given that we no longer have Carel Eiting (nor a replacement), I think it's fair to say that our first XI is worse than last season's. Got to agree with this, we are worse off. The squad has little no creativity and we need to be looking at 2 creative players ball playing cm's (Unless Reece Brown is one of these?) and I'm weary about what's going on with our goalkeeping position also.
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Post by Captainslapper on Jul 9, 2021 11:26:38 GMT 1
Don't get the pessimism. We were comfortably mid table ( stuck in 12 and 13th for weeks it seemed ) until a pretty unprecedented injury situation took its toll last season. We've made 5 or 6 signings ( so far! ) ALL of whom strengthen the squad and I think 3 or 4 will strengthen the first XI in their positions. So we've lost Eating... he was 'meh' IMO. Decent player but certainly not on the same level as Smith Rowe from the previous season or anything like it. Not sure we've lost anyone else we'll particularly miss. ... yet. That might change, but as it stands we haven't. So presuming we don't have another injury situation like the one we had, and with the squad as it stands being much stronger IMO , I see no reason why a top half finish isn't something we should be getting. Please let me know which 3 or 4 positions we have strengthened the first 11? When answering this I don't mean the first 11 that nearly took us down last season I mean the one that had us mid table for a while. Rhodes will score more goals than Campbell IMO. More than Campbell and Ward combined probably. I expect the new keeper to be an improvement on Schofield. Think the centre back from luton will be an improvement on Schindler/REG/ Stearman Think the new right back might be an improvement defnsively on Pipa ( where he's weak ) , which if he's still here might see Pipa used further forward ( what he's good at ) But even if we'd had just a normal injury season wed have been struggling in certain positions. Full backs mainly, so we just look stronger in general and more able to cope IMO.
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Post by BoothysGusset on Jul 9, 2021 12:11:13 GMT 1
The bottom line is if you buy Div1 players then you will end up in Div1.
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goodbet
Andy Booth Terrier
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Post by goodbet on Jul 9, 2021 13:53:05 GMT 1
Please let me know which 3 or 4 positions we have strengthened the first 11? When answering this I don't mean the first 11 that nearly took us down last season I mean the one that had us mid table for a while. Rhodes will score more goals than Campbell IMO. More than Campbell and Ward combined probably. I expect the new keeper to be an improvement on Schofield. Think the centre back from luton will be an improvement on Schindler/REG/ Stearman Think the new right back might be an improvement defnsively on Pipa ( where he's weak ) , which if he's still here might see Pipa used further forward ( what he's good at ) But even if we'd had just a normal injury season wed have been struggling in certain positions. Full backs mainly, so we just look stronger in general and more able to cope IMO. I hope that you are right but there has been nothing from the club to indicate your expectations. Keeper has arrived not given the number 1 jersey and the club has not indicated that he will be first choice. I doubt that our new centre back will be a patch on Schindler but hopefully better than the other two we let go (or one let go one still negotiating with apparently) Right back seems to be a good signing and I would be happy to see Pipa moved further forward. We can hope that he will be better defensively than Pipa, but I don't see how you or anyone else can think that someone of his years playing at the level that he has will be better until we see him perform. Rhodes will need service from midfield that we have not been able to supply in that last few seasons so although he WAS capable of scoring previously we need to see what he will be like this time around. Remember we are down in midfield with no creative spark as yet. There is nothing wrong with being optimistic, but I can't see any improvement based solely on the signings we have made to date.
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Post by terriersyndrome on Jul 9, 2021 14:00:09 GMT 1
We'll have to see where we are player wise when the window shuts. So far I don't think we've brought in enough quality to challenge the top half. If Pipa & O'Brien leave then we will need to bring in suitable replacements aswell. The recruitment team still have alot of work to do & they need to get these next signings spot on.
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Post by Pilgrim Terrier on Jul 9, 2021 14:58:16 GMT 1
9th.
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Post by overtonterrierspirit on Jul 9, 2021 16:29:14 GMT 1
We'll have to see where we are player wise when the window shuts. So far I don't think we've brought in enough quality to challenge the top half. If Pipa & O'Brien leave then we will need to bring in suitable replacements aswell. The recruitment team still have alot of work to do & they need to get these next signings spot on. Totally agree. It’s great that they took early action but signing an attacking midfielder, for example, is absolutely crucial to our chances of having a better season this time around.
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k1man999
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Post by k1man999 on Jul 9, 2021 17:55:53 GMT 1
At the moment our season rests on getting shut of, then replacing, Mbenza and Bacuna. Recruitment team aren't daft and will have a list of names to replace any players we might sell because they're good enough for other teams to want them. But to be stuck with those 2 while their contracts are running down would mess with getting the recruitments we need in for their positions and I'd be worried about relegation I will reserve judgement but on past experiences they make Joey Essex seem like Einstein
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Post by linson on Jul 9, 2021 22:49:40 GMT 1
It'll be interesting to see what our best XI would be, which I'm confident would look very different in personnel and formation for everyone.
The big issues for us last year in my eyes:
1. Injuries 2. Lack of decent back up 3. Excessive deadwood 4. Bad luck (seriously, how do we miss this number of penalties and players getting injured before they play, not being able to use a fax machine, the list goes on)
Number 2 and 3 are being sorted in my eyes but that's dependent on who leaves. PH has come out and said we need outs before we have ins now.
If we can be luckier with 1 and 4 we'll be fine.
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Post by specialun on Jul 10, 2021 12:23:43 GMT 1
Too early to say
Depends on who else comes in, who leaves.
Carlos has shown he can’t get more out of the sum of the parts - so he needs more & better parts to have a chance. Lots for recruitment team to do
And what Carlos tries to do - we bizarrely haven't brought players suitable to play fast attacking intensity football playing out from the back (Colwill aside) as he supposedly wants (last seen October 20) - does he try to do that again or give up.
If he’s given up on that has he got a clue how to get the best out of the recruitment he’s been given?
Either way he needs a clear plan A and B. I’ve no idea what our style / plan was after October, all I know is it was dull, boring, changed every ten mins to plan ZZ and the results were consistently terrible
Will Carlos grow a pair and drop his favourites when underperforming
Will Carlos show any signs he can develop youth / give them a chance?
Has Carlos realised subs are allowed before 70 minutes?
Have Carlos & his pals learnt with their training methods - so many soft tissue injuries was not bad luck
How do we start - start well and fans back in the ground will make a big difference - start badly and it won’t be pretty after watching the dross from afar last season
I’ll give my prediction before the seasons opener
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Post by specialun on Jul 10, 2021 12:32:09 GMT 1
It'll be interesting to see what our best XI would be, which I'm confident would look very different in personnel and formation for everyone. The big issues for us last year in my eyes: 1. Injuries 2. Lack of decent back up 3. Excessive deadwood 4. Bad luck (seriously, how do we miss this number of penalties and players getting injured before they play, not being able to use a fax machine, the list goes on) Number 2 and 3 are being sorted in my eyes but that's dependent on who leaves. PH has come out and said we need outs before we have ins now. If we can be luckier with 1 and 4 we'll be fine. Are injuries bad luck? There were a couple of unlucky eg Vallejo concussion, Schindler knee ie impact Wards several soft tissue, Koroma soft tissue, Aaron’s soft tissue, Grant soft tissue etc - the plethora of soft tissue injuries are not bad luck!
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Post by Million Dollar Babies on Jul 15, 2021 7:28:55 GMT 1
Watching the latest training video and the 11 v 11 match really hit home just how much we are lacking any real individual talent in this squad, someone who can do something out of nothing or even just take a few men on. The whole squad is pretty much grafters with very little else. Aside from Koroma there isn't a single player who you could say is capable of getting you off your seat.
If Carlos can keep us away from relgation trouble then i think it will show just how good a coach he is.
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Post by hypotenuse on Jul 15, 2021 9:17:31 GMT 1
Unusually, I feel more optimistic for the coming season. I think we may be able to finish just outside the bottom 6. I’m still trying to work out which 6 teams may be worse than we are, however. It will totally depend on the coaching of the defensive side of our game. We cannot hope to make progress leaking goals as we have done in the last couple of seasons. Fifteen clean sheets next season will be the minimum required. Onwards and upwards to a 17th placed finish.😆
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Post by Detective Boyle on Jul 15, 2021 9:30:53 GMT 1
Watching the latest training video and the 11 v 11 match really hit home just how much we are lacking any real individual talent in this squad, someone who can do something out of nothing or even just take a few men on. The whole squad is pretty much grafters with very little else. Aside from Koroma there isn't a single player who you could say is capable of getting you off your seat. If Carlos can keep us away from relgation trouble then i think it will show just how good a coach he is. I can’t lie, I did think this as well watching that video. Really hope I’m wrong but I can’t help but think we’re going to have another long relegation battle season.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 9:35:46 GMT 1
Watching the latest training video and the 11 v 11 match really hit home just how much we are lacking any real individual talent in this squad, someone who can do something out of nothing or even just take a few men on. The whole squad is pretty much grafters with very little else. Aside from Koroma there isn't a single player who you could say is capable of getting you off your seat. If Carlos can keep us away from relgation trouble then i think it will show just how good a coach he is. When have you seen pre season games that have got you off your seat previously? As that is 'your' comparator.
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Post by Baby-face Frankenstein on Jul 15, 2021 11:43:12 GMT 1
After an in-total 1-hour analysis of every team in the division and what they're/ve CURRENTLY DOING/DONE, I've gone for us to finish just outside the top 10. I feel a sufficient percentage of the youth breaking through at Town atm is good enough to excel in this Championship division; so the Highs will definitely be more than the Rowes, if you will.
If the likes of O'Brien, Koroma are retained and 2 or 3 match-winning key men in key positions are added - so only with a couple more really good signings, we might just sneak the play-offs.
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