We've steadied things after last season's scare but we are a bit of a 'curate's egg' of a team, good in places but far from what we'd want. The big fear is our better players will be tempted away by the better paying teams and we'll be forever playing catch-up to stand still. I think further period of just making up the numbers is the best we can hope for unless we scout the lower leagues far more effectively...
I thought that Sylla had a good game - energetic, held the ball up well, and two well taken goals Freeman I find increasingly frustrating as a player. Too many poor deliveries from corners and still needs to get his head up and look for a pass rather than trying to get round 5 opposition players. Interspersed with some great breakup play so not all bad A very different performance from Saturday, and great to see us creating good numbers of chances and taking them. We still seem to switch off too often though and give away possession too easily, frequently resulting in pressure on our own goal I share the concern expressed on here about better / more saleable players leaving in the summer, and expect a busy summer transfer window. I think that we'll see more of our younger players in the mix next year Time to renew the season ticket!
"So I still need to be convinced even after a very hard season, a season that has divided fans, a season that has seen fans keep away and lose interest and question investing in their season tickets - there’s an underlying truth there that should not be ignored." I have to say that this really intrigues me! I know that many posters on all boards go on about our dwindling crowds, but what are they comparing this seasons crowds to? I admit that I'm using Wikepedia for my figures, but according to them, since relegation from The Premier in 1996 we have played 16 seasons in the second tier & only four seasons have seen better average crowds than this season - 2004/05, 10/11, 13/14 & 16/17. Two of those were promotion years & 04/05 was following promotion . Last season is averaging 340 more per game. Again, many will say that the official figures are inflated as ST holders are counted whether they are in attendance or not. However, this would have applied throughout this period & probably for many years previously. To counter this, we do have far more ST holders than we did ten years ago, so it may be that we sell less tickets on a match basis than we have in the past. Therefore, it could be argued that all we've lost from Loftus Road since 2015 are our Premier League followers & that we have retained our core base of around 12 to13 thousand. It is natural that the core will change, but as long as John Doe replaces the departed AN Other, then all is the norm. I would also say that I don't think the fan base has been that divided this season. At least not among the regulars at games. This may be different on social media, but is it not mainly from those who demand that we are challenging for promotion? To me, that is an unrealistic aim. After all, we have finished in the bottom half of the Championship in over half of these 16 seasons & have been 18th or lower in 5 of them.
Storford. Actually I do not share your concern. I expect it to be an underwhelming transfer window again. Perch and Mackie have gone...we have been told to say good bye to them...and it makes sense. Robbo and Ned are free in July. I can guess we will make both offers (within our wages cap h).. Robbo will be off I am sure, young and ambitious, and can get more money elsewhere. Ned might just stay. I cannot see any of our youngsters going (except Haamlaien, who no longer appears to play as a defender in u23) who is not really in Ollies plans The interest will be in who we sell. To my mind we will only look at money for four players....Sylla and Conor (if we get an(y) offers I would think we will sell), Freeman and Mas. A very good offer for Freeman and I can see us selling.. It would have to be a huge (and rather stupid) offer for Mas to go...but if Fulham offered 15-20million, we might take it. We do need to spend money a bit....a CD and a CF definate (no idea who though) My hope is that they sign our youngsters to longer contracts, that would be a very good move
We shall have to compare notes in August Beth! I wouldn't be surprised to see squad numbers cut significantly and at least a couple of departures amongst core personnel who the majority of fans would like to stay Ultimately it depends on whether we can improve the squad before the new season starts, and whether we can be consistently better There have certainly been some positive recent signs, and the last 4 games will be fascinating. I really want to beat Leeds
The last home match vs Birmingham will feature Perch, Mackie, Robbo and Ned I will guarantee. So I do not think we will put out a completely sensible team that day...I hope the fans will accept Ollie "tinkering". I believe we have only two more matches in which Ollie will compete (Leeds match will be a test of exactly who has already gone to the beach)
What.... a good sending off!! Both have a definate chance of that, one rush tackle and they will be down that tunnel with us singing their names
I don't know where you get the £15-20 million figure from for Mas but if we sold all four I doubt we'd get half that, we're a selling club and any reasonable offer would be accepted. I'd be more worried if we were to lose Smyth and Eze. Every season teams will be dropping down with a shedload of parachute money ready to cherry-pick the have-nots, that's our future...
A stark reality I’m afraid. Losing the likes of Sterling is how the premier league looks at the likes of us. Pick up the promising talent for next to nothing from smaller clubs like us - it’s a perfect scenario for them; minimum outlay, can recoup some costs through loaning out and if they don’t make it they can still sell on as an ex premier league hopeful - let’s hope we learn to always have a sell-on clause in any young players sale. I’m amazed Foolham have managed to hold on to Sessignon for so long.
Unfortunately, you are right. It will be interesting to see how the people with money/ambition in the club are going to prove you wrong.
