It's football, it's not as straightforward as that though. Another 23 teams will have a say, covid may come back and cancel games etc. It's going to be interesting to see how it pans out either way. Strap in for a bumpy ride....
Your right mate. Of course these things can happen. Injuries can happen, like they did to most of our Centre Half's last season. Nothing is set in stone. All of the things you mention above are out of our control.
As a club, all we can do is to give ourselves the best possible opportunity to progress and progression from last season is promotion.
The point I'm trying to make is that this time next year, like it or not, if we fail to get promoted, it's inevitable that questions will be asked and fingers pointed. Who the questions are aimed at and what those questions are, will evolve as the season goes on.
For example, if we don't strengthen the current squad or bring in sub-standard players and we fail, then the questions should be aimed at Speakman and his recruitment team/ data analysts. If we do bring in another 6 players of the calibre of the 3 we have signed, then Johnson would have some explaining to do.
If we have horrendous injuries which cost us, then we can put it down to that. If it's Covid, then it's no one connected with the club to blame, unless they've sent them all out on the lash, or haven't isolated a player who has tested positive.
As a fan, I'm looking for us to finally move in an upwardly direction after years of falling. Finishing any lower than last season is falling.We weren't far away last season and with a little improvement to last season's squad, we will have given ourselves the best possible opportunity to progress and that's good enough for me.