A burst of action by Speakman and Harvey might make many of us feel better but as usual we seem to be leaving it late and may well have the usual - 'takes time for players to get match fit, team to gel, understand the tactics and settle into the area' scenarios.
2 weeks to go and we have no defence. Pre season isn't just for fitness it's to get used to each other and tactics. We should be 90% done by wigan game with one or two to add. I very much doubt that'll be the case. We look in disarray compared to many of our rivals. At this point even those with a positive outlook have to see the teams a million miles away from being ready with little time to change things.
You're right about preseason but its certainly not the case that, even in years when we haven't been effected by Covid, that clubs have their squads in place by this point. The promotion season under Keane, 3 or 4 key players didn't arrive until deadline day. Its obvious that if you want quality you have to be willing to wait for it.
I'm all for criticism but not the pre-emptive variety ... ... I don't see the point of getting worked up about a scenario that may never happen.
Give ower. Ipswich, Wigan and Dons, I'm ****ting myself here. The lottery comment is highlighting that you know **** all about how many points we can/will drop with the current squad despite your apparent inside track. And it's not half as petulant as you saying the rest of the league are 'cannon fodder to us'
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.
People talk about Keane season but that was exception not rule. Mic mac had his team largely together before kick off and same with reid for both his promotions. All of those were of course different times with different windows and leagues. Fact is our rivals are getting it together and we aren't. We can't make excuses we just need to get the job done bacause make no mistake if we don't go up large numbers won't be back and we'll be damaged for a very long time.
Cannon fodder is based on the past and the size of our club against the rest of the league. None of us really know what's happening behind the scenes, I don't pretend to know but speculate based on all knowledge available in the public domain. As for those sides mentioned I'll gaurentee unless we make big changes they'll be finishing higher than us. We're midtable at best and need major surgery. Also if your using foul language it's a sign you've list the argument.
To be fair the window doesn't close until Tuesday, August 31st, which is about 6 weeks away ... ... sadly some of the best deals don't always happen until the last half an hour
The scenario is that we've brought some players in, have others being progressed and the manager wants 4 to 6 more ... ... that's quite common for clubs at this stage. So, no I'm not worried.
If we wait until last minutes of window we'll need 6 players at that point. We may also be behind the leaders by quote some distance. I'd like to see our kids come though this season but they won't successfuly without a decent spine. Which we don't have now.
I posted last night, the length of time between now and the window closing is actually the exact same amount of days since the Euros started - which was friggin' ages ago
Given we have no full backs an no goal scorer I'm worried and others should be too. We all want what's best for the club. Currently were not getting that.
OK you've talked me into it. I'll start worrying after I've had me tea, I'm a bit busy just now. I'm not sure how much effect it'll have but I'll do me best.
