Well I'll say that I think it's been a great season...and we have done well to finish where we have. Personally, I predicted 10th-14th so we're bang on that . That was optimistic, maybe....but then I base it on how I know the players can perform. I think that last season we really did under perform...must have dropped the most points in the league. To be in with a shout of the play offs showed just how far we have progressed since the start of the season when nothing was going right....we played quite well but either caved in or just gifted goals with howlers almost every game. In the end we just fell short, the games we were winning turned into draws, but they were against good teams so they were by all means good results. On top of many games where we came from behind to win......it was fantastic. Deeney taking on the lead striker role with instant success, and the introduction of Murray gave our team the goals that we had been struggling to get earlier in the season. I think that next season does depend a lot on the Summer. I should think that whilst we've had a good season, no one's contract is out and not many have done enough to get "you'll play first team for us" interest from the Premier League. Mariappa is the exception, and if he went for about £3m then I would be happy enough. We have Taylor and Nosworthy, both experienced, tall and strong players who are both good at this level, but Mariappa is just that bit better and he would be a loss..and any injury to Nosworthy or Taylor (not that unlikely) would leave us short at the back. Adam Thompson looks promising, maybe Bennett too? Hard to say. Other than Mariappa I would expect us to be able to keep everyone else, I think with Murray signing a new contract and with him only played regularly for half a season....we should have him for at least another season, maybe more depending on how well we do. I think that next season will be Deeney's big season, he could be a 20 goal striker...who partners him I don't know but if Iwelumo keeps his form up I wouldn't mind him. Garner is a bit part player a best...and I'm not sure that Massey or Assombalonga are ready...the former maybe as a bit part....I would like to see us sign another striker. In other parts of the field..either has to be loanees or signings out wide as Yeates might leave and even if he doesn't we could do with better. The return of McGinn is like a new signing....I'm hoping that he will replace Buaben as the forward thinking midfielder as I think Buaben is a bit part player at best....maybe next season he will improve but I'm staying sceptical. So....where do we finish next season? I'm thinking that the teams who come down and the teams who come up are going to be tougher than this season.....but if we manage to keep everyone except Mariappa we should still aim to finish where we are now.....and maybe try and have a better go at the play-offs.
Just looked at the table again and to see us in 11th is a really good feeling. Look at the number of clubs below us and some of the names and with all that's been mentioned in this thread already, it really is a great achievement.
Been very impressed with Murray but I think hamilton Accies are possibly equally as serious about youth development as us: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17886208
Yes, agreed. I'd like to see a striker come in too. For those who went to the last game...did mapps come on at the end just to 'say goodbye'?
This season has exceeded my expectations and wildest dreams. I never dreamed for one minute that we would be challenging for a play-off spot come march. I said at the start i would be very happy to finish 13th with 62 points. But would settle with anything out of the bottom 3. We had lost most of our goals before the season even started and then lost Marv in January, so to kick on and have a better run with out him is fantastic. I think Mapps was a deserving POTS, but there could have been a few winners; Deeney, Hogg, Nos, Murray. This season is a great advert for championship football, that a team who was written off by everyone outside of the club, and a few within the group of supporters too. Yet we have proved that we are better than everyone thinks and just what can be achieved on a shoe string budget, but with a lot of heart and determination.
Apart from the team doing really well, the best bit for me was not having to read so many moaning contributions as the season progressed.
I had my doubts, but Sean Dyche and the team have excelled. I just hope the expectation their success has raised can be fulfilled next year. Would promotion be a step too far? Certainly the play-offs are the target. Confounding to a lot of critics (WOb residents) even Baz has delivered. He still has a few lessons to learn about football PR but he does seem to be getting somewhere with the club. I would like to see a completed east stand with supporters in it, though that is on the list and a work in progress.
