sky have made ourselves and crewe joint favourites for the drop next season at 5-4. its does put things in perspective in terms of expectations doesn't it. given our budget has to be more than at least 8-10 other clubs in this division - it underlines the work that needs doing with the current squad! so what are are hopes for next season? not just terms in league position but for the progress of the team in general!
I dont take any notice of the odds yet! clubs havent even announced their retained lists of players yet...let alone started the buying and selling process, so no-one knows what the squads are going to look like come the start of the season!
If thats us to go down then I'd bite your hand off for what there offering for us to stay up! Considering as Jay just said the squad we start the season off with will be a complete departure from what we have now!
How the heck do they reason that?? Surely the 3 teams below us that survived, plus the 3 promoted teams (none of whom are "massive" clubs) would have to at least start as more likely to be relegated than us. The mind boggles.
Completely agree Sir Keefy and exactly my thoughts. Firstly we do not know what the rebuilt squad will look like, secondly i tend to find like SK that the teams that come up from L2 normally tend to struggle to adapt the most. We clearly got taught a lesson this season and next season we need to move forward with those lessons learnt. But thirdly and most importantly I wouldn't touch any odds at 5/4, if that's the best they can offer then the bookies can do one.
That's my point. The squads will be different but it shows how much we need to invest if we are to become competetive. We are playing catch up to a certain degree. Also if pt can keep us out of danger and there are signs of the team making progress in terms of building for future seasons then he will be doing more than enough.
Bookies and their odds compilers have to get these things right to stay in business and they usually do. I doubt if the contents of the squad have much of an influence on their assessment. This is all about their view of the playing budget (related to attendances) and long term rolling average in league position of the 92 clubs. Its simple and it does not mean anything other than this is the most likely outcome but it is hugely satisfyng when they are wrong.
i expect the bookies think we have only about 6 first team players under contract and will need time to rebuild.
