Looking at the signings and hence the team .. then looking at the opposition who they have and what their squads look like and with over 6 weeks to go and what might transpire I have a feeling of emptiness as opposed to having a fully charged positive outlook, I find it hard to think we will do well and get into top 6, or even top 10, but I also think we are unlikely to have a season quite like the last, but destined to finish above the bottom 6 or 7. . . 17th or better. I have a feeling that Junior as unproven as he is, is a weak link? I don't say he hasn't got my 99% support he has but in doing my usual calc's which over the past 8 -9 years have been more than 70% accurate something keeps niggling me ... ITS A STRANGE FEELING cant put my finger on it ....
'as opposed to having a fully charged positive outlook' - is about where I am. Tomlin and O'Neil are good signings. Magnusson has to be better than Williams, but that isn't difficult. Brownhill and O'Dowda - are they an improvement on Bryan and Freeman ? Hope we don't regret placing our hopes to much on youth, the Championship is a difficult place to learn. For what it's worth I think we still need a right back and striker.
As I've posted on another thread. Signings are one thing, but getting them to gel and produce form is another. The pre season has been a lot better than last year, but then again it had little to beat
looking through the fixture list we have one of the most difficult compilations of fixtures of all the clubs, equal to 2011-12 our start is 6 potentially very difficult, a couple reasonable and 4 difficult ..of course that is on paper .. and all is sometimes not what is seen
I have a more 'glass half full' feeling to be honest. I don't think that we are likely to be in the top 6 but I also think we won't be relegated. It depends on what your expectations are. Compared to last seasons inactivity I feel we haven't done too bad so far - with the promise of more to come. It all depends on how they gel - and that's what pre-season camp and friendlies are all about.
I have a more optimistic view on the coming season than I did last year. But like many on here I believe we still need to buy that illusive goal scorer And as has been pointed out on another thread, Williams doesn't cut it at left back, so another one of those (or who plays left back for the U21s ?)
I am optimistic about next season, especially with more signings to come. I don't know if the lad from Chelsea is coming but I sincerely hope so as it is pretty clear that he knows where the back of the net is per the stats under (and I don't care about who against, a goalscorer is a goalscorer and there are probably more than a few Rashford's out there waiting for their chance (Chelsea would probably do with him what we did with Wes at Aberdeen). Appearances Goals 2013/14 12 5 2014/15 30 41 2015/16 36 26 Total 78 (23) 72 http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/deve...ofiles/tammy-abraham.html#FZPS48PKKheHJ5DV.99 I think that if there is any truth in it, then we should ask SIr Lansdown to please do whatever it takes as this is probably the striker that we need that a few have talked about on this thread. The prospect of Tomlin linking up with and feeding through balls to a quick, clinical striker (who can manage to stay onside) is mouth watering We all saw that the team was greater than the sum of the individuals last year and I do believe that we can achieve something similar this season as we have a good, integrated bunch of lads who are hungry to achieve and I think that we CAN finish top 6
If you are expecting City to be top 6 then I suspect you should prepare now for disappointment!! For me anything above 12th will be a good season, I think we will be 13-14th come May as the squad stands today.
I went for us finishing 11th, but PLEASE let's not underestimate this division despite our signings, as it's full of ruthless teams and also full of very talented players, big teams with bigger budgets and expectations than ours are. The go for broke/lets try and buy promotion approach often doesn't work. I'm happy for us to build for a few seasons like we did in the 1970's.
pretty much my comment at #4 with a third of the teams that's 8 getting at least the last payment of the parachute Wigan and Reading, with Fulham and Cardiff getting third payments QPR second payment and Villa Norwich and Newcastle LIONS SHARES... We are in comparison poor relations, and taking a "punt" on putting together a team that will gel! and be good enough, with raw enthusiasm to succeed over the next couple of years to prime up for the shot at the premiership.. when it comes. I say when it comes as it is a lottery if you get to the 4 play off positions and make it through!
