As TWTD's questionnaire results are published, it becomes apparent that four out of the five players of the year (Bullard, McAuley, Norris and Wickham) have moved on. If you ignore the academy kid then so far we have brought in Ingimarsson, Chops, Ellington and Cresswell. If the signing of Bowyer goes ahead then we are arguably back to square one. Is this realistically even going to be enough to scrape a play off place?
Hamps I think with the mess the club was left in by RK we are -once again - looking at medium/long term rebuilding. I would probably be happy if we are close to challenging for a play off place next season but consolidating a serious challenge thereafter.
You can never tell until the season starts... However I think the squad PJ is developing, we certainly have a chance... We've needed a pacy, attacking left back, we've got one in Cresswell. Chops is more prolific than Wickham. Ingimrsson is probably about the same as McAuley. Bowyer is better than Norris IMO. If...and thats a big IF we can secure Bullard, on loan or permanent, then I think we will definitely be there or there abouts! I think we may need one more striker, right back (Although I do think Edwards has done OK there) and Bullard (Or someone similar) then we will have a very capable squad to get in the play-offs...it just depends on how the season goes. Did anyone expect us to be 2nd by October last year?
PJ was never aiming to get a play off spot this year. More to stabilise the sinking ship Keane put us on and to start building a team that can challenge in 2011/2012. However it surprises me that we haven't gone for any more younger 'hungrier' players, I dunno maybe he's just relying on our academy prospects for that.
This season will be a good one, I've got faith in pj, I think he knows what he's doing. Plenty of experienced players and will probably bring in a few academy players as season goes on. As long as we can get one of our strikers on form it will be happy days. Come on you blue boys (and older ones).
I would agree with most of the posts, although I think the loss of McAuley, Wickham and Bullard has weakened us, Jewell seems to have bought well and identified the area's we need strengthening, although arguably this is every position, so it wouldn't matter who we got in. But it seems to me for the first time in a few years we seem to be heading in a more positive position and improving the squad, rather than getting in average players, we are improving the quality of our squad. I think although I may not agree with some of Jewell's potential signings, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt the majority of the time. Its so refreshing to have a manager who seems to know what he is doing!! This is no short term build, we have been left in an absolute mess and it needs patience for us to steadily achieve a promotion push.
i must agree with you hamps so far we have not got 1 real quality player to join us i do believe pj has tried his best to get quality players in but with limited funds he cannot get the players he would like its looking like we must do with hasbeens and players who can not get a contract elsewere but we must stay true and get behind what ever team he puts out remember it could never be as bad as what rk has done to this club it could well take a few more seasons for us to move up or even a new owner one who has real money to inject into the club coyb