"Having started the season with mutterings fluctuating from consolidation to promotion push" Actually, quite a lot of posters across the boards were expecting another relegation! Mid table stability with progress on & off the pitch, was my desire for the season & that has been delivered. I find that restful rather than boring & also sucessful! That should be the aim for next season as well & if by continuing to improve we find ourselves good enough to challenge at the top of the division, that would be a nice little bonus! "One thing is for certain. Any promotion push has to be supported by a 20+ goal striker which I don't think we have at present." I may be wrong regarding Gray, but I don't think any of the top sides this season have a player that has achieved this.
In terms of the mutterings, I was referring to The Board as in our owners! Not checked the stats but a 20+ goal striker would not hurt.
I'm fairly confident about next season. We have, I think, a good young manager and some good young players. Three or four sensible buys to replace the inevitable departures and we could easily challenge for the play-offs.
Agreed. I'm confident there is enough team spirit for us not to be scrabbling near the bottom. Play-offs seems a reasonable target.
Maybe not next season. I've always paid attention to the experts when they say it all starts at the back, we could find another Austin or Adel to bang in the goals but it is clean sheets that will get us up the table. If JFH can improve on our strength in defense so that we become very hard to break down then it gives the forwards more freedom. If we can build a reputation as a team that don't concede much then in a year or two our time might come. It could take JFH a whole season in charge to truly believe it is his team and get them working for him then the groundwork done now and into next season should see us at least in the play-off places. Looking at the teams that went up last season a solid work ethic was vital, QPR certainly don't need has-beens on their last meal ticket and I hope JFH can continue to instill a healthy sense of teamwork into the squad. I don't want to jinx things but I don't think we will be relegation fodder next season, there looks to be too much about us already to be scared of that. Up the R's!
