Rather than the push for promotion that most fans (and also the bookies to be fair) expect, I wonder if the coming season will be another fight for survival -and this time in League 1. Most of the stronger teams in the division are experienced in the rough and ready style of play and most already have a settled squad. We on the otherhand barely have a team. Yes a number of reasonable youngsters but experience says that they are unlikely to cope over the long haul. We are promised signings of sorts but again not until some of the existing high earners leave. That leaves little time both too find the necessary additions and integrate them into the squad. I hope I'm wrong but fear that we are sleep walking into another disaster.
I can understand what you are thinking Tommy but my enthusiasm and belief is unabated. The team may well hold a few young lads, but those lads have played well together in the reserve team. When Connor and Mayor played together ( briefly) in the first team, they where on each others wave length. My positive outlook remains undiminished and I think these young, ambitious and keen lads way ell suprise a few in the league this year. Had it been the Championship then that way well have been too big a step too soon but droppoing down a league way yet be a really good thing for PNE and it's young players. With PB and BH and a few experienced players around them I feel this could be a very exicing year to be a PNE fan.
Welcome to not606 and in particular the PNE board tommyt.. Very interesting first post and one that carries a topic that gets fans thinking. I do have confidence in PB and his experienced sidekick Horton, I have less confidence in just what TH and ML are about and the way the club is functioning right now. The coming season will be a question of wait and see until player movements in and out have been completed, and everyone knows what the team make up is likely to be. Div one like all the divisions will be very competitive and PNE along with two or three other clubs will be seen as prize scalps for many of the other clubs. PNE and the supporters had better be ready for every game being like a cup tie with no quarter given by any team. Generally speaking it is accepted that a team full of young players win nowt. I suppose the question could be asked just how many young players are going to be used at the one time, and who will be playing alongside them to encourage them and guide them through the difficult times. Again by choice the time to blood young players is when the team is successful and playing with confidence introducing them on a gradual basis. It is a giant step from reserve/junior team football to competitive league football no matter what division they are stepping up to. There will be a lot of seasoned pros knocking around in Div one, ones who dont take prisoners so it's going to be a tough step up for any young inexperienced player. We all saw what happened last year when young players were introduced before they were ready AND into a losing team playing without confidence. We have some good young players but they are not world beaters otherwise they wouldn't be at PNE. I hope that supporter expectations (and management) are not too high, and any young players coming into the first team are given time to adjust and adapt. PB is going to have to earn his money and make all the right decisions about using the young players both in numbers and timing, he will also have to make sure that PNE have the experienced players necessary to get the blend of youth and experience right. Everything seems up in the air at the moment regarding both outgoing and incoming players, but perhaps after June 30th things will begin to move along. I am sure there is a lot of activity taking place behind the scenes, but for supporters the close season is all about being patient and putting their trust in the management. It would seem obvious that the club is looking to off load the high earners before any new signings can be brought in, so we will see. It is very difficult to predict what sort of season is in store for PNE at this juncture, but I remain optimistic....
Welcome aboard Tommy, very good post Personally, I think (and certainly hope) that we won't be struggling around the wrong end of the table. It will be tough, but I think PB and BH are very good at getting players into the right mindset. The positive vibe amongst the supporters can do the players no harm either. As has already been said, a lot of games will be played against teams that will want our heads in their trophy room and to win those games will be a real test of our mettle. Hopefully things will start moving with players coming in soon, which will take some pressure off the younger lads. I don't know if we'll go straight back up but top ten for me as it stands, we'll see who comes into the club and it may be a more optomistic forecast from me
