So let's face it, we're not getting into the playoffs this season, let alone promoted. I felt pretty crushed after the Crystal Palace game and said as much on here, but after collecting my thoughts, I'm starting to feel better about our prospects.
It seems the Leeds United webspace is full of negativity at this time with people calling for the removal of Grayson, Bates and half of the players who've, frankly, got us into a half decent position despite our bad run of form since January and given us a very entertaining season on the whole.
Here's a few reasons next season might be one to look forward to:
1. Grayson learning from his mistakes - clearly he's stuck with his favourites and that's cost us a lot of points, especially now at the back end of the season and in pretty much every midweek night game we've played. However next season, I'd hope when he's assessing himself, this will be one of the mistakes he urges himself to rectify.
2. Kisnorbo back in training - back in full-time training as of today and if all goes well, he'll have a good pre-season, stay fit and play a key role next term. Peter Beagrie said in his Sky Sports blog today he rates Paddy as one of the best defenders in the division and says he could play at an even higher level.
3. Tom Lees - won promotion with Bury and he looks an exciting prospect in a position we haven't had a decent youngster in since Kilgallon.
4. Other centre backs - Bromby and O'Brien aren't bad, with a bit more competition and hopefully better coaching and midfield protection next season, whichever partnership plays will ship far less goals.
5. Attacking players - we've scored an immense amount of goals this season and at times played devastatingly good football. We could still keep hold of Snodgrass, Becchio and Gradel, we're under no obligation to sell them even if Bates might like to.
6. El Principito - Nunez has been running the show for Scunny and even if we sell one of our wingers or indeed Howson, Ramon might well be able to fit into the set-up seamlessly. He'll offer pace and skill and, you never know, he might even be better than Snodgrass and Gradel have been.
7. Signings - as I said in my first point, hopefully Simon will have learnt from his mistakes this season and one of those was clearly a dependence on loan signings. While we have a modest transfer budget, we appear to be paying quite generous wages for certain players and it wouldn't surprise me if we could attract a solid central midfielder and a dependable left defender who would improve the team for next season.
8. Supporting characters - even if we achieve nothing next season, it could still be a good chance to blood/gel a few less used players into our team. Lloyd Sam, Aidan White, Adam Clayton, Ross McCormack and Ben Parker have all shown they have some value; Billy Paynter and Davide Somma also still have the chance to establish themselves as key figures if they put the work in. The grass isn't always greener elsewhere, we could still do alright even if we sell but don't directly replace certain players.
Anyone else feeling this strange sense that the future might not be as **** as everyone else seems to be whinging about?
It seems the Leeds United webspace is full of negativity at this time with people calling for the removal of Grayson, Bates and half of the players who've, frankly, got us into a half decent position despite our bad run of form since January and given us a very entertaining season on the whole.
Here's a few reasons next season might be one to look forward to:
1. Grayson learning from his mistakes - clearly he's stuck with his favourites and that's cost us a lot of points, especially now at the back end of the season and in pretty much every midweek night game we've played. However next season, I'd hope when he's assessing himself, this will be one of the mistakes he urges himself to rectify.
2. Kisnorbo back in training - back in full-time training as of today and if all goes well, he'll have a good pre-season, stay fit and play a key role next term. Peter Beagrie said in his Sky Sports blog today he rates Paddy as one of the best defenders in the division and says he could play at an even higher level.
3. Tom Lees - won promotion with Bury and he looks an exciting prospect in a position we haven't had a decent youngster in since Kilgallon.
4. Other centre backs - Bromby and O'Brien aren't bad, with a bit more competition and hopefully better coaching and midfield protection next season, whichever partnership plays will ship far less goals.
5. Attacking players - we've scored an immense amount of goals this season and at times played devastatingly good football. We could still keep hold of Snodgrass, Becchio and Gradel, we're under no obligation to sell them even if Bates might like to.
6. El Principito - Nunez has been running the show for Scunny and even if we sell one of our wingers or indeed Howson, Ramon might well be able to fit into the set-up seamlessly. He'll offer pace and skill and, you never know, he might even be better than Snodgrass and Gradel have been.
7. Signings - as I said in my first point, hopefully Simon will have learnt from his mistakes this season and one of those was clearly a dependence on loan signings. While we have a modest transfer budget, we appear to be paying quite generous wages for certain players and it wouldn't surprise me if we could attract a solid central midfielder and a dependable left defender who would improve the team for next season.
8. Supporting characters - even if we achieve nothing next season, it could still be a good chance to blood/gel a few less used players into our team. Lloyd Sam, Aidan White, Adam Clayton, Ross McCormack and Ben Parker have all shown they have some value; Billy Paynter and Davide Somma also still have the chance to establish themselves as key figures if they put the work in. The grass isn't always greener elsewhere, we could still do alright even if we sell but don't directly replace certain players.
Anyone else feeling this strange sense that the future might not be as **** as everyone else seems to be whinging about?
