Fantastic day yesterday, the hangover is clearing up and I've turned my thoughts to next season. The last time in league one was a brief and mostly disappointing affair. But I do think that we are much better equipped this time around. The 2008/09 promotion was a stumble over the line. We were generally very poor for the second half of the season but just did enough in the end. Add to that the ridiculously nervy way we finished up against Notts County and the poorly timed takeover by Hayes meaning all the transfer targets were missed, made us go in to the season in a pretty negative fashion. Bringing in Waddock after 11 games of that season has shown to be a great move but it was always going to take him time to get that squad right and unfortunately it came just a little too late to save us from relegation. This time, we've gone up on a high. We ended the season with a 10 game unbeaten run which was our longest of the season and included 3 wins in a row at the end in huge games, we got 80 points which I believe is a club record in the football league and ended the season with a brilliant performance in a must win game. The squad needs strengthening, there's no doubt about that. But the feel good factor cannot be underestimated as it's sending the players, management and fans into league one on the up and with great momentum. There wasn't any of this last time and I think that will make a big difference. I'm not saying next season will be easy, I think that avoiding relegation would represent success. But if we get next season right then I think we could build a strong league one club from there.
It will be better this time round. We have a good squad, and we actually own all but donnelly, which is a vast improvement on a couple of years ago. We are on a winning streak, the players have settled and are confident and we have a good mix of experience and youth. The only thing I hope is that Hayes will give Waddock a bit of money and transfer freedom to bring in a couple of players, unlike what happened under Taylor who had to build a team of average players. I'd bring in a decent left back (play Sandell left mid) and another centre back and maybe an attacking mid if we don't buy Donnelly. Otherwise I think the team is strong- bring on next season!
It will be better this time around i hope but the squad needs some serious strengthening to stay up. Cover for both full backs, more wingers - both betsy and ainsworth are in there 30's and will have to be played sensibly, donnelly needs to stay he gives us some much needed offensive play from deep and we need far more goals, this season we were short of this and defences will be stronger.
with several players out of contract i think we could have seen the last of jp,beever,westwood,bennett,bloomfield,foster and murtagh.shame about blooms because he has been a loyal servant but if we are to survive league one gary waddock has to be ruthless and get rid of some regular first team players to bring new ones in.
Can't see us affording the likes of Donnelly. He went to Swansea for an undisclosed fee and i'm sure they aren't going to let him go for free. There is also the issue of his wages, which as a Championship player will be more than we can afford. Rocky is probably right about the list of players that will depart. Waddock may keep Westwood as cover as he may be happy to play a bit part as he heads towards the end of his career. Not sure about Foster. He has put in some good perfomances in the last few games, but i think he may be left wanting in League 1. Sandell is also a concern. Especially with Betsy not being renowned for tracking back. Countless times this season LJ has had to move across to cover whilst Sandell and Betsy are left half way down the field. A good left side going forward, but defensively..... At least we have a chance to plan without all the takeover shannanigans!
