So what about next season?

[GreasyChipBeattie]

If the CWAK trend continues we should be on for runners up next year
Realistically though, with the right kind of signings in the transfer window, what do we think our chances might be next season.
For the purist posters, I know it's impossible to predict until we know who signs who, who comes up etc, but opinions can still be shared based on this season's achievement so far.
For me, I'd be hoping for top 10 again, with a realistic hope that we could make the top 6. Top 4? Kinell, my arse is tweaking just at the thought of it.
I can't believe I just typed that, but such is the Wilder machine that I can dare to believe.
After Villa, Newcastle and Manure, I allowed myself to consider whether the bubble had burst.
Soz CWAK. I should have known better.
So what's it to be next season? A slip in fortunes, more of the same, or better still?

 

[tomtheblade]

100 points.

 

[Tarqs]

I'd be hoping for a top 12 finish.... I don't think finishing 12th would be seen as a failure, particularly if we're juggling europe aswell. In fact I'd say 15th and past group stage in the Europa would be a great season.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

Some silverware is close... I can smell it!

 

[S40BLADE]

I smell a great cup run next year.

 

[sufcboy95]

Avoid relegation will be the aim. However if we improve the squad further, I’d like to think we could get top 10 again

 

[Seth Rollins]

Top 10 has to be the aim.

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

100 points.

100 goals

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Silverware

 

[TJB.]

It'll depend on who we keep as much as who we buy. Some of the core lads will have admirers, and although certain clubs might not be bigger than us or have achieved a higher finish, they may be able to double what we're offering in the wage department. We need to be rewarding our players as best we can without breaking the bank, whilst also planning possible replacements for any key departures that might occur.

It's an unenviable task. If we keep hold of everyone (and sign a new 'keeper - I can't see Hendo returning, personally) then we can certainly trouble the European spots again. If we have to replace our best players, I'm not so sure we can afford like-for-likes or upgrades, and therefore I'm not so sure we'll finish as high.

Of course, there's also the possibility that we'll pull some more rabbits out of hats in the transfer market and storm into the top four

 

[Digs blade]

Push for Europe again and a cup final

 

[nickwr37]

Europe. I want a trip 2021. Also

 

[JimW1889]

Found out and relegated with the lowest points record.

 

[bongleblade]

My aim would be getting Berge, Robinson (x2), McBurnie and Mousset and firing on all cylinders
Get the new TW lads (whoever it may be) settled and perfoming
aim for Europa knockouts
consolidate in the PL - steering well clear of a relegation battle

 

[Swannyblade]

There’s been a lot of underachieving teams this year, so I’d take anything above being involved in the relegation scrap. Couple that with going quite deep into the Europa competition and I’d be happy.

 

[JPBrods]

Stay up
Win the fucking cup

 

[Whiston Blade]

Avoid relegation should be our number one priority, we push on as much as we can from the first game and take it step by step. Ruling out avoiding relegation and going straight for top 10 is a risky game as we can very well get sucked into a relegation dog fight, especially if Europe is on the card too.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Game at a time

 

[Gin&Juice]

As long as we have fun and play with a smile on our faces. I don’t want us to sign anyone with long hair and i think we should gerrit forward more!

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Game at a time

Chris will have a plan, but that is exactly what we'll do when it comes down to game time.

 

[Madders]

I reckon we'll be mid table, purely on the basis that our European adventures may take a bit of a toll.

Don't think we'll be raided in the transfer market being honest. Lots of debate on here (I know I'm a new poster but long time lurker!) about our players being average but with work ethic. Right or not, I don't see too many so called big teams seriously looking at our lads-they're awesome in our system but let's be honest, how many really have that ability to turn a game around on their own with purely their own skill-our strength is the team, whether we like it or not.

On the same coin mind, who can we really sign who could come in and pick our system up quickly enough to make a huge improvement to us-a few months getting up to speed is standard for us-the fact that all our signings this year took time to settle shows this.

Our system has proved awkward enough that very few teams can counter it-how we play is no secret anymore. I reckon much of the same squad and same system will lead to a similar result.

Personally I'm looking forward to a few years down the line, when we've been able to add to the squad and get them in the groove. I can only look up, and loving every minute of it! The very fact we have genuine interest in Southampton beating Man U... who'd have thought it a few years ago!

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Gotta remember some of our bigger rivals will have a bigger war chest than ours & will also be strengthening & rebuilding . We’ve had a incredible season punching well above our weight , a top ten finish for me would be again a be fantastic achievement but while been ambitious you you have to be careful to temper your expectations.
As you become more successful more your players become targets for others , so keeping hold of your prize assets as much as adding to what you’ve got will be important.
If we do get a Europa league spot we’d need to invest & increase in a bigger squad with more depth .
When Burnley qualified for the Europa league the Thurs / Sunday schedule & travel on a small squad nearly got them relegated .
A successful club is built over time so I suppose the pragmatic answer would be make sure we stay in the division as priority one.
Let’s enjoy this wonderful season but keep on feet on the floor .. UTB

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

Who'd have thought it last August??

 

[Brian Deane]

Avoid the bottom 3 is a must and stop playing this tippytappy to me to you football and stop this overlapping bollox that we do. It doesn't work. Its not pretty and its not effective
Other than that keep it as it is. UTB

 

[jt64]

Lol "that Thursday/Sunday schedule for Burnley", they were out of Europe before the end of August

 

[blademark]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I read somewhere that CW has never finished a season below the previous seasons position ?
Will take an almighty effort to maintain that record next season to be sure.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

I just want to see the natural progression of our system and tactics with ever improving components ( players ) think we have a real core of young talent that will blossom over the next few years and I'm really looking forward to seeing them.develop alongside whoever else we bring in

If I was a player who loved playing football i'd want to play for wilder

 

[Kanye]

If the CWAK trend continues we should be on for runners up next year
Realistically though, with the right kind of signings in the transfer window, what do we think our chances might be next season.
For the purist posters, I know it's impossible to predict until we know who signs who, who comes up etc, but opinions can still be shared based on this season's achievement so far.
For me, I'd be hoping for top 10 again, with a realistic hope that we could make the top 6. Top 4? Kinell, my arse is tweaking just at the thought of it.
I can't believe I just typed that, but such is the Wilder machine that I can dare to believe.
After Villa, Newcastle and Manure, I allowed myself to consider whether the bubble had burst.
Soz CWAK. I should have known better.
So what's it to be next season? A slip in fortunes, more of the same, or better still?

In terms of transfers, I would expect us to do less business. I'd imagine the plan is to spend slightly less overall, on less players.
I would hope the majority of the focus (and resources) would go to ensuring we keep as much of the team together, rather than necessarily adding to it. The most obvious challenge will be keeping Henderson (temporarily or otherwise) but it would also be good to see us extend the contracts of our most valuable/important players.

As for what should we be looking to achieve on the pitch, I wouldn't be worried about specific targets in terms of points or which stage we leave the cups. I would be more concerned that we continue to approach games the way we do now: playing to win, always being competitive.

What I'm most looking forward to is seeing how the players progress individually. Henderson, Basham, Egan, O'Connell, Baldock, Stevens, Norwood, Lundstram, Fleck, Sharp and McGoldrick have all gone through unthinkable transformations, with the majority of the above playing at L1 level or lower just 3-4 years ago. Plenty of the above have even more potential to fulfil and are still improving.
The newer players such as Berge, McBurnie, Mousset and Osborn excite me, given Wilder's track record.

It's a lovely position to be in.

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

Very hard to say at this stage. Normally teams who do not score goals get relegated, we have bucked that trend, and then some, by being great at not conceding.

Even If we have the same backline next season I cannot see us conceding so few goals, no logic for saying this but just think it will be a tough act to repeat.

Not knocking our strikers but we need to find a way to score more goals. If it is with the current crop then we need to create more, but this may make us more open to conceding more.

If we splash the cash on a new striker (and how can we afford a proven 15 goal a season plus Premier League striker in fee or wages)...then the same applies, without consistent service you will not score.

Whilst I remain positive I do think we will do fantastically well to have another top 10 finish next season.

A really good go in the FA Cup would be nice!

 

[Sheffsteel]

Avoid relegation should be our number one priority, we push on as much as we can from the first game and take it step by step. Ruling out avoiding relegation and going straight for top 10 is a risky game as we can very well get sucked into a relegation dog fight, especially if Europe is on the card too.

I’d be really dissapointed if we‘re involved in relegation. It would mean we‘ve gone backwards in a big way.
I expect us to have similar seasons to how Wolves and Leicester kicked on.

Maybe we’re unlikely to beat this years run but still think top 10 is a realistic target and I expect us to achieve it.