A mixture of excitement and impatience has led me to jot down a few concise sentences on issues surrounding our chances this coming season.
Transfers (incoming)
I have to say that on the whole I am happy with the transfer activity which has taken place but I am slightly disappointed that it appears we will once again be heading into another season without the creative central midfielder that we all crave. It seems like every close season the manager states that we need to add some creativity in the middle of the park but it never really happens.
Transfers (outgoing)
Not quite the clearout I was hoping for although it is good to finally have Horsfield off the books. Shelton’s departure too was a relief but one which frustrates me because he was signed for a lot of money at a time when we needed to add quality and he has turned out to be another poor signing by Warnock.
I was hoping that Hendrie and Ehiogu would also be moved on but I would imagine there are very few clubs willing to offer them the kind of money the are currently earning at the blades so I foresee another Horsfield situation with this pair.
Manager
I’ve been massively impressed with the attitude of KB right from the off, he seems like a genuinely uplifting and bubbly guy. His coaching credentials are impressive and his attitude towards the game seems to be spot on; but more importantly he seems to have a good idea what this club is all about.
Fans
Our strong finish last season seems to have instilled some real confidence again and I’m pretty sure that KB can take the majority of the credit for at least a quarter of the season ticket renewals. Everyone seems confident that we can challenge for the play-offs at least; confidence is a fragile thing but I dare say the fans are more united now then at this time last season. A good start is vital to build up some momentum and keep BDTBL packed out week after week.
Competition
I personally cannot look beyond the 3 teams that came down; I have heard people talking about Reading being in freefall and derby making too many changes but i don;t share this opinion at all. Reading are my pick for the championship; they have a fantastic manager and have retained almost all of the side which saw them steam roller the championship and hold their own in the top flight (even during their relegation season).
The bottom line
I think a play-off spot is a very achievable target; last season showed us just how important a good start is and so I am hoping that we are able to build some early momentum even though we have some tough fixtures early on.
I’m still worried that a lack of pace / creativity in midfield which was painfully obvious last season has not been sufficiently addressed but I have a feeling we will see a more direct approach this year.
Transfers (incoming)
I have to say that on the whole I am happy with the transfer activity which has taken place but I am slightly disappointed that it appears we will once again be heading into another season without the creative central midfielder that we all crave. It seems like every close season the manager states that we need to add some creativity in the middle of the park but it never really happens.
Transfers (outgoing)
Not quite the clearout I was hoping for although it is good to finally have Horsfield off the books. Shelton’s departure too was a relief but one which frustrates me because he was signed for a lot of money at a time when we needed to add quality and he has turned out to be another poor signing by Warnock.
I was hoping that Hendrie and Ehiogu would also be moved on but I would imagine there are very few clubs willing to offer them the kind of money the are currently earning at the blades so I foresee another Horsfield situation with this pair.
Manager
I’ve been massively impressed with the attitude of KB right from the off, he seems like a genuinely uplifting and bubbly guy. His coaching credentials are impressive and his attitude towards the game seems to be spot on; but more importantly he seems to have a good idea what this club is all about.
Fans
Our strong finish last season seems to have instilled some real confidence again and I’m pretty sure that KB can take the majority of the credit for at least a quarter of the season ticket renewals. Everyone seems confident that we can challenge for the play-offs at least; confidence is a fragile thing but I dare say the fans are more united now then at this time last season. A good start is vital to build up some momentum and keep BDTBL packed out week after week.
Competition
I personally cannot look beyond the 3 teams that came down; I have heard people talking about Reading being in freefall and derby making too many changes but i don;t share this opinion at all. Reading are my pick for the championship; they have a fantastic manager and have retained almost all of the side which saw them steam roller the championship and hold their own in the top flight (even during their relegation season).
The bottom line
I think a play-off spot is a very achievable target; last season showed us just how important a good start is and so I am hoping that we are able to build some early momentum even though we have some tough fixtures early on.
I’m still worried that a lack of pace / creativity in midfield which was painfully obvious last season has not been sufficiently addressed but I have a feeling we will see a more direct approach this year.
