Exciting times

[Rodley]

Got plenty of young talent in the squad at the moment with potential to really help us kick on. Che Adams looks to be emerging as a quality player and Calvert-Lewin has bags of potential. The likes of Scougall resurgent after second season syndrome and I think we'll see a lot more of McNulty. Can't wait for the season to start.

Chuck in peripheral players like Wallace, Coutts and even Higdon with a full preseason behind them and I think there's plenty of reasons to be cheerful. We're far less disjointed than things seemed last season at this time.

All we need is 2-3 signings and I really think things are looking promising. Bear in mind we finished in the top 6 with essentially a similar squad. It won't take much to push us on another level.

Got a good feeling about this coming season. UTB

 

[RichardKeys]

Last season's league was of a much poorer standard than this year's, and was there for the taking really... but I agree with you, we have a lot to be optimistic about. I think the preseason we are having bodes well for what lies ahead.

 

[Reedy1889]

Last season's league was of a much poorer standard than this year's, and was there for the taking really... but I agree with you, we have a lot to be optimistic about. I think the preseason we are having bodes well for what lies ahead.

Was it? I'd argue that this season the league is weaker than last.

 

[JohnDenver]

Preseasonitis. Bad case of.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Got plenty of young talent in the squad at the moment with potential to really help us kick on. Che Adams looks to be emerging as a quality player and Calvert-Lewin has bags of potential. The likes of Scougall resurgent after second season syndrome and I think we'll see a lot more of McNulty. Can't wait for the season to start.

Chuck in peripheral players like Wallace, Coutts and even Higdon with a full preseason behind them and I think there's plenty of reasons to be cheerful. We're far less disjointed than things seemed last season at this time.

All we need is 2-3 signings and I really think things are looking promising. Bear in mind we finished in the top 6 with essentially a similar squad. It won't take much to push us on another level.

Got a good feeling about this coming season. UTB

Hope you're right Rodley. My main interest is whether Wallace (J) has finally recovered from his long-term injuries. Yes, I do grasp the necessity for decent defensive cover, but I want us to have a midfield that doesn't simply turn up, but one that not only manages to get a grip of a game, but be able to provide ammunition, support our attacking play, and when called upon, pick up and mark players to help our defence. It won't simply be down to Wallace of course, but from all accounts he's such a dynamic player that I hope some of this will rub off on those alongside of him. There's also Cuvelier who shares similar attributes, so maybe with those two fit and eager to make up for lost time, we could have two excellent players who bring much needed qualities to our performances.

Last season our midfield was not even work in progress. It was at best a patchwork quilt, never knowing, just like the defence, who was playing week in, week out. Let's hope our manager believes in something close to a settled side where possible. At this time of the year we can see many reasons to get excited about, but it's early days, and as yet the serious business hasn't even begun. Soon that will change and we'll begin to get a sense of whether we have the makings of a team who will finally deliver at last. No doubt there will be incoming players (I hope!), but we'll soon know whether the signs are positive or whether we're once again destined to underwhelm.

 

[Barney]

2 new centre backs, Billy arriving, along with our young players coming through, and I think that would be enough to go up. I'd maybe sign 1 or 2 more though whether it be this window or January just in case.

 

[OllyBlade]

Last season's league was of a much poorer standard than this year's, and was there for the taking really... but I agree with you, we have a lot to be optimistic about. I think the preseason we are having bodes well for what lies ahead.

Odd thing to say before you've seen 90% of the teams play this season. With Preston and MK Dons, 2 of the more consistently strong teams in recent seasons, going up along with Bristol City, one of the 'bigger' clubs for League One, it might be tempting to conclude the opposite is true. Especially when considering that some of the teams coming down look to be in a real mess, especially Blackpool. But we really won't know until the season get's under way? In my opinion the real missed opportunity was 12/13, in terms of the strength of the division. There were no really superb teams that season but we could never build up a head of steam.