wardonia_blade
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I expect automatic promotion next season. My optimism is based on good manager, good performances since Christmas, money from the cup run, money from the owners (?), weaker league etc.
This has led me to look back on the outcomes of other seasons that I have gone into with great expectations:
1970-71
The previous season gave the first indications that this United team really could play. Murdered champions Everton in the cup and some big league wins but fell away in the final run-in. 1970-71 had a slow start but when the team got going there was no stopping them. Harris strengthened the team principally by bringing in Trevor Hockey and he inspired a glorious finale. Optimism totally justified.
1975-76
Consistent good performances in the previous season led to a top 6 finish and just missing out on Europe. South stand completed, Guthrie signed to get on the end of Woodward’s crosses and my optimism shared by many others with record season ticket sales. The season was a total disaster with relegation certain by September. An aging team were running on empty, looking to one final payday in the USA and replacements could not be funded to the (absolutely essential) ground expenditure. Jinking Jimmy Johnstone was brought in but he had become Drinking Jimmy Johnstone. He was reported to be on more money than Currie and Woodward who both asked for transfers as a result. Optimism destroyed by the worst season in the club’s history IMO.
1978-79
I must have recovered from the trauma of 1975-76 as I was totally taken in by the pre-season transfer activity and hype, especially the revolutionary Argentinian aspect that brought in Sabella. Had I been a little more football savvy I may have noticed that the younger players like Edwards, Stainrod and (later) Varadi were being replaced by injury prone journeymen like Finnieston, Anderson and Matthews. The opening day brought a 2-1 home defeat by Orient, Sabella was too lightweight for this tough, physical league and my optimism was rewarded by our first ever dip into division 3.
1996-97
United ended 1995-96 in good shape with Howard Kendall using McDonald money to turn United into a good footballing team, with a rapid turnround in personnel that is no longer possible with the transfer window system. Further investment was misplaced however with Ebbrell and Henry costing a total outlay of £3m with no return. The team made the play-offs but the performance against Palace at Wembley was as flat as the rest of the season, with no away wins after Christmas. Optimism not devastated but a big let down.
2005-06
This was optimism born out of desperation. The glory of 2003 was becoming a memory, 2004-5 was shocking and we just had to go up this year. The Board backed Warnock with Ifill and the team got off to a flying start. Journeyman Shipperley was the star turn though and had we replaced him permanently with new signings Akinbiyi or Horsfield (another £3m down the drain IMO) we would not have gone up. Assisted greatly Watford and Leeds matching our poor late season results we scraped over the line. Good under pressure effort by Warnock though as the Championship is not easy to get out of (upwards that is) and optimised delivered.
2014-15
??
This has led me to look back on the outcomes of other seasons that I have gone into with great expectations:
1970-71
The previous season gave the first indications that this United team really could play. Murdered champions Everton in the cup and some big league wins but fell away in the final run-in. 1970-71 had a slow start but when the team got going there was no stopping them. Harris strengthened the team principally by bringing in Trevor Hockey and he inspired a glorious finale. Optimism totally justified.
1975-76
Consistent good performances in the previous season led to a top 6 finish and just missing out on Europe. South stand completed, Guthrie signed to get on the end of Woodward’s crosses and my optimism shared by many others with record season ticket sales. The season was a total disaster with relegation certain by September. An aging team were running on empty, looking to one final payday in the USA and replacements could not be funded to the (absolutely essential) ground expenditure. Jinking Jimmy Johnstone was brought in but he had become Drinking Jimmy Johnstone. He was reported to be on more money than Currie and Woodward who both asked for transfers as a result. Optimism destroyed by the worst season in the club’s history IMO.
1978-79
I must have recovered from the trauma of 1975-76 as I was totally taken in by the pre-season transfer activity and hype, especially the revolutionary Argentinian aspect that brought in Sabella. Had I been a little more football savvy I may have noticed that the younger players like Edwards, Stainrod and (later) Varadi were being replaced by injury prone journeymen like Finnieston, Anderson and Matthews. The opening day brought a 2-1 home defeat by Orient, Sabella was too lightweight for this tough, physical league and my optimism was rewarded by our first ever dip into division 3.
1996-97
United ended 1995-96 in good shape with Howard Kendall using McDonald money to turn United into a good footballing team, with a rapid turnround in personnel that is no longer possible with the transfer window system. Further investment was misplaced however with Ebbrell and Henry costing a total outlay of £3m with no return. The team made the play-offs but the performance against Palace at Wembley was as flat as the rest of the season, with no away wins after Christmas. Optimism not devastated but a big let down.
2005-06
This was optimism born out of desperation. The glory of 2003 was becoming a memory, 2004-5 was shocking and we just had to go up this year. The Board backed Warnock with Ifill and the team got off to a flying start. Journeyman Shipperley was the star turn though and had we replaced him permanently with new signings Akinbiyi or Horsfield (another £3m down the drain IMO) we would not have gone up. Assisted greatly Watford and Leeds matching our poor late season results we scraped over the line. Good under pressure effort by Warnock though as the Championship is not easy to get out of (upwards that is) and optimised delivered.
2014-15
??
