How optimistic do you feel compared to May?

[Cheshire Cat]

Less - but then I think I was getting all carried away on the back of the cup run and the results since Xmas.

Still optimistic though but suspect some patience will be needed in the first half of the season. We only need to be in and around the top 4 mid-way if we're going to put a run together in the second half to guarantee top 2.

 

[Revolution]

Less.

Loan players gone back, and their replacements not as good

Our best defender sold, his replacement not as good

Nothing much has been done to sort out our chronic inability to score

This is not a top 6 team at the moment

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I'll have a £100 bet with anyone that we don't go up.

Same old shite.

 

[leebaxters45mins]

Much, much less, as above, this is a 5-10th side in my opinion. We've lost most of our quality and the signings aren't of the same ilk. And still no striker. All in all it's been a poor transfer window and although there may not have been anything we could do about the Maguire situation, a lot of the blame should really lie with Clough for our inability to recruit well, if he did have the resources available. Must admit I thought his response to the question "Will you be able to reinvest the Maguire money?" was quite telling. He sort of uncomfortably said that he would 'have to discuss that' and that he might get 'part' of the money (or words to that effect). Got to say, this investment does seem very dubious, not what we had all hoped for anyway...Think Liverpool, game changing, substantial. Not convinced.

 

[Blade58]

The first sign of concern has hit me the last couple of days

We raise £2m from the sale of Harry but the net result is we probably have 3 of our best performers from last season missing

I'm sure Phipps said some time back that if Harry was sold, Clough would be allowed to reinvest the revenue raised back into the team

I don't see the logic of bringing in an 18 year old on loan, stifling perhaps our own promising lads opportunities

And why, when we have funds (supposedly) are we now looking at borrowing a striker instead of investing in our own?

This saga of searching for a "proven" striker seems to have been going on forever. God knows how long the search would continue if we didn't have any wonga?

 

[sheffielder]

I'll have a £100 bet with anyone that we don't go up.

Same old shite.

money goes to charity?

 

[sheffielder]

My only major concern right now, more than any goalscorer is a midfield of Basham and Doyle.

 

[alcoblade]

My only major concern right now, more than any goalscorer is a midfield of Basham and Doyle.

Perhaps Basham will offer more than Coady? We've yet to see.

Though you aren't a fan, Doyle was part of last years resurgence.

UTB

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

money goes to charity?

Mine won't if I win, that's a lot of money to me.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Mmmm, many are saying the team not as good as the one that finished. Maybe, yet to be seen.

On the other hand, the first dozen games can't be as bad as last season.

Division doesn't look as strong as last season. Some surprises may happen!

 

[wizadry]

I'm undecided as of yet,until we reinvest the money as some have elluded too,i'm not overly convinced,but i will try and reserve judgement until the end of August.

I'm trying my hardest hear but i just want to blurt loads of shit out.

Oh fuck it i'll leave it.

 

[sheffielder]

Perhaps Basham will offer more than Coady? We've yet to see.

Though you aren't a fan, Doyle was part of last years resurgence.

UTB

It's not necessarily Doyle, it's the two together.

 

[JOEYDEE]

BUT, 3 key players in the 2nd half of the season were Coady, Brayford and Maguire. They've been replaced by lots of potential, but not pure quality. Given the promise of investment, a money spinning cup run, a significant boost in season ticket sales and £2.5M from the sale of Maguire - can you really say that you're not a tad disappointed and are still as optimistic at this point?

If Clough is given a budget of £50, we might all have faith that he'll return value on that £50, but it won't be getting us promoted.

UTB

This ^^^
Although I think NC has brought some decent talent in,they all seem to be of the same ilk,
hardworking,solid and sensible ..which of course is no bad thing.
My only concern is obviously lack of a good experienced striker,but also someone in midfield/winger position,who gives us a bit of spark/unpredictability,even maybe off the bench type.
I know we have Jamel and Murph,but someone 'Brandyesque',obviously without the attitude,just maybe to turn the game when needed....a bit of a maverick ,if you will .

 

[wizadry]

This ^^^
Although I think NC has brought some decent talent in,they all seem to be of the same ilk,
hardworking,solid and sensible ..which of course is no bad thing.
My only concern is obviously lack of a good experienced striker,but also someone in midfield/winger position,who gives us a bit of spark/unpredictability,even maybe off the bench type.
I know we have Jamel and Murph,but someone 'Brandyesque',obviously without the attitude,just maybe to turn the game when needed....a bit of a maverick ,if you will .

Experienced striker hey,why not start a why no striker thread..........oh hang on a minute.

 

[JOEYDEE]

Experienced striker hey,why not start a why no striker thread..........oh hang on a minute.

GREAT idea Wiz,let me just check what recent threads i've started...Oh Bollocks !!!!!!!!!

 

[Grecian2000]

So just over a week to go to the start and only 1/6th of the 90 respondents are MORE optimistic!

That's quite a jolt from the end of last season. Too many of the best players out (I know, old leadboots Harry was complete shite and we'd be much better with Mark Blount BUT . . ) and a lot of unknowns in the mix. Not as happy today as I expected to be in May.

I know let's invent a new kit and take our minds of it.

 

[blader]

So just over a week to go to the start and only 1/6th of the 90 respondents are MORE optimistic!

That's quite a jolt from the end of last season. Too many of the best players out (I know, old leadboots Harry was complete shite and we'd be much better with Mark Blount BUT . . ) and a lot of unknowns in the mix. Not as happy today as I expected to be in May.

I know let's invent a new kit and take our minds of it.

I'm qute surprised it's as high as 1/6th really. This isn't 'do you feel optimistic' but 1 in 6 are MORE optimistic than at the end of last season. Quite strange considering the transfer window we're having.

 

[Grecian2000]

Yeah, but there are a number of posters who, if we sold the entire squad and replaced them with the Roly Polys, Legs and Co, Pans People and the female dancers from Strictly would think we were a shoe in for the league, before a ball is kicked. They'd only be accepting we weren't going to win the league when Babs Lord and Dee Dee Wilde were sold for peanuts in January.