This season

[RossingtonBlade]

If Wilder brings in all his targets I can easily see us pushing for top 10. Lenihan, Leonard and a couple of players further up the pitch will make us an exciting team to watch. Togetherness will be key this season and I really hope McCabe puts in further funds in Jan to push on for a play off spot

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

If Wilder brings in all his targets I can easily see us pushing for top 10. Lenihan, Leonard and a couple of players further up the pitch will make us an exciting team to watch. Togetherness will be key this season and I really hope McCabe puts in further funds in Jan to push on for a play off spot

Why would you want to spend money on only half a season?

If funds are available spend now and get 46 games out of them instead of just the last 20 odd?

 

[RossingtonBlade]

Why would you want to spend money on only half a season?

If funds are available spend now and get 46 games out of them instead of just the last 20 odd?

No, I mean if we are in a position where it's possible to get a play off spot then he needs to provide them funds to get the players in to do so. The same goes if we are in and around the bottom 6

 

[robbiez666]

We've not signed these players yet. Steady on.

I really don't know how we'll do next season. My instinct it around the middle of the table. Maybe just under.

We really need a fast start. But more so (and given the momentum and the sluggish start clubs often have to the season, I feel it's likely that we'll start well), we need to maintain this. I think we're likely to have a strong August. Maybe a very strong one. The test will come after that, when every club is up to speed.

Personally, I'd like us to complete the majority of our business this month, with the option of bringing one or two loans in if needed before the end of August.

 

[Tom Traubert]

think we will surprise one or two early on , get some momentum and see where it takes us .fookin hope so anyway.utb

 

[Cerberus Blade]

If Wilder brings in all his targets I can easily see us pushing for top 10. Lenihan, Leonard and a couple of players further up the pitch will make us an exciting team to watch. Togetherness will be key this season and I really hope McCabe puts in further funds in Jan to push on for a play off spot

I can see us being top 8 or 10 now without further additions. If we can add a bit more then who knows?

 

[ghandi]

I can see us being top 8 or 10 now without further additions. If we can add a bit more then who knows?

I think we will be in the top 4 after 10 games until the end of the season. I honestly don't think there is much in this division.

 

[Bartleby]

Really hard to call, I've got no idea this time where we'll finish. My head says it could be anywhere, my heart says top two

 

[8lade]

No, I mean if we are in a position where it's possible to get a play off spot then he needs to provide them funds to get the players in to do so. The same goes if we are in and around the bottom 6

I agree, by January any weaknesses will have been identified and maybe there will be scope to push on, if the right players are available.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Why would you want to spend money on only half a season?

If funds are available spend now and get 46 games out of them instead of just the last 20 odd?

Disagree Grumpy.

The problem is we don't know for sure how our defence, midfield or attack will cope.
We have loads of players with potential who could be great or struggle in the Championship.

I think it's essential we hold some funds back so we have a good January transfer window.
Then we will know exactly who will sink or swim in the new league.
There's always surprises, for example Jake Wright was only bought as back up but he was an integral part of the defence.

I think we'll finish 8th or 9th but the great thing is that I've not got a clue ha ha.
It really wouldnt surprise me though if we finished in the playoffs because my heart says really Wilder/ Knill are special, really looking forward to seeing our team tested next season because let's face it, last season was so so easy.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I think we will be in the top 4 after 10 games until the end of the season. I honestly don't think there is much in this division.

Nice one Mahatma!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Disagree Grumpy.

The problem is we don't know for sure how our defence, midfield or attack will cope.
We have loads of players with potential who could be great or struggle in the Championship.

I think it's essential we hold some funds back so we have a good January transfer window.
Then we will know exactly who will sink or swim in the new league.
There's always surprises, for example Jake Wright was only bought as back up but he was an integral part of the defence.

Why do you say that when 19 of them have played at Championship or higher before?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Why do you say that when 19 of them have played at Championship or higher before?

Agree that 19 have experience of playing in the Championship (which is important) but that's different from saying they are experienced Championship players.

I've checked the stats, the quoted amounts in the other thread look quite impressive but it's slightly misleading.

Some of those appearances were years ago
And also subs appearances were included, actual starts was much smaller.

Almost EVERY player (apart from Lafferty, Sharp and Stearman ) have played the bulk of their careers (more than 50% of starts) in the lower divisions.

 

[Ricky]

If Wilder gets all his targets maybe we'll finish in the top 10, maybe not, but what's for sure is that the squad will be looking absolutely fantastic compared to what we could've expected it to by this point when Wilder first took over. It's already looking good. It's a Championship squad. It's dramatically improved in every department, we've got what we've wanted for years and have a proper platform to build from now. This alone is very satisfying. A high league finish would be a bonus.

 

[Sheffsteel]

If Wilder gets all his targets maybe we'll finish in the top 10, maybe not, but what's for sure is that the squad will be looking absolutely fantastic compared to what we could've expected it to by this point when Wilder first took over. It's already looking good. It's a Championship squad. It's dramatically improved in every department, we've got what we've wanted for years and have a proper platform to build from now. This alone is very satisfying. A high league finish would be a bonus.

Totally agree.
As someone else said, for me this season is a free role of the dice.
The only pressure is not to get relegated which I'm sure we'll manage comfortably.

So it's going to be really enjoyable going to BL with no "real' pressure.
It wouldn't surprise me if we continue to play an open expressive free flowing style.

 

[Ricky]

So it's going to be really enjoyable going to BL with no "real' pressure.

I'd like to think so. But pressure will be created if we're below 12th. It just won't be good enough for some.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

I'd like to think so. But pressure will be created if we're below 12th. It just won't be good enough for some.

Sorry Herb,don't agree. We have hopes,we have expectations and we have demands. Staying up is a decent season bottom line. I believe we'll do well,but have seen absolutely nothing to indicate unrest below 12tyh.
We will be fired to finish abovr the pigs. Wilder will demand it.

 

[Tuns25]

No pressure on Wilder unless battling relegation. Some decent dosh likely to be required to bring in at least one skilful athletic striker who can do some damage without it being served on a plate, if we're to give it a real go above 12th.

 

[sufcboy95]

Very surprised at how optimistic some of the fans are. Personally I'd be very surprised if were in the top half with the current team

 

[Liverpool blade]

Very surprised at how optimistic some of the fans are. Personally I'd be very surprised if were in the top half with the current team

I'm trying to curb my optimism for the new season!!. I just don't know how we will do?. One thing is certain though--!. Wilder will have all the players ready for the challenge!. We also know that wilder will never accept second best!. He's a Winner and he will have instilled that into the players!. Here's hoping for a good season?. I can't wait!!. UTB FTP

 

[BigBed]

I'm happy anywhere in the top 15 to be honest.

 

[SwissBlade]

If Wilder gets all his targets maybe we'll finish in the top 10, maybe not, but what's for sure is that the squad will be looking absolutely fantastic compared to what we could've expected it to by this point when Wilder first took over. It's already looking good. It's a Championship squad. It's dramatically improved in every department, we've got what we've wanted for years and have a proper platform to build from now. This alone is very satisfying. A high league finish would be a bonus.

I can see the current squad achieving top 10. We'll need a bit of luck and i think we're not quite covered for injuries - GK, Centre Half and Centre Mid, but we're not far off.

I'm with Kev Gage on this one, Ched is looking lean, but i'll go further and say that from photos i've seen, the squad looks prep'd fitness wise, footballing wise we'll be ready and if there will be a fitter team than us, i'll be surprised.

Wilder and the squad tasted glory last season and i don't think they are a squad to rest.

 

[blade too long]

well keep reading posts about our total lack of pace and vulnerability with the defenders we have
those worrying should watch the video of wednesdays narrow win at mansfield

seen dinosaurs move faster than wednesdays back 4
and they finished 4th

 

[Ricky]

I can see the current squad achieving top 10. We'll need a bit of luck and i think we're not quite covered for injuries - GK, Centre Half and Centre Mid, but we're not far off.

I'm with Kev Gage on this one, Ched is looking lean, but i'll go further and say that from photos i've seen, the squad looks prep'd fitness wise, footballing wise we'll be ready and if there will be a fitter team than us, i'll be surprised.

Wilder and the squad tasted glory last season and i don't think they are a squad to rest.

Based on the Malaga game the squad looks in great shape and prepared in every way.

Quality wise we don't have a top 10 squad yet, we probably won't do after all the signings are made, but it wouldn't surprise me if we finish quite high up, because very few will have what we've got in terms of manager/squad mentality/momentum.

 

[snootyfenooty]

United will catch a lot of teams on the hop for the first couple of months. This will be due to the fitness level and attacking style of play (assuming Wilder has the balls to stick with it). This will leave us in a healthy position come October but the crux is whether we can build on this from then on or if it just fizzles out once the oppo wises up to our style. If Wilder adopts an overly cautious style of play from day one then I anticipate a Nigel-type season - no danger in going down but expect some turgid stuff.

 

[SwissBlade]

United will catch a lot of teams on the hop for the first couple of months. This will be due to the fitness level and attacking style of play (assuming Wilder has the balls to stick with it). This will leave us in a healthy position come October but the crux is whether we can build on this from then on or if it just fizzles out once the oppo wises up to our style. If Wilder adopts an overly cautious style of play from day one then I anticipate a Nigel-type season - no danger in going down but expect some turgid stuff.

I think Wilder has shown that he's very adaptable. He's not shown that he's too stubborn to change but similarly he's shown that he's got confidence in the players and the set up to come good as well.

We started last season with a few players which it just didn't work with at that time, changes made and things clicked.

Also players like Clarke, crap and unfit most of the season, left him out to work on things and comes back firing

Wilder has a knack of getting things right

 

[snootyfenooty]

I think Wilder has shown that he's very adaptable. He's not shown that he's too stubborn to change but similarly he's shown that he's got confidence in the players and the set up to come good as well.

We started last season with a few players which it just didn't work with at that time, changes made and things clicked.

Also players like Clarke, crap and unfit most of the season, left him out to work on things and comes back firing

Wilder has a knack of getting things right

Kind of reinforces what I said in a roundabout way. We started last season with a conventional formation, which didn't work. We then changed to a formation which eventually destroyed the division, although it took a few games before it clicked. What I was trying to say was that reverting to a conventional set up would be a retrograde step but we should be fine if we carry on where we left off. Our biggest advantage, certainly at the start of the season, will be that we are largely unknown ex-league 1 upstarts and we could capitalise on that if we get our tactics right.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Very surprised at how optimistic some of the fans are. Personally I'd be very surprised if were in the top half with the current team

Very surprised at how pessimistic some of our fans are,especially after the season we have just had and the manager we have,personally I'd be very surprised if we weren't top half,pushing for the play offs with the current team

 

[SwissBlade]

Kind of reinforces what I said in a roundabout way. We started last season with a conventional formation, which didn't work. We then changed to a formation which eventually destroyed the division, although it took a few games before it clicked. What I was trying to say was that reverting to a conventional set up would be a retrograde step but we should be fine if we carry on where we left off. Our biggest advantage, certainly at the start of the season, will be that we are largely unknown ex-league 1 upstarts and we could capitalise on that if we get our tactics right.

I think we'll probably see the evolution as the season goes on. The big positive (others may see it as a negative though if results don't go right to start) is that he's built on the squad we have rather than change out a lot. Starting 11 this season could be ending 11 from last season, thats a big plus. Familiarity.

But i think we can expect a few new faces in January, regardless

 

[RMBlade]

I think the bulk of the team from last season will start this season. From the signings we have made so far I can see Stearman coming in for Wright and maybe Stevens for Lafferty.

With the players we are publicly linked with I can't see any of them coming straight into the squad either. That doesn't mean they won't earn a starting berth further down the line.

I think we will start with.

---------Clarke----Sharp--------
---------------Duffy----------------
---------Fleck------Coutts-------
Stevens---------------Freeman
---JOC--Stearman--- Bash---
--------------Moore---------------

I would be fairly happy with that as a starting 11. I think with that team we would finish 10th-15th. If we can add a back up GK, CB and CM I think we have plenty of cover.

My main concern (not so much a concern because I believe we will be fine) is whether there are enough goals in our strikers. Billy is probably our most likely source of goals but Clarke, Evans and Lavery could go either way. I don't think there are guaranteed goals from any of our strikers apart from Billy.