Will we be competitive in the Championship next year?

[Jimmy Fleck]

Will we?..

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

I see nothing to indicate that we will.

 

[bongleblade]

define competitive

 

[bongleblade]

will we compete? well yes of course unless we are banned somehow (football gods...)

will we compete for the title/promotion? i’m doubtful... i could well see us doing worse than bournemouth... they were an established pl, have a competitive epl squad assembled, and we have sweet fuck all compared but in a very similar position in terms of long-term manager leaving... plus theres going to be a mass exodus this summer imo

 

[wavy-blade]

We will win it , printing money

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

It's a 'yes' from me.

 

[Sheffsteel]

It’s really tricky to predict. We have decent players but no system and zero confidence.
Nothing would surprise me....I can imagine us being promoted but I can also imagine us being relegated again.

Suspect the manager appointment will be make or break.
We need someone with drive and personality...who can get the fans on side.

 

[ThatJa]

I see nothing to indicate that we will.

I see nothing to indicate we won't

 

[Nine Inch Nalis]

I see nothing to indicate we won't

Hmm...I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I see no other choice:

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Maybe. Changing manager and shape will make it harder

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Hmm...I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I see no other choice:

View attachment 109014

Accept the challenge JL94x4 - show us your moves!

 

[Snowflake]

I see nothing to indicate that we will.

....other than a squad, when fit, of players who came 9th in Premiership.
The danger is we may lose one or two key players without decent replacements.
Being competitive would simply put us in the top half, but if the yardstick is pushing for promotion then I think we will but only as one of seven or eight teams.

 

[Guesty]

Absolutely not. The squad, such as it is now, will be stripped in the Summer. All hopes will be pinned on certain players discovering their mojo all at once, and I just can't see it.

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

No

 

[Silent Blade]

 

[CarlMcBlade]

So long as we can get back to our beloved BDTBL. Win, lose or draw, it doesn’t really matter to me. I so miss my days out at the lane .

 

[3-GBlade]

Top 3 or bottom 3
I really can only see its gonna be shit or bust......

 

[S40BLADE]

Think it will take a transfer window and managerial appointment before I make any predictions.

 

[Micky Narker]

Like S40BLADE said, hard to make predictions until we see how the lads/new manager are shaping up early doors. If they are still around the likes of Brewster and McBurnie HAVE to find their shooting boots, hopefully the midfield gets freshened up/players rediscover their form and Egan/JOC don't get crocked.

Feeling nervous about the whole thing, but hopefully the lads do a Norwich rather than a Portsmouth.

 

[Champagneblade]

It's just important we don't scrimp on the managerial appointment.

It's the most important role in the club. Go all out for Jokanovic or whoever the best is and the rest will fall into place.

Go cheap and we'll be mid table.

 

[Delboyscap]

Get the right manager and no reason why you can't challenge for the top 6 at least. I don't see you struggling at the wrong end, but mid-table if the choice of manger is not great. A manager that has a track record for bring through young players would be a great choice right now.

 

[PaulHalfway]

We would definitely need a Duffy type of player who can create and score from midfield
If we keep the majority of the current squad, say apart from Berge, get some confidence back and free from injuries I don’t see any reason why we can’t have a very good season

 

[blade67]

It’s really tricky to predict. We have decent players but no system and zero confidence.
Nothing would surprise me....I can imagine us being promoted but I can also imagine us being relegated again.

Suspect the manager appointment will be make or break.
We need someone with drive and personality...who can get the fans on side.

This. I voted yes, because I want to be optimistic.

We will end the season with a squad of players that looks top end championship on paper, with lots of players who have previously been very good at that level here and elsewhere.

However, as a squad they have some big issues around confidence etc and also we aren't sure how many of those players will still be here in September.

Fuck knows would have been an equally valid response

 

[Nosworthys Throw]

We're gonna smash it, Blades march on

 

[Carlton Blade]

Competitive? Of course. Uncompetitive teams get relegated. If you genuinely think that's going to happen you might be taking the Wilder "funeral" a bit too hard and aren't paying attention to just how fucked financially all of the non top 8 PL teams are.

Anywhere between 1st and 16th. Because there are loads of unknowns. But certainly competitive

 

[metalblade]

It's a YES from me.
I really don't understand all the doom and gloom from some posters they must spend lockdown watching Eastenders box sets or have suicidal tendencies.
While the squad needs major surgery we do have very good players for Championship level. The new manager will have a lot to work with even if as seems inevitable one or two of our best player could leave.
Two of the keepers need to go ideally we keep Ramsdale and Verrips.
The defence needs a huge clear out Stevens, Robinson, Lowe and Jags need to go for starters even so I think we would have enough with the players that remain plus RND back from Luton.
Midfield is the key area we have to improve. I expect Berge to go for sure, for me the only definite keep would be Fleck. Lundstram will be leaving hopefully with a good kick up the arse as he goes out the door along with Rodwell. I wouldn't lose any sleep if Norwood is on his bike too same for Freeman as I don't see Forest wanting him from what I hear. We need to bring in 3-4 solid performers at this level players not scared to run at defences, get forward and show a bit of flair.
In attack I think we will be OK with McGoldrick, McBurnie and Brewster have scored loads at this level no reason they can't do so again. I think Billy is done apart from 10mins off the bench get rid of Moose and Usain Burke yeah we lose a lot of pace but surely there are better players available with that pace.
As long has we get good replacements for anyone we lose we will be OK, you never know we may just hold on to our best players for next season, why the hell are some predicting a fire sale the club has never been healthier financially.

 

[ancientblade]

good post metal spot on although im still not convinced mcburnie is ever gonna do it for us i would expect at least 3 to be sold and 5 or 6 moved on but your right midfield is the key area for recruitment its because we didnt add players in this area thats cost us our premier league place im hoping its jakonovic or howe none of the others are good enough imo utb fto

 

[Stu_Blade]

I voted yes too not going to be easy but if we can have a good uninterrupted preseason I can't see why we can't be competitive

 

[Boxer Blade]

I will wait and see who our manager, coaching set up, new players and who we keep before having an idea what to realistic expect

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

It's a YES from me.
I really don't understand all the doom and gloom from some posters they must spend lockdown watching Eastenders box sets or have suicidal tendencies.
While the squad needs major surgery we do have very good players for Championship level. The new manager will have a lot to work with even if as seems inevitable one or two of our best player could leave.
Two of the keepers need to go ideally we keep Ramsdale and Verrips.
The defence needs a huge clear out Stevens, Robinson, Lowe and Jags need to go for starters even so I think we would have enough with the players that remain plus RND back from Luton.
Midfield is the key area we have to improve. I expect Berge to go for sure, for me the only definite keep would be Fleck. Lundstram will be leaving hopefully with a good kick up the arse as he goes out the door along with Rodwell. I wouldn't lose any sleep if Norwood is on his bike too same for Freeman as I don't see Forest wanting him from what I hear. We need to bring in 3-4 solid performers at this level players not scared to run at defences, get forward and show a bit of flair.
In attack I think we will be OK with McGoldrick, McBurnie and Brewster have scored loads at this level no reason they can't do so again. I think Billy is done apart from 10mins off the bench get rid of Moose and Usain Burke yeah we lose a lot of pace but surely there are better players available with that pace.
As long has we get good replacements for anyone we lose we will be OK, you never know we may just hold on to our best players for next season, why the hell are some predicting a fire sale the club has never been healthier financially.

Just the mention of a Eastenders boxset had me reaching for the phone to call my therapist and another thing - why are there no subtitles for the hard of cockney or at least have it dubbed into northern.