Think this season will be very challenging

Nosmo-King · August 18, 2023, 10:36:01 AM

OK, Blott, get ready to respond! I think this season will be a great challenge for us - and a let down on last season. Why? Because I can't see we have one player the opposition will fear. No Akpom, Archer, Ramsey, Giles and this takes the potency out of the team - and, in turn, we now offer very little to fear.

Some may cite Rogers. True, he can run with the ball but if what we've seen of his shooting ability then defenders and keepers have absolutely nothing to fear.

Hopefully, our new striker can be accustomed to the rigors of the Championship to help make his mark.I really hope he does - as he could be the one diamond in the pack.

It really is - to me- we have assembled a squad of promise and relinquished the undoubted quality we possessed. If this is our statement of intent - then it ain't too promising.

Redsteel (Moderator) · August 18, 2023, 10:50:46 AM

If what we have now is it for the season, then we are lower to mid-table. That isn't being pessimistic, it's a valuation of the squad from last season to this one. I don't think, we all know we are still short of quality in midfield and up top as well as a RB in my opinion. There maybe one more money signing coming in but a lot is going to depend on what we capture in the loan market. The loans have to be players that are a cut above, like Archer, Ramsey etc for us to reach top 6. Forget top two, that isn't happening this season. I think Quntzy made a decent point, we could be gearing up for next season as a serious push. Its highly likely we will have sheff utd and luton down next season, and they will not be strong like the 3 relegated teams this term, putting us in a stronger position next season. I'm happy to go along with that, building this season for a good push next. Reading between the lines of Carricks interview the other day, the bigger picture certainly looks towards this scenario.

Francks left peg · August 18, 2023, 10:53:26 AM

We have lost 40 goals. Can't see us replacing all 40.

erimus74 · August 18, 2023, 10:56:03 AM

Nosmo-king, I can see where you're coming from, look at the players you've listed it shows a massive hole in our starting 11, every one of those players would be a guarenteed starter in any other Championship team, as you say teams were wary of us before a ball was kicked

But on the other hand, Akpom was training with the U21's & told by Wilder to find himself a club, even NW sent him out on loan, with the vast majority of fans saying the famous quote, if clubs show any interest "I'll drive him there myself"

Archer & Ramsey done well at previous loan clubs, Preston & Norwich respectively, but nothing to what we seen from them, Giles started off like a house on fire then from the turn of the year, sort of struggled, mind his defending has to go down as bad as Coulsons

What i'm clumsly trying to say, without belittling your post, is that until the window finally closes we dont know what Boro we'll have come September, the new lad Engle could be an upgrade on Giles in that he can whip a ball in the box & defend, Latte could be as good as Archer/Akpom

If Carrick is as good as folk make him out to be & I will say again & again, he starts learning now, now that he's had a honeymoon period & other teams will have worked how he sets his teams up, if he brings in the right clientelle we'll do ok, not top 2, even with those players you mentioned I still didnt think we would challenge to go up automatically, think Leicester will be far to to good for this league, possibly Saints too

erimus74 · August 18, 2023, 11:00:24 AM

As Franks Left peg rightly pointed out, we wont be replacing 40 goals, maybe it just clicked the once, its the conceding so many preventable goals is the area he has to work on, last seasons 40 goals was a dream season, gifting goals is to be looked at if the club want to progress

Blott · August 18, 2023, 11:02:26 AM

Quote from: Nosmo-King on August 18, 2023, 10:36:01 AMOK, Blott, get ready to respond! I think this season will be a great challenge for us - and a let down on last season. Why? Because I can't see we have one player the opposition will fear. No Akpom, Archer, Ramsey, Giles and this takes the potency out of the team - and, in turn, we now offer very little to fear.

Some may cite Rogers. True, he can run with the ball but if what we've seen of his shooting ability then defenders and keepers have absolutely nothing to fear.

Hopefully, our new striker can be accustomed to the rigors of the Championship to help make his mark.I really hope he does - as he could be the one diamond in the pack.

It really is - to me- we have assembled a squad of promise and relinquished the undoubted quality we possessed. If this is our statement of intent - then it ain't too promising.

nothing to disagree with there. For what it's worth I thought we hit it lucky last year. None thought Akbom would score that many.

I am fingers crossed for this season.

Where we disagree is the running of the club.

Nosmo-King · August 18, 2023, 11:07:08 AM

Good man, Blott!

LIDDLE_TOWERS999 · August 18, 2023, 11:11:40 AM

JUST WAIT TILL THE INJURYS START TO PILE UP 😔🙄😔

OUR SQUAD IS VERY WEEK AND IF WE LET COBURN GO BACK OUT ON LOAN WELL THEN THEY CAN FUCK OFF

erimus74 · August 18, 2023, 11:21:20 AM

Quote from: Blott on August 18, 2023, 11:02:26 AM
Quote from: Nosmo-King on August 18, 2023, 10:36:01 AMOK, Blott, get ready to respond! I think this season will be a great challenge for us - and a let down on last season. Why? Because I can't see we have one player the opposition will fear. No Akpom, Archer, Ramsey, Giles and this takes the potency out of the team - and, in turn, we now offer very little to fear.

Some may cite Rogers. True, he can run with the ball but if what we've seen of his shooting ability then defenders and keepers have absolutely nothing to fear.

Hopefully, our new striker can be accustomed to the rigors of the Championship to help make his mark.I really hope he does - as he could be the one diamond in the pack.

It really is - to me- we have assembled a squad of promise and relinquished the undoubted quality we possessed. If this is our statement of intent - then it ain't too promising.
nothing to disagree with there. For what it's worth I thought we hit it lucky last year. None thought Akbom would score that many.

I am fingers crossed for this season.

Where we disagree is the running of the club.

I think Akpom suprised himself TBH, everyting he touched seemed to turn to gold & in all honesty, £12m is a good wedge of money, if usable mind, to strenghten other areas & we have Akpom who left good memories & on good terms with the fans, even though he should have kept quiet about wanting to stay, whereas, if hed have stayed & returned to "couldnt hit a barn door etc" then he would have had the fans turn on him & an unhappy out of form player

Think it qas the right time for all to move on but as I say, the usable money, it has to be spent wisely

Smoggers51 · August 18, 2023, 12:03:44 PM

I think we exceeded our expectations last season ( even mine )I was given to understand that appointing Carrick was a 4 year plan to build up a team ready for push next season.The big problem with us is we don't have the finances to bring in marquee signings,so we have gone for younger cheaper players,I see this season as a consolidation season ,maybe top ten and then push next season.The danger with relying on loan players is the old double edged sword dilemma,( they play well and this in turn pushes their value up and prices them out of our reach.I still say we need an old head in midfield because particulary in the run in last season and also the first few games of this season we struggled to control the midfield at times which in turn puts more pressure on our defence.Saturdays game could be a pivotal point in our season ,win and the pressure eases slightly but lose and that starts to make the crowd and players jittery and anxious.My faith is still in Carrick.UTB!!!

Francks left peg · August 18, 2023, 01:13:22 PM

Quote from: Smoggers51 on August 18, 2023, 12:03:44 PMI think we exceeded our expectations last season ( even mine )I was given to understand that appointing Carrick was a 4 year plan to build up a team ready for push next season.The big problem with us is we don't have the finances to bring in marquee signings,so we have gone for younger cheaper players,I see this season as a consolidation season ,maybe top ten and then push next season.The danger with relying on loan players is the old double edged sword dilemma,( they play well and this in turn pushes their value up and prices them out of our reach.I still say we need an old head in midfield because particulary in the run in last season and also the first few games of this season we struggled to control the midfield at times which in turn puts more pressure on our defence.Saturdays game could be a pivotal point in our season ,win and the pressure eases slightly but lose and that starts to make the crowd and players jittery and anxious.My faith is still in Carrick.UTB!!!

I agree 100%. The plan has been to use the new approach to build a team. One that Carrick hoepfully wants and doesn't feel like players have been thrust upon him. Won't happen overnight with this approach as Brighton and Brentford fans could tell you. Admittedly, I think we are worse off this year. But as Erimus rightly pointed out, Chuba wouldn't even have expected to have that type of season and the window is still open. I'm keeping positive. Hoepfully the recruitment team but us better than we have let go, UTFB!