Are we yet better ? (2 Viewers)

[cooperskyblue]

I also think it is fair to believe that some of our current players will be better than they were last year, O'hare, Hyam, Rose, Dabo, Shipley, all haven't hit their ceiling and can improve even more. Add in Allen who should be fit from the start of the season compared to last season and the return of Jodi Jones I believe yes we are stronger. But ofcourse we do need another CDM and a Striker but then I think we are good to go.

 

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[Great_Expectations]

I would say we’re getting there

McCallum was a loss, but while I think he’ll go far, his boots aren’t the biggest to fill. He improved as the season went on, but he wasn’t an absolute stand out for me nor absolutely pivotal to our success. The key is whether Giles is a good enough replacement; going forward I’d say yes, but defensively no. Fortunately playing three at the back mitigates that somewhat, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mason play more this year.

Walsh is a big loss, but let’s not forget some people weren’t sure of him at first and it took a while for people to see how good he was. Hamer is an unknown but he looked good against Rangers. We don’t know if he’ll be an improvement yet, but let’s be optimistic and assume he is. And let’s not rule out a Walsh return just yet.

I wouldn’t compare Westbrooke and Hillsner, they seem different players to me. Hillsner is obviously a gamble, as technically he looks good, but whether he can up the other aspects of his game we’ll see. Personally I think he will; the Championship is better suited to technical players than L1.

Ostergard is an improvement on a position I feel we’re already strong in anyway.

We’ve kept all of our permanent stands outs from last year and signed one that wasn’t (O’Hare) and the squad has bags of potential that will hopefully continue to develop this year; playing against better players on better pitches, after a really confidence boosting season, combined with the team unity and familiarity all holds us in good stead.

The big gap is a striker, I wasn’t always convinced about Godden last year but he did his job in scoring goals, so who’s to say he can’t step up. I’m a Bakayoko fan, as I see the potential there, but this year he needs to combine all those attributes else he won’t last long. Biamou is a great option to have as a super sub/different option - again he’s technically very sound so I believe he’ll step up. But ultimately we need another in, but so do the majority of teams in the world; everyone wants that 20 goal a season striker. Let’s be patient and see who MR/AV/CB have up their sleeves.

Top half finish this year, play offs next.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I would say we’re getting there

McCallum was a loss, but while I think he’ll go far, his boots aren’t the biggest to fill. He improved as the season went on, but he wasn’t an absolute stand out for me nor absolutely pivotal to our success. The key is whether Giles is a good enough replacement; going forward I’d say yes, but defensively no. Fortunately playing three at the back mitigates that somewhat, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mason play more this year.

Walsh is a big loss, but let’s not forget some people weren’t sure of him at first and it took a while for people to see how good he was. Hamer is an unknown but he looked good against Rangers. We don’t know if he’ll be an improvement yet, but let’s be optimistic and assume he is. And let’s not rule out a Walsh return just yet.

I wouldn’t compare Westbrooke and Hillsner, they seem different players to me. Hillsner is obviously a gamble, as technically he looks good, but whether he can up the other aspects of his game we’ll see. Personally I think he will; the Championship is better suited to technical players than L1.

Ostergard is an improvement on a position I feel we’re already strong in anyway.

We’ve kept all of our permanent stands outs from last year and signed one that wasn’t (O’Hare) and the squad has bags of potential that will hopefully continue to develop this year; playing against better players on better pitches, after a really confidence boosting season, combined with the team unity and familiarity all holds us in good stead.

The big gap is a striker, I wasn’t always convinced about Godden last year but he did his job in scoring goals, so who’s to say he can’t step up. I’m a Bakayoko fan, as I see the potential there, but this year he needs to combine all those attributes else he won’t last long. Biamou is a great option to have as a super sub/different option - again he’s technically very sound so I believe he’ll step up. But ultimately we need another in, but so do the majority of teams in the world; everyone wants that 20 goal a season striker. Let’s be patient and see who MR/AV/CB have up their sleeves.

Top half finish this year, play offs next.

I agree with a lot of this but really don’t see much beyond a relegation battle which on balance I think we would manage. 21st would be a successful outing

 

[clint van damme]

Are we better- yes, definitely.
We're now a championship side not a L1 one.
The players are a little bit older, A little bit wiser and have a league win under their belt.

Are we good enough to survive in the Championship? Time will tell but I think we will.

 

[bawtryneal]

Judge and make a comment when the transfer window is closed.

 

[clint van damme]

I would say we’re getting there

McCallum was a loss, but while I think he’ll go far, his boots aren’t the biggest to fill. He improved as the season went on, but he wasn’t an absolute stand out for me nor absolutely pivotal to our success. The key is whether Giles is a good enough replacement; going forward I’d say yes, but defensively no. Fortunately playing three at the back mitigates that somewhat, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mason play more this year.

Walsh is a big loss, but let’s not forget some people weren’t sure of him at first and it took a while for people to see how good he was. Hamer is an unknown but he looked good against Rangers. We don’t know if he’ll be an improvement yet, but let’s be optimistic and assume he is. And let’s not rule out a Walsh return just yet.

I wouldn’t compare Westbrooke and Hillsner, they seem different players to me. Hillsner is obviously a gamble, as technically he looks good, but whether he can up the other aspects of his game we’ll see. Personally I think he will; the Championship is better suited to technical players than L1.

Ostergard is an improvement on a position I feel we’re already strong in anyway.

We’ve kept all of our permanent stands outs from last year and signed one that wasn’t (O’Hare) and the squad has bags of potential that will hopefully continue to develop this year; playing against better players on better pitches, after a really confidence boosting season, combined with the team unity and familiarity all holds us in good stead.

The big gap is a striker, I wasn’t always convinced about Godden last year but he did his job in scoring goals, so who’s to say he can’t step up. I’m a Bakayoko fan, as I see the potential there, but this year he needs to combine all those attributes else he won’t last long. Biamou is a great option to have as a super sub/different option - again he’s technically very sound so I believe he’ll step up. But ultimately we need another in, but so do the majority of teams in the world; everyone wants that 20 goal a season striker. Let’s be patient and see who MR/AV/CB have up their sleeves.

Top half finish this year, play offs next.

I liked Westbrooke, tidy player, but I have real doubts he'd cut it in the Championship given the added physicality of the league.
He would have seriously needed to up that side of his game

 

[Deity]

Judge and make a comment when the transfer window is closed.

Any clues on the Striker BawtryNeal ?

 

[SleepyGinger]

By the end of the window we will be better, we started last season without godden, ohare and Walsh.

 

[fernandopartridge]

I am as excited to see the year on year development of a youthful team and to see what success the continuity of a settled squad brings as I am about big name or big money signings. I’m still flip flopping between being the surprise package in the league and being over taken by Sheff Wednesday before the end of October!

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how we get on now we've got an established football identity whereas in previous years it's generally felt like a new team and a new style. From the last couple of friendlies it looks positive as we've scored 3 twice, but we shall see against better opposition.

 

[bawtryneal]

Any clues on the Striker BawtryNeal ?

Only rumours, nothing concrete.
The waiting and anticaipation is half the fun.
It's like when you meet a new lady. The anticipation is sometimes better than the actual act.

 

[Saddlebrains]

For me get in a CDM eg, Garner, Sheaf, Field, Walsh whoever. Then a striker or 2 your Tyler Walker, Chris Martin whatever then i feel yea we will be sound

 

[Deity]

Only rumours, nothing concrete.
The waiting and anticaipation is half the fun.
It's like when you meet a new lady. The anticipation is sometimes better than the actual act.

Are the rumours the same names we have mentioned before ?

 

[Liquid Gold]

Be thankful we’re not Sheff Wed. Season starts in two weeks and they have 1 striker, an over the hill Jordan Rhodes on mega money. Starting on -12 and convincing players to go there is going to be one hell of a task.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Be thankful we’re not Sheff Wed. Season starts in two weeks and they have 1 striker, an over the hill Jordan Rhodes on mega money. Starting on -12 and convincing players to go there is going to be one hell of a task.

Doubt he's anywhere near our affordability but Forestieri is a decent player

 

[clint van damme]

Only rumours, nothing concrete.
The waiting and anticaipation is half the fun.
It's like when you meet a new lady. The anticipation is sometimes better than the actual act.

Bawtryowl exclusive - Tyler Walker is a shit ride.

 

[Liquid Gold]

We're definitely better now.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Judge and make a comment when the transfer window is closed.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Garner Walsh and sheaf next then?

Then who leaves?

8 in now is it?

 

[cc84cov]

We are getting closer to being better for sure Hamer has massive boots to fill for us

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

I think the OP was suffering from a case of premature postulation

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Doesn't someone usually do some sort of FIFA comparison to have a look at it?

If we look at the player replacements:

Giles and O'Hare - no change
Walker in, Ponticelli out
Hamer in, Walsh out
Dacosta in, Hickman out (Brown would be more the same standard but not same position)
Hilssner in, Hiwula out
Ostigard in, ? out

Which of the first teamers leaves Brown, McCallum and Westbrooke

Not going to count McGrath, though he'd probably be a replacement for someone like Callum Martin

That leaves fringe/development players not replaced like Wakefield, Walters, Maycock, Allassani, Bosma and academy players taken on like Rowe and Tyler. I think we can realistically consider most of those irrelevant.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Tyler Walker 66 last season potential 75 Godden 67 last season