If we keep the big 3 (4 including Sheaf) (5 Viewers)

[Kilclines curly mullet]

Then what are the realistic aims for the season ?

I can’t imagine desperately trying to keep them all only for a mid table finish

Is it all or nothing for a promotion push ?

 

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[Evo1883]

Then what are the realistic aims for the season ?

I can’t imagine desperately trying to keep them all only for a mid table finish

Is it all or nothing for a promotion push ?

Well with what we currently have I want to see us trying to break into the top 10 and push for that top 6

 

[shmmeee]

As it is, top half. Get Adaramola and another loanee in and all the signings turn out how you hope in preseason, top 6.

 

[usskyblue]

Bankruptcy.. apparently

 

[fatso]

Assuming we don't sell any of the big names, we look like a really decent little squad, if we can add a couple more loans we should have a team that can realistically expect a top 10 finish. If we can push on to a top 6 place will depend upon avoiding injuries and hoping that the younger players (Eccles, Tavares, and the loanees etc) can step up when required.

 

[Saddlebrains]

Stick Adaramola in to that squad and the emergence of Eccles as looking like top end to supplement Hamer and Sheaf


Im going to say it top 6. And easily aswell

 

[mmttww]

I feel like we need a better CB if we're going to push. If Panzo plays 30+ games consistently, and Rose improves, maybe we'll have enough but it's not a coincidence we leaked too many goals last season with a Big Three featuring zero defenders.

 

[pusbccfc]

We'll win the League by March.

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

We need a Maatsen replacement.
He ended the season in top form

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Althoough it's difficult to know what will happen, what injuries may occur etc, IF we had a fit squad for the entire campaign I do think we've got a chance of being right up there at the business end of the table.

 

[Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon]

I feel like we need a better CB if we're going to push. If Panzo plays 30+ games consistently, and Rose improves, maybe we'll have enough but it's not a coincidence we leaked too many goals last season with a Big Three featuring zero defenders.

Defence looks the biggest concern to me. We have conceded too many goals over the past two seasons so it is going to take a considerable improvement from the players we have along with the hope that the loans turn out to be very good. If Panzo turns out to be the player his early potential suggested then i think we've got a decent chance in this area.

I would hope for a top half finish, top 10 feels realistic but playoffs could be in reach if things go our way (and signings come off).

 

[Blind-Faith]

Although I just can’t see us not selling one of them, if we manage to pull it off ( what a great position to be in btw! ) then I’m going to say we sneak 6th spot

 

[harvey098]

I think mid-table would still be about right for us even with the same “big three” as last season.

Still don’t think we have the strength in depth to sustain a play-off spot right to the end. Throw in a few injuries, which is inevitable over a season and we suddenly look very light.

I wonder if we would be better off (over the season) selling one of the big three and bringing in 2/3 extra bodies. We looked dead on our feet in some games last season.

 

[CDK]

Top 6 coming up will be putting money on it.

 

[Saddlebrains]

I dont think many teams in the league have a better central midfield and 3 attackers than we do

Hamer Sheaf
O'Hare
Godden. Gyokores

 

[stevefloyd]

I still think we need to add someone who can score goals consistently, game after game last season how many times were we on top but never took our chances, inevitably conceding with opposition teams having their first chance of the game, now maybe thats the quality of our defence or lack of tracking in midfield but goals cost us games so for me a quality addition in defence and also a quality midfielder who can score but I don't think Waghorn or Walker are going to fire us to the prem

 

[Travs]

I think 9th-12th would again be an impressive finish, even with our strongest possible squad.

Hope i'm proved wrong, but don't see us being strong enough to maintain a playoff charge (unless the miracle happens and we get another fantastic start to the season).

(i don't necessarily blame the manger/board/etc for this rather half-empty outlook... i just think we are in a strong league and that is our level)

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

Start a poll, so we can see the rough area where everyone thinks, I think that would be quite interesting

 

[djr8369]

I think mid-table would still be about right for us even with the same “big three” as last season.

Still don’t think we have the strength in depth to sustain a play-off spot right to the end. Throw in a few injuries, which is inevitable over a season and we suddenly look very light.

I wonder if we would be better off (over the season) selling one of the big three and bringing in 2/3 extra bodies. We looked dead on our feet in some games last season.

About right IMO. We need to stabilise and look to continue improving the squad. There’s a lot of contracts up next season which creates a huge challenge as players will want better contracts and others will leave and replacements need to be found.

with our finances it is going to be extremely difficult to make the play offs and fans should adjust their expectations. I can’t see us maintaining the rate of improvement in league position we have shown the last few years.

 

[SkyBlueSam01]

I'd be tempted to use Godden as a super sub who comes on at the 60 min mark most games. Would help reduce demand on his legs but mean he should have a decent chunk of time to exploit the spaces left from the battering Vik has given the oppo back line all game.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

I'd be tempted to use Godden as a super sub who comes on at the 60 min mark most games. Would help reduce demand on his legs but mean he should have a decent chunk of time to exploit the spaces left from the battering Vik has given the oppo back line all game.

30 goals 30 goals Matty Godden
30 goals 30 goals I say
30 goals 30 goals Matty Godden
Playing football the super-sub way

 

[Kingokings204]

We must aim for top half again. Keep the big 3 and we can do it. Can we get 6th? Yes we can but we need a LWB and if the place guy comes in that might just do it. We have a really strong team I think.

 

[Yorkshire SB]

I think we can get top 6 if we can avoid major injuries. We weren’t far off last year, performances were there.

If O’Hare and Gyokeres improve again, we’ll be right up there. Not to mention Sheaf and Hamer best cm pairing in the division!

Sky Blues tinted specs

 

[lordy_87]

The current squad as it stands (assuming none of the big 3 go) is definite top half quality. Although Panzo and Doyle have came in I still worry about defence a bit though if we want to push for top 6. I feel we could have done with someone more proven with decent experience with the likelihood of McFadzean playing less. Not that I know much of him, but someone like that Hector from Fulham we were linked with seemed ideal.

 

[Offhegoes]

Champions - Squad has the quality, and we have the team spirit, which the relegated teams won't have (Burnley, Norwich). Stranger things have happened. Let's not forget we played most teams off the park last season, and have added quality in the positions where we needed to (CB and AM)

 

[BananaFlats]

I still think we need to add someone who can score goals consistently, game after game last season how many times were we on top but never took our chances, inevitably conceding with opposition teams having their first chance of the game, now maybe thats the quality of our defence or lack of tracking in midfield but goals cost us games so for me a quality addition in defence and also a quality midfielder who can score but I don't think Waghorn or Walker are going to fire us to the prem

Was going to say exactly the same!

 

[SkyblueDad]

We seem better equipt than it looked like we were this time last season, we were top six possibles right up to the last month of the season I think we have the squad to push onwards and upwards need that bit of look injury wise but our squad seems more inter changeable this time. Still need to add a couple

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

I think we can get top 6 if we can avoid major injuries. We weren’t far off last year, performances were there.

If O’Hare and Gyokeres improve again, we’ll be right up there. Not to mention Sheaf and Hamer best cm pairing in the division!

Sky Blues tinted specs

I dont even think that the sky blues tinted specs lie for once when saying Hamer and Sheaf are the best Midfield partnership in the division

 

[Macca1987]

I know a lot has been said about the goals conceded, but I'm at the other end of the pitch, if we could convert even 50% of the chances we spurned we will hammer a number of teams this year. Top 8 for me, with a sneaky peak over the wall at top 6

 

[shmmeee]

I know a lot has been said about the goals conceded, but I'm at the other end of the pitch, if we could convert even 50% of the chances we spurned we will hammer a number of teams this year. Top 8 for me, with a sneaky peak over the wall at top 6

I would take a season of 5-3 wins

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I know a lot has been said about the goals conceded, but I'm at the other end of the pitch, if we could convert even 50% of the chances we spurned we will hammer a number of teams this year. Top 8 for me, with a sneaky peak over the wall at top 6

Somebody put up where we’d be if we matched our xG-it was a pleasure to see.

 

[the rumpo kid]

We need to keep hold of the big 20 then we will be ok !

 

[SkyBlueCharlie9]

Top 8 is the aim. Top 6 depends on whether Luton, Baggies, Blades have strengthened.
Hate to say it but Watford, Burnley and Norwich will probably end up being the top 3!

 

[procdoc]

I still think we need to add someone who can score goals consistently, game after game last season how many times were we on top but never took our chances, inevitably conceding with opposition teams having their first chance of the game, now maybe thats the quality of our defence or lack of tracking in midfield but goals cost us games so for me a quality addition in defence and also a quality midfielder who can score but I don't think Waghorn or Walker are going to fire us to the prem

If it was that easy finding a goalscorer like that every team would have one.
I don’t think the strikers were an issue (apart from Waghorn), it was more lack of goals from midfield

 

[Paxman II]

Top 6 of course for me. I don't see more than 4 or 5 teams better than us over a season.
Look out for some surprises too.
A lot depends on the start. If we get out the blocks quick and are top 2 or 3 for a few weeks, I think this time we would sustain a top 6 finish.