Wycombe,Hartlepool,Orient,Wallsall-biggest games in our recent history?

RodneyCharltonTrotta

The eve of the new season sees us at arguably our lowest point since our return to the Valley. After a summer of discontent filled with disillusion, arguing between fans and instability in both financial and other areas of the club perhaps results in the opening few games will have a deeper impact upon our future than mere position in the Division 3 league table.

If we get off to a good start confidence and belief may re-emerge in every area of the club from the board, the management the players to the terraces and the forums to potential investors. We start with a clean slate next week and I think it is crucial that we hit the ground running which may light the spark that sees the club return to a path of positivity and optimism.

I’m far from one of Parkinson’s biggest fans based on his past performance however I have a great deal of respect for him for the dignity and humility he has shown during his tenure particularly of late and if what I’ve read on here the players feel the same. There is no one in football management who has a clearer insight into the current state of our club and first hand ideas of how to turn things around with the resources we have.

If a takeover goes through or not it is essential to get off to a good start this season more than any in recent memory. If we manage to line up on Saturday and have retained the likes of shelvey, racon, sam and bailey then that’s an achievement and one that could pay dividends.

Whilst not as sexy as ties against arsenal or Liverpool or even more recent ones such as palace and Wolves the first few fixtures we have are going to be massively important in the short term and possibly longer term future of our club and now is the time to get behind the manager and team like never before.

Rothko

and I'm going to miss them all cause of weddings, stag dos and holidays!

Exiled_Addick

Agreed Rodders, I think in all the furory (sp?) of the takeover etc, we've been distracted a bit from footballing matters. Now the season draws near, it's beginning to sink in with me that Saturday is a massive game for us. As you say, a convincing win with a good performance could make a massive difference and also buy everyone at the club a bit more time with the less patient sections of support. A scraped win will just about keep the wolf from the managements door, but a poor performance and defeat and the pressure will be cranked up to 11 all over again. Normally I would say that nobody's season is decided in the first few weeks of a season and obviously there will be plenty of time to turn things around, but I really do think if there was ever a time that we needed to be quick out of the blocks, it is now!

I have no idea what we're going to get on Saturday - but tier 3 or otherwise, I can't wait to find out!