When answering you have to not just look at us but other teams in the divison. 9 teams ahead of us last season, 3 went up, 3 came down. So it's important to look at what they've done as well.
Blackpool - Couple of nice additions but they've also lost quite a few players including Yates. Lot of their hope will be on Kyle Joseph to score the goals, but in 1 1/2 seasons in League 1 he's only managed 13 in 56 games. Of the 3 relegated teams right now they look in the best shape.
Reading - 4 potentially decent signings in Smith, Knibbs, Savage and Wing. However they've lost a lot of players, have all kinds of ownership issues, and could be hit with another points deduction at some point, and are reportedly under another transfer embargo for the moment. Need a number of players in before they can be taken seriously as a promotion threat.
Wigan - Start the season with a points deduction, and 2 of their players have just walked out from previously not being paid. Lost a lot of other players and although they've signed some players that look okay at this level I'm not convinced they have enough firepower right now. Combined Magennis, Humphrys, Lang and Wyke managed 16 goals in 82 appearances the last time they played in League One.
Barnsley - Lost some good players including their best defender and first and second choice keepers from last season. Fans are unhappy, they've had to cancel 2 pre-season games because they couldn't put out a team. They're being investigated for ownership irregularities and should get at least a fine if not points deduction. Hard to see how they're goig to reach the same levels they did last season at the moment.
Bolton - Haven't lost a great deal and have signed some decent additions and replacements. For me right now they look the strongest team in the division.
Peterborough - Have alfready lost Kent, Taylor, Norburn and Ward amongst others, JCH and Edwards look like they might also go. 3 very inexperienced keepers fighting for the starting job. Also rumours of financial issues going on. With the exception of Archie Collins who could be decent there's not much to shout about with their incomings. Their squad looks significantly worse than last season right now.
Derby - McGoldrick, Bielik and Knight are the big 3 that have departed. They've made some decent additions at the back and should be pretty solid defensively. If they can bring in a Striker they look like they'll be a threat, but at the moment the only options they have are James Collins (12 in 52 last season), and Washington who has never been profilic.
Portsmouth - A lot of signings through the door, some look good like Poole, other meh. In terms of squad depth they're definitely better. In terms of first XI they haven't lost that many players so they've improved as well.
Wycombe - Other than Wing not really lost that much. Most of their signings have been in defence and midfield so far. Problem was they need to add goals. Up front Dale Taylor needs to score for them to go well, none of their other forwards managed more than 6 score goals last season.
So of the teams that finished above us the 3 that came down I don't think are anywhere as good as the 3 that went up. Barnsley and Peterborough I would not expect to finish as high right now. Bolton look good, Derby are a Striker away from being very good, Portsmouth should be better. Wycombe probably similar in terms of quality they have right now.
Below us the 2 teams that should improve most based on incomings for me would be Burton and Oxford.
So long answer short, right now I'd have us 4th. Bolton 1st, Derby 2nd, Portsmouth 3rd, Charlton 4th, Blackpool 5th, Wycombe 6th.
After the last couple of seasons when I fell for all the bollox about winning the league etc I swore I would not back us again !!! however I did it again last night and went pretty big on us winning the league ( safety net of 1/4 odds for top 3 ) Eternal optimist I know but Im sure we will get another striker in and then a few good loans and then this squad is good enough imo
When answering you have to not just look at us but other teams in the divison. 9 teams ahead of us last season, 3 went up, 3 came down. So it's important to look at what they've done as well.
Blackpool - Couple of nice additions but they've also lost quite a few players including Yates. Lot of their hope will be on Kyle Joseph to score the goals, but in 1 1/2 seasons in League 1 he's only managed 13 in 56 games. Of the 3 relegated teams right now they look in the best shape.
Reading - 4 potentially decent signings in Smith, Knibbs, Savage and Wing. However they've lost a lot of players, have all kinds of ownership issues, and could be hit with another points deduction at some point, and are reportedly under another transfer embargo for the moment. Need a number of players in before they can be taken seriously as a promotion threat.
Wigan - Start the season with a points deduction, and 2 of their players have just walked out from previously not being paid. Lost a lot of other players and although they've signed some players that look okay at this level I'm not convinced they have enough firepower right now. Combined Magennis, Humphrys, Lang and Wyke managed 16 goals in 82 appearances the last time they played in League One.
Barnsley - Lost some good players including their best defender and first and second choice keepers from last season. Fans are unhappy, they've had to cancel 2 pre-season games because they couldn't put out a team. They're being investigated for ownership irregularities and should get at least a fine if not points deduction. Hard to see how they're goig to reach the same levels they did last season at the moment.
Bolton - Haven't lost a great deal and have signed some decent additions and replacements. For me right now they look the strongest team in the division.
Peterborough - Have alfready lost Kent, Taylor, Norburn and Ward amongst others, JCH and Edwards look like they might also go. 3 very inexperienced keepers fighting for the starting job. Also rumours of financial issues going on. With the exception of Archie Collins who could be decent there's not much to shout about with their incomings. Their squad looks significantly worse than last season right now.
Derby - McGoldrick, Bielik and Knight are the big 3 that have departed. They've made some decent additions at the back and should be pretty solid defensively. If they can bring in a Striker they look like they'll be a threat, but at the moment the only options they have are James Collins (12 in 52 last season), and Washington who has never been profilic.
Portsmouth - A lot of signings through the door, some look good like Poole, other meh. In terms of squad depth they're definitely better. In terms of first XI they haven't lost that many players so they've improved as well.
Wycombe - Other than Wing not really lost that much. Most of their signings have been in defence and midfield so far. Problem was they need to add goals. Up front Dale Taylor needs to score for them to go well, none of their other forwards managed more than 6 score goals last season.
So of the teams that finished above us the 3 that came down I don't think are anywhere as good as the 3 that went up. Barnsley and Peterborough I would not expect to finish as high right now. Bolton look good, Derby are a Striker away from being very good, Portsmouth should be better. Wycombe probably similar in terms of quality they have right now.
Below us the 2 teams that should improve most based on incomings for me would be Burton and Oxford.
So long answer short, right now I'd have us 4th. Bolton 1st, Derby 2nd, Portsmouth 3rd, Charlton 4th, Blackpool 5th, Wycombe 6th.
Pretty much how I see it, but of course too early to tell. Lot's of business still to be done.
Too early to say, as so much transfer business is still to be done.
This, and how are the new players going to gel with the players already here. If Fraser has the legs of Camará, Dobson, Taylor, May plus hopefully Edun on the left and whoever get the RB/ RWB position to feed then we can make progress. It feels like Anderson will be around for a short time similar to Burstow who was waving goodbye after a Dozen games ? Mason's return on loan he struggled.
How Dean and coaches can get the best out of the wider Forwards like CBT and Campbell and trying to be fluid in their movement with be key. The ability of the team to adapt to different formations will be key.
3-5-2 /4-3-3 or the myriad of potential set ups to get the best out of the 11 on the field.
We won't be sure where Cafc will potentially finish until the end of the summer window but we need 15 more points than last season to be in contention. The January window and can we hold on to our better youngsters will be important.
Of course I’d love top two but I’ll be satisfied if we make the playoff lottery. I always thought that promotion would be a two season project. Just too much squad building to get right in one attempt. We’ll see but I’m still saying 6th and a trip to Wembley.
I think we will be better than last season. That is a safe statement. Then it is a question of how much better and indeed the level of the league. I will be disapointed if we don't make top six and feel top two is possible but there is still a lot of water to flow uder the bridge between now and then.
Hoping for top two. I’ve only seen us promoted as champions or playoff winners so we’re overdue a 2nd promotion.
I’ll go for 5th. Based on the players we’ve signed we should have a quicker more energetic team which will improve us, but I’m not sure if we’ll be strong enough defensively to grind out those narrow wins.
Now I have Martin's box off of Ebay I've run all the stats off it and I reckon 4th, but with luck 2nd (few injuries, ball running for us, opponents decimated by injuries)
Comments
Blackpool - Couple of nice additions but they've also lost quite a few players including Yates. Lot of their hope will be on Kyle Joseph to score the goals, but in 1 1/2 seasons in League 1 he's only managed 13 in 56 games. Of the 3 relegated teams right now they look in the best shape.
Reading - 4 potentially decent signings in Smith, Knibbs, Savage and Wing. However they've lost a lot of players, have all kinds of ownership issues, and could be hit with another points deduction at some point, and are reportedly under another transfer embargo for the moment. Need a number of players in before they can be taken seriously as a promotion threat.
Wigan - Start the season with a points deduction, and 2 of their players have just walked out from previously not being paid. Lost a lot of other players and although they've signed some players that look okay at this level I'm not convinced they have enough firepower right now. Combined Magennis, Humphrys, Lang and Wyke managed 16 goals in 82 appearances the last time they played in League One.
Barnsley - Lost some good players including their best defender and first and second choice keepers from last season. Fans are unhappy, they've had to cancel 2 pre-season games because they couldn't put out a team. They're being investigated for ownership irregularities and should get at least a fine if not points deduction. Hard to see how they're goig to reach the same levels they did last season at the moment.
Bolton - Haven't lost a great deal and have signed some decent additions and replacements. For me right now they look the strongest team in the division.
Peterborough - Have alfready lost Kent, Taylor, Norburn and Ward amongst others, JCH and Edwards look like they might also go. 3 very inexperienced keepers fighting for the starting job. Also rumours of financial issues going on. With the exception of Archie Collins who could be decent there's not much to shout about with their incomings. Their squad looks significantly worse than last season right now.
Derby - McGoldrick, Bielik and Knight are the big 3 that have departed. They've made some decent additions at the back and should be pretty solid defensively. If they can bring in a Striker they look like they'll be a threat, but at the moment the only options they have are James Collins (12 in 52 last season), and Washington who has never been profilic.
Portsmouth - A lot of signings through the door, some look good like Poole, other meh. In terms of squad depth they're definitely better. In terms of first XI they haven't lost that many players so they've improved as well.
Wycombe - Other than Wing not really lost that much. Most of their signings have been in defence and midfield so far. Problem was they need to add goals. Up front Dale Taylor needs to score for them to go well, none of their other forwards managed more than 6 score goals last season.
So of the teams that finished above us the 3 that came down I don't think are anywhere as good as the 3 that went up. Barnsley and Peterborough I would not expect to finish as high right now. Bolton look good, Derby are a Striker away from being very good, Portsmouth should be better. Wycombe probably similar in terms of quality they have right now.
Below us the 2 teams that should improve most based on incomings for me would be Burton and Oxford.
So long answer short, right now I'd have us 4th. Bolton 1st, Derby 2nd, Portsmouth 3rd, Charlton 4th, Blackpool 5th, Wycombe 6th.
2nd
Only sign squad players from here on out and get a couple of injuries
6th
Eternal optimist I know but Im sure we will get another striker in and then a few good loans and then this squad is good enough imo
Pretty much how I see it, but of course too early to tell. Lot's of business still to be done.
This, and how are the new players going to gel with the players already here.
If Fraser has the legs of Camará, Dobson, Taylor, May plus hopefully Edun on the left and whoever get the RB/ RWB position to feed then we can make progress. It feels like Anderson will be around for a short time similar to Burstow who was waving goodbye after a Dozen games ? Mason's return on loan he struggled.
How Dean and coaches can get the best out of the wider Forwards like CBT and Campbell and trying to be fluid in their movement with be key.
The ability of the team to adapt to different formations will be key.
3-5-2 /4-3-3 or the myriad of potential set ups to get the best out of the 11 on the field.
We won't be sure where Cafc will potentially finish until the end of the summer window but we need 15 more points than last season to be in contention.
The January window and can we hold on to our better youngsters will be important.
If not the whole regime can do one🤪
Holden gone by January as the new owners consortium expect better for their bucks.
(I'm being Mr Negative, but so hope I'm wrong).
I’ll go for 5th. Based on the players we’ve signed we should have a quicker more energetic team which will improve us, but I’m not sure if we’ll be strong enough defensively to grind out those narrow wins.
5th
But wouldn't be surprised to see anything from 5-8