Season 2021/22 The Good The Bad & The Ugly

[Sabricadabra]

Good: Hughton has had 7 months to get used to the squad, impose a style of play and will know where we need to strengthen and with what type of players. McKenna the pick of the signings.

Bad: Missing a whole season through not being able to go to matches. No home atmosphere from fans.

Ugly: disappointing signings such as Arter and Freeman.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Just a reminder that this thread is about season 2021/22. In other words next season.

[Sabricadabra]

Just a reminder that this thread is about season 2021/22. In other words next season.

Whoops  :)

[Widdow]

Just a reminder that this thread is about season 2021/22. In other words next season.

Whoops  :)

Not the brightest spark!  :D

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Be hard to make an informed opinion until the end of August. There are 4 basic things that need to happen that could all potentially fall into the Good category (or not to happen to make it bad but lets not dwell on that).

1. Successful transfer window overseen by new look recruitment team working to a long term plan.
2. Managerial stability
3. Progress towards Cat 1 academy (sounds positive but like to see an announcement).
4. Progress towards new stand, finalised planning permission etc.

Controversial opinion for point 2. I would still count it as good were EM to pull the trigger now and bring in a new manager/head coach to work with the new set up, have the whole summer to build and work with the squad. It goes in the Ugly category if CH brings his new players and then we sack him 6 games into next season.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

If you or others choose to believe that. It's your choice of course.

[zicorice]

Stating the obvious a bit but the thing I am looking forward to most, is actually being able to go. Firstly to WFCG and hopefully to support the boys from a packed and noisy away end. After being locked down and locked out for over a year, just meeting up with mates, having a beer and going to the game is something I will never take for granted again.

As for the on pitch entertainment. Hopefully still strong at the back and a good few more goals and a decent league position will surely follow.

Finish the season with the same manager that starts it too ideally.

Anything could happen though!!

[stirred]

They’re not gonna play music when we score are they?

[Paplane]

I dont believe the conspiracy theories, Im sure they are serious about the stand but I am frustrated at lack of visible progress.

I dont buy the idea of blaming Covid particularly the no money coming in so bad business strategy bit. We found money to sign 17 players this season whilst in the middle of the pandemic.

I think EM and his management have always made it clear that on the field matters always takes priority. If we take them at their word, and add in the lack of income and being a million miles away from actually playing in the prem then you can see why there's been no urgency. 

And as for this never been a better time, not relevant to ffp etc etc, well that may be the case, and I agree, but it doesn't remove the fact that the project is likely to cost EM the best part of £80m in cash, on top of the 15 odd million a year he's already pumping in. You can criticise his lack of foresite etc, but that's a big number to commit to when the side is finishing lower bottom half of the table and there's no money coming in.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Stating the obvious a bit but the thing I am looking forward to most, is actually being able to go. Firstly to WFCG and hopefully to support the boys from a packed and noisy away end. After being locked down and locked out for over a year, just meeting up with mates, having a beer and going to the game is something I will never take for granted again.

As for the on pitch entertainment. Hopefully still strong at the back and a good few more goals and a decent league position will surely follow.

Finish the season with the same manager that starts it too ideally.

Anything could happen though!!

Good post Zico and I find myself agreeing. Like you said anything can happen. Can't wait to get started again. COYR!

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

A team that we can currently put out:

Samba
Gabriel
Worrall
McKenna
Blackett
Colback
Johnson
Carvalho
Lolley
Grabban
Mighten

No Yates or Soh either.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Hmm…Thoughts on that line up.
The full backs would worry me greatly.
The midfield looks so lightweight it would blow over in a strong wind.
Who is going to score the goals?

A fair bit of work to do for the recruitment team