Season 2019/20 Can We Finally Go Up?

[Duncan Mckenzie]

We don't know what our squad is going to look like yet but could this coming season finally be our year?

We do have a decent foundation already within our squad to build on.

Keeping hold of Lolley and Carvalho is crucial and having a fit Lewis Grabban will be a huge bonus. Adding another 4 or 5 quality players to the players we already have and want to keep SHOULD in my opinion see us right in amongst them at the top end of the table.

Wouldn't it be great to end next season with the same manager that will start the season. That would mean that our mission will have most probably been accomplished.

[Jasper Scarrott]

I am confident and optimistic like always.

Unlike many others, I do have faith in Martin and Roy.

[Marinakis Red]

I really hope it is our year, excellent progress off the pitch, we have some quality players in our squad, if we recruit well and Martin can finally get it right on the pitch we could really have a good go.

[Jasper Scarrott]

I think that a good solid start to the season is crucial.

That will hopefully unite the fans and get most of them behind the team and the manager.

A poor start and inevitably the opposite will happen.

It is paramount that we start well.

[ThePromisedLand]

So many imponderables:

Can we rid ourselves of the players that are surplus to requirements?
Can we just focus on no more than 3 or 4 quality signings?
Can we utilise the PL loan market to our advantage?
Can we retain Grabban, Carvalho & Lolley?
Will Mr Marinakis be persuaded to stick with the management team for a full season?
Can we have a little more luck on the injury front?

Yes to each of the above & we’ve got every chance!

[Redgirl]

As everyone knows I’m very apprehensive with regards to next season. Having said that I believe every season we will go up. We do have the basis of a good squad, providing we don’t sell the aforementioned players and providing the team is well managed we have every chance of going up.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I think that a good solid start to the season is crucial.

That will hopefully unite the fans and get most of them behind the team and  the manager.

A poor start and inevitably the opposite will happen.

It is paramount that we start well.

Absolutely 100% agree with that Jasper.

It won't take long for things to go tits up if we don't start well.

Hopefully though we can carry our end of season form this season into next season (3 consecutive wins and 3 clean shees), start strongly and get ourselves established early doors at the top end of the table. That must be our first aim and then we will take it from there.

[wassy04]

If we start the season with lolley, grabban and carvalho in the same formation we finished it with a new keeper and hopefully at least colback too then yes I’ll be hopeful.

A lot of things to get to that point though! Ask again in a few months.

Although I would add that if we do sell lolley (did I read he has a release clause now?) it went ok for Norwich selling Maddison. Obviously our track record of spending is poor but maybe we’d get it right this time!

[Jean_claude_killy]

So many imponderables:

Can we rid ourselves of the players that are surplus to requirements?
Can we just focus on no more than 3 or 4 quality signings?
Can we utilise the PL loan market to our advantage?
Can we retain Grabban, Carvalho & Lolley?
Will Mr Marinakis be persuaded to stick with the management team for a full season?
Can we have a little more luck on the injury front?

Yes to each of the above & we’ve got every chance!

With the exception of the first point, there are no reasons why the answers should not be yes.

Point one comes down to money; we either pay the players off or they stay, because with the exception of Bridcutt none of them have any resale value.

The people running the club now are far to shrewd to throw good money after bad.

We could give them all away on frees and they will still go nowhere - they are all on wages that other clubs cannot match.

They will have to be shipped out on loan again until their contracts are up.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

What have we learned from the season just gone.

Norwich and Leeds have shown us that an existing squad can be coached to become better players and play good football.
Sheffield Utd have shown us that you can take a very average squad and instil an unbeatable team spirit and winning attitude.
Villa and Derby have shown us that a few high quality loans from the premier league can make a massive difference to overall quality.

Above all of that we need to have a plan that we stick to, that means keeping faith with the manager if we lose a few games in December. Season before last Norwich finished 14th, Sheff Utd finished 10th, we have just finished 9th this season so yes it is perfectly possible as long as we can finally go a season without shooting ourselves in the foot.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

So many imponderables:

Can we rid ourselves of the players that are surplus to requirements?
Can we just focus on no more than 3 or 4 quality signings?
Can we utilise the PL loan market to our advantage?
Can we retain Grabban, Carvalho & Lolley?
Will Mr Marinakis be persuaded to stick with the management team for a full season?
Can we have a little more luck on the injury front?

Yes to each of the above & we’ve got every chance!

You missed out one question.

Can we have more luck with referees?

Regarding the other questions:

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Not convinced.
Yes.

[Frochy1977]

I think that a good solid start to the season is crucial.

That will hopefully unite the fans and get most of them behind the team and  the manager.

A poor start and inevitably the opposite will happen.

It is paramount that we start well.

Spot on. I don't normally pay too much intention to how we start but this coming season will be different because of the way our fan base is split over MON.