Potential Promotion Teams (rivals?)

I think Plymouth who finished strongly will do well and the super rich MK will be up there

 

I get Leicester but why do so many people think Luton will 'push on' and do well? What do Luton have that we don't? Why do we think they will do well and we won't? They are not a rich club, I spoke with their CEO, Gary Sweet, when we played down there (I was a guest at the club) and they are counting every penny. Yes, they were, WERE, in the PL, yes, they got parachute payment but these were swallowed up by the contracts of players, some of which they dont' have now. They are building a new stadium which is not a freebie. What they don't have is the level of support we have. Their manager is no better than ours, in fact you could say we have a proven, promotion winning manager, they have someone who did OK for half a season. They have, what, 10, maybe 11k season ticket holders, they pull in 12, 14k a game, maybe. We have 16K+ season ticket holders and the price now is no longer 'cheap'. Last season we were selling a further 3/4/5k tickets for every game, that's significant income. From a day to day income perspective I would contend we outstrip them easily. So why do you consider they can make a run and we can't? What is the basis for this line of thinking?

 

Why do people think super rich MK Don's will do well ? They were super rich last season but we're pipped to the crown by probably one of the smallest budget clubs Bromley. I couldn't care less what other clubs spend because it doesn't make a squad that will play for each other. We've brought in big names and we're a bag of crap and weren't a team player , give me a squad that will play their hearts out and fight for their team mates over fancy Dan's who couldn't give a toss as long as they get a big wage. You only have to look across West Yorkshire and see that spending millions for players doesn't mean it will give you a great squad and they let one of their biggest signings go out on loan in January and another this season to Doncaster. We had a squad that did well last season and if we had that little bit more quality like the 2 we've just signed I feel we would have gone up.

 

I think its natural to have high expectations for teams who finished the previous season strongly, have a good squad and naturally have high expectations and ambitions. I know its very early to say an I may very well be wrong but id imagine that most would assume that Luton and Plymouth will be up there next season for those reasons

 

Indeed. And for those exact reasons, given that logic, they, we, you would, should, expect Bradford City to be there as well.

 

The teams that will most likely be successful will be the ones with a very good manager, a very good starting 11 and a good backup on the bench to cover poor form, injuries and suspensions (or more money to fling around in January if they need more players).
Unfortunately, we will be exactly the same as last year as in we do not have the budget to cover all of the above. We can sort of get by with one of the issues above, but not two or more. I think we will be mid to top half, but will ultimately fall short again unless we are extremely lucky. And there is always one team that bucks the trend. Fingers crossed it is us again.

 

Without flogging a dead horse your comment "Unfortunately, we will be exactly the same as last year as in we do not have the budget to cover all of the above." This describes 90% of the teams in our division. I would argue we have the first 2 of your requirements (assuming a couple of incomings) and if no one else leaves I would argue our backups aren't too bad either. I do find it tiresome this "Oh woah me" attitude of supporters.

 

Hey Norman
I can honestly say I was mightily cheesed off at not being promoted last year and I do consider that as unfortunate.
However, my point is we are building a squad and I do think we need to improve our squad and bench to cover for poor form, injuries and suspensions, something we could not do last season.
As I tried to say, and you agreed with, we are like 90% of the rest of the division, hence my point that we need that little bit extra depth and quality to help us over the line and get promoted. It is the 10% above us that have a greater chance of promotion.
Sorry if my post caused you annoyance and tired you out with my negativity. I am certainly not Whoe is me!

 

I'd be delighted if we made the play offs again this season, with a different outcome of course.

 

If the calibre of signings made so far continues, I'll be very disappointed if we don't make the playoffs again.

 

I hope your right .

 

I think it’s a much tougher season ahead. I don’t think for a minute we will be relegated but I also don’t think promotion is on the cards. Phillips excites me and we have added much needed goals to the team but I do think with Leicester and Sheff Weds coming down and the likes of Plymouth, Luton & Huddersfield ewon’t be as inconsistent.
Then you’ll have clubs like Reading, Wycombe Blackpool and Oxford who will want to be right up there. Also have a sneaky feeling Mansfield will be the surprise package. I’ve named half the league there which is why I think it will be a struggle to match last season.

 

I think it's far too early to call. Let's see what sort of business all these teams that everyone seems to think are going to be stronger than us this season do before making any predictions.

 

We lose Cardiff and Bolton to be replaced by Leicester and Wed. Nothing else has really changed , it’s a free for all and a good start gathers momentum until at least Xmas .

 

I agree. I do think there are about 12 teams capable of making the top 6 this season though. There will be the one or two who massively underperform like Blackpool did last season.