Four Years on

Secured premier league status with a good win yesterday. Can cope with them losses in the premier league

 

But now due at least £100 million TV money, So not bad!!

 

I felt this season was a little too successful, I recommend slashing the budget.

Next season we should only sign players who really want to be there.

Start with the kop fans, filter through the lot of them, but none of them nay sayers. Should still find enough eager beavers for an XI.

 

I have read through this post, lots of good opinions and whatnot. Im just going to wade in with my opinions.

we have had a massive fall from grace. I never would have guessed when I was at Wembley 4 years later we would have been in a relegation battle at one point. That being said there are many clubs that have had similar falls, Southend, sunderland and wednesday come to mind. At least we pay our players on time.
I will say yes we are failing of sorts our history is always in div 3 and 4 that being said a relegation from this league would have been a huge distaster. The fact we lost 9 of our first 16 games and still managed to end mid table is great of its self. For the first time i am seeing hungry players who want to develop and want to play rather than seeing players who were at the end of their careers just looking for a wage. I am disappointed we couldnt make the play offs but this squad is still lacking. The defensive play had to work as we don't have much going forward. We need a nakki wells and more Cooke types in midfield. Hopefully we smash this summer window and go on to autos next season. I do genuinely think - slowly that the club is coming back.

 

Exactly 4 years to the day. Consider what has happened since.....

 

Loved that side.

 

Just out of interested why do yo think the club is slowly coming back?

we will finish the season in the bottom half of div 2.

We have a novice CEO.

A novice management team.

An owner that's not interested.

What makes you think the club is coming back? I am not saying you are wrong. I just want to know why you think this.

 

Fully agree. The other 14 clubs were just thinking about themselves. Even Garry Neville was as I believe he thinks he can get Salford in to the PL in 5 years.

Without the top 6 or even the top 2 (Liverpool and UTD) then the PL would struggle. I understand why the top 6 were looking to brake away but I suppose they should have communicated with the fans first.

 

Indeed. A great team built principally by PP, evolved by SM. Some halcyon football that season. Great memories.

 

No worries fordy! Understandable questions!

1. True, but I think if we stayed with Stuart we would have been lower. Hes a good attacking manager but struggled with the squad he had.
   
2. From all the CEOs we've had, Ryan in his ‘novice’ experience is already doing all the right things. He appointed a DOF in turnbull something fans have requested for a while. He is open and constantly opening up dialogue with fans. He seems to have a long term plan for the club. I will be surprised if he doesnt go elsewhere a few years from now.
   
3. True but does an owner need to be interested? As long as hes signing the cheques for sparks Im not fussed.
   
4. Sparks to be honest is the main driver for that optimism. He gets the club and is actually making key changes to help us go up.

 

Oh dear another positive thread.

 

If Sparks sticks with T & S in the summer would you still be so up beat?

I get what you are saying mate and but for me what Sparks is doing or what T & S did most would have done. I think we can't build slowly. Look where we were 4 years ago! We need to kick on at PACE now hence why Sparks has a massive decision over T &S and Rupp needs to back the club like never ever before.

 

What’s one of them

 

I would, but i would put more pressure on them. They have a free run this season. Their job was to keep us up and they did that. The job next season is to get us up!
Hopefully they fully well know what improvements are needed in the squad and who can fill those positions.

If we have a transfer window like January I’ll be confident. Also i will praise them for the January window and how they shifted the deadwood.

 

The outgoings in January was a success. Momentum.

In hindsight, the incomings were so so in my opinion. Can the signings on a permanent contract basis, evolve into first team players? Jury is out IMO.

Our summer signings need to have more of an impact in the short term especially if some our of OOC players, do not stay.

 

Well I can tell you that Southend away that year was only memorable for the beer !!!

 

What joy, having a plus 19 goal difference