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Post by stevek192 on Jul 23, 2015 10:01:59 GMT
To be honest I find it VERY difficult to predict how our season will go.There are too many unknowns in our squad to really judge and you only have to talk to other people about the difference in League 2 to the Conference to know why it is difficult to predict. Some people reckon there is little difference between the two whilst others think there is a big gap. I fall somewhere between the two but will be really surprised if we finish above mid table with the squad we have at the present time. Cambridge were in a similar position to us last season and they have signed loads of players so obviously the ones they went up with were not good enough for the step up.The only advantage we have over them is that we went up with a pretty mean defence which could hold us in good stead.
Leadbitter reminds ne a lot of Michael Smith and this could be the season where he comes to the fore and has an outstanding season
,Lockyer can without doubt hold his own in League 2 as can Parkes. Not really sure about McCrystal because his weakness of lack of pace will probably be tested far more in this division and with him unlikely to be fit for the first game we will probably see either James Clarke or Lockyer partnering Parkes. i haven't seen enough of either player in that position to make a judgement but Clarke looks like he has a bit of pace and can pass a ball which I would say would give him the edge over Tom so IMO he could turn out to be a great signing. Lee Brown again is a proven force in this League.
My worry is very much in front of the back four where we have the following
Central Midfielders Mansell Lines Clarke Sinclair I think Sinclair will be OK at League 2 level but where will he fit in? He is not a winger and in the centre he likes to wonder a lot which could leave us lightweight in there because League 2 definitely contains much better midfields than we faced last season.
Chris Lines will probably be a luxury at this level and could be brilliant but just as easily leave us struggling to get the ball.
Mansell is a year older and may struggle to complete as many games as last year and is he good enough to step up and really have to take hold of the midfield in games and cover to allow whoever is with him to go forward. I'm not sure , I like Mansells battling qualities but will it be enough?
Clarke has failed to convince me in two years that he is either Conference or League 2 standard. To me there is something there (his goals show this) but there has been little if no improvement since he first came in to the team.I think this is a make or break season for him and I am not sure which way that will go but hope he improves and proves me wrong.
Then we come to the wings where I was really hopeful we were going to make two signings even if Bodin signs but to date we have Montana who I have the feeling will be excellent and Gosling who again was indifferent last season and so there is a big question mark as to whether he can step up. I was disappointed we did not sign Myrie Williams who definitely has proven quality but this disappointment is probably fuelled more by the fact that DC has not yet signed another winger but more worryingly gives no indicaction of future PERMANENT signings. Broom has impressed but his use in the bigger friendlies has been very limited so possibly the best we can hope is that he breaks into the squad this season.
Up front number wise we seem to be strong Easter, Taylor,Harrison,Blissett,Bodin (if he signs) and Lucas but do we have the quality? I have the feeling that our season will very much depend on how these fare but the fact that we have not scored a goal either against an Arsenal Under 21 side or Reading (lacking quite a few of their better players) is worrying. There are question marks about each of our forwards and I would be much happier if we had signed another striker. Only Easter is proven at this level but there are question marks over how many games he will play. As for the rest who knows?
The key point now could be how many loanees and or signings we have before the first game. I would hope for at least another winger and would not be disappointed to see Dawson arrive back as permanent and a strong Central midfielder ( Connor Clifford comes to mind) and an additional striker proven at this level.
Bodin is very much another relative unknown who promised a lot but has delivered relatively little. I am not convinced he is or has ever been a winger and his goalscoring record has never been impressive but he could be another player who DC brings the best out of if he can fit him in the budget.
The big problem that I see is that our budget is no longer one of the best for this division and many will be pleased with this based on the past 8 or so seasons HOWEVER my point is that a budget is only as good as the Manager using it and IMO DC is a very good Manager who has pretty well been totally starved of the sort of budget that was given to Ward, McGhee, Buckle and Trollope. Just because the previous Managers squandered it does not mean that the Budget was wrong. DC is capable of taking us out of this division,he is not an experienced Manager at this level but I have every faith in his ability to do it if he is given the tools to do it. At the present time I am far from convinced that our silent Board have anything on their minds other than the Appeal.
DC will not waste the cash-The Board will!!!
So to conclude, I am as far away from knowing how we will fare as when i started this but i very much hope that a lot of the unknowns will prove their worth and if that happens then we could be in for a very good season. Too much the other way and it could be another dodgy season in League 2. This is just my opinions and it will be great to hear others views.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 10:08:19 GMT
Relegation it is then Steve?
I think we'll finish top half comfortably, hopefully a sexy thrust will see us in the Playoffs maybe. Taylor, Easter, Harrison & Blissett all have the potential to get double figures and our defence as proven before at that level is decent enough. Not overly worried about the centre of the park, Lines will sit and spray and Mansell/Sinclair will be the ball winner/waterboy. On paper we're a bit short on wingers but there are plenty of young ones about available on loan. I'm hopeful of top ten, maybe nicking seventh.
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LPGas
Stuart Taylor
Joined: May 2014
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Post by LPGas on Jul 23, 2015 10:36:12 GMT
I think if we lose the first 5 games it will be DC is a conference manager lets get rid
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Post by stevek192 on Jul 23, 2015 11:54:56 GMT
Chewbacca, I didn't say that!!!! The key word you have used is POTENTIAL and that is the crux of my thread that I really haven't a clue how we will do because that is all most of our players have ie the potential to play at League 2 level. The question is what is their potential? We don't know!!!
Chris Lines scored one goal in the games he played at Conference level though you would think at the level he played his potential was to score five or six during that time if you see what I mean. At the present time the best I can say is that we will finish 1st-24th!!!
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brizzle
Lindsay Parsons
No Buy . . . No Sell!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,293
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Post by brizzle on Jul 23, 2015 11:58:23 GMT
I think if we lose the first 5 games it will be DC is a conference manager lets get rid Groan!!  |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 12:03:11 GMT
We have the potential to do a "Stevenage" as they did under Westley.
They had a couple of league standard players around whom they built a very hardworking team bound my a strong team spirit. And they did it on gates of 3000.
It will be a real test of Clarke's ability, but looking at how the team came together in last half of the season and how they appear to have bonded, I am optimistic.
Will be at Luton, which will be a good indicator.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2015 12:07:39 GMT
Bring back ward.
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Post by Westcountry Gas on Jul 23, 2015 12:24:46 GMT
Top 12 finish will have been a very good season, staying clear of the bottom 6 would make it a comfortable season, and enjoying watching a manger & group of players develop will hopefully be another highlight. Since we returned to league 2 back in 2011, we were constantly drowning and fighting relegation, a steady season where there will be ups & downs is expected and is fine by me. Top 12 this season, and then push on for a top 7 at minimum the following season.
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Post by o2o2bo2ba on Jul 23, 2015 19:31:54 GMT
I agree with alot of o p. The main difference is this season, I'm more relishing the challenge and more optimistic that most of the squad can compete. There are bound to be casualties, of course. I'm just more forgiving that the one(s) whom do struggle will still give their all, as our team spirit seems to be buzzing at the mo. One point I slightly disagree on is our defence will be tested more intensely this campaign. I hope we get a settled back four early, with what looks to be Milds as established Keeps. For me this is key to push on. The Conference has many challenges, but few were dazzling wingers or proven goalscoring partnerships, which kindof gave our defence an easier time compared to other positions. I expect a more organised opponent in a final third and so many of our mistakes made last season defensively to be punished more ruthlessly. It's an exciting young, fast, fit and diverse defence squad and I'm hoping they'll turn in a reliable performances. I also think sadly we may see the last of Mildenhall this season. What a brilliant breath of fresh air he's been to be our best keeper (as opposed to loan) since arguably Flapper days. Some may disagree. Some may see him stay another season. Fair enough, but is he really ready to be in League 1  ;-) |
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Post by brisgas123 on Jul 23, 2015 19:44:30 GMT
I agree with alot of o p. The main difference is this season, I'm more relishing the challenge and more optimistic that most of the squad can compete. There are bound to be casualties, of course. I'm just more forgiving that the one(s) whom do struggle will still give their all, as our team spirit seems to be buzzing at the mo. One point I slightly disagree on is our defence will be tested more intensely this campaign. I hope we get a settled back four early, with what looks to be Milds as established Keeps. For me this is key to push on. The Conference has many challenges, but few were dazzling wingers or proven goalscoring partnerships, which kindof gave our defence an easier time compared to other positions. I expect a more organised opponent in a final third and so many of our mistakes made last season defensively to be punished more ruthlessly. It's an exciting young, fast, fit and diverse defence squad and I'm hoping they'll turn in a reliable performances. I also think sadly we may see the last of Mildenhall this season. What a brilliant breath of fresh air he's been to be our best keeper (as opposed to loan) since arguably Flapper days. Some may disagree. Some may see him stay another season. Fair enough, but is he really ready to be in League 1 ;-)Not just that but he may well be considering retirement at the end of this season. He could maybe then become a goalkeeping coach. |
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Post by gasgasgas on Jul 23, 2015 20:16:16 GMT
I feel quite optimistic as attitude is vital at this level and that's what got us promoted last season - this is on the assumption that DC isn't lured away as he has to be key to this. The ability of the players has been roughly the same over the last two seasons. What Mansell, Sinclair, Taylor brought to the team in abundance was the right attitude - and hence the dramatically improved form.
On the subject of the difference between League 2 and the Conference I'm not sure that skill levels are that different but I did feel that the part time teams in the Conference just couldn't match our fitness levels, particularly in the last half an hour of games. Fitness will still be importance in League 2 but clearly won't be as noticeable against full time teams.
Teams throughout the lower divisions sign loan players both late and often these days so as far as assessment of squad strength I guess it's a little bit early to say. Over the years I've come to the conclusion that form in pre-season friendlies is of no consequence when assessing prospects for the season - does anyone disagree?
Finally - I've had good reports from my Oldham supporting mates on Montana.
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Royal Blue
Michael Smith
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 296
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Post by Royal Blue on Jul 23, 2015 21:08:43 GMT
I personally agree with those who are relatively optimistic about our chances. The team spirit and hard-working nature of our team can take us a long way at this level and I am confident we have the quality to go with it. I like all of our strikers and think they can score goals (with Lucas being someone who I think could force his way in at some stage), and defensively we have a solid group. Factor in the inevitable signings of a couple of loanees and one permanent (probably Bodin), I think we are well equipped.
Admittedly squad depth may be an issue if we are as unlucky with injuries as we were a couple of years ago, but I'm hoping the footballing gods shine down on us for once in that respect.
Also, why do people say we've signed Montana? We've signed Montano, not the fictitious American TV character.
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Post by lostinspace on Jul 23, 2015 21:24:31 GMT
'think gasgasgas has hit it sort of... Sinclair and Taylor saw joining BRFC as a potential step to getting into league football and wanted it big time, Sinclairs' energy gave the team a "wanting" and the fans a big lift to actually see someone prepared to put their head on the block to "do the business" after the duff start things got going and this is where Mansell with his experience helped settle the engine room and things moved on [with the odd hic-cup] and eventually got us over the line, and oddly enough with Mansell settling the shoot out .... we won't set the league on fire but would like to think that a top half finish is well within the grasp, with the odd rush of hysteria of being "nearly there" Clarke will get more than five games !!! he will IMO reiterate his potential to be an above average football league manager |
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
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Post by harrybuckle on Jul 24, 2015 6:06:53 GMT
We have momentum and a settled side top three for me ...providing we keep Lines and Easter fit.
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Post by mentors on Jul 24, 2015 7:16:26 GMT
I think if we lose the first 5 games it will be DC is a conference manager lets get rid We won't lose the first five, or any five consecutive games for that matter, we'll be sound at the back but we're going to struggle to score many and that will mean a difficult season...forecast lower mid table but never in relegation positions. |
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Post by markczgas on Jul 24, 2015 7:32:08 GMT
To be honest I find it VERY difficult to predict how our season will go.There are too many unknowns in our squad to really judge and you only have to talk to other people about the difference in League 2 to the Conference to know why it is difficult to predict. Some people reckon there is little difference between the two whilst others think there is a big gap. I fall somewhere between the two but will be really surprised if we finish above mid table with the squad we have at the present time. Cambridge were in a similar position to us last season and they have signed loads of players so obviously the ones they went up with were not good enough for the step up.The only advantage we have over them is that we went up with a pretty mean defence which could hold us in good stead. Leadbitter reminds ne a lot of Michael Smith and this could be the season where he comes to the fore and has an outstanding season ,Lockyer can without doubt hold his own in League 2 as can Parkes. Not really sure about McCrystal because his weakness of lack of pace will probably be tested far more in this division and with him unlikely to be fit for the first game we will probably see either James Clarke or Lockyer partnering Parkes. i haven't seen enough of either player in that position to make a judgement but Clarke looks like he has a bit of pace and can pass a ball which I would say would give him the edge over Tom so IMO he could turn out to be a great signing. Lee Brown again is a proven force in this League. My worry is very much in front of the back four where we have the following Central Midfielders Mansell Lines Clarke Sinclair I think Sinclair will be OK at League 2 level but where will he fit in? He is not a winger and in the centre he likes to wonder a lot which could leave us lightweight in there because League 2 definitely contains much better midfields than we faced last season. Chris Lines will probably be a luxury at this level and could be brilliant but just as easily leave us struggling to get the ball. Mansell is a year older and may struggle to complete as many games as last year and is he good enough to step up and really have to take hold of the midfield in games and cover to allow whoever is with him to go forward. I'm not sure , I like Mansells battling qualities but will it be enough? Clarke has failed to convince me in two years that he is either Conference or League 2 standard. To me there is something there (his goals show this) but there has been little if no improvement since he first came in to the team.I think this is a make or break season for him and I am not sure which way that will go but hope he improves and proves me wrong. Then we come to the wings where I was really hopeful we were going to make two signings even if Bodin signs but to date we have Montana who I have the feeling will be excellent and Gosling who again was indifferent last season and so there is a big question mark as to whether he can step up. I was disappointed we did not sign Myrie Williams who definitely has proven quality but this disappointment is probably fuelled more by the fact that DC has not yet signed another winger but more worryingly gives no indicaction of future PERMANENT signings. Broom has impressed but his use in the bigger friendlies has been very limited so possibly the best we can hope is that he breaks into the squad this season. Up front number wise we seem to be strong Easter, Taylor,Harrison,Blissett,Bodin (if he signs) and Lucas but do we have the quality? I have the feeling that our season will very much depend on how these fare but the fact that we have not scored a goal either against an Arsenal Under 21 side or Reading (lacking quite a few of their better players) is worrying. There are question marks about each of our forwards and I would be much happier if we had signed another striker. Only Easter is proven at this level but there are question marks over how many games he will play. As for the rest who knows? The key point now could be how many loanees and or signings we have before the first game. I would hope for at least another winger and would not be disappointed to see Dawson arrive back as permanent and a strong Central midfielder ( Connor Clifford comes to mind) and an additional striker proven at this level. Bodin is very much another relative unknown who promised a lot but has delivered relatively little. I am not convinced he is or has ever been a winger and his goalscoring record has never been impressive but he could be another player who DC brings the best out of if he can fit him in the budget. The big problem that I see is that our budget is no longer one of the best for this division and many will be pleased with this based on the past 8 or so seasons HOWEVER my point is that a budget is only as good as the Manager using it and IMO DC is a very good Manager who has pretty well been totally starved of the sort of budget that was given to Ward, McGhee, Buckle and Trollope. Just because the previous Managers squandered it does not mean that the Budget was wrong. DC is capable of taking us out of this division,he is not an experienced Manager at this level but I have every faith in his ability to do it if he is given the tools to do it. At the present time I am far from convinced that our silent Board have anything on their minds other than the Appeal. DC will not waste the cash-The Board will!!! So to conclude, I am as far away from knowing how we will fare as when i started this but i very much hope that a lot of the unknowns will prove their worth and if that happens then we could be in for a very good season. Too much the other way and it could be another dodgy season in League 2. This is just my opinions and it will be great to hear others views. Agree with a lot of this Steve. You didn't mention the goalkeeping situation ( I have no confidence in Mildenhall - he's at the end of his career and probably on the wane). The key players for me are Lines and Easter - if they are fit and want to play game in game out then maybe mid table otherwise it's bottom 8 for me. Oh and the right winger situation surely we aren't going to go through another season loaning players on this side ?? UTG ! |
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Post by stevek192 on Jul 24, 2015 9:06:47 GMT
Markczgas,
I am not sure about the goalkeeping position but less worried about that than I am the wingers,central midfield and strikers and the unknown quantity. Mildy is still of the age where if he comes back fit then provided his confidence is high can do a job,Puddy is an unknown quantity at this level but i thought did a good job so needs a chance.
I would not be at all surprised if we have loans all season on the right wing. I don't agree with keep having to bring in loanees as I am a believer in your first choice 11 at the start of the season being all signed up to the club for the entire season and loans should be in emergencies.
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Post by bttrsblue on Jul 24, 2015 9:19:44 GMT
I think we have a balanced experienced defense, but i still cant see that many goals in the team. Harrison could go either way, my bet is he will get frustrated a lot of the time, and his mental attributes, as we've seen in the past, haven't always been as good as his raw ability. Easter is a good player, well good pedigree, having a fit Easter would be a huge boast, whether its from the bench, or starting, but where are the assists coming from?
Last season Gosling only really had an impact towards the tail end of the season - even then it was patchy form, one belter of a game followed by not even noticing him on the pitch!
Montano - Who knows??
I think our season will come down to DC.
- Can he get the right loans in at the right times - last year was a mixed bag, some good (LDV, Dawson) some bad (Martin comes to mind).
- Are we going to make any more permanent signings - probably not - maybe Bodin.
- Keeping the fans on side - as mentioned above - if we lose 5 on the bounce, all the haters will come out again to claim DC is only proven in the conference, we need a bigger name, more experience - probably Johnson. (Horrible little man).
- On the flip side, if by mid october we are doing well - sacking season will be in full flow, and im sure teams will come knocking for him. Hes said he wants to finish the job here - but in reality it would be hard not to take a Champ/L1 large club - and i wouldn't blame him either.
Personally i have faith in DC, and when it gets tough, and we are a couple of goals down at HT - because it will happen at some point - im going to think back to Braintree and Altrincham, and it wont seem so bad!
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irishrover
Global Moderator
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 3,372
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Post by irishrover on Jul 24, 2015 10:54:58 GMT
I think history tells us that a lot of it comes down to what kind of a start we get off to. Time after time it felt like early season optimism was utterly destroyed by a terrible start in League 2 and then things just snowballed downwards from there. The fact is we've played most of the last 15 years in that league and only really had 1 good season which is pretty depressing but nevertheless true. With the exception of the season we went up (and arguably the full season under Atkins) we were under some kind of threat of relegation every single season. Our record is appalling yet nearly always we went into the season with boundless optimism and the expectation that we should/would be challenging. I wonder if that's the reason that so many season's went south so quickly - the pressure of that expectation meant that a bad start just made the problem worse and worse and the atmosphere poisonous. I wonder if we will benefit from being a bit more relaxed heading into this year. I'm also heartened by the fact that Clarke was able to turn around a pretty poor start last season. I'm happy to go with cautious optimism.
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brizzle
Lindsay Parsons
No Buy . . . No Sell!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,293
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Post by brizzle on Jul 24, 2015 12:30:20 GMT
I start every season full of energy and enthusiasm, and it's no different this year.
I think that we will comfortably be in the top half of the league come next May, and all being well finish up in one of the play-off positions.
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;-)
