Feels like this is the real new beginning

BFC_53

BFC_53

Well-known member
Obviously Sadler has been in charge for over a year now, but this season feels a lot different to me. Last summer, such was the mess the club was in, everything was rushed, and haphazard. We appointed Grayson because he was a known quantity and we didn't have long to think about it. The transfer policy was muddled, half being McPhillips signings and half being Grayson. It was almost like a club that has been starved of investment suddenly being given a cheque book and not quite knowing what to do with it.

Fast forward a year, and I don't think I've ever been as positive about our club, or as excited about watching a pre season friendly. To me, we have now laid down the foundations for the direction that Simon wants us to go in, and I like it. I think this was always the plan but I suspect the problems last March were probably even greater than he imagined. Now we have a head coach proven to successfully develop young players with potential, and our transfer policy has been carefully considered and deliberate, and makes sense with the type of manager we've appointed. It all feels a lot more joined up. There has been no sign at all of a scattergun approach, and no waiting for the discards at the end of August. We've very clearly identified qualities the team needs, then identified players that possess those qualities, and gone out and got them. All within the framework set out which is focused on a players age.

Ok, so we don't know how we'll fare. There are no guarantees of success. But in my time following BFC we have never had such a clear transfer strategy. Of course, all we want as fans is success, but I think more than that is to see evidence that the club knows what it's doing, where it wants to go, and has a clear strategy to achieve it. Who can argue that now.

I think last year was a false start, and this may just be where the fun begins. I hope there isn't a reaction to the result or performance today - pre season friendlies are rarely an indicator of league performance. I think we all need to remain focused on the bigger picture, and the signs are very very encouraging. Can't wait to get back watching in person!
 
Well said, 53, I'm sure you speak for all of us in that post. 👍

You're right about pre-season friendlies, but at 3pm this afternoon those of us who can watch it will be supporting the guys via Youtube and hoping to see the fruits of Critchley's methods even at this early stage. 🍊 🍊
 
Agree. Great post and my feelings too. 👍
There was so much to sort out it was never going to happen straight away.
I can understand why he appointed Larry with his record of promotion, but when he saw it wasn’t working, SS moved quickly to rectify it. Not sure how we managed to land Neil and Ben, but that was definitely a coup for a LG1 team based on promise alone.
 
Great post, I too feel as optimistic as I’ve felt for many, many years. In a strange way Covid-19 probably gave the powers that be time to concentrate on what needed to be done, rather than being distracted by playing a couple of games each week.
 
Yes agree totally 53 the future certainly looks Tangerine , can you imagine how we will all feel when the the plans for the New Training ground and it’s location are revealed..
Yes I am loving every moment since Simon Sadler bought the Club. UTMP
 
Absolutely spot on, last season was very disjointed, the start to this will probably be as well but for different reasons that obviously aren't the clubs fault.

The Mrs had a delivery this morning and the guy was wearing a Blackpool t-shirt, I mentioned our friendly this afternoon and he replied with 'I can't wait to get back, new manager, all these new signings, it feels like a different club.'

How refreshing having that kind of positive interaction with a complete stranger after so many years of negative conversations about that criminal family and our trials and tribulations.
 
After the season being cut short so soon after NC came in, with little time for him to implement anything of real note, I think todays game could possibly take on more importance for the players and staff than the usual first friendly of pre season would.
The players and coaching staff will be chomping at the bit to get back at it.
 
HighfieldSeasider said:
Absolutely spot on, last season was very disjointed, the start to this will probably be as well but for different reasons that obviously aren't the clubs fault.

The Mrs had a delivery this morning and the guy was wearing a Blackpool t-shirt, I mentioned our friendly this afternoon and he replied with 'I can't wait to get back, new manager, all these new signings, it feels like a different club.'

How refreshing having that kind of positive interaction with a complete stranger after so many years of negative conversations about that criminal family and our trials and tribulations.
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The viewing figures for the live feed speak for themselves. Lots of interest in this team at a very early stage.
 
BFC_53 said:
We appointed Grayson because he was a known quantity and we didn't have long to think about it. The transfer policy was muddled, half being McPhillips signings and half being Grayson. It was almost like a club that has been starved of investment suddenly being given a cheque book and not quite knowing what to do with it.
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In a way, good that everyone learned ftom that experience - last season’s squad along with Grayson at the helm would have been ill-equipped to deal with a season straight back in the Championship.
 
BFC_53 said:
But in my time following BFC we have never had such a clear transfer strategy.
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I think this is the thing for me. How many times have we been crying out at this stage for a manager to fill a certain position or strengthen certain areas .. 'where's the defence Larry' instantly springs to mind but it does feel as if we've had this scattergun approach to signings which means we are top heavy in certain areas and very light in others. What Critchley has done is added quality across the board, not been afraid to ruffle a few feathers and clearly has a certain player and style of play in mind.

My only caveat would be that this is League One and as much as everyone looks like they have footballing ability, sometimes you need that ugly player to break the play up or put the foot on the ball (or opposition player!) and am not sure we have that player yet!
 
The CDM role needs filling for sure. Maybe that’s Robson?
I’m not hung up on the age/experience bit - I forget his name but Chelsea played a teenager towards the end of the season before lockdown in that position and he was mom in 2 games back to back.
He had energy to burn and was very disruptive in the midfield.
 
I actually think the early end to the season has actually worked in our favour and certainly in Critchley's. He has had lots of time to sit and plan and get the players he wants with the added bonus of an owner who is financially secure and happy to support him, unlike many other clubs who will have suffered because of the break.

There is still just over a month before the new season starts and I think there will be another 2 or 3 signings and of course the loans. I would be very surprised if we don't get at least one player from his old club and he will have identified other players like KDH who he knows and will be a first team starter (there's no point in having a loan player unless they are better than what we have and they will be on the team sheet week in week out.

Very exciting and very strange after what has gone on under the stains and Cartmell.
 
Our illustrious football club being run right by the right folk playing the right way that will do for me. I can wait however long it takes for success with that mantra in place.
 
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