Realistic expectations for the season

Philbfctrois

Well-known member
Things certainly look a bit better than they did a couple of weeks ago when Bullshit couldn't get deals over the line

Still need a right back to put pressure on Gabriel when he's back and probably another attacking player

I really like the Patino signing and the left back did well until he cramped up second half against Reading

This Patino kid could be really special we need to just let him play

But for me this season all hinges on if we keep Josh Bowler or not, he's our best player by a mile and creates chances for fun

We really have to keep him even if it means him going next season for nothing, we simply can't replace him for the money that's been talked about

So a push for the play offs for me if the above stars align

Utmp ....
 
I have said the same about Bowler on another thread. I would very much like to push for playoffs, and hope the team (including management) do, though I expect MA may have discussed slightly less ambitious targets at interview and will be focussing on securing Championship for the following season. We’ll see, but I am very much looking forward to the ride!

As you say Phil - UTMP
 
Things certainly look a bit better than they did a couple of weeks ago when Bullshit couldn't get deals over the line

Still need a right back to put pressure on Gabriel when he's back and probably another attacking player

I really like the Patino signing and the left back did well until he cramped up second half against Reading

This Patino kid could be really special we need to just let him play

But for me this season all hinges on if we keep Josh Bowler or not, he's our best player by a mile and creates chances for fun

We really have to keep him even if it means him going next season for nothing, we simply can't replace him for the money that's been talked about

So a push for the play offs for me if the above stars align

Utmp ....
You forgot to mention your expectations for the season.
 
Things certainly look a bit better than they did a couple of weeks ago when Bullshit couldn't get deals over the line

Still need a right back to put pressure on Gabriel when he's back and probably another attacking player

I really like the Patino signing and the left back did well until he cramped up second half against Reading

This Patino kid could be really special we need to just let him play

But for me this season all hinges on if we keep Josh Bowler or not, he's our best player by a mile and creates chances for fun

We really have to keep him even if it means him going next season for nothing, we simply can't replace him for the money that's been talked about

So a push for the play offs for me if the above stars align

Utmp ....
If we can get another striker, Rogers & a RB, and offload a few who won't affect the starting 11 then no reason why we can't be in and around the top 10...A couple of weeks ago I honestly thought we would be bottom 6.
 
The loan signings we've made look like they might do well for us. I think a lot hinges on how we spend the Critchley compensation. I think we need a more mobile centre forward than Madine, and we need right back cover. We also need to either keep or replace Bowler adequately (not an easy job). Right now my expectation for the season is to finish in a similar position than last season. I don't see any reason why we should be struggling - we haven't sold anyone and we achieved 60 points last season.
If we make some good decisions in August, then we should be beating last season's total and looking upwards. That's a big 'if' though.
 
The key thing for me is not how we might perform in a single season, but rather how the club manages progress and stabilise over time. We've already done the whole boom and bust thing with the Oystons and TBH I'm not really interested in the idea of sacrificing the future to roll the dice and see what happens.

That's a long way of saying that unless Josh signs a new contract, then we need to take the money and reinvest in the future.

Not sure where we will end up this season, but if success or failure hinges on a player who appears to be willing to run down his contract, then we're doing something wrong.
 
Keeping Bowler is only an option if he signs a new contract. They won't turn down £3m for him and at the end of the day financially finishing 4th bottom nets the same as finishing 7th.

I think it's too early to talk about expectations, maybe after 6 games you can have a realistic idea, but atm it's more hope.
 
Keeping Bowler is only an option if he signs a new contract. They won't turn down £3m for him and at the end of the day financially finishing 4th bottom nets the same as finishing 7th.

I think it's too early to talk about expectations, maybe after 6 games you can have a realistic idea, but atm it's more hope.
We won't get 3 million for him

I would suggest nearer 1.5 hence why it's not worth us selling him
 
Realistically 16th or higher IMO.
Top 12 with a small flirt at the play offs would be amazing
As mentioned before Bowler is a huge piece of the jigsaw and if pretty much safe by end of Jan either attempt 2 year contract with massive incentives or try and cash in for a million quid…..I know it’s not much but he’ll only have a very limited length contract by then.

Yeah yeah, I know that’s what she said about my length too
 
Bowler will go

We need a right back urgently

Possibly another striker.

10th position a possibility.
 
We won't get 3 million for him

I would suggest nearer 1.5 hence why it's not worth us selling him
I'd agree if it was a single club wanting him, but there are at least 2 to drive the price up. And after Saturday his price went back up to somewhere near his pre-slump period under Quitbitch. A good game at Stoke and it will cement that.

I'd be moving heaven and earth to get him on a longer deal given his age, but if he's not willing to sign then he wants away anyway.
 
I think there are two voices in my head Phil
1. If Appleton can get these players to gel and can get some of the experienced players back like Keogh and Husband (as we do need some older heads in this squad) then I think we can really enjoy this season.
2. Remembering how many times one of the poorest teams in this league got behind our defence and how the ball shot across the goal line 2/3 times in the second half against Reading, I think it could still be a bumpy ride!
 
I'd agree if it was a single club wanting him, but there are at least 2 to drive the price up. And after Saturday his price went back up to somewhere near his pre-slump period under Quitbitch. A good game at Stoke and it will cement that.

I'd be moving heaven and earth to get him on a longer deal given his age, but if he's not willing to sign then he wants away anyway.
Yeah it's a dilemma for sure

I would hope the club sees his value on the pitch rather than on a balance sheet

Anything about 3 million then I would have thought the club would sell, anything below then not for me, he's worth more to the team in a results business

I suppose it comes down to ambition in the end
 
Yeah it's a dilemma for sure

I would hope the club sees his value on the pitch rather than on a balance sheet

Anything about 3 million then I would have thought the club would sell, anything below then not for me, he's worth more to the team in a results business

I suppose it comes down to ambition in the end
I think he will go. The problem I can see is that to get the best price it needs to go close to the wire so it adds a panic million. If that happens it leaves us no time to bring in, say a £1.5m striker, a 'replacement', and maybe one other.
 
Ha! The irony.

I'm only saying I think Bowler will leave. Because he wants to and clubs in the EPL want him. Which is not negative.

Negativity is describing success as failure, which is your forte
It depends what you class as success I suppose
 
Expectations for this season? I haven't got a clue tbh. Appleton has done ok in leagues one and two, can he step up to the Championship and create and sustain a team on one of the tighter budgets? A lot probably depends on how 4 young loan players do over a whole season. I'll have a wild guess at 18th.
 
I think Bowler will leave, because ultimately he will want the kind of move that is going to be offered, and the terms will be beyond what we as a club can either afford, or should be paying (in terms of wages structure).

Since he (and his agent) will want the move it will get forced through, and indeed the club cannot stand in the way, otherwise we won't get players like Bowler in the future.

Expectations this season are a finish above mid table. Play Off push would be wonderful ..... and of course anything is possible, but this doesn't fit with the 'realistic' description.
 
If Bowler stays and these young loans are as good as they say, and we have better luck with injuries, then playoffs are quite possible, and you know how we perform in playoffs. Utmp
 
Spent too much time listening to Karl Oyston you have pal

If only we could be like Colchester 👍
As I've said before, Karl Oyston talked a lot of sense but unfortunately, in my opinion he wasn't a full shilling and so seemed a bit prone to stupidity as well.

I'm ambitious for the Club, but my ambition lies beyond the scope of the immediate season....

Of course it seems that you probably agree with me anyway on this and I think we'll likely see him on his way for £3M or more.

I suspect between now and Christmas will be pretty tough as we bed new players in and try to adjust to Appleton's system....If we're still in contention by then, it could be a very good season...
 
I desperately want Bowler to put pen to paper and surely they must be negotiating with him. At the end of the day though money talks, if he doesn't want to sign a new contract and wants to walk away in the summer then I think we have to look seriously at selling him. As Fount's says there are at least 2 EPL teams interested I him and possibly more and if he plays to the top of his game then he could easily go for 5 million.

So, I would rather we kept him on a new contract but if not then sell for anything over 5 million. It doesn't want to be left to the last hour of TDD either, it needs sorting so we can either settle down knowing he's with us or we have time to get a replacement if he doesn't.

As for expectations. I expect us to be more expansive and fun to watch but at this stage anything better than what we achieved last season would do for me.
 
Things certainly look a bit better than they did a couple of weeks ago when Bullshit couldn't get deals over the line

Still need a right back to put pressure on Gabriel when he's back and probably another attacking player

I really like the Patino signing and the left back did well until he cramped up second half against Reading

This Patino kid could be really special we need to just let him play

But for me this season all hinges on if we keep Josh Bowler or not, he's our best player by a mile and creates chances for fun

We really have to keep him even if it means him going next season for nothing, we simply can't replace him for the money that's been talked about

So a push for the play offs for me if the above stars align

Utmp ....
Agree, was impressed with the first half last week. The intensity and speed on the ball was impressive, we tired massively in the second half but once we learn how to manage the 90 mins this season could be very interesting.

From the limited time I've seen of Patino in an Arsenal shirt he looked real quality and I mean a proper player. Him and Fiorini could tear up a few teams this year - very exciting.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this team performs against the teams that tore us a new one last year; Coventry, Cardiff, Hudders and also the relegated teams who are bound to be up there.

I reckon this team could be good enough for challenging for a playoff position....
 
Depends on a couple of things, firstly how quickly the players fit in to MA's system. It's hard to tell after 1 game.
We started well against Reading, but we tired and they were the better side in the 2nd half without really creating many clear chances.

Secondly, can we keep Bowler? I agree with the posts saying we'll probably sell him, but I hope it isn't to a championship rival and I hope it's 3m plus. He remains our main threat, he was excellent against Reading until they decided to keep the ball in the 2nd half.

I'm going for mid table, I don't think we'll keep Bowler sadly.
Perhaps a flirt with the playoffs if the team gells quickly in Ma's 4 3 3
First half v Reading was very encouraging.
 
On strings? What does that mean?
hahaha i used the strings word on purpose as it yet another word that the youth of today use - it means jumping up and down in a wound up state (i think!) - anyway the irony you accuse phil as neg yet he goes for the play offs, you a lowly league finish! Only on AVFTT
 
The key thing for me is not how we might perform in a single season, but rather how the club manages progress and stabilise over time. We've already done the whole boom and bust thing with the Oystons and TBH I'm not really interested in the idea of sacrificing the future to roll the dice and see what happens.

That's a long way of saying that unless Josh signs a new contract, then we need to take the money and reinvest in the future.

Not sure where we will end up this season, but if success or failure hinges on a player who appears to be willing to run down his contract, then we're doing something wrong.
Great post bang on.
 
On strings? What does that mean?
Phil doesn't understand the difference between expectation and ambition. Seems you don't either. And Phil started the thread by forgetting to answer his own question and has been struggling ever since. Maybe read the thread again! Strings my arse!

Phil thinks Appleton is a big step up on Critchley. Jury is out for me.

Phil's negativity is legendary. A daily occurrence.
 
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Burnley are selling another winger for
17. 5 million gbp. I think he will end up there but think we should hold out for at least 3 million gbp.
If that money paves the way for Rogers being bought then a good deal all round.
Think we will be top half
 
Phil doesn't understand the difference between expectation and ambition. Seems you don't either.

Phil thinks Appleton is a big step up on Critchley. Jury is out for me.

Phil's negativity is legendary. A daily occurrence.
As Voyeur has said Phil doesn't seem to understand the difference between ambition and expectations.

Ambition should be to win 46 games and go up as Champions playing attractive football.

Expectation is mid-tableish.
 
Playoffs would be a Stella season, and I’m a great believer that most teams if they can manage to “click” that bit better than the others can overachieve, so why not. However if I had to guess, I’d say somewhere between the 60 points and top half would be progress and that’s where I feel is more likely. Survival is objective 1 of course.
 
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