| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? 19:36 - May 10 with 3249 views | CopfordBlue |
The Championship is going to be tough. Our squad is a lot stronger than it was a year ago, financially the club are very well placed, the stadium has been upgraded and we’ve got an exceptional young manager. These are all massive points in our favour but despite them next season will be testing. Too many supporters are talking as if all we have to do is turn up and we’ll be promoted as champions with 100 points and 100 goals. It could happen , I’d love it to but I have my doubts.
A big overhaul in the squad this summer seems inevitable, despite Kieran saying he’ll be here, things can change and as we know very well, the championship is a hard league. We found league one challenging for 4 years, we didn’t even make the play offs for the first 3 before eventually getting promoted by the skin of our teeth.
This will be the 5th time I’ve seen us relegated (4 times from the top division, once from the Championship). Not once have we bounced straight back. The chances of us doing so next season are better than at any time in the past but it’s not guaranteed.
This isn’t intended as a negative post, just a reality check. My concern is that if a significant proportion of the fanbase think next season will be a walk in the park and we then get off to a bad start, the atmosphere will become quite toxic, quite early.
It’s going to be a long, hard season and it’s not going to be plain sailing. There will be plenty of upheaval over the summer. The players will have 3 weeks less off than the majority of teams in the league who are already on holiday. We’ve got a very good chance of bouncing back and I wouldn’t bet against us doing it but those of you expecting, maybe even demanding promotion would do well to remember where we were 3 years ago. [Post edited 10 May 19:37]
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| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:16 - May 11 with 357 views | Axeldalai_lama |
I agree with the general thrust of not expecting to blow every team away, and to expect blips. But I think, for the first time in forever, that we can and should go I to a season fearing nobody. Yes teams might see us there to be shot at, but they'll not necessarily expect much from games against us if we play to our top level. Again not arrogance, just expectation, and yes we'll have off days.
In my opinion we can talk about ourselves and our threats and strengths, and not have to worry and fret about other teams. We can think about our options, who we might be playing with our seemingly huge attacking options, etc, next season. That's not arrogance, that's how it should be when a team is strong and a big fish.
As long as we don't start whining as soon as a smaller team inevitably scrapes a 1-0 early in the season or whatever then I think most fans will be fine. |  | | |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:17 - May 11 with 357 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:01 - May 11 by Blue_Heath |
Agree,
Teams were likely surprised by us last season, this time around we're a scalp to be had.
We have no momentum, I think that part is very underestimated, I expect Brum and Wrexham both to have very good seasons.
Our team spirit is not the same.
We will likely have to bed in another 5 players to first XI
are the things that bother me.
On the plus side if we can keep most of our defence and forward line and find a way to play it should be a good season. That said I haven't really watched Luton but what the hell happened to them? They got more PL points than we did.
Realistically I'd say 16-18 teams can probably reach the top six if they perform as a club to their highest level. Naturally some will drop off but we need to be at it from match 1. Personally, I'd love another Wembley play off win this time around! |
Ok, so maybe you’re trying to temper expectations, but realistically there is zero chance that 16-18 teams will be competing for the top six.
There are maybe 4 that will compete for the top 3 places, and then 16-18 that could complete for the remaining playoff places. Much like this season and last season.
We really should be one of those 4 that establishes a buffer from the chasing pack. No, there are no guarantees, and it can go pear-shaped, but the odds are in favour of there again being a small mini-league for the top of the Championship.
Have we lost spirit this season? For me there is no sign of that. Have we made too many mistakes and been naive at times? Yes - but those will not be serious concerns next season. People are making far too much of the potential ‘relegation hangover’ imo.
We’ll know better by October, but why not bookmark this comment and refer back to in in October - I’m quietly confident that it won’t come back to bite me. Are we certain of promotion? No. Should we be in the mix? A resounding YES. | | | |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:29 - May 11 with 313 views | Blue_Heath |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:17 - May 11 by SuffolkPunchFC |
Ok, so maybe you’re trying to temper expectations, but realistically there is zero chance that 16-18 teams will be competing for the top six.
There are maybe 4 that will compete for the top 3 places, and then 16-18 that could complete for the remaining playoff places. Much like this season and last season.
We really should be one of those 4 that establishes a buffer from the chasing pack. No, there are no guarantees, and it can go pear-shaped, but the odds are in favour of there again being a small mini-league for the top of the Championship.
Have we lost spirit this season? For me there is no sign of that. Have we made too many mistakes and been naive at times? Yes - but those will not be serious concerns next season. People are making far too much of the potential ‘relegation hangover’ imo.
We’ll know better by October, but why not bookmark this comment and refer back to in in October - I’m quietly confident that it won’t come back to bite me. Are we certain of promotion? No. Should we be in the mix? A resounding YES. |
In theory what you say is correct but football doesn't work like that which is why we all love it.
I can see Birmingham or Wrexham ripping it up if they get off to a good start.
Teams like Millwall nearly made play offs this year, Bristol City did. Perhaps my point wasn't clear but I reckon 16-18 teams all think they can probably get top six and if everything goes their way they could.
Likely one of Sheff U/Sunderland will be up their with us Saints and foxes but then Middlesboro, Coventry, Blackburn etc will all feel they can be top six and you always get a few surprise teams too.
No VAR, no half and halfers is definitely something to look forward too and hopefully my £450 for one win at home cost will reduce next season! | | | |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:39 - May 11 with 295 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:29 - May 11 by Blue_Heath |
In theory what you say is correct but football doesn't work like that which is why we all love it.
I can see Birmingham or Wrexham ripping it up if they get off to a good start.
Teams like Millwall nearly made play offs this year, Bristol City did. Perhaps my point wasn't clear but I reckon 16-18 teams all think they can probably get top six and if everything goes their way they could.
Likely one of Sheff U/Sunderland will be up their with us Saints and foxes but then Middlesboro, Coventry, Blackburn etc will all feel they can be top six and you always get a few surprise teams too.
No VAR, no half and halfers is definitely something to look forward too and hopefully my £450 for one win at home cost will reduce next season! |
I don’t disagree with your comments. One of the 4 competing for the top 4 could be a surprise package (as we were last season - but note there wasn’t one this season). The chances of this exists, but is less likely imo.
And in your example - Millwall. Yes, they could make the playoffs next season, and I didn’t suggest teams like them couldn’t. I’m saying that there is a big group that could realistically be in contention for 5th and 6th, but the step up to complete for top 2 or the 3rd/4th playoff positions is huge. I expect top 3 to need 90+ points next season. I don’t see many of the chasing pack (eg the Milwall’s) getting close to that. | | | |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:39 - May 11 with 290 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 02:17 - May 11 by Chrisd |
I 100% agree with you. Let’s not forget to factor in our squad are now used to losing, that has an impact on the mentality, so if we start slowly next season and find ourselves behind in games it might trigger those same thoughts that our squad is going through this season, it’s to be expected. Also, there are going to be changes in the personnel of our playing squad that takes time to gel. Our recruitment this season - let’s face it - has been poor, I just hope we do better during the summer to get us Championship ready. Finally, KM was untouchable during his first couple of seasons, he was used to tasting success, however this campaign has highlighted his flaws and limitations as a manager and that can also impact on someone’s self doubt. Those feelings won’t just go away at a drop of a hat or because we’ve been relegated.
I personally feel, there’s a lot of things that will impact on us next season, it won’t merely be a stroll in the park and those that think it will be are being rather naive. For all the Burnley and Leeds Utds, let’s not forget sides like Watford, Birmingham City, Bolton, WBA , Huddersfield Town, the Canaries etc…..that have yet to make a return to the EPL. [Post edited 11 May 7:35]
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I hear a lot of talk about fans thinking it will be a stroll in the park but I've not heard or seen anyone actually say it. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:45 - May 11 with 284 views | NickITFC |
Total agree with your concerns. The mentality of us losing every week must be shaken off quickly if we are to bounce back at the first attempt that's for sure!
We only won 5 out of 46 when we were relegated to L1 in 2019 and we all thought we would bounce back at the first time and look how that went. It took an ownership change of the club and two managerial changes. I know this is a different situation with two very different leagues but we simply have to get the positive mentality back quickly and get off to a good start! |  | | |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:52 - May 11 with 270 views | Cafe_Newman |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:39 - May 11 by The_Flashing_Smile |
I hear a lot of talk about fans thinking it will be a stroll in the park but I've not heard or seen anyone actually say it. |
I agree. I have concluded that the OP must be warning us about potential thought crimes. |  | | |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 10:07 - May 11 with 210 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 08:45 - May 11 by NickITFC |
Total agree with your concerns. The mentality of us losing every week must be shaken off quickly if we are to bounce back at the first attempt that's for sure!
We only won 5 out of 46 when we were relegated to L1 in 2019 and we all thought we would bounce back at the first time and look how that went. It took an ownership change of the club and two managerial changes. I know this is a different situation with two very different leagues but we simply have to get the positive mentality back quickly and get off to a good start! |
The difference in 2019 is we had a club that had been stagnating for a long time. No investment, crumbling infrastructure, an aging squad and a fracturing team.
And don't forget - we got off to a good start (>2ppg in the first 15), that started going bad as we approached Xmas. It was probably beyond recovery by the time COVID hit, but that was the final nail in the coffin for our first season in L1.
Basically, there is zero correlation between this relegation, and the 2019 relegation. | | | |
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| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 12:31 - May 11 with 154 views | OldFart71 |
When last in the Championship we blew teams away with our attacking prowess including Hutchinson and Burns. We may have neither at the start of next season.
Obviously for differing reasons, one injured and the other sold.
The midfield will be decimated with Phillips, Cajuste and Loungo all probably moving on.
So McKenna has a big job getting the right replacements. Going back to years gone by we have always had players of the calibre of Magilton, Viljoen,Talbot, diesel Morris, Warky, Holland and not forgetting Murhen and Thjssen. We will unless the right players are brought in have no strong runners in midfield. Town should be scouring the leagues world wide now looking for the right players to bring in as I am sure a few enquiries have already been made for a hand full of our players. | | | |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 12:33 - May 11 with 152 views | pointofblue |
| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 10:07 - May 11 by SuffolkPunchFC |
The difference in 2019 is we had a club that had been stagnating for a long time. No investment, crumbling infrastructure, an aging squad and a fracturing team.
And don't forget - we got off to a good start (>2ppg in the first 15), that started going bad as we approached Xmas. It was probably beyond recovery by the time COVID hit, but that was the final nail in the coffin for our first season in L1.
Basically, there is zero correlation between this relegation, and the 2019 relegation. |
From a footballing perspective, we were lucky Covid hit when it did. I doubt we would have finished 11th without it, the way we were sliding. | |
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| We’ve won 4 in 36, 1 in 18 at home , can we drop the arrogance? on 13:13 - May 11 with 105 views | MK1 |
"arrogance"?
I think if we keep the bulk of what we brought, then most would be disappointed if we ain't top 2 come the end of next season.
The Squad, Manager and Coaching Staff would have learnt a lot from this season and it should help us for next season.
I don't think any of us are arrogant enough to think we will breeze the league, but I imagine most are expecting promotion against far less superior opposition next season.
Playing the likes of Wrexham and Stoke will be far easier than playing Crystal Palace and Everton. |  |
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