| Most important season for 20+ years? 09:48 - Aug 29 with 445 views | bsw72 |
When McKenna took over, the team was struggling in League 1. However, the club was beginning to stabilize under new ownership. McKenna, a young coach from Manchester United and well-regarded within football circles - though relatively unknown to the mainstream - began his tenure with promise.
He inherited a squad showing early signs of recovery, with the core of what would become the promotion team already being assembled. Throughout the 2021-22 season, he added new players, which led to improved performances. The following seasons (2022-2025) saw fluctuating results, influenced by expectations and ongoing squad development.
In 2022-23, the team was considered a favorite due to financial strength, but the squad was still in the process of being built, and McKenna was relatively new. In 2023-24, the team clicked, went on a good run, and exceeded expectations. By 2024-25, the season was disappointing, but it was viewed as a "free hit" against Premier League giants.
Now, with nearly five years under McKenna, making him the 11th longest-serving manager in the league, the club is favored to win the league. The squad features international players, U21 internationals, and proven Championship performers, all supported by significant financial backing.
This season is arguably the most important since the club’s Premier League campaign of 2001-02, when infrastructure and new stands were being expanded, following a 5th-place finish in 2001.
The club has invested heavily to rebuild the team and support McKenna; probably more than they did last year in relative terms. Top coaches like Ferguson, Guardiola, Clough, and Paisley have demonstrated the importance of rebuilding successful teams from the ashes of previous ones. This season presents an opportunity for McKenna to prove he can do the same, showing he has the ability to build a new team from the ground up. It could be a "make or break" moment for him.
Ultimately, this season’s success will depend on whether the squad and management are properly balanced. I remain hopeful that they are . . . |  | | |  |
| Most important season for 20+ years? on 09:53 - Aug 29 with 388 views | homer_123 |
stabilize?!?!?!?
Get rid of that Z |  |
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| Most important season for 20+ years? on 09:54 - Aug 29 with 381 views | J2BLUE |
Fairly sure people have said that about the last 4-5 seasons at least. |  |
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| Most important season for 20+ years? on 09:54 - Aug 29 with 379 views | bsw72 |
| Most important season for 20+ years? on 09:53 - Aug 29 by homer_123 |
stabilize?!?!?!?
Get rid of that Z |
Lol - spell checking on a US English work computer. I apologise . . . but don't apologize. | | | |
| Most important season for 20+ years? on 10:01 - Aug 29 with 302 views | Earls_Jeans |
I strongly agree with your penultimate paragraph and was thinking the same thing yesterday as the incoming transfer activity ramped up.
This season - not last season - is McKenna's biggest test as a manager to date. Last season was a free hit from his perspective. This year he has to show that he can be successful with a new group of players and that the original mentality monsters that he and Morsy built didn't fluke their way into the Premier League. (For the record I obviously don't think that to be the truth).
But does he have the energy and appetite to rebuild that culture and enviable/ identifiable style of play again almost from scratch with just a few of the back-to-back heroes remaining? It's a big test of his chops. |  | | |
| Most important season for 20+ years? on 11:15 - Aug 29 with 206 views | DarkBrandon |
It is a big season for McKenna for sure. For us ... I don't think it is.
The critical one was two seasons ago. That got us the £150m or whatever it is allowing us to invest in the stadium, training ground, academy and squad. That rebuild has moved the infrastructure of the club forward hugely.
That investment will pay off for years to come ... irrespective of whether we go up this season or not. We've now returned to being one of the teams you expect to be challenging for promotion from the second tier, which is probably our natural level. |  | | |
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