New season

[Zonnebloem]

I've got this feeling of optimism. There have been some interesting signings, ready to start training and practice together already. At this stage last year, there was nothing but a bunch of trialists turning out for the pre-season friendlies and by all accounts, they weren't setting the world on fire. Not many made it through to this coming season.

I hope it's nothing like the last time this optimism attack happened. That was when Nicky Law was recruiting about 2 players per week. The squad he put together over the close season, whenever that was a few years ago, looked very clever by having 2 players for each position.

Trouble was, they were mostly not good enough (polite term).

What happened to Wolleaston, Cornwall and company? Rhetorical question, don't answer. I don't really need to know.

This time, I hope they ARE all good enough. Stu needs to get it right this time. I've forgotten what it's like to support a winning team.

As for The Possibles, I've already expressed doubts about Boulding, just going by his record over the years. Beckett looks a better bet, if his knees are OK and signing on expense isn't too great. Hoping to see some younger players too.

Friendlies start next week already.......

[Ed]

Wolleaston is at Cambridge, he's highly thought of there...

Luke Cornwall was last seen playing for Dulwich Hamlet.

[beerbantam]

Wolleaston is at Cambridge, he's highly thought of there...

Luke Cornwall was last seen playing for Dulwich Hamlet.

Thanks for that Ed.....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Ed]

Thanks for that Ed.....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Your welcome :-)

[Johnny Yen]

I've got this feeling of optimism. There have been some interesting signings, ready to start training and practice together already. At this stage last year, there was nothing but a bunch of trialists turning out for the pre-season friendlies and by all accounts, they weren't setting the world on fire. Not many made it through to this coming season.
This time, I hope they ARE all good enough. Stu needs to get it right this time. I've forgotten what it's like to support a winning team.
Friendlies start next week already.......

Stuart has looked at his budget and his current City players.
He has made a concious decision to go for experience, all the players he's brought in have being winners and successful in varying degress at pervious clubs.
Because of the age of these players, folk perhaps could accuse Stuart of shortermisn, however it would be rather unfair.
This statedgy has the most chance of instant rewards. Thus promotion is his immediate target.
To go for younger players with a small budget would again render him very limited in options, therefore a mid-table postion would probably beckon, and to blend them would take two/three seasons to launch a fruitful promotion challenge.
I do believe with a little rub of the green and a fit spine for most of the season, then promotion with the thirtysomethnigs is within our grasp.

And without trying to look to far into the future, Stuarts team building in league one on a improved budget and slightly better pulling power would see him probably look towards a slightly more long term one.

[Tyneside BCFC]

It is probably the first time since 2001 (just after we had been relegated from the Prem) that i actually feel like we can finish up getting promoted. Last time i thought Carbone would win the league by himself (and look how tits up that went) but in Stuart i trust and if anyone can get us storming up the leagues it's him.

I am actually excited by our signings for a change...jawdrop:

[Lofty]

It is probably the first time since 2001 (just after we had been relegated from the Prem) that i actually feel like we can finish up getting promoted. Last time i thought Carbone would win the league by himself (and look how tits up that went) but in Stuart i trust and if anyone can get us storming up the leagues it's him.

I am actually excited by our signings for a change...jawdrop:

I share your optimism!! Just hope we're all not setting ourselves up for a fall...

Although it mirrors the 1998/1999 promotion season with the fact that the chairmen have studied the teams and thought this is the chance to really go for it and looking through the list of teams it's hard to disagree!! Although Hereford hardly stood out before the start of the season....

Onwards and upwards...!! jump:

[DBantam]

It is probably the first time since 2001 (just after we had been relegated from the Prem) that i actually feel like we can finish up getting promoted. Last time i thought Carbone would win the league by himself (and look how tits up that went) but in Stuart i trust and if anyone can get us storming up the leagues it's him.

I am actually excited by our signings for a change...jawdrop:

I remember texting my brother after 30 minutes of that Barnsley game "We going to f***ing walk this league." Ooops.

[Kop Kred]

I'm quietly confident that we will do the business this season..

Stuart has done well with selling himself and the club.. now he has to show that he can do it when it counts.
You could have a squad consisting the entire Man U and Arsenal teams but if you ain't got the man management, tictacs and game plan you ain't going nowhere.

So come on Macca.. get the selections, formations, positions and substitutions sorted and division three here we come.

------------------------
Positivity Rating 7
Negativity Rating 5

[Superfatbantam]

I am also quietly confident but would urge patience. if we don't set the division alight immediately lets allow some time for the "new" team to bed in and see how we fare over the whole season. Too often our fans expect us to set off at 100 miles an hour and we are often let down. A steady start will do me, with some promise from the actual play. Assuming we get a reasonable keeper that is! ;)

[BingleyBantam]

Stuart is getting the mix of a good squad together. I watched the 6 of the best DVD last night and if you look at the performances at all the games, and the success we had it was down to a will to win. The players we have had over the last few seasons, especially under Todd got used to losing.

But after watching the DVD you forget how good the team we got promoted with to the Premiership was. Oh for a Blake & Mills partnership supported by Beagrie & Lawrence next season!

[Dr Wisey]

keeper and striker in now and maybe 1 more before season starts and i reckon promotion is there if we can grasp it - the experience in the squad should see us come through - top 3 for me.