Isn't it, keep seeing the word progression, development and chance to step up. It's more sustainable to make better what you have than go and buy it. Just highlights the different world in quality of coaching we now have. Warney leading by example with his fitness freakyness...contrast Evans pulling his XXXL trousers up & Raynor with his clipboard of the pizza delivery request for fulltime. I actually saw this at Wolves - players running back to the ground with lots of pizza boxes, I think it was at Wolves. Create the right environment and players will thrive, yes some might fall by but it's better than all standing still.
Will be interesting to see how the players place less emphasis on the physical demands of L1 and the technical cleverness of the Championship.
Prime example is Preston, they eventually came up with a squad similar in ability to us but they added grandually and didn’t bomb the whole squad out.
Warne always talks about natural erosion and he’s right, Id much rather see the majority of the side get a chance with the odd player added here and there.
-- Edited by C on Sunday 10th of June 2018 05:30:34 PM
Does that mean we go with what we've already got with the gradual addition of say two to three additional players spread out over the first few weeks of the new season?
I reckon we also need to be much cuter when bringing in new players. That is more difficult than some people might think especially with a limited budget. Do all our new players need to be teetotal, super fit and drink tea? I'm sure it would help our campaign but we don't live in an ideal world.
The narrative may be different but the challenge isn't and we have a squad with some obvious deficiencies that no amount of phys will improve. We do need someone to take the 1 or 2 chances we will get each game in the champ rather than the 20 we got last year. Defensively we have been frail at times in L1 and again this league will magnify that. If we declare our intention to be mid table looking up then we need a squad that matches that or we are misaligned between intent and actual outcomes. We need at least a new striker and CB imo - to shoot for that 4th from bottom - a massive victory for us.
Ex and C are absolutely right. I'm sure Warne knows where our weaknesses lay and will be busy as we speak focusing on these weaknesses. Money will be a big issue of course but throwing money around like a man with no arms will not necessarily solve the problem. I'm also certain the management and the board will have learned from the mistakes last time round, hence the change in narrative as pointed out by Ex,
Getting promoted was a very unexpected bonus considering the fix we were in. I'd suggest we are in a much better position to deal with the challenge this time round. If we're found wanting and we come back down again, well so be it, but I am much happier with the current organisation we have now then we had four seasons ago. Building on our strengths and maintaining that continuity is the way to go surely; not focusing on our weakness.
I'm not suggesting that. Perhaps my last comment is a bit misleading; what I am saying is that it is right to build on our strengths which, will by due process, support the weaker areas. As the saying goes a goalie is on as good as his defence, hence have a good defence.
If we can keep Rodak, Emmanuel and Towell in some capacity I think we will see a total of four or five further players added. And having Proctor and Potter back fit will feel like new signings too. Both have something to offer. I would suggest that the priorities are a second keeper (Bilboe probably not ready yet), a centre back who knows the league but isn't past it, a right back and a forward.
We can't afford any Big Time Charlies who might upset the applecart. We need players who are going to dig in when it gets tough, which it undoubtedly will on occasions.
I do trust Warne as the custodian of the club. I like his ethos. Get good people in and do the right things, and you should end up in a good place. That works for me.
I like the noises that the supporters are making. All the same, I will wager anyone who fancies it that the first time we lose three games in a row there will be supporters on forums (possibly including this one) or Twitter calling for Warne to be replaced on the grounds that he is out of his depth. I suspect that there are some who are keeping their heads down for now who can't wait for the opportunity to type that post. Hopefully Stewart will have the guts to stick with Warne even if it does get tough, because I have confidence that if we give the guy time we will be better off in three years time for it - even if we have some bumps along the way..
