[danblue]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 12 November 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

I'd ask a very simple question - what do folk realistically expect this season?

Me? Well first target was consolidation, proving we can compete, something comfortably achieved.

So the next is challenging for top seven, which we quite clearly are.

Yea there's an issue overcoming disciplined defences at home, but on the other hand just three more goals in those games would've seen us touching top three.

I also expect a significant turnover in Jan. Six or more players who've obviously capable of first team football though not in Cook's plans moving on, replaced by quality of not necessarily the same quantity.

Town are moving in the right direction. Celebrate that fact ..

I always expect promotion or at very least be up there.
Tbh, we kinda a season behind as we got shafted at Wembley by Notts.
But after winning the NL with Cook and his experience and expertise, I do fully expect going up.
He can wheel & deal, attract quality players and assemble a squad that can do very well.
At the moment, it's that word 'consistency' which is our thorn in our side (plus some injuries).
But we are in 9th spot which is a strong foothold and plenty to play for ( including an un and coming transfer window)

[Westbars Spireite]

60s 70s Spireite, on 11 November 2024 - 09:18 PM, said:

Not us, per some site called Capology.
https://www.capology...e-two/payrolls/
Not saying its gospel, but it does beg the question- who knows?

Surely Barrow won?t have a higher wage bill than us.

[CFC91]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 12 November 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

I'd ask a very simple question - what do folk realistically expect this season?

Me? Well first target was consolidation, proving we can compete, something comfortably achieved.

So the next is challenging for top seven, which we quite clearly are.

Yea there's an issue overcoming disciplined defences at home, but on the other hand just three more goals in those games would've seen us touching top three.

I also expect a significant turnover in Jan. Six or more players who've obviously capable of first team football though not in Cook's plans moving on, replaced by quality of not necessarily the same quantity.

Town are moving in the right direction. Celebrate that fact ..

Would have initially said consolidation, a nice boring midtable finish. But based on our summer business, and from what I have seen from the rest of the league, we have to be considering play offs at least as a benchmark for a successful season imo. Looking it is very much anyone who wants it from a promotion point of view

[Blue5]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 12 November 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

I'd ask a very simple question - what do folk realistically expect this season?

Me? Well first target was consolidation, proving we can compete, something comfortably achieved.

So the next is challenging for top seven, which we quite clearly are.

Yea there's an issue overcoming disciplined defences at home, but on the other hand just three more goals in those games would've seen us touching top three.

I also expect a significant turnover in Jan. Six or more players who've obviously capable of first team football though not in Cook's plans moving on, replaced by quality of not necessarily the same quantity.

Town are moving in the right direction. Celebrate that fact ..

I didn't really put a timescale on my expectations but they can probably be summarised as follows:

1) Avoid relegation.

2) Hold our own and establish ourselves as a division 2 side.

3) Compete with the better sides in the division and challenge for a play off / promotion spot.

If we find ourselves at point 3 this season, I'll be more than delighted. What I will say is that Paul Cook & the lads are at times victims of their own success in that we see glimpses that the squad can compete with the best in the division, we just lack that bit of consistency currently. I think the staff, players and the fans are all a bit frustrated because we are better than some of the results suggest.

It's not that long ago, that our fanbase went into games expecting us to lose, now we go into games expecting to win. That's how far we've come.

[DIFH]

Blue5, on 12 November 2024 - 02:29 PM, said:

I didn't really put a timescale on my expectations but they can probably be summarised as follows:

1) Avoid relegation.

2) Hold our own and establish ourselves as a division 2 side.

3) Compete with the better sides in the division and challenge for a play off / promotion spot.

If we find ourselves at point 3 this season, I'll be more than delighted. What I will say is that Paul Cook & the lads are at times victims of their own success in that we see glimpses that the squad can compete with the best in the division, we just lack that bit of consistency currently. I think the staff, players and the fans are all a bit frustrated because we are better than some of the results suggest.

It's not that long ago, that our fanbase went into games expecting us to lose, now we go into games expecting to win. That's how far we've come.

Didn?t Ash Kirk say this season was going to be consolidation.

[Exharboroughspireite]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 12 November 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

I'd ask a very simple question - what do folk realistically expect this season?

Me? Well first target was consolidation, proving we can compete, something comfortably achieved.

So the next is challenging for top seven, which we quite clearly are.

Yea there's an issue overcoming disciplined defences at home, but on the other hand just three more goals in those games would've seen us touching top three.

I also expect a significant turnover in Jan. Six or more players who've obviously capable of first team football though not in Cook's plans moving on, replaced by quality of not necessarily the same quantity.

Town are moving in the right direction. Celebrate that fact ..

I will be happy being a solid mid table side this year. Seeing as how quickly the division can change (look at Notts and Doncaster last year) and he fact we have several players here who have found their level at national league I think a year of steadying the ship is sensible. Cook will have learned a great deal in the first 3 months and likewise Chris, I can see player movement in January.

[Mr Mercury]

I?m going to fence sit a. It and say 10-5 place, depending on us becoming at good team, to use Cooks phrase, and I?d add an extra comment of top 3 is possible if we become a very good team.

[Bald magician]

The Earl of Chesterfield, on 12 November 2024 - 11:35 AM, said:

I'd ask a very simple question - what do folk realistically expect this season?

Me? Well first target was consolidation, proving we can compete, something comfortably achieved.

So the next is challenging for top seven, which we quite clearly are.

Yea there's an issue overcoming disciplined defences at home, but on the other hand just three more goals in those games would've seen us touching top three.

I also expect a significant turnover in Jan. Six or more players who've obviously capable of first team football though not in Cook's plans moving on, replaced by quality of not necessarily the same quantity.

Town are moving in the right direction. Celebrate that fact ..

It's a very fair point.

My expectation was to be floating around the play offs and I think we'll do that. Anything else is a bonus in my eyes.

It's definitely a learning exercise for all parties at present.

[Lincs Spireite]

DIFH, on 12 November 2024 - 02:39 PM, said:

Didn?t Ash Kirk say this season was going to be consolidation.

That's where I am. I would be happy with mid table, and after clearing out the ones who aren't up to the mark in this league moved on with top quality brought in for next season. All I am interested in this season is keeping well clear of the bottom half.