[Bald magician]

It?s three automatic promotion spots next season ! The national league must have brainwashed me into thinking it?s the same hellish situation in the football league!

The dunkley interview filled me with another level of optimism for the incoming season. I was of the mindset that the play offs would an an achievement but the new signings are making me think we have to look at targeting the top 3 positions.

[Mac's Back]

Bald magician, on 10 June 2024 - 06:47 AM, said:

It?s three automatic promotion spots next season ! The national league must have brainwashed me into thinking it?s the same hellish situation in the football league!

The dunkley interview filled me with another level of optimism for the incoming season. I was of the mindset that the play offs would an an achievement but the new signings are making me think we have to look at targeting the top 3 positions.

I think back-to-back promotions was always the objective.

[martatcross]

In my pessimistic self I honestly think a play off place would be good but there is a good squad here and the possibility of more activity before it kicks off . Top 3 can be achieved let's hope so

[monte]

I hope we give a good account for ourselves , given Notts didn't go up I think we need to be realistic but hopeful. I'm 65% we'll do it (90% playoffs or above) but if we don't it's not failure, just a delay

[danblue]

Mac, on 10 June 2024 - 08:26 AM, said:

I think back-to-back promotions was always the objective.

I agree, and with 3 auto places to aim for, we have an unbelievable chance of this happening.
Exciting times

[Bald magician]

martatcross, on 10 June 2024 - 08:35 AM, said:

In my pessimistic self I honestly think a play off place would be good but there is a good squad here and the possibility of more activity before it kicks off . Top 3 can be achieved let's hope so

I don't think that's pessimistic. I'm happy with a play off spot but that top 3 slot looks tastier each signing we make.

I think the key thing is not to have unrealistic expectations. I fear with 5200 season ticket holders we may have some early dummies spill out if it doesn't quite go out way.

A lense of realism and patience from fans will no doubt help the team and cookie.

[Painted Wagon]

I?m more of a pessimist, in our first season back I?d be happy with a top half finish. Anything higher is a bonus.

[60s 70s Spireite]

Painted Wagon, on 10 June 2024 - 10:14 AM, said:

I?m more of a pessimist, in our first season back I?d be happy with a top half finish. Anything higher is a bonus.

Looking at our signings to date, and the quality we retained, Id say the management team would be somewhat disappointed if we don?t at least make the play offs.

[peakblue]

60s 70s Spireite, on 10 June 2024 - 11:57 AM, said:

Looking at our signings to date, and the quality we retained, Id say the management team would be somewhat disappointed if we don?t at least make the play offs.

Me too,I just hope some of our fans don?t into meltdown if we dont

[sophocles]

Mac, on 10 June 2024 - 08:26 AM, said:

I think back-to-back promotions was always the objective.

Agree - I think Cookie was aiming for that as soon as he came back to CFC. The disappointment of getting so close last season has just made him even more determined to achieve it. Given a reasonable amount of luck, I see top three as being attainable.

[Mac's Back]

sophocles, on 10 June 2024 - 12:38 PM, said:

Agree - I think Cookie was aiming for that as soon as he came back to CFC. The disappointment of getting so close last season has just made him even more determined to achieve it. Given a reasonable amount of luck, I see top three as being attainable.

Will be interesting to see who is shipped out as the freeing up of budget will doubtless have a significant bearing on the re-shaping still to be done.

This post has been edited by Mac's Back: 10 June 2024 - 12:55 PM

[Johnnyspireite7]

peakblue, on 10 June 2024 - 11:59 AM, said:

Me too,I just hope some of our fans don?t into meltdown if we dont

I can think of one who will go into meltdown before we kick a ball in the PSF's.

[Sussex Spireite]

peakblue, on 10 June 2024 - 11:59 AM, said:

Me too,I just hope some of our fans don?t into meltdown if we dont

And there lies the problem, some peoples expectations may be a bit too high.
You have to bear in mind both Wrexham and Notts got stuffed in the first game of last season (both shipping 5 goals each!).

[Mr Mercury]

Bald magician, on 10 June 2024 - 06:47 AM, said:

It?s three automatic promotion spots next season ! The national league must have brainwashed me into thinking it?s the same hellish situation in the football league!

The dunkley interview filled me with another level of optimism for the incoming season. I was of the mindset that the play offs would an an achievement but the new signings are making me think we have to look at targeting the top 3 positions.

From this mornings Mail sports agenda section.

Sports Agenda: National League net ?6m from top flight and seek EFL deal
Edited by Mike Keegan
THE National League have more than doubled their solidarity payment from the Premier League. Thanks in part to a new competition that will see youngsters from top-flight clubs? academies take on National League sides, the figure will shift from ?3million to north of ?6m when the new campaign kicks off. Focus for the National League will now switch to the EFL, and their attempts to secure a system of three-up, three-down from League Two which would put it in sync with the other leagues and replace the ludicrous situation where only two clubs can be promoted.

[Osborne again]

I'm happy that we've got out of that cesspit of a league, so if we make the top half of league two I'll think we will have had a good season. If we make the playoffs we'll have a stupendous season and if we go up in any way shape or form, we'll have gone way beyond my expectations. I do think we would have made the top half of league two with last year's squad.
Cook is out to prove to the Sheffield double act that he can take us further than they ever dare wish.

[gordon_brittas]

I think the away form will more or less dictate where we finish next season. If we can ensure we stay tight defensively we will pick up a decent amount of points. Coincidentally I think the home record will be spot on and a few sides will be on the wrong side of a hiding.

[dim view]

Sussex Spireite, on 10 June 2024 - 02:42 PM, said:

And there lies the problem, some peoples expectations may be a bit too high.
You have to bear in mind both Wrexham and Notts got stuffed in the first game of last season (both shipping 5 goals each!).

We've signed 2 who will be amongst the best players in their positions. We've got a LB whose main strength, from what I've read, overcomes Horton's main weakness - no end product.
We should also strive to get the best goalie in the league. At this level that should be easily achievable with our budget. If that happens we'll win it.

[philly8mt]

I think we end up at Wembley again!

[Osborne again]

gordon_brittas, on 10 June 2024 - 04:05 PM, said:

I think the away form will more or less dictate where we finish next season. If we can ensure we stay tight defensively we will pick up a decent amount of points. Coincidentally I think the home record will be spot on and a few sides will be on the wrong side of a hiding.

True, it's always been said that win your home matches and don't lose away and you'll not be far off the right end of the league table. If the defensive players we've brought in shore up the back, and Mike Jones can help mould Tim Akinola into a decent clone of himself, I think we'll do ok.
Has anyone heard anything about a right back on his way in? I was told it was imminent, but to be honest I think we'll use Williams and Mandy to backup Sheckleford.

[tomjoad]

Osborne again, on 10 June 2024 - 04:32 PM, said:

True, it's always been said that win your home matches and don't lose away and you'll not be far off the right end of the league table. If the defensive players we've brought in shore up the back, and Mike Jones can help mould Tim Akinola into a decent clone of himself, I think we'll do ok.
Has anyone heard anything about a right back on his way in? I was told it was imminent, but to be honest I think we'll use Williams and Mandy to backup Sheckleford.

To be honest I cant understand the idea Mandeville is a full back. quite simply he's not.