[SocraticCFC]

Getting a few jitters about the forthcoming season - some of them rational, others a little over-reaction, maybe.
I'm not putting Cook in the same bracket as Sheridan by any means but I seem to remember we signed a left-back and one Mark Randall. We all knew what happened next - players being signed ad finitum - Westcarr, Mendy, Clarke, Johnson, some French chap - good footballers but far too many to get what was a half-rebuilt team gelled enough.
No doubt, history won't and shouldn't repeat itself. I for one am looking to the summer and recruitment with optimism but I really hoping and expecting we can do this promotion properly. In Cook and the lads I trust

[gordon_brittas]

I think the real failure for that season was the non signing of Clayton Donaldson, he chose Brentford over us for a few hundred pounds more a week and with a lack of other options with Davies going we started the season without a striker. We just couldn’t score in most games despite not playing that badly.

I’m also led to believe by people close to the club at the time that Allen refused to back Sheridan at all in the transfer market even when players were identified and willing to sign.

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

SocraticCFC, on 02 April 2024 - 10:51 AM, said:

Getting a few jitters about the forthcoming season - some of them rational, others a little over-reaction, maybe.
I'm not putting Cook in the same bracket as Sheridan by any means but I seem to remember we signed a left-back and one Mark Randall. We all knew what happened next - players being signed ad finitum - Westcarr, Mendy, Clarke, Johnson, some French chap - good footballers but far too many to get what was a half-rebuilt team gelled enough.
No doubt, history won't and shouldn't repeat itself. I for one am looking to the summer and recruitment with optimism but I really hoping and expecting we can do this promotion properly. In Cook and the lads I trust

From memory, stories circulated of a rift between Manager and Board.

Reports suggesting signings had been blocked because the then Chairman refused to pay certain fees.

Or was that merely an excuse for a struggling Sheridan.

What is certain though, is a point was quickly reached where Allen took over, appointed Turner as CEO, then marginalised Barry Hubbard and historical directors.

Followed by a hurried and far too belated recruitement process.

On the other hand we've now no reason to doubt talk of targets already being identified. Just as no one can doubt Cook's ability to attract talent...

This post has been edited by The Earl of Chesterfield: 02 April 2024 - 12:01 PM

[Goku]

I'd have to laugh at anybody concerned about Cook signing the appropriate players for League 2. The man and his staff know this league inside out, I've no doubt we will make good additions.

[Rogerwillis]

In a squad where all the team love him and pretty
Much everyone apart from King has improved under him.

[metallilad]

Can we please just give it a rest. The bloke has only ever won championships so he obviously knows what he's doing. Paul Cook deserves 100% backing for the job he is doing here so let the bloke and his staff do their jobs.

[1978blue]

SocraticCFC, on 02 April 2024 - 10:51 AM, said:

Getting a few jitters about the forthcoming season - some of them rational, others a little over-reaction, maybe.
I'm not putting Cook in the same bracket as Sheridan by any means but I seem to remember we signed a left-back and one Mark Randall. We all knew what happened next - players being signed ad finitum - Westcarr, Mendy, Clarke, Johnson, some French chap - good footballers but far too many to get what was a half-rebuilt team gelled enough.
No doubt, history won't and shouldn't repeat itself. I for one am looking to the summer and recruitment with optimism but I really hoping and expecting we can do this promotion properly. In Cook and the lads I trust

Totally different situation back then That 100% will not happen this time.

[whittman]

from memory wasnt one of Allens mutterings after Davis had left and signed for Barnsley was that he did not get more involved in the negotiations when trying to get Davis to sign a new contract

I may be wrong of course but I reckon that was basically saying he did not ask Davis what he wanted salary wise that might have persuaded him to stop and lead our attack in Division one

[Mr Mercury]

whittman, on 02 April 2024 - 12:37 PM, said:

from memory wasnt one of Allens mutterings after Davis had left and signed for Barnsley was that he did not get more involved in the negotiations when trying to get Davis to sign a new contract

I may be wrong of course but I reckon that was basically saying he did not ask Davis what he wanted salary wise that might have persuaded him to stop and lead our attack in Division one

That was DAs argument re Davis but I attended the player of the year do that year and quite clearly remember DA on the mic calling out CD and saying , “come on son, get that contract signed, you know it’s a good one!”…which suggests to me he was well aware of what was on offer to the player.
Secondly a point made earlier on regarding DA being against paying certain fees I can again recall, at an AGM, his annoyance at clubs having to pay players agents when in his specialist area of entertainment businessman if he booked an act, he actually said “artiste” they paid their agent out of their fee not the business.

[HaslandBlue58]

One area I have not seen mentioned yet is regarding transfer fees.Personally I would hope we are looking at,mostly,players out of contract and if any do incur fees,keeping them to a minimum.

[ronpowellsbutler]

SocraticCFC, on 02 April 2024 - 10:51 AM, said:

Getting a few jitters about the forthcoming season - some of them rational, others a little over-reaction, maybe.
I'm not putting Cook in the same bracket as Sheridan by any means but I seem to remember we signed a left-back and one Mark Randall. We all knew what happened next - players being signed ad finitum - Westcarr, Mendy, Clarke, Johnson, some French chap - good footballers but far too many to get what was a half-rebuilt team gelled enough.
No doubt, history won't and shouldn't repeat itself. I for one am looking to the summer and recruitment with optimism but I really hoping and expecting we can do this promotion properly. In Cook and the lads I trust

[60s 70s Spireite]

HaslandBlue58, on 02 April 2024 - 02:28 PM, said:

One area I have not seen mentioned yet is regarding transfer fees.Personally I would hope we are looking at,mostly,players out of contract and if any do incur fees,keeping them to a minimum.

That’s what we did last summer reportedly. Only player signed not out of contract was Berry wasn’t it? We’ll see in the next years accounts what he cost.

This post has been edited by 60s 70s Spireite: 02 April 2024 - 04:26 PM

[ronpowellsbutler]

Ad finitum is the direct opposite of what I think you meant ( ad infinitum ).
Socrates might have known that !
Sorry, trying to divert my brain from thinking about Saturday.

[gordon_brittas]

Don’t shoot the messenger, but I’ve heard Tendayi Darikwa’s name mentioned on a return next season 🤔

[ronpowellsbutler]

ronpowellsbutler, on 02 April 2024 - 04:33 PM, said:

Ad finitum is the direct opposite of what I think you meant ( ad infinitum ).
Socrates might have known that !
Sorry, trying to divert my brain from thinking about Saturday.

I meant Monday !

[Westbars Spireite]

I got the impression Sheridan threw the towel in half way through that season.

The Wembley win aside it was an appalling season and totally avoidable.

This post has been edited by Westbars Spireite: 02 April 2024 - 05:53 PM

[gordon_brittas]

Westbars Spireite, on 02 April 2024 - 05:52 PM, said:

I got the impression Sheridan threw the towel in half way through that season.

The Wembley win aside it was an appalling season and totally avoidable.

So many defeats to sides we should have beaten. That Exeter home defeat still lives long in the memory, completely battered them, missed a pen, couldn’t score and they knicked 2 goals against the run of play.

Rinse repeat same for about a dozen or more games that season.

[Westbars Spireite]

A couple of games that season me and my mates left at half time and went to the pub and we only saw the final whistle a handful of times all season long.

[Jud]

We win our last few games and nobody would have these "jitters". Remember, the team that started yesterday won't be the one we start next season with. Bask in the glow of our championship, folks. They don't happen every day and if you can't enjoy them without shîtting bricks about what comes next, where's the joy? PC knows L2. Personally, I think we'll finish top five. Bring it on!

[SocraticCFC]

Jud, on 02 April 2024 - 10:10 PM, said:

We win our last few games and nobody would have these "jitters". Remember, the team that started yesterday won't be the one we start next season with. Bask in the glow of our championship, folks. They don't happen every day and if you can't enjoy them without shîtting bricks about what comes next, where's the joy? PC knows L2. Personally, I think we'll finish top five. Bring it on!

I agree, but the mistakes of the last 6-7 years still bite. I don't think the new owners are anywhere 'old school' as the previous ones. Top 5 would be a lovely feeling!!