Andrewlang
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Post by Andrewlang on Jul 29, 2024 13:27:06 GMT
We're one of a clutch of clubs that you'd expect *could* be squaring off the bottom four like Cobblers, Exeter, Shrewsbury, Mansfield, Crawley, Orient, Burtons, Stevenage etc, and although our budget will've been increased it'll still be lower than most and that means we don't have a lot of wiggle room if we've got it wrong so I can see why we'd be predicted for the drop again. Also, I get the feeling everyone has increased their budget a bit with the sky money this year so it's minimal difference really.
I fancy Wycombe, Wrexham, Barnsley and Lincoln to have poor seasons too so it's certainly not unreasonable that we could win our mini-league and reel in a couple of those for a nice comfortable season but at the moment I'm not sure what to predict - I haven't even seen us play yet and the jury is still undecided on Monk for me. Signs of real understanding and adaptability but also of being farsically bad and completely misreading a sides capabilities.
I also wonder a little bit that we're trying to run before we can properly walk too. At some point we have to transition away from the defensive containing football that has kept us up for 3 years but it comes with risks.
Lots of questions I don't know how to begin answering until I've seen us play a few times so my prediction for now is that we'll probably be Champions.
I like the uncertainty. Much as I adore Bonner I feel like I'd know what to expect going into this season under him. Our transfer business almost wouldn't matter because I knew how we'd play and what we'd be trying to do. I love that, but the unknown and uncertainty is quite exciting at this stage when you can paint your own picture.
Andrew
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imp566
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Post by imp566 on Jul 29, 2024 14:15:18 GMT
We finished 2 places outside the relegation zone The league has improved considerably We have not improved considerably (yet)Our relegation rivals have improved It's not lazy to have us going down, i'd say they're throwing guesses out to have us anywhere but bottom 4. Let's take off the Amber tinted spectacles and look at the state of the league. Also it doesn't matter in the slightest so i'm not sure why people get upset about it So the midfield trio we have brought in haven't improved the spine of the team? You are a hard man to please. I agree we need to do more business, especially at the top of the park, but we are going to be a hell of a lot harder to beat with Gardner, Smith and Richards involved.
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Brophypants
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Post by Brophypants on Jul 29, 2024 14:51:39 GMT
We finished 2 places outside the relegation zone The league has improved considerably We have not improved considerably (yet) Our relegation rivals have improved It's not lazy to have us going down, i'd say they're throwing guesses out to have us anywhere but bottom 4. Let's take off the Amber tinted spectacles and look at the state of the league. Also it doesn't matter in the slightest so i'm not sure why people get upset about it I'm gonna disagree partially on that one. We have definitely improved, and while the teams that would've been relegation candidates at the end of last season have also, enough of the lower-half "others" have weakened enough to take their place. But I'll agree that the league is considerably stronger. The top and bottom end are probably better than they were last season. That means any four of twelve are really in the mix, and if people are counting Cambridge as one of them then I can't really disagree even with my above caveat.
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lesj
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Post by lesj on Jul 29, 2024 15:37:51 GMT
I think a lot of it will depend on whether Monk can get the best out of the players that he has available .
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milesfenton
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Post by milesfenton on Jul 29, 2024 15:54:52 GMT
I don't think we have a striker as good as Ahadme in our current squad, which is the main issue for me.
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Post by amberisbackdrink on Jul 29, 2024 16:32:06 GMT
I don't think we have a striker as good as Ahadme in our current squad, which is the main issue for me. Agreed - we look very light up front but midfield looks a lot more solid. The lack of goals is my main concern which i’m sure Monk is looking to fix.
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Denton
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Post by Denton on Jul 29, 2024 16:56:51 GMT
We finished 2 places outside the relegation zone The league has improved considerably We have not improved considerably (yet) Our relegation rivals have improved It's not lazy to have us going down, i'd say they're throwing guesses out to have us anywhere but bottom 4. Let's take off the Amber tinted spectacles and look at the state of the league. Also it doesn't matter in the slightest so i'm not sure why people get upset about it I'm gonna disagree partially on that one. We have definitely improved, and while the teams that would've been relegation candidates at the end of last season have also, enough of the lower-half "others" have weakened enough to take their place. But I'll agree that the league is considerably stronger. The top and bottom end are probably better than they were last season. That means any four of twelve are really in the mix, and if people are counting Cambridge as one of them then I can't really disagree even with my above caveat. We have 2 strikers, one of which scored 1 goal last season. We are absolutely worse off, it's easily changed which is why I put (yet). Incomings: Gardner, Smith, Lavery, Watts, Gibbons, Loft, Richards, Reyes Outgoings: Taylor, Gassan, May, Mannion, Lankaster, Simper, Janneh, Fejiri, Bennett, Dunk Obviously our midfield has gone from Strength to Strength (on paper) I'd argue our defence is currently worse off as we've lost Jobe, Rennett & Dunk (Irreplaceable) Keeper is worse Strikers are worse Again this is all on paper but that's where this is being debated so I think it's absolutely fair to make the assumptions they have. Will they be right by the end of August? Unlikely. Will they be right by the end of May next year? God I hope not but if it does then we can bounce back easily enough
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milesfenton
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Post by milesfenton on Jul 29, 2024 17:19:20 GMT
Keeper is pretty similar - someone will have to sit on the bench for a long, long time to be as highly rated as Mannion.
If you're counting the defence is losing Jobe due to injury, then you can't really also count us losing Dunk who was injured for so long. Rennett, based on overall contributions last year, is far from a big loss.
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Brophypants
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Post by Brophypants on Jul 29, 2024 17:31:02 GMT
I'm gonna disagree partially on that one. We have definitely improved, and while the teams that would've been relegation candidates at the end of last season have also, enough of the lower-half "others" have weakened enough to take their place. But I'll agree that the league is considerably stronger. The top and bottom end are probably better than they were last season. That means any four of twelve are really in the mix, and if people are counting Cambridge as one of them then I can't really disagree even with my above caveat. We have 2 strikers, one of which scored 1 goal last season. We are absolutely worse off, it's easily changed which is why I put (yet). Incomings: Gardner, Smith, Lavery, Watts, Gibbons, Loft, Richards, Reyes Outgoings: Taylor, Gassan, May, Mannion, Lankaster, Simper, Janneh, Fejiri, Bennett, Dunk Obviously our midfield has gone from Strength to Strength (on paper) I'd argue our defence is currently worse off as we've lost Jobe, Rennett & Dunk (Irreplaceable) Keeper is worse Strikers are worse Again this is all on paper but that's where this is being debated so I think it's absolutely fair to make the assumptions they have. Will they be right by the end of August? Unlikely. Will they be right by the end of May next year? God I hope not but if it does then we can bounce back easily enough Taylor, May, Lankester, Simper, Janneh, Fej and Dunk were all either shite or didn't play. Outside of the numbers (which we'll inevitably fill anyway) Gassan and Bennett are really the only two you can call a loss. Speaking of losses, as much as I love the man you can't call both Dunk and Jobe a loss. Either Jobe is a loss and we can't count Dunk for last season, or Dunk is a loss and we have to count Jobe for this. Mannion over Reyes is impossible to say at this point. The rest are on paper improvements, particularly in the area (midfield) that we struggled most with last season. We could do with another forward, and Jobe's injury makes the defence situation shakier than it was, but I make that only really three with the keeper where we haven't improved or it's too early to say.
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cufcwill
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Post by cufcwill on Jul 29, 2024 21:53:46 GMT
Defence will be interesting to see this season. Since Monk moved away from the Morro/Rennett partnership we looked far more convincing. Not sure who will play out of Reyes and Stevens, I'd feel Reyes would be first choice as I can't think Norwich would've loaned us a highly rated keeper to sit on the bench.
Midfield is far better than last year on paper so hopefully that translates to being better on the pitch also and should lead on to the defence and attack being slightly better balanced as they won't have to deal with as many mistakes from the midfield or do as much extra work.
Up top definitely would need another striker at least. Lavery and Loft both seem like they could do a job if it goes well for them but also could be huge flops. Kaikai and Kachunga are similar and hopefully with better players behind (and potentially around) can show more of what we signed them for and they showed in flashes last year. Overall I would say from preseason that seems to be the biggest improvement I've seen was in the energy and intensity we have played with and not sitting back. Obviously it will be much harder against L1 opposition but if we go out with that level of energy then we could surprise and frustrate other teams.
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Andrewlang
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Post by Andrewlang on Jul 29, 2024 23:00:22 GMT
For me I think our big(gest) problems last year were lack of goals, lack of energy and control in midfield and a lack of creativity and bravery from the attacking players.
You'd hope we've addressed the midfield issues by signing experienced and known quality in Gardener and Smith. I have no issues there.
The creativity hasn't changed much with many of last seasons creative players being retained so we have to hope an on paper better midfield and a change in style of play makes the difference. I'd have preferred to see a bit more movement in those positions myself. Richards is a wild card with high potential and proven ability at this level two years ago wit Donny, but also carries the risk that his recent downward trend may continue.
Not sure what to make of the attack at the moment. Loft and Lavery seems like a potentially complimentary partnership, hopefully we see an incoming or two there though.
My only concern(s) with the defence is that if we're going to play a higher line and press then that's not really Morros game as we saw against Reading and Lincoln when we tried to play that way. Rossi has fitness concerns too so hopefully he can stay fit all year. Jubril feels like a possible elephant in the room to me so I'd like to see him either sold and someone coming in to replace him, or for Monk to say he has impressed in pre-season and will be staying.
We should fine in goal. Mannion was ok but it should be pretty easy to do at least as well as 'ok' and Reyes seems like a decent enough signing, if Stevens can find his form again then he's a better goalie than Mannion anyway for me.
Overall 🤷🏻♂️.
Andrew
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imp566
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Post by imp566 on Jul 30, 2024 7:10:12 GMT
I would expect the team on Friday will reveal Monk's plans for much of the team. Whoever plays in goal would expect to be his No1 for next season, the shape of the defence will tell us how he plans to set up the team and which players will be his chosen ones.
Midfield I am not so sure, disappointed that the incoming trio haven't even featured from the bench so far, hopefully they will all get some minutes on the night.
Up top you would expect to see Lavery and Loft play together, with one other - Kaikai or Kachunga I guess.
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danielcufc
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Post by danielcufc on Jul 30, 2024 8:53:54 GMT
I agree with lots of what others have said.
GK - I think Reyes will end up as No 1 even if he doesn't start the season as don't think Norwich want him to warm the bench. Until I've seen enough of him hard to comment on if we arw better or worse here.
Defence. I think we are a CB light with Jobe's injury especially with Rossi & Watts injury records and an ageing Morro. Andrew may end up LCB if we continue with a 3. Gibbons cover the FB positions but personlly would like another LB or LWB if budget allowed.
Midfield - Upgrade on last 2 years for sure.
Attack - Still need another No 9 of CF in old money. The last few years show us what happens when we go in light and players get injured. Want to see Loft play a few games and hope that he proves doubters at old clubs wrong. Lavery good asset. Need more from Kachunga & KaiKai this year given we retained both. If Budget allows would like another forward player to challenge them in wide areas.
Tunbridge mentions in his interview we have until end of window in August so hopefully all addressed in the coming weeks.
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danboyb
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Post by danboyb on Jul 30, 2024 9:44:04 GMT
I’m pleased we appear to have addressed the midfield problems, we look a lot stronger in that department, although I have concerns about availability/fitness issues with a few.
Losing Jobe really is a massive blow. I think we were pretty much sorted had he remained fit, I hope we bring in a young lad on loan to replace him this season.
Still worryingly short up top. We’re going to need all the forward players to chip in. We need luck with injuries because there really isn’t much in reserve in crucial positions (Yet)
It’s been good to see that a few of the young lads have been involved and in some cases made a good impression, but i don’t expect any of them (bar Hoddle, McConnell) to feature in the first team plans so makes sense to let them leave on loan now and we start bedding down formation/partnerships etc.
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Andrewlang
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Post by Andrewlang on Jul 30, 2024 10:10:49 GMT
"It’s been good to see that a few of the young lads have been involved and in some cases made a good impression, but i don’t expect any of them (bar Hoddle, McConnell) to feature in the first team plans so makes sense to let them leave on loan now and we start bedding down formation/partnerships etc"
Yeah, i's been good to see. I'm not sure what I expect to happen with Hoddle, I'd tend to lean towards the path that gives him the most minutes so typically that would be the Bennett-route and a six month loan, but if Monk is true to his promise of giving young players a chance then I'd expect him to stay and play.
I guess Barton and Njoku are the two youngsters who have an opportunity to impress during pre-season but I think I expect them to be loaned out. The rest like Ebanks-blake, Ewans-Findlay, Bulakio, Holmes and Munday I'd anticipate all getting loans at various stages of the season. Although they're all under 18's still so maybe the new pathways manager has a different plan for them and thinks they'll be better suited training with the first team or something 🤷🏻♂️
Andrew
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