Are we genuinly ready for a promotion push?

[WhatsGoinOn]

I honestly cannot work out how to place this Pre-seasons activities. On the one hand we have signed our number 1 target in Thorne as well as signing an unknown in Christie. Apart from that we haven't really strengthened from last season.

Last season we were a damn good side, the likes of Wisdom, Bamford and Thorne played a big part in that. To sign 1 of those 3 would have been a dream, one which came true, but promises that the remainder would be replaced with "as good if not better" replacements bought excitement made a championship winning campaign seem a formality.

Pre-season games have been good, Martin scoring freely looks good, but the usual injury problems are starting to take hold with Coutts, Thorne and Buxton coming down with injuries.

Regardless of the outcome of the season, it is set to be a fantastic year, but without a top centre back, a replacement defensive midfielder and another goal scoring winger/striker, I cannot see us challenging for the top 2.

[memyselfani]

Here we go again...the window is open for a good while yet plus most teams from our league tend to wait till squad numbers from The Prem are dished out to pick of the likes of Thorne Wisdom etc from big clubs not using them

Not usually your style going on ...panicking that is ;-)

[swaledale]

[quote="WhatsGoinOn"]I honestly cannot work out how to place this Pre-seasons activities. On the one hand we have signed our number 1 target in Thorne as well as signing an unknown in Christie. Apart from that we haven't really strengthened from last season.

Last season we were a damn good side, the likes of Wisdom, Bamford and Thorne played a big part in that. To sign 1 of those 3 would have been a dream, one which came true, but promises that the remainder would be replaced with "as good if not better" replacements bought excitement made a championship winning campaign seem a formality.

Pre-season games have been good, Martin scoring freely looks good, but the usual injury problems are starting to take hold with Coutts, Thorne and Buxton coming down with injuries.

Regardless of the outcome of the season, it is set to be a fantastic year, but without a top centre back, a replacement defensive midfielder and another goal scoring winger/striker, I canno

[WhatsGoinOn]

Im not panicking, I think we have a really good squad of players and this season is going to be a good one.

But are we ready to push for an automatic promotion place? With the squad as it is I think the answer is, not quite.

No one could forsee that Thorne would get injured, the fact the board managed to sign him was amazing and well deserved.

There are areas that we do need to strengthen, if we want to get auto promotion.

I think you mistake my carefully thought out posts as negative rants...but if you knew how passionate I am about the Rams, you would know they are not.

[WhatsGoinOn]

As for the good youngsters, I agree.

Bunjako and Santos are good signings, and I think that Calero will be a took of class, but potential will not win us promotion.

[SlimyLimey]

Something a lot of people are forgetting is that after first 10 games last season we had 12 points an average of 1.2 goals per game. After Steve took over we averaged 2.14 goals a game. Theoretically, if he had started the season with us we would have finished with 98 points all alone in second place.
That is with the team we presently have plus a couple... And our younger players have a years more experience. So the answer is a definite YES!

[Mickleover_Ram]

Thought the new signing Christie look full of promise today

[WhatsGoinOn]

I do agree Christie looked good.

Forsyth for me gets better and better every game.

[swaledale]

I do agree Christie looked good.

Forsyth for me gets better and better every game.

I won't be bothered if we don't zoom away from the start - the better teams tend to take time to "warm up" and as long as we are in touch with 2nd place by Xams then not an issue.

Not doubting your passion WGO - but its not necessarily true that a couple of "top" singings WILL make the difference between,promotion and not, could just as easily upset the team spirit or prove costly flops.

Though reading the DET today it seems manay fans think we are "nailed on" for auto promotion with others thinking we need as you say either 2 or 3 or 3 or 4 signings!! The answer as always lies somewhere between the two.

I'm not having my usual bet this year, theres no value in what the bookies are offering.

[southernram22]

I think calero will be a great signing when he matures.