Reading- The perfect game

[tamworthram]

Any news on how ticket sales are going? I'm sure someone is ITK.

I'll be there.

[Ramondo]

[quote="AngryRam"]

Okay I'm in a playfull mood here, let me play devils advocate for a second.

Is it more important to get promotion this year or next? I know and understand the arguments regarding keeping Hughes etc if we don't go up. BUT we could miss the gravy boat if we go up this year, the additional dosh does not factor in till the season after. Potentially we could go up this year and then get relegated, miss out on the big money and still lose all our management team and players.
Yes the rewards are massive even before the additional money but even that pales with the new deal.

We could lose Hughes anyway, regardless of promotion... Who else would go.. The loan players would go anyway.. Bryson? Not so sure now... Average season. Any of our back 4? Really... Ward? Na.. Russell, possibly. Hendrick? possibly but easily replaced. Martin? Is he a PL striker? I am not so sure..

So my question is.. Is it that important to go up this year?

[/quote

[AngryRam]

We run a huge risk of losing the manager anyway. We only have to look at the norm in these things.. Teams go up, struggle, panic and then sack the manager. There are exceptions I suppose, Dyche at Burnley etc.
Steve will always be linked with other jobs and sooner or later one will tempt him away.
Succession planning ala Brentford must already be going on. As long as we go down the Swansea route, I have no issues. Keep the ethos of the team and get someone who continues what was already started. Bit like Steve has done after Nigel.

[su4eranio]

I am with Angry on this one. Play strong team and try to get a Qtr Final. From there, anything can happen, and more money in the pot to stay on top of FFP

[Oldtimeram]

How about giving Ssew@nkambo a run out? He has played regular first team football in Holland, so it is not like he would be thrown in at the deep end

[Ramkes]

Yes the new sky deal doesn't take effect till 2016, but this could mean that owners of teams that get promotion this season will have a choice to make.

Do they take the cautious option and spend a little and hope the team spirit that got them into the prem keeps them there. Or do they invest a big chunk of the promotion money to hopefully keep them up.

Personally I would not be too upset if we exited the cup this weekend, the more games the more risk of injuries to key players, imagine Bent, Hughes or Ince out for several weeks.

[Toggles]

Some valid points both ways, but for me you win every game and go as far as you can in every comp. Yes an additional fixture or 2 isn't ideal, if it falls at the wrong time, but were we to have a game in hand, and still be in the mix.. I wouldn't mind that.

As I mentioned in another thread, the fear factor of playing us will got up a % or 2 if we are in Semis/final too, I know my fear of 'Boro upped a little after they beat Citeh

[Toggles]

How about giving Ssew@nkambo a run out? He has played regular first team football in Holland, so it is not like he would be thrown in at the deep end

Could give Lingard a try too an Albentosa, if fit.

Don't think any of those would be classed as a significant weakening of our team?

[Toggles]

[quote="Ramondo"]

Okay I'm in a playfull mood here, let me play devils advocate for a second.

Is it more important to get promotion this year or next? I know and understand the arguments regarding keeping Hughes etc if we don't go up. BUT we could miss the gravy boat if we go up this year, the additional dosh does not factor in till the season after. Potentially we could go up this year and then get relegated, miss out on the big money and still lose all our management team and players.
Yes the rewards are massive even before the additional money but even that pales with the new deal.

We could lose Hughes anyway, regardless of promotion... Who else would go.. The loan players would go anyway.. Bryson? Not so sure now... Average season. Any of our back 4? Really... Ward? Na.. Russell, possibly. Hendrick? possibly but easily replaced. Martin? Is he a PL striker? I am not so sure..

So my question is.. Is it th

[dcfcdavecov]

We need to win the cup. It's all that matters to me really.

A league title (1st division) or the FA Cup. Everything else is pointless really - especially playing in a division where you have to fight for every point.

Much rather win the cup, or got to Wembley again. I know if we don't go up, we could lose Steve and Hughes but i get enjoyment from winning games, playing 55 times a season and winning actual things that matter!