What are your expectations for next season?

[Jampie]

So much depends on the new signings... I definitely reserve the right to change any predictions in line with the quality of new players we sign...

[MAD_MAGPIE]

What are your minimum expectations for the club to achieve next season, what do you think we are likely to get, and what's goal do you think we should aim for?

Mine are as follows:

Minimum: Firmly in the playoffs, with a playoff spot never in doubt. I also expect, at a minimum, that the players TRY to win every match, even when we're two or three goals down. I love the way they've been playing "never say die" of late and want to see that continue.

Expected: We'll probably come second or third with a chance of promotion through playoffs

Goal: I think we should aim for automatic promotion but I suspect this will be a big ask


I know a lot of people will want to put "Promoted" as their expectation... I don't think there is any way to guarantee promotion in any given season, even if you are the best team with the best manager. Too much randomness in football.

My expectations for next season are continued improvement. By this I mean work on our attacking play, intensity, and also defending set pieces.

Last season we fell short of the title by five wins and an extra draw compared to Sutton. Likewise Sutton scored ten more goals than us and conceded five less. These should be our targets for improvement which is ten points extra over the season. Do this and we will be in with a good chance of winning the title.

The ten extra goals required is going to have to come from a new striker to partner Wootton the way I see it. For me this is going to be our biggest and most toughest position to fill as every club wants proven goal scorers. Hopefully we can find someone suitable who will want to come.

Enzio scored 7 goals last season so that shortfall is going to have to come the likes of Rodrigues through extra starts he should get next season compared to last along with Roberts.

A suitable replacement for Doyle on the pitch will be another key signing. Casper Sloth was probably expected to be that player last season but we all know how that turned out.

Until we have signed players then I’m holding off predicting where I think we will finish.

[jacobncfc]

I think we have to/should expect a genuine title challenge next season. We've had two decent seasons since coming down, but not really looked like title winning material at any point during that. With the core of a good team kept together and the recruitment folks having had time to get used to the league and what we're looking for, we should be in a position to do that next season.

Ultimately you can't control what other teams do and maybe someone else would run away with it anyway, but I'd want us to be getting around two points per game.

[jacobncfc]

My expectations for next season are continued improvement. By this I mean work on our attacking play, intensity, and also defending set pieces.

Last season we fell short of the title by five wins and an extra draw compared to Sutton. Likewise Sutton scored ten more goals than us and conceded five less. These should be our targets for improvement which is ten points extra over the season. Do this and we will be in with a good chance of winning the title.

The ten extra goals required is going to have to come from a new striker to partner Wootton the way I see it. For me this is going to be our biggest and most toughest position to fill as every club wants proven goal scorers. Hopefully we can find someone suitable who will want to come.

Enzio scored 7 goals last season so that shortfall is going to have to come the likes of Rodrigues through extra starts he should get next season compared to last along with Roberts.

A suitable replacement for Doyle on the pitch will be another key signing. Casper Sloth was probably expected to be that player last season but we all know how that turned out.

Until we have signed players then I’m holding off predicting where I think we will finish.

I'd be surprised if we signed a new striker to partner Wootton. Maybe a different option to put some pressure on him and offer something else (we've been linked to a young lad who scored goals on loan at Weymouth last season, which seems the right kind). When Roberts is fit, him and Rodrigues become our two automatic starters probably, but I don't think you can play the two of them and two strikers as well.

[Notts78]

I'd be surprised if we signed a new striker to partner Wootton. Maybe a different option to put some pressure on him and offer something else (we've been linked to a young lad who scored goals on loan at Weymouth last season, which seems the right kind). When Roberts is fit, him and Rodrigues become our two automatic starters probably, but I don't think you can play the two of them and two strikers as well.

Rodders could play as a 2nd striker and then another genuine winger to go with Roberts in a 4-4-2. As an alternative, though in his recent interview IB suggested he prefers a back 3.

[jacobncfc]

Rodders could play as a 2nd striker and then another genuine winger to go with Roberts in a 4-4-2. As an alternative, though in his recent interview IB suggested he prefers a back 3.

I think we're looking at a front three of Wootton with Roberts and Rodrigues playing off him in quite fluid positions. It's a pretty exciting prospect.

You could play in two different ways behind it as a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3, but that we seem likely to sign Miller probably suggests the latter. He excelled as a left wing back but offered little as an orthodox left back or as a genuine winger. Retaining Chicksen probably the same, who has been excellent on the left side of a back three.

I think the big signing we need to get right is a genuine box-to-box midfielder to play alongside Reeves.

[uysapie]

another season ending in disappointment, low expactations but hope to be proved wrong!

[the_anticlough]

I think we're looking at a front three of Wootton with Roberts and Rodrigues playing off him in quite fluid positions. It's a pretty exciting prospect.
.

It is.
Personally though, I'd like to see all 3 playing along with a new player who gives that threat of getting in behind the defence (which none of that great trio give us really, strangely enough). That would stretch and pin back teams out who want to press us. So a new CF/wide attacker of that type would be near the top of the shopping list, just behind that physical box-to-box midfielder and the combative, aerially-strong CB!

Rodrigues and Roberts are similar in that they'd thrive by playing with a runner (which Wootton isn't really). If fit, I'd like to see Ruben as the most advanced/attacking of a midfield 3 to allow some real pace to be brought into the side.

[jacobncfc]

It is.
Personally though, I'd like to see all 3 playing along with a new player who gives that threat of getting in behind the defence (which none of that great trio give us really, strangely enough). That would stretch and pin back teams out who want to press us. So a new CF/wide attacker of that type would be near the top of the shopping list, just behind that physical box-to-box midfielder and the combative, aerially-strong CB!

Rodrigues and Roberts are similar in that they'd thrive by playing with a runner (which Wootton isn't really). If fit, I'd like to see Ruben as the most advanced/attacking of a midfield 3 to allow some real pace to be brought into the side.

Yeah I agree, we need that kind of option, just not sure we’ll be able to play all four at the same time very often.

The one transfer rumour I’ve seen (from Leigh Curtis) is Andy Dallas, a striker who was on loan at Weymouth, did well in the second half of last season and is just that kind of player, which bodes well.

[BigFatPie]

I think we're looking at a front three of Wootton with Roberts and Rodrigues playing off him in quite fluid positions. It's a pretty exciting prospect.

.

A fit Roberts and Rodrigues together is such an enticing prospect it’s bound not to work in practice! Could be another Lampard/Gerrard situation.

Also, I’d be surprised if Wootton didn’t attract a few EFL offers and for IB to accept them. I’m not sure he’s a fan.