Encouraging signs

[AnagRam]

I know we shouldn't read too much into pre-season friendlies but the signs are surely encouraging. Take away the Grimsby match - and seeing as the whole eleven was changed at half time that really can be seen as a L1/W1 - there was improvement at Northampton which continued on tour, the performance against Villareal was very good in parts and to beat a decent Burton Albion side quite comfortably on their own turf is no small achievement.

We have more strength in depth than I can remember. Many of the problems of last season have been addressed and there are apparently more signings to come. Maybe the much mentioned 'marquee signing' will not arrive before the season starts and it makes sense to retain funds to address areas of weakness or need which develop as the season progresses. The job is obviously far from complete but, whatever happens at Bolton next week, the signs are, imo, very positive for the season to come.

[southernram22]

we will see when proper stuff starts next week

[Ramondo]

I rarely go to pre season games, I see no real value in them - I hate watching friendlies. For me, football is about the need for the result which dictates everything else. But there is none of that in friendly games, and as I wouldn't waste valuable hours of my life watching practice matches, neither would I give up time to watch a meaningless warm up. I know people like to get an idea of individuals and formations but I personally pay no attention to them, they are irrelevant once the season kicks off.

I usually go on the principle that if the pre season has gone extremely well then it's going to be a long hard slog of a season, whereas if it has been awful then promotion is just around the corner. From what I can tell, pre season has been 'okay'. That means ********* all as well I'm afraid as the resulting season could go in any direction.

So Mystic Meg predictions aside, I am still not convinced about the full back positions but as I haven't bothered to see them play yet

[AnagRam]

Blimey Ramondo, you sound fed up. Always thought of you as the head honcho around here, a kind of headmaster figure (alongside Bloomer's chair of governors and Rattea as head prefect.) What's going on? I know friendlies aren't that important but I only meant it's better to see consistent progress than yet more problems and I feel that's what we've seen. Love to start with a win against Bolton next week but let's not forget, in Jim Smith's promotion season we were nowhere until the arrival of Stimac in, if memory serves, late October.