Strength Of This League

[JJH]

Evening all.

A Friday night in and I've found myself looking through some of the L1 squads and getting up to date on a few of the transfers I've missed and I must that the league looks really strong next year - some really good business been done by a lot of clubs.

14/15 was a pretty good year for this league with us, Swindon, MK Dons and Preston all doing really well and Chesterfield had a few cracking players as well, but I think next year may well be the best it's been since the year Wednesday went up with Charlton(?) I think, when Sheffield United were up there as well.

Blackburn and Wigan already had decent squads and Blackburn have massively added to it with proven L1 talent. Bristol Rovers (unfortunately) Northampton, Bury have all added well to their squads and chucked about a bit of coin - Rotherham still have a few good players at this level, Pompey and Plymouth will have decent seasons, MK Dons looked better after Robinson left last season and Fleetwood, Scunny and Bradford of course finished in the playoffs last season, though Bradford's squad has been dismantled really and I think they'll struggle next season.

Wide open next season, will be a really interesting league to keep an eye on and certainly more entertaining than the Championship will be I reckon.

 

[PuB]

Erm excuse me, we just won 12-0. That's TWELVE nil, and we've signed the greatest striker in the world Liam Nash.

And yet we don't appear in this ludicrous write up?

Absolute farce.

 

[Fedora Dale]

Any of the 24 teams/squads involved would probably qualify for the Europa League if they moved to Scotland...

(Yes, even Gillingham - although since they're based in Belgium anyway, the point may be moot... )

 

[Franchisor]

Completely agree.

A few seasons back, there were probably only 4 or 5 times you would seriously consider being in the mix for promotion. But recently, last season and this season, there are a good 10-12 teams you just can't write off being in the mix for promotion/playoffs.

Blackburn, Bradford, Charlton, Wigan, Rotherham, Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers, Us, Oxford, Peterborough and perhaps Fleetwood and Scunthorpe too. If any of those sides ended up in the top 6, you wouldn't be too surprised.

As well as those, a few of the teams not mentioned above have also considerably strengthened like Northampton and Bury.

 

[T.A]

Its quite likely that we'll have a whole new team against Walsall to what we did v Southend last season so I'm not expecting much early on. A problem we had last season was injuries but hopefully now with a new backroom team this won't be happening again. Easily a good 10-12 teams all hoping to get a top 6 place. It'll be interesting to see who goes the distance.

 

[womble76]

We should be considered relegation candidates I guess on budget etch. but wait and see we aren't gonna be.

 

[Don Tonberry]

I've spoken to a few Pompey fans who think we're a good shout for automatics this year but they under-estimate the strength of this division. There are so many teams you could make a case for promotion for and I would be delighted if we finished sixth.

 

[EricSabin]

I was worried about relegation at the start of pre season after seeing who came up and down, but now with our Chinese cash we've made some decent signings and I'm confident of top half.

 

[Hedonist Puncture]

It looks a stronger league than last year and I expect it to be extremely competitive throughout. I expect Blackburn to win it, as I think they look a standout team for this level. There will plenty of challengers for the top 6. I do not think it will be easy for the promoted sides, including Pompey, who I expect to do well. There are some strong clubs that have been relegated and some challenging games ahead against the promoted teams too. That all adds to the difficulty.

First task for us is to get to 50 points. Then we can have a look around and see where we are in the league. I'm expecting a mid-table finish and I do not not see us bothering either end of the table. We've trimmed our playing staff this season, but we should still be okay. If we can add some additional quality to the side through purchase or loan, we may surprise a few.

 

[hold'um Oldham]

We are good bets for a top half finish this year. We will start well but ultimately not have enough goals. I'll bet money we will have our best season for a while

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

I don't expect much from us due to you all being so positive about your own teams!

 

[LS Bantam]

We need some considerable strengthening defensively to challenge the top teams

 

[DippyDon]

Whereas we need some considerable strengthening at the top end of the pitch to be in with a real shout

 

[Reaper]

Last time we we're in this division they we're 2 very good teams in Wolves and Brentford who was well above anybody else in this division but this time i don't see anyone nowhere near as good as those 2 sides.

I think the league is more competitive though this time because clubs like Oldham and Northampton have strengthened well so far who have previously struggled and alot of teams who we're in the playoffs like Scunthorpe and Fleetwood have kept the same squad.

 

[Hedonist Puncture]

. . . . and alot of teams who we're in the playoffs like Scunthorpe and Fleetwood have kept the same squad.

We have lost 8 players, who played in the first team last season to other league clubs. Brought in 4 new players. Our squad has changed.

 

[Reaper]

We have lost 8 players, who played in the first team last season to other league clubs. Brought in 4 new players. Our squad has changed.

Thought the only decent first team players you lost was Stephen Dawson and Luke Daniels, you still got the likes of Van Veen, Wallace, Morris, Mantom ect.

 

[Franchisor]

We need some considerable strengthening defensively to challenge the top teams

We are the exact opposite. On paper we look very strong defensively - one of the best defenders in the league (George Williams), a proven CB at this level (Ebanks-Landell), Walsh, Wootton, Lewington, Tilney all available. Then 6'5" Cissé in defensive mid.

But our attack is seriously poor at the moment. We desperately need a decent striker and at least a couple more quality midfielders.

 

[Hedonist Puncture]

Thought the only decent first team players you lost was Stephen Dawson and Luke Daniels, you still got the likes of Van Veen, Wallace, Morris, Mantom ect.

Dawson and Daniels leaving was a blow, but they didn't want to stay when Bury and Brentford came looking. Our second goalie, Joe Anyon played a fair number of games and was an able back-up. In fact some thought him to be better than Daniels. Anyon joined Chesterfield. Wiseman was another first team squad player, playing when he was fit. Decent attacking fullback who has joined Chesterfield. David Mirfin was our key CB alongside Wallace and he has gone to Mansfield. Problem with David was his fitness. Jamie Ness has gone to Plymouth. A very useful first team squad player at CM. Craig Davies was on contract for the second half of the season and while not everyone's favourite (including me) he was a regular squad player, particularly on the bench. Davies has been signed by Oldham. Scott Laird was out on loan at Walsall for a long time and by all accounts did well down there. He was a fringe squad player and has joined Forest Green Rovers.

Yes, we do retain Van Veen, Wallace (although PNE is interested), Morris and Mantom, but with the number of departures out of the squad and only 4 coming in, the juniors are going to have to step up. At the moment, we have 4 lads (one with L2 loan experience) who will be joining the first team squad.

The point I was making was that we have seen changes and it is not really the same squad. I would still like to see us strengthen further, particularly in CM. Quite liked your player Smallwood when he was on loan with us, but he could not establish himself. I reckon this is going the most competitive league we have been in for a while, ie a league where more than ever that cliche "anyone can beat anyone else" will be used by team managers.

Enjoy your season back in L1. I'm hoping to get over to see your new stadium. You may know that we have been talking about a new stadium and while no ground has been dug yet, I am hoping we can get it across the line. We need something other than attendance income, because we are such a small club.

 

[SF_]

Will be interesting to see the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Blackpool contesting to see who comes out on top in the North West Minnows league.

I'll be peering down now and then.

 

[Fedora Dale]

Will be interesting to see the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Blackpool contesting to see who comes out on top in the North West Minnows league.

I'll be peering down now and then.

Wigan might, although the Competent Cods, Big Spending Bury, Improving Oldham and Dogged Dale might have something to say.

Blackburn have the handicap of Mowbray as manager (see Coventry), while Blackpool are still Oyston-infested...

 

[bantamigo]

We need some considerable strengthening defensively to challenge the top teams

I'd agree with this although I don't think we've played what I'd class as our first choice back four at any stage this pre-season.

Up front we look probably the strongest we have for years going into a season so don't really think we will struggle as the OP seems to think.

 

[SF_]

Wigan might, although the Competent Cods, Big Spending Bury, Improving Oldham and Dogged Dale might have something to say.

Blackburn have the handicap of Mowbray as manager (see Coventry), while Blackpool are still Oyston-infested...

I fancy Fleetwood and Rochdale to do well again, stability goes a long way.

I think Blackburn have performed well in the market this summer though, those evil Venky's spending money again.

 

[Simpo]

Still a lot of question marks over Latics in my opinion. Goalie signing is crucial, as is one more midfielder.

 

[3Loggerheads]

Still a lot of question marks over Latics in my opinion. Goalie signing is crucial, as is one more midfielder.

Jason Leutwiler

 

[roversfan2001]

I think Blackburn have performed well in the market this summer though, those evil Venky's spending money again.

Oh get fucked, they've spent some money for the first time in 2 years; after taking us to our lowest position since 1980.



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[SF_]

Oh get fucked, they've spent some money for the first time in 2 years; after taking us to our lowest position since 1980.

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That bite took way longer than expected.

Why would they have splashed the cash in the last two years when the club has debts, a sizeable wagebill and minimal income? imagine any transfer fees the club recieved were absorbed pretty quickly.

 

[roversfan2001]

That bite took way longer than expected.

Why would they have splashed the cash in the last two years when the club has debts, a sizeable wagebill and minimal income? imagine any transfer fees the club recieved were absorbed pretty quickly.

"Splashing the cash" wasn't what was needed. Just small investments on players that could keep us in the second tier, not loanees and journeymen on free transfers. Most of the debt is owed to them and is a direct result of their incompetence since 2010.

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[SF_]

"Splashing the cash" wasn't what was needed. Just small investments on players that could keep us in the second tier, not loanees and journeymen on free transfers. Most of the debt is owed to them and is a direct result of their incompetence since 2010.

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With or without them, you would have amounted debt following relegation from the Prem without Walker's backing.

Either way, I expect you to get promoted this season.