Where I think we stand.

[Ian Royal]

So it was. Looking at that 2004-05 season, there was absolutely no inkling we were about to wipe the floor with that league. In fact I remember what it was like on here after the defeat to Plymouth on the opening day of 2005-06.

Put simply, I cant think of too many managers who have achieved in 8 months what Stam has. I suppose Pardew and McDermott achieved similar but they came in mid season and turned around hugely under performing teams.

I fancied us for promotion. And after Plymouth. I remember saying we'd have a good season despite the defeat.

Gunnarsson and Lita were obvious excellent signings that strengtherned key weaknesses and Kitson Sidwell and Shorey were widely considered three of the best players outside the Prem... Sidwell the best Iirc.

That end of the previous season was hugely disappointing.

[From Despair To Where?]

That would be Gunnarsson and Lita who weren't regular starters. I'm talking about the general consensus that we should not have released Forster go, the signings were expensive lower league gambles or complete nobodies from nothing leagues and that after Plymouth, we were in a relegation struggle and Coppell was taking us nowhere.

A revisionist view would be that Coppell inherited half a team (Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Harper, Sidwell) and each season added a couple of players to complete it. (Ivar & Kits, then Sonko, Convey and Little, then the Doyle & Lita).

Stam has inherited 4 who could make the nucleus of the team for the next 3 or 4 years (Obita Gunter, Kelly, Evans). He's added 4 players that I would see as long term first teamers (Moore, Swift, Ilori, Meite). Assuming he's given the time, as long as he's adding couple of first teamers each season, be it through signings or the academy, and taking incremental steps forward whilst judiciously pruning and managing the rest of the squad, I'll be happy. We have a lot of good, young players that I think can grow into a very good side. It will take patience and a few set backs but I see promotion as a realistic ambition for 2018/19.

[Gunny Fishcake]

As great believer in "less is more"....I can't pay Country Royal a better compliment that saying I read your entire post....and I think it's a very good post which in the main I whole heartily agree with.

Just a little less next time