Linden Jones' TashClyde1998 Just thinking about the squad and I think it's clear a lot of people's expectations are too high for this season from what I've seen and heard since the start of the season (especially on Twitter or on BBC Berks).
When we compare to the close of the summer transfer window last season, we've lost Sam Smith; Tyler Bindon; Amadou Mbengue and Harvey Knibbs to clubs who are playing in the Championship this season. We've additionally lost Chem Campbell; Michael Craig and Jayden Wareham to clubs at our level.
The Championship-level players are not going to be directly replaced whilst we're in League One (at least when keeping within a viable budget for a League One club), requiring us to sign players who could develop into Championship-standard players to get back to that level of player. That will take time, assuming you've got the players who'll develop to that level in the first place. I think of our signings, only Daniel Kyerewaa has the potential to develop to a Championship player with what I've seen of him and that's someone who appears to be very raw. That's of course notwithstanding any of the loanees who we're unlikely to go and sign unless we get promoted.
The only player you can argue we've successfully replaced at the same level (based on a limited dataset) is Michael Craig with Liam Fraser, and Craig usually played right-back last season - not defensive midfield. Left-back is probably the only other position we've improved, simply through having a natural left-back in the squad.
Our centre-back pairing is going to be weaker this season, no matter who we end up brining in before the end of the transfer window. We've also lost 35 goals and 13 assists simply through Smith, Knibbs, Campbell and Wareham leaving, without considering their all-round impact on the team. At best, our attacking replacements will take time to bed in and I'm not convinced some of them will be of the same level of those we've lost - even after having a season of playing regularly.
We came seventh last season, being dependant on good saves from Joel Perierra and often long range goals from Wing and Savage to get points on the board. Arguably, we over-performed with the players we had anyway.
This season seems to be about consolidation, especially getting players onto longer terms contracts so we're not having to completely rebuild the squad each season. I maintain from what I've seen we'll be mid-table this season and anyone expecting us to perform better than that is doing so purely on the position and size of the club over the past twenty-odd years compared to others in this division.
And the stated objective of the co-CEO to the fans at the Purple Turtle gig.... "to improve on last season's finish"
I know people will say that they have to say that & they did hype it up to sell Season Tickets etc., but they didn't have to be so explicit.
" a top half finish".... would have been fine for most fans...
Indeed. I think the ownership has managed to over-promise to supporters. All they needed to do was say we'll be stable this season and will be building for future seasons both on and off the pitch; challenging for the play-offs would be a bonus. I understand they want to project a positive picture, but it's always better to under-promise and over-deliver than the reverse.
