RHINO-MARK wrote:
This squad is 5th/6th at best & thats with a lot of luck injury wise imo.
I understand where you're coming from with this prediction, but given the number of new faces it's going to be difficult to predict how the team will go until we see them on the field in a competitive game, IMO.
For me there's a lot more to a successful season than where they finish in the table. Finishing in 5th or 6th could still be a good year for us if a) we're consistently away from the relegation zone, b) we demonstrate a capability to beat the top sides, if not on a consistent basis, and c) there are signs that promising young players are given time to develop and build up experience in the first team. Notwithstanding the team's need to be given time to gel, I'd also say that finishing 5th or 6th would be disappointing if a) we're routinely getting stuffed by the top sides, b) we're reliant on beating weaker teams, c) the team is solely dependent on the efforts of senior players, and d) we spend decent spells of the season flirting with relegation.
Let's face it - a few more wins at crucial moments last year and we could easily have finished 6th, and that would not have made the season much more enjoyable.