This year has been a huge letdown despite many - including me - having pretty low expectations, just hoping not to be involved in a relegation fight and seeing some exciting games. The vibe on here is worse than I can remember, and faith that GH has some kind of plan has seemingly evaporated.
GH isn't going anywhere. He'll fry Smith if he has to, and regardless of signings and agreements about how he was brought in to 'fix' the club for the long term, Smith will be under all sorts of pressure at the start of next season. The biggest worry right now for GH will be season ticket sales. We saw an uplift in crowds this year as a result of the back end of last season. Next year will see the reverse unless we have some signings to excite interest.
What I would say in Smith's defence is that he will have overseen an enormous change in personnel in a season and a half. A lot of senior players have gone or will go, and that was always going to cause ructions. The clearout couldn't have happened any faster due to contracts and the cap. So I can understand 'team spirit' issues. If we make the right signings I wouldn't be surprised to see far better performances next year.
The most worrying thing for me are the walkouts. I can't remember anything like it. In 1996 players exited because there was no money to pay them - this year they just seem to have wanted out. Maybe its just been part of the clearout we've needed for so long, but it suggests a team in utter turmoil. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that until the last two games we've actually been competitive?
