SUFC: The Future Next season

[Blues4LifeDan]

Because 82 points would have put us in the playoffs - we need to try and win it - hard though that it.

Who says we are trying to win the league? Only a section of fans, COSU haven't said that once. Let's not forget we finished 7th, miles off of top spot. To then expect to go and win the league isn't likely. Of course, we need to try and challenge, but it shouldn't be a demand and expectation to win it. It also isn't a failure if we don't.

York got 96 points, they'll expect to win it. FGR's were in 3rd, they will expect to win it. Carlisle have rich owners and have already bought one of the top goal scorers in the league, they'll expect to be up there. That's just 3 sides I can mention.

We are all proud of the club yesterday, but let's not let it get us sidetracked that because we got to the final, that means we have to win the league. There is a huge gap to close and if we were to finish in the playoffs but higher up, it's not bad at all.

 

[Supershrimper]

Aim for next season had got to be to win the league. Bust a gut for that and if we fail we have the safety net of the play offs, but as had been shown no guarantee that the next best team in the league will triumph. But ad the saying goes, you've got to be in it to win it.

Heard on BBC Essex today a little stat that of the 27 maybe 28 games we have played to over 30k we have won only once.

If we are going to have to use the safety net of the playoffs that stat had got to change.

 

[Holy Joe]

Aim for next season had got to be to win the league. Bust a gut for that and if we fail we have the safety net of the play offs, but as had been shown no guarantee that the next best team in the league will triumph. But ad the saying goes, you've got to be in it to win it.

Heard on BBC Essex today a little stat that of the 27 maybe 28 games we have played to over 30k we have won only once.

If we are going to have to use the safety net of the playoffs that stat had got to change.

So we shouldn't have pushed for the NL/Wembley to increase capacity - we should campaign to move the final to Canvey's ground

 

[NZamba Legend]

Agree, likelihood is we won’t win the league but we really do have a decent chance of returning to Wembley next season. Got to build the play offs into our mentality like a NBA team. We need to be equipped and ready for the knockout matches, to play until June in 120 minute matches. This year will have given us experience and belief.

 

[Paddypel]

I think next season is a big opportunity to win the league. The obvious candidates are York but will they be as strong next season ? Carlisle will face the shock that all sides coming down will do and likely take a few humbling defeats. FGR will chuck another load at it but it’s a small club and that spend isn’t sustainable forever. If we get the business done early I think we have to try and target the league, at least a strong start which is something we never seem to do… I think we’ll have our ducks in a row ready to attack it head on.

 

[Pak Power]

I agree with this.
Nick made a great save from Fondup and I give him credit for Fondup's early narrowly missed chip as Hayes came out quickly forcing the striker to take it early. However, was at fault for the winning goal. Sadly how it is with keepers. You can make great saves, but the one mistake will be remembered.

I'm sorry but I have to respectfully disagree, look at the highlights again, Goodliffe deflects an own goal into the net by the post. Hayes has to expect he wlll miss it with Fondop waiting, no way Hayes fault.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I think next season is a big opportunity to win the league. The obvious candidates are York but will they be as strong next season ? Carlisle will face the shock that all sides coming down will do and likely take a few humbling defeats. FGR will chuck another load at it but it’s a small club and that spend isn’t sustainable forever. If we get the business done early I think we have to try and target the league, at least a strong start which is something we never seem to do… I think we’ll have our ducks in a row ready to attack it head on.

Why wouldn't York be as strong? They've just got 96 points, have a brand new stadium and great facilities, with an owner who puts his hand in his pocket. Of course they will be strong. Furthermore, it doesn't matter how big FGR's are as a club, they will be a force like they were this season.

You can't say we have a huge opportunity to win the league when we finished 7th miles off of both York and FGR's when we know they will spend big and we know that we won't. We can try and compete, and we will, but I don't think fans honestly realise how hard it is to go and actually win the league.

 

[Pak Power]

I dont think or expect wholesale changes, just a signing or two who fits our system , and meet our criteria for the type of man we want as well as a footballer.

Ideally we need to tighten up at the back with two commanding central defenders required at least 6'4" Ryan Innis types.

Mainly because there are so many different types of teams in the National league, and as some have mentioned artificial pitches, you almost need three squads.

 

[danbowen]

I am not expecting wholesale changes to the squad this summer. Most of the squad are under contract anyway, so if we're going to keep the same size squad then we don't have much to play with. I believe the only out of contract players are Wood, Waldron, Ralph and Bonne (I believe Bridge has already triggered a 1-year contract extension).

Wood and Waldron will be gone, no doubt. I would hope we could agree something with Ralph - I'm in two minds about Bonne but think on balance we can probably do better and suspect he's on a decent wage so we might need that to bolster other areas of the squad.

Interesting to hear that Steve Arnold was at the squad party last night. I'd have him back in a heartbeat as I think he's an upgrade on both Hayes and Collin, but have we room for 3 'keepers in the squad? Probably not.

Goodliffe will return to Colchester and I'm not sure I'd have him back, even if we could negotiate a fee.

I reckon we'll be looking to bring in a CB, at least one striker and a left wing back.

what are you talking about mate?

If we don’t change a number of players this summer we are left with an aging squad and a big rebuild next season when they all go out of contract. Half the team aren’t good enough to push us on. It’s part of the reason we were 30 odd points behind the top 2.

Arnold? Seriously? I don’t think he played much last season in a poor Sutton team and is getting old now. He was good at the time for us but what is it with fans and wanting us to keep going back to old players we had?

 

[Holy Joe]

Why do we need a strong start? Hasn't the past couple of season proven it really doesn't matter when you get the points on the board?

Don't get me wrong I'd love us to be top at Xmas - but I'd love it even more if we're top come May. NB - I really don't expect us to be winning the league. IMHO A reasonable target for the Kev would be play-offs, i.e., top 7 finish.

 

[Shr1mperBlue]

Next season hopes:

A busy summer, both outgoings and incomings. I won’t name names here as another thread for that, but just to show real intent.

A pre season with two local games (away) and two league clubs (at home). Say a QPR and Wimbledon / Orient.

The West stand entrance to be tidied up. Take down all the broken signage, pull the weeds, paint and maintain. Don’t spend mega bucks, but get it looking safe and just a little inviting.

At some point during the season and preferably before Christmas, release design plans for a new East Stand.

A nice playable pitch for the BEGINNING of the season, unlike season just gone. Fix the fox problem by boarding up / fencing

All of those would show progress as a club. Then, let’s go for the title and get out the blocks strong. Top 2 finish must be the minimum, even with the strength of clubs around us.

 

[Roger The Alien]

Who says we are trying to win the league? Only a section of fans, COSU haven't said that once. Let's not forget we finished 7th, miles off of top spot. To then expect to go and win the league isn't likely. Of course, we need to try and challenge, but it shouldn't be a demand and expectation to win it. It also isn't a failure if we don't.

York got 96 points, they'll expect to win it. FGR's were in 3rd, they will expect I win it. Carlisle have rich owners and have already bought one of the top goal scorers in the league, they'll expect to be up there. That's just 3 sides I can mention.

We are all proud of the club yesterday, but let's not let it get us sidetracked that because we got to the final, that means we have to win the league. There is a huge gap to close and if we were to finish in the playoffs but higher up, it's not bad at all.

York finished near the bottom 6 and they made the jump to push for the title …

 

[Streaky]

We need a Corr/Caldwell type of forward- Oldham we're able to vary their attack by playing through and throwing crosses in, we don't have thar option as Hopper isn't very strong or mobile, Bonne has the finishing prowess of Che Wilson, Kendal is decent and Walker looks like he was a one season wonder at Daggers

Harsh on Che, he scored a beautiful goal against Col Ewe

 

[Medway Blue]

Next season hopes:

A busy summer, both outgoings and incomings. I won’t name names here as another thread for that, but just to show real intent.

A pre season with two local games (away) and two league clubs (at home). Say a QPR and Wimbledon / Orient.

The West stand entrance to be tidied up. Take down all the broken signage, pull the weeds, paint and maintain. Don’t spend mega bucks, but get it looking safe and just a little inviting.

At some point during the season and preferably before Christmas, release design plans for a new East Stand.

A nice playable pitch for the BEGINNING of the season, unlike season just gone. Fix the fox problem by boarding up / fencing

All of those would show progress as a club. Then, let’s go for the title and get out the blocks strong. Top 2 finish must be the minimum, even with the strength of clubs around us.

Why must it be the minimum?

I don't understand why people are claiming a top 2 finish / a title challenge are musts, when we know that we don't have a top 2 budget, and that actually, the top 2 or 3 budgets in the division are some way ahead of us.

That isn't how you set and measure realistic targets.

We will likely have a 5th-7th largest budget again, and then aim to make up the shortfall with quality of recruitment, quality of coaching, quality of environment and club culture.

York finished near the bottom 6 and they made the jump to push for the title …

Yes, Murky......that would be because they had one of the two or three biggest budgets in the division.

 

[IloveShrimp]

Come on, it's been 24 hours since our incredible but gut-wrenching day out and you're already on at Maher about tactics. Jeez.

Nope I am not criticising KM. I am stating a fact about the way we play and how it should be taken into consideration when signing new players. If KM wants to play the way he does fine, I will support him in doing that, but we need adequate players to be able to do so.

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

Who says we are trying to win the league? Only a section of fans, COSU haven't said that once. Let's not forget we finished 7th, miles off of top spot. To then expect to go and win the league isn't likely. Of course, we need to try and challenge, but it shouldn't be a demand and expectation to win it. It also isn't a failure if we don't.

York got 96 points, they'll expect to win it. FGR's were in 3rd, they will expect I win it. Carlisle have rich owners and have already bought one of the top goal scorers in the league, they'll expect to be up there. That's just 3 sides I can mention.

We are all proud of the club yesterday, but let's not let it get us sidetracked that because we got to the final, that means we have to win the league. There is a huge gap to close and if we were to finish in the playoffs but higher up, it's not bad at all.

FGR are in a spot of bother with their current squad, I don't think they will be challenging for the title next season

 

[Shr1mperBlue]

Why must it be the minimum?

I don't understand why people are claiming a top 2 finish / a title challenge are musts, when we know that we don't have a top 2 budget, and that actually, the top 2 or 3 budgets in the division are some way ahead of us.

That isn't how you set and measure realistic targets.

We will likely have a 5th-7th largest budget again, and then aim to make upnthe shortfall with quality of recruitment, quality of coaching, quality of environment and club culture.


Yes, Murky......that would be because they had one of the two or three biggest budgets in the division.

Exactly as you say, Medway. The budget is top 5 and I expect all those other things to be enough of an advantage to get us up and into title win in contention. A settled squad with quality additions, a training ground of a quality better than any others in this division and big crowds making it a place players want come and play and be successful. The budget is only one part of a much bigger picture which when looked at all together should make us a top 2 team.

 

[Target man]

I'm sorry but I have to respectfully disagree, look at the highlights again, Goodliffe deflects an own goal into the net by the post. Hayes has to expect he wlll miss it with Fondop waiting, no way Hayes fault.

Not saying it's his fault, just thought his feet were a bit planted. What replays don't tell you is the communication between the two, which can be a contributing factor. I'll certainly look at the highlights again to review... sadly probably 1000 times lol

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Not saying it's his fault, just thought his feet were a bit planted. What replays don't tell you is the communication between the two, which can be a contributing factor. I'll certainly look at the highlights again to review... sadly probably 1000 times lol

I still can’t bring myself to watch it back!

 

[fbm]

If we don't win it, we want to finish 4th or 5th dont we?

Those finishing 2nd or 3rd don't go up via the play offs usually.