Looking forward to the season ahead, I believe we are in a good position to challenge for honours. The vast majority of the squad who went to Wembley in May are still with the club, and I see that as crucial. At the start of last season, we’d been decimated by the loss of key players, and as a consequence, it took us a long time to find the best blend and find our feet.
There was also an element of feeling dejected about the way we just failed to keep Premier League status. I sense a real determination to put that right, and the early season friendlies seem to point to a good passing style as previous, but also more urgency in pressing when we don’t have the ball. The games against Wrexham and Everton have also given the fans the opportunity to say goodbye to Brett and Keith, players who have bled tangerine for us. It says something when the manager feels he has the strength in depth to let players of that calibre leave.
While results mean nothing now, it must boost confidence to beat a strong Everton side quite comfortably, while giving a few of the younger development players a run out towards the end.
There is probably the need to still strengthen up front if only to give us options for a Plan B, but I genuinely think we can finally avoid the playoffs and push for an automatic spot. It’s a tight Division, with probably only Barnsley and Peterborough thinking that they are not in the running. Everyone else will start off thinking they have a chance of at least a play off spot. We can use our experience and togetherness as a squad to really go for it.
UP THE POOL
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