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*Official* English Football Season 2015-16

Uppercut

Uppercut

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GIMH said:
Haha. I know, right. BUT - there are actual differences this season.

1. It's not just me displaying blind optimism and ignoring wiser calls among our fanbase that midtable would be an achievement with the squad assembled. Most of our fans seem to share my optimism at this stage.
2. We've actually got one of the top 3 or 4 budgets in the division, so I'm not just blindly expecting us to punch above our weight. Us in the conference is like a Villa or Newcastle dropping into the Championship. No way should the fans expect anything other than an instant return.
3. The squad we've assembled is full of players who meet one or more of the below:
a. Turned down L1/L2 clubs because we are displaying more ambition and presumably offering better money
b. Have track records of winning promotion from the Conference and/or League 2
c. Have 1 in 2 goalscoring records at this level (only applicable to forwards)
d. Were one of their club's top players last season according to the fans, who have expressed dismay at losing them

The few players we've kept are the better ones we have, many of whom have held their own in League One, with us.

And off the field, for the first time since the 90s we are actually displaying ambition. It's little things, and big things. For example, for 10+ years, PP has had a real capacity a couple of thousand below the advertised figure because of the sheer volume of broken seats. Probably something a Prem/Championship club, or even a decent L1 club, sorts out every summer. We've replaced 2500 seats. The suites, which when they opened in the 90s were a big step for a small club like us, have fallen into disrepair, you know when you step in somewhere and think 'this is hospitality?' Clubs like Chesterfield raced ahead of us, raising non-matchday revenue by developing facilities that could be used for conferences, weddings, whatever. I had my 30th in one of the suites last summer, but that was out of sentiment for me rather than the quality of the facilities. They've all been renovated. We had an open day last week to see the two finished ones and they look outstanding. Sure, they'd be below what you get at Anfield or Old Trafford, but they wouldn't look out of place at some of the Championship stadia I've seen. We've hired new execs, with experience at other clubs, to oversee such projects.

These things all started to get put in place last August once the Palioses arrived, but they were too late to stop the rot on the pitch. Now, we have a home to be proud of once more and what appears to be the makings of a team to go with it.

Some whites would probably accept a top five place now. Not me. I can't see that any club has a squad to challange ours. I expect the title. But at least to challenge for it.
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The conference has a very high level of uncertainty- a bit less than Championship-L2, but still far higher than the Premiership. Even the best team in the division would usually have a below-50% chance of getting promoted in any given season. Even if you have the best squad you still need the rub of the green to get out of there.
 
Lillian Thomson

Lillian Thomson

Hall of Fame Member
I've seen a lot of Conference football having friends who support Exeter and Torquay who have both spent a lot of time in the Division. It is absolutely horrible. The enjoyment level is absolute zero even when you win. All fans of newly arrived clubs need to brace themselves for misery.
 
GIMH

GIMH

Norwood's on Fire
Uppercut said:
The conference has a very high level of uncertainty- a bit less than Championship-L2, but still far higher than the Premiership. Even the best team in the division would usually have a below-50% chance of getting promoted in any given season. Even if you have the best squad you still need the rub of the green to get out of there.
Click to expand...
Lillian Thomson said:
I've seen a lot of Conference football having friends who support Exeter and Torquay who have both spent a lot of time in the Division. It is absolutely horrible. The enjoyment level is absolute zero even when you win. All fans of newly arrived clubs need to brace themselves for misery.
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Well yeah but Bristol Rovers last season, though they winded up needing the play-offs, finished second with 97 points and went with the same approach as we are taking. Obviously nothing is guaranteed, but other than a few of our players who've stayed with us, everyone in the squad has experience at that level, and experience of doing well at that level, which is absolutely what is needed.
 
Lillian Thomson

Lillian Thomson

Hall of Fame Member
GIMH said:
Well yeah but Bristol Rovers last season, though they winded up needing the play-offs, finished second with 97 points and went with the same approach as we are taking. Obviously nothing is guaranteed, but other than a few of our players who've stayed with us, everyone in the squad has experience at that level, and experience of doing well at that level, which is absolutely what is needed.
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Reality probably won't set in until about half a dozen games in. Make an appointment with a counsellor for around October.
 
Uppercut

Uppercut

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That's just going to make it even more painful when you concede a last minute equaliser at home to Team Rocket.
 
GIMH

GIMH

Norwood's on Fire
Uppercut said:
That's just going to make it even more painful when you concede a last minute equaliser at home to Team Rocket.
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Wrexham away though

And the Xmas fixtures are awesome. Three local derbies in eight days, two against the same team
 
GIMH

GIMH

Norwood's on Fire
Max Power to Wigan

Inevitable. Hope he does a Cresswell.

Fee by tribunal. If we get shafted I'm gonna break Dave Whelans leg during the FA Cup Final
 
fredfertang

fredfertang

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
My first ever boss was a Stoke fan - never missed a game home or away, which is impressive at any time, but especially so as he lived 100 miles away from Stoke - was a **** though - wonder if he's still alive - Jack Higginson was his name - would be about 80 now
 
duffer

duffer

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Josh McEachran to Brentford then? Heh, I remember when he was hyped as being better than Wilshere by a couple of colleagues. Hope he does well though.
 
Nate

Nate

You'll Never Walk Alone
Not that it will at all translate, but I'm sure similar things were said when he was signed as a player.
 
Ikki

Ikki

Hall of Fame Member
Sterling is a bigger **** than I first thought. Lots of players want to move clubs but it's rare that it's done this disgracefully. First it's the money, then it's the trophies, now it's Rodgers. Shut the **** up you ****ing cretin. I honestly wouldn't mind just benching the **** for 2 seasons.
 
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