Pretty much agree with the above. When looking at the League at the start of last season I think everyone fancied Salford or Orient. Going into this season the teams that stand out to me are Chesterfield and Fylde. I could see us finishing anywhere between 4th and 15th, that's how competitive the league will be. Personally don't see us any lower than that.Diggerthedog wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:47 pmHarfield turned down a contract so cant blame the manager on that one, Munns I agree he is good but when you compare his stats last season to Brundle who is a similar player its no contest. This side should be good enough for top ten given the spine that was left over from last season and the additions added.LondonDagger wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:27 pmStrizovic is not better than Moore, Harfield is better than a few, Munns is better than most, its actually amazing how people think we will be top half.Diggerthedog wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2019 8:48 pm Most of the new players are better than the ones we have let go, certainly a top half finish on the cards. Would have been higher had we got a striker in as good as Wilkinson but that probably won’t happen now.
Grant scored a lot of goals for a team that got relegated so here’s hoping he can add 5-10 more to that tally with players like Balanta around him.
Odamatey will be the legs in midfield we badly missed last season, he will be a fans favourite.
Brundle is a great player, best signing of the summer in my eyes, certainly one to watch.
We have strength in depth this time so no bringing in crap like most of last season when we had injuries/suspension. Still time for 1-2 more in the door, maybe a loan or two to bolster numbers and who knows.
COYD
I love it how people use the this league will be stronger than ever, truth is no one actually knows that but looking at it with Orient and Salford gone and replaced by Yeovil and Notts I would say its not actually stronger. Also Ebbsfleet will be weaker as will Halifax who have just lost their manager and have only 14 players signed up, Aldershot will be down the bottom again and I don't think Harrogate will have as good a season. Sutton another team lost all of their best players and manager.
There are many more teams we can finish above this time around from my view so who knows until it actually gets going. I only see 4 teams as dead certs to finish in the top 7, Fylde, Wrexham, Chesterfield, and Solihull. The rest we start on a level playing field with.
For the people who are negative about the signings, have you seen them play regularly to judge? I know I haven't. The only players I remember seeing last year was Odametey who always impressed, and Dobson who I thought looked ok in the Sutton game. The others don't stand out for either the right or wrong reason, although I must admit I'm concerned we have signed a striker who was behind Mullings in the pecking order. But I think the owners statement about promotion was poorly written, whilst I agree with the sentiment its much better to try and do it the right way rather than buy the league by perhaps doing what Bromley are with there heavy spending, and what we did not too long ago.
The squad on paper at least looks balanced enough to play different systems when things need changing. Personally can see us playing 3 at the back a lot more with starting 11 that looks the way to get our better players in, Manny, Clark and Croll (who I have never seen, but given the Exeter fans comments on him seems decent if injury free), Robbo, Odametey and Brundle in a midfield 3.