this season

[DaveP]

In previous years most weeks the team has virtually picked itself.

Whilst there might still be one or two movements in and out (hopefully another striker) it seems to me very difficult to pick a starting eleven.

We have what looks like a strong squad with competition for places and probably the strongest bench we've had for years.

Subject to injuries and suspensions I'm very optimistic we can have a really good season.

Went to the Ashton game and the general all round attitude seemed excellent.

Come on the Barra

[chipmunx]

I agree with that - the squad looks far stronger this season. For example this is the sort of team (inc bench) we could put out;-
Farman
Warren, Ray, McClelland, Brough
Hutton, Foley, Neil,
Waters, Bennett, Kay

subs Rooney, Canavan, Solomon Nwabuokei, Gordon, Gotts, Stevens,

that's with no sub keeper and no Grayson, White, Ellis, Taylor, Brown etc

[Middleton Nick]

We could be looking at promotion odds rather than relegation odds. . Definately a stronger looking squad.

[Cubbins Paratrooper]

Don't you just love the pre-season optimism? After the awful tension of the past two seasons, avoiding a relegation scrap will be a result for me and anywhere in the top half a massive bonus. Things are looking up though. Roll on our trip to Stockport.

[Mark Johnson]

Farman

Canavan, Ray, McClelland (back 3)

Warren (RWB) Brough (LWB)

Nwabuokei, Foley

Gotts

Bennet Waters

My best guess at the team vs Stockport but will probably be way off!

[HenneysKnee]

Farman

Canavan, Ray, McClelland (back 3)

Warren (RWB) Brough (LWB)

Nwabuokei, Foley

Gotts

Bennet Waters

My best guess at the team vs Stockport but will probably be way off!

Not sure he’d have been getting all the squad used to playing 4-3-3 to revert to 5-3-2 for the start of the season

[Van Der Nipper]

I agree with that - the squad looks far stronger this season. For example this is the sort of team (inc bench) we could put out;-
Farman
Warren, Ray, McClelland, Brough
Hutton, Foley, Neil,
Waters, Bennett, Kay

subs Rooney, Canavan, Solomon Nwabuokei, Gordon, Gotts, Stevens,

that's with no sub keeper and no Grayson, White, Ellis, Taylor, Brown etc

I can't imagine Hutton will be anywhere near a midfield 3

[Suffolk Blue]

Don't you just love the pre-season optimism? After the awful tension of the past two seasons, avoiding a relegation scrap will be a result for me and anywhere in the top half a massive bonus. Things are looking up though. Roll on our trip to Stockport.

It’s amazing what an 8-0 away win does for confidence even if achieved against a bunch of joiners, builders and junior civil servants.

I do agree with the general sentiment of positivity in and around the club. But what awaits us in early August is clearly on a different level.

Despite the positive signs there is no evidence - yet - that this squad is any better than any other out there. Expectations should really be pitched at avoiding the bottom two rather than troubling tithe play-off picture. In that respect there may be reason for optimism.

[McMark]

There was plenty of positivity when Mark Cooper took over, me included bought into it.
Beware of false dawns and a truer assessment will be after 15 games in the league.
All the talk in the world amounts to nothing if you don’t produce results pretty quickly you soon become food for the vultures to pick over.

[AFC Blue]

Don't you just love the pre-season optimism? After the awful tension of the past two seasons, avoiding a relegation scrap will be a result for me and anywhere in the top half a massive bonus. Things are looking up though. Roll on our trip to Stockport.

It’s amazing what an 8-0 away win does for confidence even if achieved against a bunch of joiners, builders and junior civil servants.

I do agree with the general sentiment of positivity in and around the club. But what awaits us in early August is clearly on a different level.

Despite the positive signs there is no evidence - yet - that this squad is any better than any other out there. Expectations should really be pitched at avoiding the bottom two rather than troubling tithe play-off picture. In that respect there may be reason for optimism.

Got to agree with that. We have a difficult start.
As long as we avoid a relegation scrap I will be well happy.

[Steeley]

I’m cautiously optimistic.

Not convinced we were that bad last season just couldn’t score goals and went tits up after the first few months.

[Falstaff]

There was plenty of positivity when Mark Cooper took over, me included bought into it.
Beware of false dawns and a truer assessment will be after 15 games in the league.
All the talk in the world amounts to nothing if you don’t produce results pretty quickly you soon become food for the vultures to pick over.

I tend to agree with this. The picture will become clearer after the first 10 games or so as to where we are at and prospects for the season. Stockport away is possibly one of the toughest starts we could have and I expect them to do well. If we can pick up anything from that game it will be a great result.

[Robwez10]

Hutton will be unreal this season now he’s playing further forward

[spirit of 1990]

I’m nearly always happy & optimistic in July..it’s the next eight or nine months that wreck me.
A decent club in a cup game, playing decent football and not being involved in a relegation scrap…& no off field dramas will do this season.
We won’t be lucky three seasons on the bounce.

[Rico]

Must be a good team if Rooney can’t get in it. What say you Russell A ?