Is this the height of lazy journalism? The three teams that came down predicted to go up, the three that came up predicted to go down and the play off challengers pretty much the same as last season. Someone has really put some thought into this!
In case anyone's wondering what this thread is about, presumably it's this prediction from some bloke at the Press Association... Hull City Hull City bounced back to the second tier at the first attempt as League One champions, but a loan from the English Football League and Premier League in order to keep their squad intact has left them operating under financial restrictions, including a transfer embargo, and that will make life difficult for Grant McCann’s side in their bid to consolidate. Prediction: Relegation
Did not get it right last season though did the so called experts? I predict another top six finish or automatic promotion. Easy to predict init!
I still fear a rude awakening. CCC is a big step up from L1 and we haven't materially strengthened (argue all you like about marginal strengthening or not). We lack experience, nous, men, (as opposed to youth), real quality and also depth in some areas. Plus a manager who for me still has big question marks over him at this level. He's going to need to be far more flexible and astute than last time here (hopefully he has learnt). On the plus side, we have some excellent developing young uns, and a team spirit currently as good as any (if if lasts). I expect there will be 3 sides poorer than us. Would love to be proved to be far too negative. I think i am being realistic rather tha overly negative.
There will be three teams worse than us. Won't there? Someone tell me. Tbh I can see Millwall and Luton bombing despite the latter doing some decent player recruitment! Coventry 's return to the Ricoh might not work out well!
We have a squad made up of failed championship players and untested championship players that haven’t cost a lot/if any money. Hopefully they’ll all step up and keep us up, last time out in the championship we consistently conceded some bad goals. That needs to be addressed, the biggest worry for me is I don’t think wilks and Josh have enough goals in them at this level. Staying up is overachieving
Season of consolidation will do .. I say again I think we'll be a bit light in front of goal so somewhere between 15th - 18th for me. Anything else is a bonus.
I think we have a goalscorer in Wilks, KLP will get a few and Magennis will play a role by doing what he does. I worry about the rear-guard a bit with the lack of experience at the back and limitations at defensive midfield. That could all change with the mooted forthcoming additions though
I'm hoping KLP continues his upward trend, Wilks has the potential but doesn't seem to possess a footballing brain yet .. I can only hope those currently around him remind him he is part of a team. Magennis as I mentioned in another thread was outstanding at the latter end of the season, and as such deserves a chance, but I do worry about the goal return from the front 3, and we are not blessed with goal scoring midfielders. But I'm hoping I'm totally wrong.