How are we favourites to win the League?

[ourla]

We have a bunch of kids and a few new signings - that frankly if they are coming to us are no good.

 

Our manager is a bit of a fruit cake - who was an abject failure at his last two clubs.

 

How are we favourites to win the League?

 

I suspect punters haven't really been following what's going on close up.

 

It does mean the alternatives are probably good value - for those that like a bet!

[Muzzy_no7]

Because despite all this Sheff Weds still don’t actually look that good and have zero depth.

 

Stockport are without Challinor.

 

Huddersfield are a bit meh.

 

Oxford a mess, too. Ramsay a complete gamble.

 

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

Purely based on name alone. 

[Samilktray]

Just now, Mark 'expert' Lawrenson said:

Purely based on name alone. 

Yeah pretty obvious why, don’t think thread was needed

[CosbehFox]

Because it’s a 46 game season and we have the biggest power to evolve the squad/team as the season matures 
 

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility to have a shit start, sack Martin and go off like a rocket under a new manager with some sensible January signings 

 

 

[Chelmofox]

7 minutes ago, ourla said:

We have a bunch of kids and a few new signings - that frankly if they are coming to us are no good.

 

Our manager is a bit of a fruit cake - who was an abject failure at his last two clubs.

 

How are we favourites to win the League?

 

I suspect punters haven't really been following what's going on close up.

 

It does mean the alternatives are probably good value - for those that like a bet!

Ask after 5 games - will have a better idea then.

 

I like the use of the words 'kids' by the way. Alves and Brayebrook are in their 20's, and have had multiple loans. Aluko is a good prospect, as is Page (if hes still here). Its their time to shine - so get behind them.

 

I dislike Martin but he got Southampton promoted from the Championship. Pretty much any manager would have got PL relegation with that club, so it wasnt failure.

[Fox92]

"Bunch of kids" - Last time we were in League One, we lost 4 games all season with a regular team that included Hobbs, Morrison, Gilbert, Mattock, King and Gradel.

 

We will win the league and nobody can tell me why we won't. 

Edited 13 August by Fox92

[MC Prussian]

Because we're the team to beat this season.

Because we're probably the biggest name in the league (notwithstanding the Wednesday).

Because of PL and FA Cup glory.

 

Still quite a lot of high-earners in the squad (that should be shipped asap).

[Legend_in_blue]

It would be pretty embarrassing if we weren't favourites to win the league considering we should never be here in the first place.  As if being in this league isn't embarrassing enough already of course.

[winteriscoming]

Not for one minute do I think it’ll happen but we should walk it to the title. 
Whatever you think of the signings we’ve made they should be good enough for this level. Most championship sides would take Burns, Chaplin, Cullen and Watson. 
My concern is if we don’t get off to a good start I really don’t see Martin lasting. 
Also the lack of defensive recruitment especially in the cb area is a massive problem. 

[Xen]

Someone has to be the favourite. 

 

We're inarguably the biggest club in the division based on recent history. We were relegated despite (on paper) being more than strong enough to survive the Championship (and barring a points deduction, we would have done). 

 

Yes, we've had quite a bit of upheaval over the summer, but we've got a manager who has had success with a similar club to ourselves, we've recruited strongly for the division (again, on paper), we've got more depth than most the division in most positions. Most of the younger players we've got would've been expected to at least be at league 1/2 clubs on loan last year so this is a natural level for them now, and some have a much higher ceiling (Alves/Braybrooke). The older players we've brought in like Cullen/Chaplin/Burns are all experienced at this/a higher level.

 

 

 

We have issues and glaring gaps in the squad, but every side in this league does otherwise they wouldnt be here. Will we live up to that expectation? Possibly not. But its not hard to see why we're up there as favourites. Not to mention that the betting odds are self-driven so the more money thats put behind us, the more it reinforces us as favourites...

[Foxin_Mad]

If we start with BDCR and Mavididi anywhere near the first team squad we will almost be certain to be nearer the relegation spots than promotion. 

[Angus Scott]

Anybody that watched last week's game v the Cobblers would be backing us for relegation not promotion

[Finnegan]

The manager who was an "abject failure" at his last two clubs got promoted last time he managed for a full season in the football league. 

 

The "few new signings that are probably crap" include two players who walked this league a couple years ago, including one who got the golden boot. We've also just casually lumped out £2m each on a Bosnian u21 international and a Welsh International with over 100-150 odd appearances in the league above. 

 

Two clubs in the Premier League who arguably have the best youth scouting in the country have sent good prospects to help tide us over. That's adding to the raft of our own youth players from an academy that's doing well enough that three of our own products have either moved to or are being targeted by the biggest clubs in the world. 

 

And the "shit" players we want rid of because we hate them so much include a full Italian international, a full Belgian international and an England u21 international. 

 

I know we think we're ****ing hopeless and we're completely doomed but some of our fans need to look around League One, read the room a bit and realise how ****ing ridiculous they sound. Three quarters of the league would chew their own arms off for the head start we have. 

 

Like a bunch of millionaire nepo babies sat around outside a dole office moaning about how hard life is. 

 

Sakes. 

 

[Fox92]

38 minutes ago, Angus Scott said:

Anybody that watched last week's game v the Cobblers would be backing us for relegation not promotion

Just like under Pearson when we lost 2-4 at home to Burton Albion (then League Two) and still made the play offs 

 

I don't know what people are taking from the league cup fixtures, it was like pre season. Actually I don't know what people take from the first/second round league up fixtures every season.

[LCFCCKEANO]

League one’s standard is crap is how, the players we get back will look better playing with eachother than with the squads they were with, and our experienced players will know that they either show they’re way too good for the level or their careers are all but done. If we don’t win the league this year a lot of careers will be taking serious serious hits

 

edit- we can still absolutely flounder but it will be more down to us than anyone we play

Edited 13 August by LCFCCKEANO

[davieG]

Most of the Egos we had are long gone or due to go and we're left with some professional hard working experienced players and some talented youngster that many would envy us.

[skinnydipper]

34 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

The manager who was an "abject failure" at his last two clubs got promoted last time he managed for a full season in the football league. 

 

The "few new signings that are probably crap" include two players who walked this league a couple years ago, including one who got the golden boot. We've also just casually lumped out £2m each on a Bosnian u21 international and a Welsh International with over 100-150 odd appearances in the league above. 

 

Two clubs in the Premier League who arguably have the best youth scouting in the country have sent good prospects to help tide us over. That's adding to the raft of our own youth players from an academy that's doing well enough that three of our own products have either moved to or are being targeted by the biggest clubs in the world. 

 

And the "shit" players we want rid of because we hate them so much include a full Italian international, a full Belgian international and an England u21 international. 

 

I know we think we're ****ing hopeless and we're completely doomed but some of our fans need to look around League One, read the room a bit and realise how ****ing ridiculous they sound. Three quarters of the league would chew their own arms off for the head start we have. 

 

Like a bunch of millionaire nepo babies sat around outside a dole office moaning about how hard life is. 

 

Sakes. 

 

Decent post and a swarthy stick to bash those responsible with should we screw things up again 

 

 

[MGLCFC]

We just may end up with better CB's at the end of the window if we can ship Soutter, Faes and Okoli out. Unfortunately, I think Okoli will stay, but Soutter to Sheff U looks likely and Faes will go somewhere on loan again. I'm hoping (not with a great deal of conviction) that there are better replacements lined up, who can play Martin's style of football more effectively than those mentioned above.

[AKCJ]

• Successful pre-season.
• A manager that is seen to be beyond this level.
• A really strong batch of youth players making their breakthrough season.
• Very solid signings.
• Seemingly a return to a "no dickhead" view of recruitment.
• A positive refresh of the squad.
• Potentially more money to spend if Souttar and Page leave.
• A lack of any genuine title contender (League 1 does not have a team like West Ham in the Championship for example).
• No incoming points deduction that we know of.
• Potential new ownership bringing a wave of positivity.

 

I know there are some Leicester fans that must have loved how miserable the last few years have been as they have wallowed in it all but seriously, if you cannot see the positives of this summer and go into the season with optimism and belief then you've surely got to ask yourself are you really a supporter and is football really for you? 

[Finnegan]

10 minutes ago, skinnydipper said:

Decent post and a swarthy stick to bash those responsible with should we screw things up again 

 

 

 

I mean it's definitely well within us to still **** it up, don't get me wrong. Nobody should be complacent in the slightest. 

 

Especially not inside the club. 

 

But questioning why we're favourites when a significant amount of the league is absolute muck is daft. 

 

[Free Falling Foxes]

Weren't we favourites last season too? 

[AKCJ]

52 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

The manager who was an "abject failure" at his last two clubs got promoted last time he managed for a full season in the football league. 

 

The "few new signings that are probably crap" include two players who walked this league a couple years ago, including one who got the golden boot. We've also just casually lumped out £2m each on a Bosnian u21 international and a Welsh International with over 100-150 odd appearances in the league above. 

 

Two clubs in the Premier League who arguably have the best youth scouting in the country have sent good prospects to help tide us over. That's adding to the raft of our own youth players from an academy that's doing well enough that three of our own products have either moved to or are being targeted by the biggest clubs in the world. 

 

And the "shit" players we want rid of because we hate them so much include a full Italian international, a full Belgian international and an England u21 international. 

 

I know we think we're ****ing hopeless and we're completely doomed but some of our fans need to look around League One, read the room a bit and realise how ****ing ridiculous they sound. Three quarters of the league would chew their own arms off for the head start we have. 

 

Like a bunch of millionaire nepo babies sat around outside a dole office moaning about how hard life is. 

 

Sakes. 

 

I think Bromley will finish in a very comfortable mid-table and potentially even make a reasonable push for the play offs.

 

That should tell anyone all they need to know.

[BenTheFox]

Martin was not an "abject failure" at Southampton. To suggest that he was is, frankly, absurd. He got them promoted at the first time of asking and went on an unbeaten run of 25 games.

Edited 13 August by BenTheFox

[slymunn]

6 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

Weren't we favourites last season too? 

No