A couple of C words..

[ajthefox]

Chemistry and consistency.

I think it's fair to say that amongst several problems last season, consistency or rather the lack thereof and the impact that had on the chemistry between the players was partially responsible.

I remember a statistic/numbers post someone did that said we had 13 centre back pairings, and that's just asking for trouble. The whole Ricardo/Weale debacle also proved a problem. You can say what you like about either but neither of them were a rock a rock at the back, the fact that Sven changed between them on multiple occasions says that much and anyone who has ever played football knows that having confidence in your goalkeepers ability and being able to communicate efficiently is quite necessary for a successful defence. When you also take note of how inconsistent our back four was as a whole, it is quite worrying.

Much of that was down to us having to bring in lots of loan players and even though they came in after Sousa, I believe our defensive capabilities were damaged somewhat under his mismanagement. It almost goes without saying that we won't have as many loanees this season and that Sven will have a whole pre-season -hopefully with as many transfer dealings as possible already done- to work with the defence and the whole team, but I am a little worried about how big the turnaround we are undergoing is and the effects it will have.

Apart from Bamba, it looks like our whole backline will be new, and we will also be needing some back up since assuming Hobbs' transfer goes through, the only other defenders we have are Tunchev, Berner, Kennedy and a few youngsters. We may see Bruno play a bit part and it's anyones guess what will happen to Tunch, but the likelihood of Kennedy or any of the rest playing a substantial part as a squad player is minimal.

In terms of the midfield there probably won't be a whole load of changes as King, Wellens, Abe and Oakley will still all feature but there will still be an issue of new players settling in and finding their feet.

Up top we could be seeing a very different line-up and although I'd argue consistency and chemistry between players is a little less important here than in defence or midfield, it is still an issue and without understanding you could have no end of possession but that killer ball might never come to fruition.

Having said all that, I'll just re-iterate my point which is that it's going to be a huge task for us to build a promotion winning team on the back of such change. The amount of players we have been through in our time at the Walkers, predominantly pre-Pearson is one of the main reasons for our plunge into the depths of league one. Whilst the calibre has greatly improved from the days of Jimmy Neilsen and Sergio Hellings under Martin Allens management to Schmeichel and Danns under Sven, I think it's key that everyone is patient and I urge everyone to be calm with regards to our progress early on in the season. You can't make fundamental changes to a squad and expect immediate success.

[sphericalfox]

Chemistry and consistency.

I think it's fair to say that amongst several problems last season, consistency or rather the lack thereof and the impact that had on the chemistry between the players was partially responsible.

I remember a statistic/numbers post someone did that said we had 13 centre back pairings, and that obviously is just asking for trouble. The whole Ricardo/Weale debacle also proved a problem. You can say what you like about either but neither of them were a rock a rock at the back, the fact that Sven changed between them on multiple occasions says that much and anyone who has ever played football knows that having confidence in your goalkeepers ability and being able to communicate efficiently is quite necessary for a successful defence. When you also take note of how inconsistent our back four was as a whole, it is quite worrying.

Much of that was down to us having to bring in lots of loan players and even though they came in after Sousa, I believe our defensive capabilities were damaged somewhat under his mismanagement. It almost goes without saying that we won't have as many loanees this season and that Sven will have a whole pre-season -hopefully with as many transfer dealings as possible already done- to work with the defence and the whole team, but I am a little worried about how big the turnaround we are undergoing is and the effects it will have.

Apart from Bamba, it looks like our whole backline will be new, and we will also be needing some back up since assuming Hobbs' transfer goes through, the only other defenders we have are Tunchev, Berner, Kennedy and a few youngsters. We may see Bruno play a bit part and it's anyones guess what will happen to Tunch, but the likelihood of Kennedy or any of the rest playing a substantial part as a squad player is minimal.

In terms of the midfield there probably won't be a whole load of changes as King, Wellens, Abe and Oakley will still all feature but there will still be an issue of new players settling in and finding their feet.

Up top we could be seeing a very different line-up and although I'd argue consistency and chemistry between players is a little less important here than in defence or midfield, it is still an issue and without understanding you could have no end of possession but that killer ball might never come to fruition.

Having said all that, I'll just re-iterate my point which is that it's going to be a huge task for us to build a promotion winning team on the back of such change. The amount of players we have been through in our time at the Walkers, predominantly pre-Pearson is one of the main reasons for our plunge into the depths of league one.

Whilst the calibre has greatly improved from the days of Jimmy Neilsen and Sergio Hellings under Martin Allens management to Schmeichel and Danns under Sven, I think it's key that people are patient. You can't make fundamental changes to a squad and expect immediate success.

You are going to VERY disappointed then this coming season. Andy King stated that the team would need to understand that rotation would be the name of the game. Now I assume that it will be horses for courses, meaning a team suited to stifle the oppositions strengths. Some players left to the bench due to change of formation etc. However, I suspect there'll be a reasonable state of consistency in the back four, bar injuries and suspensions.

Though it'll be a roundabout of players throughout the rest of the team dependant on the need.

[The Doctor]

I prefer Chocolate & Cake, much better C words.

[ScouseFox]

None of the three we've signed so far concern me as far as "chemistry" goes.

Kasper's worked with Sven twice before, as well as Vassell at Man City. Danns joined Blackburn the same year as Gallagher, where he spent two years with him, so presumably they know and are comfortable with each other etc. And Pelts appears to be pretty close friends with Danns, as well as both being from up here. Not to mention Faz's Udders connections as well.

Everyone should settle nicely

[Haydos]

I said it at the end of the last season and although I'm feeling more positive with the signings we've made and players we're reported to be interested in, I still wouldn't be very surprised if we didn't make the playoffs. The turnover in playing staff come September will have been huge and this will be the first season with this 'new squad'. Promotion is something I think is achievable but is a big ask nonetheless.

It is a worry what will happen if we don't go up but If given the chance I think the season after this would be more of a realistic goal. We seem to be building a squad at the moment and I hope the owners appreciate this.

Not looking forward to this place if we're missing out on results. Got a feeling that a lot will be expecting us to be occupying 1st or 2nd from the off. Couple our tricky start with the fact that the division looks very strong this season and they could be in for rough ride.

EDIT: This post sounds REALLY negative. It's not meant to, just expressing my desires for the owners to see what Sven's doing and realise buying promotion is not always an easy task. (I'm very much looking forward to this season and Think we can challenge WH and B'ham )

[Guest Col city fan]

I said it at the end of the last season and although I'm feeling more positive with the signings we've made and players we're reported to be interested in, I still wouldn't be very surprised if we didn't make the playoffs. The turnover in playing staff come September will have been huge and this will be the first season with this 'new squad'. Promotion is something I think is achievable but is a big

ask nonetheless.

It is a worry what will happen if we don't go up but If given the chance I think the season after this would be more of a realistic goal. We seem to be building a squad at the moment and I hope the owners appreciate this.

Not looking forward to this place if we're missing out on results. Got a feeling that a lot will be expecting us to be occupying 1st or 2nd from the off. Couple our tricky start with the fact that the division looks very strong this season

and they could be in for rough ride.

EDIT: This post sounds REALLY negative. It's not meant to, just expressing my desires for the owners to see what Sven's doing and realise buying promotion is not always an easy task. (I'm very much looking forward to this season

and Think we can challenge WH and B'ham )

'world class' manager, money to spend AND a pre season to work with... Yes lots on here will be expecting great things from the start... And quite rightly so IMO. However, its a marathon, not a sprint... I personally think we need to give it time, possibly until Christmas before we really know whether the 'Sven factor' is gonna be all everyone's making out it to be.

If that sounds negative I couldn't really give a Tom tit to be honest. I stick with my prediction of 7th by Christmas.

[Haydos]

'world class' manager, money to spend AND a pre season to work with... Yes lots on here will be expecting great things from the start... And quite rightly so IMO. However, its a marathon, not a sprint... I personally think we need to give it time, possibly until Christmas before we really know whether the 'Sven factor' is gonna be all everyone's making out it to be.

If that sounds negative I couldn't really give a Tom tit to be honest. I stick with my prediction of 7th by Christmas.

I'm just looking for improvement (like AJ said, more consistency and more of an indication that we're growing into a unit) but many (including the owners maybe) will be wanting more. It could go many different ways tbh, that's why I'm not jumping the gun. If we go ahead and make a few more signings like the ones we've brought in (CMS, Maynard, Mills, A winger) I wouldn't be surprised if we were 1st but due to the fact that they're being thrown together in one go I also wouldn't be surprised with 9th.

Last season was disappointing. In a way I wish Sven had been asked to do the best with what he had and just keep us up. I think he was partly judged on last season and imo he shouldn't have been. For me, this is where his job starts and he deserves 2 full seasons from this point but I have a feeling the owners won't see it that way.

[Jon the Hat]

I'm going to go for Championship Contenders. Oh yes.

[Guest Col city fan]

I'm just looking for improvement (like AJ said, more consistency and more of an indication that we're growing into a unit) but many (including the owners maybe) will be wanting more. It could go many different ways tbh, that's why I'm not jumping the gun. If we go ahead and make a few more signings like the ones we've brought in (CMS, Maynard, Mills, A winger) I wouldn't be surprised if we

were 1st but due to the fact that they're being thrown together in one go I also wouldn't be surprised with 9th.

Last season was disappointing. In a way I wish Sven had been asked to do the best with what he had and just keep us up. I think he was partly judged on last season and

he shouldn't have been. For me, this is where his job starts and he deserves 2 full seasons from this point but I have a feeling the owners won't see it that way.

Everything you say here makes sense IMO. There will be games where we just don't play well and lose, as there always are.. But what I want to see is the obvious, tell tale signs that we are tactically better than last season, defensively more solid and have a winning mentality when we go goals down in games.

By Christmas time, IMO the pieces of this jigsaw will be fully in play and we will know whether svens army have the necessary credentials to make promotion or not

[Guest Mee-9]

Heres another C word for you. Some of you won't like this word, infact some of you find it vulgar.

Craig Mackail-Smith....

[okie fox]

I imagine the QPR fans were saying much the same sort of things this time last year!

[Christoph]

I think the back four will stay consistent mostly while the midfield and up front will be rotated based on performances and fatigue

[cc_star]

I agree, alot of my feelings last season shared a similar sentiment to this

However we need to take a team that finished 10th (7th under Sven) which then lost 7 players through the loan signing gamble and turn them into Championship contenders

that isn't going to happen without some substantial changes.

Good players, know where other good players are going to be on the pitch.

We just need to get the pairings settled eg the CB partnership, the forwards

We're making a move in the transfer window much earlier than most other teams... West Ham are still going to be unsettled by Scott Parker's departure who will be a big miss for them, and I've seen nothing to suggest that B'ham, Forest or Cardiff will be as active as us in signing the best possible players

[Charl91]

I think we're all expecting good results judging from out signings/targets, top 6 minimum, but we have to be prepared to accept that we might not get them. My biggest worry is that if we don't that Sven will decide not to stick around or be replaced.

[cc_star]

I think we're all expecting good results judging from out signings/targets, top 6 minimum, but we have to be prepared to accept that we might not get them. My biggest worry is that if we don't that Sven will decide not to stick around or be replaced.

If Sven didn't get us in the top 6 considering his wages & the backing he's received, who would want him to stick around?

that's not meant to be negative on Sven

[SOCCERROO FOX]

In all seriousness i assume that is one of the factors why Sven and co have chosen to go on an overseas pre-season tour which will assist in team bonding.

[Number 6]

Championes Championes (Ole Ole Ole)

[FoxyPV]

Heres another C word for you. Some of you won't like this word, infact some of you find it vulgar.

Craig Mackail-Smith....

I think you'll find this is much more vulgar.

Coventry

[Sooper Steve's shin]

In terms of the midfield there probably won't be a whole load of changes as King, Wellens, Abe and Oakley will still all feature but there will still be an issue of new players settling in and finding their feet.

There's another c-word right there...

[Guest Col city fan]

There's another c-word right there...

Bit harsh there on Oakley... However, this midfield still needs a tough ball winner in it. If we don't get this player this will be to the detriment of the team. Such a player needs to be both physically and mentally tough and I would make him captain. Sven has done great so far in his signings but needs this key signing to make it all gel. West ham have done it with Nolan. We need to do it too

IMO

[marbelladave]

I think we're all expecting good results judging from out signings/targets, top 6 minimum, but we have to be prepared to accept that we might not get them. My biggest worry is that if we don't that Sven will decide not to stick around or be replaced.

I am feeling strangely positive....

Very impressed with the players we are bringing in and those about to sign (in all probability). Not exactly the players who would have been top of anybodies wish list back in May but to my mind they look to be exactly what we need.

I have no doubt the club are spending a fair amount on wages, bonuses etc, but, so far at least, no big fees for 'name' players with big egos who might not get the job done. So far we are picking up good pros with a nice mixture of youth and experience and most importantly a desire to be successful, they may not love the Club as yet but a good season could see all that change.

With a bit of luck we could be going into pre-season with a matchday squad comprising, Schmeichel, Peltier, Bamba, St Ledger, Tunchev, Masilela, Dann, Abe, Wellens, King, Gallagher, Vassell, Nugent and Mackail-Smith. That's 14 players not including bit part players like Oakley, Berner and Waghorn or any of the youngsters like Parkes and Schlupp.

That to me is the basis for a very decent side, a couple more signings and maybe a couple more loans to fill the gaps and I think we are definitely looking at a promotion side.

One last thing, it looks like the players are all perfectly suited to play the sort of quick attacking play that Sven loves, so far at least there are no 'donkeys' at the back or 'workshy' players upfront.

:appl:

[The Doctor]

Heres another C word for you. Some of you won't like this word, infact some of you find it vulgar.

Craig Mackail-Smith....

These two are much more vulgar, paticularly to women:

Cook & Clean

[blueredswed]

I am feeling strangely positive....

Very impressed with the players we are bringing in and those about to sign (in all probability). Not exactly the players who would have been top of anybodies wish list back in May but to my mind they look to be exactly what we need.

I have no doubt the club are spending a fair amount on wages, bonuses etc, but, so far at least, no big fees for 'name' players with big egos who might not get the job done. So far we are picking up good pros with a nice mixture of youth and experience and most importantly a desire to be successful, they may not love the Club as yet but a good season could see all that change.

With a bit of luck we could be going into pre-season with a matchday squad comprising, Schmeichel, Peltier, Bamba, St Ledger, Tunchev, Masilela, Dann, Abe, Wellens, King, Gallagher, Vassell, Nugent and Mackail-Smith. That's 14 players not including bit part players like Oakley, Berner and Waghorn or any of the youngsters like Parkes and Schlupp.

That to me is the basis for a very decent side, a couple more signings and maybe a couple more loans to fill the gaps and I think we are definitely looking at a promotion side.

One last thing, it looks like the players are all perfectly suited to play the sort of quick attacking play that Sven loves, so far at least there are no 'donkeys' at the back or 'workshy' players upfront.

:appl:

I am agree with you!

And hoping also for Ben Mee

[marbelladave]

I am agree with you!

And hoping also for Ben Mee

Absolutely, Mee or Mills, a creative midfielder who can play wide and a bit more cover.

Job done...

[foxaholic]

I think the back four will stay consistent mostly while the midfield and up front will be rotated based on performances and fatigue

Who will be the centre halves I assume you thnk Tunchev will be fit