Bwfc season preview

[Didledee]

If we lost our first 2 games, the grumbles would start.

Trust me.

I do trust you, even when we lost our 3rd game under Sammy Lee in the new season against Newcastle the official site was full of people saying Sammy out.

Won't be as bad under Coyle, but if we do finish near the drop then the season be something a little like under Megson, but not as bad because Owen is a positive manager and Megson didn't do himself any favours, therefore he got more of the flack than the players.

[dh1985]

Yep; it means another season in the Premier League.

While that is always the mimium aim, I doubt such a placing would fill me with 'delight'!

If we lost our first 2 games, the grumbles would start.

If we lost our first two games, that run could easily extend to the first six. I wonder how loud the grumbles would be then? A good start is imperative, regardless of the grumbles, but due to the September fixtures.  

[Chris Rabz]

I expect us to challenge the likes of Blackburn, Fulham, Stoke and Birmingham for the mid-table spots, but I'd watch out for Wolves. They look strong this year for a lower half side and the fans will start to believe that now they've achieved survival, plus quite a hefty summer of spending, they can now kick on and start to climb the league. Coming the other way could be Blackburn, as people have said. But don't rule out Aston Villa dropping into the bottom half.

They will feel the pain of O'Neill's departure for a good chunk of the season and even if they replace him with quality (Jol etc) they will struggle to bring talent in if Lerner won't release funds - which seems the likely reason for O'Neill leaving.

So I'd say you've got the top two in their own league. Arsenal probably in third, then Liverpool, Man City, Spurs and Everton who will fill out the top seven in some order or other, it could be anything.

But from 8th downwards it really is anybody's game. We have every chance to finish anywhere from 16th to 8th, all dependant on the results against the other mid-table clubs. I think we'll come up with some good results we haven't had in previous years, and ultimately end up around 12th, 11th. The top half IS achieveable though, and if we chase it and after that end 11th or 12th, I will consider it a successful season.

[azreal88]

If anything saves Wolves it will be their flanks and strikers.  They are terrible through the middle and with their apparent move to 4-4-2, having signed Fletcher, they won't give their (frankly awful) back-4 as much cover as last season; when they basically just sat there and hoped Doyle would do something useful on the counter.

They played well as a unit, but I think a move to a more attacking style will see them take some serious kickings.

[Natasha Whittam]

August is vital for us as I can't see us getting more than a point in September.

If we're below halfway at the end of August we'll be bottom 3 by end of September and then we're doomed....this team doesn't have the backbone or commitment to battle its way out.

And despite the current love-in with Coyle, once we're in the bottom 3 his support will quickly dwindle and the bedsheets will be out again.

[dh1985]

And despite the current love-in with Coyle, once we're in the bottom 3 his support will quickly dwindle and the bedsheets will be out again.

That says more about our fanbase than it does Coyle's abilities

[Chris Rabz]

I really don't think the fans will, or at least should, be that quick to stomp on Coyle. Most understand that in the early weeks you can be low down the table simply because the fixtures are tough to start with. Even Megson got a decent crack of the whip last year, by mid October when we beat Everton he was close to winning people round for good. But it was only when we lost to teams like Wolves, and wasted chances to beat Fulham, Burnley, Hull that people had enough.

You are right though we'll get nothing from September, so we need a fast start to keep us in a healthy position going into October. But it's a long season, even if we are in the bottom three then it doesn't mean we will be in May.

[Bwfc4eva]

Our fans are awful, most of them will only be content when we are finishing around 6&7th again.

I never have, and never will boo my team/Manager, the key to home form is the fans getting behind the lads, not giving them stick for any reason, look at Taylor for instance.

[Chris Rabz]

Most of our fans who joined the bandwagon in the Allardyce years are awful because they've never seen anything worse than 17th. But I'd like to believe that those who remember the First Division, and those that remember the terrible times of the 1980s appreciate that while we have had better times in recent years, a Premiership club is still a good thing even if we have had a few up-and-down seasons since Allardyce left.

[Natasha Whittam]

the key to home form is the fans getting behind the lads, not giving them stick for any reason

Absolute bollocks. Fans like you really piss me off, you blame everyone but the players for pitiful performance after pitiful performance.

The key to home form is for the players to perform. Nothing else matters.

[Le God]

Absolute bollocks. Fans like you really piss me off, you blame everyone but the players for pitiful performance after pitiful performance.

The key to home form is for the players to perform. Nothing else matters.

Yes but we all know the players are very childish and need to feel wanted.

As soon as a single boo goes up they start crying (see Wayne Rooney at the world cup, Matt Taylor, Jussi)

A good atmosphere will aid the players even if its a very minimal effect.

[Natasha Whittam]

Our fans are awful, most of them will only be content when we are finishing around 6&7th again.

It's called ambition you moron, anyone who happily settles for 17th place is a fool. Failure should never be celebrated.

[Natasha Whittam]

A good atmosphere will aid the players even if its a very minimal effect.

Agreed. But it is upto the players to encourage that atmosphere by performing on the pitch. No one feels like jumping up and down or singing when we're 3-0 down.

[Le God]

Agreed. But it is upto the players to encourage that atmosphere by performing on the pitch. No one feels like jumping up and down or singing when we're 3-0 down.

I guess not but lets face it if your a player and you walk out for a match into a quiet half empty lifeless stadium with rubbish everywhere your hardly gonna be up for a big match.

Now imagine walking out with flares going off huge noise and endless chants.

I know what i'd rather see.

[Natasha Whittam]

I guess not but lets face it if your a player and you walk out for a match into a quiet half empty lifeless stadium with rubbish everywhere your hardly gonna be up for a big match.

Now imagine walking out with flares going off huge noise and endless chants.

I know what i'd rather see.

But surely noise during the game just puts players off? How can they concentrate? Spectators are asked to be silent during tennis matches for a very good reason.

When I scored my 25 yard volley at Deepdale I didn't do it because half of my school were chanting my name, I did it because I am technically gifted.

[Le God]

But surely noise during the game just puts players off? How can they concentrate? Spectators are asked to be silent during tennis matches for a very good reason.

When I scored my 25 yard volley at Deepdale I didn't do it because half of my school were chanting my name, I did it because I am technically gifted.

Good point, but if that was true our players would be amazing.

The reebok is quiet as hell and they're still shite.

Where's the happy medium?

[Chris Rabz]

You only have to look at clubs like Stoke to see what a boisterous crowd can do. I'm not saying accept failure, I'm with you that we should always be trying to improve and be the best we can, but sometimes fans need to understand that you can't beat every team. We are in a tough, tough league and every so often we are beaten by the better side. But rather than understand that, fans feel it will be of more use to boo the team, the manager, the corner flag, whatever else annoys them.

You go to the Britannia though, and they pack the ground with fans that are behind their team. No matter what. They go ahead, they cheer and want more. They go behind, they crank up the noise and try to drive the team forward and turn it around. Because that's why you are there, to support your team. Not to hinder them.

Obviously there are times when the effort just isn't what it should be, and we are losing to teams we really should be beating (Blackpool would be a perfect example this season), then yeah it's difficult not to vent your frustration.

But getting behind your team when things aren't going so well doesn't mean you are accepting second-rate quality.

As for preferring a quiet ground, I'll leave you to your own devices with that one because I think you are on your lonesome there.

[Outpost]

I think some of you are missing the point ...... booing in the last 3 seasons or so hasn't just been about losing, it's mostly been about players who can't make simple passes and don't look that fit or even interested. I'm expecting significant improvement on that front under OC.

Having said that, and as I've said elsewhere, I don't understand the wave of optimism going around - away from Whittam Towers anyway. We've hardly strengthened the squad at all from last May (unless Wilshere comes back), especially in the three areas of centre-back, creative midfield and striker. Other than Coyle's growing influence (and that could take a couple of seasons & transfer windows to complete), I'm expecting there to be 4-5 poorer teams than us, so I'll be relieved (not satisfied or pleased) by a 14th-15th place finish, but expect a few scares along the way ..... like September.

[Natasha Whittam]

You only have to look at clubs like Stoke to see what a boisterous crowd can do. I'm not saying accept failure, I'm with you that we should always be trying to improve and be the best we can, but sometimes fans need to understand that you can't beat every team. We are in a tough, tough league and every so often we are beaten by the better side. But rather than understand that, fans feel it will be of more use to boo the team, the manager, the corner flag, whatever else annoys them.

I don't boo because of results, I boo because of poor performances.

I don't go to games against United, Chelsea or Arsenal expecting to win......but I do expect 100% commitment. When you see players giving up so easily when they go a goal down I simply cannot understand certain people wanting to clap the players.

A few years back we used to take the odd point or three off the top teams, now we just roll over and die. Coyle has to rid the club of that mentality, unfortunately he has failed.

[Natasha Whittam]

Having said that, and as I've said elsewhere, I don't understand the wave of optimism going around - away from Whittam Towers anyway. We've hardly strengthened the squad at all from last May (unless Wilshere comes back), especially in the three areas of centre-back, creative midfield and striker. Other than Coyle's growing influence (and that could take a couple of seasons & transfer windows to complete), I'm expecting there to be 4-5 poorer teams than us, so I'll be relieved (not satisfied or pleased) by a 14th-15th place finish, but expect a few scares along the way ..... like September.

At last some bloody sense spoken. You were clearly out when the BWFC-tinted specs were handed out.

People on here can't seem to grasp our defence was PITIFUL last season yet we're going into the new season with exactly the same players. It's laughable how anyone can think these players are suddenly going to learn the art of defending.

Same goes for attack, Coyle doesn't seem to understand we can't score goals and have no pace. I've not heard one fan say otherwise on this topic.....yet he has done nothing to address the problem.

As I've said, a poor start in August will result in definite relegation.

[Sluffy]

I think some of you are missing the point ...... booing in the last 3 seasons or so hasn't just been about losing, it's mostly been about players who can't make simple passes and don't look that fit or even interested. I'm expecting significant improvement on that front under OC.

Having said that, and as I've said elsewhere, I don't understand the wave of optimism going around - away from Whittam Towers anyway. We've hardly strengthened the squad at all from last May (unless Wilshere comes back), especially in the three areas of centre-back, creative midfield and striker. Other than Coyle's growing influence (and that could take a couple of seasons & transfer windows to complete), I'm expecting there to be 4-5 poorer teams than us, so I'll be relieved (not satisfied or pleased) by a 14th-15th place finish, but expect a few scares along the way ..... like September.

Totally share your views Outpost.

I've said very much the same before on here.

I’ve never been convinced of a defence that as Knight in it.

I’ve yet to be convinced that Mark Davies or Holden is the spark we are missing from midfield.  I think Davis will add to the side – but I seem to be in a very small minority on that one.

I’m worried that Klasnic is in the best of condition – he did a whole season with us last time and barely played the whole 90 minutes – yes I know he was injured – but not for the whole 9 months of the season!

Talks of the top 10 are very optimistic imo.  United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, City, Spurs are all going to be up there – so that means only TWO out of Everton, Villa, Stoke, Sunderland, Birmingham, Fulham, West Ham Blackburn and Wolves can be above us if we are to achieve it – and I see us being worse than several of them.

I also don’t think it is a given that the three promoted clubs will go back down either.

Success is staying up – no matter what spin Coyle or others would have you believe.

Going to be another long hard season in my opinion.

[Le God]

According to Sky the bands ASH, and Dutch Uncles think we will be relegated.