Expectations this season

[stockholmrover]

So now we are starting to put the pieces of the puzzle in place what does everyone expect this season. As we all know each season for us shows a progression from the one before but this season what can realistically expect? Is top 6 too much? will top half suffice? should we only be thinking of staying up again and the rest is a bonus?

I really hope we can just enjoy whatever happens along the way. I don't want to end up like Bristol city fans did in their second season in the CCC. After reaching the play off final their fans had them down as dead certs for one of the top 2 automatic promotion spots for the following season and when it didn't work out they were straight on the players and managers back and that built up to Gary Johnson leaving last year. They simply got the wrong level of expectation!

Lets aim high! Of course we should, but you know we are going to get games where we should win and don't and I hope we can just enjoy the season as a whole and not get too downbeat if we don't score 7 past Scunny (although it would be nice to see)

I am really excited about this season but won't be gutted if we don't make the top 6. Building slow and steady is key but if we do end up in the top 6 or even then I will be as happy as that boy Larry

lets get the season on now - I can't wait for August

This is not intended to be negative so don't shoot me down.I just want to see what you all think.

[Donny3]

Even with all the investment thats been made so far this season, my expectations are to have a good season, mid table wouldnt disappoint me aslong as we've played the type of football we saw most of last season.  Some people tend to forget footballs an entertainment, and want a win at any cost. But would rather be in this division playing the attractive football we are known for now.
Of course I would love a big season and to hit the play offs, but would rather us build steadily and when we do hit the play offs be able to give a good account of ourselves should we amazingly hit the premiership.  Why would you want to go there if you were just going to do a Derby county or that nightmare season for Sunderland, besides for the money.

[Pintolager]

I don't like to set too many targets for Rovers and for me a similar finish to last season would suffice, but with the progression the club is making, who's to say we can't do a \"Blackpool\" and get promotion through the play offs? For me it is a tall order, but next season probably will be more of a level playing field without the likes of Newcastle and West Brom. I am expecting clubs such as Middlesbrough, Leicester and Swansea to be up there but we know we don't need to be scared of them or anyone else in this division. The permanent signings of Sharp and Gillett are great and I am sure we won't have heard the last of players coming in, so it will just be a case of getting everyone playing SOD's way and the rest will fall into place.

[grayx]

Rovers to win the Championship & Sharp to finish top scorer. Anything less will be a let down  B)

[donnyjay]

grayx wrote:

Rovers to win the Championship & Sharp to finish top scorer. Anything less will be a let down  B)

No cup run? Negative bugger.

[Alan Southstand]

My expectations for this coming season will be no different to previous seasons in this division - I just hope we stay up. OK, I may just dream a little more than the last 2 seasons, but I think we're all entitled to do that.

Blackpool did it last season with a reasonably tight squad, with 1 or 2 talented individuals. I think you could say exactly the same about us for this season, should we get the men we're after (and with the added bonus of having some (no doubt) talented loanees on board).

I'm not sure that we're a top 6 side - that won't become evident until we're a few games into the season and we've seen how other teams have strengthened. Boro' are going to be very strong and the likes of Ipswich and QPR have been strengthening, but its the teams coming down from the Prem that are going to be the unknown quantities. It doesn't appear that the 3 coming down are anywhere near as strong as last season. Although Burnley will be no pushovers - Hull & Portsmouth are in so much financial turmoil that we can only guess what state they're going to be in!

[DonnyNoel]

I'd be happy to stay up again although realistically I think I'd be disappointed with a below 14th finish.

Top 6 is a big ask - we have the starting 11 but I think we're talking about a squad game with respect to that. Consider some of the players that Leicester and Cardiff had on the bench at the KM last season and how we \"coped\" with a few key absences at home to Middlesbrough.

I reckon a very solid 8th-13th would do nicely to build on seriously over the next few years.

[scuzzer]

A lot depends on the start for me.

I fancy we could upset our recent history, by being a bit more balanced going into the season with the earlier completion of the bulk of the squad, and actually have a half decent start, if we do that anything's possible.

While we all want the best and would love to get to the play offs, there's a lot of teams with a lot of dough in this division and the main thing is securing another season in it, this shouldn't be beyond us especially with the investment we're seeing but with two of the promoted teams being traditionally larger teams we need to make sure we stay well clear of the scrap down there.

[RobTheRover]

I just hope we dont flirt with the relegation scrap this time around like the last couple of seasons.

Actually, its just dawned on me what I'm asking for... A non-standard SOD season!  Oh, crumbs!

[dijit8]

A top half finish will be a good season for us. No doubt our starting 11 will be fine, it will be the cover positions that determine if we can follow Blackpool. A fair but of luck will be required (no injuries to key players) but top 6 may be possible. See wait other gems Sean signs between now and end of August.

As previously said Hull and Portsmouth will be unknown due to their financial positions but Hull haven't lost that many players yet so i think will be tough.
Norwich will do well and QPR may finally meet previous season's expectations although Warnock's signings don't really make you sit up and take notice.

It will probably be a season where no teams really stand out and we shouldn't have a situation where anyone or two teams run away with the league.

[DRFC MYERS]

i wouldnt mind being about 14-15th being that some big clubs have come up and down
but i would be happy with anything above 18th

[donnybez]

hmm....I'd like progression from 12th, FA Cup or League Cup run and with any luck, 2 players with 10+ goals


Oh and 12 points from both Hull and Leeds games

[stockholmrover]

No sooner had I started this thread then Brizzle City's Cole Skuse says that they want a top 2 finish. I understand they want to aim high (every team does or at least should do) but surely this is putting unwanted pressure on the club. when will they all learn?

[MattyDRFC]

Am just hoping that we'll get a decent start to the season for once.Don't think we've  had decent start to season since  we won 5 games on the trot and was top of league at end of August after beating Northwich in the 2002/03 promotion season.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Given we were pushing for a play-off spot for quite a time last season (had we beaten Plymouth, we had a chance to overtake Blackpool!), we'd all be disappointed if we weren't there or thereabouts again.

If these signings materialise, and we have some luck on the injury dept, then the only question mark for me is defence. Towards the back end of last season we gave away some sloppy goals and much may depend on Martis/Webster/Lockwood playing along side JOC/A N Other/Hird.

If Martis can get a bit of confidence then he could be ok. Be interesting to see how Webster has developed physically as he may be pushing for a starting berth.

If we get this department right, then the sky is the limit.

[george-friend]

Set no targets be fearless and stop the negative tactics sod.  

Realistically though i hope for safety.

[redrover19]

i think we wont drop a point hull, pompey, leeds and sKitsonsthorpe will be the easiest games with anything less than 4-0 to rovers being a huge let down.  

seriously though i think we can push for the play-offs this season with Billy and (a fully fit for once) Brooker Hayter in behind and our usual solid midfield we will do a Blackpool.

up the reds  

[BobG]

My guess is we'll threaten the play offs at some point suring the season but we won't get there in the end. No shame at all in that. I think - hope - we stay up. That's the very first objective. Beyond that, it'd be nice to end up somewhere between 10th and 8th. But this is a damn hard league - and we are still one of the three smallest clubs in it.

BobG

[BLIR]

Don't want to dwell on past players, but a fit and raring to go Richie Wellens in the middle of the park now and I reckon we'd be good for a play off place at least.

[BobG]

I'll second that BLIR. One of my all time eleven he is.

BobG

[Alan Southstand]

Well, I'll 3rd it then Bob. A pity he wasn't here to grace the midfield again.

[Goldthorpe Rover]

Knocking at the playoffs door would be very nice but mid table and thrashing the arse off of leeds and barnsley would be acceptable