A Lack Of Winners..

[North Cardiff Blue]

My belief is that the following players would be welcomed with open arms by pretty much any other League One club:

Ashford, Bagan, Davies, Fish, Ng, O'Dowda, Rinomhota, Robertson, Robinson, Salech and Tanner.

Others who would undoubtedly be useful at this level if they can get their acts together (and in one case stay fit):

Chambers, Ralls, Turnbull and Willock.

Youngsters who are apparently promising:

Colwill (J), Kpakio, Lawlor.

Unknowns who could possibly perform in League One:

Simic, Tsunoda.

A player on the books who could improve in League One:

Daland.

I believe both of our keepers are ropey and should be replaced. I think we desperately need a decent manager, a sensible coaching set-up and some on-field leaders both in defence and midfield. But I firmly believe we have the basis of a squad that could do well at League One level if it is managed properly and reinforced appropriately.

To me, the notion that the entire squad is useless or all the players are bottlers, etc, is just silly. The fact is that we're going into League One and League One is not very good. The situation behind the scenes at the club will need to improve significantly, but that's by no means out of the question and I just don't share the negativity some have for next season.

I agree with all of that, Conte looked good in the few games i've seen but seems to have gone backwards, maybe a decent Manager can get him playing in L1.

Riza was clueless, a half decent Manager will get a lot from this sqaud with a few ins and outs.

[The Prophet of Doom]

I did not say that the players were useless David, what I said was I saw a group who consistently under performed, played dreadful football and finished bottom of the table. All FACTS.

In all walks of life and in most jobs people can improve - but there needs to be a significant change in application and attitude if that is to be achieved. I still maintain that certain players are living on past reputations and others may well not fulfil their potential or reach levels some supporters think they are capable of.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

To me, the notion that the entire squad is useless or all the players are bottlers, etc, is just silly. The fact is that we're going into League One and League One is not very good. The situation behind the scenes at the club will need to improve significantly, but that's by no means out of the question and I just don't share the negativity some have for next season.

There's no big boys left in League One. If we could pick a time to get relegated, this is it.

[The Lone Gunman]

I did not say that the players were useless David, what I said was I saw a group who consistently under performed, played dreadful football and finished bottom of the table. All FACTS.

In all walks of life and in most jobs people can improve - but there needs to be a significant change in application and attitude if that is to be achieved. I still maintain that certain players are living on past reputations and others may well not fulfil their potential or reach levels some supporter think they are capable of.

All of that is true, but I firmly believe that the off-field shambles last season (and in recent seasons in general) in terms of management, coaching and recruitment was a huge contributor to our relegation. Things genuinely became farcical and that won't have helped any of our players to produce their best form.

In 2022/23, Mark Harris scored 3 goals for City in the Championship. In 2023/24, he scored 15 goals for Oxford in League One.

When Josh Murphy left City he was regarded as a bottler, etc. He got his confidence back in League One with Oxford and was outstanding for Portsmouth last season in the Championship.

After a rough spell at City, Ebou Adams found his form at Derby in League One and has been one of their best players since.

Ciaron Brown looked pretty poor when he left City, but established himself at Oxford in League One and was their player of the year last season in the Championship.

Those are examples of players who didn't perform here in the Championship but improved significantly when dropped a level to League One. There's no reason why that can't happen with a fair percentage of the current squad.

[The Prophet of Doom]

There's no big boys left in League One. If we could pick a time to get relegated, this is it.

Just to say that Bolton, Blackpool, Huddersfield, Bradford City, Reading, Wigan and Luton have all played in the Premier League. We are not competing with TNS and Cardiff Met!!

[The Prophet of Doom]

All of that is true, but I firmly believe that the off-field shambles last season (and in recent seasons in general) in terms of management, coaching and recruitment was a huge contributor to our relegation. Things genuinely became farcical and that won't have helped any of our players to produce their best form.....

.... players who didn't perform here in the Championship but improved significantly when dropped a level to League One. There's no reason why that can't happen with a fair percentage of the current squad.

Good synopsis of where we are / I think we are approaching the same equation from opposite sides of the sum.

Let x = 3 !!

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Just to say that Bolton, Blackpool, Huddersfield, Bradford City, Reading, Wigan and Luton have all played in the Premier League. We are not competing with TNS and Cardiff Met!!

They're not Pompey, Norwich, Ipswich, Leicester, Southampton, Forest, Leeds etc

Half of those clubs have come into League One via League Two, as well.

[The Prophet of Doom]

They're not Pompey, Norwich, Ipswich, Leicester, Southampton, Forest, Leeds etc

Half of those clubs have come into League One via League Two, as well.

OK - so what you are saying is, the rest of the division will roll over and die when the mighty bluebird juggernaut comes into town...
In reality it is 11 v 11 and we have all seen Wolves, Sheff Wed, Pompey, in the bottom division - because reputation and history means nothing when the whistle blows to start the game.

Too good to go down? Too big for this division? Both cliches which hold no water.

Huddersfield have won more league titles than Spurs for example.

[The Lone Gunman]

Just to say that Bolton, Blackpool, Huddersfield, Bradford City, Reading, Wigan and Luton have all played in the Premier League. We are not competing with TNS and Cardiff Met!!

Average attendances last season:

21,325 - Bolton Wanderers
19,344 - Cardiff City
18,817 - Huddersfield
17,762 - Bradford City
16,537 - Plymouth Argyle
12,535 - Reading
12,211 - Barnsley
11,555 - Luton Town

The rest of the clubs who will be in League One next season were in four figures.

I know attendances don't mean a great deal in the general scheme of things, but I think it's important to underline where we are.

[Tuerto]

Yes!! the original poster opened with - "I believe that we have enough quality within this group of players to compete next season, and to be around the play off positions, maybe even surprise some of us and challenge the for a top two place..."

From my seat I think we are a million miles from that - and you can give players cuddly nicknames too, it doesn't make them better players.

Lack of fight, lack of determination and no real desire was what I saw last season.

And so did I. I fact I saw it close on 2 years ago as my posting history suggests. I don't rate this group, never have, but I do believe there's enough ability in this squad to compete at this level, it's the other stuff that I doubt, the stuff you mention at the end of your post.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

OK - so what you are saying is, the rest of the division will roll over and die when the mighty bluebird juggernaut comes into town...
In reality it is 11 v 11 and we have all seen Wolves, Sheff Wed, Pompey, in the bottom division - because reputation and history means nothing when the whistle blows to start the game.

Too good to go down? Too big for this division? Both cliches which hold no water.

Huddersfield have won more league titles than Spurs for example.

What I'm saying is, we should have the best players and the biggest budget. That isn't always the case.

[Rjk]

My belief is that the following players would be welcomed with open arms by pretty much any other League One club:

Ashford, Bagan, Davies, Fish, Ng, O'Dowda, Rinomhota, Robertson, Robinson, Salech and Tanner.

Others who would undoubtedly be useful at this level if they can get their acts together (and in one case stay fit):

Chambers, Ralls, Turnbull and Willock.

Youngsters who are apparently promising:

Colwill (J), Kpakio, Lawlor.

Unknowns who could possibly perform in League One:

Simic, Tsunoda.

A player on the books who could improve in League One:

Daland.

I believe both of our keepers are ropey and should be replaced. I think we desperately need a decent manager, a sensible coaching set-up and some on-field leaders both in defence and midfield. But I firmly believe we have the basis of a squad that could do well at League One level if it is managed properly and reinforced appropriately.

To me, the notion that the entire squad is useless or all the players are bottlers, etc, is just silly. The fact is that we're going into League One and League One is not very good. The situation behind the scenes at the club will need to improve significantly, but that's by no means out of the question and I just don't share the negativity some have for next season.

You seem to have omitted a certain player here

[splott parker]

What are we calling the rest of the squad? O'Dowdie, NGeerer?

Made me smile! Happy Friday.. !!

C’mon now Doomo

[City123]

My belief is that the following players would be welcomed with open arms by pretty much any other League One club:

Ashford, Bagan, Davies, Fish, Ng, O'Dowda, Rinomhota, Robertson, Robinson, Salech and Tanner.

Others who would undoubtedly be useful at this level if they can get their acts together (and in one case stay fit):

Chambers, Ralls, Turnbull and Willock.

Youngsters who are apparently promising:

Colwill (J), Kpakio, Lawlor.

Unknowns who could possibly perform in League One:

Simic, Tsunoda.

A player on the books who could improve in League One:

Daland.

I believe both of our keepers are ropey and should be replaced. I think we desperately need a decent manager, a sensible coaching set-up and some on-field leaders both in defence and midfield. But I firmly believe we have the basis of a squad that could do well at League One level if it is managed properly and reinforced appropriately.

To me, the notion that the entire squad is useless or all the players are bottlers, etc, is just silly. The fact is that we're going into League One and League One is not very good. The situation behind the scenes at the club will need to improve significantly, but that's by no means out of the question and I just don't share the negativity some have for next season.

I'd chuck King & R.Colwill in with Daland and reckon you could get away with Alnwick as backup

There's one or two other youngsters who could supplement the squad, there's no need for a huge squad

[The Lone Gunman]

You seem to have omitted a certain player here

I'm pretty sure Meite (or Yak as I like to call him) is leaving.

[The Prophet of Doom]

C’mon now Doomo

That made me laugh out loud! well done!

[The Prophet of Doom]

You seem to have omitted a certain player here

Ramsey's two year deal ends in July.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

I'd chuck King & R.Colwill in with Daland and reckon you could get away with Alnwick as backup

There's one or two other youngsters who could supplement the squad, there's no need for a huge squad

Keeper, centre half, centre mid, winger. Patrick Deboys will not sign these players

[City123]

Keeper, centre half, centre mid, winger. Patrick Deboys will not sign these players

I dread to think the shite we're going to bring in

[Pedro de la Rosa]

I dread to think the shite we're going to bring in

It is going to be incredible. Probably a few aging players, no pace and a clogger in midfield would be my bet.

[cantonboy]

It is going to be incredible. Probably a few aging players, no pace and a clogger in midfield would be my bet.

Nicky Butt then ...

[Michael Morris]

McClean's a winger...

Pearl's a singer

He stands up when he plays with his ammo