28 Jul 2020 21:29:13
End of season debrief.

The board 7/ 10. Stuck by Ralph, I feel have treated the PEH situation maturely, have given Ralph funds and hopefully will continue to do so this summer with three or four coming in.

The coaching staff 8/ 10. Finally imprinting their DNA onto the side albeit with a few blips - started out as being a rocky few weeks, then the odd game and more recently just the odd 20-30 minutes. Have stuck by the right players and given youth a chance, albeit there have been a few frustrating decisions along the way. Ralph will leave eventually but I would never sack him and keep hold of him as long as we can!

The playing staff 7/ 10. Several players have cemented their positions as real premier league quality first teamers, we have had some break out stars and return to form for others. A few have proven their lack of worth, and several we need removing over the summer, but several more should be coming through to improve the squad.

Results 7/ 10. Barring 'the game', we have a good of 0, equal wins and losses, and are 11th with over 50 points. Considering the last few seasons and the states we've been in it's nice to be high and dry. Not to forget we hammered Portsmouth but and were third in the away league table, but home form really restricted our progress. We're only a few results off being where we want to be - 7 points off sixth at season's end.

Transfers in: we need 1+ full backs, 1+ centre backs, a centre mid and it can never hurt wanting one more attacker. Hopefully we get Salisu and KWP in, then it's a case of looking to buy in cheap players with bags of potential for under £10m.

Transfers out: still on the books are Forster and Gunn - one of these must go. Vestergaard and Hoedt - Hoedt hopefully will go, Vestergaard waits to be seen but I worry he may move across the PL and suddenly find himself. Cedric I believe is gone, Hojbjerg will be gone, Lemina should go, as will Carrillo. That leaves a few question marks surrounding Reed, Sims, Boufal, Elyounoussi, and Danso.

Danso I don't believe was really given a chance but I think could have the potential. Reed I don't want going out on loan again, either keep and play him or sell. Sims hopefully get the game time to show his 2016 form. Boufal will probably go as I don't see Ralph giving him the game time he wants. Elyounoussi will probably go out on loan again but I can't see him having a career with us.

Current squad season ratings; McCarthy 6, Gunn 4, Bertrand 7, KWP 7, Valery 4, Stephens 7, Bednarek 7, Vestergaard 5, Danso 4, JWP 8, Armstrong 8, Hojbjerg 6, Romeu 6, Redmond 8, Smallbone 6, Djenepo 6, Boufal 5, Ings 10, Adams 6, Long 6, Obafemi 6. Overall average 6.3/ 10.

Next season forecast: we will finish below the 'big six' I imagine. Leicester and Wolves in Europe - especially wolves having had two years with no break, may be catchable. Top 10, with a ceiling of 7th, should be the aim. And winning more than half our home games would be nice!

1.) 29 Jul 2020
29 Jul 2020 01:55:58
Good post SaintGGsy. Agree with pretty much all of it.

2.) 30 Jul 2020
30 Jul 2020 12:35:38
Agree with SaintGGsy but I have to say I do not agree with redmond getting a score of 8 for the season. 6 at best for me, He is so frustrating. I think he should be much further along with his progression than he is. For me he needs a super season otherwise I would sell him. I find it amazing that no one else finds him frustrating as a player.

3.) 02 Aug 2020
02 Aug 2020 13:26:50
Tend to agree Ben re. Redmond. On his day he can be a world beater but he's not consistent enough. I get very frustrated sometimes when watching him because I know what he is capable of doing but the end product is too often missing.

4.) 02 Aug 2020
02 Aug 2020 20:23:04
Yeah in fairness a lot comes from what I’ve seen on TV as well as read and heard - just checked 4G 4A isn’t a great return, just looked good in the run-in. Definitely needs a 10G 10A season.