THE CONCRETE ROUNDABOUT (TCR)

I prefer Kiping’s approach.

This seems like a dated reference

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Most pessimistic poster - 2020

we wont go up this year but we will be next year with or without martin, the foundations are now in place

With better players this side under Martin can do bits.

I'm not convinced like some may be that we're gonna lose our best players. I think we'll lose a few, Jerome, the loanees and a midfielder or two, Houghton/Surman maybe? But they go and I'm 100% sure we'd replace them with better players.

Said it before, say it again. We've played every side in this League. And people are talking about us - in mid table BTW. With no fans in the stadium which makes a massive difference. Fans aren't exchanging stories in a pub at an away match before and after. They're only going by what they see in the games against us and a lot have said some really positive things, journalists included. And believe me, players from the opposition really take note on playing styles. Even if they beat us, they can often imagine how exciting it can be to be involved in a side like ours. Especially if their contract is running out. We're setting an example for players who may come later down the line.

Fraser for example wouldn't have come last season expecting promotion this year. Its "the process" over a 2 year period.

This season is and always was a Transitional season. And I think we're doing very well so far, especially after who we lost in the summer. The building work has been this season. There's a lot to improve but that comes with experience from the manager and players bedding in now (Darling, Jules, Harvie, Fisher, O'Reilly etc) and by next year it's not an experience or fresh thing. We push on.

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Spot on, as ever, especially in regards to players wanting to come here. Fraser said in his very first interview with us that it was the way we dominated Burton up at their place in January 2020 (despite a 1:0 win for the hosts) that first put the club and Russ (& Luke) on his radar. He then did his homework and when push came to shove, he bought into it wholesale. There’s probably been at least half a dozen similar midfield players this summer who’ve looked at us in the same way and want a part of it. There’s your shortlist for the Scotty Fraser succession if it comes to that.

Exactly this. You hit the nail on the head.

I like Martin and I like the fact he's got us back playing an attractive style of football and this is a transition season, and I would have accepted mid table at the start of the season. It is certainly an improvement on the negative style of football/relegation form under Tisdale at the start of last season.

However I do agree that until there is a plan B and we learn to play the ugly side of the game aswell as the pretty passing football he won't be able to get us promoted.

I won't judge Martin completely until the end of next season but there are definitely areas we need to improve on. There has been numerous mistakes at the back due to the style that have led to goals when maybe we could've just kicked it into row Z, can't just play tika taka all the time at this level and be successful unless you have real quality in your team like we did in our promotion season.

Genuine question here, what goals? Otherwise I agree with a lot of what you are saying

Whether they're the same players they once were or be it lived up to their potentials etc - we've signed Richard Keogh, Josh Mceachran, Cameron Jerome, Andrew Surman and Will Grigg this season. Players undoubtedly on the list of many clubs in this League and the League above who've been there and done it tempted by a style. That, by the way makes a huge sign of intent to other players down the line.. Those players saw something. Others will too. Fraser, O'Reilly, Brown, Laird, yoing(er) talent who could've done the same.

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Without looking back at highlights I can't actually think, so maybe jumped the gun without looking properly but maybe there has been errors due to the style.

However there has definitely been a lot of occasions when I have been worried with the ball being passed around at the back when we could've just lumped it away. I don't agree with doing it all the time as I love our style of football but unless you are Barcelona you can't keep the ball on the floor all the time.