As it stands..

[simon81]

Are we in a good position with the playing staff at our disposal given this season does seem to be ebbing away, will it all be about next season? The way I see it is we are absolutely not good enough for a play off push despite being in touching distance and thats largely down to our poor home form.

Arguably our 3 best players have about 13 games left before they return to their parent clubs, so many of the positions are not strong enough and the back up isn't even there. People saying that ffp will come into play when we make signings in the summer so although a lot of the clubs around us will be attracting the better players we will rely on getting lower league gambles for a pittance.

Whilst we build around the likes of DJ and Browne we will be continue to be a genuine championship outfit but nothing more than that. Since Lowe has come in the fans have reacted positively but i’m certainly not sold yet. The football at deepdale is no better than it was before, on rare occasions I leave with a smile on my face. Call me a miserable sod but the football is simply not good enough. I would love to know what the clubs ambitions are going forward, the poor crowds will tell you all you need to know about the expectations we have realistically.

 

[Dirty Harry]

We will be saying 'next season' next season too, just like we do with 'next transfer window'. Nowt changes.

 

[SMURF]

The football is better, but not good enough for a run at promotion. Same applies to the playing staff. I don't see any sort of quick solution and reckon next year will be another "development" year. It's very frustrating to see how we play in one half, go behind then play like we did second half against Reading etc..

 

[Who eat all depays ?]

We always say this as fans, next year, next year how many times have we said that this league is for the taking it's just a cycle, season after season but ultimately were going nowhere until things start to change from the bottom up .We have the management now but at the end of the day it's about everything around it.

 

[Mr.T]

The recruitment this summer is absolutely crucial in regards to where we finish next season. With the players leaving at the end of the season (out of contract & loans ending) there are a lot of positions that need filling with QUALITY. If we don’t act early in the summer transfer window it will once again be a season of mediocrity and sooner than later people will say it’s about next season.

Seems to be a recurring pattern from previous seasons…

 

[budgierustler]

Im expecting huge changes in the Summer. Not only OOC players but it would not surprise me in the slightest if some with time on their contracts are paid up.

 

[Walton]

Could be a few surprises, there are one or two who probably need a new challenge.

 

[Mer5eywhite]

We will be saying 'next season' next season too, just like we do with 'next transfer window'. Nowt changes.

See my avatar

 

[Joanpne]

Im expecting huge changes in the Summer. Not only OOC players but it would not surprise me in the slightest if some with time on their contracts are paid up.

Would that be good news? It could be a cost saving exercise or good news.

 

[pne_monster]

Until we start to think differently (and there is some recent evidence of this) then we'll continue to tread water. I was hoping for a tilt at the play offs but think there's too much for RL to fix short term. Success next year will need a revolution, not just regurgitation.

 

[Mer5eywhite]

Would that be good news? It could be a cost saving exercise or good news.

I think there are a few players who could go. We need top-end championship players who are likely to play for the majority of a season, quick, strong, keen and preferably with some experience.

Tommy B has had his day at North End.

Harrop and Ripley need to be paid off if necessary.

 

[Big-Al]

Im expecting huge changes in the Summer. Not only OOC players but it would not surprise me in the slightest if some with time on their contracts are paid up.

I hope you’re right. The new manager has an opportunity that won’t present itself again.
As someone else pointed out our 3 best players are the loan players. There doesn’t seem to be a realistic possibility of signing them permanently, so somehow we need much more quality in the squad.
I’m not optimistic.

 

[simon81]

The aim of my OP was to say that its not about this season or the next but the one after. Its so disappointing really. The forsight and planning that goes into this club is letting the fans down. Dont expect the stay-away to come back anytime soon. Something big has to happen or we’re stuck with league one attendances for a very long time. Not signing anyone in the January window was a missed opportunity for them to hit the ground running next season and now we will have to hope there are 7-8 who can do just that, it won’t happen.

 

[pne_monster]

The aim of my OP was to say that its not about this season or the next but the one after. Its so disappointing really. The forsight and planning that goes into this club is letting the fans down. Dont expect the stay-away to come back anytime soon. Something big has to happen or we’re stuck with league one attendances for a very long time. Not signing anyone in the January window was a missed opportunity for them to hit the ground running next season and now we will have to hope there are 7-8 who can do just that, it won’t happen.

I disagree in part. Panic buying in January in the past has resulted in us buying players that didn't improve us, all while taking up a wage. I think we need to be more forensic with our budgeting and recruitment. If that means it takes a couple of years to build the right squad then so be it.

 

[diggerb]

Would that be good news? It could be a cost saving exercise or good news.

As I have said on a different thread. What's the point of paying, Ripley,Hudson,Rafferty,Osulunde,I.Brown,Bayliss,Harrop,Murphy,Huntingdon,
Barky,Thomas.

 

[diggerb]

Personally I think Barky could still be of value to us.

 

[Joanpne]

As I have said on a different thread. What's the point of paying, Ripley,Hudson,Rafferty,Osulunde,I.Brown,Bayliss,Harrop,Murphy,Huntingdon,
Barky,Thomas.

I didn’t see your post on the other thread but, you are right. Mind according to Ryan Lowe Murphy should be back available for the Coventry game so maybe a bit hasty on him.

 

[Tommmm12345]

I think there are a few players who could go. We need top-end championship players who are likely to play for the majority of a season, quick, strong, keen and preferably with some experience.

Tommy B has had his day at North End.

Harrop and Ripley need to be paid off if necessary.

What about Keepers Ripley will go Rudd talk of Norwich few months ago or other clubs Hudson maybe loan or go Iverson back at Leicester would like to keep him again next season

 

[Yoowell]

We’ve been treading water for years and it’s quite exhausting thinking that next summer is going to be the big one.
Maybe it’s time to take a chance and risk that our rubber ring might pop on the way.
With regards to this season it’s only just dawning on me that our home form has been so atrocious.

 

[baldnobber]

The aim of my OP was to say that its not about this season or the next but the one after. Its so disappointing really. The forsight and planning that goes into this club is letting the fans down. Dont expect the stay-away to come back anytime soon. Something big has to happen or we’re stuck with league one attendances for a very long time. Not signing anyone in the January window was a missed opportunity for them to hit the ground running next season and now we will have to hope there are 7-8 who can do just that, it won’t happen.

Completely agree with your first sentence. It will take a few windows of careful planning and excellent recruitment to overhaul the current playing staff, add players that improve the first XI, while signing young players who will potentially improve over time and further strengthen the first XI.
There doesn't seem to be this long term mentality at North End, it's all about surviving the next 12 months, and talk from the head of recruitment about the need to sign 'squad fillers' is alarming to say the least.