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Successful season ?

I don't see any reason why not.

Remember when we came up from BSP ? Some were convinced we would do an Exeter and go straight up again. What did we get ? For the most part, a season of looking over our shoulder at the bottom two.

Could it be that as some are convinced we'll struggle, we may well do the opposite ?

We will be a comfortable mid table team this season IMO. I am not worried in the slightest and optimistic that mid table is a minimum achievement.

I think a hell of a lot depends on Lings last couple of signings. If signing Rice as a second keeper allows him more in the salary pot to bring in a quality finisher and a decent winger who knows, pushing for the play offs? Cross fingers, touch wood!

7th. Goal difference above Rovers.

Warwickgull wrote:I think a hell of a lot depends on Lings last couple of signings. If signing Rice as a second keeper allows him more in the salary pot to bring in a quality finisher and a decent winger who knows, pushing for the play offs? Cross fingers, touch wood!

Our forward department isn't complete yet – I'm still looking for another player there," added Ling, who stressed that trialist Taiwo Atieno still has first chance to lay a claim to a contract.

After reading that, as i can see it he only has eyes on one more striker. Taiwo Atieno seemes to have first choice on the position he impresses. So i would hold out for that quality finisher if that last spot goes to him.

I still feel we would need one more striker on top of that so have 4 good strikers as i cant see spear or yeoman being ready. Inless McPhee is being a striker too.

Things are definitely looking up. I would be happy with mid table and a completed grandstand ready for a promotion push in 2012-13.

tufcbrett wrote: Our forward department isn't complete yet – I'm still looking for another player there," added Ling, who stressed that trialist Taiwo Atieno still has first chance to lay a claim to a contract.

After reading that, as i can see it he only has eyes on one more striker. Taiwo Atieno seemes to have first choice on the position he impresses. So i would hold out for that quality finisher if that last spot goes to him.

I still feel we would need one more striker on top of that so have 4 good strikers as i cant see spear or yeoman being ready. Inless McPhee is being a striker too.

Totally agree.

I know it all comes down to the budget but if at all possible I would like to see Howe, Kee, Atieno + A N OTHER with the likes of Spear and Yeoman used only as back up - ideally given the chance to go out on loan at a lower level to gain valuable experience. It appears that at the moment Martin Ling is only looking at bringing in ONE more striker - possibly Atieno but personally I think he (Atieno) is maybe too similar to Howe and if Ling should sign him (Atieno) which on the evidence of last night I wouldn't be too disappointed about - I would still like to see a real pacey striker signed to compliment what we already have.

Well apprently Atineo is the quickest in our squad so if we found anyone quicker i would be suprised. Who knows whats going though Lings mind.

Stillagree we need that one more player. That Mcmanus or who ever it was from Falkirk would be nice but i dont think that will happen.

If we sign Atieno, we'll seemingly have some pace in the forward line. Howe evidently provides the graft and Kee provides flashes of quality. But who exactly provides the goals? Where is the player to provide the finishing touches. With all due respect to them, none of those strikers are primarily 'goalscorers' - they are all (in different ways) support strikers. We lack a fox in the box. If we're only looking to sign one more striker, i'm personally not convinced Atieno is the right choice. Pacy striker that doesn't score, or one with less pace that does...?

I think (hope) the "1 more striker and a left winger" will complete his "permanent" squad. After a month or so, he'll be able to see where we need strengthening and dive into the loan market. Cody Mcdonald is going to be twiddling his thumbs at Norwich or, more realistically, Sam Winnall at Wolves looked pretty sharp at Burton last year.

Yes, dinger did say right from the start,that he would be looking to top the squad up with loan additions.as for Cody Macc,i think it has already be correctly stated on this forum in my view,if Cody Macc was availble he surely would have gone back to Gillingham on loan.

I would have thought Norwich would be looking to farm him out further up the scale now,in terms of his development.

Obviously Cody Mcdonald was wishful thinking! :P

The point I was making though was, that I expect (hope) to see the squad fleshed out by loan signings once Lingy has seen them in action a few times and spotted the weak points.

Fonda wrote:If we sign Atieno, we'll seemingly have some pace in the forward line. Howe evidently provides the graft and Kee provides flashes of quality. But who exactly provides the goals? Where is the player to provide the finishing touches. With all due respect to them, none of those strikers are primarily 'goalscorers' - they are all (in different ways) support strikers. We lack a fox in the box. If we're only looking to sign one more striker, i'm personally not convinced Atieno is the right choice. Pacy striker that doesn't score, or one with less pace that does...?

Weren't we told or believed this description was Kee when we signed him, goalscoring fox in the box? Maybe he could be that player, I'm not convinced his all round game outside the box is too clever maybe a slightly different role for him this season? (other than a cheese one)

I like Kee as a player, and any club at this level would love a fitter version of him. But i don't see him as a penalty box 'sniffer'. His finishing isn't good enough, and he's not quick enough - of body or mind, to find the spaces that the good exponents of that art are able to.

None of our strike-force are particularly proven so I think a mid-table finish is about what we should thinking.

Howe hasn't yet settled down at a club properly and has not been clinical where he's been. Question marks over fitness have been asked at other clubs too.
Kee despite people loving him on this forum, is not a great player. Yes he was played on the wing a lot last season, but even up front he didn't look great. He's young and he's got a lot of work to do.
Atieno should we sign him has not made it in the football league yet, and would represent a massive gamble as a first choice.
Spear and Yeoman although decent prospects, should not be expected to perform.

Despite a shakey forward line, I think midtable is realistic.