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Fonda wrote:I like the way Ling is going about things generally speaking because he's definitely up against it. Following a manager who's own achievements were exaggerated by the benefit of a more-than-competetive budget. I hope people are sensible in their expectations, and don't jump on the new man's back if we start slowly. The last manager benefitted from fortunate timing - we couldn't get any lower and had the finances to improve. The current manager is taking over a team that did well last season, but has since been ripped apart. And it seems he'll struggle to recreate that with the current budget.

It's been a mixed bag of a summer for me so far. I was annoyed at the way Bucks left, but not disappointed that he's gone. I hoped for an exciting appointment, and whilst Ling's recent record doesn't make him that - i'm reasonably content having him at the helm. We've lost a lot of players that we'd all have preferred we keep, and some of those brought in have less obvious quality.

The signings of Olejnik and Saah represent excellent business for me. Offered the choice between them and the Bevan and Branston combination - i'm inclined to think we're potentially stronger defensively now - especially with the dedicated right-back, which we lacked for almost Buckle's entire tenure.

But we're significantly weaker offensively. In losing Stanley and Zebroski (from the team we expected to have), there are some huge gaps to fill. I hope (and think) Mcphee will prove to be unrecogniseable from the player we had before. I'm confident we'll be pleasantly surprised at the player he's become. But by re-signing Danny Stevens, and have him competing with the likes of Halpin and Macklin for wing-berths, our lack of attacking depth is exposed. We need at least one proven winger (preferably two) and two strikers.

Our ultimate prospects depend on Ling's ability to find and attract the players to fill these gaps. Whether they be permanent signings or loans is largely irrelevant. Getting the right players is all that counts. I like what i've seen so far, he's at least filling round holes with round pegs - something his predecessor rarely managed. Now is not the time to panic, it is the time to trust the new man to do what's necessary within the restraints imposed on him.