New Season
 

I hope I am not getting ahead of myself, but I can’t remember the last time I felt so positive heading into a new season.

Things behind the scenes seemed to be more professional and organised than ever before. The team appears to be taking shape nicely, with a mixture of existing experienced pro’s and hungry new talent and finally a Decent Pitch to play passing football on.

I just hope that we also learn from our previous mistakes, by assessing the new crop of players and if they are progressing as expected, stick an 18 month contract in front of them in January. Getting tired of watching us having to totally rebuild every summer because our top talent has been allowed to walk away, more often than not, for nothing.

Roll on the first game – Can’t Wait :)

Re: New Season
 

Well said mate.

I cant wait for the friendlies either to be honest.

All we need are a striker or 2 and a keeper I reckon.

Massive bonus if Coid, Barnett and Hughes stay :)

Re: New Season
 

I cannot understand how a player such as Barnett who has ability, can be lacking in determination, failing often to raise his game in terms of work rate, and showing a total lack of interest. I understood that after the players were given the opportunity of new contracs, Paul Cook expected quick decisions. This has not been the case with Barnett and he obviously has had no suitable offers, what does that tell you!!

We are no doubt his last resort and that does not say much for his ambitions, as he must be content to collect low wages with not even the chance of regular football. The guys general body language does nothing for many of the spectators, and I for one, would have been pleased to see the back of him, and spend the money, on a player who did want to play for Stanley

Re: New Season
 

Yeh may well be right tony, i have thought along those lines, But i wouldn't take too much notice of "Body Language" That don't mean much to me, Look at a certain player fer Man City, he's body language is abysmal.

Re: New Season
 

[quote=tonyalveston;1001324]I cannot understand how a player such as Barnett who has ability, can be lacking in determination, failing often to raise his game in terms of work rate, and showing a total lack of interest.

I have some sympathy with your view. I too thought Barnett had more potential than he was allowed to show when Ryan was ruling the roost. With the latter's departure I'd hoped Charlie would come good, but he had less impact last season that I was hoping for. Ability and attitude have to be matched. There's plenty with one or the other, playing park football.

Re: New Season
 

I too am looking forward to not only the friendlies, but the regular season and like smobile, feel more confident that I have ever done before. I honestly think we can go on and do things this season, even, dare I say it, auto promotion. Some may laugh and others snipe, and I may even fall down after a season of mediocrity, but as smobile says, the set up this pre-season seems so much more professional and we have players who have played with each other and a smattering of others who are new into the team.

Re: New Season
 

At this stage I have no expectations regarding Legue position as I think with the Clubs that have come up and come down it will be a very difficult league perhaps the most difficult since Stanley came back to the Football League whoever goes up at the end of the season will thoroughly deserve it.

For Stanley I am excited as it is now Cookys team and hopefully the football ethos of wide attacking football will come more to the fore this season but I am also cautious as the general age of the team will be quite young and there will be inexperience within there that just needs the older heads to bring them through as they learn their trade, my other note of caution is there is a fine line most of the time in results with the odd goal being the difference between three points and no points and with that comes the need for a fifteen a season target man or a midfield that will weigh in with more than their fair share of goals.

I am also a realist and realise budget wise we can't compete with big signings and wages so I am more than happy so long as I see effort and commitment to the Stanley cause by the team and I am also a big believer that endeavour and commitment bring their own rewards.

On Stanley On!

Re: New Season
 

I also have no expectations regarding league position next season, "Yet!" at this point will be delighted if we finish around mid-table, Then again twill be no shock to me,if we finish much higher,I have faith in the management duo, n also what vision those now around the club hold.:)

Re: New Season
 

i'm pleased with the progress being made off the field and now have far more hope than previous that Stanley can maintain their League status and become more than an expected lower end cannon fodder team. We could and should aspire to the Cheltenham type of model who were not too distantly a Stanleyesque club. now thought they are reasonably expected to do well on a frequent basis.

As for on the pitch I'm not going to join the hordes who are impressed with the signings to be honest. I'm not going to be doom and gloom neither by the way, its just that we have signed a rake of "could-be-good" players. Which is fine. But I think this team is more about the following season, which brings us back to whether we are able to offer improved contracts early enough to ensure they are signed up. Toto is a fine example of that.

I hope to tempt fate by saying that "we'll win nowt with kids"

Re: New Season
 

Second division championship. Will settle for nowt less now I've put a tenner on 'em at 100/1 with W. Hill esq! ;)

Re: New Season
 

I'm not as confident as you Wynonie I've taken a tenner at 16/1 to be promoted

Re: New Season
 

Ive had same bet as me buddy Wyn, But were yeh get those odds fer promotion? i'll have some of that as well.:)

Re: New Season
 

If you bet each way on your bet would you not have got 25-1 on finishing top 4 ?

Re: New Season
 

They said they were only taking the Winner at the time i placed it.

Re: New Season
 

here is a link for promotion betting for League Div 2

http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en...Promotion.html